Apartheid? Meet the Arab in Charge of Israel’s Elections

Tuesday, March 17, 2015 |  David Lazarus

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Election 2015

For the first time in the country’s history, an Arab judge is chairing the Central Elections Committee presiding over today’s national elections.

Justice Salim Jubran (pictured) is a Christian Arab who grew up in the north of Israel. In 2004, he became the first Israeli Arab to be appointed a permanent seat on the Supreme Court.

Earlier this year, he was given the daunting task of overseeing all those hot-button, contentious and touchy election issues like who gets campaign funding, preventing voter fraud and determining what constitutes fair play in the rock’em sock’em world of Israel’s political propaganda wars.

For example, it was Judge Jubran who decided to halt funding for Sunday night’s right-wing rally in Tel-Aviv.

Now, what kind of democracy gives a minority Christian Arab authority to prevent government support for an all Jewish, settlement-supporting political party? Only in Israel.

As an Apartheid State, Israel Really Stinks

This Judge Jubran chosen to ensure the Jewish state’s democratic process ran smoothly and according to protocol is the same Supreme Court justice who has publicly refused to sing Hatikva, Israel’s national anthem.

In fact, Judge Jubran refrained from singing the anthem at his own swearing-in ceremony for the Supreme Court. He was castigated by many for doing so, but the Arab judge stood his ground and was supported by fellow justice Elyakim Rubinstein, who wrote that non-Jewish citizens should not feel obligated to sing words that do not speak to their hearts.

Eventually, even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprised many by stating that he did not expect an Arab-Israeli to sing the national anthem, especially since it includes the words "a Jewish soul yearns."

Unlike Any Other Apartheid Nation

Jubran’s trials (forgive the pun) didn’t end there. In 2012, the Knesset’s Law and Justice Committee demanded he be dismissed. In an effort to oust the Arab Christian justice, committee chairman MK Michael Ben-Ari submitted a bill aimed at barring anyone who had not served in the IDF from being appointed to the Supreme Court.

[This is the same MK Ben-Ari who was caught on camera tearing up and trashing copies of the New Testament that has been sent to all 120 members of Knesset by Messianic Jewish leader Victor Kalisher of the Bible Society of Israel.]

But Israel would have none of Ben-Ari’s antics. The government, media, courts and people on the streets - Jews and Arabs - fought to keep Justice Jubran on the Supreme Court.

Then, in a move which should shake the hell out of Israel-haters everywhere, it is old Justice Jubran, an Arab Christian born in 1947 in Haifa who finished his graduate studies in law at Hebrew University in 1968, who was entrusted with overseeing Israel’s crucial national elections.

Many saw these elections as critical to the future of the Jewish nation, and nevertheless had little problem with putting their proceedings in the hands of an Arab Christian who has never served in the Israeli army, does not fast on Yom Kippur and will not sing our national anthem.

There is no place like Israel. I love this country!

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Accept It: God’s Love is Unconditional - SpiritLed Woman

Accept It: God’s Love is Unconditional

 3/15/2015 DAWN SCOTT JONES  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

God's love is unconditional. Will you accept it? (Lightstock)

Of all the eternal truths declared in God's Word, one prominent reality is essential to grasp: God made us in His image. We have been exquisitely designed by Him to reflect His image and reveal His likeness. As the "grand finale" of all God's unique creation, mankind stands unequaled, elevated as the Creator's crowning achievement, showing forth His radiance and splendor. Simply put, we're awesome!

Yet in spite of our resident worth and inherent value, many of us deeply struggle to feel a sense of acceptance and love. The recognition of our real significance escapes us, exposing a profound emptiness, leaving us with an acute awareness of unfulfillment. The problem is we were created with an inner desire to be needed and have meaning, with the desire to leave our mark on the world. Consequently, this wanting condition is a set-up for trouble.

Our longing for more feeds the natural obsession to find authentic value through a faulty system involving our own schemes and methods. Although we should be looking to God and His Word to validate our existence, we have, instead, looked to our own ability and human strength to somehow prove our merit. But this striving at importance will prove futile because God has not designed us to find significance through any other means than Himself. Yet the struggle for acceptance continues and the addiction for approval intensifies as we try to fill the void.

So what's up? If we really are so intrinsically valuable and precious, why do we spend so much time trying to improve our self-worth? Why are moments of complete self-acceptance so rare and attempts at personal improvement more of the norm? The answer is simple. Our quest for significance is a result of mistaken identity. We have failed to discern, or believe, who we really are and have settled for a self-appraisal with an "as is, scratch and dent" price tag. We are selling ourselves on clearance because we are unable to see that our approval does not come through what we achieve, how much we earn or the amount of accolades we receive from others. Nor are we rejected because we experience difficult personal failures, traumatic childhood events or because we lack certain talents and abilities. Not so!

God loves us unconditionally because we are His possession ... not only by creation but also by redemption. Although it is true that in ourselves we fail and fall short of God's original purpose for us, the good news is we are not in ourselves. If we have been redeemed by God's Son, Jesus, through the provision made for us on the cross, then we are no longer "in" ourselves, we are "in" Christ.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight." (Eph. 1:3-4, emphasis added).

We are His dear children, washed and forgiven by His sacrifice and made blameless and holy in His sight. This truth boldly confronts the subtle deception that has so many people bound. They have become slaves to the approval of others and captive to the drive of selfish ambition, all in an attempt to feel good about themselves. But Christ has set us free from this fruitless endeavor and has given us the right to say with confidence:

• I am lovable because of who I am in Christ, not because of what I do.
• I do not have to strive to earn my acceptance because God has made me accepted in the beloved.
• I am not accepted based on my performance or my ability to get someone to like me.
• I do not have to keep up with today's so-called standards of living to be worthwhile or credible.
• I can have opinions that differ from others without fear of being disqualified from love because God's love makes me secure in Him. Therefore, I can risk being me.
• I am free to explore and develop all the uniqueness of my God-given personality without penalty.
• I no longer have to struggle or perform to fill the gnawing void that tells me I am nothing without accomplishments, awards or popularity.

Remember God accepts and loves you not just because He's God but also because He created you, He knows you and He is intimately involved in everything you do. Won't you accept His unconditional love today?

Prayer Power for the Week of March 16, 2015

This week ask the Lord to help you see yourself as He sees you and enjoy being who He made you to be. Spend time renewing your mind in His Word and meditate on His unconditional love for you. Allow His Spirit to bring you understanding of your true worth and receive His full acceptance, forgiveness, healing, comfort and provision. Thank Him for opportunities to carry His love to those who need a touch from Him. Pray for the persecuted church around the world, for unity in prayer and purpose among believers, and for our leaders to seek the Lord for His guidance as they make decisions affecting our security, peace and protection. Continue to pray for a rich harvest of souls whenever and wherever the gospel is presented (Eph. 1:3-4).

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"He Never Sleeps" - worship song by Don Moen with Lyrics

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He Never Sleeps by Don Moen with Lyrics

When you've prayed every prayer that you know how to pray
Just remember the Lord will hear and the answer in on it's way
Our God is able
He is mighty
He is faithful
And He never sleeps He never slumbers
He never tires of hearing our prayer
When we are weak He becomes stronger
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him
Do you feel that the Lord has forgotten our need
Just remember that God is always working in ways you cannot see
Our God is able
He is mighty He is faithful

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WATCH: 'A.D. The Bible Continues' Brings the Book of Acts to Life

WATCH: 'A.D. The Bible Continues' 

Brings the Book of Acts to Life

3/13/2015 JESSILYN JUSTICE  charisma magazine

Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have done it again—produced a captivating retelling of the greatest story of all time.  

A.D. The Bible Continues picks up where The Bible left off, exploring what happens after the crucifixion of Christ.  

Watch the video for a first look at the series.

A Season of Spiritual Warfare: Jezebel’s Witchcrafts Rising - Jennifer LeClaire

A Season of Spiritual Warfare: Jezebel’s Witchcrafts Rising

 3/12/2015 JENNIFER LECLAIRE  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

If worship doesn't break witchcraft in your situation, give it a punch in the mouth by the name above all names. (Flickr)

When I wrote The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating Jezebel in 2012, I got sick six separate times. I literally didn't completely heal from one infirmity before another one manifested—and I had several out-of-the-blue migraines in the middle of it all. 

Given that I rarely get sick, eat organic foods, exercise at least five days a week, sleep plenty, drink lots of water, pray for divine health and otherwise lead a healthy lifestyle, it was abundantly clear that this spurt of various ailments was a spiritual attack. The enemy didn't want me exposing the works of Jezebel and released spiritual witchcraft against me.

The Bible talks about Jezebel and her witchcrafts in 2 Kings 9:22. I believe infirmities are part of Jezebel's witchcrafts. Witchcraft is a spiritual force that the enemy uses to attack us. I don't know if this qualifies as a "fiery arrow of the evil one" that Paul describes in Ephesians 6, but I do know that we're in a spiritual war and it heightens this time of year. The question is, why? 

Why So Much Spiritual Warfare?

False Mary worship seems to empower the Queen of Heaven, also known as Jezebel. Some actually refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the Queen of Heaven. Let me be clear: I have nothing against Catholics. This is not about a religion or a denomination. It's about spiritual practices in which some are engaging, perhaps unknowingly. This false Mary worship magnifies another entity over Jesus—and opening the door for spiritual witchcraft. 

During this time of Lent, year after year, I discern the rise of a Jezebel spirit. I get emails and Facebook messages from people all over the world crying out for help as they watch their health deteriorate, their relationships come under attack and various other circumstances rise up against them. 

What's going on? When Mary is lifted up to a place where only Jesus belongs, it unleashes demonic activity in that territory. As demonic activity increases, people report feelings of oppression, fatigue, strong warfare against the mind that makes you feel like quitting and even physical manifestations for which doctors can't find a reason. In other words, all hell can break loose.

When witchcraft is particularly heavy in the spiritual climate, my eyes actually burn. Everything seems like a much bigger deal than it really is because witchcraft works to take your eyes off Jesus by magnifying the problem. The enemy can use people to release witchcraft against you through word curses, but this spiritual force seems to sometimes hang over your head like a dark cloud—unless you break it. 

Battling Jezebel's Witchcrafts

When it comes to witchcraft, we have to withstand it. The Amplified Bible says to "be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined]" (1 Pet. 5:9). It's easy enough to give in to witchcraft, especially if you don't know what is attacking you. So again, when you feel like giving up, when you feel tired for no reason, when you have strong confusion, when you are fighting an intense battle in your mind and when infirmities are manifesting, it could be witchcraft. Resist it at its onset. Cast it off. Submit yourself to God. "Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you" (James 4:7, AMP).

Again, submit yourself to the lordship of Christ. Exalt His name. Thank Him for His blood. Rejoice in the Lord. Praise and worship carry breakthrough. That's often all it takes to change the spiritual climate in your home. And worship is where we should start because He is worthy of our adoration.

If worship doesn't break the witchcraft, take authority over it in the name above all names. Witchcraft has to bow at the name of Jesus. But make sure you don't have any common ground with the enemy. Repent for any rebellion in your heart, and surrender your will anew to God. Remember, we are more than conquerors in Christ, and no weapon formed against us can prosper—not even witchcraft. Our job is to be spiritually discerning enough to catch the devil at his onset, resist him, rebuke him and praise God for the victory. Amen.

Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening; Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God; The Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

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Barefoot Marathoner Enjoys Running on 'Holy Ground' in Jerusalem Marathon

Barefoot Marathoner Enjoys Running on 'Holy Ground'

By Chris Mitchell

CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief

Friday, March 13, 2015

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JERUSALEM, Israel -- In just a few years, the Jerusalem Winner Marathon has become one of the most popular in the world, especially for Christians.

The often-grueling route winds through the streets of Jerusalem past ancient and modern landmarks. More than 25,000 runners from 60 countries participated in the fifth annual event on Friday.

One of those runners is Rick Roeber, who runs barefoot. He told CBN News before the marathon and after what it's like to run through the streets of Jerusalem.

"This is the day that the Lord has made," a barefoot Roeber said before he started. "I'm just going to have a lot of fun. Just have a good time today. You know, it's running 26.2 miles on holy ground. And I'm going to enjoy every step of the way.

"Of course it'll be hard at times but what I tell myself, 'inch by inch, it's a cinch.' Just keep going, keep finishing, no matter what," he added.

Roeber ran the marathon in just under five hours, which he said was his goal.

"I feel very glad it's over. Everything came together this year. The weather was beautiful. The pavement wasn't too hot for my feet. It was perfect conditions to run," Roeber said after crossing the finish line.

"I felt a lot of God's grace, a lot of prayers coming up for me. That gave me a lot of strength also," he said.

"I'd just like to say Jerusalem is a wonderful town to run in. If anybody gets the chance to come here and run," he added. "It's a friendly city. Don't be afraid  God is with you."

Watch video: Barefoot Marathoner

Michael Douglas finds Judaism and faces anti-Semitism

Michael Douglas finds Judaism and faces anti-Semitism

By MICHAEL DOUGLAS

A half-century after I defended the Jewish people, I had to defend my son. Anti-Semitism is like a disease that goes dormant, flaring up with the next political trigger.

Last summer our family went to Southern Europe on holiday. During our stay at a hotel, our son Dylan went to the swimming pool. A short time later he came running back to the room, upset. A man at the pool had started hurling insults at him.

My first instinct was to ask, “Were you misbehaving?”

“No,” Dylan told me through his tears.

I stared at him. And suddenly I had an awful realization of what might have caused the man's outrage: Dylan was wearing a Star of David.

After calming him down, I went to the pool and asked the attendants to point out the man who had yelled at him. We talked. It was not a pleasant discussion. Afterward, I sat down with my son and said: “Dylan, you just had your first taste of anti-Semitism.”

Part 'none,' part Jewish, all teenager -- and leery about anti-Semitism in Europe

My father, Kirk Douglas, born Issur Danielovitch, is Jewish. My mother, Diana, is not. I had no formal religious upbringing from either of them, and the two kids I have with Catherine Zeta-Jones are like me, growing up with one parent who is Jewish and one who is not.

Several years ago Dylan, through his friends, developed a deep connection to Judaism, and when he started going to Hebrew school and studying for his bar mitzvah, I began to reconnect with the religion of my father.

While some Jews believe that not having a Jewish mother makes me not Jewish, I have learned the hard way that those who hate do not make such fine distinctions.

Dylan's experience reminded me of my first encounter with anti-Semitism, in high school. A friend saw someone Jewish walk by, and with no provocation he confidently told me: “Michael, all Jews cheat in business.”

“What are you talking about?” I said.

“Michael, come on,” he replied. “Everyone knows that.”

With little knowledge of what it meant to be a Jew, I found myself passionately defending the Jewish people. Now, half a century later, I have to defend my son. Anti-Semitism, I've seen, is like a disease that goes dormant, flaring up with the next political trigger.

In my opinion there are three reasons anti-Semitism is appearing now with renewed vigilance.

The first is that historically, it always grows more virulent whenever and wherever the economy is bad. In a time when income disparity is growing, when hundreds of millions of people live in abject poverty, some find Jews to be a convenient scapegoat rather than looking at the real source of their problems. If we confront anti-Semitism ... if we combat it individually and as a society, and use whatever platform we have to denounce it, we can stop the spread of this madness.-


A second root cause of anti-Semitism derives from an irrational and misplaced hatred of Israel. Far too many people see Israel as an apartheid state and blame the people of an entire religion for what, in truth, are internal national-policy decisions. Does anyone really believe that the innocent victims in that kosher shop in Paris and at that bar mitzvah in Denmark had anything to do with Israeli-Palestinian policies or the building of settlements 2,000 miles away?

The third reason is simple demographics. Europe is now home to 25 million to 30 million Muslims, twice the world's entire Jewish population. Within any religious community that large, there will always be an extremist fringe, people who are radicalized and driven with hatred, while rejecting what all religions need to preach — respect, tolerance and love. We're now seeing the amplified effects of that small, radicalized element. With the Internet, its virus of hatred can now speed from nation to nation, helping fuel Europe's new epidemic of anti-Semitism.It is time for each of us to speak up against this hate.


I grew up in a mixed neighborhood and have 4 close friends since grade school, (we are now in our early 80tys) one is Baptist, one is Catholic, one is Jewish and I follow no religion. We are best of buddies and it is a shame the rest of the world can not be as tolerant of one another's...


Speaking up is the responsibility of our political leaders. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has made it clear that anti-Semitism violates the morals and spirit of France and that violent anti-Semitic acts are a crime against all French people that must be confronted, combated and stopped. He challenged his nation to tell the world: Without its Jews, France would no longer be France.

Speaking up is the responsibility of our religious leaders, and Pope Francis has used his powerful voice to make his position and that of the Catholic Church clear, saying: “It's a contradiction that a Christian is anti-Semitic. His roots are Jewish. Let anti-Semitism be banished from the heart and life of every man and every woman.”


In New York, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is well-known for building a bridge to the Jewish community. His words and actions and the pope's are evidence of the reconciliation between two major religions, an inspiring example of how a past full of persecution and embedded hostility can be overcome.

It's also the responsibility of regular citizens to take action. In Oslo, members of the Muslim community joined their fellow Norwegians to form a ring of peace at a local synagogue. Such actions give me hope — they send a message that together, we can stand up to hatred of the Jewish people.

So that is our challenge in 2015, and all of us must take it up. Because if we confront anti-Semitism whenever we see it, if we combat it individually and as a society, and use whatever platform we have to denounce it, we can stop the spread of this madness.


My son is strong. He is fortunate to live in a country where anti-Semitism is rare. But now he too has learned of the dangers that he as a Jew must face. It's a lesson that I wish I didn't have to teach him, a lesson I hope he will never have to teach his children.

Michael Douglas, award-winning actor/producer and United Nations messenger of peace, received the 2015 Genesis Prize, which honors "exceptional people whose values and achievements will inspire the next generation of Jews."

Source: The Los Angeles Times

"God Talks Through Many Things – If You're Open" by Kathie Walters

"God Talks Through Many Things 

– If You're Open"

Kathie Walters, Macon, GA

The Elijah List

A few years ago, I looked at my itinerary and realized I had a week to myself (no ministry). I thought it would be great to go see my friend Joy Strang in Orlando. I emailed her and she said it was fine to go down.

But I did say to the Lord, "Is there anywhere You want me to go this week?" I wasn't really expecting an answer, as I had already decided where to go. I was really just being polite. To my surprise, He said, "Yes, I want you to go to Israel."

"I was actually going to Florida," I replied.

"Israel," He said again. I couldn't just say, "No," so I ended up going to Israel to see my friend Juinnine. She was living in Jerusalem at the time. I told some people I was going to Israel, and people started sending me money for the trip – I received about $2,500. And then a friend from Ohio called me and said, "I want to buy your air ticket to Israel." (Photo via Pixabay)

"I have plenty of money for Israel," I said.

But Suzanne insisted on getting the ticket, so I ended up taking the $2,500 with me to Israel.

Juinnine was happy to see me at the Tel Aviv Airport, but told me, "We need to pray because I don't have money to renew my lease and I am behind on the rent."

"Oh, well I think I brought you the money for that," I said, and handed over some of the money I brought with me from the USA.

So, for a week I just hung out with Juinnine, who had a great ministry, especially in the Arab villages. I just followed her around and didn't do anything much myself in the way of ministry.

That's Good...But Was That it?

Then it was the last day before I was to leave, and we were walking around the Old City. I had kind of complained to the Lord because, apart from seeing a friend, it seemed a bit pointless my being there, when I could have gone to Florida, which is only a six-hour drive.

As we walked around though, I passed a jewelry store. You know, I love jewelry, especially antique jewelry – rose gold in particular. Well, this store had Michal Negrin jewelry, which I also love. Michal Negrin is an Israeli designer. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

"I have to check this out," I said, and grabbed Juinnine. We went inside the store and were met by a very neat looking couple who looked like Israeli Barbie dolls. He had black curly hair and she was a glamorous blonde.

I started looking at the neat bracelets and necklaces along with Juinnine. The couple who owned the store walked away to the other side of the store. I realized that they ceased to be interested in me when they heard my English accent.

In a lot of places English people are known as "just looking" people. As the stores depend on tourism for a living, they don't care too much for people from the U.K who are "just looking."

I loved the jewelry! This is nice costume jewelry, not diamonds and emeralds or anything. But it's not cheap either.

Not to waste this opportunity to get a piece of Michal Negrin jewelry, I said to Juinnine, "I am in one of my favorite stores, I just have to buy a bracelet at least." As I was picking up a bracelet I liked, the Lord said to me, "Buy four, and buy something for Juinnine."

I was surprised. "They aren't cheap you know," I replied. But God repeated it.

So, I found myself choosing four bracelets, and I told Juinnine to pick whatever she liked best. "Really? Anything?" she said.

As I was pointing to the various bracelets I liked, and Juinnine was choosing her necklace, the couple who owned the store heard me saying, "I think I will get this one and this one..." and they heard Juinnine saying, "Oh, I think I will get this necklace." They suddenly got very interested in me and came back around to where we were standing.(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

We purchased the four bracelets and a pretty necklace for Juinnine. Juinnine said, "Praise the Lord!" The nice looking Barbie-doll-looking man looked up and said, "Oh, are you those born-again people?"

We said, "Yes."

He explained, "A missionary lady from Sweden came into the store a few months ago and she told us about the Messiah, Jesus. And she emails us every week to tell us more about Him.She emailed us this morning and said some people would come in here today and tell us about the Messiah. It must be you."

Juinnine prayed with them to know the Messiah.

God is Looking for Vessels...

Before we left, they told us this: "The reason we did not accept Jesus before is because we thought if we did, He would take away our business and make us poor, and we want to be successful."

And then we talked about being born again – they had a wrong mindset about God from Christians and missionaries who came to the store, so when I bought the four bracelets and something for Juinnine, it squashed that idea they had, and left them open to a God who may enjoy them being successful. I kept one bracelet and gave the rest away.

The last I heard, they were very successful and had another couple of stores.

God talks through His Word, His prophets, and minsters. He speaks through signs and wonders and aromas and all kinds of demonstrations. He also talks to people through money. So be open; He is looking for some vessels to flow through. (Photo via Pixabay)

Kathie Walters
Good News Ministries

Email: kathiewalters@mindspring.com
Website: kathiewaltersministry.com

Kathie Walters is an international speaker who brings freedom to those who feel they have to "qualify." She also ministers in the supernatural and believes that the supernatural realm is for everyone.

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Saeed to Son: 'My Chains Are Keeping Me From You'

By Abigail Robertson

CBN News Producer

Friday, March 13, 2015

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Even though imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini cannot be there for his son Jacob's 7th birthday this week, he sent a touching letter to his son reminding him of the one Father that will be with him wherever he goes.

Saeed had received his son's birthday invitation at the Iranian prison where he remains imprisoned for his Christian faith. He sent his heartbreaking letter to his son through a family member who was allowed to visit him this week.

"I saw your beautiful birthday invitation that you had made me and I know how much you want me to be there on your birthday. Daddy loves you so much," he wrote. "I long to be there for your birthday and to make this reunion happen, but my chains are keeping me from you."

"I might not be there on your birthday and that breaks my heart as your father," he continues. "But I know the One who is there on your birthday who is there for you and cares for you more than anyone could imagine. HE IS THERE with you and His name is I AM WHO I AM."

During a meeting with his wife Naghmeh earlier this year, President Barack Obama told Jacob bringing his father home was a top priority and that he would try and have him home for his birthday.

On Wednesday, ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow testified before the U.S. Senate on Pastor Saeed's case and the need to protect religious freedom abroad. The Obama administration's Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom David Saperstein reiterated their commitment to bringing him home.

To date, Pastor Saeed remains imprisoned and suffers injuries from brutal prison beatings. Despite his ordeal, he has hope and an unwavering faith in God.

That faith and reliance on God was evident in his letter to his son. Read his entire letter below:

Letter to Jacob on his 7th Birthday

To my dear beloved son Jacob,

I saw your beautiful birthday invitation that you had made me and I know how much you want me to be there on your birthday. Daddy loves you so much.  I long to be there for your birthday and to make this reunion happen, but my chains are keeping me from you.

I want you to know that although I might NOT BE THERE and you might feel my absence, there is One who always IS. One who is always there with you and who can meet all of your needs under any condition. I might not be there on your birthday and that breaks my heart as your father. But I know the One who is there on your birthday who is there for you and cares for you more than anyone could imagine. HE IS THERE with you and His name is I AM WHO I AM.

I AM WHO I AM. It means that God is there with you in every situation that you are going through. This is the name that God introduced Himself when meeting with Moses in the burning bush when God's people were crying out to Him and were feeling His absence. Today there are many people around the world who are experiencing the same things that the people of God were experiencing and that you are experiencing. They are crying out to God and might not be feeling His Presence. They are wondering where is God in all of this. But I want you to remember that despite what you feel, He is always there with you.

Even though I AM NOT there with you, I AM is there with you. God came in human flesh in Jesus Christ all the way from heaven to the earth to give us the gift of salvation by being crucified on the cross for the punishment of our sin. So on this special day, I want you to accept this gift of salvation. Invite Jesus into your heart as you have invited me to your birthday.

So happy birthday to my big boy and my hero, Jacob Cyrus Abedini. Thank you for standing strong with me in this battle for the Glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Your proud Dad,
Saeed

**To help support efforts to bring Pastor Saeed home and stop worldwide Christian persecution, add your name to the ACLJ's petition for his freedom at BeHeardProject.com***

Jerusalem Court: Jews Can Pray on Temple Mount

Sunday, March 15, 2015 |  Israel Today Staff

The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court reaffirmed earlier this month that it is legal for Jews (and, therefore, Christians) to pray atop the Temple Mount, despite violent Muslim opposition.

That legal clarification came as part of a decision in the case of activist Yehudah Glick, who sued the Israel Police for banning him from the Temple Mount for a period of two years after he was filmed quietly uttering prayers while visiting the holy site in 2011.

Glick, who survived a recent assassination attempt by a Muslim terrorist, charged the police with failing to uphold Israel’s laws regarding freedom of religious expression.

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Don’t miss our interview with Yehudah Glick in the upcoming April issue of Israel Today Magazine. SUBSCRIBE NOW >>

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Israel’s Supreme Court had previously ruled that Jews do in fact have the right to pray in any and every place, as do adherents of all faiths, but that police could take measures to avoid violent Muslim backlashes atop the Temple Mount.

The Jerusalem court determined that the police had gone too far in its handling of Glick and other activists, and had crossed the line by impinging on Jews’ basic human rights.

Glick was awarded nearly USD $150,000 in damages. His lawyer further told The Jerusalem Postthat the ruling meant that “starting from today, all Jews are allowed to pray on the Temple Mount. There is no longer any crime in prayer itself.”

Still, many remained skeptical that non-Muslims would now be permitted to openly pray and worship atop the Temple Mount, especially after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year assured the Muslim world that Israel would maintain the status quo there.

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In the upcoming April issue of Israel Today Magazine, we spoke with Glick regarding the attempt on his life and his continued commitment to bringing Jewish prayer and worship back to the Temple courts. You don't want to miss it. SUBSCRIBE NOW >>

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