For Such a Time as This

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14b, New International Version)

Thank you, Mordecai! Your words have resonated through the ages for everyone who reads the book of Esther. We are in a fast-paced world of troubling times. More than ever before in my lifetime, I see the urgency for the Messiah in the lives and hearts of mankind. God hasn’t raised up another Billy Graham. Pulpits are weak and the people of God are meek. But you who have the truth can spread the Gospel.

Steve and I have just returned from 44 days traveling for meetings on behalf of Apple of His Eye. We took ten flights from California to D.C. and in between. We returned to our home at the end of it all at 2:30 a.m. Of course, we came back exhausted, tired, and rejoicing! Below are some highlights.

• Peter and LeeLee! This was a reunion with precious friends whom I haven’t seen in over 20 years! Peter and LeeLeer were financial supporters while I served in Russia from 1993 to 2000. They were also emotional supporters; prayer warriors, and faithful teachers of the Bible. Seeing them reminds me of several Biblical principles on friendship:

  • Good friendships nourish us. "Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence" (Proverbs 27:9, Complete Jewish Bible).
  • Good friendships reflect the love of Jesus. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15:13-14, New International Version).
  • Friendships with nonbelievers should still be based on Godly behavior. “A twisted person spreads rumors; a whispering gossip ruins good friendships” (Prov. 16:28, NIV)
  • Friendships with nonbelievers have an ultimate purpose: to reflect Jesus. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14, NIV). This verse can keep us from a world of pain, yet Yeshua himself kept company with unbelievers. For what purpose? To bring them to himself.

  We have Shabbat dinner with any and everyone who wants to come. Why? To show them the Messiah through our love, lifestyle, and worship on the Shabbat. My son and daughter have entertained all their neighbors. They have an ongoing relationship with them and keep them in their prayers if they are unsaved. I have had neighbors come to me in time of need and prayer. Bottom line: be balanced, focused, and keep the Messiah at the center of all relationships.

  In these times we need godly friends. People are lonely, hurting, and needy. If you are fortunate enough to have godly friend(s), then pray for them and thank the Lord for them.

• Micha! God blessed us with a sweet visit with Micha and his precious wonder woman-wife Leah and our incredible granddaughters. Even in his declining physical state, he brought comfort to my heart. We wanted to be a blessing to/for him and in turn, he was a blessing to us. Micha is the epitome of a Spirit-filled man. We thank God for the opportunity, albeit brief, he gave us to love on Micha, Leah, and their daughters.

• Karen! We had so many intimate conversations with excited believers on our trip who want more of God’s will and purpose in their lives. We even had the blessing of meeting several believers who have recently found through DNA testing that they are Jewish. Yet, my favorite time was with Karen.

  We met her at one of our morning Bible Studies on Saturday. Steve introduced himself and me as Jewish believers in Yeshua. The woman sitting next to me said “I’m Jewish”. I gave her a thumbs up and turned to listen to Steve and his lesson. Karen repeatedly interrupted with questions. This is a very Jewish way -- interact. She had good questions. Then Steve and I realized she was not a believer, but a seeker.

  Our meeting started at 8:30 and closed at 11:30. Karen had many reasons for not accepting Yeshua, two of which were fear of losing her family and her Jewishness. Not every Jewish person who comes to faith loses their family. One reason we cannot share full names or pictures is to protect converts or seekers. God will make a way with families and many join in accepting Yeshua as the Messiah. Nothing can take our Jewishness from us. There was a time (and sadly, probably still is) when a pastor would tell a Jewish believer that now they are no longer Jews and must give up traditions. Not true. I have never led a German to the Lord and told them they now had to give up their beer! It was clear to use that Karen was wrestling with doubts and fear. I explained that fear can continue until it eats us up. Before she walked out the door, Steve asked her to pray and ask God what He would have her do.

  We later found out that a retired pastor of our host church had been meeting with her (alongside a former missionary) for a couple of weeks. The next morning before the service, the pastor came to us and told us that Karen had called him and she received Yeshua as Messiah and Savior! She also asked to be baptized. Hallelujah! Please pray for Karen for her health and as she grows in Yeshua.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love.

Thank you, Jackie DeShannon. She sang that in 1965 and I have sung it almost every day after. The sentiment still resounds in our world today, doesn’t it? There are wars, rumors of wars, famines, weather-related catastrophes, crime, etc. The nuclear family is dissolving, and churches are shrinking. What the world needs now is love sweet love...the love of Yeshua. God is love and He wants everyone -- gay, straight, neo-Nazi, Arian Nation, skinhead, black, white, green, blue, you name it. He wants everyone to know His love and promises. You have His love and His answer – won’t you give love a chance. Who knows whether you didn’t come into your royal position precisely for such a time as this?

Thank you, Mordechai. Your words were meant for Esther, but they are what we need in this hour.

Love from my heart,

nanC

P.S. Do you have a prayer request? Please share it with me. I would love to hear from you.

Nancy Cohen is the Director of Women's Ministries at Apple of His Eye

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