Middot U'Mitzvot: Character Qualities and Commandments
Focus On Eternal Things


G-d's Torah is the best source of instruction
in character qualities and holy living


Focus on Eternal Things - Priorities, Priorities

“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” John 6:27

How do you prioritize your days? Or, in other words, how, and why, do you choose to do the things that you do? Do you choose to do something because it’s fun? Or, do you do it because you have to and if you don’t you’ll get in trouble? Do you do something because it will earn you recognition or make you the center of attention? Or, do you do it because it will earn you some money? We all have reasons for why we do the things that we do. And, a priority is something that is important – it is something that gets put on the top of our list of things to do. Yeshua tells us that we should be focusing our time, attention, and energy on those things that will continue on into the Kingdom – things like studying His Word, prayer, telling others about Him, and doing good deeds. Fame, fun, and fortune are all short-lived – they will all come to an end and pass away – but the things of God are forever. So, where is your relationship with Yeshua? Is He the top priority on your “to-do” list?

To Lead or to Follow? - Peer Pressure

“Do not follow the crowd when it does what is wrong...” Exodus 23:2a

Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong – something that you knew your parents would not approve of – because your friends were doing it and you didn’t want to be left out or called a loser? Have you ever felt pressure to “be cool” even when you knew that what you were doing to “be cool” really wasn’t that cool at all? You’re not alone. Everybody, everyday must choose to either do what is right or to “be cool.” And, what do you think God would want you to do? That’s right! He would want you have the courage to do what is right. Just because your friends are doing something, doesn’t make it right. Just because “everybody else” is doing something, doesn’t make it pleasing to God. We must measure the choices that we make and the things that we do with God’s Word. If God’s Word tells us something is wrong, then we need to be obedient to His Word and have the courage to do what is right – even if it causes us to be made fun of or to lose some of our friends. Yeshua stood up for you even though it cost Him everything – including His life. So, as His disciple, are you willing to do what is right – even if it means your friends think you’re not cool?

The Dwelling Place of God - Holy Temples

“They are to make Me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them.” Exodus 25:8

Do you realize that the Creator of the Universe longs to be in a relationship with you? That He desires to dwell among and within in you? He wants this so badly, in fact, that He gave His one and only Son as an offering to take away the sin that separated you from Him and prevented this relationship from happening. Because God is holy, He can only be in the presence of holiness. And, we are unable to be holy on our own. So, God provided the way and the means in the blood of His Son Yeshua for us to be made righteous and holy so that we could be in His presence and have fellowship with Him. And, now that we have access to the Father through Yeshua, He expects us to be living stones being built into a spiritual house and holy temple for Him. (Ephesians 2:21; 1 Peter 2:5; 2 Corinthians 6:16) So, is your heart and your life a suitable and acceptable dwelling place for the Lord? Are you being built into a holy temple for the Living God?

Acknowledge His Name With Praise

“Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that give thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15

Prayer has certainly been the topic of the day. So, how often do you pray to God? Once a day? Once a week? Once a month? How do you pray to Him? Do you simply repeat a common, everyday prayer before a meal or before bedtime? Or, do you talk to Him from your heart? Did you know that God wants to talk to you? That He wants you to share with Him what is on your heart? And, He wants you to talk to Him all the time. Part of prayer is praise and thanksgiving. It’s singing a song or just giving Him a smile. It’s taking time to spend just with Him and with His Word. It’s telling Him about your dreams and your fears. It’s sharing His joy with others in everything that you say and do. When you pray to God you are praising His Name because you are acknowledging that He is God. Make praising God a part of all that you do – acknowledge Him and He will be there for you.

Kehilat Sar Shalom

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