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.
Last Friday I had the privilege of speaking at the United Nations on the topic of the persecuted church. If you missed what I said, click here. Even though I've had many wonderful experiences in my role as a Christian journalist, it was a peak experience to go to that august assembly and be given the floor to speak out for those who have no voice.
Since Friday there have been reports of Christians thrown overboard by Muslims on a migrant ship in the Mediterranean apparently only because they were Christians. And some Ethiopians were slaughtered in Libya only because they were Christians.
When will the killing end? The United Nations and U.S. leaders must pass resolutions to protect Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East.
It's also vitally important that President Obama appoint a Special Envoy for the protection of religious minorities in the Middle East and call for the establishment of an International Day of Prayer in solidarity with Christians in the Middle East.
There was an impressive lineup of speakers from Rabbi Jonathan Cahn to Lt. Gen. (Ret) William Boykin, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, and representatives from nearly every segment of the Christian community. The speeches were so good that we will publish most of them in the next two weeks. It's my way of giving attention to the problem.
While it was a great honor to be invited to speak and I delivered my remarks with conviction, I realized the real value in my being there wasn't to speak as much as for me to be reminded of the seriousness of the problem. Also, it reminded me that I can't be content to write about it from time to time rather than make it a focus.
We must focus on this. If we don't, who will? And we can't just feel persecution of Christians is something that only applies to others in some far away place. If one part of the body of Christ suffers, we all suffer. And in a way, we're victims of the same anti-Christian feelings—there is more societal discrimination of Christians in the West too.
I call on other Christian media like Christianity Today, WND, Christian Post and Salem Communications to focus on this too. In addition, Christian radios and TV should raise awareness since the secular media seem to minimize it.
Friday's event, as historic as it was, received minimal coverage in the press.
So you can help by making your friends and fellow church members aware of the problem. Speak up. Make your voice heard. Forward articles on Christian persecution to your friends on social media—including the ones we publish.
And pray. We must pray for those who suffer. We must pray the suffering will end. We must pray that the U.N. will speak up to condemn this as unacceptable in the civilized world.
Do you agree? Leave your thoughts below.
Steve Strang is the founding editor and publisher of Charisma. Follow him on Twitter@sstrang or Facebook (stephenestrang).
To read more about Christian persecution and Islamic terrorism, please check out Mark Gabriel's Journey Into the Mind of an Islamic Terrorist. You can purchase the book by clicking here.
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In a recent dream, I saw that there is a new anointing rising in the earth in this hour in order to bring in the harvest. God is about to teach people to walk in the gifts in the spirit at a very rapid pace. I see people who are "new to Christ" learning to fly in the things of the spirit quickly, because they will be aligned to Godly mentors who will teach them quickly.
This will be like on-the-job training in the things of the spirit learning to operate in supernatural ways. God is going to bypass the normal learning cycle and even train people through dreams and visions.
This is the hour of Ezekiel 37 when the army of God is being resurrected from dry dead bones.
Those that are about to rise in the army are not even aware that the army exists, but arise they will into greater destiny than they ever imagined possible.
Let Them Join Our Flight
I saw in this dream that there was a young person that started to fly alongside of me. I was moving very quickly in the spirit, flying from city to city. I was operating by faith as I flewbetween cities. The person next to me said that the gate to the city is not opened, so you will need to slow down, but in the spirit I knew we didn't have to slow down because the gate would open as we got near to it. (Photo via Pixabay)
We were flying side-by-side, and as we came to the city a glass door opened before us and we flew quickly into that city. We then began to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a way that I personally had not operated before. There was a young lady in that dream who was an aspiring actress. Because of disappointment she was not actually acting. She was living below her potential because depression came against her. She was far from Christ and banqueting at the world's table.
In my heart I was trying to get to as many people as I could in order to get the message of Christ to them. This young girl and those sitting with her, mocked the message of Christ when I approached them; but then I began to tell her things that only she and God knew, and as I did something shifted in her mindset. I told her that she would have been in the movies now if she had listened to the advice that one director had given to her a while back. She looked at me shocked and then began to listen to the message of Christ that we preached.
The person flying with me was learning as we walked together. I know that in this hour that many of us who have been in the things of the spirit for some time will be taking responsibility for training those that are young in the things of the spirit, but these ones will actually learn to fly by being with us. Those of us who have exercised our faith will have many people who will want to learn from us and we must let them join us in our flights.
We don't have to slow down for them. We don't even have to worry about them. They will keep up with us because the Holy Spirit is guiding them to us and teaching them to fly like us. All we have to do is be open to the possibility that God has them coming to us, and when they do just let them hangout and ask questions. There will be an impartation in the process of mentoring.(Photo of Darren Canning)
They will learn to fly in the same way we do. They will also have gifting that we don't have and will teach us a thing or two. God is uniting the army in this hour. Get ready for expansion on your left and right.
Expansion and Giant Steps For the Kingdom
Isaiah 54:2-3 says, "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities."
This is what the Lord is saying: Those of you who have ears to hear listen to what the Spirit is saying. Do not fear the finances, do not fear rejection, do not fear fear itself, because you are about to take giant steps for the Kingdom sake.
A few weeks ago I had another dream. This is a season where people are being upgraded into new anointings and mantles. Even with the passing of men and women who have gone before us, there is a transfer taking place between generations. People in their 20s and 30s are about to take their place in the Kingdom.
God is taking your old shoes and releasing new shoes in this hour. People will notice the increase of anointing upon your life. There will be an increase in the healing and prophetic anointing. You will walk in it with greater ease. (Photo via Pixabay)
The Lord showed me in that vision that He is releasing many spiritual blessings over those who are ready to be raised to the next level. This new season will be very exciting for those in-tune with the things of the Holy Spirit. Get ready for a double portion. Even as Elisha received a double portion of Elijah's anointing (2 Kings 2:9-16), the next generation of healers, prophets, dream interpreters and seers are receiving a double portion.
You will move like Philip did, releasing the good news to many places (Acts 8:39). You will be like the man from Macedonia who showed up in Paul's dream to tell him to come preach the Gospel in Macedonia (Acts 16:9). God is going to do this by His Spirit.
Isaiah 44:3-4: "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams."
Seek the greater gifts and you shall walk in them. Get ready for a new dimension of glory. Get ready for a new shift.
Even as we move between seasons in the natural we will be moving between seasons in the spirit. Watch for what occurs in the next number of months. With the abundant rains of spring will come a new thing in the earth in this hour.
Darren Canning is a revivalist preacher who travels throughout Canada, the United States, and the world. His heart is for revival and believes that God will touch lives deeply wherever he travels. He teaches on hearing the voice of God and experiencing the supernatural. Darren's life was touched powerfully through an encounter with God and he was transformed from an Atheistic lifestyle to a Believer in a moment. He has spent 14 years working for the government of Canada as an analyst specializing in transportation issues related to Aircraft Safety and Security. He is married to Lydia and is the father of 7 children. He believes that if others experience the God of the supernatural then they too will be changed forever.
When asked to reflect upon the significance of Jerusalem, renowned Holocaust survivor and Nobel prize winner, Elie Wiesel said, “Jerusalem must remain the world’s Jewish spiritual capital, not a symbol of anguish and bitterness, but a symbol of trust and hope. As the Hasidic master Rebbe Nahman of Bratslav said, ‘Everything in this world has a heart; the heart itself has its own heart.’ Jerusalem is the heart of our heart, the soul of our soul.” Heart to Heart, Israel's vital national blood bank, gives hope for a people now and a future for a nation.
The world’s smallest Bible cannot be read without a microscope, and it will be on display at the Israel Museum beginning this month. The Nano Bible was created by the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and is smaller than the head of a pin.
Stay connected to your biblical roots by wearing your Hebrew name proudly! Don’t know your Hebrew name? No problem! Many English names derive from Hebrew names in the Bible, and the rest have etymological or spiritual cousins in Biblical sources. Just include your English name and we’ll find the Hebrew name in the Bible that’s most closely connected to yours.
The heart of this blessed country lies in the glorious Jerusalem. Safi Allmancaptured this fabulous scene of the old city walls alight. The split in the road featured allows the driver entrance to the old city by a choice of two gates, can you name them? Send me your answer or post it on Facebook.
It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send mean email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).
7 Reasons Why Christian Leaders (and Christians) Fall
Recently, two of my heroes have fallen from grace, and some of my friends in pastoral ministry have taken detours in their destiny as well. Moral failings among leaders are becoming an epidemic. No one is beyond the reach of Satan's grasp. Although I'm disappointed, my faith is not shaken because only Christ should be placed on a pedestal.
Why do they fall? They fall for the same reason that all Christians fall. Each of us are drawn away by our own evil desires and enticed. When these desires are acted upon, they lead to sin (cf. James 1:14-15). Sin has a life cycle—it either grows or withers depending on whether we feed or starve it. John Owen, the prolific Puritan author wrote, "Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you."
Consider the following ways that sin gains entrance:
1. "It will never happen to me." 1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us that if we think that we are standing firm, we should be careful that we don't fall. "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Prov. 16:18). Pride says, "I've never committed adultery. It will never happen to me." Humility says, "By the grace of God, I haven't, but I can." Strength is found in admitting our weaknesses: "For when I am weak I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). Pride opens the door to compromise and unwise decisions; it ignores conviction. Conviction is not always a hammer to the head, it's a still small voice to the heart. Many confuse God's patience with His approval. C.H. Spurgeon rightly noted, "We are never, never so much in danger of being proud as when we think we are humble." As notoriety increases so must humility. Sadly, the opposite often happens.
2. I'm "too busy." We are all susceptible to putting God second and ministry first. If we're too busy to cultivate a prayer life that places God first—we're too busy. Men would live better if they prayed better. We're often too busy because we're doing too much. "When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live" (E.M. Bounds). It's hard to fall when you're always on your knees. Moral failing cannot gain a stronghold in a broken, praying heart that spends time in the Word and obedience to it (cf. James 1:22). Nine times out of 10, when a person falls, he or she has no meaningful prayer or devotional life. It's impossible to spend extended time with God and not be changed and challenged.
3. Holiness is compromised. The enemy attempts to draw us away from God's holy standard. I vividly remember a story of a young boy who kept falling out of his bed. He finally asked his mother why he kept falling. She wisely answered, "It's because you don't stay far enough in." In the same way, many of us fall back into sin because we don't get far enough into God's framework of safety and protection via holiness. In the words of Isaac Watts, "True Christianity, where it reigns in the heart, will make itself appear in the purity of life."
Holiness must come from brokenness and humility, not legalism. A low view of holiness always damages morality ... we rationalize instead of repent. I'm convinced that today's media plays a significant role in the decline of holiness. Sadly, Hollywood, not the Holy Spirit, influences many. We cannot fill our mind with darkness all week and expect the light of Christ to shine in our lives. Before a person falls their mental diet is very unhealthy. They simply act on what they've been feeding their mind. "Take every thought captive to obey Christ" is not a recommendation, its vital to victory (see 2 Cor. 10).
4. Many build unhealthy relationships with the opposite sex. We must be on high alert in this area and have tremendous steps of accountability in place. The devil doesn't show those involved in counseling appointments, inner office meetings and private "fellowship" the pain and anguish and the years of regret that moral failure brings; he deceives them with a false sense of freedom in ministry ... that we are simply "helping" the other person.
If you are married and attracted to another person, or if the potential is there, take steps now and remove yourself from the environment. I'd rather be called "un-approachable" than "flirtatious." Adultery begins with small compromises. We're often too smart to take deliberate plunges, but we're easily enticed to take one step at a time, one compromise at a time, one bad choice at a time until we're at the bottom. Don't fight sexual desires and don't entertain them ... flee (cf. 1 Cor. 6:18).
5. We fail to strengthen weak areas. We all have cracks in our armor. The demands of life often tempt us to seek gratification in unhealthy ways. The enemy uses "opportune times" to draw us away from God. (cf. Luke 4:13.) The line is so thin that it is often hard to determine when we cross over. Weak areas such as drugs, alcohol, pain meds, sex, anger, marriage issues and so on are "opportune times" for the enemy to strike. We must expose these areas through repentance, and install safeguards and accountability. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
6. Accountability is often breached or minimized. Accountability is a safeguard, but its not bullet-proof. Accountability, by itself, doesn't work—it's not realistic to ask others to hold you accountable. Your heart must be focused on honoring God's Word. Accountability simply adds another level of security in the battle against sin. It's healthy to say to those we trust, "I'm struggling in this area. Can you pray with me and ask the hard questions from time to time." The enemy loves to work in darkness and deceit. Exposing cracks in the armor helps others keep an eye on them as well.
I have accountability software that sends all websites visited to my wife's email every week. This is a major deterrent and it makes me very conscious of even seemingly innocent sites. To some, this may seem extreme, but we need to be armed for the enemy who steals, kills and destroys. The greater our influence, the greater the need for accountability: spiritually, financially and relationally.
7. A sense of entitlement. Feeling a sense of entitlement is often the beginning of justifying wrong choices and can lead to "the King Syndrome." As popularity increases, we begin to follow our own set of rules. We can easily become jealous and judgmental of those who seem to have "all the fun."
As Oswald Chambers states: "God buries His men [and women] in the midst of paltry things, no monuments are erected to them; they are ignored, not because they are unworthy, but because they are in the place where they cannot be seen." Luke 16:10should be a great encouragement, "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty'." Sin can be silenced in a thankful heart set on worshipping God. God has given us the privilege to serve Him, proclaim His truth and help others. Don't allow frustration and negativity to lead you down the wrong path. We are not "entitled" to anything ... it is by sheer grace that we are blessed.
If you are on the cliff or have already fallen ... take time now and repent. It will hurt, but the fruit of repentance far outweighs the fruit of exposure that will surely come (cf. Num. 32:23). God's grace will see you through. A penitent person turns from sin. They accept full responsibility for their actions without blame, resentment or bitterness. They seek forgiveness without conditions and stipulations. They take full (not partial) responsibility for their actions.
There can be no "buts" when repentance is genuine. "I am sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me," are often (although not always) healing words and signs of repentance. Excuses need to stop before healing can occur. There are consequences for past mistakes, but it's best to live in God's healing arms of forgiveness, rather than to live broken outside of His will. Which way will you turn?
Pockets of true revival are breaking out across America. Want to know more about the next great move of God? Click here to see Jennifer LeClaire's new book, featuring Dutch Sheets, Reinhard Bonnke, Jonathan Cahn, Billy Graham and others.
Shane Idlemanis the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. He recently released his 7th book, Desperate for More of God atshaneidleman.com. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found atwcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at:facebook.com/confusedchurch.
Franklin Graham: Is The World No Longer Shocked By Christians Having Their Heads Cut Off?
ISIS released a video Sunday showing the brutal execution of 30 Ethiopian Christians in Libya. Fifteen were beheaded. Fifteen were shot.
Evangelist Franklin Graham has had more than enough.
"Each day's news seems to reveal new horrors from militant Islam. Can it be that the world is no longer as shocked by Christians having their heads cut off and then ISIS proudly promoting this on video?" asked evangelist Franklin Graham on his Facebook page.
"We should continue to be horrified and nauseated. We should make sure our government and the current administration recognizes Islam for the danger it is, and that they are doing all they can to work against it."
From there, Graham suggested steps the Obama administration needs to take.
First, he says, our government needs to immediately look at immigration reform to halt all immigration of Muslims from countries that have active terrorist cells. Graham says the threat this poses to our nation is huge and could end up costing thousands of lives in the future if we don't act now. Second, Graham says, our government needs to take immediate military action to defeat ISIS.
"The influence of radical Islam is spreading, not diminishing. I urge you to contact your senators and representatives in Congress to express your concern and outrage—and ask them to take action," Graham wrote. "SHARE this if you agree, and continue to pray for Christians living in the midst of this threat around the world."
As we do every year, Israelis on Wednesday made the incredible transition from deep mourning to bounding joy as we first marked the Memorial Day for our fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism before moving immediately into Independence Day.
Nationwide sirens on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning brought Israel to a standstill to remember 23,320 fallen soldiers and victims of anti-Israel terrorism. Both sirens were followed by national and private Memorial Day ceremonies at cemeteries and war memorials across the country.
Nearly every Israeli has lost a family member or friend to war or terrorism, meaning that for nearly every Israeli, Memorial Day is a very solemn time.
One interesting aspect of Israel’s Memorial Day that is today lacking even in many Christian nations is the liberal referencing of God and biblical faith by the nation’s leaders. As an example, the following prayer was posted to Facebook by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
May God remember the souls of His heroic children: The fighters of the Israel Defense Forces, who fell in the wars of Israel, in defensive, retaliative, and security actions and during the fulfillment of their duty, including the souls of the underground fighters and brigades who fought in the national struggle - all those who sacrificed their lives for the sanctification of God’s Name.
And with the help of God, the Lord of Israel’s campaigns, they brought about the revival of the nation and the state and the redemption of the land and the city of God.
They were quicker than eagles and stronger than lions as they volunteered to assist the nation, and they saturated our holy land with their pure blood.
The memory of their self-sacrifice and heroic deeds will never disappear from us. May their souls be bound in the Bond of Life with the souls of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and with the souls of the other heroes and martyrs of Israel who are in Heaven.
Amen.
At sunset on Wednesday (remember that in Jewish tradition, days start at sunset), our mourning was turned to sudden joy as we burst into celebration over what the sacrifices of our loved ones have purchased - a safe and secure Jewish homeland after millennia of exile and persecution.
PHOTO: From the Facebook page of the Israel Defense Forces
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