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.

Dividing Jerusalem???

This is a very important FLASH TRAFFIC from Joel Rosenberg.  Please read it and prayerfully consider his request at the bottom.  Shalom, Brandy

(Washington, D.C., May 20, 2009) -- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has just finished his visit to Washington. Full analysis on my weblog, including a link to the YouTube clip of me on Glenn Beck's show with a former CIA analyst who says he wouldn't care if Israel ceased to exist. 

That said, there's more troubling news this morning. I'm horrified by credible reports that in his June 4th speech in Cairo, President Obama will say it is time to divide Jerusalem and make the holy city the capital of a Palestinian state. 

No, Mr. President, it is not. 

Jerusalem is and should be the eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. Dividing Jerusalem will not make peace. Rather, it would send a message to every Radical Islamic jihadist around the world that Israel is weak, that the Jews won't even defend the sovereignty of their own capital, that there is "blood in the water," and that it is time to strike Israel and wipe her off the map. Dividing Jerusalem would trigger an apocalyptic war in the Middle East the likes of which the region has never seen. 

I am committed to doing everything I possibly can to educate people -- and particularly U.S. and Canadian evangelical Christians -- to the threats facing Israel and the West due to Radical Islam, and to the biblical responsibility we have to show unconditional love and unwavering support to Israel and the Jewish people. We'll use radio, TV, the internet, emails and other media to get the word out. But we can't do it alone. We want and need your help. 

One idea: let's build an alliance of one million true friends of Israel -- people who love Israel, are committed to blessing her in real and practical ways, are absolutely opposed to dividing Jerusalem, and will pray faithfully for the peace of Jerusalem and the protection of all the people of the epicenter. 

Currently, we have 100,000 subscribers to our Flash Traffic email updates who are committed to this cause. If each of us recruited just 10 new friends to sign up for Flash Traffic and be part of this alliance, we would be able to communicate new information, new projects, and new prayer requests to them instantly. We would be able to mobilize people for pro-Israel events. We would be able to mobilize people to write to President Obama and their Congressional leaders to stand with Israel, not against her. We would be able to work together to stockpile food, clothing, medical supplies and other aid in Israel ahead of the next war. And we would be able to encourage one another with the knowledge that we are not alone in this important fight. 

Will you join us?

For more on President Obama's plan to divide Jerusalem -- and to read analysis of Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit -- please click here.

Will you help us build a global alliance of 1 million true friends of Israel? Click here to sign up for Flash Traffic.

A.D. Chronicles & Love

I have just finished reading a wonderful series by Bodie & Brock Thoene, called the A.D. Chronicles.  If you can get these books - don't hesitate.  I guarantee you, you will not only be so blessed but you will learn so much about the 1st coming of Jesus Christ and the prophecies He fulfilled.   Not to mention, that you will weep your way through these books, in gratitude for His love and faithfulness and life.  Here is an excerpt from book 8, called "Eighth Shepherd."

"Yeshua (Jesus) teaches this:  Love is kind.  And patient.  It doesn't envy and steal and claim the talents and possessions of another man.  Love keeps it's promises even when it hurts.  Love does not boast or crow when it is victorious in battle.  Love heals the wounded rather than destroys the weak.  Love is not motivated by injured pride to destroy the life and work of another.  Love builds up.  It does not tear down.  Love isn't rude or thoughtless in actions or words.  Love is not ambitious or self-seeking or addicted to flattery.  It does not lie and claim it is somehow serving God.  It keeps no record of wrongs or plots ways to take vengeance.  Love is not easily angered, yet neither is it silent when confronting evil.  It does not accept or delight in the actions of an evil man that hurt the innocent.  Love does not defend a lie or accept the persecution of the innocent for the sake of remaining in control.  Love rejoices in the truth.  It always protects.  Always trusts.  Always encourages.  Always hopes.  Always perseveres.  Yeshua teaches us that love never fails.  God's love heals all wounds."

My first Newspaper Article

Recently, the Lord has opened up the door for me to write a monthly article on Israel in the Baja Christian Newspaper, "Kronos".  This newspaper is distributed from Ensenada to the tip of the Baja, in Cabo San Lucas.  I wrote my first article this week and I am posting it today in English version for you.  Please pray for me as I walk through this door the Lord has given me.  Shalom, Brandy

“Israel, Bible Prophecy, and You.”

Kronos Newspaper, Article #1, March, 2009

By Brandy Cook

Director, Comfort Israel, a division of I.D.T. / A.C.

         Children.  The joy of our hearts.  Our little ones can make us laugh or cry.  They can cause us the greatest contentment and the deepest pain. It is our children that cause us to stop whatever we are doing in an instant.  No matter how busy we are, if our children are in trouble, nothing else matters.  It is our children’s laughter that makes us think that even for just one moment in time, all is okay in the world.  It is our children that cause us to weep uncontrollably, when they choose to walk down the wrong path in life.  And it is our children, who give us the reason to run to them rejoicing, when they come home.  Children. 

         You may be thinking, what do my children have to do with this article about Israel, Bible Prophecy and the Church?  Everything.  For God’s chosen people the Jews are God’s children, as we are who believe.  And the Father’s heart is broken, broken for His people Israel.  As Jesus taught us in the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32, so longs the Father’s heart for His firstborn, Israel to come home.  To know their Messiah.  To believe in the One who He sent.   Read Romans 10:1, Romans 11 and Jeremiah 31:31-37.

         “Sing, O heavens!  Be joyful all the earth!  And break out in singing, O mountains!  For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted.  But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.”  “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?  Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you, see I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before me.”  Isaiah 49:13-16

         God loves Israel.  The Jewish people are not forgotten in the eyes of the Father. Consider the words of Zechariah 2:8 when the Lord says about the Jews, “… for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.”   In other words, in the Hebraic interpretation of this verse, you could read it to understand that “He who touches Israel pokes God in the eye.”

         Some of you may be thinking right now, “I thought the Jewish people were from the Old Testament and didn’t exist anymore.”  Some others reading this may be thinking, “I thought Israel was rejected by God and now I am Israel”.  Yet others of you may be thinking, “What does Israel have to do with me as a Christian?”.  Dear ones, with the love of God I respectfully share with you today, that the Lord is inviting you to take a deeper look into His heart.  I think we would all agree that He wants ALL of our heart.  We call out in prayer consistently crying, “Lord, I am yours, I surrender to you, and I want your will, I want what YOU want.”  In return, I also believe He wants us to have ALL of His heart, and a huge portion of His heart is ISRAEL.  Israel did not cease to exist.  Israel, as a people and a nation, are alive today and a FULFILLMENT OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY.

         We are living in an hour that is experiencing more fulfilled Bible prophecies since Jesus went to the cross.   Just within the past 100 years, more ancient prophecies spoken by God through the prophets of old are coming true IN OUR LIFETIME. 

         The first century church was predominantly Jewish.  Jesus’ disciples were all Jews. Jesus was, is and always will be a Jew.   He was born in Bethlehem, Israel.  He grew up in Nazareth, Israel.  He spend a good part of His ministry in the Galilee area, in Israel.  And he was crucified and ressurection from the dead, in Jerusalem, Israel.  The same Land of Israel that existed thousands of years ago, is still there today.  We have been there several times and I can testify to the fact that EVERY WORD OF THE BIBLE IS TRUE, AND MODERN DAY ISRAEL IS A FULFILLMENT OF ANCIENT BIBLICAL PROPHECY.  And it is God’s heart, that His Bride, the Church, pray for, bless and comfort His firstborn, Israel the children of Abraham, with God’s Biblical love. 

May the 14^th, 1948.    Consider the scripture written by the Jewish prophet Isaiah in chapter 66 verse 8.  It says  “Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before her pain came, she delivered a male child.  Who has heard such a thing?  Who has seen such things?  Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day?  Or shall a nation be born at once?  For as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children.  Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the Lord…..”   This incredible promise, this ancient prophecy was fulfilled only 61 short years ago.  IN OUR GENERATION, on May the 14^th, 1948 when Israel was reborn as a nation according to God’s promise, we have witnessed this scripture fulfilled.

Within the last 100 years, (and most since 1948), over 6 million Jews, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are now living in the ancient Land of Israel.  These people have come “home” from the countries from which they were scattered!   There are still Jews living in other countries that are still in the process of Ezekiel 37 including MEXICO.    God is inviting you to participate with Him in these last days, in bringing the Jewish people back to their Land according to His Word.  Please read Isaiah 43: 1-6 and Isaiah 49: 13-22, focusing on verse 22.  There are over 85 scriptures that refer to God brining His people back to the Land of Israel.  It’s happening now!

Church of the Living God, Messiah Y’shua, Jesus Christ is about to return!  The Word of God tells us that the Jews would be re-gathered again a second time (some in unbelief) to THEIR OWN LAND before Jesus comes back.   This was impossible until this generation, when Israel became a nation again in 1948.  Open your heart and ask the Holy Spirit reveal to you the immensity of this.   The Word tells us God would plant Israel back in their own land before Messiah’s return.  Again, I encourage you to read Ezekiel 37.   You are living in the day and hour of this prophetic chapter!    Make sure your lamps are trimmed!  Be about your Father’s business!  Be ready to preach the Gospel!  Be ready to follow the Lamb wherever He goes!  Desire to want all of Him, including His heart for His children, the people of Israel!

Everything God is doing to wind up history centers around the nation of Israel, God’s prophetic “time clock.”  Nothing can change the Word of God and His plan.  And He desires that ALL of His children, both Jew and Gentile, come home to His heart. 

I hear all the time here amongst my Christian friends here in Vicente Guerrero, “God is so faithful, at times we forget about Him, but He never forgets about us.”  And this is a true saying.  For the Father never, ever forgets about His children.  Both Jew and Gentile alike.

 

 

 

 

 

Father's Love Letter

How would you like it if you went to your mailbox, and received a letter from God?  Can you imagine, a letter written just for you, sent to you by your Heavenly Father?  If this is a desire of you heart, I have good news for you.  The letter probably already is sitting in your home.   It's called The Bible - God's love letter to you.  But like any wonderful gift,  you cannot enjoy it if you don't unwrap it!  However, today I'd like to share with you a condensed version of this letter, one that will melt your heart and cause you to understand just how very much your Abba Father loves you....  go to www.fathersloveletter.com and click "watch".  Tell a friend.

Come on, Jump!

On Wednesday, I had to meet with Bill Sopher for a finance exchange.  I called him on his cell phone and he told me he was at the park in town with his daughter Sarah, because it was her birthday.  I said to Bill, "Bill, you are exactly where you are suppose to be.  That's awesome".  Then he said, "Come to the park, I'll be here for while".  So, Maria and I headed over to the park, and in my mind, I was thinking there would be a birthday party of some sort.  When I arrived, I saw Bill and Sarah (9) by themselves.  He didn't know I had arrived, and I just stood back for about 10 minutes watching them, I couldn't intrude on what I was seeing.  

There is his daughter Sarah (which means princess) sitting on top of the monkey bars with her hair blowing in the wind and her feet dangling.  Then there was Bill, her Abba, standing below her with his arms stretched upward calling to her "Come on, jump!  Jump Sarah, I'll catch you!"  "No, I can't!" she would say, "it's too high!"  "Yes, you can, I'll catch you, come on!"  (As I watched this exchange, I realized that there was NO IMPATIENCE in Bill.... no indication that he was getting frustrated with her at all... their eyes were locked on each others eyes like there was no one else around...)  "Come on, jump, I'll catch you!"  As her legs swung back and forth, I could tell she wanted to jump but kept hesitating, yet had this exuberant smile on her face knowing her daddy was right there)  Again Bill says, "Come on, jump, I'll catch you!" and then she says, "I'm afraid of heights, I'll fall" and then, this is was pierced my heart, Bill says "Sarah, before I'd let you fall, I'd fall and catch you"  My breath was taken away by this as I realized the Lord was speaking to me.  This papa stood there for 10 minutes straight with his arms in the air... never tiring, never loosing patience, never becoming frustrated, but simply smiling and laughing and encouraging his "princess" to jump in to his arms...

Friends.... this pierced my heart.  This is our Abba Father.  This is the heart of God, asking us to trust Him, to jump into His arms, TO TRUST HIM WITH THE OUTCOME if we relinquish our fears and TRUST OUR ABBA TO CATCH US.....are you in a place where God is asking you to "jump"?  To believe?  To trust Him even though you cannot see the outcome?  Is He speaking to you about serving in a capacity you feel you are unequipped for, incapable of?  REMEMBER, IT IS HE THAT DOES THE WILLING AND THE WORKING, WHAT HE IS ASKING OF YOU IS TO SAY "YES, LORD, I TRUST YOU WITH MY LIFE"  This simple trust ravishes the heart of God.

I have been listening to a song all week by Justin Rizzo that I have ended up praying over and over again.   It's called "momentary light affliction"  The lyrics go like this:

I set my eyes on what I cannot see, I set my mind on the eternal, (2x)

For You are my great reward,  forever I will be with you (2x)

I know that, this momentary light affliction is working in me, an eternal weight of glory, an eternal weight of glory (4x)

For you are God and You know what You want and you know how you'll get it the fastest way

And you give and take away, but you're the initiator....

For you are God and You know what You want and you know how you'll get it the fastest way

With the least amount of pain, but there will be pain, it's guaranteed...

Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds

The testing of your faith, it develops perseverance

Perseverance is needed to run the race!

Oh, consider it pure joy!  Consider it pure joy!

This is my confidence, (3x) I'm living for another age....

Rance's message at church last night was on the judgement seat of Christ, about what works will be burned up and what will last the test of fire.  Our home is not on this earth.  We are on a pilgrimage, passing through.  And everyday is a new day with Him, another day of opportunity to walk with HIm, talk with HIm, and surrender and submit to His ways, and HE IS ALWAYS GOOD.  Even in pain, trauma, and the worst possible scenarios we can imagine - HE IS FAITHFUL, AND HE IS ALWAYS GOOD.  

"COME ON, JUMP!"

SIT AT HIS FEET THIS WEEKEND, READ THE WORD AND WORSHIP HIM.

TURN OFF THE COMPUTER.  TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE.  PUT THE RINGER ON MUTE ON YOUR PHONE AND LET THE ANSWERING MACHINEMACHING PICK IT UP.

SPEND TIME WITH YOUR KING, HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH.

Shabbat Shalom

Scriptures on Middle East Conflict

"For thus says the Lord of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple (pupil) of His eye..." Zechariah 2:8

"I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her.  Thus says the Lord:  I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.  Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth,  the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain..." Zechariah 8:2-3

"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.  And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it..." Zechariah 12:2-3

"In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them.  It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.  And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced.  Yes they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn..."  Zechariah 12:8-10

"Behold the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst.  For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem.....then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.  And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east....Zechariah 14:1 &3-4

"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul"  Jeremiah 32:41

"The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness I have drawn you.  Again, I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, o virgin of Israel!..."  Jeremiah 31:3-4