Episode 9 - Comfort My People: On Israel with Paul Robbins

Date: November 17, 2023 Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Paul Robbins   Story Highlight: Our podcast today is a bit different from our usual Women Behind the Words. Considering the present war raging in the Mideast, and after reading a blog he wrote and posted on his website, Comfort My People, Deb Dufek felt compelled to interview her dear friend, Paul Robbins. Paul and his wife, have a first-hand view of the conflict going on in Israel and they have mutual friends whose daughters were called back by the IDF to fight in the war against Hamas, whose story Paul shares with us. Today’s podcast is an extra one this week and our regular weekly podcast will be aired again on Tuesday as it is each week. Dive in with us as Paul Robbins shares his compelling and personal story, having grown up as a Jewish boy in a Gentile neighborhood, and his years facing challenges due to his ethnicity. He shares his journey of life as a hippy in the 1960s-70s until his belief in Yeshua, a significant part of his life message. Birthed in his heart from his conversion, Jesus filled Paul with His love for the Jewish people as well as Israel. Comfort My People, Paul’s ministry was birthed through that love. Comfort My People is dedicated to providing support to both soldiers and civilians in Israel via 11 different ministries CMP supports, particularly hands-on now more than ever during this time of intense conflict. At Deb’s request, feeling far away and helpless, not knowing what we can do from our shores, Paul shares with our listeners about the difference we can make from afar, emphasizing the importance of prayer, raising awareness of the needs in Israel, and potentially providing financial and/or material support to those in need. Despite the ocean between us, Paul shares practical steps for individuals who are moved to make a difference around the world and how we can contribute in various ways to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the conflict. As Paul closes, a worshipful song and prayer, "The Blessing," adds a reflective dimension to the conversation, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among us as listeners. You’ll feel like you’re right amid the prayer offered for all those who are suffering loss and in harm’s way. Our time together with Paul will inspire empathy, understanding, and a collective effort to bring comfort and support to those in need in the Middle East. God’s cry is Comfort, My People. We can do this, especially in prayer and providing basic needs that in many areas have run out. Thank you for joining us today and please share this podcast with whoever the Lord leads you to.   Prayer Points Sent: The prayers below are all from Israel. The upper -case are from Israeli unbelievers and the lower-case are from Believers.   PRAYER POINTS: ~Pray for a quick resolution to the war. ~Safety for our soldiers in fierce battles now. ~Safety for the innocent civilians in the nation. the rooting out of terrorists roaming throughout Israel. ~For Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and other militias to be eradicated from our borders. ~Wisdom for the Israeli government on how to move forward at every turn of this war. ~For the eradication of the spirit of antisemitism, worldwide. for the protection of the Jewish people from the hunters that have been released. ~For the retreat of jihad forces from the world! This is sent from a Messianic church: a unified front in this wartime, both in the global body of Messiah and in our nations and governments. ~Thanking God for the first time, Messianic leaders have been able to join with Jewish and Christian leaders in prayer!   Here is some further direction for us in prayer: 1.    Uncover the plans of our demonic enemies, Lord. 2.    Reveal to us the Armies of Heaven that you have assigned for us today. 3.    Blind our enemies so that they cannot accomplish their assignment against us. 4.    Lead us to a supernatural victory, subdue our enemies, and cancel their threat against us. Thank you for standing with us in prayer, especially in this spiritual battle! _._,_._,_   From Paul: ~Pray for the entire group of hostages to be released or rescued without injury. ~Pray for the Messianic community to grow stronger and more effective in serving the most needy in Israel. ~Pray for the unity of Palestinian, Arab, and Jewish believers to act in one accord with a unified message and reflect the reality of the 'one new man.' (Eph.2 and 3). ~Pray that all our partners will stay healthy spiritually, emotionally, and physically along with their entire families. ~Pray for the freedom of the citizens of Gaza who despise evil to be protected and freed from their evil government leadership. ~Expose the lies and deception that tens of thousands of Americans have embraced to their detriment and the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. ~Pray that the church in the Western world would awaken to the dangers of Islamic ideology and respond to God's appeal to comfort His people.     Connect with Paul: Paul Robbins Director, Comfort My People  sharing the love of Messiah in Israel and beyond (540) 294-4906 cell