Much of Judaism (although there are notable exceptions) lacks the stress on spirituality that we see in Biblical Judaism. For example, it is believed by most Jews that the prophetic voice no longer speaks. Miracles may occur, but rarely if ever are they seen as God's response to the prayer of faith. Rabbinic Judaism, by-and-large, emphasizes halachah (Jewish law) and a spirituality that is contained within well-defined borders. For example, kavannah, which used to be free-flowing improvised prayer, has been redefined as heartfelt intent within the borders of pre-composed liturgical prayer.
Messianic Judaism would like to change that. Part of the promise of the New Covenant that we see in the prophets, emphasizes newness of heart (Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 36, etc.), spirituality, and the outpouring of the Ruach Hakodesh (the Holy Spirit). For example, Joel 3:1, 2 (2:28, 29 in Christian Bibles) says the following:
"After this, I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions; and also on male and female slaves in those days I will pour out my Spirit…" (The Complete Jewish Bible). Peter refers to this passage in Acts 2 as being fulfilled by the outpouring of God's Spirit on the disciples of Yeshua. Our Messiah Himself, promised us the gift of the Ruach Hakodesh (John 16:7 for example).
We want a spiritually alive Jewish practice in which we experience devekut (genuine closeness with God). This is possible because our lives have been cleansed from sin through Yeshua that we might be the Temple of God's Spirit. Are you experiencing this closeness with God? It is not enough to know who the Messiah is, you must allow His Spirit to interact in your life to transform you. God's desire was always more than an intellectual acknowledgment of who He is, His desire was always to dwell amongst His children (Exodus 25:8).
If you are not experiencing the presence of God's Spirit in your life, what must you do? Read these words from Yeshua...
Luke 11:9-13 (CJB)
"Moreover, I myself say to you: keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who goes on asking receives; and he who goes on seeking finds; and to him who continues knocking, the door will be opened. Is there any father here who, if his son asked him for a fish, would instead of a fish give him a snake? Or if he asked for an egg would give him a scorpion? So if you, even though you are bad, know how to give your children gifts that are good, how much more will the Father keep giving the Ruach HaKodesh from heaven to those who keep asking him!"
Don't just pray…seek the Lord wholeheartedly! This takes time and faith. Have faith that the Lord will answer you and anoint you with the Holy Spirit if you take time to seek Him.
Do you feel that you are experiencing the Spirit of God in your life because you believe you hear His voice or speak in tongues? While these are some of the gifts of the Spirit, they are also things that one can conjure up in their own mind. The true proof of the working of the Spirit of God in our lives is not tongues, nor words that we think come from heaven, nor is it even miracles and healings. The true proof of God's Spirit is a life that is changed. Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit? If not, seek the outpouring of God's Spirit again as a new-born believer. Analyze your life against the list of the fruit of the Spirit in the following passage. Ask the Lord's anointing in the areas you lack.
Galatians 5:22-23a
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control.
"Am I filled with love, joy, and peace? Am I showing patience, kindness, and goodness? Am I faithful? Am I humble? Am I self-controlled? Lord, help me through the anointing of your Spirit in those areas where I lack."
May you be blessed with all the richness that the Lord has for you. May you be immersed in His presence, and may you bear the fruit of the Spirit of Adonai!
Shalom and love,
Rabbi Josh
Messianic Judaism would like to change that. Part of the promise of the New Covenant that we see in the prophets, emphasizes newness of heart (Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 36, etc.), spirituality, and the outpouring of the Ruach Hakodesh (the Holy Spirit). For example, Joel 3:1, 2 (2:28, 29 in Christian Bibles) says the following:
"After this, I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions; and also on male and female slaves in those days I will pour out my Spirit…" (The Complete Jewish Bible). Peter refers to this passage in Acts 2 as being fulfilled by the outpouring of God's Spirit on the disciples of Yeshua. Our Messiah Himself, promised us the gift of the Ruach Hakodesh (John 16:7 for example).
We want a spiritually alive Jewish practice in which we experience devekut (genuine closeness with God). This is possible because our lives have been cleansed from sin through Yeshua that we might be the Temple of God's Spirit. Are you experiencing this closeness with God? It is not enough to know who the Messiah is, you must allow His Spirit to interact in your life to transform you. God's desire was always more than an intellectual acknowledgment of who He is, His desire was always to dwell amongst His children (Exodus 25:8).
If you are not experiencing the presence of God's Spirit in your life, what must you do? Read these words from Yeshua...
Luke 11:9-13 (CJB)
"Moreover, I myself say to you: keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who goes on asking receives; and he who goes on seeking finds; and to him who continues knocking, the door will be opened. Is there any father here who, if his son asked him for a fish, would instead of a fish give him a snake? Or if he asked for an egg would give him a scorpion? So if you, even though you are bad, know how to give your children gifts that are good, how much more will the Father keep giving the Ruach HaKodesh from heaven to those who keep asking him!"
Don't just pray…seek the Lord wholeheartedly! This takes time and faith. Have faith that the Lord will answer you and anoint you with the Holy Spirit if you take time to seek Him.
Do you feel that you are experiencing the Spirit of God in your life because you believe you hear His voice or speak in tongues? While these are some of the gifts of the Spirit, they are also things that one can conjure up in their own mind. The true proof of the working of the Spirit of God in our lives is not tongues, nor words that we think come from heaven, nor is it even miracles and healings. The true proof of God's Spirit is a life that is changed. Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit? If not, seek the outpouring of God's Spirit again as a new-born believer. Analyze your life against the list of the fruit of the Spirit in the following passage. Ask the Lord's anointing in the areas you lack.
Galatians 5:22-23a
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control.
"Am I filled with love, joy, and peace? Am I showing patience, kindness, and goodness? Am I faithful? Am I humble? Am I self-controlled? Lord, help me through the anointing of your Spirit in those areas where I lack."
May you be blessed with all the richness that the Lord has for you. May you be immersed in His presence, and may you bear the fruit of the Spirit of Adonai!
Shalom and love,
Rabbi Josh