Written by Virginia White The words of Psalm 126 are profound for Israel and for all who trust in the Lord Yeshua. Recently two of us were in the Negev for a few days, waiting on the Lord. One evening before dusk, we went out to worship our Great King. We danced all alone for over an hour in our glorious garments of praise. This beautiful song of Psalm 126 by Steve Schneider immediately came to mind... we had to dance it! The tears for Israel still flow, but now we pray and intercede for the seed to be fully ripe. Our God has never been defeated and every prophecy will surely come to pass, like streams in the Negev!
When it was almost too dark to dance anymore, we put on a small mobile to catch the atmosphere. Suddenly we were in such a place of joy as we called in the spirit for Zion to return to their King. 'When we brought back the captives from Zion, we were like men who dreamed, our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues were filled with joy, then it was said amongst the nations, the Lord has done great things for them, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy, carrying seeds to sow. We'll return, with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with Him.' - Psalm 126, Steve Schneider
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Written by Emma Freeman We had a couple of days to rest by the beach before going home. We just had fun dancing on the beach when two young Hispanic guys came to ask what we were doing...
We’re dancing for joy! Would you like to join us? They did! We danced, chatted with them and prayed for them before saying goodbye. Written by John Chamberlain-Butt and Sheila Eike John: One Monday on the way to our weekly prayer meeting the place name Beersheba lodged in my mind which I mentioned to those present. Another had brought for prayer an article about detention of men from war torn east Africa in Holot camp near Beersheba, close to the Egyptian border. Apparently quite a few are Christians and considered by the writer of the report to be genuine refugees denied fair treatment. (Such people are regarded in most counties as 60-80% asylum seekers but Israel have only accepted 1% and will not allow the rest to integrate, so they wait in limbo for the possibility that other countries will receive them. A few have been taken by Uganda. The high court in Israel have ruled twice that the centre should be closed but the government has each time legislated to overturn those rulings) This became a seed for our latest visit to Israel. During our time in the desert we drove towards Holot and found a piece of vacant ground within sight of the camp. Our prayers and declarations were made whilst 12 of the team were arrayed in angel wings raised to heaven and spread as sign of heaven coming to earth in blessing, protection and in His will being brought about. Whilst we were preparing an army/police car pulled up and the driver asked what was going on. “This looks very interesting” the officer said with a smile. Ginnie explained we had come off the road to bless and pray for the people of Israel. The officers did not move us on- rather they were appreciative and gave their blessing for us to continue. So when they moved on we interceded there for the inmates in the detention centre- for strengthening of believers and for God encounters to bring others to Yeshua; and for the fire of the Holy Spirit to come into that place. We also interceded for the Israeli Government that they might perceive and enter their destiny in this matter by becoming a beacon of righteousness according to God’s heart of mercy Is 62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. We shouted in unison to earthly and spiritual powers “set the captives free!” One of the team spotted a sign in Hebrew where we had turned off the road. We couldn’t translate it except that in the middle was printed in English “consider it done”. A couple of African looking men were wandering about near to us– they were quite possibly from Holot as detainees are allowed to leave the camp (so technically not prisoners) but would be arrested if found elsewhere in Israel. One of the team presented one of these guys with a Hebrew New Testament which he gratefully received. It was also on the heart of one of the Sh’ma family that it was very significant that Kadesh Barnea was in sight only 2 miles away at the border with Egypt. This was the place named in from which 12 spies were sent to spy out the promised land - 1 spy per tribe but only Joshua and Caleb brought back a hopeful report based on faith in God. The others saw the walled cities and backed off. Num 32:8, Num 13. Facing the border, we prayed for Egypt for revelation of Messiah to the Muslims and strengthening of the Christians, and declared that God calls Egypt ‘My Beloved’. Then facing north, we prayed for the Jewish people, for their protection in the land and that the believers in the land would be persistent and courageous like Joshua and Caleb and bring the next generation through into their full inheritance in the Kingdom of Messiah. Shelia: After we danced near the Holt Detention Center, one of those little desert whirlwinds that pop up appeared (we often see them on film in the Arizona desert). This one wasn’t cone shaped but cylindrical; it was revolving but never moved from it’s place. It made me think ‘was this the pillar of cloud that God sent ahead of the Israelis during the 40 years wandering? Emma: I had been praying for any believers in the detention center & for God to send His word in. A man walked past us, presumably to go to the center as there isn't much around here. Virginia gave me a Hebrew bible & encouraged me to go say hello. Thankfully he spoke Hebrew & I was able to have a very brief conversation with him, after which he gratefully received the bible. With all our praise garments on, we went to celebrate Shabbat in a quiet spot. Our intention was to dance and worship for His eyes only, but the quietest spot we could find was next to a road. A few people stopped to see what we were doing. We had some great chats as a few of us were able to share why we were there. Written by Emma Freeman We joined the group of believers to worship on top of hill following what God had asked them to do. At the start of the school year, the teenagers and parents go to the top of one of the hills and perform pagan ceremonies with effigies. The believers here felt to go to a high hill and come in the opposite Spirit to release the Kingdom in the area & call out for those currently in the darkness to come into the light
Written by Emma Freeman and Diane Chamberlain-Butt Emma: We arranged to meet up with, a local pastor because whenever we go for an assignment, we seek to connect with what God is already doing in the area. We always want to honour local believers because these are the ones God has called to have authority there, so we want to be a blessing to them. Diane: The 1917 battle at Beersheba was the gate to Israel and the beginning of freedom for the Jews to re-establish their homeland, which in turn gave way to the Balfour declaration. A gate can only be opened by the power of God and the horses involved in that battle were of strong sturdy stock. The victory by the Anzacs is remembered as the last great cavalry charge in history, the horses leapt 3 metre trenches filled with machine gunners and riflemen, which the infantry could not pass, bravely securing territory back from the occupying forces. Again, the power to break through at the gate can only be supernatural. Water Apparently, the battle at Beersheba was about getting to the water supplies. Our first assignment here was at “Abraham’s well”. It was in Abraham’s time that the Arab nation was birthed. Now in the park where we worshiped stood an ancient well (Abraham’s well?) and a minaret directly opposite. This surely was the essence of the battle; the significance profound. Hagar’s 2nd encounter with God came when she was put out by Sarai and it was then that Ishmael was saved from death when God provided water at Beersheba and then promised to make him a great nation (Genesis21 v 17). Here stood the well of Abraham, the living water of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob releasing the power to defeat false religion and war over disputes of inheritance. But central to the message of the Kingdom and all the contention in Israel today is this story-The battle of the true faith of Abraham and the battle to establish God’s sovereign plan. Isaac was born by the Holy Spirit – the child of promise and Ishmael the natural was a slave. As the battle against religious spirits emanate from this point in history it was with the release of life from the wells of salvation we could dance and intercede for what seemed like the whole of the world. We stood against religious pride in Israel and the Church and proclaimed over Islam by declaring that the blood of Yeshua was enough. Blood The word for that day was ‘honour the blood. ‘The blood of Yeshua speaks a better word than the blood of Abel’. It does not require revenge but has the power to redeem history and resolve conflict. Upon returning to the cemetery, we continued to celebrate the blood of the Lamb by breaking bread and drinking wine, followed by pouring the wine into the ground remembering those who gave their lives to liberate Israel. Within our narrative Isaac is offered as a sacrifice but is saved by a lamb in the thicket. Is the Lord showing us that we are to be willing to ‘love not our lives unto death’ too? To follow Him may mean the ultimate price but with joy we can continue to drink from the well of salvation forever. We had to go to the airport to switch cars...
Christine: We come out of the lift on the wrong floor, so we had to get back in and go down. When we got out we were looking for somewhere to have a coffee. Everyone was looking one way, but I caught sight of a man dashing past and I thought “I know that face!” I said to Ginnie, that man looks like our friend! Ginnie ran after him, it was! We hadn’t managed to see him this time in Jerusalem, but instead God organised for us to see him in the airport and His timing is so precise, if we’d not got out on the wrong floor, we’d have been in the cafe and missed him. Ginnie: We were bearing a gift that had been given to us to be a custodian of until prompted by the Spirit - "this is the right man". They had just paid all their bills and now had nothing left, so we were able to bless their work. Sharron: In the airport, while coming out of the chemist, I dropped my purse. Ginnie was behind me, so saw it and shouted after me. The reason she was behind me was that the Lord had had told her to walk around the shop again ‘but I don’t need anything’ she thought, but was obedient anyway. Emma: We joined the 20,000 people who came to Jerusalem to show our love and support for Israel. When the march bottle necked, we danced and sang Hebrew songs as locals watching the march smiled and waved from widows, or videoed us. Some who had crossed the barriers came to join in the dancing! Virginia: How can such vast numbers of believers all hear to go to Jerusalem at the same time unless it’s the same Spirit speaking to them? Calling so many different nations so they can obey that call and what a privilege it was to be part of that. The joy of speaking to and encouraging people that we hadn’t forgotten them and that God hadn’t forgotten them. To say to them directly “for Zion’s sake we will not be silent” and that we are your friends. Emma: Despite our bodies aching, we went back to the conference and couldn’t stop ourselves from dancing again because how can we be in His presence and not be moved by Him? We walked home past a sculpture of the world where we danced ‘Every Tribe’ to call the tribes home and the nations to come into alignment with the God of Israel, Who will make Israel the head and a praise of the Earth. Isaiah 62 TLV
1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness shines out brightly, and her salvation as a blazing torch. 2 Nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which Adonai’s mouth will bestow. 3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Adonai, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4 No longer will you be termed “Forsaken”, no longer your land termed “Desolate”. Instead you will be called, “My Delight is in Her” and your land, “Married”. For Adonai delights in you, and your land will be married. 5 For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you. As a bridegroom rejoices over a bride, so your God will rejoice over you. 6 On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set watchmen. All day and all night, they will never hold their peace. “You who remind Adonai, take no rest for yourselves, 7 And give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 8 Adonai has sworn by His right hand and by His strong arm: “Surely I will never again give your grain as food for your enemies, nor will foreigners drink your new wine, for which you have labored. 9 But those who have garnered it will eat it and praise Adonai, and those who have gathered it will drink it in the courts of My Sanctuary.” 10 Go through, go through the gates. Clear the way for the people! Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Lift up a banner over the peoples. 11 Behold, Adonai has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the Daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes! See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.” 12 Then they will call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of Adonai, and you will be called, Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken. Written by Emma Freeman There was a green near where we were staying, which we felt to dance on. When we arrived there were around 50 young people sitting under a canopy. We brought our speaker and as soon as we put on the music and started dancing, the majority of the young people jumped up, cheered and all ran over to join in! Yes, it actually was like something out of a film... As we danced with them, they told us that they were striking from school in protest due to the new head dismissing their 'house mother'. About 5-10 minutes before we arrived, the head had come out to say she wouldn't be reversing the decision, so they were feeling defeated and disheartened. We arrived with music and dancing, which lifted their spirits! They requested some songs and taught us a few dances! Some of us chatted with them, while others danced with them. "Are you Jews for Jesus?" They asked. Ginnie explained why we were there. She encouraged them that we were standing with them, praying for them and it was important they pray for their nation too. Later we found a spot that looked over the valley. We worshiped there and asked our Lord to gather the scattered people and to bring life to the sleeping... "I will bring upon Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them to all those winds. There will be no nation where the dispersed of Elam will not go." Jeremiah 49:36 "Then He will send out the angels and will gather together His chosen from the four winds, from the end of the earth, to the end of heaven.” Mark 13:12 "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life."'" Ezekiel 37:9 We also danced Mayim Mayim - for the waters (the Spirit) to arise in the desert - another way to declare the same thing. |
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