Outreach Israel Update

Blessings from Littleton Colorado!

God has been gracious, loving, and forgiving throughout my life, but especially during my time at seminary. After having walked for graduation, I have a need to make the most of this practicum, which is technically my final class at seminary.

Thank you all for your generous contributions to my trip! I have raised just over $6,300. I needed $5,500 overall for the trip and you helped me exceed that! I will be giving the excess to Jewish evangelism ministries like Chosen People Ministries and Jews for Jesus.

I leave for Israel Wednesday May 30th and arrive the 31st. During the trip I hope to engage deeply in culture and document what I can without it distracting from the goal of connecting with Israelis and loving them. Please pray for strength and courage for myself and my team so we can boldly love people like the Messiah himself. The Jewish people are loved by God. Israel is His inheritance (Isa. 19:25). The state of Israel may play it's own role in the world, but the faithful of Israel have another role and that is to be a peculiar people in this world in light of the Messiah's example and faithfulness. We must not be proud or boastful, but humble, loving, and faithful. 
In scripture, the Hebrew word for "loving-kindness" is Chesed (חֶסֶד). This word is best understood as "covenantal faithfulness". God is faithful to His promises and covenant with Israel as Jesus the Messiah showed. Here are some of the scriptures that have been on my heart the last few days:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

(Jos 1:9 NIV)

"But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ... For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel."

(Isa 41:8-10, 13-14 NIV)

"Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you."

(Rom 11:11-18 NIV)