“For Messiah, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Where in the Bible are these verses found? They are found in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. Since I spend a lot of time speaking in Christian churches this has become my favorite passage about Passover.

Paul is not writing to the Jewish believers of Yeshua who are living in Jerusalem. He is writing to Corinthians; non-Jewish, gentile Christians. He identifies Messiah as our Passover Lamb. Since Paul identifies Yeshua as the Passover Lamb, he must have a reason for doing this. The more you study the Passover lamb, the more you’ll learn about what Yeshua did for you.

Paul also tells us that we’re not to be leavened with malice and wickedness, but we need to the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. During Passover God tells us to remove leaven from our homes, and to eat unleavened bread (which is also known as matzah). Since Paul discusses unleavened bread and contrasts it with leavened bread, he must have something he wants to teach us. Why does Paul want us to be like unleavened bread, and not like leavened bread? What does removing leaven from our homes have to do with this? What can we learn from Passover?

Finally, Paul goes so far as to tell gentile, non-Jewish Christians that they are to “keep (or celebrate) the Festival (of Passover).” Why does Paul tell Christian to celebrate Passover? I am certain if you take the time to study the Passover lamb, and the purpose of removing leaven, you will clearly see why you need to celebrate Passover.

In God’s Word Christians are told to celebrate Passover. But I believe you have freedom in how you celebrate Passover. You can choose to embrace as much or little of the modern ritual of how to celebrate Passover. Throughout history Jewish people have created ways of remembering and teaching what God did for our ancestors. This is where our freedom comes in. We can choose to embrace the modern customs if we desire. But we are also free to teach it any way that helps us remember that God will do the same for us today.

I am spending the month of April traveling to churches and ministries in Tampa Bay to help Christians celebrate Passover. If you live in Tampa Bay, go to my events calendar on my Rabbi Ron Speaks Facebook Page or click on this link to see where I’ll be. https://www.facebook.com/pg/RabbiRonSpeaks/events/

If you would like me to visit your group and help you celebrate Messiah our Passover Lamb, contact me. I’d love to speak with you and show you how you can (spiritually) profit from Passover.

 

Ask your core leaders these seven questions. If they answer no or show hesitation you are overdue for a vision checkup.

If your core leaders show any doubt rest assured the team members on the outer edge don’t have a clue. It’s the “outer-edge” team members that have the initial and most frequent contact with those you serve or are trying to reach.

1. IMAGINABLE: Does our vision convey a compelling picture of our future?
2. DESIRABLE: Does our vision appeal and grab the attention of at least two generations?
3. FEASIBLE: Is our vision built on reasonable, stretchable and achievable goals?
4. FOCUSED: Does our vision guide and dominate our decision making process?
5. FLEXIBLE: Does our vision allow for individual creativity and changing conditions?
6. COMMUNICABLE: Can all of our core leaders “Tell our story” and describe our vision in 100 words or less?
7. EXECUTABLE: Is our strategy (action plan) well-conceived, understood and embraced by all team members?

You get the best results when your team members feel they can be brutally honest, especially with their leader. Great leaders keep drilling down until they discover what every team member really thinks, not just what they think the leader wants to hear.

Until you have that degree of openness and honesty by everyone on the team you have not taped into the full potential of your team. Until you ask your team for just a little more than they think they can give, you won’t get all they can give. That takes commitment, trust and honest answers to these seven questions.

When’s the last time you and your team had a vision checkup? Poor attitudes, low energy and lack of engagement may indicate its time.

Pastors we need each other and our families need us to be strong.

Watch this short video and be encouraged!

Astronaut James Irwin said, “You think going to the moon was the most scientific project ever, but they literally threw us in the direction of the moon. We had to adjust course every ten minutes and landed only 50 feet inside a 500-mile radius of our target.”
On that mission every change, no matter how small, was essential to success. So it is with yours. If you resist even the slightest change long enough, you may find yourself off course, too late to adjust, and have to abort the mission.
What causes a lack of behavioral or organizational change? Team members are seldom the problem but get most of the blame. Senior leaders create most of their own problems by their lack of leadership in one or more of the following four areas:
First, lack of clarity about the rationale not only for the daily action plan, but more so for the long-term goals and strategy for change. People seldom buy into what they cannot see and understand.
Second, lack of commitment and passion for change by the core leadership team. Passion, or the lack of it, is contagious. There must be consensus and one hundred percent buy in by the core team. If not, delay the change or change players on the team.
Third, lack of accountability on a regular basis to reinforce positive sustainable change. Without accountability there is no improvement of what already exists much less changing it.
Fourth, lack of trust by the team in their Leaders’ decision-making skill in leading change. Trust is the glue that holds teams together when they face the unknown and the lubricant that enables them to flow together till the needed change becomes a way of life.  
Average leaders can keep the car between the guardrails most of the time. However, it takes outstanding leaders to lead when the way forward is no longer on the map and current conditions demand a change of direction.
“Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw
Why not ask your leadership team which of the four areas above challenge them the most. Great leaders constantly ask this question and many others that make their leadership vulnerable and open for inspection. Weak leaders avoid questions about their leadership at all costs.
Technology-driven smart phones, tablets and laptops, microwave ovens, computer-flown airplanes, robots that can do just about anything, most kids toys and big box stores filled gadgets unheard-of a generation ago. 
They are today’s reality as a result of that first trip to the moon led by men and women not threatened by change. The wealthiest corporations on earth today were founded and continue to be led by leaders who declare war on the status quo every day.
Remember, without change your organization has no future. Without you personally changing your team remains stuck in “today” and only dreams about a better tomorrow.

The Resource Tool Kit is what every Pastor needs. What you will find here will make your life and ministry much easier and also flourish like never before! This “Tool Kit” provides you information about People and Ministries that have excelled with great success across the country. The links and videos below provide resources and training that will increase church attendance, bring in more tithes and offerings, strengthen and refresh marriages, teach tactical leadership skills, provide free legal counsel, cutting edge sermon material, complimentary pastor vacations and much more. Click on the names and videos below to learn more.

Scroll down to watch a short introductory video from each. 

BlessEveryHome.com  is the premier tool for any pastor who wants to get his church praying. This powerful ministry tool is unlike any other. Watch the video to see what thousands of pastors are doing to get many of their people working for the kingdom without ever leaving the house.

Saturate USA is providing FREE OF CHARGE any church in America the tools to EASILY get the gospel into every household in their city. This ministry is reaching every city with the gospel and inviting every church to get involved. Watch their video for detail.

Game Plan for Life is a ministry founded by re-known(3) Super Bowl winning and (4) NASCAR Championships Coach Joe Gibbs. Every Pastor we talk to states that they need more men involved and need them discipled to be faithful leaders. This unique and powerful ministry reaches into the heart of most men and is designed to reach men for Christ. The GPFL discipleship material is second to none. This ministry is a premier partner with All Pro Pastors International and provides many unique benefits to the pastors who join us.

National Center for Life and Liberty provides free legal counsel, legal documents, and educational seminars. Attorney David Gibbs, III represents the Christian community every day against the legal attacks in America, going all the way to the Supreme Court on several occasions.

Restoring Hope Global  Ever feel tired, exhausted with your job?  Where do you turn?  What do you do to refuel, to keep going in your mission?  Think about it pastor; where do you turn?  Where do you get to escape to?  The good news is there is “Restoration House”, a place for pastors and leaders to turn when work has exhausted you. Call today!

Mike Williams Ministry The 2017 Dove Award winner is known for his brilliance as a comedian and also as one of America’s leaders in bringing your congregation on board your ministry as an “All In” giver.  Mike’s new book “Reboot Church Giving” is a handbook for pastors.

Liberty Pastors/Reclaiming America for Christ is teaching the heritage of Pastors in America and how to get their church back to the evangelistic roots we were founded on. Learning the truth can sometimes be hard and it is these hard places that God opens our hearts and minds to change and grow. Pastor Paul Blair shares why we all need to look in the past to back on the straight road.

SkywatchTV is a new paradigm in Christian broadcasting, examining everything from ghosts, UFO’s, giants, demons, artificial intelligence, trans-humanism, the occult, evolution and many other subjects that are often uncomfortable to discuss in the average church environment. This is critical information when teaching discipleship and preparing yourself to face the enemy.  Warning: The video below is an example of what SkywatchTV investigates.

Time to Revive is the discipleship training ministry that is bringing revival across the country. Every church that engages in their teaching and follows their instructions will see an immediate impact on their church/community.

Please take a moment now and watch the videos below to learn more:

BlessEveryHome.com

Saturate USA

Game Plan for Life

 

National Center for Life and Liberty

Restoring Hope Global This is an All Pro Pastors “Premier Partner” for APP Pastors who need a Free place to get away to be refreshed, relax and recharged. 

 

Mike Williams Ministry

Liberty Pastors/Reclaiming America for Christ

SkywatchTV  

 

Time to Revive

(Numbers 29:1) ‘Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing horns יוֹם תְּרוּעָה.

God tells us to come together, blow horns and make some noise.

(Leviticus 23:23-25) Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of horns, a holy convocation. You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’”

Reminder of blowing of horns – זִכְרוֹן תְּרוּעָה

(TLB) … it is a time of remembrance, and is to be announced by loud blowing of trumpets.

God calls us to blow horns and this is to announce something He wants us to remember. What is it that God wants us to remember?

(Rosh Hashanah Prayer) … May it (the shofar) direct our thoughts to [cause us to remember] the day when the Shofar will sound for the redemption of all mankind.

(Weekday Amidah) “Sound the great shofar for our freedom, raise the banner to gather our exiles and gather us together from the four corners of the earth.”

(Matthew 24:30-31) And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great shofar and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

(1 Thessalonians 4:16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the shofar of God. Shout – תְּרוּעָה

Yeshua will return with His angels to redeem people from Israel and every nation who belong to Him. There will be a teruah; a shout and blast of the great shofar. God calls us to meet yearly to blow the shofar and shout so that we’ll be very familiar with these sounds and recognize them instantly when Yeshua returns.

Are you ready for Messiah Yeshua’s return? Are the people in your congregation ready for His return? Invite Rabbi Ron to Speak at your congregation.

(To identify with or to make him feel special)

  1. Don’t interrupt or correct him when he is telling a story.
  2. Compliment him in front of his children, your parents, his parents and friends.
  3. Let him have some time to relax when he arrives home from work.
  4. Develop a genuine interest in his work and hobbies.
  5. Admire him for his strength and significance.
  6. If he wants to take a lunch to work, pack it for him.
  7. Try to be home (and off the phone) when he gets home from work and be up

in the morning when he leaves.

  1. Help your kids be excited about Dad’s coming home.
  2. Understand when he wants to spend time enjoying sports or hobbies with his

friends.

  1. Keep his favorite snack on hand.
  2. Stick to your budget.
  3. Watch his favorite sporting events with him.

Family Focus Ministry (ffm@tampabay.rr.com)

Balloons and kites usually stir up pleasant memories for many people. But this is not true for people living in Israel right now. Some Palestinians have been launching fire kites and balloons into Israel during the past 12 weeks. More than 430 fires have erupted, and 2,000 acres of wood and farmland have been damaged by the flames. The fires have also ruined produce worth millions of shekels.

Why hasn’t the UN put together a resolution against these acts of terrorism? Why haven’t any world leaders responded to this tragedy? As usual, the leadership in Israel is being challenged with how to respond.

If this happened here in America, our government would have acted immediately to apprehend the people launching fire kites and balloons, but Israel is always criticized when they do what every other government (rightfully) does.

Over and over again, Hamas incites and encourages acts of terrorism. Israel must protect their citizens and do whatever is necessary for people to live in peace. Things stay calm for a while, then acts of terrorism and war returns to the land of Israel. This cycle repeats itself over and over again. How long will this last? The Bible informs us that in the End Times nations will unite to attack Jerusalem. No one wants this to happen, but since it is written in the Bible it is unavoidable; we can be certain that it will happen.

As horrible as this will be, we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) What good will come out of this?

The Bible teaches that when the nations unite to attack Jerusalem, Messiah Jesus will return to defend the Jewish people, and defeat their enemies. Jesus will then rule as King over all the earth and bring the world peace most people have hungered and hoped for so many years.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and every city on earth. And pray for the return of King Jesus so that He can bring world peace.

Judges 9:53 NKJV “But a certain woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull.”  Wow, some real drama and a historical victory for God’s children. However, one day as I read the account I related to it very personally.  In pastoral ministry I was often referred to as Carlotta or Ms. B. Both were pleasing to me; they were personal. Yet when being introduced in pastoral, missions and itinerary ministry I have been introduced innumerable times as, “Larry’s wife.”  I do like the sound of it because I love being his wife. But I am also an individual. Don’t misunderstand, I am not one of those ministers’ wives who goes around trying to establish a platform by declaring, “But what about me, I have something to offer too.”  However, I will admit that on one occasion when being introduced as merely Larry’s wife, by a pastor with whom we had been in close fellowship for years, I demonstrated some holy boldness – well, some kind of boldness – and declared, “You know I do have a name.”  Please recognize what I am saying. There are times when such an introduction is appropriate, but when the opportunity presents itself anyone can appreciate respect and personal acceptance.

 

I had often read this story of a “certain” woman but until this time had not researched and determined that the same reference is so frequently included in Scripture for other women and men.  It sounds like the introduction of more modern day stories reading, “Once upon a time….”

 

Now the lesson that I would like to present from the Judges 9 story is something that stirred my heart and continues to challenge me.  I won’t go into a lot of detail since you know the story and can further study at your convenience, but the main facts are as follows:

 

  1. The certain woman, along with her fellow citizens, had fled into the city’s strong tower because they were being pursued by the wicked king Abimelech who had killed his brothers, seventy sons of Jerubbaal (Gideon).  God had lifted His restraints because of his many cruel and evil deeds. At last the people revolted against the king’s ungodly rule.
  2. The king saw the vulnerability of the people, approached the tower himself and was attempting to set fire to the entrance.
  3. Mind you, the tower was crowded with all the citizens who had climb it in desperation but note –
  4. A certain woman saw opportunity, acted upon it, proved courageous and dropped a millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.  This action caused him to beg to be killed by his men so it couldn’t be said that it was a woman who had destroyed him.

This woman is still an example of encouragement to us.  In fact, she reminds me of another woman in Judges, Jael.  They both saw opportunity and seized the moment. One is not named and one is. You may be made to feel at times that your name is “No Name.” The challenge is this – are you presenting yourself to be a certain woman or a certain man?  Regardless of whether your name is mentioned or is not.  The point is that you are you. You are vital, whether in vocational ministry, education, business, the medical field, the arts, stay-at-home parenting, even in a state of physical disability.  We hear the term marketplace frequently. The marketplace has always been the place of mingling, interaction. So may I say it this way? Your marketplace is anywhere and everywhere you take in oxygen and do life.  Be the person who sees need, sees opportunity, seizes the moment, takes action for God and man. You are God’s certain woman or God’s certain man.  You have His favor, His help, His anointing as soon as you put your hand/your mind/your voice to what is provided.  He is still saying “well done” to the woman in Judges 9 and he says “well-done” to your obedience.

In America when you see something that says “All Pro” we quickly make the assessment that they or it must be really good at what they do. Just as you may think of an “All Star” in sports or business. This represents the very best.

Today however, I invite you to consider that an All ‘Pro” Pastor is a pastor who is very positive in speech, attitude and heart. They are Pro-Jesus, Pro-Holy Spirit, Pro-family, Pro-marriage, Pro-church, Pro-unity, Pro-Kingdom, Pro-community, Pro-forgiveness, Pro-encouragement, Pro-accountability, Pro-freedom, Pro-Bible and the list goes on. Yes we must face many challenges and predators also the storms that come and the frequent battles, yet we will always find the “Pro”.

The sheep we care for need a “Pro” shepherd in order survive and thrive. The “Pro” Pastor/Shepherd takes a type of ownership of each sheep, because that comes with the expectation from our “Shepherd” Jesus.

An All Pro Pastor is the Pastor who speaks life into people not death. He speaks encouragement not criticism. He teaches God’s word as the words of hope and victory. The All “Pro” Pastor is a Warrior and a Shepherd who fights for the flock he cares for. He loves each one as his own because he represents Jesus as His Ambassador in every way. He nourishes the flock as a “Son” and not a hireling. He takes them “his flock” through the Valley of Shadows and danger, protecting them with his very life. He brings them to fresh clean springs to drink from and protects them from the polluted and poisonous. He teaches them with all diligence and understanding. He recognizes the infants and the mature. He walks with them through all of life showing each one where to walk where to avoid. The All “Pro” Pastor has the heart of a shepherd just like Jesus, the “Shepherd”! He knows each one by name and they know his voice. He loves all and loves them each. When he speaks they listen because they know his words bring life and blessings.

Who is an All Pro Pastor? It is the ones who are called by Jesus himself to be his representatives, His ambassadors His faithful ones who live to serve His flock as their very own.

Being a Shepherd is very tiresome and so is being a Pastor. Pastors, we need each other to lean on and to rely on. Join “All Pro Pastors” and start your Champions Table. Experience these life savers for yourself.

Today is the day every Pastor should ask, am I an All Pro Pastor?

 

 

The US Embassy in Israel is expected to move to Jerusalem this month. The plan is for this to happen in May so that it will coincide with the 70th anniversary of the rebirth of Israel as a nation. The question I want to ask you today is, “If you build (or move) it, will they come?”

Who do you think will come to Jerusalem if the US Embassy is moved there? Many people wonder if President Trump will join the number of people going to Jerusalem to celebrate this special event. From what I understand President Trump has not committed to visiting Israel at this time. But my question has nothing to do with world leaders.

I found an article on the internet where Pres. Abbas (Palestinian Authority) said, “Palestine’s government will fight against Trump’s decision and not let any country to move its embassy to Jerusalem until Palestine-Israel issue is resolved,”

I am curious as to how will they fight this? What will they do to stop any country from moving their embassy to Jerusalem? Will the Palestinians physically do something to stop the American Embassy from moving to Jerusalem? Will they send tanks, rockets and other weapons into Jerusalem to try and stop this from happening?

I have no clue what Abbas will do, but I know for certain that if he does not send tanks, rockets, etc. to attack Jerusalem, someone else will sometime soon.

(Zechariah 12:2) “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling (staggering and stumbling). Judah will be besieged (surrounded, sieged and encircled) as well as Jerusalem.

(Zechariah 14:1 NASB) … For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle

The Bible tells us that nations will surround and invade Jerusalem in hopes of killing all the Jewish people. This is not nice, but it is unavoidable since it is recorded in the Bible. Let’s see what else God has to say about the End Time invasion of Jerusalem.

(Zechariah 12:8-9) “On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, … On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

(Zechariah 14:1-4 NASB) … For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle …Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east.

Zechariah tells us that God Himself will intervene. He will protect the Jewish people and destroy their enemies. God will not simply orchestrate events to create a victory for the Jewish people, but He Himself will personally fight for the Jewish people. His feet will personally stand on the Mt. of Olives.

(Zechariah 12:10 NASB) “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

After God defeats the enemies of Israel the Jewish people look on Him who they have pierced and mourn. They probably are shedding tears of sorrow and repentance because they see their Messiah standing before them and notice that His body is pierced. It is not pierced because of a wound he received in this war. It is pierced because He is Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth. The Jewish people realize that their Messiah is King Jesus because His body is pierced (from being crucified at Calvary nearly 2,000 years ago).

First of all, I am very grateful that God Himself personally protects my people in the End Time invasion. But there is more. King Jesus personally returns to fight for the Jewish people, so the attack on Jerusalem is the End Time event God uses to trigger the return of Yeshua.

The return of Yeshua is something every person to belongs to Him should be looking forward to, so God will once again work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.

Are you eagerly waiting for Yeshua to return? If so, keep your eyes on Jerusalem. He will set His feet on the Mt. of Olives when He returns. He will then walk down the mountain and enter Jerusalem through the Eastern Gates. The moving of the American Embassy to Jerusalem has the potential to start the End Time Invasion of Israel. Yeshua could be returning to earth sometime soon. If this is not the event which triggers His return, there will be an invasion on another day and I can’t imagine it taking too long for this to happen. Pack your bags and get ready to go to Jerusalem.

If you would like to learn more about Israel and the End Times invite Rabbi Ron to speak today.

Father Theodore Hesburgh, former president of Notre Dame University said, “Vision is the essence of leadership.”

Visionary leadership is knowing where you want to go, how to get there, and the three things required to make it happen: First, having a clear and compelling vision. Second, articulating and modeling it well. Third, getting your team focused and excited about pursuing it.

Above all, you must be confident and consistent, no one follows an uncertain or faint trumpet. Great leaders develop a clear and compelling vision by using one of the following three approaches. You can impose it, buy it, or forge it through persuasive consensus.

One, imposing a vision can be either by demand or persuasion. Teledyne founder, Henry Singleton, believes an organization is built around a mind with an idea that is aware of the key issues of his generation.

Great leaders stay ahead of the curve and lead from the future, not to the future. They are seasoned visionaries, sharpened by their image of the future. Their ability to empower and connect their teams’ everyday efforts to the vision is without question. They guide their organization with confidence and humility, not as overbearing power brokers.

Poor leaders impose their vision through demands often disguised as motivation, but in reality is manipulation. Great leaders’ caste their vision until it becomes the common vision of the team through communication that is vivid and compelling.

Second, you can buy a vision. Consultants will happily create a fashionable mission statement that creates a lot of energy, but few sustainable results. The problem with these “off-the-rack” solutions is they are so generic that they are usually worthless.

Visions can’t be bought like a McDonald’s burger or Starbucks latte. They can’t be a Burger King vision where everyone has it their way. Your team and stakeholders know immediately that you’re trying to sell them a second-hand, cut-and-paste dream that they reject immediately. If they don’t they are naive and of no real value, you need to release them.

Third, forging a vision. This happens through leadership consensus by encouraging broad contributions in putting flesh on the skeleton you provide. This produces a vision that’s the most enduring and effective for long term sustainable results.

At the end of the process you want a vision that is not only compelling, but energizes great buy-in by the core leaders and all the stakeholders. You don’t forge a vision overnight, but through patience, perseverance, and passion.

If you can’t get your team’s energized buy-in to the vision, ask yourself the following questions. How passionate am I about it? How often do I show it to them, not just in locker room pep talks, but through my daily actions? How much did I ask the team to contribute in the process