FOUNDATIONS - Morris E. Ruddick STRATEGIC INTERCESSION GLOBAL NETWORK (SIGN)

FOUNDATIONS © Morris E. Ruddick Ghandi once commented that the teachings of Jesus are beautiful. His caveat was that if only he could find one real Christian. Ghandi's claim was that he liked Christ, but that the Jesus followers he had met were unlike Him. His observation is a reflection of what the world sees in the faith that believers put in action. Yet, Abraham was viewed as a prince by the sons of Heth, one of the dominant societies in his region The powerful biblical leader Abimelech's response to Isaac, Abraham's son was: "We see that the Lord has been with you. Let us make a covenant that you do us no harm." Pharaoh's discernment of Joseph was: "Can we find such a man as this, one in whom is the spirit of God?" What Jesus imparted was not a philosophy or new religion. It was a dimension of reality bridging the natural and the spiritual. It was a reality, a threshold in God, that impacted everything. From the early days of God's people walking with Him, this reality of God, seen through His people, was recognized and acknowledged with awe as God manifesting. This dimension, this corridor of walking with God incorporated the knowledge of God with His ways, His truth. It was this dimension that Jesus referred to as the Kingdom of God. It is both the gateway and pathway into knowing God. It involves what Jesus referred to as "abiding" or the process of abandoning ourselves to become one with God. Jewish Foundations This truth came from the foundations of what Jesus referred to as the law and prophets, which He noted that He had not come to change. They are foundational. Jesus spoke very clearly to the issue of these foundations, of what we refer to as "our faith." As a Jew, Jesus made the point that He had come to bring completion to what Jews referred to as "the law," or the Torah and the prophets. Yet, what followed digressed into the institutionalization of "the faith." This institutionalizing of the faith resulted in the loss of two key things: the foundations and the power that resulted, the result when what Jesus imparted is truly grasped and set in motion. The Struggle for the Foundations Instead, historically one generation beyond those of the first-century church and those so remarkably touched by this new dimension of the foundations, began seeing the replacement of the power of God with human effort. While retaining some of the essence of the faith, the effect lost the vibrancy of the foundations. The progressively embattled result became something akin to the settling of the wild west in America, which was polluted with lawlessness and corruption. What played out in the next couple of centuries among the followers of Jesus was a serious division over matters foundational to the faith and with that a struggle for power. When the foundations are restored, the Jesus I know and serve will not be misperceived as the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christ or as having His birthplace in the Vatican. Jesus was a good Jewish boy who God sovereignly entrusted to a good Jewish home. He grew up expounding on the "law and the prophets." However, in the early fourth century the struggle that ensued between those who adhered to the foundations and those who were institutionalizing the church converged with an unusual Roman emperor whose mother was reported to be a believer. In response to a battle he won, the emperor Constantine made Christianity the religion of his realm and in the process, he sided with the institutionalizers. In that process, the Jewish foundations of the faith were expunged. The church that resulted started opposing anything related to the Jewishness of the good news, this fullness to the foundations laid out by Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. This shift from the foundations marked the beginning of what some refer to as the dark ages. It resulted in a growing number of church leaders and sects taking a stand against Jews and anything Jewish tied to the "faith." It progressively produced deep rifts in the relationship with any of the Jewish faith with atrocities that created ripples that extend to this day. The Foundations Recovered Yet today, God is not only sovereignly restoring the Jewish roots to Christianity, but the biblical foundations of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to the Jewish people. These Jewish roots to the faith represent the foundations to be recovered. They are what was missing and caused Ghandi to say he liked Christ, but did not consider any of the Jesus followers he had met to be like Him. To understand these foundations, how they affect what Jesus referred to as "the Kingdom" and how they impact every aspect of our lives: the mix of the economic, culture and power, we need to begin with the patriarch Abraham. Abraham is considered the father of the Jewish people. But before we talk about Abraham and how this all started, I'd like to outline some of the factors that are pertinent to this culture of business navigated by the people the world has accepted as being a people of business, the Jews. The People of Business Over the millennia the Jewish people not only have succeeded in retaining their cultural identity, but with disproportionate achievement have served as catalysts and influencers to the civilizations that would rise and fall around them, like the Greeks, the Romans, the Assyrians, the Ottomans, the Babylonians and others. Historically, in civilizations without a middle class, the Jewish people have served that function, as merchants and bankers and people of business. They have been advisors to kings, rulers and leaders and financed national agendas in the societies in which they lived. Yet, as a people, Jews have been distinctive. As a people, they have released nuggets of wisdom from the roots of their faith that have impacted the foundations: economically, governmentally, judicially, and morally, for what is now considered as the good and enduring virtues and values within Western civilization. Today, despite being only one-fourth of one percent of the world's population, since 1950, Jews have been the recipients of 27 percent of the Nobel prizes awarded. Studies such as "The Golden Age of Jewish Achievement" and "Startup Nation" attest to their modern-day contributions, which statisticians would view as "beyond chance expectation." In short, Jewish strategies have resulted in them outliving, as a people, the civilizations of which they have been a part. The keys to this remarkable phenomenon lie in the restoration of the foundations and its long-term, enduring model. Pertinent Ancient Foundations Identity. As already noted, at the foundations of Jewish culture is their identity. Jews hold to the belief of being a prophetic people of God whose ways reflect the pattern of their forefather Abraham: to be blessed to be a blessing. This distinction has been both unique and pertinent to their destiny. For the most part, they have resisted assimilation and from age to age they have maintained their unique identity as a culture within a culture. Jews share with many Asian cultures the distinction of having had their share of centuries as a conquered people, yet without losing their foundations culturally that have made them unique and strong. Jewish and Asian diasporas share in both having retained their cultural identities and serving as positive influencers to the cultures of which they have become a part. Community. Jewish beliefs nurture the dynamic of community much more than Western cultures. Historically Jews are an Eastern culture. As a culture within a culture, Jewish communities tend to operate with an approach of being a trust society. They foster entrepreneurship and creativity from within and build incisively from the bottom-up. Self-Sufficiency. Within that context, community-wise, when adhering to their standards, they operate in a self-regulated, self-sufficiency within their communities. Self sufficiency will result from discipline, excellence and dependable stewardship. It is why Jews have succeeded even when the societies around them have made untenable legal requirements and even contained them within ghettos. Even during severe times of persecution, Jews typically have mastered fostering the type of stewardship that serves and reflects excellence, while profiting and overcoming. Gifts.  Jewish communities are known for nurturing and mentoring emerging generations to excel as individuals, yet for the benefit of community. Everyone has a gift. First defining one's gift and then developing it to where what is being done stands out in excellence among others represents something that can be successfully commercialized. It is also the foundation of true leadership. Leadership. The Jewish brand of leadership has the distinction of operating best through influence and service. Jesus described this brand of influence as being the salt of the earth, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. As a people, Jews are disciplined and are willing to pay the cost to live according to a higher standard, as well as to sacrifice for the future of their people. Moral Standards. With many similarities to the ancient roots of some key Asian peoples, Jews are a moral society. Their distinctive identity upholds the standards of community, entrepreneurship, innovation, excellence and industriousness. While not exempt from corruption, Jewish standards in business, community and seats of power do tend to be higher, with corrupt practices less tolerated. However, these moral standards are significant. They form a part of knowing God's ways. They explain why certain Asian cultures have excelled in business without knowing the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, moral standards are only a part of God's ways. That's the point of taking a closer look at the foundations embraced by Jews. These observations provide the practical keys to opportunity. A recent Wall Street Journal article (Vietnamese Lessons for Burma, Chin and Collazo, 20 Nov 2013) has challenged whether Vietnam's doi moi economic reforms have lost their momentum and Vietnam, Asia's shining star for foreign investment, its advantage. The answer lies within. Foreign investment will stir the economy, but building an enduring economy will follow the wisdom from the Jews, from within. That brings us back to the issue of the foundations and business. Jews have mastered the way they merge the economic with community and the spiritual. Bottom-Up Foundations Long-term economic growth that helps society as a whole requires bottom-up economic foundations. This doesn't discount either the opportunity or importance of leveraged development from top-down investment activity or business accelerator strategies. Nevertheless, while the term "start-ups" and "small business" in the West has tended to embrace a threshold of anything under 20 million USD annually; the threshold tied to the foundations that has evolved from the people of business needs to be lower. Healthy economic structures need to foster family-owned businesses that employ a handful of employees and serve a local neighborhood. In places like Vietnam, the reality is that a healthy ratio of Vietnam's GDP (roughly a fourth) comes from what has begun being referred to as the "sidewalk economy." Historically in the West, some of the current, longest-lasting, more stable, larger organizations have grown from very humble beginnings. Ford Motor Company began in a garage. Again, this premise reflects the centuries-old approach employed by the people whose renown has been as a people of business and finance: the Jews. What is most pertinent and warrants examination is the Jewish model which merges the spiritual, economic and community. From age to age, this model has operated with consistent success despite adversities and the very different, but dominant cultures of which Jews have been a part. Cultural Compatibility and Entrepreneurship A highly respected social economist has uncovered some unique insights into these issues in his examination of economies and cultures in "Trust: Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity." Francis Fukuyama contends that social capital may be as important as physical capital. Dr. Fukuyama holds that only societies with a high degree of social trust will create the foundations needed for the large-scale business organizations that compete in today's global economy. Nevertheless, large-scale organizations are only a part of the equation. Former Cambridge University entrepreneurial expert and author, Bill Bolton, stresses the importance of the creative and innovative dimensions which drive economic opportunity and the dynamic of entrepreneurship. The challenge lies in the foundation of the economic structure. While the West has repeatedly gone through a process of reinventing the venture capital and "accelerator" investment models for fast-growth organizations; investment trends can be fickle and at times, abruptly cyclic. The reality is that without a firm foundation of entrepreneurship with community-level businesses; the economic structure will eventually soften and become top-heavy. So, in wrapping up this brief introduction to Jewish business secrets, I want you to view this as a journey that we're taking together. We're going to look at foundations that fit into three categories: the spiritual, the entrepreneurial and the community and how they relate together. What I'm outlining is a way of thinking. It taps the creative. It bears on your gifts, which we'll also talk more about. But more importantly it significantly impacts what we each call our destinies. In this series, some of the highlights we will be addressing include both very practical and foundational issues like: The Model: The God-Centered, Entrepreneurial, Community Matrix Your Destiny Gifts: Developing your natural, spiritual and entrepreneurial gifts Entrepreneurship and God's Economy: Create, innovate, build, multiply Anointed Planning:  Learning to plan with God's guidance Financial Stewardship:  The pathway to mastering financial cycles and growth The Dynamic of Increase: Community responsibility and generosity The Creative Advantage: Practical application of harnessing the spiritual Opportunity in Crisis: Entering God's economy and succeeding in tough times Understanding the Times: Prophetic insights into these times of change The Power Factor: The reality of God and how good overcomes adversity Success Groups:  A Jewish strategy for business success and opportunity Community Building:  Understanding God's purposes for business Jewish Strategies of Leadership: Keys to becoming agents of change The Kingdom Factor: The paradox that restores the power and foundations. What we're going to be covering was what was missing in the lives of the Christians that Ghandi had encountered, yet remains the essence of who Jesus is and the teachings He imparted. As has been written by the prophet Jeremiah: "Stand at the crossroads and look. Then ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies. Then walk in it and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16 ___________________________________________________ Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the higher dimensions of business leadership since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders to be blessed to be a blessing where God's light is dim in diverse regions around the globe. He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;" "Leadership by Anointing;" and "Mantle of Fire," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders with destinies to impact their communities.  They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooks andwww.BarnesandNoble.com. Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize economic community builders imparting influence and the blessings of God. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card at http://strategicintercession.org/support/ Likewise, email us to schedule a seminar for your group's gathering on the Joseph-Daniel Calling or on anointing the creative in business. 2016 Copyright Morris Ruddick -- sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders 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.org www.strategicintercession.org Global Initiatives is 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization

ANOINTING THE CREATIVE - Morris E. Ruddick - SIGN

Morris Ruddick

ANOINTING THE CREATIVE (c) Morris E. Ruddick Note from Morris My latest book, Mantle of Fire, will be available in hard copy and e-version from Amazon, Applebooks and Barnes & Noble by mid-January. It is a timely message. It targets God's empowerment of today's Joseph-Daniels, as well as God's economy. I would be very grateful if those of you who have been blessed by any of my books would go to Amazon.com and write a review, especially for my last two books ("Righteous Power" and "Leadership by Anointing"). The SIGN ministry is close to its twentieth year of operation. From the beginning it has drawn prophetic intercessors and leaders from almost every continent seeking God's insights into understanding the times in order to know what to do. Because it reflects God's focus, it has given keen focus to what the Lord is doing in the marketplace and Israel. It is my prayer and I would seek yours as well, that I incisively glean and impart the wisdom of God in each future SIGN post. Our need for the Lord today is greater than it has ever been. Morris __________________________________ "He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. He does great things beyond our comprehension." Job 37:4,5 Mounting pressures often precede greater revelations from God. Understanding God's majesty and its correlation to the creative dimension of His nature is not only appropriate for the times. It is a requisite for being prepared for what is next with what God wants to release through us. Job was overwhelmed by the loss of his family, his fortune and his health. His wife had given up on him. To compound all that, his friends had become finger-pointers and begun casting blame. It was at that juncture, as illustrated in the opening scripture, that Elihu gave Job a very blunt and dramatic defense of God's majesty. Elihu's word preceded God revealing Himself to Job in a way he had never known.  What followed was a time of greater blessing and effectiveness than Job had ever thought possible. In times of uncertainty and disorder, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Many years ago, the Lord gave me a word of wisdom addressing the issue of facing change. That word was that whatever sphere of influence we walk into, to immediately begin looking beyond it, lest it overwhelm. That wisdom carried the presumption of keeping our eyes on the Lord. That word applies in good times and bad. We tend to get lax and slip into the status quo when things are going well. Yet, when things start hitting the fan we slow down, get distracted and diverted as we grabble with what our focus should be. In each instance, in different ways, we have slipped into being constrained and manipulated by the circumstances. Yet this word to Job from Elihu focused on getting to a place where we can hear from God. In gazing upon His majesty, it taps the release of the creative. The Bridge to the Unknown While the "creative" has been popularized and limited largely to be the arts, the advertising field and to right brain type of functions, from a spiritual stance it represents much more. The creative is the bridge into the unknown. It includes business, technology and even the way we think. The business world seeks the steps applied by Steve Jobs and the creative climate he fostered at Apple. Einstein once wisely stated that imagination is a lot more important than knowledge. The imagination is the part of the creative that gets outside the box into that dimension beyond the boundaries of the natural. So it is for our potential. With God being the Creator, when we give focus to seeking Him as the One guiding our pathway we begin anointing our sphere of the creative far beyond the level demonstrated by the world. This is why Scripture described Daniel as ten times better than his occult counterparts in the king's court. It was what Pharaoh recognized in Joseph that prompted him to promote Joseph from being a prisoner to becoming prime minister. Joseph and Daniel heard from God and received creative revelation beyond the scope of their human comprehension. Entrance into the creative works hand-and-hand with the prophetic. The creative anointing is a process. Iridium was the forerunner of satellite phones. It had the technology.  However, in the course of twelve years, Iridium was still operating with its original business assumptions. Kodak, the name synonymous with film invented the digital camera but then in 2012 went bankrupt. Despite their technological edges, these companies lacked the creative business foresight to keep up with the big picture changes taking place in the markets they served. The Process The creative is a process. It is progressive. Moses imparted the wisdom that the secret things belong to the Lord. Yet, glimmers of these secret things are revealed to us, as His people and to our children (Deut 29:29). They are revealed by God. In God, the creative taps the future to bridge and instill a heritage that spans generations. What God imparted to Moses was the framework to release the creative designed for a society in touch with the Creator. Against all odds historically this framework has demonstrated the power that will coalesce when God's Kingdom is released for all time. Again, the unfolding of the creative is a process.  It involves our mind-sets, the way we view things. It incorporates the development and application of our gifts. It also includes bringing increase, as illustrated by the parable of the talents. God's nature is not only creative and innovative, it builds and brings increase. This process finds root and progresses with the wisdom Elihu passed on to Job: "He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. He does great things beyond our comprehension." Thinking. The process begins and ends with the way we think. God commented that He chose Abraham because Abraham would impart His ways to his household. As God's people, we need to discern the heart and mind of the Lord. Knowing His heart and mind begins by knowing His ways with an undivided heart (Ps 86:11). Our thinking needs to be guided by being God-centered and Kingdom-oriented in all that we do. Even at an early age, Joseph grasped the heart and mind of the Lord demonstrated by his prophetic dreams. We also need mind-sets that are entrepreneurial and poised to embracing the new things God will bring into our situation. Being entrepreneurial just doesn't mean having our own business, although that is a means toward greater dependence on God and self sufficiency. Being entrepreneurial means constantly identifying opportunity and bringing forth increase in blessing by this process. Our thinking needs to be leadership-minded, in how we influence and bless others with our gifts. Tz'dakah is the Hebrew word that means righteous charity. It is a community dynamic and responsibility that fosters opportunity and lends a helping hand to those in our sphere seeking the steps to God's calling for their lives. It incorporates the mantle of Abraham to be blessed to be a blessing. Paul underscored the point of this mantle with the wisdom to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Jesus lived it by mapping out our pathway punctuated by the words of Isaiah in that He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. Creative thinking thrives when the model of the spiritual, the economic and community are operating together among God's people. Myopic thinking will stop the flow of the process and cause stagnation and what we refer to as the status quo. The Gifts. The process incorporates the development of our gifts. The Word of God tells us that God gives gifts to men. To each is given a natural gift and to those who seek Him, as Elihu was admonishing Job, to combine it with a spiritual gift. Before Job went through the fire, he was a righteous, religious man. When he emerged, his righteousness was enhanced as he became a spiritual man who ways were in communion with and interacting with God. When our natural and spiritual gifts come together and are combined with the anointing of God something sparks. The creative is released. It doesn't happen overnight. It requires development and excellence of this combination of our natural and spiritual gifts. When our natural and spiritual gifts are operating together the creative process has detonated into flame and becomes anointed. This was the anointing evident in Joseph when he was but a slave in Potiphar's house and in prison. Genesis 39 describes it bringing blessing and success to the ones he served. It was an anointing that everyone witnessed and knew came from God. It evoked the trust of each who had authority over Joseph: Potiphar, the jailer and then Pharaoh. Increase. Entrepreneurship is a key part of this process. True entrepreneurship creates. It innovates and builds. From that will come increase. Iridium and Kodak created, but failed to innovate and build. Entrepreneurship discerns opportunity and knows what to do about it. Within and outside business settings this is the dynamic, identifying and capitalizing on opportunity that extends the blessing to others to make the community of God's people to function and grow in the way God intended. Jesus' parable of the talents places a high priority on the ones who find opportunity to bring increase from that with which they've been entrusted. He made it clear that the results will vary depending to our specific gifts and abilities. He said that the opportunity would be given each according to his own ability (Matt 25:15). The creative process operating within community forms the basis of self-sufficiency that protects God's people against the backlash that will cyclically erupt from the world. The age-old seduction to be like everyone else is a trap that undermines the potential of self-sufficiency that God outlined to Moses in the wisdom designed to govern the community of God's people. Big Picture Strategy One of the biggest stumbling blocks for God's people over the centuries has been spiritual myopia. As King, David placed great dependence on the tribe of Issachar, whose anointing was to discern and understand the times and to know what to do. When we get to the point of considering the role of the creative anointing within community, we need the uniqueness of the Issachar anointing. We need God's big-picture outlook and we need the strategy He is imparting for the future. Both the big picture and the strategy is the Kingdom. Jesus' central focus in preparing His followers was the Kingdom strategy, how to apply righteous power in corrupt settings. Similarly, the big picture was the restoration of Israel as the foundation of the Kingdom that would come forth with the bridging of the natural and spiritual with His return. Anointing the creative will employ this strategy in advancing us toward this big picture scenario of restoration. God-Conscious Dependence Genuine God-consciousness comes first from time spent with Him. It is a vital part of this creative process that unfolds over a lifetime. Time spent with Him fuels and enhances the creative anointing. Then acts of faith, of putting into application this type of thinking and the gifts, along with the process of building and bringing increase will develop and mature over time. The diversity of these interactions within community will build the community and provide an influence, as well as a safe place within the world around us. God never intended for his people to operate in monastic settings, but rather to be the igniters and examples of the knowledge of Him to the world around us. His wisdom is the self-sufficiency that makes us factors of influence while keeping us from being squeezed into the world's mold. The key to maintaining the creative anointing from God is God-conscious dependence. This is what keeps the process moving forward and growing. Throughout the history of God's people, those who rose to become what we consider as heroes of faith held an important thing in common: humility. Humility demands a focused consciousness of and dependency on God. It underlies the confidence that is in God and not ourselves. Having worked closely with leaders who have spent extended times in hard-labor prisons for their faith, each will attest to the dynamic of the resulting humility and confidence in God -- in which His reality has been revealed and demonstrated beyond any human comprehension. The second most dangerous place for believers in leadership is having a confidence that believes in their own press releases.  The most dangerous place is those, believing in their own press releases, imparting that influence to others. Nothing stops the process faster, opening the gates for deception. Humility keeps the calibration between the natural and spiritual in precision-level balance. Job emerged from his experience in the fire humbled, but with a spiritual strength and confidence that brought a much greater impact from his gifts. God-conscious dependency is the faith that consistently reaches for God's wisdom in the midst of adversity. Joseph and Daniel learned this humble dependency on God through adversity. For Moses and David, it was the same. Paul described the dynamic by stating that in his weakness that God would manifest. Keeping the process flowing involves constant calibration between the natural and the spiritual. That calibration takes practice and it takes time. Yet, it is how destinies are determined. It is how the authority of vibrant prayer lives is developed. In a world in which knowledge is leapfrogging, the status quo and using old models can stymie, divert and even destroy the process yielded by the creative anointing.  God's people have an edge. With God as Senior Partner, the one whose majesty we embrace, we can expect that He will continually reveal great and mighty things beyond our natural grasp, when our focus is Him and we are listening. "Lord, You will do nothing without revealing your secrets unto your servants the prophets." Amos 3:7 ___________________________________________________ Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world. He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;" and "Leadership by Anointing," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings.  They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooks andwww.BarnesandNoble.com. Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the persecuted church to be the head and not the tail.  hecks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card at http://strategicintercession.org/support/ Likewise, email us to schedule a seminar for your congregation on the Joseph-Daniel Calling or on anointing the creative in business. 2015 Copyright Morris Ruddick -- sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders 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 Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org Global Initiatives is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 ministry LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FEATURED BOOK STANDING FOR TRUTH IN A WORLD OF DECEPTION - Now Think On This – Book 4  Here are more encouraging messages written by Steve Martin for the Love For His People and Now Think On This blogs.  They cover a variety of topics to encourage you, believers in Jesus, to stand strong in your daily walk, firmly committed for His plans and purposes in our nations. As the Lord would give Steve a word or two in his spirit, he would begin to write.  With a prophetic and inspirational edge, these messages will be an encouragement to you to stand clear in your faith, fulfill the call on your life, and be a light to the nations, beginning within your own family and to those around you. These simple words are meant to be an addition to your daily Bible reading and prayer time.  While the days growing darker, each of us must be built up in the faith of our forefathers and the Jewish writers of the Written Word, as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. We must stand strong for truth in this world of deception which increasingly surrounds us. Purchase here: Standing For Truth - Paperback $5.95, Kindle $1.99

Google CEO Praises Israel's Culture of Innovation

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 |  Israel Today Staff

Google CEO Eric Schmidt is in Israel this week, and had nothing but glowing praise for the Jewish state’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Israel is booming in terms of entrepreneurship because you have a culture to challenge authority and to question everything,” Schmidt told students at the Weizmann Institute on Sunday.

The Google chief said Israelis were so successful because “you’re not going by the rules.”

And that success has benefitted not only Israel, but the world. “The impact of the Israelis on science and technology is immense, so that’s why I’m here and why I’m investing here,” said the head of one of the world’s largest technology firms.

On Tuesday, Schmidt met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. While he hardly needed to do so, Netanyahu reminded Schmidt of Israel’s leadership in the cyber industry, and reiterated his commitment to bolstering the growth of what has been called “the Start-Up Nation.”

Schmidt, for his part, reaffirmed Google’s commitment to investing in Israel.

PHOTO: Netanyahu and Schmidt meet at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem.

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