Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible crown. (1 Cor. 9:24-25, KJV)

I came to faith in Jesus as the Messiah in 1973 through the prayerful witness of a Lutheran layman. He cared enough about me and my salvation that he prayed for me daily for three years and introduced me to a Jewish book my rabbi did not want me to read. That Jewish book was the New Testament. For the first time in my life, I read of the hope and promises of the Messiah. I grew up surrounded by Christians, but until the age 23 not one of my Christian friends had ever spoken to me about Jesus.

Numbers 24:10-19, ESV

And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the Lord has held you back from honor.” And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak’? And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”

And he took up his discourse and said,

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, the oracle of him who hears the words of God,
and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob,
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed.
Israel is doing valiantly. And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion
and destroy the survivors of cities!”

Our Prayer

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe who called Your people Israel to be your chosen people and taught us to pray 'for the peace of Jerusalem! 'May peace be within Your walls and security within Your towers!' So may there be peace among the people of Israel, and may they come to know their redemption that is found in Jesus— the star that came out of Jacob and the scepter that arose out of Israel.

Lord our refuge and strength, grant refuge and strength to the nations of the world which are enduring turmoil and conflict— especially the Ukraine—- bring peace and concord to all nations and their leaders that they may put their trust in you and know that you are their stronghold in times of trouble.

Oh Lord, the light and salvation of all the world, grant wisdom and perseverance to all who bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world. Bless especially all who are involved in the Apple of His Eye. So that all the nations may extol You, for Your steadfast love endures forever. May they faithfully bring your Word, which is a Lamp to our feet and a light to our path, to those who are lost in the darkness of sin. In order that they may know Jesus— the shining star—- who arose out of Jacob and grants light to the nations.

All these things we pray in the Holy Name of Yeshua Hamashiach Amen!

I have come across many books and seminars on leadership since I began my ministry in 1976. Some were great, others not-so-great. But one principle which has stuck with me is known as MBWA – Management by Wandering Around. The concept is simple, get out of the office, ivory tower, cubicle or wherever you have your workstation, and wander around the area where the actual work is being done. In that way, you get to interact face to face with those in your team and actually see what is happening in their sphere of influence and work areas.

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever." (Ex. 32:13, ESV)

Numbers 35:1-3; 9-19, ESV

The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, “Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites some of the inheritance of their possession as cities for them to dwell in. And you shall give to the Levites pasturelands around the cities. The cities shall be theirs to dwell in, and their pasturelands shall be for their cattle and for their livestock and for all their beasts...

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment. And the cities that you give shall be your six cities of refuge. You shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan, to be cities of refuge. These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there.

"But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. And if he struck him down with a stone tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. Or if he struck him down with a wooden tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.

Our Prayer

Prayer Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Blessed are You, O Lord, our God creator of the universe, who has given us the gifts of bodies and sustains them. Bless your servants, Steve, Elizabeth, and Michael, and all who suffer in their
minds and bodies. Protect and preserve Your servants who trust in you and bring them your healing and peace so that they may recover to full health and strength according to Your will.
Lord God, You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Continue to grant us this knowledge and trust in You, O Lord. So that when the nations rage, and kingdoms
totter, we may always know that the Lord of hosts is with us; and You, O Lord, are our fortress. Let us not be shaken by the trials and uncertainties in life.

Lord of mercy, you teach us that blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Grant to all who bring this truth— especially those who work with Apple of His Eye—
faithfulness and wisdom in proclaiming the forgiveness won for us in Jesus Christ so that all people may know that they do not need to carry guilt or grief but they can run to Jesus as their
city of refuge from the judgment for sin. Bless all who witness to this truth with firmness of conviction, love for their neighbors, and creativity in their work.

All these things we pray in the Holy Name of Yeshua Hamashiach Amen!