The Spirit of Truth by Barbie Breathitt (Identity Network)

The Spirit of Truth by Barbie Breathitt

By Barbie Breathitt

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The Holy Spirit is the Paraclete or Comforter who dwells inside of us, to lead us into all truth. He brings all things to our remembrance and empowers us with grace and heavenly authority. Holy Spirit although a still small voice, must become the strongest, loudest, clarion voice directing our lives. 

There is an art to listen to God's voice. Practicing His presence enables us to receive from God; entering into peace, trusting and resting in His arms knowing He has all things under control. Bold faith opens our eyes to see, enabling God to show us, the right paths to take and the open doors that are waiting for us to walk through. 

As we learn to discern the Holy Spirit's voice Isaiah 45:3, says "I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name." There are many hidden secrets and treasures that will be revealed to those who seek after God's face with their whole heart. God shares His secrets with His friends.

God is omniscient (all knowing) and omnipotent (all powerful) there is nothing impossible for Him. In God's mercy He has reserved treasures and stored up opportunities for believers. These resources, ideas and provision have been hidden from the world because they do not know the ways of God. 

Dreams, Visions, Prophecy and Miracles 

In Acts 2:16-21, the prophet Joel declared that in the last days, "God says, 'that I will pour forth of my spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my bond slaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of my Spirit And they shall prophesy. 

And I will grant wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" 

The last days began during the outpouring of Pentecost in the book of Acts. Through the centuries God has continually poured out an increased measure of His Spirit on all flesh, both the saved and the unsaved. The revelatory realm has increased the level of visions, dreams, prophecy, and miracles taking place today. 

God's anointing is on the rise. "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Isaiah 60:1-3, tells us, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." 

Moving in the powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit makes it more fun than ever to fulfill the Great Commission that was given to us in Matthew 28:18-20 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." 

Separate from Detractors 

Some people are givers of themselves and their possessions while others are selfish hoarders and takers. The detractors in our lives won't leave on their own. They will continue to take, destroy, and drag us down as long as we allow them to. The wrong people in our lives will encourage us to make erroneous decisions. God's plan is always abundance, to exceedingly bless and prosper us. 

To obtain the innovative increased levels of prosperity, we must be willing to let go of the old comfortable ways and familiar relationships in order to add the new. Encouragement and hope comes from God and following His plans and purposes. Hearing God's voice clearly, knowing the Word and then walking in obedience will bring a greater wisdom and ability to discern the thoughts, intent and motives of people's hearts. 

Favor Brings Promotion 

God's favor will catapult us into the next level of blessing. Remember to keep your eyes focused on God not on your situation. Get into position to listen to God's still small voice because promotion is knocking at the door. By removing the portion of the populace that resists and fights against God and the negative situations that detract from our lives we make room for new relationships and strategic people to enter our lives. 

Their godly influence will sharpen us. We can't allow fear to keep us from acting in faith. Fear will cause many to miss greater opportunities for increase. A true covenant relationship with God removes lack and removes a victim mentality of poverty. Realize God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory if we continue to sow into His kingdom. If we allow fear to close up our giving or stop our sowing; God will also shut up the windows of heavens that provides us with wisdom and wealth. 

God Wins Battles 

In life we will continue to learn, grow, and gather wisdom through life experiences. The difficulties we overcame in the past have made us stronger and prepared us for more success. God is the answer! He is more than able to handle the major struggles we face with our associations, assets, hindrances, loss of jobs and sickness. 

If we will trust the Holy Spirit to guide us in prayer, God will fight our battles for us and silence our enemies. Vindication will come for the false accusations that came against us, restoring some broken relationships. God knows how to right every wrong and turn every situation to our advantage. God has a plan and divine strategy for our present and future success. 

Seeds of Faith 

God said, in Genesis 8:22, "While the earth remains there will be seedtime and harvest." The Apostle Paul said, Galatians 6:7-10, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."  

We are told to be good to everyone, even our enemies. It is the goodness of God that leads people to repentance. 

Jesus taught His followers about the power of fasting, prayer, and faith enabling them to cast out demons even if their faith was the size of a mustard seed. 

Matthew 17:19-21, "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not drive it out?' And He said to them, 'Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.'"  

But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.  Fasting and prayer not only benefits others but it is health to our body and spirit too! 

Godly authority has given us the power to speak to any physical mountain or spiritual opposition in our life. If we exercise our faith and believe God's Word that mountain will be removed and cast into the sea. The sea often represents humanity. 

When the right sea of people come and surround us, they will help us remove the mountain that has barred us from moving forward. If we have sown doubt and unbelief in the past, it is time to repent. Ask God to uproot and destroy that negative harvest. Now sow seeds of faith and believe God for an abundant harvest. 

Barbie Breathitt

www.BarbieBreathitt.com

 

Joel Osteen Talks with Larry King NOW (Charisma Magazine)

Joel Osteen Discusses Why He Won't Preach Against Homosexuality

1/15/2014  Charisma Magazine

Joel Osteen (YouTube)

Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church, spoke with Larry King on his online show, Larry King Now, Monday. Watch him talk about why his ministry attracts Muslims and atheists, how he differs from Billy Graham and why he doesn't preach on homosexuality.

Larry King and Joel Olsteen on Larry King NOW

Watch the show: 

Joel Osteen Discusses Why He Won't Preach 

Against Homosexuality

Joel Olsteen - Pastor of Lakewood Church

Larry & Joel on the set

Larry King

How do you share Jesus with a Muslim? - Nathan Jones (Lamb & Lion Ministries)

	How do you share Jesus with a Muslim? By Nathan Jones Evangelist & Web Minister The Christ in Prophecy Journal blog has excitedly been in the middle of a 10-part study of Islam. We have been exploring Islam's examples, background, holy books, belief system, goals, rapid spread, tactics, end time views, and will look at how Islam fits into the biblical description of the last days. Finally, in the last segment below, we'll look at the best methods for sharing the Gospel with Muslims. You can also watch the video or listen to the podcast of the accompanying presentation. Islam's Salvation Islam presents the Church the greatest opportunity for evangelism in world history, if you know how to evangelize the Muslim. One of the blessings of being Web Minister is that I get to talk to people all over the world. I have people write in through various venues like email and social networks. I've encountered so many Muslims seeking to understand God, or trying to convert me to Islam which just opens the door for me to share the Gospel with them. From these experiences, I'm going to share with you six different ways that you can reach a Muslim for Christ. 1) The Bible is okay to read. In the Muslim holy book called the Koran, Sura 5:50 and 68 says that Mohammad gave an okay thumbs up for the Muslim to read the Bible. If you give anyone the Word of God, the Holy Spirit speaks through it. The following is a testimony off of an ex-Muslim website by a real ex-Muslim girl from Iran who calls herself Fars. "I left Islam for several reasons. Originally because I was sent by my grandmother to a mullah to learn the Islamic prayer. I was taught this in Arabic, which as a Persian, I didn't understand one word of it. When I asked this mullah what the heck it meant and what I was saying, he said it wasn't important that I know, just that I say it with all my heart. Say what with all my heart? He then complained to my grandmother that I was too questioning for a girl and should be talked to. Whatever. I finally bought an English translation of the Koran; I was appalled. No wonder the Mullah didn't want me to know what it all meant. When I read some of the passages in English to my mother she was shocked with disbelief. 'That can't be right!' She couldn't believe it and she had been a Moslem all her life and never knew exactly what the Koran said. She and my sister have both also left Islam. That is the tragic legacy especially in Iran which had Islam forced on it by Arabs. That is why educated college students are up in arms because they are finally beginning to understand what Islam really means and says." Once Fars could read the Bible in her own language, she gave her life to Christ. So, it's okay for a Muslim to read the Bible, and you can tell them that. 2) The life of Christ. The following is a real testimony of a man from Morocco named Ibn Zakaria. "I left Islam because I didn't find peace with it. Since my childhood, I had a lot of questions in my mind about human rights in Islam, women's rights, eternal life and about the life of Mohammed. I started looking for answers, by reading the Bible and comparing the life of Mohammed to that of the Lord Jesus Christ. I found myself far from Islam and enlightened by the Gospel and the truth of the Word of God." When you hold up the life of Mohammed — a killer, a murderer, a wife stealer, a child molester, a liar — and put it up against Jesus Christ who is sinless, loving, holy, and died for us — the Muslim is shocked. They can't believe the differences. The Jesus taught in the Koran isn't that Jesus at all. Of course, anyone is attracted to someone who lays down their life for them. Tell them what Jesus did for them by dying for their sins. 3) The love of God. Abdel Masih of Egypt shared how he became saved. "I was born in Egypt to a Muslim family. I think in looking back that maybe my family was loving because it was liberal in its approach to Islam. It was loving not because of Islam but in spite of it. When I began to study I saw that the Koran was very filled with hate and not enough on love. Christianity seemed so much more familiar and the Sermon on the Mount is a teaching after my own heart. There is nothing like it in the Islamic literature." God is love. You know Muslims don't know love from Allah whatsoever. They see these mullahs on TV and they are angry and yelling all the time. It's a religion of hate. A Muslim like any person wants to know love, and you can reach them by telling them of the love of God. 4) The assurance of salvation. Mounif of Morocco writes this testimony: "My father was and still is an imam in a mosque. I had many questions about my place in Paradise, but there was no answer." Muslims have no assurance of salvation except for one thing, and that is to die a martyr. To kill infidels by your own death is the only assurance they have of salvation. Why do you think that certain Muslims are willing to blow themselves up? That's the only way they can get into Paradise. You instead can assure them that through Jesus Christ, who died once and for all for their sins, they can have the assurance of Heaven with their Father. 5) Grace. Sinbad of India shared his story: "I had of course gone through the whole process of learning about Islam and the do's and don'ts, and had always tried to practice it but always was struggling as if I was forever carrying a great load on my back, as if I was in a prison. After I left I felt as if I had just been released from prison." Islam is like shackles to a Muslim. They feel it. They know it. But, when you teach them about the grace of God, that there's nothing you can do to be saved, that God did it all and that Jesus Christ paid for their sins on the cross, then they feel relieved. Maybe you can look back at the time when you got saved and you remember how it felt to have that weight lifted off of you? Well, a Muslim is looking for that weight to be lifted off of them as well. 6) A relationship with God. Cynthia from America shared: "My fear of Allah became so intense that I hoped to get cancer and therefore be punished for my sins on earth instead of after death. I would scrub and cleanse my body in prayer so obsessively, that my hands became cracked and bloody. Still, I continued to believe in a religion that on the outside looked so moral and just. Then I did something that I told my parents and myself I would never do. I rented the movie The Passion of The Christ. I held back tears that threatened to fall from my eyes until the short scene in the movie when Mary Magdalene reverts back to the day when Jesus was the only person who would accept her and love her. I began to cry as I suddenly realized what my mother had been trying to tell me for years. Finally, I understood that God loved me and was not out to get me or do me harm. It was also at that moment that I knew that Allah was not God. I felt the love and protection of God all around me. I was no longer scared to live and no longer scared to die. The world looked so beautiful and I couldn't stop thanking God for saving me. It has only been two weeks since I was saved by Jesus Christ, and they have been the happiest two weeks of my life. Every day that I wake up I am so grateful that God never left my side during my seven-year hiatus. I feel like he was just patiently waiting for my return. I now live my life with an inner peace and love for God that I cannot put into words. Thank you Jesus for never leaving me!" A relationship with God is one of the best ways to reach a Muslim for Christ. Christians have a relationship with God, and not some distant, unknowable being that could care less about them and wants their death to prove their faith, but a God who loves them and cares for them. He's the very Jesus you accepted. Jesus Christ is coming soon. He will defeat Islam. He will defeat Satan. And, I think during the Tribulation when you read in Revelation about the multitudes that have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, I'd bet that many of them are former Muslims, finally released from Islam's hold. So, go out and share the Gospel with Muslims! Don't be scared of them. Don't be scared, for they are seeking truth just like so many other people. Free them of that burden of sin and judgment by sharing Jesus Christ.

Article From

Lamb & Lion Ministries

Garris Elkins: You are Entering a Season of Justice and Restoration - The Elijah List

Garris Elkins:

You are Entering a Season 

of Justice and Restoration
(The Elijah List)

We are entering a season where those who have experienced injustice are about to receive supernatural restoration. 

Throughout history the justice of God has brought restoration to His people who have suffered injustice at the hands of the enemy. This is not a time for despair and sorrow. This is a time to begin living in expectancy. Something wonderful is about to take place.

The Lord is speaking a word of hope in the middle of injustice:

"I am about to right this wrong. The injustice done to you cannot stand in the presence of My justice. The enemy came to steal, rob and destroy, but watch what I am about to do. My court has issued an official order against this work of injustice in your life. 

Give Me your sorrow. Give Me your despair. These are illegal orders issued from the courts of darkness. I have destined this season to be a time when My goodness and purpose will be revealed. My mercy and justice is coming. This injustice you are experiencing is about to become a place of celebration and restoration."

An Accident of Despair

In early December I slipped on some ice and ruptured a tendon in my knee. It was one of most painful things I have ever experienced. This injury was not on my radar or included in my life-plan. Within days I was in surgery to repair the torn tendon. My entire life was rearranged in one moment of time.

Immediately following the accident, I was isolated to a chair or couch with a brace on my leg to keep it uncomfortably extended during the initial healing process. 

During this time of recuperation I read, I wrote, I ate food lovingly provided by friends. I did all of these same things each day with no break in my routine. My life became a series of repeats.

One morning I was standing in our bathroom with the support of my crutches. As I was drying my hands, I felt the overwhelming presence of despair enter the room. I had never before felt the presence of despair in my life.

The best way I could describe what I was feeling was that I was being slowly pulled by the current of a powerful river towards the edge of a huge waterfall. It was a power that seemed impossible to resist. What I was going through felt similar to being in the hospital in preparation for my knee surgery and going under anesthesia. As someone goes under anesthesia reality begins to slip away and you are taken to another place.

In the moment just before despair came with its dark vision, the reality of my injury had hit me with full force. 

I had been told I would be in this brace for several months followed by a season of rehabilitation not able to do all the things I love to do.

As I stood there looking into the bathroom mirror, the sorrow of my situation was setting me up to embrace hopelessness. As I drifted towards the edge of despair, I even heard my surgeon's words, "You should be back to normal in 6-8 months." I became overwhelmed with sorrow. My sorrow began to anesthetize me to accept what appeared to be inevitable, taking me to a place I had never been before. The closer I got to the waterfall the deeper I went into the numbing effects of my sorrow.

Over the years, I have ministered to people who have drifted towards this edge of despair and sometimes gone over its falls. Some never returned. Some came back after years of counseling. I was scared.

Out loud, with the hand towel still hanging from my hands, I said, "I have no despair. I have hope in God." 

In that moment the image disappeared and the despair was gone. This was no magic, memorized formula. This was a cry from the depth of my heart in a desperate moment of great need. I left the bathroom and told my wife, Jan, what had just happened. I felt shaken and emotional.

His Goodness and Purpose

In the next few minutes we took communion and prayed. Jan walked me through some directed prayer about despair and we made sure any residue of this lying visitor was no longer present.

A week earlier, the day after my knee injury, the Lord said two words to me that would guide me during this season of recovery. He said this would be a season where I would experience His goodness and purpose. The vision of despair came to try and rob from me of the goodness and purpose God had planned.

What happened to me was an injustice. God did not cause me to slip on the ice. Hell used this situation to attempt to steal, rob and destroy through an act of injustice. God had other plans. His intent was to bless, affirm and build my life in the midst of my suffering.

Calling On the God of Justice

The despair I felt had to be challenged or the injustice I experienced would try to define my life. My future freedom depended upon me confronting despair and the hypnotic influence of ungodly sorrow. 

My only hope was found in calling on the God of justice.

Hope is a person, not a theory. He has authority over the power and imagery of despair. He has given that same authority to us. Despair cannot stand in His presence, nor can despair continue to pull us towards its place of eventual death, if we call upon God in our time of need. Lies have no power in the light of His presence.

As I began to experience a new sense of personal freedom, the Lord said this coming season would be a time of an unusual outpouring of justice for His people. 

Scriptures about His justice began to flood my mind.

"Righteousness and justice are the foundations of Your throne." Psalm 89:14

"For the Lord loves justice, and He will never abandon the godly." Psalm 37:28a

"The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly." Psalm 103:6

"For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward My people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them." Isaiah 61:8

"My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way." Isaiah 51:5

If you have experienced an injustice, God wants you to hear His heart. 

If you have suffered a financial injustice, listen. If you have suffered injustice in your marriage, listen. If you have suffered an injustice concerning the destiny of one of your children, listen. If you suffered an injustice at the hands of another Believer, listen. Listen to the heart of the God of justice.

His mercy and justice is coming. His salvation is on the way.

Garris Elkins, Senior Leader
Living Waters Church – Medford, Oregon

Email: info@prophetichorizons.com
Website: garriselkins.com

Garris Elkins' ministry, Prophetic Horizons, is a ministry of teaching, writing and prophecy committed to raising up a prophetic generation to speak to the cultures of our world with the empowered voice of Heaven. Garris and his wife, Jan, are the Senior Leaders of Living Waters Church in Medford, Oregon, and have two grown children, Anna and David.

Demon Possession: The New Confession of Modern Youth - Jennifer LeClaire (CharismaNews)

Demon Possession: The New Confession of Modern Youth

1/15/2014 JENNIFER LECLAIRE - Charisma News

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Eminem (Facebook)

I don’t listen to secular radio. I haven’t listened to secular radio on purpose since I was saved and tossed thousands of dollars of secular CDs in the garbage.

As dark as secular music was back then, mainstream music has taken on a whole new level ofdemonic influence as popular radio songs work to get our youth to confess they are demon-inspired, if not demon possessed.

This revelation came as I was driving across the state of Florida with my teenaged daughter recently and decided to take a listen to what type of music today’s youth finds appealing. I heard the typical Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry hits that were hardly wholesome but not especially wicked. But I also heard tunes from "artists" like Eminem, Rihanna and Imagine Dragons that shocked me.

Consider the hook in Eminem’s “The Monster,” which features Rihanna: “I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed; Get along with the voices inside of my head; You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath; And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy.”

Then there’s Imagine Dragons with its “Demons” hit that talks about the “beast inside” and proclaims, “No matter what we breed; We still are made of greed; This is my kingdom come; This is my kingdom come” and then goes on to declare, “When you feel my heat; Look into my eyes; It’s where mydemons hide; It’s where my demons hide; Don’t get too close; It’s dark inside; It’s where my demonshide; It’s where my demons hide.”

And this is what much of today’s youth is listening to—rock stars confessing and glorifying their struggles with voices in their heads and demons in their souls. Even church kids are listening to this demon-inspired drivel, singing right along with Rihanna and Imagine Dragons, agreeing they have voices in their heads and demons in their souls when they should agreeing with the voice of God and theHoly Spirit about who He is.

You might say to me, “Jennifer, this is nothing new.” Maybe not. But the beats and lyrics of modern secular music are growing darker. We’ve moved from “amazing grace, how sweet the sound” to Electric Hellfire Club with songs like “Kiss the Goat.” 

I know there’s plenty of Satanic underground heavy metal music that never makes it onto the radio, but clearly Satan, who once led worship in heaven, or his demons are dropping lyrics in the minds of pop stars who have a mainstream radio platform. The key word is mainstream. This isn’t some dark underground music I’m talking about. These are top hits.

What’s the danger? According to an Illinois State University study, male undergraduates behaved with more hostility toward women and were more likely to view aggressive behavior positively after viewing music videos that featured violent acts. And an Emory University Study reveals black girls between 14 and 18 who viewed hardcore rap videos for 14 hours a week or more were 3 times more likely to hit a teacher, 2.5 times more likely to get arrested, and 1.5 times more likely to get a sexually transmitted disease, use drugs, or drink alcohol.

Of course, there’s no particular study about what happens to teens who confess there are voices inside their head and demons hiding inside them. But a spiritually-minded person can connect the dots and the final picture is disturbing. The power of death and life are in the tongue (Prov. 18:21). A generation of youth is confessing insanity and demon-possession over their lives.

Again, you’re probably saying, “Jennifer, this is nothing new.” Maybe not. And maybe there’s nothing we can do to stop today’s youth from confessing they have voices inside of their head and demons inside while they are riding in the car with their friends or even sitting in their rooms with an iPod and headphones blaring the demonic messages in their ears.

But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be vigilant. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t teach our youth the spiritual implications of singing along with their favorite heathen rapper. That doesn’t mean we should allow it in our homes and cars. That doesn’t mean we should bury our heads in the sand while a generation of youth is confessing demon possession and insanity, does it?

Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including The Making of a Prophet. You can email Jennifer at jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com or visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

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Hebron: Controversial Archaeological Dig to Resume - Israel Breaking News

Hebron: Controversial Archaeological Dig to Resume

Posted by: Ahuva Balofsky January 15, 2014 

“Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, unto this day; because that he wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel.” (Joshua 14:14)

Archaeological site in Judea and Samaria. (Photo: Hanay/ Wiki Commons)

Hebron, the city of the forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, will again be host to an archaeological excavation at the Tel Rumeida site.  On Sunday, archaeologists from Ariel University and the Israel Antiquities Authority began the dig, which is expected to last until the end of the year.  The 1.5 acre site, known as Lots 52 and 53, is Jewish-owned, but the dig itself is stirring up controversy.

The city of Hebron is home to a large Palestinian population and a small Jewish one, and tensions in the area run high.  Most of the Jewish residents live in the area around the Cave of the Patriarchs and in the Tel Rumeida neighborhood.  Roughly 700 Jews are protected from their neighbors by some 2000 IDF soldiers.

The archaeological site in question is owned by Jews, according to the IAA, although in the past it had been farmed by the Abu Haikal family as protected Palestinian tenants.  That arrangement ended during the second intifada when the family was prevented from entering the Jewish community.

Hebron is part of the area on which the Palestinians want to establish an independent state, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed Israel’s historic connection to the city and insists it must remain a part of Israel.

Undoubtedly due to political tensions such as these, several archaeologists approached to head the dig turned the project down.

The project itself was the brainchild of Hebron’s Jewish community, which wishes to establish an archaeological park in the area for tourists.  This will be the fourth dig at the Tel Rumeida site.  Earlier digs uncovered such historic treasures as five seals from the time of King Hezekiah, a tablet covered in writing that pre-dates Abraham, remains of a home from the First Temple period, and even walls dating back to the time of Noah.  Archaeologists found artifacts from eras ranging from the early Bronze Age right up to the Ottoman period.

After a prolonged search, the IAA’s Emanuel Eisenberg and Ariel University’s David Ben-Shlomo agreed to lead the excavations.  Eisenberg is no stranger to Tel Rumeida; he led the excavations in the late 1990’s, the last time the area was explored.

On Thursday, Hebron’s Jewish Community spokesman David Wilder wrote of the project on his Facebook page: “Fifteen years ago archeologist Emanuel Eisenberg, from the Israeli Antiquities Authority, headed excavations that led to fascinating discoveries in Tel Hebron.

“This week he returned, together with Prof. Shlomo Ben-David (sic) from Ariel University, and renewed excavations on the tel. Hopes are high for more fascinating finds, going back to the days of King David and before.”

The entire project will be funded jointly by the Culture Ministry and the Civil Administration to the tune of NIS 7 million (about $2 million US).

The project has been criticized by left-wing activists.  Peace Now’s secretary general Yariv Oppenheimer told Haaretz news agency, “It’s expanding the settlement under the guise of archaeological digs.  Under [US Secretary of State John] Kerry’s nose, the defense minister is allowing the settlers to expand and change the status quo in the most explosive spot in the West Bank.”  Kerry is in the Middle East to broker peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

“The dig in Tel Rumeida is another case of exploiting an antiquities site for the political struggle,” said archaeologist Yoni Mizrahi of Emek Shaveh, a group of left-leaning archaeologists.

“Like the sites of Ir David and Sussia, now they’re using Hebron’s ancient site as a political means to strengthen the Israeli settlement. We cannot understand how they can dig in one of the most conflicted cities in the region and claim the dig is not political,” said Mizrahi.

Mizrahi also said to AFP, “If settlers built homes on land that used to be owned by Palestinians, they would continue to be viewed by much of the Israeli public as a group of extremists. But through creating archaeological sites, settlers can bring in tourists, representing themselves as people who are protecting the place.”

In its report, The Jewish Press questioned these objections, pointing out the implications that finding archaeological evidence of early Jewish settlement in the area would have.

For their part, neither the IAA nor the Civil Administration addressed the political tensions.  The IAA said only, “The authority is working in cooperation with the archaeology officer. In the past, excavations have been carried out in Hebron, including at this site. As the leading professional archaeology institution, the authority is prepared for large-scale excavations, as required in this one.”

The Civil Administration added,  “The Antiquities Authority has been carrying out rescue excavations in Tel Hebron, following the Hebron settlers’ initiative to develop an archaeological park open to the public. The administration is endeavoring as a matter of routine to protect, develop and carry out rescue digs regardless of the future of these sites and the arrangement to be carried out in the future.”

Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/archaeologists-return-hebron/#IGHEFhD8vkASOfHp.99

Israel365 - "Whoever is among you of His entire people - may his God be with him - and let him go up to Jerusalem."

Whoever is among you of  His entire people - may his God  be with him - and let him  go up to Jerusalem. EZRA (1:3) מִי בָכֶם מִכָּל עַמּוֹ יְהִ י אֱ-לֹהָיו עִמּוֹ וְיַעַל לִירוּשָׁלִַם עזרא א:ג mee ba-KHEM mee-kol ah-MO ye-HEE eh-lo-HAV ee-MO ve-ya-AL lee-roo-sha-LA-yeem

Today’s Israel Inspiration

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat is devoted to bringing today's words from the book of Ezra to life, as he says: “The vision I have for the city is to return Jerusalem to the role it played two and three thousand years ago as a world center -- a destination for pilgrims and believers throughout the world.”

Bring the Bible to life and make it "this year in Jerusalem!" Join Rabbi Tuly Weisz on a once in a lifetime tour of Israel.

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A Beautiful Winter View of Israel
Stunning aerial video of the beautiful mountains and towns of Israel covered in snow this winter.
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Hijab vs. Niqab: How Should Women Dress in Public?“…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)

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75% off Israel Calendar
Enjoy our inspiring Israel Calendar featuring gorgeous photos of the Land of Israel, along with all major Jewish holidays, weekly Torah portions and Shabbat candle lighting times.
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Today's Israel Photo
Join us in Israel this May 2014 and you'll see the Bible come to life like never before.

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Yesterday's Photo Trivia

Did you guess all of the Seven Species? Count them here: “A Land of wheat, barley, grape, fig and pomegranate; a Land of olive oil and honey.” (Deut. 8:8). Tomorrow on Tu B’shvat (the new year of the trees) we eat from the foods that are mentioned here, so if you have a chance, see if you can find a pomegranate to enjoy!





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Israel's Ariel Sharon Laid to Rest - CBN News

Israel's Ariel Sharon Laid to Rest

By Chris Mitchell
CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief
Tuesday, January 14, 2014

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Leaders from around the world gathered in Israel Monday to say a final farewell to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Sharon died Saturday after living more than eight years in a coma from a massive cerebral hemorrhage in 2006. He was 85.

Sharon's official state memorial began outside Israel's parliament building in Jerusalem. Leaders like U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair paid homage to Sharon.

Israeli President Shimon Peres, a longtime friend of Sharon, called him a "man of the land" and a "military legend."

Sharon's body made the trip from the parliament to southern Israel and Sharon's ranch.

On the way, Israel's military honored Sharon at Latrun, the site of one of the Jewish state's pivotal battles during the War of Independence in 1948, where Sharon fought and was wounded. Then his body made its way to his ranch and final resting place.

Sons Gilad and Omri

At the gravesite, Sharon's two children, Gilad, and Omri, had their shirts torn as a biblical sign of mourning. His son, Gilad, declared his father turned the impossible into reality.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz saluted Sharon as commander and said the IDF would continue to emulate his military initiatives.

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz

Sharon leaves behind a rich legacy in Israel's modern history.

For nearly 60 years -- for better or for worse -- Sharon was on the front lines of Israel's military and political battles.

Sharon was lionized for his heroics in the 1967 Six Day War and for how he turned the tide of the battle in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

Sharon in 1967 Six Day War

Still, many criticized his actions in the 1982 Lebanon War and the bitter 2005 unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Yet at his funeral, his supporters remembered Sharon as a leader who felt a deep responsibility for the Jewish state, its people, and their Promised Land.

He is buried next to his beloved wife, Lily, 

on the ranch he loved.

Click here to watch:

CBN News - full video of Sharon Burial

Sharon's Prophetic Question about Middle East Christians - Jerusalem Dateline CBN News

Jerusalem Dateline

Chris Mitchell, CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief

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Sharon's Prophetic Question about Middle East Christians

In 1982 Israel invaded Lebanon. One of the architects of that invasion was Ariel Sharon, who was laid to rest on January 13, 2014.

While there were many tragedies and mistakes associated with Israel's invasion, it came in response to the mini-terror state Yasser Arafat and the PLO had established within Lebanese territory. He used it as a base to carry out cross-border attacks against Israel.

Arafat also terrorized Lebanon's Christian community and committed a number of atrocities.

Sharon spoke with Pat Robertson on The 700 Club in 1989 about Lebanon and Israel's commitment to helping the Lebanese Christians. He asked where the West was and why it didn't come to the aid of the Christians?

More than 30 years later, with Christians fleeing the Middle East in unprecedented numbers because of Islamic terrorism, Sharon's question remains as valid now as it was then.

"Israel has been helping the small Christian community in Lebanon since 1975. It was started then by Prime Minister Rabin and Minister of Defense, Mr. Peres. We ourselves, the Jews, being a small nation and a minority, we understood the need to support and back that small Christian community. And since then, these relations developed.

For many years, Israel was the only country that supported. We sent our medical doctors there, we sent our helicopters to evacuate the wounded. I never saw others doing this. At the present time, we can see the disaster in Lebanon. We can see the atrocities, the heavy shelling by the Syrians, and what bothers me is that the free world-the Western democracies-are not taking the steps in order to help the Christians.

We ourselves were asked to leave Lebanon. We did what we could have done. But what about the Western world? I think the Western world should come up and stick to its commitment not to let the Syrians and the, the terrorist organizations-the Arab terrorist organizations-to threaten the small Christian community."

Watch the full interview below.

Print     Email to a Friend    posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 12:15 PM

Click here: Jerusalem Dateline - Sharon