My Dear Friends;
I desire to bless my readers by centring this letter on Messiah Jesus. I keep learning from HIs life, and I trust this is also your experience as you walk on.
Tough Lessons:
We have all been here to one degree or another. The tempter waits to attack each person who confesses Jesus as LORD! Especially, in those down times when we are feeling cut off, weak, alone and desperate. In that moment, we must TURN our eyes to heaven, trusting in the Word and in the LOVE of our Abba Father and Jesus. This is our secret weapon; our high tower, our hiding place, strength and shield. Hang on! The answers will come if we are willing to WAIT and be still.
Jesus was desperately hungry after His fast. Satan the tempter waited to attack. “It is written …” Is how Jesus replied to every temptation that alone tells us how important it is to know the Word of God and hide it in our hearts, so that we do not sin against heaven. “… it is written. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.” Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4
After misusing and twisting the Word of God, exactly as Satan did to Eve and continues to do to you and I, Jesus again responded: “…it is written. You shall not test the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:7
Then teasing Jesus with lies and the idea of control and authority over the kingdoms of this world if He worshipped Satan. Jesus responded: “…it is written. You shall worship the LORD God and serve Him only.” Deut.6:13, Matthew 4:10
Temptation led to High Treason:
‘Then one of the twelve who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?
And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver.”
Matthew 26:14,15,16. Exodus 32:32. Zechariah 11:12.
WHY 30 pieces of silver? You ask. Because that was the going rate for a slave. Exodus 21:32,
Judas lies to Jesus:
While leading the Passover Feast, with His 12 disciples, Jesus said: “The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”
And Judas, the betrayer, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”
Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.” Psalm 41:9, Matthew 24: 25.
I trust we have all taken quiet time to come back home to Jesus and repent of anything that we have not confessed. Self-blindness is the absolute worst disease. His blood cleanses from all sin. Remembering the death and resurrection of Yeshua Jesus I can now testify, “ I know what is is to be resurrected back to life. Let me say, how grateful I am for my husband and friends of many decades, and my new ones of course. You have made a huge difference in my personal life and the lives of family members. Thank you for your notes and prayers, and acts of love. I am indeed a blessed woman.
This weekend is celebrated by all of those living by the Gregorian calendar. The Hebrew Passover falls on April 22nd and we plan to celebrate it with family
members. The Greek Religious Calendar dates Easter on May 5th.
A Word from Josh:
Jay and Josh were in Israel this March. They have just returned.
“Mom,” Josh told me, “We flew El Al, with only Israelis on board. You know they always clap upon a descent into Ben Gurion Airport! Well, this time, there was only silence. I was taken by total surprise. There were no lines or hustle and bustle at the airport. But, upon return to Athens from Israel, again on El Al, everyone clapped! Sadly I think this sums it all up.”
A Word from Jay:
“Josh and I made an emergency trip to Israel and returned just days ago. David, our eldest son was very ill with pneumonia and developed serious shortness of breath and complete fatigue, he was under a Drs care. Thankfully as soon as we arrived, his symptoms began to fade. He stated, “Your visit is of vital important to me, more than you will ever know!”
Of course, we immediately prayed for him and continued to do so. Now we are rejoicing in answered prayer. In addition, it was such a timely visit as we were able to encourage, comfort and strengthen many family members and Israeli friends. They are suffering day in and day out under the pall of an ongoing war. The atmosphere in the country is depressed, although the people must be commended for their indomitable spirit. We were first called to Israel in 1969, our ‘first love’.
One of the most touching and memorable visits we had was with Josh’s army buddy Dothan. He along with his wife Sivan, volunteered to help identify those massacred by Hamas on October 7th. They used their computer skills to help identify the mutilated bodies. We pray for their emotional and spiritual recovery.
David and I did a stand-up for Israel Vision. See: israelvision.com
Both David and Josh were able to join me for the monthly Men in Ministry prayer meeting in Jerusalem, serving some fifty ministries in Israel. I was so grateful to see it continue, stronger than ever. I helped start back in 1981. Please do not neglect your prayers for us as a corporate family. We all seem so vulnerable. Thank you for being our faithful friends.” Love, Jay
Daniel and Shelly are producing an explorative blog for Israel. For those who may be interested, go to: https://chooselovenotfear.world
“And in His Name the Gentiles (all the nations of the world) will hope.”
Isaiah 42: 1-4
Rejoicing in the knowledge and experience in His superb LOVE!
Jay and Meridel Rawlings
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Photo at top by Jonny Gios: https://unsplash.com/@supergios