Discipleship Network Forum

     Our church lists daily Bible readings on the back of our bulletin for those who want to read the Bible through the year.  The pastor also preaches from one of these passages.  This month we have begun Lamentations, which for many in our congregation, will be the first time they've read it.  The following insert is designed to help them understand Hebrew poetry and to gain some insight on the background of this beautiful book.

     If you've been following the Daily Bible Readings on the back of our bulletin, you may have noticed that we are alternating between Old and New Testament books.  I know when I first began reading the Old Testament some books were easier to understand than others.  I was drawn to books like Genesis, Jonah and Ruth because they contained stories about people that I could relate to.  Books like Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Lamentations were less appealing because they were harder to understand.  Perhaps you have encountered the same feelings.  Don't give up!  Here are some helpful points to take along on your journey through Lamentations*:

     ~ Other Ancient Near East writings lament the destruction of great cities.  But unlike the Bible, these literary pieces attribute the loss of property, loved ones and income to capricious gods who temporarily lost interest in protecting the city.  In contrast, the prophet Jeremiah sees that Judah's disregard of God's Law is what brought about its destruction.  As you read through Lamentations notice how many times Jeremiah links the two.

    ~ Many times we place the Bible on a "spiritual bookshelf" all by itself.  But like many great books, the Bible is literature.  God has chosen to communicate His Word through the conventions of language.  Therefore the Bible contains many genres of writing.  Lamentations is a poetic book.  Hebrew poetry is quite beautiful but sometimes hard to capture in English.  It doesn't rhyme, rather, it builds concept upon concept, image upon image.  So as you're reading, look for repeated ideas and images which are usually repeated in double or triple lines.

    ~ A lament is a specific type of poem.  It reflects on deep, personal suffering as well as spiritual agony.   The prophet Jeremiah probably wrote this lament shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B. C.  Although Jeremiah understands God's justice in carrying out His judgment on Jerusalem, he still mourns the loss of his beloved home.  As you read, notice that Jeremiah might be intensely sorrowful, but he is not hopeless.   He understands that hope lies in God's character alone.

    ~ Jeremiah is not the only person ever to encounter sorrow.   Yet while his beautiful poetry speaks of an event that is foreign to most of us, the depth of his emotion speaks to anyone who has mourned over a tragic loss; a loved one, innocence,  a job, a home, a piece of oneself.  As you read through Jeremiah, keep in mind its immediate context, but let the poetry speak to the loss in your own heart.  Remember, like Jeremiah, that hope lies in the character of God.  He is the One who will console you in your time of sorrow.

*  A great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the books of the Bible is How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, c.2002, Zondervan

“If you make the tree good, its fruit will be good; and if you make a tree bad,

 its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.”

-Matt 12:33

            I never really studied this verse carefully.  I was struck why its says “make the tree…”  How can one make a tree good or bad?  Obviously, the LORD YESHUA was not talking about a tree but alluding to a tree like a person.  If so, He is saying that a third party can influence a person to go bad or good.  Ultimately, you will know who influenced him by his lifestyle.

            What is good and what is bad?  Sounds like such a simple question but you might be surprised how many people today are hazy about the concept of good and bad.  According to the LORD  YESHUA, you will know what is good and what is bad by determining who influenced the character trait in the first place.  The dead giveaway is the fruit of his mouth and his actions.

            In the world, there are only two influencers that really matter.  First, we have the infamous old Serpent popularly known as Satan.  The LORD YESHUA called him the father of all liars and a murderer.  When he speaks, he speaks from his very nature – evil.  He is also known as the Accuser of the brethren.  He imitates the practices of the Kingdom  of GOD and turns it upside down.  In the kingdom of darkness, the citizens are motivated by fear and live in bondage.  They practice deceit and are very clever in devising wicked plans to foster their wickedness.  They claim earth as their own and all its treasures.  Satan even had the audacity to lie to the LORD YESHUA by claiming that all the kingdoms of the world and all its glory belong to him (Matt 4:8,9).  The enemy is very fond of using the Scriptures, adulterate it with a lie; and offer it to people, especially believers, to deceive them to a mutually beneficial relationship.  All who believe the devil will never get any eternal benefit but only temporary.  The devil is especially expert in inflicting pain and calamity, making it look like it was GOD who did it.

            The second influencer and only transformer is the HOLY SPIRIT.  The LORD YESHUA said, “…no one is good except GOD alone!” (Mk 10:18).  The third Person of the GODHEAD will only teach what is good and righteous and perfect.  He is holy and will never lead anyone to anything that will defile them.  Where the SPIRIT is, there is freedom - freedom to do the will of GOD and prosper.  His ways are gentle and meek and He will take us by the hand so we will not stumble and will never let go.  He guides us to walk by faith working through love.  He teaches and reveals the Scriptures to us so that the Word becomes reality in our lives as we practice it.  He highlights the promises of GOD that we need for the day as we meditate on the Scriptures so that we may be partakers of His divine nature through trusting in His faithfulness.  He takes us through trials, providing the strength through hope and joy so that we do not become weary but go from strength to strength.  He teaches us the Truth so that we will be set free to love ADONAI ELOHIM.  He makes us know that “heaven belongs to ADONAI, but the earth He has given to humankind” (Ps 115:16).   BUT most of all, the HOLY SPIRIT points our focus on the only true GOD, YHWH, to whom all the honor, glory and dominion belongs!

            Whose voice do you listen to?  Do you know Him enough to know which spirit or SPIRIT is talking to you?  The LORD YESHUA said, “By their fruit you shall know them.”  When the disciples of John the Baptist asked YESHUA, “Are you the Messiah or shall we look for another one?”  He replied,  “Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind received sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them” (Matt 11:3-5).  The badge of Truth always comes with the power of ADONAI ELOHIM to deliver those who are in bondage, physically and spiritually. 

            When you hear the Truth, it shall set you free!

מלאך

I've written in the past that 2010 was a tough year for our family. Bob's dad passed away on February 20 after a year long struggle with congestive heart failure. That was tough on the family. But nothing as tough as the death of Bob's youngest sister Jan, who passed away suddenly on January 21st at the age of 52.

Working through the arrangements and the grief and the details was overwhelming. But when I finally stopped and got still for awhile, I couldn't help but think about my own demise one day. Jan had left specific instructions about everything she wanted as a part of her memorial service. I had never thought about those details. But I have now. And there's just a few things that I care about when that time comes:

1.  I pray my death, whenever and however that happens, will glorify God and point to my Redeemer.

2.  I pray that my death will bear witness to how I led my life through the relationships I had, the lives I was able to touch, and the things I was able to do.

3.  I pray that there can be joy in my going, because I know my final destination.

4.  I pray that at that last day for me, only one thing will resonate from my life:  "In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. . . . When I come to die, give me Jesus."

Blessings.

Margie Williamson

Community Manager

“You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;

My GOD turns my darkness into light.”

                                                                                                                               -Psalm 18:28

Timeless eternity is GOD’s dimension where His spiritual laws keep perfect order.  When GOD filled the heavens and the earth and spoke into being all material entities, He separated each through ordered orbits and none may transgress the other’s mandate (we call it gravity) without His command..  And the heavenly bodies governed the seasons that ordered darkness and light.  Thus time began.  And physical light and darkness dawned on all creation distinguishing itself from spiritual light and darkness. 

Light and darkness are totally opposite.  ADONAI ELOHIM wraps himself with light and dwells in unapproachable light.  Many ask, “Who can show us any good?”  ADONAI, lift the light of your face over us! (Ps 4:6)  GOD’s light is unapproachable because it is pure and it is a product of His goodness.  Indeed, YESHUA once said that only GOD is good.  Light is a picture of ADONAI’s goodness and generosity because without light there can be no life.  But when Light shines, there is life-giving energy, there is growth; and darkness runs away.

In contrast, darkness is the preferred home of evil.  It is where wickedness hides and lurks, ready to ambush its intended victim.  People who love darkness do evil things in darkness so that their actions won’t be exposed.  But everyone who does what is true comes to the light, so that all may see that their actions are accomplished through GOD (Jn 3:19-21).

Therefore, the earth is inhabited by two kinds of people:  the children of the Light, and the children of darkness.  The former are born of the Light, purified and made good by the washing of the blood of the SON of the Light.  Only in the light of ADONAI do they see light, and they become bearers of His eternal light (Ps 36:9)as they walk in the light of His presence (Ps 89:15).  They are armed with the sword of the Light (Ps 119:130)and weld it with the lightning power of the SPIRIT.

The children of darkness are the unborn.  The dead cannot hear, perceive or feel the things of the spirit.  They have rejected the Light and prefer to dwell in darkness, blinded by the wiles of wickedness.  They hate the light and will do their utmost to expand their domain of darkness so they can forever hide their abominable acts.  They pretend that darkness is as “good” as light by dwelling in a world of deception, imitating the form of light but is devoid of its power.

Soon, there will be a day of reckoning, when YESHUA the Messiah will come to overthrow the sham, they call “kingdom of darkness.”  He will slay His enemies with the sword of His mouth and He and the overcomers of the Light will judge the children of darkness and make them drink from the cup of ADONAI’s wrath.

On that day, the children of the Light will rejoice and praise the King of Kings and worship the SON of the Light who lives forever and ever.  They will rejoice because, finally, the physical realm will be swallowed up and a new earth will be revealed, and the new Jerusalem will come down and ADONAI ELOHIM will dwell with the children of the Light forever.  There will be no more need of any sun or moon, for ADONAI will be their light.  There will be no more need, for ADONAI ELOHIM is all they need.  In Him, by Him, through Him and for Him; all things find their ‘shalom’ in ADONAI!

מלאך

Ready For the Road Ahead

            My sister Diana and I took great delight in designing games for my youngest sister, Kim, when she was little.  One of our favorites was a birthday scavenger hunt where Kim had to figure out clues in order to discover the whereabouts of her presents.  Kim had a great deal of fun searching for those gifts and Diana and I took delight in watching her eyes light up when she figured out a clue and was rewarded with another colorful package.

            This past week I joined an online photography group called the "365 Project".  Photographers of all levels of ability search out pictures that capture their daily routines in a creative and unique way.  The idea is to learn to look at the common, everyday things with a new perspective.  You don't need fancy equipment or a top of the line camera.  All you need is eyes to see.

            The Christian walk requires us to look for God in a similar fashion.  Years ago (1984 to be exact) David and Karen Mains wrote a book called The God Hunt.  In it they encouraged families to search for "God sightings" like Kim searched for her birthday presents those many years ago.  I recently read of a young mom who uses the walk to the school bus with her children as a way to see God at work in the world around them.  They look at the birds and see God's creativity.  They say hello and smile at people they know and see His love.  What a wonderful way to inspire children to recognize that God is with His creation!

            Developing your spiritual eyes is a must on the walk of Christian maturity.   It's a challenge to see life through a spiritual lens, because as adults, we've been conditioned to be concrete and practical.  But if we do not learn to see things from a spiritual perspective, we may end up like the servant of Elisha, who could only see the enemies encircled around his camp (2 Kings 6: 8-17).  It took the prayer of Elisha to open his eyes to the spiritual realm.

            Cultivating your spiritual eyes is not difficult, but it does require that you look beyond the ordinary and the usual.  One day, while I waited for my friend to check out her groceries, I was charged with the task of entertaining her 3 year old daughter.  How do you keep an active toddler in a shopping cart in a busy supermarket?  In a moment of inspiration I began a game of "I Spy".  Cloe loved finding the different colors and objects and I was amazed at her powers of observation!  The same is true in seeing God.  You are more observant than you think!  Seeing God at work does not always mean we will be looking at "supernatural" events in our lives.  More often it is learning to see those everyday events from a new vantage point.  It doesn't take fancy equipment or a top of the line camera to catch sight of God.  All you need is eyes to see.

            Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.  (Psalm 66:5)

Ann H. LeFevre  1/23/2011

Ready For the Road Ahead

            If you've been following the Daily Bible Readings on the back of our bulletin, you may have noticed that we are alternating between Old and New Testament books.  I know when I first began reading the Old Testament some books were easier to understand than others.  I was drawn to books like Genesis, Jonah and Ruth because they contained stories about people that I could relate to.  Books like Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Lamentations were less appealing because they were harder to understand.  Perhaps you have encountered the same feelings.  Don't give up!  Here are some helpful points to take along on your journey through Lamentations*:

            ~ Other Ancient Near East writings lament the destruction of great cities.  But unlike the Bible, these literary pieces attribute the loss of property, loved ones and income to capricious gods who temporarily lost interest in protecting the city.  In contrast, the prophet Jeremiah sees that Judah's disregard of God's Law is what brought about its destruction.  As you read through Lamentations notice how many times Jeremiah links the two.

            ~ Many times we place the Bible on a "spiritual bookshelf" all by itself.  But like many great books, the Bible is literature.  God has chosen to communicate His Word through the conventions of language.  Therefore the Bible contains many genres of writing.  Lamentations is a poetic book.  Hebrew poetry is quite beautiful but sometimes hard to capture in English.  It doesn't rhyme, rather, it builds concept upon concept, image upon image.  So as you're reading, look for repeated ideas and images which are usually repeated in double or triple lines.

            ~ A lament is a specific type of poem.  It reflects on deep, personal suffering as well as spiritual agony.   The prophet Jeremiah probably wrote this lament shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B. C.  Although Jeremiah understands God's justice in carrying out His judgment on Jerusalem, he still mourns the loss of his beloved home.  As you read, notice that Jeremiah might be intensely sorrowful, but he is not hopeless.   He understands that hope lies in God's character alone.

            ~ Jeremiah is not the only person ever to encounter sorrow.   Yet while his beautiful poetry speaks of an event that is foreign to most of us, the depth of his emotion speaks to anyone who has mourned over a tragic loss; a loved one, innocence,  a job, a home, a piece of oneself.  As you read through Jeremiah, keep in mind its immediate context, but let the poetry speak to the loss in your own heart.  Remember, like Jeremiah, that hope lies in the character of God.  He is the One who will console you in your time of sorrow.

Ann LeFevre  1/30/2011

*  A great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the books of the Bible is How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, c.2002, Zondervan

I may be back from Israel but I'm not through chewing over things I heard, saw, and experienced while there. One of those was at an overlook on the south side of Jerusalem, facing the old city and the temple mount. Our guide, Gila, a extremely well-informed, Jew, shared that the Jews believe that it was at that spot on the overlook that Abraham left the donkeys behind and proceeded on foot to climb Mount Moriah with his son Isaac. If you're like me, you've read that passage a hundred times and always struggled with the pain Abraham must have felt as he anticipated the death of his son.

I can imagine some of that pain because I watched my parents go through the death of their first and only son. My brother Lenny was born with Leukemia and a hole in his heart. Back then, either were a death sentence. He lived eleven months to the day, spending most of his time in the hospital. My parents were devastated. It took years for them to come to grips with his loss. I've another friend who's son died suddenly two years ago. They, too, are struggling to move on in his absence.

I don't think we can gloss over the pain that Abraham felt as he and Isaac began that journey. Our guide Gila shared the teaching of a rabbi in Israel who said that Abraham was so full of faith that he knew God would take care of Isaac somehow. Why? Because scripture says that Abraham got up early the next morning to set off for Moriah. For the rabbi, the fact that Abraham arose in the morning was proof that Abraham had slept. Again, for the rabbi, the only way Abraham could sleep that night was by depending on God to make things right.

Sounds great, doesn't it? I thought at the time, "Boy, that'll preach" (or teach in my case). Unfortunately, there's no scriptural evidence that the rabbi's thoughts are accurate. According to several friends who spend time in Hebrew language studies in the Bible, the words used have nothing to do with "sleep." One friend, a biblical scholar, offered the suggestion that maybe the rabbi was basing his comments on oral tradition rather than on biblical facts.

The whole discussion has stayed on my mind since I returned and I can now offer my own interpretation. I can understand the rabbi's teaching––it's easier to accept what Abraham did, actually taking Isaac to the place to be sacrificed, when we can imagine him having been able to sleep because he so trusted God to take the sacrifice away. However, I don't think it's that.

I think Abraham laid away all night, grieving the loss of his son on the next day. I think he rose with a heavy heart early in the morning, knowing that there were things he had to do that weren't going to be easy. I think he made the trip up to Mount Moriah, treasuring ever moment, every second, that he could spend with his beloved son. I think, with all his heart, he wanted not to have to do what he was doing. But he did it anyway. Why? Because God told him to.

There's no doubt in my mind that Abraham acted with complete faith and obedience, even when God's instructions literally ripped his own heart to pieces and made no sense. The point is that Abraham acted. He obeyed. He demonstrated his faith in God. And God honored that.

I've never had to face the pain that Abraham faced, but I've faced difficulties in trying to follow God's will in my life. And in spite of the frustrations or lack of understanding or disappointment, God has honored my obedience. Maybe that's the lesson we can learn from Abraham.

Margie Williamson

Community Manager

I am currently reading 1st Corinthians in the Message paraphrase of the Bible.  Reading chapter 10, this struck me for the first time, "They drank from the Rock, God's fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were.  And the Rock was Christ."

Now, that being the case, some things about the story of Moses striking the rock to provide water for the Israelites take on new meaning and significance.  The first time, Moses was commanded to strike the rock so water would flow out.  Jesus, our Rock, was struck down to provide us with the living water of redemption and resurrection power.

However, the second time Moses was commanded to speak to the rock to get water.  He was angry at the people because of all their grumbling and complaining, so he struck the rock.  God, in His infinite mercy, knowing the people would perish without water, provided it.  However, he punished Moses severely, telling him he would never enter the Promised Land. 

I always thought that was a little harsh.  After all, it was a rock we were talking about here.  Who talks to rocks?  What would you say to a rock if you did talk to it?  "Hey there rock, could you give me some water?"  It sounds pretty ridiculous, since rocks, by their very nature, don't have water to hand out, especially in a desert.

However, if the Rock was Jesus, in both cases, then what a picture of our relationship to Him!  Jesus was struck once to give us water.  If we feel spiritually dry, there is no reason for us to grumble and complain, like the Israelites, or strike out at Jesus, like Moses.  We have only to speak to the Rock, and He will grant us rivers of living water, springing up to eternal life.

What an affront that was, after all, for Moses to treat Jesus the way he did!  Jesus, the Rock, had already been struck once and for all, to provide water for the people.  To continue using that method, subjecting Christ to further unnecessary abuse, out of anger or, worse, because it had worked once and should work again, is unpardonable!  Moses punishment of not setting foot in the Promised Land is merited when I consider what he did in that light.

So, speak to the Rock.  The Living Water, won through the striking of Jesus at the Cross, is ready and waiting to gush forth and slake your thirst for eternal life.

         And Joshua said unto the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”  (Jos 3:5)

         A new generation of Israelites had been raised and was opposite the Jordan River, about to cross to Jericho. The command of ADONAI was, “Sanctify yourselves…” To enter into the Promise Land, ADONAI wants the people to make themselves ceremonially clean at the very least. The word in Hebrew for sanctify or consecrate is qadash, meaning to be holy and it is presented in the causative form which means to cause yourself to be clean. In the Hebraic mindset, it means to physically wash their bodies with clean water and also wash their clothes before they present themselves before the LORD. In the New Testament, we know that these ceremonial washings were a picture of the cleansing that the blood of the Lamb will bring to those who trust in the Messiah; and secondly, it is a picture of the washing of regeneration that the HOLY SPIRIT will perform to those who obey the Torah of ADONAI

         Why? For the next day, ADONAI will perform miracles in their midst. The Hebrew word qadash comes from the root word qadosh, meaning holy, the primary character of GOD. Thus ADONAI commanded Israel to “Be holy, for I am holy!” In order for ADONAI to work wonders before His people, they must be qualified to stand in His presence. We, ourselves, know that we have to be a holy vessel before we become a vessel of honor. To do the works of GOD, we must have the character of GOD. As Jeremiah said, “…I bear Y our Name, O LORD GOD of Hosts!” (Jer 15:16b)

        And yet, Israel did not conquer Jericho, but ADONAI alone. Jericho was destroyed not by the hand of man but by the word of ADONAI. For GOD does not war with weapons made by men but by His holy Word! GOD fought primarily not because of Israel but because He gave His solemn word to His friend, Abraham. Yes, Israel was precious in His sight, but they were a disobedient lot. But ADONAI ELOHIM gave His Word and His Word cannot be broken!

       Today, we also must learn that our heavenly FATHER honors His holy Word and He is faithful and He will not let His Word fall to the ground. The question is, will we trust His Word?

      The Word of ADONAI is His bond. This is the golden thread that binds our relationship with Him. So meditate on His Word and be cleansed. Use the Word against the enemy because with it, they are a defeated foe. The Truth shall set you free!

מלאך

“May the LORD show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he was often  a comfort to me and was not ashamed of my being in prison.  On the contrary, when he came to Rome, he diligently searched for me and found me.  May the LORD grant it to him to find mercy from ADONAI on that Day.  And you know very well how much he helped me in Ephesus. “(Eph 1:16-17)

                  At Paul’s first defense in Rome, everyone deserted him.  He was left totally alone.  The Christian brothers were ashamed of him.  Everyone in the churches of the province of Asia also turned away from Paul even its prominent leaders.  But the LORD stood by him and gave him the power to proclaim the Gospel before the court of Caesar.  The Gospel could not be chained even though Paul was.

                  There was one person who was not ashamed of Paul.  He travelled all the way from Ephesus and earnestly looked  for Paul among all the prisoners of Rome.  To the jailers, Paul was just another prisoner, but to Onesiphorus, Paul was the elder and itinerant preacher who travelled long and hard from Jerusalem to give him the message of life.  A debt he could never repay.  So he came to Rome purposely to serve the precious elder for the remaining days of his imprisonment.

                  To many of the Pharisees and other Jews, Paul wasted his life but to Onesiphorus, Paul was a light to the Gentiles who were perishing.  At the end of his life, only the closest disciples of Paul stood by him.  All the more, Paul’s martyrdom spurred them to go everywhere where Paul did not so that people may hear of the LORD YESHUA.

                  Paul was never alone, although there may have been times when he became very lonely.  The LORD YESHUA was always with him.  As He promised, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

                  Is your loyalty like the dew of dawn that goes away early?  Everyone has a price.  What is yours?  Like Onesiphorus, my price has already been met at the foot of the Cross.

                  I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine!

      מלאך

              Therefore be very careful how you live — not as unwise but as wise,

              taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

              For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding

              what the Lord's will is. (Eph 5:15-17) 

      Living on the alert means approaching life with eyes wide open to every opportunity and challenge.   The problem is, not every opportunity comes with a label that says “Here I am!”  More often, opportunities hide in the midst of trials.  It takes a persevering and discerning spirit to know the blessing within the experience and an enlightened heart to know the way out while optimizing the challenge.  Bro. Paul advices us to be careful how we live, applying wisdom to every opportunity.  The short-cut is to apply GOD’s wisdom in every situation.

      This is easier said than done.  To read and meditate on the Scriptures is easy but for the Word of GOD to become  alive to your particular situation is another thing.  Before any Christian can expect to be guided closely by the HOLY SPIRIT, he must ask himself, “Do I have any sin that hinders or have I grieved the HOLY SPIRIT in any way?”  If the answer is yes, then repent – repent towards GOD and repent towards the person you have offended.  The Scriptures is a clear guide to GOD’s moral standard.  And GOD, himself, promised to guide the believer through clear directions.  That is, if our spiritual ears are listening to the gentle voice of the HOLY SPIRIT.

      Life is simple, but oftentimes we clutter it with so many concerns that are not really crucial to our spiritual walk.  We tend to worry about too many things.  Too many, “What ifs?” and hypothetical assumptions, which usually come to nothing.  So Bro. Paul says, “Don’t be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the LORD’s will is.” 

      Along the journey, the road is narrow and rough and it leads to winding streets lined with so many flickering lights beckoning the pilgrim’s attention; attempting to waylay the unsuspecting.  Remember, the days are evil; so be very careful!

      A new acquaintance recently told me, “I’m so lonely.  I want to find the right man and get married.”  She mistook marriage as the solution for her loneliness.  I told her, “You need the LORD YESHUA.  Only He can give you significance and security.  Only He can give you total satisfaction.”  She promised to read the Gospel of John and get involved in a Bible study.  There are so many lonely people who are looking for the “cure.”  GOD is calling them but most of them don’t know it.  I believe GOD sent me to make that girl aware of GOD’s call in her life.  I will be praying for her.

      In the end, every person must determine what he/she wants in life.  Do you want a temporary bandaid solution or do you want a permanent one?  To be or not to be, that is the question!

                                                                                                         מלאך

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:23-24

It's the first day of 2011 and a good time for me to experience new hope in prayer. For quite a while I've been struggling with my faith in prayer. My dilemma is this: How do I pray in believing faith as Jesus told us to do, when the answer depends on someone else's free will? All power is God's, and for some divine purpose, He has given humans, His creation, the power to choose their direction in life. For some reason known only to God, He has chosen to "limit" His power when it comes to our free will. Perhaps it matters so much because He wants our obedience to His perfection to be freely given from a true heart. Often the choosing leads to disaster, exemplified in Eden when the world was new and countless times since by every human who has ever lived, though sometimes the choice brings about glorious results for each and all.

So how do I take Jesus at His word and pray believing that what I pray for will happen, when the one I may be praying for is of a different mind entirely?

Though I've often witnessed the refusal of people (myself included) to submit to His good purpose and suffer for it, I've just this week been allowed the priviledge of watching God move in some way I may never know, to bring about the yielding of someone else's free will to His. How does He do that? Why doesn't He do that all the time? How can He accomplish anything of His plan in eternity by depending on such stubborn, short-sighted, and selfish creatures as we? Is that why He is God?

So some of my conclusions to this seeming enigma are these: The action of my praying changes things. My prayer may not be answered according to my will or even God's will if the free-willed person resists God's influence, but the ultimate outcome will be changed because I have prayed. God will bring good in some way for some one. And, as a side note, God's activity in this situation for which I'm praying may not necessariy bring me relief and comfort - that may depend on me and what peace I choose to find through faith. The focus of God's activity is on the person I've prayed for, which may remain unseen for a long time. That's also the part that faith must play.

I've been praying, thinking about, and learning about prayer very intentionally for the past 25 years and have recently been stalled with doubt about how much it really matters. I'm hopeful that 2011 will mark new horizons of faith in prayer, knowing that there is always something beyond the horizon that I may yet be unable to see.

Ready For the Road Ahead

            On July 5, 1994, my son Christopher and I attended "Game 44" of the World Cup.  Bulgaria was pitted against Mexico and the stadium was completely full.  Over 70, 000 fans gathered to witness the first game to go into overtime, and sudden death in order to determine the winner.  The atmosphere was amazingly electric and we were blessed to watch the shoot out in the front row!

            The World Cup, The Super Bowl, The World Series, The Stanley Cup, and the Olympics all have one thing in common.  They are the premiere game that determines the best of the best in their given sport.   If you've been able to attend one of these championships, you can't help but be captured by the energy of cheering on your favorite team and the instant familiarity you have with the thousands of others who have come to do the same.   It is why many teams in many sports consider their fans to be "the twelfth man".

            The Christian walk can feel like an intense athletic competition.  We are met with opposition, temptation, trials, challenges and obstacles in our daily lives as well as milestones, victories and the satisfaction of a job well-done.  If you've ever tried to face the challenges alone, you know how discouraging and detrimental that can be.  And who wants to celebrate a victory by themselves?  It's so much better to celebrate with others who understand your joy and want to celebrate with you.  Most importantly though, knowing there are others who surround you with encouragement and love, no matter what part of the journey you're on, is like the team whose "twelfth man" cheers them on to victory in spite of the tremendous obstacles they face to win.

            This is the imagery that the author of Hebrews is reminding us of when he writes that we have a "great cloud of witnesses" watching us as we run the race of faith in Hebrews 12:1.   Not only do we have fellow believers here on earth to help us take on the challenges of the race, but we also have those who have gone on before (take a look at chapter 11 if you want to know who some of them are), sitting in the bleachers of heaven, and rooting for us to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).

            Have you ever noticed that Paul often closes his letters with greetings from the believers with him to those who will receive it?  Paul is reminding them all that they are in the "faith walk" together and face the same challenges.  The same is true for us.  Whether you are a well-trained athlete or not,  you may be facing a competitor this week.  That adversary could be as simple as managing your time better or as deep as overcoming an addiction.  Remember, you are not alone in this challenge.  There is a "great cloud of witnesses" gathered around you to cheer you on.  Draw on the strength and enthusiasm of your "twelfth man".

Ann H. LeFevre                                                                                                    1/16/2011

We flew back from Tel Aviv on Saturday. I got to my house about 2 pm, took a shower, and was asleep on the sofa in front of the Saints/Sea Hawks game by 3 pm. Believe it or not, I slept until 3 am and then dozed most of Sunday and even slept about 10 hours Sunday night. I knew I was tired, but that was incredible.

I've traveled to Israel before (this was my fifth trip), and I've been blessed enough to have at least that many trips to Greece to visit the sites where Paul preached. I've been to Ephesus and I've been to Rome. In all of those trips, I've never come home so exhausted. Why? I can only come up with a few thoughts (and none of them are based on meing getting too old to travel!).

(1)  Traveling through Israel is different from traveling to any other holy lands. They're all amazing, and seeing them make the Bible come to life in a three-dimensional way. But traveling through Israel is also personal and spiritual and emotional. I can't visit Israel without thinking of how God planned for me before time began, how He sent His Son for me, and how Jesus chose to take on my sin for me because I couldn't. That's emotional, and spiritually, and highly personal. Going to Israel is all about my relationship with Christ.

(2)  Having the opportunity to go more than once allows the experience to become even more personal. In the first trips, I was just so overwhelmed and so amazed to be standing in the places where Jesus walked and preached and ministered, where Abraham walked . . . the Bible came alive for me. But it was so overwhelming, that I couldn't take it all in. This time, though, I had time to think and reflect, to feel and to grieve, to engage and process the totality of what Christ did.

I've heard adults say that they know everything in the Bible and are ready to study other things. I don't get that. We can know the stories, but not "know" in the deepest sense of the word what God is teaching us, what He has in store for us, what He has planned for the end of time.

I'm so grateful that God's given me the opportunity to be in Israel enough to be able to soak up His presence, to be able to dwell in His land, and to be able to continue to learn how to "know" Him. 

If you've never had a chance to go to Israel, I encourage you to put that on the top of your prayer life. The Jews in Israel believe that no one comes there that God didn't bring and that no one leaves there without being changed. From my own experiences, I think they are right.

Margie Williamson

Community Manager

         “By faith we understand that the worlds were created at the spoken word of God, so that the  visible has its origin in the invisible.”  (Heb 11:3) 

                  One of my Hebrew teachers taught me once that we cannot understand the unseen if we do not understand  the things that are seen.  I believe that it is true because the visible has its origin in the invisible. The idea came from the mind of GOD and as He spoke it out in words,everything was created.  Even the Tabernacle constructed by Moses was an exact copy of the heavenly Tabernacle and all the articles in the Temple and the offerings were a shadow of the reality of YESHUA.  The first Adam was only a shadow of the last Adam.  Abraham offering Isaac was a shadow of the heavenly FATHER offering His only SON as the ultimate blood sacrifice for sin. 

                  “The things which are hidden belong to ADONAI our GOD.  But the things that have been revealed belong to us and our children forever, so that we can observe all the words of this Torah”(Deut 29:29), wrote Moses.  What are the things that have been revealed?  Firstly,  I see that we have a beautiful GOD!  Looking up to the heavens, I see the starry host, wonderfully illuminating the huge expanse, and they are magnificent and beautiful.  I turn my head all around me and I see the beauty of GOD’s masterpiece. Only a person of beauty can create such beauty!  Secondly, I see the excellence of the Original Designer.  Yes, everything thatHe made was intricately unique in form, in color, in characteristics and even inthe role it plays in the whole scheme of creation.  Each piece of creation was designed to fit each other and function in tandem with the rest of creation.  Thirdly, I see the Creator’s omnipotence.  The sun contains the energy of billions of atom bombs, yet it is not destroyed; and it is but a small star compared to the size of other more prominent stars in billions of galaxies around us.  Fourthly, I see the wisdom of GOD in creating life balance in everything , whether creatures, land, seas,stars, moons, planets, asteroids and yes, even man and woman.  Fifth, I see GOD’s signature and presence in everything He made.  Everywhere I look I see GOD’s autograph, when He marked out the horizon and commanded the seas to go no further; when I behold an acacia tree with its magnificent branches reaching upwards towards heaven.  Sixth,I see GOD’s magnanimity and excellence.  When He created the universe He did not spare any expense nor did He scrimped on water and heat; but especially, He even gave up His only SON to save His masterpiece – man.  Seventh, I see GOD’s faithfulness.  We can always be sure that morning comes after the night as it dawns. The sun will come out tomorrow as GOD gives us another chance to be transformed.  There is so much more I can tell you but I am short of words.  There are no words that can aptly describe the greatness of our GOD!

                  GOD also revealed His own person through His Word.  He did not stop at a mere book but He sent his only SON so we can know Him personally.  The Scriptures says, Adam, the first man,became a living soul; but the last “Adam” has become a life-giving Spirit.  The first man is from the dust of the earth;the second man is from heaven.  People born of dust are like the man of dust, and people born from heaven are like the man from heaven (1 Cor 15:45,47,48).  In YESHUA the Messiah, the FATHER created a new specie of man – a heavenly man,from whom all who believe are to be patterned. Thus, we have borne the image of the man of dust, so also we will bear the image of the man from heaven! (1 Cor15:49)

                  As men created in the image of GOD, we are privileged to also be given the power to speak GOD’s words into reality in a world that needs it desperately. GOD gave us His magnificent promises so we can share in His divine nature and overcome the corruption of the world (2 Pet 1:4).  As GOD’s representatives, we must understand that He gave us the mandate to expand His Kingdom on earth and gave us His powerful and creative Word to do it.  All of GOD’s promises are yes and amen to those who believe. For however many promises GOD has made, they all find their “yes” in connection with YESHUA the Messiah; that is why, it is through Him that we say the“amen” when we give glory to GOD (2 Cor 1:19-20).

                  The righteous will attain life through trusting faithfulness! (Hab 2:4)

                                                                                                         מלאך

“Ifpeople want to boast, they should boast about this:

      They should boast that they understand andknow Me.

      They should boast that they know andunderstand

      that I, the LORD, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in theearth

      and that I desire people to do thesethings,"⁶¹      

      saysthe LORD”- Jer 9:24                                 

            These days, we hear so much about people’s rights.  Each person wants to have his say and insists on his rights.  We hear of Wikileaks and its principal author disclosing to the whole world secrets that are not supposed to be made public.  The liberals contend that they have the right to all information and many so-called rebels and computer hackers are supporting their initiative by further spreading these secrets and even creating shadow websites to mirror Wikileaks.  Mr. Assange contends that he is doing the global community good by disclosing juicy diplomatic communication.  The question is, is it beneficial?  Is the outcome for the greater good?  Or is it a product of an unkind and dangerous person?

            People boasts of their abilities and capacity to perform but it is so easy to forget that all that we have and all that we are is because GOD, in His kindness, created us with innate skills and talents.  It is said that each man is gifted with at least 500 skills and talents but hardly uses half of them.  GOD is so creative, generous and kind that He imbued us with an assortment of raw materials by which to build our personalities; and even then, He guides and teaches us to develop them.

            By these skills and talents, we gain power and influence and acquire wealth and many, with bloated egos, forget GOD.  Solomon wisely observed that a man’s character is tested when he is praised. Truly, what is praised with men is despised in the eyes of GOD.

            A man would ask, “Who am I?”  And he would never find the answer, because he is looking at the wrong place.  It isnot all about you or me.  It is all about YHWH.  This is the very reason why the Scriptures begin with the words, “In the beginning GOD…”(Gen 1:1).  The only way man can truly know himself is by knowing the Person who designed and created him.  The only way to find satisfaction in life isto know the Person who programmed man to be like Him.  Knowing YHWH is a lifetime pursuit founded on intimacy as prescribed on His revealed will in Scriptures.  Any other way will end in deception.  There is a way that seems right to a man but ends in death!

            YHWH revealed himself in Scriptures and He desires thatwe seek Him with all our being so that we may understand who He truly is and also do the very things that He does. The chief end of man is to glorify GOD and enjoy Him forever. 

            In a sense, I am a hedonist for GOD.  I want to know and enjoy Him in every facet of my being.  Some people think that Christianity is boring and that Christians are expected to suffer along in life.  The truth is, Christianity is the most adventurous journey in life filled with surprises from GOD.  Yes, Christians can and will suffer (just like pagans also suffer) while on this earth; and thank GOD, it’s only temporary! But along with the suffering, the Christian learns to persevere and overcome all challenges.   In contrast, pagans will suffer here on earth and will suffer more in hell for all eternity.

            When a man seeks YHWH, he won’t be disappointed.  He will find GOD and find fulfillment because GOD delights in His saints.  The sure sign that a man has found GOD is the manifestation of the HOLY SPIRIT in his life; which is, through a transforming life and the power and energy of GOD in Him.

             Can a creature ever find significance apart from his Creator?  Obviously not.  But the Creator delights in His creation that fulfills its purpose!

מלאך

We spent the first night in Israel south of Beersheva and then went north to Galilee for four nights. I love Galilee, both the sea and the area. It's beautiful, it's peaceful, and it's full of amazing spots when Jesus ministered - the place where He preached on the beatitudes, the town of Capernaum where He lived and preached at the synagogue there, Caesarea Philippi where Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, the place traditionally held where Jesus spent time with Peter after His resurrection . . . the list goes on and on. It's easy to be on Galilee and just bask in the surrounding area in which Jesus ministered.

Then, we moved on to Jerusalem and spent the next three nights. Jerusalem is a totally different experience. It's busy and crowded and noisy. There's a tension here that's unlike anywhere I've ever been, and it's both political and religious. You can't move through the different quarters in Jerusalem, the Jewish Quarter, the Christian Quarter, and the Muslim Quarter, without quickly becoming aware of how tenuous peace is here. This week has been especially busy as the city is filled with pilgrims who have come to celebrate the Greek Orthodox Christmas on January 6. It's been chaotic. It's hard to be peaceful in Jerusalem.

That's probably a pretty good picture of what it was like for Jesus and His disciples as well. Their time in Galilee was one of building relationships with each other and learning from Jesus. They had time to walk and talk together, to sit around at night and unpack their days, and learn from Christ.

However, early on, the Bible says that Jesus turned His eyes toward Jerusalem. Once there, He faced the crowds of Passover, the anger of the Pharisees, the frustration with the money changers in the temple, the humiliation at the hands of the Sanhedrin and the soldiers, and finally the ultimate humiliation through His death on the cross . . . as a believer, you can't come to Jerusalem without emotionally experiencing the guilt and sorrow of your role in what Christ did for you.

Galilee and Jerusalem. You can't understand the significance of one without the other, just like you can't understand what Christ did for us without both.

Margie Williamson

Community Manager