How Can I Observe the Sabbath Without a Congregation?
I hear this question a lot. In fact, I used to ask this question a lot. You may feel the pull of the Holy Spirit to observe the Sabbath. You may find that your heart and perspective toward the scriptures, the Israelites of old and the land of Israel today is different than those you currently worship with at church on Sunday.
But now what? You don’t know anyone else who is pursuing these things; there’s no gathering on the Sabbath that you can be part of. How can you keep the Sabbath on your own? What should you be doing? What about the command of assembling with others on the Sabbath?
Don’t Disregard the Inclination
The first thing to do is hold on to that inclination. Don’t discard what you’re hearing, because you don’t have a congregation, don’t know how to do it or don’t have anyone else to do it with. You can do this with just you and Yeshua. In fact, this could be some of the sweetest times you have with him, just being alone together, following only your heart and his voice for how to worship him on the Sabbath.
If Yehovah is leading you to keep the Sabbath on your own, then he’s got a good reason. While it was awhile before I could fully observe the Sabbath every week, I studied Messianic perspectives on my own for two years before Yehovah raised up a congregation in my area. I prayed and prayed for Yehovah to lead me to others pursuing the same interests, but in hindsight I can see why I needed to be on my own for a time.
It was so that I could hear directly from Yehovah and know that it was his leading. I could not point to a teacher or leader or even a friend that had influenced me to pursue this path. I knew beyond a doubt that this was Yehovah’s leading alone. It forced me to seek him only for my questions and understanding. I needed this time with just Yehovah to plant my feet firmly for when opposition came, and to also be able to recognize who to “congregate with” when the time came.
If Yehovah is leading you to keep the Sabbath, you can do this. He will provide guidance and a way for you to do what he’s asking.
Biblical Guidance for Keeping the Sabbath
There are commands for how to observe the Sabbath, but there are also many things man has created to honor this special day. I’ll distinguish between those here. I encourage you to keep as many of the Bible’s commands as you can, but then be free to find your own “tradition”, things meaningful to you that you can weave into your day.
The most concise instructions are in Leviticus 23:3:
“There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord.”
These instructions are repeated, specified and illustrated over and over throughout the Hebrew scriptures (Genesis – Malachi) and include:
- Set apart the seventh day of each week as a holy day – Exodus 20:8-11, 31:13-16, 35:2, 5:14, Genesis 2:3
- Rest from your work and producing/production – Exodus 16:23-29, 5:14-15
- Refrain from pursuing your own interests – Isaiah 58:13-14
- Assemble with other believers – Leviticus 23:3
- Give an offering – Numbers 28:9-10, Nehemiah 10:32-33
- Refrain from buying and selling / conducting commerce – Jeremiah 17:19-27, Amos 8:5, Nehemiah 13:15-22
While other instructions for keeping the Sabbath can be inferred from scripture, these are the most straightforward and foundational components.
Observing the Sabbath Without a Congregation
Once you take away the work, pursuing your own interests, shopping, errands, projects and business, and add in gathering with other believers and bringing an offering – what Yehovah is trying to say is, “Save one day just for me, where you can focus your attention on our being together.” The verse I feel sums up the spirit of the Sabbath is Isaiah 58:13-14:
“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
then you will find your joy in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
He desires to be with you without all the distractions. He desires for you to find the joy and strength in him that can only be found when you begin setting aside the Sabbath for him.
Bringing an offering is easily done in your home. Look at all the examples we have in the Bible of various offerings:
- Praise and prayer (Psalm 141:2)
- Justice and righteousness (Amos 5:24)
- Justice and charity (Proverbs 21:3)
- Fasting (2 Kings 18:5-7)
- Thanksgiving (Psalm 116:17)
- A broken spirit (Psalm 51:17)
- A contrite (repentant) heart (Psalm 51:17)
- Money or something with monetary value (Matt. 2:11)
- Mercy and acknowledgement of God (Hosea 6:6)
- Spend additional quiet time in His presence (Psalm 48:9)
- Rededicate your life in service to Him (Rom. 12:1; Matt. 6:24-27)
- Praises (Heb. 13:15)
- Doing good and sharing (Heb. 13:16)
Assembling with other believers can now be done virtually in your home. While it doesn’t meet the full intent of joining with other believers, many online meetings can provide virtual experiences that build our faith, broaden our perspective and increase our sense of community. Some I recommend are:
- International House of Prayer Live Stream – Live worship, prayer and teaching, 24/7 (not Messianic)
- Lion & Lamb Erev Sabbath Service – A Messianic service including worship and teaching, recorded each week live, then available on demand until the following Sabbath.
- Hebraic Roots Network Programming – A constant stream of Messianic teaching from reputable teachers, check the program guide to plan your time.
With the various distractions and tangents available on the Internet, I would caution you to limit your time and to stay on the sites you planned to visit. While there are a myriad of Godly and useful ministries, this is your day to focus on only what Yehovah has for you.
If there’s a Bible study available in your community on Saturdays, that may be a good option for you. I don’t recommend abandoning your Christian gatherings altogether at first. Assembling with other believers is a key part of growing in our walk with Yeshua. In my case, I found others in my Sunday church congregation who were studying Messianic perspectives, and eventually a small group of us began meeting on the Sabbath. That group has now grown into the congregation I was praying for.
Once you put aside your own projects and pursuits, there are so many ways to be with Yehovah and enjoy his special day: Study, worship, reading his word, praying – and don’t forget actually resting, doing nothing is okay on this day. I find that it’s sometimes easier to do if I get out of the house, physically away from the distractions. Walking, driving to a beautiful scene, sitting in a peaceful or joyful place can be wonderful ways to be with Yehovah. Here are some resources I recommend to enhance Messianic study and Bible reading.
Additional Ways to Celebrate
While not commanded in the Bible, many traditional customs for observing the Sabbath can also enhance your experience.
Setting Apart the Sabbath
As we said earlier, setting apart the Sabbath from the rest of your week is commanded in several places in scripture. However, there are no specific instructions for doing so. It is customary to mark the beginning and end of the Sabbath with a bit of ceremony that encapsulates the spirit of the Sabbath. These rich traditions have been passed down through the centuries and, in some cases, slightly modified for Messianic believers.
Based on Genesis 1 and other scriptures, the Sabbath begins and ends at sunset. Here is a guide to the time of sunset in your local time zone.
Friday night at sundown is referred to as Erev Sabbath (Sabbath Evening). This is a time traditionally spent in the home with family or friends. The shofar is blown and two candles are lit to mark the beginning of the Sabbath. A meal is shared, bread and wine/juice are offered and blessings are recited over the Sabbath, the food and each other. (A link to traditional blessings is included below.)
This can be an easy way to include others in your Sabbath observance, even if they don’t typically observe it. A simple meal made in a slow cooker or bought before sundown is a good way to avoid overworking that night. While Exodus 12:16 allows for the preparation of food on the Sabbath, some people prepare food for the entire Sabbath ahead of time, so they can minimize their time in the kitchen or the need to purchase food.
Likewise, just before sundown on Saturday, there is a short ceremony called Havdalah (meaning to differentiate or separate). It consists of overflowing wine/juice and the scent of spices, representing the overflowing joy and sweetness of the Sabbath.
During the Sabbath
Jewish tradition provides many beautiful practices for the Sabbath day as well. Again, the lighting of the candles and reciting of Biblical prayers and blessings are typical. The Torah (or the whole Bible for Messianic believers) is celebrated with thanksgiving. Prayers and blessings over Jerusalem are offered.
Prayers & Blessings
- Restoration Ministries has prepared a reference guide (siddur) containing the traditional prayers and blessings from a Messianic perspective. Erev Sabbath starts on Page 11, Sabbath starts on Page 40, and Havdalah is on pages 88-89.
- Covenant Designs offers a beautiful set of Sabbath candlesticks, a covering for the Sabbath bread, and a book specifically for celebrating the Sabbath in the home, including blessings and traditional recipes for the Sabbath.
Weekly Bible Portions
Most of Judaism and most Messianic congregations throughout the world follow a Bible reading schedule. While not one of Yehovah’s commandments, this unifying practice can be a powerful way for Yehovah to speak to his collective people each week.
Based on the Hebrew language of the original Torah scrolls, the rabbis from ancient times (likely the 6th century BCE) codified the most obvious breaks in the texts from Genesis through Deuteronomy. These are called Parshiot (portions or the singular “parsha”) and flow differently than the chapter and verse notations we see now, which were not in the original texts. There are 54 parshiot from Genesis through Deuteronomy. These are paired with scripture from the prophetic and historical books of the Bible that are thematically related to each week’s Torah portion. These scriptures are called the Haftarah. Messianic believers have also added related scripture from the Apostolic writings (New Testament) for each Torah portion. There are one-year and three-year reading schedules that include portions from all three sections of the Bible to be read each week.
- Lion & Lamb Ministries’ schedule of readings provides all three portions (Torah, Haftarah and Apostolic) for an annual cycle.
- Restoration of the Torah provides insightful, Messianic commentary on each of the 54 portions.
Getting Started
- Set a date to begin, then clear your schedule for as many Friday nights and Saturdays as you can (or as much time as you can during the 24-hour period).
- Tell your family and/or friends you’re taking a day off and invite them to join you in doing so for whatever portion of it they can.
- Make a plan for your 24 hours. Decide what you’ll do with your time beforehand. If you have no plan, it’s easy to get pulled into other peoples’ plans or let other projects creep in.
- Turn off your phone and check it only once or twice for the most urgent issues. (Treat this like a date day with Yeshua.)
- Anticipate what might come up to pull you away from your time with Yeshua, and do whatever you can to pre-empt it beforehand.
- Plan your offering and be deliberate about the giving of it (as you would to give someone a gift).
Be aware that the enemy does not want you observing the Sabbath. Once you commit to doing it, don’t be surprised to find opposition, unexpected emergencies, distractions, doubt or discouraging thoughts and emotions. Avoid conflict; modify your plan to fit any physical ailments or limitations that arise, submit to Yehovah any last minute obstacles that threaten to keep you from observing it, then observe it as much as you can. Don’t let the enemy steal the gift of the Sabbath Yehovah is trying to give you. Resolve to follow only Yehovah’s leading. He will empower you to do his will over time as you commit to it. Persist in doing what you can and in expanding it over time to eventually encompass sundown to sundown.
As you begin your day, don’t let the rules or do’s and don’ts discourage or dominate you. I can attest that as you are diligent in spending this day with Yeshua, you will be motivated to do whatever it takes to simplify that day and protect that time. The do’s and don’ts will become a distant memory, irrelevant to you and Yeshua’s special day. This will be the highlight of your week, your favorite day, the day you can’t wait to reach and hate to end. You will enter into new joy, rest, intimacy and perspective for the rest of your week and, indeed, your life.
“6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.”Isaiah 56:6-7
May the peace and joy of Yehovah be yours as you begin keeping his Sabbath.
Also recommended:
Additional resources and teachings for the Sabbath
General resources, teaching and reference guides
Messianic Sabbath 
I was saved last year. I will never look back. My Dad kept the Sabbath and he came up against great adversaries because he did, even from my brothers and my mother, but he did not waver. I have now taken this same path and also am attacked. I will not waver. I just keep going back to Genesis 2;3 “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
This is a holy day from the beginning of creation. The Sabbath has existed from creation. It is the very first law God sanctioned. It is in Exodus 20 the 4th law of God. I was my Mothers power of attorney, she is 91. She sat and read the bible every day with my dad, but the minute he died, she went back to Sunday worship, and when I tried to talk to her about the Sabbath and the laws of God, and let her know I believe this is the path to heaven, and denying it can put you on a path to hell, My brother tried to physically attack me. I believe in angels and he was unable to touch me. He tripped and fell and cracked his ribs and I saw a demon in his eyes. That is the second time I have saw it. My mother has since made my brother her power of attorney because of my stance. I can say since I have become saved and keep the Sabbath, Satan is real and I pray out loud every day for God to protect me, in Yeshua’s name. This s my testimony and I will not waver. I look for a church in Knoxville that does not celebrate Christmas and also teaches the laws of God and keeps the Sabbath. So far I have not found that, but the Sabbath is my personal day to rest in the Lord. I love my Mother and honor her, but I love God and Yeshua so much more. I will not turn back and will not falter. My sights are on heaven, that is my goal.
November 22, 2023 at 8:48 am
I found this information very helpful. I’m not Jewish and needed guidance. Thank you for your help.
November 3, 2021 at 8:24 am
You’re so welcome, Joyce. You may not be Jewish by blood, but you are grafted in through Yeshua’s blood and can now enjoy the covenant Yehovah offered and the blessings he promised as an heir of Yehovah and co-heir with Yeshua. Amazing love!
November 5, 2021 at 6:48 am
Reblogged this on malexairartwordpress.
December 31, 2019 at 11:47 am
Saturday is NOT the Sabbath. The Sabbath is the day after the new moon. It falls on a different day of the week each month.
June 29, 2019 at 8:25 am
I agree Saturday is not the Biblical Sabbath from Creation, the Beginning when YHWH said what determines the rest day. I’m thankful to have been pointed in a direction I can finally understand, where Scripture comes together. Suggestion: http://www.creationcalendar.com As the Father does, I respect the places where others find themselves because “A man (woman) convinced against his (her) will is of the same opinion still.” We are only responsible for the Light we are given.
January 19, 2020 at 11:04 am
37 years in the Lord, 35 Messianic. I have moved a lot for different reasons. I honor YHWH alone when there’s no messianic congregation near by, like now, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Friday night I went to a tent meeting which was more than a tent meeting to me, since it was the beginning of the Sabbath and I spent it with my new found sister’s and brothers in the Lord. Thanks for your extra input and encouragement.
June 15, 2019 at 7:10 am
No cooking on the weekly Sabbath only on holy day Sabbath’s.
That’s what that verse in exodus refers to not weekly Sabbath.
Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.” Exodus 16:23. “And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day to sell … we would not buy it of them on the Sabbath.” Nehemiah 10:31
Praise Yahshua for truth!
April 13, 2018 at 5:45 pm
May the Lord bless you I too am messianic and try to celebrate the Sabbath on Friday and Saturday but there are no places for me to attend I live in Iowa and am frustrated but you have truly blessed me with your recommendations Shabbat Shalom
February 10, 2018 at 11:18 am
Glad to hear it, Brenda. May YHVH bless your diligence with his presence in your Sabbath time.
February 11, 2018 at 10:18 pm
When one has lived a dysfunctional life of 62 years, yet has near 30 years of private study through never being a church member or a part of any religious organization — along with this past decade of living as an American have-not in the Philippines while creating 16 free websites, dealing with many health issues from my wife’s physical difficulties while living on faith with zero income — and seeing the true colors of today’s misled Christianity that have no love with deed for others in need —- I have been alone with no genuine brothers or sisters, lived a very difficult life, and kept the faith along with really wanting to keep the Sabbath and all appointed Feasts and Holy days — but have just never really known how to do it alone. Being the sun has set and I searched for an answer — finally after so many years I have found instruction on what to do best as possible until sunset tomorrow being Saturday night. I am very thankful for this article being from your own experience.
December 8, 2017 at 2:01 am
I’m so glad you have found it helpful. Thank you for sharing your story. I have prayed for you and was directed to Jeremiah 31, especially vs. 13-14:
“Then young women will dance and be glad,
young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
14 I will satisfy the priests with abundance,
and my people will be filled with my bounty,”
declares the Lord.
He is coming for you. Allow his joy to pour over your sorrow. I know Sabbath observance will be a gift for you that grows over time and refreshes you every week.
May Yehovah bless your pursuit of him.
December 8, 2017 at 6:23 am
I really don’t know if you still follow this blog or not; however, if you do, I don’t know if I can give you much encouragement. I would like to say that all of your processing has been an opportunity for your greatness, for there is greatness in you that God wants to unleash in your life. Every challenge that you have faced builds character and muscle in you. It makes you who you are, especially keeping God’s laws, statutes, and judgment. The prophecies of the holy bible as in Revelation. I hope that helps.
October 14, 2019 at 11:08 am
This post is over a year old but it blessed me. I too observe the Shabbat, feast days and other mitzvot alone. I live in rural Japan. I’d like to place a link to this article on my blog-is that alright?
August 18, 2017 at 6:20 am
Yes, certainly. I hope your readers will be blessed as well.
August 23, 2017 at 11:26 pm
Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ. For the past 6months I have just found My Lord Jesus Christ as my One and only Savior and on Dec.11,2016 I became a born again Christian. I started doing my Sabbaths which I feel so blessed but like always the enemy comes between my Lord and myself I came across this page and I have always wanted to know how can I get my family to join me in my Sabbaths as much as I try they wount they are into there own will but I am not and when I read what you wrote it inspired me to continued my Sabbath by myself and my Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you the Lord put you in my path so I wount give up my faith and keep my holy Sabbath in honor of our King.
June 9, 2017 at 10:20 am
Luisa, it has been a few years since your post. How has it been going? Are you still alone or have you found others? Keep up the Shabbat and keep in mind what Exodus 31:16 says… it is an everlasting covenant. Also Isaiah 56:4, it pleases Yah when we observe His Shabbat.
March 16, 2024 at 1:24 pm
I would like to join Sabbath keeping believers around Nairobi Kenya if there are any here.
We do keep the Sabbath at home with my family and would welcome messianic believers of YWH, to meet & fellowship together in encouraging one another, reading the word,keeping the feasts of the Lord, obeying the commandments and being disciples for his service to others.
May the Most High, bless and keep you all.
May 20, 2017 at 12:33 am
Me too…I’m feeling led to observe Sabbath. I am ready to learn more and spend time with my Messiah. These tips here have been very useful. I have this desire to learn so much more. It’s something that I believe I have been missing. My question is…why did Jesus say He did not come to abolish the law but fulfill it? Im.so seeking! I don’t know any Messianics neare me, but I’m asking God to bring them into my life…
September 9, 2016 at 10:10 pm
He said that because He came to fill it full – show us the true way to live the law in addition to the written word, which had been tainted by human interpretation. The word “fulfill” would be just as when you fulfill your marriage covenant – you continue it, keep it, uphold it, not abolish it or complete it.
May YHVH bless your pursuit of him.
September 19, 2016 at 7:47 am
This website is an answer to my prayer and so saturated with the Presence of YHWH and His Holy Spirit! I weeped before the Lord as I read the words in the article! They echoed my heart and questions I had as well. I truly sense the pull to observe the Sabbath and feasts not truly understanding why. I just want to please my Lord! My family is not really understanding and I don’t force them to. I feel so special to be drawn closer to God. I am enjoying how the Holy Spirit is seemingly courting me. Letting me know it’s ok and that I’m hearing Him correctly. It’s seems like He speaks right on time when doubt comes. This website has such a gentleness about it and comforting spirit I know it’s Father God speaking through you. Please keep posting. This website is truly ministering life to me! Shalom and Many Blessings!
February 9, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Adrienne, I’m so glad YHVH is speaking to you and the Holy Spirit drawing you. You are right – it is very humbling and exciting to know that he has chosen you to share himself with in this way. I know he will continue to guide and bless you and make a way for you to obey him as you pursue his leading.
February 9, 2016 at 7:22 pm
Thank you for reply and encouraging words. I am truly humbled and honored.
February 10, 2016 at 2:19 am
Adrienne, Amen, Amen, Amen, me too !!!! He’s drawing me in a way I recognise He did when I first became a believer ..it’s so exciting to journey with others who are encountering the same ..every blessing in Jesus Jackie
March 16, 2016 at 2:47 am
I HOPE YOU CAN SEND ME A WRITTEN DOCUMENT ON THE TEACH OF THE SABBETH MY ADDRESS IS PHILLIPE MOSS 75 WOOD CEMETERY LANE JACKSON TENNESSEE 38305.
January 9, 2016 at 10:04 pm
I have now added a Print Version at the bottom of the post (before the Comments).
January 10, 2016 at 10:10 pm
You are providing wise counsel to those seeking Yeshua. Shalom.
January 9, 2016 at 10:19 am
can we have a printer friendly formant
September 15, 2015 at 9:36 pm
I have now added a Print Version at the bottom of the post (before the Comments).
January 10, 2016 at 10:19 pm
pls help me with the dates of 2015 Jewish new moon and the dstes of the feast of trumpet, atonement, and tabernacle. thanking you for your good work to we Igbo Jews.
July 20, 2015 at 1:45 am
Hello Chinedu, You can view the feast dates here: 2015 Feast Dates
New Moon dates are here: Expected 2015 New Moon Dates
May YHVH’s blessing and protection be over you and your congregation.
Christi
July 23, 2015 at 8:42 pm
Shabbat Shalom, I would like to share this article in one of my upcoming News Letters on sightedmoon.com.
You have touched a subject that needs more touching done to it. Many sit at home alone wondering how to keep the Sabbath alone.
Well done.
July 3, 2015 at 7:07 pm
Yes, Joseph, please share with anyone who could benefit from it.
July 5, 2015 at 5:44 pm
would you consider joining the seventh day adventist or seventh day baptist churches? they have been observing sabbath since 1840’s and 1610 respectively
July 1, 2015 at 4:27 am
Ryan, I wonder why they don’t also observe the feasts of the Lord stipulated at the same time in Leviticus 23?
January 10, 2016 at 10:18 pm
It seems that Sabbath is determined by 6 days of work. So if most of the nation’s people that you live in holds Sabbath on Sunday, and most jobs in your country are willing to work Saturdays, and demand Sunday be a day of rest, then shouldn’t we all just hold Sabbath on Sunday in the U.S.? What if I work Tue-Sun, my Sabbaths Monday then, correct? In the U.S. five days of work is the norm, Monday-Friday. Any work on the weekend usually falls on Saturday seeming the overwhelming majority of this nation holds Sabbath on Sunday. Why the need to hold Sabbath on Saturn’s day instead of Sun’s day? The temple of Saturn was basically the bank of Rome, Saturday is the weekend day banks are open and most people are depositing money, or work an extra day and still need to get to the bank. What does Saturn do for us? The Sun gives life!…
June 6, 2015 at 7:41 am
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” Prov. 16:2;
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Is. 55:9;
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Prov. 3:5;
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Gen. 2:2-3.
513dutchie, God gave us both Saturn and the Sun, look to the source for your life.
June 9, 2015 at 7:37 am
I loved your reply. I look for people who can answer with God word.
January 14, 2016 at 10:01 pm
Amein. Saturday Sabbath determined by the capricious and often switched around solar calendar makes as much sense as picking your rest day out of the Gregorian week.
January 19, 2020 at 10:55 am
Fun Fact 129.
The 7th day has been a Shabbat long before there was ever a man named Gregory. (Gregorian Calendar)
Fun Fact 130.
The moon was not created on the 7th day, it’s light was already present shining in the night.
Remember, man likes to attempt to mimic Yah’s creation for their own profit. (Man made medicine is made from chemicals to replicate what we already have in nature)
March 16, 2024 at 11:19 am
I like this, this was what actually happened to me when I was in service. where I was posted I was the only person who observe Shabbat I faced challenges that I was seen as one committing evil. even in my village it was only my family. the villagers hated us to the point of ostracizing us. but today three families have joined us we now have a congregation that revealed the name to be THE FINGER OF ELOHIM. people outside the community are coming to observe the Lord Shabbat rest. we don’t have cogent excuse not to observe the seventh day Shabbat. shalom
June 6, 2015 at 12:15 am
What a wonderful witness. May YHVH continue to bless your faithfulness.
June 9, 2015 at 7:39 am
We too had issues while in the service. Even the SDA member I knew worked on the Shabbat. This world will hate you because they first hated Him!
March 16, 2024 at 11:09 am
My heart is warmed. I saw this on NC Renegade, meaning that there are others besides me who are professing talmidim of Yeshua in the NC liberty movement. Thank you!
Shalom and Baruch HaShem, John K. Sylva
June 5, 2015 at 1:22 pm
That’s fantastic, John. Shalom to you as well.
June 9, 2015 at 7:40 am
Thank you. I appreciate your posts as our Lord leads me in deeper intimacy with Him through Sabbath worship. Has become a very sweet & looked forward to time for me with Jesus.
June 5, 2015 at 10:33 am
I can relate, Michele. Blessings to you.
June 9, 2015 at 7:43 am
As a remote medic in the North Slope Oil Fields, I’ve spent many Sabbaths by myself in Camp.
I’d remember the Sabbath on the Preparation Evening and ask my Heavenly Father to help me keep His Sabbath in my remote setting.
I try to remind others of Shabot as frequently as I can, and I always enjoy questions from rig hands that have know idea what Shabot really is.
My best time was on my first Passover last year. I’d felt impressed to keep Passover for several months before, and I ended up in camp.
Passover evening I had no idea how I was going to have the Passover meal, and I ended up getting called to another camp for a patient.
While at that camp, I checked the kitchen and found Humus and Matza from Israel, and I had to stay up all night with my Patient. I was just sitting at my table starring at my Flat Bread when a truck driver, Big James, came over and asked what I had? I told him it was Matza and Humus for Passover, and asked him if he’d ever seen that in an oil field camp before in the artic?
He Said “Nope!”
I knew without a doubt what God wanted from me after that evening, and that I wasn’t just deluding myself about what God expects in obedience. The same God that provided Manna in the desert, can provide Matza in the Arctic. Most of all, He wants to provide for us if we will just be willing to walk with Him.
I did First Sheaths, Yom Truah, Yom Kippur, and was home for Sukkot(my son built a Sukka while I was gone); I’ve been learning the Feast days one at a time, and looking forward to Passover and unleavened bread this year. It all turned out good even when I was alone.
Shalom!
January 25, 2016 at 11:29 pm
Thanks for sharing that wonderful story, Michael. You’re absolutely right – YHVH empowers us to keep his commandments when we commit to doing so and ask for his help.
January 26, 2016 at 6:54 am