Category Archives: Prophecy

September 6, 2015 · 6:57 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

Once again, it’s time to hear from our sister in Jerusalem about what she is witnessing there as a believer in Yeshua. Put your prayer shawls on and pray for Israel and Sister J. Now here she is …

I am thrilled to greet you, DEAR brothers and sisters, chosen for such a time as this to be knit together into His temple, for the glory of The King of kings and The Lord of lords, Yeshua h’Meshiach, Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God. He’s the Hope, Light, and Truth. May He be glorified and blessed and may you be encouraged and blessed.

As in many places, today is the first day of school here. I watched from my merepesset (balcony) as tiny boys with worried eyes grasped their parents hands while bubbly girls bounced and giggled and sang their ways down the street. I have always been stunned by a basic difference between boys and girls, despite all of the variables. One thing they all have in common here though, no matter what age or gender is the telltale Israeli backpack. The tiny preschoolers (gan is the word for pre-school in Hebrew) seem smaller than their backpacks, but this is the trademark Israeli essential uniform: the loaded backpack.

Education is free here, but also expensive at the same time. When we arrived with a 12-year old in 1994, it took me by surprise. Besides the various high school fees, we received a long list of books and supplies that were required as the schools don’t supply the books. They supply a modest building, tables, and chairs and teachers. Coming from the USA where even my HOMESCHOOL supplies had been mailed to us by the state free of charge, we were surprised. It was very insignificant though, compared to the long list of cultural differences we were scrambling to adjust to.

Today, however, as I traveled home with the now returning kids, I smiled for two reasons: (1) there were no terror attacks on this first day of school (although there was a rocket shot in the direction of Ashkelon that fell short and landed back into Gaza that jiggled the nerves of families in that region) (2) and that Israel somehow succeeds so well in instilling a team or family atmosphere right from the beginning. It was fun watching the kids of all ages in their different groups.

When I was young I was always a loner, afraid of groups. But because of the need to live together and sadly, fight together, a warm team and family spirit is planted deep in our society. It was really evident today.

I thought of that last week as I witnessed a poignant street scene on Jaffa Road. There are many street musicians, but one in particular always stands out to me. He is a religious (Jewish) man who sings religious worship and plays a portable piano. His music and voice are beautiful, and often people gather around him to sit and play along or sing. He encourages all to worship with his joyful smile.

This day, he was alone, except for a young woman in a motorized wheel chair. They were deep in song together and she looked at him so peacefully. Their eye contact was striking, considering that it’s forbidden for religious men. I kept walking as I watched and just some short distance beyond I noticed a third party; a beggar who lies in a pile of blankets on this busy street. He was propped up on one hand watching them with a huge smile of joy. I thought about this odd scene, a scene that could have been from an old silent Charlie Chaplain film.

I long to share with you the heart that beats, so often in small places in Israel.

Surely things are hot, and not just the weather.

Israel is extremely concerned about the deal with Iran and the rapid embrace being given to it by western nations fawning over it. Many other issues are also extremely alarming that really have not been seen since WW2. The violent wars and turmoil in the region and the very rapid advance of Islamic extremism is hard to keep up with. Most Western nations are at a loss as to how to interpret what they see and hear. So they look at it through western filters and come up with inaccurate answers.

I KNOW that many, if not most of you grieve deeply over your leaders and so many are truly seeking The Lord. We are ALL watching what swirls around us, knowing that very hard things stand at the threshold, awaiting opportunities. But, OH THANK YOU LORD, WE HAVE THE ANSWER in YESHUA. THE LORD. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIGHT WHO KNOWS THE BEGINNING FROM THE END. And His is the beginning and the end.

So we must, in the midst of the pressure, whether here or there, wherever you are, turn our heads and hearts and feet to Him. There just is no other way.

Here, we are rapidly approaching the Jewish New Year although not biblically. And for the life of me I have sought the reason and have never gotten a good answer, even though The Lord told us that we were to start the New Year from Pesach (Passover). I am confident that He will set it right some day, but meanwhile I am tickled that more and more people have ALSO begun to say, “Shannah tovah” (happy new year, or literally “year good” at Passover as well.

Rosh Hashanah is the first of the 3 fall feasts or holidays or holy days. They are all commanded in scripture. I began hearing the shofarim (rams horns) being blown on the first day of Elul, leading up to the month of Tishrai, which begins on Rosh Hashanah. Not much is said about this holiday except that it is for the blowing of rams’ horns.

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.” (Leveticus 23:24-25)

There is much to be said about the meanings for the blowing of the rams horn, which is commanding and hauntingly beautiful. I hope to write that before Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown on the 13th of Sept. Meanwhile, people are scurrying around preparing.

Traditionally, this is a time of giving of gifts, of setting a beautiful table of worship and celebration and blessing others. Apples and honey and their variations are the traditional foods that includes pomegranates which are ripening right now. Also date honey, nuts of all sorts, particularly almonds are also considered a blessing. Indeed we ARE blessed as I look at the display of fall fruits: figs and dates, grapes of all shapes and colors, pomegranates and melons, we are truly blessed.

A small oasis in the midst of pain and turmoil. May we always look up. May the body be LOOKING UP and truly preparing His temple according to His plan.

I was reading one of the exhortations in Matthew the other day and I stopped to weep and thought, “Oh Lord, don’t let me talk about weighty issues when I can’t even obey Your smallest command. Let me see as You do and learn to walk with You. And as we learn to really BE His obedient children, may it make those around us hungry and be used of Him to open the flood gates for surly the time is short.

God BLESS you,

Your sis J

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September 4, 2015 · 8:48 am

Do We Still Cast Out Demons? (Part 8)

Early one morning, Smith Wigglesworth was awakened in his Yorkshire, England, home by a rustling sound in his bedroom. He rolled over and saw someone sitting in the chair at the foot of his bed. He squinted his near-sighted eyes and then recognized who it was.

“Oh, it’s just you, Satan,” said Wigglesworth as he rolled over and went back to sleep.

Wigglesworth told this story at one of his meetings, but what do you think?

(An excerpt from Storming the Kingdom by Larry Nevenhoven, 2014, an Amazon eBook.)

It’s easy for us modern skeptics to look at Wigglesworth (1859 – 1947) and consider him, his ministry, and his visions to be nothing more than ridiculous Pentecostal fantasies from the past. But the nation of Sweden and its king, Gustaf V, did not think of Wiggleworth as a tongue-talking charlatan. They took him seriously.

In 1921, Smith Wigglesworth held healing meetings throughout Scandinavia. Thousands were healed and saved. His success prompted Swedish doctors to convince authorities that Wigglesworth practiced medicine without a license when he laid hands on the sick. Thus, the authorities notified Wigglesworth that he was not allowed to lay his hands on the sick when he visited Stockholm. If he refused to obey the law, he would be arrested and sent to jail.

King Gustaf heard about the new law and wrote Wiggleswoth a note asking him to find a way around the city ordinance so that the evangelist could minister healing to the Swedish people.

What did Smith Wigglesworth do?

Wigglesworth arrived on schedule and preached a faith message from the Bible. When he finished preaching, he asked the sick people to lay their own hands on themselves. He prayed a short healing prayer for everyone. As soon as he finished, miracles happened throughout the auditorium. The people who were healed jumped up and shouted with joy, which stirred up the faith of others to believe for their own healing.

The Sweden healing crusade turned out to be one of Wigglesworth most successful ones.

There’s no doubt that Smith Wigglesworth was a unique man, but he never considered his ministry unique. He believed that every Christian could do the same things he did, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons.

Okay, how could Wigglesworth think this way? And what was his secret?

(Continued in Part 9…if you’re interested, the full series to date can be seen here.)

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September 3, 2015 · 9:28 am

Thursday’s Prayers for America (9/3/2015)

How many of us think it’s a cosmic coincidence that the top two movies in America right now – War Room and Straight Outta Compton – are stories about African-Americans and mainly acted by African-Americans?

The main plot in War Room revolves around an African-American women named Miss Clara who teaches Elizabeth Jordan (Priscilla C. Shirer) how to handle her anger and marital problems through prayer. The whole emphasis is focused on trusting God and His redeeming grace to change the husband, Tony Jordan (T. C. Stallings), and their hopeless family situations.

The story line for Straight Outta Compton deals with the rise and fall of the hip hop group N.W.A (Niggaz Wit Attitudes), which includes the gangsta rappers Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Easy-E, DJ Yella, and MC Ren. The group’s music reflects the youths’ anger and frustration through its X-rated lyrics, which glorified drugs and crime, put down women, and revealed a deep hatred of police.

Only the Lord could schedule two such contrasting movies to appear on the movie scene right now in America.

Today, I prayed:

Lord, I ask that You move in the inner cities of America so that people’s minds are no longer controlled by their sinful natures, which leads to death, but are controlled by Your Spirit, which brings life and peace. (Based on Romans 8:6 NLT)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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July 26, 2015 · 6:20 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

Greetings, dearest sisters and brothers! I greet you because we are His. May He be glorified and blessed and may you be blessed and edified.

As I walk through the streets, the air is hot and still. It reflects well the sense that I’m getting from the Israelis around me right now. Tisha b’av, or the ninth of the month of Av, is again approaching with fasting from the end of Shabat on this Saturday until sundown Sunday.

On Wednesday the air raid sirens were tested. The siren, when sounded for war or danger is a rising and lowering (undulating) sound, rather then the steady wail of the memorial blast that calls us to a minute or two of silence.

Both are eerie. Both signify something way bigger then we are.

The test that occurred on Wednesday was announced ahead of time, but not widely, so it took many by surprise. Although the signing of the pact with Iran and the resulting strained relations that we now have with the USA is giving the far left in Israel reason to complain about our government’s handling of the problem, their protests are weak. Most Israelis know that this is way bigger then we are and that no matter WHAT they think of our Prime Minister, they really can’t accuse him of having been too quiet.

And as the snow ball effect grabs hold of the incredible world shifts, and events move at an ever increasing speed, my sense of it is that most of the country is drawing together as one, knowing that we can not be divided.

With this backdrop, Tisha b’av approaches.

Judaism has a number of “fast days,” but I believe that the main ones are Yom Kippur in the fall of the year, (the day of atonement – a time for personal soul searching and repentance) and Tisha b’av, which I feel is more of a day of collective repentance.

I was given the opportunity on Wednesday to speak up at my work right after the siren test ended. Everyone began talking about our situation and the restructuring of our defense forces, which is called “the Gideon Plan.”

“I was just reading in Judges this morning about Gideon,” I announced to them.

“You read the scriptures just to read them?” a rabbi’s wife asked.

“Yep. And I’m thrilled with the new name of the Gideon Plan because God told Gideon that if there were too many men going to battle with him, Israel would take the credit for the victory instead of giving the glory to God. That made me think about our pride and why it is that the rabbis say that it is sinat chinam (baseless hatred) that brought about the judgments upon us when it is so MANY sins that we have committed?”

All heads shook up and down and turned toward me, so I kept going. “What about pride and…”

The list got long, but everyone was in agreement.

But let me back up a bit. Hopefully, if you have been reading my letters for a while, you remember that Tisha b’av commemorates the destruction of BOTH the first and second temples, the dispersion (the judgment upon Israel according to the blessings and curses written in Deuteronomy and throughout the Prophets) and the uncanny coincidental disasters befalling the Jews on the same date throughout history. However as I was thinking about how to write this letter today I realized that the SIGNIFICANCE of the temple and its destruction to the Jews might be illusive to many of you. I’m not sure that I can explain it, but I am asking The Lord to help me to try:

Remember when The Lord God Almighty FILLED the temple, both first and second one? His Presence…His Shekinah glory FILLED the temple, even though He said to David in 2Samuel 7 − “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in?” and yet He humbled Himself to dwell amongst the people in the temple that He granted Solomon to build.

Then again in the days of Nehemiah and Ezra. THIS was “God with us…Emanuel” to His people.

WE who believe, have entered into the understanding of Heb. 10:5 − “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.’” (see also Ps. 40:7)

To the Jews: GOD dwelling in a body seems impossible. Indeed the entire book of Hebrews sometimes seems to me to be written to transition the understanding that the temple is no longer needed. (It is an AMAZING book to read when you look at it as almost a revelation of transition from His Presence in the temple to His Presence with us −The Living Lord.)

Okay, do you get a taste of the idea?

Here I go teaching again, and please forgive me, I am NOT a teacher, but Tisha b’av would mean so little if you thought that it was a building that we fast for and mourn about or if you thought that the temple mount that is the center of the world’s conflict were a piece of property and the western wall as a shrine. But to understand that this is a people mourning and anguishing for The Shekinah Glory − the Presence of The Living God. EVEN if not yet with the revelation of knowing Who He Is, at least it is the MEMORY tucked away that GOD WAS WITH US, even though our sin had separated us.

To me, this is the POTENTIAL of Tisha b’av.

If you are challenged to grasp it, then you might want to read the book of Hebrews along with other portions concerning the building of and FILLING of the temple. Isn’t this what we ALL long for: EMANUEL? GOD WITH US?

And so, I continue to walk the streets of Jerusalem daily, riding the bus, the train, walking through the shuk and working in the doctor’s office, trying to find a way to glorify Him in the midst. The people ARE more tense.

It is not a nervous fear, more of a resolve. Around us ISIS battles the Iranian backed militant terror groups for who will lead the way into Jerusalem − Shiite or Sunni. That is all that it is.

We don’t see one as moderate and one as extreme. They BOTH want the prize and that is Israel. They speak it openly, making it very clear. ISIS has been challenging Hamas in the Gaza Strip (yes, there is a mini terror war there that you likely don’t hear about) saying that Hamas is too friendly to Israel and ISIS will take over and conquer us. They are trying. It’s time to look up and everyone here knows it. Sadly they just are not sure HOW!

It has been a beautiful cool summer until now, but it has turned hot since the day that the pact was signed. As I walk the two short, lovely blocks from the main street to the street where I work, the grapes and the pomegranates are quickly ripening in such a majestic way that it catches my breath. When I see the grapes and the pomegranates swelling I remember that Sukkot (feast of tabernacles) is approaching, and that reminds me that His cycles continue.

The summer fruits and vegetables fill the shuk (at double the price for some reason) and the Arab and Jewish vendors continue to get along with no problem. We walk through our days, only with slightly more vigilance and slightly raised eyebrows. What a season we live in and how quickly it is all moving, at least from my perspective.

And then I remember that some of you do live in lovely and peaceful places. That makes me happy. Because I also know that His Spirit lives within you and allows you and I to join into one temple before Him for His purposes and to worship Him in His glory. Wow! What a privilege!

Well, I’m sorry that this isn’t my usual sharing but it is almost Tisha b’av. Thanks so much for being my friends. Thank you for your prayers for us and for this nation. I send love.

Your sis in Jerusalem,

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July 23, 2015 · 2:31 pm

Thursday’s Prayers for America (7/23/2015)

“Why are our feet so leaden in moving to the rescue of those who move relentlessly by us to the edge of eternity, and whose one step into it will seal their doom? Why is there at present amongst us this criminal indifference to the lostness of men? And criminal it is!

Have we nothing to communicate? Is our living so inconsistent with our telling? Are we pitiably unsure of the truth of the Bible concerning the lost? Are we so stony-hearted that neither God’s promises not God’s threats disturb us? What octopus has us in its grip? Where will our spiritual polio, our slovenly attention to divine truth land us–and others? (Excerpt from Sodom Had No Bible by Leonard Ravehill)

Today, I prayed:

Lord, I pray that You blow Your trumpet in America, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly, gather the people, sanctify the congregation, and assemble the elders. Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar. Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD.” (Based on Joel 2:15-17)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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July 19, 2015 · 7:51 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

So on April 17 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Haman dictated. It was sent to the king’s highest officers, the governors of the respective provinces, and the nobles of each province in their own scripts and languages. The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Dispatches were sent by swift messengers into all the provinces of the empire, giving the order that all Jews—young and old, including women and children—must be killed, slaughtered, and annihilated on a single day. This was scheduled to happen on March 7 of the next year.The property of the Jews would be given to those who killed them. A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that they would be ready to do their duty on the appointed day. At the king’s command, the decree went out by swift messengers, and it was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa fell into confusion. When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail. He went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing clothes of mourning. And as news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes. (Esther 3:12 – 4:3 NLT)

Greetings Dear Sisters and Brothers in The precious Name of Yeshua h’Meshiach, King of kings and Lord of lords. May He be blessed and glorified and guide my writing and may you be edified and blessed.

The 13^th of July was the 21-year anniversary of my first setting eyes on our “new/ancient homeland,” having never been here before that date. By the 18th of that first month, we were full citizens. Today, writing to you between those dates, it is nothing short of a wonder and a miracle still.

I don’t know HOW it looks from where you sit so please take what I share as from my vantage point, weighing it ALL in scripture and His Spirit. As I write from my seat here in Jerusalem, the scripture above seems to perfectly fit the situation today as we see it. I’m referring, of course, to the world’s most powerful nations newly signed agreement with Iran (Persia).

You may remember in the book of Daniel that Michael (the guardian angel of Israel) said that he was delayed in coming to Daniel because he had to fight the prince of Persia. That fight has continued through the ages, and here we are today.

As you well know, our Prime Minister has been making quite a nuisance of himself, trying to expose the plans of Iran and attempting to get the leaders of the world to take what Iranian leaders openly say, seriously. Today, as I read a cross section of news pieces, the mocking of our Prime Minister and nation has definitely taken on new proportions.

We stand alone as the laughing stock of the world (paraphrasing one article from abroad) now that this powerful PEACE ACCORD has been signed. “New winds blowing”…”change”…but there is nothing new under the sun, as King Solomon said. Amazing that this was signed during Ramadan and during our 3 weeks of mourning…

The mood in the country is sober. Saudi Arabia is reaching out to us in a new way, while Turkey and Syria are rejoicing with Iran. New alliances are being forged in secret corners of the Middle East. The people are listening. They are under no illusions. Even criticism toward the government is toned down as the people sense gathering clouds and know that we MUST stand together in unity.

I think of the cloud and the pillar of fire by which The Lord revealed Himself as a Guide, Protector and Comforter through the book of Exodus. A terror to the Egyptians but a comfort and guide to the children of Israel. I think of that as well whenever I read Revelation: His judgment is True and Righteous in the eyes of His children, but great fear to those whose hearts are hardened against Him.

Israel right now is in the midst of the 3 weeks of mourning (as I mentioned above) before ‘tisha b’av’ (the 9^th of the month of Av). This is a day of fasting, repentance and soul-searching as we remember the destruction of both the first and second temples. Interestingly enough, both happened on the same day.

God DOES speak in times and seasons, although not always as we interpret Him. ‘Tisha b’av’ is also a date when a shocking amount of disasters befell the Jewish people and nation. We DO see them as God’s judgment and we know that He means what He says. So, Tisha b’av is approaching.

I love listening to the discussions that go on during this time of year. Soul searching, heart searching. Current rabbinical wisdom says that the temples were destroyed and that Israel is usually judged because of animosity (or hatred) among the brethren. Bickering, cheating, backbiting, not looking out lovingly for one another.

That does go along with what Yeshua said when He said that the entire law could be summed up in Mark 12:31, 32

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Right now there is a trickle of a demonstration of this as people read portions of scripture including Jeremiah and Lamentations. There is a seeking, by our own strength, to live this humble, selfless love. I think of how we as believers with the Holy Spirit working within us so often fall short. What will it be like when all of these people come to know Him?

At the shuk, the prices are shockingly high, but people need to eat one way of another. I run into Dalia regularly (the demon possessed woman whom I’ve asked prayer for) and we talk. She has many worries and I talk to her about God but during the times we talk I am constantly asking Him to prepare her heart to hear HIS NAME and receive HIS delivering power into her life. Yet I still get a check to walk carefully. So I wait to share more. I share some temporal wealth with her but long to share the TRUE riches. She hugs me and people look at us with interest because most people are scared of her as she is rather fearsome. Then she goes off to scream and yell at others.

When I fret about “what am I really DOING for YOU Lord…to make YOU known?” I will find the vendors lighting up when they see me and I must trust that is because His Light is somehow seen and it is precious even to those who don’t yet know His Name.

The train has become one of the great summer vacation outings and every day as I come home from work, it is filled with families. These families have 5 or 10 children all dressed alike and excited to be riding on the train. They run up to the window to get a glimpse of the bridge of strings (glorified overpass) as the train passes over it for all of 7 seconds.

“Is that ALL?” they ask their parents, but they are still in wonder.

The city has provided many street activities and everyone with children is busy about enriching their summer and keeping their minds free from worry. In the south, there are increasing rockets from Gaza again and that doubly impacts the children.

I don’t really have much to share, so won’t waste your time, but I do hope that those of you who pray for Israel are seeking Him as to how to pray into all of this change. I personally believe that we MUST hear from The Holy Spirit HOW to pray and that He will be specific. I feel my heart resisting suggestions given by others as to how to pray and am waiting on Him to lead me. Some of His leadings have been very interesting. I challenge you with that.

I want to add 2 websites of English news from here that I use now, if you care to look into our news. They are:

Israel hayom (Israel Today)

The Times of Israel

I also want to thank you for your prayers for me and for my family. I have been very tired. His Strength is such a wonderful promise that keeps me going. He is just so very good and is more then enough for every need. I send much love,

Your sis J

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July 17, 2015 · 10:30 am

Was That the Voice of God or Daffy Duck? (Part 5)

Yesterday, I saw a photo on Facebook from a progressive website, showing eight potential Republican presidential candidates – Santorum, Cain, Kasich, Huckabee, Perry, Walker, Jindal, and Carson – with these words written in bold script over the photo: “Any politician who declares, ‘God told me to run for President,’ should have to prove it in court.”

The comments for the photo included the following:

“Fortunately, God isn’t telling us to elect them.”

“God is sure hedging His bets.”

“I think the only thing they need to prove is their sanity.”

“Some of these idiots truly believe God spoke to them.”

“God said that. She’s just messing with y’all.”

“God seems confused.”

“God likes the clown bus to be full.”

“They’re nuts and it’s actually their dogs who are telling them to run for President.”

“It’s not God they hear, it’s the man under the ground: Satan.”

(These were some of the reasonable comments, but there were many foul ones, too.)

If we think that we’ve heard the voice of God and then decide to tell everyone that God has said something to us, we had better prepare ourselves ahead of time. Because once we open our mouths, everyone will become a judge.

And this is actually scriptural.

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. (1 Corinthians 14:29)

The Lord encourages us to seek Him to hear His voice, but at the same time, let’s also seek Him for His wisdom, too. You see, once we hear His voice, then we have to make decisions on what to do with what we’ve heard.

Do we keep His words to ourselves? Do we tell others? If we decide to tell others, how do we tell them? Do we say, “Thus saith the Lord?” And so forth.

My advice is to pray something like this ahead of time:

Lord, give me Your wisdom because it is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality or hypocrisy so that I know what to do with Your words. (Based on James 3:17)

(Continued in Part 6)

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July 13, 2015 · 9:00 am

Do We Still Cast Out Demons? (Part 5)

John the Baptist languished in prison and his spirit was at its lowest ebb. He sent two of his disciples to Jesus to inquire if Jesus was truly the Christ. Jesus answered by saying:

Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. (Luke 7:22)

Jesus did not give a four-point sermon on why He was the Christ, but instead, He pointed to His acts, demonstrating that the kingdom of God had arrived on earth. He was the King of Kings and the Head of the kingdom of God on earth.

The two disciples of John the Baptist were satisfied with Jesus’ answer and departed.

Jesus then spoke about John the Baptist and his ministry. He stated that John was the messenger who prepared the way for Jesus and He added:

“For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist…” (Luke 7:28-a)

You have to remember that Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, and all of the prophets were revered by the Jews. Thus, when Jesus ranked John the Baptist at the top of the list, His words flabbergasted and astounded every listener.

Yet, the second part of Jesus statement was even more amazing –

“…but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John.” (Luke 7:28-b)

When Jesus stated that the lowest member of the kingdom of God – the one who got in by the skin of his teeth – was greater than John, Jesus was not referring to a person’s eternal rank or position. This could not be the case because all of the Old Covenant’s prophets’ positions for all of eternity were already set in place by God’s word. No one can ever usurp their positions in the kingdom of God.

So, what was Jesus referring to when He spoke Luke 7:28-b?

(Continued in Part 6)

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July 12, 2015 · 7:49 am

Inside Israel

The Shuk in Jerusalem

Greetings dear brothers and sisters,

May each of you be finding His joy and His peace in the midst of whatever you are walking through. (Thinking of the scripture to “Count it all joy…”) May The Lord be blessed and glorified in and through you, and may you be blessed and encouraged today.

I was hoping to write sooner then this concerning a Holocaust survivor named Ruth who is in her 90s. I wrote to you a number of years ago about a unique problem that some here. I first ran across it when it so suddenly afflicted another of our survivor patients. It seems that there is a syndrome among this dear group.

So many of them who survived such terrible things during the World War II were able to make their way to Israel afterward and amazingly begin new and very productive lives. So many who had lost everyone married, started families, and went on to leave a legacy that is a true wonder. But a hidden horror lurked unknown inside them until they began to reach an advanced age. Many of them who seemed to be fine and had much to show for their productive lives, very suddenly were plunged back into the horrors that lived in the recesses of their minds.

I once wrote to you about this when Kala came to the Doctor’s office looking unusually tired and stressed. When I asked her what was wrong, she said, “All of Noah’s family visited me all night…his parents, aunts and uncles, children…”

But you see, they had all been slain in the Holocaust camps. I was horrified as I watched this lovely, well-respected dentist retreat into a closet of horrors. That was when I found out more about the nature of the Holocaust. Some horrors results lie dormant for a lifetime.

Now Ruth is suffering and I ask for prayer for her. Her story is different.

Whereas Kala and Noah believed in God, I have actually asked for prayer for her husband, Ya’akov. He is the survivor who is so bitter toward God and claims, not to be an atheist, but to be a “hater of God” and a mocker as well. “Where was HE during the holocaust?” he spit at me.

Yet I hear his crying heart. I do not know the ways of God well enough to say more, but I do know HIM well enough to know that He is big and merciful enough to do more then I could imagine.

Ya’akov’s wife Ruth has been special to me over the years. There was just something about her. When we went through our breast cancers together (even meeting at the hospital), I was able to encourage her and was endeared to her.

She has recently become severely clinically depressed. I did my best to reach out to her but did not realize that she is also suffering from the “Holocaust syndrome.”

On Friday, I asked about her and Ya’akov told me that she is just inconsolable. “She tells him again and again ‘I am ALONE! I have NO one! They are all murdered!” he said. “And she also visits with them all night.”

Ya’akov tells her, “Ruth! You have me! You have the children and grandchildren. WE ARE YOUR FAMILY.”

But she just weeps and says, “No, you are not my REAL family!” And that breaks his heart as well. He is 94.

I did not know their story as well as others (because of his bitterness) but he told me a few things. When she was young, she was on a train with her entire family, heading to the gas chambers. As the train rounded a corner at high speed, she alone jumped out, surviving somehow. The rest of her family perished. Eventually she was taken in by a Polish Christian family who then cared for her. Undoubtedly she has heard of Him. I would like to send her a copy of the Gospel of John in Hebrew. Will you pray that this is done and received as well? How deeply she needs His Love and healing and freedom and PEACE!

People seem more edgy again as we come down to the last 10 days of Ramadan. Perhaps you heard of the major Islamic state attack in Sinai, the area relinquished to Egypt when the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt was signed. The area is a hotbed of terrorism and extremism and now ISIS is working at staking a claim there, just as it has been doing on our northern border and in Gaza. At the beginning of Ramadan there was a spate of 6 terror attacks, two resulting in Israeli deaths, and although that appears to have quieted down, people are alert. Particularly since our schools are now out for summer vacation and our children are longing for fun.

This morning I heard a HUGE ruckus outside. The air was FILLED with the voices of children. I went to the merepeset (balcony) and looked over at perhaps 150 or more little ones, probably 6 and 7 year olds. They skipped along behind leaders, and followed by security guards there to protect them. They look so bright and sweet, all in little hats and backpacks with water bottles. The girls all pinky and the boys all…well…boys.

The “day-camp” program here is very different then it was back in the states. Called khoog (the “kh” is like the sound you would make when you say an “h” and clear your throat at the same time. It used to be represented by “ch” but is too easily confused with the “ch” combination in English).

These programs are often subsidized and can be really wonderful. They are very creative and active and it was so much fun to see this gaggle of little ones bursting with joy, expecting to have fun. It was a great opportunity to pray for them, an illustrated prayer request of sorts.

I had more to share but my husband has just called and said that he would be coming home early. He is a barber/hairdresser and we have just entered the 3 weeks of mourning leading up to tisha b’av’ (the 9^th of the month of Av on the Hebrew calendar). These are the days on which both the first and second temples were destroyed and many catastrophic events befell the tribes of Israel, both historically and in modern times. It is the custom of some not to have their hair cut during this period. Thus, I will go and prepare for my husband’s earlier then usual arrival.

God bless you. Thank you for prayers. May His body continue to be built into His temple and may He be glorified.

Lovingly,

your sis J

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Filed under Christianity, Church, Israel, Jerusalem, Kingdom of God, Prophecy, spiritual warfare

Tagged as Christianity, Church, Israel, Jerusalem, Kingdom of God, Prophecy, Spiritual warfare

July 10, 2015 · 2:17 pm

Was That the Voice of God or Daffy Duck? (Part 4)

Tina lined up the white cue ball with the black eight ball for a corner pocket. It was a straight on, can’t miss shot, with the game riding on the outcome. She slowly drew the pool cue back and then pushed it forward, striking the cue ball. It rolled across the green cloth, hitting the eight ball with topspin, sending both balls into the side pocket. She scratched, which meant she lost the game of spots and stripes to me.

“You’re so lucky,” Tina said, tossing her head back. “I hate making mistakes.”

I laughed, knowing luck played a major part in my victory because she was a more skillful player than me. The only reason I even played was to celebrate her nineteenth birthday after our lunch together.

“Well,” I said, “you had better get used to making mistakes if you’re going to walk in your calling and prophesy.”

Her blue eyes narrowed.

“No, I don’t have to make any mistakes.”

“Oh for sure,” I replied with a grin.

“No, I don’t have to make any mistakes. All I have to do is study the Bible, pray, and obey the Holy Spirit. If I do that, I can prophesy without ever making any mistakes. I know I can!”

I laughed and she slapped me on the shoulder. We returned our pool cues to the rack and left the Iowa State University Student Union’s poolroom. (Excerpt from The Hunt for Larry Who by Larry Nevenhoven, an Amazon eBook.)

Another big hindrance to hearing the voice of God is fear.

What if we make mistakes? What if we listen to the wrong voice? What if we end up following a cult? What if? What if?

Fear paralyzes Christians. It forces us to make the biggest mistake of all, which is doing nothing.

Such love [agape] has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love. (1 John 4:18 NLT)

What are some other problems for hearing the voice of God for ourselves?

(Continued in Part 5)

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Filed under Christianity, Church, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, Prophecy, spiritual warfare

Tagged as Christianity, Church, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, Prayer, Prophecy