"God's Appointed Times"

Our last article was "Should Christians Celebrate Passover?" Today we would like to take that a step further and explain the ROOTS of our faith. First, as Christians, we are saved by grace (John 1:16). We have placed our faith in the only One through whom Salvation comes, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, over the centuries many Jews and Christians have lost track of the fact that Jesus and a great portion of the 1st century church were Jewish. 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 explains the time honored ritual of communion (the Lord's supper) that most church's celebrate at least once each month. This meal that Jesus had with his disciples was in fact a PASSOVER meal and took place on the historical night before Jesus went to the cross. It was also on a Passover night that the death angel passed over Jewish households during their exodus from Egypt, the land of Pharaoh.

Jesus Himself observed "God's appointed times" (Leviticus 23:4). Most Christians today have come to believe that these feasts or High Holy days are just some sort of Jewish custom. In fact it was God Himself that ordained these times and decreed that "HIS PEOPLE" should observe them in perpetuity. The Spring "appointed times" include Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits and Pentecost.

How are these relevant for Christians today? Jesus died on the cross on Calvary precisely on the day of Passover. He was buried on Unleavened Bread. He rose from the grave on First Fruits and 50 days after His resurrection from the grave, and the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47) and the Church was born as three thousand souls were baptized in one day!

The Fall appointed times which include Tabernacles, Day of Atonement and Trumpets were also put in place by God Himself and many pastors and Biblical scholars believe that at some point in the future, these very three important "appointed times" could signal the rapture of the church, the second coming of Christ and the beginning of the 1000 year millennial reign of the King of Kings.

That is the relevance of Passover that will be celebrated on April 2nd, 6:30 p.m. at Crossroads church. So, come, all who are hungry, and partake of the Lord's Passover!

By Rance Cook, Pastor
Prophetic Sword Ministries, Intl.

When I See The Blood I will PASS OVER you....

On April 2nd, 2010 we will be gathering to celebrate Passover at Crossroads Community Church in Chowchilla, California , in the form of a Seder (pronounced "say-der", which means "set order") dinner. The Hebrew word for Passover is "Pesach", which means passing over or protection. On this night, we will re-count God's miraculous deliverance of the children of Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. During Passover, both Jews and Christians alike remember the Exodus from Egypt by coming together to commemorate the Biblical event, eat special symbolic foods associated with the bitterness of slavery and the sweetness of freedom and a time of special worship, celebration and prayer.

Yet the Passover Seder is so much more than a night of story telling, it is also a memorial in which we observe the New Covenant, as Jesus directed us when He said "Do this in Remembrance of Me". (1st Corinthians 11:25) The Biblical teachings of Passover and the "Last Supper", the crucifixion and the resurrection are divinely woven together, in fulfillment of Bible Prophecy. However for both Jews and Gentiles the message is the same, eternal life is available to all to place their hope in the Lamb of God who was slain from the foundation of the world. (John 1:29)

Everything in the Passover Seder is directed toward the prime command from the Bible: "And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, "This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt." (Exodus 13:8) As believers of the New Covenant according to Jeremiah 31, we recognize the fulfillment in Y'shua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), as God delivering us from our own personal Egypt, slavery to sin, through the Lamb of God.

Just as Jesus Himself celebrated Passover with His disciples, He invites us to "taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" Psalm 34:8

So come, all who are in need of hope, deliverance, freedom, and new life...

"...For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us."

1st Corinthians 5:7

Shalom,

Brandy Cook

Director, Comfort Israel

Baja, Mexico

"Our Eyes Are On You" (what do to in the midst of the impossible)

This week I awakened with the leading to read 2nd Chronicles chapter 20. As I snuggled myself into my favorite chair with my Bible and my cup of tea, the Lord began to open my eyes to the treasures within this portion of Scripture. There were many verses that pierced my heart, and set my heart burning to go deeper.

Then, it seemed like all at once, several dear, dear friends began writing me emails or calling me on the phone sharing with me impossible situations either they or their friends and/or family were in, asking us to pray. Situations where there are simply no answers, no consolations, no advice nor no way out. These heart-wrenching cries have not only broken my heart, but have given me the "fear of the Lord" and I do not count it lightly that the Lord touched their hearts to share with me their need for prayer.

Question: Has someone ever asked you to pray about something and you said you would and then you didn't?

Answer: We all have, I think.

Realization: May God give us Holy Fear that we never take this lightly, as this is holy ministry unto the Lord.

All that said, I've been doing a lot of praying this week. And during this time, 2 Chronicles 20 has been coming back again, again and again. And again. And again. So much so, I feel like it is a "fire shut up in my bones", like maybe what the Prophet Ezekiel once experienced. So, here goes...this is what the Lord has shown me out of this chapter, and I write this to you, all of you who might be reading this who are hurting, confused, overwhelmed, depressed, angry, sad, offended, broken, isolated, without answers for your situation(s), scared or just plain numb... as a precious piece of the broken bread that Jesus has broken and distributed for all to share in.

Once upon a "real" time, there was a battle about to take place. The rumblings of war could be felt in the hearts of the people of the Land of Israel. The King of Judah, Jehoshaphat, was told that "a great multitude is coming against you". A massive group of enemies who wanted to wipe Israel off the map were about to come upon them and do just that.

So what did King Jehoshaphat do with this overwhelming news? Did he follow in the footsteps of many of his predecessors? No. The Bible tells us "Jehoshaphat FEARED, and SET HIMSELF TO SEEK THE LORD and PROCLAIMED A FAST throughout all Judah." Then it says that "Judah GATHERED TOGETHER to ASK HELP FROM THE LORD"...... to SEEK THE LORD".

What grabs me next, is the prayer he prayed. It APPREHENDS my heart! Read the text... he begins to recount the POWER, the GOODNESS, the FAITHFULNESS of the Almighty God. In His prayer before all the assembly of people, Jehoshaphat begins to PROCLAIM the truths that have been planted in his heart, RECOUNTING all of the mighty workings God did in behalf of Israel in the past. Reminding himself and the people to consider God's faithful track record of answering prayer in impossible situations.

And here's another one.

Now listen to this... he ends his prayer by saying, "For we have no power against the great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You." (read this like 3 times or more before going on to the next sentence!)

If you find yourself (or those who you love) in an impossible situation - let this become your prayer!!

Tell me, especially those of you who are parents, if your child came to you in this manner... what would YOU do? "Daddy, Mommy, there are a group of gang members who have threatened to kill me on the playground tomorrow, I"m so scared, I don't know what to do! I need you to help me!!!" So, what would YOU do? Send them to school and forget they even asked you for help? I think not.

Next, the text tells us that after he prayed and the people were still all together, that the Spirit of the Lord came upon the prophet Jahaziel and spoke to His children. God's heart was moved! God said to the people "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's....you will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you...."

Then what did they do after they received the Living Word? They bowed before the Lord, worshipping Him. Then they stood, praising Him with voices loud and high. THEY BELIEVED AND TRUSTED IN THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD DELIVER.

In obedience to the specific instruction that God gave them through the prophet Jahaziel, they went out, in faith, to the wilderness of Tekoa as the Lord instructed them. God always gives us a battle strategy WHEN WE ASK HIM AND WAIT TO HEAR HIS ANSWER. (I guess that's the key, a lot of times we ask but don't wait to hear the instruction to follow??? I've certainly been guilty of that on several occasions)

As they were on the battle ground, here's where the showdown begins. King Jehoshaphat instructs the people to " BELIEVE IN THE LORD YOUR GOD AND YOU SHALL BE ESTABLISHED..."! And then he appointed those who should SING AND PRAISE the Lord as they went out before the army...

These are BATTLE STRATEGIES GOD SET IN PLACE. Just like when the walls of Jericho came down, through the people obeying God's directives by marching around the city and blowing shofars and shouting - they witnessed the power of God bring down WALLS OF A CITY! (Joshua 6) Did you know that God uses unconventional warfare tactics?????

Now, put on your seatbelts! In verse 22 it says this, and there is NO FONT big enough in my computer to write this so let the Holy Spirit of the Living God BURN it in your hearts.... "NOW WHEN THEY BEGAN TO SING AND TO PRAISE, THE LORD SET AMBUSHES AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF AMMON, MOAB, AND MOUNT SEIR, WHO HAD COME AGAINST JUDAH; AND THEY WERE DEFEATED."

When they began to sing and to praise (in belief!!! in trust!!!) GOD SET AMBUSHES!!!

And then what, after the victory??? They returned from the battle WITH JOY, praising GOD.

HE received all the glory, for it is HE who caused them to triumph, not they themselves.

They did NOT need to fight, but TO OBEY THE VOICE OF THE LORD.

Dear friends.... DO YOU NEED GOD TO SET AMBUSHES IN YOUR LIFE??? What impossible situation(s) do you find yourself in that you need El Shaddai to MOVE ON YOUR BEHALF???? Do you find yourself, as Jehoshaphat did, saying to God "We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; NOR DO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT OUR EYES ARE UPON YOU!" ????

Right now, wherever you are, get on your face and seek the Lord's. Get your Bible and soak yourself in 2 Chronicles 20 and let the Holy Spirit of the Creator of the Universe, who sent His only Son to die for you so that you may live, our Abba Father who WANTS to move on your behalf, set ambushes for you. TURN YOUR EYES TO HIM. PRAY. WORSHIP. PRAISE. WAIT. HEAR. OBEY. Even if His answer seems crazy, and everyone else might think your nuts. You are in good company.

"And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel."

Set your eyes on Him, and watch GOD fight for you today.

2 Chronicles 20

10 things Christians can learn from Biblical / Jewish Holidays

In each of the three Jewish High Holy Days - Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) - there are gems hidden by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Beyond a yearly calendar of holy convocations, the Levitical Feasts (Lev. 23) as a whole point the reader to a deeper understanding of the God of Israel.

Year after year, as we celebrate God's provision for and preservation of the Jewish people, we are reminded that the same God who promised never to forsake Israel (Jeremiah 31:35-37) has also promised us forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). Here is a list of a few things Christians can learn from the High Holy Days:

1. God has a special plan for the Jewish people

God is not finished with Israel and the Jewish people! On the contrary, He continues to have a special plan for His chosen people. The Jewish calendar found in Leviticus 23 and partially repeated throughout the rest of the Tenach (Old Testament) shows us that God gave the Jewish people "holy convocations" to make us "a light to the Nations" (Lev 23:1-3, Deut 7:6-11, 1 King 8:53, 59-61, Isaiah 42:6).

2. God is a God of covenant relationships

From the early chapters of Genesis through the rest of Scriptures, God has always been a God of relationships - with mankind in general and with the Jewish people in particular. It began with the Edenic (Gen 2:15-17) and Adamic (Gen 3:14-19) Covenants made with mankind. The Mosaic Covenant, made with the children of Israel, contains the 613 mitzvot (commandments), including the celebration of the Feasts of Israel for all generations. God expressed His deep desire for relationship by teaching Israel how to relate to Him through many ways, including the Fall Feasts as a yearly reminder to bring Jewish people back to focusing on Him. The series of covenants culminates with the New Covenant made with Israel (Jeremiah 31:31-34), which is fulfilled in Messiah.

3. A better understanding of the Jewish people

Genesis 12:1-3 tells us about the Covenant God made with Abraham. In verse 3, God said: "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." As Bible-believing Christians who love Israel, blessing the Jewish people is part of what we do. There is no greater blessing than giving Jewish people the gift that never stops giving, which is the Good News (Romans 10:1-5, 11:11). The High Holy Days and their contemporary observance give us a wonderful link to the Jewish community, through which we can share the message of Messiah. As we study the feasts of Leviticus 23, we learn more about the Jewish people and as a result, we are able to deliver our message in a bold yet sensitive way.

4. The redemptive career of the Messiah

Not only will we understand the Jewish people better by knowing the Feasts of Israel, but we will also deepen our understanding of the Jewish Messiah, as each of the Feasts points to a specific event in the redemptive career of Yeshua our Redeemer. In a sense, God's grand plan is revealed through the Feasts. Many believers agree that each of the Levitical holy convocations has been or will be fulfilled by a specific event, in a specific order, in the prophetic career of the Messiah. As the Spring Festivals were all fulfilled by the First Coming of the Messiah, so the Fall Feasts will be fulfilled by His Second Coming. Incidentally, the order of the feasts on the Jewish calendar might give us a great insight into the sequence of events of the Last Days.

Messiah's Second Coming

Rosh Hashanah (New Year) - Trumpet Blast heralding End Times

Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) - The Great Tribulation

Sukkot (Feast of Booths or Tabernacles) - The Thousand-Year Messianic Kingdom

5. Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah means the "head of the year." It is also known as the Feast of Trumpets, and is the first of three Fall Feasts. The theme of Rosh Hashanah is regathering and repentance in preparation for the other two feasts: Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement, the most holy day of the Jewish calendar) and Sukkot (the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles).

With Rosh Hashanah we prepare our hearts for the beautiful season of the High Holy Days (Lev. 23: 23-25, Num. 29:1-6, Ps. 81:3-4, Ezra 3:1-6, Neh. 8:1-12). Jewish people all over the world blow the shofar (ram's horn). Prophetically, Rosh Hashanah will be fulfilled by the ultimate regathering of the Rapture (1 Thess 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:50-58). It is important to note that the rapture does not have to take place on the day of Rosh Hashanah to fulfill it; the Bible is clear that we don't know the day or the hour (Matt. 24:42-44, 25:13).

6. Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur is the most solemn of the High Holy Days. It is a fast and a day of affliction (Lev. 16, 23:26-32). As described in Leviticus 16, Yom Kippur was a day for all Israel's sins to be atoned for by the yearly sacrifices performed by the High Priest. First, he would atone for himself by providing both a sin and a burnt offering (Lev. 16:3). After offering sacrifices to the Lord for himself and the other priests, he would be ready to make an offering for the atonement of all Israel (Lev 16:5-7). Two male goats were used. One goat was slaughtered and the other goat, which was known as azazel or the "scapegoat," was escorted into the wilderness, and tradition tells us that it was pushed off a cliff to its certain death, taking with it all the sins of Israel to be remembered no more. Yeshua became our azazel 2,000 years ago (Rom. 5:8, 8:3).

Three times in Lev 23 (vv. 27, 29, 32) Jewish people are told to "humble our souls." The prophetic fulfillment of Yom Kippur will come with the Great Tribulation - also known as "the time of Jacob's trouble" - which is a specific description of the affliction of Israel during the Great Tribulation (Zech 13:9, 12:10, Luke 13:35).

7. Sukkot: The Feast of Tabernacles

Sukkot means "booths" in Hebrew (Lev 23:33-44, Ex. 23:14-17, Num. 29:12-38, 1 Kg 8:2, I Kings 12:25-33, Neh. 8:13-18). In biblical days as well as in modern days, Jewish people build temporary dwellings or "booths" and eat (sometimes sleep) in them for a week during Sukkot. We do it to remember and celebrate God's provision and dwelling with the children of Israel in the wilderness wanderings. Based on Leviticus 23:40, Rabbinic laws were developed regarding what is known today as the "four species." Each year, families must obtain their own lulav or "sprout" and etrog or "one that shines" (terms not found in the Bible) for the celebration. All four species are held and are waved in four directions - up, down and to the sides - symbolizing that God is everywhere.

The prophetic significance of Sukkot should not be overlooked. The Rabbis taught that one day God would pour His Holy Spirit on Israel (Joel 2:28). In John 7:37-39, during the seventh day of Sukkot, Yeshua the Messiah relates the outpouring of water to Himself and the water of eternal life that He gives. His Jewish audience would have made the connection immediately. Furthermore, Yeshua, who is God in the flesh dwelling with us, will be the ultimate fulfillment of Tabernacles, when we all dwell with Him in His futureMillennial Kingdom (Zech 14:16-19). Peter, at the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36), mistakenly thought Yeshua had brought in the Kingdom, and he wanted to build three booths; one each for Messiah, Moses, and Elijah.

8. God's promises are irrevocable

With each of these festivals comes a future fulfillment of a promise from God to those who have put their trust in the death and resurrection of Messiah for the forgiveness of their sins. God's promises to Israel are irrevocable (Jeremiah 31:35-37, Romans 9:1-5, 11:26-29) and our God never changes (Hebrews 13:8). Only if God's promises to Israel are irrevocable can the promises to those who follow Messiah also be unchanged. If God has changed His mind about Israel, then our personal relationship with Him (also based on a covenantal promise) stands on nothing!

9. God's plan of redemption is not an afterthought.

From the very first Messianic prophecy found in Genesis 3:15, the Creator of the universe introduced the idea of a Redeemer for mankind. The picture progressively painted through the Jewish Scriptures is one of a Jewish man from the tribe of Judah, the line of David, both God and man, born in Bethlehem of a virgin (Genesis 3:15, 49:10, Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, Micah 5:2), to name just a few. Obviously, only Yeshua of Nazareth fulfills the description perfectly. Images of our Redeemer are also found in all the Levitical Feasts from Passover to Tabernacles, from His death to the Millennial Kingdom. God's love for us is so great that He planned all along to provide a way for us to be reconciled to Him (John 3:16).

10. A better understanding of God's Word

As most people read the Bible - which is the story of mankind in general and Israel in particular - it is as if we were watching an old movie in black and white, with some details but not all. Yet if we read the Bible from a Jewish perspective, understanding the authors' point of view, the audiences and the geographical/historical context, then we understand so much more. The movie instantly turns to color, and details we never knew existed pop up on the screen.

The Levitical calendar is not only a reminder of God's holy convocations for the children of Israel, but it also renders a vivid picture of God's love, grace, and provision for the Jewish people and the rest of mankind. It helps us to better understand not only the Jewish people, but the God of the Jewish people, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob... our God, and His Word.

SENT TO ME BY MY FRIEND GARY!!!! THANK YOU GARY FOR THIS WONDERFUL WRITING!!!! L'SHANA TOVA!!! Brandy

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF FAREWELL TOUR

Words cannot describe how thankful we are that we are about to go see the live, farewell tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, starring Topol. This movie has made such an enormous impact on my life, along with many, many other books & movies about Israel. If you live in Southern California or the Portland, Oregon area, and you are interested in also attending, check out:

http://www.fiddlerontour.com/

The last trip we took to Israel we visited something called "The Time Elevator". It was an amazing movie / 3-D like production with Topol as the host. He now lives in Jerusalem, Israel we found out! This movie is about the entire history of Israel, from creation until now. It's a definite "must see" while in the City of the Great King.

SHALOM!

WHAT GOD DESIRES

As I was having "Sacred Space" with my King last Sunday, He spoke to my heart to write in my journal... so I will share with you, dear reader, what I wrote. May this speak to you as it did to me. "You want our hearts. You want all of us - everything, no hold backs. Noting short of complete surrender and abandonment... You are coming soon - You are even at the door! You are asking Your bride if she is willing to let go of anything and everything that is a hindrance and a block from entering into Your presence. Secret, besetting sins, anything that grieves Your Holy Spirit - You want our hearts uncluttered of religious spirits, self-sufficiency, pride, rebellion, fleshly lusts that war against the soul, You desire a bride who is willing to stop "the busy-ness" and sit with You. To recognize we have left You sitting in the secret place alone, waiting for our return. You desire a bride who is in love with You, a bride whose sole focus and attention is on You, Your desires, Your wants, Your needs and Your will. You desire a bride who is willing to loose it all to have You. You desire a bride who cries - "Yet He slay me yet I will trust Him" because You, Jesus are worth it all!!!

Death Makes Heaven Real

Daily routine. Wake up. Devotions. Care for family. Go to work... and then comes an unexpected phone call that someone you love has died. Then, all of a sudden, the world seems to stop and the reality of heaven or hell is in your face. Although this is a reality most of us live with on a daily basis, one that many have dedicated their lives to, in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God's plan for salvation for mankind, it seems like someone throwing cold water in your face when one passes from this life to enter their eternal dwelling place. Last week, my great aunt passed away, my Grandma Alice's sister. Natalia Jean Poletti was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and great aunt. My heart rejoices knowing that she is now in the presence of the Lord, as the Bible teaches "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (For the believer). The opposite is unthinkable. The pain is for us left behind, in which we desperately need the Lord's comfort. There is a verse in the book of Psalms that says "Precious in the eyes of the Lord are the death of His saints" is a reminder that God looks at the death of His children in a very different way than we do, for us left behind until our arrival.

Reality for me now is, THAT SHE HAS FINISHED HER RACE - AND SHE HAS SEEN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.... YESHUA HAMASHIAC, she actually knows what He looks like! Can you imagine???

I have had to pause this past week and ask myself some serious, self examining questions. DO I LIVE IN THE REALITY THAT THIS LIFE IS TEMPORAL??? That in any minute, I could also pass into the arms of the Lord and be standing before Him, face to face? How different my life would be that if I lived with the CONSTANT revelation that in any second, I could be standing before my King. What in my life would I be ashamed of? Does my heart condemn me? Is there anything I am holding onto that He has asked me to let go of, and I have held onto? Have I "been about my Father's business", or my own? Am I walking with a repentant heart? Do I live my life with the reality that the choices I make are eternal? Death makes heaven real.

I believe God uses all things for good for those that love Him and are called according to His purposes, and in saying that, death does bring forth new life. The Bible says that He has place eternity in our hearts. At the passing from this life on earth into the Lord's presence for my great aunt, it has called me into the truthful reality that not only is heaven real, so is hell, and it's only a breath away. So how am I living my life to walk out His purposes for me? "For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." 1st Corinthians 5:10

Praise the Lord for His sacrifice for me, because He died, I may live. "That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." Romans 10:9-11

Death makes heaven real.