PURIM

The book of Esther was written to "document the origins of the Jewish observance of Purim, which celebrates Israel's survival and God's faithfulness." (ESV)

It says in the book itself that "the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year... throughout every generation... Queen Esther.. and Mordecai the Jew gave full written authority, confirming this..." Esther 9:20-32


It is recorded in the Book of Esther that when the enemy of the Jews: Haman, a Persian official, in 480 B.C. tried to wipe out all the Jews of the provinces of Persia on the 13th of the Jewish calendar month of Adar (which this year, 2012, was March 7th) it backfired on him and the reverse happened on that same appointed day.

Haman was an evil man full of selfishness, pride and envy. Because Mordecai would not give him respect and honor that he assumed he deserved he plotted to kill him and all his people, the Jews.
(Esther 1-3)

Right before this, Esther, a Jew, Mordecai's cousin, found favor in the King of Persia's eyes: King Ahasuerus, who reigned from India to Ethiopia, during this time. She became queen, and was used "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). At the risk of her life, she went before the king and pleaded for the lives of Mordecai and all the Jews, and it ended in victory.

This is why Jews celebrate Purim every year, with one day of fasting (commemorating the 3 days of fasting and prayer Esther and all the Jews underwent before presenting herself before the king). This is followed by one 1 to 2 days of celebration commemorating the victories of the Jews that followed. (Esther 7-9)

This is another example of how the Jews had victory over their enemies, that the provinces even feared them (Esther 9:3). Another example of how the wicked will fail (Proverbs 11:2). Also, an excellent example of how one woman can have a tremendous effect on multitude of people and how Esther's boldness was commended (Esther 4:16). Praise God Adonai!

THE PLAN

This is the beginning of a step of faith long awaited to go to Israel and see the place where the Lord walked the earth in the person of Jesus Christ. To see a nation where prophecy has been and is being fulfilled. To begin afresh in the literal sense of reaching "the Jews first, and also the Greeks". To be filled with the "power from on high... in Jerusalem". Yes, for many others these words may not be as strongly impressed as they have been for me, but the Lord has magnified their meaning to my heart and given me a desire to go where he has called.

It all began 3 yrs ago where I first attempted to go to Europe and venture to Israel, Spain, and Italy, just like  Paul did in Romans. That utterly failed due to debt, lack of discernment, and basically NOT the Lord's timing.

In the last 2 years I have attempted to go several times on short term trips, bible college groups, by myself...
I have emailed churches, pastors, friends, kabutz', even the military base, knocking on all doors possible to see if the Lord would open any... many had open doors.

However, because of the reality of being alone in the matter, and in financial need, it has taken more time and planning, and probably a few disruptions that prevented it from happening previously...

But as of today, I have my ticket booked to leave March 10th, 2012, to join with Calvary Chapel Lima, Peru, some friendly faces, and the kind welcoming of John Bonner to join a bible study tour of the land of Israel. To finally set foot on a land full of history and where the mysteries of our Lord had been revealed. A land whose people were exiled until a recent 64 years: in 1948, fulfilling prophecy.

On March 23rd we end in Jerusalem, the group returns, I plan to stay safely in Jerusalem where I have 3 ladies who I am in contact with that I have planned to meet with, Lord Willing. Please pray for me during this time that I will safely be connected and that the Lord would open doors for His purposes in Jerusalem.

I hope to stay there through Passover. I have already applied to serve at Calvary Chapel Tel Aviv and will also be sending in my application for the Messianic Kabutz, Yad Hashmonah to volunteer and congregate at Ahavat Yeshua in Jerusalem. Once accepted to either one I am able to stay up until June 11th in Israel, yet, if my volunteer visa goes through it can even get extended.

I beseech your prayers for the Lord's direction in all this. My desire is to serve the Lord with any and all gifts, time, effort, and availability I can give. I pray for my family and friends to be taken care of here while I'm gone, and for His Will, not my will be done.

God Bless you friends and family. Till we meet again.

ELOHAI

ELOHAI is the Hebrew Word for "You are our God" or  "You are my God" found in Hosea 2:23.

As I have spent the last year and a half praying about, knocking on all doors, seeking His Word, and waiting on the Lord to complete this vision and fulfill this desire to go to Israel, He has given me many scriptures to meditate on and to work to find understanding with.

Hosea 2:23 talks about another special group of people chosen that had received "no love", and in some translations "no mercy".
As many teachers point to the fact that Gentiles, after receiving Christ as Savior, are given ADOPTION into the family of GOD (Ephesians 1:5) ; Gentiles are in fact grafted into Israel's Promise (Romans 11:17-24), we can now claim HIM as our very own God. We become Chosen, like the Israelites, even if we have different purposes on this earth.

As I have been spending the last 9 months beginning to learn some Hebrew, I learned 3 verses so far in the form of a song. Hosea 2:23 is one of them. And I pray they will continue.

"...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete [it] until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6

THE MISSION

Psalm 48:12-14
  Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem.
      Walk around and count the many towers.
 Take note of the fortified walls,
      and tour all the citadels,
   that you may describe them
      to future generations.
 For that is what God is like.
      He is our God forever and ever,
      and he will guide us until we die.


ISRAEL, the Holy Land. A Chosen people with a chosen land to demonstrate God's PERFECT laws, ways, culture, and people.
The Lord pressed this verse upon my heart over a year ago to GO and take note, using my new skills in videography. To tell the coming generations about the works of the LORD.

After meditating on this verse over and over, I've come to believe that's it a very healthy thing for any believer to desire to "go to Jerusalem".. and "tour all the citadels". As I've been teaching my cousins about the Lord, I look forward to being able to use this experience in Israel to bring something back for these coming generations.