Time Is Of The Essence

"For thus has the Lord said to me: “Go, set a watchman,
Let him declare what he sees.” ~  Isaiah 21:6 ~

Extremely Important Inclusions ~ With so much happening lately I feel compelled to share some events and phenomenon in addition to prayer needs for the ministry. There are several links throughout this update to help you discover more information.  Put the pieces together.  I pray by the end of this Blog you will find some level of personal peace, trusting the LORD, during the current state of affairs and as we look at the prophetic events of Scripture unfolding before us.  Never forget as Believers ~ God is with us to see us through.

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you 

with My righteous right hand.’"
~ Isaiah 41:10 ~

Jesus assured; “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, 

believe also in Me." ~ John 14:1 ~

Apostle Paul wrote; "But know this, that in the last days
perilous times will come" ~ 2 Timothy 3:1 ~

Like you, my heart is so torn for the unprecedented turmoil happening in America.  However, please consider that according to the Scriptures in the end times, which we are in, Israel will stand alone as Israel's enemies once again surround and prepare to annihilate the Jews.  This is a specific prophecy:

 

“And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it."

~  Zechariah 12:3 ~

America who has always been a strong ally of Israel and indeed was first to recognize it as a sovereign State has very recently begun to turn her back upon Israel.  Scripture states "all nations" which can only mean:
1) We will not be able to support Israel (consider all our current crisis)
2) We will purposely refuse to support Israel.
3) With the current US Administration's political efforts to;
    a) warm up relations with Iranian terrorists with nuclear capabilities.
    b) give support to Syrian rebels terrorist
    c) partner with the Muslim Brotherhood terrorists in Egypt
    d) back others to squeeze Israel into a 'no options left' position
    e) work to divide Israel
This can only indicate that we have actually tragically turned against Israel. This is not only very, very bad and very, very serious, it most definitely will bring an even greater judgment against our land.  Never mess with Israel!  

The LORD says:

"I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;"
~ Genesis 12:3 ~

As it is evident the LORD is bringing judgment against America, it is also evident that through His grace and mercy He is shining a bright light on places of wickedness where we can and must take strides to make it right in His eyes.  Sadly however, so few are working to do this.  I fear it is not enough. 

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" ~ Isaiah 5:20 ~

 Natural Disasters
Reported between AD 1900 to 2010, numbering 1 to 550
Escalations are noted in: Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11

Much of America has allowed itself to be lulled away from worshiping Christ as LORD, and from denying all that He calls evil, as evil.  Now many call it 'good' or 'tolerant' or 'progressive' or whatever the politically correct verbiage dictates.  God is not and never has been PC (Politically Correct).  He has always BC (Biblically Correct) which is Holy Holy, Holy.  He is not afraid to call sin as sin.  He knows what it is, He died to take it away from us.  And praise the LORD He rose from the dead to prove He has power over death!  Praise the LORD!  We need to repent individually and as a nation, now!  If we would pray and turn from the things that displease Him perhaps He would relent.  However, perhaps we have gone too far and will reap what we have sown.  He warns all nations:

"... when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will 

stretch out my hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, 

send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it." ~ Ezekiel 14:13 ~

But looking closely... we find also within Ezekiel 14 a hope for the righteous (reference verses 14, 16, 18, 20, 22), for those who trust in the LORD, and ONLY those.  He will not destroy the righteous with the wicked.

This reflects our relation with Christ in that those who believe in Him and receive Him as their LORD are spared from eternal damnation and receive not only clemency, but adoption into His family (ref. Romans 8:15).  There is a hope when we become children of God and we receive His Holy Spirit (ref. John 1:12, Romans 8:16) We are changed.  He calls us and tells us to call out to Him.

"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves,

 and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then
will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and  

will heal their land." ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14 ~

"The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth." ~ Psalm 145:18 ~

God does not rejoice in the destruction of the wicked.  He desires that all would come to Him and be saved.  Consider what He did in Jonah's time.  Jonah hated the Ninevites (modern day Iraq), but God wanted them to repent (ref verse 4:2).  We serve a loving and compassionate God. 

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, 

but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that
all should come to repentance." ~ 2 Peter 3:9 ~

God's grace and mercy is actually shown when He corrects a wicked nation.  It is His way to not allow children to be raised in a society determined to continue in a downward spiral and steeped in sin ~ Consider the stories of Noah, where the LORD spared Noah and his family.  And the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah, (Genesis 13:13, 18:20) where the LORD spared Lot and his family. We can see where God Himself brings an end to wickedness, but spares the righteous.  The LORD assures us in Ezekiel 18 and Romans 9 that He will forgive and receive those who turn to Him and repent, no matter what they have done.  All sins will be forgiven as they were paid for on the cross, but we must turn, ask for forgiveness and receive the LORD.  Over and over He says He would rather the wicked change their ways, come to Him and be saved. And warns of those who turn away from Him. Only one sin will not be forgiven and that is blaspheming the Holy Spirit.  By denying the conviction of His Holy Spirit we deny our need of a Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ.  We will die one day, but do we die with Christ as our Savior who removes our sins or do we die in our sins?  We all need Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures tell us that Israel also has a history of sinning against the LORD and of the LORD's correction.  The LORD would always save a remnant of people to continue even though they, at times, had to be removed from the land and taken or scatter among the nations.  The LORD always gave fare warning through His prophets.  He has given America and other nations warnings as well.  It is important to remember that our LORD is not afraid to take action.  He loves us and wants us to turn to Him.  It is because of His love that He will not allow wickedness to continue ~ It is because of His love that He came to save us from our sins ~ It is because of His love that He has opened eternity to us for all.

We can know through the Scriptures that there are still many prophecies yet to be fulfilled.  God has given us the opportunity to read, search, ask, learn, and the mandate to tell others.  

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them 

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; 

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  

~ Matthew 28:19-20 ~

  

And now the time of His 2nd coming is very near ~ when He comes to put a complete end to wickedness on earth.  We know He will not destroy those who have turned to Him.  We also know that before He comes, the 'church', the Believers will be removed and will not have to endure the Tribulation time on earth (ref: Isaiah:26:20-21, 1 Thess 5:9, Rev 3:10).  There is a rapture (Ref: 1Thess 4:13-18) before the great Tribulation, so be ready!  I believe this time is very quickly approaching.   

 

The indisputable hard facts of; what Christ has done, the fulfillment of prophecies concerning His first coming, the history of Israel, the fact that Israel stands before us today after having been disbursed around the world for nearly 2000 years is an indisputable proof of the truths of God's promises to mankind and His ability to fulfill His word.  The world can literally see hard facts of God's everlasting love.  Spiritually and physically, God makes good on His word. And we must look by faith, not by works for the salvation the LORD has laid out in His word.  He has redeemed us through Himself when He came to earth and took on the form of man to be crucified for our sins, rising the third day conquering death.  Many do not believe and yet even in their disbelief they fulfill the Scriptures:

"This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become 

the chief cornerstone.' "Nor is there salvation in any other, 

for there is no other name under heaven given among
men by which we must be saved."~ Acts 4:11-12, ref Psalm 118:22 ~

 
And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the
name of the LORD Shall be saved. ~ Acts 2:21 ~

~ . . . and now for those of us who believe, may we consider . . . ~

. . . something very important is about to happen
In the next two years there will be displays in
the heavens that will appear to all the world.

"Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens 

to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs 

and seasons, and for days and years;" ~ Genesis 1:14 ~

A Tetrad is a series of four blood moons.  A blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse when the earth is directly between the sun and the moon leaving the moon in earth's shadow.  As light passes through Earth's atmosphere some light is bent toward the moon.  The color red is able to make it through this spectrum while other colors are blocked thus making the moon appear reddish.  There are many blood moon eclipses, however a series of four without a partial (Annular or Prenumbral) eclipse is much more rare.
Remarkably, in the past 521 years there have been three Tetrads that have occurred not only when something monumental was happening to the Jewish people, but also literally landed on Jewish holidays. 

~ Three Historical Tetrads ~

1) ~ 1492 ~ The Spanish Inquisition ~ King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella ordered expulsion of the Jews from Spain. The Jews lost not only their homes and their belongings, but many lost their lives as they were subsequently burn alive for refusing to convert to Catholicism.  Many Jews gave their children away to Christian families to ensure their survival.  We know that in that year Christopher Columbus discovered America which became a haven for many Jews from around the world.

Tetrad that followed:

Apr 2, 1493: Pesach (Passover) 1st feast
Sept 25, 1493: Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles) 7th feast

Mar 22, 1494: Pesach (Passover)
Sep 15, 1494: Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles) 7th feast

2) ~ 1948 ~ The War of Independence ~ Jews who survived the horrors of the Holocaust were re-established in their Biblical homeland and the nation of Israel re-born after having been disbursed throughout the world since AD 70.  This is a fulfillment of Ezekiel 37 and an unprecedented event that has never happened to any other nation at any time throughout history.  They returned with their faith, the Jewish Holy Scriptures (Talmud & Tanakh) intact and traditions still strong.  And because they had come from many lands, they spoke many languages, hence it was determined to re-establish their own Hebraic language that would help unify them as one people.  

Such an astounding miracle of God!

Tetrad that followed:

Apr 13, 1949: Pesach (Passover)
Oct 7, 1949: Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles)

Apr 2, 1950: Pesach (Passover)
Sep 26, 1950: Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles)

3) ~ 1967 ~ The Six-Day War; June 5 - 10 ~ Israel's neighbors declared war.  With little preparation and limited military defense, Israel was forced to fight against Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Sudan simultaneously.  Though with the help of God, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, Israel was able to overcome the battles on all fronts.  They captured east Jerusalem and the Temple Mount that was previously held by Jordan.  Additionally, Israel nearly tripled in size with the amount of land they were able to take as they went after their enemies.  And though they were defending themselves, Israel graciously ceded back most of the land taken.  It was clear that God gave Israel victory.

Tetrad surrounding the Six-Day War:

Apr 24, 1967: Passover
Oct 18, 1967: Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles)

Apr 13, 1968: Pesach (Passover)

Oct 6, 1968: Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles)

~ Immediate Future Tetrad ~

NASA's Eclipse Tables

Note ~ On 2/12/14 NASA removed the web page with Eclipse Tables.  

Apr 15, 2014: Pesach (Passover)
Oct 08, 2014: Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles)

Apr 04, 2015: Pesach (Passover)
Sep 28, 2015: Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles)
~ According to NASA, the blood moon on Sept 28 is a Perigee, a Super Moon ~ meaning the closest it can get to the earth in it's elliptical rotation around the earth, so it will appear quite large! Consider too that it will be seen during the feast of Sukkot while the Jewish people will be dwelling celebrating outside in their sukkahs (tabernacles) looking up toward the heavens.

~ Total Solar Eclipse in 2015 ~

Mar 20, '15: Adar 29/Nissan 1

~ Rosh Chodesh (Head of the month) first month of the ecclesiastic/religious year

~ Was when the first fruits of barley season was taken to the temple

Four lunar blood moons along with the solar eclipses all occurring on Jewish holidays in 2014 and 2015! 

"And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire 

and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon
into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD."
~ Joel 2:30-31 ~

 
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on 

the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;"
~ Luke 21:25 ~

I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: 

Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, 

And the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and
awesome day of the LORD.  
~ Acts 2:19-20 ~

What does it all mean?  What do we look for?

 

There are several prophecies that could happen in this time some of which are:
 

~ The Rapture! Oh, Yes I pray!  
~ 1 Thess 4:17 

~ Beginning of the Tribulation. 

~ The Jewish Temple rebuilt.

~ Psalm 83, Isaiah 17,

~ Isaiah19, Ezekiel 29, Daniel 9:27

There are many, many more.  

Jesus assures us:

“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means 

pass away till all these things take place. ~ Matthew 24:34 ~

He also tells us:

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, 

nor the Son, but only the Father." ~ Mark 13:32 ~

So, I will not give specific dates, because I truly do not know.  However we do KNOW that the generation that sees these events will also be the generation that will be living when heaven and earth do pass away.   

With global chaos increasing in every area of life (spiritually, financially, physically, etc) coupled with the military technology to destroy so much, everything points to the fact that things are about to shift, that time is short!

  

And though we do not know the day or hour, we are to discern what is happening around us.  Remember the LORD tells us:

"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, 

because your redemption draws near." ~ Luke 21:28 ~

At some point He will do away with the evil that runs rampant.... His will will be done ... the Scriptures will be fulfilled.  Like you, I too pray for our homeland and desire to bless Israel.  So we will pray, give thanks, trust and keep looking up.

***********************************************

~ Ministry Update ~
Since my return to the USA in September . . .

it has been a time of rest, healing, restoration, seeking, and preparation.  There have been several opportunities to share the many amazing things the LORD has done and allowed me to do this past year.  I want to thank all of you who prayed and helped in support to ensure the Bibles for the Ugandan outreach were covered.  The shortage that we had in August has since been generously donated, the Bibles have been purchased and will be taken to Gulu this month.  You have helped to changed many lives for the Kingdom.  I pray the windows of heaven would be opened and blessings upon blessings would be poured into your very laps.  The hope and promises the LORD gives through His word changed my life.  What joy for us to know that yet more now have His word and He will touch and change them too and that they will go out to share about Christ.  Thank you, so much.  Please continue to pray for my return to Uganda for another outreach next year to continue the End-Times teachings.  This is so very needed!

 Looking To Next Year

My application for the two year volunteer position in Israel is in Jerusalem and I am awaiting their decision.  I pray to leave mid-January, LORD willing.  Your prayers are appreciated.

Praise and Prayer
"Call unto Me, and I will answer thee,
and shew thee great and mighty things,
which thou knowest not."  Jeremiah 33:3 ~ KJV ~

~ Praise ~

• For His word that is true.  It blesses and warns us!
• Bible shortage was covered for Uganda
• The LORD pressed on my heart to support two children from India in addition to Henry and Mercy from Uganda
• Open doors to share what He has done
• Healing

~ Prayer Needs ~

Israel ~

• Zechariah 12:3 has just been fulfilled with the USA turning her back on Israel.  Pray for the peace of Israel and may the LORD have mercy on America
• Peace, the LORD's protection and that those who come against Israel would repent 
• Favor from all entities, the completion of the paperwork in a timely fashion, and provision of all needs known and unknown

Uganda ~

• The LORD give insight to the Pastors' schedules on the timing of next year's End-times teachings.

Personal ~

• Wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit ~
• Use the giftings He has given to reach others for Christ
• My son's continued growth with the LORD Jesus; to hear from Him and to be strengthen as a spiritual leader filled with the grace, wisdom and the love of Christ
• Protection, health, healing, victory in spiritual warfare
• Supply the continued 'marching army' needs of the ministry.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27

How may I pray for you?

Links to stay updated on Israeli news:

www.jpost.com            mideast.foreignpolicy.com
www.debka.com          www.timesofisrael.com
www.israeltoday.co.il   www.ynetnews.com
www.israelnationalnews.com

Scripture is quoted from NKJV unless noted otherwise

~ Going Deeper ~

This has been difficult.  Writing and rewriting several times struggling to phrase without somehow leaving limp the spiritual depths that were touched.  I knew it was coming when the Lord directed prior to leaving Israel and I wondered if I would be able to put this into words.  I will tell you in part, but not in whole, because I just cannot. 

Last spring, the Lord put upon my heart to retrace the steps of the Jews during WWII ~ it took me quite by surprise, but I felt Him confirming that it would ultimately help in the outreach to Israel.  And though I already had read, studied, seen documentaries, visited a holocaust museum, and heard from holocaust survivors, still He pressed that I needed to go to make this a part of my life.

~ PLEASE TAKE NOTE ~ Viewer Discretion ~

 Some of these links are difficult to view.

They are attached for your convenience if you want to know more

Leaving Israel early July, I stayed with friends in The Netherlands.  During this time I visited the Ten Boom Home  and Anne Frank’s place of hiding.  My friends also took me to their church, shared much of their ministry work, and introduced me to many who help with and who receive the blessings of the outreaches.

Still working on my itinerary, I left for Poland where the Lord provided friends of friends of friends (!) who with great care and concern escorted me from: the Jewish Quarter in Krakow's Kazimierz District to the KrakowGhetto where Nazis had forced the Jews to relocate ~ stopping also to visit the Oskar Schindlar’s Factory in the ghetto. Afterward, we passed briefly by the Plazow Concentration Camp ~ a forced labor and death camp near Krakow which has since been torn down. A testimony of one of the survivors is here.

Gate to Auschwitz I

It was a rare blessing to share morning devotions for several days at the homeless shelter ministry of my new friends.  They insisted on showing me many places around town and watching over my travel needs (their care was over the top!) and when it was time to leave, took me to the train station where I left to the next location: Oswiecim (Osh-vee eh tcheem) ~  a small town, where prior to WWII the citizen majority was Jewish.  It is where Nazi Germany determined the sites and buildings of what is called in German Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II – Birkenau, and Auschwitz III Manowitz

After first arriving in Oswiecim there were more friends of friends who met me at the train station and took me to my lodgings.  That day I took the tours available for Auschwitz I & II ~ there was no tour for III. A survivor’s testimony of Birkenau is here.

The next day Sunday, my friends insisted on escorting me; to their evangelical church for service, on a tour the town of Oswiecim, to visit the last remaining synagogue (19 destroyed in the war), and to just spend time together for the remainder of the day getting to know one another.  The day was topped with a traditional Polish Sunday evening meal.  I thank the Lord for the fellowship as I was really needing it at this time.  That night when alone in my room I could hear the local train in the distance clickity clacking down the tracks with its rolling wheels and screeching brakes.  Unable to sleep, I was haunted by the sound as I envisioned what it would have been like for both the townspeople as well as for the terrified Jews carried to this place 70 years ago.  So wretchedly heartbreaking.

Boxcar Transport - Birkenau

Taking a train from Poland, I then went to Czech Republic to visit Terezin, (or Teresienstadt) a 1790 fortress used by the Nazis to receive and transfer Jews from all over Europe to send them to concentration and extermination camps.  At that time this fort was itself transformed into a concentration camp and ghetto where nearly all prisoners sent off on trains to be ‘relocated’, perished.  

The Red Cross, once allowed to visit was shown Jewish prisoners dressed in normal street clothes play acting a lifestyle that would distract the viewer from seeing the real life horrors going on behind the scenes.  Store fronts and bank facades, worthless money tendered, a soccer game, women knitting, men sharing coffee at cafe and carrying on of a simple life were put on for show.  There were also a number of talented Jewish symphony musicians and composers imprisoned who performed.  The Red Cross believed this was how they indeed lived not knowing the Jews were forced to act and 'play along' in fear for their lives.  Recorded on film for propaganda, the world was conned into believing the Jews were being treated well. Nearly all those in these films, including the ghetto children were sent to the gas chambers at Auschwitz-Birkenau shortly after the Red Cross left.

I could not help but wonder if the train tracks I road on from Poland to Czech were the same tracks the prisoners were on from Terezin to Auschwitz.

Conference Rest

The Lord is mindful of our frailties. It was at this time in planning that I thought a time of fellowship, Bible messages and worship would refuel my heart to complete the journey.  Two Calvary Chapel Bible Colleges; one in Hungary and the other in Austria were hosting conferences back-to-back. With these countries in relatively close proximity I took advantage of the opportunities (and the trains).  After the second conference I was blessed to accompany a wonderful missionary couple, who had also attended the conference, as they returned to their home in Italy, staying there for a few days. 


There was the blessing of shared fellowship, Sunday service and a concert in the park by a Christian worship band!  My hostess also made note two additional Jewish ghettos nearby ~ one in Padova and the other in Venice, both of which I visited.

Sachsenhausen, Berlin, Germany

“Go, therefore make disciples of the all nations” Matthew 28:19 ~ a sweet friend I had mentored in Biblical discipleship in the US two years ago while she was an international student had since returned to her homeland in Germany.  Early in this trip she learned I was in Europe and invited me to visit her if possible and to stay with her. She was in need of fellowship, encouragement, friendship and prayer.   A short flight north brought me to Berlin. While there I was also able to meet her parents who are not Believers.  My friend and I visited her church and spent that day seeing a few historical locations around the city.  On my own I went to Sachsenhausen (‘Youtube’ part 1, part2) another concentration and extermination camp located in the north of Berlin.  A visit to the JewishMuseum and Checkpoint Charlie was made on another day. 

From Berlin, another train returned me to my friends in The Netherlands where we shared; a few days of fellowship, a Shabbat dinner with many others who also support Israel, and where I caught my return flight to Israel.   

Throughout all of these encounters the Lord opened many, many doors to tell others of Jesus Christ;

§         ~ Waiting in line to Anne Frank’s Museum the Lord put a Jewish couple from Jerusalem right behind me.  We talked of the Jewish Tanakh and the fulfillment of Scriptures by Jesus Christ for nearly an hour. 

§         ~ In downtown Amsterdam the Lord led me to witness to street performers, one of whom appeared quite convicted

§         ~ Bible tracks were handed out to homeless in Krakow and Prague

§         ~ Witnessing and opportunities to sing worship at a homeless shelter also in Krakow

§         ~ A beggar approached me at the train station in Budapest and before the conversation was over I had given him a Gospel of John.  When I told him how much the Lord loved him and that this book was priceless, he seemed truly touched as though his heart was melting and his eyes lit up “Priceless?” he asked.  When I affirmed he happily assured me he would read it and gently tucked it into his bag as a treasure

§         ~ Two beggars in Venice, sadly both missing portions of their feet and legs responded as I tried my best in letting them know Jesus Christ had not forgotten them and that He loved them very much.  They were interested and seemed to understand.

§         ~ Praying with a beggar in Berlin who was missing much of his hands and unable to control bodily movements. He knows the Lord and welcomed prayer. 

§         ~ The Lord led me to dine with a man who ministers to Romanian Gypsies, a very interesting person and am praying for his work. 

§         ~ Praying for so many that I have seen on the trains and in the stations ~ many other encounters as well along the way.  Shaved heads, rainbow hair, multi face piercings and ‘tats’, pants with Nazi iron crosses embossed, fear and uncertainty, alcoholics and the broken, the lofty, the proud, the humble, the meek, struggling parents, lost young people, business men and women, the elderly struggling to get around, tourists, so many different languages, so many searching, to reach that place of peace ~ a peace that only comes from the Lord.

Father gave me so many assurances that He was with me.  Through the train and airport stations as though a red carpet had been laid out, the moment I felt lost there would be someone beside me to help or what I needed would just ‘be there’.  He brought so many who were lights along the way even before I asked they stepped in to guide.  It has been so amazing, so, so, so amazing!

It has been a life changing two months and I am forever grateful to God Almighty who held me close, soothed my stunned heart and gave constant assurance of His great love for mankind.

I humbly ask your prayers for the Lord to use this in me to minister to the Jews that they would come to know Yeshua HaMashiach, their Messiah and ours, the One they have been waiting for. 

• He was born in Bethlehem as foretold by Micah 5:2

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, [Though] you are little among the thousands of Judah, [Yet] out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth [are] from of old, From everlasting."

• May their eyes be opened to the B'rit Chadashah (New Testament), the new covenant spoken by the Jewish Prophet Jeremiah in chapter 31, vs 31.

• Ezekiel 36:27  says

"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do [them].”

               May they repent and ask to receive His Holy Spirit so that they will know His ways and be saved.

•  Salvation comes only from the Lord and beside Him there is no Savior (Isaiah 43:11, Hosea 13:4)  

• That Yeshua is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. 

• That Yeshua calls out the Trinity in Isaiah 48:16 ~

“Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I [was] there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me."

• That the Messiah is called out as the Son of God in Psalm 2

• For anyone who desires to have Christ take away their sins and to be able to walk with God, all they need do is ask Jesus Christ to come into their lives.      

The Lord bless you in all you do to "Go, and make disciples" or to help those who do go and may you receive the many blessings and promises of the Lord.

Please do not hesitate to let me know how I may be praying for you.  

Love and blessings ~ Pamela

A Short Note ~

Just a quick little wrap of the time between January thru June this year.

The Lord is faithful to answer prayer with either a ‘Yes’ or ‘I have something else in mind’.  My continuing prayer was for an open door to return to Israel to help any way possible.  One such opportunity came through a volunteer program to help on an Israeli army base doing simple tasks required behind the scenes and would free soldiers to go take care of securing the country instead of these odd jobs.  I enrolled, was cleared to go and left in mid-January. 

The program brought me into contact with a variety of people who came from other parts of the globe to also lend a hand to Israel.  I enjoyed meeting so many of them and learning of their heart to serve. 

After the program an opportunity opened to come along side a small church to help in a small community.  I was asked to help with English translation and teaching English which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Joining in prayer with home visitation was a blessing to lift prayer needs for those in need.  There were also several weekly prayer meetings and prayer with groups where we would go to various areas of Israel to pray along the boarders for protection of the land and wisdom for Israel’s leaders. 

We also had a clothing distribution one day which was a huge success and very welcomed from the families, many of whom mostly Jewish.  It was wonderful to help.  When time would allow there was the sweet blessing to lend a hand with the soup kitchen in Tel Aviv. 

As is the case in every event where we thoroughly enjoy what we are doing, the time just slips away.  Having spent nearly six months already in the country, I found I needed to plan leaving for an extended period.  But where to go with such limited income?  The Lord had made a way to live humbly here, but with all the travel I did last year, I was not very keen on doing it again this year.  It was nice to be quasi-settled and developing friendship ~ faces that would become familiar faces and elicit a smile when we would meet. 

And there were so many threats, so much saber rattling going on with those who hate Israel.  My heart’s desire was to be available to help Israel in any way possible.  I did not want to leave.

Arise, Shine!

He has helped, comforted and lifted my heart more times than I can count.
He is so faithful.

Just a little behind in my blogging, so let me give you an overview for 2011.

Most of the work was pointed to Israel, to help the Israelis in anyway possible and to bring the love and word of God, to tell them of the love of Yeshua, Jesus Christ, to all who would hear.  Also during this time the Lord provided another outreach to Uganda.

The six months spent in Israel afforded opportunities to come along side to help in a soup kitchen and assist many others aside from the kitchen.  It is impossible to tell you how many times the Lord opened ways for me meet, help, counsel, teach, pray for, and to share the love and word of God with such a variety of people; Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Israelis with no faith commitment and many from outside Israel who were visiting.  To mention a few of the opportunities, the Lord opened ways to witness on the bus, bus stations, beaches, restaurants, buying meals for the homeless, engaging in conversations with Muslims and Jews in the Old City, and youth demonstrating for socializing Israel in downtown Jerusalem. These were opportunities the Lord dropped in my lap as I was out doing other things, but He had other plans.

God has shown me in my current circumstances of homelessness many of the struggles associated with this, however He has been most gracious in providing a roof over my head and a safe place to sleep.  For this I am more grateful than I can express.  Living situations kept changing as the limited income set the standard of what I could rent.  The Lord blessed with reasonable and safe housing for five weeks here, two weeks there, six weeks, one week, etc.  But it required constant moving as the situations changed.  All in all I moved eight times living in various areas of Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Jerusalem, and in Samaria.  Hauling what is left of my worldly belongings in two suitcases, a carryon, plus my guitar only makes me want to reduce them more (they are so heavy, but the guitar stays)!   

I can only trust the Lord has had me learn these challenges for His purposes 

knowing it will work toward His good.

The Lord had once again opened a door for me to teach in Uganda at the National Women's Conference slated for August.  I had been praying during my entire time in Israel for a place to quietly seek the Lord and compose notes and messages.  In June, a friend offered her place to me to rent while she traveled.  I could have it for the two months remaining on my visa. My main duty was to care for her plants.  It was in a settlement community where the language is almost exclusively Hebrew and Russian.  Oh, I was so grateful for this!   

Never in my life have I been allergic to any flora, however when dealing with one particular plant I succumbed to a horrible anaphylactic shock that nearly sent me home to Jesus.  It rendered blistering and bleeding sinuses, bleeding and burning bronchi, lung capacity near zero, cramping  muscles, confusion due to lack of oxygen, blisters on eyes and eye infection (essentially blind), and no voice. 

After three days and getting worse, I lay in bed wondering how long it would take for someone to find me.  Yes, it was a bad thought, but honestly when you are alone much of the time that is something that runs through one’s mind if one should ever fall or get hurt and not be able to get to help.  I had been praying and asking the Lord many things in this time; am I coming home today? ~ is today the day that I see Your face? ~ please watch over my son ~ I love him so much ~ this is going to be very hard for him ~ how was I to minister to the ladies in Uganda? ~ “Do I go there blind? ~ Because if that is what You want then blind I will go, but I do not know how to minister to them ~ I cannot see to write notes and even if I could would I be able to read them or do I just stand before them and You will speak through me something that You want me to say at that moment?” I honestly felt that even if I had to crawl to the plane I was to go to Uganda. I could feel Him hold me very close and softly tell me “Rest.  Just rest…. and when you are better I will help you”

This put my heart at peace and gave me hope because He said “when you are better” which meant I was going to get better! So I snuggle into Him as close as I could and rested, really, really rested.

About a week later I could sit up for an hour or so and tried to make notes with many eye washes and naps throughout the day.  I did manage to break my toe while stumbling down the hall to wash my eyes.  Please, are we done now?  Three weeks later and somewhat ambulatory I was able to visit the soup kitchen, though was not much help still very weak and suffering with what appeared to be a painful partially collapsed lung. However, was able to continue work on my notes for the conference.  A couple weeks later I was able to function almost normally and finish the teachings.  About a week after and somewhat stronger it was time to go to the conference.

The theme of the conference was:

“Arise, shine; ” Isaiah 60:1

Thirsty Hearts

Oh!  How good is the LORD!  How promising is His word! This fit perfectly for all the women struggling with so many difficulties ~ living on so little, but seeking and trusting in Jesus in everything and the Lord making a way.  Yes ~ God is so good. 

Having met so many at last year's conference and seeing them now really blessed my heart.  They were so happy to see me and I them.  It was a grand reunion!  The Lord comforted my heart during the teachings at the conference and the churches and villages where I also taught. 

With Henry & Mercy

After the conference I went to Mukono to visit Pastor Stephen and his wife and little Henry and Mercy, two children supported by this ministry, who are really getting big now.  They are so beautiful. Henry is sweetly shy and Mercy is very straight forward in her questions ~ not very shy at all, but very engaging.  Pastor Stephen had lined up a few churches and villages for me to speak at and the Lord blessed all these meetings. 

Teaching In Villages

In all of this I could see that the results of this were without doubt total glory to God.  He blessed with power in His word and it was evident every day. 

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, 
in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions,

in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, 
then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

Teaching in Churches

This is so true!  I had been so weakened in the illness and so reliant on the Lord to guide my writings that all I could do was gratefully bow to Jesus for giving me strength to endure and giving me His word to teach.  It is so hard to explain times like these.  All I can do is praise God for helping and healing and being there to lean upon.

After the conference I returned to Israel to continue volunteering, however Israel Customs determined I had spent enough time in the country for the year.  They gave me two weeks to gather my things and go back to the USA.  Mentally worn out, tired from traveling all night and now emotionally devastated that I could not return, the Lord spoke to my heart again and told me that it “is necessary for you to return” to the States.  As soon as I heard that, relief swept over me and I was comforted to have received this direction.  It was “necessary” to return.

The next four and a half months were spent in San Diego’s North County with several loving families who opened their homes to me and much help in many needs including transportation for the time I was there.  Again I moved eight times as I sought the Lord on how to return to Israel to continue helping in some way.  It was in this time that I applied to Volunteers for Israel who cleared me to work as volunteer for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).  I was to begin after the first of the year.

The Lord our God has been gracious through all the challenges.  And I admit there are times I do not think I can do all He asks, but then He reminds me:

“Have I not commanded you? 

Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,

 for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

I pray the Lord will open many doors for you too.  Please tell me how I might pray for you and encourage you.  It is a long road for all of us and I would like to be able to help you in any way I can.

 And may the glory of the LORD rise upon you

A New Year ~ Less Is More

It is sometimes said that ‘Less is more’, and isn’t that a good thing!  In God’s economy it is often the case. 

Have you seen the stealth movement of the Lord’s hand?  Only after the fact we see evidences, so answer ‘No’, because we seldom detect His deft movement and He is … stealth, yes?  What He does is just ‘there’, and how it gets ‘there’ is only known by Him.  He is amazing that way.

Biblical accounts where less is more:

1)  My first Old Testament reading for this New Year was Judges 7.  Here the Lord reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 men to 300 with trumpets, torches and pitchers (pitchers?) to initiate a fight against the Midianites and Amalekites.  Scripture notes the enemy were “as numerous as locusts”, and “were without number as the sand by the seashore in multitude.”, numbering about 135,000 ~ pretty awesome odds.  Under the Lord’s direction Gideon’s men broke pitchers, sounded their horns, and shouted “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” God then caused confusion among the enemy and they fled terrified, were pursued and conquered. That is so amazing!

2)  In a different account, the Lord instructed Joshua in the taking of Jericho, a walled city.  He was to march his men around Jericho once a day for six days and on the seventh day to march around seven times.  The priests were to then blow their trumpets, and in doing so the walls fell down and his men were able to take the city! (Joshua 6)

3)  There is a story about David, when as a boy, slew the enemy giant Goliath with a sling and a stone then cut off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s own sword.  There’s justice!  (1 Samuel 17)

4)  Jesus, the Lord Himself fed 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14).  And at another time He fed 4,000 with a seven loaves and a few fish (Matthew 15).  These numbers do not include the women and children that were present.

There are many stories of God able to do much with very little and it is here where God receives the glory for what He accomplishes.

“Trust in Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.  Selah  Psalm 62:8

And where I am not able, I trust in His strength to cover. He is preparing not only the work in Israel in the hearts who will hear His word, He is preparing me and my heart in many ways. The excellent thing in this is that it will be another witness to the Israelis.  The application shows that the Lord is just as able now as in the time of Joshua to save, but He wants to save also in the eternal matters.  Teaching His word and living by example is a powerful witness.  I will not be arriving with what appears to be much of anything, but will be seeking to uplift, help, and teach those in need and who are seeking Him.  His word may not seem like much to many, but it is eternal salvation for those who believe and what greater gift could I bring than the knowledge of reconciliation to our Creator through Jesus Christ, God incarnate. He is so stealth ~ He gets all the glory.

I long to be there to help bring hope to those who need hope.  The list of their needs is the same as in any country, even here in the USA. So why am I going and not staying here? 

• November 2009 while in Jerusalem, I felt the Lord impress upon my heart very strongly that I needed to move out from the USA and return to Jerusalem. This alone is enough but there is more...
• The Lord also tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”  Matthew 28:19. 
• “Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” And He said ”Go, and tell this people:…” Isaiah 6:8-9a
• There are few who are willing or are free enough in their lives to go, but I am and I trust this is God’s timing.
• It is time ~ I have been actively working here for the past 14 years in local outreach and have been on 11 overseas short-term outreach trips (all provided by the Lord).  It is time for me to move out on a long term basis.
• Lastly, through all the varied outreaches I believe the Lord has been preparing me for this very time.  “For such a time as this….” As the Scripture says:

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance 

will arise for the Jews  from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. 

Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:14

How can one possibly read such a verse and not respond?  I am griped by it and cannot think of a better work to be doing than to take His word to those under fire from an enemy who wants to annihilate them.

So why am I still here?  I don’t fully know!  Though I can give 1001 reasons why my heart desires to be in Israel right now I can see 1001 things that have come to pass here these past few months showing me why I am not.  It is not time, close, but not yet.  And I will probably leave with less that I think necessary, but will trust the Lord to provide the rest.

One can only image the circumstances the Israelis are in on a daily basis and of the struggles that plague their lives.  I desire to be about His work.  May He open the door no one can shut.

"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door,

and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength,

have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:8

A little strength?….yes, less is indeed more when our Almighty God is behind it.

Catapult ~ Uganda ~ August 2010

Ugandan Sunset

Merriam-Webster defines the origin ~ cat·a·pult ~ Middle French or Latin; Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapaltēs, from kata- + pallein to hurl transitive verb: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult intransitive verb: to become catapulted (he catapulted to fame) ... ha, not that I remotely see myself being 'catapulted to fame', I just get that sensation from time to time as though I'm being pushed and there are no other options. Surely we've all experienced this!

Consider... 1) ~ Calvary Chapel Vista recently blessed me to become one of their missionaries ~ an honor which fills my heart with joy no end and is further assurance from the Lord to press forward in the work. 2) ~ perhaps it is just one of those transitional phases in life were suddenly there is a new chapter, that place where the page turns quickly then things settle into a normal routine again. The thing is, I cannot see anything settling into 'normal' in my life any time soon. Regardless of the results others may see I can not help but feel the recent mission to Uganda for the Women's Conference (Aug '10) was thrusting me on to a new course. I had met a Pastor, one of four, who were at the Tel Aviv airport the same time I was there last November. They were passing through on their way back to Uganda, of all places where I had just been prior to Israel. He invited me to come to the Conference. I agreed if the Lord made a way.

Worship With All Your Heart

Well... He sure seemed to be leading... I prepared for several months for this trip, praying over many aspects of what messages the Lord would have me bring, praying about the women, and the diverse situations they would be coming from. I was blessed to gleaned a bit of information on the church off a website, which gave an overview on the soundness of their Biblical teaching. My flight landed Friday evening.

Before we arrived at our hotel I was informed: ~ I would be delivering messages for both services that Sunday. ~ My five teaching segments had been increased to seven. (Thankfully the Lord had me prepare for ten) ~ There would be two interpreters, not one, which would decrease the actual amount of time I had to speak. I would need to be yet more precise. ~ At the hotel I was informed the Scripture verses (2 Kings 4:8-9 and Luke 8:2-3) I had been given months ago and prepared my teachings around had been changed to 1 Samuel 25 ~ And I was the Guest Speaker! At that moment all I wanted was rest and would pray and consider the new challenge on the 5-6 hour ride to Lira the next day.

God Just Amazes Me

Later as I prepared, God moved on my heart and gave me grace in rearranging all my notes. The women and the Pastors in attendance were absolutely thrilled with the teachings. For those of you who know me, this could only be of God! I have never done anything to this degree before, ever. They wanted me to give all that I had and inquired of additional teachings beyond those planned. Having diced and spliced most of my notes to accommodate the change of Scripture, The Heritage drama, which I have often used to teach in ministry was the only thing I felt I could comfortably bring. The Lord blessed it and touched many lives through it.

Lovely Ladies Wait Patiently For Lunch

The Pastors were so elated with the success of the Conference that they inquired as to the possibility of Calvary Chapel Pastors coming to teach their Pastors. Arriving home I was assured by my Pastor, Rob Salvato, that he would be very interested to coordinate Calvary Chapel Pastors to come share. I must note here that Faith Mission of Uganda is an established church in 18 districts having been founded in the 90's. This is such a huge movement for a church to embrace the teaching of another that again, God must be doing such a work and the movement of the Holy Spirit so great that hearts were opened to learn more and more, thirsting after a deeper knowledge of our holy and awesome magnificent God.

I pray the body of Christ becomes even more united in the deeper teachings of His Word as we all seek His way, truth, and life, found only in our Lord Jesus Christ. It was a true blessing to see the Lord do a new work in these lives. May His word grow richly and transform each according to His will.

Now again consider... 3) ~ the next catapulting event is the move to Israel in October. My deep, deep desire is to be a blessing to the people of Israel as I come along side to assist in community outreaches to the poor and destitute and to teach as the Lord opens avenues.

Isaiah 62:6-7 ~ I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 

I desire to leave the U.S. as soon as the Lord makes a way. The sooner the better ~ I am ready to get started.

At present about 30% of my support is available and there is a place on hold for me to stay in Tel Aviv. Please lift this in prayer with me. I am definitely on the Lord's time table and will only be able to go when He makes a way. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments or simply want to get together to pray. I would love that very much. Thank you for blessing my life. May the Lord pour out a thousand fold upon you for all you do to bless Him.