Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

TIME

Nora Fisher

God purposely uses time in special ways. Many people are familiar with the Bible passage that speaks so loudly about time. The book of Ecclesiastes details cycles of life utilizing "time".

Time is a special gift to us from the Lord. There is a time to reflect on what we are doing, what we plan to do, and what we hope to do. Time can compel us to run the race or sit and watch on the sidelines.

As I read the Bible, I see Jesus taking opportunities of special moments … time. Time to feed the physically and spiritually hungry, time to listen to an injured soul, time to just be still, time to simply rest.

How encouraging to see Jesus concerned with women who were barren, giving sight to the sightless, and allowing people to touch Him at the appropriate time.

God has certainly made everything beautiful in His time. Let's look at time from a brand new point of view. There is plenty of it … just look to the Master and He will guide you on how to use it wisely and for His glory.

Nora Fisher and her husband Gary are long-time members of Christian Challenge where both are very involved in ministry. Nora has taught classes in our School for Christian Workers as well as our high school Sunday School class. She currently ministers on the worship team and to many women in her daily activities.

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Hebraic Antiquities

Elaine Ward

What does Rosh ha Shanah mean to Christians? Most Christians know little or nothing about this wonderful and promising Festival of the Lord. Also known as the Feast of Trumpets, it is the 5th of the 7 Festivals of the Lord in Lev. 23. Dt. Ex. If God ordained these festivals, why has Christendom eliminated and ignored them? The answer to this question goes back to 325 A.D. at the council at Nicea. Constantine, declared himself as supreme political and religious leader. He set forth his laws for this new religion. But being extremely anti-Semitic, he issued laws forbidding Jewish believers to circumcise their children or to practice their traditional customs. Hebraic Feasts were substituted for pagan feast (Pesach for Easter, Sukkot for Christmas). Constantine ripped from Christianity every trace of Hebraic customs, feasts and traditions. Today we call them Jewish Feasts because Judah still KEEPS and treasures these ancient Festivals of the Lord.

So what should it mean to us as believers in Yeshua? It is the 1st month of the Civil calendar and the 7th month of the Religious calendar. Hebraic tradition maintains that in Gen. l:1-5 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth on the 1st day , that was Tishri l, Rosh ha Shanah (literally the head of the year), the world's birthday.

Still what does mean to us? God's blueprint is so precise. He sent His only begotten Son to die on His 1st appointed feast, Pesach. Buried on His 2nd feast of Unleavened Bread, resurrected on His 3rd feast of First Fruits. God fulfilled the 4th of His appointed feasts on Shavout by sending His Holy Spirit exactly 50 days after First Fruits. Acts 2.These 4 feasts surround Yeshua's 1st coming. Every believer is looking for His 2nd coming. Rosh ha Shanah is the next appointed Festival of the Lord. The last three festivals of the lord surround Yahsua's second coming. If God the Father was so precise in His arrangement of His festivals we should study to make ourselves approved. Rosh ha Shanah is God's next major move. What is it? Could this be when, within the prepared heart of every born from above believer, finally hears the words "COME UP HERE!"

September 6th, 2002 Rosh ha Shanah

Elaine Ward has been a member of Christian Challenge for nearly 20 years. She teaches the Old Testament Bible Survey in our School for Christian Workers and has a passion for the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith.