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A Southwest Summer Sizzler! |
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The 2005 West Coast Leadership
Conference for the
Association of Messianic Congregations (AMC) was held in Tucson,
Arizona, and Sam was invited to be the keynote speaker. Tucson is a
beautiful city that gets just a bit warm in the summer. Just how ‘warm’ was it? While we were there Tuscon set a record for consecutive 100 + degree days, with an average 114. |
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That’s right, one
hundred fourteen degrees. Lucky for us it was a ‘dry heat’ (Ha, ha.)
Nevertheless, I have to say that the people of Tucson are real troopers,
and thanks in part to great air conditioning, life goes on without
missing a beat. |
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We
learned that like Jonah, we can know God’s will and yet not follow it,
and if our hearts are not yielded to the Lord we are at cross purposes
to his will. By way of illustration Sam challenged each of us to
consider whether we are truly following the will of God: “There are two
sailboats approaching one another, moving steadily and speedily in
opposing directions--yet driven by the same wind. Each boat’s direction
is determined not by the wind, but by the set of the sail. In the same
way, the Word of God comes to us and ‘the set of our sail’ determines
our response or direction, whether we are walking with God, or running
from God. Each of us sets his own sail. The Word of God, or winds of
life may be beyond our control, but our attitude, our outlook and our
faith, fix ‘the set of the sail’ within our own mind and heart.
Depending on the set of our sails, the same message can be life unto
life, or death unto death. How are your sails set? Turn your sails to
trust in Yeshua, and the word of God will bring you home to the heart of
God.” After the service Michael*, a 30 year old Jewish man sought out Sam to talk with him. Michael had been raised in a believing home, but over time his childhood faith in Messiah Yeshua had dissipated in a blur of stressful work and a fast-paced lifestyle. He told Sam that he prayed the prayer and rededicated his life to the Lord. “That message was just for me,” Michael said with tears in his eyes, and went on to explain that he had made a mess of his life but wanted to return to the God of Israel. With conviction he continued, “I want to stop running from God. I want to ‘set my sails’ by God’s Word to follow Him, and do His will.” Sam prayed with Michael, and encouraged him to walk faithfully with the Lord, and to trust God for his future. Foundational Truths At the two day conference Sam was asked to give five messages on the theme of Messianic Apologetics, including: 1. Why the Good News is still to the Jew First; 2. Why there must be Messianic Congregations; 3. Why we must have Yeshua-centered Congregations; 4. Why Gentiles must be a part of the Messianic movement; 5. Why we must preach salvation is by faith in Yeshua alone. It was thrilling to hear the feedback from Messianic leaders from all over the Western US, and even Hawaii: “Your teaching was life changing for me especially the message on Why Gentiles must be a part of the Messianic movement; “Your exposition of Jeremiah 31:31-34 was a real encouragement to my heart. It really opened my eyes and answered some of my questions.” What a privilege it was for Sam to speak on the vital importance of establishing congregations with a ‘Yeshua-centered’ testimony among Jewish communities around the world. At our resource table between sessions one woman had been looking for Messianic material to use with her class of young teens and was thrilled to realize that our books Following Yeshua and Growing in Messiah would be great for discipleship. Several mentioned that they would be conducting small group studies using Messianic Wisdom. One of the congregational leaders said to me, “I really thank the Lord for the way Sam has poured his time and energy into producing these practical and edifying books to help us grow in Messiah.” Some of our greatest joys came when we had the opportunity to be an encouragement to other congregation planters and their wives, especially to those who are just starting out. A few of the men were seeking God’s direction about planting a new congregation, and Sam was able to spend time counseling and encouraging them. What joy to realize the dynamic work that God is developing among His chosen people! Thank you for praying for us as we see the Good News being furthered and Messiah’s name exalted in Jewish communities everywhere. Y For conference pix click here!
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