Navigating through life these past few years has been a challenge unlike any other I have ever faced before. Having faced many struggles and hardships, even persecution on a regular basis; if it hasn’t been for God, nothing could really prepare us for the chaotic times we entered.
As a husband, father, pastor, or simply someone who was watching history being written through the unfolding events, both globally and especially in Israel, I realized one important thing: the times the Lord spoke about are truly upon us, and we were receiving a massive shaking, so that we wake up to the importance of being prepared.
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep…
Matthew 25:1-5
…Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Matthew 25:13
There is nothing the world can or should be able to throw our way that we cannot be prepared for. Jesus prepared us for everything.
It’s not about guessing the times, or knowing what will happen next. It is about being alert, staying on course with the Lord, and filling our lamps with oil — which represents the Holy Spirit. He is the one that will keep us alert and awake, even when we get caught up in life events and stop paying attention to the Lord’s coming.
We need to be wise so that when the moment comes, we aren’t caught asleep or unaware of what is happening before our very eyes.
As I turn 50 this week, I had to look back and reflect on this season we have entered. Season of great changes that clearly indicates nothing will ever be the same. I realized this is our wake-up call. This is when we need to fill up our lamps with oil and keep our eyes and hearts open to what is at hand.
I will be celebrating my birthday with my amazing family: my wife Vicky, my children and my granddaughters. I humbly recognize the magnitude of the Lord’s blessing in my life. Despite the challenging years behind me, I look forward to the next one that will bring new chapters, new open doors, new understanding, new lessons and new depths in the Lord.
I pray God gives me wisdom as a Pastor, as well as a disciple of Yeshua, to navigate through this stormy season while holding God’s unfailing hand that will lead us through the valley of the shadow of death onto green pastures.
If I have the privilege to know you, please feel free to send me any prophetic words God may place on your heart for me. Whether it’s in video or written form, I would be grateful for anything the Lord might have for you to share with me.
Also, if it’s on your heart to bless our ministry, we’d love it if you used the occasion and sowed into our work. I couldn’t ask for a greater gift than the gift of your generosity poured into the work of the Lord in Israel.
Beit Hallel is a Messianic Jewish congregation in Ashdod, led by pastor Israel Pochtar, serving holocaust survivors and the poor and needy locally and throughout the nation of Israel, while building up the body of Messiah in the promised land of Israel.