Along The King's Highway

8 juni 2010

Photo: Howard and Randy Bass, speakers at the NEM fieldworker's conference 

Along the King's Highway, was the theme of the bi-annual NEM field-workers conference held this April in Israel. Workers attended from the different parts of the 'Highway': Israel, the West Bank, the surrounding Arab countries and from the home front in Holland and the UK. It was great to be all together as a NEM family. Everything had been very lovingly prepared and was conducted in English, the common language. The worship was beautiful; workers from Israel and Arab teams playing together and songs in Hebrew, Arabic, English and Dutch! Building the Highway; we started with a time for retreat with some thoughts from our Director:
• A highway indicates peace between the nations. True peace is a gift from God. Conflict is a result of sin, grabbing what we want. Jesus didn't grab [Phil.2v5-11].
• We follow the Crucified; Jesus broke the cycle of violence, submitted to God's will and testified to the truth [John18v36&37]. We crucify those who threaten us - maybe just with angry words.
• God's work is accomplished by persevering, humble prayer [Luke18v8; Ps130; Zech12v10]. 

Our first outside speaker was Issam, a mature believer from a Druze background. His wife is Dutch, and they have ministered amongst both Jews and Arabs, and are a wonderful example of workers on the Highway. Issam's main points were;
• Isaiah 35v8- it is a highway of holiness. We must seek this first.
• Ps.53v2- We need to seek God to understand things from His viewpoint
• Ps.37v1-11 God Himself is our first goal [not His work] Then we can trust in His promises, and he will quicken His word to us. Then we can move out in obedience. 

Getting weary on the way; The highway leads through a desert [Deut.1v19]. Thomas Grey gave a seminar on how to avoid burn-out by maintaining a balanced lifestyle. This is certainly a problem among full-time Christian workers and many found his guidelines very useful. 

Photo: Banner 'Along the King's Highway' especially made for the conference by Ies Roos
Removing Roadblocks Isaiah 62v10; Howard Bass, a messianic pastor, spoke specifically about problems between Jewish and Arabs believers. There can be an enormous gulf due to different understandings of the conflict , based on different interpretations of scripture, yet Howard could testify that he has loving relationships with Arab pastors as brothers in Christ, while praying for them to understand God's purposes for Israel. Through God's grace, he is also able to love the religious Jews who persecute them. We all have issues that we need revelation on, even after becoming believers. Personal application 'Am I a bigot?' [defined as 'a person with prejudiced views, who does not tolerate the opinions of others' ] Where am I not willing to let the Holy Spirit renew my thinking, as I meditate on the scriptures, or hear new teaching? I do remember asking God to give me a love for Israel, which I knew I should have. He answers when we are honest, and willing to be changed. Jesus is coming again!- Howard felt that this basic truth is often not taught. He is coming to save nations, of which Israel is the first fruit. Therefore Israel is central to God's plan for the redemption of the world.  

We need to stand on God's promises [Isaiah 19v 23-25]. This is a work of faith; this is our vision and why we seek to serve, bless and pray for both Jews and Arabs.