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.
Is it any wonder anti-Semitism is growing? (Reviveisrael.org)
This month (March 23-24) is the celebration of Purim. Most people do not notice that the book of Esther takes place at the same time as the prophetic books of Zechariah and Haggai. What is the significance of this timing?
In the books of Zechariah and Haggai, we find a small, Jewish remnant having returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the altar, the Temple and the city. In the book of Esther, we find a worldwide wave of anti-Semitism coming out of Persia (ancient Iran). There is a connection between the two.
The restoration of Jerusalem represents the advancement of the kingdom of God. The wave of anti-Semitism is an evil movement that represents a spiritual attack on that kingdom restoration. The restoration of a faithful remnant in Jerusalem fuels the hatred against the Jewish people. The destruction of the kingdom remnant in Jerusalem is the goal of international anti-Semitism and genocide.
We see a similar pattern today that has a similar prophetic significance. The nation of Israel has been restored, even with Jerusalem as its capital. The Messianic remnant of faith within Israel is being restored at the same time. There is a worldwide movement of propaganda and terror whose central aim is to discredit Jewish claims to Jerusalem and to destroy Israel.
Both in the time of Zechariah and today, the logic of this spiritual warfare has to do with stopping the return of Messiah. The first restoration of Israel led to the first coming of Yeshua. The second restoration will lead to the second coming of Yeshua.
Yeshua indicated in Matthew 23:39 that His return will be at the response to the nation of Israel—especially Jerusalem—calling for His return with the cry of "Blessed be He who comes in the name of YHVH." The nation of Israel is in place; a Messianic Jewish remnant in Israel and Jerusalem is growing little by little.
The devil knows his time is short and therefore is hysterical, panicking and angry (Rev. 12:12). Therefore, such demonic hatred, lies and murder are being released against the plan of God. This is the hidden spiritual cause of much of the evil happening in world politics today.
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News from Israel is such a hot commodity and, with the Mainstream Media trying to outdo each other to cover events from the "Holy Land", quite often truth and objectivity becomes one the victims.
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The Israeli Messianic community website and news portal Kehila News Israel (KNI) has published a survey showing that not only do young Messianic Jews serving in the Israeli army boldly share their faith, but they generally receive positive reactions when doing so.
KNI conducted the survey in cooperation with the various local ministries that host events for young soldiers.
A whopping 96 percent of respondents said their fellow soldiers know they are followers of Yeshua. Perhaps even more encouraging is that 65 percent said reactions to their faith have been positive, even inquisitive.
Israeli Messianic Jews proudly serve in the IDF just like everyone else, and the growing number of believers in the military was demonstrated by the fact that 30 percent of survey respondents said there is at least one more fellow believer in their unit.
A normalization to the Israeli-Turkish relations seems to be nearing as several reports point to an already formulated agreement, which is expected to be announced by both Ankara and Jerusalem in the “next few days.”
TV7 was informed on the matter a couple of weeks ago, when a Turkish official confirmed that both countries have already reached an understanding, and even know the names of the ambassadors whom will assume the roles in both countries.
The official noted that both sides were “trying to gain as much as possible out of the negotiations” before reaching a finalized and strategic accord. Another a report last night, published by the the Turkish daily Hurriyet, the newspaper quoted Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu during a cabinet meeting in Ankara last week, during which he said the talks were nearing the end, noting that both respective governments would inform their public, in the next few days.
The first thing you must do to steward a prophetic word is to examine the vessel. (Lightstock)
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Prophecy is a very special gift that is given to the church to edify, exhort and comfort the people of God (1 Cor. 14:3). When a church, a ministry or a person embraces a prophetic spirit, there are great revelation, direction and strength that are released.
The prophetic ministry has the potential to be a powerful catalyst of change and progress to the body of Christ. The enemy hates authentic prophetic ministry and will do all that he can to sow seeds of discord and confusion.
"Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophecies. Examine all things. Firmly hold onto what is good" (1 Thess. 5:19-21, MEV).
We are given three instructions in these verses:
1. Do not quench the Spirit! There is so much more that is available to us when we step into the realm of the Spirit.
2. Do not despise the prophetic! No matter how messy it gets or what mistakes are made, we are told to value the flow of prophetic gifts.
3. Prove all things and hold fast to the good. We must learn to discern the real gift of prophecy in our lives.
When we receive a personal prophetic word, we are accountable to properly steward it! Many people have received volumes of prophetic words that have not produced fruit in their lives.
Why? I believe a common reason for unfruitful prophetic words is that we have failed to properly steward what the Lord has said to us. A prophetic word is not the destination but simply the gateway. It is an invitation to the journey but the way we navigate the journey will determine how and if we arrive at the final destination.
The first thing that you must do to steward a personal prophecy is to judge it. Is it a true word from the Lord? Here are some simple tips to recognize and judge personal prophecy:
1. Examine the vessel. The first question to ask is: "Who gave you the word and how was it delivered?" Why is this important? Many times, a wrong word is evidenced by the way it is delivered. I have seen many "parking lot prophets" who roam from church to church to engage in a renegade prophetic ministry that operates outside of any blessing from the house. This creates conflict by speaking to the ambitions of people instead of pure prophetic declaration.
"We ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you, and are appointed over you in the Lord, and instruct you" (1 Thess. 5:12, MEV).
You should have some knowledge of a person's character before allowing them to speak into your life. People who claim to be prophets yet disrespect order, tearing down more than they ever build up, are indeed deceived. The problem that arises is that sometimes a deceived person still has an accurate gift that will draw people in.
How can this be?
There are two answers:
The gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Rom. 11:29). Simply put, God doesn't remove a gift because a person gets in error. It is quite possible for someone to speak out a prophecy with accuracy but have poor fruit. The other important thing to know is that the highest level of prophetic operation is not just revealing the desires of a human heart; it is releasing the heart of the Father and revealing the end of the matter! Many times, personal prophecy also contains a dimension of rebuke in order to align the recipient with God's heart and plan for him.
There is a false spirit in operation. There are many people out there who have opened themselves up to wrong spirits. These individuals have communication in the spirit realm with demonic spirits. They can give accurate information but cannot release the Father's heart because they are blocked by their deception. On more than one occasion, I have seen a spirit of divination operating through someone and mimicking the prophetic. The end result is destruction, which is why knowing the fruit and doing things in order are so important.
2. Judge all prophecies by the written Word of God. "But the one who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted because he has forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins" (2 Pet. 1:9, MEV).
"I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that you not do that. I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy'" (Rev. 19:10, MEV).
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1, MEV).
No prophetic word should disagree with the written Word of God. In fact, the church should actively examine prophetic utterances to make sure that they are in line with God's Word and boldly toss out any that are not. For example, if a person prophesies that a married person is to leave their spouse and marry someone else, that prophecy is a blatant deception and witchcraft at work. If a renegade tries to prophesy to a church member that God wants them to rebel against the leaders, again, this prophecy is a deception and false spirit. Never accept a prophetic word that cannot be properly judged by God's Word.
3. Is it something that God has already been speaking to you? Ask yourself if the word confirms something you've already felt led to do. For example, a person owns a business that God clearly directed him to have and God told him that it is a place of fruitfulness and ministry for him. Then he gets a prophecy that he is to sell the business and start a church. He should never just run out and do that. If the prophetic word does not bear witness in the inner man, then either put it on the shelf, as it could be for a future time, or throw it out. Never make a major decision based on a single prophetic word without any leading of the Spirit in your own life!
4. Get wise counsel. Take the word to trusted advisers and ask them to judge it. "For by wise counsel you will wage your war, and in multitude of counselors there is safety" (Prov. 24:6, MEV).
When judging a personal prophecy, honor your spiritual relationships and seek the input of these trusted individuals. If your parents are godly people, ask them what they think. If you are married, and your spouse is serving the Lord, seek his input. The people who know you best and are committed to God's will for you can often see things that you may not see. Also, seek the input of your spiritual leadership. Go to your pastor or apostolic leadership and ask him for insight. So many times I have seen a prophecy steer someone in the wrong direction and then this person's lack of communication with godly leaders empowered the deception.
Once you have discerned that the prophetic word is accurate and speaking to you, then you must steward it.
Keys:
1. Write it down, record it and keep it in front of you! This is key. You must have a record of the word in order to partner with it.
2. Pray over the word and then declare the word over your life! I have found many times that as I have taken a prophetic word and prayed over it, the Father then gives me further instruction and more direction. This is so vital to steward a prophetic word. Also, the word brings faith and power into your life. Speak the word over your life.
3. Look for promptings and instructions. Most big, bold prophetic words contain miraculous breakthroughs that are beyond human efforts. There are certain promises that take God's power to fulfill. You cannot make the fulfillment happen, but you can obey small, daily instructions and take steps of faith as you advance in the will of God for your life. For example, if the word is about financial breakthrough, it may be that the Lord deals with you about sowing and stewardship. Listen for His instructions. Many times, prophetic words create forward motion in your life.
4. Rest in faith and patience. You cannot tell God when or how the word comes to pass. You must rest in the reality that in the spirit, the fulfillment of the word is done! That is what faith is—the realization that it is finished. There is no worry about the matter when you are in faith. Our Father partners with patience. Patience is the ability to wait without being anxious. There are many lessons in the process of waiting. Find the beauty in the journey and trust God with the timing.
Let's value the prophetic words spoken over us and fight for them to come to pass! We can all learn to do better in stewarding the move of God and His promises in our lives.
Ryan LeStrangestarted in ministry after training and serving under his spiritual father Dr. Norvel Hayes. Ryan and his wife, Joy, lead Impact International Ministries based in Bristol, Virginia, which consists of several local churches and revival ministries. Through Ryan LeStrange Ministries, he travels the globe preaching, igniting revival and moving in the power of God. Ryan can be seen weekly on his television program, Power 4 Today, airing around the world on GodTV. He is the founder and apostle of Impact International Apostolic Fellowship, networking and fathering ministers around the world. Ryan has authored several books releasing an apostolic and prophetic perspective to the body of Christ. Please visit ryanlestrange.com.
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As Spirit filled believers, the Lord has given us the privilege and the honor to be carriers of His Glory. We are living in a season where everything that can be shaken is being shaken. Nevertheless, as believers, we should not be moved by what is happening in the natural because we are the people who are going to release His Kingdom to this earth as it is in heaven. We are coming into a time when the body of Christ will demonstrate the Kingdom of God around the world just as it was in the book of Acts. We are the conduits of His Glory.
The Lord says, no matter how things appear to be in the natural, you shall see My glory return. Just as in the days of old, I will pour out My Spirit once again. You will see wonders in the heavens above, and signs in the earth below. As you observe the days getting darker, I will raise up people to be My Light bearers to annihilate the manifestations of the kingdom of darkness. I am about to release My anointing in an unprecedented way. As the darkness increases, you will also see My Glory accelerate beyond what you have ever known.
You have been chosen as carriers of My presence to release the atmosphere of heaven wherever you go. As I said in My Word: I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. I am seeking those who will be conduits and advance My kingdom with great exploits. As you continually refresh yourself in My presence, the gifts that I have imparted to you will be cultivated.
You will Surely See My Goodness
In this season, many will have Spiritual encounters that are uncommon to man. As you allow Me to transform you, you will mature and develop into My image. As you allow Me into your churches, you will receive a new and fresh outpouring. Don't resist nor quench what I am doing. Don't settle for less than what I have for you. As you nurture and protect that which I have placed on the inside of you, you will be able to discern My ways. As you come before Me in prayer and fasting, I will equip you for the days ahead.
You will understand how to encounter Me through an intimate relationship as you read My word, stay steadfast in My word, intercede for others and pray in the Spirit with perseverance and determination. You will then discover the valuable treasures that I have placed on the inside of you. As you come before Me with great expectation, stand confident knowing that you will surely see My goodness prevail in the land of the living says the Lord.
John 14:20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
Today is Super Tuesday. Barring a miracle, Donald J. Trump will win decisive victories across the nation. Despite saying some of the most despicable things I've ever heard any presidential candidate in either party say, Trump continues rising in the polls. Many analysts believe he's well on the road to winning the Republican nomination for president.
This would be an utter disaster. The threat Trump poses to the health and well-being of the American people and her republic cannot be overstated. Trump must be stopped.
On January 31st, I published a column laying out "32 reasons a Trump presidency would be a catastrophe for America." I provided links to one direct quote after by Donald Trump himself demonstrating how unprepared he would be for the presidency. I also provided evidence that he is trying to hoodwink Evangelical Christians into thinking he is one of us, and and that he is trying to hijack the conservative moment by claiming to support conservative policies today that have not been his positions for the rest of his decades in the public spotlight.
But every few days, we learn more about this man that shows how completely disqualified he is from serving as President, and how dangerous he would be as Commander-in-Chief.
What follows are seven more reasons. Study them carefully. They are chilling. The former head of the Ku Klux Klan is actively supporting Trump. This former KKK Grand Wizard is urging his supporters to do everything possible to elect Trump. White supremacists all over the country are supporting Trump. Trump is happily re-Tweeting their praise of him. When Trump has been asked to condemn the KKK and its leaders and all white supremacists and reject their votes, he repeatedly refuses to do so.
But that's not all. Trump has repeatedly praised Chinese and North Korean communist leaders for how they violently suppress pro-democracy dissenters in their countries. Trump has criticized past Soviet leadership for not using more violence to suppress the pro-democracy in the USSR. What's more, Trump repeatedly calls for violence against those who disagree with him and those who protest him at his campaign rallies.
I strongly urge you to carefully read through these examples. Click on the links and read the articles carefully. Share this material with family and friends. There are many more example, but these are important to focus on right now.
If you are in one of the Super Tuesday states, please go vote today for a serious, sound conservative. Vote for a candidate who has a realistic, serious chance of stopping Trump, winning the nomination, and putting a conservative in the White House next January. At this point, that would be either Sen. Marco Rubio or Sen. Ted Cruz. Yes, both have flaws and weaknesses. But both are born again Christians. Both believe in the Constitution. Either would be vastly better than Mr. Trump.
Even though Lynn and I are living overseas with our sons, we are still American citizens, and gladly so. We deeply love the United States. We are deeply burdened by how dangerous this moment is, that the GOP could end up nominating a man like Trump. We are horrified that many Evangelical Christians are either actively helping Trump, or making excuses for him, or not registering or turning out to vote against him and for someone who really is qualified to be President.
We are proud legal residents of Virginia. Thus, we have voted by Absentee Ballot. We are not going to say who we voted for you. Prayerfully make your own decision. But we definitely voted against Trump.
Have you voted yet? The stakes for America are incredibly high. Do your civic duty. And pray faithfully, earnestly, and consistently throughout today -- and the days ahead -- that the Lord would block Mr. Trump and have mercy on the country.
Trump has praised the ruthless dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, for how he "wipes out" his political opponents. “You’ve got to give him credit," Mr Trump said. "How many young guys — he was like 26 or 25 when his father died — take over these tough generals, and all of a sudden — you know, it’s pretty amazing when you think of it. How does he do that?...[H]e goes in, he takes over, he’s the boss. It’s incredible....He wiped out the uncle, he wiped out this one, that one. This guy doesn’t play games and we can’t play games with him. Because he really does have missiles and he really does have nukes."
This man cannot be allowed to become the President of the United States. God have mercy on each of us, and on this great country.
[This column is based on my personal beliefs and opinions. I share them in my personal capacity as an American citizen and an author. They do not reflect the views of The Joshua Fund, which is a non-profit organization and takes no political or legislative positions.]
