Back from Israel – Wow!

16 09 2023

Israel Camel ride 9-23

Glory to God in the highest! The camel ride was a bonus. Seven camels, times two riders, times two trips. Everyone (28 chose to ride) of our group of 35 was able to ride a camel for about ten minutes. The experience at Genesis Land in the Judean desert was amazing. We had lunch with “Abraham” in his tent with his epic hospitality spiced with humor and information. And the meal was one of the best on our tour!

We were so blessed to be joined my Michael and Serah Masambu from Kenya. Twenty-nine were seeing the glorious land for the first time. Each day we experienced two or three spiritual highlights. It will take a while to process the deep moving of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We will never be the same. Thank you Jesus!

One of the most exhilarating moments was the boat ride on the sea of Galilee. We sang and prayed and worshipped and celebrated connecting to our spiritual roots. I do not have words to express the glory of Yehovah revealed to us at every stop along the way. I can’t wait to return next June with another group.

“Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says Yehovah, “that it shall no more be said, ‘Yehovah lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘Yehovah lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.’ For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.”  Jeremiah 16:14-15

“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.”  Jeremiah 32:37-41

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and seasonal rains. We saw the first shower of the rainy season!

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists               (Read more)


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Israel Commentary

Walk About Zion

25 02 2023

Prayer at the Wall

Since I am taking a tour group to Israel this year, you may think this post is about visiting Israel, but it is not. This is about Zion as evidence of God’s faithfulness. When we see the towers, the bulwarks, the palaces of Israel, we recognize that our God keeps every promise He has ever spoken. It is about our eternal relationship with Him. His character can be trusted. That is the bottom line. We either trust Him or not. It is a life and death conclusion.

“Walk about Zion, and go all around her. ​​Count her towers; ​​Mark well her bulwarks; ​​Consider her palaces; that you may tell it to the generation following. ​​For this is God, our God forever and ever; ​​He will be our guide even to death.”  Psalm 48:12-14

The miracle existence of Israel as a vibrant modern nation is proof of God’s faithfulness. Just as Satan has always tried to block the Messiah and eventually kill Him; Satan has also always tried to kill Israel. If he could eliminate the Jews, and now the nation of Israel, he thinks he could win over Yehovah God. However, his success in crucifying the Messiah was reversed and cancelled by the resurrection. In exactly the same way, the resurrection of Israel from being a dead nation was a colossal defeat of Satan.

Therefore, we walk about Zion and worship the God who keeps His word. He is alive and He is the source of life. His life is eternal and available to all who follow the One whom He has provided. This is Yeshua, Jesus in His own words:

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

Now having said all that, it is still a great idea to visit Israel and see for yourself. So, if you are interested, take a peek at our September itinerary for our 2023 Elisha Vision Speak to the Dirt! Israel Tour.

Pray for peace of Jerusalem and increasing abundant rains for Israel.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists                    (Read more)


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Israel Commentary

Israel Safe for Tourism

7 12 2022

Fam by Old City Jerusalem

Contrary to public opinion, Israel is #5 in Safe Nations for Tourism. Israel is #5 safest out of the 50 top tourism nations. When someone plans a trip to Israel they are inevitably asked or warned about safety. However, actual statistics in the Jerusalem Post contradict the propaganda narrative. As antisemitism rises in all western countries, Israel’s tourism is expanding.

Israel is 5th safest country in the world for tourists – study – According to this study, Israel is the fifth safest among the 50 countries in the world most widely visited by tourists. No, you didn’t read that wrong. The fifth safest, not the fifth most unsafe country to visit. Turns out that the question that many first-time visitors to Israel are asked by friends and relatives when they reveal their plans to visit – “Are you sure it’s safe?” – is misplaced. Not only is it safe, but it is very safe; safer, in fact, than visiting the US (ranked 30), Canada (21), Australia (18), France (15) and the United Kingdom (10). Israel’s overall safety index was -60.22, giving it a grade of A. Only Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Singapore were considered safer, with the last two countries earning an A+ grade.

One explanation for the confusion is the media propaganda against Israel, a sort of soft anti-Semitism. The narrative in U.S. universities is overwhelmingly pro-Palestinian. The most common slogan heard is “From river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” This literally means the end of Israel. They demand that all of Israel, not just the “West Bank”, be given to Arab Palestinians. A second heavy influence on the narrative is the continual resolutions streaming out of the UN against Israel. Keep in mind that there are 56 Muslim nations to one Israel. Anytime there is a vote in the UN General Assembly it is stacked against Israel. These resolutions are picked up by the media supporting the anti-Israel narrative. Thirdly, anti-Semitism is blowing up around the world as the anti-Christ, and anti-God demonic spirit is spreading exponentially. 

In light of this, what should we do? Where are we to stand? Once again we conclude that we will stand with Israel. Praise God for the occasional good report. So visit Israel when you can, but especially pray for the peace of Jerusalem and bless Israel. Pray that our nation will bless Israel. Remember the boomerang effect: Those who bless Israel will be blessed. No wonder Israel is the 5th safest country for tourists to visit. We live and stand in victory in the Holy Spirit realm!

The Whole Armor of God – “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”  Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and seasonal rains.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists                       (Read more)


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : Israel Commentary

Fresh Israel Photos

1 07 2019

20190620_101135

Amy, Angie & Doreen at Caesaria on the Mediterranean

Please indulge me one more look back on our blessed Israel tour last week, before I get back to my regular commentary. Thanks.

Remember me, Yehovah, when you show favor to your people; come near and rescue me. Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage. Psalm 106:4-5 NLT

From left to right: Roman aqueduct, En Gedi Spring (where David hid from Saul), Mosaic in Magdala 1rst Cent. synagogue, source of the Jordan River at Caesaria Philippi, Western Wall prayer, Jordan River baptism, View of Jezreel Valley from Mt Carmel, Old City Restaurant, and a word from the Lord from Jerusalem.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain in the time of latter rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists              (Read more)


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Israel Commentary

Ready for our Israel Tour!

4 06 2019

Joy

Two weeks from today we fly to Israel with 30 folks for the experience of a lifetime. Doreen and I are honored to lead the group who are mostly first-timers. Even though this is my fifteenth time, I still feel just like this sweet little girl. I always feel like a salmon returning to its spawning grounds. Jerusalem is the center of the earth and the center of God’s redemptive purpose. When the Messiah comes, He is not coming to Washington, DC or New York or London or Rome or Mecca or anywhere else. He is coming to Jerusalem.

I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,’ says Yehovah your God.  Amos 9:14-15 ESV

We are now praying about a 2020 Elisha Vision Israel Tour. If you would be interested, please let us know, here.

Prayer Points: Here is a current list of prayer points for Israel and the Jewish people:

  1. Psalm 102:13 Now is the time! (The Holocaust Psalm)
  2. Psalm 83:9 Pray that Yehovah will deal with Israel’s enemies as he did with Midian when they turned on each other in Gideon’s day.
  3. Psalm 122 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
  4. Zechariah 10:1 Pray for rain in the time of latter rain.
  5. Romans 11:23-24 Pray for Israel to grafted in again.
  6. Ezekiel 36 Pray through the whole chapter as a literal prophecy.
  7. Isaiah 62:6 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
    They shall never hold their peace day or night.
    You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent,

If you want your prayers answered, pray what Yehovah has already said He will do.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                  (Read more)


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : Israel Commentary

Israel Tour – June 2019

20 08 2018

Jerusalem at night

Jerusalem at night – Sar-El Tours

Apologies to any who drew the conclusion that Doreen and I are moving to Israel, from my last blog: Moving to Israel – Aliyah. We are not, although we would love to be there much more. It was a two-minute heartwarming video about American Jews moving to Israel permanently.

However, Doreen and I are indeed taking a small tour group next summer (June 18-27). We are limiting the group to about 25 so we can maintain an intimate experience. We already have solid commitments, but it will be first-come first-served based on the initial deposit of $300.00 per person. The total will be $3599.00 in installments starting in late Fall.

We have been many times, and in the 10 day trip we will see all of our favorite Biblical sites and also experience modern Israeli life. One of our favorites is a beautiful ride on a “Jesus boat” on the Sea of Galilee. Another favorite is an opportunity to get our hands dirty for one Jerusalem morning at the City of David sifting site. You will get to sift through material from the second Temple period around the time of Jesus.

If you are interested in going with us please act quickly to request more information. Just click on the “Contact” tab (above on the Menu bar), and send your request for Elisha Vision Israel Tour 2019. Next year in Jerusalem!

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of Yehovah.” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of Yehovah, to the Testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of Yehovah. Psalm 122:1-4

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists              (Read more)

 


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Israel Commentary