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When he speaks, it's difficult not to hear iconic characters such as Chuck from the NBC show of the same name or Flynn Rider from Disney's Tangled. For his latest role, however, Zachary Levi, a self-professed "person of faith," tackles a previously-quieter hero, this one of the biblical variety.
Levi plays Joseph to Gina Rodriguez's Mary in the Sony Animation/AFFIRM Films' release The Star, arriving in theaters Nov. 17. In the new take on the nativity story, a group of animals are pushed front and center, doing their part to assist the holy family fleeing the clutches of Herod's armies.
The actor, who recently spoke with Charisma News about the project, said it was "fun" to take the story in a new direction this time, focusing on a band of animals voiced by Steven Yeun, Keegan-Michael Key, Aidy Bryant, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Tracy Morgan, Patricia Heaton and Kristen Chenoweth, among others.
"Gina and I get to be the token humans in an animal story, which is really fun," he said. "Telling [this story] in a new way is difficult, but these guys did it. You, know, to go through the perspective of the animals is just really clever, really fun."
Joseph has some funny moments in the film, mostly trying to understand what is going on with the animals that are teaming together to protect them. The fictional story also allowed writers Simon Moore and Carlos Kotkin to give the biblical character more of a human face.
"They gave us really great words to bring these characters to life," he said. "And then it's just a matter of us to try to find that and bring that truth through our voice, and the vulnerability, the humanity of him and of Mary. A lot of times, biblical characters and people are put on these pedestals, like there's nothing wrong with them, they're all saints. But it's like, 'No, they were schmucks like everybody else.' We are all broken."
Levi, who was recently cast in the upcoming superhero epic, Shazam, relayed his excitement about the project, an exploration of the "most powerful origin story of all," which began when he was among the first cast in the project.
"Everyone kind of knows it on some level—Jesus born of a virgin, and the star of Bethlehem and the three wise men," he said. "So I think that's pretty massive, whether you ascribe to Christianity or not. I think the message behind it, one of hope, one of redemption and love from a Creator to His creation, is just amazing. It's huge. So I think it's always a story worth telling."
DEWAYNE HAMBY is a communications specialist and longtime journalist covering faith-based music, entertainment, books and the retail industry. He is also the editor of the White Wing Messenger, director of communications for the Church of God of Prophecy and author of the book Gratitude Adjustment. Connect with him at dewaynehamby.comor on Twitter—@dewaynehamby. Additional reporting provided by Leanna Feliz.
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Steve Porter: A Word For Those Dealing with Devastation: "My Child, You Are Weeping at My Feet and I Collect All Your Tears"
THE ELIJAH LIST
Sep 13, 2017
From the desk of Steve Shultz:
This is a mmuch-neededword RIGHT NOW for those affected by recent devastations in the flooding, hurricanes and wildfires, especially...but it covers us all – no matter what we are going through.
Let me just say this: GOD LOVES YOU! And He wants to come in and heal all the trauma and brokenness you have gone through.
Steve Porter, a friend of ours and a friend of God, sent us this word and shares:
With all the brokenness from the flood disasters, hurricanes, wild fires and other challenges happening in this day, I hope this word may encourage and help you. May your Autumn be filled with great surprises, gifts from Abba, divine connections and abundant favor.
I pray Steve's word ministers deeply into your spirit-man and soul. No matter what you are going through, may you be blessed and comforted abundantly in the Lord in this time! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
Enjoy! And thanks for forwarding this to your friends! They can subscribe here. Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News http://www.elijahlist.com
P.S. – Oh, and a Quick Note to our readers: To EXPLORE our more than 2,500 Christian Prophetic books, CDs, and gifts go to: elijahshopper.com.
A Word For Those Dealing with Devastation: "My Child, You Are Weeping at My Feet and I Collect All Your Tears"
Steve Porter, Rochester, NY
With all the brokenness from the flood disasters, hurricanes, wild fires and other challenges happening in this day, I hope this word may encourage and help you. May your Autumn be filled with great surprises, gifts from Abba, divine connections and abundant favor.
"Where have you put him?" He asked them. They told Him, "Lord, come and see." Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, "See how much He loved him!" (John 11:34-36)
Jesus had a very special bond with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus; they weren't just casual acquaintances. We can catch a glimpse of His nature by observing the way He became intimately involved in their lives. Nothing has changed. Jesus still has a yearning to be close to His people today. In fact, we see into the heart of Jesus through these two powerful words in John 11:35: "Jesus wept."
I don't believe He was weeping for Lazarus, but rather for Mary and Martha. He loved them so much that He shed tears of empathy. His heart ached because of their deep sorrow. I genuinely believe that every tear you shed also runs down the cheek of Jesus! He weeps today when you drown in the depths of grief.
He Loves You Through the Pain
He says, "Oh, how I love you, My dear one! I want to hold you in My arms and whisper that everything will be okay." Can you feel the heartbeat of Daddy God in you? He loves you that much! You are that special to Him. Even the hairs on your head are numbered. You are that precious! I love my own children more than life itself, but I can't tell you how many hairs are on their heads. Jesus can! (Photo via publicdomainpictures)
Not only does He love us as much as we love our children, but He loves us more than any earthly father ever could, because He doesn't just show love, He is love. Everything that love is, God is. When He looks at His children, He looks with a heart filled with love and tender compassion. He weeps over the things that so deeply affect His children and sends His Holy Spirit to comfort them.
Dear friend, if you're in pain right now, the most powerful medicine for you is the knowledge that Jesus cares for you in your struggle and He weeps with you! He loves you. You have a purpose and a destiny, and you can be encouraged by the knowledge that He has not forgotten you. He will answer when you call on His name in faith!
Grab hold of the following Scriptures, meditate on them, and allow them to minister to your pain:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." (Psalm 34:18)
"He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
There is no wound so great that He cannot heal it. He will put the broken pieces of your life back together again and make you a vessel of honor. You will be better than before. I once heard someone say, "I'm a mess, Lord, but I'm Your mess!" He will always show Himself incredibly faithful, but because He draws near to the brokenhearted, He is closest when tragedy strikes. So, run into His loving embrace and let His comfort meet your needs. He's waiting...
He Collects Your Tears
I want you to know, precious friend, that Jesus collects all our tears, but not all tears are sad tears. Some tears simply express deep emotion. Let's look a little deeper at this.
"And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil." (Luke 7:37-38)
Once when I was praying, I felt an overwhelming desire to kneel before Him. As I did so, the Holy Spirit came and I couldn't stop weeping no matter how much I tried. I just lay on the floor as His love and tenderness swept over me in waves. Those tears were not from sadness; I was deeply touched by His great love and I responded with seemingly endless tears.
I was very still for a long time, just basking in His manifest presence when suddenly the Lord spoke to my spirit, "Steve, you're weeping at My feet." I had the inner sense that He was standing in front of me and I became keenly aware that He was to my right; I was weeping at His feet. That revelation kept me on the floor for many hours, transforming me from the inside out, giving me a revelation I would never forget. (Photo via Wikimedia)
The Sweet Master Jesus came and received my tears as a beautiful offering. Our Lord loves our tears. Just like the woman in Luke 7, we anoint Him with our love when we weep at His feet, adoring Him with our whole being. How can we not become transformed in His presence?
A Great Lover of Jesus
Mary was always at His feet. She loved to love Him. She anointed Him with her tears and our Lord loved her back. She got the attention of Father, and because of her deep devotion, she went down in history as a great lover of God!
"She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said." (Luke 10:39)
"When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.'" (John 11:32)
"Then Mary took about a pint of pure spikenard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (John 12:3)
So regardless of whether your tears are the result of sorrow or a heart full of adoration, run into His loving embrace and let His comfort and love meet you where you are. He's waiting...
Pray with me dear one:
Beloved Lord, You care for me in my struggles and You weep when I weep! Thank You for Your deep compassion that changes everything. I thank You for giving me a purpose and a destiny, and that You have not forgotten me. Come and collect all my tears, whether adoring or sad. Help me to lie at Your feet each day and anoint them with my love! You hold every tear I shed dear. Use each moment to transform me into Your image as I worship and adore You. Let me minister to You. Lift me to higher realms of understanding. Sweet Lover of my soul, draw me ever closer. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
Steve Porter is the founder of Refuge Ministries. He has written many books and has a special anointing to bring forth the deep truths of the Spirit with a clarity and simplicity that draws one into a closer walk and a deeper relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Steve's books, articles, and videos have touched countless lives around the world.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link http://elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Jennifer LeClaire is now sharing her reflections and revelations through Walking in the Spirit. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.
When the mighty angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with a prophetic announcement that she would give birth to a baby named Jesus, fearful thoughts surely flooded her young soul. Under Jewish law, single women who turned up pregnant were stoned to death in the public square. At best, she would be an outcast, divorced and unmarriable before she ever even wedded Joseph.
If anyone can relate to the fears of women who face unexpected pregnancies, it's Mary. Every day, 3,322 women give in to that fear and choose to have an abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute—and a disturbing 64 percent of them are Protestants and Catholics. Mary chose to obey the law of God—understanding all too well that abortion is a violation of the Sixth Commandment: "Thou shall not kill." She loved not her life even unto death and bore a Son who gave eternal life to dying souls.
But what if Mary wasn't pro-life? What if she chose, instead, to give in to the fear, the social stigma, the financial pressures or one of the many other reasons women choose to have abortions? What if she had decided not to respond to Gabriel's declaration with, "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according to your Word" (Luke 1:28)? Mary had a choice—and she chose life. She chose to give birth to the Son of God who would take away the sin of the world.
Fast-forward 2,000 years and many frightened, pregnant women are facing the same choice today. They can listen to the spirit of abortion whispering in their ear about the convenience of murder, the cost of raising a child, the struggles of being a single mother, the call to lay down their own dreams to nurture the dreams of another—or they can listen to that still, small voice urging them to choose life.
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"It happened in biblical times," says Laura Allred, director of the Back to Life Movement. "That spirit of abortion—now legalized in many nations across the earth—was alive and well then. If Mary hadn't yielded to the Spirit of God and pressed into the strength of the Lord, ... can you imagine? What a brave, brave woman it took! I'm thankful that Mary chose life and gave us the Savior of the world."
As millions celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas, many pro-life advocates are asking these profound questions: What if Jesus had never been born? What if Mary hadn't been pro-life? What if the manger had been empty?
Changing One Heart at a Time
Mary had a heart after God's will, but many women who have abortions don't know Jesus. Changing a culture of death that sees over 1 million abortions in America, then, means more than changing laws—it means changing hearts with Holy Spirit strategies that demonstrate the selfless love of God in a selfish world. That's the goal of a growing nationwide movement known as "Empty Manger."
Hundreds of people will gather again this Christmas around empty mangers outside abortion clinics and sing Christmas carols that aim to stir hope and joy in places of misery and despair. Countless lives have been saved as mothers—touched by songs such as "Silent Night"—have reconsidered the choice to abort their babies.
"It puts Christmas into the proper perspective," says Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, which held the first Empty Manger event in 2003 in Chicago. "It shows you in a very powerful way how desperately the world needs Christ. It puts you in touch with what the world was like before Christ came and radically redirected human history, establishing the church and putting down the worship of demons that had been so prevalent."
Holy Spirit-inspired pro-life strategies are not returning void. Indeed, they are accomplishing what God intends them to do one life at a time.
The Personhood USA movement contends to drive personhood rights for all humans, and March for Life recently saw 300,000 protest abortion at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Back to Life Movement enlisted 39 young women to walk nearly 250 miles from Houston to Dallas, and then there's Bound4LIFE, a grass-roots prayer mobilization movement focused on the ending of abortion. The number of adoptions has increased, while spiritual awakening has brought about a reformation of government and society. Hearts and minds are changing even as the culture wars rage.
Call it a massive shift in public opinion about abortion. "Over the last two years, there has been a wave of the most pro-life legislation we've ever seen combined with some of the most revealing evidence exposing the abortion industry," says Matt Lockett, executive director of Bound4Life.
Since the 2010 elections, some 260 pro-life laws have been passed across the country, according to Americans United for Life. Already, a dozen states have passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act—prohibiting abortions of unborn children who can feel pain. The National Right to Life Committee reports substantial medical evidence that demonstrates unborn children are capable of experiencing pain by 20 weeks after fertilization.
This death-defying legislation comes amid the release of a series of undercover videos revealing what attorneys for The Center for Medical Progress (CMP) describe in court documents as Planned Parenthood's alleged "practice of buying and selling fetal issue." In the wake of the scandal that brought disgusting abortion practices to light, Planned Parenthood's "favorability" has dropped from 55 percent in 2012 to 44 percent now while its "unfavorability" has increased from 22 percent to 39 percent, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom.
"Abraham Lincoln said if you can change public opinion that you can change government," Lockett says. "What we are seeing in conjunction with public opinion changing is more and more legislation. We are seeing it at the state level and amazing attempts at the federal level. States have been pulling funding for Planned Parenthood."
Spotlight on Planned Parenthood
The Planned Parenthood controversy erupted when a series of undercover videos revealed the abortion giant allegedly receives money from medical research companies in exchange for "donating" body parts of the babies it aborts.
Posing as the head of a company eager to purchase fetal body parts and tissue, David Daleiden, executive director of CMP, and others caught Planned Parenthood officials on video describing how they obtained tissue from aborted fetuses for researchers.
In court documents, attorneys for Daleiden explained the investigation revealed evidence of the "selling of fetal tissue for profit ... , the collection of intact fetuses born with beating hearts for research purposes and the procurement of fetal tissue for research without patient's knowledge and consent."
Planned Parenthood contends the videos falsely portray its participation in tissue donation programs for medical research. Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards says the organization does not sell the tissues and only accepted reimbursement for handling it. In the face of public outcry, she announced that a handful of health centers involved in fetal tissue research would no longer accept reimbursement. But few are buying her story, including pro-life politicians.
The CMP videos prompted demands by members of Congress to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, threatening a government shutdown in September. In October, the House of Representatives voted to create a select panel within the Energy and Commerce Committee to investigate abortion practices and how fetal tissues are handled and obtained, along with the costs.
"This is about getting answers to questions about how we treat and protect life in this country," says pro-life Rep. Marsha Blackburn, vice chair of the committee. "This is a discussion that this country must have; we cannot shy away from what is an unsettling topic. The allegations raised in these disturbing and abhorrent videos have led us to ask: What have we come to in this country?"
Turning the Tide
The answer is clear: We've come to a culture of death where abortion is celebrated and euthanasia is being legislated. Although Roe v. Wade opened the floodgates to the spirit of abortion, that spirit was murdering preborn babies before the law, and no law can completely prevent the rising wave of lawlessness that Paul the apostle prophesied. Again, the answer is changing hearts. Many are leaving the abortion industry and sharing their testimonies with the world.
"In the midst of the rising tide of hostility that pro-life activists are experiencing, it's important to remember that some of the most vociferous abortion advocates of the past have become prominent pro-life champions," says Michael L. Brown, host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show "The Line of Fire" and president of the FIRE School of Ministry. "It's a scenario that is sure to repeat itself again."
Brown points to Dr. Bernard Nathanson, an obstetrician who oversaw the performance of about 75,000 abortions before becoming a leading pro-life advocate. He performed his last abortion in 1979 and produced the 1985 film The Silent Scream, which shows sonogram images of a child in the womb trying to get away from the abortionist's death devices. He later produced Eclipse of Reason, which explains abortion procedures in gory detail.
Then there's Norma McCorvey, the "Jane Roe" of Roe v. Wade infamy. For those who still don't know the story, the 1973 ruling was based on a nonexistent case, as McCorvey never had an abortion. Brown notes that she too had a change of heart and a conversion to the Christian faith, and today she is a pro-life champion.
"Back in 1973, I was a very confused 21-year-old with one child and facing an unplanned pregnancy," she says in a one-minute pro-life video. "At the time I fought to obtain a legal abortion, but truth be told, I have three daughters and never had an abortion. ... I think it's safe to say that the entire abortion industry is based on a lie. ... I am dedicated to spending the rest of my life undoing the law that bears my name."
These are two prominent examples, but the stories of a countless number of less prominent "converts" are little known. Brown asks a hopeful question: If God could change the heart of Nathanson, a man who helped found National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) Pro-Choice America and once operated one of the nation's largest abortion clinics, and if God could change the heart of the "Roe" in Roe v. Wade, why couldn't He change the heart of the angry young woman who identified herself as a "fetus slayer"?
Exposing Abortion's Lies
In the never-ending abortion argument, there's no limit to the number of factions—pro-choice, pro-life, political parties, presidential candidates, bioethicists, legal and religious scholars—clamoring for media attention to trumpet their particular point of view. So says Debby Efurd, president and co-founder of Dallas-based Initiative 180 and its post-abortion healing and recovery program, Peace After the Storm.
The problem is, she says, we rarely hear from those at the heart of the debate: the millions of "silent sufferers" for whom abortion has been a traumatic, life-changing experience. She's lending her voice on behalf of the post-abortive community, which, by anyone's calculation, is a large percentage of our society. Her message is loud and clear: Planned Parenthood has betrayed women.
"In 1973, I wasn't informed of the medical procedure I would undergo; I never received counseling or even a follow-up phone call," Efurd says. "I walked in the front door, paid for the services in cash and was then shown the back door—but not until the abortionist told me, 'Good news: You no longer have a baby.'"
Efurd hopes a full investigation of the nation's largest abortion provider will expose the extent of this deception—and that perhaps the physical, mental and emotional needs of women who are at their most vulnerable moments will finally be put first.
"For decades now, American women have been told they could have an abortion with little or no consequence," Efrud says. "Nothing could be further from the truth. Abortion is an unnatural process that interrupts one of the primary functions of the human body.
"A woman's body naturally resists the abortion, causing physical and emotional pain. I'm not alone in this mindset—there are millions just like me, women who regret their abortions and have suffered silently. For far too long, they have held on to a secret that slowly destroys them. But we are finding our voices with each passing day."
As she sees it, the veil of lies has finally been lifted: Laws have been broken, human rights violated and we have all been deceived—and there's no way to "spin" this. She agrees with former Obama White House staffer Michael Wear, who said, "It should bother us as a society that we have use for aborted human organs, but not the baby (who) provides them."
Are There Any Exceptions?
Still, people like Efrud, Lockett, Allred and others who speak up for the preborn are often accused of being uncaring and disregarding the extenuating circumstances that might force a mother to choose death over life. What about rape? What about incest? What about an in-utero diagnosis of birth defects like Down Syndrome or Trisomy 18? Is abortion still murder then?
When Lisa Smiley was 23, she got pregnant with her firstborn. She was thrilled, until doctors spotted a life-threatening heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Only half of the baby's heart was developed. Doctors suggested an abortion.
"We were stunned," Smiley says. "While I was crying and devastated to hear this, they took my husband to another room and explained to him the gravity of our decision. We had already told them we are against abortion, no matter how serious our son's condition was, yet they were not satisfied and thought we were being idealistic."
Smiley admits that she had absolutely no idea what she and her husband, Jim, were getting into. She knew they were not prepared for the challenges ahead. But long ago they had made a decision that abortion was wrong, under any condition. The Smileys chose life. When baby Ezekiel was born, he was put on life support. He had his first open-heart surgery at 1 week old, his second at 1 year old and his third at age 5.
When Ezekiel went into cardiac arrest in 2014 and died, Jim performed CPR while waiting for the paramedics, who revived Ezekiel. He was left with a brain injury and was completely paralyzed and mute. Doctors said he was in a vegetative state and would eventually die, suggesting they cut off all life support.
Once again, the Smileys would have to live out their pro-life convictions when presented with the option to passively euthanize their son. With intense daily therapy for the past year and a half—along with vital prayer and encouragement—miraculously Ezekiel is learning to eat, walk and talk again.
"Thinking back, I am reminded of the option we had before Zeke was born to abort him—the warnings doctors gave us about all the complications that could happen, and did happen. Many may wonder, would I choose differently?" she asks. "Raising him has, no doubt, been hard, heart-wrenching and stretched us beyond anything we have done. Just as surely, our lives have been filled with joy and happiness by having Zeke in our family."
Still, some women choose to abort, only to regret it later. About one in four women in America have had an abortion. For women who have had abortions, Allred says the Lord offers forgiveness, not condemnation.
"Some of the strongest voices for life are women who are post-abortive," Allred says. "As I've ministered on this topic, women come up to me with tears streaming down their faces—some in their 70s—who have been carrying this and have never told another person, not even their spouses, that they had an abortion as a young woman.
"There are thousands and thousands of women in the church pews who are wounded, who have never confessed it and never gave themselves permission to grieve. I would say to them that there is no condemnation, and God will use even the darkest night of your soul for His glory."
Hope for Life
This Christmas season, pro-life advocates have never been more hopeful about a sea change in the abortion industry. For Frank Pavone, national director for Priests for Life, the Planned Parenthood controversy has helped "expose abortion for what it is—a destructive reality in our society." Given heightened public awareness about the real nature of abortion, Pavone says he's more optimistic than ever that the number of abortions can be slashed: "Right now, we're at a crossroads, and either enough people across the country are really going to wake up and do something about it, including things like the protests we're seeing across the country or not."
The big question is whether Roe v. Wade can ever be overturned. Pro-life advocates say this can't occur until the composition of the U.S. Supreme Court is changed by presidential appointment.
Cheryl Sullenger, senior vice president at Operation Rescue, says she is encouraged that many of the candidates running for president are addressing abortion. "We have never been able to communicate on a national stage to the extent that these videos have allowed," Sullenger says. "We have never seen presidential politics focused on abortion to the extent they are right now."
Lockett believes abortion has a divine deadline. On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, following a 21-day fast and persistent prayer, he felt the Lord declaring He has a timetable for Roe v. Wade. Lockett says the Holy Spirit showed him how "dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord" (Prov. 11:1) and that the U.S. has been using deceptive and dishonest weights in its scales so that it cannot accurately weigh the value of human life. "I'm absolutely convinced that Roe v. Wade's days are numbered," Lockett says. "While public opinion is changing, there are court cases that are moving through the system, and some of them will be hitting the Supreme Court. That's ultimately where it has to go, and that's where we have to focus our prayers and our activism to continue to see the culture shift and to see the courts reflect that."
Lockett is praying on many different levels and suggests others do the same. "I pray for the young girl who is in the most difficult situation of her life," Lockett says. "I'm praying that she would encounter the Lord and have the support from the church that she needs. I'm praying for elections, and I'm praying for the minds of judges who directly have the power and ability to change the laws of the land."
This Christmas, as people attend pro-life events and gather around empty mangers outside abortion clinics, the clock ticks toward this divine deadline.
"Abortion will continue to diminish over the next 10 years, and then with lower abortion numbers, we'll see more abortion clinics closing because they won't be able to stay in business because there is not enough money to go around," Sullenger declares. "I think that will happen before Roe v. Wade is overturned. You have to have all the stars align."
But that's what happened 2,000 years ago after Mary chose life and Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is He who was born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him" (Matt. 2:1-2).
This Christmas, let's do more than remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Let's do more than sing Christmas carols. Let's be thankful for Mary's courage and pray that women making decisions about unexpected pregnancies will choose life. After all, they may not be carrying the Son of God, but they could be carrying a world changer and a history maker.
Jennifer LeClaireis senior editor of Charisma, director of Awakening House of Prayer, a senior leader of New Breed Revival Network and author of many books, including Mornings With the Holy Spirit. Visit her online at jenniferleclaire.org.
Troy AndersonandBen Johnsoncontributed to this article.
Watch Pro-Life Action League's seventh annual "Empty Manger" Christmas Caroling at five Chicago abortion mills at emptymanger.charismamag.com.
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“Then I heard the voice
of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?"
Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8 NAS
What if God said something to you today, yes even today, that might
totally catch you off guard? Out of the blue comes that still, small voice
speaking into your spirit. You had no expectancy. No clue. No advance warning.
He just spoke.
Has it happened before? Well, let’s see. Saul on the way to
Damascus? Moses and the burning bush in the desert? Maybe a little more
dramatic for most of us, but it happened.
So let’s start with something more down to “our level.”
During the night, while sound asleep, a dream occurs. Normally you
don’t remember your dreams, or if you do, you put it off as just another
thought that just so happened to occur during the hours of 3 am - 5 am and you can
only remember a few details about it.
But you do remember part of the dream where there was movement going
on in your life, and with that night time thought it actually put an
expectation of something good coming your way. Was it God? Was He speaking to
you, catching you when you didn’t have the other 100 thoughts running through
your stressed mind? Maybe so. It has happened. It will happen.
Many people are hesitate in listening to God - they are afraid He
will say to them, “Go to Africa.” Or maybe this, “Share your testimony with
Rachel,” whom you already know would never want to know of it anyway, or so you
have already told yourself many times already when the thought came.
God is speaking today. He didn’t quit speaking and creating after
the six days were done. He didn’t just sit down on a big heavenly lounge chair,
letting the world go on by itself, from that point forward. He is actively
involved in the matters of the nations, of the cities, of the lives of each
individual, whether they want to recognize Him or not. His love over rules their
lack of it.
The Lord is setting up His final plans and purposes for the
redemption of the nations. After sending His Only Son Jesus Christ, Yeshua
HaMashiach, the first time, He has been preparing for His return. God the
Father has been active in the lives of all through the centuries, revealing
Himself in countless ways – through dreams, visions, His mighty acts of creation.
Even through the many countless wars and unrest occurring on all the
continents, God Almighty is continually trying to reach you and I. He is
speaking.
And what if God spoke a directive to you today? It will be His
attempt to further reveal His perfect plan, that He wants you to participate
in. He is preparing for that coming movement just up the road, that is
certainly coming, that you need to be involved in. Would you know of it? Would you
act on it?
Would you respond as Isaiah did, when we read this, “And then I heard the
voice of the Master:“Whom shall I send?Who will go for us?”
I spoke up, “I’ll go. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8, The Message)
Would you say as Mary
did, “Yes, I see it all now:I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let
it be with mejust as you say.” (Luke 1:38, The Message)
In order
for the Lord’s will to be done, there must be a people willing to hear and
obey, to go when He says go; to walk where He says walk; to speak when He says
speak. To move when He says move.
Many are
weary with the life they are living, or the challenges they daily face. But as
my good friend Morris Ruddick says, “There is something more.” He even wrote
a book with the same title. Because there is.
Many of
you are looking for an adventure, out of the routine, and have been prepared, ready
to act upon the acts of God. I know am.
I
encourage you today to be listening, to be expecting, to be watching for that rhema
word, that NOW action word from the Lord - for you. And then when God speaks…
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA
humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in
the nations.
If these messages minister to you, please
consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to
help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our
humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt
for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
“They went to Phrygia, and then on through the
region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy
Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to
Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. Proceeding
on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas.
That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood
on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help
us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready
to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for
sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.” (Acts
16:7-10 The Message)
Beginning
in the Jewish new year of 5774 (Sept. 2013), many prophetic words were coming
forth in the Body of Christ about it being a year of “open doors” and “acceleration”. I could positively attest to those words
personally. It happened, and it continues onward.
But it wasn’t
until I actually believed it for myself. Yes. I had to believe. Not only in my
head, but also in my heart. Probably what you do too at times. Right?
In the
Scripture about we read of Paul trying to go one way. I am sure he believed it
was the way the Lord was leading. He was on the move, following the last
directive given by the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh). Obedience to the previous
word was going to get him to the next open door that he would walk through. In
his going, he was pushing forward in the understanding he had.
Like most of us, we can expect the Lord to lead in this
way. In another example from His Written Word (the Logos) it tells us about a
directive for an open door to Peter.
“Send
therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging
in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.When he comes, he will speak to you.’So I sent to you
immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present
before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God. Then Peter openedhismouth and said: “In truth I perceive that
God shows no partiality.But in every nation whoever fears
Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (Acts 10:32-35 NKJV)
Peter
had been very hesitant to share the Gospel with the Gentiles. In fact, he didn’t
quite believe it was for anyone outside of the Jewish nation. (Take the time to
read all of Acts 10 to get the full picture.) After all, he was a Jew, and the Messiah of Israel was believed to be only for the Jews. That
was deeply ingrained in his mind.
Both
Peter and Paul were great men of God. But like all men and women of faith, they
had to have a mind reset at times, to receive a greater understanding of the
Lord’s heart. And after getting that a bit more straight, they too had to then follow
the directive in obedience and
perseverance to get through to the next open door.
God is
not a respecter of persons, nor does He show partiality. Thus we can learn from
Peter and Paul (and Mary too! I am throwing that in for the ‘60’s and ‘70’s
generation.) I believe they had in their mind that the Lord was going to work
in one way, and so in strong commitment they went in that direction. Again, in
obedience to the revelation they had received up to that point.
But then
their direction changed. Did the Lord change His mind? No. He was just getting
each on them to the point where they could make the adjustment, the turn in
direction, to more tune in to His plans and purposes. Being they were open to
whatever He said, they followed.
In our minds and hearts following
hard after the Lord, we can think He has an open door in front of us that we
are to walk through. So we move forward for that opportunity. But along the
way, as the Lord fine tunes our perspective and understanding, what seemingly
then may become a closed door is only a momentary adjustment in our “going” to
get us to the next open door. That is not a bad thing. We just need to be
flexible enough to make that adjustment also.
We all have open doors.
It is not a question of “Yes we do or no we don’t.” Settle it in your heart and
mind – we have the open doors. With our eyes fixed on Jesus (Yeshua), the Author
and Finisher of our faith, He will continually lead us on the road. A turn
here, a turn there on the way to the destination. It is in His heart to get us
each to the place appointed for us since the beginning of time.
Be open to the open door
in front of you. If you feel like you are pushing, and the door is bolted shut,
then relax a bit and ask if the other door in front of you is the next one He
has for you. Then in obedience walk through it.
Now think
on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit
USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father
in the nations.
If these letters minister to you,
please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each
month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help
through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions
receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
I was very still for a long time, just basking in His manifest presence when suddenly the Lord spoke to my spirit, 
