During my travels in New Zealand (Nov.19 - Dec.9, 2024), I had the privilege to meet many fascinating people, some of whom I also got to interview and record their stories. In this interview, I would like to introduce you to Joshua Barry. I met Joshua and his family in 2016 and 2018 when visiting South Africa. In summer 2023, Joshua and his oldest son (Benjamin) visited the U.S. and we enjoyed hosting them for part of that their stay. Then early in 2024 Joshua invited me to come to New Zealand to teach at a number of Messianic communities in the north island. Joshua's story is inspiring and guaranteed to be an encouragement to all. 

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
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During my travels in New Zealand (Nov.19 - Dec.9, 2024), I had the privilege to meet many fascinating people, some of whom I also got to interview and record their stories. In this interview, I would like to introduce you to Tony Sears. Tony lives in Hawera, a lovely community not far from beautiful snow-capped Mount Taranaki. Tony's is a gripping story of miraculous deliverances as he ran from God, who would not let him go! It also illustrates the power of a mother's prayers for a son. So sit back and prepared to be blessed by Tony's testimony of God's grace.

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
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Psalm 58 is a unique psalm which I call Song of the Sociopath. It describes the intractability of certain souls who resist the righteous path and are bent on persecuting the innocent. Such a person was King Saul's counselor, Abner, who, traditions teaches, was the inspiration for this psalm. (Read 1Samuel 26.) On a different note, this psalm is one of the most difficult to translate. Hence, I present here three translations: The English Standard Version, the Robert Alter translation, and the Artscroll Publishers translation. We should not be surprised that grappling this psalm is as difficult as understanding the twisted mind of the sociopath.

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
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This is the sixth psalm (in a series of nine) where David prays for deliverance. But in this psalm, David does something completely different. Can you discover what it is? We also learn something fascinating about the Hebrew word for "dawn". We will learn about these and many other valuable insights in this short but powerful psalm.

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
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Everyone knows the story of Noah and the Ark. But there are some details of the story that you may have missed, like the release of the raven, and then the dove, and then the dove again, and then the dove a third time. What is this all about? And what is God trying to teach us through this account of the birds? And what connection does Noah’s ark have with the Tabernacle? Join us for a lively discussion of these and other topics.

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
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Psalm 56 begins a series of five psalms called "Michtams". It is uncertain what this term means, but it is somehow related to fine gold, thus making these "golden" psalms, or maybe David's favorite psalms. Psalm 56 is also the second psalm inspired by the time David disguised his sanity while behind enemy lines. (See also Psalm 34.) In this psalm David expresses his loneliness while under persecution. He set this psalm to a tune called "The Mute Dove of Distant Places". But, as David's powerful psalms often do, this one ends on a high note of hope in God.

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
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What do you do when you discover that your closest friend on earth - a friend in whom you have confided for years - has secretly turned against you and is plotting to kill you? That is what David is dealing with in this psalm, and it echoes Yeshua's emotions when He was betrayed by Judas. This psalm also introduces us to the first two aspects of Jewish prayer as reflected by Paul in Philippians 4:6. Psalm 55 contains powerful lessons in how to deal with rebellion in one's inner circle and how to cast our cares upon the Lord.

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
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This short psalm describes David's betrayal by the Ziphites - a mob of fellow Judeans - men who should have been loyal to their brother, David. Verses 1-3 are David's prayer for help; verses 4-7 are David's words of praise and commitment to God. A short, powerful psalm that teaches us to never give up hope even when there is not hope!

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
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The Bible uses the word tziporen only two times. The first time, it is translated "fingernail" (Deuteronomy 21:12). The second time, it is translated as a "nib" of diamond on an iron pen. What might God be trying to teach us by these two odd appearances of this unique Hebrew word? Join us in this episode of The Hebrew Key to gain a beautiful insight into God's Word.

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
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Throughout the Bible, the olive tree, the fig tree, and the grapevine are used as symbols of God's people. But why have these three (and a few others) when one should do?! Join us for a fascinating discussion of the unique properties of these three species of plant and the lessons that each has to teach us about our own lives and walk with God.

• For more teachings by Grant Luton (and to print the notes), visit our website: https://www.TorahTodayMinistries.org
• And when you visit, be sure to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, which will keep you up to date with news, photos, and upcoming events at Torah Today Ministries.