Shalom Saints,
It has dawned on me that I have never witnessed Arthur “preaching to the choir!” By that I mean, every one of his teachings has a freshness, a revelation, or some interesting facet to it. I have never left a teaching with the thought that, “I knew all that!” What makes Arthur’s teachings unique? Two things: the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and Arthur’s preparation. I’m not talking about Power Points, although they are a part, but the prayers and earnest desire to learn from the Father so that Arthur has something genuine to share. The preparation also entails self-assessment, repentance, and a renewal of the mind. This is what fuels EXPECTATION! Arthur exhorts us all to come prepared and expect the Father to meet all of our needs!
The lame man laying at the temple gate called Beautiful was healed because of his expectation and willingness to act on faith. When Peter reached his hand to the man, the man immediately rose. The lame man did not start a debate about how he had been lame from birth and perhaps healing wasn’t for him. He leaped up and stood! Listen to Arthur’s dramatic interpretation of the lame man that was healed based on his expectation and Peter’s boldness in faith. Arthur also shares a personal story of a man receiving his hearing back.
As much as we grow in faith and in our expectations of the Father, we cannot convince other people to believe what we believe if they are already convinced that what they believe is true! Arthur quoted one of his former mentors as saying, “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still!” However, when people see the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated, they are more apt to listen to us. Listen as Arthur tells of his experience with this principle.
Sharon’s Reflections on the Teaching
One of the wonderful things about our heavenly Father is that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When we come to Him in need, with obedient hearts, we can expect Him to hear us and act on our behalf. We can always expect Him to always act in accordance with His word.
Now, people are another matter. Even though we can expect them to act in character, there are some times when we get thrown a curve ball. I remember an incident with my Mom.
My sister often sent her daughter to spend a week or two with my Mom, Nana. On one of these visits, I was living in the same two family flat in Detroit. In New York City, it would be called a brownstone building. Floyd and I lived upstairs and Mom lived downstairs.
Now, my niece was about 4 or 5 years old. She was fine during the day. She played and was in good spirits. But, as soon as her mother called each night, my niece would start a crying fit to be with her mother. My Mom would have to console her for at least 30 minutes to get her to calm down. This particular time, my Mom had reached her limit. Nana couldn't take it anymore, her last nerve was shot, disintegrated, and was plum-gone. That evening, my niece started crying and crying and crying. The conversation went something like,
“I want my Mommy! I want my Mommy!! I want ta see my Mommy!!!”
“Girl, you better be quiet. You’ll see your Mommy in two days. My Momma is dead, I’ll never see her again!”
That was honest, but shocking to both my niece and me. At that point, I took my niece upstairs and quieted her.
Some things come out of our mouths because we are under stress. Sometimes the stress is predictable, you see it coming, but you don’t do a thing to stop it. That is what happened to my Mom.
HalleluYAH that we serve an Elohim that is long suffering towards us and we can always expect to receive His righteous rulings!
Buzz on the Teaching
There was one very pregnant Sister Saint who attended for the Feast of Trumpets, but was conspicuously absent on Sabbath. On Sunday, Pastor David Rogers’ oldest daughter and her husband welcomed a daughter into their family. The baby and Mom are doing fine. We were treated to photos on Facebook, but they will not be returning to House of Israel until her days of separation are over; a total of 80 days.
Leviticus 12:5 But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. (KJV)
There were two conversations concerning health related issues. One Saint was dealing with a newly discovered issue. Another Saint was overcoming an issue that was associated with a stronghold. Both Saints received prayer, encouragement, and helpful suggestions to manage the issues they were dealing with.
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One of our Saintly couples shared their photos from an Anniversary trip to Pennsylvania. They stayed in the midst of an Elk Preserve! The up-close shots of the Elk were magnificent. The Elk were not afraid to venture close to the Saints’ cabin and nibble on the tree branches while Sister and Brother Saint marveled at Yehovah’s creation.
Until next time… Blessings to You and Yours,
Sharon