We were blessed to be able to attend Messiah 2006 last month. This yearly conference, sponsored by the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America, is held at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. Over 1,200 Messianic believers gathered this July for a week of worship, teaching, fellowship and inspiration. The theme of Messiah 2006 was "Zealous for Zion," based on Zechariah 8:2: "Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her’." We felt the heartbeat of God for His people Israel as a group of 26 Israeli believers (including Jews who have returned to Israel from all over the world) shared their testimonies and a video documentary of an outreach at a New Age festival in Israel. A panel of Messianic Jews who have lived in the land of Israel for many years gave us a glimpse into everyday life in Eretz Israel. While all have paid a high price for following the Lord’s leading to return to Israel, none regretted having done it. They have weathered the culture shock, financial strain, persecutions, language challenges, lack of luxuries, separation from family and have emerged victorious and excited about how God is moving today in His Land.

Being zealous for Zion is much more than just a sentimental attachment to the Land of Israel. It is spiritually discerning God’s jealous love for His people Israel, His Promised Land, and His favorite city, Jerusalem. Zechariah 8:2 can also be translated as follows:

"Adonai-Tzva’ot says, ‘I am extremely jealous on Tzion’s behalf, and I am jealous for her with great fury.’" (Jewish New Testament)

To have a "Messianic Vision" is to have a God-given burden for His people Israel. This vision includes a longing to see both the physical and spiritual restoration of Israel, with Yeshua, the Messiah taking His rightful place as King in the hearts of His people. Those with a Messianic Vision see Yeshua through a culturally Jewish filter (His culture), worship Him following a biblical/Jewish calendar, and live a biblical Jewish lifestyle. This does not mean bondage to those of us who worship the Messiah in Spirit and in Truth. What it does mean is a fullness and an authenticity in our relationship with Yeshua. He is even more glorious when seen as the Promised Jewish Messiah. His zeal for Zion is our zeal as well. (See Matthew 23:37)

May the Lord increase the zeal in all our hearts for Zion, for Jerusalem, for the Land of Israel and for the Jewish people. We must stand with Israel now more than ever!

A number of years ago, Jamie knelt in prayer in our bedroom and asked God what He really wanted her to do. He answered: "Touch my People for me (the Jewish people). Physically touch them. Touch them with My love." From that day to this, Jamie has been touching Jewish people – especially the elderly – in obedience to that request. Some of the encounters have been life-changing.

We are trusting the Lord to touch many elderly Jewish people on Saturday, August 5th when we will be having a special service called "Senior Moment," at our congregation in Ft. Lauderdale. The message that morning will be the testimonies of Jewish believers over the age of 70 – most are over 80! – two over 90!! We have asked our mishpochah (family) to invite their elderly Jewish pre-believing friends and relatives to this event. The Lord desires to save His people before it’s too late. Another thought: Why not ask the Lord what He really wants YOU to do concerning His people?

While there was a mighty move of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) among the adults at Messiah 2006, the most powerful move seemed to be among the youth. Since our youngest son, Jesse (age 17) was involved in this group, we had a firsthand encounter with the acts of the Holy Spirit among the teenagers. On Wednesday morning, we had the privilege of teaching a class to the teen and college age groups. We spoke on "Messianic Vision" and "Messianic Hearing."

We began by asking why Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who were all witnesses of the same things, "saw" and explained them differently. Essentially, they all "saw" the same thing – Yeshua, the Messiah, the Son of God who came to earth, lived a sinless life, was crucified, buried and rose again. However, their vision was colored by who they were as people, and who their audience was. Matthew looked back, Mark looked around, Luke looked into and John looked up. (We usually suggest that Jewish people begin reading in Matthew because of His very Hebraic perspective.)

Matthew spoke to Jews about the promised Messiah. Mark spoke to Romans about the powerful Messiah. Luke spoke to Greeks about the perfect Messiah. John spoke to believers about the personal Messiah. We told the youth that while all Messianic synagogues have the same basic vision, they are all different. Their services are colored by the personal vision of the synagogues’ leadership. Each congregation has its own personality.

Relating again to "vision," we read in Matthew Chapter 2 that a star led wise men from the East to the Messiah. These seekers followed something that shone brightly in order to find the King of the Jews. There is a message for us here: "Follow something or someone that shines and it (they) will lead you to the Messiah." Do YOU shine so brightly that others follow YOU to find the Lord? Have you ever had anyone say to you, "There’s something special about you. What is it?" Those who have asked us this question over the years have included a satan worshipper on Ft. Lauderdale Beach, a gay hairdresser, many secular Israelis and shopkeepers in Spain!

Be a Jewish star. Shine. Shine. Shine.

and glorify your Father which is in heaven." – Matthew 5:16

Vision is great, but, biblically speaking, hearing is even better. "Messianic hearing." Yeshua said in John 10:27: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." On one of our trips to Israel we learned that sheep are not designed to walk by sight, but by hearing. Since they keep their head down most of the time, they are led by the voice of their shepherd who calls them by name.

In the natural realm, the most powerful sense is the sense of sight. In the spiritual realm, it is hearing. "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath..." (James 1:19) "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it...’" (Isaiah 30:21)

Messianic "hearing" usually precedes Messianic "seeing." We hear from God and He gives us a vision of something that is on His heart. This is the day, now is the hour in which God is speaking to His people (especially the youth) and imparting revelation and vision to their spirits. Don’t be surprised if the Lord speaks to you about something "new." It is a new day!

We finished speaking to the youth at around noon on Wednesday, July 5th. At midnight that evening, we went to pick up Jesse from the youth meeting. No one in the room seemed to be aware of the 12:00 curfew. At least 100 teenagers were deep in prayer and worship. It was an awesome sight. The following day they decided to fast lunch and have a 2 hour session of prophetic intercession, praying for miracles and victory in the lives of people at the conference. Teenagers from 13-19 and youth in their early 20’s!! We were reminded of two promises that the Lord has fulfilled in our two sons – and which we believe He will fulfill in your children as well:

At the same time that Yeshua was ministering to the youth, the Lord was speaking to us. We had arrived at Messiah ‘06 somewhat discouraged about our Jewish Jewels television ministry. The programs continue to minister and point both Jew and non-Jew to the Messiah, but support has continued to slowly decrease.This is why we had to go off INSP (many of you have called inquiring about this).

Two people at the conference gave us strong words of encouragement. Jonathan Bernis of Jewish Voice Today pulled us aside and firmly told us that we must keep going forward. This precious brother in Yeshua has his own Messianic Jewish television ministry, but took the time to encourage us. He reminded us that there are still (after more than 25 years!) only a handful of television programs seen nationally or internationally that can be called "Messianic." No more than 5 in the world. Think of it.

Jewish Jewels has been on the air continually since December of 1980. We shared with Jonathan a new "television vision" that the Lord has been speaking to us about and he affirmed the vision wholeheartedly, suggesting a pilot-test program. The vision: A Messianic Jewish worship service. We have been exploring this possibility since taking over the congregation in January, but, quite frankly, details such as the cost of lighting the sanctuary (about $100,000) have seemed a bit overwhelming. But, we serve a big God! So... we plan to move ahead in this direction. There is, to our knowledge, no Messianic Synagogue service broadcast nationwide to date. Perhaps, we are to be the first of many!

Your prayers are deeply appreciated for God’s will and God’s guidance. A vote with your finances in favor of this new "television vision" would be a great blessing as well!!

Our second word of encouragement came from a pre-believing Israeli businessman who provides ministries with products from Israel to use as offers. We didn’t know Zvi, but he knew us. He gave us an impassioned lecture on how we must keep going with our program. When pre-believers encourage you to keep preaching to them, it is definitely time to stop and think! That is exactly what we are doing: pondering and praying. We are "prinking." (A word invented by our son, Jesse.) To "prink" is to pray and think.

We were delighted when a sweet lady named Beverly approached us at our booth at Messiah 2006 to share a testimony about Jamie’s daily devotional book on the Song of Songs. Here is what she said:

"One day when I was feeling poorly about myself, looking at all my sin, faults, and failures, I heard a voice say, ‘Read page number 19.’ I turned to your book, A Kiss A Day, and I read these words: ‘Our opinion of ourselves should agree with God’s opinion, not with the devil’s (he is quick to enumerate all our faults and weaknesses). While it is true that all our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), we no longer stand in our own goodness. We have been imparted righteousness, which is right standing with God, because of who Yeshua is, and what He did for us.’

Little did Jamie know that when she was writing her book, by God’s grace, that it would be such a blessing to a lady in Pennsylvania years later while she was having a hard time with such things. I want to publicly thank the Lord for His goodness and concern for me and thank Jamie for her book. Sincerely in the Lord’s love, Beverly."

God wants to kiss you too. May you and all Israel hear His voice now! May the Holy One of Israel bless you for continuing to stand with us as we stand with Him and His purposes for His covenant people.

Love in Yeshua,

Neil and Jamie

P.S. Hope you can join us as we attend the World Premiere of "The Coronation of the King" this Labor Day weekend in Columbia, SC at Koger Center for the Arts. Elaine Caruso (affectionately known as "The Banner Lady" on all 22 programs of the Alef-Bet Series), shares her 17 year "labor of love" in a 3 hour Levitical Davidic worship event unfolding "The History of the Future" using 22 ornate banners with accompanying symphonic oratorio, Bridal Dance Co., and a multi-media presentation. Click on World Premiere at: www.sionsrose.org for ticket information.