Shanah Tovah! Happy New Year! 
We will be blowing the Shofar on Monday night September 22nd—Tishrei 1 on GOD’S calendar—at my good Brother Stuart's house in St. Louis. A lot of us Jews are getting together to celebrate Rosh Hashanah at his house!

Chag Sameach! Happy Holidays!!! 
We then have the Ten Days of Teshuvah (Repentance), leading up to Yom Kippur on the 9th of Tishrei, October 1st. On Rosh Hashana, the Books of Life and Death are opened in Heaven and closed at sundown on Yom Kippur.

Moses gave us the answers to make sure we can have our names written—and can stay written—in the Book of Life. These are found in: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Deuteronomy 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41. These passages form the Shema—the Hebrew prayer that Jews pray every morning, midday, and evening. It’s the exact same prayer that Daniel prayed when they saw him praying at his open window facing the Temple Mount in Jerusalem—faithfully praying despite the consequences, which led to his being thrown into the lions’ den. The Shema prayer is the very first prayer that all Jews learn to pray.

Moses also relayed GOD’S thoughts on living holy to HIM in Deuteronomy 30:19-20:
“I call Heaven and Earth today to bear witness against you: I have placed before you life and death, blessing and curse before you; and you shall choose life, so that you will live, you and your offspring. To love HASHEM (THE NAME) your GOD, to listen to HIS voice and cleave to HIM, for HE is your life and length of your days, to dwell upon the land that HASHEM swore to your forefathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob to give them.” 

GOD loves us so much that HE always gives us the open book test answers to be obedient and believe HIS WORD to do it.

We know from Galatians 3:13 that MASIACH (CHRIST) has redeemed us from the curse of the Torah by becoming a curse for us. As the Tanach (OT Bible) says, “Everyone who hangs from a stake is cursed.” Verse 14 continues: “YESHUA H'MASHIACH (JESUS THE MESSIAH) did this so that the blessings of Abraham might come on the Gentiles who believe!” Through trusting and being faithful we receive what was promised, namely the SPIRIT!

But Paul reminds us that part of Communion is to let a man examine himself. “But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28).

We should examine ourselves daily. So, it's good during Teshuvah to ask GOD what it is we need to let go of, change, or repent of to walk more closely with HIM! First John 1:9 is written to the Ecclesia (BODY OF YESHUA): “If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

Sukkoth - Feast of Booths 
Then we have Sukkot (Feasts of Booths), starting at sundown on the 14th of Tishrei, October 6th. We put up a Sukkah—a tent-like structure—on the back of our porches or in our backyards, and have dinners, read the WORD with Family and Friends, and remember how our ancestors came out of Egypt and went through the wilderness going to the Promised Land!

You may ask, “Why all of these Holidays and observances?” Great question!

They all point to the promise of YESHUA’s coming, death on the cross, and resurrection—defeating death and every assignment from hell once and for all. YESHUA was crucified on Passover and was the true Passover Lamb without spot or blemish! Yom Kippur was the only day when the High Priest could enter the HOLY OF HOLIES to make atonement for his sins and all of Israel’s sins that they had committed against GOD!

For Christians, taking time to get with HIM on GOD’S Holidays or Moed’s (appointed times) is a beautiful opportunity to draw near to HIM. HE wants to give you answers to things you have been asking. HE draws close to HIS Children in a very intimate and special way. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to GOD, and HE will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” 

This doesn’t mean that GOD won’t speak to you or help you any other time of the year, as you can go to HIM 24/7 365 days of the year.

During Sukkot (Feast of Booths) it is always good to take time to remember the “Egypt” HE brought you out of and be thankful. We’ve all had our own personal Egypt before making YESHUA THE LORD of our lives.

I also get asked, “Do I need to celebrate these Holidays if I am a Christian?” You can—but you are not in sin if you don’t. The main point is to take time to get with GOD and seek HIM on HIS Holiday. HE will show or impart something that you need!

My prayer for you, my Brothers and Sisters in the LORD, is that HIS favor surrounds or covers you like a shield! Psalm 5:12 — When you bless the righteous, HASHEM (THE LORD), YOU will envelope, cover him with YOUR favor like a shield!!

AMEN! Shalom! L’Shana Tova (to a sweet New Year)! Chag Sameach (Happy Holidays)!

All Old Testament scriptures are from the Tanach, and New Testament scriptures from the NKJV.