A Right Perspective

By A. Ze’ev Bernal © 2025, All Rights Reserved

It is a joy serving the people of God, and New Hope Messianic Community. I thank the Lord weekly for such amazing people. And, I look forward to seeing everyone’s giftings and callings in Adonai.

None of us are perfect, nor should we place each other up on a peddle-stool so quickly because people, unfortunately, can disappoint us, including the rabbi. If God can be viewed as disappointing to some when He does not respond to concerns or circumstances, healings, etc., on people’s timeframes, then it should not be surprising that we will fail people as well because we are not perfect.

There is a balance to life, and when we reach that balance and discover that life is filled with failures, then we recognize the grace and mercies of God, and what He is trying to accomplish among His people.

For example, there is no one that I know of who has not failed in something at some time or other in his or her life. We all do. But what happens when we fail? There are two actions that begin immediately: 1) the accuser of the brethren—Satan—is quick to use that failure to dismiss the greatness of God in our lives because he wants nothing more than to see us spiral downwards and out of control. He will use words like this, repeating over and over again in your head: “Can’t you ever do anything right?” and if he can get us to believe it, then he wins, keeping us in a depressed state. And, 2) God immediately steps in to teach us His ways and taking that failure to prefect us in the Holy Spirit. He does this because he sees the person He created, not the person we are. He recognizes the who we are, but He is always at work to perfect us. Therefore, every failure is an opportunity for God to go to work.

When we catch that truth, the enemy will not have control over you ever again. He will never quit, but he will also never succeed because we will know that God is greater in us than he who is in this world. As the Scripture states, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). So, when you fail, let God!

Shalom shalom!

Of David’s Mighty Men and Life

By A. Ze’ev Bernal, All Rights Reserved ©, 02-25-2025.

A few more thoughts on the Mighty Men of David: Overall, 1 Samuel 22 informs us that King David drew in some four-hundred men who were, as verse 2 states, “in distress, in debt, or embittered.”

Under David’s leadership, they grew in greatness, and their exploits will always be remembered. Now although I am not King David, I am, nevertheless, one who Adonai has placed in your life to help you become a mighty man or woman before God. And as David cared for his men, I care for you.

King David was an exceptional leader, but his greatness came from first being a faithful shepherd who was willing to die for his flock (John 10:15). He not only stood against a lion and a bear (not cubs, mind you), but showed himself fearless when facing the enemy (1 Sam. 17). As he was faithful with the little things, he became faithful with the greater things (Luke 16:10). These exploits not only solidified David’s calling as God chosen king, but they also inspired his men to accomplish amazing things. Interestingly, what these accomplished would not be believable if they were not in the Bible. Imagine for a second hearing about a man who killed eight hundred men with a spear, in one encounter. It is unbelievable; yet completely true (2 Sam. 23:8).

There are three obvious steps I see in this: 1) They were all broken men, but willing to learn, 2) they did not remain broken, and 3) they accomplished great things. Therefore, what does this say to us? One word says it all: Community. God will build His Qahal (Church) and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matt. 16:18). David led these men, but they served for his kingdom. May we serve God like these men served David as we see the Day approaching.

Shalom v’brachot!

Remaining Persistent

By A. Zeev Bernal, All Rights Reserved, © 02-15-2025.

Three and a half years ago, Linda and I spent time with other messianic leaders and congregants at Lake Swan Camp in northern Florida. During one of the morning men’s sessions, we talked about faithfulness regardless of circumstances. The leader shared some statistics since COVID-19 started: 1 in 3 believers, (this includes Christians) have stop attending church, or in our case, messianic congregations, and 1 in 5 places of worship have closed down for good. This means thousands of doors of worship have closed with no immediate hope to reopen.

To heed the call to shepherd as God’s under shepherd, it is important not to be sidetracked or let outward circumstances keep you from the work of God. If there are internal issues that have to be resolved then take care of those things, but do not let even those keep you on the fence of indecision, being neither hot nor cold. As leaders and shepherds, we are faithfully committed to you through ORM, or New Hope Messianic Community, and look forward to continually serving you in many ways for many years to come, Adonai willing. And despite all circumstances, we rejoice in seeing you serve faithfully. As we continue to approach the End Days, it is imperative that we not only bond and connect together though the Holy Spirit, but we celebrate one another in His Presence—face-to-face.

The Scripture tells us that in the days to come the love of most will grow cold (Matthew 24:12) as we have seen by the thousands of people who are giving up for whatever reasons (e.g., fear, anxiety, distress, lack of finances, lack of trust in others, selfishness, etc.) just as the statistics above reflect.  We, however, must press in and show our love by faithfully serving one another, and remembering that as we press on, we are all called to love one another as Yeshua loves us (Yochanan 13:34).

 

Shalom v’brachot

Making God Central in Your Life

By A. Zeev Bernal, All Rights Reserved © 2-04-2025

The importance of placing God central in your life is understanding the difference between a priority list verses a central list. Let me explain. A list of priorities, for example, is like this: 1) God, 2) Spouse, 3) family, 4) job, etc., like the rungs on a ladder, while a central list is something more like this: because I serve God, everything I do is determined from a biblical world view; thus, everything I do is connected to Yeshua as being central in my life. All my priorities are determined through my relationship with God. Therefore, when considering priorities, God is entrusted with every decision we make. We do not place our spouse below God because when we serve our spouse and pray for him or her, we are honoring God’s instructions for our loved ones, thus serving Him. When we forgive one another, we are serving God by doing exactly what He desires; therefore, through the act of forgiveness, we honor God while at the same time serving our brothers and sisters.

When a list of priorities determines our actions, oftentimes in serving God we may dismiss a brother or sister in need because we are on our way to the “temple,” so to speak. Yet, Yeshua says that when we give a cold cup of water to the thirsty, we are giving it to Him and receiving a reward for doing so (Matthew 10:42). Hence, our actions are determined by placing God central to all we do. Priority lists have their purposes and at times are needed when it comes to building a house, for example. However, in the Kingdom, placing God central places everyone and everything around us as an opportunity to serve Him; thus, making Him central in everything we do.

Shavuah Tov!

The Process of Elimination

_{By A. Zeev Bernal, © 2025, All Rights Reserved, 1-24-2025}

The process of elimination, in a believer’s life, is self-examination. Teaming up with the Holy Spirit is the key. When we are on the same page as God, then we truly experience joy, peace, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

In a previous sermon, I used an illustration that was funny but completely real. We are in many ways not just the image of God created for great and wonderful things, but each of us are a bonsai tree within a greater tree that is still beautiful and powerful in its own right, but needs to be discovered and cultivated by the great Gardener. That pruning can be brutal at times, but oftentimes a requirement for the Kingdom of God. It is testing to be certain. No one likes to go through trials. No one likes to experience pain, but it is necessary for the greater work that God is calling us to. Not only your calling, but your relationship with Him. It will always be about that, and within this process, it is also about our relationships with each other.

I did not make it clear previously, but the Greek word that is connected with agape in the John 13 passage is, echate. This word is almost always used in relation to “being clinged to” something or “connected to” in regards to fellowship, and the context usually has something to do with the possession of spiritual gifts. So, as we sincerely love one another and see it as a true command of God, then we carry each other’s burdens and help each other through our trials and prunings through the gifts God has given us. It is a process that God does, but He does it through fellowship and friendships. God’s choice is to partner with us.

I would be totally lying If I were to say that I did not learn or receive anything from my fellowship with my brothers and sisters. I have been challenged, encouraged, strengthened, and equipped. I have been gently rebuked in kindness and with gentleness, and I have also been appreciated and accepted when I have had to do such in return. Fellowship is part of God’s plan for forming us into His creation (image). It is a process we must not run away from but towards.

Moving to Florida has been a huge trial for me. I left the three loves of my life, my two boys and my one girl, and moved to a place that is foreign to me. I am still in America, but the culture here is slightly different. However, there is a constant, and that constant is the Kingdom of God, no matter where you go.

We are being built up as a temple in the Lord. Oftentimes when we talk about Israel wanting to build the third temple, we forget that the third temple is already being built, rather, more precisely, you and I are that third temple.

Sha’ul writes, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph. 2:19-22). This is such a marvelous mystery. As we tear down racism, cultures, and theological differences, we will find that a pure fellowship of equipped saints will change the world around us.

In one of my favorite, manly movies, “The Ghost and the Darkness,” two lions terrorize a village in Africa while the British we’re building a bridge across the river Tzavo. In the movie there happens to be a minister and in one scene, while around the campfire, he says to Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas, “When I first came here, I set my goal on converting the entire continent of Africa, but now I’ve stepped up to something even greater. I will not rest until you two are safely in the fold.”

As we are being built into the temple of God together as brothers, let us set our goals on something specific. We can change the world, but how about the neighbors right next to us first? Like this young minister, something happens when we break bread together. We get God’s heart for His people and for those lost. However, the world is too big to randomly shoot the target. We will miss every time! No, let’s become precise and specific as we see God’s heart for those around us, in our sphere of influence. Let God use you to help form your brothers to God’s glory, and set your sights on the lost you can reach and influence.

We are truly equipped for the task, through the Holy Spirit. And we are truly helping the Father form and shape the amazing person He really sees! Keep up the good work. I can say this because you are all helping the Father reshape me into His bonsai! Thank you!

Blessings and shalom!

Of Friendships and the Kingdom!

By Adrian Bernal, © 2020, All Rights Reserved, 07-17-2020

The Malchut Elohim (ME) or the Kingdom of God is, the movement of Yeshua and those who have believed in him from John the Baptist (Yochanan the Immerser) up to this time, which has included millions of people. It’s a kingdom within a kingdom. Surrounding this ME is a kingdom of darkness ruled by the “god of this age” and his minions who know that their time is short (as far as ions are concerned). They don’t have much time to influence the world. And, unfortunately, they do an excellent job. Their influence isn’t done through straight-out wickedness or major evil exploits. Oftentimes, these are the outward manifestations or results of their influence, which is easy to decipher as evil when seen. For example, Hitler believed lies, found others who helped place him in positions of authority, and eventually led others down a path of pure evil. Even if those lies weren’t bad enough, what those lies led to were devastation and war, and then eventually the final solution—destroy all the Jews of the world. Others died as well, not just partisans and Jews, but those defending the Jews like Catholics and other Protestants. Therefore, the kingdom of darkness is founded on lies and continues to disperse them like Pez candies to little children who can’t resist. Lies come in tiny or big packages with beautiful bows tied on them that tickle our desires: “You will be rich!” “You will be famous!” “You have no friends.” “People talk about you all the time,” etc. So called “good” lies and bad lies fill the minds of all of us, but Yeshua gives us the tools to deal with them, and one of the greatest tools we have is the truth.

The truth that is handed to us ending costing God everything–his own Son on the cross. So, do you think God will not do anything in his power to make sure that the truth remains? He will do everything he can to fulfill the truth in your life. One example is, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). This truth is based off the words just two verses earlier, “Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (v. 35). Therefore, the truth is, trouble, hardships, persecutions, famines, nakedness (exposure of your sins), danger, or weapons formed against you will not separate you from God’s love, and you will overcome all of these; you will conquer if you believe the truth. A lie will say anything contrary to this.

Therefore, how does this compare to friendships? True friends will love you. They will sacrifice for you. They will believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself. They will pray for you, and they will also support you no matter what. They will also call you on the carpet when your life doesn’t meet God’s Word, and they will even say no to you when it is needed. Your friendships help present the Malchut of Elohim in your life because they are forged by God’s love. People are not perfect, and your friends are not perfect, but choose your friends wisely and remember, you’re not perfect either! However, the perfection of God is this, through our imperfections, we are made perfect in Messiah, Yeshua because we represent him within his Kingdom, not ours. So be a kingdom friend. Walk in truth, speak the truth, and believe the truth for you and those in the Kingdom.

Seeing the Beauty in the Midst of Darkness.

By Adrian Bernal, © 2020, All Rights Reserved, 07-16-2020

Have you ever felt like giving up? When life doesn’t seem to pan out or come together like you’d hoped it would, and champagne isn’t falling from the skies, what do you do?

Well, it’s easy to just quit. However, if you’ve dotted all the “i”s and crossed all the “t”s, and you know for sure God is in the decision you have made, then it’s time to weather the storms, and remain steadfast and faithful. It is hard, understandably, but there’re three steps I’ve found to be helpful, and hopefully they’ll encourage you as well.

1. Be thankful! Psalm 100:4 states, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving an his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” It’s interesting that in this passage it waits to state how we approach the presence of Adonai until verse 4! The key that gets us through the gate is thankfulness. As we pass through the threshold of our presence and into his, we open the gate with thankfulness. We can always find something to be thankful for. I have three wonderful, adult children. I can always thank God for the joy they bring me, and the memories of their childhood, and the new memories they bring me today. I’m thankful for my trials because they are producing character, patience, and wisdom. I’m thankful for the lack of having finances because it shows me I need to trust him and rely on his ability to provide for me in all aspects of my life. There is so much to be thankful for if we just look.

2. Praise him! Regardless of our ability to sing before judges and crowds, or even if we were born mute, we can praise him! We can praise him in the morning, the afternoon, and the evening. We can praise him in the mall, on the sidewalk, in our hearts, and in our minds. We can praise him when we are alone or in a group. We can shout hallelujah when we see something praise worthy or even shout hallelujah when we see something unworthy. We can choose to praise him regardless of circumstances. So, rise up and praise him daily.

3. Stop looking into the darkness! It’s easy to see ugly, sin, and darkness, but it takes God’s heart to see the beauty in all things. It’s easy to point out one’s sins, but it’s freeing, fruitful, and more encouraging to point out the greatness of what God sees in others. Moreover, it’s even being willing to release your gifts to strengthen others out of the darkness. To see out of the darkness means you have to stop being selfish. That’s right, selflessness leads one away from pride and into the light. So, see others like God does and eventually you’ll be seeing into the light, not the darkness.

Therefore, be thankful, praise him, and stop looking into the darkness. It takes practice like anything else worth while. I spent years trying to become a professional basketball player and to to look back on it now, it can appear to be a waste of time because I didn’t make it. However, I’m thankful I had the opportunity and I was in the best shape of my life back then, I can praise him that he gave me the gift of athletics, and today I can see the benefit in how basketball gave me skills in the secular world to be a team member. I can see the “court” of life as it is, and take the lead to include others! I can resist the enemy and not allow him to score, and can trust my teammates and coach (Yeshua and other believers) because they have my back.