Voice in the wilderness – February 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters Shalom,
The Lord has given us what we need to overcome the things in this life and He is faithful to us in any circumstances. I give thanks to Him for His promises.
As for the Church work, we have started a Hebrew language only Bible study group which is presently every second Monday evening. Together with this and our continuing evangelism every Friday night have given us many interesting conversations, as people walk by and God uses the people who come, (our volunteers), in drawing people to us.
Our brother Julian, who regularly does evangelism with us, had a brilliant idea during evangelism in Tel Aviv Friday evening, which was to put the books on a bench with a sign written “Free Books”, as we have many languages. One of the books was a Hebrew book with the title “Messiah”, which opened many opportunities as many people pass by and ask what are the books about and if they can read them. Many have asked wonderful questions, which in response open great opportunity’s to share the good news of the Gospel. The reason we don’t have a book stand is because it is more formal and a bit more problematic in drawing us attention that is unnecessary. Being less “formal” helps, but in answering the questions we are still very clear when asked, “What is this about?”, I reply, “It is about God and His Messiah”.
We had a lady that stopped her three friends just to listen to us because she was a History teacher and wanted to know what we are all about. Two Muslim men, that were very nice, stopped and had debated our brother Julian in the past, once they saw a new face with Julian, they started a long conversation about the gospel! Praise God for yet another opportunity to plant more seeds in their life. Another story was when a girl that never intended to stop, stopped because her beautiful dog stopped her right at our feet and we were able to start a conversation with her. That conversation ended up with us sharing with her about the real meaning of the gospel, she told us that she came from a religious family and was interested in hearing why we believe. It was a blessing to have those conversations and also encouraging for us to continue and go on with this each week.
I did a survey with my friends from Jews For Jesus, in a main street in Tel Aviv to talk along side other volunteers to the locals. We had two religious guys talking about the gospel and it’s meaning, and one was named Abraham, he thought that Jesus cannot be born of a virgin and that the New Testament is all rubbish but as we spoke I asked him, “ Was Sarah able to bring forth children at her age?, Can God not part the Red Sea?, If no one can be born of a virgin (as if it is of thin air), then how was Adam born?” Of course the men did not accept any of what we said but they had listened and in the good spirit of debate left us in peace. Hopefully we left them with more questions stirring within their hearts. We know that what is not possible for man is possible for God and done and completed through Jesus on that cross
In September I wrote of the wedding that took place in our family and the happiness of the family in hearing the Gospel presented, which was a blessing. Since then in our personal and congregational life there has been a few changes.
After Rachel’s and Regan’s wedding and it’s blessing to us, many things began to change, not long after returning home in September my Grandfather died suddenly, (Antony’s dad), which was the day my Dad dreaded the most because if he died without knowing the Lord his heart would have been broken for his father’s soul, and sadly that is how things happened. My grandfather passed away without knowing the Lord which was a very hard time for our family bringing so fresh the memories of my father’s sudden passing, making things such a new era in all our lives.
When I look to the world and how it is for them when they mourn I remember verses like these that say:
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4.13
For the nonbeliever without Christ there is no hope, yet for us as believers we have Hope and a Life in Him. We look to the Creator and our Christ, to being reunited with Him and our believing loved ones who have gone before.
The contrast between the grief for my father though very hard, it was with the sure knowledge of seeing him again through Christ. Even though this sudden separation was very hard, it is easier than the alternative of not knowing Christ, as the time after the passing of my Grandfather reminded me, the crucial difference for me to remember is that we know the Truth and we have this certain hope in Yeshua.
Another verse that I thought of was from the prophet Isaiah:
“31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
There are a lot of things going on in our lives as a family and a ministry, please pray for us. We trust Him for the future and know He is building and paving the way. Thank you all, our family in Christ, for your prayers for us. He is renewing our strength and we wait upon Him for all things.
Prayer request:
- My wife, two little girls and myself are making the move to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in May, in order to work in the Ministry full time.
- Russian Bible study near American embassy in Jerusalem being lead by Leonid.
- Pray for the future of our Evangelistic groups to come join us to be discipled and witness to the local people of the land.
- Pray for our new Hebrew Bible studies.
- Mark’s trip to Iraq
- Our on going free Russian Evangelistic Tours for non believers in Jerusalem, lead by Lisa.
- The Church as a congregation, it’s growth and direction.
- Evangelism
- For the Shepherd conference in Grace Community Church, Los Angeles California, which I am attending. Please pray for all the men in leadership who are attending, may the Lord give us all more of His wisdom.
- For our family trip to the USA in June to visit family and friends, may we be a testimony.
- For a evangelistic campaign I will be joining in London this August with CWI. Please pray for divine appointments.
- Upcoming election in Israel.
- Volunteers to Help with evangelism and Church work here in Jerusalem.
Please contact us should you need any further information, or for any questions you may have.
Blessings in Yeshua our Lord,
Josh Simon
Voice In The Wilderness.