But God . . .

Shalom B’Shem Yeshua,

“BUT GOD…”

It is hard to believe that on March 25, 2019, my beloved Rabbi Neil Abraham Lash was promoted to Glory. Five years ago! It was Purim that year, and the holiday falls close this year—March 23-24, 2024. I wonder if Neil can see from heaven the present, tragic, historic reality of a similarly sinister Purim like the one in the biblical Book of Esther, with the spirit of Amalek (embodied in Hamas) still seeking to annihilate the Jewish people. Ancient Persia—the setting of Esther—is modern day Iran. The ancient antisemitic, anti-Israel spirit is manifesting itself in brutal, horrific ways in 2024. We find an interesting proclamation concerning Amalek, Israel’s sworn enemy, in Exodus 17:16 where the
Lord’s Name as Adonai Nissi (The Lord, my Victory Banner) is connected to Amalek: “for he said, ‘Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.‘” Rabbi Neil would say … “BUT GOD…” He will be victorious over Amalek and the spirit of Amalek.

“BUT GOD…” was one of Neil’s signature sayings. While his most famous were “With God it’s all about the heart,” and “Lord, change me,” “BUT GOD” was an oft-repeated truth. Neil said, “You have to put your BUT in the right place!” Instead of, “I know that God is more powerful than His enemies, but Hamas is very demonic, devious, and clever in its strategies,” we should say, “I know that Hamas is very demonic, devious, and clever in its strategies, but God is more powerful than all the power of the enemy and will be victorious.” Instead of, “I know that God can heal, but the doctors said that my disease is incurable,” say: “The doctor said my disease is incurable, but God is Adonai Rophe, the Lord our Healer. He is great and can do anything!”

Saying “BUT GOD…” shows faith in Him. It glorifies the Lord of Creation. It shows that we have put our trust in a Good God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who is able to do “…exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Eph. 3:20). My personal testimony is: “Yes, my partner of 48 years died suddenly in 2019, Covid hit in 2020, and I was diagnosed with cancer a second time in 2021, BUT GOD is now my husband, and He has hidden me in His love the entire time. He is my life, the length of my days, and eternally Faithful.

BUT GOD in the Psalms

The Lord revealed to me recently that King David was famous for his BUT GOD proclamations. Did you ever notice that many of David’s psalms begin as laments or complaints? He addresses problems or difficulties that he is experiencing: liars, accusers, strong enemies, mockers, unbelievers, the foolish, the wicked, transgressors, workers of iniquity, the rebellious, boastful, proud, violent men, idol
worshipers, and heathens as well as his personal sorrows and emotional trials. BUT THEN—somewhere near the end of the psalm, David testifies about God being the solution to his problems. He proclaims, “BUT GOD!” KI HAELOHIM— כיהאלוהים) KEE ha-el-oh-HEEM)!

• BUT GOD is our “HELP”
“LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ BUT YOU, O LORD [emphasis mine], are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.” (Ps. 3:1-3)

• BUT GOD is our “DELIVERER”
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, BUT THE LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Ps. 34:19)

• BUT GOD is our “DEFENDER”
“They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood. BUT THE LORD has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge.” (Ps. 94:21-22)

• BUT GOD is our “REDEEMER”
“This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them… BUT GOD will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me.” (Ps. 49:13-14a, 15)

• BUT GOD is our “STRENGTH”
“My flesh and my heart fail; BUT GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Ps. 73:26)

• BUT GOD is our “MERCIFUL COMFORTER”
“O God, the proud have risen against me, and a mob of violent men have sought my life, and have not set You before them. BUT YOU, O LORD, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” (Ps. 86:14-15)

• BUT GOD is our “TRUSTWORTHY SHIELD”
“Why should the Gentiles say, ‘So where is their God?’ BUT OUR GOD is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.” (Ps. 115:2-3)

BUT GOD Says…

Our God is a God of truth. It is impossible for Him to lie (Num. 23:19). When He showed Himself to Moses on Mt. Sinai, the Torah says, “Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth’” (Ex. 34:5-6). Truth in Hebrew is emet, אמת (eh-MET).

On the other hand, God has an enemy called in Hebrew haSatan השטן) ha sah-TAHN), literally, the Accuser, who we know as Satan or the devil. He is a liar and the father of lies, according to the Bible. Yeshua, the Messiah, said about haSatan, “…He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44).

The devil says one thing, BUT GOD says another. The devil utters lies, BUT GOD tells the truth. There is a battle raging in 2024 over the truth—in many arenas. After three days of researching the enemy’s lies vs. God’s truth, I was drawn to a few timely, crucial, and controversial topics including abortion, transgenderism, U.S. education, and marriage. Concerning all these topics, it is clear that those opposed to what the Bible says about them, have believed the lies of the enemy. They consider themselves “educated,” “liberal,” “scientific,” “pro-choice,” “proponents of social justice,” “unbiased,” “defenders of the persecuted,” and “champions of human rights.” But they are deceived. We as believers must remember who our real enemies are as expressed in Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.“

BUT GOD Says…About Israel

Israel is the most timely topic that has been on my heart and mind daily since October 7, 2023, the day that the terrorist group Hamas declared war on Israel by savagely massacring 1,400 of its civilians, kidnapping 250 hostages, and wounding and displacing thousands more from their homes. There is one truth that both Israel and Hamas agree upon: the goal of Hamas is the complete annihilation of Israel and the Israeli people. A tragic truth, lauded and funded by Iran, motivated by the spirit of Amalek. The Hamas charter calls for the complete defeat of the enemy (the Jews) and victory of Allah, with violence being a legitimate means to use against Israel. The charter proclaims: “Israel will exist, and will continue to exist, until Islam abolishes it.”

Reuters, as well as many other secular news outlets, have called the Israel-Hamas war one of “elusive truth.” Before considering truth vs. lies about the war—which may still be ongoing when you get this newsletter written in February—I want to focus on some truths from the Word of God concerning Israel.

Jer. 31:35-36: “Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (The LORD of hosts is His name): ‘If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the LORD, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever.'” As long as there is the natural order, Israel and her people will live. God says so!

Deut. 11:12: “[Israel] a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.” God watches over the land of Israel.

Gen. 10:19, “And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.” God promised the land of the Canaanites to Israel. (Ex. 13:11)

Ps. 105:9-11, “The covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, ‘To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance.’” Israel belongs to the Jews by covenant.

The Lies vs. The Truth About the Hamas-Israel War

Since October 7, 2023, I have watched nightly reports from Israel about the Hamas-Israel War. I pray that by the time you receive this letter, the remaining 136 hostages will have been released from the Hamas terror dungeons. To the best of my ability, prayerfully attempting to discern the truth— especially listening to Yair Pinto (a native Israeli soldier and TBN media spokesman), and Eylon Levy (an Israeli government spokesman)—I have formulated a list of truth vs. lies concerning the war, standing on what the Lord says in Mark 4:22, “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.” The world, Hamas, the media, academics, antisemites may lie, BUT GOD tells the truth.

Lie # 1: Israel was the aggressor in the Hamas-Israel War. This is an outrageous lie. Hamas initiated the war on October 7, 2023, by launching a surprise, early morning attack on the final day of the Feast of Sukkot. The slaughter began against innocent civilians at a music festival and those living in kibbutzim near the Gaza border. More Jewish lives were taken that day than in any single day since the Holocaust. The Israelis were taken by surprise. How could this happen? Israel is known to have the best army, security system, and defense in the world. My opinion: Israel has had trouble with Gaza since 2007, but they never imagined that anything like October 7, 2023, could happen. Certainly not humans set on fire, beheaded, brutally raped, tortured to death in front of loved ones, including women and children. This is not “normal warfare,” but a horrific violation of human rights and international law. Israel never suspected such a barbaric attack. They had let down their guard, underestimated their enemy, may have been “at ease in Zion,” and were a divided nation at the time of the attack. Could the Israelis have been like those mentioned in Amos 6:3, “Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, who cause the seat of violence [hamas in Hebrew] to come near.” (As in Israel, so it is with the Body of Believers. We are at war, and we must not let down our guard nor underestimate our enemy.)

Lie #2: Israel is committing genocide. No. Hamas is committing genocide. Israel has a right to defend herself. Israelis, including the IDF, value human life. Hamas does not. It is a well-known fact that Hamas uses civilians as HUMAN SHIELDS. This includes women and children. They intentionally place weapons in civilian dwellings, including kindergartens, schools, hospitals (even incubators!), mosques, and U.N. facilities, so that any attack on terrorists hiding in these sites will mean civilian casualties. Hamas wants this; it turns world opinion against Israel. The IDF has found that about every second home in Gaza conceals a Hamas entrance to one of the 300 miles of weaponized tunnels. Who is more of an enemy of the Palestinian people, Israel or Hamas? Palestinians face 47% unemployment with 80% living in poverty because Hamas has robbed them. Israelis throughout the war have tried to avoid civilian casualties, including sending down leaflets to announce a planned attack so that civilians can leave before Israel strikes (what army does this?!). Hamas makes it difficult to avoid civilian deaths since many of their fighters dress like civilians. When they report numbers of civilian casualties, they include members of Hamas in the tally. The world believes whatever the press (or Hamas) wants it to believe.

Lie #3: Israel stole Palestine from the Palestinian people. This is a big one. Historically, there has never been a “Land of Palestine” inhabited by a “Palestinian People.” Since the Israelites conquered the Canaanites in 3300 B.C., only Jews can claim ownership of Israel’s lands. While other nations temporarily occupied Israel until 1948, there has always been a Jewish presence. When thousands of college campuses in the U.S. and in cities around the world chant, “From the River to the Sea…Palestine will be free,” they are chanting with hopes to see a Palestinian state established from the Jordan River in the East to the Mediterranean Sea in the West. This call is essentially a call for the destruction of the State of Israel and a call to send all seven million Israeli Jews into the Mediterranean. One has to ask if they realize what they are screaming about?

What exactly is Palestine? The Land of Israel was renamed Palestine (Filistia) by the Romans in an effort to rid Judea of its Jewishness. The name came from the ancient Philistines who were wiped out in 600 B.C. by the Babylonians and have no connection to present-day Arabs. Palestine has never been the name of any country. The word “Palestinian” never referred to an Arab ethnic group. It was an invented narrative. Before Israel was re-birthed in 1948, anyone who lived in that region was considered Palestinian: Arab or Jew. The Jewish-owned newspaper was called the Palestinian Post. So…”Palestine” really means “Israel.” Radical Islam wants ALL OF ISRAEL…not “Two States.”

Lie #4: Israel is denying aid to civilians in Gaza. Not true. Israel has proof of the tons of food, humanitarian aid, water, and truckloads of supplies sent to Gaza. Where did it go? To Hamas. They stole it for their war effort for themselves. They don’t care that civilians die. It is heartbreaking that innocent civilians—on either side—are victims of horror and deprivation. BUT GOD sees all (Prov. 15:3). He knows all. He has a plan, in spite of the present evil and the suffering it causes. His is the Glory and the Victory. He is Adonai T’zvaot, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

BUT GOD…will have the final word.

“But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet” (Mark 13:7). Look up. Watch and pray. Love deeply. Wars will happen, BUT GOD… wants us to make Romans 8:38-39 our confession:

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.”

The devil is against you, BUT GOD is for you!
Love in Him,

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.” Habakkuk 2:2

The vision of Jewish Jewels has been the same since 1980—1) to reach out in love to God’s Chosen People, the Jews, with the Good News of salvation through the Messiah Yeshua, and 2) to help the Lord prepare a bride for His Son. Israel first, then the Church. Our calling is intensifying as we see the Day approaching. The end of our marathon is in sight. Our Heavenly Bridegroom is returning soon.

We have been on Christian television from December 1980 to date. This is no longer financially viable nor wise. While we have never asked for donations on our Jewish Jewels programs, there was always sufficient money to cover airtime costs (which are typically thousands of dollars each month). That is no longer the case. Therefore, we have withdrawn from NRB, and will eventually withdraw from all other television stations.

But God—He always has a plan. It appears to be YouTube. We have an excellent editor who is in the process of making 100 Jewish Jewels programs ready for viewers worldwide. People, especially the younger generations, are watching YouTube. It has the possibility of not only reaching many more souls for Yeshua, but it may even generate support for the ministry.

It is also on my heart to get Righteous Rhymes on Spotify. Instead of selling it on CDs, children all over the world would be able to “Turn on Jamie,” as they call it, for free. It thrills my soul to picture thousands of little children praying with me to receive the Messiah.

I also have a goal of getting a Bible into each of the 8,000 homes in my condominium community. As president of the Know the Bible Club, I hope to combat “biblical illiteracy.” Lord willing, we will see many senior citizens read God’s Word and come to know the Author of His Book.

That’s it, plain and simple. Funds are down substantially and we need more support to keep running with our vision. Neil always said that Jewish Jewels would close its doors when the Lord stopped giving me the “prompt” (what is on His heart every month). That has not happened yet, as you can hopefully tell by the monthly newsletters.

So, we need you, our precious friends, to seek the Lord concerning what part He would have YOU play in running with us to help fulfill the vision of Jewish Jewels.

Much love in the Messiah Yeshua,
Jamie with Sheryl and Claudia

P.S. Trials will assail us. But God will never fail us.