Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Ahava Love Letter - "Fell...But Helped Back Up"
Ahava Love Letter
"Fell...But Helped Back Up"
Dear family of friends,
Falling off a camel hurts. Especially with glasses on, and then hitting a blacktop surface. I know. I did it.
Seven years ago this month I had the joy of being on the Christian Friends of Israel tour. As a board member for many years, we each took turns going on the annual event, usually in May. On this particular “Meet The People” trip in 2004, when the bus stopped near Beersheva in the Negev Desert, I didn’t pass up the chance to get on the back of a camel. Now I have a story to tell my grandkids. I can even smile more about it these years later.
Upon picking myself up, and after getting cleaned up a bit, with soap and some other medication to help the healing process more quickly, I was able to get back on the bus and move on. Pride had been dampened somewhat, but the extra attention wasn’t bad. Next time I will work on my dismount a bit better. Or at least I’ll know that when his head goes down for the landing that I better hang onto something more than just the back of his neck. Maybe his tail?!
The one thing I did appreciate about the whole fallen event though was the help I was given. The “nurse” in the group did her best to do her thing and bandage me up. That was nice. To be in a place where there are others around who do give of themselves to help another in time of need.
My heart goes out to those who don’t have that person, or a people, surrounding them, after a fall. A spiritual fall I mean. Often it seems when a brother or sister trips up or goes astray, the ones they need the most may be the ones who they see the least later. How tragic that can be in our Christian family. It shouldn’t be that way.
In these coming dark days before us, the works of our common enemy will heat up. The devil, as a roaring lion, will further seek to destroy the reputations and characters of believers in Jesus, sometimes using those we thought we could trust the most. Especially at that time, we must be prepared to speak the truth in support of each other.
Healing from injuries, after falling off a camel, can come quickly. But recovering from the hurtful darts and arrows thrown by other believers may take years to be forgiven and forgotten. We need to use our shields to guard one another as much as it is in our power to do it.
As in the natural in Israel, surrounding enemies continually shoot rockets of harm at them, aimed at their destruction. In the spiritual, we also are targets of weapons formed against us. May we not be found guilty of them coming from within our ranks.
We will need to support each other, even if we fall seven times. Getting back up and staying in the fight to the end with happen, if we are there for each other.
Ahava to all my family of friends,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a charitable gift to help us bless Messianic Jews in Israel. Our website http://www.loveforhispeople.com/ lists the opportunities available. You can send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
©2011 Steve Martin Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 470035 Charlotte, NC 28247-0035
E-mail: ahavaloveletters@gmail.com
Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Days Near - Morris Ruddick
THE DAYS NEAR
(c) Morris Ruddick
(c) Morris Ruddick
"The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. For I the Lord will speak what I will and it will be fulfilled without delay. For the rebellious shall see that I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Lord. When the people say the visions he sees are for many years from now, say to them, this is what the Lord says, 'none of My Words will be delayed any longer, whatever I say will be fulfilled.'" (Ezekiel 12:22)
A corner has been turned. We've entered times unlike any in recent days.
They might be summed with "the dark is getting darker and the light is getting lighter." Yet that description doesn't suffice. The times will increasingly reflect the "day of His power," while bearing an increase in the disruptions and uncertainty. These are times in which to straddle the fence will mean being shot at from both sides. It will be a time of miracles; as we also enter a time of judgment.
These times will be marked by the truth in Deuteronomy 30: "God has set before us life and death, blessing and cursing." It will be up to us to recognize, discern and make the right choices for life and blessing.
Daniel described these times as ones in which those who know their God will be strong and will do exploits. That means no double-mindedness. Your eye must be single.
"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3)
However, it will not be enough to just have your eyes on the Lord. We must understand the times, His agendas and be about His business. Being about His business without compromise begins with walking in strategic holiness.
"In the time of the end, many shall be purified and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." (Dan 12:10-12)
Passion and Blindness
The middle ground is becoming filled with snares: the love of the world, the pride of life, the lust of the flesh; soul dependencies that blind. Walking in God's calling will mean walking in His will; progressively and consistently. Walking in God's will mean walking in His timing. That will mean walking in His holiness and purpose.
Remember Saul. Saul was anointed king, but was ruled by the pride of life. He was driven by passions that spiritually blinded him. He never quite grasped God's purposes for him being king. At one juncture, Samuel summed up Saul's actions by saying that "rebellion is of the sin of witchcraft." His heart issues became snares that compounded into a misuse of the anointing, that Samuel judged as witchcraft.
Beware of the sin of Saul, of forcing issues and being unwilling to wait on God's timing. Wrong priorities will give rise to fear, anger, jealousy and a loss of control of one's own spirit. Without holiness, God's people will fall into erring in spirit and murmuring (Isaiah 29:24). Erring in spirit is losing touch with the realities. Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24 that the beginning of the time of the end would be accompanied by many being offended, betraying one another and hating one another, with the love of many growing cold.
"Those who know their God doing exploits" demands a walk of holiness. It is about walking in faith, KNOWING that the Lord is faithful in the accomplishment of His purposes and His Word. Holiness is about His righteousness being manifested in our thoughts, attitudes, words, decisions and actions. It's about operating with a sense of honor and a consistency in speaking truth in our own hearts, as described in Psalm 15. It's about entering into His flow and operating in oneness with Him.
Forcing issues will backfire. Unless it is the result of His Spirit, more of the same harder will fail. Holiness is what one seasoned mission practitioner over a century ago called the exchanged life. It is a life and poise of the soul summed up by the Psalmist as, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord."
Holiness will consistently walk in forgiveness and repentance. It is a heart so tender toward the Lord and His Word that when it recognizes a truth and realizes something is out of alignment, it immediately changes. It is a heart attitude with no grudges or bitterness. Bitterness cannot co-exist with holiness. It is the outgrowth of a heart that meditates on God's Word, with a priority expressed by the Psalmist as meditating on God's Word day and night. Holiness is a pure heart, free from the passions of the soul and unholy dependencies.
Holiness is a strength and unwavering trust in the Lord in the face of adversity. It is walking through the fire without the smell of smoke. It is a righteous heart that moves in oneness with the Lord and operates in His power. Operating in holiness stems from getting real while in His presence.
Strategic Holiness
There is a "strategic" dimension to holiness. It is a key part of the corner we've just turned. It pivots on the Issachar context, but with the twist that the BODY needs to understand the times and know what to do. Strategic holiness goes beyond the individual dimension of holiness as communities of believers interact to move in harmony with God's heart and big picture agendas. It is this "big picture" interaction that fuels a movement.
Joseph and Daniel were catalysts for strategic holiness. It didn't matter whether they were in prison, the lion's den or in the king's palace. Regardless of their circumstance or position, they knew Who they belonged to and they were about His business. They were stable, steadfast and faithful at each juncture. They knew their identity in the Lord and the sphere and authority with which they had been entrusted.
Joseph and Daniel each grasped and recognized the big picture of the Lord's purposes, along with their part in it. They operated with authority that only comes from time with Him. They were willing to pay the cost. They were not swayed by threats, pressures or what appeared as the outlook of things in the natural. Their orientation came from their time with the Lord. Their hearts were fixed, trusting in the Lord, as they embraced and followed through on the accomplishment of His "big-picture" agendas. They fearlessly took the initiative when they knew the timing was right to accomplish God's purposes in their spheres.
For the times we have entered, this strategic dimension will mean being connected. Lone rangers will face unnecessary hardships and deceptions. Rebellion, as in Saul's misfires will result in sad, untimely forfeitures of what may have been significant callings. Up until this point, the Body has been fragmented. Unity will no longer be something nice that is just talked about. It is going to be the foundation for survival.
There will be varieties of alliances and coalitions that serve God's purposes and provide anticipatory responses to the changes unfolding in today's world. This will include strategic alliances with modern-day Pharaohs and Cyruses: chosen, anointed non-believers with a heart for God and His people; who serve as gatekeepers of seats of power in this world. These alliances will be accompanied by a new wave of leadership that restores the balance between the operation of the kings and the priests.
Strategic holiness is a deep-seated knowing that God is in control. The Psalmist wrote: "Lord, You make me wiser than my enemies; I have more understanding than my teachers, for Your Words are my meditations. I understand more than the ancients, because of Your Word." (Psalm 119: 98-100) It was said of the Israelites in the king's court during the time of Daniel that they were ten times wiser than all the others in their position. These will be times in which a new level of wisdom will be seen operating among God's people.
Strategic holiness is a level of humility that acknowledges that we are called, gifted and anointed in His power. Yet, simultaneously like King David, it recognizes that we are "weak though anointed king" and cannot operate with any success in our own power. It is in knowing that "we can't, but He can" and that "through Him, all things are possible."
Strategic holiness is the honest emptying of ourselves before Him, that results in "he who rules his own spirit, being mightier than he who takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32) It is an emptying necessary to actuate the dynamic described by Daniel of "they that KNOW their God will be strong and will do exploits." This "strength and accomplishment of exploits" is not a matter of finesse, moxie or bluster. It is an outgrowth of the discipline that comes from giving first priority to time with Him and to genuinely knowing Him.
Strategic holiness is a proactive Spirit-led expression of God's dominion in the face of the world's rebellion. It is a growing holy alignment that flows in the authority that releases the supernatural for change and revival.
Judgment and Fulfillment
The days prophesied by Ezekiel (Ezek 12:22) in the opening scripture describe an incredible time of conflict as prophetic words are fulfilled without delay, despite the misguided passions of the rebellious, many of whom come from within the ranks of God's own.
The corner turned is into a path paved by strategic holiness. The trajectory of strategic holiness will trigger judgment. For the righteous who know their God, judgment is not to be feared. Judgment purifies. When resisted, it destroys. When yielded to, it facilitates. The coming judgment is the flip-side of an awesome outpouring of God's Spirit.
Judgment always reasserts God's authority. These will be times that reassert the Lord's dominion as the world is seduced by its passions; and as principalities work overtime to deceive, entice and harness the power of these passions from within God's elect, with misguided agendas intended to stymie the Lord's initiatives.
Yet, in the midst of the power struggles are those who will be strong and do exploits. It will be in the midst of the disruptions that God's people will shine like the brightness of the sky and in the process, lead many to righteousness. So, with the judgment will come fulfillment.
We can expect parallels to the situation described in Isaac's life: "And there was famine in the land and the LORD appeared to Isaac and said: 'Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you and perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.' Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. So he began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous." (Genesis 26:1-3, 12, 13)
These will be like the days of Joseph described by the Psalmist, "And He sent a man before them; Joseph; who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him." (Psalm 105:17-19) Joseph didn't waver at the cost required for Him to walk into the prophetic vision he received at a much younger age. There are many who have been called today as modern-day Josephs, who have been tested by the word of the Lord. For them, the time of fulfillment is at hand.
When the time came, after many years of hardship and faithfulness on Joseph's part, it all happened quickly and was summed up when Pharaoh said, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God? Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word." (Genesis 41: 38-40) What Pharaoh observed in Joseph was the result of Joseph walking in strategic holiness.
Revolutionary Change
The significance of the corner turned recognizes that we have entered a time in which the world is ruled by its passions.
Being ruled by your passions is a mode reflected by both blindness and power. It was this passion and blindness that Hitler manipulated as he rose to power. It is this blindness and passion that distorts truth and reality. It is this passion and blindness that propels the anti-Semitism growing around the globe. This same passion and blindness births events such as: 9/11, Israel's intifadas and a culture that exploits its young as homicide bombers. It is this passion and blindness that is at the core of the operation of the occult today.
The distinguishing characteristic of God's people, those described by Daniel as "those who are strong and do exploits," is that their passions do not dominate them. They are yielded to and ruled by the Spirit of God. These will be the "chosen," at the heart of God's change and restoration as we move toward the power shift of all ages described in Isaiah 60.
Numbers 11:25 reflects this type of revolutionary change. In a day in time, the leadership of Moses was multiplied when the Spirit of the Lord that had been solely upon Moses, came upon the 70 elders. This was a major paradigm shift for Israel at the time. From the Lord's stance, it was a strategic change tied to multiplying the holiness in the camp of Israel, as the Lord prepared His people for the next step in His purposes and agendas. It defines the nature of a move of God. Yet, moves of God in this last generation were only precursors of the multiplication of God's power than can be expected for the days before us.
We are facing a time of incredible, revolutionary change. The wicked are revolting against God, while God's people are progressively entering a holy alignment. Just as during the rise of Hitler, the blind and wicked are putting an "acceptable spin" to today's emerging, occult-driven activities. It flows from a world seduced and "blindly" ruled by its passions.
However, God is restoring His authority and dominion to those called into the fabric of society as His ambassadors. The anointing will open doors and grant favor in the midst of seats of power; within strange and difficult circumstances. The authority from the anointing will initiate timely events and unusual agendas releasing God's purposes. It is the mantle being entrusted to those with hearts aligned with His, who walk in strategic holiness.
"Have you entered the treasury of snow, or have you seen the storehouse of hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?" Job 38:22-23
"The LORD has opened His armory, and has brought out the weapons of His indignation; for this is the work of the Lord God of hosts." Jeremiah 50:25
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Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace. He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" and "Something More," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other popular outlets.
Mr. Ruddick is also the founder of the Global Equippers Entrepreneurial Program, which imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world. To schedule a speaking engagement, sponsor a workshop, make a donation or to get more information on how you can help, contact Global Initiatives at 303.741.9000.
2011 Copyright Morris Ruddick - response@strategic-initiatives.org
Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check: http://www.strategicintercession.org
Morris Ruddick
Global Initiative Foundation
www.strategic-initiatives.orgIs Allah the God of the Bible – Part 2 (Dr. Bill Duerfeldt)
Is Allah the God of the Bible – Part 2 (Dr. Bill Duerfeldt)
In an earlier article we looked at the Name of the God of the Bible – the God of Israel – and discussed whether that God – the Living God – is the same Being as the Islamic deity named Allah. Although the Koran says that Allah is the same god as the God worshipped by “the People of the Book” (i.e., Christians and Jews) [Sura 29:46], we noted that the proper Name of the God of the Bible is יְהוָה. This Name (pronounced “Yahweh”) occurs over 9000 times in the Tanakh (Old Testament), whereas the Koran teaches that the proper Name of God is Allah. The word Allah – as a Name for God – does not appear even once in the Bible, although we noted that “alah” in Hebrew and “elahh” in Aramaic do appear in the Tanakh – although neither can be interpreted as a proper name.
OK, you may ask, so what’s the big deal with a name? William Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” (Romeo and Juliet; Act II, Scene 2). Although I personally think names are extremely important, I will concede “Bill” Shakespeare’s point for the time being.
Therefore, let’s put aside the name issue for now, and instead compare the attributes and characteristics of “Yahweh” and “Allah” to see if they share these attributes – to see if they are, indeed, the same Being. First, some similarities --
- Both are said to be Transcendent.
- Both are said to be the Universe’s Creator.
- Both are said to be Sovereign.
- Both are said to be Omnipotent.
- Both are said to have spoken to humanity through angels, prophets, and the written word.
- Both are said to know in detail the intimate thoughts and deeds of all men and women.
So far, so good. But, let’s keep going.
- Both are said to be One
Now here we do run into a problem. According to the Koran, Allah is a completely singular Being. He is not a Father, nor has he begotten a Son (Sura 19:88-92 and 112:3). In contrast, Yahweh is described in Hebrew as a “unity” rather than a singularity. The Hebrew word “Elohim” (God) is a plural noun. Even the Sh’ma – the declaration that Yahweh is One – confirms the concept of unity, rather than singularity. The Sh’ma says: “Sh’ma Israel. Yahweh Elohenu. Yahweh Echad.” (Hear O Israel. Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is One.) The Hebrew word “Echad” in the Sh’ma is the exact same Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:24 – “A man shall leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one (echad) flesh.” Clearly a husband and wife don’t “morph” into a single being. Rather, they become a “unity”, joined together in the sacred rite of marriage, yet remaining two distinct individuals. Moreover, the concept of the “unity” of the Godhead carries over into the Brit Chadeshah (the New Testament) in such verses as John 10:30, John 1:1, or Matthew 28:19, to name only three. Both the Tanakh and the Brit Chadeshah confirm the Fatherhood of God, and that He has begotten a Son. (e.g. Jeremiah 31:9 and Acts 13:33).
- God of Love vs. a god of hate
Here we have one of the most dramatic differences between Yahweh and Allah. The Koran is replete with verses which describes Allah’s utter disdain for sinners. The list is too long to reproduce in its entirety, but a few examples will suffice to make the point –
1. Sura 3:140 -- “…and Allah does not love those that do wrong.”
2. Sura 4:107 -- “...for Allah does not love one who is treacherous and sinful.”
3. Sura 31:18 – “…surely Allah does not love any self-conceited boaster.”
4. Sura 3:32 – “…surely Allah does not love the unbelievers…”
5. Sura 4:168-169 -- “Surely those who disbelieve [in Islam]…Allah will not forgive them nor guide them to a path except the path to Hell to abide in it forever, and this is easy for Allah.”
By contrast, although Yahweh hates sin, He loves the sinner, and has made available to mankind the provision for the pardon of sin through the Messiah.
1. Isaiah 1:18 -- “Come now, let us reason together says Yahweh. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”
2. Isaiah 53:6 – “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and Yahweh has laid on Him [Messiah] the iniquity of us all.”
3. Romans 5:8 – “But God [Yahweh] showed His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Messiah died for us.”
- God of holiness vs. a god of deception, trickery, and evil
The Bible is abundantly clear that Yahweh is completely and utterly “holy” – kadosh, kadosh, kadosh, in Hebrew. (Isaiah 6:3). In fact, the Tanakh makes the point that the holiness of God is completely unique – “There is none as kadosh as Yahweh” (1 Samuel 2:2). Moreover, Yahweh cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone with evil. (Psalm 5:4, Habakkuk 1:13, and James 1:13).
By contrast, the Koran has many examples where Allah himself engages in schemes, deceit, evil, and treachery – traits and actions that are certainly not consistent with a holy God:
1. “Verily the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He who will deceive them…” (Sura 4:142)
2. “And they [the infidels] schemed, but Allah schemed also; indeed the best of schemers is Allah.” (Sura 3:54).
3. “And when We desire to destroy a city, then We command its men…and they commit ungodliness…and We destroy it utterly. (Sura 17:16)
4. The Koran even states that Allah deceived Christians and Jews into only thinking that Jesus was crucified – “it was made to appear unto them”, when, in fact, -- according to the Koran – Jesus was neither crucified nor killed. (Sura 4:157)
- A God of consistency vs. a god vacillation and historical error
The God of the Bible is a God who is eternally faithful and consistent in His Word and in His deeds.
1. Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man that He should lie, or the son of man that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it; or has He spoken and will He not make it good?”
2. Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares Yahweh, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
3. Malachi 3:6: “I am Yahweh; I change not.”
4. 2 Timothy 2:13: “…He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
On the other hand, Allah is a god of vacillation and historical errors, as these examples reveal:
1. Sura 2:106: “None of Our revelations do we cause…to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar. Don’t you know that Allah has power over all things?”
2. Sura 16:101: “When We substitute one revelation for another Allah knows best what He reveals.”
3. Sura 18:83-98: This portion of the Koran claims that Alexander the Great (called The Two-Horned One) was a Muslim, when in fact Alexander died in 323 BCE, a full 933 years before Muhammad founded the Islamic religion in 610 CE!
4. Sura 4:157: This verse purports that the Jews boasted that “we killed the Messiah Jesus…” In fact, Jesus was killed by the Romans, not the Jews, and this was done because the Jewish hierarchy insisted that Jesus was NOT the Messiah, and were able to convince Pilate that as an imposter, Jesus was a threat to Rome.
In conclusion, although there exist today, three monotheistic religions, it seems clear to this writer than only two of these religions – Judaism and Christianity – worship the same God – Yahweh. The god of Islam, Allah, is clearly not the God of Israel, the Living God, described in both the Tanakh and the Brit Chadeshah.
Moreover, (1) the tenants of intolerability to people outside of Islam, (2) the Koran inspired hatred of Christians and Jews found within Islam, and (3) the maniacal “cult of death” ascribed by so many of Islam’s adherents, is blatantly anti-Biblical. To quote a comment made by David Horowitz recently…“No people have shown themselves as so morally sick…in the history of all mankind, there was never a people who strapped bombs on their bodies and killed innocent people. No other people have sunk so low…” [FrontPageMag.com , 25 March 2011]
For these reasons, in my opinion, Allah is not, and cannot be, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our Messiah, Yeshua!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Ahava Love Letter - "Happy Birthday Israel!"
Ahava Love Letter
Happy Birthday Israel!
“Who ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Is a country born in one day? Is a nation brought forth all at once? For as soon as Tziyon went into labor, she brought forth her children.” (Isa. 66:8 CJB)
Dear family of friends,
Celebrations are meant to express love and appreciation for those being honored. We rejoice with ones reaching a milestone in their lives, whether as individuals, a group, or even a nation.
At sunset on May 9, 2011, the nation of Israel celebrates her 63rd birthday. Even as the prophet Isaiah foretold centuries earlier, the Lord would return His Chosen Ones to their Promised Land. Jews have always lived in this eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, but in 1948 they once again had this portion of the earth in their hands, never to give it up again.
Birthing a baby is tough work. As a husband, and then as a father, I stood by my wife’s side, doing all I could during the “out coming” of our four children. Granted, my labor was only putting ice chips in her mouth, and offering a hand to squeeze on until it turned blue. That was nothing compared to what she endured. And coming through the birth canal for each child had to have been a rough trip too. That I know. I did it once myself!
At the time of Israel’s rebirth, and every year since then, you, my friends in Israel, have been surrounded by hostile and warring nations committed to destroying your history and very lives. The years of amazing survival, growth, and becoming a “blessing to the nations” since that first year, has been achieved by your perseverance, blood, and commitment by living in The Land. And most certainly by the hand of the Most High God, Who has promised to protect you for all eternity. And that He will.
I salute the people of Israel. I say “Well done!” for all that you have indeed done. And despite the daily pressures, both in the natural and the spiritual, through the battles you have fought, and will fight, you will, for generations to come, prove that you are indeed the Chosen Ones of the Living God of Israel!
Happy birthday Israel!
Ahava to all, and especially to you, my Israeli friends,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
P.S. We still have a few seats left on our annual Ahava Adventures ministry trip to Israel Oct. 29 – Nov. 8. We need to hear from you now if you are planning, or are even considering coming, on this lifetime opportunity. It is at a cost of only $2495 (which no one may never see again) from Charlotte, NC to Tel Aviv (and back of course!) Check our website or e-mail me at martinlighthouse@gmail.com ASAP.
Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a charitable gift to help us bless Messianic Jews in Israel. Our website http://www.loveforhispeople.com/ lists the opportunities available. You can send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
©2011 Steve Martin Love For His People, Inc. P.O. Box 470035 Charlotte, NC 28247-0035
E-mail: ahavaloveletters@gmail.com
Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.
Ahava Love Letter #25 Date: May 7, in the year of our Lord 2011
Israel Flag In The Wind - Photo by Steve Martin
Honoring Israel Night - Beit Yeshua, Beit Shofarot, Highway To Zion & Love For His People
In a sign of unity in support of Israel, Beit Yeshua hosted this Night Honoring Israel in Lincolnton, NC May 6, 2011. Night was led by Curtis Loftin and Doug Williams. Beit Yeshua was joined by Beit Shofarot (Yossi Wentz), Highway To Zion (Cathy Hargett), and Love For His People. (Steve & Laurie Martin). Photos by Steve Martin
Friday, May 6, 2011
President Shimon Peres Address Celebrating Israel’s 63rd Year
As we celebrate 63 years of statehood, we can look back on the historic miracle of the birth of a nation – the State of Israel. And we can laud one of our greatest leaders, David Ben-Gurion, for declaring the establishment of a Jewish state – a homeland – one momentous day in May 1948. Immediately afterward we were attacked – outmanned, outnumbered, outgunned.
From the debris of the War of Independence arose one of the best and most moral armies in the world. The desert turned into a model of state-of-the-art agriculture admired by all. Israel’s development in fields such as hi-tech, science, technology and medicine has placed her at the forefront of advances in these areas the world over.
On the day of the proclamation of the State of Israel, it was stated that this newly founded nation would be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel. We abide by the Jewish code of moral values instilled in us.
We are still facing evil forces, especially those that emanate from Iran. This call, by a regime that is a danger to the entire world, should be met by an uncompromising mobilization of the international community. We are determined, together with our supporters everywhere, to fight anti-Semitism and delegitimization.
The State of Israel is prepared to do its share, even at a painful cost, to achieve peace with our neighbors. We are hopeful that the winds of change sweeping our region will herald new opportunities of peace, security and prosperity for all.
We all share the hope that Gilad Shalit will be reunited with his family immediately.
The bridges of kinship that link the Jewish state with the Jewish communities around the world are vital to us. You are full partners in our success. Looking back, we have much to be proud of. Looking forward, we still have much to achieve. Together we can accomplish anything and everything. Together we can prevail. And together we shall celebrate many more independence days to come.
President Shimon Peres Address Celebrating Israel’s 63rd YearThursday, May 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Is Allah the God of the Bible? - Dr. Bill Duerfeldt
Is Allah the God of the Bible?
Way back in 1982 my wife, Cindi, and I took our second trip to Israel. One day a Muslim cleaning lady came into the hotel room while we were still in the room. Somehow she detected that we were Christians. (We were attending a Christian conference and maybe there were brochures in the room or something to that affect. I don’t recall and it doesn’t matter.) Anyway, in her broken English she pointed to us and said, “Christian”; she pointed to herself and said “Islam”; and then she waved her hands around the room – either indicating the hotel, or more probably all of Israel – and said “Jew”. Then she looked heavenward and said, “All same God.” Smiling brightly she left the room.
At the time I took her comment at face value – after all, Christians, Jews, and Muslims all worship one God. Moreover, in the Islamic faith, Jews and Christians are included with the Muslims as “People of the Book”. So, at the time I concluded we all must worship the same God, yet each in our own way, and in our own understanding. It sounded good at the time.
But is that really true? Do Jews, Christians, and Muslims all worship the same God? Is “Allah”, the god of the Muslims, also the God of the Bible? Let’s look at the facts.
Let’s begin by first looking at the God of the Christians and the God of the Jews. Do these two religions worship the same God? Without belaboring the point, I think it is self-evident that Jews and Christians do worship the same God. For example, the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) liberally quotes from the Tanakh (Old Testament), making abundant references to the God of Israel. Moreover, there is nothing in the Brit Chadashah which contradicts the Tanakh (unlike the Koran, which we shall see later.) And, of course, Yeshua (Jesus) identified Yahweh, the God of Israel, as His Father and ours.
This God of the Tanakh and the Brit Chadashah has a proper Name. His Name, as revealed to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 3) is written in Hebrew with four letters (yod, hey, vav, hey). These four letters are called the Tetragrammaton (Greek = “Four Letters”) and is written יְהוָה. The Name is probably pronounced “Yahweh”, although no Jewish person, would ever attempt to actually pronounce The Name for fear of breaking the Third Commandment. Instead, whenever the Tetragrammaton appears in Scripture, the Jewish person will read “Adonai” (Lord). In our English Bibles, the Tetragrammaton is nearly always translated LORD, and written in all capital letters. (Occasionally the Tetragrammaton is translated GOD, also all in capitals; for example: Ezekiel 11:16.)
This God – the God of Israel, the Living God, the God and Father of Yeshua (Jesus) – also goes by many other Names throughout the Scriptures. He is El Shaddai – God Almightly. He is El-Elyon – God Most High. He is Yahweh Tzava’ot – the LORD of Hosts. And the list goes on and on. Yet despite His many different Names, it is clear from both the Tanakh and the Brit Chadashah that the God and Father of Yeshua is identical to the God who revealed Himself to Moshe (Moses) on Mt. Sinai. After all, Yeshua Himself was born, lived, and died as a Jew; as did all His original Apostles and disciples. They were not worshipping some foreign god; something which would have been utterly inconceivable to them. They were worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the One True God of the people of Israel – Yahweh.
Well, then…what about Allah?
Interestingly, amongst the many Names of God in the Tanakh, there is an Aramaic word, אֱלָהּ (pronounced “‘elahh”; and translated God or god) which does appear some 95 times. In 79 of those cases, the word clearly describes “Yahweh”, the God is Israel. (e.g. Ezra 5:1). In the other 16 instances, the word refers to a pagan god. (e.g.,Daniel 5:4) It’s noteworthy that in three verses of Scripture (all in Daniel), the same word is used both for the God of Israel and for a pagan god, although the distinction is easily made by the context. These are Daniel 2:47, 3:28, and 5:23.
In addition, a similar Hebrew word אָלָה (or “alah”) also appears in the Jewish Scriptures – some 36 times, as a matter of fact. Interestingly, in fully one half of those occurrences in the Tanakh, the word “alah” is translated as “curse”. [See Deut. 29:20 as one example.]
Now, some may argue that the word “allah” is simply the Arabic word for “god”, just as “el” is the Hebrew word for “god”. That is true. But is that the whole truth?
Consider Exodus 34:14: “For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose Name is Jealous, is a jealous god.” If we put in the Hebrew for three of the key words, the Scripture would read – “For you shall worship no other “el”, for “Yahweh”, whose Name is Jealous, is a jealous “el”.
Likewise, in Arabic it would read – “For you shall worship no other “allah”, for Yahweh, whose Name is Jealous, is a jealous “allah”. However, no Muslim would ever accept that rendition. To a Muslim, Yahweh is not God; Allah is God. According to the Koran, “Allah” is not simply a linguistic Arabic designation for God – such as Deus in Latin or Dios in Spanish. In fact, Islam unequivocally teaches that Allah is his proper name! (Sura 3:2)
This point is made abundantly clear in the reciting of the Shahada, the statement of faith required by every new convert to Islam, and recited at least twice daily by every believing Muslim – “I bear witness that there is no allah but Allah, and Mohammed is his messenger (or servant.)”. This is in stark contradiction to the entire Bible. As we have already seen, God’s proper Name in the Bible is the Tetragrammaton – and this Name occurs over 9000 times! In contrast, the two words “alah” and “elahh” occur only 131 times combined, and can mean either “any god”, or even “a curse”. The point I want to make clear is that neither “elahh” nor “alah” can ever be considered to be God’s proper Name. The Scriptures are absolutely explicit -- His proper Name is יְהוָה (Yahweh).
But let’s look even deeper. How does “Allah” of the Koran, compare with “Yahweh” of the Bible? Do they share the same attributes; the same characteristics? Do they interact with history and humanity in the same way? In other words, are they the same Being as the followers of Islam proclaim?
I will take up that discussion in a forthcoming “Ahava Love Newsletter”
Dr. Bill Duerfeldt, Asheville, NC.
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