Feast of Dedication - Hanukkah - Festival of Lights by Mary Fairchild

Photo by Steve Martin - our home Hanukiah (Hanukkah menorah)

Feast of Dedication

Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, Festival of Lights

Mary Fairchild, About Religion

Christianity Expert

Feast of Dedication - Hanukkah - Festival of Lights:

The Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, is a Jewish holiday. It is also known as the Festival of Lights. We will look at the Feast of Dedication from a Christian perspective, explaining its biblical basis, traditional observances, seasons, facts, and an interesting section revealing the fulfillment of the Messiah, Jesus Christ through the feast.

Time of Observance: Hanukkah is celebrated during the Hebrew month of Kislev (November or December). It begins on day 25 of Kislev and lasts for 8 days.


• See Bible Feasts Calendar for actual dates.


Scripture Reference: The story of Hanukkah is recorded in the First Book of Maccabees, which is part of the Apocrypha. The Feast of Dedication is mentioned in the New Testament Book of John, chapter 10, verse 22.

About the Feast of Dedication: Prior to the year 165 BC, the Jewish people who dwelled in Judea where living under the rule of the Greek kings of Damascus. During this time Seleucid King Antiochus Epiphanes, the Greco-Syrian king, took control of the Temple in Jerusalem and forced the Jewish people to abandon their worship of God, their holy customs and reading of the Torah, and he made them bow down to the Greek gods.

According to the records, this King Antiochus IV defiled the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and spilling its blood on the holy scrolls of Scripture.

As a result of the severe persecution and pagan oppression, a group of four Jewish brothers, led by Judah Maccabee, decided to raise up an army of religious freedom fighters. These men of fierce faith and loyalty to God became known as the Maccabees.

The small band of warriors fought for three years with "strength from heaven" until achieving a miraculous victory and deliverance from the Greco-Syrian control.

After regaining the Temple, it was cleansed by the Maccabees, cleared of all Greek idolatry, and readied for rededicated. The rededication of the Temple to the Lord took place in the year 165 BC, on the 25th day of the Hebrew month called Kislev.

So Hanukkah received its name, the Feast of Dedication, because it celebrates the Maccabees' victory over Greek oppression and the rededication of the Temple. But Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, and this is because immediately following the miraculous deliverance, God provided another miracle of provision.

In the Temple, the eternal flame of God was to be lit at all time as a symbol of God's presence. But according to tradition, when the Temple was rededicated, there was only enough oil left in the Temple to burn the flame for one day. The rest of the oil had been defiled by the Greeks during their invasion, and it would take a week for new oil to be processed and purified. But at the rededication, the Maccabees went ahead and lit the eternal flame with the remaining supply of oil, and God's Holy presence caused it to burn miraculously for eight days, until the new sacred oil was ready.

This is why the feast is also called the Festival of Lights, and why the Hanukkah Menorah is lit for eight consecutive nights of celebration. Jews also commemorate this miracle of oil provision by making oil-rich foods, such as Latkas, an important part of Hanukkah celebrations.

• Learn more about Hanukkah traditions and celebrations.

Jesus and the Feast of Dedication:  John 10: 22-23 records, "Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade." (NIV) As a Jew, Jesus most certainly would have participated in the Feast of Dedication.

The same courageous spirit of the Maccabees who remained faithful to God during intense persecution was passed on to Jesus' disciples who would all face severe trails because of their faithfulness to Christ. And like the miracle of God's presence expressed through the eternal flame of God burning for the Maccabees, Jesus became the incarnate, physical expression of God's presence, the Light of the World, who came to dwell among us and give us the eternal light of God's life.

More Facts About Hanukkah 

Hanukkah is traditionally a family celebration. 

The lighting of the Menorah is the center of the Hanukkah traditions. 

Fried and oily foods are a reminder of the miracle of the oil. 

Dreidel games are traditionally played by children and often the whole household during Hanukkah. 

Probably because of Hanukkah's proximity to Christmas, many Jews give gifts during the holiday. 

More about Hanukkah.

Source: Bible Feasts

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta) Commemorating 850,000 Jews Expelled from Arab Countries

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

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Commemorating 850,000 Jews Expelled from Arab Countries, November 30 Posted: 30 Nov 2015 Young Jewish girl from Beirut (British Library, Fouad Debbas Collection) Jewish Women of the Orient 100-150 Years Ago Last year, Israel's Knesset designated November 30 as the memorial day to commemorate the expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran. Flourishing ancient communities were forced to flee anti-Semitic persecution, deadly pogroms, and confiscation of property.  An estimated 850,000 fled, most of them to Israel.   Historic photographs of the Jewish communities and individuals serve to remind us of the rich heritage they left behind.   Maison Bonfils studio was established in Beirut in 1867 and produced thousands of photographs from all over the Middle East.  Some of the most important pictures of Jewish holy sites in Jerusalem were taken through Bonfils' lenses. Lebanese collector Fouad Debbas amassed some 3,000 Bonfils photographs.  When he died in 2001, his collection faced possible dispersal, deterioration, or worse.  The British Library's Endangered Archives Programme stepped in to save the collection, digitize it and post the pictures online. In the British Library's honor, we present these Bonfils photos of Jewish women of the Middle East. We estimate they were taken in the last decades of the 19th century. Syrian Jewish woman A young Jewish girl from Egypt Young Jewess Jewish girl from Damascus Young Jewish girl Jewish girls Young Jewess Jewish women preparing to go out Syrian Jewish woman We commend the British Library for this essential project.  The Library and its staff serve as a model: Responsible archivists and libraries digitize and preserve their treasures for the world to see. Click on pictures to enlarge. Click on captions to view the original picture.

How God Esteems Persecuted Believers - BECKY DVORAK CHARISMA MAGAZINE

While we're praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters, let's remember how the Lord redeems when deliverance doesn't come. (Voice of the Martyrs | Facebook)

How God Esteems Persecuted Believers

 11/19/2015 BECKY DVORAK  charisma magazine

We read the biblical accounts of the saints from long ago and we hear the horrifying news about our Christian brethren being tortured today. But do we truly understand what it means to be a member of the persecuted church? Most of us do not, but Jesus does.

He can identify with the battle against the spirit of fear while being tortured for His faith. And He knows what it will take to be faithful until the end. He holds His persecuted bride in high esteem; He loves her and has a message of encouragement for her.

In Revelation 2: 8-9 we read the following message, "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The First and the Last, who was dead and came to life, says these things: I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich). And I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.'"

He also says in Matthew 5:10-12: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be very glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

The ability to remain faithful in the face of persecution starts with a pure heart, one that is sold out for Jesus and makes the decision that no matter what I will not recant my faith. A believer with such deep devotion to Christ does not intermingle with the backslidden, worldly, unrepentant, spiritually dead or lukewarm church of today. But gives high honor to the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ, and surrenders his or her will to the Father's will.

And through their deep devotion to God devoted believers can say, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; and always carrying around in the body the death of the Lord Jesus, that also the life of Jesus might be expressed in our bodies. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that also the life of Jesus might be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2 Cor. 4: 8-11).

"So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in hardships, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).

In the end, the Shepherd remains faithful to them as they pass through the revelation of Psalm 23:4, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

Dear Persecuted Church,

What an honor it is to intercede for you. I pray that you will find the strength to remain faithful till the end. I hope that the effects of my prayers will find their way to you and that you would be encouraged while under extreme circumstances to fight the good fight of faith, to finish your race, to keep your faith and to forgive those who persecute you.

Love in Jesus,

A Fellow Believer

Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the Destiny Image author of DARE to Believe and Greater Than Magic. Visit her at authorbeckydvorak.com.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

Historical Issues Hold Answers for Jewish Unbelief in Yeshua - SAM NADLER CHARISMA NEWS

With this system in place, the Jewish people can never truly understand God's holiness or His love. (YouTube )

Historical Issues Hold Answers for Jewish Unbelief in Yeshua

11/10/2015 SAM NADLER  charisma news

Throughout Israel's history, her religious leaders developed a system of commentaries on the Scriptures that has come to be known as the Oral Law, or Talmud. Originally intended to keep the Jewish people from breaking God's commandments, ironically and tragically, the Oral Law has prevented us from seeing God's love and Messiah as found in the Scriptures. 

While ministering in the Ukraine, a familiar question was asked of me, only this time in Russian, "If Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, and the prophecies in the Jewish Scriptures are as clear as you say they are, then why don't our rabbis who study the Scriptures see this?" That is a good question.

Actually, the prophecies predicted a partial blindness upon Israel in regard to recognizing our own Messiah (Is. 53:1-7). But for a more complete answer, an overview of Jewish history will help. As we consider these key points in Jewish history and their repercussions for the Jewish people today, may it lead us to extend compassion and mercy to those who still do not see (Rom. 11:31).

There are three periods of Jewish history we need to consider: 

1. The Development of Oral Law (516 B.C.-A.D. 70) 

2. The Destruction of the Second Temple (A.D. 70-135) 

3. The Persecution of the Jewish people (A.D. 135 to the present).  

The Development of Oral Law: 516 B.C.-A.D. 70 

When our people returned from Babylonian captivity, our leadership was devoted to prevent such a catastrophe from ever taking place again. The rabbis reasoned that "it was the holiness of the Law and our disobedience to it that resulted in the exile." Thus the rabbis developed a system of buffers or "fences": "The Oral Law," providing additional rules for the people to keep which would "preserve the original commandments from trespass" (Talmud Aboth 1:1). 

A Fence Around the Law: The Traditions of the Elders 

In the Schulchan Aruch, "the code" of rabbinical Judaism for all ritual and legal questions, some of the fences regarding the issue of work on the Sabbath are seen:

• "He who spills any liquid in a place where the soil is apt to produce something is guilty of violating 'the law against sowing'" (80:28).
• "Mud on one's garment may be scraped off with nail or with a knife if it be still moist, but if it be completely dry it may not be scraped off, for it is equivalent to the act of grinding" (80:38). 

And there are many, many more like these, covering each area of personal, public, religious and vocational life. 

As mentioned, the intent of these "fences" was to keep people from breaking God's laws and coming under His wrath again. However, the result of the Oral Law was, and is today, that the people became in effect 'insulated' from the Scriptures.

Hence, they never really fear God's law, but deal primarily with the "traditions of the elders." With this system in place, the Jewish people can never truly understand God's holiness or His love, because the same Law of God that expresses His holy standards and judgment also expresses His love and promises (Deut. 7:7-8;18:1-22). And when Messiah came, He was judged not by scriptural standards, but by the Oral Law and the traditions of men. 

Sabbath Breakers 

In Matthew 12:1-2, the teachers of the Law confronted Yeshua over His disciples picking grain and eating it on the Sabbath. Though the Law of Moses clearly stated that it was legal to eat from a field or vineyard as you passed by (Deut. 23:24-25), the Oral Law made this unlawful. When Yeshua's disciples picked the heads of grain, the religious leaders thought they saw several transgressions committed: 

1. Harvesting—As the disciples picked the grain

2. Sifting—Rubbing grain in their hands to separate the chaff 

3. Winnowing—Blowing the chaff away 

4. Grinding—Crushing the wheat to eat it 

Was this the interpretation God intended for the Sabbath laws? No, this was not any different than it would be to open a "lunch bag" to eat the food inside of it, which also would be considered work by the rabbis.

This is one example of how the rabbinical community, fearing the judgment of God upon Israel for "disobedience," could be consumed with technicalities while displaying a lack of compassion toward a hungry neighbor. Messiah responded to these men,"But He said to them, "Have you not read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry, how he entered the house of God and ate the ritual bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests? ... If you had known what this meant, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent" (Matt. 12:3-4, 7; referencing Hos. 6:6).

Even if the rabbis would not permit Messiah's disciples to eat as David and his men had been allowed to do simply because they were hungry, they certainly should have permitted the disciples to eat out of compassion. 

Lord of the Sabbath 

"For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matt. 12:8). As Lord of the Sabbath, Messiah had unquestionable authority that should have been respected, but sadly was not because He was evaluated according to tradition rather than according to Scripture. He was judged by the traditions of men which for 2,000 years have kept my people from seeing Yeshua for who He really is. 

The teachers of the Law had become "blind guides of the blind" (Matt. 15:14), blinded by their traditions to the truth of Scripture, judging the very Lord of the Word by their own rules! And so it is still today. The fences remain, and without the Word of God, my people remain unable to see Him who is the very Truth for their lives.  

In my next article, I will continue our study with the second of three events in Jewish history that still hinder the Good News. Until then, Shalom.

Dr. Sam Nadler is a Jewish believer in Jesus and has been in Messianic Jewish ministry for over 40 years. Sam is the president of Word of Messiah Ministries, which is bringing the Good News to the Jew first but not to the Jew only, and planting Messianic Congregations in Jewish communities worldwide. To encourage and equip the body of Messiah in our shared calling, Sam is invited to speak in churches across the country, and has written multiple books on Jewish evangelism, discipleship and the Feasts of Israel.

For more information and resources, or to invite Sam to speak at your church, visit: wordofmessiah.org. 

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

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When It’s All Been Said and Done - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

When It’s All Been Said and Done

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.” (Revelation 21:5-7 NASU)

When it’s all been said and done, when the times of the end have been completed, there will be One Who sits on the throne, having accomplished His Father’s will, fully established and in good order.

The Lamb of God, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Alpha and the Omega, Him who has risen from the dead – Jesus the Christ, Yeshua HaMahsiach - will rule and reign in His glory, power and majesty.

The One who gave all, who left heaven to become flesh and dwell amongst us, who walked with man for those years on this planet before His cruel, sacrificial death on the cross and His mighty resurrection – He will have received His Bride, dined at the Marriage Supper, and begun the celebration with the biggest party ever put together. With joy, peace and awesome love for all eternity, Jesus will have received His long awaited reward.

The King of kings and the Lord of lords – our Almighty God, is even now seated on His righteous throne. The royal crown sits gloriously on His head, as He rules and reigns forever.

With all those redeemed by His blood, who have given their lives for Him, from the times of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Peter and Paul; through the centuries with all the prophets, patriarchs, matriarchs, saints of God saved from all the nations, they too will receive their crowns and experience the eternal life that has awaited them in heaven. They too will rule with righteousness and honor.

In this heavenly realm, abiding in this New Jerusalem, there will no longer be any sickness or death. The persecuted and once heavy burdened will have been given new spiritual bodies, never again to experience lack, need or suffer through ridicule and being bullied.

Those martyred during the Great Tribulation, slain for standing for truth, believing in their Living Redeemer even as the sword fell down upon their head; who kept looking up to the One who gave courage and strength during their time of life, and then through their appointed time of death, will too join the heavenly ranks. They also will be clothed with white robes, washed in the Blood of the Lamb, and then seated with crowns on their restored heads.

Whatever we are going to go through in these times, the end of days, it will all have been worth it. The promises promised will have been kept.

When it’s all been said and done, our eternal reward will be to have our Lord and Savior Jesus (Yeshua) share His majestic home with us. What a glorious time that will be.

And it will never end.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

P.S. We sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been given.

In May, 2016, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time with our friends. We support them in word and deed.

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.

Click here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People. If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

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Now Think On This #200 “When It’s All Been Said and Done” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (10.31.15) Saturday at 7:00 am in Charlotte, NC

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Prepare for Persecution: A Message From Billy Graham - CHARISMA NEWS

Billy Graham gives five ways to fortify yourself in the days ahead. (Courtesy/BGEA)

Prepare for Persecution: 

A Message From Billy Graham

10/27/2015 BILLY GRAHAM CHARISMA NEWS

In the event of a national catastrophe, much confusion, terror and consternation would reign. What would the Christian do? What should our attitude be? Which way would we turn if the country in which we live were suddenly wrecked and all the props gone?

As a whole, our nation does not know what privation is. We do not know what sacrifice is. We do not know what suffering is. Suppose persecution were to come to the church in America, as it has come in other countries.

The immunity to persecution that Christians in our country have experienced in the past two or three centuries is unusual. Christ strongly warned Christians that to follow Him would not be popular, and that in most circumstances it would mean cross-bearing and persecution.

The Bible says that all who "desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said that as the time of His return draws nigh, "They will seize you and persecute you" (Luke 21:12). We have no scriptural foundation for believing that we can forever escape being persecuted for Christ's sake. The normal condition for Christians is that we should suffer persecution. Are you willing to face persecution and death for Christ's sake?

What Would You Do?

Since we have experienced little religious persecution in this country, it is likely that under pressure many would deny Christ. Those who shout the loudest about their faith may surrender soonest. Many who boast of being courageous would be cowardly. Many who say, "Though all others deny Christ, yet I will never deny Him," would be the first to warm their hands at the campfires of the enemy.

Jesus, in speaking of the last times, warned, "Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake" (Matthew 24:9). The Scripture says, "because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12).

The apostle Paul, referring to the coming evil day, said, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).

Here are five ways to fortify yourself so that you will be able to stand in that day.

1. Make Sure

First, make sure of your relationship to God. Amos the prophet saw the Day of Judgment fast approaching for Israel. He warned the people to prepare to meet God. The word preparedness should be a key word for everyone.

It is strange that we prepare for everything except meeting God. We prepare for marriage. We prepare for a career. We prepare for education.

But we do not prepare to meet God. Even though most Americans see the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, by and large we are making few preparations to meet God. This is a time for repentance and faith. It is a time for soul-searching, to see if our anchor holds.

Have you been to the cross where Christ shed His blood for your sins? Have you had the past forgiven? Have you come by faith, confessing that you are a sinner and receiving Christ as your Savior? I tell you that this cross is the only place of refuge in the midst of the storm of judgment that is fast approaching. Make sure of your relationship with God.

2. Walk With God

Second, learn now to walk with God in your daily life. Abraham walked with God and was called a friend of God. Walk with God as Moses did on the back side of the desert; when the hour of judgment fell upon Egypt, Moses was the one who led his people to freedom. Walk with God as David did as a shepherd boy; when the time of crisis came, David was prepared to meet it. Daniel and his three young friends walked with God in Babylon, and when trouble came, God was beside them—whether it was in the lions' den or in the fiery furnace.

However, God does not always deliver His saints from adversity. God says in Hebrews 11 that others were just as faithful as Abraham, Moses, Daniel or David. They, too, walked with God—but they perished. God has not promised to deliver us from trouble. 

But He has promised to go with us through the trouble. Stephen was a young man "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). They stoned him to death, but his was a triumphal entry into heaven. If you are not strengthening the inner man or woman by daily walking with God now, when a crisis comes you will quake with fear and give in, having no strength to stand up for Christ.

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3. Assimilate Scripture

Third, we should fortify ourselves with the Word of God. Begin reading, studying and memorizing Scripture as never before. The Bible says, "Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth" (Ephesians 6:14). The truth is the Word of God. We are to be girded and undergirded with the Word. Read it, assimilate it, feed on it; let it be your staff and strength. It is quick and powerful. It is the bulwark of the soul. Too many Christians today are entangled with the affairs of this world, caught in a net of material interest and diversion. Scripture, to many, is little more than a reference book for biblical facts. It is seldom opened and rarely relished as the spiritual staff of life that it is.

Many souls are anemic and starved for the things of God. They are totally unprepared for a time of crisis. Store these Scriptures away so that if your Bible is ever taken from you, you will have the Word of God written on the tablet of your heart. Many stories have come out of prison camps, of Christians who had no Bibles but had committed to memory great portions of Scripture. What a comfort, blessing and strength these Scriptures were as they repeated them over and over again to themselves. One missionary who was in a concentration camp for three years in China told me that during that time his greatest regret was that he had not memorized more of the Bible.

4. Pray Always

Fourth, fortify yourself with prayer. The Bible, referring to "the evil day," says, "Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication" (Ephesians 6:18). If we are to stand uncompromisingly for Christ when a national crisis comes, we must rediscover the power of prayer.

The early church knew the value and necessity of prayer. Earnest, fervent prayer preceded every major triumph. Prayer preceded Pentecost. Peter and John were en route to the temple to pray when they witnessed for Christ, and thousands were converted. Paul and Silas prayed in prison, the Philippian jailer found Christ, and Paul and Silas were delivered.

If Christianity is to survive in a world filled with materialism, the church must have a revival of prayer. As individuals, we must repent of prayerlessness. The prayer meeting must become the vital institution it was when evangelical Christianity was the mightiest force in the world.

5. Meditate on Christ

Fifth, we must fortify ourselves by meditating upon the person of Christ. Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said, "There have never been 15 minutes in my life when I did not sense the presence of Christ." We must learn again to practice the presence of God. We must say with David, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). Christ must be vitally real to us if we are to prove loyal to Him in the hours of crisis.

Will You Stand?

Today our nation ranks as the greatest power on the face of the earth. But if we put our trust in armed might instead of Almighty God, the coming conflict could conceivably go against us. History and the Bible indicate that mechanical and material might are insufficient in times of great crisis. We need the inner strength that comes from a personal, vital relationship with God's Son, Jesus Christ.

The wheels of God's judgment can be heard by discerning souls across the length and breadth of nations. Things are happening fast! The need for a return to God has never been more urgent.

The words of Isaiah are appropriate for us today: "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call you upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).

God needs men and women who will "stand in the evil day." Will you be one of them? Will you come to the cross and in humility confess your sins to God and receive Jesus Christ as Savior? Will you become one of God's warriors in this crisis hour? You can enlist today in the army of God by giving your life to His Son Jesus Christ and letting Him become the Captain of your soul. "Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name" (John 1:12). ©1957 BGEA

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

Billy Graham: US Church Should Brace for Persecution - CBN News

Billy Graham: US Church Should Brace for Persecution

CBNNews.com

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

America's best-known evangelist says the American church should prepare for persecution.

In an article in Decision Magazine, Billy Graham warns that the immunity to persecution that Christians in our country have enjoyed over the last few centuries is unusual.

Graham says there is no scriptural foundation for a belief that we can forever escape being persecuted for Christ's sake. In fact, Christ strongly warns his followers that becoming His disciple would not be a popular decision.

CBN Sr. International Correspondent Gary Lane talks about why it is unusual the American Church has not faced persecution.

So how will we respond when Christians here at home are pressured to deny Christ?

Graham list's five ways to fortify yourself so that you are able to stand when that day comes.

1. Make sure of your relationship to God.
Prepare to meet God. Have you been to the cross where Christ shed His blood for your sins? Have you had the past forgiven? Have you come by faith, confessing that you are a sinner and receiving Christ as your Savior?

2. Walk with God in your daily life.
If you are walking with God now, when times of crisis come you will be prepared to meet them head on. God has not promised to deliver us from trouble, but he will walk with us through it.

3. Assimilate Scripture.
Fortify yourself with the Word of God. Begin reading, studying and memorizing Scripture as never before. The Bible says, "Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth" (Ephesians 6:14).

4. Pray Always.
If Christianity is to survive in a world filled with materialism, the church must have a revival of prayer. As individuals, we must repent of prayerlessness. The prayer meeting must become the vital institution it was when evangelical Christianity was the mightiest force in the world.

5. Meditate on Christ.
We must learn again to practice the presence of God. Christ must be vitally real to us if we are to prove loyal to Him in the hours of crisis.

Graham is still preaching and pointing to Christ through his newest book, Where I Am: Heaven, Eternity and Our Life Beyond. His son, Franklin Graham, recently spoke to CBN News about his father's latest and most likely final book.

Watch CBN News interview: Gary Lane & persecution