Master Minded Ministries Newsletter - October 2022
Paul lives on the Inspiration of Scripture
by Jerri McGarrahThe Apostle Paul can sometimes be a difficult man to understand. He’s zealous for his faith and lives “on the edge.” His words come tumbling out so fast that there are times he forgets to even punctuate the sentences in his letters to the churches he is encouraging. I can imagine him being so caught up in what God is showing him that he may have even forgotten to eat. I can picture him being enraptured by the forgiveness of God and the grace he found in Jesus. I know that there has to be a back story to some of his words. I’d like to explore that with you.
Paul’s letter to the Romans is so full of the deeper things that Paul is trying to communicate to the churches and, if it were me, I would have encouraged him to take the verse in chapter 15:4 of Romans and put it in the first chapter. Sadly, he didn’t ask me. That verse says:
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
That verse, I think, really sums up Paul’s heart. “Let’s go to God’s Word (then the Old Testament) and soak on it to find our footing for the days we are living in,” I can hear him say to us. Then, with that understanding go back and look at what he is saying in the first chapters.
In Romans 1:16:17 we read:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, (what is he talking about? The Old Testament) because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, [a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Paul gives us a clue to where and what scripture he has been researching and reading that has inspired him. Habakkuk.
If we are going to take in the full measure of his inspiration then we, too need to go back and see what Paul has found that will teach us.
The Apostle Paul quotes from Habakkuk, chapter 2 verse 4 where it says, “the righteous will/shall live by his faith.” But there is a greater picture here that has inspired the words he, Paul writes. What is happening here is Paul is searching the scriptures to track what God has done and what was said when the Israelites were in a hard place, where they were actually under the siege of wicked leaders and a Babylonian army that would ultimately conquer them. It’s God’s punishment for the idol worship of their king, Manasseh. In his writings, Habakkuk alternates between prayer on behalf of the persecuted Jews and prophecy of the downfall of their future Babylonian conqueror. In essence, Habakkuk is telling the people that he is watching and waiting to take the message to the people from the Lord. Habakkuk says in 2:2-4 that the Lord told him to:
“Write down the vision and clarify it upon tablets so that a reader may read it swiftly. For there is yet another vision about the appointed time; it will speak of the end and it will not deceive. Though it may tarry, await it, for it will surely come; it will not delay.”
Paul is relating this to the times he’s living in! He’s searching the scriptures for more hope and to see what God’s plan is. Then you understand why Paul says that God’s righteousness and faithfulness is being revealed and that it’s a righteousness that from the beginning to the end is all about faith and faithfulness! God’s redemptive plan in Jesus demonstrates how faithful God is to providing a way for us. God is confirming to Paul that His plan is being fulfilled in the days he is living in. In the book of Ephesians Paul is also communicating how inspired he is by God’s fulfilling Himself through the message and life of Jesus.
As Paul is reading this scripture in Habakkuk, I’m sure he is excited and anticipating that the vision Habakkuk had could potentially be for the times they were living in. I’m very aware that God uses revelation more than education to communicate what He is doing. He is also very much about there being an appointed time for what happens. That admonition from the Lord to “live by faith” was of particular interest to Paul as he was anticipating the day of the Lord’s return. He was no doubt excited and thrilled to think that this prophecy was being fulfilled before his eyes.
However, that scripture can give us the idea that it’s our faith that makes us righteous. I think Paul would be appalled that we would think that. I hear many, however who refer to themselves as being lacking in faith. I always want to ask; “Is your faith just about the answers you want or the Person of God who is ultimately the faithful Father?”
That’s why I want to help clarify things. Jesus said that if we had the faith of a mustard seed that we could move mountains. But it’s got to be more than just the ability to move a mountain! It’s knowing the One who has the power to move it. It’s always about living in relationship with Him that gives us the privilege to ask!
In Romans 3, Paul asks a question that is quite profound. Again, I think we have to understand where this question comes from in his thinking so that it makes sense. He’s Jewish. He’s come from a wonderful background of knowing the Word deeply and living it out as a faithful Jew. He killed people who seemed to differ from his understanding of God’s precious Word. So now he asks the people of the Roman church; “What advantage is there in being Jewish?” He’s asking them if there is value to his heritage and any consideration of what they have contributed to the world. I’d like to answer that! God gave the Jews the Word! Whether they knew the One who gave it or not, they valued it so much that they painstakingly kept the copying of the Word to the point that it did not change through the years. It was as fresh to them (and us) as the day God spoke it to Moses and the prophets. So, the value of being Jewish was that God delivered the Word to them and they kept it! Paul says; “The very Words of God.” Impeccably. I think Paul is adding to the seriousness of knowing and studying the Scriptures.
Paul’s next question comes next about what that means. Thinking about the true and valuable Word of God;
Then let me take you to the greatest part of this – Romans 3:3 where Paul asks another question; “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?” And the answer is? - - Absolutely Not! It’s not about you or me! God is doing what He is faithful about – Himself!
(Side note: Paul then refers to a scripture in Psalm 51 – so now you need to go read that! He is.)
The revelation of the righteousness of God is a new, saving event distinct from the law, and comes to us through the saving grace of Jesus to all who believe because God is faithful! Why does that mean so much to Paul? Because he experienced that very saving grace! When Paul says “the righteous will live by faith” he’s not necessarily talking about our faith alone, but the faithfulness of God! We live because He faithful!
Hopefully I have written something to encourage you today. God’s Word is alive, living and thriving to encourage you and give you hope. All that to say, God is the faithful Father who reveals Himself to those of us who live and obey to serve Him, love Him, believe deeply in the Holy Spirit’s infilling us with Himself. I am not carrying the load of righteousness, He is. I walk in the forgiveness and dynamic relationship with Him, enjoying the revealing of His plan and thrive in the beauty of His Holiness.
I really hope this makes sense to you and that somehow it can bring you the joy and hope that God is absolutely more than faithful. You can rest in that. You belong to Him and you cannot fail Him as long as you are saying “yes” to His life in you. The evidence of your faith is your obedience to His voice.
Walking In the Footsteps of Paul – What A Trek
by Dave McGarrah
Jer and I had the privilege recently of taking a group of 32 to Greece and Turkey. It was an amazing and insightful tour. It’s another part of Master Minded’s Biblical Journeys. Let me tell you just a little bit.
We found this verse to be so true, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you; who set their hearts on pilgrimage” Psalm 84:5
One of the first places we wanted to see when we arrived in Greece, was the ancient city of Philippi where Paul started the first church in Europe. The archaeological site is quite amazing. You can still see the ancient two-lane highway, known as the “Roman Road.” People stood in line to peer over a gate and down into part of the ancient Philippian jail. This is the site traditionally accepted as the prison cell of Paul and Silas, the one in which their chains were broken by an earthquake. Instead of fleeing, they stayed and made a convert of the Philippian jailer and his household.
Outside Philippi’s ancient walls, about a 15 minute walk, is the traditional baptism site of Lydia. It’s a shady small river where we connected with the past by resting and listening to the rushing water and reading the story of Acts 16. It’s exactly as Luke writes in the description. “On the Sabbath, we left the city and went down along the river where we had heard there was to be a prayer meeting. We took our place with the women who had gathered there and talked with them. One woman, Lydia, was from Thyatira and a dealer in expensive textiles, known to be a God-fearing woman. As she listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed! After she was baptized, along with everyone in her household, she said in a surge of hospitality, “If you’re confident that I’m in this with you and believe in the Master truly, come home with me and be my guests.” We hesitated, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Acts 16:13-15
The very next set of verses are the story of the Philippian Jailer and how he and his family trusted Christ, were forever changed, and got baptized in the same location. Nothing short of amazing.
We moved on from there to Thessaloniki, Corinth and Athens. Great cities in Paul’s day and still great cities today. Once again, to walk in Paul’s dust was nothing short of a tremendous adventure. Arriving at Athens took us to Mars Hill and the Areopagus. Quite the stop.
It was hard to keep your footing on Mars Hill. Its earthquake-battered surface is either too jagged or worn slick by the feet of pilgrims.
Acts 17 tells us that on this outcropping, the Apostle Paul addressed the Areopagus, a sort of intellectual town council that gave its name to this spot and to the building, now long gone, in which they met.
Even now, the view from its lofty summit is one of the best in Athens. The panorama takes in the entire ancient city from the dainty Temple of Athena Nike atop the Acropolis, back across the old agora, all the way to the well-preserved Parthenon at the far end. Those landmarks were a good 400 years old when B.C. changed to A.D.
Anyone standing there almost 2,000 years ago would have been hemmed in by pagan shrines. Paul would’ve needed a lot of chutzpah to tell the Athenians, as he did, that “the God who made the world and everything in it … does not live in temples built by hands.” His message drew a mixed reaction at the time: Some were converted, some took offense and some gave an ancient form of “don’t call us, we’ll call you.”
But in the weeks since I stood on Mars Hill, something else has occurred to me. Of all the arguments and speeches the Areopagus must have entertained on this spot over the ages, only Paul’s is engraved on a bronze plaque bolted to the bedrock. That’s a connection I may never have made if I hadn’t been there in the flesh.
During New Testament times, there was a place in Athens, Greece, that was like a live social media platform: the Areopagus. It sits just across the valley from the Acropolis, professional debaters gathered every day to discuss the latest philosophies and trending thoughts. Many points of view were offered, but during the first century, there were the Epicureans and the Stoics: those who believed life’s meaning was found in pursuing pleasure, and those who believed instead that the meaning was found in denying pleasure — respectively.
Two ends of the spectrum … kind of like today.
The result of Paul’s gospel preached that day to the crowd of professional debaters at this open-air Twitter feed were — at minimum — two people whose names are recorded in Acts 17: Damaris, a high-class call girl (obviously from the Epicurean camp), and Dionysius, a respected Stoic philosopher.
Paul’s message about the Unknown god, was received by people from each end of the political and philosophical spectrum.
Damaris fades quickly into history, but Dionysius is a different story. His interaction with Paul actually recalls his memory of the day Jesus was crucified. The world went dark with a sudden solar eclipse, and Dionysius remembers that day; though he was in Athens, he recounts how much awe he felt, and now, with Paul’s preaching, it all makes sense.
After his conversion, Dionysius became friends with many of the New Testament writers and disciples. He was said to have befriended Mary, the mother of Jesus, and he even attended her funeral.
He was one of the first New Testament missionaries, with a ministry that may have reached as far as Paris.
Dionysius went from being a professional debater on the far right of the spectrum, to becoming a martyr willing to offer his life for the Lord, moved by a simple message recorded in the book of Acts
Time doesn’t permit me to tell you about Corinth, made famous in classical times for its temple prostitutes and statues, as well as the Bema seat. The city was destroyed when Rome defeated Greece in 146 B.C. and rebuilt by Julius Caesar. They’re pretty sure that Paul arrived in 51 or 52 A.D. It was unforgettable as we stood there and read Paul’s words. It’s way more than following in ancient footsteps. It’s deeper and more precious. You’re going to have to go with us on the next Biblical Journey to Greece and Turkey.
Days of the Return
by Jerri McGarrahIn a Hebrew calendar, the month of Elul (August 28-September 25) is set apart for repentance in spiritual preparation for the High Holy Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
From September 25 through October 25, which on the Hebrew calendar is the month of Tishri, the actual days take place.
Rosh Hashanah is known as the head of the New Year. Rosh means “head” in Hebrew, and just a few days later (this year it’s October 5) the holiest day is known as the Day of Atonement. It is a picture of a wedding day. It’s a day when the old passes away and new begins. All sin has been reckoned with and the days ahead are full of potential and peace.
The whole month of Tishri is full of meaningful celebrations; Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days of Repentance, Yom KIppur, Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) and Simchat Torah, where we begin at Genesis to read through this next year. Some of the celebrations are very serious and awesome days that are set aside for reflection, soul-searching and fasting while others are filled with great joy and happiness along with great food.
When God initiated the Festivals in Exodus, He established the times for His people to come together and pay attention to “come home” and remember together as a family. Every year the dates come around and call to the family – to those who belong to Him.
For us as believers in Jesus as the Messiah, I believe it is important to see the value in each of these significant Festivals as God is again, even now, calling to those of us who are called by His Name. We are actually living in the Days of the Return.
What does all this mean? Is there something more that we need to understand that God is wanting us to pay attention to?
We recently returned with a group of 32 friends who traveled with us to Turkey and Greece to see the churches of John’s Revelation and also where the Church launched into the world. We trekked through ancient ruins, thousands of years old where Greek and Romans ruled the world and paganism was rampant. Everywhere we went there were ancient gods enthroned upon pedestals of marble and evidence of the decadence of their lifestyles. The theaters, libraries, bathhouses and mosaics were signs of wealth and prosperity. It was obviously different than Israel! But, there was evidence that Christianity had found a foothold! Etched into walls were symbols that they had been there – those Christian brothers and sisters. They may have been small, but the crosses unmistakable! Paul’s letters came to light in the very dust of those cities; Laodicea, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth and Athens. Words became deeply impactful as we realized that their society was not so different than ours with the messed up political systems and the barbaric rules. But somehow, the lives that were lived mattered – and mattered to us – to me!
Our trips become more than opportunities to see new places and have new experiences, they seal friendships, and help us to see God on a bigger scale. For me, there’s a huge take-a-way. I love how God reframes my thinking and perspective. I know, some of you are thinking – Hallelujah! Finally, eh? I end up laughing at how silly I am with some of my opinions. But let me make a confessional here; In all my journey’s through Israel I have been “annoyed” by the great churches and cathedrals that were built over places where somebody thought Jesus did something. They are typically huge and take up a lot of space. They are elaborate and decorated with all kinds of gold and silver relics and icons. There are pictures of Jesus and Mary and the disciples and, well, you know what I’m saying. I consider them practically gaudy. These churches are considered sacred and holy by many, and people do come from all over the world to see them. I admit, I’ve been pretty judgmental about them thinking that people are seeking something in a place not a person. On this trip we visited several large churches that are/were Orthodox.
Again, the icons and ornaments are gold and if you want you can purchase a candle to light for your prayers. In the church in Greece there was a fountain of anointing oil where people brough their bottles and syringes to fill up to take home with them. I watch one woman fill up at least four bottles. But, here’s the thing the Lord showed me: we all have moments in our lives where we need Him NOW. It’s like “911, God!! HELP ME!” I’m getting that! Somewhere there must be a place where we settle the matter of who is God and who is not. He showed me that the sacrifice of lives to build these, to decorate these, to find sanctity and reverence are here by the evidence. I cannot dispute that somebody came with the message and somebody believed and was changed and here, in my face, is the evidence that they worshipped Him!
We’re living in these days for a reason. There is purpose in our faith, in our walk with Jesus, in our prayers. But more than anything it’s so that we can live out the life of Jesus so that we leave footprints for the next generation to follow. It is not enough to know it, to say it, we must live it!
Days of Return? Here are the facts. God doesn’t need you to be good enough. He needs you to be obedient. He doesn’t care what you know, He cares that you are listening to Him. He cares that you lay down your grievances and forgive others as He forgives you. He really doesn’t care about your opinions – He cares that you let Him change them!
During these Days of Return – let’s get back on track. Let’s focus on what matters and prepare for a Bridegroom who is coming soon!
An Important Word from my Heart
by Dave McGarrahGot a minute? I’d like to share something that God has done in me over the past 30 years. He’s instilled in me a love for people, but in particular a love for the Jewish people. It came as a result of reading His Word, and then making a trip to Israel. Since then, I have dedicated my life to create awareness about the role of Israel and the Jewish people, through teaching and preaching the Bible, and making history an important part of the process.
I have to admit, I’m deeply taken by the continual attitude towards Israel by much of the world. Here’s a recent headline from the news: Antisemitism in 2022 is rising at a rate unprecedented since the 1930s.
Today, we are witnessing an unprecedented rise in antisemitism the likes of which we have not seen since the 1930s. No longer solely “hidden” under the guise of anti-Zionism, we are witnessing a world where attacks on Jews and synagogues throughout the world are becoming more common place, including here in the US. Social media, reaching every corner of the world, spouts antisemitism on a daily basis to the young and old alike.
A new report by the Woolf Institute, a global leader on interfaith relations, estimates almost half a million explicitly antisemitic tweets per year – between 100 and 1,350 every day.
The Community Security Trust, a UK charity that monitors antisemitism and provides security for the Jewish community in Britain, released last week a comprehensive, detailed and alarming report on antisemitism in 2021 when 2,255 anti-Jewish hate incidents nationwide were recorded.
This is the highest annual total that CST has ever recorded and is a 34% increase from the 1,684 incidents in 2020. These are what are called, “Hate Crimes.” It continues to trigger events in the Middle East and impact the scattered Jewish communities across the world. One of the hotbeds of antisemitism here in the States is our University and College campus’.
To host a pro Israel event or to bring in a speaker who is Jewish, it will be met with significant protest and usually shouting down the speaker. This is witnessed time and again.
The very UN that passed a resolution in 1947 for Israel’s rebirth is the very UN whose General Assembly, since 2015, has passed 115 condemnatory resolutions against Israel, with only 45 against the rest of the world.
Iran’s leaders use the UN as a platform to consistently call for the annihilation of Israel – a statement that appears to have little (if any) impact on the vast majority of member nations. We can but wonder how these countries would respond if Iran’s President would mount the UN podium and talk about the annihilation of the US or any other country. For sure it would be difficult to imagine that the current talks between Iran, the Europeans and the US would actually be happening.
What we do see is that the UN appears to be okay with dead Jews. Two days following International Holocaust Remembrance Day earlier this year, antisemitic rallies in Orlando saw 24 Nazi gear-wearing individuals waving swastikas and yelling “Heil Hitler.” Epithets such as “The Jew is the devil,” “Jews rape children and drink their blood,” and “Jews brought slaves here,” were shouted at passersby a number of times.
This event took place close to the campus of the University of Central Florida, where there is a large number of Jewish students. And the stories go on, including here in our own Idaho. An item on the evening news this week highlighted the efforts of a group of Idahoans who were remodeling the tunnel at the Anne Frank Memorial in Boise. They were endeavoring to cover up antisemitic graffiti and call attention to the distasteful acts committed by people who hate the Jews.
Years ago, before Israel was reborn, a very influential leader in the Jewish world, Theodore Herzl, believed that having a Jewish state would end antisemitism. That miracle happened on May 14, 1948. Israel was born in a day. However, Herzl was wrong in his assumption that it would end antisemitism or that Jews would no longer be scattered all over the world.
There are some things we can do, and must do. We can be informed about this issue, and speak about it, especially when we see these incidents happen. We can continue to pray for Israel and the Jewish people. Believe it or not, they have contributed heavily to our Christianity. Christianity was birthed through the Jews. Our own Messiah was a Jew.
I’ll close with this. There’s an opportunity that is worth our consideration. The public is being invited to a special in person program: Responding & Speaking Out Against Hate. A Program on Monday, Oct. 24 from 6:30-8:30 at Boise State’s Student Union Building in the Forum Room. This is being sponsored by the Synagogues of Boise, along with the Anti Defamation League. There is no cost, however you need to register. Please register by Friday, October 21
Wouldn’t it be great to have a significant turn out of Christians attending. What a statement it would make, and what a smile it would put on God’s face. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you for your consideration to attend this event.
From the heart,
Pastor Dave
About Masterminded Ministries
Master Minded Ministries is a non-profit 501 © 3 organization that teaches, preaches and supports the Jewish roots of Christianity. We proudly share Jesus as Messiah and join with the many voices around the world to love and support Israel and the Jewish people. We offer biblical tours throughout the year and also provide events and conferences to bless Israel and those grafted in.
“…Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is My Son, My firstborn…’” Exodus 4:22
