Steve Kuban - Daily Torah

Daily Torah

#54 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Everyone likes a good Bible reading plan, especially as the New Year begins.

Today we have just finished our first Bible Reading Plan for 2019! So if you have been reading consistently along with us from the beginning of this year, you deserve a hearty "congratulations!" You made it! (And hasn't it been SUCH a blessing!?)

By way of reminder, I'd like to recap the Bible Reading Plan we used these past 54 days. The pattern that we just finished has been in place over 2,500 years, and is still being used, so it has great merit and has touched millions throughout the centuries and millenia!

In my email 54 days ago (on January 7th) I explained that we would be starting a Bible Reading Plan that Jews have been following for over 2,500 years, and which they still follow to this day, called the Torah Parasha (Hebrew for "Portion").

The Torah Parasha was first begun by the priest Ezra in the Book of Nehemiah, when the Jewish people had come back to Jerusalem following their 70 years of captivity in Babylon. Ezra the priest wanted a method whereby all the Jewish people would read and hear the Torah each week, and complete the Torah once every year.

To accomplish this Ezra divided the five books of the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy) into 54 bite-sized weekly portions called Parashah, consisting of two to six chapters. He also added a related portion (usually a chapter or less) from the Prophets, called the "Haftarah" portion.

On every Sabbath day (Saturday) Jews would gather in the synagogues to read the weekly Torah portion out loud, and the Rabbi's would teach from it. (Ezra divided the Torah into 54 portions because the Jewish year, at its longest, is 54 weeks.) The weekly Torah cycle begins right after the Feast of Tabernacles each year. There are also special portions read on each of the Jewish holidays including Passover and Feast of Tabernacles.

So 54 days ago we began our "Bible Reading Plan, starting on the first day of the Jewish month Shevat (which fell on January 7th),

But with one important difference: Whereas the Jews read one portion of the Torah each week,

We will read one portion each day. So here are the numbers of the days, corresponding to the numbers of the Parasha circled in red:

Here is the 2019 calendar for Parsha 1-25 (1 Shevat to 25 Shevat).

So on 1 Shevat we read Torah portion #1...all the way up to Shevat 25, when we read portion #25 (the final day of January).

Then as February began, we continued the pattern, reading Portion #26 on Shevat 26, continuing on up to Portion #30 on Shevat 30. The next Jewish month is Adar, so on

1 Adar we read portion #31
2 Adar we read portion #32
3 Adar we read portion #33, and so on ...continuing up to today, when we read:
24 Adar we read portion #54!

Vezot Haberakhah

"And this is the blessing"

Deu 33:1-34:12

Josh 1:1-18

Rev 22:1-5 [Also Mt 17:1-9; Mk 9:2-10; Lk 9:28-36; Jude 3-4,8-10]

Congratulations! You made it! The entire Torah read in 54 days! Plus the Haftarah and Brit Chadashah. You have read all 54 Parsha (Portions) including the Prophetic books, and the New Covenant:Scriptures which are read by Messianic Jews worldwide:

Today is the conclusion of a wonderful journey, filled with many songs and powerful scriptures!

Here below is a list of all 54 Parsha (Portions) including the Prophetic books, and the New Covenant:Scriptures which are read by Messianic Jews worldwide:

Here are the scriptures for day 54:

Vezot Haberakhah

And this is the blessing

Deu 33:1-34:12

Josh 1:1-18

Rev 22:1-5[Also Mt 17:1-9; Mk 9:2-10; Lk 9:28-36; Jude 3-4,8-10]

...and a complete list all 54 Parsha: https://stevekuban.com/bible-and-torah-portions

Here is a listing with links for all 54 Parasha (or "Parsha"). Note that these are only for the Torah portion, not the Prophets (Haftarah) or New Covenant portions (Brit Chadasha). I will give you the link for these other portions at the bottom of this email.

Book
Parsha Name
English Equivalent[4]
Parsha Portion
Bereshit (Genesis)1 Bereshit, בְּרֵאשִׁיתIn the beginningGen. 1:1-6:8
2. Noach, נֹחַNoah (rest)6:9-11:32
3. Lech-Lecha, לֶךְ-לְךָGo forth, yourself!12:1-17:27
4. Vayeira, וַיֵּרָאAnd He appeared18:1-22:24
5. Chayei Sarah, חַיֵּי שָׂרָהLife of Sarah23:1-25:18
6. Toledot, תּוֹלְדֹתGenerations25:19-28:9
7. Vayetze, וַיֵּצֵאAnd he went out28:10-32:3
8. Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁלַחAnd he sent32:4-36:43
9. Vayeshev, וַיֵּשֶׁבAnd he settled37:1-40:23
10 Miketz, מִקֵּץAt the end of41:1-44:17
11 Vayigash, וַיִּגַּשׁAnd he drew near44:18-47:27
12 Vayechi, וַיְחִיAnd he lived47:28-50:26
Shemot (Exodus)13 Shemot, שְׁמוֹתNamesEx. 1:1-6:1
14 Va'eira, וָאֵרָאAppeared6:2-9:35
15 Bo, בֹּאGo!10:1-13:16
16 Beshalach, בְּשַׁלַּחWhen he sent out13:17-17:16
17 Yitro, יִתְרוֹJethro18:1-20:23
18 Mishpatim, מִּשְׁפָּטִיםLaws21:1-24:18
19 Terumah, תְּרוּמָהOffering25:1-27:19
20 Tetzaveh, תְּצַוֶּהYou shall command27:20-30:10
21 Ki Tisa, כִּי תִשָּׂאWhen you elevate30:11-34:35
22 *Vayakhel, וַיַּקְהֵלAnd he assembled35:1-38:20
23 Pekudei, פְקוּדֵיAccountings38:21-40:38
Vayikra (Leviticus)24 Vayikra, וַיִּקְרָאAnd he calledLev. 1:1-5:26
25 Tzav, צַוCommand!6:1-8:36
26 Shemini, שְּׁמִינִיEighth9:1-11:47
27 *Tazria, תַזְרִיעַShe bears seed12:1-13:59
28 Metzora, מְּצֹרָעInfected one14:1-15:33
29 *Acharei Mot, אַחֲרֵי מוֹתAfter the death16:1-18:30
30 Kedoshim, קְדֹשִׁיםHoly ones19:1-20:27
31 Emor, אֱמֹרSay gently21:1-24:23
32 *Behar, בְּהַרOn the Mount25:1-26:2
33 Bechukotai, בְּחֻקֹּתַיIn My laws26:3-27:34
Bemidbar (Numbers)34 Bamidbar, בְּמִדְבַּרIn the wildernessNum. 1:1-4:20
35 Naso, נָשֹׂאElevate!4:21-7:89
36 Behaalotecha, בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָIn your uplifting8:1-12:16
37 Shlach, שְׁלַח-לְךָSend for yourself13:1-15:41
38 Korach, קֹרַחKorach16:1-18:32
39 *Chukat, חֻקַּתLaw19:1-22:1
40 Balak, בָּלָקBalak22:2-25:9
41 Pinchas, פִּינְחָסPhinehas25:10-30:1
42 *Matot, מַּטּוֹתTribes30:2-32:42
43 Masei, מַסְעֵיJourneys of33:1-36:13
Devarim (Deuteronomy)44 Devarim, דְּבָרִיםWordsDeut. 1:1-3:22
45 Va'etchanan, וָאֶתְחַנַּןPleaded3:23-7:11
46 Eikev, עֵקֶבAs a result7:12-11:25
47 Re'eh, רְאֵהSee!11:26-16:17
48 Shoftim, שֹׁפְטִיםJudges16:18-21:9
49 Ki Teitzei, כִּי-תֵצֵאWhen you go out21:10-25:19
50 Ki Tavo, כִּי-תָבוֹאWhen you enter in26:1-29:8
51 *Nitzavim, נִצָּבִיםStanding (Witnessing)29:9-30:20
52 Vayelech, וַיֵּלֶךְAnd he went31:1-31:30
53 Haazinu, הַאֲזִינוּListen!32:1-32:52
54 V'Zot HaBerachah, וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָהAnd this is the blessing

33:1-34:12

Vezot Haberakhah

And this is the blessing

Deu 33:1-34:12

Josh 1:1-18

Rev 22:1-5[Also Mt 17:1-9; Mk 9:2-10; Lk 9:28-36; Jude 3-4,8-10]

And here is a link to an excellent Messianic website explaining all the Parsha and how Yeshua fulfills each:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/summaries.html

Thank you for listening! And thank you for learning with me.

On a personal note, if you haven't yet read yesterday's email, please do, about Rosalia Salan, and how the Lord brought forth powerful songs at the time of her death and last few days on earth! I will be sharing more about this in coming days.

And finally, we have just passed the 36th anniversary of when I ceased playing secular music for a living, to follow the Lord full-time, using my music for Him. Here's a photo of my jazz trio at that time. (I was 22 years old...seems like a long time ago!)

I have never regretted giving Jesus Christ my all! My life has been one fulfilling adventure after another, because of Him!

I will share more about this in my next emails, plus some beautiful songs including "The Pearl of Great Price" which I wrote just prior to leaving secular music.

It became the title song on my album, "The Pearl of Great Price" Vol 2: The Best of Steve Kuban - Two decades of Christian Music by Steve Kuban"

at www.stevekuban.com/store, or on i-Tunes and Apple Music, at

https://itunes.apple.com/…/the-best-of-steve-kuba…/509014850

May God bless you, and make you a blessing. Keep serving Him, with all that you have! And keep studying the New Covenant, the Torah, the Prophets, and the Psalms!

Sincerely in His service,

Dr. Steve Kuban

PS. If you would be so kind, please invest financially to help us continue to record new songs and albums, and to "Take Worship to the Nations," at www.stevekuban.com/donate. We need your help, to accomplish the many large projects the Lord is asking us to do in the coming days, as I celebrate my 40th year since coming to Christ, and the 25th Anniversary of "The Lord is My Tower" live worship album, which God used mightily to touch people's lives, and to send me to the nations!. God will bless you for your giving in faith. Shalom!

#42 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Here is a powerful prophetic song for you! Click the YouTube link below my signature to see the video, and also the bandcamp link right below that, to read the entire text, and download the entire mp3 to your device.

Today (Feb 17, 2019) is the 12th day of the Jewish month, Adar I, so we read Bible Portion #42 (12 Adar I, 5779 on the Jewish calendar)

Bible Portion #42 includes Numbers 30-32 and Jeremiah chapter 1. In addition, Messianic believers read from Matthew 5.

# Name Meaning TORAH portion HAFTARAH NEW COVENANT

Mattot

Tribes

Num 30:2-32:42

Jer 1:1-2;3

Mat 5:33-37

TORAH: In Numbers 30-32 the children of Israel are getting ready to move into their Promised Land.

HAFTARAH: The corresponding portion from the 'Prophets" is Jeremiah chapter 1, a severe warning to Israel.

The BRIT CHADASHA is about the importance of our words, and especially our vows to God. Here is some excellent information about Torah Portion #42, from Hebrew4Christians.com:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Matot/matot.html

I declare in addition, that Jeremiah chapter one is also a warning to America.

Almost 6 years ago God had me read this chapter, while playing my keyboard and singing the words, from Jeremiah Chapter one.

Today I am sharing this song to you, which is a prophetic warning God gave for America in music, from Jeremiah 1. It is entirely spontaneous and unrehearsed (with the exception of the song, "Touch America" which I sang near the end of the 40 minutes).

I played and recorded this song on March 21st, 2013, during which time God moved upon me to give a 40 minute musical "prophecy of warning" to America. Toward the end of this 40 minutes He also called me to be a "Prophet to the nations" and a prophet specifically to America.

Amazingly this was exactly 21 years after He had first called me to be a prophetic songwriter, March 21, 1992, through the laying on of hands of the prophetic presbytery--a day that changed my entire life.

In this prophecy, YHVH warns America about allowing demonic infiltration to enter into our country. He also warns America that they have worshipped the works of their own hands, and have forsaken the Lord. He warns America that we have removed the Lord from our schools and places of learning.

May this song truly sound a clarion call of warning to you, and also to America.

This prophetic song was given shortly after the beginning of the second term of President Obama's office.

Thankfully, Christians in America, knowing the desperate need of a new president to help steer this great nation back to God's purposes, repented and interceded and prayed, and God sent another "Cyril" as His agent to bring restoration and revival to America and to the world.

Tomorrow (Monday Feb. 18, 2019) is President's Day. May this prophecy in music touch your heart, even as it warns your spirit to follow YHVH with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Thanks for watching.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steve Kuban

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VIDEO: Jerimiah Chapter One: Warning to America https://youtu.be/8V3sheiiFEw

ALBUM DOWNLOAD: Download or listen to the entire album on mp3 here on BandCamp: Jeremiah Chapter One: mp3 (Please consider donating, thank you!)

=========================

What's coming up Monday?

Monday Feb 18th, 2019, is President's Day here in the USA. It is also 13 Adar I, so we are going to finish the last chapters in Numbers (to be read on 13 Adar I, 5779) from Numbers 33-36:

Masei

Journey of

Num 33:1-36:13

Jer 2:4-28;3:4

James 4:1-12

Monday's Bible Reading Portion (#43 in the traditional Jewish Bible Reading plan) covers the final chapters in Numbers, entitled "Masei" (which means "Journeys of") where Moses recalls the journeys of Israel through the wilderness.

Here is some excellent devotional material regarding Masei:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Masei/masei.html

Isn't it wonderful to study YHVH's Torah! May these scriptures be a powerful blessing to you!

Shalom!

Dr. Steve Kuban

#37 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Bible Portion #37 "Obey the Shabbat"

# Name Meaning Torah Haftarah Brit Chadashah

Shelach Lekha

Send for yourself

Num 13:1-15:41

Josh 2:1-24

Heb 3:7-4:1

Today being the 7th day of the Jewish month of Adar, we read Bible Portion (Parasha) 37, named "Shelach Lekha" (which means, "Send for yourself").

Parasha 13 includes three chapters in the book of Numbers chapters 13, 14 and 15, beginning with "Send (for yourself) men that they may spy out the land of Canaan which I give to Israel."

We know this familiar story. The spies are chosen, a leader from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, who went for 40 days to see all the wonderful blessings of the Promised Land. They brought back glowing reports of how blessed the land was, even bringing back huge clusters of grapes, and all agreed it was a blessed land that flowed with milk and honey.

So Caleb encouraged the Israelites: "Let's GO!"

Numbers 13:30-31

30 Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, “Let’s go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it!”

31 But the men who went up with him said, “We aren’t able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.”

Joshua and Caleb, the two spies who came back with the good report, tried to pursued the Israelites to move forward in faith and possess the land YHVH has promised to give them! But the Israelites would have nothing to do with that. They complained that God had brought them into the wilderness to die, and they tried to raise up another leader who would take them back to Egypt. They even wanted to stone and kill Joshua and Caleb.

(audio mp3 here)

Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation threatened to stone them with stones. YHVH's glory appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the children of Israel. 11 YHVH said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? How long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have worked among them? 12 I will strike them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”

21 but in very deed—as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the Lord’s glory— 22 because all those men who have seen my glory and my signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted me these ten times, and have not listened to my voice; 23 surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it. 24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed me fully, him I will bring into the land into which he went. His offspring shall possess it.

37... those men who brought up an evil report of the land, died by the plague before YHVH

38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land.

Then in chapter 15 YHVH gives directions about the sacrifices that Israel SHALL give to Him, once they come into the Promised Land (which would be in another 40 years). He looks beyond the next 39 years (as every person from that generation dies in the desert) and gives instructions for what the next generation (those who were under 20 years of age) are to do once they possess the Promised land.

Then YHVH warns the people of the consequences of disobedience to His laws:

30“‘But the soul who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, blasphemes the Lord. That soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised YHVH's word, and has broken His commandment, that soul shall be utterly cut off. His iniquity shall be on him.’”

What is the punishment for disobeying YHVH? Well, we see a very clear example in verse 32:

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO OBEY THE SHABBAT?

Numbers 15:32-36 While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34 They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.

35 YHVH said to Moses, “The man shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him with stones outside of the camp.” 36 All the congregation brought him outside of the camp, and stoned him to death with stones, as YHVH commanded Moses.

One may wonder: "Why in the world would the LORD mete out such a harsh punishment to the man who simply broke the Shabbat?"

The answer is simple: To make the point so that all Israel realizes how serious it is, to transgress God's commandments, including breaking the Sabbath!

It is said that if you want people to obey a certain law in society, then law-givers must impose strict and harsh penalties for violations.

Take seat-belts. They are good for us. 90% of injuries in car accidents will be lessened or avoided altogether if passengers wore seat belts. So society in these current days impose penalties for violating the seat belt laws. Now, if it's only $50 penalty, the people who are thick-skulled and don't realize that they SHOULD wear their seatbelt for protection, with or without a law, well...many of them will 'take the risk' and choose not to wear their seat-belts. After all, what's a $50 penalty?

BUT if the fine is increased to say $5,000, then society in general will buckle up. Because they don't want to risk that large a fine.

The point is, when society wants its members to do what's good and beneficial (and will save millions of dollars in hospital costs and lost lives), its lawgivers impose stricter penalties in order to get people to comply, and to reinforce the fact that is a serious thing to not violate that law

So what YHVH did — knowing that the Sabbath is GOOD for man to obey, that it will keep him focused on the preeminence of his Creator, and will keep him healthy and in balance — He imposed a very strict penalty for breaking the Sabbath.

Then YHVH declares something that will help the children of Israel to remember to obey His commandments:

37 YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 38 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them that they should make themselves tassles (tzitziot, Hebrew צִיצִ֛ת) on the borders of their garments throughout their generations..., that you may see it, and remember all YHVH’s commandments, and do them; and that you don’t follow your own heart and your own eyes, after which you used to play the prostitute; 40 so that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. 41 I am YHVH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am YHVH your God.”

The wonderful thing about knowing Yeshua, is that HE is the embodiment of the Torah! When He was on earth He obeyed the Torah. He fulfilled the Torah.

And when we allow Him to rule in our lives, we are actually obeying the Torah of YHVH. For He will always help us to obey the eternal laws of God.

When we invite Him to have rulership in our lives, He writes the Torah into our hearts! So that we DO God's will and obey His eternal laws. And that includes the 10 Commandments. And a whole lot of other regulations that are GOOD for us! (like the dietary laws).

If anyone tells you that it's okay to break some of the 'nine commandments', like killing another human being, or stealing, or bearing false witness, or having sex with someone else's spouse, they are WRONG. If anyone tells you that it's fine to eat swine, or eat blood, they are wrong. It's not fine. It's not healthy for your body. And it's against God's Torah.. And if someone tells you you don't have to honor the LORD's fourth commandment, to KEEP the Sabbath...they are wrong. For God has clearly spoken this commandment in numerous times throughout His Torah, and His entire Word. The early believers in Yeshua all kept the Shabbat and the dietary laws. And no, the sabbath didn't get changed to Sunday, even though a man (be it your neighbor or the Pope of the Catholic Church) decreed it as such.

You see, at it's core, we are selfish. And as fleshly beings, sometimes we just prefer to "do our own thing" rather than obeying YHVH's Word. Paul speaks of this in Romans 6-8.

But if we "put on Christ" and read His Word and apply it; if we put HIS WORD on, as our Armor; if we allow Yeshua and His Holy Spirit to come inside of us and LIVE HIS LIFE THROUGH US — then we will obey the Torah, and honor God -- and it will be better for our dies, better for ourselves, our close loved ones, our friends, and even all society. And we will honor the LORD and His TORAH.

"Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11

Shalom my friends. May YHVH our Elohim (our God) bless you!

Dr. Steve Kuban

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#31 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Today is Feb 6th. On the Hebrew calendar it's actually the beginning of the 12th month, Adar, in the year 5779.

I would like to take a moment to explain why the Hebrew calendar is important.

In Exodus 12, just prior to the first Passover, YHVH (the LORD) told Moses, “This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you." (Ex.12:2). God Himself set the months in order! He is the One who started the clock marking the beginning of the first month, and then told Moses and the Israelites to carefully count each successive day, month and year that would follow. This first month is today called Nisan.

Imagine for a moment that first night in Egypt as the counting began. "Day One" — a sliver of new light became visible upon the outer edge of the dark moon. And thus the Israelites began counting the days. One, two three...eight, nine, ten.

On the tenth day (Nisan 10), as YHVH had instructed, each head of the house chose a lamb to sacrifice for Passover. And the counting of days continued. Eleven, twelve, thirteen...

On the 14th day each household sacrificed their Passover Lamb, and the head of the house applied its blood over the doorposts of their home. Everyone stayed inside, for it was the very first "Passover."

That night at midnight the death angel entered Egypt and slew the firstborn of every household in Egypt. But he "Passed Over" every Israelite home where the blood of the Lamb had been applied. Immediately afterward, as every Egyptian family grievously mourned the death of their firstborn, two million Israelites moved out of Egypt in one of the greatest mass exoduses in history. It's quite a story, and it's all true. It really happened.

The Israelites have kept precise track of the days and months and years, right up until now, the year 5779. That's a long time! Five thousand, seven hundred and seventy-nine years of counting, day by day, month by month (new moon by new moon), and year by year. And Jubilee by Jubilee (50 years).

It''s the evidence of truth! If today you celebrate your 50th birthday, it's proof that you had a precise day when you were born, 50 years earlier. Of course you probably don't remember when that day happened, but for certain it really did happen. And someone started counting on that day, and has kept counting from day 1, and with each successive year of your life there has been another year added, and you've had 50 celebrations of your 'birth-day.' It's proof!

Today, 5779 years after that first Passover, the Jewish people are still counting the days, and even the months. For today as the new moon begins, it is the beginning of the 12th month of the Jewish year 5779, known as Adar.

Several years ago YHVH spoke to me, that I was to begin using the Hebrew calendar to mark and time my Bible reading. (I shared this in an email on the first day of last month, Shevat, that is January 7th, 2019.) Here is a calendar showing each "Bible Portion" number during this 12th month of Adar. Today, Feb 6th, is 1 Adar, so it's Bible Portion #31.

Here is the link to see all the 54 portions

Here is a link to our Bible study guide:
https://stevekuban.com/daily-devotions/blog/daily-through-the-torah-a-30-60-day-cycle-of-bible-reading-please-join-us

Today we are on Adar 1 (Feb 6th) and therefore shall read Bible Portion #31.

►Torah Portion #31 is one of the very most important passages of Scripture in the entire Bible! Because YHVH sets forth the precise timings of His "moadim", or "appointed times", that is His appointed Festivals, that we are to follow and observe each and every year.

Here are all the Bible passages that make up Parashah #31:

Emor

Speak

Lev 21:1-24:23 (the
appointed Feasts)

Ez 44:15:31 (the
ZadokPriesthood)

1 Pet 2:4-10 [Also Mt 5:38-42; Ga 3:26-29]

I love these passages, because my life has been changed by several of these passages.

Let's look at and discuss Leviticus 23 for a moment. This is where YHVH explains (commands) that there are EIGHT vitally important "appointments" the Israelites must make and keep with Him. The first one, the sabbath, is to be observed every week, the remaining seven are to be observed on specific days throughout each year. They are:

0. The Sabbath (which YHVH commands we observe every week, on the seventh day)

The Feast of Passover (Heb: Pesach)
The Feast (Festival) of Unleavened Bread
The Feast (Festival) of Firstfruits
The Feast (Festival) of Pentecost (Heb: Shavuot)
The Feast (Festival) of Trumpets (Heb: Yom Teruah)
The Day of Atonement (Heb: Yom Kippurim)
The Feast (Festival) of Tabernacles (Heb: Sukkot)

It is my personal conviction that these Festivals are for the Jewish people to observe, but they are ALSO for Christians to observe! Because they each point so clearly to Yeshua the Messiah!

Not all Christians believe nor understand this. When I was a young Christian people talked about "The Feast of Tabernacles" and I came to understand that it was a special time in the Fall where Christians would travel to Jerusalem from all over the world, to sing and dance and praise the Lord. I thought maybe one day I'll do that, so I got excited about the prospect of one day going to Jerusalem. But sometimes a few other Christians would tell me that these were Festivals for the Jewish people, not for Christians. They's also say the Sabbath day was for the Jews only, but not for Christians.

But their negative words never sat right in my spirit, because I had read in His Word that YHVH commanded explicitly and clearly in the fourth commandment that we are to keep the Sabbath day holy and set it apart for Him. YHVH emphasized this in great detail, even taking several verses to clearly explain the Sabbath. So it must be important, right? After all, He only took a sentence to declare most of the other "ten commandments", and Christians all agree that "those commandments are good for everyone," right? But that fourth one? hmmm..."Let's eliminate that." Really? So now, we're down to "The Nine Commandments For Christians." Hmm, that smells suspicious.

The Ten commandments should be the ten commandments, pure and simple — not "the ten commandments that become nine commandments" after Christ comes to earth to fulfill the Law.

As I sought the Lord and studied, both about the Sabbaths, and the Feasts of YHVH...and the day finally came when revelation hit me and I realized that in all of Sacred Scripture these are always called the 'appointed times' of YHVH! He never called them, "the appointed times of the Jews."

These are HIS Moadim! These are the "Appointed Times of YHVH!"

As I began to study and learn more about these Festivals, I discovered so many amazing truths! I saw how in His first advent (that is, the first time He came to earth) Yeshua fulfilled every one of the first four "Moadim" perfectly! And He WILL fulfill the remaining three perfectly in His Second Coming!

In closing, I encourage you to please study the Feasts of YHVH, and put them into practice in your own personal life. You will be amazed how powerfully you will be affected, and it will bring you closer to the Lord and to Yeshua!

Now, after reading the Torah portion #31, we must look at the Haftarah portion #31 (the word Haftarah means the prophetic books of the Old Testament):

Ezekiel 44:15-31

These 16 verses in Ezekiel 44 changed my life in 1984, and to do them justice and explain well, I think I'll wait till tomorrow. They will fit in well because...

Tomorrow, Feb 7th, is the 41st anniversary of when my father died at age 52.

February 7th is also the 17th anniversary of when my wife Cassandra's younger sister Rosalie died at age 25.

February 7th is always a difficult time emotionally for both of us.

The songs I'm going to share with you tomorrow are very special, and flow from Ezekiel 44 and Acts chapter 2 (on the second day of the month). "When the day of Pentecost had fully come..."

If you read these scriptures now, they will prepare you for my email tomorrow.

Talk to you then. In the meantime, here's a free song, "I'm Calling Out to You" from my newest album, "God is My Refuge and Strength" which I play in a Bossa Nova style with lots of jazz guitar solos. Here are the words below. Shalom!

Dr. Steve Kuban

==========================

PS:

Also please note that on day 1 of each month, we read

Proverbs 1
Psalm 1-5 (reading five Psalms each day of the month)

Plus select portions of the New Testament including one chapter of Luke, John, Acts and Revelation each day.

Luke 1
Jochanan (John) 1
Acts 1
Rev. 1

Tomorrow, Feb 7th (2 Adar) we will read chapter 2 in each of the above books, and our song will come from Acts 2.

I trust these "Daily Devotions" and songs will help you in your walk with the Lord! Thanks for listening!

Please consider sowing financially into this ministry to "Take Worship to the Nations." We rely upon the generosity of our supporters to carry on our work for the Lord. Thank you.

==============================================

I'm Calling Out To You
(Lord Fill Me With Your Spirit)

A spontaneous song inspired by the Holy Spirit

1. I’m hungry for Your touch

I need You Lord so much

I’m calling out O Lord for more of You

I’m longing for You now

To fill me with Your pow'r

I’m calling out O Lord for more of You

(chorus)

Lord fill me with Your Spirit

I’m calling out to You (repeat)

2. I’m calling out to You

Lord bring me close to You

Take me to the place where You are

Heaven’s in my heart

This world is not a part

My heart and soul is crying out for You

(repeat chorus)

3. I long to hear Your voice

Show me Lord Your face

I’m calling out O Lord for more of You

I’m longing for You now

To fill me with Your power

I’m calling out, O Lord for more of You

(repeat chorus)

4. Thank you for Your blood

For coming from above

To pay the price for me to set me free

I bow before You now

Lord fill me with Your pow’r

I’m calling out O Lord for more of You!

(final choruses)

Lord fill me with Your Spirit, I’m calling out to You

Lord use me for Your glory, I’m calling out to You!

Lord fill us with Your Spirit, we're calling out to You

Lord use us for Your glory, we're calling out to You!

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You can download this entire album or get the CD:

Also available on CD at www.SteveKuban.com/CD's

#30 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Hi, here's a very powerful song about the Holiness of God, called "In The Presence." The central theme of the song is, "I am changed in the presence of a Holy God!" God is Holy, and only He can change us and make us to be Holy, like Him!

Our Daily Bible Portion #30 concludes the month of Shevat, the 11th month of the Jewish year. We are about to move into the 12th month, called "Adar."

The Daily Bible Portion #30 is called "Kedoshim" (meaning 'holy ones'), which includes some extremely powerful scriptures about holiness.

YHVH commanded the Israelites to walk in a way that was distinct and different from all the other nations. Because YHVH God was completely different, He was apart from all sin, He was without any sin, and thus He declared:

‘You shall be holy; for I, YHVH your God, am holy."

Holy means to be separated or set apart for YHVH. The Israelites were to be separated or set-apart for YHVH!

# Name & Meaning Torah Haftarah Brit Chadashah (New Covenant)

Kedoshim

Holy Ones

Lev 19:1-20:27

Amos 9:7-15

1 Cor 6:8-20; 1 Pet 1:13-16 [Also Mt 5:33-37, 43-48; 15:1-11; 19:16-30; 22:33-40; Mk 7:1-23, 12:28-34; Lk 10:25-37; Ro 13:8-10; Ga 5:13-26; Ja 2:1-9, 1Pe 1:13-21]

Here are a few key scriptures in Leviticus 19 and 20 that show what this 'set-apart-ness' was to look like. YHVH declares:

Leviticus 19

3a Each one of you shall respect his mother and his father.
3b. You shall keep my Sabbaths.
4 Don’t turn to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves.
11 You shall not steal.
You shall not lie.
You shall not deceive one another.
12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your God. I am YHVH.
13 You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him.
16. You shall not slander your people.
30 You shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary; I am YHVH.
31 Don’t turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. (20:27 A man or a woman that is a medium or is a wizard shall surely be put to death.)
35 You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment...You shall use only just balances and weights
37 You shall observe all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them. I am YHVH

Leviticus 20:

2 Anyone who gives any of his offspring to Molech shall surely be put to death.
7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am YHVH your God.
8 You shall keep my statutes, and do them. I am YHVH who sanctifies you (YHVH M'kaddeshkim)

9 Everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
10 The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
13 If a man lies with a male, as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death.
15 If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death

22 You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out.
23 You shall not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

24b: I am YHVH your God, who has separated you from the peoples.
25 You shall therefore make a distinction between the clean animal and the unclean

26 You shall be holy [set apart] to me, for I, YHVH, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be mine.

Wow, how awesome is this? We are called to be His very own possession and His very own people!

In the Haftarah portion, Amos 9:7-15 we read that because Israel sinned, God scattered them and sent them into captivity. But He loves Israel still, and this passage speaks of the restoration of Israel (whom God calls the Tabernacle of David, which has crumbled and fallen down, referring to the house of David, the Jewish people). The point of these scriptures is that God would not only bring restoration to Israel, He would also choose a people for Himself from among the Gentiles! HalleluYah!

In the New Testament, 1 Cor 6:8-20 teaches us that we are indwelt of the Holy Spirit and are therefore His temples. As such there is no place for us to connect ourselves with sin! Listen to this list:

9: The unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom! Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom.

11 Some of you were such, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Yeshua, and in the Spirit of our God.

13:The body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

15 Don’t you know that your bodies are members of Messiah? Shall I then take the members of Messiah and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be!

16 He who is joined to a prostitute is one body For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

18 Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

19 Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Pet 1:13-16

15: ...Just as he who called you is holy (set apart), you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;
16 because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart); for I am holy (set apart).” (Leviticus 11:44-45)

The scriptures are so very clear on this matter. God has called us, the redeemed from among the lost Gentiles, to be His very own precious possessions, indwelt of His Holy Spirit. We have become the Temple of the Holy Spirit!

Here is some excellent materials for Bible Portion #30:
https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Kedoshim/kedoshim.html

May this song be a blessing to you: I Am Changed, in the Presence of a Holy God!

It comes from my Album, "The Lord is My Tower" available here. You can also order CD's if you prefer here:

And this concludes the month of Shevat. The next month is Adar. Note that this year, in 5770, there will be two Adars: Adar I and Adar II. This is because a leap-month is added in 2019, to keep the harvest cycles in sync with the sun.

Here is the calendar including Bible reading portions for Adar I:

Here are the scriptures for each of the Daily Bible Portions:
https://stevekuban.com/bible-and-torah-portions

And in particular tomorrow's passages for 1 Adar:

Emor

Speak

Lev 21:1-24:23 (the appointed Feasts)

Ez 44:15:31

1 Pet 2:4-10 [Also Mt 5:38-42; Ga 3:26-29]

Thanks very much for reading. Tomorrow will be a very wonderful teaching about the seven Festivals of YHVH (from Lev 21) and also a powerful message from Ezekiel 44 about coming into the presence of God Himself and ministering unto Him as a "Son of Zadok" Priest! This revelation changed my life when I came to understand what it meant to be a true worshipper ministering unto YHVH.

Shalom!

Dr. Steve Kuban

PS. Please consider helping us by sowing financial seed into the various music and teachings of this ministry. Thank you so very much. www.stevekuban/donate

#24 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Hi. Many Christians follow a pattern of personal Bible reading in their daily devotions. Probably you do too. I have one, please may I share it with you?

In my personal Daily Devotions I spend time reading the New Testament and Old Testament, according to the day of the month. (see also https://www.stevekuban.com/daily-devotions)

For example, from Proverbs:
Proverbs 1 on the first day of the month, and Proverbs 2 on the second day of the month, up to Proverbs 31 on the 31st day of the month. Then I start again.

I read 5 Psalms each day of the month. So on day 1 I read Psalm 1-5. On day 2 I read Psalms 6-10, etc. up to Psalm 150 on day 30. Then the next month I start all over again. I've been doing this (on and off) for about 38 years.

I read other books of the Bible this way too. For example this month I'm reading Luke, so on the first day of the month I read Luke 1, second day Luke 2, and so forth. I do the same with the Book of Acts (which is also written by the apostle Luke) and Revelation. (Other months I may read other books, Old and New Testament, as the Lord directs me.)

Whether you use the Western calendar or the Jewish calendar, the principle is still the same. The important thing is, we should read systematically, each day of the month, and each day of the year. "For man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." So we need our daily spiritual food too!

I always read these three key sections in the Old Testament, again based upon the day of the month:

1) the Torah
2) the Prophets; and
3) the Psalms

You can see a complete list of these "portions" at www.stevekuban.com/Bible-and-Torah-Portions

Today is the 24th day of the Jewish month Shevat (coinciding with January 30th this year), so today I read:

Luke 24
Acts 24
Proverbs 24
and the 24th quintet (grouping) of five daily Psalms (that is Psalm 116-120; because 5 x 24 = 120)

I'm always amazed how the Lord uses the daily timings to bring home His truth! Today several scriptures "jumped out" at me while reading. Check these out:

Luke 24
Yeshua (having just risen from the dead) meets two disciples along the road to Emmaus and tells them:

"Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” 27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, He explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Then later Yeshua himself stood among them [the eleven disciples in Jerusalem], and said to them (Luke 24:44),

“This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the Torah of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms, concerning Me must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44)

Acts 24
The Apostle Paul presents his defense before Felix the Governor saying, "14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the Torah, and which are written in the Prophets." (Acts 24: 14)

Put simply, the Torah, the Prophets, and the Psalms all speak of Yeshua. In fact Yeshua Himself used the "Torah, Prophets and Psalms" to prove that He is the promised Messiah. Later so did the apostles Peter, James, John, Stephen, Paul and others to both Jews and Gentiles (eg Peter on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, Stephen in Acts 8, Peter to Cornelius in Acts 10, Paul to Felix in Acts 24, etc)

Therefore since the Torah, Prophets and Psalms were of such vital importance to the early Messianic believers in Yeshua, it's very important that all believers today spend time reading the Torah, the Prophets, and the Psalms, to understand the basis of our faith in Yeshua, and how He fulfills all the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah, fulfilling all things in the Old Testament that were written concerning Him! And understanding these scriptures also will help us concerning God's plan for His people from the time of Abraham, to the birth of Isaac and Jacob, the promised land, the children of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, all the way up to the restoration of the state of Israel in 1948, and into the coming days leading into the Millenium. It's all there in the sacred scriptures!

How important are the Old Testament scriptures? Well, all the New Testament writings find their basis and origins in the Old Testament writings. Remember that during Yeshua's ministry on earth (and for many years following His resurrection) there was no New Testament in existence, for it had not yet been written but was in the process of being written over many years.

So what Scriptures did the Jewish people have during Yeshua's time? What they had, from the time of Moses onward, were the Torah, the Prophets, and the "Writings" (Psalms and poetic books). Jews call this the "Tanakh" (which basically comes from Torah, Prophets (Nevi'im) and Ketuvim (Writings). For more details about this please check out https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/scripture.html

Today we begin Torah portion #24, from Leviticus 1 to 6, which is all about sacrifice. We know that Yeshua is our sacrificial Lamb. Hallelujah! And we too are to offer ourselves to Him, as living sacrifices.

Here is today's Torah portion #24

As you read these scriptures, here is a beautiful chorus of consecration called "Let Me Be A Sacrifice": (https://youtu.be/wrrzMrGxMLU) which I sang at the Body of Christ Christian Church in New York (Woodhaven) on August 14, 2016, the Jewish day of remembrance known as Tisha B'Av.

Let me be a sacrifice
Holy and acceptable
Let me be a sacrifice
Consumed in Your praise
Let me be a sacrifice
Holy and acceptable
Let me be a sacrifice
Worshiping Your Name!

May this song express the desire of your heart to give yourself as a living sacrifice to our Lord and Saviour, to do His purposes with your life!

Sincerely in Messiah,

Dr. Steve Kuban

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Here are the Portions for Jan 31st, Shevat 25

==============================
PS: A personal word about using the Jewish calendar for Devotions:

Lately for my Daily Devotions I've been following the Jewish calendar, usually 30 days each month, going from new moon to new moon. This cycle of months began when YHVH told Moses to start counting: "This shall be the beginning of months for you" just prior to the first Passover and Israel's deliverance from Egypt:

1 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2“This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you. (Exodus 12:1-2)

One year later YHVH commanded that the Tabernacle of Moses be set up exactly one year later,on day one of the second year. If you were following my email yesterday you will see that we read "Portion 23."

1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month [of the second year] you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. (Exodus 40:1)

I prefer to base my daily devotional readings around the Jewish calendar (rather than the Gregorian). For over 30 years I used the Gregorian calendar (January through December) for my Devotions, but in the past three or four years I've been reading according to the Jewish calendar of days and months. It's been SO helpful. YHVH has confirmed to me over and over the value of doing this, because critical days in recent history occurred on the very day I was reading according to the Jewish calendar. (See for example how He gave me the song "Leviathan" on Election Day 2016 in the USA, from Isaiah 27, which speaks of how YHVH would punish Leviathan the crooked snake, and restore America. Then that same portion Jews read again on Inauguration Day 2017, Jan. 20th, when all over the world (Exodus 1-6 where God raised up Moses to be the Deliverer) at Sundown 6pm in Jerusalem, which happened to be the very exact hour President Trump took the Oath of President of USA.)

All the annual Jewish Festivals YHVH commands in His Word are observed according to the Jewish calendar. (Even the date of Easter coincides with Passover, which is why Easter on the Gregorian calendar moves from one particular date to another each year. Thus Easter is a "Moveable Feast" or "Moveable Festival" because it "moves" around from day to day, year to year, in relationship to the Gregorian calendar. But if one follows the Jewish calendar, Passover doesn't move around at all, it always occurs on the same day (see Numbers 24:16“‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is the Lord’s Passover. 17 On the fifteenth day ... shall be a feast of Unleavened bread") as well as Pentecost (Shavuot), Tabernacle (Sukkot), the Day of Atonement, etc. So that's why I follow the Jewish calendar for my personal devotions. It just works better for all the appointed Festivals of the LORD.

Shalom.

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At the bottom of this email is your link and download code so you can receive a free copy of "Come Holy Spirit-Altar Invitation."

If you would like to download the entire album please click on this photo, or go to https://stevekuban.com/album/457575/come-holy-spirit

Thanks for reading my emails. I hope they are helpful to you. If you would like to email me with any questions, please reply to steve@stevekuban.com.

Please help us continue to make new music and songs for the Lord, by donating, sending offerings, and sowing your financial seed at www.stevekuban.com/donate.

For a detailed list of our 2019 plans and projects please see www.stevekuban.com/newsletter. We appreciate your interest and involvement in our ministry, which enables us to continue to "Take Worship to the Nations" in 2019.

#23 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Hi, in our "Daily Devotions" Bible Reading portion (#23) today:

Luke 23*
Acts 23*
Prov 23*
Psalms 111-115*

...we read wonderful truths concerning the Tabernacle of Moses and the Temple of Solomon.

Then In the New Covenant (Hebrew: Brit Chadashah) passages we read that who are born again, believers in Yeshua, become indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and as a result we each become the temple of the Holy Spirit Himself!

Here is a simple and powerful worship song called "Sanctuary" (Lord Prepare Me):

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You

May this be a big blessing to you!

Sincerely,

Dr. Steve Kuban

If you would like to download the entire album, it's from "The Lord is My Tower", available here:
https://stevekuban.com/album/458816/the-lord-is-my-tower

©1982 by John W. Thompson and Randy Scruggs. CCLI Song ID # 24140 administered by Full Armor Publishing Company (Admin. by Peermusic III, Ltd.) / Whole Armor Publishing Company (Admin. by Peermusic III, Ltd.)

Here are the readings for tomorrow, January 30th (Shevat 24). Congratulations, we have now finished the second book of the Torah (Exodus) and are beginning tomorrow the third book of the Torah, Leviticus.

#19 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Shabbat shalom! Here's a beautiful uplifting song from Psalm 92:

"It is a Good Thing to Give Thanks Unto the Lord"

Did you know... Psalm 92 is the only Psalm specifically written to be sung on the Sabbath day?

It's true! Note the superscription at the beginning of Psalm 92: (Some Bibles like the King James version (KJV) include it at the top, before verse 1 begins:)

"A song, or Psalm, for the sabbath day."

In most Hebrew Bibles the 'title' is counted as verse 1. For example the "Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Or the CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)

These titles or inscriptions at the beginning of many Psalms are part of the original Hebrew text, written by the original Hebrew writer. Often this is King David, but there are also others.

The titles are always part of the inspired Hebrew text, so we need to pay attention to what the title says of every Psalm we read. We can learn a lot by understanding the context of a Psalm.

When we examine all 150 Psalms we discover that Psalm 92 is the ONLY Psalm specifically written to be sung on the Shabbat.

How cool is that?

Here for your pleasure, is Psalm 92.

1. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord
To sing praises to Thy Name, Most High
And to declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning
And Thy faithfulness at night
Upon my instrument of music I will play
With glorious harmony and melody
(alternate words: "On this Sabbath day with melody")
For You O Lord have made me glad through Thy work
I will triumph in the works of Thy hands

How great are You Lord
How great are Thy works
And Thy thoughts are very deep
Thou Lord Most High for evermore
Thou Lord Most High for evermore.

2. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God
And they shall still bear fruit in their old age
They shall be fresh and green, and flourishing
I will declare that the Lord is upright
He is my Rock and there is
No unrighteousness in Him

How great are You Lord
How great are Thy works
And Thy thoughts are very deep
Thou Lord Most High for evermore
Thou Lord Most High for evermore.

May this Psalm be a blessing to you on this and every Sabbath day.

Shabbat Shalom!

Dr. Steve Kuban

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Friday's scriptures (January 25th):
Shevat 19 = Parasha 19:

Luke 19
Acts 19
Rev. 19
Prov. 19
Psalms 91-95

Plus these passages from Bible Portion (Parasha) #19:

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Shabbat scriptures (for Saturday January 26th):
Shevat 20 = Parashat 20:

Luke 20
Acts 20
Rev. 20
Prov. 20
Psalms 96-100

Plus these passages from Bible Portion (Parasha) #20:

I'll be sharing more songs for Shabbat, so please feel free to download them, they'll be a great blessing to you!

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Note regarding weekly Torah Portions read by Jews:

Notice that I've been sharing one Torah 'portion' with you each day since Jan 7th (day 1 of the Jewish month Shevat). This is the cycle that we read, which allows us to read through the entire Torah in two month cycles.

However most Jews read one of the 54 'parashat' (portions) each week, on Shabbat (Friday at sunset until Saturday sunset). This enables them to read the Torah through once every year.Most Jewish or Messianic websites follow this tradition. If you wish to follow this pattern (and I recommend you do, to stay abreast with Jews around the world), in addition to the daily readings I've been sharing with you each email, here is Parashat #17 for this Shabbat (Jan 26) (it's "Yitro", what we read two days ago)

An excellent Jewish website that expounds wonderfully upon each Torah portion, is Messianic believer John Parson's site:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/parashah.html

Any day that you click this link, you will be automatically taken to the Torah portion for that particular date. So if for example on April 20th you click the above link, you will be taken to the Torah portion for April 20th. John's website automatically adjusts for all Jewish holidays such as Passover, etc. John also shares "Table Talk", a list of questions pertaining to each Parasha. It's an awesome website that is ultra-informative! If you use it, please support brother John financially, as he has devoted his life to its development and maintenance. Shalom!

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This video contains the professional audio of Psalm 92, which is available on my website and iTunes. Everything you hear is performed live, there are no overdubs.

Thank you for purchasing legally which helps support our ministry. You can also donate at www.stevekuban.com/donation, which enables us continue to create new music for the nations.

We are truly grateful for your financial assistance. Shalom.

#18 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Here is a spontaneous song about God's laws and His ten commandments. I sang this three days before America's election November 2018.

Here is the video with professional audio:

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Today's "Daily Devotional" is all about God's Laws.

"The ten commandments."

Just say these words nowadays and a myriad of reactions take place in people's hearts: Sadly, many think: "Old fashioned." "Religious." "Legalistic." "Archaic." But the truth is, the ten commandments are God's laws. And if we follow them, blessing comes. But when we ignore and disobey them, we bring cursing upon ourselves.

Today's Daily Devotions are a continuation from yesterday about God's laws. (Please review yesterday's email sent January 24, 2019 to see the ten commandments revealed in over 30 places in the Bible.)

Western civilization is founded upon the ten commandments YHVH gave to the children of Israel. I remember my dad once telling me when I was about 8 years old that all our thousands of laws stem from these first ten commandments. I've never forgotten that truth.

And yet nowadays, court houses in America cannot display the 10 commandments anywhere. They've been removed from all public school curricula. The general public cannot recount what they even are.

Sadly we are reaping today the sordid harvest of what we have sown: Killings, shootings, robberies, adulteries, children disrespecting parents, lying at the highest level, false witness, corruption in government...the list goes on and on. There is no fear of God in people's minds or hearts. Sin is surely a reproach to a nation.

This song is about God's laws and ten commandments. I composed and sang this spontaneously three days before America's election November 2018, as the Spirit of God led me.

If you're not American, you may think this song is not for you — but it is, because this song is really about God's commandments, which are for every one of us. And America is a major part of the world scene, as is Israel, so we need to intercede every day for both.

How this song came about:
As I worshiped the Lord on Nov. 3rd, 2018, while playing my music keyboard, I was interceding for America, talking to Yeshua, crying out to Him to touch America again by His Holy Spirit. Christians in this country and around the world had been praying fervently for this upcoming election: that the governing officials who would be elected would be God-fearing individuals who understood the importance of the ten commandments and honoring God. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to a nation." (Proverbs 14:34). Many were saying this was one of the most important elections in the history of America. As a nation we desperately needed righteous leaders to be elected!

As I worshiped the Lord while sitting at my music keyboard, I pressed the audio 'record' button (just in case God might give me a prophetic song), closed my eyes, and just began to sing, pray, and play, as the Spirit led me.

Cassandra felt the anointing, and led by the Holy Spirit grabbed her iPhone and began recording video and streaming the song live on facebook. I wasn't aware of this, for my eyes were closed and I was just lost in the presence of the Lord, singing to Him, crying out to Him.

Those eleven minutes spent worshiping and interceding before the throne of God, are what this video contains. May it bless you.

Please share this video and link with your friends:
https://stevekuban.com/haveyourwayintheusa

You can download this song to your phones or computer. If so, play it often, to remind you to pray for America, and to follow God's commandments.

Thank you.

Dr. Steve Kuban

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Thursday's scripture reading:
(Shevat 18, Jan 24, 2019)

Luke 1
Acts 18
Rev. 18
Prov. 18
Psalms 86-90

Plus these passages from Bible Portion (Parasha) #18:

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Friday's scriptures (January 25th):
Shevat 19 = Parasha 19:

Luke 19
Acts 19
Rev. 19
Prov. 19
Psalms 91-95

Plus these passages from Bible Portion (Parasha) #19:

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Saturday's scriptures (January 26th):
Shevat 20 = Parashat 20:

Luke 20
Acts 20
Rev. 20
Prov. 20
Psalms 96-100

Plus these passages from Bible Portion (Parasha) #20:

I'll be sharing some wonderful songs from these passages for Shabbat, so please feel free to download them, they'll be a great blessing to you!

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Note regarding weekly Torah Portions read by Jews:

An excellent Jewish website that expounds wonderfully upon each Torah portion, is Messianic believer John Parson's site:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/parashah.html

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Have Your Way in the USA ©2018 by Steve Kuban
(Prayer song for USA Elections 2018, composed spontaneously on Nov 3, 2018)

Intro
Touch this nation O Lord
With Your glory
Touch America Lord
With Your glory

For we need a touch from You
Help this nation Lord

(sax solo)

verse 1
There comes a time in every land
Where righteousness and truth must show its hand
For the lies of the enemy will steal and kill and destroy
And there's one who wants to kill
Every child, every girl, and every boy

(spoken)
Lord for too long our nation has allowed
Ungodliness, atheists, antagonists.
It's just time.

I pray Lord, that You would have Your way
Through your children
As we rise up and say with godly jealousy:

(chorus 1)
"No! This land is not for any purpose other than
That God might be glorified from sea to shining sea!"
Come my Lord and let the world hear Your voice once again
Let the sound of revival flow from America again

('shoo bops' interlude)

(verse 2)
Praying in the spirit
For this election.
I'm crying out, O God for Your hand
Stir your children.
Let righteousness prevail once again.
Lord let sanity prevail once again
In our land
Let sanity prevail in this land, Lord
Show Your mighty hand

(verse 3)
Let the Name of God
Rise in our schools
Let the Law of God
In our courthouses rule
Come YHVH show the world once again
That You mean what You say
For this is the promised land
That you have offered by Your hand

(bridge)
"Bring me your dying!
Bring me your crying!"

(sax solo)

For this nation belongs to Jehovah God
And the Name of Yeshua shall rise again
The Law and His Torah
The commandments of the LORD
Will be heard and will arise upon this land once again

(bridge 2)
No more lying
No more killing
No more adultery
No more anxiety
No more coming against what should be the Lord's
'cause this land is God's
From shore to shore

Let me be American
Holding the values of my God
All of His Word
Let me be patriotic for Thee
'cause America, my Lord, belongs to You

(bridge)
No more killing
No more stealing
No more false witnesses, lying
We'll hold Your Name
In honor as we should, my Lord
No more idols made of iron or wood

(verse 3)
And on the sabbath day
We'll remember to say
That YHVH is the reason for it all.
This promised land
Given by God's own hand
America belongs to YHVH

(strings interlude)

Touch America by Your Spirit Lord
Heal America once more
Red, white, black and yellow
It doesn't matter, we're all fellows
And this is the nation of our God

(Guitar solo)

(Chorus)
Have Your way
In the USA
Have Your way Yeshua, Ruach HaKodesh, YHVH
Have Your way in all that I do and all that I say
This is my prayer for the citizens of USA
That we would with one voice proudly say
"The nation under God—the USA."
The nation under God.

(This video contains the professional audio, which is available on my website and iTunes. Everything you hear is performed live, there are no overdubs. The vocal harmonies are produced by the Tyros 5 as I sing, based upon the chords I play each moment.

Thank you for purchasing legally which helps support our ministry. You can also donate at www.stevekuban.com/donation, which enables us continue to create new music for America and for the nations.

#17 Daily Devotions: Bible Reading Portion

Hi! Today I am sharing the important connection between worship and God's commandments. I encourage you, please read this entire email. It will really bless you. I know that you are busy, and it's tempting to just rush through this so you can read the next ones in your inbox. But I ask you, please take a big breath, and set aside a few quality minutes to hear my heart (and God's heart) in this email. I'm doing this for you — because I long for you to get closer to the Lord, and become a better worshiper of our God. Thanks.

First, I always like to give a free song to bless you, and as a way of saying thanks for subscribing to SteveKuban.com. So here's today's song: a beautiful worship chorus from Psalm 84:1-2, from one of my first worship albums in 1993.

To Know Your Presence. (Click the purple title to be taken to the song, and then you can download the entire song into your phone or PC, if you wish, by using the link at the very bottom of this email and entering the download code.)

To Know Your Presence (Psalm 84:1)
Title: For the Chief Musician.
On an instrument of Gath.
A Psalm by the sons of Korah.

1 How lovely is Your dwelling place
O Lord Almighty
2 My soul longs, it faints for Your courts
My heart and flesh cry out

To know Your presence Lord
Is a fortune to unfold
To sense Your touch again
Is more precious than gold

This was written by Darryl Sam, a friend of mine and fellow music student at Northwest Bible College in 1985. It's such a beautiful song, that God has used to touch many lives. The Word of God says "despise not the small beginnings." Here's a little background:

I first recorded this song in 1993 as part of an Easter musical I wrote and produced at Crossroads Cathedral in Toronto depicting worship in David's Tabernacle, which culminated in a glorious finale around the Throne of God. The purpose of this musical was to present a theology of worship through the ages, and visual representation of Worship As It Is In Heaven. I produced an accompanying worship album that went along with the musical, entitled Holy Place, which included To Know Your Presence (How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place).

Seven years later I made a compilation album called The Best of Steve Kuban Volume 1 which included 21 best songs from my first five worship albums. I selected To Know Your Presence because it was a beautiful song that just ushers you right into the presence of God!

(If you'd like to full download or order the CD of Steve Kuban Vol 1 album please click here: https://stevekuban.com/album/458543/best-of-steve-kuban-vol-1

God tells us that if we are faithful in the small things, He will give us bigger things. Here's a powerful testimony of this involving worship:

During this musical presentation, our congregation of about 600 people experienced worship on an entirely deeper level than ever before. It was a foundation and a catalyst that propelled us even higher toward the Throne of God in worship, This musical 'set the stage' for us to become a highly prophetic worship team and worshiping church that God ultimately used to touch millions of lives!

After we experienced that Easter musical in 1993, our church worship services were touched with a greater maturity and depth in worship, because the people had learned what true worship is supposed to be — a divine encounter with the Living God! And God really began to move, especially in our worship team.

Shortly after the Holy Place musical, God sovereignly began opening major doors of opportunity, and our worship team began ministering regularly on nationwide live television to hundreds of thousands of viewers through the 100 Huntley Street television show in Canada. Then we began to record live worship albums that ultimately touched millions of people worldwide, including "The Lord is My Tower" and "Come Holy Spirit." (By the way, Come Holy Spirit will receive it's 3.5 millionth view on YouTube in the next few days, and continues to bless tens of thousands more worshipers each and every day. Check it out on Youtube here:
Come Holy Spirit song on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iHuTFknAFTM

There is a divine connection between obeying God's commandments, and true worship. Billy Graham once said, "The highest form of worship is obedience." Romans 12:1 says we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices unto God, which is our "reasonable worship." So worship is a lot more than just singing songs. It's giving ourselves unto our Master!

Yeshua said, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', yet you do not do what I say?" (Luke 7:46) Here's the bottom line:

True worship can only be TRUE worship if we obey God's commandments! May I speak to worship team members for a moment: As worship leaders and worship team members we can only bring our congregations into higher levels of worship IF we ourselves live there! If we are not living according to God's commandments, we will NOT be able to bring people into the higher levels of worship, for we can only bring people where we ourselves already are! That's why we need to KNOW His Presence, and understand His courts, and how to get from the outer courts into the inner court, and then how to get into the Holy of Holies and stay there until God does His surgery in our lives. This applies to every one of us: worship team members, Sunday school teachers, pastors, church bus drivers, church attenders, you name it.

When we are true worshipers, we experience God personally, and we become more holy (set apart) unto Him. We shun the things of the world and it's fleshly desires, because "we are changed in the presence of a Holy God!" (Here's a powerful song called "In The Presence (of a Holy God)" that speaks of this:)
https://stevekuban.com/track/1153120/in-the-presence

Now let's delve deeper into God's Word!

Today is Shevat 17 on the Jewish calendar (January 23rd on the Gregorian calendar):
and our suggested Bible readings include:

Luke 17
Acts 17
Revelation 17
Proverbs 17; and
Psalms 81-85 (since we read five Psalms a day, 17 x 5 = 85, so we read Psalms 81-85)

Today's Bible Reading portion is #17, using the precise pattern of Bible reading Jews have been following every Sabbath day for the past 2,500 years called the Parashah (portion).

Parashah #17 is all about the commandments of God. We really need the 10 commandments in our lives!

See in today's Torah portion how God desired Israel to become a kingdom of priests, His holy people! We see Him give His commandments to Israel, that reveal His holiness (his set-apart ness), and how He asks Israel to follow His commandments so that they will be like Him.

Then we see how Isaiah saw the LORD high and lifted up, and His train filling the temple (Is. 6). We hear the seraphim (angels) crying out, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts!" for eternity! There is so much to glean from these Torah and Haftarah portions of scripture!

And there is more! The New Testament is filled with admonishments to follow the Torah, God's commandments. Let's look at some of them.

Messianic Jews over the years have selected certain New Testament passages to be added to each Parashah, that correspond to the Old Testament scripture Parashah. Here they are for #17:

These are wonderful verses, well worth reading in their entirety! And they are all about the commandments of YHVH!

You might ask, "Dr. Steve, did you really read ALL these scriptures today?" The answer is, Yes.

I take very seriously the mandate to read God's Word. The Word of God is my daily bread and food. Yeshua (Jesus) is the Torah made flesh. He literally lives inside us through His Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). As I read and obey the Word of God He writes His Torah (Law) upon my heart, which causes my selfish and rebellious heart to soften so that I willingly and joyfully follow and obey His commandments. It's not a burden, rather it's a joy to hear and obey His Torah!

In our first New Testament reading today, Matthew 5:8-20 Yeshua declares from verse 18-20:

17 “Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (complete) [the Torah].

18 Yes indeed! I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one of the smallest letters — not so much as a yud or a stroke (literally, iota or one tiny pen stroke or serif) shall in any way pass away from the Torah — not until everything that must happen has happened.

19 So whoever disobeys one of these least commandments (mitzvot) and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness is far greater than that of the Torah-teachers (scribes) and Pharisees (P’rushim), there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!

So Yeshua is saying that when we believe in Him, we don't forsake the Law (Torah) and commandments of our Heavenly Father; rather, we obey them more! So it's vital that we LEARN the TORAH (Law) of YHVH!

These verses in Matthew 5 are just part of today's New Testament readings from "Parashah #16". There are yet sixteen MORE passages to be read today on "Portion #16." Shall we read them? By all means let's read them, and learn, and as a result we will be super-blessed!

Do you love His Torah? I do! I don't want to disobey even the least of Abba's (Father's) commandments. But I make mistakes. I do not always follow Him 100% of the time, sad to admit, because my flesh still exerts it's desires and ways, which if I listen to them or follow them or give in to temptation, I miss the mark of God's perfection. But my heart is soft and I'm always desiring more to obey His Word and please my Heavenly Father and Lord Yeshua, so I repent, ask His forgiveness, and then press on! I keep reading and applying His Torah to my heart! David said in Psalm 119: "Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee." (Psalm 119:11) So when we read His Torah and put it into our heart, we receive divine strength to resist sin against our Elohim (our God)!

Singing helps us put God's Word and Torah into our hearts. It's one of my jobs YHVH has given me, to put His Torah and Bible into song, so people can sing and thus memorize and internalize His Word. He has given me many songs about the commandments of God, many that speak of how important it is that we obey YHVH's commandments at all times, with a true heart of love for the Lord. I will share more of these songs in future days, for as we read certain Bible passages in coming days and weeks these songs will relate well to the passages we read during each Bible Reading portion.

For now, though, I truly encourage you to read the Word of God, and to make every effort to memorize His 10 commandments. It's awesome to realize that Yeshua came to show us the Father, and He came to fulfill the Torah (Law) of God. For "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God!" He IS the Word, and HE IS GOD (John 1:1)

Thanks for taking time to listen. May Yeshua the Living Torah bless you abundantly!

Dr. Steve Kuban

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Here are the Bible portions and passages that we will be reading tomorrow, Shevat 18, Jan 24th, We're going to be reading a lot of God's "laws" so start early and set time aside for this.

Luke 18, Acts 18, Rev. 18, Prov. 18, Psalms 86-90.
Plus these passages from Portion (Parasha) #18:

Shalom my friends. Enjoy His Word, enjoy His commandments, and enjoy His Living presence.
"To Know Your Presence, O Lord is a fortune to unfold!"

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If you would like to help Dr. Steve and Cassandra Kuban to continue writing and recording music and sharing God's word in teachings, please support their ministry financially by donating a regular amount each month, or one-time, at SteveKuban.com/donate. Thank you very much!