About
Messianic Sabbath is intended as a place of daily rest from your busy day to meditate on Yehovah’s goodness. The blogs and daily Facebook and Twitter posts are a collection of insights gleaned from years of daily devotion, Bible study, worship, and learning from anointed authors and leaders. All of the blogs, tweets and posts are original or credited to their author. I hope they will provide you encouragement and inspiration as you explore and progress in your walk with Yeshua Ha’Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah). (We will refer to Jesus as Yeshua – his given Hebrew name which means “salvation” and to God by his personal name YHVH or Yehovah.)
What is Messianic?
Messianic is the belief that Yeshua (Jesus) is Yehovah’s son given as a sacrifice to provide atonement for sin and eternal salvation AND that the observance of Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy) commands are Yehovah’s instructions for experiencing His abundant life on earth. Yeshua and all His disciples observed and taught the Torah commands. Messianic believers believe that to truly know, follow and love Yeshua, we must do the same. We are not saved by the law, but obey it because we are saved. We follow the complete Bible – Genesis through Revelation – and only the Bible.
About the Author
I was raised in a Christian home and have been a follower of Jesus since childhood. At the age of 35 I resumed my daily devotional time that I had practiced in my adolescence. During that time, God invited me into deeper intimacy, sharing His heart as I opened mine. What I saw was a Jewish Rabbi with a heart longing for Jerusalem and His Jewish people. I didn’t know what to do with that. I had never known even one Jewish person.
As I continued reading the Bible with that perspective, I began to see the Israelites as my spiritual ancestors – those who brought me Yeshua, those who diligently took down Yehovah’s instructions for me, those whose lives are recorded to show me how to live, and those who I’ll join with as one family in the eternal age to come. Abraham and Moses are brothers, Daniel and David are my cousins. Their stories became more than history or heroics to teach me Christian morals and strengthen my faith. They showed me how Yehovah desires to set me apart so that He can provide abundant life for me in a fallen world.
I had always thought you could not believe in Jesus and observe the Torah commands; that if you believed one, you automatically denied the other – they were mutually exclusive. But as I studied the Torah with my new understanding, I began to realize that following the Torah does not have to do with salvation – Yeshua has already guaranteed that for me. The commandments in the Torah make up the owner’s manual on how to live in intimacy with a Holy God in a fallen world, here and now; how to walk in His paths of blessing and life. Soon after I began incorporating the Torah instructions into my life I recognized that I could have more of both – more abundant life now and more devotion to my eternal Savior.
Even after serving Yehovah for more than 40 years, I can honestly say since I opened my heart to truly understanding the Torah and the Hebrew roots of Christianity, Yehovah has now showered me with new understanding, unexpected blessings, strengthened faith and fresh excitement daily.
I highly recommend it!
For a personal message, please email me.
Messianic Sabbath 
I really enjoy your website and share a lot of the joy you have with Yeshua and understanding what His true purpose for our lives is. Thank you for the years of wisdom you share here and for the Feasts of God timeline. The feast timeline is what brought me here last year and just starting reading some of your blogs and became more interested. I enjoy Yeshua and the Sabbath.
January 14, 2022 at 10:36 am
Thank you for your encouraging words, David. So glad it has blessed you. Yeshua is so faithful to reveal himself when we seek him and desire to follow his ways. May he continue to bring you joy as you pursue him!
January 18, 2022 at 8:58 pm
I have read your posts in the past and found them to be encouraging. Do you all have a widows ministry or one you suggest giving too?
October 8, 2021 at 11:32 am
Hello Kimberly,
When I was widowed, I used Hospice and Griefshare. They are both worthy organizations to give to. I’m sure my journey was different than others’, but I found that nothing but the presence and love of Yeshua healed me.
I’m glad you have found encouragement here. May Yeshua shower you with his healing love.
November 3, 2021 at 7:14 am
The Holy Spirit has been prompting me to enter into the blessings of observing the Sabbath (Isaiah 58) We live in a rural area of Oklahoma. How would you suggest we observe the Sabbath ad gentileza believers?
September 13, 2020 at 5:12 pm
Hello Catherine,
That’s wonderful news! YHVH is looking to bless you and give you more abundant life!
There may be a Messianic congregation near you, which would typically include and welcome Gentiles. You will want to look for a congregation that both 1) believes in Yeshua as the Messiah, and 2) keeps the Sabbath on Saturday and observes the Feasts of the Lord ( https://messianicsabbath.com/feast-dates/ ).
This post will also help you understand how you can observe the Sabbath if there is no congregation near you (or if congregations are not meeting during Covid-19): https://messianicsabbath.com/2015/10/06/how-can-i-observe-the-sabbath-without-a-congregation/ .
I know YHVH will bless you and guide you as you follow his leading.
September 24, 2020 at 7:09 am
Thank you for sharing your experiences with anyone who is searching to connect with other people who are new to Torah.
September 11, 2019 at 6:27 pm
You’re welcome, Carolyn. Thanks to the holy spirit for guiding me into his truth.
November 10, 2020 at 6:46 am
Glad to find your site. Look forward to the email updates.
August 1, 2019 at 6:28 am
Just started following the feasts this April, and stumbled across your site today, thank you for sharing your insight.
May 19, 2018 at 12:09 pm
You’re welcome, Jen. I am blessed to have insights to share!
November 10, 2020 at 6:47 am
If any of you are near Silver Spring, Maryland, we have a Messianic Congregation that is warm, friendly and welcoming. Mishkan HaShofar Messianic Jewish Congregation. Join us each week for Havdalah, Saturday nights at 6 pm. Rabbi/Pastor Robert has a Master of Divinity in Jewish Messianic Studies from Talbot School of Theology (Biola University). We are a group of Jewish and Gentile believers in Messiah Yeshua from every tribe and nation.
April 6, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Thank you, Rabbi Robert. May Yehovah bless your ministry.
November 10, 2020 at 6:49 am
I had been going to a Messanic Sabbath worship service for about a year now. I am sad to say that I have not been since the Hanukkah celebration. Mostly because of my work schedule. I am a caregiver and I have to work every other Sabbath. It has been very difficult to get my client to go with me, Nevertheless I keep trying to get her out the door.
But during my absence I’ve realized the not one person from the congregation has called me to ask about why I’ve been absent or if I am alright. This has sadden my heart and I wanted to find another Messanic Sabbath worship to go to. My question is, am I wrong to feel this way?
Amanda
March 15, 2017 at 9:03 am
Amanda, it’s not wrong to feel bad, but usually what is bothering you is very important to you. Possibly you could reach out to those in your congregation you’ve had relationships with – send a card or call or email them. Be the friend you’d like them to be. You might even find out about others who’ve been unable to go and call to encourage them. I would think it would be easier to reconnect with your congregation than to find another one and meet all new people, but you will have to seek YHVH on this.
In terms of not being able to go to your service, you might consider the ideas in this blog post. I am always a little down when I can’t attend a sabbath service. I try to bring the sabbath to wherever I am. I wonder if your client would be willing to read the Torah with you, pray or learn about Yeshua and YHVH? Maybe this is a season of your life where YHVH wants to meet with you individually or share the Sabbath with your client.
On both accounts, first seek YHVH for what he is doing right where you are before trying to change it. If you have followed him to get where you are, you are there for a reason. May YHVH bless you in your search for his will.
March 15, 2017 at 6:54 pm
I am trying to lean about the Lord’s feast. How exciting!!!! If I could turn back time, I would replace every pagan holiday with His holy feasts as I feel we have all been hijacked. Lord bless you!
March 3, 2017 at 3:53 am
Same with me! You summed it up perfectly 🙏🏼❤️
January 1, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Yes, I know what you mean. We have a lot to unlearn. But I thank the Lord that all those years in Christianity brought me to this place of desiring and finding Yehovah’s deeper truths. While the feasts are not yet mainstream, we can consider ourselves blessed early!
November 10, 2020 at 6:55 am
i read much from you but ends up in confusion, i say im a christian but i do not know if am following the correct teaching.
i live in africa from a tradition observing family, nobody attends church but i do when im in school and reading from your site helps me more but how can i be able to get a congregation near me.
October 28, 2016 at 12:21 pm
snyder kolly, it can be confusing when you’ve learned Christianity from well-meaning leaders and role models, and God has been faithful in responding to you as you have pursued him. However, unless you can read and see their teachings for yourself in the Bible, they are not teaching Biblical living. The Bible itself is not confusing, except when man tries to force it to say something it doesn’t. You will need God’s leading to find others studying and observing his commandments – pour out your heart to him and depend on him for that. Meanwhile, you may need to continue studying on your own and maybe also sharing what you’re learning with others who seem interested or open, in case they are willing to join you in study and prayer.
I recommend you continue pursuing God’s truth as you are and incorporate as much of the Bible’s instructions in your life as you can. I recommend these teachers and teaching sites you can access online. This article may help you get started in keeping God’s commands on your own.
I ask everyone who reads this comment to lift you up in prayer that God may lead you into truth as you continue to pursue him.
Blessings,
Christi
November 1, 2016 at 7:43 pm
Shalom Christi! Thank you for recommending Jewish Voice Ministries.
March 24, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Absolutely! Great resources, teaching and ministry, as well as the international training ministry, Messianic Jewish Bible Institute – beautiful, Godly people doing amazing work raising up Messianic Jewish believers. Thank you!
March 30, 2017 at 8:54 pm
The Holy Spirit promises that if we are sincere and seek for the truth, He will lead us into ALL truth. Then we need to be willing to follow after truth that is revealed to us. There is evidence of Yeshua dwelling within our hearts because we receive an unspeakable joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. If you are baptized in Yeshua, Jesus, He will give you power to become His own and power to overcome trials that come our way. Have faith. If you have Facebook and would like to be part of our Bible study group, please know you are invited. Lisa Kelly.
March 3, 2017 at 4:05 am
May God, the author and finisher of our faith, continue to work in our lives!
September 11, 2016 at 11:58 am
It has been approximately 4 years ago that I felt the Lord calling me to seek Him more. I felt a draw to study the book of Leviticus and the feast days. I studied and began to put them in practice because the call was so strong. I shared the teachings with my pastor who was tolerant and eventually released me from my church home. I am in Washington, DC and have not found a messianic ministry to grow and flourish in. I too as others feel alone and am trying to walk this as best I can in my own study. Help with suggestions.
August 28, 2016 at 11:44 am
Denise, continue to follow Yehovah’s leading. I would recommend you continue to seek Him for a congregation to become part of, since gathering with other believers is part of keeping the Sabbath and many of the feasts. You may not think of it as the “ideal” congregation, but at least a place that is observing the commandments and empowers you and others to do the same. In the meantime, you may have seen this post on observing the Sabbath on your own: How Can I Observe the Sabbath Without a Congregation?. It will give you some more ideas. However, I recommend you find a messianic congregation where you can at least attend the feast celebrations.
You will not regret taking the narrow road. It is rich and rewarding, with YHVH drawing closer to you than you’ve ever known Him before.
August 28, 2016 at 9:49 pm
Hello, you are on point praise our Adonai, God and Yeshua, Jesus for you!. It’s a difficult road approaching bible study leaders, pastors and other believers in love and compassion sharing the bible truth, scriptures showing the verbal passed down traditions are idolatry mixing a false gospel. The rejection and anger is sadly amazing…even with proof of scriptures.
It’s taken me years to find a Messianic Congregation in Woodland Hills, CA.
The other problem is also that believers and pastors are not preparing believers for the warning in the gospel for the famine and drought believers will be in PART of the tribulation according to scriptures, to follow the political climate Israel, our brothers and sisters that we share our inheritance wtih. At the end times in scriptures a NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH, the earth is the NEW JERUSALEM where we will be.
I will share your website with others and will put it on my gospel materials, and upcoming seminar.
FYI Rabbi Schneider shockingly and unfortunately acknowledges christmas. I saw it on his channel.
I recommend Jonathan Cahn as a resource to point people as he is preparing people for upcoming end times as written in scriptures.
Also, I was wondering what area you live in as you would be a great speaker to coordinate with for upcoming lecture series seminars.
I live in Valencia, CA. currently.
Bless you my sister in Yeshua, Jesus and all the people I have seen on your site staying faithful.
May 12, 2016 at 4:48 pm
I am all alone in this. I agree with all of these beliefs, but have no one to relate with. I go to a Christian church that encourages Easter and Christmas and so on, which I do not want to participate. I want to establish these practices in my home and felIowship with others likemindedness. I am in deeper waters and in search of others out there with the same beliefs to connect with. So if you live around the Houston area please reach out.
March 16, 2016 at 2:29 pm
Hi Casey…. I have a friend in Conroe, Tx and sent this blog address to her.. hope she contacts you esp if you live within a driving distance. I’m not very familiar with Texas cities. I can relate to your feeling all alone in this walk… that was also my experience several years back. When my conscience would no longer allow me to worship on Sunday, but to keep Sabbath, I set two places at my Erev Shabbat table (I’m single) … one for me and one for Yeshua, and poured a glass of wine; had a bite of bread and salt– and that’s how I started. My church friends didn’t wish to see me much anymore when they found I would not return to them. BUT!!! I can guarantee that YHVH knows where you are and will honor you when you honor Him. Just keep studying online and at home… use all the many resources we have these days. He is faithful!
May 5, 2016 at 6:07 am
Hi, My husband and I have been Christians for 26 years. Lately we have felt that God is maybe pushing us to go further with Him. We have never done christmas with santa, halloween or even easter with the easter bunny or participated in activities that go against the Bibles teachings. We have raised our family in this way as well. But now we are feeling like maybe we should be keeping the Biblical feast. We are also finding that everything we are teaching our kids and believing is not lining up with the christian church . We have been keeping the Saturday Sabbath for the last year or so and feel that we are doing as we should. But we are left with finding another church home because the teaching at our church for the last 26 years is not what we believe to be truth now. We have visited Seventh Day Sabbath and a small Messianic Church. The Seventh Day Sabbath was nice but we didnt feel we should continue there. The Messianic was so different that it was kind of awkward. We are not sure we completely understand the Messianic movement. Is it for people with no Jewish heritage? Any suggestions on finding a new church home and any other suggestions on this new road would be much appreciated. We really want to be what God is asking us to be. Thank you, Theresa Jackson
December 8, 2015 at 7:07 am
Theresa, I know exactly how you feel. I studied and sought Yehovah for a couple of years on my own before a realized really what I needed to do. You can be confident that all of Yehovah’s instructions (Old & New Covenants) are for followers of Yeshua, not just Jewish people.
In conjunction with seeking Yehovah and testing everything against his Word, I would recommend the books included here and also the teaching links on my Recommended Links page. It is a Messianic congregation you are looking for, however, you would likely be most comfortable with Messianic Christians vs. Messianic Jews to begin with. As you learn more, you may be comfortable in a Jewish Messianic synagogue, however, you could ask others in a Messianic Jewish congregation to introduce you to those with a Christian background – there are likely to be a few you could connect with that would be helpful. Another avenue is finding Christians that have a heart for Israel or Jewish people. They may be on the same path as you and not realize there are others like them.
I hope this gives you some help and encouragement. I found that learning on my own for a couple of years was very beneficial for hearing Yehovah for my foundation before submitting to a leader.
I pray Yehovah will continue to bless your journey and lead you into his truth.
December 22, 2015 at 9:14 pm
Iam new God just opened my eyes in 06/09/15, when I saw this site, im greatful thankful to God. He lead me to this site because I was fasting and seeking him and now im more hungrier then never before. blessed by all your comments. Glory to God!
September 8, 2015 at 10:50 pm
That’s fantastic, Lilly. I’ve found that that’s about the only way to come to a Messianic understanding – God has to bring you there Himself. Rarely do I hear of someone being convinced by another person. Kudos to you for sincerely seeking Him and being willing to follow into a new understanding.
September 9, 2015 at 7:28 pm
I have been servant of Jesus for about 20 years. I am Pentecostal and really bless by the grace of God. However, digging deeper thanks to a number of good brothers from different denominations I have found to get closer to God by excepting the Torah. It is really a challenge understanding it for now but come to find out every day the coming of our Yeshua becomes clearer trough the study of the whole bible.
I thank God for your spirit!
September 7, 2015 at 5:28 pm
I can completely relate, David. It was hard to believe I grew up in the church and missed the Torah, feasts and sabbath all those years. Everyone in our congregation has experienced the same thing – it’s just God’s timing, calling more of his people back to his original intent. Thanks for your note.
September 8, 2015 at 8:59 pm
Thank you so much for the work you did on Isaiah 60.
You really, broke it down for me
John Nduka
Houston, TX
June 13, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Why do so many so-called Christians want to give up the Sabbath? The other Commands they are willing to obey.
September 24, 2014 at 9:25 pm
I agree, the Sabbath is one of God’s best blessings. The lies of the enemy have robbed many believers of it in recent time. However, I believe God is restoring it for many, like He did for me.
September 26, 2014 at 1:33 pm
The best expression I’ve heard describing the meaning of Torah is that, “Torah is the teachings and instructions in the wisdom and will of God (YHVY) for righteous, Godly living.” As stated previous comments above, it would include all of the Tanakh (OT) as well as the Apostolic Writings (NT). Technically, Torah has been designated as the first five books of the Bible; but with this understanding the entire Bible could be expressed as the Torah of God. Each of the commandments in the Bible is an expression of an aspect of the character of God. One of Yeshua’s purposes was to clarify the true meanings of the instructions and teachings that had been given in the first place.
Great web site. Thanks, Christi. Thank you, Father, for inspiring Christi to provide this site.
February 10, 2013 at 3:28 am
Thank you, Carl, for your insightful comment on the subject. I always learn something new from your wisdom!
February 12, 2013 at 6:49 am
I am left wondering how you came to the idea that The Torah is composed of only The Scriptures written from Genesis to Deuteronomy?
The whole text of The Bible is are God’s Words that AMEN do provide any man who will listen, receive and believe God and set their faith in His Name : YESHUA/JESUS and rest his trust upon all which He has made plain and fully completed. The Scriptures are replete with The Lord’s Justice, Legal parameters and Gracious Mercies (The Law) and His Instructions (Torah) for living according to His Ways that the man may obey His Commands, keep His Covenants and walk by His Faith in Love with Peace.
I am the thirteenth in generations of my family lines who is recreated by The Messiah’s Great Faithfulness – a Jew born anew, and yet still I do not fully understand why Jesus chose the family of Heber (the Hebrews) to bring in Abraham, raise up Moses and come into our world in His Name Jesus. Shoot fire! The whole of The Scriptures is nothing but God’s Law and Torah and those holy words are not just found in the first testimony He has recorded but are also in the second too – they are the words of sound doctrine and excellency in righteousness and goodness by which any man may live and enjoy his life.
July 13, 2012 at 10:56 am
Shamir, I agree with you, the whole Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and contains our instructions for Godly living. I refer to the Torah as Genesis through Deuteronomy in my comment above as the original commandments Messianic believers typically refer to. There are no other new commandments given in the rest of the Bible that do not relate back to those in the books of Moses. You are right that some refer to the whole book as the Torah, as well.
Thanks for helping clarify that. I appreciate your viewpoint.
July 13, 2012 at 11:53 am
The Bible says in Deuteronomy 7:6-9 the reason God chose the Hebrews.
July 16, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Amen!!
May 26, 2012 at 2:13 pm