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.
We thank the Ottoman Empire Archives for digitizing their photographs and drawings. We encourage all archivists and librarians to save their treasures and digitize them.
We recently posted rare photos from the Ottoman Archives showing the forced conscription of (apparently Jewish) residents and looting of Jerusalem homes by the Turkish army prior to World War I. We present here an illustration found in the archives drawn almost 100 years earlier, prior to the invention of photography.
The illustration above appeared in the travelogue of a British writer, John Carne, who published Syria, The Holy Land, Asia Minor, &c. Illustrated in 1836It is believed to show the Istanbouli Synagogue, established in Jerusalem's Old City in the 1760s by Turkish Jews.
In 1898, the Emperor of Germany visited Palestine. The Jews of Jerusalem constructed a welcome arch to receive him. Upon enlarging the photograph, we were surprised to see the curtains from various synagogues' Torah arks adorning the walls of the arch, including one with the name of the Istanbouli Synagogue embroidered on it.
The Jewish arch built for the German Emperor (1898) See more on the Jews and the Emperor here
The curtain with the name "Istanbouli congregation"
The picture below, apparently of the Istanbouli Synagogue in the late 19th century, was found in the massive Keystone-Mast Collection at the University of California, Riverside.
Inside a Jewish synagogue showing holy place and readers platform. Jerusalem. (Keystone-Mast Collection, California Museum of Photography at UCR ARTSblock, University of California, Riverside)
The Library of Congress archives contains newer pictures taken in the 1930s by the American Colony Photographic Department.
Interior of the Istanbouli Synagogue, Jerusalem (Library of Congress, circa 1935)
Ancient Torah scrolls in the Istanbouli Synagogue (Library of Congress, circa 1935)
JERUSALEM, Israel -- While in the U.S., Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a warm welcome and much praise. Speaking before Congress, he made a strong case against Iran in what some termed the speech heard round the world.
Now that he's back home, the question is will it make a difference in the upcoming national election.
Some Israeli political analysts say the performance helped his party's chances, but a lot could happen before voters go to the polls in two weeks.
"For voters who have voted Likud in the past, and now are not sure, that Netanyahu's [congressional speech] would be an important help for him. Setting the agenda on security issues, I don't think it clinches the election for him. There's still a long way to go," Guy Lurie, with the Israel Democracy Institute, told CBN News.
According to one poll after the speech, Likud gained two seats. It also showed 44 percent of Israelis believe Netanyahu is most qualified to be prime minister.
While the two main parties remain far apart on issues like economics, the rivals agree on the Jewish state's biggest threat.
"There is not much difference between [Yitzhak] Herzog and Labor and Netanyahu and Likud when it comes to the negotiations with Iran," Bar-Ilan University Prof. Eytan Gilboa told CBN News.
Surprisingly, many commentators from the Gulf Arab nations stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Netanyahu's warning to the United States and criticized President Barack Obama's negotiations with Iran, a country they consider a mortal enemy.
One influential Arab commentator called Obama "the ally of political Islam, [which is] the… mother of [all] the terrorist organizations."
"I am very glad of Netanyahu's firm stance and [his decision] to speak against the nuclear agreement at the American Congress," Saudi columnist Dr. Ahmad Al-Faraj wrote in Al-Arabiyah. "I believe that Netanyahu's conduct will serve our Saudi interests, the people of the Gulf, much more than the foolish behavior of one of the worst American presidents."
And Times of Israel political analyst Haviv Rettig Gur wrote that Netanyahu's speech assured "Sunni Arab peoples and governments… [Notes:that] Israel will hold the line even if America fails us on Iran."
While control of the Knesset is at stake in the upcoming election, the results will be felt throughout the region and around the world.
When Christians Turn Mean and Hateful by Lee Grady (Identity Network)
People have always been rude, thanks to human nature. But have you noticed that rudeness has gone to a whole new level since the advent of social media? What people were ashamed to say to someone's face can now be easily posted on Facebook, or tweeted, or typed anonymously on a blog or web forum.
Why are we so mean today? Maybe people have watched too many angry political slugfests on television or read too much hateful banter online. Maybe all this toxic dialogue has desensitized us, and we just don't know how to bite our lips and say anything kind. And while I'd love to say that Christians are immune to this epidemic of harsh conversation, that's not the case. Sometimes we are just as mean as everyone else, even if we don't drop F-bombs as often.
I recently visited a web forum that specifically caters to Christians, but I had to exit quickly because the tone of the discussion was so caustic. Christians were skewering each other, name-calling and judging people they've never met in person. There used to be rules for arguing, but today - at least on the Internet - the gloves are off, all weapons are allowed and there are no referees. It's a bloody free-for-all.
The father of the modern Pentecostal movement, William "Daddy" Seymour, knew that there is a direct correlation between the level of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the way we treat people. He said: "Pentecostal power, when you sum it all up, is just more of God's love. If it does not bring more love, it is simply a counterfeit."
Ouch!
A Revival of Genuine Love
What we need today in the church is a revival of genuine love. If you want to see such a revival in your own heart, start by taking these steps:
Let go of all unforgiveness. The No. 1 reason people have anger seething under the surface of their hearts is they have not forgiven people who hurt them. Holding resentment in your heart is not only unhealthy for you (it can cause disease); it is also toxic for those around you, because they are subjected to your bitter venom when you speak. Forgive people quickly and allow the sweetness of God's love to neutralize the poison.
Get healing from past abuse.Many people are verbal abusers because they were abused, bullied, rejected or judged in the past. If that was your story, you can break the cycle through the power of Christ. Let Him teach you how to love people, even if no one in your past knew how. Also, open your life to a mature mentor who can model Christian love to you, and take the risk of building healthy friendships.
Go on a fast from negative words. Many Christians fast at the beginning of each year to ask God for personal revival. But you can fast from sweets, carbs and proteins for 21 days and still be spiritually unchanged if you are complaining, grumbling, criticizing or spewing hateful words from your mouth every day. Ask God to set a guard over your mouth to instantly convict you of unkind words and actions that quench the Holy Spirit.
Stop bashing the church. Today there are a growing number of disillusioned Christians who have given up on the church because they were hurt by a pastor or a fellow believer. These so-called "dones" (people who are "done" with organized churches) sometimes feel compelled to vent in public forums about how the church has failed them. Yet bashing the church is never going to make anyone feel better; it will only drive them farther from God and His reconciling power.
We must remember what British preacher Charles Spurgeon said: "You are no lover of Christ if you do not love His children....Love Christ and you will soon love all that love Him." God loves His church with all of its flaws, and so should you.
Let God stretch your love.The apostle Peter wrote: "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart" (1 Peter 1:22 NASB). The Greek word for "fervently," ektenos, means "stretched." It implies that if we want to love people like God loves them, we will be stretched to the max. Stretching hurts, but in a good way!
God wants to put His very heart inside you, but He can't until you make room by getting rid of every hateful attitude. Open your heart wide, and let His love invade the places you have closed. His fervent love can change a bitter, angry, cynical critic into a kind, gentle, affectionate lover of people.
The fate of more than 300 Assyrian Christians kidnapped by ISIS in Syria is still unknown. Assyrian leaders, working with Sunni tribal leaders, are reportedly in negotiations for the release of all hostages.
On February 23, ISIS attacked 35 Assyrian villages in northeast Syria. The Assyrian International News Agency reports that four Christians taken by the Islamic State during the raids have been released, including a 6-year-old girl.
Hadeel Kouki is a 24-year-old Syrian Christian. She escaped from Syria in 2012 after being repeatedly imprisoned and beaten by Syrian intelligence.
She played an active role during the early days of the political uprising against President Bashar-al-Assad, calling on Syrians to peacefully march for freedom.
She lives in the United States today and continues to speak out on behalf of persecuted Christians in Syria and across the Middle East. She told CBN News that she has friends and neighbors among the hundreds of Christians kidnapped by ISIS.
Despite recent gestures by the Islamic terror group to release some of the kidnapped Assyrians, Kouki is concerned many of the Christians could face the same fate as the 21 Egyptian Christians killed in Libya last month.
She also warns that unless something is done to stop them, ISIS will eradicate Christianity from the Middle East. She's calling on the Christians around the world to pray for fellow brothers and sisters suffering for their faith in Syria and beyond.
2015 Presents Startling Alignment of Prophetic Events
The blood moons are only part of the incredible prophecy ahead for 2015. (Reuters file photo)
This year brings amazing signs in skies and Scriptures. Blood moons, solar eclipses, Jewish festivals and a Sabbath year align in startling ways for anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear.
Springtime Holy Days
God designed the Jewish year's seven special festivals around His prophetic calendar. Best- known is Passover, announcing Spring, promising new life and harvest.
At Passover, a spotless lamb was slain to apply its blood on the door of the home and to be roasted for a festal meal, picturing Calvary: "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7). The Jewish people celebrate exodus from slavery, and Christians find liberation from sin and death through the cross. We are redeemed by the "precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish" (1 Peter 1:19-20).
The feast of unleavened bread follows, as the observant Jewish family removes all leaven from their household and diet for seven days. Leaven symbolizes sin, spreading secretly, puffing up with pride. "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:8).
On the cross Christ forever put away our sins: "now, once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:27). As leaven was put out of the house, our record of sin has been forever removed. "My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, It is well, praise the Lord, oh my soul!"
Removing leaven calls every believer in Christ to diligently search and remove sin from his life. Christ has removed the guilt of our sins, now let us remove their reality and practice: "let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness" (2 Cor. 7:1).
Within the week comes the feast of firstfruits, the first day after the Sabbath, which foretells the resurrection of Jesus: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Cor. 15:20). As the Jewish worshipper came before the Lord to wave the first stalks of planting, so Jesus was the first to rise from the dead never to die again! His first fruit offering anticipates an abundant harvest, and His resurrection is the pledge of many more on that day when He returns (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
Signs in the Heavens
The Jewish festivals of 2014-2015 are bounded by four "blood moons" (total lunar eclipses, with reddish tinge). Eight times since Christ a series of four eclipses (called a tetrad) have landed on God's holy days. The current tetrad began with Passover last year, continued through the Fall Feast of Tabernacles, marks this year's Passover (April 4), and concludes on this year's Feast of Tabernacles (September 28).
Previous tetrads coincided with world events affecting Israel. In 1493-94, Jews were expelled from Spain, a pattern Europe followed. In that time, an Italian Christian of Jewish descent, Christopher Columbus, navigated back from the "New World" of America. In a few hundred years, the United States rose to be a safe haven for Jewish immigrants from all over the world.
In 1949-50, the tetrad followed Israel's official rebirth as a nation (May 1948). After two world wars, God's ancient people were allowed access to their ancient homeland. The Israeli government was installed in 1949 and regional peace treaties signed by 1950.
In 1967-68, four blood moons heralded the "Six-Day War," when Israel was attacked by Arab neighbors seeking to annihilate her. God gave a mighty deliverance that astonished the world and stunned her enemies. Israel captured additional lands and took back the ancient city of Jerusalem.
And now come the blood moons of 2014-15. The Islamic State (ISIS) marches through Syria and Iraq, seeks to take Jordan and maybe Saudi Arabia, killing Christians and some Shiite Muslims. They intend total obliteration of Israel. Terrorist groups Hezbollah, Hamas, and al-Quaedi are renewing attacks. Iran presses to gain the nuclear bomb. Once radical Islamic states and terrorists have nuclear weapons, everything destabilizes.
Elsewhere, Egypt and Turkey turn a cold shoulder to Israel. Fearful Europe has backed away from support, now accusing Israel of war crimes. The once-reliable United States has taken a long step back from helping. Dangerous days for Israel are here. We may soon witness a Mideast war unlike any recently seen. Joel prophesied and Peter proclaimed, "I will shew wonders in heaven above...the sun shall be turned into darkness [solar eclipse] and the moon into blood [lunar eclipse], before that great and notable day of the Lord come" (Acts 2:19-20).
Spring arrives this year on March 20 with a total solar eclipse, visible in Europe, North Africa, North Asia, and Iceland. A partial solar eclipse happens this September 13 to South Africa, South India, and Antarctica. That last date holds considerable interest.
Sabbath-Year Economic Reset
Those familiar with Jonathan Cahn's works—The Harbinger and The Mystery of the Shemitah—will know 2015 also marks the end of the Sabbath year, or shemittah (Hebrew "release" of debts, Deut. 15:1-3). Many of the biggest U.S. stock market corrections landed on these seven-year cycles of God's calendar, always in September or October. The last one was the largest single-day point drop of the Dow Jones index ever, October 1, 2008. Seven years prior, on September 18, 2001, the stock market steeply fell due to the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
If the Lord is judging America by toppling our false gods and idols, money would head the list. Seeing no significant signs yet of national repentance and turning back to the God of our fathers, we expect the economy may well take another big hit in 2015. The Jewish new year's eve, when debts are recalibrated, falls on September 13, as a solar eclipse darkens the southern hemisphere, and two weeks before the final blood moon of this tetrad comes on September 28.
Putting it all together, we have an incredible convergence of events beyond manipulation by man. A cycle of four blood moons over two consecutive years ... each total lunar eclipse falling upon a Jewish holy day ... with total solar eclipses between the blood moons ... landing in the Jewish seventh-year of debt release ... leading past 2015-2016 into the next Jubilee Year (when God sets captives free, restores property, and proclaims liberty in the land). Is the Lord shouting at those with ears to hear and eyes to see?
The 2nd annual Prophecy in the News summit will be held March 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Hotel in Orlando, Florida. The summit, featuring 26 speakers such as Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, Paul McGuire, Jerome Corsi, Joseph Farah, Dr. Kevin Clarkson, Thomas Ice, Bob Cornuke and many others, starts on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and ends on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Call the office 1-800-475-1111 to register or go online at prophecyinthenews.com. The cost is $90 per person for all three days.
Dr. Kevin Clarksonis the host of Prophecy in the News and the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Moore, Oklahoma. He has pastored four churches during the last 30 years. Clarkson has a deep love for the nation and people of Israel, and a love of all things related to Bible prophecy.
"Watch Me in March and in the Spring – My Tempest Shall Yield a Great Artillery Against ISIS"
Kim Clement, Camarillo, CA
The Elijah List
"Watch Me in March and In the Spring"
Prophesied on February 28th, 2015 – From The Den
"Do not fear! Do not fear! I, the Creator of the ends of the earth, despise fear. Watch Me. Watch Me in March and in the spring; I shall arise and My tempest shall yield a great artillery against ISIS and against those who stand against My people."
And so when I woke this morning, and He said to me, "What next?" it was as if God was trying to say, I'm hearing so many people all over the earth having a bad report. But does anybody think that there is a possibility of a global awakening that will raise up millions of young men and women from the Middle East that get sick of Allah, sick of Mohammed and his lies, and will bow their knee to Yeshua?
You know what? I'm not just saying it – I believe it with my whole heart. I believe that's next. I said, I believe that's next! When God said those two words, He said, "What next?" He was challenging me to see where I was.
Where is your faith? Is your faith in what you hear from CNN? Is your faith in what you hear from the news media? Or is there perhaps a message from Heaven about your children and your children's children? "What next?" is the question that God has to ask you, because if your answer is filled with faith, then you have the right answer.
Is there a possibility that God would give us even greater than what happened in Azusa Street? Do you think that God could give us something greater than the 1948 Revival? Do you think that God could give us something better than the Charismatic Movement? I think that God can do something greater than the Jesus Movement! You know why? Because I heard from Heaven, and I know that I know that I know that He is able to do it. (Photo via Pixabay)
"I want an answer," says the Lord. "I want an answer from you. You've asked Me for something unusual." You've said, "I want an unusual manifestation," and today God was waiting to see what you would write on your prayer cloth. Many of you understand that God is looking for faith.Nothing pleases Him more than faith – the belief that God is able to tear veils, to take us beyond the veil of limitation. There are veils of limitation that are placed across our eyes on a daily basis.
"What Next?... Tell Me What You Want"
We have wells before us – wells of life, wells of prosperity, but we're unable to get it because we don't have what we need to draw out the contents. We don't have the ability to obtain what's in those wells.
Today God wants to give you the ability to get from this well, that is present throughout the earth, to draw from it what you need today so that you can answer that question,"What next?"
"What is going to happen next in your life, Kim?" Well, Lord, you know.
"No, I want to hear it from you. I want to know from you what you're believing for, because if you can tell Me something ridiculous, something that is impossible for you, I'm going to do it,"says the Lord. "If you have written down something that no man can provide for you, then," God says, "I'll do it for you. But you've got to try Me so that I can open up the Heavens."(Photo via Pixabay)
There is a great spirit of deception that has dropped throughout the earth, stealing by lies. You're afraid of ISIS? They're a small group of them, but because they're displayed and the images are seen, everybody's in so much fear. God said, "Tell Me what you want."
Jesus Will Do to ISIS What He Did to Saul of Tarsus
Prophesied on February 3rd, 2015 – From The Garden
I don't know if you know this – most of you probably do if you follow me – and that is that I've given prophetic utterance about ISIS, and the fact that ISIS is going to face the fact that Jesus Christ is alive and will do what He did to Saul of Tarsus. So, from Tarsus to ISIS, if you wish. There are people in ISIS now that are afraid, and Jesus is appearing to them.Somebody has to go where they are active and speak. Now there are many that do that, but in terms of a prophetic voice, I received a Macedonian call to go there.
Kim Clement: The life of Kim Clement is an expression that has defined "the prophet" for the modern era. This has made his journey unique; a journey that has taken his inspired message to schools and colleges, churches and synagogues, alleyways and prison cells. Kim's prophetic gift is a magnet that has drawn a broad audience, as he has whispered to kings and inspired prisoners; his path through life continues to be an exciting adventure.
His diverse and extemporaneous perspective has gained him notoriety that transcends culture, race and religion, placing him onto a world platform. He has performed at the Rose Bowl Stadium in California, Times Square in New York City, Mt. Carmel in Israel, and even the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim .... and they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is filled with His glory.'" Isaiah 6:1-3
All truth is parallel. Whether in business, in social organizations or within the church, everyone wants to tap the creative, to unlock the secrets that will release opportunity. Steve Jobs was known for this ability. He thought differently and viewed things from a different perspective than most other people. He sought to change the world and within his sphere he did.
Yet, in God, there is more to this dynamic. In God, the bar is higher. It's more than what a focused, ultra high-energy intellect can develop. In God, it involves operating beyond ourselves. In God, it entails a cost. In God, it is ignited by His presence and conforms to the pulse of heaven.
In God, there are complexities to our spiritual environments not only to be aware of, but to be taken on and subdued.
The story of Isaiah's glimpse into the presence of the Lord and the calling that followed unveil secrets in this creative process, a process that goes beyond the normal boundaries of prayer -- a process with secrets that will shake the rafters and bring about meaningful change.
Entering God's presence challenges everything around it. Just praying the words of the seraphim angels puts me in touch with His awesome holiness and the reality of the whole earth being filled with his glory.
Beyond Ourselves
Yet, to abide in His presence, calls for more. There can be no pretense, no illusions nor the traditions of men. Jesus noted that the gateways of heaven would be open to Nathaniel, as he was a man without pretense. Still, both Deuteronomy and Hebrews describe His presence as a consuming fire. Surmounting these hurdles, God's presence contains a rhythm, a pattern that combines His glory and His nature.
God's presence triggers secrets or mysteries beyond our natural comprehension that give release to His creativity. Touching His presence sets in motion the unlimited dimension of His glory, as His very nature overflows with the creative. The very process sparks change.
As Isaiah was reaching beyond himself and ran into God's presence, God's presence unveiled a secret, which Isaiah embraced. The authority to unfold the creative process followed, as Isaiah's response to his calling released him into becoming a force for change that would reshape everything around him.
The Progressive Rhythm
Isaiah's response made him an integral part of this process, this progressive rhythm, this pulse in God. For those entering this dimension in God, change will result. For the person walking out a calling, the first thing that will happen will be that the perspective will change. It's more than just revelation. It begins inwardly before it can be released outwardly. Encountering God's presence for Isaiah brought the wise reply of: "Woe is me. I am a man of unclean lips among a people of unclean lips." The response of repentance changes your thinking and begins the process.
Solomon had as much to say about fools as he did wisdom. Fools are constrained by limitations in their thinking, by their own revelations. Fools, regardless of their IQs, are those who become obsessed by their own perceptions of reality rather than God's unlimited glory and the process to be unleashed.
A Force for Change
Reaching beyond himself, as Isaiah did, is foundational to maintain the process. Sustaining the process means becoming a force for change. It is the simple things that confound the wise. It is why again and again, God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. They are ones who have discovered this rhythm and the gateway into God's treasury of secret things.
The Listening Heart. Maintenance during this process also pivots on listening, a heart intent on hearing His truth. It's been said that our ability to hear His voice is directly correlated to our willingness to obey it. That explains why meekness and humility are so important to embracing truth. Those who fail to get beyond the inward response, as if it were about them, as well as those who are unable to "hear" due to their own constant chatter, are going to miss it. Even those who have experienced deep revelation must get beyond themselves and stay there. It takes more.
It is more than just hearing. Jesus revealed a deep truth to this dimension about His presence. He told His disciples that the words He spoke, He did not speak on His own authority, but that the Father did the works (John 14:10). Jesus was constantly pointing back to His dependency on the Father. In unveiling this gargantuan insight, He told His inner circle that He was the true vine and the Father was the vinedresser. From that premise, he imparted the necessity of bearing fruit, needed to keep the process moving forward (John 15:1). Fruit is the natural result of abiding in Him.
The Secret of Abiding. This is the biggest point of stumbling. His presence actuates creative change. It's His nature. Where we fall short and the secret is in being a force for His change. That secret depends on abiding in Him. When we abide in Him, His nature flows within us and the natural course of things will be creative change. It's a place beyond ourselves. It involves a faith that will not compromise with evil.
As Isaiah pursued the process, he uncovered a deep dimension in the cost of abiding. He prophesied that the Messiah (Isa 53:4) would "bear our griefs and carry our sorrows." This is a part of the secret in which everything, beginning with the natural order of things, will change. Jesus spent nights in prayer, in the presence of the Father. During those times, He entered the spiritual world and tapped the realities that would soon follow in the natural. It's where the cost was paid and the transaction sealed. It was in the secret place that He took on the griefs and sorrows and actuated the release from bondages as He flowed in the place of God's unlimited creativity. "Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in the heaven." Matt 18:18
Operating Domains
Historically, the game-changers among God's people have been those who have learned the secret of abiding and drawing from the pulse of heaven. Game-changers are forerunners, leaders whose influence reshapes the way for others. Progressively, their domains have penetrated the spiritual foundations of society in the world around them. The primary spheres of this game-changing influence include culture, economy and power.
Culture. Long before Joseph was promoted by Pharaoh, to bring sweeping change to all of Egypt, he had a track record of changing the spiritual climate in some very humbling and challenging circumstances. An important part of this dimension was his stewardship and the trust he engendered among those he served. His identity was clearly in God. Challenging the favor and trust as Potiphar's manager, Joseph experienced spiritual backlash in rejecting Potiphar's wife's unrighteous advances. Nevertheless, despite his lack of position in both Potiphar's house and as a prisoner in the jail, Joseph made a significant impact on the culture around him by what he derived from the presence of the Lord.
Isaiah's insight into Messiah being wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities is the truth that breaks cultural bondages that have held God's chosen captive. The cultural trap comes from transgressions and iniquities. This release is not only from the bondages preventing us from knowing Him, but in being released IN Him. It explains why Isaiah's first burden, the first priority from God's heart, following His encounter with the Lord in Isaiah 6 was in addressing the dullness of the hearing of the people.
Economy. The economic comes from God's nature to bring increase. For Joseph, everyone recognized that it was God that prospered whatever Joseph did. The prophetic wisdom from Joseph's dreams not only averted the impact of the coming famine, but was the creative impetus that put Egypt in the drivers-seat when the money failed and the grain they had stored became the only currency with value. In another instance of famine, Isaac encountered God's presence and drew on the wisdom and creativity of God and produced harvests when no else was able to grow anything.
One of the biggest hurdles today for those navigating Kingdom agendas is getting beyond the fund-raising mind-set and tapping God's unlimited creativity and resources. Without degrading the value of community generosity and the need to provide opportunity for others to participate in Kingdom agendas, there are limitations to the fund-raising model, of drawing from the well at the same source.
Among God's people, fundraising has been elevated to almost the status of a sacred cow, of being the catch-all solution. The story of Joseph gives evidence to how, through God, alliances can be created and resources generated that anticipate change and exceed the limitations and expectations of the world around it. It will be a critical component of the wealth transfer dynamic. There's a significant bridge to be crossed in our day designed to open the gates into these unlimited dimensions of God.
Power. The biblical stories of God's people, along with the teachings of Jesus are demonstrations of how righteous power overcomes in corrupt settings. Power is facilitated through leadership. From the beginning, God's people have been endued and anointed as leaders. As a people, the calling has been as a society of leaders. Leadership, in God, depends on the Isaiah response to Him. It operates by service, influence and by the anointing.
Whether for individuals or as a people of God, the release begins with our mind-sets, our way of thinking. The power and creativity from His unlimited glory begins when we change our thinking and begin renewing our minds.
The real power of God has no boundaries, yet every revival in history has gone through a process in which the unlimited dimensions are squelched over time through institutional and religious thinking. That was the reason for Jesus' sharp encounters with the blind institutional and religious thinking of the religious elite. The power of God is progressive and depends on the ongoing response to His presence and His voice.
Discerning the Spiritual Environment
In God, there are complexities to the spiritual environments around us that far exceed our human abilities to grasp. Yet, in God, we not only become aware of and sensitized to them, but gain the authority to subdue and bring change to these complexities, to the spiritual climate around us.
Joseph did. It began from the bottom up before he was entrusted to work from the top-down. It's why the bar is higher in God. It's why we have to abide and operate beyond ourselves. It's why truth, meekness and righteousness are so essential. It explains the "waiting on God" that so many modern-day Josephs have experienced. It underscores the importance of the prophetic in this process of preparing as a force for change.
Big Picture Prophetic
While all truth is parallel, not all truth is equal. Even within the prophetic, we need to bring the process full circle to where, like Joseph, Moses, David and Jesus, we get the big-picture. Paul said that we see in part. How true for most. Likewise, how true that so many tend to act when the picture is not complete. It bears on the need to abide.
Jesus said very clearly that to find true life, we have to give it up. We have to get beyond ourselves and our limited, staid ways of thinking and begin abiding sufficiently to start tapping the secret things, the strategic, secret things that are needed for this hour. Abiding takes humility.
In Exodus 15 Moses addressed the people, as a whole, with this truth. IF they would just listen and adhere to the voice of the Lord, it would take them beyond themselves to where none of those things plaguing the world around them would make a big difference to them. They'd be the game-changers, the force for change. It's the challenge that remains before us.
The whole earth is filled with His glory. When God's glory is at the core of things, creativity will be released by abiding in that secret place. When the abiding amasses, it will be what's needed to be the force for change for which the world is yearning. "My heart overflows with a good theme, with verses addressed to the King. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. You are fairer than the sons of men. Grace is poured upon your lips as God has blessed you forever. Gird up your sword O mighty one, in your majesty and splendor. Ride on victoriously, for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness. Let your right hand teach you awesome things. Your arrows are sharp, the people fall under you. Your arrows are in the heart of the king's enemies."
Ps 45:1-5
Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world.
He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;" and "Leadership by Anointing," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com,www.BarnesandNoble.com and other popular outlets.
Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the persecuted church to be the head and not the tail. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card atsign@strategicintercession.org
Likewise, email us to schedule a seminar for your congregation on the wisdom the persecuted church has for the West or on anointing the creative.
Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check:http://www.strategicintercession.org
Christian-Owned Bakery Shuts Down After Gay Wedding Cake Controversy
Indianapolis' 111 Cakery has closed its doors. (Facebook/111 Cakery)
A Christian-owned bakery has shuttered its doors after protests for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding.
111 Cakery in Indianapolis was run by Randy and Trish McGath. Randy tellsUSA Today that Trish did most of the baking, and it was "wearing her out."
"We have decided not to renew our lease so we are now closed. We want to thank everyone for your patronage, support and friendship. It has been a true pleasure to serve you. Eph 2:8," reads a post on their website.
The McGaths first came under fire nearly a year ago for refusing to bake a cake for a gay-commitment ceremony. Within 24 hours, social media exploded with protests from across the country. Despite the protests, the McGaths' business was in full-swing. Within the week, the duo was receiving support and orders from across the country.
Still, one protester remained in front of the shop, pointing to the location's significance in a gay neighborhood.
Randy told the Indianapolis Star that they were happy to be part of the community, but didn't want to be part of a commitment ceremony.
"There was zero hate here," he tells the Star. "We were just trying to be right with our God. I was able to speak to many homosexuals in the community and to speak our opinion and have a civil conversation. I'm still in touch with some."
Randy said the business was still profitable, even after protests began, and people would travel from all around the state to get one of Trish's pastries.
Now the couple plans to spend more time with family, USA Today reports.
People have always been rude, thanks to human nature. But have you noticed that rudeness has gone to a whole new level since the advent of social media? What people were ashamed to say to someone's face can now be easily posted on Facebook, or tweeted, or typed anonymously on a blog or web forum.
"No, I want to hear it from you. I want to know from you what you're believing for, because if you can tell Me something ridiculous, something that is impossible for you, I'm going to do it,"says the Lord. "If you have written down something that no man can provide for you, then," God says, "I'll do it for you. But you've got to try Me so that I can open up the Heavens."(Photo via Pixabay)
