Recently IBF received an update from some Messianic believers in Israel that we are helping support.   They were invited to fly to Japan and Taiwan to meet with believers there and tell them more about Messiah.  Here is part of what they wrote:

From the rising of the sun (East Asia)

In June we received two small groups of Japanese believers at the ranch [in Israel]. Then suddenly my brother in law  and I were invited to fly in July to Japan and Taiwan by very dear friends and congregations there.

Interestingly, just a few hours before receiving the invitation the rhema verse that was strongly in my heart was from Isaiah 42:4

“And the islands will long for His [Messiah's] instruction.”

(Japan and Taiwan are islands.)

This was the first journey in which I was asked to share a word in several public settings. The oriental culture of honor was very strong and we felt like honored ambassadors of the king of Israel.

We represented [their Messianic  congregation] and the Israeli body of believers in gatherings large and small, including a national gathering in Tokyo and one in Taiwan as well. We perceived the body in Japan similar to that in Israel in terms of size relative to the general population. In Taiwan we saw a larger body in proportion to the population. Both Japan and Taiwan hold great significance in the spirit. Japan is a huge economic leader, and Taiwan is a main gateway to the vast Chinese people.

I felt led to share a verse at a national march in light of the present crisis in Japan:

Isa 55:1-2  ”Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Regarding the Taiwanese body the verse on our heart was:

Hos. 12:3 ”In the womb he grasped his brother’s ankle, and in his manhood he had power with God.”

One of our most special opportunities was meeting a believing tea farmer in the mountains of Taiwan. The name of his farm and tea house/restaurant is “Tea of Six Seasons.” He ascribes his multiple yearly tea harvests to the supernatural blessing of God. This humble farmer rises early every day to pray in his fields, including prayer for Israel, and it was quite a moving experience for all of us.

From the Word and the headlines:

As US and other nations’ debt looms, and economies continue to tremble we are solemnly reminded God’s word declares that eventually everything that can be shaken will be removed. At some point God will, in his timeline of mercy, step onto center stage undeniably. May our lives be all about receiving [and sharing from] His kingdom which cannot be shaken.” (Heb.12:27-28)

A humble farmer in Taiwan rises early to walk in his field and pray for his crop and for Israel– and the blessing of the L-rd is upon him.  Let’s follow his example- to rise early and pray for our crop– the thing the L-rd has given us to do and for our families– and for Israel– and see the L-rd’s blessing as we pray.   Let’s walk as ambassadors of King Messiah and be sensitive to those who are hungering and thirsting for Him.  Let’s remember to set our affections on  Him and His priorities and  to be available, first and foremost, for the King Himself and His Kingdom which cannot be shaken.