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John 17:22 The glory that You have given to Me I have given to them, that they may be one just as We are one – Yeshua is focused! It is just a few short hours before His crucifixion, and He knows it. If there ever was a “death bed confession,” this is it. And what is it all about? ONENESS AND HOLINESS!!! All of John 17 is Yeshua’s prayer to the Father. He first mentions the oneness of His body in verse 11, then again here in verses 21 and 22. In between these two mentions of unity, Yeshua prays that we would be holy. John 17:17a Make them holy in the truth. How did these two thoughts rise to the top of Yeshua’s awareness in this hour? Because He knows everything, (Please see the Rabbi Trail below.) and He knows the two greatest threats we will face are temptation to sin (absence of holiness) and division (lack of unity). Rabbi Trail: What can we tell God that He doesn’t already know? 1 John 3:20b For God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. While we can’t tell God anything He doesn’t already know, we can give Him something He doesn’t already have. It is mentioned in the verse I just quoted, “our heart.” God wants our hearts. Especially in Messianic Judaism there is an emphasis on “doing” the commandments of God. We want answers to questions like, “Which ones? How do we do that? When should we do it? Is it for everyone or only for Jews?” The answers can come to us in two forms, legalistic or by the Holy Spirit. If God has our hearts, then He can lead us into all righteousness by the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 2:22 Now flee from youthful desires; instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and shalom, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. End RT. Why is sin a threat to us? Sin separates us from God. Isaiah 59:2 Rather, your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God. Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. Yeshua prayed that we would be holy, separated unto God, being free from sin. Why is disunity a threat to us? A version of these words appear in all the Synoptic Gospels. Matthew 12:25 Knowing their thoughts, Yeshua said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Yeshua has called us, His people, to holiness so that we can be with Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made the One who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Which leads us to the promise of His return … Hebrews 9:28 so also Messiah, was offered once to bear the sins of many. He will appear a second time, apart from sin, to those eagerly awaiting Him for salvation. When God does something, it is set in motion for eternity. Yeshua prayed for you in the Garden 2,000 years ago. His prayer for our oneness and holiness is still being heard by the Father and still being answered. The blessing is available. Just receive it. [...]

An Historic Moment!

It is a time like none other. Saturday night the whole nation was riveted to the news as word came that for the first time in history, Iran was targeting Israeli soil with over 300 missiles and rockets. Iran had been threatening for weeks that an attack was coming and tensions increased with each passing day. On Friday, the White House announced that they had information it would be happening very soon and the Israeli government braced itself for the attack. The army went on the highest alert and PM Netanyahu went underground into a secure bunker with his war cabinet. The Air Force readied its planes as plans were put into place to defend this Land. The Home Front Command cancelled all public activities, airlines cancelled flights and the Israeli airspace was closed off. We were as ready as we could be. At about 10:30 pm Saturday night, the news reported that the missiles, drones and rockets had been released from Iran and in a few hours would reach Israel. By the grace of God, I stayed in His peace as I calmly prepared my “safe room” in case I had to sleep there. Throughout the night, I was glued to the TV, watching the events unfold. I appreciated what an incredibly historic moment this was and although I was not afraid, it was a bit unnerving to be facing this alone in my house! It was almost surreal to just sit and wait to be attacked! The IDF assured the Israeli public that they knew exactly what was coming and were able to take care of the threat. I believed that to be true and was comforted. God loves Israel. We are the apple of His eye. His hand was on us and His angels would be helping us to victory! I never had to enter my safe room and watched on TV as the rockets came streaming across the night sky and were intercepted by our defense systems. At 4 am, the announcement came that 99% of the missiles, rockets and drones had been effectively eliminated before even getting into Israeli airspace! There were sirens over Jerusalem and some other parts of the country but no direct hits, except for one rocket hitting a military base but the damage was minor. The Israeli Air Force did not face this alone but were helped by a coaltion of countries including Jordan, whose planes flew alongside ours. I breathed a deep sigh of relief and finally went to bed. It was over. The next day, life returned to normal. Iran said they had accomplished what they intended to do. Now the question is will Israel retaliate and if so, what will it be. At the time of this writing, no decision has been made public. The situation is very complex and the stakes very high. Please pray for the government that they would stand strong and united and politics would not affect this strategic and momentous decision. Heaven is speaking. May they hear! Pray for PM Netanyahu. He had surgery several weeks ago and because of the highly volatile situation, he never seemed to take a day to recover. He faces incredible attacks against his leadership from every corner of the world and especially from President Biden most recently. There is also significant division within the country as the war in Gaza continues and they can’t seem to draw any closer to an agreement with Hamas to release the hostages. Hope grows dim that many are still left alive. He faces pressure that seems more than a human can endure and it shows on his face. Please pray for supernatural grace and strength, not only for him but for all those in government especially those involved in war decisions. Pray against the spirit of division that grips this country. Pray deliverance for the hostages that we would yet see them released and Sinwar and his cohorts destroyed! Pray for a clear decision on the proposed entry into Rafah which Israel deems absolutely necessary and the whole world opposes. The first night of Passover is April 22 and Passover preparations are in full swing but sadly it’s under this dark cloud of war and grief. This time of remembering the exodus from Egypt and God’s mighty hand of deliverance is one of Israel’s biggest and most joyous holiday times with families coming together to celebrate with the special meal called the “seder”. This year, too many tables will be missing someone who either is a hostage or who fell in combat in this battle that has been going on for six months. Closely following Passover is Israel’s Remembrance Day when we honor those killed in the Holocaust. This is followed a week later by Memorial Day when we remember those soldiers who have given their lives in wars throughout our history and those who have died in terror attacks. After that day, we go from mourning to joy as we celebrate Independence Day. This year, each of these days take on a special meaning in view of all that we have been experiencing as a nation in this end time battle against evil and it’s plan to destroy this nation. Aliyah Day is April 18th in which we recognize Israel as our God given Jewish homeland and all those who have heeded His word and have been gathered from the four corners of the earth. In this day of rising anti-Semitism, may our Jewish family in the Diaspora listen and come home! No matter how difficult our situation is, there is no other place to live. We have no other country and by God’s incredible grace, it is a most blessed and wonderful place. Thank you for all your uncompromising support in these critical and awesome days. Six months of this war feels like a lifetime but it is still just the beginning of birth pains and all that God desires to accomplish. There is so much more to do! We will yet see God’s hand of victory and the forces of Islamic Jihad destroyed. And when that happens, we believe a great opening to the gospel will come like a flood. May this be a season of deliverance and blessing for each one of you as we also remember our spiritual deliverance with the death of our Messiah Yeshua on Passover and His resurrection three days later on the Feast of First Fruits. His blood is on the doorposts of our heart and we are saved! With love from Zion, [...]

You are Not Alone!

A prayer for Israel What is going on with the current war between Israel and Hamas? Why does this vicious struggle generate chaos and strife worldwide? How can we as members of the body of Yeshua, both Jew and Gentile, not only better understand the roots of this battle but also join in prayer to partner with Adonai to bring His Kingdom of Shalom (peace) through these battles? The root of this ongoing battle is not physical but spiritual. Behind the current battle between Israel and Hamas is the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. I am not saying that Israelis are all on the side of God and the Palestinians on the side of Satan. Remember when Joshua met the angel the night before the battle of Jericho? Joshua asked the angel, “Are you on our side or their side?” To this the angel replied, “Neither. I am on the Lord’s side.” Read the full article here: Issue 32 [...]

The Upper Room Discourse 86

John 17:21 that they all may be one. Just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, so also may they be one in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me. Today we end the week by focusing on the last phrase in the verse. Hear the words of Yeshua. John 17:21d … so the world may believe that You sent Me. Just so we’re clear … the oneness of the body of Messiah will lead to worldwide revival. Here is my explanation. We celebrate our being one in Messiah. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one Ruach we were all immersed into one body – whether Jewish or Greek, slave or free – and all were made to drink of one Ruach. And the discussion of unity in 1 Corinthians, chapter 12 leads us to a discussion of love in chapter 13. Yeshua said it previously in the Upper Room Discourse … John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. How unnatural for people groups who have a long history of animosity, to love one another. Jews and Arabs find unity and love for one another in Messiah. Racism has no place in the community of Yeshua. We are all children of God loving one another as He commands. God’s purpose is that our diversity, in a community of love, will testify to the world that this is only possible through the power of God. Sadly, much of the history of body of Messiah does not testify to these truths. We haven’t fulfilled our commandment and calling to love one another. But that doesn’t mean Yeshua is wrong, it just means we need to do better at following Him. It starts with repentance, for our own sins and for the sins of our fathers. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Messiah and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Did I miss mentioning the great reconciliation that takes place in Messianic Judaism, between all Christians, both Jews and Gentiles? Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other just as God in Messiah also forgave you. Reconciliation of people groups is something that touches God’s heart. We are reconciled to God through Yeshua. Romans 5:10 For if, while we were yet enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved by His life Then He reconciles us to each other through His Spirit of Shalom. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue shalom with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. What is the benefit for getting this right? John 17:21d … world may believe that You sent Me. Let’s give Paul the last word today. Before instructing us in the value of oneness (which is consistent with Yeshua’s John 17 prayer), Paul urges us to walk … (and I add my own amplified version) Ephesians 4:3 making every (spare no) effort to keep (defend, protect, watch-over) the unity of the Ruach (Spirit, tied up with) in the bond of shalom (complete perfection). [...]

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