Allah and the God of Israel - ISRAEL TODAY

Allah and the God of Israel

Sunday, March 16, 2014 |  Victor Mordechai  ISRAEL TODAY

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The Muslims in Malaysia are acting to prevent the nation's Christians from using the name "Allah" for God. Their contention is that Allah belongs only to the Muslims. No Christian is allowed to "sully" Allah’s name by claiming that he is God of the Christians as well.

The full article appears in the March 2014 issue of Israel Today Magazine.

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Tiffany Ann Lewis: To Lean Or Not To Lean?

Tiffany Ann Lewis:

To Lean Or Not To Lean?

I would like to talk about Sampson and something that is seldom brought up: his natural strength. Generally, when we think about Sampson, we think about his supernatural strength or his fall to temptation resulting from dabbling with Delilah; however, I believe there is something else to be revealed here that we can all benefit from. 

I believe Sampson's greatest folly was not leaning on God because of his natural strength.

You see, I don't picture Sampson as a wimpy lad wandering around waiting for the Spirit of the Lord to come upon him, empowering him. The Bible says he was a warrior, so I believe he had plenty of natural strength of his own. He had to be ready to battle 24/7, in season and out.

Beloved, I believe that each of us has some natural strength that makes it possible to walk out what God has called us to do. Let me explain. There is a call, there are gifts, and there are talents – three different things. Each of us has received a call from God to be the light to the world around us. The gifts of the Holy Spirit empower us to reflect that light through the talents God has given us.

His Anointing

How that glorious Light is expressed through us will be uniquely different for everyone. A talent represents any kind of natural resource we are given. For example, a worship leader isn't a worship leader just because they can play an instrument or sing. A worship leader is called by God to lead others into His presence.

Furthermore, God may give that leader a supernatural gift of being able to hear His voice through the music so he/she can prophesy. Nevertheless, that individual has a natural talent of making music; there is skill that he/she needs to utilize in order to make that joyful sound to the Lord. With all that said, natural talent/strength can make beautiful music, but it can only touch the soul realm of the listener. 

Only the anointing of His Spirit will touch the heart.

The problem arises when we begin to gain confidence in our natural skill. I used that example because I was a worship leader long before I was a pastor, and it taught me a lesson I pray I never forget. When I began leading worship, I was scared to death. I would spend days praying and fasting in hopes that I could get all the way through a song without falling on my face.

Thankfully, over the years, I grew more confident and I didn't feel sick to my stomach every time I led worship. Unfortunately, as I gained confidence, I wasn't praying with the same intensity to make it through a service as I did in the beginning. 

Now, there is nothing wrong with confidence, but so often, as our confidence grows in that area, our prayer life diminishes in it.

Our Own Strength

In the Bible, prayerlessness is symbolized by sleep. It's no coincidence that Sampson was sleeping on Delilah's lap when his hair was cut. When he woke up, he just assumed that he could operate once again as he had always done before. 

Beloved, please hear this: Just because God anointed what you did yesterday, doesn't mean that He's anointing it today.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Evidently it was worth repeating, because it's quoted twice: both in Proverbs 14:12 and in Proverbs 16:25. So often we run out and do something assuming it will work just because it's worked for us in the past. Sampson ran out in the way that seemed right to him, and his enemies captured him. 

His greatest deception was not Delilah; it was his own strength. The deception comes when our natural talent causes us to lose sight of our utter dependency on God.

It would be very easy for me to lean on my experience or a good song list in order to lead worship "well," but then I wouldn't be leaning on Him anymore – I'd be leaning on my knowledge. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." 

Sampson woke up finding himself once again in a situation where he needed to use his strength, and he said, "'I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!' But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him" (Judges 16:20).

Sampson got up and ran out as he had many times before, but notice, this time he didn't even know that the presence of the Lord had left him. O' God, how sad...how is this possible that he didn't even know? He must have been doing things for a long time in his own strength if he couldn't even discern the difference between when God was with him and when He wasn't.

Remember to Lean!

Tears sting my eyes and I tremble deep inside because I know firsthand what it's like to run out apart from the presence of the Lord. I know what it feels like to have turned left when God has turned right, only to find myself standing in my own strength and not His. I read this Bible passage and an alarm goes off in my spirit as if the Lord is shouting, "Warning, warning, please remember to lean!" 

What will it take us to get there? Does God have to cut our hair, or can we realize it through this glimpse into Sampson's life?

We have an opportunity right now to learn from Sampson's mistake. My calling today as a pastor is different than it was as a worship leader, and it's very different from Sampson's, and your calling is probably quite different from mine. However, one thing that we all have in common is our total dependency on Jesus Christ to help us walk it out.

The Lord wants us leaning on Him in all things, always! 

Seriously, think about it: all things, always – in raising our children, in doing our job, in all day-to-day affairs. He wants us leaning on Him emotionally, physically, and spiritually. He wants us leaning on Him for our next meal, our next promotion, and our next breath, in all things, always.

The Lord is inviting us today to take this leaning position. May we respond and choose to lean. Amen and Amen.

Tiffany Ann Lewis
Dancing With the Flame of the LORD Ministries

Email: tiffanyann@tiffanyannlewis.com
Website: tiffanyannlewis.com

Tiffany Ann Lewis is a prophetic worship leader and Bible teacher with a unique focus on Biblical Hebrew, and whose heart has been passionately awakened by a God who sees us in our shortcomings, loves us in spite of it all, and calls out to us so we can live (Ezekiel 16). Her vision is to create an atmosphere in worship where we can meet with God face-to-face, where the Spirit of God moves freely, releasing emotional, spiritual, and physical healing, and igniting a passion for our Heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus. 

Tiffany Ann has been ministering for over 15 years in the Body of Christ through worship and the Word. Her newest opportunity will be to serve as an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Hebrew at the Quest Bible Institute in Georgia where she is also a fully matriculated student enrolled in a graduate level Biblical/theological studies program at Quest Bible Institute and Seminary. Upon completion of her studies she will be awarded a Master's degree in Biblical Studies.

Tiffany and her husband Rodney have been married for more than twenty years and have one darling daughter, Ashley, a glorious granddaughter, Gloriana, and two precious pups that are also a part of their family.

From the desk of Steve Shultz:

There are some great life-lessons for us to glean on from Tiffany Ann Lewis' latest article. What she speaks about here – we've all been through!

It's always good to LEAN on the LORD and not ourselves, nor lean on our own understanding.

Enjoy this word!

Steve

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Blessings,

Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News 

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"Be A Blessing - Not Just Be To Get" - Rick Joyner - video clip

Rick Joyner, MorningStar Ministries

Know the Lord by His voice and face, not by His hand (outs).

Be one who wants to bless, not just get from God.

Rick Joyner, MorningStar Ministries in Fort Mill, SC

March 16, 2014

Video by Steve Martin, Love For His People using IPhone.

Rick Joyner - "Change A Few Things" - video clip

Rick Joyner, MorningStar Ministries

Change is necessary if we are to move on in the purposes of God. Or we will become an old wine skin.

Rick Joyner, MorningStar Ministries, Fort Mill SC. March 16, 2014

Video by Steve Martin, Love For His People, using my IPhone.

"Embrace The Change When It Comes" - Rick Joyner - video clip

Rick Joyner

The Lord brings change to keep us fresh. Embrace the change and move with it. Rick Joyner

March 16, 2014 at MorningStar

Video by Steve Martin, Love For His People (using my IPhone)

Millions of Christian Women Shared This Article—Why? - Steve Strang

March 14, 2014 CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Steve Strang, Founder, Publisher

It happened around Valentine’s Day, when loving couples are supposed to be choosing gifts for one another. Instead, many were reading—and sharing—Lee Grady’s Fire in My Bones column entitled “10 Men Christian Women Should Never Marry.” It went massively viral, shared nearly 2 million times on charismamag.com alone.

The question is, why?

As mentioned, Lee wrote the column the week of Valentine’s Day, so the timing may have had something to do with it. However, he had no idea 2 million people would read it and that nearly 1.5 million would share it.

I’ve known Lee for more than 30 years. I know he has a solid marriage. I know he mentors a lot of young men and that the subject of marriage often comes up. He’s definitely got God’s wisdom on the matter. But was it just his wisdom that caused the rush to share it far and wide?

At first my staff thought it had been picked up by secular sites in order to make fun of Christians. When it had been shared “only" 300,000 times, one of the editors emailed me and said, “I’m 90 percent sure it's a secular site driving this, given the few comments on our own site. It’s been difficult to track the real source because it’s on FB.”

Now we’re not so sure. The comments on the site are almost all from Christians. It’s as if there is a deep desire from Christians who are so disappointed in people due to addictions, divorce, compromised standards and so forth that they resonate with a father figure like Lee telling women things their dad or pastor should have told them.

Why else would it be shared so many times on Facebook? People making fun don’t really share items at that level. If you missed the article, you can read it here.

Lee confirmed most reactions came from Facebook when I asked him about the reaction. “No secular outfits contacted me, but many Christian groups did,” he said. “Also, I got tons of private messages, mostly from women wanting advice because they had married some of the men I warned women not to marry!”

Lee got a lot of requests after the first article came out, and a week later, he wrote “8 Women Christian Men Should Never Marry.” That article also went viral, but at a lower velocity—only 230,000 shares.

So it’s your turn. Chime in. Tell us what you think. Did you learn anything? Is Lee wrong? Or maybe you can answer the question I tried to answer here: Why did an article on the type of men Christian women shouldn't marry go viral with 2 million shares?

Steve Strang is the founder and publisher of Charisma. Follow him on Twitter at @sstrang or Facebook (stephenestrang).

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J. Lee Grady - 6 Mentors Who Can Help You Grow Spiritually

J. Lee Grady - 6 Mentors Who Can 

Help You Grow Spiritually

CHARISMA MAGAZINE March 2014

God doesn’t want us to live in isolation. I realized many years ago that I desperately need people in my life in order to fulfill my purpose. My parents invested in me, and so did teachers, coaches, employers, pastors, role models and good friends. I am not self-made, and neither are you. Any success we have achieved is the result of someone taking time to instruct, encourage or correct us. That’s humbling!

Mentorship is a basic biblical principle. The book of Proverbs opens with an exhortation to listen not only to parents but also to the “words of the wise” (Prov. 1:6, NASB). Moses mentored Joshua, Naomi mentored Ruth, and Elijah mentored Elisha. Jesus spent most of His time teaching a small group of disciples. One of those, Peter, discipled his spiritual son, Mark (1 Pet. 5:13), who in turn wrote the Gospel of Mark based on Peter’s testimony.

The message of Christ is best transmitted through the process of mentoring. But this art has been lost in today’s church—partly because of family breakdown and partly because our celebrity-obsessed culture values self-effort and instant results. Mentoring is too slow for most of us because we prefer the overnight sensation. God’s kingdom is built through a tedious process we don’t have the patience for.

Yet I believe we can reclaim biblical discipleship. In fact, I’m convinced the church is shifting radically back to God’s original plan as we reject the program-driven, impersonal, televangelistic one-man show of the past season. Everywhere I go I find people who are hungry for authentic relationships that can help them become team players and mature mentors.

I’ve found six types of mentors who have helped me in my spiritual journey:

1. Distant mentors. British author Charles Spurgeon died in 1892, but I consider him a mentor because I read his books often. The same is true of other dead authors such as Andrew Murray and A.W. Tozer. You don’t have to know a person to receive instruction from them. I’ve never met author Henry Blackaby, but his books, especially Experiencing God, have profoundly influenced me.

2. Occasional mentors. Brother Andrew, the founder of the Open Doors ministry, became a hero to me after I read his book God’s Smuggler in the 1970s. Then in 2004, I had the privilege of interviewing him in his home in Holland. Some of the things he said to me that day still ring in my ears. I may never visit him again, but he made an eternal investment in my life.

3. Supportive friends. A mentor does not have to be 20 years older than you. I have a close group of peers who sometimes gather from four states just to pray for each other. We call this group “the band of brothers.” I am constantly on the phone with a few of them. We share prayer requests and offer advice—and we aren’t afraid to step on each others’ toes if necessary. You need friends like that to survive life’s challenges.

4. Negative mentors. Not everyone you meet is a good example. I have sometimes encountered people in positions of leadership who had serious flaws. Some had prideful attitudes; others had poor people skills; a few had selfish agendas. Rather than allowing myself to become bitter or judgmental, I studied their behavior and determined to avoid doing the same things. I said to myself, “Let this be a lesson. That is not how to lead.”

5. Reverse mentors. You can also learn from younger people. I invest in a lot of Timothys, and they love to ask me for counsel. But I sometimes flip roles and pick their brains. One of the guys I’m mentoring, Alex, is a tech geek—so I know he will have the answer when I have a question about my computer, my smartphone or the latest app. I also get regular feedback from the guys I’m mentoring because I want to know if I’m communicating in a way that is relevant to their generation. Sometimes the best way to mentor is to ask questions!

6. Spiritual fathers and mothers. God has used many different mentors in my life, but there are some who invested in me in a very personal way for a long span of time. One of them, Barry St. Clair, invited me to a discipleship group when I was only 15. He taught me the basics of the Christian life during those Bible studies in his basement, and we have stayed connected for 40 years. This month the two of us are doing a conference together in Atlanta! Barry has been a role model, counselor and spiritual father most of my life, and his investment in me has now been passed on to dozens of others.

If you don’t have mentors, I urge you to find them. If you are fortunate to have been mentored, then pay forward what you have received—and invest in someone else.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma. You can follow him on Twitter at@leegrady. He is the author of 10 Lies Men Believe and other books.

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Happy!

Happy happy!

Published on Mar 14, 2014

The obvious Purim Anthem of 2014! Pharrell style.
via: http://www.jewbellish.com

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Gifts - You Have One To Share - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Gifts - You Have One To Share

Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of your trust; if it is serving, use it to serve; if you are a teacher, use your gift in teaching; if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and exhort; if you are someone who gives, do it simply and generously; if you are in a position of leadership, lead with diligence and zeal; if you are one who does acts of mercy, do them cheerfully.” Rom. 12:6-8 CJB

A package arrived via UPS the other day. I didn’t know what was in it. I wasn’t expecting anything, so when I saw it I thought, “Yes, a gift!” What a simple joyful moment it was.

We all like gifts – for our birthday, during the eight days of Hanukkah, at Christmas time (12 days is nice!), and especially the unexpected ones between St. Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Getting a gift shows someone has thought of us, cares for us, and wants to put a big smile on our face. Yes, I like that.

Our Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach) delights in giving gifts. He has a purpose in doing it too. When He gives a gift, it usually comes at an ordained time in our life. He wants to impart in us His love for us, and to then further express through us His love for those we will be touching, because He Himself wants to touch them. With His hope, faith, encouragement and joy, He will through us.

What kind of gifts does the Lord give? The verses from Romans above lists a few – prophetic words spoken, serving, teaching, comforting and exhorting, giving, leading, having mercy for another. They are all action words. We are given gifts so we can share them with others. Always with the purpose to demonstrate His love for His people He has created.

The world talks about being happy. It would seem, according to all the images and words that hit us, that our goal in life is “to be happy”. Sure, being sad isn’t fun. But is “being happy” the real purpose of our existence? To live for our own fulfillment, pleasure, entertainment? Often it would appear that way.

But Jesus says that as we lay down our lives for others, using the gifts He has given us in serving them, that the true desires of our heart will come about, and JOY will result. Joy comes as we bless others, and seeing them experience the real life the Lord intends for each. Giving out gives back.

You have a spiritual gift. You probably have several. They may have been imparted to you at an early age, awaiting for the time when you would begin using them for the sake of others. As you get training in their functions and how they can best effectively operate through you, the joy you bring to others will have an eternal effect on them, and also in you.

If you don’t know what your gifts are, I can recommend several good books to you. And heh, maybe you will get one in the mail or UPS, as a surprise package. When it comes, open it up, give thanks, and let His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) begin to use you to be a blessing to those He wants you to touch.

And speaking of touch, you’ll be surprised whom He will send you to, in order to share your gift. His heart will grow in yours as you do.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

P.S. By the way, that UPS gift was a book from a friend. I like books. This one was extra special, coming from them.

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 letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

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Now Think On This #130  “Gifts” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (03.16.14) Sunday at 6:30 am in Charlotte, NC).

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

Bill Yount: When God Calls and Says, "Why Not You? Why Not You?"

Bill Yount:

When God Calls and Says, 

"Why Not You? Why Not You?"

When God calls He rarely considers our plans. Where He leads often makes no sense to us. When I want to stay, He says, "Go!" When I want to go, He says, "Stay!" 

The worst place on earth turns out to be the perfect place to advance His Kingdom. And He never asks me what time it is when He says, "Go!"

Tomato Salvation

A husband and wife shared how they wanted to leave their small town in Texas. Darkness oppressed them. God said, "Stay and plant a church!" 

A woman, the town drunk, kept interrupting the services. She stomped her feet and gave mean looks. One day, the pastor, while preaching, happened to mention how he loved tomatoes. The intoxicated woman with a loud voice spoke up: "Tomatoes? I grow tomatoes in my back yard. I will bring you some!"

The next service she brought the tomatoes. During the sermon she came under conviction and gave her life to the Lord. Instant deliverance! The whole town shook from the power of her testimony. Her drinking friends still ask her, "How long is this going to last?" She tells them, "Til Jesus comes and for all eternity. I am done with alcohol. I have no taste for it!" 

When God calls us to a certain place, it usually isn't for our sake but for someone else's. 

(Photo via Stock.xchange by Henrik Pelsen)

God's Most Wanted List

When God calls, it's time to tear up our list of people who we think are too far gone in sin and evil. Surprisingly, we find them on "God's Most Wanted List," where we used to be.

If God saved you and me, He can save anybody. I believe when we see God face-to-face, we will realize we could have loved more and judged less.

Years ago, my mother called and said, "Bill, your half-brother, Clifford, got saved!" I said, "You mean Clifford?" Unbelief struck me. Clifford lived in bars and had so many women in his life. I am ashamed to say it, but I gave up on Clifford years ago. And I couldn't believe the Lord saved him without me praying.

The cross hairs of Heaven are on many we have given up hope for and written off. 

In Jesus' name, great strongholds, chains, and bondages will be broken this year over both the lost and God's people who are captive and have become trophies in the enemy's camp!

God gives up on no one. 

He is pulling the trigger on unconditional love, exploding in the darkest hearts, impacting whole nations. Those who have nothing going for them will rise up out of obscurity as the Lord gets all the glory. The odds stacked against them will fall like dominoes.

Why Not You?

The world watched in unbelief as the Seattle Seahawks obliterated the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. The shortest quarterback to win a Super Bowl game was Seahawks' Russell Wilson at 5' 11''. 

His height, from the start, was a handicap to play football. Russell said, "I remember my dad asking me one time – and it's something that has always stuck with me: 'Why not you, Russ? Why not you?" 

Russell repeated those words to his team. "Why not us? Why not us to win the Super Bowl?" 

(Photo via NFL)

God is calling many this hour who have the odds stacked high against them. But can you hear your Father's voice say, "Why not YOU? Why NOT you?" 

Don't think, "Why me, Lord?" Shout, "Why not me? Here am I, Lord, send me!"

His voice shook me today. "Follow Me!" I heard those words thirty-seven years ago while working in a steel mill. That call led me to leave a good paying job and give my bank account away. Though difficult, it's the best thing I've ever done. On a recent morning, those words returned stronger, with urgency. I'm not sure what it will mean this time. But I will follow Him. Why not? Why not me?

Bill Yount
Blowing the Shofar Ministries

Email: theshofarhasblown@juno.com
Website: billyount.com

Bill Yount has been a member of Bridge of Life in Hagerstown, Maryland, for the past 33 years where he is now an elder and a home missionary. He is currently an advisor at large for Aglow International. 

Bill faithfully served in prison ministry at Mount Hope for 23 years and now travels full-time, both in the U.S. and internationally, ministering in churches and Aglow circles. "Humility and humor" characterize his ministry as he brings forth a fresh word that is "in season," proclaiming the word of the Lord! The shofar (or ram's horn) is often used in his meetings, breaking the powers of darkness over regions, churches, and households. 

The shofar represents God's breath blowing into the nostrils of His people, reviving them and awakening the lost. Many of God's messages, which Bill ministers prophetically, come out of his everyday life with his family and friends.

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March 15, 2014 Bill Yount: When God Calls and Says, "Why Not You? Why Not You?"

From the desk of Steve Shultz:

Many of us know people that we've been praying for to get saved... and for the prodigals to come home. Bill Yount's latest word will encourage you to NEVER GIVE UP on anyone! Bill shares:

God gives up on no one. He is pulling the trigger on unconditional love, exploding in the darkest hearts, impacting whole nations. Those who have nothing going for them will rise up out of obscurity as the Lord gets all the glory. The odds stacked against them will fall like dominoes.

You never know if that person you've been praying for YEARS for could very well be a World Changer... Never give up!

Blessings,
Steve

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Note from Steve Shultz:

Your support for the Elijah List helps to pay the cost to deliver daily Words from the Lord to you for FREE. You help us by simply purchasing your prophetic and other Christian resources from a selection of over 6,000 products directly from us at:elijahshopper.com.

We appreciate our dear readers and we thank you for supporting your Elijah List staff!

Blessings,

Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News 
http://www.elijahlist.com http://www.breakingchristiannews.com
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