"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."
Romans 10:1
I received a warm and encouraging letter...
Romans 10:1
I received a warm and encouraging letter...
...from a man who lives in Ohio with his wife and four children. He came across my testimony on the www.fogivenforlife.com website, and felt compelled to write me a few lines. And I am certainly grateful for his encouragement, for my heart has been heavy concerning the upcoming parole hearing and whatever "old" stuff will be coming forth as the 25th year mark approaches.
This man shared that he and his immediate family are all Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah. I was happy to hear this because, even though he and I are strangers in a sense, we are already bonded in love. We are Jewish brethren who are of the "household of faith."
He also mentioned that he has a son who's studying to be a Messianic Rabbi. I told him that I will be keeping his family in my prayers.
In my letter I shared about my own experiences as a Jew, growing up in New York City ("The Bronx"). I told him about being raised by loving parents. While my father was not religious, my mother definitely was.
I wrote about how my mother would observe the main traditional Jewish holidays, would light candles every Friday evening at sundown in honor of the Sabbath, and how she diligently kept a kosher home.
Just writing about these things brought back fond memories and a deep longing to go back in time and relive those better days. But of course, even then my life was not idyllic. For my youth was a time of emotional pain and many troubles. Yet the good memories do live on.
As for Israel and my fellow Jews, I have to say, along with the apostle Paul, that my heart's desire is to see them come to a full knowledge of who Jesus (Yeshua) is, and for them to place their faith in Him.
This evening, I am going to be reading Romans chapters nine, ten, and eleven. Here Paul gives a wonderful discourse on Jews and Gentiles, and how God's salvation is now available to all people through His Son, Jesus (Psalm 2:7; Proverbs 30:4). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
My prayer is, "Lord, please help my fellow Jews and Gentiles everywhere to know you and your righteousness which comes through Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah. Amen." (See over 400 prophecies that He has already, and will continue to fulfill.)
D.B.
This man shared that he and his immediate family are all Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah. I was happy to hear this because, even though he and I are strangers in a sense, we are already bonded in love. We are Jewish brethren who are of the "household of faith."
He also mentioned that he has a son who's studying to be a Messianic Rabbi. I told him that I will be keeping his family in my prayers.
In my letter I shared about my own experiences as a Jew, growing up in New York City ("The Bronx"). I told him about being raised by loving parents. While my father was not religious, my mother definitely was.
I wrote about how my mother would observe the main traditional Jewish holidays, would light candles every Friday evening at sundown in honor of the Sabbath, and how she diligently kept a kosher home.
Just writing about these things brought back fond memories and a deep longing to go back in time and relive those better days. But of course, even then my life was not idyllic. For my youth was a time of emotional pain and many troubles. Yet the good memories do live on.
As for Israel and my fellow Jews, I have to say, along with the apostle Paul, that my heart's desire is to see them come to a full knowledge of who Jesus (Yeshua) is, and for them to place their faith in Him.
This evening, I am going to be reading Romans chapters nine, ten, and eleven. Here Paul gives a wonderful discourse on Jews and Gentiles, and how God's salvation is now available to all people through His Son, Jesus (Psalm 2:7; Proverbs 30:4). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
My prayer is, "Lord, please help my fellow Jews and Gentiles everywhere to know you and your righteousness which comes through Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah. Amen." (See over 400 prophecies that He has already, and will continue to fulfill.)
D.B.