Showing posts with label Bethlehem. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

"More of You, Lord!" - message by Steve Martin

Steve and Laurie Martin with the YWAMers from David's Tent, DC in Jerusalem (Oct. 2025)

More of You, Lord!

“We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.” (Proverbs 19:2, The Message)

When the Lord brings the generations together for His plans and purposes, heaven rejoices. So do fathers, mothers, and grandparents!

And it shall be, just as prophesied in Joel 2.

As you read this chapter, you will see how we connected with those who follow in our footsteps and with others who love the Lord’s Land of Israel and His chosen ones who are coming back!

Coming to Jerusalem, our hearts were open to whatever the Lord directed our steps. We knew we would be involved with Christian Friends of Israel-Jerusalem, now directed by Tristan and Galya Hall, but not much beyond that. So, Laurie and I kept our “eyes fixed on Jesus,” knowing His plans and purposes are always right. We have to hear and obey as He leads.

We also have a heart for the next generation, having raised two sons, Josh and Ben, and two daughters, Hannah and Christen. Watching our eight grands now grow (7 grandsons and Dylan, our Joy) has been heartwarming. We so long to see all young adults grasp the love and wonder that God the Father has planned for them, to know His ways, and to allow Him to direct their steps.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God!” (Prov. 3:5-7. The Message)

When six young adults walked into the CFI-Jerusalem meeting room, our second week in the Land, we were amazed. Five young ladies and a groom-to-be were coming aboard for two weeks to partner with us. They were YWAMers (Youth With A Mission) from David’s Tent ministry in Washington, D.C.

Olga Kopilova of CFI stands with the David’s Tent YWAMers. Leaders Taundi and Eric (married Nov. 26, 2025, at Succat Hallel), Grace Dillion (Concord, NC), Bronny (Idaho), Mary (Texas), and 18-year-old Han were full of life and love for Jesus.

These had already been in Israel for a few weeks and were now committed to connecting with CFI.

(Special note: Grace turned 21 on Nov. 23. I had my 71st birthday on the same day. A great day! Birthday party in Jerusalem!)

Our outreach to Bethlehem and the surrounding areas in Jerusalem thrilled our hearts. Bonny started calling us “father and mother.” (Though she is around 20, we are more like her grandparents!)

Grace Dillon of David’s Tent, from Concord, North Carolina

Laurie Martin and Bronny of YWAM’s David’s Tent in Washington, DC

What a joy to see the Lord moving on this generation! Even using the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who had a tremendous impact on high school and college-age kids, the Lord is pouring out His Holy Spirit on our children worldwide.

Fathers, mothers, and grandparents are rejoicing and proclaiming, “More of you, Lord!”

“It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (Joel 2:28, NASB

Come Lord! Bo Yeshua!

CFI and David’s Tent volunteers pray for a blind lady in Bethlehem, Israel, November 2025

#DavidsTent #YWAM, #Jerusalem #CFI #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Bethlehem #Israel #Jerusalem

Friday, January 16, 2026

When WAS Yeshua (Jesus) born? It should be obvious.

When WAS Yeshua (Jesus) born? It should be obvious.

It should be obvious when Jesus, the Messiah, was born. Christmas, spring, fall? Find this date and we all will know. Surely this time is well documented in Roman and Syrian historical books.

“Now it happened in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the world’s inhabitants. This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone was traveling to be registered in his own city.

Now Joseph also went up from the Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth to Judah, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…to register with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.

…and she gave birth to her firstborn son.” Luke 2:1-7

#Jesus #birth #Savior #Bethlehem #born #Israel #Christmas #FeastofTabernacles

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn on the Jim Bakker Show - Christmas Eve

Watch here: Rabbi Jonathan Cahn on the Jim Bakker Show - Christmas Eve

Jim & Lori Bakker

Jim Bakker Show 2018 | Show# 3613 | Aired on December 24th 2018A Morningside Studios Production

Quotes

God always chooses the most unlikely. He always chooses the smallest, always chooses the weakest. –Rabbi Jonathan Cahn

God loves to bring life from cut off trees. He brings life from the broken, from the cut off, from the cut down, from the broken dream, broken life. –Rabbi Jonathan Cahn

Scriptures

Galatians 6:1 KJV Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Micah 5:2 MEV But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Isaiah 9:6-7 MEV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to order it and to establish it with justice and with righteousness, from now until forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 11:1 MEV And there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

Jeremiah 22:24-30 MEV As I live, says the Lord, though Koniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet on My right hand, yet would I pluck you from there. And I will give you into the hand of those who seek your life and into the hand of those whose face you fear, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of the Chaldeans. I will cast you and your mother that bore you out into another country where you were not born, and there you shall die. But to the land where they desire to return, they will not return there. Is this man Koniah a despised broken jar? Is he a vessel in which is no desire? Why are he and his seed cast out and thrown into a land which they had not known? O land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord: Write down this man childless, a man who will not prosper in his days; for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting on the throne of David and ruling any more in Judah.

Matthew 1:6 MEV Jesse was the father of David the king. David the king was the father of Solomon, by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

Matthew 1:20 MEV But while he thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for He who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

2 Kings 22:2 MEV He did what was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the ways of David his father. He did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Matthew 1:19 MEV Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, had in mind to divorce her privately.

Matthew 2:23 MEV And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Zechariah 6:12 MEV And say to him: Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Here is a man whose name is Branch; for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord.

Jeremiah 33:15 MEV In those days and at that time, I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the earth.

Ezekiel 1:1 MEV In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Kebar, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

Ezekiel 1:6 MEV Every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.

Luke 2:7 MEV And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Matthew 1:16 MEV And Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 MEV But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may declare the goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Romans 10:9 MEV That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Isaiah 54:17 KJV No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Headlines

Has the ‘Signature’ of Biblical Prophet Isaiah Been Discovered?-National Geographic

Monday, December 24, 2018

When was Yeshua Really Born? - Ron Cantor MESSIAH'S MANDATE (Tel Aviv, Israel)

When was Yeshua Really Born?

Ron Cantor — December 22, 2018

Secrets Surrounding the Birth of Messiah - Part 5

Incidentally, this is why I believe that Yeshua was not born on December 25th or even in the fall, during the Feast of Tabernacles. Certainly a case can be made for the latter, as He did come to “tabernacle among us”(John 1:14). However, it would have been unwise to call for a census when Jews were traveling to Jerusalem for the feast. Everyone had to return to his or her hometown. The fall holidays point to the second coming of Yeshua, while the spring ones point to His birth, death and resurrection.

It was in the spring that the Passover lambs were birthed. How do we know? Because the lambs for Passover had to be one-year-old (Ex. 12:5). They would have been born during the lambing season, the year before. This explains why there were shepherds in the field in the middle of the night. Normally, they would be sleeping, but because it was lambing season—the time when lambs give birth—they were out all night, in case one of the mothers went into labor.

WOW! What imagery! They are looking for lambs to be birthed, when right under their nose, Miriam was giving birth to the Lamb of God. Jonathan Cahn goes further and teaches that Yeshua was born on Nissan 1. Nissan is the first month of the year, a time for new beginnings. But it would not be a time of pilgrimage or in the dead of the cold, wet winter. Cahn makes the case that every other major event in Yeshua’s life and kingdom coincides with a Jewish feast day:

Passover > His death
First Fruit Offering is brought (Lev. 23) > His resurrection
Shavuot (Lev. 23) > Birth of the church (Acts 2)
Rosh Hashanah > the Second Coming
Yom Kippur > End time forgiveness (Zech. 13:1)
Feast of Tabernacles > Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Is. 25, Rev. 19, Zech. 14)

So, it makes sense that His birth would also fall on a significant day on the Jewish calendar in the spring with the other prophetic events that point to His first coming. The first of Nissan is 14 days before Passover, which begins between the 14thand 15thday of Nissan.

Yes, Yeshua, the Passover lamb, may have been born with other lambs just before Passover.

Note: For the first 5 parts, start here: SECRETS SURROUNDING THE BIRTH OF MESSIAH

Shalom from Israel! I am Ron Cantor and this my blog. I am the GODTV Israel Regional Director host of the daily TV program, "Out of Zion". I also serve on the leadership team of a Hebrew-speaking, Spirit-filled congregation in Tel Aviv. We love Yeshua and we love Israel. Hope to see you here soon!

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Christian Nuns in Bethlehem Subjected to Violence, and the Media is Silent - Ryan Jones ISRAEL TODAY

Christian Nuns in Bethlehem Subjected to Violence, and the Media is Silent

Sunday, January 28, 2018 | Ryan Jones ISRAEL TODAY

Topics:

Christians

Every Israeli slight against Christians, whether real or perceived, becomes the topic of international headlines.

Take for instance the occasions of anti-Christian graffiti scrawled on churches in Jerusalem by a handful of radical Jewish youth. As upsetting as those incidents were, no real harm was done, and both the authorities and local Jewish community were quick to stand with the wronged churches.

And yet, Israel was falsely lambasted in the mainstream media as a place unwelcoming to and even hostile toward Christians.

So, it's more than a little curious that a far more severe trial being faced by Christian nuns in nearby Bethlehem is being all but ignored.

Middle East Concern, one of the few organizations willing to expose the plight of Christians living under the Palestinian Authority, reports that portions of the St. Mary's Coptic Convent in Bethlehem have been unlawfully taken over by a local Muslim family, and the nuns living there exposed to routine physical abuse.

Sisters Maria and Esther have filed official complaints against the Mahatna family, but Palestinian Authority courts have failed to take any real action.

The convent remains partially occupied, despite the fact that the nuns filed their first complaint back in April of 2017, when a female member of the Muslim family, Rania Mahatna, assaulted Sister Maria and caused damage to the property.

It was when the nuns were on their way to the police station to file that initial complaint that a second major incident occurred. Rania's brother, Rami, along with a gang of friends, stopped the nuns' car and attacked it with iron bars.

A police officer who witnessed this attack reportedly later changed his testimony when questioned in court.

The nuns and their lawyer believe the Mahatna family has connections within the Palestinian Authority that it is using to obstruct justice in this matter.

This is not an isolated case. But, because Israel and the Jews aren't involved, it receives little, if any attention. Highlighting it simply wouldn't fit with the narrative that Israel is behind all the woes of the local Christian population.

PHOTO: Illustration. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

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Sunday, December 24, 2017

God's Perfect Timing - Charles Gardner ISRAEL TODAY

God's Perfect Timing

Sunday, December 24, 2017 | Charles Gardner ISRAEL TODAY

Topics:

Christians

Whatever you may think as harassed shoppers or parents, Christmas does not come too soon. It’s an example of God’s perfect timing, though I appreciate that the Messiah’s actual birthday was more likely to have been during the Feast of Tabernacles.

There was precise timing in the divine coming nevertheless. Naturally speaking, the Christ child should have been born in Nazareth. But because Caesar intervened and ordered a census, the holy family were forced to travel some 80 miles to Bethlehem (the town of David, from which their lineage was traced), thus fulfilling the prophecy of Micah: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5.2)

The stars lined up with such precision, and in such brilliance, that the Wise Men were able to follow the light all the way to the little town near Jerusalem, where the flawless sheep were traditionally prepared for Passover. And the shepherds on the surrounding hills were perfectly placed to respond to the angelic call to come and worship the new-born King, also to become the Good Shepherd leading his flock to fresh pasture.

Among the precious gifts the Wise Men brought was myrrh, a prophetic statement of the Messiah’s sacrificial death to come as the ultimate Passover Lamb, when he would die on the cross for the sins of the world – myrrh was used for embalming the deceased for burial.

Bethlehem means ‘House of Bread’ and indeed Jesus was to describe himself as the “bread of life” (John 6.35) whose body (symbolised by the bread of communion) would be given for us, his death bringing us life. Jesus adds: “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

So the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem and the Wise Men led to the infant King through a once-in-a-blue-moon lining up of the stars were all part of God’s perfect timing. Everything in God’s perfect plan was in the right place at the right time.

The Apostle Paul, referring to the Messiah’s sacrifice, writes: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5.6)

The gift of frankincense, also brought by the Wise Men, represents the fragrance of God’s presence and speaks of Immanuel, God with us, which is also the central thought of the Feast of Tabernacles celebrating the time when God made his presence known to the wandering Israelites in the wilderness – providing food, water and shelter in the parched desert environment.

Now, through the one born to be King (hence the gift of gold), God has actually taken on flesh to tabernacle (or live) among us. And at the end of his earthly ministry, the risen Lord promises to be ‘with us’ (his followers) forever, until the end of the age (Matthew 28.20).

The reality of God being with us came home very strongly to my wife Linda and I during our recent extended stay in Israel caused by visa problems. Not only did we base ourselves at a guesthouse called Beit Immanuel (Beit = house) but we also learnt perhaps as never before that He really is ‘with you’ when you trust him absolutely.

After all, we weren’t even sure if our bank account could stand up to the pressure, but in the midst of the storm, when the wind and tide is against you, Jesus comes into your boat and says: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6.50)

When you cast all your cares on him, he does indeed care for you. (1 Peter 5.7) He is in control – even over immigration officials and government departments.

And so we were able to enjoy the extra rest, relaxation and beachside restaurants the Lord had graciously provided for us. And documents we needed to board our re-booked flight home arrived in the nick of time – God isn’t in a hurry, but he is punctual. He came at just the right time for you and I to receive him and make him Lord of our lives.

The Apostle John records: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…” (John 1.11-14)

The new-born King of 2,000 years ago desires to make his presence known this Christmas with many new-born believers!

Why not turn the words of this carol into a personal prayer? “Oh holy child of Bethlehem, descend to me I pray; cast out my sin and enter in, be born in me today.”

A Christmas market in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth. (Sebi Berens/FLASH90)

Charles Gardner is author of Israel the Chosen, available from Amazon, and Peace in Jerusalem, available from olivepresspublisher.com

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