“Lord! I really need to know your word more! If you are willing, take me to Israel!”
One evening three years ago, after pursuing the daily Bible portion, I made this call to the Lord. I was in distress, struggling with the meaning of porpoise skins and acacia wood. I even told the Lord I would give up reading the Bible altogether if I could not understand what it is all about. That said, I continued to follow my daily Bible portion. After a few weeks, a sister who travelled to Hong Kong on business wrote and asked if I would like to visit Israel. Just as James 1:25 says, “But if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and does not reproach, and it will be given to him.” Not only did He not reproach me for losing my temper, He even listened to my call and arrange the best visit for me to Israel. It was indeed a blessing from God!
All the saints who joined the tour paid a price, and in order to make it worthwhile, the brother leading the tour assigned the relevant Bible verses and set 18 Israel-related topics for us to study. He also asked us to pray in small groups. As a result, saints coming from different parts of the world who have never met before joined soul in praying for this visit, and inwardly we were all excited and eager to prepare ourselves to “know Israel”. Weeks before our departure, unrest broke out in Israel and the Gaza strip. Hamas released thousands of missiles toward Israel. This was a real test to us who have never experiened war in our life. Fear came in as I watched the news. Brother asked each one of us to pray before the Lord. If we did not have the peace from the Lord we could withdraw from the trip and get a refund. However, on the day of departure, every member of the group was present, and not a single one was missed.
When we arrived the Ben-Gurion airport, the tour guide who picked us up told us that Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire half an hour ago. This was such an encouraging news! Brother said, this was just like the Israelis crossing the river Jordan. Although the river overflows its banks, we need to dip into the waters by faith, and the waters will stand and rise up in a heap. Today we experienced the word of God in such a way. By faith we entered into the Promised Land, and then came the ceasefire. I knew Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords from the Bible, but that day I really knew Him as the “I am!” Before departure I was paying attention to the news, watching all the national leaders trying to mediate the situation. One negotiation after another and peace was still not in sight. Yet while we were travelling, the ceasefire was sealed. I believe this was His response to the prayers of His little members. Due to the tense situation, most of the tours to Israel were canceled. We ended up having a very smooth trip – less congestion and lining up. We were almost the only group wherever we went and this gave us adequate time to linger on and enjoy the sharing of brother and the tour guide. Praise the Lord.
Through the visit, to me the Bible is no longer just plain descriptions. The Bible becomes three-dimensional, full of scenery, even with temperature and scent. As if we saw how the Lord called Peter by the Sea of Galilee, watching Him walk up to Jerusalem; as if we saw how He taught in the synagogue, facing tests from the Pharisees and scribes; watching His ascension from the Mount of Olives, and looking forward to His return in glory. We saw how the Jews prepared for the building of the third Temple on the Temple Mount to worship Him; we viewed the plains of the future war of Armageddon where blood would come out up to the bridles of the horses all the way to Jerusalem 300 km away. As if we saw the restoration, when the water in the Dead Sea will be healed …. After returning from Israel, I practiced to pray for the interest of God in this country according to what I have seen and heard. Like Daniel, I opened the window of my heart toward Jerusalem. Later on, I joined a conference in the U.S. and there was a fellowship focusing on Israel. I was encouraged and once again consecrated myself to the Lord and to Israel.
After the consecration, I asked the Lord how I could go to Israel. Then I remembered visiting a Kibbutz during the tour (Kibbutz is unique in Israel, a collective farm with socialist ideals. Some Jews settled in the Palestine through organizing kibbutzim even before the establishment of the State of Israel). Listening to the introduction about the kibbutz, we all felt that the life there is utopian. We even joked and asked if we could stay behind. The guide told us then we could apply to become volunteers in the kibbutz. I started to search for the relevant information, and felt that I really had to go. Then I told the Lord that I did not want this to be out of my own zeal. I asked the Lord for two confirmations: both my superviser and my parents had to allow me to go. I prayed much for this. During a conversation with my superviser, I told her about my plan to go to Israel. She was surprised and asked me about my plan afterwards. I told her I would need to quit the job. She stopped for a while, then told me she would help me to arrange to keep the job without pay for a period. Then it was my turn to be surprised. According to the situation in the company, such an arrangement was impossible, especially considering my reason was so “crazy”! However, because of this arrangement, my parents were also comforted and allowed me to go. Praise Him! He is the wonderful Counselor, the mighty God!
My kibbutz is situated in the north of Israel, at the foot of Mount Carmel (where Elijah won over the prophets of Baal). There are two to three thousand people in the kibbutz, me being the only one not of Jewish descent. Besides those who grew up in the kibbutz, there are many Jewish young people coming from all over the world to join the kibbutz program. Each week we had three days of Hebrew classes, two days we labored in different units in the farm. In the afternoon of Fridays, we prepared for the Shabbat, and rested till Saturday evenings. My fellow classmates all had affections for their homeland; some came many times but have not yet been able to make a decision and return. Some came back for economic reasons, to start a new page in life and pursue the “Israel dream”. Some were proud in telling you that they returned to join the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), targetting to become those fighting in the frontline. Kibbutz is usually the first place new immigrants go and experience Israel, as such it is also a miniature of the life in Israel society. The early immigrants returned and settled, then came the second and third generations…. New immigrants also came from all around the world joining them. It is not difficult to understand why this country is so dynamic.
A couple of months before completing the kibbutz program, I asked the Lord if I should return to Taiwan or stay longer in Israel. I saw that the need of the Lord here is great. After some fellowships with the saints, I prepared to return to Taiwan and quit my job. A sister asked me, “Are you sure you want to quit your job? It is a good job. If you quit, your life will become very different – you can no longer travel a few times a year, buy whatever you like and go to whichever restaurants you desire.” I clenched my teeth and asked the Lord “Yes, life will become very different. But what can I do? I love Israel”. I thought of Mary who seized the opportunity to pour the ointment on the Lord. I did not know how she felt when she broke the alabaster flask (for sure she did not clench her teeth), but I know that in her eyes, it is worth it to “waste” it on the Lord. I thought of the young man whom the Lord told to sell his possessions and give to the poor, and he went away sorrowing. I did not want to become like this young man. I did not want to have a good life in Taiwan, yet sorrowing. Although with my teeth clenched, I still wanted to seize the opportunity and break the alabaster flask. The time in the kibbutz also made my lifestyle simpler. I only have needs, but not desires.
This time I returned to Israel and came to Jerusalem, studying language in the Hebrew University. The atmosphere in Jerusalem is very religious. On the one hand, I thank the Lord for what He has accomplished on the cross and saved us from the bondage of the law. Now we live in God’s grace and receive His divine dispensing daily, enjoying Him as our reality and content. On the other hand, I feel pity for the Jewish believers who until today continue to follow many unimaginable religious regulations. Jerusalem is the holy city for three major religions, hence I get to know many Christians coming from around the world. Regardless of their origins and denominations, they all have a strong desire for the Lord. They come to Jerusalem with the hope of meeting the Lord, advancing in their spiritual life, and being filled by the Holy Spirit. We often have fellowships and Bible reading together, and share with them our enjoyment of this All-Inclusive Christ. It is very sweet to enjoy the Lord in the Body, to supply one another and build up with one another. In the coming year, I will continue to study a graduate degree in the Hebrew University. I look forward to enjoying the Lord more, to be filled by Him more, and to express Him more. If perhaps I may, like the Apostle Paul, provoke those of my flesh to jealousy and save some of them.
(MC, fall 2015)
One evening three years ago, after pursuing the daily Bible portion, I made this call to the Lord. I was in distress, struggling with the meaning of porpoise skins and acacia wood. I even told the Lord I would give up reading the Bible altogether if I could not understand what it is all about. That said, I continued to follow my daily Bible portion. After a few weeks, a sister who travelled to Hong Kong on business wrote and asked if I would like to visit Israel. Just as James 1:25 says, “But if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and does not reproach, and it will be given to him.” Not only did He not reproach me for losing my temper, He even listened to my call and arrange the best visit for me to Israel. It was indeed a blessing from God!
All the saints who joined the tour paid a price, and in order to make it worthwhile, the brother leading the tour assigned the relevant Bible verses and set 18 Israel-related topics for us to study. He also asked us to pray in small groups. As a result, saints coming from different parts of the world who have never met before joined soul in praying for this visit, and inwardly we were all excited and eager to prepare ourselves to “know Israel”. Weeks before our departure, unrest broke out in Israel and the Gaza strip. Hamas released thousands of missiles toward Israel. This was a real test to us who have never experiened war in our life. Fear came in as I watched the news. Brother asked each one of us to pray before the Lord. If we did not have the peace from the Lord we could withdraw from the trip and get a refund. However, on the day of departure, every member of the group was present, and not a single one was missed.
When we arrived the Ben-Gurion airport, the tour guide who picked us up told us that Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire half an hour ago. This was such an encouraging news! Brother said, this was just like the Israelis crossing the river Jordan. Although the river overflows its banks, we need to dip into the waters by faith, and the waters will stand and rise up in a heap. Today we experienced the word of God in such a way. By faith we entered into the Promised Land, and then came the ceasefire. I knew Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords from the Bible, but that day I really knew Him as the “I am!” Before departure I was paying attention to the news, watching all the national leaders trying to mediate the situation. One negotiation after another and peace was still not in sight. Yet while we were travelling, the ceasefire was sealed. I believe this was His response to the prayers of His little members. Due to the tense situation, most of the tours to Israel were canceled. We ended up having a very smooth trip – less congestion and lining up. We were almost the only group wherever we went and this gave us adequate time to linger on and enjoy the sharing of brother and the tour guide. Praise the Lord.
Through the visit, to me the Bible is no longer just plain descriptions. The Bible becomes three-dimensional, full of scenery, even with temperature and scent. As if we saw how the Lord called Peter by the Sea of Galilee, watching Him walk up to Jerusalem; as if we saw how He taught in the synagogue, facing tests from the Pharisees and scribes; watching His ascension from the Mount of Olives, and looking forward to His return in glory. We saw how the Jews prepared for the building of the third Temple on the Temple Mount to worship Him; we viewed the plains of the future war of Armageddon where blood would come out up to the bridles of the horses all the way to Jerusalem 300 km away. As if we saw the restoration, when the water in the Dead Sea will be healed …. After returning from Israel, I practiced to pray for the interest of God in this country according to what I have seen and heard. Like Daniel, I opened the window of my heart toward Jerusalem. Later on, I joined a conference in the U.S. and there was a fellowship focusing on Israel. I was encouraged and once again consecrated myself to the Lord and to Israel.
After the consecration, I asked the Lord how I could go to Israel. Then I remembered visiting a Kibbutz during the tour (Kibbutz is unique in Israel, a collective farm with socialist ideals. Some Jews settled in the Palestine through organizing kibbutzim even before the establishment of the State of Israel). Listening to the introduction about the kibbutz, we all felt that the life there is utopian. We even joked and asked if we could stay behind. The guide told us then we could apply to become volunteers in the kibbutz. I started to search for the relevant information, and felt that I really had to go. Then I told the Lord that I did not want this to be out of my own zeal. I asked the Lord for two confirmations: both my superviser and my parents had to allow me to go. I prayed much for this. During a conversation with my superviser, I told her about my plan to go to Israel. She was surprised and asked me about my plan afterwards. I told her I would need to quit the job. She stopped for a while, then told me she would help me to arrange to keep the job without pay for a period. Then it was my turn to be surprised. According to the situation in the company, such an arrangement was impossible, especially considering my reason was so “crazy”! However, because of this arrangement, my parents were also comforted and allowed me to go. Praise Him! He is the wonderful Counselor, the mighty God!
My kibbutz is situated in the north of Israel, at the foot of Mount Carmel (where Elijah won over the prophets of Baal). There are two to three thousand people in the kibbutz, me being the only one not of Jewish descent. Besides those who grew up in the kibbutz, there are many Jewish young people coming from all over the world to join the kibbutz program. Each week we had three days of Hebrew classes, two days we labored in different units in the farm. In the afternoon of Fridays, we prepared for the Shabbat, and rested till Saturday evenings. My fellow classmates all had affections for their homeland; some came many times but have not yet been able to make a decision and return. Some came back for economic reasons, to start a new page in life and pursue the “Israel dream”. Some were proud in telling you that they returned to join the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), targetting to become those fighting in the frontline. Kibbutz is usually the first place new immigrants go and experience Israel, as such it is also a miniature of the life in Israel society. The early immigrants returned and settled, then came the second and third generations…. New immigrants also came from all around the world joining them. It is not difficult to understand why this country is so dynamic.
A couple of months before completing the kibbutz program, I asked the Lord if I should return to Taiwan or stay longer in Israel. I saw that the need of the Lord here is great. After some fellowships with the saints, I prepared to return to Taiwan and quit my job. A sister asked me, “Are you sure you want to quit your job? It is a good job. If you quit, your life will become very different – you can no longer travel a few times a year, buy whatever you like and go to whichever restaurants you desire.” I clenched my teeth and asked the Lord “Yes, life will become very different. But what can I do? I love Israel”. I thought of Mary who seized the opportunity to pour the ointment on the Lord. I did not know how she felt when she broke the alabaster flask (for sure she did not clench her teeth), but I know that in her eyes, it is worth it to “waste” it on the Lord. I thought of the young man whom the Lord told to sell his possessions and give to the poor, and he went away sorrowing. I did not want to become like this young man. I did not want to have a good life in Taiwan, yet sorrowing. Although with my teeth clenched, I still wanted to seize the opportunity and break the alabaster flask. The time in the kibbutz also made my lifestyle simpler. I only have needs, but not desires.
This time I returned to Israel and came to Jerusalem, studying language in the Hebrew University. The atmosphere in Jerusalem is very religious. On the one hand, I thank the Lord for what He has accomplished on the cross and saved us from the bondage of the law. Now we live in God’s grace and receive His divine dispensing daily, enjoying Him as our reality and content. On the other hand, I feel pity for the Jewish believers who until today continue to follow many unimaginable religious regulations. Jerusalem is the holy city for three major religions, hence I get to know many Christians coming from around the world. Regardless of their origins and denominations, they all have a strong desire for the Lord. They come to Jerusalem with the hope of meeting the Lord, advancing in their spiritual life, and being filled by the Holy Spirit. We often have fellowships and Bible reading together, and share with them our enjoyment of this All-Inclusive Christ. It is very sweet to enjoy the Lord in the Body, to supply one another and build up with one another. In the coming year, I will continue to study a graduate degree in the Hebrew University. I look forward to enjoying the Lord more, to be filled by Him more, and to express Him more. If perhaps I may, like the Apostle Paul, provoke those of my flesh to jealousy and save some of them.
(MC, fall 2015)