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.
“And the king made silver to be in Yerushalayim as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore-trees that are in the Lowland, for abundance.” I Kings 10:27 (The Israel Bible™)
The Knesset Education Committee on Tuesday held the inauguration of “Jerusalem Now & Forever,” a photo exhibition celebrating the 50th year of the reunification of Jerusalem. The exhibition features photos from the renowned “Photographer of Jerusalem,” Sharon Gabay, who captured the beauty, diversity and tolerance of the Holy City. The images are printed on glass, representing the fragility of the holy city in the reality of today’s Middle East.
The images will be displayed at the Knesset over the next two weeks, and then travel around the world in 2017, providing people everywhere with the opportunity to celebrate 50 years of a unified Jerusalem. It will make stops in 50 global cities, landing finally in New York City.
Why Messianic Believers—and Christians—Should Diligently Pursue Peace Now
Jesus said to His disciples, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God" (Matt. 5:9).
Jesus' beatitude about peacemakers contradicted the first-century zealot impulse that called for taking up armed resistance against Rome. Several of His disciples embraced the zealot ideal. The beatitude about peacemaking attempted to turn their thoughts away from armed revolution.
Jesus calls the peacemakers "sons of God" because, in the Bible, God is called the Oseh Shalom, that is, "the One who makes peace in His heights" (Job 25:2). Peacemakers imitate God, who makes peace above.
The Delitzch Hebrew version of the gospels translates "peacemakers" as "those who pursue peace" on the basis of Psalm 34:14: "Seek peace, and pursue it." A man who pursues peace endeavors to make peace. He does not passively wait for his enemies to be reconciled to him. Instead, he pursues peace like the working man pursues his daily wages. He pursues peace with his enemies and seeks to make peace between a man and his fellow and between a man and his wife. Rabbi Hillel used to say, "Be among the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace."
According to one rabbinic legend, Aaron was called a son of peace, loving peace and pursuing peace, because he was a peacemaker among the sons of Israel, especially between a man and his wife:
"There were thousands in Israel who were called by the name of Aaron, for if not for Aaron, they would not have come into the world. Aaron made peace between husband and wife so that they were reconciled, and they named the child that was born after him" (Avot d'Rabbi Natan).
James, the brother of the Master, says that the peacemaker can be likened to a man who sows his field. He plants peace, but when the crop ripens, he harvests righteousness: "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18). For this reason the writer of the book of Hebrews urges us to "pursue peace with all men" (Heb. 12:14), and Paul tells us, "If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom. 12:18).
By making peace on Earth, we bring the world closer to the Messianic Era, when the Prince of Peace will reign. By practicing peace now, we participate in the peace of the coming kingdom, importing the Messianic Era into today's world.
Daniel Thomas Lancaster is a writer, teacher and the director of education at the Messianic ministry of First Fruits of Zion (ffoz.org), an international ministry with offices in Israel, Canada, and USA, bringing Messianic Jewish teaching to Christians and Jews. He is the author of several books about the Jewish roots of Christianity and the Jewishness of the New Testament, and he is the author of the Torah Club Bible study program (torahclub.org). He also serves as the teaching pastor at Beth Immanuel (bethimmanuel.org), a Messianic Jewish synagogue in Hudson, Wisconsin. Daniel can be reached at outreach@ffoz.org.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump had a bit of a “bromance” moment on Twitter yesterday.
Following Israel’s shameful treatment in recent days at the hands of the outgoing Obama Administration, Trump urged the Jewish state to hold strong.
“We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the US…” Trump wrote.
Trump again vowed that once he is in office, things will look very different. “Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!” he posted in reference to his inauguration day later next month.
Less than an hour later, Netanyahu responded:
“President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel!”
Many have speculated that once Trump is in office, these two leaders are likely to see the situation as them against the world.
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This short psalm praises God’s connection to Zion. In order to express the Lord’s love for Jerusalem, the psalmist writes: “The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” The wall surrounding Jerusalem’s Old City, built by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538, has several gates in its perimeter. Zion Gate, in Hebrew ‘shaar tzion,’ has the oldest Biblical name, though the Arab name for this gate is ‘David’s Gate,’ referring to the location of David’s tomb. Modern Israeli history also regards Zion gate as quite significant, as it was through this gate that in 1948, the Palmach Brigade of the Israeli army broke into the Old City and released the Jewish quarter from its isolation. The Jordanians, however, re-conquered the Old City in 1948, and Jews were forced to leave the gates of Jerusalem for the next 19 years. It wasn’t until it was re-captured during the 1967 Six Day War that Jews were again able to enter the Old City of Jerusalem. The numerous defeats of the IDF against countless, larger armies reminds us of days long ago when the Maccabees faced an enemy of overwhelming numbers. Despite their size, the Jewish people fought valiantly and with the help of God, triumphed over the Greeks. It's no question that today's men and women in green are carrying on the legacy of the great Judah Maccabee.
The very famous Judah Maccabee once said "Triumph does not depend on the size of the army, for strength comes from heaven". How very true those words are, even now thousands of years later.
Learn about the history, laws and customs of this 8 day holiday. Then take advantage of our menorah sale - up to $50 off plus an additional 8% off your entire order! Happy Hanukkah!
Israeli soldiers light the Hanukkah candles on the fourth night of Hanukkah at the Gush Etzion Junction in the Judea. Just as God assisted the Maccabees to defeat the enemy and defend Israel, the IDF too prays that God will protect them in their quest to guard the Holy Land.
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Pastor Jim and Lori Bakker compare the times we’re living in now with the era of the Reagan Presidency. With special guests Doctor William and Robin Forstchen.
Quotes
The internet has always been the way for people to talk to people. Back in the 1500s how did we get word out about the Protestant reformation? It was printing presses. So people could read the truth. – Doctor William Forstchen
I believe that inflation, which is the basis of our economic problems, that and reduced productivity of our industrial machine has been caused by government. And what government must do is become fiscally responsible. Government should take a smaller percentage of the people’s earnings than it is taking. Government should not be spending beyond its means. It should balance its budget. – President Ronald Reagan
The federal government, the 10th article says, shall do only those things specifically called for in the Constitution. All others shall remain with the states or with the people. – President Ronald Reagan
The fundamental thing every prepper needs is clean water. This ministry provides these types of remarkable filters that can literally save your life. – Doctor William Forstchen
Scriptures
Ephesians 6:13 KJV Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
I Timothy 2:1-2 MEV Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty
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All over the country this year at Decision America Tour events, believers said they were crying out to God for revival and a great awakening in America. With the election now past and many unknowns ahead, we need such a move of God to come quickly. Decision recently spoke with Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic Jewish rabbi, about what it will take to spiritually revive the church and the nation. Cahn is a best-selling author and was a featured speaker at the May 5 National Day of Prayer event in Washington, D.C.
Q. It has been suggested that the church is asleep. Do you believe that's true, and if so, do you see any signs of it beginning to wake up?
A. I believe much of the church is asleep—but not all. There are several things hindering the church from being the true salt it is supposed to be to the world. One is a culture of comfort and prosperity, a me-centered faith. Another is distraction, because we are so plugged into everything else and so overwhelmed by the world and media and entertainment that it doesn't leave a lot of room for spiritual growth or power. Another is fear, because the church overall is on the defensive now. Some of today's most famous pastors appear to be afraid to speak on those issues that would have been priorities for the biblical prophets.
We sing "These Are the Days of Elijah," but the days of Elijah were days of apostasy when the prophets were hunted down. They were days of great power, but it took people who would say "I don't care what happens to me or my life or my interests. I'm putting God first." And then God moved powerfully. Those are the Elijahs that God is now calling us to become. So if these are the days of Elijah, we have to be the Elijahs of this day.
Q. What are your hopes right now for revival in this country?
A. Well, that is my hope. I see the only hope as being revival. The question is, will it come? If we just look at the culture, the prospect of turning this around would look very slim. But God is never finished and is always able to do what we consider impossible. Often it looks darkest before God moves, as was the case in other revivals.
My feeling is that it's going to take a great shaking for a great revival to come to America. There are pockets and movements of revival, but for the massive revival that is needed to turn things around, I believe it's going to take something dramatic. After 9/11, people flocked to churches for three weeks. You could talk about God with anyone during those three weeks. But there was no repentance. And without repentance, there can't be revival.
When people ask me whether there will be judgment or revival in America, I answer that sometimes there can be both. Many of us came to the Lord because there was a shaking in some way. I came to Him after my vehicle was hit by a locomotive train. So it's not necessarily a bad thing to be shaken. Sometimes that's the only way we come. That's not only true for people; it's true for nations.
Q. What else needs to happen?
A. It's not a new answer, but it's a true answer: 2 Chronicles 7:14. "If my people who are called by my name ..." Humbling ourselves, praying for revival, seeking—truly seeking—His face, turning from our evil ways. That is what God has ordained, so that's still true. I've actually seen it happen in America before in my lifetime, where people took that seriously, and it literally changed the course of American history and world history. I've seen God be faithful to that.
Revival could start right now if it starts with us. There is nothing that can stop revival if it starts with us—meaning it's not merely prayer. That's not what 2 Chronicles says. It starts with not just talking about revival and praying for revival, but actually living it, walking it, breathing it—making the changes in our lives that we want to see made in America. All of us could still repent. All of us could still turn to God more than we have. All of us could become more on fire for Him. That's our choice, so revival can begin with us.
Q. Let's put some specifics to it. What is your definition of revival?
A. Turning back to God. Turning away from idols. Turning away from the world. Turning away from sin. Repentance. Renewing. Reviving. Rededicating. Re-consecrating. Putting Him first. Seeking Him first. Unplugging from all the distractions and getting re-plugged into our first love.
If we look back on our lives, when were we most on fire for God? Well, it shouldn't be back then. It should be now.
Q. Doesn't true revival also require a sense of urgency?
A. Yes. Sometimes we disparage the time we have here in view of heaven, but we'll have forever in heaven, and this life only comes around once. So whatever good we would do, we have to do it now. Whatever soul we want to see saved, we must talk with them now. Whatever act of love, whatever proclaiming of the gospel, we have to do it now, or we never will.
We have to make the most of every moment we have for the Lord—in joy, in love, in confidence, in boldness. We will never walk this way again. These are the most precious of days. These are the days of the harvest.
3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Go deeper!
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