Sunday, April 3, 2016

ENTREPRENEURSHIP - Morris E. Ruddick (SIGN)

Morris Ruddick

SIGN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
 
(c) Morris E. Ruddick
 
Many mistakenly view entrepreneurs simply as people in business. Entrepreneurs are a great deal more. In taking a closer look at Jewish business secrets, it is important to understand the distinction.
 
Entrepreneurs are change artists. They create and innovate. They spot opportunity and know what to do about it. They build, establish a new order of things and in so doing they bring increase. They challenge the status quo with better solutions to problems and they know how to do so at a profit.
 
The Jewish perspective in viewing these prime entrepreneurial characteristics, of creating and bringing increase entails even more. A finely honed stewardship is one of the unique dimensions of Jewish business secrets. A vital element of the stewardship that has endured within Jewish culture that triggers the creative to bring increase is a form of generosity. This dynamic is described best by the Hebrew word tz'dakah.
 
Higher Dimensions
Tz'dakah can be translated either as righteousness or charity. In reality it encompasses something from each of these English words. For centuries for the Jewish people, tz'dakah has been a community dynamic, a targeted generosity that helps those in the community in need, while simultaneously building the community, with a focus on strengthening the emerging generation. For the entrepreneur this involves "giving back," not only when success comes, but all along the way.
 
I've previously shared from the words of the psalmist that: "All goes well for the generous man, who lends freely and conducts his business fairly." In the same writings it also says that: "Such people give generously to those in need and their righteous deeds will never be forgotten." This perspective, this community generosity, bonds one generation to another with new generations embracing an excellence that exceeds the generation before it.
 
There is a Jewish proverb that states that: "Righteousness exalts a nation." The Hebrew for righteousness is this word tz'dakah. A more correct translation would be that: "Righteous charity exalts a nation." In other words, the practice of generosity within the community operates as a process, then spills over to benefit the overall community bringing blessings to all. It finds its origins in the mantle of Abraham, to be blessed to be a blessing.
 
Through the Generations
This way of thinking is significant within Jewish mind-sets and the secrets of doing business as the Jews do. It is engrained in Jewish culture. Having been involved in helping several initiatives in Israel, I've observed that even non-practicing Jews operate as walking Torahs, of being living examples of the truths of their faith. Indeed, the principles outlined by Moses that instruct families to teach these things to their children and their children's children have taken root in the culture of the Jewish people. That is why it has been important for us to take a closer look at the foundations and the culture.
 
We've also mentioned the model. The model established by Abraham of the community being nurtured by being God-centered and entrepreneurial is a core premise in understanding Jewish business secrets. My friend Bill Bolton, entrepreneurial expert, author and former Cambridge professor explains that there are many types of entrepreneurs other than classic and business entrepreneurs.
 
There are serial entrepreneurs who specialize in starting something new and getting them profitable, then turning them over to someone else to operate, as they move on to the next entrepreneurial challenge. However, what I'd like to share is about a man whose natural gift combines two very potent types of entrepreneurship. It is a story demonstrating my point about how the model, the gifts and the culture are engrained in Jewish mind-sets.
 
A Living Example
This is the story about a friend of mine whose name is Joel. Joel is a non-practicing Jew. He believes in God and similar to the many Christians who also are "non-practicing" in their faith, his time of devotions is generally limited to times of crisis and what in Judaism are known as the High Holy Days or what in Christendom would be the major Christian holidays.
 
I'm also going to mask some of Joel's story, simply to protect the very wonderful and meaningful role he has come to assume in his adopted Asian nation. It was about a decade and a half ago, when Joel was winding up a Master's degree program in Hong Kong, that he took a long weekend to go visit an Asian country he had always wanted to visit.
 
He fell in love with the people and the culture and knew he would soon be going back. When he returned, not unlike the experience I had with my sensibilities being assaulted by the level of poverty I saw in Ethiopia, Joel was exposed to the plight of the disabled and disfigured in this fast emerging nation.
 
Many were shunned by their families who concluded the lame and disfigured had been cursed. Although many were very gifted in many ways, few were able to attend college with far too many not even finishing secondary school. Those who were able to find work were destined to long hours and very low pay in factories with little to no opportunity for advancement. Far too many had become street beggars.
 
Being gifted as both a social and serial entrepreneur, Joel put together the training needed to operate a number of unique small businesses, which Joel started. Some of these businesses had markets in his adopted country and some he sold by means of shrewdly-designed relationships with major online distributors.
 
He soon rented an old villa in a more inexpensive part of his city. He provided dormitory type of living spaces for the men and the same type of sleeping room for the women. He provided someone to prepare basic, but ample meals of their culture. With several dedicated work spaces for the different enterprises, most mastered the training quickly and soon became a part of the businesses Joel had started.
 
Joel's original goal had been to provide these people the training and experience to be able to start their own businesses. Some did, but most who became a part of his efforts found the purpose and the dignity of these arrangements to be far greater than anything they had ever experienced in their previous work settings. So, as the process developed, Joel made arrangements for those who wanted to stay to have a share in the profits that originally had been designed just to pay for the program. What was developing was exceeding expectations.
 
God clearly was blessing them. Joel's creativity and ability to bring increase while reaching out to disabled and disfigured men and women converged into something a lot more than what he anticipated. It all came together to create opportunity that exceeded expectations. Each of the factors we've been talking about have been operating in this illustration: the model, the gifts and the culture derived from these amazing people of business, the Jews.
 
Isaiah, one of the Jewish prophets wrote about matters that are very close to the heart of God. He explained that when you help the poor and the needy, the underprivileged, then your light will dawn in the darkness and your darkness will become as noon-day. This prophet went on to write that when this is your focus, then the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your soul in drought and strengthen your bones. You'll be like springs of water whose waters do not fail.
 
God as Senior Partner
Yet, there is another dimension. It is entrepreneurship that more fully embraces the spiritual dimension. It means going beyond just the intellectualizing of the faith. There is another proverb that states: "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." It becomes much more personal in the way both individuals and communities of God's people put their faith in action and map out their destinies. It involves making God the Senior Partner of their business. For God to be Senior Partner means that we proactively need to be depending on His guidance in our planning.
 
For many, breaching that threshold can be downright scary. We're not going to cross that bridge quite yet. Nevertheless, hearing God on specifics has been frightening to the very people whose Patriarchs were known for doing so. When Moses led the Israelites out of captivity from Egypt, the people themselves were terrified when God spoke. Far too many thought they would die at the sound of His voice. So they begged Moses to take his conversations with God elsewhere and then return to them and tell them what God had said.
 
Even years later, when God appeared to Gideon, His first words to Gideon were: "Peace be with you. Do not fear. You will not die." For both Jews and Christians, this reluctance to bridge the gap in learning to discern the voice of God has paralleled the institutionalizing and intellectualizing of the faith, with the result dampening that dimension of the supernatural power that could be operating through God's people.
 
We will be taking up the subjects of hearing God's voice, along with planning in conjunction with the Holy Spirit in future sessions.
 
Entrepreneurship is about opportunity and risk and the response in terms of strategy. We have suggested that at the core of Jewish business secrets is a different way of thinking. Part of this difference in mind-sets is the entrepreneurial way of thinking. Entrepreneurial thinking is just as valid for startups as it is for multinational corporate enterprises.

Now, in keeping with embracing new mind-sets, I'd like to describe what can happen when making God your Senior Partner. It affects not only your destiny but the way the spiritual supersedes the natural with the operation of our enterprises. Indeed it incorporates a different way of viewing things. Jewish entrepreneurs have a different way of looking at community, which gets back to the model. We will explore this important dimension of community in more detail in another session.
 
When God in-fact becomes Senior Partner of an enterprise and more so within a community that adheres to this premise, then the dynamic I describe as God's economy is released. Let me illustrate.
 
The Example of Isaac
After Abraham had led a very meaningful and full life, his son Isaac assumed his mantle and was pursuing the destiny that God had promised to Abraham's descendents. There then came a season of famine that made Isaac want to move and find more fertile land in which to live. However, God spoke to Isaac and told him to stay in the land that God had given to his father. In doing so, all the blessings God had promised to Abraham would manifest for Isaac.
 
So scripture tells us that Isaac stayed. According to what he heard from God, Isaac then sowed his seed in a place of famine, as God had instructed, a place where nothing had been growing. In the same year of this planting, he reaped a hundred-fold. The story continues by stating that from this point, Isaac began to prosper and continued prospering until he became very prosperous.
 
So it was that in a land where nothing had been growing that Isaac heard from God and obeyed. The oppression created by the famine had no power to impede Isaac's efforts. The result not only blessed Isaac, but it captured the attention of the heads of other societies in the area.
 
It is written that Abimelech went to Isaac with the commander of his army wanting to establish a treaty with Isaac because he had seen that "God was with him." God's economy is released when the practice of making God your Senior Partner, of listening carefully to and heeding His voice with decisions and planning, becomes foundational to the way a business and a community is operated.
 
God's nature is to create, innovate, build and multiply. These dimensions are the very foundation of what we call entrepreneurship. When God is made Senior Partner with an undivided heart, then the application begins releasing God's economy and the potential for an exponential multiplication.
 
Asian Rural Example
Let me give you an example from some other people we know. In a poor, rural area of Vietnam we conducted one of our entrepreneurial workshops. This workshop was attended by a pastor who had started several home churches in the region. This pastor was very poor. He didn't even have the funds needed to pay the tuition for his children to go to secondary school. After attending our workshop, he was praying and thinking about what I had said about commercializing a gift. Both his wife and his mother were excellent cooks.
 
He also remembered that there was a breakfast noodle business in a good location in his community that was shutting down. He had a strong perception that God was telling him that he should buy the equipment from the owners and reopen the breakfast noodle business. He borrowed the money from people who trusted him and that's what he did.
 
People in the community were curious about this pastor. There had been a lot of rumors about what kind of a man he was because he had been arrested for his church activities. So, word got around about he, his wife and mother starting this small, breakfast noodle business. People first came because of their curiosity about this pastor.
 
Then they found that his wife and mother had excellent recipes and the breakfast noodles they served were especially delicious. They also found that they really liked this affable pastor and the way he was always helping others in the community. In only one month, this new business was making a profit and starting to grow.
 
Small specialty eating places. serving only one dish, are very popular in Vietnam. While this pastor's wife and mother spent more time than he did with the business, this breakfast eating place was open just a few hours every morning. He spent about three hours each morning while it was open, meeting and talking with members of the community, assisting his wife and mother where needed in serving the tables. Rather than distracting his pastoral responsibilities it augmented them. 

More than the additional income, this simple business enabled him to meet with people in the community he might never otherwise have met. Also, not only did the income it created enable them to pay the tuition for their children's education, but after the business grew, they also set up an education fund to help some of the other poor families in his community with scholarships.
 
Releasing the Creative
Entrepreneurship challenges the status quo. It releases the creative and establishes a new order of things. One of the best descriptions of an entrepreneur found any place in scripture is found in the final chapter of Proverbs, a chapter describing the type of woman every man wants for his wife.
 
In the midst of this description of an "excellent" woman are the qualities incorporated in an effective entrepreneur. This proverb notes that: "She considers a field and she buys it." The woman entrepreneur wisely identifies opportunity and decisively takes advantage of it. The passage goes on to state that: "Out of her  earnings she plants a vineyard." The woman entrepreneur makes her assets work for her.
 
This proverb continues by stating: "She sets about her work vigorously." Diligence and hard work are cornerstones for successful entrepreneurship and God's economy. The woman in this proverb was a good steward. This proverbs continues: "She sees that her trading is profitable." Increase and profit are a vital part of operating any enterprise. "Her lamp does not go out at night." Dependability requires sacrifice to get the job done with excellence.
 
What is being described in this approach that merges the spiritual, community and entrepreneurial is not only a different way of thinking. It also releases a creative advantage. We'll be talking more about this creative advantage that results from this new way of thinking in a future session. The creative that reflects the foundations of Jewish business secrets incorporates vision, an investigative approach, imagination, planning, strategy and excellence. When combined with prayer, God as Senior Partner and faith, it brings about results that most usually exceeds expectations.
 
Let me conclude with the story of a company we were familiar years ago that gives a gripping example of this different way of thinking and how expectations can be exceeded. In the mid-1970s the Williams Companies was a small, respectable pipeline company. There then came a time, when Joe and John Williams, the founders recognized what they felt was unusual opportunity in their market. They decided to make a corporate acquisition as a part of their growth strategy.
 
It was an unusual step, because in making their bid, they were attempting to acquire a company that was ten times their current revenues. In a remarkable feat, they were successful in their bid for Great Lakes Pipeline. The Wall Street Journal had a front page article about this amazing acquisition that was titled: "The Minnow Swallows the Whale."
 
In a highly competitive world, we sometimes need to have our vision expanded. I'm not suggesting recklessness or presumption. However, true entrepreneurship and God's economy employs faith in dealing with risk, but faith that has done its homework and is willing to work hard to achieve unusual goals.
 
There is an old saying among faith-based people: "Pray as if it all depends on God. Work as if it all depends on you!" During our next session I want to talk about the gift of community.
___________________________________________________
 
Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the higher dimensions of business leadership since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders to be blessed to be a blessing where God's light is dim in diverse regions around the globe.
 
He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;" "Leadership by Anointing;" and "Mantle of Fire," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders with destinies to impact their communities. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.comwww.apple.com/ibooks and www.BarnesandNoble.com.
 
Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize economic community builders imparting influence and the blessings of God. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card at http://strategicintercession.org/support/
 
Likewise, email us to schedule a seminar for your group's gathering on the Joseph-Daniel Calling or on anointing the creative in business.
 
2016 Copyright Morris Ruddick -- sign@strategicintercession.org
 
Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check:http://www.strategicintercession.org
 
Morris Ruddick
Global Initiatives Foundation
www.strategic-initiatives.org
www.strategicintercession.org

Global Initiatives is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization
Global Initiatives Foundation, PO Box 370291, Denver, CO 80237

Friday, April 1, 2016

The battle is just beginning... - Faith Driven Consumer

#GodsNotDead2Us

Are you sick and tired of being marginalized, ridiculed or—worse yet—persecuted simply for living out your Christian faith? 

From the persecution of Christian bakers, florists, bed-and-breakfast owners and T-shirt makers to legal subpoenas of pastors’ sermons and the stifling of the Christian viewpoint in high schools, universities, the marketplace and workplace, there’s a massive suppression taking place that discriminates against us as Faith Driven Consumers. 

As depicted in the movie GOD’S NOT DEAD 2, our basic rights as Americans are being denied.  We are being eliminated from culture—the free expression of our Christian faith is even now being criminalized.    

Arrest.jpg 

Who’s leading the charge?  Corporate America.

Major brands that you and I spend our hard-earned dollars with every day—companies like AT&T, Bank of America and Comcast—are actively creating second-class citizenship for Christians. This, in spite of the fact that we Faith Driven Consumers comprise 41 million Americans—17% of the adult population—and spend a whopping $2 trillion annually.

Need proof? Check out the glaring gaps.  The Faith Equality Index assesses the faith compatibility of top brands.  See for yourself how your favorite companies are treating you compared to the customers and employees they prioritize and value.  
So what can you do about it? 
  1. Go see real life played out in GOD’S NOT DEAD 2 this weekend at your local cinema.
  2. Join the movement: Sign the #GodsNotDead2Us petition to let companies who falsely claim to support “diversity and inclusion” know that true diversity means treating Christians equally with other groups.
Every week we have one-on-one conversations with America’s corporate leaders asking them to treat Faith Driven Consumers like you equal to others in their rainbow of diversity.  Largely they have done nothing to stop their discrimination.  Why? They tell us it’s because you aren’t putting as much pressure on them as other groups do.  

Truth is stranger than fiction.  This important and timely movie is a dramatization of real life.  Take action before your voice is silenced.  

Join the movement now.
Sincerely,

Faith Driven Consumer
http://www.faithdrivenconsumer.com/

Stunning Footage from Drone Overlooking Tel Aviv ✡ "The Exiled at Tel Aviv" - ISRAEL365

Then I came to them of the exiled at Tel Aviv that dwelt by the river Chebar, and I sat where they sat.

וָאָבוֹא אֶל הַגּוֹלָה תֵּל אָבִיב הַיֹּשְׁבִים אֶל נְהַר כְּבָר ואשר (וָאֵשֵׁב) הֵמָּה יוֹשְׁבִים שָׁם

יחזקאל גּ:טו


va-a-vo el ha-go-la tayl a-veev ha-yo-sh’-veem el n’-har k’-var va-ay-shayv hay-mah yo-sh’-veem sham

Shabbat Inspiration

The Hebrew word for Spring is אביב (a-veev). It is the source of the name of Israel's shining metropolis, Tel Aviv, which in modern Hebrew means "the hill of Spring." Aviva is also a beautiful female Hebrew name, alluding to the inspiring traits of the season: optimism, renewal and personal growth. Discover your Hebrew name and wear it proudly displayed on gold or silver jewelry.

Stunning Footage from Drone Overlooking Tel Aviv

This 1-minute Tel Aviv teaser will take your breath away.

Weekly Torah Portion:
Tragedy Strikes

At the height of the celebrations of the first day of the Tabernacle service, tragedy strikes when Aaron’s two older sons take it upon themselves to offer incense that is not part of the service.

Sterling Silver Star of David Heart Necklace

This beautiful Sterling Silver Star of David necklace has been made with beautiful tight curves at its tips, with larger curved upper right and left points that bend to form a heart shape in its midst. The shape in modern times is the primary symbol representing the Jewish people. The twelve sides of the six-pointed star are said to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Dimensions: 2.5 cm by 3 cm- 42 cm or 45 cm chain.

Today's Israel Photo

Noam Chen's stunning photo of the Yarkon river, nature in the heart of the city of Tel Aviv.

Thank You

Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Robin Sussman in memory of her parents Sigmund and Barbara Beer.

“We Just Love Them”

It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365!

Thank you for the beautiful photos, we just love them. Thanks for the emails. Dirk in South Afrika (Richardsbay)

We love to get information everyday with news from the Land Of ISRAEL. Thank you.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
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Dutch Sheets: "Audacious Prayer Assignments Are Coming!" - The Elijah List

Dutch Sheets: "Audacious Prayer Assignments Are Coming!"


The Elijah List Apr 1, 2016

Steve ShultzFrom the desk of Steve Shultz:
You will be blown away...and I mean blown away by the testimonies that Dutch Sheets shares in his latest article. I've heard these testimonies before by Dutch and Chuck Pierce as they've shared them at previous conferences as well.
God is calling us to some radical prayer assignments that will literally shift situations right before us! Just read this by Dutch:
God is going to ask us to pray some radical things this year—things that may have us thinking, "Can God really use me in this way?" And for those who may not be operating in complete faith, yet trust in God's faithfulness and are willing to obey, Heaven's answer will be an emphatic, "YES!"
Now read this word by my friend Dutch...and get ready to pray some radical prayers at the unction of the Lord, and watch situations move!
By the way friends...our "What is God Saying for 2016?" Elijah List conference set is one of our TOP SELLERS right now! And YOU CAN ORDER THE CDs, DVDs OR MP3 DOWNLOAD just below!
This truly, truly, truly was the best conference yet and I've NEVER EVER heard so many positive words coming forth from God's prophets. Our speakers were: Chuck Pierce, Jane Hamon, Dutch Sheets, and Dr. Alveda King (niece to Martin Luther King, Jr).
Here is the link to purchase this TOP SELLER in DVD, CD, or MP3 audio formats:
Enjoy! And thanks for forwarding this to your friends! They cansubscribe just below...
Order the Download
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News 
http://www.elijahlist.com
P.S. – Oh, and a Quick Note to our readers: To have daily, encouraging prophetic emails from The Elijah List sent to your inbox, just CLICK HERE or go to: http://elijahlist.com/subscribe. PLUS: HEY! Please EXPLORE our more than 4,000 Christian Prophetic books, CDs, and gifts at: elijahshopper.com.
HR


A spirit of grace and prayer is being poured out upon this generation, awakening us to the condition of our nation, and to the truth that divine intervention is America's only hope (Zechariah 12:10). The growing realization that the One we for so long have rejected is the One our nation most needs, is leading us in the kind of humble repentance and consecration that historically, and Scripturally, precedes great moves of God (2 Chronicles 7:14.)
As I shared in a previous blog, the Lord has pronounced this "the year of Joel 2:16," showing me that a tidal wave of prayer is beginning to sweep over America, making way for the next great move of God. The Joel 2 passage the Lord has highlighted for this year is referenced in Acts 2, starting in verse 16—another "2:16" promise for this 2016 year! Acts 2 tells of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which marks the beginnings of an apostolic Church empowered for signs and wonders.
The Lord plans to release a mighty Joel 2 + Acts 2 move of His Spirit in America this year. And I believe that in order to accomplish this, He is going to ask us to do some radical things in prayer!
Outrageous Prayers!
Throughout my lifetime of prayer, the Lord has asked me to pray some pretty outrageous prayers, and make some extremely bold prophetic decrees. I wish I could say that in each instance I was full of faith and quick to move on Holy Spirit's promptings, but there have been times where my faith fell short of God's ability, and I questioned Him repeatedly before following through with His request.
Although my faith has occasionally been lacking, however, I have always possessed a hungry heart for more of God. That passionate longing has produced obedience (sometimes radical), which has led me into some amazing adventures with Him, helping to fuel my growing revelation of His heart and His ways. (Photo via flickr)
I recall the time Chuck Pierce and I were in Texas as part of our 50-State Tour. In the middle of my preaching, the Lord used Chuck to prophesy that if we prayed right then, Saddam Hussein would be captured within a week.
I was shocked by the bold proclamation Chuck had just made, but with a nervous heart, I obeyed and led us all in a time of intercession. There was military personnel present, and we had one gentleman in uniform stand in proxy for our military.
We prayed that God would actually anoint our military to find Saddam Hussein.
Three days later, the news reported Saddam Hussein was found and captured by the very unit in which the military man we prayed for belonged. Incredible, but true. I wish I could say Chuck and I were in complete, unwavering faith as we prayed and prophesied, but we weren't. Chuck had just enough faith to release the prophecy, and I had just enough faith to lead the prayers and decrees. And then we both held our breath until the news reports of Saddam's capture were released! 
God doesn't require perfection from us, only obedience and availability.
On another occasion, after visiting and praying with a Senator in Washington, DC, he invited me to sit in on a Judicial Committee Meeting where he was to participate. It was a contentious meeting on the issue of abortion, which was almost immediately shut down by the pro-abortion Committee Chairman, silencing the pro-life arguments. The Senator invited me to stay in that room by myself and pray for a short time after everyone else had left.
I listened to the Lord, asking what He wanted me to pray, then made this decree over the seat of the committee leader, "You have resisted God as long as He will tolerate. You will lose this seat and be replaced by another." Within two weeks, that Senate Committee Chair was removed, and someone else took over his seat of authority. 
Radical obedience resulted in a radical shift in that seat of government!

ElijahList Prophetic Resources

Audacious Prayer Assignments are Coming to the Ekklesia This Year!
God is going to ask us to pray some radical things this year—things that may have us thinking, "Can God really use me in this way?" And for those who may not be operating in complete faith, yet trust in God's faithfulness and are willing to obey, Heaven's answer will be an emphatic, "YES!"
God will accomplish audacious, bold, amazing things through our prayers—not because of who we are, but because of who He is! When we use our mustard seed sized faith to pray and obey, God will do the rest. His power will be released, Heaven's resources will be unleashed, and we will rejoice!
Now, more than ever, our nation needs this—our nation needs you—standing in the gap to release audacious Spirit-led prayers, bold decrees and radical prophetic acts to shift America back toward God's dream for her. (Photo via incandvoice)
We were destined to be a bastion of light and hope for the nations of the earth. And while the prognosis within our borders seems grim, God is not finished with America.
God is going to use a Joel 2 army and an Acts 2 company to release His will into situations that need His authority. We must not depend on the government to fix our nation, nor place our hope in the next president. The Church must rise up and become the ekklesia (a legislative assembly or government) of Heaven and charge into this next prayer movement believing that if we are faithful to pray, God is faithful to respond.
As we hear about the great surge in prayer God has planned for this year, and we see its beginnings, we must remember that most prophetic words are conditional. They alert us to what God wants to do; they are not guarantees of what He definitely will do. The Lord is offering us grace; let's get on board with His plan to turn this nation around.
Dutch Sheets
Dutch Sheets Ministries

Email: click here
Website: www.dutchsheets.org
Dutch Sheets is an internationally recognized author, teacher, and conference speaker. He travels extensively, empowering Believers for passionate prayer and societal transformation. Dutch has pastored, taught in several colleges and seminaries, and served on the board of directors of numerous organizations. Dutch's greatest passion is to see America experience a sweeping revival and return to its godly heritage. 
Dutch is a messenger of hope for America, encouraging Believers to contend for awakening in our day and reformation in our lifetime. Dutch has written over 20 books, many of which have been translated into over 30 languages. Dutch and his wife Ceci have been married for 35 years and now reside in the Dallas area. They treasure time spent with their two grown daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren.
To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

Lt. Gen. Jeremy Boykin - The Silent Church (Day 1) - The Jim Bakker Show


Watch here: Lt. Gen. Jeremy Boykin - The Silent Church (Day 1) - The Jim Bakker Show



Jim & Lori Bakker with Jeremy Boykin




Lieutenant General Jerry Boykin

Jim Bakker Show 2016 | Show# 2966 | Aired on April 1, 2016



Home » Video Archives » The Silent Church: Why American Christians Must Speak Up Before It’s Too Late (Day 1)

Why 'God's Not Dead 2' Is Being Called 'Little Spark in the Dark' - CBN News Efrem Graham


Why 'God's Not Dead 2' Is Being Called 'Little Spark in the Dark'
03-31-2016
CBN News Efrem Graham
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- "God's Not Dead" surprised Hollywood with a box office take of more than $60 million. It also sparked a social media movement with a modest $2 million movie-making budget.

That success opened the door for a sequel, which opens in theaters April 1, 2016. CBN News was the only television news crew invited to the set for the filming of God's Not Dead 2.

Screen writing partners Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman wrote the story for the first installment of the film, that pitted a student against his professor in in a passionate debate about God's very existence. Solomon and Konzelman have also written "Gods Not Dead 2."
The Creative Process
Discussing their creative writing process, Solomon told CBN News, "We pray on everything that we do. And the Lord inspires. He comes forward. And that is really the creative process."

Konzelman added, "The first movie I think brought people to the point where they thought someone should do something. I think the second movie points more to, 'I need to do something in my own life.'"

"God's Not Dead" was filmed on the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Much of the production for "God's Not Dead 2" unfolds in Little Rock, Arkansas, inside the state Supreme Court.
The fictional script often feels like a page ripped from real-life headlines. A public school teacher finds herself on trial for answering a student's question about Jesus Christ.

Not Just Another Role
Melissa Joan Hart plays Grace, the high school history teacher.

"This was a calling for me to do this. I felt like this was a mission for me to go on and stand up for my beliefs and be a little bit louder about my faith," Hart told CBN News.

"I was raised a Catholic girl and married a Baptist, so I became a Presbyterian, but all the while searching," Hart continued.

"In the last few years, I have found a beautiful Bible study, where I have felt a lot of fellowship with the women and felt very loved and nurtured there and it has really helped my walk," she said.

This isn't your typical sequel. Hart leads an impressive cast of new faces that include Pat Boone as her grandfather. Robin Givens portrays Grace's school principal. And Jesse Metcalfe plays her attorney, Tom Endler.

Describing the Endler character, Metcalfe said, "He is not a religious man. He is not a Christian. But he comes to respect Grace's religious integrity."
From Alcoholic to Christian Actor
Metcalfe recently talked about his personal faith and admitted he began a personal relationship with God five years ago when he became sober through Alcoholics Anonymous.
The actor told Fox 411, "A large part of that program is giving the will and character life over to God – or a God as you understand him – and prayer is also a big part of that program as well."
"I feel that that really helped me overcome a difficult time in my life and since then has really deepened and enriched my life in a lot of ways," he said.
'A Spark in the Dark'
The "God's Not Dead" song and The Newsboys are among the few familiar returnees in the "God's Not Dead" sequel.

The band's lead singer Michael Tait described the film franchise to CBN News saying, "It's just a little spark in the dark can light up the whole scene. And 'God's Not Dead' was that little train that could."

The storylines in both films are personal to the members of the popular Christian rock band.

Singer and keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein told CBN News, "Some people will look at that and say … 'you are being too sensitive about what you believe,' but it really does exist."
"There are millions and millions of people that resonate that, that go through that every day," he continued. "And I think we have gone through to a certain extent, even being in Christian music."
"There are places that won't invite us to play on their late night TV shows. 'We can have a Top 4 record on Billboard. But if you are talking about that Jesus person, we might not want you to come visit us,'" he said.

Drummer Duncan Phillips added, "I got little kids and I fight for those moments where we can enjoy time together and I think what the movie did was give families that moment."
More Than a Film
"God's Not Dead" is no longer just a film. It's a Pure Flix franchise.

"'God's Not Dead' dealt with the existence of God. Is God real? Is He not? 'God's Not Dead 2' deals with who was He? And if He was Jesus, was He man, myth or Messiah?" Pure Flix producer Michael Scott told CBN News.

"Ultimately, my hope is to develop an army of people that can talk about their faith intelligently and really take that to the world," he said.
Watch interview here: God's Not Dead 2

You Won't Believe Which 2 Asian Countries Are Standing With Israel - REUTERS STAFF CHARISMA NEWS

Flags of Israel and India

You Won't Believe Which 2 Asian Countries Are Standing With Israel



Flags of Israel and India (iStock photo )

Standing With Israel
Israel is looking east to China and India to help drive tourism, as visits to the country have yet to fully recover from the 2014 Gaza war, Tourism Ministry Director-General Amir Halevi said.
In 2015, tourism grew 43 percent from China to some 50,000 visitors and the ministry sees that doubling by 2018. It will be helped by the start of nonstop flights next month by Hainan Airlines from Beijing to Tel Aviv that will add 35,000 extra seats to Israel a year.
"This will change the game," Halevi told Reuters. "The price of tickets will go down 50 percent."
Tourism in 2015 fell 3 percent to 3.1 million, following a war with Palestinian militants in Gaza in 2014. A weak Russian economy also weighed.
In the six-week Gaza conflict, Israeli air strikes killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians, while Palestinian militants killed six Israeli civilians and 67 soldiers.
The fighting briefly shut down Israel's main airport near Tel Aviv as a missile from Gaza fell nearby, while scenes of rockets fired into Israel and forcing Israelis into shelters led to many tourists cancelling plans.
Halevi played down the impact on tourism of Palestinian stabbing attacks in the last five months. Palestinians have killed 28 Israelis and two U.S. citizens in knife, car-ramming or gun assaults. At least 190 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces.
"For almost 70 years, we have been trying to manage tourism with things happening from time to time," Halevi said, pointing to a global trend of violence.
Tourism is a key growth engine for Israel, accounting for 2.5 percent of gross domestic product. It contributes over 40 billion shekels ($11 billion) into the economy yearly with about 200,000 employees, or 3 percent of Israel's workforce.
The United States is Israel's largest tourist market at 20 percent, followed by Russia, France, Germany and Britain.
Push to India
Israel and China this week agreed to a 10-year multiple visa deal, with Israel becoming the third country after the United States and Canada to have this arrangement with China.
Halevi said Chinese interest in Israel is growing. In this month's Jerusalem Marathon, there were 170 people from China—up from 6 last year.
Flag carrier El Al already flies nonstop to China.
Outgoing tourism from China is expected to reach 200 million by 2020.
In 2016, Israel will also make a push into India, whose tourism to Israel rose 13 percent last year to nearly 40,000. The ministry targets 80,000-100,000 in 2018.
Indian carriers have expressed the desire to fly to Israel and Halevi said if tourism keep rising, there will be at least one in addition to El Al.
High cost of flights and hotels also discourage tourism but Halevi said the ministry was seeking international chains to build low-cost hotels.
He believes a convention center and casino is needed in the Red Sea resort city of Eilat to bring in tourists, although a plan for a casino has met with political resistance ($1 = 3.7701 shekels). 
(Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.
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Arab Woman Names Newborn Baby after IDF Officer - Israel Today

Arab Woman Names Newborn Baby after IDF Officer

Thursday, March 31, 2016 |  Israel Today Staff
An Arab woman visiting from Dubai named her newborn son after an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer this week in a touching demonstration of Israel’s care for its neighbors.
The woman was traveling from Jordan to the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas in Judea and Samaria (the so-called “West Bank”) when she suddenly went into labor.
An IDF officer stationed at the Jordan Valley border crossing immediately administered medical treatment and accompanied the woman to a hospital in nearby Jericho.
After the successful delivery, the woman decided to name the baby “Hadi” after the officer, who is a member of Israel’s Druze minority.
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