Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
High Court Strikes Down Abortion Clinic Buffer Zones
CBNNews.com Thursday, June 26, 2014
The Supreme Court handed a victory to pro-lifers Thursday.
The justices unanimously struck down a 2007 Massachusetts law that created a 35-foot protest-free zone outside abortion clinics in Massachusetts.
The high court ruled a buffer zone 35 feet from the entrances of clinics violates the First Amendment rights of protesters.
Chief Justice John Roberts says authorities can deal with problems outside abortion clinics in less intrusive ways.
"Americans have the freedom to talk to whomever they please on public sidewalks," said Mark Rienzi, an allied attorney of Alliance Defending Freedom, the organization that filed the lawsuit in McCullen v. Coakley.
"That includes peaceful pro-lifers like Eleanor McCullen, who just wants to offer information and help to women who would like it," he continued. "The Supreme Court has affirmed a critical freedom that has been an essential part of American life since the nation's founding."
Attorneys at Americans United for Life filed amicus curiae briefs twice in the Supreme Court. They argued the law, which was enforceable through criminal sanctions, was unconstitutional.
"In a brazen affront to the First Amendment, Massachusetts government officials had sought to use the threat of arrest and criminal conviction to silence those offering women life-affirming alternatives to abortion," AUL president and CEO Charmaine Yoest charged.
"The Supreme Court rightly rejected this unlawful attempt to deny pro-life Americans their First Amendment rights," Yoest said.
Finding a red heifer is like finding a needle in a hay stack. But early this week some overly industrious Jew managed to do just that in the United States of America.
This finding is all the more intriguing considering that on the coming Sabbath (Shabbat) Jews will read in the synagogues the Torah portion that begins with one of the mysterious commandment of the Red Heifer: “Tell the Israelites to procure for you a red heifer that is free from every blemish and defect and on which no yoke has ever been laid…” (Num. 19:2ff).
The Red Heifer is an extremely rare creature. According to Jewish tradition, during the two thousand years from the time this commandment was given until the destruction of the Second Temple in the first century AD, only nine red cows that met the biblical criteria were ever found.
For a cow to be a Red Heifer it has to be without blemish, one that was never put to work and completely reddish. Jewish law requires keeping the young cow under strict care until it reaches three years old. During this time, leaning on the cow, riding it even once or even putting a piece of cloth on its back disqualifies it from becoming a Red Heifer.
Strict rules also apply to its color. Two single hairs of a color other than red automatically disqualify it from becoming a Red Heifer. A Red Heifer candidate that that was discovered in 2000 was disqualified after two black hairs were found on it.
Likewise, a cow that meets all other criteria, but is older than four is disqualified. The present calf has a long way until, if at all, it will become a real Red Heifer.
In biblical times, the Red Heifer was to be completely burnt by a priest outside the Temple. Interestingly enough, the Red Heifer was burnt on the Mount of Olives, where the Dominus Flevit [The Lord Cried] Church is located today.
After being burnt, the Red Heifer’s ashes were mixed with water called the “water of remission,” which was used to purify people, especially those defiled by touching dead animals. This most serious form of defilement required Jews to undergo a ceremonial cleansing with the ash of a Red Heifer before they could again enter the Temple courtyards. In other words, without the Red Heifer, Jewish worship on the Temple Mount is not possible.
The discovery of a red calf that could potentially become a Red Heifer excites many Jews who believe that Moses prepared the first Red Heifer and Messiah will prepare the last one.
The possibility of finding a real Red Heifer prompted the Temple Institute to make the logistic preparations needed for bringing the American calf to Israel and to train priests that will perform this sacred and rare sacrificial ceremony.
At least in theory, this calf could help Jews sufficiently purify themselves to engage in real Temple activities. For now, however, believers will have to chew their nails for at least two and a half years before it will be known whether or not this import is the Red Heifer.
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I see many Believers discouraged because of unfulfilled prophesies regarding their call to the nations. Many received revelation from the Lord years ago that they were called to preach the Gospel to the nations but they have not seen the vision manifest. Things are shifting even now.
In this next season, I see the Lord thrusting His people out into the fields that are white with harvest. Some of this will take place "suddenly".
Doors of opportunity will open and there will be a new kindling of past fires of zeal, passion, and vision in hearts. A great harvest awaits us in the nations.
The Lord says, "Prepare yourself in My presence for I will fill you afresh. I will empower you. You will go forth bringing My Love, My Word, and My power to those who are waiting for My salvation. Those things that you saw in the spirit years ago... the things that were prophesied over you – are ready to come forth.
Prepare yourself. It is time."
Word #2: Live Big - Live Well!
A new outpouring and blessing from the Lord is coming on those who are 60 years of age and older. The Lord has revealed that many who were contemplating "retirement" are going to be receiving fresh vision for new endeavors, mandates, and calls.
Many in their 60s will say, "I feel like I am only in my 30s or 40s, for my vision and my strength are alive within me."
They will feel an acceleration of energy and vitality. When people say "I am 60," it will no longer be looked on by society as "old"... and many in this generation will be living to over 100 years of age.
Live Big - Live Well!
Patricia King Founder and Director of XPMEDIA.COM INC
Patricia King is a respected minister of the Gospel, successful owner of four flourishing businesses, and an inventive entrepreneur. She is an accomplished itinerant speaker, author, television host, and media producer, and has given her life fully to Jesus Christ and to His Kingdom's advancement in the earth. She is the co-founder of XPmedia.com and overseer of Christian Services Association.
Golden Menorah near Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem
Lion statue near Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem
As part of our Love For His People "Ahava Adventrures" trip, my son Ben and I walked to the Western Wall on a Monday night on Nov. 4, 2013.You will see the Golden Menorah too, just before we reach the Western Wall final steps and look out. Beautiful night! And safe!
Come along, as we head to the Kotel (Western Wall) and I record along the way. Then you can say you too walked the streets in the Old City of Jerusalem (until you actually do with us next year I hope!)
Photos and video filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc. Nov. 2013
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The Real Reason Liberal Churches Are Losing Members
Why are the more liberal mainline Protestant denominations seemingly bleeding members? (R. Nial Bradshaw [edited])
Almost every day conservative Christians are told that if we don't become more enlightened and progressive, we will become irrelevant to society as our numbers continue to decline.
In reality, the opposite is true: We will only be relevant to the extent we honor God and hold fast to biblical truth, which is why the more "progressive" and "enlightened churches" are the ones losing members the most rapidly.
God will back His gospel, not some man-made, watered-down message.
God will back the exaltation of Jesus, not some muddled, every-path-leads-to-God nonsense.
God will back the call to take up the cross and live for Him, not some flesh-pleasing success formula.
God will back biblical standards, not some meet-me-halfway, worldly-wise compromise.
The truth be told, most people who are serious about spiritual things are looking to join with people of like mind, while most people who don't take God's Word seriously will not take spiritual commitment seriously either.
Why bother going to church if you don't believe what's being preached? Why go to a prayer meeting or a Bible study if you're not sure any of it is real? Why make a serious commitment to church life if you view committed Christians as radical extremists?
In 1974, a German theologian named Gerhard Meier wrote a bold and controversial book entitled The End of the Historical Critical Method, explaining that what the seminaries were teaching the pastors was not helping the people.
Maier argued that pastors in training would attend seminary, where they would learn the "historical critical" method of interpretation, being told that Moses didn't write the Pentateuch, that the prophets didn't predict the coming of the Messiah, that Jesus didn't really rise from the dead, and that the Bible was not truly God's Word, among other things. Then they would go and preach to their congregations, but they had nothing to give them.
The congregants came to church services to find strength and guidance, to grow in faith and hope, to learn how to cope with difficult circumstances, but the pastors were full of unbelief. And so, cathedrals that seated 3,000 people would have 30 in attendance on Sunday morning.
Recently, in light of a steep decline in attendance at Church of England services, Baroness Brenda Hale, one of England's top judges, told a conference at Yale Law School that the Church of England is in decline precisely it makes so few demands on its adherents: "It has no dietary laws, no dress codes for men or women and very little that its members can say is actually required of them by way of observance."
How remarkable. It appears that Lady Hale is aware of the old adage that if something costs nothing, it is worth nothing.
To be sure, some church groups will grow because of an "itching ear" message, as the preachers tell the people what they want to hear. This is one of the reasons that Jesus said that the road to destruction is broad (see Matthew 7:13). But over the long haul, there will not likely be sustainable life and growth on a denominational level where compromise is the hallmark.
And there are, it is true, conservative denominations like the Southern Baptist Convention that have seen a decline in membership in recent years, although the reasons for that appear to be varied.
But it is the liberal churches, those which embrace abortion and homosexual practice and which compromise biblical truth and biblical standards, which have experienced the steepest decline in membership. In all likelihood, they also have far lower commitment levels from their people.
Wikipedia notes that, "At the time of its formation, the UCC [United Church of Christ] had over 2 million members in nearly 7,000 churches. The denomination has suffered a 44 percent loss in membership since the mid-1960s ... As of the 2014 Annual Yearbook of the UCC, membership is listed as 979,239 members in 5154 local churches."
The Episcopal Church had a membership of 3.4 million in the mid-1960s; today, that number is slightly over 2 million.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has dropped from a membership of 4.25 million in the mid-1960s to 1.8 million today, a number that is expected to decline rapidly in the coming years.
Yet these are some of the churches which have led the charge on liberal causes like the redefining of marriage.
I thought young people were leaving our churches because we weren't liberal enough. I thought young people and old people were flocking to these enlightened, progressive churches. Perhaps the reports about why people are leaving the churches are not as accurate as they seem?
I don't dispute that many Americans, especially young people, have been turned off to "religion" and have left the church because they view Christians as hypocrites or because they are turned off by the politicizing of American Christianity.
But it appears that many of those who have left were affiliated with liberal denominations more than conservative denominations. As noted in a 2011 report by the National Council of Churches, while many liberal, so-called "mainline" Protestant churches were declining in membership, "strong figures from the Assemblies of God and the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.) suggest an increase in the number of adherents to Pentecostal groups ..." (quoting Rev. Eileen Linder; recent reports from the AG do confirm this growth trend, both in the USA and abroad).
This is true around the world (primarily outside of Europe and North America), where Bible-based, Spirit-filled churches that hold to conservative moral values are outgrowing all other religious expressions, as the respected statistician David Barrett has documented for more than three decades. When people truly encounter the Lord, they will gladly forsake everything and follow Him.
Let's not believe the lie that the way to win the world is by becoming worldly.
Let's hold fast to Jesus, let's ask the Lord to cleanse us from all hypocrisy and compromise, let's renew our love for the Lord and for our neighbor, let's ask our Father for a fresh touch of His Spirit, and let's live out the high and lofty standards of the Word, without compromise or apology.
No doubt, opposition will come. But so will the people—hungry, thirsty, hurting and ready to give their lives for something that counts forever.
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Lakewood Church is the largest U.S. megachurch, with more than 43,000 regular attendees. (Facebook)
The number of very large churches continues to increase, as our graphic dramatically illustrates. And within that group, the biggest churches continue to get bigger. In the past I've written about everything from sanctuary sizes (very few new ones over 5,000) to the first megachurch (start with Pentecost when "about 3,000" were converted, per Acts 2:41) to global megachurches (Korea and Nigeria are currently leading).
But what about the people who attend really big churches? Fellow researcher Scott Thumma and I surveyed some 25,000 of them, with some fascinating discoveries:
Nearly two-thirds of attendees have been at these churches five years or less.
Many attendees come from other churches, but nearly a quarter haven't been in any church for a long time before coming to a megachurch.
New people almost always come to the megachurch because family, friends or co-workers invited them.
Fifty-five percent of megachurch attendees volunteer at the church in some way (a higher percentage than in smaller churches).
What first attracted attendees were the worship style, the senior pastor and the church's reputation, in that order.
These same factors also influenced long-term attendance, as did the music/arts, social and community outreach and adult-oriented programs.
Attendees report a considerable increase in their involvement in church, in their spiritual growth and in their needs being met.
Attendees can craft unique, customized spiritual experiences through the multitude of ministry choices and diverse avenues for involvement that megachurches offer.
In many ways, large churches today are making good progress in reaching people and moving them from spectators to active participants to growing disciples of Jesus Christ.
Warren Bird, Ph.D., research director at Leadership Network, with background as a pastor and seminary professor, is author or co-author of 26 books for ministry leaders including Better Together: Making Church Mergers Workwith Jim Tomberlin. Follow him on Twitter at @warrenbird.
The Bible Society in Israel, the Messianic-run Israeli branch of the global United Bible Societies, has launched a new website aimed at helping Israelis of all backgrounds study God’s Word.
The website, haktuvim.co.il, provides easy access to the Bible in English, Hebrew, Arabic and Russian, and also includes daily devotionals and topical study guides.
Israel Todaypreviously reported on figures published by the Internet-based evangelism ministry One for Israel that showed a significant increase in the number of Israelis searching online regarding matters of faith, and especially regarding Yeshua.
The Bible Society in Israel has long been at the forefront of evangelism efforts in the Jewish state. Two years ago, the ministry mailed a leather-bound copy of the Bible, including the New Testament, to each and every member of the Israeli Knesset.
While many MKs loudly protested receiving a New Testament, others expressed their thanks to the Bible Society.
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Pastor John Ebenezer in Murchela, A.P. India - His Mission Church Feb. 2010. He shares the work of the Gospel mission among his people in southeast India.
We support Pastor John and his work with the orphans and the training of new pastors. I was amazed at how much he has done, and continues to do, among the Hindus and Christians.
(Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.)
In this next season, I see the Lord thrusting His people out into the fields that are white with harvest. Some of this will take place "suddenly".
Many in their 60s will say, "I feel like I am only in my 30s or 40s, for my vision and my strength are alive within me." 
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