Shalom! I wish you and your family a Chag Pesach kasher v'Sameach!!!

Dear friend,
Shalom and Happy Passover! I hope you've had an opportunity to see the “Messiah in the Passover” presentation. If not, you can still watch online as I explain the relationship between Passover and the Lord’s Supper. In fact, we are already scheduling our speakers to go to churches to present Messiah in the Passover next year! If you would like us to contact your pastor, please visit www.chosenpeople.com/church .
Some years ago, I traveled with a Messianic singing group to Northern Ireland. I know it sounds strange! But a born-again believer whose family was from Ireland believed that if Jews preached the Good News to what was a very troubled land, then the Irish would take notice and hear the Gospel in a fresh new way. One of his Irish friends had told him, “I will follow Jesus when the Jews come preaching the Gospel to Ireland” – so we went!
It was a memorable trip, and I learned a lot about what divides people and what unites them. I also learned some deep lessons about God’s care and faithfulness, as on a number of occasions our team just missed exploding bombs. One time, we were scheduled to sing in front of a store but we had to change our itinerary because of rain. The building was bombed at the exact time our group had been scheduled to sing. I could go on and on about the lessons the Lord taught me through this experience, but something I will never forget is the lesson I learned just before we departed for Belfast.
Of course I was scared before the trip, and I had the opportunity to pray with one of my mentors, Dr. Clyde Cook, the long-time president of Biola University who recently passed into the presence of the Lord. At that time, Dr. Cook was the director of the Missions program at Biola. I told him about my concerns, and after listening he smiled and said, “Let’s pray.” He put his arm around my shoulder and prayed a prayer I will never forget:
“Lord, teach Mitch that safety is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God.”
The lessons from that prayer kept me calm and clear-headed in the midst of some very dangerous moments in Northern Ireland. This is a prayer I continue to pray, as it keeps me focused on the One who can help us not only survive, but also be fruitful – and even be at peace – during difficult times.
We live in dangerous world. We now know that Iran is endeavoring to make nuclear weapons. So many of us have lost jobs or suffered a reduction of income, and our country is still in the midst of fighting two wars. I have never seen our nation more frightened and concerned about our global future.
Perhaps this is a time to pray Dr. Cook’s prayer. We need strength and hope that only the Lord can provide. I love the words of our Messiah, who said,
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”(John 14:27)
When we have His peace, we can share it with others. This is what our Chosen People Ministries workers strive to do every single day, from New York to Moscow to Buenos Aires to Jerusalem – share with Jewish people the peace that can only come from knowing the Lord through His Son, Jesus the Messiah.
Would you pray about giving generously to help us share the Good News with Jewish people who do not yet know this peace? You can give a gift through our secure online donation system – or become a Watchman For Jerusalem, supporting Jewish evangelism on an ongoing basis.
As believers in Jesus, we have the peace beyond understanding that the world is looking for! May the Lord fill you with a sense of His powerful presence during this Passover and Resurrection Day season – so that you can help others discover His shalom .
Thank you for your partnership in Messiah’s work!
Your brother,
Mitch
http://www.chosenpeople.com/main/