April, 2007
Seasons Greetings!
What a wonderfully blessed time it has been through this Passover Season. I was able to attend a lovely Seder Dinner in Melbourne with many of the intercessors from Vero Beach and Melbourne, Florida. It was probably the sweetest and most anointed of any Seder Dinner I have enjoyed through the years, and to be with so many dear friends made it so very special. Pastor Gary Cristafaro, and the folks of First Assembly Melbourne, did an awesome job of hosting and serving everyone.
Passover is the beginning of the Biblical New Year on the Jewish calendar. As we have celebrated it, we have renewed our commitment to God. We have met with Yahweh to remember the Crucifixion of Yeshua, the Passover Lamb, on the Feast of Passover, and we have celebrated His glorious Resurrection on the Feast of First fruits. After the Feast of First Fruits the Scriptures tells us to begin to count fifty days, and then celebrate Shavuot or the Feast of Pentecost.
During those fifty days some like to meditate on the attributes of Yahweh. For instance, think about His loving kindness and pray that we can become like Him in that respect. Then, think about His severity and strength, and pray that He will help us to combine severity or strength with loving kindness to produce ‘tough love’ which we so often need. Or we can focus totally on strength or severity in order to be strengthened in our faith. It is also good to focus on the strength and majesty of Yeshua.
Many of us like to review each of the stops made by the children of Israel during their journey from the Sea of Reeds to Mt. Sinai. We also review the teachings which Yeshua gave to His disciples during the last important days He spent with them before He was taken up in to Heaven. Then we look forward to day fifty when we will celebrate another earthshaking day. The Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) which is the day the Holy Spirit fell upon the 120 in the Upper Room, who were waiting patiently for the Comforter to come.
This was the day the Holy Spirit empowered them all, both men and women, to go out with the message of redemption into the streets of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the utmost parts of the world. They wholeheartedly received from the Holy Spirit and wasted no time in going out to literally turn their world upside down for Yahweh!
It is so important that we celebrate these Feasts of the Lord at His appointed time. Notice that all of the Biblical Feasts of the Lord are on the Jewish calendar, and they all speak of our Jewish roots. That is the reason the dear Lord is doing a sovereign work within the hearts of true believers to enlighten them and re-connect them to their Jewish roots. As more and more of His people answer His call to hear His heart beat and re-connect to their Jewish roots, they are coming to realize just how deceived and cheated we have been. We were deliberately robbed of our inheritance! We’ve not known Christianity as Yahweh intended. It is His desire for us to regain the blessings of our lost inheritance.
The Early Church Was a Powerful Church!
After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, He never departed from the Church. They lived in continual revival! By the end of that one day alone, three thousand men and women were added to the Church. They continued to grow so rapidly that within about a year, the Church had more than tripled in size.
They didn’t just talk about the power of God. They healed the sick, raised the dead and cast out demons. They won souls to the Lord with incredible effectiveness, discipled the converts, built them to maturity and equipped them to go out to minister in His Name. The Church grew with explosive power everywhere it was planted.
A good example of this is seen in Acts 19 when Paul went to Ephesus and started a congregation, remaining there for two years to teach the new converts. In those two years alone, the entire city of Ephesus was evangelized, as well as all of the surrounding cities.
The Church grew so fast in that area that it actually hurt the economy. All of the idol makers were being put out of business for their customers were all converting to Christianity. They could not stand against the power of Yahweh and His Church! They were so angry that they threw the whole city in to an uproar. The early Church truly did take their cities for Yeshua! Oh that the Church today had that kind of an impact on our cities as a result of their evangelism!
Today many true believers are fasting and praying for revival, however we’ve seen only brief successes. There have been many movements which have put the Bible back in to the hands of the believers, restored the gifts of the Spirit to the Church, brought miracles, healing and deliverance back in to the Church, prophets have been restored to the Church, and now the apostolic is being restored, but there is still a missing piece of the puzzle. The Lord said that most everyone is ignoring the most basic fact of the early Church’s identity. We have not yet seen the Church re-connect to her Jewish roots.
The early Church was Messianic. Congregations were founded by Messianic Jewish missionaries like the Apostle Paul. Their God was the God of Israel. They read a Jewish Bible and worshipped the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua. They celebrated the Jewish Sabbath and the Feasts of the Lord. In the first three centuries, when a Gentile joined the Church, they knew they were linking to something Jewish.
The early Church had tremendous effectiveness in reaching the lost in any culture it penetrated, however once it was cut off from its Jewish roots, it lost a lot of its power to impact the world. One split after the other soon became the norm as one denomination after the other was formed. The people were no longer the Church, but instead the Church became a building with stained glass windows, a steeple, a pipe organ, a pulpit and platform, rituals, and control of man. In short the Church became passive.
This was so different from the early Messianic Church which usually met either in houses or in the courtyard of a house where there was a lot of singing, circle dancing and rejoicing in the Lord. Spontaneous shouts of praise filled the air! Shofars sounded! Some were playing flutes, lyres and tambourines. They shared a weekly love feast together, blessing the bread and wine. As they ate they shared testimonies, and discussed Scripture.
After the meal they would enter in to devotional worship, as the Presence of the Lord would come and rest in the place. Some would kneel in adoration, while someone else would read a passage of Scripture that had been quickened to them, and another with a gift of teaching would explain it. Someone else would stand and sing a prophetic worship song, prophetic words were given, or there was a message in tongues with interpretation. Some would be seen weeping, some rejoicing, and all the while they continued to move in and out of worship. There was complete freedom in the Spirit. Wherever they gathered together, He was there in their midst.
God is doing a work today to restore the Church to its lost inheritance. The face of the true Church is changing! What the early Church had the true believers will have. I can recall when we had our Celebrate Jesus weekend up in Mount Vernon, the anointing was so awesome, so unlike anything any of us had ever witnessed before. After the weekend was over the Lord shared with Johna that it was because Jew and Gentile had come together as one to celebrate the Jewish Messiah. In doing so a synergy was created unlike anything else can do.
The Lord’s heart is “one new man” Church. Hear His heart and don’t resist the changes He is in the process of making. Allow Him to re-connect you to your Jewish roots. Allow Him to restore the Church to its true “New Testament” identity. This is not happening through legalism or compulsion, but it is a spontaneous movement across denominational and geographical boundaries. There is no organization behind all that is happening. It is simply the Spirit of God stirring the hearts of His people so they will long for something that is very old and very God. A Messianic Church! A completed Church!
The Church will have life and power once again! There will be revival! The blind will see, the lame will walk and the deaf will hear, all to the glory of Almighty God! Souls will be saved!!! Hallelujah!!!
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Linda Clark writes: “Hear the words of the righteous Judge, the One who sits in the midst of you. Concern yourselves now with the hope of My calling. My heart has been squeezed as the grapes in the winepress, for until now I have held My peace, but I will no longer be satisfied to do so. I will compel those who love me steadfastly to make a choice in these days as to Whom they will serve. Will you commit your life to the calling, or will you choose to be the vessel that never gets filled up to overflowing, but leaks and becomes stale, sitting stagnant and putrid?
“Today, understand that this is the trumpet sounding the call to arms. As I instructed Moses to sound the alarm, and gather to himself those who would be set apart, even then the anointing spilled out on those who were onlookers.
“Step forward now, and the blessing of My heart will be with you. Step back and you will see the disappointment, fear and loss that comes with rebellion.”
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Daniel Bohler writes: “Please take heed! The St. Louis area will suffer greatly from earthquakes in 2007. Illinois and part of Tennessee and many places in Missouri will feel the earthquake somewhat, but within the St. Louis 50 mile circumference area it will be felt the most. Pray now as to what the Lord would have you to do. 2007 is the year!
“Washington State will shake inland. The West Coast will shake on the land and in the sea. Tsunamis are coming in 2007. Without a wall of prayer many will run for their lives and many will die.
“The East Coast is going to shake. Oklahoma is going to shake. Charleston, S.C. will shake on the East Coast, and other cities there as well. Ohio will have the most unstable weather in the history of the state. Prepare as the Lord leads you! Prepare to help others and pray for cities of refuge to be built. This will be a dangerous year all over the country.
“Watch: Mt. Taylor, Mt. St. Helens, Yellowstone and Hawaii. Please pray, but do not fear! Live in God’s Word! Seek Him with your whole heart!”
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Fred London writes: “The Church, the true Church, must learn to travel light. She cannot be dependent on buildings, the hands of men. She may use them strictly for functional utilitarian purposes. She may not invest in brick or mortar beyond measure. What measure? Where man’s flesh is gratified and reflected in man-pleasing eyes. “For the Most High does not dwell in Temples made with hands.”
“Do not allow your buildings to become “Towers of Babel” or “Twin Towers” in your heart. Do not cause people to become dependent upon your buildings, for the people will surely be destroyed along with them when they are taken down by the hands of men. Do not worship your buildings as a subtle form of idolatry. “For surely where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Do not glory in your buildings, nor the ministries associated with them. “For His glory He will not give to another!” Like a vapor they shall vanish!
“Rather, make yourselves ready as the children of Israel did the night before the Exodus with “a rod in hand and sandals upon your feet.” The time is coming when your buildings will be no more, therefore make yourselves ready before that time, before it is too late to escape the buildings’ collapse. Invest in the “living stones” and learn to function apart from human flesh and organization, with Christ as the Head, led by the Holy Spirit. Learn to travel light! Learn to travel light! Let us begin to learn it now, while there is yet time.”
Note: The Lord has told me several times over the last four years that church buildings are going to be targeted. We will be meeting in homes, as many already are. I have been told to give no money to those who are putting it in to brick and mortar. Several ministers have already been told to sell their church properties now while they can still get the money out of them.
He has just given me Scriptures to share with you: II Samuel 7:6,7 “I have never lived in a house from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a tabernacle as My dwelling.” “I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built Me a beautiful cedar house?”
I Chronicles 17:5,6 “I have never lived in a house from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. My home has always been a tent, moving from one place to another in a Tabernacle.” “I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built Me a beautiful cedar house?”
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Jeremiah Wright, Jr., is pastor of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ, where 26 year old Barack Obama walked down the aisle and publicly committed himself to God. However this pastor, in two separate interviews, has revealed his concerns about Obama’s pro-Islamic leanings. He told the senator that association with the Palestinians could pose political problems partly because of his history of supporting Palestinian causes. He has made the statement more than once that the Palestinians are the most oppressed people on earth. His pastor is also concerned about a trip Obama made to Libya some time ago to meet with Louis Farrakhan.
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Bibi Netanyahu said at the Jerusalem Conference held this past week that he will be running for Prime Minister of Israel, and he predicts early elections.
Israel and Efrocini, our friends on Samuel’s Mountain, are struggling to maintain their property and ward off spiritual and physical attacks. They are in dire need of our prayers.
Believers in Arad are still under attack from the Gur Hassidic. They, too, need our prayers.
Simantov Allalouf writes: “I am so excited about what the Lord is doing here in Israel among the youth. Please pray that the Lord and King of Glory will receive the praise due His Name. Last year in a powerful way, I felt the Lord saying that He was about to increase His call to the youth of Israel. I remember writing about the small meeting I had with some other men talking about and praying for an outpouring of God’s power among the youth in Israel. We prayed that the eyes of the youth here in Israel would be opened to see Him and His goodness which leads men to repentance. Well, it is happening! On Monday I was present at a meeting when testimony was given about seven young Israelis who have just been so radically touched by the Lord, and have been following Him with diligence for a few months now. This kind of testimony has been repeated several times in the last few months. Please continue to pray that the Name of Yeshua would be lifted high in praise here in the land of Israel. Oh, Lord, praise awaits you in Zion!”
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Paul & Joane Gelep are in Israel at this time. Please pray for them as they travel the land, led strictly by the Holy Spirit. They left Tennessee equipped and ready to bless many people. Pray for their protection and for many divine appointments and connections. They are called to the Land, and walk there with the favor of the Lord upon them. They will return Friday, April 28th. We’ll look forward to a great report!
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Mylinda Pearson & Ingrid Thompson will be leaving for Ghana on April 23rd. Please pray for their protection and cover them both as they travel to and from Ghana. May all of His plans and purposes for this trip be accomplished.
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Richard Weisskopf writes to thank us for all that we contributed to their annual distribution to families of fallen soldiers, and soldiers who have no families. Richard said that the Brigadier General asked him to pass along to us his gratitude for all we have done to help. He was so grateful!
Tina ben Ari writes to thank us for all of the books they were able to buy for the children at the school in Ashkelon. She is so grateful for the help.
Tony Brewer writes to thank us for our monthly support which enables A Helping Hand to care for many orphans in China, Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Guatemala. These brothers and sisters are such a blessing to network with, for their hearts cry out for the children.
Thank you so much for all of your help. I am so grateful for every prayer you all pray for me, and for this ministry. I cannot thank you enough for supporting us with your finances, which enables us to do much for so many. It also enables this newsletter to go out to more than two thousand brothers and sisters each month. Some who are tucked away in distant places tell us that it is a life line to them.
I want to thank Kin Clark, too, for all that he does to maintain our website. Please pray for Kin and Debbie, for they are just as busy in ministry as I am, yet they are always there to give a helping hand.
Please pray for the Fellowship of Christian Truck Drivers, who pray right along with us on a lot of the prayer requests that come in here. We send them the request and it goes right up on their website. These men love to pray!
The Inspiring Commitment of a Young African Pastor
“I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power, my dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
“My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.
“I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His Presence, walk by patience, uplifted by prayer and labor by power.
“My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
“I am a disciple of Jesus! I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me – my banner will be clear. “
Shalom Shalom
“May you be whole in body, soul and spirit, as a result of being in harmony with God’s will and purpose for your life. May His peace be your covering. May your heart know His fullness, and by His mighty power may you know victory over every enemy. May He bring to pass the deepest desires of your heart. May you know the healing power of His Presence, and the restoration of every broken relationship.
“Through His sufficiency, may every need that you face be met by His limitless resources. May His covenant promises be fulfilled in your life, and in your family. May He bring you the greatest measure of contentment, and the deepest satisfaction that your heart can possibly know.”
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If you want additional copies of this newsletter you may obtain them from our website: www.fairhavensmissions.org or write me at: Myrna Middleton, Fair Havens Missions, 206 Cardinal Rd, Brunswick, GA 31525. Telephone: (912) 265-0019. In Yeshua’s love,
Myrna