The title of last week’s briefing "Doing All You Can, Brother?" begged a question. And we all have to answer that question with a "No."

What do we need to do to be able to say "Yes"?

The underlying theme of scripture is our Father's desire to have a people for His own possession, and to dwell with them in the land that He swore to give as an everlasting possession to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants. The unfilled prophecies in the Bible primarily deal with accomplishing this task, which will be done by gathering the scattered remnant of Israel (the lost sheep) from every nation, tribe and tongue, and by placing them on their own soil. So awesome is this task that its fulfillment will erase the memory of the Exodus from Egypt (Jeremiah 23:1-8).

Is this task too great for us? For past generations it has been. Will we follow in their footsteps, or will we get the job done, or will we at least make great strides towards accomplishing this age-ending goal? The Holy One of Israel, the Lord of Hosts, speaking of this end-time ingathering, asks, "If it is to difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?" (Zechariah 8:6).

No. Nothing is impossible with the God of Israel. His answer to the remnant of our day is the same answer that He gave the sons of Israel in their exodus from Egypt to the promised land, "Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. It is for my people to take heart and finish the work" (Zechariah 8:7-8).

Let us not be fainthearted. Let us follow in the footsteps of Joshua and Caleb. Like them, we forerunners of the MIA have been given the unmerited opportunity to be used mightily by our Father in gathering His remnant. Let us step out as Shmuel Murray has.

Who is Shmuel Murray, and why should we step out as he has? Let me share a recent email exchange with Shmuel in chronological order:

From: Samuel Murray
Subject: Incredible Opportunities

Shalom Angus,
My name is Shmuel. I am a fellow Nazarene Ephraimite who has been praying daily for the past three years to continue to be a Watchman over Israel. On your page (http://www.messianicisrael.com/news/briefings/incredible-opportunities.html) you state you are looking for the following:

• Attending college in Israel, and taking courses especially designed to meet the needs of Ephraimites.

• Having young men and women, ages 18-23, train at a Military Academy in the Galilee for service in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

• Purchase land in Israel

• Having Ephraimite families settle in Israel.

And I am willing to do any of that! Several other men my age (20) are willing and prepared to serve and fight for our land. Please use me and show how YAHUWAH can use me! I am willing to be used any way needed! Here am I. Send me!!!! Give me the forms or whatever is needed and I will go! Please respond soon! Shalom!

In His Service,
Shmuel ben Mordechai

Reply from Angus:

Shalom Shmuel,
Shmuel, it was good to hear from you. I am thrilled with your attitude! I just wish that there were more Ephraimites like you and your friends.
Please send me your phone number and postal address. I would like to talk with you.
By the way, I like your email address name, "fight what you fear."

Be Blessed and Encouraged,
Angus

Reply from Shmuel:

Shalom Angus,
You have to fight what you fear, the Deceiver wants us to be too scared to speak out against false doctrine, too scared of being an outcast because of what we believe, too scared to fight for what we believe. Fight what you fear!

Send me out!

In His Service,
Shmuel Murray

With the formation of B’nai Ephraim at its International Conference in August, the MIA envisions that the first class of young men and women, ages 18-23, training at a Military Academy in the Galilee for service in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) could become a reality before the end of the year, however at least a hundred men and women would be needed to have a viable undertaking. Shmuel feels he has five or six ready now, and believes he could have more later in the year. How many do feel that you, your congregation, fellowship, or home group might provide? Please keep the MIA advised of all potential candidates, young men and women ages 18-23.

Shmuel has answered YHVH’s question, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" by saying, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8). Hopefully, you and your congregation, fellowship, home group are giving the same answer. The answer, "Here I am. Send me!" is a key that opens doors of opportunity. Your part is to take full advantage of the opportunities, you will be given.

The experience of many Messianic forerunners has proven the effectiveness of capitalizing on the interest that many Christians and churches have in the Feasts of Israel, as a first step in provoking their interest in their heritage. Recent MIA news articles and briefings outline the effectiveness of using Batya’s book, Israel’s Feasts and their Fullness – Expanded Edition, to promote this interest in the Feasts as a first step in turning them into found sheep.

Let us wisely use our talents and resources in doing our part in accomplishing the tasks required to fulfill our Father's Messianic Vision. Let us take heart and accomplish the purposes for which our Father created us.

Be blessed and encouraged,
Angus
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