Acharei Mot-Kedoshim “After the Death” - “holy”
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim is a double Torah portion. Acharei mot are the Hebrew word for “after the death”, while kedoshim is the Hebrew word for “holy”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 16 verse 1 and going through chapter 20 and verse 27.
Confident Supplication
Prayer is more than just speaking words or making requests - it's about developing an intimate relationship with God. Jesus taught that effective prayer happens in private, away from the desire to impress others. He warned against common mistakes like praying for show or using meaningless repetitions. The key to meaningful prayer lies in seeking God's presence with a pure heart, responding to others' needs, and focusing on genuine connection rather than performance. Creating a secret place for prayer allows for transformative communion with God.
Tazria-Metzora “Conceived” and “leper”
Tazria-Metzora is a double Torah portion. Tazria is the Hebrew word for “conceived”, while Metzora is the Hebrew word for “leper”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 12 verse 1 and going through chapter 15 and verse 33.
First Fruits A Message of Hope, Gratitude & Resurrection
First fruits is a biblical principle that goes beyond agricultural offerings, representing our commitment to give God our best in every area of life. It acknowledges God as the source of all blessings and demonstrates our trust in His provision. This principle applies to modern life through our time, talents, resources, and relationships. Just as Jesus was the ultimate first fruits through His resurrection, we are called to offer our best to God as an expression of gratitude and faith.
Shemini or Sh’mini “Eighth”
Shemini is the Hebrew word for “Eighth”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 9 verse 1 and going through chapter 11 verse 47.
The Bread of Life
First Fruits celebrates Jesus' resurrection and His role as the bread of life, marking His victory over death and sin. This transformative event fundamentally changed humanity's relationship with God, breaking the cycle of sin and death. The celebration emphasizes Jesus as the first fruits of resurrection, connecting to His declaration as the bread of life and God's provision throughout history. The focus should remain on praising Jesus' sacrifice, remembering His victory, and maintaining unity within the body of Christ.
Pesach “Passover”
Pesach is the Hebrew word for “Passover”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Exodus starting in chapter 12 verse 21 and going through verse 51.
Confident Generosity
JBiblical righteousness goes beyond moral perfection, focusing on the transformation from selfishness to selfless giving through a relationship with Jesus Christ. True righteousness manifests in generous, anonymous giving that flows from a pure heart rather than seeking recognition. This transformation occurs when we understand that we give freely because we have freely received from God. The emphasis is on giving with pure motives, letting our actions flow from our relationship with Jesus rather than obligation or desire for praise.
Perfection
Jesus's teaching on Kingdom righteousness goes beyond traditional interpretations of God's law, calling believers to a higher standard of love and grace. Rather than focusing on revenge or rigid rules, true righteousness involves giving generously, showing grace to the undeserving, and loving enemies. Being perfect as God is perfect isn't about flawless performance, but about pursuing the completion of God's purpose in our lives. This transformative understanding shapes how we handle conflicts, respond to wrongs, and demonstrate love to others.Living with integrity is a core element of Christian character, reflecting God's trustworthy nature. Jesus teaches that our words should be reliable and truthful, with our yes meaning yes and our no meaning no. Narcissism, whether stemming from past wounds or manifesting as harmful behavior towards others, can severely undermine integrity. True kingdom character requires keeping our word, communicating honestly, and recognizing our need for God's healing and guidance.
Tzav “command”
Tzav is the Hebrew word for “command”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 6 verse 8 and going through chapter 8 and verse 36.
Integrity
Living with integrity is a core element of Christian character, reflecting God's trustworthy nature. Jesus teaches that our words should be reliable and truthful, with our yes meaning yes and our no meaning no. Narcissism, whether stemming from past wounds or manifesting as harmful behavior towards others, can severely undermine integrity. True kingdom character requires keeping our word, communicating honestly, and recognizing our need for God's healing and guidance.
Vayikra “and He called”
Vayikra is the Hebrew word for “and He called”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Leviticus starting in chapter 1 verse 1 and going through chapter 6 and verse 7.
Choosing to Thrive
Life's journey with God requires more than surface-level knowledge - it demands genuine relationship through prayer, biblical guidance, and active community involvement. God's faithfulness persists through every season, protecting and guiding us even when we feel lost. The church community plays an essential role in spiritual growth by providing biblical teaching, accountability, and opportunities for fellowship. Through surrendering to Jesus and finding supportive community, we can experience healing from past hurts and discover our true purpose in God's kingdom.
Pekudei “accounts”
Pekudei is the Hebrew word for “accounts”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Exodus starting in chapter 38 verse 21 and going through chapter 40 and verse 38.
Exceeding Grace, Surpassing Righteousness
Torah of the Kingdom: Exceeding Grace, Surpassing Righteousness
God's grace represents loving kindness and covenant loyalty, not a reflection of human worthlessness. While we cannot earn God's love, we inherently deserve it as His created children. Jesus's teachings on adultery and divorce emphasize the importance of covenant faithfulness and protecting the vulnerable. True grace elevates people's worth while calling them to demonstrate selfless love and loyalty in their relationships. These teachings challenge us to extend genuine grace to others while maintaining high standards of faithfulness.
Vayak’hel “and he assembled”
Vayak’hel is the Hebrew word for “and he assembled”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Exodus starting in chapter 35 verse 1 and going through chapter 38 and verse 20.
Kingdom Court
Torah of the Kingdom: Kingdom Court
Matthew 5:20 through 26
Is anger really that different from murder? Jesus's shocking teaching reveals how our everyday attitudes might be more dangerous than we think. Discover what self-centeredness and contempt for others say about the condition of our hearts. Ready to challenge your perspective on true righteousness?
Ki Tisa “when you take”
Ki Tisa is the Hebrew word for “when you take”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Exodus starting in chapter 30 verse 11 and going through chapter 34 and verse 35.
Kingdom Righteousness
Torah of the Kingdom: Kingdom Righteousness
Matthew 5:16 through 19
As Yeshua begins to interpret and apply the Torah, He exposes those who have corrupted and burdened the people with their own self-serving interpretations. He hints at just how far their narcissism will eventually take them as He explains that righteousness begins with recognizing the value of every human life.
Tetzaveh “you shall command”
Tetzaveh is the Hebrew word for “you shall command”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Exodus starting in chapter 27 verse 20 and going through chapter 30 and verse 10.