V'ahavta (...and you shall love...") Hadassah from Jerusalem - “Lessons Learned from the Front Lines in Israel”

V’ahavta  

וְאָהַבְתָּ    ‘…And you shall love…’ 

V'ahavta (...and you shall love...")

Hadassah from Jerusalem

July 17, 2017

“Lessons Learned from the Front Lines in Israel”

“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10

Looking at the world headlines (or on Facebook) we read of so much suffering and disaster and wars. It seems that there is no shortage of sad and depressing news. The timetable to the ‘End’ seems to be pressing in on us at breakneck speed. How, as Believers in Y’shua, do we keep our heads up and maintain some semblance of sanity never mind joy? What are some keys to allowing these situations to strengthen us and not faint?

Having lived in Israel a combined 19 years - through several wars, terror attacks, sirens- surrounded by enemies both inside and outside the borders - the Lord has been strengthening me so as not to ‘faint’. It has been - and still is- a long difficult process. It is made more difficult by my independent attitude in thinking I can ‘handle’ what is going on around me. Rather than run to Him immediately, I would listen to all the news… and opinions about that news… bemoan the state of things, get angry or fearful or ‘super spiritual’ (Oh it’s OK- the Lord is coming soon) wax eloquent in solutions… everything BUT sit still and listen and receive instruction.

Other countries are also going thru their tribulations and trials as we come to the close of this era before the return of our Messiah and King.  Please let me (humbly) share the lessons I have – and am - learning from our front lines here in Israel. May these words encourage you and strengthen you for your own battles. Please share the things you have learned from your ‘front lines’ of battle. Let us embolden one another.

 

Battling the spiritual warfare

 * Wait on the Lord. The first and most important lesson - the place from which all else springs. Sit in His presence. Renew. Refresh. Let the time be all about Him… not everything going on. He will restore perspective. He will lift your eyes and spirit upwards. He will carry you on eagles wings and renew your strength.

* Carry ONLY what He gives you. DO NOT PRAY THE NEWS! Give a short season to read what’s happening - get educated - and then TURN IT OFF! Read the Word MORE than you read the news! Ask the Lord for Scriptures to pray. There are hundreds and He will show you which ones and how to pray them. The Word is the powerful weapon of our warfare.

* There is only ONE Messiah and it’s not me. I do not need to carry ALL the burdens that I see around me - all the things that are breaking my heart. I need to sit quietly in His presence and wait. Let Him give me HIS burden at the moment that is MINE to carry. It will hurt. It will be difficult BUT He said HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT… which means He will carry it WITH me… with a resolution in the Spirit.

* Allow your heart to be burdened with those things that burden the Lord’s heart. Don’t run from pain.

* Know and guard against the dangers of being a Burden Bearer:
-Losing your joy and sense of humor
-Becoming rigid and inflexible
-Judgmental (‘They’ just don’t get it!)
-Oppressed
-Physically tired and worn down
-Self-centered, self-pity (no one really understands the burden I’m carrying)

* As a watchman - know your ‘Wall’. What is your ‘post’? Ask the Lord for your specific area of prayer and intercession. Your duty station cannot be manned by anyone else…. Nor can you man anyone else’s.

We are truly in the End of Days. We each have an assignment from Heaven to fulfill. Be encouraged as the birth pangs increase. Be busy about the Father’s work. Redeem the time. Pray. Praise. Share. Soon… it will be over!

“Do not pray for easy lives!
Pray to be stronger men.
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers,
Pray for powers equal to your tasks.
Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle,
But YOU shall be a miracle.
~Phillip Brooks~

Nissim & Hadassah

Jerusalem, Israel

Hadassah and Nissim, her accountant husband, live in a settlement just outside Jerusalem with their dog Molly. After making Aliyah (immigrating) from the U.S. with their five children in 1989, they are now semi-retired and open their home to guests and those wishing to make Aliyah. When not busy with their 16 'GrandWonders', they enjoy a quiet life of study, prayer and learning to serve the LORD.

07.17.17 #4

In Unique Discovery, Archaeologists Find King Hezekiah's Seal - ARI RABINOVITCH/REUTERS CHARISMA NEWS

A projected image of a clay imprint, known as a bulla, which was unearthed from excavations near Jerusalem's Old City, and later discovered to be from the seal of the biblical King Hezekiah, is displayed during a news conference at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. (Reuters)

In Unique Discovery, Archaeologists Find King Hezekiah's Seal

 12/2/2015 ARI RABINOVITCH/REUTERS  charisma news

Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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Israeli archaeologists have discovered a mark from the seal of biblical King Hezekiah, who helped build Jerusalem into an ancient metropolis.

The circular inscription, on a piece of clay less than a centimeter (0.4 inches) long, may very well have been made by the king himself, said Eilat Mazar of Jerusalem's Hebrew University who directed the excavation where it was uncovered.

Hezekiah ruled around 700 BC and was described in the Bible as a daring monarch—"There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him" (2 Kin. 18:5)—who was dedicated to eliminating idolatry in his kingdom.

"This is the first time that a seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king has ever come to light in a scientific archaeological excavation," Mazar said.

The clay imprint, known as a bulla, was found at a dig at the foot of the southern part of the wall that surrounds Jerusalem's Old City, an area rich in relics from the period of the first of two ancient Jewish temples.

It had been buried in a refuse dump dated to the time of Hezekiah and was probably tossed from an adjacent royal building, Mazar said. It contains ancient Hebrew script and the symbol of a two-winged sun.

The bulla was initially cataloged and put in a closet, along with 33 others, after a first inspection that failed to establish its true identity.

Only five years later, when a team member scrutinized it under a magnifying glass and discerned dots in between some of the letters, did the meaning become clear.

The dots help separate the words: "Belonging to Hezekiah (son of) Ahaz king of Judah."

Mazar said the back side of the clay imprint of the seal had markings of thin cords that were used to tie a papyrus document.

"It's always a question, what are the real facts behind the biblical stories," Mazar said. "Here we have a chance to get as close as possible to the person himself, to the king himself." 

© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.

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You May Get What You Ask For - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

You May Get What You Ask For

- Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“After these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. "Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. “ Acts 13:20-21 NASU

Have you ever really prayed for something, got it, and then regretted that you got it? I suppose like you and I, and others, it was later found out that the “answer” wasn’t what all the hype had been about prior to getting it, and now you were stuck with it. On many occasions the glitz and glamor far outweighed the reality of the true substance we actually wanted. Or so we thought we wanted and needed.

We must be patient in what we pray for, to make sure we have the Lord’s choice, and not a false substitute. If we don’t, then we will have to live with what resulted when we receive it.

So it was with the Israelites in the time of the judges, prior to getting a king. They wanted to be like the other nations. They wanted a “main man” to lead them. They didn’t want to seek the Lord and get His mind in decisions, as He had instructed them to. They wanted a quick way to get a quick answer. Sound familiar?

They got what they had asked for indeed. Though Saul had all the trimmings of being a great leader – tall, dark and handsome, as one would be described in our terms – his character was later found out to be lacking when and where it counted the most. Rather than having what the Lord had already provided, in judges and prophets, the people insisted on having the one man to lead them. So the Lord finally gave them what they wanted.

In America, the majority of people wanted more “freedom” to do as they wanted, when they wanted, and how they wanted. It didn’t matter anymore what the Word of God had said. If it felt good, do it. If it looked good, take it. If it sounded good, let it be.

Or if the political polls said the majority now said that that was best, then go with it. After all, the king pushed that way, the supreme court decided that way, and the majority accepted it that way. So the nation got what it asked for.

We have received what we insisted on having – a king rather than the Lord. Along the way, we have thrown out the Ten Commandments, prayer in schools, respect for marriage between a man and a woman, and the treasure of life being formed in the womb. Much has been removed and destroyed in the name of religious freedom, or being free from the “shackles” of it. After all, we are so wise and loving in our own eyes, and certainly know more than the One Who created us.

As a result, same-sex marriage, more abortions, more deception and injustice abound. It you can get away with it, than just do it. You can later apologize or say you are sorry IF you get caught. That is what has resulted in our nation.

Can we do anything about it now, as those who do believe in the eternal Word of God, and His eternal plan for His creation?

As for me and my house, we will continue to seek the Lord, and pray for His mercy, love and protection. He will have to bring judgment, in order to uphold His Word in regards to truth and righteousness. He did it before. He will do it again.

May we be lights in our nation before that comes, even as it may have already started.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

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Now Think On This #181 “You May Get What You Ask For” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (09.26.15) Saturday at 8:30 am in Charlotte, NC

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"King Over All the Land" ✡ Shabbat Shalom

And the Lord shall be King over all the land; on that day the Lord will be One, and His name will be one. ZECHARIAH (14:9) וְהָיָה יְ-הוָה לְמֶלֶךְ עַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְ-הוָה אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד זכריה י’’ד:ט v'ha-ya a-do-nai l'-me-lekh kol ha-a-retz ba-yom ha-hu yi-h'-ye a-do-nai e-khad u-sh'-mo e-khad

Shabbat Inspiration Jewish daily prayers conclude with this verse’s vision of the Messianic era when God’s name will reign supreme throughout the world. An incredible message emerges when you rearrange the Hebrew letters of the word for Messiah משיח / mo-shee-akh.  The name tells us what he will achieve: חי שם which means, ‘there will then live the name of the Almighty.' Learn more of the holy language of Hebrew with a free daily email. Get a free Hebrew word-a-day email »  "The Good and Simple Land of Israel" - Amazing Music Video Enjoy your weekend with this spectacular music video of the Good and Simple Land of Israel! Watch here » The Lone Voice of a Brave Young Arab Why has Muhammed Zoabi, a 17-year-old Arab-Israeli, become a household name in the Jewish state? Why did he have to flee the country and go underground? Listen to his message of inspiration, courage and moral clarity. Tune in to Israel Radio » Hebrew Name Necklace Stay connected to your biblical roots by wearing your Hebrew name proudly! Don’t know your Hebrew name? No problem! Many English names derive from Hebrew names in the Bible, and the rest have etymological or spiritual cousins in Biblical sources. Just include your English name and we’ll find the Hebrew name in the Bible that’s most closely connected to yours. Choose a style you love with FREE shipping » Today's Israel Photo Another beautiful day in the Land of Israel by Elad Matityahu. See more photos by Elad Matityahu » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Cheri Brown from Topeka, Kansas. Toda Raba! Sponsor a day » “Love Seeing Your Daily Glimpses Into Israel” It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365! Stay in Touch » I just happened on your site while looking up the pronunciation of an Hebrew name. Thanks for the daily emails and beautiful photos and verses. I love Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Blessings to you! ~Rebecca Davis I do love seeing your daily glimpses into Israel. It was also exciting to hear your radio discussion of whether God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart was too harsh. Thanks so much for all you do. Blessings, Donna, South Carolina Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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God shall make the name...ISRAEL365

God shall make the name of Solomon better than your name. I KINGS (1:47)   יֵיטֵב אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת שֵׁם שְׁלֹמֹה מִשְּׁמֶךָ מלכים א’ א:מ’’ז yay-TAYV e-lo-HEEM et shaym sh'lo-MO mish-me-KHA

Today's Israel Inspiration We learn beautiful insight into Solomon's role as king of Jerusalem just by studying his Hebrew name. In Hebrew, Solomon is שלמה/she-lo-MO. Look for the root of the word and you'll see שלום/sha-LOM, peace! King Solomon built the first Temple in Jerusalem, without "hammers, chisels or any iron instruments" (I Kings 6:7), so that no instruments of war would be used and peace would be built into its very foundation. It symbolized complete peace between man and God and between all the nations of the world. Discover your essence with our popular Hebrew Name Certificates » Amazing Replica of Solomon's Temple This fascinating video gives a vision of Solomon's Temple as it once stood in Jerusalem. All of its intricate details were accurately culled from the Bible to present a beautiful and inspiring replica.    Watch Here » Israeli Research: More Sleep, Less Cancer Christian Arab and pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Fahed Hakim wants us all to get more sleep. His research reveals a strong connection between poor sleep habits and conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure.   Read More » Connected Rings with Blessings Three delightful silver rings are interlocked to create one uniquely charming ring. On all three the Priestly Blessing are written.   Get this Meaningful Gift and Free Shipping » Today's Israel Photo Today's photo of Jerusalem by Rebecca Kowalsky shows the topography and ascension to the Old City, bringing to life the words of the Bible, as it says: "Arise! Let us ascend to Zion."   See more photos by Rebecca Kowalsky »   Independence Day Photo Contest! Send me your best Israel photo, and a short description, with your name and where you're from, and we will proudly display the winner on Yom Haatzmaut! All photos will also be included in ourFacebook album.   Send us your photo »   Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Abraham L. Seiman on the yartzheit of David Joseph Seiman.    Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “Thank You for Giving us Israel365” It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365! Stay in Touch »   Thank you for giving us Israel365 site where we have the privilege of praying for the people of Israel and the world. Cornelia R. May you know the grateful and prayerful support of us who read “Israel365“ with joy. Roy S., South Africa. Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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