Teaching the Hebrew Roots

of the Christian Faith

January Monthly Newsletter

Dear Mishpacha (family),

As I am writing this newsletter we are approaching the second night of Hanukkah and we still have six nights to go. I have to tell you that the holiday of Christmas is only one day but Hanukkah is for eight nights. The holiday of Hanukkah reflects a historical event that took place in Israel around 164 B.C. and this story will play out again in the future. The theme for Hanukkah is “dedication” and both the altar and the temple were rededicated after being defiled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes the Greco-Syrian leader. In the Book of Haggai which was written around 520 B.C., we find that in the ninth month on the twenty-fourth day, the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid (Haggai 2:18). Its only fitting that Antiochus IV Epiphanes would defile the altar and the temple in the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar on the twenty-fifth day. God has dates for restoration and Satan has dates for destruction. On October 7th, 2023 it was the Eighth Great Day in Israel and it was supposed to be a day of great joy in the Torah but Hamas terrorists turned it into a day of great grief. Satan hates the Lord’s feast days and his plans of restoration that we are currently living in.

As I was reading my Daily Bread today for 26 December 25 Kislev, Thursday, Hanukkah Day 1 at the        bottom of the page it says “Today in history”: The Maccabees liberate the temple (I Maccabees 4)… “the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev… at the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals” (NRSV). Don’t forget the War of Yom Kippur in 1973 when the enemies struck Israel on this Holy Day. The enemies of  Israel were defeated but lives were lost and there were great casualties. On October 7th, 2023 it was the Eighth Great Day and if you go back fifty years to the day it was the Day of Yom Kippur in 1973. This was strategically planned out by Satan and he entered the hearts of the Hamas terrorists to do his bidding. Since then it seems that Israel has increased their own borders and geographical land mass.

This leads me to share how God is stretching out our tent pegs which is influence throughout the community. We have had two pastors along with their worship team come and minister to our community this year. This next year promises to be even better as we can influence in a greater way. When Hurricane Milton hit our area a lot of people suffered wind damage and flooding. New Jerusalem Church suffered flooding in their sanctuary and offices. The Lord put it on my heart for them to use our church until their place could be remodeled. With the church board’s approval, New Jerusalem Church has been able to have services every Sunday at 10 AM. We are so blessed to have them here and once again this is an example of having “The One Church of Tampa Bay” manifested. If you want to attend a New Jerusalem Church service come at 10 AM on Sunday. Pastor Peter has given the invitation for anyone to attend so come and visit on Sunday morning.

I am inspired to share that the Lord has revealed that this next year will be all about divine appointments and friendships. We are moving forward and starting in January we will be studying the Gospel of John in our small groups bible study. Both Danielle and I want to personally thank you all for supporting and giving to the vision of Beit Tehila. In January we will be hosting Christian Comedians by the Lighthouse Ministry on the 11th and on the 18th we will be having our Rap Concert. I can’t wait to celebrate Beit Tehila’s great future with all of you.

Shalom, Pastor Nick