Paul Keith Davis: Clouds and Thick Darkness: A Divine Visitation Bringing God's Justice

Paul Keith Davis:

Clouds and Thick Darkness: 

A Divine Visitation Bringing God's Justice

The Elijah List

In late April, our ministry hosted a special three-day School of the Spirit meeting. On Monday, April 28, the theme of the evening service centered around "Winds of Change." Much to our surprise, shortly after the meeting, the winds and rain began to fall in the South Alabama/Pensacola region in an extraordinary way. Over 20 inches of rain saturated the area in the following 24 hours with an unprecedented 6.2 inches falling in one hour.

While the flooding and resulting damage was unfortunate, we must also evaluate this situation to determine if there is something the Lord is saying through it. I prayed earnestly into this and feel there may be multiple messages, but one primary passage prevails. 

Psalm 97:2 says:

Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

The Lord coming in clouds and thick darkness speaks of a divine visitation bringing God's justice. This type of visitation is like a two-edged sword. It will produce judgments and blessings simultaneously; favor and grace upon righteousness and discipline upon unrighteousness. Those that have been faithful through repentance and intercession will find the coming season producing cleansing and blessing. 

(Photo via en.wikipedia.org)

We will be cleansed and sanctified by His Spirit so that we can become partaker's of His Divine nature and His Holy character. Furthermore, we will experience the release of the Spirit of Truth in a profound way in order to deal with the sin of unbelief within the Church.

"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged...But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." John 16:8-13

We have the incredible privilege of living in the generation that will witness the unveiling of great mysteries and hidden secrets reserved for the "time of the end" (see Daniel 12:4). 

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is beginning to unleash "great and mighty things" related to our prophetic mandate. These Scriptural directives impart insight with understanding concerning the revelation of His Glory and Nature.

His Divine Nature

The Scriptures stipulate we have His precious and magnificent promises by which we become partaker's of His Divine nature through the true knowledge of Christ (see 2 Peter 1:4-8).

The time of the end is a period for revealing and reinstating great truth and exposing the hidden things of darkness.

An "overcoming" company of Believers will begin to "taste the good word of God and the powers of the age to come" (see Hebrews 6:5). Conversely, those that have not been faithful to God's Word will find this visitation producing correction and Divine discipline. 

Righteousness and Justice are the foundation of His throne. For there to be a true unveiling of the Lord's manifest presence, there must be a foundation of Righteousness and Justice upon which His seat of authority is established. These two pillars constitute the essential framework for true kingly authority. The Bible tells us that those who "overcome" will be pillars in the temple of God.

(Photo via abc news)

Revelation 3:12 "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name."

Psalm 89:14-15 (TLB) "Your throne is founded on two strong pillars – the one is Justice and the other Righteousness. Mercy and Truth walk before You as Your attendants. Blessed are those who hear the joyful blast of the trumpet, for they shall walk in the light of Your presence."

We are to be the pillars of Righteousness and Justice through which the Lord will execute His judgments in the Earth. With maturity we will become the trees of Righteousness that bear fruit reflecting His Divine attributes.

The Lord Our Righteousness

In Jeremiah 33:16, the Lord first revealed Himself as Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness. A righteous God pronounced death as the penalty of sin, yet that same God became flesh, the righteous branch, to taste death for every sinner and provide the righteousness that is transferred or imputed through His grace.

When the Lord descended before Moses in a cloud He is described as compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness and truth, yet HE WILL NOT LEAVE THE GUILTY UNPUNISHED (see Exodus 34:5-7).

The heart cry of the Spirit is to REPENT and RETURN to the Lord that times of refreshing may come from His presence providing true righteousness.

In the Old Testament there is evident revelation of Israel as being a nation seeking after righteousness, yet in its passionate desire for righteousness, the people discover their own unrighteousness. Therefore, we become people that are seekers after hearts of purity and communion with God in holiness by His grace. God will always have a remnant of people in the Earth who seek after Him and His Righteousness.

The righteousness of God is revealed to us through the written Word – The Revelation of Jesus Christ. When the first written law was given in the form of the Ten Commandments we recognized the first five commandments dealt with right relationship with God. The second five commandments related to a right relationship with our fellow man.

(Photo via flickr.com)

All proper relationships first begin with a wholesome understanding and relationship with God Himself. Only after we have a spiritually healthy relationship with the Lord can we move into proper relationships with our fellow man based on sincere fraternal affection. The Lord is looking for those that can walk together in agreement and unity so that He can pour out His anointing upon them.

When righteousness has been established in the hearts of Believers through the Word, we may then move into a subsequent aspect of righteousness, which is Holiness. The Spirit of Holiness is the very power of the resurrection as described in Romans 1:3-4: "Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."

God's great power is released to us through the Spirit of Holiness. The Lord desires to establish Righteousness and Justice in us as a foundation of His throne and manifest Presence. This manifested power of God lies in the Cross as stipulated in 1 Corinthians 1:18: "For the word of the Cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

(Photo via deviantart.com)

As we seek the Lord's Face through times of spiritual intimacy and waiting on Him, even more so than seeking His hand, we then become partaker's of His Holy character by being reflections of His image. We will begin to truly KNOW HIM and the power of His resurrection though it may include the fellowship of His sufferings. God's manifest power is essential to us in becoming the light of the world during the coming times of great darkness.

Paul Keith and Wanda Davis
WhiteDove Ministries

Email: inquiries@whitedoveministries.org
Website: whitedoveministries.org

"Leaders Shifted into Place" - The Lion Roars by Karla Shrake

A Prophetic Newsletter                            www.MantlesOfGlory.org By Karla Shrake July 10, 2014  Click here to subscribe to  The Lion Roars Newsletter:   "And the Lord Roars from Zion... And utters  His voice from Jerusalem."  Joel 3:16 "The Lord utters His Voice before His Army;  Surely His camp is Very Great, For Strong is he who Carries out His Word."  Joel 2:11     Leaders Shifted into Place by Karla Shrake  July 10th, 2014  "My children and My leaders," says your Father, "this is the hour of the fulfillment of your destinies.  As I positioned John the Baptist in his key place of influence long ago, even so am I now shifting and pulling you into your key God-appointed posts and positions of influence.  John was the forerunner who prepared the way for My earthly ministry, and as forerunners of the last days, you are preparing the way of My return.  Hell has surely resisted you as heroes of the faith, but know that what is now coming to pass in your life was My idea from the beginning and it shall not and can not fail as you yield to Me in this critical hour of human history," laughs The-Lord-of-All-The-Earth! This is the Hour  "You have waited for this hour, so rouse and stir yourself to press in as I release a fresh fervor, focus and alertness, for it is here and it is now.  And while My Son left the earth as the broken Lamb that had to be slain as a ransom for many know that He is now ruling as the Lion Commander-Chief who is roaring among the nations.  His thundering roar is a clarion call that is resounding not only in the heavens and on earth, but it is also shaking the underworld beneath where the counterfeit lords of darkness dwell and conspire."   Take Your Place Your role and calling is to allow Me to rule through you from the courtroom and throne room of heaven, for I am giving higher levels of rulership to My faithful ones.  "The powers of hell and darkness are conspiring to kill most of the earth's population in order to prevent the great last-day gathering of souls into the Kingdom.  But as I laid out in My Word long ago through many prophets, I have preempted the work of the enemy.  And while many last-day trials shall occur according to prophecy, know that multitudes will call upon My name and be gathered into the ark of safety. You do not war to win My dear children, but rather you stand in the triumph that Yeshua has already  completed.   So take your places - those places of authority and influence that I have created you for and yield to Me as never before.  For I am releasing massive harvest nets through heavenly wisdom and strategies."   Triumph Manifests Through You "You have been formed, fashioned and trained through decades of rigorous preparations and challenges dear ones, and now is the time to step up and step forth as there are many souls in the valleys of decision.  My precious family on earth is ripe to hear and taste of the good news of My love for them." "It is true that multitudes are blind and deaf as they have been born into deception through generations of idolatry and darkness.  But that is no surprise to Me," says your faithful Father, "for assuredly I made provision for that beforehand through My Son who was willing to take on those powers of deception on the cross and He overcame them, ALL of them.  The Lamb overcame the power of idolatry, paganism, witchcraft, divination, occultism and every form of darkness that manifests through demons, fallen angels and even through bizarre and perverted mixtures of dark beings.   And it is through you  My dear champions,  that The Lamb's triumph shall manifest so that multitudes are set free  to enter the refuge-ark  of salvation in this late  and stormy hour." Marching Orders in Heavenly Mailbox "Be aware the enemy seeks to frighten and intimidate you, My children. He seeks to frighten and intimidate even you My brave leaders, because he knows full well that you possess the keys to his destruction. He is working to distract and divert your attention so that you will not utilize the tools, keys and spiritual weapons that I have given to you," warns your Father. "But know that My instructions, strategies and marching orders are in your heavenly mail-box." No more Business as Usual  "My mighty ones seek Me for every decision, large and small, for I am shifting and moving quickly now.  Don't get hung up in the way things have been in the past, or in how they are currently, but rather shake off all that has kept you in routines and in the traditions of men and in the expectations of others, including carnal family members. Shake off the old ways of doing things, and shake off the old ways of thinking that have limited many of you.  For the greater works have begun and the season of My vengeance toward the enemy is now upon us," assures your Captain-of-the-Hosts.   The Adventure Begins "Yes the shaking has begun, the shaking that I foretold of long ago. And while it will be quite an adventure at times My mighty ones, you are empowered to do all that I have ordained for you as ambassadors of My good news. So be not dismayed nor frightened, but rejoice in that you have been given the honor of living in this most awesome time in human history.   The stakes are high for so many lost, dying and broken souls and much is riding on you and your obedience, My precious ones." Death precedes Rulership "But know that I your Father have wired into you greatness from the beginning, and also through years and decades of adversity and hardship. The character of The Lamb had to be worked into you before you could sit on the throne of rulership with Me, otherwise you would have been destroyed. Ambition and the carnal self-life had to be emptied out to create a place from which I can rule freely and unencumbered."   Bridegroom calls to Bride "Come into the arms of your Beloved and dance the glory-dance of all the ages!   Follow My embrace and My steps as we dance our way through the highways and byways of lost humanity, revealing the kind and good heart of our Father!  Come My beautiful one and dance with Me upon the mountain tops and dance with Me through the valleys.... so that all people can behold how great a love the Father has for His children of every tribe, tongue, nation and culture.  As we dance together in this last-day love-cadence the fragrance of hope will overtake despair and the power of life will overtake death." Bride's Response:    "Yes our Beloved... We are stirring ourselves and stepping forth into our God-given places of rulership authority and influence.   We are stepping into the loving arms that were stretched out at Calvary and we are leaning more deeply into Your embrace, our Lamb-Lion.  For our hearts and lives are poured out before You in adoration and surrender..."   All Glory to our Beloved King Yeshua / Jesus!   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    Davidic Warriors   Greetings Dear Friends, I trust you had a good 4th of July weekend and I hope you have a productive and enjoyable summer underway.  May His richest blessings be upon you and your families as we stand and decree His Word over one another.   My love and appreciation to you, Karla Our Thursday prayer-decree is on my website under the Davidic Warriors page. A Prophetic Word to this Generation          Our heavenly Father is opening the storehouses of heaven and releasing a greater anointing that has been reserved for this generation.   Empowered by the spirit of Elijah these mantles will bring restoration, including to those who wear them and to their households.  Written in a prophetic style, this book brings fresh perspective and strong encouragement to its readers.  As you move through the pages of "Mantles" the Holy Spirit will unveil, stir and establish more of your own unique calling and mantle. For more information, go to: www.MantlesOfGlory.org

Opinion: World Condemns Israel for Protecting Its People - CBN News

Opinion: World Condemns Israel for Protecting Its People

By Tzippe Barrow

CBN News Internet Producer - Jerusalem

Wednesday, July 09, 2014

JERUSALEM, Israel -- As Israel fights back against Hamas -- the Palestinian terror group that openly declares its intention to wipe the Jewish state off the map -- it faces condemnation from the Arab world.

The spokesman for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan called for an immediate halt to Israel's "barbaric aggression."

The Islamic Republic of Iran, responsible in large part for funding, training and arming Hamas and other Islamist terror groups, called on the West to condemn the Zionists' "savage aggression…against the innocent and defenseless people of Palestine."

President Barack Obama leveled the playing field by urging both sides "not to act out of revenge."

The Arab League, meanwhile, wants the U.N. Security Council to convene over Israel's response to rockets targeting its major population centers.

But many Israelis and their friends around the globe ask how can the world condemn a country for protecting its people? But that's exactly what Israel faces every time it's forced to act against those seeking its destruction.

It doesn't seem to matter how well or how often Israel explains its position or how hard it tries to avoid collateral damage while destroying munitions factories, weapons warehouses, rocket launch sites, and arms smuggling tunnels in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli leaders vowed the operation in Gaza will expand and continue until the rocket fire stops and quiet returns.

"Hamas will pay a heavy price for firing at Israeli citizens," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after meeting with Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, and Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman.
"The security of Israel's citizens is first and foremost. Our army is strong, the home front firm, and our nation united," Netanyahu said.

"Hamas has chosen escalation," Gantz said. "The other organizations have joined it and we will use all the power we have, in varying degrees, to ensure what we consider a victory. We will exact the full price [from Hamas] for the strategic mistake it has made."

Ya'alon also said Hamas would pay "a very heavy price" and the campaign would not end "in a matter of days."

"We are destroying [the terror group's] arms, terrorist infrastructure, command and control systems, institutions, government buildings, terrorists' homes," Ya'alon said. "And we are killing terrorists in the organization's high command," referring to a pinpoint air strike that took out a senior Hamas terrorist Wednesday as he traveled by motorcycle in northern Gaza.

"We will continue to hit Hamas and other terrorist organizations hard from the air, at sea, and on the ground in order to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel," Ya'alon said.

Most Israelis back the government's full-scale operation against Gaza-based jihadists. Many hope the IDF will succeed in destroying as much as the terrorist infrastructure as possible, now threatening the Jewish state's major population centers.

When You Think God is Wrong by Ann Graham Lotz

When You Think God is Wrong 

by Ann Graham Lotz

Identity Network

Even when there is no explanation for what you're going through, God's love is more than enough for your need.

Mary and Martha, whose story is told in the Gospel of John, must have asked the same question as they struggled to understand why Jesus hadn't intervened to heal their brother, Lazarus. They had sent for Jesus to come, and when He didn't come quickly, they probably assumed He didn't care.

And now, even though Jesus had finally come, it was too late. Lazarus had died.

Mary crumbled, sobbing, at the feet of Jesus. As she lay with her shoulders shaking and her chest heaving, wracked with pain that was too great to bear, the friends who had followed her voiced their own despair over her grief, and they wept too.

At the sight and sound of the poignant scene, Jesus "was deeply moved in spirit and troubled" (John 11:33, NIV). The text indicates He felt more than just grief; He felt anger.

The One We Love is Sick

Several years ago, I received an urgent call from a person who was at the local hospital, telling me that one of my dearest friends was dying. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I had spoken with the friend only the day before, and she had been healthy and happy. What could have gone so terribly wrong? As I rushed to the hospital, I kept praying, "Lord, help! The one whom we love is sick - dying!"

When I made my way into the hospital waiting room, I found her extended family huddled in tears and shock. I was told my precious friend had somehow breathed in a virus that had acted like a hand grenade in her body, exploding and destroying her internal organs.

In grief and shock myself, I was urged to go into the chapel, where her husband and children had gathered to pray. As I slipped into the darkened sanctuary and virtually collapsed onto a pew, I heard the whispered prayers and sobs of her loved ones. Then the stifled grief erupted in a chilling, heart-wrenching cry as her son yelled out: "God, it's not right. It's not right! It's just not right!"

Later, when her family made the decision to disconnect her from life support and my beloved friend went to her heavenly home, her son's agonized, angry grief echoed in my ears, and I thought: He was right. This is wrong. Terribly wrong! This was never meant to be.

We were Created to Live

Death was not a part of God's original plan. He created you and me for Himself. He intended for us to live with Him and enjoy Him forever in an uninterrupted, permanent, personal, love relationship.

But sin came into our lives and broke the very relationship with God for which we were created. All of us are affected by this broken relationship because all of us are infected with sin.

When your loved one dies and your grief is tinged with anger, don't direct it toward God. He's angry too. Direct it toward sin and its devastating consequences.

That day in Bethany, as Mary wept and her friends wept with her, a tumult of grief and anger and compassion and empathy welled up in the heart of Jesus. In a voice that must have been choking with emotion, He inquired, "Where have you laid him?"

Those around Him replied gently, "Come and see, Lord" (John 11:34). And when Jesus was invited by the mourners in Bethany to "come and see," He wept! (See vv. 34­-35.)

Jesus, the Creator of the universe, the eternal I Am, the Lord of life, knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Yet One so strong, so powerful, so wise, so human, stood there with tears running down His cheeks! Why? Because He loved those gathered at the tomb so much their grief was His.

Jesus Weeps With You

When my youngest daughter, Rachel-Ruth, was small, she wore long braids as a means of controlling her naturally curly hair, which she hated. I will never forget an incident that followed the visit to our home of a beautiful young woman who had long, sleek, glossy brown hair. As soon as the door closed behind the young woman, Rachel-Ruth ran into the living room, jerking at her braids, tearing at her bangs, covering her face with her hands, and hysterically sobbing, "I hate my hair! My face is so ugly! I'm not pretty at all!"

Not knowing what had triggered this outburst, I just held her and wept with her. I looked up to see my other daughter, Morrow, standing in the doorway, weeping too. We wept because Rachel-Ruth was so distraught, and we loved her. Her torment was our own.

When was the last time you wept into your pillow at night, thinking no one cared? Is the pain so deep and your hurt so great that you cry night after night?

In your misery and loneliness, do you think Jesus is emotionally detached? That He just doesn't care? Or that He's simply too busy to notice? Or that He is callous because He sees a lot of pain that's worse than yours? Or that He couldn't possibly understand how you feel?

Do you know that Jesus weeps with you? Do you know He puts all your tears in a bottle because they are precious to Him? He has said in all of your afflictions, He Himself is afflicted. Why? Because Jesus does understand! And He loves you!

Those who had gathered to support and comfort and help the family of Lazarus observed the famous young Rabbi weeping and concluded, "See how he loved him!" (v. 36). Even though Jesus knew the glory to come and the demonstration of God's power that was about to be displayed, He wept!

He wept because He loved this precious family and they were weeping. Jesus was entering into their suffering, just as many of us entered into His when we repented of our sin, died to ourselves and received Him by faith.

Martha's Faith

The story of Lazarus is the account of perhaps the most magnificent miracle Jesus performed while on Earth. But it is really the story of Martha's faith - and the necessity of placing our faith in Jesus alone if we are to live life triumphantly and experience the greatest miracle of all, that of passing from spiritual death to eternal life as we are born again into the family of God.

Surrounded by a crowd of friends, family and just curious onlookers, Jesus gazed at the scene before Him. I expect Mary and Martha followed His focus, which was fixed on the cave carved out of the hillside that served as Lazarus' burial place. A large stone sealed off the entrance to the tomb.

Martha was jolted out of any grief-filled reverie that preoccupied her thoughts when she heard His familiar voice command quietly but with absolute authority, "Take away the stone" (v. 39). Nothing could have been more appalling to her!

It seemed as if reopening Lazarus' tomb would serve no purpose except to reopen the fresh wound of her heart. How could Jesus say such a thing? How could He even think such a thing?

Martha, with what surely was a look of horrified indignation on her face, blurted out, "But Lord ... by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days" (v. 39).

Jesus turned His full gaze onto Martha with a look that melted her resistance and silenced her argument. With patient firmness, He challenged her not only to obedience but also to expectant faith: "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (v. 40).

Something in Martha must have quickened as she saw the intensity in the Lord's eyes. She knew this was no longer the time to talk about it or pray about it or think about it.

The spark of faith was suddenly fanned into flame, and without further question or word, she just did it! She ordered the stone to be rolled away. Simply because He said so. Her obedience, her dependence and her expectance were in Him alone. He was all she had.

With every eye fastened on Him, Jesus boldly, loudly lifted His voice as He prayed: "Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I knew that You always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that You sent Me" (vv. 41-­42).Jesus was letting everyone know that if Lazarus was raised, the power to make it happen came from God.

The Voice of the Creator

Then...the same voice that had brought the world into being, the same voice that had called Abraham from Ur, the same voice that had reverberated from Mount Sinai, that same voice thundered, "Lazarus, come out!" (v. 43). The voice of the Creator was commanding into existence that which had no existence!

Every eye must have strained toward the cave, peering into the black hole where the stone had been. And then, out of the deep, shadowy recesses within, there appeared a mummy-like figure"wrapped with strips of linen, and [with] a cloth around his face" (v. 44).

Was there a collective gasp? Or was everyone frozen into place, temporarily paralyzed by the shock of seeing something that just couldn't be?

Dead men don't come back to life! But Lazarus did! At the command of the One who is the Resurrection and the Life, he appeared at the entrance of the tomb.

After all the pain and suffering and anguish and doubt and resentment and misunderstanding and tears, God had answered the sisters' unspoken prayer. Although Jesus had not come when they thought He would, He had restored Lazarus to health.

In His own time and in His own way, God answered abundantly beyond what they could have thought to ask for - beyond their wildest dreams. Their brother was raised from the dead!

At long last, Martha understood. God's purpose was made clear. God's power and glory and love were revealed, and her grief-stricken plea wrenched from their broken hearts was abundantly answered. Jesus was all they needed! Jesus was enough!

And if He could raise Lazarus from the dead after he was in the tomb for four days, is there anything He cannot do for you or me? What miracle do you think is beyond His power to accomplish?

When you don't understand why, just trust Him!

Don't wallow in your "whys." Don't throw a pity party or remain in your misery. Understand that you may not understand this side of heaven.

Respect God's silences. Claim through your own experience ... the blessing that follows brokenness, the life that follows death and the glory that follows suffering!

Trust God to sort it all out in the end. He can break the bonds of your suffering - now! Trust Him! He will bring you through.

Anne Graham Lotz

www.annegrahamlotz.com

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Messianic Jews, Arab Christians Gather Amidst Violence and Anger

Thursday, July 10, 2014 |  David Lazarus  ISRAEL TODAY

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"Dancing together with Arabs? Laughing together with them? These are the people I hated my whole life," says Chava, a Messianic Jewish girl who grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Israel.

Chava was part of a three-day gathering where she met with an estimated 1,000 Messianic Jewish and Arab Christian youth and young adults in Haifa. At a time when murderous kidnappings, violent riots and a developing war in Gaza are bringing racial tensions to boiling point, these young Messianic Jews and Arab Christians arrived at the conference still reeling with all the raw emotions of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"These young people came carrying a lot of hurt because of all the recent violence here in Israel," says Rick Ridings, organizer of the annual Elav conference. "Many of them thought that they had dealt with these feelings, but because of the kidnappings and killings they are in pain, on both sides."

For Chava, who grew up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish ghetto, it was the first time to be in such close quarters with Arabs. "I used to walk with my family to the Wailing Wall and pray that bad things would happen to the Arabs," she recalls. "We have this view that Arabs are bad people. But when I saw them praying to God, and heard them worshipping in Hebrew and then in Arabic, God touched my heart. These are the lost brothers and sisters I have been looking for all my life," she says.

Ridings, who has been organizing these gatherings since 2007, was not sure that any of the young Arabs or Jews would even want to be together during such difficult times. "I didn't know if any of the Palestinian Arabs would even be able, or want to come," he says. "Yet almost miraculously, given the heightened security, about 50 Palestinian believers were able to come."

"These were some of the most meaningful times I have seen at the conference," Ridings told Israel Today. "Perhaps the situation forced these young people to get over the things that normally cause problems. This was real, not just some canned program."

For many of the young believers this was the first time they had ever had a meaningful encounter with the other side. When an Arab believer who grew up in Gaza and a young Messianic Israeli shared their testimonies, it helped others to open up and talk about what they really feel, sharing honestly about what had happened in the army, or with friends killed by terrorists.

"As I washed the feet of my Arab sister, I was able to ask forgiveness for the way my family, and my people, look at them (Arabs)," says Chava. "To hear her say that she forgives me and loves me was so healing. It was the love from Yeshua, nothing else. I never had an Arab friend. Now I have daily contact with my sisters in Ramallah, Jordan and Lebanon," she smiles.

"After hearing my story," continues Chava, "an Arab girl came up to tell me that she hated religious Jews whenever she saw them. This was her first time meeting with someone who came from an Orthodox religious background. She ran to me and asked for forgiveness and asked me to pray for her that she would have more love for my people."

Ridings says that the vision for these gatherings is "to provide a safe environment for Jewish, Arab and Palestinian youth and young adults to have personal encounters with the Lord, to wait on him through worship and prayer, to grow in unity, and to be challenged to minister the Kingdom of God into every area of society."

On the last evening of the gathering, a young Messianic Jew shared about spending three months in Syria helping war refugees. The conference concluded with a call for the young people to go and share the powerful testimony of what Yeshua can do for our broken world.

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Obama Admin Blames Israel for Lack of Peace

Wednesday, July 09, 2014 |  Ryan Jones  ISRAEL TODAY

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Israel’s left-wing newspaper Ha’aretz, which advocates acquiescing to most Arab demands in return for peace, has this week been hosting its first “Israel Conference on Peace,” coincidently scheduled for the same week Palestinian terrorists are pounding the Jewish state with missiles.

Somewhat sidestepping present realities, Tuesday’s keynote speaker largely blamed Israel for the lack of peace in the region.

Phillip Gordon is a special assistant to US President Barack Obama and coordinates policy regarding the Middle East. In his assessment, which is shared by the Arab world, it is Israel’s “occupation” of the biblical lands of Judea and Samaria that is creating the regional instability.

“Israel confronts an undeniable reality: It cannot maintain military control of another people indefinitely. Doing so is not only wrong but a recipe for resentment and recurring instability,” Gordon insisted.

The American continued: “How will Israel remain democratic and Jewish if it attempts to govern the millions of Palestinian Arabs who live in the West Bank? How will it have peace if it’s unwilling to delineate a border, end the occupation and allow for Palestinian sovereignty, security and dignity?”

In other words, Gordon believes that if only Israel would meet Palestinian demands, as hisHa’aretz hosts often recommend, peace and coexistence would reign in the Holy Land.

Like many of the Ha’aretz writers, Gordon conveniently ignored the fact that prior to 1967, Israel did not control Judea and Samaria, but still faced at least as many terror threats as it does today, in addition to several full-scale military invasions by its neighbors.

Nor did Gordan address the fact that prior to the US-brokered “Oslo” peace process that imposed Yasser Arafat’s PLO on both Israel and the local Palestinian population, there was far less tension between Arabs and Jews, even in the so-called “occupied” territories.

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