Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Why Atheist Persecutors Need Bobby Jindal’s Prayers - Jennifer LeClaire

Why Atheist Persecutors Need Bobby Jindal’s Prayers

People gathered at LSU to protest The Response LA and Bobby Jindal.
People gathered at LSU to protest The Response LA and Bobby Jindal. (LSU Tiger TV/YouTube)

Watchman on the Wall, by Jennifer LeClaire
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell just declared Feb. 12 "Charles Darwin Day" in his state—just because a member of the Delaware Atheist Meetup group asked him to.  
Nevertheless, no one is persecuting Markell for his godless move. In fact, atheists everywhere are celebrating and at least one is encouraging other governors to make atheistic proclamations in their states.
Atheists love Darwin and his theory of evolution, which claims humans evolved from lower life forms. The problem with that theory, of course, is that it defies Scripture. God created Adam and Eve in His image (see Gen. 2), not Mighty Joe Young and Betsy in the image of the animals Adam named.
Markell proclaimed that "Darwin's Theory of Evolution is the foundation of modern biology, an essential tool in understanding the development of life on earth." I respectfully beg to differ. Darwin's theory of evolution has emerged as a deceptive tool in the hands of determined atheists who spend more time trying to prove God doesn't exist than reading His Word with an open heart.
Crying Out for Revival
Again, no one is persecuting Markell for his godless move. But let former Texas Gov. Rick Perry or Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal pray in the name of Jesus in a public setting and all hell breaks loose. I was at The Response: Baton Rouge this weekend, where thousands of believers from all walks of life and many denominations gathered together to cry out to God on behalf of a nation in crisis.
"Our God is an awesome God, amen!" Jindal declared from a platform inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. "We're going to plea for Him to send his Spirit, His healing Spirit, a Spirit of revival in this place, all across this state, all across this blessed land."
Born and raised in a Hindu family, Jindal also shared the testimony of how he came to know Jesus Christ as a teenager—on the very campus at which he was then crying out to God for a spiritual revival. It was a touching testimony of the power of sowing gospel seeds in the hearts of those with whom we interact and a strong example of how God works all things according to the counsel of His will (see Eph. 1:11).
Crucifying Jindal
Although disappointing, it's not surprising that Jindal received heaps of criticism for his decision to host a Christian prayer rally. Protestors gathered outside the assembly center to voice their opposition. One protestor told CBN, "He shouldn't be doing it on a state campus. If they want to do that, go somewhere else."
But that was mild compared to what would come next. Right Wing Watch verbally crucified the governor, accusing him of "teaming up with anti-gay extremists and Christian-nation advocates" and "giving them credibility they do not deserve." Slate assumed The Response was "part of the rollout for Jindal's inevitable presidential run." And opednews.com claimed: "Jindal's 'Response' a No-Go Zone for Atheists, Gays, and Forms of Intelligent Life."
I could go on an on and some of the backlash is much worse than that—for calling people to come together and pray in the name of Jesus. I'm all for free speech and freedom of religion, but it seems some other religions—or the religion-less, secular humanists and atheists—are threatened by Christians who pray in the name of Jesus. That always surprises me, given they don't believe there's any God listening or answering anyway. Atheists should be glad Jindal is praying. I pray that God will encounter the hearts of atheists in an unprecedented way this year.
I think Jindal said it best when he told CBN: "You've got a group of Christians who say we want to pay money to rent a hall on LSU's campus so we can come together and pray. Do we really live in a society where that's controversial?" Unfortunately, in an age where antichrist spirits are rising, I guess we do.
Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and author of several books, including The Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.
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A Shemittah Year Mandate: Throw Jezebel Down! - CHARISMA MAGAZINE

top of mountain
In this Shemittah year, it is crucial that a bold, uncompromising order of messengers begins to emerge in the spirit of Elisha to preach repentance and an inspirational kingdom gospel that will catalyze a remnant. (Charisma archives)

Prophetic Insight, from Charisma Media
A myriad of prophetic words have been released regarding 2015, which coincide with Shemittah year 5775. While some prophets are declaring that 2015 will be a year of escalating terrorism, war, pestilence and economic collapse, others are declaring that it will be a turnaround year of divine reversals, breakthrough, multiplied grace and new beginnings. On the surface it seems as if these prophetic declarations contradict one another, bringing confusion to some within the body.
However, when these diverse prophecies are prayerfully evaluated, embraced and executed, the bride will be victorious in the season ahead. For instance, prophetic warnings regarding impending global judgments should catalyze the faithful to mobilize prayer and evangelistic relief efforts. Solemn prophetic rebukes to the worldly and lukewarm should lead them to profound repentance. Inspirational prophetic words should renew vision and restore hope among those who have forsaken all to fulfill the Master's end-time harvest strategies (Ps. 91:5-6, Esth. 9:25).
Regarding the Shemittah year 5775, it is crucial that the remnant church understand and execute all aspects of the divine directives associated with this pivotal year. In Scripture, Shemittah is the seventh or Sabbath year of a seven-year cycle, during which Israel left their fields fallow and released all debts. In fact, the word Shemittah is a Hebrew word meaning "release."
A Shemittah year is one in which nations honoring Jehovah and Israel experience peace, blessing, freedom and exaltation, while those who dishonor the Lord often reap destruction and hardship. Regrettably, the past two Shemittah years, 5761 (2001) and 5768 (2008), were characterized by terrorism and economic judgment (Deut. 15:1-2).
What is not commonly known about Shemittah is that it is derived from the Hebrew root word "shamat," which is used nine times in Scripture. In three instances "shamat" is translated "throw down" and is used in the passage where Jehu commanded two eunuchs to throw Jezebel down from a second story window, killing her. Jezebel's demise at the hands of Jehu ultimately resulted in the obliteration of Baal worship in Israel.
Could it be in this Shemittah year that the preparation of the bride and expansion of the kingdom of heaven on earth are contingent upon the exposition and elimination of the Jezebel spirits among us?
2 Kings 9:33 "He said, 'Drop her down.' So they dropped her down and some of her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses. Then he trampled her."
Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab, who reigned in Israel during the time of Elijah. Ahab and Jezebel were devout worshippers of Baal and Asherah, and led all of Israel into idolatry. Jezebel hated and massacred all of the Lord's prophets, except for Elijah and 100 prophets of the Lord that were hid in caves by Obadiah, the palace governor (1 Kin. 18:4).
Jezebel is witchcraft personified. Witchcraft is a rebellious work of the flesh, exercising counterfeit spiritual authority to manipulate others for selfish, ambitious purposes. Jezebel can operate through a man or woman and has three main modes of operation, the first being Gain and Maintain the Platform.
Through a political spirit, Jezebel attempts to manipulate leaders through flattery, favors or finances to gain favor. Once Jezebel shares a platform with legitimate authority, she abuses that platform to achieve her personal agenda. If this first mode of operation fails, Jezebel uses witchcraft in an attempt to Seduce and Reduce Leadership.
Through a seducing spirit, Jezebel often traps leaders through sexual sin. In the church, Jezebel operates through a religious spirit, sometimes posing as a prophet or prophetess to usurp spiritual authority. When leaders compromise morally or spiritually, guilt causes them to forfeit their spiritual authority, opening the door for Jezebel to take over. If these first two forms of manipulation will not work, Jezebel then aggressively plays the Blame and Shame Game.
Through a spirit of fear, Jezebel will use ridicule to demean and undermine or use intimidation to threaten and challenge legitimate leaders in an attempt to overthrow them (1 Sam. 15:23, Rev. 2:20).
While there are many legitimate reasons for the spiritually lukewarm condition of the church worldwide, one principal root cause is compromise in our pulpits. While some messengers have been deceived into becoming Mammonites, hedonists or narcissists, others have been seduced, intimidated or in some other way manipulated by Jezebel. Consequently, the gospel truth has been compromised. Prophetic messages on repentance, holiness, the fear of the Lord, travailing intercession, the burden of the Lord and the fellowship of Christ's sufferings have been exchanged for a self-centered gospel of prosperity and boundless grace.
In effect, many messengers have tickled the ears instead of touched the hearts of their congregants, heralding what members want to hear instead of what they need to hear. As a result, the church at large is complacent, unarmed, egocentric and ineffective. Without a doubt, in order for the church to be transformed into an energized, equipped, selfless and formidable army, we need a new order of messengers to emerge—an Elisha company.
While Elijah challenged and executed the 450 prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, he feared Jezebel and therefore failed to confront her 400 prophets of Asherah. Three years later these 400 prophets counseled Israel's king to war against Syria—a war in which Israel was defeated and King Ahab was killed (I Kings 18:19; 22:6). Intimidated by Jezebel, Elijah ran for his life, prayed that he would die and resigned from his prophetic ministry. However, under the ministry of Elisha, Elijah's replacement, Jehu emerged to execute Jezebel and eradicate Baal worship in Israel.
In this Shemittah year, it is crucial that a bold, uncompromising order of messengers begin to emerge in the spirit of Elisha to preach repentance and an inspirational kingdom gospel that will catalyze a remnant. Only then can a Jehu army arise in the zeal of the Lord to violently throw down Jezebel—the prophet killer, and eradicate Baal worship throughout the world (2 Kings 9:30–10:28).
Father, raise up an Elisha company of messengers in this hour. Let them break off all chains of Jezebelic deception, manipulation, intimidation and compromise so that they might boldly preach prophetic, inspirational kingdom messages that cut to the heart. Use this new order of messengers to inspire and catalyze a Jehu army to arise and throw down Jezebel, in all of her expressions, throughout the world, in Jesus' name, amen.
Rob Winters is president of Prepare the Way International, an itinerant prophetic ministry based in Glendale, Arizona. He is author of numerous books, includingTurning America Back to God and Prophets and Prophetic Ministry. For more information, visit his website at preparethewayint.com.

    "Inscribe Them Upon the Doorposts" ✡ 70 Years Since Liberation - ISRAEL365

    And these words, which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart... And you shall inscribe them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.

    DEUTERONOMY (6:6,9)
     

    וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם עַל לְבָבֶךָ  וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזֻזוֹתבֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ

    דברים ו:ו,ט


    v'-hai-u ha-d'-va-reem ha-ay-le a-sher a-no-khee m'-tza-v'-kha ha-yom al l'-va-ve-kha  u-kh'-tav-tam al m'-zu-zot bay-te-kha u-vish'-a-re-kha

    Today's Israel Inspiration

    Yesterday marked the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Just 37 miles east of the death camp is Krakow, a once-thriving pre-war Jewish community, where today empty doorposts bear the haunted markings of mezuzahs. Yet in an unbelievable resurgence, descendants of Jews who survived in hiding in Krakow are showing the best revenge against those who sought to destroy. “Israel Returns” supports Jewish activities for young Poles searching for their heritage, bringing them to Israel to experience the Land and to learn Torah. Their latest initiative is re-affixing mezuzahs to the mantels of Krakow’s Jewish homes. Share in this formidable Jewish spirit!
     

    The Mystery of the Jews

    This powerful short film reveals the real story behind "The Mystery of the Jews". With remarkable insights by renowned historians, world leaders and authors, this video follows the story of Abraham to the modern State of Israel.
     

    Ghost Town Gets a Jewish Revival

    Throughout Krakow ghosts of a once thriving, rich, cultural and religious Jewish life haunt the streets and remind some of the Krakow that once was but is no more. But perhaps it can be once again. Here are some of the many examples of the spiritual return.
     

    Hebrew Word by Word Study Tool

    This great CD, Word by Word, teaches the meaning and pronunciation of every Hebrew word in the book of Genesis. It teaches one word at a time, at your pace. This essential Bible Study tool will help you develop Bible Study skills that will last a lifetime.

    Today's Israel Photo

    Boruch Len's photo of a quaint alleyway in the northern city of Safed. Many of the doors throughout the city are painted turquoise, reminiscent of the heavens above.
     

    Yesterday's Photo Trivia

    Yesterday's photo by Michael Shmidt featured the Golan Heights Wind Farm. These wind turbines generate enough energy for a mineral water bottling plant, a local winery and about 20,000 local residents. Now that's Israel energy!

    Thank You

    Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Jose A Corado from Seatac, Washington. Toda Raba!
     

    “Your Spectacular Sites”

    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!
     
    Your spectacular sites Jerusalem365/Israel365 are the only teachings I read online...So i am deeply grateful that both are now restored to me. May God continue to grant you favour as you serve Him in this wondrous way.  I celebrated my 70th birthday in Israel/2010..my first visit 'home'...and perhaps I will celebrate my 75th there this fall, the Lord willling. Either way, I am 'there' with you all, in love and prayer. Shalom and faith, Joanne
    Shalom,
    Rabbi Tuly Weisz
    RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
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    Majority of Germans Fed Up With Holocaust Remembrance - ISRAEL TODAY

    Majority of Germans Fed Up With Holocaust Remembrance

    Wednesday, January 28, 2015 |  Israel Today Staff
    Tuesday marked the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz by the Soviet Red Army. The anniversary has become the International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorating the organized extermination of the Jewish people by the Nazi regime.
    However, according to a representative survey conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation, an overwhelming 81 percent of Germans have grown weary of dedicating so much time and effort to Holocaust remembrance, and want to instead focus on present-day problems.
    German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier disagreed. “It remains the duty of parents to inform their children that there can never be a line drawn under [our history],” he told Germany’s Bild newspaper.
    “We can consider ourselves lucky that after the atrocities of the Third Reich, after 70 million dead in the Second World War and 6 million murdered Jews, that we can be accepted back into the international community, even today,” the foreign minister continued.
    German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed similar sentiments at a ceremony at Auschwitz, calling the former death camp a symbol that “concerns us all, today and tomorrow and not only on anniversaries. …We must not forget. We owe that to the many millions of victims.”
    Unfortunately, it would seem a majority of Germans simply don’t see eye-to-eye with their leaders on this issue, and much of that has to do with the modern State of Israel.
    According to the survey, more than a third of Germans believe that Israel’s policies in dealing with Palestinian terrorism is comparable to what the Nazis did to the Jews. Only 36 percent of Germans said they hold a positive view of Israel.
    PHOTO: A young Israeli visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp.
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    Tuesday, January 27, 2015

    My visit to Auschwitz on this, International Holocaust Remembrance Day - Joel Rosenberg

    Some thoughts on my visit to Auschwitz on this, International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

    by joelcrosenberg
    My visit to the Nazi death camp in southern Poland led me to write "The Auschwitz Escape."
    My visit to the Nazi death camp in southern Poland led me to write "The Auschwitz Escape."
    (Naples, Florida) -- Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Today is the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in southern Poland. Indeed, this year marks 70 years since the defeat of the Nazi reign of terror, the end of World War II, and the end of the Holocaust that led to the systematic murder of six million Jews.
    Let us take some time today -- and throughout this year -- to remember the horrors of what really happened. Let each of us take time to remember the heroes who fought the Nazis and survived and won the war. Let us also consider lessons learned from that darkest of eras in human history, and recommit ourselves to never letting it happen again.
    Have you visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., or Yad Vashem in Israel, or one of the Nazi death camps in Europe? I would encourage you to do so, and to take your family.
    In November of 2011, I had the opportunity to tour Auschwitz with several friends. The experience marked me forever.
    Here is a short video of my time at Auschwitz, produced my oldest son, Caleb, for The Joshua Fund. It runs a little less than five minutes. I hope you'll take a few moments to watch it and to share it with others, especially today.
    Here, too, is a link to the historical novel I published in the spring of 2014, The Auschwitz Escape. I hope you and your family will take some time to read it and discuss it.
    I did not go to Poland planning to write a book. But as many of you know, I became so deeply fascinated in the lives of four Jewish men, true heroes, who actually escaped from Auschwitz, against all odds. I became intrigued with how they did it, and with their burning passion to escape not simply to save their own lives, but to risk all to tell the world -- including FDR and Churchill -- what was really happening there, and to plead with the world to take decisive action to liberate the camps and end the nightmare. Without question, these were the greatest escapes in human history.
    Finally, for now, here is an article I posted on The Joshua Fund website several years ago describing my visit to Auschwitz and some of my thoughts on that visit. I hope you'll find it helpful.
    -------------------------------
    In November, after teaching on Bible prophecy and God’s love for Israel and the Jewish people at a wonderful, pro-Israel evangelical church in Germany, I had the opportunity to travel to Krakow, Poland with the pastor of that church and his wife, and a dear pastor friend from the U.S., and his wife. Together, the five of us spent a day touring the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps not far from Krakow. None of us had ever been there before. None of us will ever forget the experience. More than 1.3 million prisoners were brought to the camps by the Nazis during World War II. Of those, 1.1 million were exterminated in the gas chambers and the crematoria. One million were Jews. So many of them were children.
    It is difficult to describe my emotions as a Jewish person as I stood inside one of the Nazi gas chambers. Or walked through rooms filled with enormous glass cases filled with human hair. And glasses. And shoes. And suitcases from all over Europe. How can one explain the inexplicable? With the help of my eldest son, Caleb, I’ve produced this short video report from Auschwitz to share with you, at least, some of the images that my colleagues and I saw at the camps. At the end of the video, you’ll also see an excerpt of a speech that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered in 2010. He said that the prophecies of Ezekiel 37 regarding the “Valley of the Dry Bones” were fulfilled during the Holocaust and the subsequent resurrection of the State of Israel. I couldn’t agree more. I hope you’ll take a moment to watch the video and encourage your friends and family to watch it as well.
    My time at Auschwitz raised many sobering questions. Among them: Why was the world silent for so long? Why didn’t the U.S. and the allies take decisive action to stop Hitler before it was nearly too late? Why didn’t the Church do more to rescue Jews? As difficult as these questions are to answer, more difficult still are these: Why is much of the world largely silent again today as Radical Muslims in Tehran and elsewhere in the Middle East threaten to annihilate Israel and the Jewish people? Why are the U.S. and our allies refusing to take decisive action now to neutralize the Iran nuclear threat before it’s too late?
    That said, I am glad to be able to report some good news: More and more Christians are repenting for the Church’s sins against the Jewish people in the past. The Church is mobilizing today to bless Israel and the Jewish people in ways that to her shame she did not in the 1930s and 1940s. More followers of Jesus Christ are hearing and heeding the call to learn, pray, give and go to the work of the Lord and caring for Holocaust survivors today than ever before. More Christians are helping persecuted Jews immigrate to Israel than ever before. More Christians are helping to feed and clothe the poor and needy in Israel than ever before. More Christians are visiting the Holy Land and meeting Israelis and learning about the past, present, and the future of the Promised Land and the Chosen people than ever before. Not all. And not enough. But more than ever. This is good, but more must be done. Evil is rising once again. Israel faces existential threats. The world is increasingly turning a blind eye to the fate of the Jews. Now evangelical Christians are the best friends that Israel and the Jewish people have. We cannot undo the past. But we can ask the Lord to forgive us and ask Him for the courage to be faithful to the Scriptures and to the Jewish people in the times in which we live. We can bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, according to Genesis 12:1-3. We can show unconditional love and unwavering support, come what may. This is the heart of The Joshua Fund. That’s what our work is all about. And visiting Auschwitz was another powerful reminder to me personally that this work is more vital and urgent than ever.
    As 2011 ends, therefore, I see the gathering storm on the horizon, but I am not frightened or discouraged. I know the God of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. I know He is moving powerfully. I know the Lord is taking what man meant for evil and turning it for good. Indeed, the Lord is moving powerfully to care for His people, Israel, and turn their hearts back to Him and His Word. And for this reason I rejoice. I look forward to 2012. I’m determined to stay the course, and I hope and pray that you will be, too.
    “Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord.’”(Ezekiel 37:11-14)
    —————-
    joelcrosenberg | January 27, 2015 at 3:16 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/piWZ7-3cw

    Report Names France 'Most Dangerous' for Jews

    Report Names France 'Most Dangerous' for Jews

    AP file photo


    JERUSALEM, Israel -- A new report on anti-Semitic trends worldwide named France the most dangerous country in the world for Jews.

    Anti-Semitic attacks in France doubled in 2014 compared to the previous year.

    The study, carried out by the Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs Ministry, was released over the weekend to coincide with Tuesday's observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

    Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) presented the report, which highlights the link between the global rise in anti-Semitism and the campaign to delegitimize Israel crisscrossing international borders.

    In a statement following the report's presentation, Bennett pointed out that Islamists are the "main instigators" behind the majority of anti-Semitic incidents.

    "It is radical Islam that is acting as the bridge for these two racist beliefs," the statement read. It says Muslim extremists "use any perverted excuse to further their goal, which is the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people."

    For the first time in its history, the U.N. General Assembly hosted an informal meeting last week on the global rise of anti-Semitism.

    Spielberg Marks Holocaust at Auschwitz

    Spielberg Marks Holocaust at Auschwitz

    Associated Press photo



    JERUSALEM, Israel -- Award-winning director Steven Spielberg traveled to Poland to take part in 70th anniversary ceremonies marking the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps.

    In an evening address before Tuesday's observance of International Holocaust Memorial Day, Spielberg warned about rising anti-Semitism worldwide.

    The Oscar-winning director of the 1983 Holocaust film, "Schindler's List," spoke of the growing danger of "anti-Semites, radical extremists and religious fanatics" targeting Jews today, noting today some of them are using social media to track their targets.

    Spielberg's Shoah Foundation joined a delegation of Hollywood executives, the Polish government, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum to bring about 100 elderly Holocaust survivors and their families to Poland to mark the 70th anniversary of the death camp's liberation.

    Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav, chairman of "Auschwitz: The Past Is Present Committee," led a leadership team composed of leading media and business executives.

    Zaslav, whose family fled Poland before the Nazi reign of terror, admonished participants to "reflect and recognize" what took place at death camp, especially in view of rising anti-Israel and anti-Semitic groups.

    "Auschwitz is the best example of what can happen when religious, racial and ethnic hatred is unbridled," Zaslav told Variety (ITALICS).

    At Tuesday's ceremonies, the presidents of Germany and Austria and other world leaders will join some 300 elderly survivors to honor the memory of the 1.1 million killed at the camp during the Nazi reign.

    The Soviet army liberated Auschwitz on January 27, 1945.


    Monday, January 26, 2015

    Faithfulness Carries Its Rewards - Mike Bickle

    Faithfulness
    God will reward you in your faithfulness and diligence in pursuing Him. (Lightstock )

    Spirit Led Woman's Power Up Logo
    How diligently are you seeking God? Do you remain steady in your love for Him no matter what, or do you let life's disappointments interfere with your pursuit of Him? Daniel loved God and showed it in his daily life in spite of his circumstances, and the Lord responded.
    The Lord revealed His love to Daniel in a deep way through an angel, who addressed Daniel as the beloved of the Lord: "He [the angel] said to me, 'O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have been sent to you now.' And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling" (Dan. 10:11, 19).
    I assume that receiving the understanding of how much God loved him was one of the most powerful things that happened to Daniel personally. The angel said, "O Daniel, greatly beloved." Imagine a high-ranking angel telling you, "The Lord greatly loves you, and you are beloved by your God." In other words, he is saying, "The Lord is moved by the way you live. He is moved by your hunger for Him and by your lifestyle choices."
    We know that God loves the world. He loves unbelievers, even though He does not enjoy a relationship with them. But there are those in whom God takes special delight; that is, He delights in the choices they make for Him. In this sense His love for them is different than that with which He loves the world. He takes greater enjoyment in those who seek to love and obey Him with all their hearts.
    And God clearly took great enjoyment in Daniel. In essence He told Daniel, "I am moved by the way you care about My kingdom and My glory and the way you care about who I am. That touches Me."
    Jesus taught that the Father loves all who obey Him. He loves the relationship He has with all who keep His commandments, and He loves their life choices.
    "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father. And I will love him and will reveal Myself to him" (John 14:21)
    Lest we think that Jesus loves only those who love Him, let's remember that Scripture says God loved us first (1 John 4:19). But He loves the choices of those who love Him.
    Jesus made the amazing statement that He would manifest Himself to those who show their love for Him in their words, actions and lifestyles. No one is "good enough" to deserve a greater manifestation of God's glory. It's not about being good enough but about positioning ourselves to receive more from God.
    Every believer can have a close relationship with the Lord. Daniel was forcibly taken to Babylon as a prisoner of war in his youth. Yet even as a captive, far from his home in Jerusalem and in a foreign culture, he determined to seek God with all his heart for all his days. Today the Lord is looking for men and women like Daniel, who will set their hearts to live before God as Daniel did.
    Some people are easily offended. If they don't get on the worship team at their church or aren't hired for the job position they were hoping for, they ask, "How could God allow this to happen to me? It's so rough." Yes, your heart hurts, and the pain is real, but your response to life's trials and disappointments is the crucial issue.
    Look at Daniel. He was taken into captivity, and yet he determined not to defile himself and to be a man of prayer all his days. He did not let any person or any disappointment steal the vision of what he was determined to be from his heart. He remained steady in his love for God and lived out his commitment in his daily life until he died.
    In my 40 years of ministry I have seen many people go hard after God for five or even 10-plus years. Most of them were young and in their twenties. By the time they reached 35, several had "good" reasons for drawing back and being more "practical."
    I have seen only a few people stay consistent in seeking God with diligence for 20 or 30 years or more. Daniel stayed consistent in seeking God for 60 years, even during his time in the pagan city of Babylon.
    I want the Lord to say to me on the last day, "I loved the way you spent your time and money and the way you obeyed Me; I loved the way that you loved Me." I want Him to be able to say the things about me that He said about Daniel. I want to be steady like this great man of God, even when I'm 80. What about you?
    Adapted from Growing in Prayer by Mike Bickle, copyright 2014, published by Passio-Charisma House. This book will help you develop a passionate life of prayer where it ceases to be a dutiful ritual and becomes a time of personal encounter with the God of the universe, who will listen and respond with great love, revealing His heart, giving you guidance, blessing your circumstances and making a difference in your world. To order your copy, click here.
    Prayer Power for the Week of Jan. 26, 2015
    This week set your heart to live before God as Daniel did. Seek Him daily through prayer, the Word and worship. Declare His Word over your circumstances and exalt His Name as the God of the universe, our only Savior, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Commit your ways to Him and surrender all to His will. Continue to pray for worldwide revival, more laborers for His harvest fields, the spread of the gospel into unknown places, the persecuted church, the protection and destiny of Israel, our own nation and its leaders and the next generation (Dan. 10:11, 19; John 14:21; 1 John 4:19).
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