Walk Toward the Light

The tenth Aglow trip to Israel has been completed with the majority of the group returning home on May 4. Those in the group who traveled to Petra in Jordan, returned on May 6 and 7 after being delayed due to jet fuel contamination. All flights within the nation were delayed for two days while more fuel was brought in.

Every trip we have taken to Israel has been purposeful and packed with prophetic meaning. I am convinced that our presence there is more significant than we can possibly ever see this side of heaven.

With, The Struggle for Jerusalem as the theme many significant things took place during this journey and we believe that we fulfilled our prophetic purpose in being there.

Our trip began in the Galilee area with a fun boat ride on the sea, a visit to the Mount of Beatitudes and a meaningful baptismal service at the Jordan River, led by Billy Fleming. Even those who were not being baptized stepped into the Jordan signifying a stepping into the new season and asking God for a fresh outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon us as individuals and as a ministry.

As we departed the Galilee and traveled south to Jerusalem we stopped to visit Cana, the place of Jesus’ first miracle. While there, we witnessed the renewal of vows between Glenda and Billy Fleming’s daughter Jamie and her husband Jay Holland. It was a beautiful time for all of us as we renewed our covenant relationship with Jesus, our bridegroom, as well as renewed our commitment to Aglow. Tony and I blessed the couple and we ended by singing love songs to Jesus.

As we arrived in Jerusalem we met on Mt. Scopus for a Watchmen on the Wall commissioning. As we stood there it began to rain, softly as first and then with more intensity. We began singing, It’s Beginning to Rain, calling for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit over the Jewish people. That night there was loud thunder and lightning mixed with hard rain. It continued to rain off and on through the next day.

Ezra, our tour guide, told us that Aglow is the only group he knows of that causes rain to come out of season to a parched Israel.

Another unique Aglow timing connection was May 1st.  It was Aglow’s first time on the Temple Mount as an entire group. It was also the same morning that Bin Laden’s death was announced; and it was Israel’s National Holocaust Memorial Day and the 66th anniversary of the announcement of Hitler’s death.

We had a meaningful time in the Garden of Gethsemane, took communion together at the Garden Tomb, visited the Rabbinical Tunnels that wind under the Western Wall, had a beautiful prayer time in the Jerusalem Prayer Tower (which is a part of King of Kings church,) and met with Asher Intrater’s team at the Revive Israel Training Center. Some of the group traveled to Eilat on the Red Sea and took a side trip to Petra in Jordan.

Every trip we have taken to Israel has been purposeful and packed with prophetic meaning. I am convinced that our presence there is more significant than we can possibly ever see this side of heaven. It has been a journey of faith and a journey of obedience to travel to Israel these past 10 years. It has been a time filled with great turmoil, unrest, intifadas, threats and growing hatred focused on the Jewish people. But, we have heard clearly that, we have been called for such a time as this.

We remain obedient and focused on that which God has called us to in standing with His people for His purposes. Zechariah 12:3 states, I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. Ultimately, the stone, the rock that has become the issue is not just Jerusalem and the Jewish people.  It’s Jesus, the One the world will either accept or reject. It is His authority that is the final issue.

Even as Jesus asked the disciples to watch and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, He is asking of us the same thing today. Will you watch and pray with Him in this time of great distress as the world closes in on the tiny, but powerful nation of Israel?

April 25^th is the departure date for Aglow’s 10^th trip into Israel. There will be women and men from 7 nations represented and we too will be, …standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!   Praying for the peace of Jerusalem…. and that Peace be within your walls….

I have a great sense of urgency about this trip.  Each trip we have taken to Israel has been purposeful and prophetic, but perhaps none as significant as this year’s time in the land.

Israel is God’s Prophetic Time Clock

I think we can all sense the changing of the times and the increase of the signs of the times, from ever changing weather patterns to changes in societal thinking.  With the rise of abortions, homosexuality, drug abuse, pornography, human trafficking, violence on our streets and in our schools, and an erosion of Judeo-Christian values, society is experiencing a downward spiral.

At the same time, we are witnessing an escalation of the world’s focus on the nation of Israel and the Jewish people.  It causes us to pay close attention to the unfolding series of events and the increase of anti-Semitism, with its expressions of hatred and violence against the Jewish people.

Historical church movements, which are generally against Christian Zionism and hold to replacement theology or fulfillment theology (the Church is the fulfillment of the meaning of Israel and ethnic Israel has no great significance), are calling for disinvestment in companies doing business with Israel.  Those who continue to stand with Israel and who support the return of the Jewish people to the land of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, are being viewed as misguided.

Israel today is facing greater and greater isolation from the world, as well as a targeted campaign to delegitimize her.

The Struggle for Jerusalem

The theme chosen for this journey to Israel is, The Struggle for Jerusalem. The final showdown will be related to this capital city.  God has spoken a great deal about the city of Jerusalem.  It is His eternal city.  He promises, I…will be a wall of fire around her and…the glory in her midst. Zechariah 2:4-5 NKJV

The struggle is ultimately a governmental issue, with God’s authority being the final issue of the times. GOD chose the city and the nation that would be the reference point of His authority. Israel and its capital city,  Jerusalem will be the place that constitutes a test for all mankind. God will make her an immoveable rock for all nations.  The struggle to submit to God’s authority is inevitable!

…I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.  And it shall happen in the day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples;  all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. Zechariah 12:2-3 NKJV

For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation:  ‘This is My resting place forever:  Here I will dwell for I have desired it.’ Psalm 132:13-14 NKJV

With the increase of Jews returning to Israel from the four corners of the earth, God has been fulfilling the prophetic word spoken in Isaiah 11:11.  Through the  recognition of Israel as a nation in 1948, we have seen the fulfillment of Isaiah 66:7-8.  And then, through the re-occupation of the city of Jerusalem, the fulfillment of Zechariah 8:4-8.

Yes, truly, the restoration of modern day Israel is not a political coincidence, but rather, evidence of God’s faithfulness to His word.  We are seeing God’s prophetic time table move forward in our day in amazing ways.

The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.  Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God. Psalm 87:2-3 NKJV

Aglow will be standing within the gates of Zion, proclaiming the heart of God for His people and crying out…

PEACE, PEACE, PEACE, WITHIN YOUR WALLS!

Some time ago my granddaughters, Madison and Gracie, were visiting me.  While they were upstairs playing, I took the opportunity to complete a few tasks. Occasionally, I would hear in the distance the tinkling of a decorative little servant’s bell I had placed in that particular room.

Thinking it was part of their play, I did not give heed.

Soon I heard Madison’s pristine, young voice calling out to me, “GJ, I’m not practicing!”  Apparently, the sound of the bell was to notify me that there was a matter requiring my immediate attention. Thankfully, it ended up being more a part of their play time and less of a serious matter needing tending to.

However, there are more serious “world alarms” sounding forth in the earth today as the earth groans in preparation of the Lord’s return.

In my 2003 Worldwide Conference message, I spoke on the birth pangs occurring throughout the earth. What seemed overwhelming then hardly holds a candle to what is taking place today.  There is increasing unrest in the Middle East leading to the overthrow of long time government leaders; bizarre weather patterns bringing floods and unusual snow fall; serious earthquakes in Haiti, New Zealand, and Japan; the dismantling of governmental powers; and threats of nuclear attacks.  As God’s people, we believe that all of these events can be an opportunity for revival to come to the peoples of the earth as they reach out to Him.

Just two weeks ago, Japan suffered one of the most devastating natural disasters on record.  With the ongoing Fukushima nuclear crisis, the end is not yet in sight.  However, the people of Japan are not alone.  God has stirred intercession around the world for these dear people.

Let me repeat some thoughts shared with us by our Aglow Japan National President, Noriko Ishikura:

The worst disaster we had never experienced before WWII hit Japan. Though the Lord warned us so many times sending His prophets and prophetesses to our nation, we are experiencing pains and sorrows. And we are facing severe problems of nuclear reactors and aftershocks.

But, we are confident that God loves Japan and He is working upon our nation so that our country can enter into the new dimension of His plan. Yes, we are in the birth pangs which are clearly written in the book “Master Plan”. The labor pain has begun. I believe this will transform Japan. Please pray for Aglow Japan so that we can faithfully follow Him and that the destiny of Japan will come forth as He plans.

In another communication, Noriko sent a testimony of God’s keeping power during their ongoing emergency:

Days passed since the major earthquake occurred in Tohoku and Kanto. We were able to contact our Aglow sisters in the devastated areas. None live along the Pacific Ocean; so while the damages are serious, no one was harmed by the tsunami.

One of our advisors in Sendai was on a train which ran by the waters when the earthquake occurred. He was evacuated safely and was able to have a Sunday service at his own church. Praise God. We hear many testimonies that though the devastation is extremely serious, everyone experienced God’s protection and His mercy.

And another of our leaders in Japan, Brenda Takano, sent this to us just yesterday:

It is such a privilege, encouragement and a joy to be a part of the Aglow family in the Body of Christ especially at such a time as this.  How often Japanese Christians have said, “but we’re only one percent of the population…”  Through this three-fold disaster, God’s love and mercy is so great toward Japan that He has moved the global Body of Christ to pray for Japan!  What awesome power has been generated to help give birth to the things the Lord is planning to do in and through this nation!  The shaking has loosed the chains and prayer will bring forth the work of the Holy Spirit.

We, as Aglow women and men, are standing for the nation of Japan. Japan has a kingdom destiny. God is asking us to call it forth.

Remember, it is the believers in a nation that hold the true identity of that nation, even though the unbelieving population may be greater in number.

Pray that the believing community throughout Japan will rise up with mighty testimonies of God’s glorious majesty and care.  This is a mighty opportunity for them to speak forth their faith in a faithful God.

The enemy would like to thwart God’s amazing purposes for these wonderful people, but we speak the truth of His word over Japan, as stated in Psalm 24:7-9 NKJV:

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of Glory shall come in.

Who is this King of Glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

Lift up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

I believe that the gates are being lifted over Japan and the King of Glory is coming in as a response to the faithful prayers of many over the years.

Continue to stand for the Kingdom destiny of Japan!

I have just returned home after attending Graham Cooke’s conference entitled, “The Art of Thinking Brilliantly.”   Graham has such a simple, yet profound way of expressing God’s truth and ways.  This conference was significant in its expression of our daily, ongoing need to have our mind renewed.

We all encounter various trials.  Life has its way of measuring out a regular dose of challenges along the way, doesn’t it?  It’s easy to get bogged down, overwhelmed, and discouraged.

However, as Graham reminded us, there is only one thought to have in any situation…it is the one God is having about it!  Our starting place always guarantees the outcome. And we can trust the Holy Spirit to show us that starting place.

James said we are to “count it all joy.”  So, when we encounter trials of any sort, or fall into various temptations, there is a higher way to encounter it than an “oh no” in our spirit.

Every trial enlarges our experience of God’s goodness.  Every situation has an upgrade contained in it.  If our mindset was changed to wholly embrace everything as a challenge from heaven, and to see what God is doing, it would drastically adjust how we live, and how we view all things.  Our emotions would be stabilized and our demeanor more peaceful.  Our joyfulness would become contagious.  ”…to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”  Romans 8:6 NKJV

Begin to take stock of how God is going to manifest His victory and His joy in every situation you face.  Partner with God through laughter and joy.  Every challenge is an opportunity to “think brilliantly” and to know that every issue you face is already in Christ’s hands because you are in Christ.  That means you cannot fail! God is bringing you into a whole new, fresh way.

We will spend eternity walking in this kind of joyfulness.  Let’s start now.