NEWSLETTER

JUDEO-CHRISTIAN ISRAEL ALLIANCE

Issue 2 volume 1 1 January to 31 July 2008                                          page 1

Shepherd's comments.
 

Shalom

Stand firm in the Armor of God

WOE is me! A Christian man was criticized when talking to college students and politicians about the God of Abraham-Isaac-Jacob and His Son, Yeshua Jesus Who is the only narrow path to eternal life.. The “learned elite” protested publicly and their loud voice, though only a minority of the citizens of America, attracted the attention of the media. The man was left to bear the scars of their attack. He sought rebuttal for Yeshua Jesus' sake, neither for his own reputation nor self-esteem. He conjured in his mind how he would stand up against the Almighty God's accusers. Noteworthy, in these days, believers will more frequently be called to bear the cross. We must put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and put aside self-righteousness, our defense of self-worth, and our worldly desires. After 9-11, the host of the religious community is in ecumenical agreement that all religions lead to a universal god. Yes, many voices will appear to lead us away from Christ. Did not Yeshua Jesus warns us six times in Matthew Chapter 24 “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” A biblical statement repeated twice is established as fact by two witnesses (Deu. 19:15) but Jesus stating this 6 times   is a "neon light." It commands our attention to these red-letter words.

Now is the time for “you are that man" that must take a stand. Spiritual darkness has approached as storm clouds cover our land. We see apathy in the Body of Christ with unbelief, hardness of heart (stiff-neckedness) and dwindling faith. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).” Who, in the Body of Christ, faithfully reads and meditates on the scriptures daily? Who reads and studies  the weekly Torah/Parasha? Who is prepared to take the Gospel message so that all might be saved and none lost. Did not Yeshua Jesus give us this mandate to be his agents (sokhen)? Mark 16:14-18 (KJV) 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

He sent the Comforter that we may be given power to serve as agents of God. Acts 1:8 (KJV) “8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

A fast-paced world is keeping us too busy with our own agenda to see our spiritual needs and those of our of our brothers/sisters, or the Church. Do we sense God’s will, or our own will? Are we Christ-centered or are we  self-centered/world-centered? Who controls our fleshly body? Is it the Holy Spirit of God or man’s basic self-survival instincts? Are we children of the first Adam (the flesh)  or the second Adam (the Spirit)?

The WORD was God and He became flesh and dwelt amongst us. Feed on this manna and you will have eternal life. It gives you both physical and spiritual sustenance. We must stand firm in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) asserting the Sword of the Spirit until the day of our reconciliation unto the Father. 1 Corinthians 16:13 "watch ye, stand fast in the faith.......

Shalom,
Pastor Fred

Stand firm in the Armor of God by our Shepherd

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Part 2 of  The prophetic applications of the Feasts of the Lord  by Laurel

page 3

News from Israel Boaz and Rena

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Greetings from Asher and Suzie

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Israel News Corner

Betty's House of Judah

More photos of Israel Trip

       ENJOY

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12 JCIA members off to Israel

        

We're Off.......

 .

Larry in New York

SPIRITUAL APPLICATIONS OF THE FEASTS OF THE LORD
by Laurel Hofeldt

In the last newsletter, we wrote about the Feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23) and how they apply to us prophetically. In this issue, we will continue with the spiritual application of the Spring Feasts and Shavuot (Pentecost).

SPIRITUAL APPLICATIONS OF THE FEASTS OF THE LORD


The spiritual applications are progressive steps of faith, a process of redemption, justification, and sanctification.

PASSOVER - (REDEMPTION - LIFE - NEW BIRTH): Your position in Christ. Just as the Israelites had to apply the blood of the lamb over the doorposts of their houses in Egypt in order for the death angel to pass over, one must apply the blood of the Passover Lamb (Yeshua Jesus) to the doorpost of their heart. “Wherefore as by one man, sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom 5:12). Therefore, each one of us is under a curse, and deserves death. When we acknowledge this, and repent of past sins, and accept the atoning blood of Yeshua Jesus as payment for our sins, we spiritually apply the blood of Yeshua Jesus to the doorpost of our heart. We are “born again.” Only the blood of Jesus Christ (the Firstborn of the Father) can take away our sin with its inherent death penalty, and give us life. The death angel must pass over us.

UNLEAVENED BREAD - (PURITY, DIE TO SIN): In the Exodus (Passover) story, the children of Israel had to flee from Egypt before their dough was leavened - “And the people took up their dough before it was leavened” (Ex. 12:34). So, too, believers must be quick to flee from Egypt (a type of “the world”). One must flee from sin (leaven). I John 2:15 - “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.....”

FIRSTFRUITS - (RESURRECTION - NEW MAN, WATER BAPTISM): Moses and the children of Israel crossed over the Red Sea 3 days after Passover. They were all “baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (I Corinth 10:2). Just as Christ was resurrected to new life, so we must be raised to “new life” through the waters of baptism. “He who believes and is baptized, shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).

SHAVUOT/PENTECOST - (CONSECRATION: SET APART - BAPTISM OF HOLY SPIRIT): It is taught by the Jewish sages that Abba Father chose (set apart) the Children of Israel and gave them the 10 Commandments (revealed His Word) on Shavuot. This was a “ketubah” (a marriage contract), in which He betrothed Himself to them, and promised them His love, His protection, and a home (a land). Traditionally, in the Jewish wedding, the bridegroom betroths himself to his bride by bringing her gifts. It is her choice to accept the gifts. The believer accepts and receives of gifts of the Holy Spirit through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit (given authority to act in the name of her husband).

Laurel

(In the next newsletter, we will continue with the spiritual application of the Fall Feasts).

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Uniting the 2 houses through Yeshua

We're in the land milk and honey!

   Baptism on the Jordan

News from Israel

Boaz and Rena

Greetings from Israel  

                                                      Boaz in concert                

Dear Fred, Laurel and all at JCIA

Shalom friends,
We hope and trust all is well with you. Thank you for the wonderful support we received from you whilst in Las Cruces. We loved meeting ya'll and were greatly encouraged. These desert plants can get dry and our visit with you was like an annual rainfall. We were refreshed in the Spirit. Hallelujah!
We want to express our joy and thanks to Abba for His faithfulness and His goodness. He gave us Yeshua, who came, not to keep us from hardship and trouble, but to help us to bear it. Thank you for your love, your prayers and support. Prayer is never lost; a wonderful tool in the hands of friends. It reminds us of the Rod and the Staff, tools in the hands of the Shepherd of Israel, our friend. We learnt a wonderful truth concerning prayer: Focused prayer is a work of the heart. It transforms not only conditions, but also those who are being prayed for and those who are praying.

We are excited to be digging our 3 rd well in the land and trust this is as Rehoboth /Rechovot (open spaces) was for Isaac and Rebecca (Gen. 26). Isaac said this at his 3 rd well: "For now Elohim has granted us ample space, and we can be fruitful in the land" v 22. We loved the place of our first well, kibbutz Kerem Shalom on the border with Gaza! The place of our second well, Biblical Tamar in the Arava (Ir Ovot! where the Hebrews camped in the desert) brought many loved ones into our lives. Our third well is currently surrounded by dunes (lots of sand), beautiful views and families. We will enjoy seeing the children and families grow here.

We are doing well at present. The shofar business is coming along well. We never thought when leaving Africa (South Africa, Cape Town) that the horns from Africa (Kudu, Gemsbok) would follow us to Israel. It is for us a special trade in that we love the sound of the shofar, stirring the heart and soul and knowing it will bless someone in the earth. There is quite a bit of interest in our work from our fellow Israelis. People stop by and ask questions. Many try to blow a few notes. Sometimes it surprises even themselves. The moshav is a great place for us to live. The people care about each other here. They help one another and wish to see each other succeed in this very new settlement.

We enjoyed being with those of your community who could come to the Land recently and trust that they were truly blessed by being here. Israel is not an easy place, but it is always good to come and be blessed by Abba. Thank you again for your goodness to us. We remember you in prayer as the Ruach Hakodesh leads. Please give our love and greetings to all at JCIA.

"All you nations join hands; sound the shofar to Elohim with a cry of joy (be koi rina)... Make music for Elohim; make music for our King, make music ... Elohim reigns over nations ..." Psalm 47.  How comforting to know in these uncertain times. 

Boaz and Rina

SHEFA
Harvesting the Abundance

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.......got-ya

God's land

Rosie on sea of Galilee

Abba Is Always Taking Care…

 A Message From Suzi and Asher

                                                       
Suzi says:

In 2005 I found myself in the Israeli desert with Sunnie who had encouraged me to come with her to Israel for the second time. Why not? I didn’t have other plans, so I packed my suitcase and off to Israel I went…as you know, the desert doesn’t require any fancy stuff…no fancy clothes, jewelry, or makeup…instead I packed jeans, shirts, and a pair of work boots.
My plan was to work in the desert, but my Abba had other plans. God’s purpose for this trip was to introduce me to the man who would eventually become my husband. During my two week stay, Asher and I found ourselves getting to know each other day by day…but in a very different way…not the traditional courting scene…where you dress nicely and go out on a date. Instead, we were both dusty, had dry skin and hair, cracked lips, dirty nails, and we both wore old jeans and work boots as we watered trees and worked in various jobs at Biblical Tamar Park.
During the two weeks I was at the park, I found myself working hard, traveling, and gathering with friends for praise and worship every evening. This led to the opportunity to introduce the New Testament and Yeshua to Asher.
After my time there, I returned back to the United States. Asher and I remained friends for one year, getting to know each other through phone calls and e-mails.
According to our Abba’s plan (and with Sunnie’s help), we met again in Jerusalem, this time knowing that we were together again because Abba decided to bring us together for a purpose: To work with the Sephardic Jews from New Mexico and to help bring them back to Israel.
Asher quickly decided to pack his suitcase this time and come to the United States and continue to establish our relationship. It became clear that we would marry in New Mexico in a church that teaches the Bible based upon the Old and New Testaments.

Asher (as dictated to Suzi) says:

It was amazing for us to see so many people who were involved in our ceremony with so much love and care, not only for us, but for God and Israel. Our wedding was so special. All the loving work and preparation that went into the ceremony and the decorations and the costumes and the food…everything! We thank you also for the kind welcome you provided to all of Suzi’s family. All of it came together to provide an unforgettable time. We want to especially thank Laurel and Fred, Sunnie and Dudley, Keith, Tony and Betty, and all the people that were so happy for us and were part of the wonderful ceremony.
We love all of you and we look forward to the day that we will be worshipping, praying, and studying with you at Judeo-Christian Alliance Church.

Shalom

Asher and Suzie

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"follow me"

 

Israeli produce

Feet on Las Cruces

Sunnie's Israel News Corner

For me, the joys of the JCIA Fall Trip to Israel were in twelves! Every place we went, every site we saw, every experience we shared…all were translated into the faces of twelve travelers (including my own!) from Las Cruces, plus of course, our two dear sisters from North Dakota! Having been to Israel a number of times in the past, I must state that this trip held a special gift for me which is now the first joy that comes to mind among frequent times of re-living memories. That beautiful gift from God is having those faces as the major part of those memories! I can see them all right now as I write…faces bright with excitement boarding our El Al jet out of New York City to Tel Aviv… faces of immense peace as we sailed and sang upon the Sea of Galilee… faces of childlike wonder as we stepped foot upon the many locations where we know that our Jesus, our Yeshua, also stepped…and of course, faces of satisfied tiredness as we finally gathered together in the waiting area before once more boarding a plane to fly home.

Where is home? A common thread among so many travelers to Israel is an intense feeling that Eretz Israel suddenly feels more like home than this geographical place where we live in our own houses and where we have all those belongings that permit us to abide in such comfort. I think most of us would agree that we would be fine living in far less comfort and with far fewer amenities if we could just stay longer in Israel, if we could just help to serve the Jews, if we could just return to that land of constant turmoil across the ocean, if we could just be a continuing part of it. Many of the travelers on this recent trip told me that they did not care whether or not they were in physical safety. While everyone acknowledged that they always felt very, very safe wherever we were, they also claimed that if anything dangerous and unexpected …even life threatening…were to happen, it would absolutely be okay with them. They just want to be in The Land…at any price, even that of their own safety…their own well-being…their own lives! It seems that Home is Israel!

Now that the twelve have walked the streets of Jerusalem, have prayed at The Western Wall, have looked into the faces and shared precious words with our Jewish brothers and sisters both young and old and in between, have eaten the food of the Mediterranean, the next thought becomes not only how to get back to Israel ourselves, but also how to provide for others to share in the same wonderful soul-enriching experiences. It is upon faith that we are free to proceed. Our Father knows the purity of our love for His people and His land and our desire to be with those people and to share with them the thrill of being in that land. He knows our obedience to His commandment to ‘comfort and keep comforting His people Israel.’ (Isaiah 40:1) He also knows our limitations. And we know that He will provide both people to go and the financial means to make it possible for them. So, in the precious Name of Yeshua Jesus, we go forward…Kadima. We have booked the next trip for early May…leaving El Paso May 3, 2008, for a night and day in New York City as we did in the Fall of 2007, and then on to Tel Aviv late at night on May 4th. We have booked sixteen seats this time. With God as our Supreme Travel Agent, we will once again board an El Al jet... (El Al = Up To God)…and be in Israel again. We pray for another twelve from Las Cruces! And God willing, we pray for four from among our friends in North Dakota. Next year in Jerusalem!

Shalom

Sunnie

Betty