Dear Mishpacha (family),
As I am writing this newsletter, tropical storm Helene is slowly but surely making her way to the west side of the state of Florida. It is currently located approximately 175 miles from the western tip of Cuba; I pray that it dissipates in the ocean. When I think of Yeshua’s parable about building on a solid foundation I think of the state of Florida. We don’t have earthquakes, mud slides or blizzards, but we do experience hurricanes. In Matthew 7:24-27 Yeshua said, “24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” May we all be sure to not build our houses on sand, but on the firm foundation of Christ.
This year, each week in the month of October marks a Fall Feast or holy day of God. We will be celebrating them one after the other each Sabbath service. The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), which begins at sundown on October 2nd this year, is all about blowing the shofar. One day the shofar will once again be blown signifying the return of Yeshua for His bride; just like at Mt. Sinai when He married the children of Israel.
Between the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), there are ten days called The Ten Days of Awe. During this time, we choose two days to allow our congregation an opportunity to partake in a Mikvah; a ceremonial cleansing. In Hebrews 10:22 it says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” If you are interested in a Mikvah, there is a sign-up sheet in the foyer of the church where you are able to choose a date and time slot. You may choose a time slot on Wednesday, October 9th or Thursday, October 10th. Mikvahs will be done at the Bowman’s residence. If you have any questions, please call the office or speak with me personally; I would love to talk with you. You can also email me at pastornick@topraise.net.
The Feast of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is a day of fasting and corporate forgiveness. It involves two goats; one is for the defilement of the temple, and the other for the sins of the people. After four days, on Tishrei 15 (the evening of October 16th this year), we celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) for seven days. This is a time to build a sukkah(tent), and have great joy. On the Eighth Great Day (Simchat Torah) we conclude another year of the torah cycle.
22 Tishrei 5784 (October 7, 2023), was the Eighth Great Day, but also a day we will never be able to etch from our minds. It was the day Hamas terrorists struck Israel, killing over 1,200 people. This was not only a holy feast day, but It was also a Sabbath that should have been celebrated with great joy, but instead it quickly became a day of grief and sorrow. Over 251 individuals were taken hostage, and over 108 remain in captivity to this very day. In the torah, it states if you take someone captive against their will, the penalty is death (Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7). We need to be praying for the state of Israel and for the peace of Jerusalem.
I want to take this time to personally thank all of you who participated in this year’s Daniel Fast as we interceded on behalf of Israel and the Holy City of Jerusalem. In the past two months, I have adapted the habit of liquid fasting once a week. I dedicate the day of fasting to allowing The Holy Spirit to restore my soul (mind, will, emotions); it has brought me to a deeper experience with my Heavenly Father. I encourage you to do the same, and invite you to share with me your experience(s) with fasting. I also want to ask again that you please try and listen to the “Gripped” podcast with Corey Russell from House Denver and Billy Humphrey from Gate City Church. These guys are inspiring and will encourage you to draw closer to the Lord. You can also watch them on YouTube. They inspire me and I was encouraged through them to start fasting on a regular basis.
Beit Tehila is currently in a transition and a new season, and I have never been more excited about our future. I really enjoyed Pastor Gio along with his wife Destiny with their worship team from Abide Church as they came and ministered to us on September 14th. I strongly believe in the One Church of Tampa Bay and I am seeing the fruit of it in my own life. It is time for the church to come together in unity and take back our City of Brandon! I am believing for salvation, healing, and deliverance for all of Hillsborough County. Now is not the time to shrink back or be passive, but now is the time to be intentional and passionate. Let’s quit talking about what the devil’s doing, and start talking about the kingdom of God and His power. We are still in the Season of Teshuvah until the close of the Day of Atonement on October 12th in the eve. From now until then; and always, allow The Lord to continue to purify and transform your heart and every area of your life, so that you may know the fullness of His glory.
~Shalom, Pastor Nick