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.
President Trump will announce on Thursday his choice to replace the late-Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Trump may choose the venue of the National Prayer Breakfast, to be held at the Washington Hilton that morning. That would be fitting. This will be an enormous political and spiritual battle, and we need to be on our knees in prayer.
Make no mistake: choosing the next Supreme Court Justice will be one of the most consequential decisions of the Trump presidency. It will also be a critical test of how serious he is in keeping his promises to conservatives and Evangelicals to appoint solid, experienced, pro-life, pro-freedom, Constitutional conservatives to the High Court.
Let us pray without ceasing for the President to have the wisdom to make the right choice. Let's be praying, too, for the Senate to have the wisdom to confirm that person quickly.
Rumor has it there are now just three names on the President's short list -- Neil Gorsuch, Thomas Hardiman and William Pryor, each of whom are federal Appeals Court judges, and all under the age of 55. Some say Gorsuch is the favorite, and Pryor's chances are fading.
A very conservative source I have who is close to the selection process tells me the list is down to just Gorsuch and Hardiman and says "both would be excellent" choices.
Here are brief but useful profiles of each of the three, via SCOTUSblog:
[This column is based on my personal beliefs and opinions. I share them in my personal capacity as a dual US-Israeli citizen and an author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of The Joshua Fund, which is a non-profit organization and takes no political or legislative positions.]
President Donald Trump's opposition for moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem isn't simply limited to Palestinians and factions within the United States government. The notion has awakened an old enemy who sees the potential move as a prelude to war, World News Daily has reported.
WND reports that Iraqi cleric Motqtada al-Sadr, instrumental in forming militia against U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq, is calling for "the formation of a special division to liberate Jerusalem were the decision to be implemented."
Sadr said Tuesday in a statement, "Transferring the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem would be a public and more-explicit-than-ever declaration of war against Islam."
Palestinians hold East Jerusalem sacred as the third holiest city in Islam. It is also viewed as the future capital of a Palestinian state.
Sadr also called for the immediate closure of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, and said in his statement that the Arab League as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the world's main pan-Islamic body, should "take a decisive stand on the issue or disband."
WND reported that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said that if the U.S. Embassy moves, he could "revoke the PLO's recognition of Israel" and that his Fatah Party, formerly led by Yasser Arafat, would "open the gates of hell."
The U.S. Embassy in Israel has always been in Tel Aviv despite the fact that the Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed by the Senate and House by wide margins in 1995, declared "Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel," and the U.S. Embassy should be established there "no later than May 31, 1999."
Since then, WND reports, every U.S. president—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama—has signed a waiver every six months, citing "national security concerns." The U.S. has aligned itself with the United Nations policy that does not recognize Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem after the city's capture in the Six-Day War in 1967.
Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount in East Jerusalem is completely forbidden by Israeli law. Jews may enter only to visit and only at limited times. Muslims are free to pray on the Temple Mount, while Christians and Jews may only visit the site as tourists, forbidden to sing, pray or make any kind of religious display.
Trump's Mission in Israel
Attempting to rebuild a damaged U.S. relationship with Israel that occurred under the Obama administration, Trump vowed during his presidential campaign to move the embassy to Jerusalem "very quickly" after his election. In its first week in office, the Trump administration announced it would be making the move. But, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters earlier this week that no decision had been made.
Caroline Glick, a former assistant foreign policy adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wrote on carolineglick.com that "there is no single step the U.S. can take that will do more to rebuild U.S. credibility as an ally than moving the embassy to Jerusalem. By taking the step that none of his predecessors would take to stand in support of the U.S.'s most embattled ally worldwide, Trump will show that America can again be trusted."
The Jerusalem Post reported this week that Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat is behind the Trump administration all the way. "Trump has proven that he is a true friend of the state of Israel and keeps his promises," Barkat said in a statement.
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IN ISRAEL, SYRIAN ORPHANS GIVEN REFUGEE STATUS - AND ARAB HOMES
Officially, Israel has been in a state of war with Syria since 1948. Regardless, it has provided birthing care to Syrian mothers, provided state-of-the-art surgery for crippled young people, and has rescued at least one Syrian fighter. Now it is giving refugee status to 100 orphans along with a path for permanent residency in the Jewish State. READ MORE...
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NEW HOMES FOR ISRAELI COMMUNITIES IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA, A PALESTINIAN INDUSTRIAL ZONE - AND AN APOPLECTIC PA
Israel is preparing to build 2,500 homes in its communites in Judea and Samaria. It also plans a new Palestinian industrial park near Hebron, the ancient capital of King David and burial site of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekkah, Jacob and Leah. The PLO, under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, is apoplectic, calling the collective move a "war crime." READ MORE...
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ISRAEL ON THE MOON ...Video included
Israel is in first place to win Google's $20 million prize for being the first to land a privately funded robotic vehicle on the moon. Israel's craft, designed to hop on the lunar surface, is set for launch before the end of this year. Read about it and see the video here. READ MORE...
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM IDENTIFIES ANTISEMITISM ON THE INTERNET
Using artificial intelligence, an Israeli company has developed a system to identify antisemitic Internet posts in real time. READ MORE...
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I don't usually share things like this with a wide audience, but in this case, the Lord spoke to me to give this public prophetic word over Jeremy Lopez.
I have known Jeremy for a number of years and he is a dear friend of mine that I trust. We have ministered together at conferences and churches and also have gone into private meetings and the homes of people in the Hollywood-based arts, entertainment and music industries.
Jeremy is by far the most accurate personal prophetic minister that I know. I am not saying that because we are friends. My staff has contacted him many times to get an anonymous prophetic word for me at my birthday and Jeremy, not knowing it was for me, has given me some of the most accurate and powerful Holy Spirit words I have ever gotten.
Prophetic word for Jeremy
I was praying for Jeremy and I heard the Lord say to publish this prophetic word for him. (I originally gave this to Jeremy last year at his birthday.) The Lord said that because these things are now taking place, it is time to release it openly.
"Jeremy, the Lord says that this is the year in which He is taking you to a new level in the spirit. Because you have taken the low road of humility during the times of accusation, the Lord is lifting you up this year.
A Key of prophetic authority has been given to you that was taken from the hands of someone who did not honor it and even used it for selfish gain. This is a new Key that will open things over people, churches, businesses, regions and nations. You will use this new Key and anointing and things will be done as you ask the Lord. You are now moving in a new authority to "just say the word" and it will be done (Matthew 8:8).
I saw a forgotten door in the spirit and vegetation had grown up around it. But the Key you have been given unlocks this door. It is Solomon's door to the garden of greater wisdom and intimacy. Behind that door is a hidden garden of intimacy that few men know. I saw you having encounters in this secret place. God is going to bring you visitations from the Lord with the anointing and strategies from past saints and revivalists.
Your anointing for personal prophetic words has gone to a new level this year. Angels are being assigned to the prophetic words you give to others. I saw divine strategies from Heaven being given to you for people even while you sleep. Heaven rejoices over you for all you have done for people. You have taken a lot of hits for the prophetic ministry and you are honored in Heaven."
Word of Encouragement from Doug
Everywhere I go I continue to hear people say how Jeremy's prophetic words for them have changed their lives and brought them hope. I want to encourage you to support Jeremy Lopez and Identity Network. If you need a prophetic word or solid teaching on the prophetic then please reach out to his ministry today.
Doug Addison is a prophetic speaker, author and coach. He is known for his Daily Prophetic Words, Spirit Connection webcast, podcast and blog. Doug's message of love, hope and having fun reaches people around the world! His powerful, positively funny teaching style and coaching helps open people to discover their destiny and experience God's supernatural love and power. He and his wife Linda live in Los Angeles, California where he is impacting the arts, entertainment and media industries. LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE EDITOR'S NOTE: I have received several prophetic words through Jeremy Lopez, and they were all very encouraging. Steve Martin Love For His People
Many churches in America, sadly including many mega-churches, pride themselves on being "seeker-friendly," by which they mean they are not judgmental and mean like those angry fundamentalists. Carrie Underwood famously supports same-sex marriage and attends a church whose pastor has so blurred the edges on the issue of homosexuality that his parishioners are likely confused about whether God is concerned about the issue at all.
Such seeker-friendly churches typically try to appeal to the unchurched by giving short shrift to the hard sayings in the Scriptures and the firm, fixed, and unalterable moral standards found there. This is because they fear seekers will find them too harsh, too difficult and too out of phase with contemporary culture. Because such controversial truths might run seekers off, it's best to avoid them entirely and talk endlessly and exclusively about how nice, kind and understanding God is.
And so, as G.K. Chesterton observed, "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried."
Now there is nothing wrong with being friendly toward those who are seeking the truth. Of course, we want to have open hearts to all, and patiently explain the truths of Christianity to all who have a sincere desire to find out more about God. But patiently explaining the hard truths of Scripture to seekers is much different than avoiding them altogether or so twisting them that they are explained away.
It's one thing for a man to be a friend of sinners, but it's another for him to be such a friend of sinners that he becomes an enemy of God by betraying His Word. Such a "friend" of sinners may only be paving their way to a Christless eternity.
Now seeker-friendly churches assure us they will eventually get around to introducing fresh converts to the edgier truths of Scripture. But my question has always been, "When?" When exactly will you do this? Will it be in a main service where the bulk of seekers are? Or will it be in a small, little-publicized setting which minimizes the risk of too many people hearing it, as if these were truths that are too embarrassing for civilized society? Or will it happen at all?
Jesus was the most seeker-friendly evangelist who ever walked the earth. His whole mission was to "seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10b). And yet there were times when His teaching was so hard for the average seeker to stomach that the crowds began deserting Him in droves.
When He began urging His followers to eat his flesh and drink his blood and declared that He alone was "the bread which came down from heaven" (John 6:58), they did not respond by saying "Where can I sign up?" "When they heard this, many of His disciples said, 'This is a hard saying. Who can listen to it? ... From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him" (John 6:60, 66).
Things got so bad that Jesus even wondered about the Twelve. "Do you also want to go away?" (John 6:67). Peter's response suggests they were thinking about it, but finally resolved to stay. "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).
This, of course, is not to say we should be disagreeable or deliberately try to run people off. But it is to say that fidelity to the Word is more important than church growth.
When Paul met with the Ephesian elders, he reminded them twice that he had declared to them the full revelation of God, even those parts that were hard for him to preach and hard for them to hear. "I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable ... I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:20, 27, ESV).
The fact that Paul said twice he did not shrink back indicates that he had to think about it and was tempted to do it. There was risk of blow-back involved, and Paul was as human as anyone else. He had to make a deliberate decision to take a deep breath and teach things he knew would be controversial, even to leaders in the church of Christ, let alone to outsiders and to seekers.
The word translated "shrink" (Greek hupostello) literally means to "withhold under or out of sight." Yeah, it's there, and we have to keep it in stock, but we're going to keep it under the counter where nobody will see it and we're gonna hope we don't have to bring it out and actually show it to anyone.
But Paul steeled himself to teach not only the pleasant things of God's counsel but its difficult and challenging parts, too. Why? Because the hard parts are "profitable," just like the fun parts. Truth-hungry people benefit from hearing them and conversely are deprived of something important and valuable by not hearing them.
There are many, many "hard sayings" in the Word of God, beginning, of course, with the quite exclusive declaration of Scripture that Christ and Christ alone is the way to God and eternal life. But that's just for openers.
There is the plain assertion that the world did not evolve but that God created it in six 24-hour days around 6,000 years ago. The plain truth that homosexual behavior is not OK but deviates from God's design for sexual conduct and brings God's judgment on any society that embraces it. The plain truth that marriage is exclusively the union of a man and a woman and that any other arrangement is counterfeit and should never be embraced in culture or in law. The plain truth that man is not naturally good, as the world wants us to believe, but born with a propensity to sin.
The plain truth that there are two and only two genders, not 58 as Facebook wants us to believe. The plain truth that men and women are not interchangeable but have distinctly different roles to play in marriage, family and the church. (You want a hard saying? I give you, "I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man" [1 Timothy 2:12a]. How many sermons have you heard on that, unless it's to explain it all away?)
The plain truth that homosexual behavior will keep a man out of the kingdom of God as surely as any other sin. The plain truth that unrepentant sin in a believer's life at some point must meet up with church discipline, as Jesus himself taught us (see Matt. 18:15-20).
The cost to American culture from this kind of weakness and timidity is enormous. As Martin Luther King Jr. observed, the church is the conscience of America. Its pulpits are to "flame with righteousness," as a quote attributed to de Tocqueville has it.
When America's pastors no longer have the courage of their convictions, America begins to drift from its moorings. It loses its moral center. Its conscience becomes dull. The American people, including their politicians, can no longer tell right from wrong because they aren't being told the difference by those who are entrusted with the oracles of God.
A gyrocompass is an amazing device used in ships and airplanes because no matter where it's put, it always enables the pilot to find the horizon and identify truth north, especially in rough weather. The Word of God is our cultural and spiritual gyrocompass. It's time for America's pastors to steer by it once again.
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Oftentimes people inquire about who will be at a particular event. This determines if they'll show.
Whether it's a party, pastor's luncheon or citywide event, we gauge the importance of a gathering by who'll be present. Just common sense, right? Star power affects attendance.
What about if the entire focus of a function was not on a celebrity but someone unseen, unattractive and unwanted? Add to the equation this individual is the target of an insidious Satanic scheme to snuff out his very life?
We've probably got better things to do. After all, what difference does one person really make?
The Power of One
This Friday, a momentous event takes place in our nation's capital.
It's a massive gathering wherein hundreds of thousands of passionate and polite pro-lifers unite yearly to call attention to the silent screams of the estimated 4,000 unborn children exterminated through the dismemberment of abortion every single day in America.
The 44th annual March for Life has a simple mission: testify to the beauty of life and the dignity of each unborn person. This is the largest pro-life event in the entire world. The theme for 2017 is "The Power of One."
I'd like to encourage you to not only attend and unite with us in intercessory prayer but also to become more engaged in the defense of unborn children in this new political climate with Trump's election.
We now have a president who stands for the sanctity of human life and is committed to appoint only pro-life Supreme Court Justices. We have Vice President Mike Pence, who is a long-standing advocate for unborn babies. We also have a forthcoming attorney general, Jeff Sessions, who has a sterling 100 percent pro-life record from the National Right to Life.
This comes providentially only days after what millions assumed would be the inauguration of die-hard pro-abortionist, Hillary Clinton, and the Women's March on Washington, where throngs chanted support for Planned Parenthood and "women's reproductive rights." This organization, which is about to lose taxpayer funding, once articulated its position, "An abortion kills the life of the baby after it has begun."
The high point at the Women's March was a 15-minute tirade by actress/activist Ashley Judd, who not long ago spent six and a half weeks at a treatment center for depression and insomnia. She said she believes it's "selfish" and "unconscionable to breed" after sharing at the Democratic National Convention how glad she was to have had an abortion.
Understanding the Annual March for Life
The "Joan of Arc" of the pro-life movement, the late Nellie Gray, was a hero to millions, including me. She pioneered the March for Life after gathering folks in her home following the infamous Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand in 1973. Our church honored her one Sunday with a commemorative plaque and prayer for her, and a standing ovation to let her know we believe in the power of one life to make a difference.
Despite minimal press coverage and mockery from rabid pro-abortion advocates, we saw attendance at the March for Life of 250,000 during 2003–2009; 400,000 between 2011–2012; and an estimated 650,000 in 2013. While living in the Washington, D.C., area for 24 years, we bundled up our children and made it an annual family event, no matter how cold or how wet it was. I participated by carrying a wooden baby coffin to call attention to our cause.
In a national conference call of 1,000 people, sponsored by our ministry, Intercessors for America, we recently heard from the woman directing this year's march. Her appeal was that we undergird this massive gathering with prayer for protection of everyone in attendance. Please unite with us for security to be perfect.
This sacred rally begins at 11:45 a.m.. this Friday, Jan. 27, and the actual march follows at 1:00 p.m. It convenes on the grounds of the National Mall and prayerfully proceeds to the Supreme Court.
No, Bono, Adele and Paul McCartney won't be present. But we are grateful that Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Donald Trump, will speak, along with senators, congressmen, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, author Eric Metaxas and Benjamin Watson of the Baltimore Ravens. A former Planned Parenthood Director, Abby Johnson, will also share her experience, to the dismay of Planned Parenthood officials.
In the past, President George W. Bush and Dr. Alveda King addressed us. President Ronald Reagan delivered phone messages to show his solidarity.
Nellie once asked former President Barack Obama to speak at the 36th annual March for Life, but he declined. Instead, he released a statement stating his support for abortion. How tragic.
Last Saturday's March for Women in D.C. was supposed to be an "inclusive" event for all women. Interestingly, the pro-life feminists who were originally included in the "partnership," were kicked out. I guess pre-born little women don't count, nor do those who dare to differ from pro-abortion proponents. At the march, Madonna called for a "revolution of love" after declaring, "[obscenity] you!" to all detractors.
Three Closing Commitments
1. Prepare yourself to engage people in a charitable and clear way on the sanctity of human life issue.
Scripture commands us, "Open your mouth for the speechless in the cause of all such as our appointed to destruction. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy" (Prov. 31:8-9).
The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., who wholeheartedly supported the sanctity of life, said it best: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
Can we count you among us?
We strongly encourage you to avail yourself of the Bullseye Challenge free videos and accompanying book that will equip you to respond courageously, winsomely and biblically to the 10 most common pro-abortion arguments in Chapter 24.
2. Pray regularly for God's intervention in this critical issue.
America's greatest casualties are not those killed in wars but the innocent and defenseless unborn. The Revolutionary War took 25,000 lives; the Civil War, 498,000; World War I, 116,000; World War II, 545,000 lives; the Korean War, 54,000; Vietnam War, 56,000; Iraq and Afghanistan, 6,600.
Since 1973, we have seen over 58 million unborn babies exterminated through abortion in America. We cannot remain passive but must pray fervently for God's strategy and divine intervention to see Roe v. Wade overturned in our generation.
3. This week, on the anniversary of the infamous Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion on demand, participate either in the National March for Life or a local event in your community.
Go to Marchforlife.org or the National Right to Life website for information. Make it a priority to be involved in the pro-life cause.
Before her death, Mother Teresa spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., with then-President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary (staunch supporters of unfettered abortion and Planned Parenthood), listening at her side.
Responding to those who say abortions spares "unwanted" children, the diminutive, saintly nun extended her arms and said as Bill and Hillary listened attentively, "There is no such thing as an unwanted child! Bring any such child to me. I will find them a home!"
Later she stated, "We cannot fight credibly against other social and moral ills, including poverty and violence, while we tolerate mass killings by abortion."
Here's the deal: The Hippocratic Oath (400 B.C.) until recently prohibited aborting an unborn baby. With our current changing political climate, it is time to make a quality decision that we will never again be silent on this issue. As secular forces are aggressive in propagating their deceptive viewpoint, we must rise to the challenge as we pray and respond pro-actively at this pivotal time.
Remember the power of one, and be a part of the pro-life generation!
Larry Tomczakis a cultural commentator of 43 yrs, Intercessors for America board member and best-selling author. His new, innovative video/book, BULLSEYE, develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com). Click (here) for his "Here's the Deal" weekly podcast.
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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! Click Here to draw closer to God!
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I was praying for Jeremy and I heard the Lord say to publish this prophetic word for him. (I originally gave this to Jeremy last year at his birthday.) The Lord said that because these things are now taking place, it is time to release it openly.
