Middot U'Mitzvot: Character Qualities and Commandments
Do Not Be a Stumbling Block


G-d's Torah is the best source of instruction
in character qualities and holy living


Do Not Be A Stumbling Block - Set a Good Example

“However watch out that your mastery of the situation does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9

As children of the King, our job is to share Messiah with others, to encourage one another, and to build each other up. Now, some of us have known Yeshua longer than others and some of us have a deeper understanding of who Messiah is and who we are to be. But, that doesn’t mean that we are better than anyone else – that doesn’t mean that we can brag about what we know or try to “show off” our discipleship expertise. How do you feel when you are around someone who is showing off or making sure that you know that they are better at something than you are? Irritated…sad…angry…not interested anymore…? Well, the same goes for our understanding and faith in Yeshua. If we “show off” Yeshua, we will most likely turn our friends off from wanting to know Him. So, use your knowledge and understanding of Yeshua to set a good example of who a child of God is to be. Gently and lovingly share Messiah with others.

Support Your Teachers and Pastors - Show Appreciation

“For in the Torah of Moshe it is written, ‘You are not to put a muzzle on an ox when it is treading out the grain.’ …meaning that he who plows and he who threshes should work expecting to get a share of the crop.” 1 Corinthians 9:9-10

Have you recently thanked your teacher, or your pastor, for all that they do for you and for your congregational community? If you haven’t, you really should. The adults in your life who take time to teach you about God’s love and about His Word deserve your appreciation. Can you think of a time that someone said “thanks” to you or gave you a little gift of appreciation for something you had done? How did it make you feel? Good….encouraged…appreciated…? It feels good to be told that you are appreciated for something that you have done or do. It is encouraging to know that others notice or care about the things that you care about and do. Your pastors and your teachers may seem like they have it all together, but don’t let them fool you. They can always use a word of encouragement to brighten their day – a simple “thanks” just from you.

The Torah on Your Heart - Become Torah

“For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days...I will put my Torah within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Jeremiah 31:33 / Hebrew 10:16

Did you know that the Word of God – the Torah – has been written on your heart? This is part of the renewed covenant that God made with His people through Yeshua. You see, God wants so badly for His people to be in a relationship with Him that He made sure that we all have access to what we need to know Him – His Word. God’s Word is a love letter to us. It tells us everything we need to know in order to live lives that are pleasing to our Creator and to find peace, hope, and joy. His Torah – His instructions of love to us are available to us if we choose to use and apply them. As children of the King, we are to become just like Yeshua – the Word – the Torah made flesh. (John 1:14) We are to become Torah. We are to become living, breathing examples of who a child of God is to be. God has put His Torah in us – He has written it on our hearts. Now, we need to put it into action and walk it out!

Get Rid of the Old Hametz - Sweep Out the Sin

“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 5:8

Passover is a time to reflect on the way that we have been living our lives. Paul tells us to get rid of the old hametz – to get rid of the leaven – the sin – in our lives. He tells us to celebrate the Seder with the matzah of purity and truth. Yeshua paid a high price to forgive us of our sins. So, what are we doing with the forgiveness that we have been given? Getting rid of the leaven (sin) in our lives is a daily task. Daily we must be diligent to examine how we are living our lives. Is what we are doing acceptable to Yeshua? Are our actions worthy of the price that He paid? What hametz should we be sweeping out of our lives today so that we can celebrate the Seder with clean hands and a pure heart tomorrow? Pray with one another that the Lord would reveal what sin(s) He wants removed from your lives and also that He would give you the strength to let it go – no matter what it may be.

Kehilat Sar Shalom

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