Day 284 Vigilant

 

10/11/2025

 "Blessed be the LORD, because He heard the voice of my

supplications! The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore, 

my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song 

I will praise Him."

Psalm 28: 6-7

 

Sabbath is a day of refreshing, peace, and a time to relax and enjoy family. It is a day of rejoicing as we join with fellow believers in Christ, worshiping and studying the Word of the Lord. Shabbat begins for me on Friday evening, as it is observed in Israel, and I attend Shabbat in the Home with the Wilbur family online. It's short, but impactful, and I love the Wilburs! I also spend time with Marty and Jennie Goetz for an hour of worship and prayer. Marty Goetz and Paul Wilbur have been two of my favorite Messianic Jewish musicians, defenders of Israel, for many, many years. I can't remember when I began to worship with Jacob's Tent, perhaps eight years or more, but I love joining with them on Saturday morning as we open the word of God together, studying Torah - the first five books of the Bible written by Moses - as well as the entire Word of God - Genesis to Revelations. I also attend local and online Sunday services, as the Bible says in Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." I was raised in church, and my mother made sure that we were in church whenever the doors were open. Church attendance is part of the life that I choose to live, because I love God, and I want to grow in the knowledge of His will.

There are those who feel that I am somehow dishonoring God by attending both a Christian and a Jewish church, but obviously they do not know the word of God, nor do they know the character of Jesus. Jacob's Tent is a congregation of believers in Christ Jesus, from all denominational backgrounds, including Jewish born believers, who feel called together by the power of Holy Spirit to serve the Lord in one fellowship. They use the Hebrew calendar, follow the reading of Torah, as well as the complete Bible, they observe the feasts of the Lord, and by their own preference they obey the food laws, just as Messianic Jewish believers - Jews who have accepted Jesus Christ as Messiah. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, children of God as the scripture says in John 1:12: "But to all who received Him (Jesus Christ), He gave the right to become children of God."   

During the day, the enemy began rearing his ugly head. Actually, situations have been developing this week almost daily, as the persecution and warfare increases against me just for being a Christian and loving Israel. By Friday it amped up into almost a full scale war in the heavens, but I didn't have to worry about that, because God is all over it. He has been reminding me of things He has called me to do, that I have been obedient to do, but more is needed. Following Him is my life. He alone is my First and Only Love. 

The Feast of Tabernacles ends tomorrow, and although I could not attend in person, I did sign up for the online participation. I am a bit behind due to other difficulties I'm facing, but I'll catch up. I have each morning's prayer with the International Christian Jewish Embassy Jerusalem to look forward to. The enemy is very cunning and deceitful, and he can present himself as an angel of light. I am so thankful that God taught me that truth a long time ago, so I can be vigilant in removing the threat by "casting down imaginations." When the enemy tries to come in and accuse and seek to manipulate our lives, we give a scriptural response, just as Jesus did when He countered satan with the words "It is written...!" 

There is much deception in the world, and the chaos and distractions - and there are many, and they are extreme - attempt to draw our focus away from what God holds most precious. We are told to pray for our leaders and those in authority so we may live peaceful lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We are commanded in scripture to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in Psalm 122:6-9. As Gentile believers in Christ we are instructed by the Apostle Paul, anointed of God, in Romans, chapters 9 - 11 regarding our place, our purpose regarding Israel. John 4:22 reminds us that salvation comes from the Jews. Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as it is the power of God that offers salvation to everyone who has faith - to Jews first, and then to Gentiles, as well." And in Romans 11:11 Paul instructs: "I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy , salvation has come to the Gentiles."

I do not have to prove myself or defend my stand with Israel to anyone, I only have to walk in the truth of His word, and hold fast to my profession: "Dear friends, I have been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to His holy people." 

More and more I am witnessing pride in believers who feel that they have more to offer than others. Again I reference Romans 12:1-5 regarding how we are to live our lives and serving our God in unity with the brethren:

"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body; but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."  

I am also seeing many fall and follow wrong paths. Romans 1:22-23 speaks to those who deviate from truth: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man."

I have been accused of being involved in a cult because of my fellowship with Jacob's Tent and because of my involvement with the embassy in Jerusalem, but I recognize the enemy's plots in my life. When I accepted God's call to be an intercessor for Israel, increasing focus over the last two years, becoming a watchman on the wall, I felt so unworthy. Who am I to stand before a holy God on behalf of His chosen people? But I have prayed for God to break my heart for what breaks His, and He has answered. And I will continue to do so.

Whenever my children ask me a question about anything, especially when they share the hatred and  ridiculous beliefs and evil words of this world, I have one response, and that is with what I close this post today: 

"Study to show yourselves approved unto God, a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16