Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
It is now increasingly clear that Hillary Clinton will win the Democrat nomination for President. In my view, her election will be a disaster for the American family, American workers, Americans serving in the military, and for American national security.
As commanded in the Scriptures, I will pray for her, as for all leaders. But I cannot vote for her. Here are 39 specific reasons -- specific things she has said, positions she has taken, lies she has told, and values she has espoused, all that I disagree with. (True, there are so many more reasons why she would be a disastrous president, but I think this list will suffice for now.)
I was born in the United States. I was raised in the United States. I remain a loyal American citizen, even though I now live with my family in Israel -- regularly shuttling back and forth -- and have dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, as allowed by U.S. law. I love America more than I can possibly explain. My family found freedom and safety and opportunity there. We found a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ there. We learned the Word of God there, and made some of our dearest friends on the planet there. So what is unfolding in the country of my birth is as heart-breaking to me as it is surreal.
But while so much of the road ahead is foggy for me, a few things remain clear: I must trust in the sovereignty of God, come what may. I must continue to pray regularly and faithfully for a sweeping spiritual revival in the American Church, and for a Great Awakening among the broader American public. I must pray more earnestly than ever that followers of Christ across America, myself included, will preach the Gospel -- and preach the "whole counsel of God" -- in the power of the Holy Spirit, and faithfully make disciples, and engage with their fellow Americans with love and gentleness and respect.
Darkness is falling. The forces of freedom are in retreat. But God is good and God is great and I'm grateful that I can rest in His love and mercy. I hope you can, too.
As a senior member of the administration, Hillary supported President Obama's enormous dramatic cuts to U.S. military spending. The national security portion of the federal budget has plunged from over 20% to under 16%, and from 4.6% of GDP to only 3.3%. The Army has cut its ranks by 40,000 troops. The Navy has cut the number of ships from 600 ships during the Reagan administration to only 272 ships today. This is almost as low as back in 1916 when we only had 245 active ships. While U.S. Navy ships are far more advanced than back in 1916, of course, having so few jeopardizes America's ability to defend the homeland and her allies and project power in crisis spots around the world.
Hillary led the Obama administration's failed "reset" policy with Russian President Vladimir Putin -- yet she says she might try it again.During a presidential debate, NBC's Lester Holt asked, "Secretary Clinton, you famously handed Russia’s foreign minister a reset button in 2009. Since then, Russia has annexed Crimea, fomented a war with Ukraine, provided weapons that downed an airliner, and launched operations, as we’ve just discussed, to support Assad in Syria. As president, would you hand Vladimir Putin a reset button?” Clinton refused to rule trying the disastrous approach a second time, saying, “Well, it would depend upon what I got for it,” Clinton said.
Hillary says she supports requiring Israel to withdraw to the 1967 lines -- even though President George W. Bush gave a written promiseto Israel in 2004 that the U.S. would support "defensible borders" for Israel and would never force Israel all the way back to the indefensible 1967 borders; even though the Washington Postcalled this a "major shift" of U.S. foreign policy; even though this would mean forcing Israel to divide her capital of Jerusalem; even though this would mean forcing Israel to give away the Jewish and Christian Quarters of Jerusalem; even though this would forcing Israel to give away the Golan Heights to the murderous Assad regime, even as Syria is imploding; even though the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is serving in the 11th year of his four year term and refuses to call new elections; etc.
Hillary in February 2016 vowed to dramatically expand amnesty for illegal immigrants. "I will fight for comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for you and for your families across our country," Hillary said. "I will fight to stop partisan attacks on the executive actions that would put Dreamers, including those with us today, at risk of deportation. And if Congress continues to refuse to act, as president I would do everything possible under the law to go even further. There are more people, like many parents of Dreamers, and others, with deep ties and contributions to our communities, who deserve a chance to stay, and I will fight for them."
"I remember landing under sniper fire," Hillary told reporters during the 2008 presidential campaign, speaking of a visit to Bosnia in 1996. "There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base." But as the London Telegraph reported, it never actually happened. "News footage of the event however showed her claims to have been wide of the mark, and reporters who accompanied her stated that there was no sniper fire. Her account was ridiculed by ABC News as 'like a scene from Saving Private Ryan.'"
[This column is based on my personal beliefs and opinions. I share them in my personal capacity as an American citizen and an author. They do not reflect the views of The Joshua Fund, which is a non-profit organization and takes no political or legislative positions.]
“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.” Deuteronomy 34:9 (The Israel Bible™)
Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jewish men entered the Palestinian village of Kif al Harat, in the West Bank, accompanied by Israeli soldiers, to pray at the tombs of Yehoshua Ben Nun and Kaleb Ben Yepune, on May 3, 2016. (Photo by yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
At least 10,000 people hiked from all over Israel to visit and pray at the tomb of Joshua son of Nun to commemorate the Biblical warrior’s death.
Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jewish men entered the Palestinian village of Kif al Harat, in the West Bank, accompanied by Israeli soldiers, to pray at the tombs of Yehoshua Ben Nun and Kaleb Ben Yepune, on May 3, 2016. (Photo: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
The closest disciple of Moses, Joshua never wavered from his master’s side throughout the Israelites’ 40-year journey in the desert. After Moses died (Deuteronomy 34:7), Joshua was annointed as his successor, guiding the people as they crossed over the Jordan river into the Land of Israel. After years of waging war against the nations that were living there, Joshua led his troops to victory, ultimately conquering the land as God had instructed.
Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I swore unto their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:6-7)
To this day, Joshua is hailed as one of the greatest commanders in Biblical history.
Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jewish men entered the Palestinian village of Kif al Harat, in the West Bank, accompanied by Israeli soldiers, to pray at the tombs of Yehoshua Ben Nun and Kaleb Ben Yepune, on May 3, 2016. (Photo: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
His death is commemorated on the 26th of the Hebrew month of Nissan, which occurred this year on Tuesday night. Hence the midnight visit this week, marking the tenth annual event of the journey.
Joshua was buried in biblical Timnath-heres, in the center of today’s Palestinian village of Kifl Haris, a short drive from the Israeli city of Ariel in the heart of Samaria. Like so many other Palestinian areas in Israel, however, Kifl Haris is not safe for Jews to pass through without heavy security. Therefore, the thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews who made the trek did so under the watchful eye of many IDF soldiers.
IDF soldiers stand guard as thousands of ultra-Orthodox men and women flock to the grave of Joshua on May 3, 2016. (Photo: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
The Samaria Regional Council, in coordination with the IDF, organizes three trips each year so that Jews can worship at the Biblical tombs. In order to minimize any risks to Israeli civilians’ security, the IDF shuts down a section of the village in the middle of the night, when the amount of people who might pose a threat is greatly reduced.
Desecrated by Palestinian graffiti, Joshua’s grave lies under a small stone-and-stucco mausoleum, covered by a dome. To emphasize the stark contrast between ancient and modern, the monument sits on the edge of an open square, surrounded by apartment buildings and shops.
Women pray at Joshua’s tomb, May 3, 2016. (Photo: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
Once they reached the historical gravesite, the thousands of worshippers rejoiced upon arriving. Some visitors brought musical instruments with them, playing guitars and drums, while others danced and sang along. Nearly everyone took an opportunity to squeeze into the small building and offer up prayers by reciting from Psalms or personal supplications. A few people even climbed to the top of the roof to maximize their prayer potential.
Thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jewish men entered the Palestinian village of Kif al Harat, in the West Bank, accompanied by Israeli soldiers, to pray at the tombs of Yehoshua Ben Nun and Kaleb Ben Yepune, on May 3, 2016. (Photo: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
The strength shown by Joshua in conquering the Land of Israel was especially felt Tuesday night. Knesset Member Oren Hazan compared the great general’s mission to that of the Israeli people today, whose efforts to build up the Land of Israel never end. “We have to continue with this mission to redeem the land, so that we can finally be a free people in our land,” he said.
Buried in close proximity to Joshua is fellow conqueror Caleb son of Yefuna, who was Joshua’s right-hand man in the conquest of Israel.
Jews from all walks of life share words of prayer at the grave of Biblical Joshua May 3, 2016. (Photo: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
Echoing Hazan’s sentiments, Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan shared, “We have come here precisely because Joshua Bin Nun and Caleb Ben Yefuna had the strength to stand against the 10 other spies and to say the land is good, let us rise up and inherit it.”
“We draw strength from Joshua and from the thousands who came here,” he said.
Ultra Orthodox men proudly carry the Israeli flag as they walk to the tomb of Joshua bin Nun on May 3, 2016. (Photo: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
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Lecrae boldly declared his love for Jesus and path to faith on a recent episode of ESPN's First Take.
"I didn't grow up in church or anything like that," the rapper shared. "Around 19 years old, I found myself on a college campus surrounded by Christians who looked like me, they dressed like me, they talked like me. And it was kind of off-putting. I didn't know what to do with that, but they loved me, they mentored me, they embraced me and really opened me up to understand who I was and who I was created to be and that God made me with purpose and reason."
First Take is a sports talk show featuring Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith and Milly Qerim.
Lecrae's appearance with the trio comes shortly after his interview/performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The rapper's media appearances promote his new memoir, Unashamed.
"Unashamed is a memoir of seeing somebody come through my circumstances of fatherlessness, wrestling with identity in who I wanted to be and who I should be, finding myself grounded on this journey that led to spiritual awakening," Lecrae says.
Watch the video to see the rest.
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