The Cedars

Community

of Prayer

and Study

66 Maidstone Road

Rochester

Kent

ME1 3BS

07396 097386

admin@watchandpray.org.uk

www.cedarsfoundation.org.uk

The Cedars

Community of Prayer and Studywith Issachar Ministries

Watch and Pray

PassoverOur Passover celebration at The Cedars was richly blessed by God. We can remember it best through a selection of photos. How wonderful to share in

both a memory of what Yeshua has done for us whilst, in balance, recalling the origin of Passover at the time of the Exodus from Egypt. We were able to remember and pray for the Jews who, through the entire world, were

celebrating Passover (Pesach) on exactly the same night as us, as well as remembering believers throughout the world grafted into the Israel of God.

This was done by focussing, through many Bible readings, and moving songs of remembrance and worship, then through testimony and prayer, on the fulfilment that Yeshua brought, especially through the drinking of the four

traditional cups. He raised the promises of Exodus 6:1-9 to a new meaning in His sacrificial death and resurrection.

Then on the Saturday following Pesach, which traditionally is the first day of

Unleavened Bread, with a lovely sunny day provided by the Lord, we shared and explored Sabbath rest. We drew near to the Lord in worshipful songs. We remembered God as Creator and that all things were done for and through His

Son Yeshua. A spectacular DVD showed us wonders of God’s created world. We shared lunch and fellowship and took a Sabbath Walk by the river.

Thanks to all who contributed to both these days by coming to be with us and by practical involvement. It could not have been more memorable, and we all

surely carried something away that the Lord continued to bless through the rest of the holiday season of remembrance.

Issue 6April 2019

For me the concept of God’s timing came into the personal prayers that I continued to pray concerning Europe and I sensed that the Lord put thoughts into my head not so much about withdrawal from Europe but

about the timing. This made me think that we were right to pray for withdrawal of our nation from Europe but that we should have left the timing in the Lord’s hand. This same principal would seem to apply in a general sense to our attitude to making all requests to God. How often have we asked for something only to find that

God’s ways of answering were not according to our own timetable but in the due course of His working things out for us over days, months and even years?

When we think in this way we realise that our prayers are brought to the Throne of God, not as a once off request but as part of an ongoing walk with Him in which we trust Him on the journey more than for us to

determine the timing of the milestones of the journey. We are better to put our requests to God and leave the timing to Him.

This is confirmed by many Scriptures, such as:

Psalm 31:2 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord. I say, “You are my God. My times are in Your hand.”

Acts 1:7,8 It is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…..

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 ….He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord….

Psalm 37 3-7 Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He shall bring it to pass….Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…..

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart…..

God’s ordering of times and seasons puts me in mind of prayers we prayed at our last prayer evening when

the pressure of Brexit was on us and when we were wondering whether we would indeed come out of Europe on Friday 29th March. We were moved

towards prayers that asked God for a clean break (“no deal”). The result was that we watched the

nation drift into yet another waiting period, which made me wonder whether our prayers were truly

motivated by the Holy Spirit.

The Timing of God

As Pesach is behind us we are reminded that God has set times and seasons into the order of our weeks, months and years. We now move forward, counting the days to Shavuot, 50 days to the time of remembrance of the giving of the Law at Sinai and the giving of the Holy Spirit to the disciples of Yeshua

(Exodus 20 and Acts 2). Then follows the Autumn season in the month of Tishrei, including Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles).

Future retreatsMAY

Charles Gardner will be our guest for the next retreat on May 17th-18th Charles has been a journalist for many years and now senses a particular call to matters relating to Israel. He is a member of the Board of Prophecy Today and also writes regularly for the Heart Newspaper. Supported by Clifford Denton, who will

also speak on the prophetic and covenant purposes of God for Israel, the topics for the retreat will be:

1. THE JOY OF JOB - a picture of how the suffering of Israel (and essentially Jesus) eventually leads to triumphant resurrection.

2. ON BEING A 'HELPER OF ISRAEL' - What does it mean to stand with Israel? The testimony of Charles’ own calling and how the Lord is leading him to carry it out. (Isaiah 40-55)

3. TWO BEAUTIFUL WOMEN -The story of Ruth and Esther, who both came to the aid of the Jewish

people: one a Gentile, the other a Jew

JUNE

The topic for the June retreat will be considering The Power of Truth to Overcome Deception. In an age where deception is rising more and more, including in the Christian Church, a return to the roots and foundations of our faith brings security in overcoming the deception. Paul Luckcraft will join Clifford Denton

to lead a series of seminars on this theme.

SEPTEMBER

Rivi Litvin is a Messianic Jew, now living in the USA. For many years she has been a pioneer in helping Christians to understand the Jewish background to our faith. Her recently published book Presenting Jesus

the Son of Israel is the first in a series to look at the Gospels from a Jewish roots perspective. (Review in Prophecy Today: https://www.prophecytoday.uk/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1426:review-

presenting-jesus-the-son-of-israel&Itemid=189 ). She will be our guest for the September retreat and will use studies of The Feasts of the Lord as a framework to uncover many of the gems of understanding which can help us link back to the Jewish heritage embedded in Scripture.

For further teaching and comment Prophecy Today is published weekly: “the Christian web

magazine dedicated to bringing the unchanging word of God to a changing world.”

https://www.prophecytoday.uk/

The Cedars Foundation has grown from the vision of a Christian school that operated in Rochester

from 1968 to 2015. It continues to promote Christian education though now for all ages: encouraging families, particularly those who are home educating; practical skills for life; and through Bible study and

prayer. It is in the latter where The Cedars has been working in association with Issachar Ministries to develop the Community of Prayer and Study.

This work has, from the start, operated as an extended community with a core living at The Cedars, others living in the local area and with interested and prayerful supporters further afield.

Forthcoming retreats

Fridays 3.30 for 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm& Saturdays 9.00 for 9.30 am to 3.00 pm

at The Cedars, Rochester

The usual expectation has been that the focus for the next retreat will be confirmed at the previous one as we seek to build the community

by seeking the Lord’s will together. However, as we invite others to contribute, we are starting to

plan further ahead.

May 17th-18th

Israel Focus - with Charles Gardner

June 21st-22nd

The Power of Truth to Overcome Deception -with Paul Luckcraft

July 12th-13th

September 20th-21st

The Feasts of the Lord - with Rivi Litvin

Please note: Booking is required

Opportunities for Further Prayer and Study

The Cedars offers facilities for small

gatherings for study and prayer.

Library facilities are being prepared for

personal study.

Please contact Clifford Denton via

admin@watchandpray.org.uk if you would like to know about opportunities for one-to-one study.

Evenings of Prayer at The Cedars

Wednesday 1st MayOpen from 5.00 pmBring and share meal 6.00 pm

Prayer 7.30 until 9.00 pm

Wednesday 5th June

Wednesday 3rd July

Booking Please contact Mike Baker: admin@watchandpray.org.uk or 07396 097386