2/8/2025
Friday evenings at six o'clock marks the beginning of Shabbat. I am always happy to begin my day of rest, but I found it hard to focus on the first service tonight, then the other just slipped on by. I remember the songs, the prayers, but my mind was preoccupied with my friends in Israel who in a few short hours would be waiting the arrival of the three hostages promised to be released.This would mark the second Saturday the enemy chose to set the time of release, on the day God said should be a day of rest and refreshment. On Shabbat the entire city shuts down as a day to keep holy, even to those who hold secular beliefs. As a Jew this day is holy, so government and businesses are closed. How cruelly planned on the part of the terrorists, as was the initial attack in October 2023 that came on Shabbat following the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of joy and celebration for the Jewish people and those who love Israel.
Prior to going to bed last night I had listened to a report by an IDF commander, whose unit is tasked with being first on the scene when there are injuries and deaths to extract the wounded and the dead. He wasn speaking about that day forever etched in our minds. Just hearing the censored details of two accounts broke me. I've witnessed glimpses and heard gruesome details, but this description went beyond what I already heard. Knowing that two of the hostages to be released have been lead to believe their loved ones were alive and would be waiting for them, made the truth all the harder to grasp, The way in which they probably died made it worse. Eli Sharabi will return to an empty home, after being told after 491 days his wife, Lianne, and two teenage daughters, Noiya and Yahel, as well as their beloved dog, had been murdered in their home in Kibbutz Be'eri. He had also been told that his brother, Yossi had been murdered in Gaza, while in truth Yossi had also been taken as a hostage and murdered in captivity, his body still being held hostage, or so reports say. Or Levy, who also believed his wife, Einav, was alive was murdered at the Nova Music Festival. Both locations, Be'eri and Nova were some of the worst scenes of terror, beyond imagination. Or did reunite with his three year old son, Almog, who had been cared for by his grandparents.The third man, Ohad Ben Ami, whose wife, Raz, had been taken hostage with him in October was one of those released in November 2023 along with other women and children, so he had hope his family would be waiting. This morning when I checked in, they were safely in IDF hands after being paraded among enemies, who dressed the three in garments resembling prison garb while armed, masked terrorists displayed their mocked bravado. Apparently the Red Cross was there for the exchange, but they did nothing to protect or assist the Israelis. This has been the norm for this humanitarian operation who has proven that they are clearly not what they say they are, just as the UN has proven to not be what they were organized to do as a supposed humanitarian organization. The men released were emaciated and very weak, and resembled little of the men in appearance as before. Their tiny legs and gaunt, sunken faces reminded me of photos off Holocaust survivors and prisoners arrested for their faith in China who had served several, cruel years. There remains 17 other hostages due to be released in this first cease fire effort, to include Shiri Bibas, and two sons, Ariel (5) and Kfir (2). Yarden Bibas was released last week, but the fate of his family is not known. He has been told that they had been killed, but this has never been proven. So we wait.
Tonight as many eagerly await the Super Bowl game tomorrow between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles being held in New Orleans, Sean Feucht and his Let Us Worship team are holding a time of praise and worship kicking off revival in America in 2025. It began last night in downtown New Orleans in a 12 hour prayer service, as they cried out for a move of God. In the midst of chaos, it is wonderful to see young people eager for a move of God. Revivals are still springing up since the Asbury (2/8/2023) outpouring in universities and colleges, and even in the NFL. Who knows what surprises may happen tomorrow at the game as Sean continues his outreach in the area, and as others stand in the gap begging God for an outpouring of Holy Spirit upon all flesh. I anxiously await the day when churches will be led to deep times of repentance, cleansing and crying out to Father God for His presence and power to rain down stirring revival and reformation to all who are fervently seeking a move of His Spirit, beginning in each individual's heart. Repentance is key to revival, and I wonder how many truly understand what the scripture in 2 Chronicles 7:14 fully means when it so often recited. Has it become cliche among the body of Christ, as the Lord's Prayer? I continue to bow down in worship and deep repentance for any sin in myself, my family, extended generations. We must have it for true revival to catch the spark for holy fire!
How among us is truly ready for revival?! The fields are ripe for harvest.
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