Tag Archives: Church

Inside Israel

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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 …

Greetings in The Name of The Lord, Whose path is set so that we might just keep walking toward the goal of knowing Him, serving Him faithfully, filled with HIS Spirit Alone, for His glory Alone, by His grace and in His strength.  Only HE could do that with the likes of us, eh?  May He be blessed and glorified and may you be blessed.

With so much happening, His plans swirl around us here at an ever-increasing rate.  I’m sure that most of you know how different segments around the world received our Prime Minister’s speech before the US congress.  You also probably know that our elections are scheduled to take place on the 17th of March.

In my opinion, there is often a fine line between our own observations and opinions and then finding His Heart and will, particularly in political matters.  But in deed, we are CALLED to Know Him AND His will, so, we know that He does not contradict His Word and the WHOLE counsel of His Word.

This means that I do know that Israel is part of His end-time plan and it means for Israel to be part of His plan, it must be in existence.  I ALSO know that HE says that Israel WILL stand alone and must look to HIM Alone.  This is also in His end-time plan.  I also know from His Word that all of the world will come against us.

These things help me to not vote according to the panic that many Israelis feel as they see the political echelons of America and Europe turning against us.  Although the speech given by Netanyahu in the US congress received a huge number of standing ovations and at the same time, scornful responses of those opposed to his words.  The idea that the speech was an election ploy was surely proved wrong when the polls showed that the speech did NOT influence votes here at all. He is still running increasingly behind the left wing (as far as the polls show, which means little in my opinion.)

From the many talks that I had with patients at the doctor’s office where I work, my understanding is that the MAIN LINE OF DIVISION is between those who believe that we MUST trust God Alone as a nation…and those who believe that we must trust the nations, particularly America.  You would be amazed at the number of conversations that I have had with people who say, “But we KNOW that we will stand alone and must finally trust God completely…”

Yes.  They know, many of them.  And I hear it on the bus and train as well.  Most people do NOT enjoy being scoffed at, so you do not hear it loudly because those in the media and the universities have such devastatingly sharp tongues and pens.  But I do share it with you for prayer.

We MUST be a nation that depends on our God Alone.  THAT is the will of God to which I have no doubt.  It means not being afraid BECAUSE of looking away unto Him.  It is easy for me to say that I know Yeshua, Jesus.  But to my brothers and sisters after the flesh that do not yet know His Face and His Name, I look forward to the fulfillment of Romans 9, 10 and 11, Ezekiel 36, Zechariah 12, Mat 23:37-39, Luke 13:34-35, just to name a very few.

So, yes, I ask for prayer for our elections, that God will turn the hearts of the people to vote according to His will.

 

As the media stands excitedly poised to welcome a Netanyahu defeat, I remember clearly a few events that were exclamation points along my observations.  Perhaps you remember, too:

The US President ran his campaign with a motto: “Change!’ (“yes we can”).  At the time I recall quoting the verse Proverbs 24:21-22 –

21 My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

I had red flags in my heart back then because change was the goal. I am old enough to have seen rebellion and how it works: “The present is uncomfortable…we want out…anything seems better then this.”

When the US President was elected, I closely watched his visit to Egypt where he so warmly greeted then President Hosni Mubarak and pledged in his speech to loyally back him.  But his agenda of change was already working and with barely the blink of an eye he was supporting the Moslem Brotherhood and the stunned Mubarak was toppled overnight.  This was the beginning of the Arab Spring.

I also remember clearly the President’s trip here where with the support of Shimon Peres, our “man of peace”, the main author of the chaotic Oslo peace accords. Obama gathered a large number of handpicked left-wing Israeli university students, WITHOUT consulting our Prime Minister, and had a heart to heart chat with our young people, encouraging them to “rise up and bring CHANGE.”  These were seeds, or tares, well planted into fertile, intellectual, energetic minds, political science majors, who know how to organize.

I also remember why these nasty, early elections were called. There was a rebellion in the government and our Prime Minister said that he needed a mandate to run the country and that he could not do it with the bickering and mockery instigated mainly by the left. (I am NOT saying that none of it was legitimate! I am saying though that it was organized and he was correct.)

It is interesting that attrition (“the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure.”) appears to produce a response of CHANGE, unless we are standing firm in HIM with our eyes fixed steadfastly on His Face, which NEVER CHANGES.

And so our elections – WHICH WILL INDEED AFFECT THE ENTIRE WORLD – pose a clear choice to a very, very weary people: left wing choosing to stand with the world and please them in a run toward peace at any price or right wing with a decision to stand in our understanding of God’s purposes…that He has given us this land and we are not to give it away… even at the expense of relentless struggles.

At times like this, Daniel 9:27 comes up for discussion among many:

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.” 

And yet I prefer to focus on different verses: 1 Corin 10:13 “…but God is faithful…” and Eph. 2:4 “But God, Who is rich in mercy…” 1 Thes 4:8 “…but God, Who has also given unto us His Holy Sprit…”

Oh, there are others. NO,  I am NOT more spiritual…not by a long shot.  But I really cannot figure it all out…AND YET, I KNOW THE ONE WHO CAN AND WHO HAS AND WHO IS ALREADY THERE.  What does it all mean?  We get to look more unto The Lord, to draw nearer and to learn more of His mercy.  I know what I HOPE happens on this coming Tuesday, and I pray toward that end, but I pray looking away toward Him.

Thank you for praying along with us for His glory!

Lovingly,

your sister J

Click on to see MyGFA site.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

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Yes, We Had An Outhouse…So What?

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I grew up on a farm in Northern Illinois. Our old house had a manual pump with a handle for pumping water from a cistern, two kerosene gas stoves, and an outside toilet. Yes, we had an outhouse…so what?

Our drinking water had to be carried in a pail from an outside well house. The water was pumped up from a deep underground well. The depth of the well caused the water to always be cold and refreshing.

As you can imagine, the day I came home from school to see our new fan-dangled bathroom with a toilet and running hot and cold water was a glorious day for us. We had finally joined the Twentieth Century…in 1960.

All of this seems extremely primitive to me now.

But to 750 million people in the world, they would be happy to have what we had before the new fan-dangled bathroom arrived at our farm. You see, these people do not have access to fresh water at all. And half of these live in South Asia, mainly India.

Mothers give their children dirty water to drink which results in one child dying every minute from a water-related disease. Open defecation and lack of sanitation only worsen the crisis.

To combat this water crisis in nations throughout South Asia, Gospel for Asia digs Jesus Wells and provides BioSand Water Filters to families and communities thirsty for clean, fresh water. GFA also provides safe, reliable sanitation by building outdoor toilets, preventing an epidemic of water-related diseases. Through the provision of clean water, many communities are becoming more open to hearing about the God who loves them and provides for their needs. Learn more about Gospel for Asia’s clean water ministry by clicking here.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

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Thursday’s Prayers for America (3/12/2015

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Those who planned ahead of time for a hurricane did not plan for a disaster; they planned for minor inconveniences…Plans must be based on worst-case scenarios… (Lt. General Russell Honore)

Have you ever gone through a terrible circumstance and wished you would have listened to those who warned you ahead of time? You felt terrible and wanted to smack yourself for being so hardheaded and not paying attention. Yet, it was too late and you suffered for your irresponsibility.

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. (James 2:13 NLT)

Memorize this scripture and then live it. Give to the poor and the helpless now. Be merciful to your neighbors and everyone now. Don’t wait! Begin now.

Why?

Because terrible tragedies and calamities may soon be common occurrences in America. Many lives may be wrecked and destroyed. And who knows? Maybe you and your family will be in the path of one of the disasters. So, plan for the worst-case scenarios by being merciful now.

Today, I prayed:

Lord, I pray that we Americans hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches by focusing our attention on giving to the poor and the helpless. So that, in the day of trouble, You will honor our acts of mercy by delivering us and protecting us and keeping us alive and even blessing us. (Based on Revelation 2:7 and Psalm 41:1-3)

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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To Listen or Not to Listen to Prophecy…That’s The Question (Part 8)

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If the Apostle Paul walked into most of today’s churches, he wouldn’t wait for the service to start, he would rush to the pastors, elders, and deacons and ask, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” 

The leaders might hem and haw, explaining their beliefs and theological insights on the Holy Spirit.

Paul would shake his head at their words. “Do you prophesy? Do you speak in tongues?” he would ask, with his dark eyes blazing.

Maybe you disagree.

Okay, did you know Paul spent one to five months planting each church in such cities as Pisidian Antioch, Iconic, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea? Then he left them alone without pastors or leaders for a long time, as much as two years.

Now remember:

Fifty percent of Paul’s converts were slaves.

There were no Bibles and few had even one Old Testament scroll.

90% of the converts were illiterate.

95% could not write.

Average life expectancy for a male was 45 years of age and for a female 38. (The Untold Story of the New Testament Church by Frank Viola.

Yet, the gospel that Paul and Barnabas preached to these new converts that were once heathen and miserable Gentiles, was enough for them to love each other and evangelize their neighbors without any outside help.

How did Paul accomplish this feat?

Pursue love, and desire earnestly the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)

The Apostle Paul made sure the spiritual gifts were working in the believers for each church. It was through the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, that Christ came to life in their midst.

So, do we really want to turn our cities upside down for Jesus?

If so, maybe we should rethink prophecy and the spiritual gifts. It worked for the Apostle Paul in Pisidian Antioch, Iconic, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea.

And I believe it will work today in our cities, too.

(Conclusion)

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To Listen or Not to Listen to Prophecy…That’s the Question (Part 7)

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In the late 1980’s, I attended a large meeting where Dr. Bill Hamon taught on prophecy. He had a unique way to encourage people to prophesy. “I want everyone to pair up with someone you don’t know,” he said, waiting for everyone to follow his directions.

The lady sitting next to me agreed to be my partner.

“Okay,” said Hamon, “I want each of the pair to give a personal prophecy to the other person. I will wait until everyone is done.”

My partner’s eyes were the size of pie plates. “I prophesy. What about you?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No. Why don’t you go first?” she whispered.

I prayed and prophesied to her. “Your words were just what I needed. Thanks.”

“Okay, now you prophesy to me,” I said.

Again, she shook her head. “I’ve never prophesied and never have thought about doing it.”

“We need to be obedient. If you make a mistake, I won’t tell anyone. So, just open your mouth and prophesy.”

She looked around and shrugged her shoulders. “Why not?” she said. Then, she spoke a long prophecy to me, which answered some important questions for my life.

“Wow! That was awesome,” I said.

“I can’t wait to pray and prophesy to other people,” she replied.

The best way to encourage people to prophesy is to have them speak personal prophecies to other people. This can be done in a small group, a church, or just two people sitting alone somewhere.

All you have to remember is that you are obeying:

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)

Will all be able to prophesy? Probably not, but if all give an honest effort, there will be numerous surprised believers speaking words of prophecy who will be encouraged to prophesy even more in the future.

Why is there such an emphasis on prophecy for today’s believers?

(Continued in Part 8) 

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Did You Know?

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In South Asia:

• 50,000 female babies are aborted each month just because they are a female.

• One in three women are illiterate.

• Many young girls are forced or sold into a lifetime of prostitution. (1.2 million child prostitutes)

• Women commit suicide at a rate 21 times the world average.

• Every year, 7,000 women are doused in kerosene and burned to death by their husbands because of insufficient dowry.

• Widows are blamed for their husband’s deaths. They are then shunned by their communities, rejected by their families, and forced to live in an inhumane lifestyle. Tens of thousands commit suicide. (40 million widows)

• 92% of India’s women, aged 70 and older, are widows with little hope to survive.

But did you also know that there’s hope for women in South Asia?

Gospel For Asia is reaching and helping thousands of women in South Asia through women missionaries and their “Help for Suffering Women Fund.” If you are able, consider partnering with Gospel For Asia with a one-time gift or monthly support for a woman missionary. For more info, click here.

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Second Chances for Women?

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I attended a meeting as a young Christian where a prophet ministered for the evening. He pointed to me and asked me to come up front during the service. There, he gave a glorious prophecy for my life.

After the meeting, a woman in her late sixties walked up to me. “I used to get prophecies just like yours,” she said.

“Oh, really?” I replied.

“Yes, I wrote them all down in a spiral notebook.”

“What happened to them?”

“Oh,” she said, “I still have them and am waiting for the Lord to bring them to pass.”

The lady died a couple of years later. And as far as I know, none of the prophecies ever happened in her life.

Now, assuming the prophecies were accurate ones, it’s easy to think what she should have done. Maybe prayed more, fasted more, studied more, fought spiritual warfare more, and done more of whatever she needed to do so that the prophecies would have come to pass in her life.

Yet, the truth is that her husband was unfaithful, which resulted in a bitter divorce. She and her whole family attended a Pentecostal holiness church in which men were in charge and women sat in submission and kept quiet. She had no encouragement from the male leadership and no place to minister. At best, she could have been a Sunday School teacher at the church.

To even think she could have left her church, turned her back on her family, friends, and teachings she learned over a lifetime is a tall mountain for a woman, especially a divorced one, to climb. Thus, the prophetic words for her life died with her.

Okay, we’re in a new day!

I believe the Lord is about to release a powerful move of the Holy Spirit to set His AnnasLoises, and Eunices free so that they can fulfill the callings on their lives. He has heard the cries of these older woman and has seen their lifetimes of spiritual bondage. Now, He will move on their behalves.

Fear, which has been the major roadblock for these fifty-five years and older women, will be canceled out by the Holy Spirit so that these women can make their decisions based on faith, rather than in fear. Female apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers will be released to equip and build up the body of Christ.

Some of these women will serve in their callings for only six months and others for one, two, three, five, ten, or more years, but all will know the satisfaction of serving Jesus at their highest levels before walking into heaven and hearing the Lord say to them, “Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.

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Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners on Thursday (3/5/2015)

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Each Tuesday, I pray and fast for the nations of Asia, where 4.4 billion people live. 

Why Asia?

1. 85.4% of world’s unevangelized people live in Asia. (Unevangelized means they may have heard the gospel but have no understanding on how to respond.)

2. The world’s three largest non-Christian religions – Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhists – are in Asia.

3. Of the 37 countries of the world that are less than 10% Christian, 32 are in Asia. Of the 14 countries, that are less than 2% Christian, 12 are in Asia.

4. 85-90% of unreached people live in Asia. (Unreached means that they have never heard the name of Jesus.) (Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation)

Today, I prayed for female babies in India and China. 

If you are a fetus with XX chromosomes and live inside an Indian mother’s or a Chinese mother’s womb, your life is endangered because both India and China families want male babies.

Although the grievous “one-child policy” of China has been somewhat relaxed, millions of female babies are still aborted after ultrasound tests determines the babies are girls. In India, ultrasound testing is illegal for sex determination, yet it is still done and female babies are aborted.

Even after female babies are born, their lives are still at risk. Thousands are abandoned, drowned, or killed by some other means, just because they are females. In fact, did you know that in China, Buddhist priests slay unwanted female babies? The priests believe they are releasing the female babies to the next life.

Today, I prayed:

Lord, I pray to You for the female babies in India and China, with weeping and loud lamentation, just as Rachael wept for her children and refused to be comforted because they are no more. (Based on Matthew 2:18)

Join with me on Fridays to fast and pray for prisoners, according to Hebrews 13:3.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

 

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Thursday’s Prayers for America on Tuesday (3/3/2015)

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At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over Israel, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. (Daniel 12:1) 

Like all nations, Israel is imperfect and flawed, but no other nation in the history of the world has so many promises and a divine destiny written in the Bible like Israel does. America doesn’t. England doesn’t. Russia doesn’t. Only Israel has such unique promises spoken by the Creator for His chosen people: the Jews.

Now, if you believe the Bible is truly God’s Word, then you only have one choice: to stand with Israel. Otherwise, you may find yourself fighting against God, which I guarantee will be a losing position for you.

Today, I prayed:

Lord, I pray that we Americans bless Israel and also that we pray for the peace of Jerusalem so that our nation will prosper in the future. (Based on Genesis 12:3 and Psalm 122:6)

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

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

Click on to see MyGFA site.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

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Inside Israel

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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 …

Greetings dear sisters and brothers, in The Name of Yeshua, King of kings and Lord of lords.  May He alone be glorified and may you be blessed and edified.  I have missed you and feel impressed in my heart to write NOW.

I believe there is a cry for prayer rising with your todayg up from the heart of God that is pressing me to share. A title keeps swirling around in my mind: Purim Protocol.

Most know plenty about Purim, the holiday that is a result of the events recorded in the book of Esther.  Many of you have even participated in Esther fasts or other preparations of heart to seek God concerning His breakthroughs for the Jewish people or the body or personal needs, when the enemy seems particularly close at hand.  Well, Purim is upon us now: Wednesday through Thursday for unwalled cities, and Thursday through Friday for walled cities, Jerusalem being one of the walled cities. The book of Esther, the only book in the Bible where the Name of God is not directly mentioned, is a short book, just 10 short chapters in length.  It is an easy read and we often reflect on: “for such a time as this” and “if I perish, I perish.” Powerful words from the mouths and hearts of people caught or called into a moment of history where doing and saying the right thing was key to the continuance of God’s program and the bringing forth of Messiah from His people.

It has struck me deeply that because of the urgency of the message Esther did not approach the king according to protocol. This could have had dire consequences, unless God protected Esther.

Our countries stand at a brink − not just those of you in America, but for the whole world.  Since you are the ones who pray for Israel, perhaps you are aware of the messy, ugly election campaign that currently bogs us down here in Israel.  I mention these things because also many of you have written and said that you do not listen to the news, so I am adding a bit of background.

Perhaps you know that our Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, arrived in Washington DC this morning to give two speeches. One to the AIPAC (American Israel lobby group) convention today, Monday, 10 a.m. Washington DC time or 5 p.m. Israel time. The other is at the invitation of the Congressional Majority Leader to a joint session of the US Congress.  THIS SECOND SPEECH HAS CAUSED A FIRESTORM!

Background: For at least 9 years (some say as long as 20) our Prime Minister has been harping on the Iranian enrichment program.  He has taken every opportunity to express the existential threat that he is convinced this program poses.  The world has gotten tired of hearing him and the mockery thrown at him is painful to hear.  Nonetheless he has stated time and again that he would take ANY PLATFORM OPEN TO HIM TO CRY OUT ABOUT THIS DANGER.

He accepted the invitation to speak to the US Congress, and the world around him blew up.  It was announced that the invitation was “Not according to protocol,” and that his acceptance was an affront to the US President who was not consulted about the visit. It was offensive and a danger to Israel -US relations.  He was told that the US President, Vice President, and many others would not attend the speech as it was electioneering. The US Administration’s policy is not to meet with people running for major offices so close to an election.

Our election is the 17th of March, but the Iranian nuclear deal is running toward completion now.  Netanyahu is scheduled to speak to Congress on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Washington DC time and 5 p.m. our time.

Our own news media and politicians are smearing him. How he is able to withstand the pressure must be because of the numerous prayers holding him up.  Tuesday night is the night before erev Purim (or the night before Purim begins) meaning that it is during the Esther fast for those who fast.

            “All the king’s servants, and people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live; but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.” (Esther 4:11)

Then Mordecai bade them to return an answer unto Esther: ‘Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more then all the Jews.  For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father’s house will perish; and who knoweth whether thou art not come to royal estate for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)

I personally see a connection here that I cannot ignore. Normally it would be unheard of for a Prime Minister to speak to the US Congress against the wishes of a standing President.  It is definitely not happening according to protocol.

We need the scepter of the Lord to be extended to Binyamin Netanyahu. We need the anointing of God to be upon him without him taking any glory. We need the message to be accurate and to be heard and heeded.

Because of the media blitz and electioneering AGAINST the Prime Minister in Israel, his election ratings have gone down.  I do not know how anyone can think that he is doing this to win votes.

Perhaps I am wrong, but may The Lord be RIGHT and I am asking for you to be aware of this incredibly pivotal moment and to pray according to His Heart, if He calls your heart to prayer.

Outside, the shuk is full of colorful baskets and costumes and the shopping carts are full of goodies to put in the baskets and give out to one another in accordance with Esther 9:20-28

Signs announce Purim parties and readings of the book of Esther will take place all over the country, in homes and chosen spots.  The noise-makers, called groggers or greggers will clank out their irritating noise whenever the name of Haman is mentioned during the reading, which helps to keep the children focused on the words.

And in the midst of the preparation for the age-old customs of Purim, we once again see a broken protocol and a plea for mercy against annihilation.

May The Lord be glorified.

Lovingly,

your sister J

Click on to see MyGFA site.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

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