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| Photo Credit: Janine Robinson on Unsplash |
We are glad to report that Israel is still a leading nation worldwide in
combating the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Israeli government is NOW
warning us to prepare for a resurgence of the pest. What does that mean?
What is God saying through all this as we watch the absolute chaos gripping the nations in addition to the effect of the virus. Is there a glimmer of hope? I believe there is? In spite of the signs around us being very grave.
We, at Jerusalem Vistas are in a financial crisis since giving during the last months of the pandemic has sharply fallen off. We have urgent back bills and it is very humbling to tell you that we have had to lay off our faithful bookkeeper of sixteen years. Legally we have to pay her by July 31st the back salary that she has not received totaling CDN$ 35,000. Your help to meet this need will be an answer to all our prayers. Thank you for doing your part.
PS: Here is some good news. Our sons are stepping in to eventually take over from Meridel and myself. Our Israeli accountant/auditor is reducing his costs to us and strongly recommends that “Jerusalem Vistas continues on as you are doing a very important work for Israel.” He said we stand in a unique place blessing the nation as media pioneers.
Let’s remember that Yeshua~Jesus spoke about the events going on all around us, TODAY! When
asked by His closest friends and followers, “When will you return, and
what will be the sign of your coming?” He told them to watch for
specific signs. I see them as PHYSICAL SIGNS, SPIRITUAL SIGNS AND MIXED SPIRITUAL / PHYSICAL SIGNS. See if you can categorise them below from His list.
1]
First He said, “Let no one deceive you. Many will come in My name
saying ‘I am the Messiah.” Some will be deceived.” But do not believe
them.”
2] Next He said, “You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but don’t be worried. For all these things will come to pass but the end is not yet.”
3] Then He said, “Nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom.”
4] Next He said “that there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes all over the earth.”
5] This, He said,” is the beginning of sorrows.”
6] Next, He said, “They will deliver you up to ridicule and even kill you. You will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake and then,
7] Many will be offended, will hate one another and betray one another.”
8] Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive multitudes; and,
9] Because lawlessness will abound the love of many will grow cold.”
10] But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
11] “And this Gospel shall be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come”...Matthew 24:4-9
During this epidemic we all applauded the outstanding dedication of the first line health care workers and all those in society who reached out, often at their peril, to preserve the lives of the victims and continued doing jobs keeping the rest of us alive. That to me is a clear way of preaching the Good News showing man’s humanity to man and “loving your neighbour as yourself.”
But how soon were our eyes turned to see the rioting, looting, and violence of those who became lawless. Yes, we are all disgusted and sickened at the unjust and unnecessary death of George Floyd. While his brother, at his memorial asked, pleaded and almost begged for the looting, rioting, maiming and killing to stop lest the memory of his brother be defiled. Lawlessness ruled and still does. How sad. How tragic. Where is humility in all of this?
This very difficult yet needed quality of humbling ourselves was placed before us all during the course of the virus in our nations. Here is what an anonymous writer posted on Facebook in Hebrew that was rendered like a song of humility or a lament.
“ We have taken nature for granted; and now we are not allowed to leave the house.
We have disrespected our parents; now we cannot see them in person.
We have treated our teachers with content; and now educational institutions are closed.
We have squandered our money on things we don’t need; and now shopping malls have shut down.
We have more cars than we need; and now the roads are empty.
We have ceased to really connect with others; and now are in isolation.
We have placed an importance on external beauty; and now our faces are covered with masks.
We can’t keep on as if there is no tomorrow; because if we do tomorrow will not come.
We all need to pause and take account of our lives; because the gift of this virus is, that we have received a second chance.”
In closing, during the lockdown here in our home, Meridel heard the Still Small Voice ask her, “can you not watch with Me one hour?” In response she fasted on water for twelve days.
To me this was a very sincere and challenging way to humble one’s self and since that time we have received some very powerful answers to prayer. I say this to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.
Finally, we see a breakthrough with the average Palestinian citizens who are defying the PLO/Fatah leadership of President Abbas. He has rejected the Israeli annexation of the Jordan Valley, but 90% of his citizens are saying, “Yes” we want to live under Israeli sovereignty in place of our corrupt leadership. This is a HUGE glimmer of hope never seen before. Please keep praying for the “Peace of Jerusalem.” He is answering prayer.
2] Next He said, “You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but don’t be worried. For all these things will come to pass but the end is not yet.”
3] Then He said, “Nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom.”
4] Next He said “that there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes all over the earth.”
5] This, He said,” is the beginning of sorrows.”
6] Next, He said, “They will deliver you up to ridicule and even kill you. You will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake and then,
7] Many will be offended, will hate one another and betray one another.”
8] Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive multitudes; and,
9] Because lawlessness will abound the love of many will grow cold.”
10] But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
11] “And this Gospel shall be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come”...Matthew 24:4-9
During this epidemic we all applauded the outstanding dedication of the first line health care workers and all those in society who reached out, often at their peril, to preserve the lives of the victims and continued doing jobs keeping the rest of us alive. That to me is a clear way of preaching the Good News showing man’s humanity to man and “loving your neighbour as yourself.”
But how soon were our eyes turned to see the rioting, looting, and violence of those who became lawless. Yes, we are all disgusted and sickened at the unjust and unnecessary death of George Floyd. While his brother, at his memorial asked, pleaded and almost begged for the looting, rioting, maiming and killing to stop lest the memory of his brother be defiled. Lawlessness ruled and still does. How sad. How tragic. Where is humility in all of this?
This very difficult yet needed quality of humbling ourselves was placed before us all during the course of the virus in our nations. Here is what an anonymous writer posted on Facebook in Hebrew that was rendered like a song of humility or a lament.
“ We have taken nature for granted; and now we are not allowed to leave the house.
We have disrespected our parents; now we cannot see them in person.
We have treated our teachers with content; and now educational institutions are closed.
We have squandered our money on things we don’t need; and now shopping malls have shut down.
We have more cars than we need; and now the roads are empty.
We have ceased to really connect with others; and now are in isolation.
We have placed an importance on external beauty; and now our faces are covered with masks.
We can’t keep on as if there is no tomorrow; because if we do tomorrow will not come.
We all need to pause and take account of our lives; because the gift of this virus is, that we have received a second chance.”
In closing, during the lockdown here in our home, Meridel heard the Still Small Voice ask her, “can you not watch with Me one hour?” In response she fasted on water for twelve days.
To me this was a very sincere and challenging way to humble one’s self and since that time we have received some very powerful answers to prayer. I say this to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.
Finally, we see a breakthrough with the average Palestinian citizens who are defying the PLO/Fatah leadership of President Abbas. He has rejected the Israeli annexation of the Jordan Valley, but 90% of his citizens are saying, “Yes” we want to live under Israeli sovereignty in place of our corrupt leadership. This is a HUGE glimmer of hope never seen before. Please keep praying for the “Peace of Jerusalem.” He is answering prayer.
We send you our love and prayers and very best wishes,
Jay, Meridel and sons and team.
Jay, Meridel and sons and team.
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