January, 2005
Happy New Year!
It is so hard to conceive that another year has come and gone. They just fly by so quickly anymore. Not only that, but the dear Lord is doing so much, on so many fronts, right now! It is really hard to keep up with Him, but I try.
I trust that you all have had wonderful Chanukah / Christmas holidays. I’ve just received two thank you notes from two of the communities in Israel that we blessed with holiday baskets. The first one reads: “I am writing on behalf of the community of Beit Yatir to thank you for the lovely Chanukah gift baskets you sent to us. We are a small settlement of about 65 families, located off the beaten path in the Hebron Hills section of Israel. Even most Israelis are not familiar with the rather isolated area in which we live, and certainly not our particular settlement, so who would imagine that we would wake up one morning to find lovely gift baskets from abroad! Suddenly, we are on the map! The delicious chocolate chip cookies and cakes not only please our palates, but warm our hearts as well. Thank you again!” Signed: Sandy Bloom and Mauro Levinbook, Administrator of Beit Yatir, in Har Hebron, Israel.
The second note reads: “We want to convey our heartfelt thanks to you, and to the wonderful Christians, who sent us the delicious Gili’s Goodies that “lit up” our day, this eighth day of Chanukah. All the workers and guests of the Moetza enjoyed this special treat immensely. Your thoughtfulness and caring are always a tremendous source of encouragement to us, and with friends such as yourselves, it makes it easier to over come the hardships facing us. Again, thank you for always being a beacon of light for us.” Signed: Yours truly, Eliyahu Mizrachi, Mayor of Efrat.
I share those two thank you notes with you, for many of you work with us each month to bless the Israelis. I just wanted you to know how much they appreciate the least little thing we do to bless them, or help them, in any way. Our love and friendship means so much to them, and it blesses the heart of our Father. Thank you for working with us! I am so grateful for all of your help, and I pray that you will continue to work with us in 2005 to bless His precious people. Together we can do so much!
The latter part of 2004, the Lord kept me a lot on the road. There was such an urgency to call my brothers and sisters in the faith to awaken, repent, and begin to intercede for the Church, America, and Israel.
The last trip of the year was quite different though. He told me that He was sending me back to Kentucky and Tennessee. Almost as on cue, the telephone began to ring, and during the next few days one intercessor after the other called. During the course of our conversation, as I mentioned that I was being sent their way again, several of them invited me to stay with them. Several of them also volunteered to open their homes for others to gather. It was so amazing to just sit at the desk, and watch the Lord put the entire trip together.
By the time He had given me the exact dates, and I looked at all that I had been writing down, I noticed that the calendar was filled, and all of the meetings but one were House Fellowships. I asked Him why they were almost all House Fellowships this time, and He said: “On this trip you are making a prophetic statement! This trip will be a prophetic demonstration of what is very soon to come. House Gatherings, and Houses of Refuge!”
The Lord went on to tell me that He wanted me to see how all those who had been attending our ‘Gatherings’ during the past several years were doing. He said that He would use me to speak strength and encouragement to them, and answer any questions they might have. He also told me that I would be well pleased! And well pleased I was!!! It was an awesome trip from beginning to end. Only God could have put it all together!
In Hopkinsville, Johna Veatch opened her home to me, and to the intercessors from that area. They had a lovely Shabbat Dinner, and after dinner we all sat around the Shabbat table and just shared. I was so blessed to hear the way the Lord had been speaking to some of them about letting go of man made traditions to get back to their Jewish roots. It was a wonderful time with all of them.
The following afternoon we went down to Ashland City, TN to Chip and Sheila Reed’s home. There the intercessors from the Southwestern part of Tennessee gathered together. That was a very precious gathering. As the last person took their seat, almost as on cue, every head bowed and every eye closed, and for the next forty-five minutes there was not a sound. We just sat and soaked in the awesome Presence of God. After that we worshipped and several began to pray. I shared a Word the Lord asked me to share with them, then, once again, everyone gathered around the buffet table to enjoy all of the goodies which were so generously provided, and some very sweet fellowship ensued. What a blessing!
Sunday at noon all of the Hopkinsville intercessors and I enjoyed a wonderful meal together, as well as a very restful day. Once again it was a time of sweet fellowship. Johna was a most gracious host.
Monday morning I began to make my way across the state. I stopped to see Julie Hahn in Versailles, and stayed overnight with her. When I left Versailles Tuesday morning I had a Board Meeting to attend, then went on to Berea where I met with Deborah Cain. Jan Larsen and Regina Rice joined us for dinner, then that same evening Debbie Carrick opened her home in Berea for people to gather. There was excellent discussion, and some very precious personal ministry. The evening ended with everyone gathered around the snack table engrossed in sweet fellowship. To God be all of the glory!
Jan Larsen welcomed me to her home, and then hosted a group of intercessors Wednesday evening. Jan lives in Sharpsburg, and the intercessors came from the surrounding areas. The very moment that Jan touched the keys on her piano, and we began to worship, the Presence of God filled that room. I don’t believe that there was a dry eye. It was a very intimate, very precious time of worship. When the Lord released us from that intimate place, we entered in to a time of sharing that was just great. Some of these intercessors I had not seen for quite some time, so it was such a blessing to be with them once again, and I was so blessed by all the growth and maturity that I saw in each one of them.
Thursday evening Joann Hahn hosted a group in her home in Lexington. It was a great gathering, and I met several intercessors there that I have spoken with on the telephone, but had never met face to face. That was a very special blessing, and all of the questions, as well as the time of sharing, was also a blessing. Again, I saw growth and maturity that just blessed my heart! Joann shared on her mission trip to Viet Nam, too, which was really great! She has such a heart for missions! PTL!!!
Friday evening, Mike and Vicky Welch opened their home in Richmond for another gathering. We welcomed Shabbat, then Vicky began to lead us in to a time of very intimate worship, and the anointing fell. I shared what the Lord had asked me to share with those present, and then we had a time of discussion and fellowship that was just great! The evening ended with everyone gathered around the table for a late night snack.
Saturday afternoon several of us attended Baruch Ha Ba Messianic Congregation in Lexington for their Chanukah service. We were unable to stay for all of the festivities though, for Gary and Gloria Coffelt had opened their home for a gathering that same evening in Richmond. Many different congregations were represented at their gathering, and I shared all that the Lord had given me to share. As I finished, I was so blessed because several people stood to their feet, one at a time, and picked up where I had left off. They preached under a very powerful anointing.
Each one of them knows who they are in Christ, and they know they have been raised up for such a time as this. They are no nonsense men and women of God. Nameless, faceless individuals who have been in that hidden away place with the One they love more than any other. My, oh my, what the Lord has done!
A very precious time of sharing, and sweet fellowship followed, as everyone gathered around the buffet table.
Sunday morning, Jim and Alma Stone opened their Sunday School class at First Assembly of God in Lexington for a group to gather together. Again, I shared all that the Lord had asked me to share and then opened the meeting for questions and a time of sharing. There was a very precious flow of the Holy Spirit as many participated. I was so blessed by the questions, the openness, and the sharing. What an awesome work the Lord has been doing in His Remnant! He has been preparing Himself a people in the wilderness, and many of them are ready to roll. I was so blessed when I left the area that I worshipped my way all the way back to Florida. God is so good! So faithful!!!
By the time I returned home, I had a number of emails and telephone messages sharing what the Lord had accomplished in each one through these gatherings in the various homes. To hear people say something happened to them, for they were somehow changed, just blessed my heart. Others commented on having the liberty to ask questions, or be able to share what the Lord had put on their hearts. All of them seemed to enjoy the open discussions. They all enjoyed the sweet Presence of the Lord in each gathering.
I know that it blessed my heart to be able to hear what was on their hearts, and to see each one freely share. I cannot say enough about all that the dear Lord has accomplished in the lives and walk of all those who have been so willing to pull away with Him in that intimate place, lay their head on His breast, hear His heart beat, then begin to walk in that beat. They have grown and matured. Many of them have already stepped in to their anointing and are being used mightily by the Lord, and still others are now ready to go. There is one thing for sure, the dear Lord has Himself a Remnant for such a time as this. Hallelujah to the Lamb!!!
*******
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!
In the days just ahead, it will be all about decisions! I don’t know about you all, but I want to serve the Lord all the days of my life! There is nothing else that matters to me! He is more precious to me than anyone or anything this world has to offer.
In 1972 I made the decision to follow Jesus! Once I had done that, the Lord began to lead me step by step. I grew, and I matured. Once He thought that I was mature enough to make eternal decisions, I was tested and tried by fire many times. Finally I had to make the greatest decision of all. Do I continue to follow the Lord in obedience to His commands, or do I turn around to walk the way of the world, to please man? Time and time again, I refused to turn around, making the decision to continue to follow and obey the Lord, regardless of the cost. I might add that it did cost me everything, but I have never regretted my decisions.
The same held true for Moses. You see, Moses was born a Hebrew! Although he was adopted by Pharoh’s daughter, the dear Lord worked it out so that his birth mother was able to nurse him until such time that he was of age to be weaned. During that time his birth mother instilled within him a deep abiding love for the Hebrews. Then, after he was weaned, his mother took him back to Pharoh’s daughter so that she could finish raising him, and of course, he was raised as an Egyptian, living in the Palace. And because he was now the son of Pharoh’s daughter, he was wealthy, well schooled, and next in line for the throne. Moses had it all, but, Moses refused it all. Moses made a decision. It was an eternal decision!
Hebrews 11:24-29 tells us that “when he grew up”, in other words, when he had matured and was ready to be used by God, Moses refused to be treated as the son of Pharoh’s daughter, and chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.
Now remember Moses had tried to deliver the Hebrews before, but he was much too aggressive. He simply was not prepared for the task. He realized his mistake though, and spent forty years on the backside of a desert in a “waiting mode” if you will, while the Lord prepared him. Once he was prepared by God and matured, he was in a position and ready to make serious decisions. You see, he had come to the place where God meant more to him that anyone or anything the world had to offer. And he came to that place by spending intimate time, alone with God, in a quiet place.
It was at that time that the Lord called, (“Moses!” “Moses!”) from the burning bush. When He did, Moses answered right away, “Here I am!” You see, Moses knew the voice of the Lord because of the intimate time alone he had spent with Him.
The Lord told Moses that He was ready to deliver His people from the bondages of the Egyptians, and He was calling him to go stand before Pharoh, and tell him to, “Let God’s People Go!” He went on to tell Moses that he was the one He planned to use to lead them all out of Egypt!
Immediately Moses said, “Who am I to stand before Pharoh?” “How can You expect me to lead them out of Egypt?” No pride there, just pure humility! But you can be sure that this call from God caused fear to rise up in Moses. It would cause him to remember what happened when he tried to lead them out before, his own way.
Remember, too, that Moses knew Pharoh well! He had lived with him in the Palace! He was his step mother’s daddy! And Moses knew that Pharoh did not have Judeo-Christian ethics either! Moses continued to protest, but God simply said, “I will be with you!” Moses continued to protest, and God continued to assure him, telling him some of what would happen, and that the end result would mean freedom for His people, the Hebrews.
We all know that Moses made a decision. He decided to follow the Lord in obedience to His every command, regardless of the cost. He made the decision to stay focused on the Lord, and he refused to be intimidated by Pharoh. He made the decision, refusing to be at all concerned about what others might think. He made the decision to follow and obey the Lord, regardless of all the persecution that would come against him because of that decision.
Moses made those decisions because of his love for God, who meant more to him that anyone or anything. He also made the decisions because of his love for the Hebrews, his brothers and sisters in the faith, who were so bound. He also wanted to see God’s Kingdom advanced!
This was not an easy call for Moses, but he made the decision to obey! He stood boldly before Pharoh when he decided to forsake Egypt, even though Egypt had been so good to him as he was growing up. He stood boldly before Pharoh to say, “Let God’s People Go!” He stood boldly before Pharoh as the Lord brought every one of the horrible plagues upon the Egyptians! But he stayed in deep intercession for the Hebrews, who were blaming Moses because the task masters were taking their spite out on them. They did not understand that all that was happening was part of God’s plan to bring about their deliverance. Since Moses was the closest one to them, he was the one who caught all of the flack. Nevertheless, Moses persevered, and God was faithful to His Word, as He always is.
Soon Moses was fearlessly leading about two and a half million of Pharoh’s laborers and midwives out of Egyptian society, and the Hebrews were laden down with riches that had belonged to the Egyptians. As he led them on dry ground through the Red Sea, they watched all of the Egyptians who were in pursuit of them drown.
Think about this: What if Moses had not made the decision to leave Egypt, and all that it had to offer, to follow and obey God?
Some of you have been in that hidden away place with the Lord, in a waiting mode, if you will, but He is preparing to call you out! It will be time for you to make a decision! Some of you have been called to separate yourself unto Him, go places, do things, and you have allowed fear or intimidation to hold you back. You’ve been concerned about what people will think! The Lord is saying that it is time to repent of our omissions, step across the line, and follow hard after Him as He calls you to do. As He Himself will lead you to do! We cannot be concerned about our reputation! Jesus made Himself of no reputation!
There will be persecution coming against us by those who do not understand the way the Lord is leading us. There is persecution coming against many of us even now, because of the hatred so many have for the God who dwells within us. Nevertheless, when He calls us, we must make the decision to follow and obey Him, regardless of the persecution that will come our way.
The time is coming very soon when many of us will find ourselves in very difficult or dangerous situations! We need to ask ourselves right now, what will I decide to do? Will I turn from the Lord to please man, or will I continue to follow and obey the Lord! Will I choose His Presence, His Glory, His Word, and His sweet Spirit, or will I allow fear and intimidation to hold me back? Am I willing to face persecution for His Name’s sake? Persecution that will even divide families?
It is my prayer that we will all make the decision to leave the easy and comfy and follow hard after God. May we always make the decision for the Presence of the Lord, and turn our backs on cold, dead, religion, with no life and no power! May we always worship Him and Him alone, in Spirit and in Truth!
Keep in mind that Moses argued with God when He first called him, but God would rather take a humble, fearful son or daughter like that, and make them in to the one He needs to do the job, because this type person is not full of themselves. They know they cannot do what God is calling them to do in their own strength. They know that it has to be Him! That is when He can use them for His glory, to further His Kingdom! Praise His Holy Name!!!
*******
Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice!
This is a Scripture that is burning in my heart right now. The Lord has repeatedly said that He will require absolute obedience from us now as never before. I am going to be very honest with you and tell you that over the past five years, there have been some who have written and asked me to pray for them, and their families, over and over again. I have always done so, and often times the Lord gave me a specific word for them, which I was faithful to share. In each case it was finally acknowledged that the word I gave them was correct. They had heard the word for themselves, however they were not ready to obey what they had heard. Instead they busied themselves in Christian works and programs, to serve the Lord their way, not His way. In each case they were given plenty of time to repent, and move in to obedience. When they did not, serious problems began to plague the entire family. It has been one crisis after the other in each of these cases.
Lately I have noticed that when these same people write to tell me what all is happening to them, and their families, and they ask me to pray, I hear the Lord saying, “Pray no more for these people!” In other words, they have ignored Him, and they have ignored the one He used to speak truth to them, now time for repentance has run out. Please know this is a terrible place to be in. He is calling us to walk in obedience to His commands. It is for our own good, not His! “If we love Him, we will obey Him!”
*******
May I take this opportunity to thank all of you for the lovely cards, emails, and calls throughout the Holiday Season. I am so grateful! Please know that it is my prayer that you all have a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Although the Lord has said that He will continue to “ratchet up” the natural disasters, and many other forms of judgment will be coming as well, if we stay focused on Him, and allow Him to lead us in all that we do, we will shine like beacon lights in the midst of the horrid darkness.
Shalom & Blessings,
www.fairhavensmissions.org
Gathering of the Intercessors
Vero Beach Inn
Friday, February 18th 2005
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Focus: Israel
Guest Speaker from Jerusalem
Stan Goodenough, Editor of ‘Jerusalem Newswire’
Saturday, February 19th 2005
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Focus: Church / America
As you all know, here in Vero Beach, we were terribly damaged by three hurricanes that ripped through our city. Since then, all of the hotels on the beach are under restricted use. Therefore we cannot book rooms at the Vero Beach Inn. However, we can use their ballroom where we have always held the ‘Gatherings’ before.
If you are coming in for the ‘Gathering,’ and you will need a hotel room, please call me. We will make arrangements with a hotel which is inland. In order to make those arrangements, though, we will have to have some idea how many rooms we will need to block. So I would ask you to call me just as soon as possible. (772) 299-5548.
I had even questioned the Lord about having this ‘Gathering’ because the hurricanes destroyed the restaurant at the Vero Beach Inn. They no longer have a restaurant on the premises. Regardless, the Lord spoke very clearly saying, “Gather together while there is still time! I need your corporate worship and intercession, and you all need to hear the heart of your brother from Israel.”
The Lord has told us that 2005 will be a year of judgment! Let us come together and worship Him!
Name _____________________________________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone ( )_____________________________________
Please return this form if you are coming, so we will know how many to prepare for. Send it to: Fair Havens Missions, 3486-1st Road, Vero Beach, FL 32968. We hope to have you join us! Blessings! Myrna