There is a revival a foot in these last days! It's not a preacher with a microphone or a three-night gathering of people of a certain denomination. No, it is an underlying current that is bringing people back to their Jewish roots. It doesn't mean we Gentiles are to act like Jews. It does mean we are to get to know about the roots of our salvation which are tied into Jewish covenants God made to the nation of Israel long ago through Christ. As a result of Israel's rejection of those covenants, He has now made the benefits of these covenants possible to the Gentiles and the world. Many who have been "strangers" to the covenants Yahweh made with the Jewish people are coming back to a realization that our roots as Christians are Jewish roots and we have a mandate to embrace them and to stand with the Jewish people - even if it means our lives. I've been a stranger to the land but the Lord is opening my eyes to new truths each day. I pray He does the same to you.
By Lisa McDonald
Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up My hand to the Gentile nations and set My standard and raise high My signal banner to the people; and they will bring your sons in the bosom of their garments, and your daughters will be carried upon their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22 (Amp.)
Growing up a “good little girl” in a Southern Baptist church, I was introduced to missionaries on a regular basis. It seemed that every other Sunday an offering was being taken for the support of missionaries on foreign soil. But I sadly confess that I did not pay much attention. I was never stirred to pray for their provision or for their work of sharing the gospel to lost souls. All I understood of missionaries was the fact that if you were called to be “one”, then you would have to travel to Africa and live in a tent. My opinion was somewhat narrow minded and selfish.
The life of a missionary is described by our friend Webster, as being a follower, a disciple or a messenger. In my limited and one-sided mind-set concerning the missions emphasis at my church, I did not understand that we all, the bride of Christ, are missionaries to some extent, whether on foreign soil or not. Jesus gave the Great Commission to everyone, not to just those who are willing to travel to Africa. It was a sobering thought when God asked me these questions, “Are you My follower? Are you My disciple? Do you consider yourself a messenger of My words to others? Then you are a missionary.”
After being convicted of my self-centered views and attitude concerning missions, my views began to drastically change, due in part to my husband’s influence and also due to recent developments in today’s news. Can anyone of us turn on the television without news of Jerusalem, Israel, Palestine, suicide bombers, or a death toll? Why, you may ask, does this affect me now? Again, I sadly confess that I am not politically minded. I cannot tell you the ins and outs of what the reporters are telling us, or explain the strategies on either side. I just know that God’s chosen people are being slaughtered and many of them do not know Yeshuah as the true Messiah. My heart aches at the thought of all the people who are missing out on an everlasting life with our Heavenly Father because they have not been told the truth of the true Messiah, Yeshuah Hamishia. (Jesus the Messiah) These individuals who have to live each day wondering if their time is up….whether the bomb will hit in the market place, or on the bus, or at the restaurant, or at their synagogue…..these are mothers and fathers, children, families, just like us. They live each day with the constant thought that they are a hated people and a force is trying its best to wipe them off the face of the earth. Yet, amidst all this, they are God’s chosen people and He loves them, just like he loves you and me.
Three years ago my husband received a call from the Lord. This call was a burden for the Jewish people. It began for him as periods of crying and weeping with no known cause, and an interest in researching the Holocaust and other atrocities administered at the Jewish people’s expense. This grew, gaining momentum in his life while I was basically along for the ride. I did not fully understand this new ministry my husband was so excited about, but I prayed with him and tried to understand. I know he also prayed for me to receive the same burden from God because he knew that if he were called to a specific ministry, then me, being his wife, would also be called. I just had not awoken to that fact as yet.
I continued in this vein, trying to understand and trying to be a part of his ministry, until one Sunday at church my whole perspective changed. I began to speak with a couple that I had just recently been introduced to, who also had a heart for the Jewish people like my husband. The lady immediately asked, “Did you hear the awful news today? There was another bombing in Jerusalem and several teenagers were killed!” I admitted that I did not see the news that morning and nonchalantly proceeded to my seat. The minute I sat down the Holy Spirit quickened my soul and asked me, “What if that were Sara and Libby (my two daughters)? Wouldn’t you want someone to be praying for their safety?”
Since that day I have wept with my husband over the plight of the Jewish people living in Jerusalem and have felt a weight on my shoulders, not only to pray for their salvation and protection, but also to be a messenger to them of the good news of Yeshuah.
God has given me many dreams and visions confirming the fact that this is also a ministry He has given to me. Once I gave up and gave in to His plan, I began to hear more clearly what He was instructing my husband and myself to do.
Vision One:
At the beginning of the vision I was in heaven. The song “Holy, Holy, Holy” was being sung by the four living creatures off to one side while everyone else there was on their knees, prostrate on the floor, worshipping Jesus. Suddenly Jesus stood up and walked over to me. I could tell He had something in His hand, and the closer He came I could distinguish it as a lump of clay. He handed it to me and said, “Make what you want.” I placed the clay on a potter’s wheel and made a replica of the nation of Israel. After I showed it to Him, He said, “This is your destiny. Both you and Chris will for a while live there. You will experience hardship but remember the verse I gave you tonight:
Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
“Caleb (my unborn son at the time) will be a mighty witness to the Jewish people along with Chris who will preach and teach. Caleb will be a fisher of men. You, daughter of God, will teach but also be a mother to the many orphans there. I know your troubles and needs. Trust me and rely on Me. I know all about it already.”
Vision Two:
Chris and I were on the ground looking at rocks. These rocks were smooth and round, like river rocks, and could be placed in the palm of your hand. We took lots of time, turning one at a time upside down and all around, inspecting each one. We looked at the rocks, continuing to turn them over and over until we found the very one we wanted. We both carried one single rock, one at a time, to a wall and placed it aside many others. Then we returned to the same place we were in order to find another stone. We seemed discouraged, going through all this work to build this fence or border with only small, hand-sized stones but we continued in our work. When we brought the next stone to the fence we looked over to the other side. There we saw millions and millions of people doing the same thing – finding small stones and bringing them to the same wall. At this time the Lord told me, “You think that you are alone in this ministry. But there are actually a large number of other people who are also called and are working at this very moment. Be encouraged. I will provide.”
**After this vision He led me to read Isaiah 48 and 49 where the above scripture was found.
Vision Three:
Walking down a city street, Chris and I saw several homeless people (men, women and children). Both of us would walk up to each one of them and give them some money. The money was so abundant in Chris’s pockets that it was actually falling out onto the sidewalk. But the more people we gave the money to, the more money we had. It never ran out. We proceeded to a small building, which resembled a homeless shelter and soup kitchen where Chris began to preach to the poor, sick, and discouraged.
Vision Four:
I was alone in a small chapel which seemed to be in a mountain setting. It was very primitive but had beautiful stained glass windows and a huge altar. I looked at the pulpit and there stood Jesus. He stepped down and walked over to me. I wanted to stand up, to embrace Him and walk with Him but I could not. I was in chains with a huge weight attached to my feet. I tried to break free myself but could not. I looked up at Jesus and he said, “These chains are legalism. Let Me take them away.” He then placed His hand on my shoulder and the chains miraculously fell to the floor. Then he told me to follow Him to the door of the church. He told me open it. When it was opened, I saw many people in various states of infirmity, some visible while some were not. I could see the people who were crippled, standing on crutches and others who had bandages on various parts of their body. Others, by their appearance seemed to be fine, but I knew inside that they were emotionally scarred and needed comfort and healing within. Jesus told me, “This is your ministry. Help them.”
Along with these personal visions, Chris and myself have had several “words” from prophets, letting us know that our destiny lies with the Jewish people in a variety of ways. On one hand it is exciting to know that God has called us to share in such an important ministry, and on the other hand, it is also an ominous responsibility due to the truly possible and real potential threat to our lives.
By reading such books as DC Talk’s Jesus Freaks and Fox’s Book of Martyrs, anyone can be awakened to the plight of Christian martyrs, not only over seas but also here on good ole’ American soil. Knowing that God chose us, two divorced, remarried, imperfect people to be a part of this tremendous ministry could be a huge source of pride. But, as God always has things under control, He has allowed us to experience things, time and time again, which have caused us to be humbled beyond measure.
(How would it feel if you were 7 months pregnant and your husband told you that he had just received a word from God to quit his job and be in ministry full time with no specific income coming in? Or not have money for groceries but to have someone you know come by with boxes of food just because they felt they wanted to bless you? Or be persecuted for having a radio program which you know has been used mightily to spread God’s message concerning the Jewish people to others just because a DJ didn't want the program to air only to have it restored after a humbling telephone call with the station manager. How about having to hear creditors call your home asking for payment only to receive a check, within the next week, from individuals saying they had us on their heart and wanted to provide the monthly funds we needed to pay our bills.) Humbling? I’d say! Especially for Miss Independent and Miss Fixit – ME.
Friends, I do not tell you these scenarios to illicit sympathy for us. I do so in hopes to encourage you, and myself, when times are hard and God seems far away. True, we have been called to be missionaries but God, why we don’t know, may keep our itineraries secret for some time while we are being prepared. (Just as pottery is warmed in a kiln, we as broken pots are being reshaped, remolded and heated beyond what we think could be bearable, for His purposes.)
Besides being humbling, these “hard” times we have and are experiencing are also curves in our faith walk with the Lord. Just think, when you are traveling don’t you remember the curves and angles in the road and how it veers more than just the straight highway? God has allowed these, and many other situations, to occur not because He is trying to break us, but because this isn’t OUR ministry or OUR vision. It is God’s. We are only the imperfect jars He has chosen to use. Just as Paul prayed for the thorn to be removed repeatedly (**A side note: The Bible records three times that he prayed but don’t you think as bold as Paul was, it could have been more? Just a thought…), I have prayed for the money to come in quicker or for the ministry to take off and be more self-supporting, but in all honesty, why would I have to have faith if this happened? God knows us so much more than we know ourselves. I know I drive my husband crazy sometimes when I talk to him about the money and the budget and the needs and the …….list goes on and on. But humbling is never easy and never fun, but the rewards are infinite and everlasting when it involves God’s kingdom.
Back to the ministry at hand….
I have shared my soul with you, dear friends, because I want you to know how desperate are the times at hand. My husband and I have been chosen for this ministry, which is anything but easy and prosperous at the moment. But we stand together, in faith, allowing the Holy Spirit to continually wash over us, revealing anything which will hinder our work for God. Are we perfect? NO! Do we ever stumble and fall into fear, worry, depression and doubt? Yes! (Me more than my husband I believe.) But if God is still God, which He is, He is not a man who should lie and He said He would provide and prosper His children if we were faithful and obedient.
I stand renewed in this promise to Him:
Dear Father God, I repent to you today for my worry and fear over the ministry you have called Chris and myself to pursue. As You know already, there is worry over money and provision at times, worry and fear over how this will affect our families, and ultimately our lives. But I know this anxiety does not come from You, our Gracious One, but from the pit and the Author of All Lies. Forgive my selfishness and lack of obedience to your call due to my own preconceived ideas and notions concerning the Jewish people. Forgive me for placing my own roadblocks to the ministry by not seeking and searching for myself where my part lies in all this.
Father, renew the vision you have entrusted to us. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray for the mother’s, father’s, children, all the families who have been torn apart due to the violence. We pray for our governmental officials to have the wisdom to stand behind Israel and not falter in their support. We pray that more people will begin to pick up the rocks and help us build the wall….a wall not of division between two factions, but a wall of cooperation and corporate love for one purpose…the peace of Jerusalem and a united acceptance of them as the apple of God’s eye. Use me, oh God, use my family in a way which will best benefit your mighty Work. Help us to see more clearly and not falter. Help us to be strong amidst adversity and to stand firm at all times. Open the doors of utterance for us to share with others and prepare individual’s hearts so they would be open and ready to hear.
Thank you for my husband, Chris, and how you have used him in such a mighty way to reveal Yourself to me. He is truly a blessing in my life and I continually pray for him to be encouraged in this call. Help me as his wife to know what his needs are and to support and provide for him at any cost, freeing him to have the time he needs to pursue Your call.
Father, In Yeshuah’s name, we thank you for all the blessings you have provided. We have never lacked for food, clothing, shelter, or a freedom to worship You. Our brothers and sisters in Jerusalem can’t always say that, Lord, and that is what our ultimate prayer is today, for the peace of Jerusalem. Help us to know what to do. Open our eyes to the doors which are open and give us wisdom to know which ones are closed. Provide us with the wisdom of Solomon during these times of indecision and to have the faith to step out. Give us a militant faith, Oh God. A fiery faith, Dear Father. A faith that will not stand down when accused, but to proudly proclaim YOU to our dear brothers and sister.
We admit, Father, that we don’t know where all this will lead. And we know that there will be more curves in the road as we proceed down the path You have laid out for us, but again Lord we pray for strength and courage. Reveal yourself to us continually and at times like this when we are discouraged and depressed, give us a fresh anointing. Deliver us from the sins and temptations that so entangle us. Help us to be fresh, pure and holy before you. May You never take our apathy or procrastination for a lack of love for You. Burn into our hearts Your love so it will be easier to love others.
We love you Lord, with all we are. And we admit that we could not do anything without You. But, Your grace is sufficient and we know that all things are possible through You.
In Yeshuah’s name,
Amen
