So you are an Israeli, or you want Israeli Citizenship?

Many believers come to Israel seeking citizenship. There is a certain syndrome that is common in many of these believers. A number of them have told Eddie and me that they shouldn’t be seen with us in public. When asked why, the answers are always similar. “I am in the process of receiving citizenship…..” “or, “I just received citizenship….” Or, “I have only been a citizen for ____ years… and “You and Eddie are too well known and the Haredim might find out I am a believer.”

It is incredible just how many secret believers are in Israel! How can people know where to find the solution to sin-sickness unless they know someone to tell them??????

Philippians 3:17-21

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach (emotions), and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

When my late husband and I came to Israel, we came with the idea that we would be open about our belief*. We made up our minds that if we were kicked out of Israel and lost our citizenship because of the gospel, that it was O.K., because our true citizenship is in heaven! When Eddie came to Israel, he came with the same idea. No hiding under the bushel basket! It is not an option! We are not helping the enemy! We are being open and honest in all we do. We are trusting the Lord to keep us here as long as He wants us to be here. We are putting absolutely no trust in mankind.

Satan is building his religious strongholds in Israel all over the place and believers are acting as if Israeli citizenship is the goal instead of the means to expand God’s Kingdom. Perhaps the question needs to be asked: “What are your motives for coming to this Land?”

Are you here for emotional reasons? Do you even know why you are here? Many believers are obsessed with the idea of Israel and do not want to deal with the reality of Israel. It is only as we are willing to give up our “rights” to citizenship in this Land, that we will be able to fulfill God’s purpose here.

You reap what you sow; that is a kingdom principle. We are sowing seed and reaping some great blessings in terms of personal growth, closeness to the Lord, seeing the expansion of His Kingdom and greater understanding of His Plan! A natural side effect is courage and great peace. Meanwhile, those who are hiding are reaping fearfulness. Either we are for the Lord or we are not – either we are mindful of earthly things or heavenly things. Yes, it costs something to stand for Him but it is worth it! We did not ask for our pictures to be posted all over town and the internet as criminals, but the up side is that people know where to go to ask about Y’shua! There is nothing more important in this world than Y’shua! When He returns, will He find faith on the earth?

Y’shua said, “Fear not!” He meant it.

“The Lord has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7

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Note: We have been able to share our testimonies with the police, with newspaper reporters and their readers, with television reporters and their audiences, in the court room before judges, with city officials, Embassy officials and countless other individuals in person or over the internet. Please, if you are not willing to share Y’shua with your neighbor, tell him to contact us in Arad. “We are not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Rom 1:16

Lura Maiman Beckford, Arad, Israel lura_eddie@hotmail.com