P.O. Box 564 Pearland, TX 77588
Phone: 713-624-0943
June, 2017
What the LORD is doing...
A word from our co-founder Dov Schwarz:
Dear Partners of Blessing Israeli Believers,
We just celebrated the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) here in Israel! In the Torah this was a feast of harvest between the LORD and Israel. You see, Shavuot in Hebrew literally means "weeks"-this is the Feast of Weeks as it is seven weeks after the Feast of Passover/Unleavened Bread. It is also called the "second Firstfruits". Our Lord Yeshua resurrected on the "first Firstfruits". In the New Covenant Scriptures the Lord is called the First fruits of the resurrection and we who are born of His Spirit are called a kind of first fruits:
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. I Corinthians 15:20
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. James 1:18
In the Old Testament they were required to bring the first of the harvest and offer it to the LORD as a sacrifice. Then and today it is important to acknowledge that He who brought the first of the harvest is also the One who brings the rest of the harvest.
There were many ceremonies attached to this feast but one that stands out in my heart is the waving of two loaves with leaven. This is a bit unusual and I think, as some others do, that this represents Jew and Gentile who are saved by Messiah Jesus.
You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the Lord. Leviticus 23:17
Often in the Bible sin is pictured by leaven. These two loaves with leaven may represent Jew and Gentile both with leaven, yet both holy before the LORD due to the cleansing of the blood of the Lamb. Now because of His righteousness they are acceptable before our Father in heaven!
It was almost 2,000 years ago on Shavuot when the Holy Spirit birth of this New Covenant born again body began in Israel! Think of it, after all this time here we are back in the Land! Just like that day in Acts 2-once again Jews and Gentiles who love the God of Israel Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) are here, not only in Jerusalem, but all over Israel in one accord having been baptized by the Holy Spirit!
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:38-39
We celebrated Shavuot with a group of friends on our patio overlooking the Sea of Galilee and enjoyed a grand time of worship music and a wonderful meal together. How special it was to stand with a dear brother in Messiah and together read and teach about Acts 2. Amazingly, a strong wind began to blow through the majestic old trees that are in our back yard overlooking the Sea of Galilee! Truly, it is such a special hour to be an Israeli Believer in
Messiah Yeshua. Your participation in the work we're doing here in the land is truly a blessing and makes a great difference. We pray the blessings of Genesis 12:3 over your homes, and churches.
Shavuot greetings and thanks to our Blessing Israeli Believers Brothers and Sisters in the Nations!
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Romans 15:26-27 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal (material) things.
Single mother B continues to work as a nurse in the internal medicine department of the local hospital.
Our Spring 2017 Semester is almost completed. It has been a blessing to see the students seek the Lord and a daily basis.
Through your generous designated gifts we were able to pay one months rent for Dema, Ina and their two children. Dema injured his back and is unable to work and is in middle of process to receive government assistance. Your gift bridged the gap during this process and kept a roof over their heads.
Elena is a pensioner and found herself in need of a new pair of glasses, which is not covered through Israel's medical insurance. We were able to send her to the optometrist and she received a new pair of glasses. She has asked that we convey her gratitude as now she is able to read her bible every day!
After months of prayer seeking how to best reach our community with the Gospel we received a phone call inquiring if we could host a warm house. They went on to explain that during WWII the Jewish people where either placed in concentration camps, ghettos or hid where ever they could from the Nazis. Those who hid looked for what came to be known as a 'Warm House' a place to hide, or receive a warm meal from loving Christians.
John 1:29: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
In Exodus 12 the Jewish people were commanded to place the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their homes. Having done this they would be protected from the final judgment upon Egypt-the death of the firstborn. Death would 'passover' the house with the blood of the Lamb.
Here we see the way we keep the Passover in this New Covenant today. We live holy New Covenant unleavened lives of sincerity and truth. "Unleavened" pertains to the bread without yeast that is a picture of the life of Messiah Jesus-unleavened-without sin. Though we cannot live fully sinless until we receive sinless bodies-we can live a life of sincere devotion that reflects the life of the truth of who Messiah Jesus is. He is the way, the truth and the life!
The Lord is doing marvelous things here! Although there have been so many stories of opportunities to share the Gospel and see Yeshua heal the sick in the past few weeks, here's just one that we especially would appreciate your prayers for:
Praise our God, who is able to not only save individuals, but even whole households!
As promised I would like to begin this letter with a note from myself, and John McTernan, as founders of this ministry. We both see 2017 as a potential year of great change, Kingdom opportunity, and shaking. We believe and sense that this is going to be a very special and unique year in Israel and in the Nations. Having said that, we also believe that our vision statement for BIB is going to be very powerful for this New Year:
Can you believe it-it's almost 2017! I would like to give a brief overview of just some of the fruit from 2016 here in Israel. Next month, Lord willing, we will give a brief vision for 2017. This year has been full of ups and downs yet in both we have seen the faithfulness of Messiah Yeshua in the Promised Land.
Over 1,000,000 Jewish people have heard the gospel through Ariel Hyde's Facebook video, about the "forbidden chapter" Isaiah 53.
For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
Shalom! -