The Lord often uses me as an encourager to the body of Christ. In fact, 2 years ago in December, I was seeking God for a scripture for the coming year for my life-as have have done for many years. He gave me Isaiah 35, especially verses 3 and 4.
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. ISAIAH 35:3,4
Little did I know I would be getting married and entering into full-time ministry in Israel and traveling to Uganda, 6 short months later. Last year the Lord told me to keep the same verse. That had never happened before, but given the tremendous need to encourage in this difficult place, it seemed quite logical. The body of believers in Israel, and in Jerusalem especially, gets so burdened and beaten down. Any issues you may find in your local body of believers, in your own church or relationships in other churches and between churches is multiplied many times over here in the spiritual epicenter of this world. My husband, Duane, and I spend the greatest portion of our time and energy counselling and encouraging. It's a rewarding but daunting task as there is constant drain of every ones spiritual energy.
[If you are ever inclined to pray, please remember to pray for the body of believers here in Israel-all of us-Jew, Arab and the many international servants the Lord has planted here- short and long term. I would also challenge you to put your finances behind your prayers as the Lord would lead. Contact me if you would like to direct your funds to a particular type of ministry-we have lots of connections.]
Encouraging people is not always easy. People are dealing with issues caused by despair, poverty or low self esteem; to just seeking God's will in a decision. Here, many live by faith, or on very low wages. Food is reasonably priced, but housing is very high, and many share living spaces. One way the Lord has used us is to see in the Spirit His blessing and anointing on individuals and then we speak the blessings and promises of His Word into their lives. If people just knew the Word of God better, then they could, as King David did, encourage themselves in the Lord.
Isaiah 35 continues with God's blessing and restoration-the fact that we are ministering here in Israel makes all this very real to us. Everyone is looking for the blessings. Some are acquainted with sacrifice and suffering, but we all seem to forget that our loving heavenly Father is a Holy and Righteous God! The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Numbers 14:18 For too long the body of believers has been seeking intimacy with God, seeking the Glory of God, seeking the signs and miracles, even the "manifest presence" of God. We have forgotten that Our God is a consuming fire! Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29
Until we understand and stand in awe, or rather fall to our faces in holy reverence, we cannot expect God's blanket blessings. We are sinful creatures in desperate need of a saviour. The blood of Jesus covers all-as we appropriate it. It is only the Blood on the mercy seat that allows us to come boldly before the throne of grace. It is the unfathomable love of a holy, righteous God that has sacrificed and provided the one thing that allows us access to God Himself. Even so, the Word of God teaches that when we stand before Him, all the dross in our lives-anything that has no value in the Kingdom of God-will burn up in His presence. What can remain? What have we given or done that is entirely without self-serving or self-gratification? Certainly that bigger house, or second car, or dinner at the fancy restaurant-while our brother and sisters are living in mud houses, drinking rain water from a rusty 55 gallon drum-can't fair too well in God's presence.
But we are to seek His presence. There is fullness of joy and a taste of Zoe-everlasting life-just being in His presence. Read Psalm 119-the Word of God brings the presence of God and the blessings of God into our daily lives. His presence is not to be taken for granted. He is with us not just because we did or did not do something to please Him, but because of our relationship with Him. I love C. S. Lewis' line from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe allegory; "He's not a tame lion." Such a relationship requires reverence and immediate repentance when we see anything in ourselves that would be displeasing to Him in word, thought, or action. If we look at the world through His eyes, we will value the fatherless and the widows far above those who stand in positions of renown.
The righteous, holy God who created the universe wants to tabernacle-take up His abode-with you and me. Amazing! ♥
Jerusalem Springtime 
