ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD....
The verse that has been reverberating in my head all week is this one:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
It's a well-known verse and one I memorized soon after I became a believer 46 years ago. We often quote this verse to one another, but do we really believe it? When things go wrong in our lives, when trouble strikes, it is sometimes hard to take this verse at face value. Is this really happening for my good? How can that be? Yet, that is what the Word of the Lord says.
In the days of the Second Intifada (2000 - 2008), when suicide bombings were an almost everyday occurrence, we rose in the morning not knowing if we would survive the day. Every night when I made it safely home again, I gave thanks for having got through another day alive. I also remember that during that time there were many, many accounts of people being saved from injury or death because something went wrong, a puncture or a traffic jam for example. There were so many such stories it made quite an impact on my life. Now when things go wrong, I thank the Lord and am much less likely to get irritated and angry. I just think, perhaps this is from the Lord, perhaps he is protecting me from something much worse, or perhaps it is for the sake of someone else.
It may seem a bit arrogant or self-centered to claim that God works every circumstance so that it is for my good, but what an amazing God we have that he can do that for all his children, simultaneously everywhere. But what of the times when He doesn't save us. There were believers who died in the Intifada after all. Bad things do happen to even the LORD's most devoted followers - disease, accidents, and all kinds of loss. I don't have an answer for that except faith- faith that even the 'worst' is part of God's working things out for our good. The LORD took from Job everything he loved, his family, his wealth and livelihood, and finally his health. God did not tell Job why, but simply confronted Job with His awesome majesty and power. Job eventually had to just bow down to God's Will in humility. In the end, that is all we can do. There are times when we are forced to choose between despair and faith.
A few days ago I experienced a relatively minor 'trouble' in which God demonstrated his working out of things for good. I had to go to the main post office in town, and at the central bus station I boarded the number 74 bus, that should have taken me to the post office in about 10 minutes. It was quite some time afterwards that I came to the realization that I was on the right number bus but going in the wrong direction, and I ended up right across the wrong side of town. I wasn't best pleased with myself for this silly error, but I got off, crossed the road and waited for a bus going the other way. In a few minutes one turned up and, as the driver pulled up to the stop, the front of the bus went up over the footpath right where a little toddler was standing. He would have been struck by the bus and injured had I not been there to pull him to safety. On my way back across town it dawned on me that perhaps God had allowed me to make that albeit time-consuming and inconvenient mistake just so I would be in the right place at the right time to save that little boy!
Some days later my faith was once more put to the test. My neighbor's dog chased my cat up a tree. My cat has until recently only lived indoors and though he knows how to climb up trees, he has no idea how to climb down again. He was up there for two whole nights and one very hot day, but he just went higher and higher, until he was in the very topmost branches of a cypress tree about the equivalent of 4-5 storeys high. I eventually found a professional animal rescuer who, after a 2 hour rescue effort and no little risk to his own life, managed to get both himself and the cat down safely. He said it was the most difficult rescue he had ever done and that it was a miracle that he had succeeded. I told him that I was not surprised as I had been standing below praying fervently the whole time. I don't know for sure but I hope that will have at least sown a small seed in that man's life, and he will draw closer to God as a result. It was something of a traumatic experience for me and it is not over as now I am very afraid it will happen again. Today I let the cat out once more but it is with a lot of anxiety. I guess the Lord is stretching my faith muscle through all this, once again.
Some days later my faith was once more put to the test. My neighbor's dog chased my cat up a tree. My cat has until recently only lived indoors and though he knows how to climb up trees, he has no idea how to climb down again. He was up there for two whole nights and one very hot day, but he just went higher and higher, until he was in the very topmost branches of a cypress tree about the equivalent of 4-5 storeys high. I eventually found a professional animal rescuer who, after a 2 hour rescue effort and no little risk to his own life, managed to get both himself and the cat down safely. He said it was the most difficult rescue he had ever done and that it was a miracle that he had succeeded. I told him that I was not surprised as I had been standing below praying fervently the whole time. I don't know for sure but I hope that will have at least sown a small seed in that man's life, and he will draw closer to God as a result. It was something of a traumatic experience for me and it is not over as now I am very afraid it will happen again. Today I let the cat out once more but it is with a lot of anxiety. I guess the Lord is stretching my faith muscle through all this, once again.
 |
| Cat rescue |
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.
1 Peter 1: 6-8
I thank God that living in Israel there are plenty of opportunities to grow in faith. We live in constant physical danger, and have to deal with many emotional trials and spiritual attacks. We cannot let our guard down one instant. The Enemy is prowling around constantly looking for our weak spots. This is especially true here in the Jerusalem area where the main focus of spiritual warfare lies. Please pray for the growth of faith, and for physical and spiritual protection, for all the Believers here, especially the spiritually immature. Many of the local Believers, especially those in leadership, are going through fiery trials at the present time, struggling with serious illnesses or other very difficult situations.
I am pleased to say that in the 30 + years I have lived here in Israel there has been tremendous growth both in numbers and maturity in the Body of Yeshua here. There is still much to be done however. One of the weak areas is the lack of maturity in the local congregations. Many people do not see commitment to congregational life as being important and often hop from one congregation to another. Others are so involved with other ministries, or their work, that they have neither time nor energy to devote to the development of healthy congregational life.
Our congregation is trying to create a stronger expression of our faith, by means of the establishment of cell groups, in which we can get to know each other in greater depth, support and encourage one another, study the Word together, and create an unthreatening environment to bring in those who are open to the gospel or who are new believers.
It has been difficult to develop any cohesion amongst us because we are broadly scattered geographically, speak many different languages and have heavy commitments of time and energy outside of the congregation. It is hoped that geographically based groups can overcome these difficulties to some extent. We now have three cell groups operating, one in the city and two here in Mevasseret Zion, one for Portuguese speakers and one for English speakers. The latter was just started last week and will be meeting mainly in my home.
The congregation will also soon be starting a Bible Study Course for new believers or those who are interested, and I may be helping out with that too. We are continuing our Friday afternoon combined meeting in Hebrew and now I am one of two who translate into English on a regular basis. We take turn about. Recently our congregation has joined with the King of Kings group of cooperating congregations. This is also a step towards maturity and growth as we can share resources and giftings more efficiently, supporting and helping one another, whilst maintaining our independence and identity.
Our congregation is trying to create a stronger expression of our faith, by means of the establishment of cell groups, in which we can get to know each other in greater depth, support and encourage one another, study the Word together, and create an unthreatening environment to bring in those who are open to the gospel or who are new believers.
It has been difficult to develop any cohesion amongst us because we are broadly scattered geographically, speak many different languages and have heavy commitments of time and energy outside of the congregation. It is hoped that geographically based groups can overcome these difficulties to some extent. We now have three cell groups operating, one in the city and two here in Mevasseret Zion, one for Portuguese speakers and one for English speakers. The latter was just started last week and will be meeting mainly in my home.
The congregation will also soon be starting a Bible Study Course for new believers or those who are interested, and I may be helping out with that too. We are continuing our Friday afternoon combined meeting in Hebrew and now I am one of two who translate into English on a regular basis. We take turn about. Recently our congregation has joined with the King of Kings group of cooperating congregations. This is also a step towards maturity and growth as we can share resources and giftings more efficiently, supporting and helping one another, whilst maintaining our independence and identity.
Another sign of growth in the body is the establishment of a Messianic TV station called 'Yeshua Hai' (Jesus Lives) Their application to broadcast on cable television was turned down but it is broadcasting online. Here is the link: http://www.yeshuachai.tv. It broadcasts only in Hebrew and presents gospel movies, testimonies from local believers and teachings. It is relying on word of mouth to spread knowledge of its existence so please pass this information on to those who might be interested. Pray that this station will be greatly used to spread the good news.
We also have a newsletter that goes out to all who wish to receive it by email. There are both Hebrew and English versions. Here is the latest issue
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/15de19c7f6700214. There are many articles of interest about Israel and about the Body of Messiah here in Israel. You can ask to have it sent to your inbox by writing to admin@kehilanews.com.
Another resource for information is the online magazine "Jerusalem Today". You can subscribe to it to receive online or paper issues. http://www.israeltoday.co.il/
There are many excellent ministries involving both foreign and local believers operating in the Land. One such is Ba'ad Hayim (Pro-Life), which reaches out to pregnant women and offers an alternative to abortion. To date, this organisation has saved the lives of some 2000 babies and provides practical and emotional support for their mothers. Last year Ba'ad Hayim received an award from the Israeli government for their "significant contribution to the protection of mothers and children."
There are also many other ministries which support various groups such as believers in the armed forces, or those recently released from the armed forces, single mothers, and young people, or which distribute food, clothing, furniture and practical help to needy Israeli residents of all ethnic and religious groups. Yet other ministries are active in intercession, worship and prayer.
In this blog update I have concentrated on the needs of the Body of Yeshua here in the Land. It is good to pray about the security situation and other events that take place in Israel but it is ultimately more important to pray for the spread of the gospel so that the people of Israel today can find the true peace that passes all understanding, and eternal life. We also need strong local congregations to disciple and feed those who come to faith, or who are involved in the various ministries. It is God's plan and desire to save the people of Israel, not just practically in returning them to the Land but also spiritually in returning them to the pure and true worship of their LORD God, the God of Israel, in Yeshua, the Messiah.
There are many excellent ministries involving both foreign and local believers operating in the Land. One such is Ba'ad Hayim (Pro-Life), which reaches out to pregnant women and offers an alternative to abortion. To date, this organisation has saved the lives of some 2000 babies and provides practical and emotional support for their mothers. Last year Ba'ad Hayim received an award from the Israeli government for their "significant contribution to the protection of mothers and children."
There are also many other ministries which support various groups such as believers in the armed forces, or those recently released from the armed forces, single mothers, and young people, or which distribute food, clothing, furniture and practical help to needy Israeli residents of all ethnic and religious groups. Yet other ministries are active in intercession, worship and prayer.
In this blog update I have concentrated on the needs of the Body of Yeshua here in the Land. It is good to pray about the security situation and other events that take place in Israel but it is ultimately more important to pray for the spread of the gospel so that the people of Israel today can find the true peace that passes all understanding, and eternal life. We also need strong local congregations to disciple and feed those who come to faith, or who are involved in the various ministries. It is God's plan and desire to save the people of Israel, not just practically in returning them to the Land but also spiritually in returning them to the pure and true worship of their LORD God, the God of Israel, in Yeshua, the Messiah.
I say then, have they (Israel) stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?...
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;For this is My covenant with them,When I take away their sins.”
Romans 11: 11-15, 25-27
