FFOZ Blogs

Category: Video Blogs

 

The Appetite of the Wise

Tags:  Mishlei Musings, character, controlling desires

In the last episode of Mishlei Musings we learned the value of speaking in love. We saw that it is often difficult to control the tone of our voices in times of emotion. In addition to speaking in love, controlling our appetites and desires is also essential to our spiritual growth in life. Those appetites as well as our personal character traits are God-given and His desire is for us...
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Tel Arad: Josiah's Reformation

Tags:  idolatry, israel, restoration, tel arad, torah, tour

In this video blog, Daniel and Steven Lancaster join together to give you a glimpse into the holy land of Israel. Archaeology, geography, geology, along with the language and cultural history of the Land and the People of Israel make the words of the Torah, the Psalms, and the Prophets - the Scriptures of Israel - come alive. In this video blog you'll get a raw peak into the experience...
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Olive Tree Symbolism

Tags:  Israel, Lessons from the Land, Olive Tree, olives

Daniel and Steven Lancaster join together to give you a glimpse into holy land of Israel. Archaeology, geography, geology, along with the language and cultural history of the Land and the People of Israel makes the words of the Torah, the Psalms, and the Prophets - the Scriptures of Israel - come alive. In this video blog you'll get a raw peak into the experience of being on a First...
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Divine Purpose: Building His Kingdom

Tags:  HaYesod

What is a Christian's connection to Israel? A Gentile Christian living in the Greek city of Corinth 1900 years ago would have replied, "I am a part of the greater people of Israel; I worship with God's people; the Jewish Messiah is my Messiah; the God of Israel is my God." In those days, being a Christian meant affinity with Israel. Today, Christianity accepts the God of Israel and proclaims...
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Speaking In Love

Tags:  anger, love, speech

Controlling our tempers is difficult. At times anger burns inside us, and it is tough to resist unleashing it on whomever is around. For some, anger is shown by withdrawal and remaining silent. For others, it is expressed by slamming of doors and banging things around. Most of us express anger in our words. Yet, as James tells us, no one can claim to be religious if he cannot control...
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HaYesod in "Bite size" - Amarillo, TX

Tags:  HaYesod, Road Trip

What can we learn from a Texas Steak House about our consumption of spiritual nourishment? The all new HaYesod discipleship program will launch this fall and is a wonderful way to present what you have been learning about the Hebrew roots of your faith in 'bite sized pieces'. Check out HaYesod.org for more information....
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Luminary Feedback - Las Cruses, NM

Tags:  cross, Levertoff, Messianic Luminaries, Vine of David

The passion for Messiah which was exhibited by previous generations of Jewish believers despite the loneliness of their journey is challenging and inspiring. Hear some of the feedback I've been getting regarding how these Messianic Luminaries of the past are inspiring faith in the lives of believers from around the world in our generation....
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The Well - San Diego, CA

Tags:  solidarity

As we travel around the country seeking to encourage and build up various fellowships we continue to also be encouraged ourselves. We've had the privilege of visiting with several Churches recently who are catching a vision not only to realize their connection with the land, the people the scriptures of Israel but also with the history of Israel. For example, The Well is a Baptist Church in the greater San...
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Slow to Anger

Tags:  anger, discipline, mishlei musings

As we saw in the last episode of Mishlei Musings, discipline is a difficult but necessary component to our spiritual walks. The discipline that we receive from both our parents and from HaShem benefits us. It makes us better people and helps refine our characters. Where there is a lack of discipline there is a lack of Godly instruction and growth. Yet in addition to receiving and accepting discipline, we...
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A Father's Discipline

Tags:  discipline, Mishlei Musings, proverbs

In the last episode of Mishlei Musings we learned about the characteristics of honesty and truth. These high moral traits are not acquired overnight but require a lifelong pursuit. In our ongoing quest for a closer relationship with God, sooner or later we will end up off track. We will get lost in the day-to-day grind of life and lose sight of the greater picture of eternity. In these times...
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Beit Hashofar - Seattle

While in the Seattle area, we visited with a congregation of over 40 years named Beit Hashofar. Take a tour of this beautiful Synagogue with me and hear about Rabbi Jason Forbes' vision for this community and some thoughts on establishing solid and lasting communities....
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Honesty & Truth

Tags:  falsehood, honesty, lying, mishlei musings, proverbs, truth

As we have discovered, there are many blessings to be found in living a life of Torah through Messiah. The Father promises to take care of those who call on His name and are obedient to His ways. We will learn in this episode of Mishlei Musings that one of the ways of Hashem is truth. The Messiah always spoke the truth and the Scriptures are clear that this is...
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Knowledge and Love

Tags:  knowledge of God, Levertoff, Love and the Messianic Age

"Love and the Messianic Age" contains a crucial message for today's Messianic Jewish Movement. Its a call for us to remain focused on the believer's highest aim. In this video D. Thomas Lancaster explains another aspect of Paul Philip Levertoff's book. Levertoff outlines two types of knowledge of our creator and conveys how in chassidic Jewish thought an intimate relational knowledge of God is the ultimate goal of a devoted...
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Saskatchewan, Canada.

Updates and wrapping up my time in Saskatchewan, Canada....
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Beth Yeshua - Twin Ports

Great meeting in Northern MN and WI. HaYesod will be strong in this area. God willing we will really make a positive impact. The event was hosted by the nice community, Beth Yeshua Twin Ports. There were multiple pastors from local churches that intend to bring the program into their communities. We are heading North to Canada today. Your prayers for an easy boarding crossing are much appreciated....
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Rationalists & Mystics

Tags:  academic, charismatic, Levertoff, Love and the Messianic Age, mystics, rationalists

One of the topics found in Paul Philip Levertoff's "Love and the Messianic Age" is a discussion of two different approaches to faith - a rational approach and a mystical approach. Posed in modern terminology we may compare this to an academic vs. a charismatic approach. Learn more as we delve into what Levertoff has to say on the subject....
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Give it Time

We had some small troubles that left us stranded in Kansas City over the Sabbath. I am glad we did. We enjoyed our time with Adat Yeshua Messianic Jewish Synagogue in Overland Park, KS. Got fellowship, a nice time of learning, and a new friend. Enjoy the next segment of our road trip video blog....
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Blessing of the Righteous

Tags:  blessing, Mishlei Musings, proverbs, rightouesness

"A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother." - Proverbs 10:1 The book of Proverbs is primarily dedicated to instructing us in the wisdom and knowledge of a Torah lifestyle. It is from the perspective of a father who is instructing his son and imploring him to walk in righteousness. But not only does the writer of Proverbs tell us what...
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Leaving Missouri

Today we leave Missouri for a 3 month road trip to introduce the new HaYesod program and Vine of David. Join us on our journey through this video blog series or come visit us at one of our meeting locations. See our Events section for a listing of the meetings in June....
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Vision of the Messianic Age

Tags:  Gospel of John, Levertoff, Love and the Messianic Age

"It is the business of the Hassid to live now for the realization of this messianic Age". Combining his vast knowledge of concepts found in chassidic Judaism with his ardent passion for Yeshua of Nazareth, Dr. Paul Philip Levertoff penned the book Love and the Messianic Age. His objective? To expound on the highest aim of mankind which is experiencing and knowing God to the fullest extent possible. Explore...
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Teaching Torah

Tags:  Mishlei Musings, proverbs, shema, teaching, Torah

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" - Proverbs 9:16 As we have examined the concept of wisdom in the book of Proverbs, we have seen that it is intimately connected with the Torah. True wisdom comes from the deep wells of the commandments. We also discussed the need to study the Torah and make it a fixed practice in our daily lives. If we just did that,...
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Levertoff - Mysticism and the Gospels

Tags:  Gospel of John, Levertoff, Love and the Messianic Age, mysticism, Vine of David

Do the words "Chasidism" or "mysticism" raise red flags of warning for you? Love and the Messianic Age contains many allusions to and quotations from mystical Jewish literature, so you may feel somewhat leery or even fearful to delve into a book that discusses such broad, abstract theological concepts. This latest video in the Levertoff series, seeks to help us better understand Levertoff's point of view and how the exercises...
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Tour Our New Website

Tags:  First Fruits of Zion

At First Fruits of Zion we have recently launched a major upgrade to our website which includes a new look and lots of great new features. Come along with me on a tour of the new site and I'll show you some of the aspects I am most excited about....
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Levertoff - The Works of Dr. Levertoff

Tags:  Levertoff, messianic sages, Remnant Series, Vine of David

What is it about Love and the Messianic Age, an 85 year old book, that would compel First Fruits of Zion to republish it? This week as we continue our video series on Paul Philip Levertoff find out about the passionate life work of this modern day Messianic Sage including his books and the founding of a Messianic congregation in London. Many great men through the ages have made tremendous...
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HaYesod Filming Progress

Tags:  Back Office, HaYesod

This episode of Back Office brings you into the First Fruits of Zion Messianic Beit Midrash which has been used as a recording studio for the past four intense weeks filming. The FFOZ teachers and media crew have been busy filming the studio segments for the all new HaYesod program, a video based discipleship program exploring the foundational truths of the entire Word of God from a Hebraic perspective. For...
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Levertoff - Leaving A Legacy

Tags:  Levertoff, messianic sages, Remnant Series, Vine of David

This week we continue our series introducing the life and works of Paul Phillip Levertoff. This video segment expands on the legacy this Messianic Sage left and his written contributions to the Messianic movement. Many great men through the ages have made tremendous contributions to the community of faith - yet some have remained more obscure than others. Paul Philip Levertoff was a twentieth-century Jewish believer from an Orthodox-Chasidic background....
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The Fruit of Humility

Tags:  humility, Mishlei Musings, pride, proverbs

"The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate." - Proverbs 8:13 Pride is one of the biggest hurdles we must overcome in learning to love our neighbor as ourselves. It can also prevent us from heeding the advice of others because we think we know best. let's examine what the writer of Provers tells his child...
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Levertoff - The Early Years

Tags:  Levertoff, messianic sages, Remnant Series, Vine of David

Many great men through the ages have made tremendous contributions to the community of faith - yet some have remained more obscure than others. Paul Philip Levertoff was a twentieth-century Jewish believer from an Orthodox-Chasidic background. His life and work is nearly lost to time. FFOZ is preparing to republish the works of Dr. Levertoff as well as many other great Jewish believers. This week marks the beginning of a...
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Torah On Our Heart

Tags:  Mishlei Musings, phylacteries, proverbs, tefillin, Torah, tzitzit

"My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart." - Proverbs 7:1-3 It is a daily struggle to maintain our walk in Torah; this is why the Father wants his commandments to be written on our hearts. With the Torah...
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Siddur Status Update

Tags:  Back Office, Liturgy, Set Time Prayer, Siddur

One of the monumental projects that First Fruits is currently working towards is the publication of a greatly anticipated complete Messianic Siddur. This project has been in full swing now for several years and everyone wants to know how its going and when it will be available. Boaz shares some of these details in this episode of Back Office....
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Acts 3 and Set-Time Prayer

Tags:  Acts 3, apostles, Back Office, Liturgy, Set Time Prayer, Siddur

As First Fruits of Zion endeavors to create a complete Messianic Siddur the thought of praying to God from a prayer book may be a very disconcerting and foreign thought. In this episode of Back Office Boaz shares the heart behind incorporating set-time prayers into one's life as a biblical and beneficial expression of devotion to God based on a verse from Acts 3....
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Guarding Speech

Tags:  lashon hara, Mishlei Musings, proverbs, speech

Proverbs 6:2-3 - "If you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself..." Guarding our tongue is such an essential aspect of our faith that James declares our religion useless if we are not able to control our speech (James 1:26) Once words are spoken they cannot be taken back. Learn from the wisdom of...
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Guarding Our Eyes

Tags:  guarding eyes, Mishlei Musings, proverbs, sin, tzitzit

Proverbs 5:8: "Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless..." In this episode of Mishlei Musings, Toby Janicki teaches about the importance of guarding our eyes. Sin is attractive and lures us through our eyes. Learn how the Torah and the Master Yeshua teaches us to guard our lives...
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Treasures In Heaven Seminar Sampler

Tags:  end times, good deeds, investing, kingdom, mitzvot, parables, seminar, treasures in heaven

The First Fruits of Zion Treasures in Heaven seminar is intended to help us review our priorities, correct our paths, and prepare for the return of our Messiah. Together, we will consider a sure strategy for solid Kingdom investments and heed the urgent warning for these end times. Learn the Master's kingdom parables which exhort us to be pleasing servants of the King by dedicating ourselves to mitzvot and good...
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Guarding Wisdom

Tags:  guarding wisdom, Mishlei Musings, proverbs, Shamar

Proverbs 4:4 instructs us to "...keep my commandments, and live..." In this episode of Mishlei Musings we'll take a look at the Hebrew text behind this verse and explore the life lessons we can learn by guarding wisdom - by guarding the commandments....
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FFOZ Friends Program

Tags:  co-laborers, FFOZ Back Office, FFOZ Friends, partners

In this episode of Back Office you'll find out about how you can partner with First Fruits of Zion in spreading the message of Messiah and the message of Torah to the world. There are many ways that you can co-laborer along side of us in this mission. If you desire to partner with us, please visit our downloads area and get the FFOZ Friends Program Information document to learn...
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Love of Money

Tags:  love of money, Mishlei Musings, proverbs

Proverbs 3:9 exhorts us to honor God with our wealth but our natural inclination pulls us towards materialism. Learn how God's Torah is designed to help curb this inclination and draw us towards a love for God that even includes our material resources....
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Messiah Journal

Tags:  Bikurei Tziyon, FFOZ Back Office, First Fruits of Zion, Israel Today, Messiah Journal, messiah magazine

Join Boaz Michael on a walk through time in this edition of the FFOZ Back Office. Since its inception in 1992, the magazine publications of First Fruits of Zion have gone through various stages of development based on its effectiveness in communicating the mission and message. Get the latest details on the 100th issue and its transform from the beloved and award winning Messiah Magazine to the all new Messiah...
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Balancing Love and Fear

Tags:  fear of God, fear of heaven, Mishlei Musings, proverbs

In Mishlei Musings, Toby Janicki highlights various thought provoking themes of character and godliness found in the chapters of Proverbs. The focus of this lesson is found in Proverbs 2:6-7: "So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God..." Find out how "forgetting the covenant" reveals a lack of...
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Fear of God

Tags:  fear of God, fear of heaven, Mishlei Musings, proverbs

In Mishlei Musings, Toby Janicki highlights various thought provoking themes of character and godliness found in the chapters of Proverbs. This first lesson focuses on Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."...
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The Remnant Series

Tags:  FFOZ Back Office, Jewish believers, Levertoff, Lichtenstein, Remnant Series

In this edition of FFOZ Back Office you'll find out about an exciting project underway to translate and publish the monumental but neglected works of Jewish believers from the 19th and mid-20th centuries. Find out why this is such an important project, the impact it will make on our movement, and the status of various aspects of this endeavor....
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Introducing Boundary Stones

Tags:  Boundary Stones, FFOZ Back Office, outreach, torah life

Welcome to the all new online video blog from First Fruits of Zion. In this series Boaz Michael will take you behind the scenes at FFOZ and communicate the ministry's vision and heart as well as revealing information about the exciting projects under development. The new book Boundary Stones is hot off the press! In this episode find out about the fresh new approach this books takes to communicating the...
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