RETURN TO THE VINE - CONNECT WITH ISRAELUnderstand the Roots of Our Faith in Jesus

First Century Faith introduces locally The HaYesod program, which is composed of ten compelling lessons that explore the foundational truths of the entire Word of God from a Hebraic perspective. Lessons are taught from locations throughout the land of Israel and from a studio setting. Students will experience a unique, messianic-yeshiva learning experience and will fall in love with the land of Israel through several visual tours to the Land. The current series schedule.

Open Arms and Open Heart

Welcome introduction to the materials and lesson plan of HaYesod and a time for fellowship, fun and prayer. Bring a covered dish to share and just expect to feel at home as we meet our co-travelers and share our journey together. Prepare for lots of laughter, grace, good food, openness and all around blessing.

Our Foundation—His Torah

An introduction to the concept of Torah, the five books of Moses. Session One teaches students that Torah means "instruction." It is God's loving instruction for his people—the wedding vows of the sacred marriage between God and his people.

Our Birthright—His Salvation

When we become believers in Yeshua, we receive a new identity. We receive the righteousness of Messiah through his salvation. Now we have a responsibility to live it out. Session Two explores the practical implications of being a new creation in Messiah.

Our Connection—His Covenants

The Bible is the story of a series of covenants. New covenants do not cancel previous covenants; they build on top of one another. Session Three gives students an overview of the biblical covenants to see how everything fits together.

Our Rabbi—His Teachings

It is one thing to know Yeshua as savior; it is something else to know him as teacher. Session Four introduces students to the Torah teacher, Rabbi Yeshua of Nazareth, in his first century Jewish context. Discover the Jewish background to the Gospels and the Torah teachings of Yeshua.

Our Call—His Yoke

What does it mean to be a disciple? Session Five brings students back to a first-century Jewish understanding of discipleship. Find out why keeping Torah and discipleship to Yeshua are inseparable.

Our Identity—His Apostle

What about the Apostle Paul? Did he convert to Christianity and forsake Torah? Did Paul teach against keeping Torah? Session Six introduces students to Paul, the misunderstood man, and the major issues that defined his mission.

Our Mail—His Letters

The letters of Paul can be hard to understand. On the surface, some passages sound like they are anti-Torah. Session Seven clarifies several key passages in Paul's epistles by placing them back into their original context.

Our Calendar—His Appointments

The Torah spells out appointed times for meeting with God: times of prayer, holy days, and sacred festivals. Are these relevant for believers? Session Eight gives students a quick overview of the biblical calendar.

Our Boundaries—His Commandments

The commandments of Torah are not burdensome or beyond our reach. Session Nine demonstrates the simple wisdom of living according to God's instructions by highlighting a few sample commandments.

Our Walk—His Path

Are you ready to take hold of your rich biblical inheritance? Torah is for all of God's people. Session Ten explores the relationship of Christianity and Judaism while revealing the place of the believer in the midst of the people of Israel.

Graduation Ceremony - Celebration Award Banquet

Celebration for the accomplishment of the course; the gaining of wisdom and understanding in the Jewish foundation of Christian faith; and the opportunity to further study and become a HaYesod group leader in your community, congregation or church fellowship.

First Century Faith launches The JoDa Initiative connecting to Israel and the Hebrew foundation of our Christian faith. We seek to explore the ancient paths (Jeremiah 6:16); the characteristics, behavior and actions of the first century church that our generation may understand the amazing seasons and the times in which we presently find ourselves. Hallelujah!!!

FIRST CENTURY FAITH LAUNCHES "NEW ROAD" BOOK CLUB

There are so many worthwhile books being written in this present season we thought we would faciliate the sharing of concepts and principles by engaging in a book club where we can all be on the same page.  Beginning on the first Monday of the month and thereafter, we will be meeting at one of our ministry homes to discuss one chapter per week of the club inspirational selection.

We will begin with Dr. Robert D. Heidler's book, "The Messianic Church Arising" which will take us through fifteen weeks of sharing and discovery.  Books being considered for thereafter are "Developing a Supernatural Lifestyle" by Kris Valloton; "The Signature of Jesus" by Brennan Manning; "The Seven Mountain Prophecy" by Johnny Enlow; and "Seeing What is Sacred" by Ken Gire.

We live in the most exciting of days in human history. Jesus is preparing His Bride! The Spirit of God is restoring the covenant roots of His Church! The Church is rising up in power and glory we have not witnessed since the first century. The Lord is inviting us to be part of that restoration. In this book, we will discover and share together:

The secret of the early Church's power; How God's plan for restoration operates in the earth-realm; How to access the lost riches of God's covenant blessing; How to recover God's plan for rest and refreshing in your life; How to enter into a life of increase through the Biblical feasts; How your church can experience God's power and Presence in true revival; How you are grafted into God's life-giving plan; What the Body of Christ will look like in the future; and the historical Cycles of God.

Restore your lost inheritance! Once we understand the root into which we are grafted, the power of the Life is released in us.  We will bear fruit!  Get Ready and Enjoy!

THE PERMANENCE OF GOD'S PASSION FOR YOU IN COVENANT- PART 1 OF 5 PART SERIES

As we grow in our church life, we sometimes hear the word covenant. We are given to understand it as a promise of sorts between God and His people whether individually or corporately. Even after years of exposure, we continue to think of it merely as a promise be it nonetheless from Someone Who is Faithful and True beyond measure thereby offering its meaning or potency a bit more substance. Understanding covenant however is key to our promised inheritance. We must understand covenant as God intended to the fullest extent we are able if we are to experience life as God's people - to feel the Power of His Pervasive Presence and the full Potency of His Persistent Passion, Protection and Provision!

"Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah..." Jeremiah 31:31

"This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood." Luke 22:20

God is a covenant God and we are a covenant people. The Jews and the Gentiles through specific grafting (Romans 11:16-18) are the only people on earth that are in covenant agreement with The King of the Universe, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Covenant is commitment. We cannot walk with God without truly understanding the level of commitment He has toward us! And that is one huge point to understand that our relationship to God is not based on our commitment to Him but rather on His commitment to us. Now before you get your hair in a knot or your feathers all ruffled, let us consider the wonder, amazement and glorious benevolence of our Heavenly Father who always takes the initiative where our relationship to Him is concerned. See Romans 5:8 and I John 4:19.

Historically, we can visit Genesis 8:15 through 9:17 with specific attention to chapter 9, verses 9 and 15. God establishes a covenant with Noah and all living things on the earth. In verse 9 He states that He Himself will establish the covenant. He uses the personal pronoun to emphatically state that He initiates the covenant and redundantly points to Himself. Noah does not make the covenant. God does. In verse 15 God states that the rainbow is there to "remind" Himself of the covenant He has made. It is not there to remind Noah or the inhabitants of the earth to all future generations of His promise. It is there to remind God of His promise and He says it three consecutive times just in case we don't get it the first two times (Genesis 9:15,16,17). God carries the weight of the commitment! Can we understand the magnitude of His passion for us; His love and devotion to His people?

Let us examine another covenant activity of God as found in Genesis 15:9-21 when He makes a covenant with Abram (Abraham). There is a sacrifice of blood and rather than have both parties walk through in covenant swearing the promise to be kept to each other or suffer the same consequence as the animal, God causes a sleep to overcome Abraham and then walks among the pieces of flesh with Himself, with Himself! (Genesis 15:17) What a perfect picture of substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 2:17; I John 2:2 and 4:10). God makes the promise to keep the covenant with Himself in place of Abraham knowing we have not the power to do anything apart from Him (John 15:5). God steps up to the plate, offers us, His people, a life of power, promise and provision and swears by Himself to do so in the event we should blow it along the way somehow. There is nothing I can do to earn it or lose it. God does it all. In understanding this we come to realize that our circumstances, however difficult, are not cast upon us by our Heavenly Father. Nor are crushing blows we experience in life a result of some inadequacy on our part to please God. God is absolutely whacko crazy in love with us and that love is not based on what we do or fail to do. The covenant actions prove this. Jesus said, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) God is a giver. If it smells like stealing, killing and destroying, it is not God but the enemy of our souls who is at work in the free realm in which we presently live.

"I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you." Genesis 17:7

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation"
II Corinthians 5:18

"He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name." Psalm 111:9

Now be it understood that there is a response on our part to enflame our love and appreciation, praise and adoration, respect and reverence which are engaged as a result. In knowing His initiation and passion for us, can there not be a similar reply in response? Do we not easily love those who love and care for us? Is there anything we would not do for those who sacrifice openly in our defense or for our benefit? I remember a dear brother driving me to a gravel parking lot after midnight in a torrential rainstorm to seek a lost lens to my eyeglasses that I dropped there earlier that day. This brother not only got out of bed, dressed and borrowed a car to do so but upon arrival instructed me to stay in the car while he knelt (on gravel) in four inches of water under a downpour to feel around in the dark until he found my lens. That, my friends is Christ-like love: sacrificial, unmerited and totally engaging. I became his best friend and who would not respond in like manner to such a display of selflessness and sacrifice in one’s favor? Let's Raise the Roof with shouts of praise and thanksgiving for the power of covenant and the charge to share this wonder of God with all men and specifically each other!

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
II Timothy 2:13 Amen!

Contemplation of Current Crisis and Conveyance of Consecrated Care for Concerned Contemporaries in Christ

We are in a tough season but before I allow myself to worry, weep or whine, I will willingly worship!  I believe this is what God had in mind when He asked the children of Israel to build altars of remembrance (Exodus 20:24) that their hearts would not fail in times of distress and that they would find the courage to press on toward the upward call on their lives; irrevocable, irrepressible and inescapable. (Joshua 1:9; Philippians 3:14; Romans 11:29)  God is absolutely for us. (Romans 8:31)  Here are some thoughts to ponder...

Do I know that God loves me? Most people don't. Do I hear His voice most of the time? Most people don't. Do I have the ability to see, smell, taste, walk, dance, write, sing, talk, hear, work? Some people don't. Do I have people in my life that love me and enjoy my company? Some people don't. Do I have clothes to wear and food to eat and a roof over my head? Some people don't. Do I experience high energy, laughter, enthusiasm? Some people don't. Do I understand what complete forgiveness is mine and that I live in Covenant relationship with the Creator of the Universe? Some people don't. Have I received healing? Some people have not. Have I witnessed or received miracles? Some people have not. Have I experienced God's overwhelming presence so much so that I wept uncontrollably at the embrace of such limitless passionate regard for me? Some people have not. Have I heard God whisper insight and understanding to my heart and mind regarding issues of life that captivated me in wonder and amazement? Most people have not. Have I experienced shipwreck; beatings; imprisonment? Some people have.  It seems part of the course for intimates.  Just a thought.

"You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Phillipians 4:4

"I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:1-4

COMPLETE IN CHRIST DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM

International Renaissance House will begin a series of teachings to cover an eight month period on the resources God gives us to walk in power and authority with and through Him. It will be a lecture series with notes and held at one of our ministry homes. We anticipate it to begin in January if not sooner. Stay tuned. The program traverses from the basics of relationship with God in its first lectures through hermeneutical study of I Thessalonians from the Hebrew and Greek in its last.

Intense but Fun! Do you get bored easily and feel frustrated with the slowness of your growth? Have you sometimes thought how marvelous it would be to know the Scriptures really well? If you want more and more of God and the knowledge of His kingdom then this is the program for you. Lots of information made simple to grasp but always challenging.

Immediately after the basics are covered as a foundation of faith, we will proceed with appropriating, activating and applying the Power of the Word; the the Power of Prayer; the Power of Fellowship; the Power of Lordship; the Power of Giving; the Power of Outreach and the Power of Position. Get ready! This study program promises to leave the hungry heart dazzled by the brilliance of God's majestic presence in each one of us as identity and destiny are brought forth.

Be released and empowered for a greater experience of faith and power among God's people and a vital and vibrant labor of love among those who have yet to come to the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. Learn to live in the miraculous as we understand and take hold of our completeness in Christ.

"The mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ."  Colossians 1:26-28