Day 64 So Much More

 

3/5/2026

 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us,

 that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”  

1 John 3:1

 

As you may recall, a few months ago God began to ask me to consider my motives, as I had been asking Him about things He had spoken to me, things He had asked me to do. I was confused, because  opportunities that had opened, that seemed timely and fitting, I accepted as His leading, but the doors had been slammed shut only after a short period of time. I struggled over the matter for months until another unexpected change in my life occurred, but then the entire year had been a wild ride already with health concerns stemming from old injuries and surgeries, followed by my son's accident before Christmas and waiting for answers from that debacle, feeling so alone and unsupported by the local church. That shouldn't be a surprise to me, as it's been that way for many, many years. I don't understand that failure either. Perhaps it has nothing to do with me. I've tried to fit in, but I don't know why I am such a misfit. I love to talk about the miracles of God, the power of prayer and intercession, the sovereignty of God, and just how wonderful my Savior is to me. I have so much to be excited about, because He saved my soul from damnation, and now I'll be with Him one day when my time on earth is over - forever! Somehow this makes people uncomfortable, people who faithfully attend church! The streets are easier, as kindness speaks so loudly and authentically. I don't seek a position, just a sense of belonging, of purpose, acceptance as a child of God, passionate for His Word. 

Yesterday I had my taxes done, and I walked away feeling so inadequate, no worthless, all because I no longer work. I file taxes, but each year I'm told I no longer have to file, because I don't make any money, so the taxes pulled from my minimal IRA that's issued to me each month are returned to me. When I was working I made a good salary, so I was "worth something." The tax lady didn't make me feel this way, someone else had a couple of years ago, and every so often I remember, because jabs come from different directions to remind me of my "worth." In the afternoon, as I stood talking with a neighbor, in my yard, a discussion about who should be allowed to vote came up. I was among one who shouldn't be allowed to vote, because I am not making an income to benefit the State. Imagine that! Each year I plan to get back to work, do something with my life. It doesn't seem as if I am "doing anything," when actually my life is quite full. I had been knitting for a community charity group, but it really wasn't my cup of tea, although the fellowship was nice. I also worked with another charity that makes missionary dolls for Samaritan Purse shoe boxes, among other ministries. I painted the dolls faces - one side happy, the other sad, representing the face of one saved from their sins, and the one who had not yet been told the Good News.  It was lots of fun and a worthy effort, plus the people who did all the other jobs assembling these dolls were very nice. We even shared short devotionals, and I had shared one. My health took a spin, nothing serious, but aggravating. My three falls didn't help, and I still bear the pain for the last one. All that isn't so important, as I feel that I'm rather resilient for an older person. I never seemed to age mentally, so that's why I tend to take risks, like pulling on vines hanging from a tree limb. It wasn't a big tree, and the vine was pretty strong and resisted my attempts to dislodge it. I was adamantly opposed to leaving it there, as it was choking the life from the crepe myrtle trees, my daddy's trees that he worked so hard to preserve, whose beauty brings me joy. There's still work to do with them, but tomorrow my son and I are going outside to tackle some bushes, and maybe I'll give the vines another go.

This morning after the prayer call I was talking to God, asking Him to forgive me for some feelings that came back to me about some people who had hurt me, disappointed me really. But then I realized that maybe that's the way it was supposed to be, otherwise I would have said "yes" to more things, further complicating my already complicated life. I recently got dumped again, or at least it feels as if that is what happened, as I've not heard from the people in question. As I said before, I should be used to rejection by now, but then I got nudged again. What if I needed this to happen, because I had been hanging on in an uncomfortable situation for so long, feeling "less than" each week, not knowing how to "be more."

As I was sitting in my rocking chair, writing in my journal, crying a river, I heard the voice of God so clearly saying "I called you to stand on the wall, not live there." By that I understood that the call to intercessory prayer came to me years ago, when God spoke to me through a passage of scripture in Ezekiel 22:30, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that should not destroy it; but I found none." That verse changed my life, and I've never looked back. I still have a photo illustrating it on my table beside the bed. Since that time prayer took on new meaning, and over the years the desire has grown, as has my love for all people.

I'd been struggling to finish my blogs, four days behind, always racing to keep up with the daily news for this war that is off the charts when it comes to prophetic significance. I wanted to write the story, helping those who cannot understand the times, because they are not taught, to realize that the imminent return of Jesus is near. I especially want people to correct their thinking regarding the place Israel has in end time restoration. It amazes me that people, not even pastors, realize that we owe the Jewish people, God's chosen people, everything. Without them we wouldn't have a Bible, and we wouldn't have a Messiah. Jesus is after all a Jew. God has been telling me for years to "write the story," so I have been blogging the story, including those parts of my life that seemed to fit, but God said "there's so much more." That got my attention, because as I shared earlier, I was feeling a bit "stuck" this morning when I began to write. It was as if He was sitting here, with His arm around me, talking to me, saying "Yes, I called you to write the story, and yes, Israel is part of it, but there's so much more. You say you're worthless, but I call you My Own, My Beloved One. When you say you are not enough or less than, you're calling Me a liar, and I am not a man that I lie. You know this. So pick up your pen and begin again. Heed My voice in My Word, as you always do, and tell "the story" I put inside of you. You know it. I don't have to remind you. Begin again with renewed spirit, and the words will flow, your memory recharged."

So here I am again, writing. "The time will come when all these things come to pass. I know you worry about age, don't! Remember my servants. My servants still speak - your friends Oswald and Andrew, and yes, Brennan and Rich."

Tonight I received an email from Hope California who's in the beginning of revival and restoration with meetings scheduled soon. It shared:

"The world defines worth by success, comparison, or status, but the Gospel roots it in belonging. In Christ, you are loved, forgiven, chosen, and sent. Let every lie of shame or rejection fall away as you declare His truth over your life. Stand not as one earning approval, but as one already embraced. As you walk in that confidence, fear of rejection loses its grip, and your words of encouragement can breathe new identity into those who feel unseen or forgotten."

• Thank God that your identity is in Christ, renounce lies of shame, rejection, or insignificance, and declare God’s truth over yourself: loved, chosen, forgiven, and sent.  
• Pray that believers in LA would stand in their God-given identity and authority.  
• Ask God to raise up confident, humble sons and daughters across the city.  
• Pray that your secure identity in Christ would free you from fear of rejection when sharing your faith.  
• Ask God to open doors for you to speak identity and hope into those who feel lost, unseen, or ashamed. 

 I don't think this is coincidence!

Day 63 History Lesson, Pt 2

   

3/4/2026

 "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. 

A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but Prophesy!"

 Amos 3:7-8

 

Yesterday we left off with the story of Saul and King Agag who met his demise at the hand of the prophet Samuel. King Saul's disobedience led to the loss of the kingdom, and eventually led to God's covenant with David and his generations.

Now we return to the story of Esther and the celebration of Purim which is the celebration of the Jew's victory over total annihilation. Esther was Queen of Persia when King Ahasuerus was in power. She had not revealed that she was a Jew, because her cousin, Mordecai, who raised her, did not think it wise. Haman was second under the King, and he had a severe dislike for the Jews, especially Mordecai, because Mordecai would not recognize his authoritiy. Eventually, this led to Haman convincing the King that the Jews were enemies to his kingdom, and he wrote a decree to be sent to every nation under the King's control that on a certain date they would totally annihilate all the Jews who were exiled there. Once a decree is signed and sealed by the King, it becomes irrevocable. Prior to this signing of the decree, however, Mordecai had overheard two of the King's eunuchs plotting to murder him, so Mordecai informed Esther who warned the king. Once confirmed the eunuchs were hanged on a gallows, and the account written in the book of the chronicles of the king.

When Mordecai heard of Haman's conspiracy, he dressed himself in sackcloth, and when word came to Esther, Mordecai asked her to approach the King on behalf of her people. Esther knew that to approach the King without an invitation was certain death, so once she agreed to Mordecai's request, she called a three day fast with her maids and asked Mordecai to gather all the Jews who were in Shushan to fast with her. Esther approached the King, who joyfully received her, and she invited the King and Haman to a banquet. Haman was so happy that day leaving the courts, until he passed Mordecai at the gate, and he did not stand or bow to Haman. He was furious, so when he went home he shared with his wife, Zeresh, about Queen Esther's invitation exclusively for the King and himself. Then she shared with her about how Mordecai had ruined it all. "Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, 'Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made" (Esther 5:14). 

It's interesting to note that Zeresh was the daughter of Governor Tattenai of the region beyond the River, from Jerusalem. When King Cyrus of Babylon decreed that the Jewish exiles' return to Israel to restore the temple in Jerusalem, Governor Tattenai was one who opposed Ezra and Zerrubbabel completing the work. A letter was sent to King Darius regarding the matter, and when it was investigated, the king discovered the decree by King Cyrus, so he basically told Governor Tattenai to back off and leave them alone plus he told the governor that if they needed any assistance that he would pay for it. So the temple was restored. Since Zeresh was the daughter of the governor perhaps she remembered this honor being shown the Jewish people, and later recalled the events.

Meanwhile, back at the castle, the night before the banquet, King Ahauserus was unable to sleep, so he had the book of the chronicles read to him. When he was reminded of the time Mordecai saved his life, he asked what reward Mordecai had been given. None had been recorded, so the king determined to rectify the situation. Early in the morning when Mordecai, happy as a lark to have Mordecai swinging from the gallows he had built, arrived at the court to request Mordecai's death, the king asked him, "What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?" Haman, naturally thought that he was the only one the king would want to honor, so he made some pretty strong demands, "For the man whom the king delights to honor, let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: 'Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!'" (Esther 6:7-9). Next thing, Haman is escorting Mordecai through the streets as he recommended to the king that one be honored. When Haman returned home mortified over the morning events, his wife, who had recommended his building the gallows to hang Mordecai, said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him." (Esther 6:13). She, like her father Tattenai, knew that the Jewish people were protected.

When the second day of the feast arrived, Queen Esther revealed the real reason for the banquet and exposed the truth behind the plot to kill her kinsmen, the Jewish nation. The king was livid that anyone would dare threaten his bride and her people, and in the end Haman was hung on his own gallows. Mordecai was elevated to Haman's position and his home given to Mordecai. The decree could not be overturned, so the king allowed a new decree to be written, and the Jewish people were allowed to defend themselves. The date was set for the 12th day of Adar, the twelfth month of the year, and a second day was granted as well. The Jews killed five hundred men the first day and seventy-five thousand the second day, securing the victory! This is why Purim is celebrated on the 12th - 14th days of Adar.

It is significant to understand that this current war with Iran was initiated at this time of the year, as we are currently in the month of Adar, and the Feast of Purim has been celebrated. The war is with the Arab nation, who have threatened the Jewish nation going back to the days of Ishmael. The spirit of Amalek is the power behind the hatred of the current regime that was behind the massacre on October 7, 2023, and it has continued. Remember God's warning to the people to totally blot out the curse of Amalek.

The former Supreme Leader of Iran along with forty of his leaders were killed on February 28th when the war began. This same leader was responsible for the inhumane slaughter of his own people who were protesting against the years of persecution and deplorable conditions, as well as the senseless murder of his own people. The war has escalated, and other leaders of the IRGC have been killed, leaving the remaining army confused, weapons decimated, leading to the indiscriminate firing of rockets, drones and missiles in all directions including Israel and to their former allies. Only God knows how it will end, but we fight for the freedom of the precious Iranian and Persian people. One thing is for certain, the battle belongs to the LORD, and He will have the final say. The lives of two billion Muslims are now in the valley of decision.   

Day 62 History Lesson

 

3/3/2026

 "The LORD roars from Zion, and utters His voice

from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds 

mourn, and the top of Carmel withers."

Amos 1:2 

 

Today my journey through the Bible took me to the book of Joshua where I have been following the exploits of the leader of the children of Israel, the General who lead the troops valiantly into battle. I love this story, as it is such a fine example of God's extraordinary ways of getting the job done. The story of Jericho is the first victory as the chosen people of God crossed over into the Promised Land. The Lord  instructed Joshua to have the army walk around the walled city of Jericho for seven days, following the exact commands of the Lord. Joshua did so, and when he gave the shout, the walls fell. Everyone in the city was saved except for Rahab the prostitute and her family, as she had hidden the spies when Joshua sent them to spy out the land. She was told to leave the red cord that she helped them to escape, hanging in the window so that she and her family would not be harmed. Rahab is also listed in the lineage of Christ, the red cord saving her life, as the blood of Jesus Christ saves those who call upon the Name of the Lord for salvation. This is another example of Christ mentioned in the Old Testament, and an interesting parallel.

On March 1st an Iranian missile hit the little village of Beit Shemesh killing nine people and destroying the synagogue. The scroll was recovered, and it was not destroyed in the assault except for a piece of shrapnel marking a portion of scripture, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, which was not part of the Torah readings, but it is read during Purim when the story of Esther is read.

"Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget." 

This word spoken by God references the lifelong blood lust of the Arab people for Israel. It traces back to Genesis with Esau and Jacob. Esau hated Jacob, because he said he stole his birthright and blessing as the first son. Isaac loved Esau, and Rebekah loved Jacob. When they were still in her womb, they battled, and when she inquired of the Lord, He told her that the younger would rule over the older. Esau did not value his birthright as first son and traded it to Jacob for a bowl of soup. The covenant made with Abraham to be a father to the nations was remembered to Isaac, and then to Jacob whose name was later changed to Israel by God. When Esau married, he married Ishmael's daughter, Mahalath, as he knew his parents did not want him to marry a woman from Canaan. Ishmael was Abraham's son from Sarah's maid, Hagar, but Isaac was the son of promise. Although Abraham loved Ishmael, he sent Ishmael and Hagar away at Sarah's request, but God told Hagar that Ishmael would also become a great nation. Although Ishmael and Isaac buried their father together, they were not united. The Amaleks are descendants of Ishmael, and as noted above, because they attacked the stragglers when the children of Israel were journeying through the land, God told Moses and Joshua to completely wipe them out. But they did not do so. 

Another interesting parallel is noted in Esther when the wicked Haman was identified as an Agagite, a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. When Saul was anointed as King of Israel by Samuel the prophet in 1 Samuel 15:3, "Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation-men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys." Saul did attack the enemy as commanded, but he failed to kill King Agag, but Samuel told him that because of this failure to obey God's commands, the kingdom would be torn from him. Samuel then killed and chopped up Agag, but still descendants of Amalek remained. Tomorrow I'll continue with how this ties into the story of Esther and interesting parallels found there that lead to the present day battle that continues in the Arab nation, specifically Iran.

Day 61 Purim Feast

 

3/2/2026

"Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in 

the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the

month of Adar with gladness and feasting, as a 

holiday, and for sending presents to one another."  

Esther 9:19

  

Monday morning prayer meetings generally find us praying about the deception found in the church regarding the existence of Israel, but today our prayers are directed at the war with Iran, and the many people who need to be free from the evil stranglehold of the enemy. So much happens in a day as the alarms continue to go off and the citizens of Israel run in and out of bomb shelters. What has been happening is so exceptional in that only God could have orchestrated the timing of each event, as it spans  all the way back to Genesis.

The CEO of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Jurgen Buhler, shared with us about a new phone app called "Star Walk," that allows users to identify stars, constellations, planets, and satellites by pointing their phones at the sky. He shared that on February 26 he had been using Star Walk, and he said that there was a notice that the alignment of the planets would take place on February 28, as if the planets were announcing a change. That morning was the beginning of Operation Roaring Lions/Operation Epic Fury initiated by Israeli airman and later joined by the United States. The initial strike killed Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and forty leaders who were located in the building that was hit. Yesterday in my blog I mentioned the blood moon and the alignment of the planets from a report from NASA. The blood moon will be visible to many on 3/3/2026. As I shared yesterday, the blood moon in the Bible references divine intervention, a shaking, and a time of repentance. According to the Jewish calendar we are now in the month of Adar, the last month of the year, the month in which the second temple was restored by Ezra and the exiles from Persia by a decree under the reign of King Darius. 

It is also the month when Purim is celebrated. Much has been said about the celebration of Purim in my previous posts, but I did want to mention that it a time of joyous celebration. Although war is ongoing, rockets, drones, and missiles are still flying in from Iran, the regime has crumbled, but the remaining members of the IRGC continue a relentless pursuit of vengeance against Israel and against anyone who is an ally or sympathetic to Israel. It was reported that a volley of drones were coming quite frequently, and the new laser, called the Iron Beam, was actually melting the drones as they fell. Although the citizens in Jerusalem were in and out of the bomb shelters, it didn't seem to hinder the celebration of Purim, as the people dressed in costumes, ate the festive pastries and played games in the shelters. One report said that weddings were not canceled, but they were performed in the shelters, as well. The people of Israel are resilient people, who have suffered years of persecution since they become a nation on May 14, 1948. The day after they won this victory they were attacked by the Arab nation. As we study Biblical history we see that God has been restoring his people to their land, and it continues today, called aliyah. As defined in several places in the scriptures, God is bringing His people back from their where He scattered them. The diaspora are those citizens who have been scattered all over the world. 

In the meantime the Iranian women are celebrating in the streets, because they are free of the stronghold of the evil regime. Still the battle ensues for total freedom and the end of the evil jihad. The woman are bold and courageous, and they are willing to put their neck on the line for the welfare of the nation and their families for freedom. It is obvious that God is directing this war, and He is orchestrating every move. We pray for continued strength and divine protection for the people of Iran and for all the military involved, and we pray for Israel and the citizens and leaders of Israel and America. Thy will alone be done, Our Father.

Day 58 Eyes on You

 

2/27/2026 

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”  

2 Chronicles 20:12 

 

 "Lord, I'm hungry for you!" These words were the first I heard as I listened to my morning worship. The song spoke to the feelings I have, longing, aching to be in His Presence. My heart and my flesh may fail, but I hunger for You! Yesterday, I was so grateful for the illustration of the priestly garments and the stones of the ephod and breastplate, that I dreamed of the mysteries of Christ, and I wanted nothing more than to just sit and listen. I wanted to refocus my thoughts only on my Father and not on the cares of this world. Always waiting for the mood to swing in any given situation, and watching as I pray and the answer does not come. This does not steal my faith, however, as I have grown accustomed to waiting, but it bothers others who may not have taken the time "Be still and know that He is God."

As Purim approaches, and the days of fasting and heightened prayer for revival and an end to this savagery going on in Iran must be cut off, and as we await the next move by the Israeli and American governments, there seems to be greater darkness in the clouds above. I remember the vision I received of the Lord standing with His arm raised to the skies as the darkened clouds gathered in the sky began to turn, as if in a cauldron brewing an evil batch of poison. Yet, I knew that this was not the enemies of heaven initiating this turmoil, but it was the hand of the Lord, the Commander of the Armies of Heaven giving command to His angelic guard. The battle has always been, but in recent days the storm has increased. A friend shared with me that she had been given a vision of seeing funnels, like multiple tornadoes, coming down from heaven upon the earth. For some time now, going on three years since Hamas brutally and inhumanely massacred the innocent citizens of Israel, many while they slept - 1200 men, women, children, infants - the enemy has gathered against Israel, and they have been beaten back on seven fronts. The enemy of our souls has been using social media and liars clothed as truth bearers who gain the trust of gullible people, sensationalized against the people of God, to get the attention and increase hatred. I feel that it is about to gain momentum, as the head of the snake must be cut off. 

Last night in my weekly Bible study with Harvest I could feel tension in the air, and I could look at the faces of some and see mixed emotions, all concerning. The text in Luke we were discussing was found in Chapter 7:18-28 where John the Baptist had been imprisoned for some time, and his soul disquieted. His wait in prison had been long, and he questioned why it was taking Jesus so long to act, if indeed He was the Messiah sent to free them from Roman cruelty. John, like the disciples, did not understand that Jesus was not sent to save them from the Romans, He was sent to save souls from the wrath of God, to instruct them of the Kingdom of God. He came to set the captives free spiritually. He came as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. So John sent two of his followers to ask Jesus if He was the One, or should they look for another. Quietly John sent his followers to inquire of Jesus in the same manner, rather than in a public display of unbelief. No, not John, as He knew His cousin, Jesus, and John knew he was sent to prepare the way of the Lord. Jesus, loving His cousin, spoke patiently and kindly to the two disciples, not in harshness, but Jesus addressed them for all those crowded around to hear:

"Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended (who does not fall away) because of Me.'" (Luke 7:22-23).

After the disciples of John departed, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John, testifying of his mission here on earth, so that they would understand that John was His forerunner sent from God to prepare the way for His arrival. Although his appearance, the way he dressed and how he ate, may have seemed strange to some, John had faithfully followed his heavenly mandate. He ends His message by saying, "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." (Luke 7:28)

Even prophets can have periods of doubt, because this is an emotion we all feel in one way or another, at one time or another. It is not unbelief that is an act of the will of a person, a determined stance and an attitude of the heart that can fester and lead to evil. Scriptures recounts episodes of doubt when we consider Elijah on Mount Carmel after he had destroyed the prophets of Baal, Peter as he walks on water, Moses when he did not want to continue the journey to the Promised Land without knowing God would go with him. Even the Apostle Paul had times when he questioned as noted in 2 Corinthians 1. We are all human, frail and fragile as dust, but Jesus, being in the form of man, understood this, and He did not condemn those who earnestly sought Him and followed God's laws. And so it is for us today who desire to walk a life surrendered to His will. The enemy will attempt to discourage us, especially if we are standing on the walls of Jerusalem, linking arms with the Chosen People, or as we stand praying for the deliverance of the Iranian people from the evil regime of this jihad that serves a false god of hatred - first to the Jews and then to the United States. We stand with Christians all over this world who are being persecuted, and we pray for the salvation and deliverance of each of our respective States within America to see the enemy's stranglehold over the people removed. We stand praying for the church to arise and take her rightful place, taking the authority Jesus gave to her, opening the blind eyes to see the deception of the enemy, even within the walls of the church. We each, as believers and followers of Jesus, have a job to do. Let us unite with the people of God and take our places at this appointed time.  

Day 57 Weight of Prayers

 

2/26/2026 

"So Aaron shall bear the names of the

sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment

over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a

memorial before the LORD continually."

Exodus 28:29

 

When God wrote the commandments and laws for the children of Israel with Moses on Mount Sinai, He instructed Moses to have the people read the the laws once they were in the Promised Land and to follow them all the days of their lives. God also instructed Moses in the construction of the tabernacle and in the how to craft and skillfully design each detail following precisely as God said it should be done. Moses followed each detail to the letter. Aaron and his four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, were the priests and were to wear holy garments, as they ministered directly to God. The garments they wore would be a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash, all intricately designed and holy. The ephod was to have two onyx stones, one on each shoulder, each bearing the names of the tribes of Israel, six on each stone. Aaron as high priest would bear the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders when he ministered to the LORD. The breastplate was to have twelve stones in three rows, representing the tribes of Israel. The first row was a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were to be set in gold settings. The breastplate covered the high priest's heart. The high priest would take each tribe with him before the Presence of God wearing the breastplate and ephod.

Just as Aaron, in the position of high priest, wore the stones on his shoulders, bearing the weight of the of  six tribes on each shoulder, and as he bore the weight of the breastplate with all twelve tribes represented by their respective stones, so it is with the intercessor. When we pray we are taking the weight of another, the burdens, hurts, illnesses, and all needs on our shoulders and in our hearts as we stand in the gap offering prayers of intercession on their behalf. This made me think of my Bible study group, and how as their leader I bare their cares in prayer to God. I stand in the gap for each one, and I petition a holy God on their behalf. 

The scripture speaks as Jesus as our High Priest, seated in heaven beside the throne of God where He makes intercession for us. In 1 John 2:1 John tells us, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, , we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." And in Hebrews 7:25, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Many times we don't know how to pray, but we can come boldly to the throne of grace, because Jesus made a way for us, and when He died, the veil that separated us from God our Father, was torn in two, and as believers in Jesus we now have unlimited access to God.

Day 60 Look Up

 

 3/1/2026

 "Now when these things begin to happen, 

look up and lift up your heads, because

your redemption draws near."

Luke 21:28  

 

This has been another long day with many events happening simultaneously and rather quickly. There have been brief periods of calm in Israel, and although much continues to happen in Iran, the people continue to be hopeful and are dancing in the streets. In Washington, DC I understand dancing in the streets has also been observed. Interesting things are happening in various places, and a lot of fire power and military action continues in the air space over the Middle East. Here in the United States another mass shooting occurred in Austin, Texas leaving to people dead and fourteen injured. The gunman was shot and killed, and he was reported to have been wearing a t-shirt with the words "Property of Allah" written on it. Another senseless terror cell of activity at the hands of a deceived and demonic individual on the streets of America. When will these senseless murders and staged riots that prey on the uneducated, drawing them into heinous crimes end. When will the nation wake up to reality and see who is truly behind the mob violence and senseless killings of innocent lives. When will the citizens in America elect men and women of integrity and good moral judgment into positions of authority. God, forgive us.

Things have been unfolding so quickly that it is easy to become distracted by an equally imposing threat from another direction. As intercessors, positioned on the wall of Jerusalem, our focus includes many fronts. As Israel and the United States continue to destroy strategic sites in Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) continues to shoot rockets, ballistic missiles and send in drones into Israel and other areas in retaliation of the death of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the missile attack in Beit Shemesh killing nine Israeli citizens. It is interesting to note that while the Israeli forces and United States fighters make every attempt to avoid the killing of citizens, this has always been a pattern for Iran and its proxies. It is also ironic that while factions in the United States and elsewhere condemn this important mission, Iran continues to behave irresponsibly and with hatred exacting punishment on middle eastern countries. Although their fire power has been considerably lessened, they continue to indiscriminately attack others, often targeting innocent civilians. A hotel in Dubai was destroyed, Qatar was attacked, and they have housed many of the high-ranking regime members from Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Sean Feucht of Let Us Worship has an office for his ministry Light a Candle, a global missions movement for sharing the Great Commission, is located near the American military base that was hit by Iran today. Fortunately, no one was injured.

The Jewish Feast of Purim begins tomorrow commemorating the liberation of the Jewish nation from annihilation back in the days of King Ahasuerus of  Persia and Queen Esther, who was a Jewess. I have written about this feast day previously, and I have posted a wonderful article written by David Parsons from the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem on my Facebook page. This was a time during the chosen people's exile in Persia when a wicked leader tricked the King into signing an edict against the Jews because of his hatred and jealousy of Esther's cousin, Mordecai. During Purim the story of Esther is read in homes and enacted. 

Besides Purim, Ramadan, Islam's high holy day, is being observed. It is a time of fasting, repentance, and crying out to Allah all while spouting death to the Jews and to the United States. Many Muslims have come to believe in Jesus during this time, as they are cry out to their fictitious god, Jesus Christ manifests His presence and many have been saved testifying of the appearance of the Man in White. God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform, and many Muslims have been transformed by a visitation of the Lord Jesus. Many are praying and fasting for Holy Spirit to draw all men to Christ Jesus.

Between March 2-3 there will be another phenomenon in the skies as the blood moon will grace the heavens. This is a total lunar eclipse where the blood moon darkens the sky, and in ancient history is an omen of war. An article notes the following:  "According to NASA, a rare planetary alignment is visible this week, with Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune appearing together across the night sky. Astronomers sometimes call this a "planetary parade," a phenomenon that occurs only occasionally when multiple planets line up from Earth's vantage point."  It is significant that it is happening at Purim and during this time of War with Iran, as Bible history continues to unfold. There are two scriptures in the book of Joel describing such an event in Biblical history:

"And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth; blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls." Joel 2:30-32

"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. The LORD also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake; but the LORD will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel." Joel 3:14-16

Only Father God knows the times and seasons, but it is significant that all of these events are happening at the same time, as evil continues to work its way into the hearts of people throughout this world. Although wars and rumors of wars can be terrifying, witnessing these happenings is also exciting knowing that the return of Jesus Christ is near. Will He find us ready?