“Get rid of the old hametz, so that you can be a new batch of dough, because in reality you are unleavened. For our Pesach lamb, the Messiah, has been sacrificed. So let us celebrate the Seder not with leftover hametz, the hametz of wickedness and evil, but with the matzah of purity and truth.”   1 Corinthians 5:7-8, CJB


​Passover marks the redemption and rebirth of the Jewish people who were freed from slavery and led to the promised land.  It’s a mark of new beginnings, a new year.  

One of the ways we prepare for this holiday is to go through our homes, cleaning them from top to bottom to ensure we get all the hametz/leaven out; the leaven that also represents sin in our lives; the sin that clutters our hearts and minds.  In a way our houses represent who we are.  How we feel about ourselves, is how our houses are kept.  Just as we clean the clutter (sin) out of our homes, we can also clean the clutter (sin) out of ourselves.  We then bring in the matzah of purity and truth into our homes.  Then during Passover, we eat the matzah, and that purity and truth then is inside us.  A lot of people complain about matzah, because it’s dry and they can’t wait till they don’t have to eat it.  

While leaven represents the sin in our lives, for Messianic Jews, Matzah represents redemption and freedom of the Jewish people.  When we take a good look at the matzah we see, “He was pierced for our transgressions ... by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5. You can see the piercing’s, the bruises, the stripes.  It reminds us that He has freed us from sin and shame.  Now the matzah doesn’t seem so dry after all.  We no longer focus on the food, we focus on him.  

As we eat our matzah of purity and truth this Passover season, let us not forget the one who died for our sins; the One for whom we serve.  Empty our hearts and lives of sin and fill our hearts and lives with His truth.  Let’s start a new season with Him.  

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Monday Morning Inspirational 
By Rebbitzen Kat

March 22, 2021 | Ninth of Nisan, 5781 

“And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other.”  Hebrews 10:24, CJB

Friendships are essential to one’s body, mind, and soul.  Although we are individuals, it wasn’t meant for us to be alone with ourselves.  We need stimulation, we need contact, we need to know we’re loved.  God wants us to love one another the way He loves us.  The best way to love one another is to build up those relationships with the people around us.  Form a friendship with someone who needs a friend, especially with the new believers around you.  Help them to transition into this new way of life they’ve found.  Help them to know God’s love for them.

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!  

Monday Morning Inspirational 
By Rebbitzen Kat 
March 15, 2021 | 2nd of Nisan, 5781

“Praised be God, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, compassionate Father, God of all encouragement and comfort, who encourages us in all our trials, so that we can encourage others in whatever trials they may be undergoing with the encouragement we ourselves have received from God.”

​- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, CJB

For when we are in trouble, we call on him.  When we are in sorrow, we call on him.  When we are mourning, we call on him.  Whatever the situation, he encourages us to get through the trials that confront us.  He helps us to move forward in our daily lives.  His encouragement for us, helps us to encourage others.  Just after Thanksgiving of 2020, my brother died unexpectedly; it was devastating.  Although I wasn’t able to go to the funeral, I was able to be there through Zoom.  Soon after my husband and I got COVID.  The odds could’ve been against us, but God opened doors and we were able to get the treatment’s we needed.  Just a little over a week ago, my oldest brother passed away from Agent Orange.  Anyone going through so much in such a short time would be lost, but I know because I set my eyes on Yeshua, I was able to get through my days and do the things I needed to do.  God gives me rest and he gives me hope.  He can and will do this for you too.

If you are going through mourning, heartbreak, job loss, illness, etc., I want to encourage you that it does get better.  You may not be able to see it in the moment, but when you turn to him; when you set your eyes on Yeshua, God’s encouragement will guide you through.  I pray this blesses you today.  

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Monday Morning Inspirational 
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz 
March 8th, 2021 | 24th of Adar. 5781

​“There were so many people coming and going that they couldn’t even take time to eat, so he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a place where we can be alone, and you can get some rest’.”
Mark 6:31, CJB

God tells us we need to rest from work, but he also tells us rest from ministry.  Many of us have ministries we do throughout the week.  There may be time when we’re feeling ill, or don’t have enough energy, but we forge ahead cause it’s what we do.  Sometimes we may feel like we’re letting God down if we can’t fulfill our task.  Rest assured we’re not.  He knows our hearts and our desires to do his will.  He will let us know that’s it okay to take a grace period so he can heal us or rejuvenate us.  He knows it’s better for his kingdom if he has 100% of us, we should know that too.  If you’re not feeling up to par today, know that it’s okay to rest and rejuvenate.  

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

Monday Morning Inspirational
By Rebbitzen Kathleen Rantz
 
March 1, 2021 | 17th of Adar, 5781