Leading To Edification

“Let each of us please his neighbor, for his good, leading to edification.” Romans 15:2

Edification requires more than just me, thinking about me, doing for myself.

Lord, the Western Church is seen as being mostly “me” centered. Please forgive us Lord, and help us become more selfless in our worship and service to You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Naturally

Edification comes
when we
naturally do
for others
what Love
would do.

Made To Stand

“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4

I love how Paul puts this. Indeed, who am I?

Lord, please stop me whenever I start to slip into judge mode. Thank You, thank You, thank You that we will be made to stand . . .because You will “able” us to. And here’s a simple poem . . .

The Master’s Servant

I don’t have a leg to stand on
though You gave me two
as I mess up at every turn
in this life with You.

But You don’t let another judge
the work You’ve put me to
instead You cover it with grace
and say, “This will surely do!”

No Provisions Given

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provisions for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:14

This may sound harsh, but it is so true. If I give my flesh an inch, it takes 10,000 miles.

Lord, thank You for being one size fits all, covering each of us so completely when we step into Your will. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Immersion

Although I may not like
the truth to be
my flesh lusts after
all it sees
continuing along
destroying me
so I’ll immerse
myself in Thee.

Overcome Evil

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

I always get a little shaky when confronting evil. There is instantly the temptation to overcome it with anger or submit to it in fear.

Lord, we thank You for Your goodness in us that can overcome all evil, whether it be our own or from an outside source. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Dissolved

Evil drops in like a bomb
ready to explode

so we tend to tiptoe around it
and put our lives on hold

but we can stand in His righteousness
and let His goodness flow

watching what happens to evil
when the Holy Spirit flows.

A Present Remnant

“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Romans 11:5

I love fabrics. During my sewing days, I would look for remnants – little left over pieces bundled up at the store – and imagine what I could make with them.

Lord, we rejoice with Your remnant over Your promises and all that You are going to create through them. And here’s a simple poem . . .

My Remnant

Like gleaning grapes glistening
in clear heat listening
so shall My remnant be.

Like heads of grain
in the Valley of Rephraim
so shall My remnant be.

Like two or three olives high in the tree
like four or five on a lower branch be
remains a people longing to see
so shall My remnant be.

Previously published at Silver Wings and Idylls For The King.

Inside Israel – Moving towards the New Year

Hello!
So good to have you here for another look at Israel, through J of Jerusalem’s eyes and heart. She has a very precious way of sharing and is a blessing to us who aren’t there, but long for His will and His nation Israel. Thank you for your prayers! Now, here’s J . . .

Our first rain showers of the year came, yesterday to the North and Tel Aviv, and in the night and today to Jerusalem. The smell of the air, after the long hot summer, is indescribable. How comforting and assuring that after the UN speeches last night, we have our first sprinkle. It is not a full rain, but it is a reminder of the promise of His faithfulness. And ‘faithful’, thank you for all of those who watched and prayed last night (our time) for our Prime Minister and the hearts of the world leaders. Even several who wrote back that they were, right then watching and praying! I will refrain from commenting on the events right now, but I do know that He heard our prayers! If any of you did not hear the speeches and would like to hear or read them and can’t find the links, please ask me and I will send them.

As I smell the freshness of the air, I also prepare for our fall feasts. The entire country prepares. We are entering nearly a month of mo’edeem (appointed times before The Lord). First is Rosh h’shana (the new year, the feast of trumpets), beginning this coming Wed. night, a time of thanksgiving and prayer and the blowing of shofarim (ram’s horn), of giving of gifts, eating apples and honey and meals together. Indeed, the shofarim have been sounding every morning since the beginning of the month of Tishri (on the Hebrew calendar). The days of Awe follow, leading up to Yom Kippur (the day of Atonement) a week after Rosh h’shana. This is quickly followed by the full, wonderful week of Sukkot (feast of tabernacles) –a time of thanksgiving and sitting in the outdoor sukka. Sukkot ends with Simchat Torah (rejoice in revealed The Word). What a month! What a time for Israel to stand…again…in precarious situations…forced to look up and find her strength and salvation in God Alone! By His grace, I will share with you the times, smells, heartbeats of the days ahead.

Following a very full ifi prayer meeting yesterday at 6:30am… a time when Isaiah 14:32 was spine tingling alive “What will they answer the messengers of the nations? That The Lord has founded Zion, and the poor of His people shall take refuge in it.” (how TIMELY!) I ran to the bus to get to work. Even more then usual yesterday morning I was so sad to have to leave early. My bus stop near the ifi Friday meeting is at the shuk and from a distance the bus stop looked unusually crowded for 7am. As I approached I saw that there was a class of, perhaps 6th or 7th graders there with their teacher, a tour guide and an armed soldier guarding them (that is the law for any organized group of children together… there must be an armed guard with them) I listened as the guide, along with the teacher, was sharing the history of the shuk and it’s habits. The children were excited to enter it’s just-waking alleys. I love the way Israelis tour Israel…CONSTANTLY! As if everyone wants to get to know each rock and tree personally. I prayed for them to encounter Yeshua.

I was off to begin my day.
But it was a bus ride the day before that I wanted to share with you. Once again I took the 18 bus; that is the bus that I told you about, whose new route has been a nightmare. It was jammed, so I stood beside a young woman who was already grumbling. ‘He thinks we are bowling balls, this driver! It is impossible to stand up. Why can’t he drive smoothly?’ I had to agree that he did seem to be doing his best to knock us all down. ‘Well, that is probably the one good thing about the lite rail anyway is that it is a smooth ride.’ I said. ‘Ah! Olmert’s! He took all of our money and built luxury buildings, a lite rail and ruined our public transportation!’ she continued. I laughed ‘Well…the GOOD thing is that no one ‘outside’ knows how stupid we are. The nations think that we are so clever. That is probably our best weapon…they don’t know. And since we ARE so clueless, we would be crazy to think there is no God, since only He could keep this crazy country going!’ She thought; ‘You are right ‘ she said. ‘It’s a miracle that we keep going’ There I agreed and it opened the door for a wonderful conversation. She is a single woman, probably in her mid thirties, and she has 3 old people whom she cares for. This is hard work, and low paying at that.

I soon found out that she was very discouraged and her life was hard. She asked about mine, and I shared with her some of our situations…but again I laughed; ‘Without Elohim I would quit…but He makes it all worthwhile…He is enough, He fills my heart with Joy, and we still have a roof over our heads and food today.’ I smiled. ‘You are religious?’ she asked, obviously surprised, since I do not dress like the religious women. ‘No. But I love Elohim with all of my heart and I get up very early every morning and read the scriptures without a prayer book or a rabbi and then I pray from my heart.’ She looked serious ‘Oh, that is the best way. To pray from your heart. I think He hears then.’ I answered ‘Oh, He always hears an honest heart that is sincerely seeking Him. Did you know, the scriptures are really EASY to understand if you ask Him to help? We don’t need the rabbis to tell us what they say.’ She nodded ‘Yes. They have our history in them’ (the children read the scriptures in school as the history book) ‘But more then that!’ I said…’It is the CHARACTER of those who follow Elohim…and those who don’t… that we can also look at. The character of King David, for example; his life was so hard but he always turned to God and he was given help and joy and strength and wisdom from God’. I went on to explain that even more then man’s character, we learn of GOD’S character and of His ways. My new friend’s stop came and we warmly thanked one another for a good ride together and wished one another a Good New Year. ‘Shana tova omevorach!’ (Happy and blessed new year) As she got off the woman behind me burst out with ‘THIS BUS IS RIDICULOUS! WHAT DID OLMERT DO TO US!’ I think I can actually THANK our x prime minister Olmert for the wonderful opportunities that he is providing me to share words of encouragement toward The Lord, prayerfully opening windows to The Name of Yeshua.

Shabat has drawn to an end now and I hear that we are on high alert along the Egyptian border. God knows what lies ahead this week…this night…this hour…and THAT is so comforting! How wonderful is His Mercy, how Great His Love! Thank you for your continuing prayers for this nation, this people and for the indigenous body of Messiah here. Love and blessing to each of you. Your sis

ani b’derek

By Hearing

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17

What I hear the most is what I will have faith in.

Lord, may Your words echo in our ears long after we hear them. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Not So Secret Recipe

Here’s the word, My children
the ingredient faith’s made of

listen to it, absorb it
share it with love.

Whatever you hear contrary
will eat at your soul

but lend your ears to the word
and watch your faith grow.

Formed For Him

“Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this’?” Romans 9:20

I tried making a bowl on a little pottery wheel of my daughter’s. It looked so easy to do, but wasn’t. My piece had every reason to ask, “Why have you made me like this?”

Lord, I am trusting that You have made me like I am, and continue to mold me, for Your purpose and glory. Please help me to remember this when I am pressured to be different from the way You designed me. And here’s a simple prayer . . .

Made By God

There is nothing wrong
with what You’ve made

no fault lies
in Your hand

as You create us
in Your image

according to
Your purpose and plan.

Indwelt

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

What an amazing thing, this eternal life He gives us, to carry around in these mere mortal bodies.

Lord, thank You for this life that is so unlike what we called life before we came to You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

The Given Life

This life that is in me
I’ve not made up on my own
it leads me away from
the darkness I have known
and takes over for me
when my flesh pulls away
staring death in the face
saying, “This one’s Mine,” today.

Something New

“But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.” Romans 7:6

This is an area where it’s okay to want something new!

Lord, we thank You for the newness of the Spirit and the life it leads us to in You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Serving Fresh Daily

How blessed we are to serve now
in the newness of the Spirit

filled with awe and wonder
redeemed by His love

able to give now
as we are given

unburdened and unhindered
delivered from the law.