Joanie's Jewels

LUNCH TIME PRAYER FOR ISRAEL

Joanie — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:08:38 +0000

Around the world people are praying for Israel from 12:30 – 12:31. The Facebook page, LUNCH TIME PRAYER FOR ISRAEL gives a daily focus and suggested Scriptures. The following is a duplication of those posts for those who do not use Facebook or Twitter!

Thursday May 24 the focus is on the nations.

Many consider the challenges Israel faces with her neighbors is political but it is not. It is spiritual AND emotional going back to our respective fathers and the rivalry between Isaac and Ismael and Esau and Jacob.

God loves ALL people, but in the process of “choosing” for His purposes one always feels rejected. Rejection causes hatred which results in this seeming insolvable situation.

Therefore let us pray for a reconciliation among “brothers” and a rejoicing in God’s love and His plans and purposes.

Isaiah 19:19-25 In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border. And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it. And the Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.
In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.
In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”

Wednesday, May 23 the focus is the restoration and salvation of the people of Israel.

Ezek 18:30-32: “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!”

Deut 30:5-7: Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. And the Lordyour God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

Tuesday May 22: The focus is, once again, the unique relationship of God with Israel, ergo His name, God of Israel.

As we focus on these Scriptures it is important to remember that God has no favorites, He loves all people the same. But He does have certain callings and purposes for individuals and nations. It’s also important to understand why God says what He does… otherwise He would seem cruel and intolerant. Actually He is intolerant of certain behavior but NOT of people.

Some of these verses seem familiar to Christians as they have been appropriated, sometimes incorrectly, but now you can see them in context – they were spoken to Israel.

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Deut 7:1-8 “When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess… You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. Nor shall you make marriages with them. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Monday, May 21 the focus is once again the Land of Israel.

You will note that God often reminded Israel that their possession and occupation of the Land was contingent on their LOVING obedience and faithfulness to God. HOWEVER God’s promise is unconditional and has not negated Israel’s inheritance of the Land as you see from today’s final verse.

After years of rebellion and idolatry God had to expel them from the Land as discipline, but for thousands of years Israel clung to His promise to bring them back…and indeed He has.
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Deut 1:6-8, 21: The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give to them and their descendants after them. Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’

Deut 5:32-33: “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.

Ezek 36:24-32: I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

May 19. With so many nations turning against Israel politically and spiritually, today’s focus is on God’s promise to protect and defend her.

2 Chron 14:11 And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”

Psalm 121: I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming infrom this time forth, and even forevermore.

Zech 2:3-5 And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

May 18th the focus is on the spiritual restoration and revival of Israel. Seeing these verses in context helps us to remember that the promises were initially given to Israel!

Numbers 6:22-27: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,And give you peace.”’
“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

2 Chron 7:12-14: Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. [Jerusalem] When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Isaiah 45:21-23: Tell and bring forth your case;Yes, let them take counsel together.Who has declared this from ancient time?Who has told it from that time?Have not I, the Lord?And there is no other God besides Me,A just God and a Savior;There is none besides Me.

“Look to Me, and be saved,All you ends of the earth!For I am God, and there is no other.

I have sworn by Myself;The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness,And shall not return,That to Me every knee shall bow,Every tongue shall take an oath.

May 17…the focus is on the nations – wherever you are, whatever nation. Why? Because of God’s promise to Abraham about you:

Gen 12:3: I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. The hebrew word for “curse” is not only SAYING awful things, but even looking at with distain, making fun of, not liking. Today’s Ynet (local Israeli paper) says that Israel’s image is plummeting. In other words more and more people are cursing Israel. WARNING: The person, church or nation who does so is calling down God’s anger.

The issue is not about Israel and if you agree with what she does or doesn’t do, but about aligning with God’s purposes and glory.

So today pray for YOUR nation and church and friends. Repent if you have to for yourself or for them.

Enuf said!
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Joel 3:1-2 “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem (the ingathering from the nations), I will also gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there ON ACCOUNT OF MY PEOPLE, MY HERITAGE ISRAEL, WHOM THEY HAVE SCATTERED AMONG THE NATIONS; THEY HAVE ALSO DIVIDED UP MY LAND.

Ezek 36:2-5 “And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God: “Because the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,’”’ therefore prophesy, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because they made you desolate and swallowed you up on every side, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations, and you are taken up by the lips of talkers and slandered by the people”— therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, the valleys, the desolate wastes, and the cities that have been forsaken, which became plunder and mockery to the rest of the nations all around— therefore thus says the Lord God: “Surely I have spoken in My burning jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave My land to themselves as a possession, with wholehearted joy and spiteful minds, in order to plunder its open country.”’

Suggested Scriptures for May 16 focus on the unique relationship between God and Israel.

Exodus 4:22-23 “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve me.”‘”

Deut 4:32-40 “For ask now concerning the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether anygreat thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard. Did any people everhear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live? Or did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other besides Him. Out of heaven He let you hear His voice, that He might instruct you; on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words out of the midst of the fire. And because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them; and He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day. Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that theLord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

Suggested Scriptures for May 15 focus on God’s promises regarding the land. It all started with His promise to Abraham, then Isaac and then Jacob:

Gen 12: 1-3: I will make you a great nation;I will bless youAnd make your name great;and you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,and I will curse him who curses you;and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Gen 15:18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates—

Gen 26:2-4: And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and i will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants i give all these lands, and i will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.. And i will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.

Gen 28:13-14: And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth’ you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Jer 31:3-6 The Lord has appeared of old to me saying:

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice. You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food. For there shall be a day when the watchmen will cry on Mt. Ephraim, ‘Arise, and let us go to Zion, to the LORD our God.’”

PRAYING FOR ISRAEL

Joanie — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:15:00 +0000

FOLLOWING IS A PARTIAL LIST OF SCRIPTURES REGARDING ISRAEL.

God certainly knows His word and His promises to Israel and to the nations. Nevertheless when we pray Scripture we are filling the atmosphere with His word, reminding the enemy that he is defeated and rejoicing that God will complete His purposes.

The salvation of Israel is promised, but prayer is crucial. So please join with others and take one minute of your lunch time…12:30 your local time…and pray for Israel.

I love this quote from Charles Feinberg in his commentary on Ezekiel 36:

It is vital to remember that such action on God’s part (judgment on the nations for their treatment of Israel) does not reveal in any sense a partiality toward Israel. It is rather a vindication of God’s glory and will, for He has condescended to link His purposes on earth with the people of Israel. (pg 206)

It is well for us as believers today to realize that God is concerned how He is represented before the unbelieving world by our words and actions. Do we properly represent Him or misrepresent Him? Do our lives manifest the grace that saved us, or are they a disgrace to the grace that redeemed us? And God has a supreme concern for His manifested excellence. His chief consideration is for the glory of His name, then for the welfare of His people upon whom His name has been placed. To act otherwise would be impossible for and unworthy of God, the moral God of the universe. (pg 208)

The story of Israel begins with God’s promise to Abraham: Gen 12:1-3

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

God’s Love and Salvation: RED

The Land: GREEN

Ingathering and Restoration of Israel: BLUE

Regarding the Nations: BROWN

Protection from her enemies: PURPLE

Gen 15:18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates—

Gen 26:2-4: And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and i will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants i give all these lands, and i will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.. And i will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.

Gen 28:13-14: And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth’ you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Exodus 4:22-23 “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve me.”‘”

Numbers 6:22-27: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’

“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Deut 1:6-8, 21: The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give to them and their descendants after them. Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’

Deut 4:32-40 “For ask now concerning the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether anygreat thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard. Did any people everhear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live? Or did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other besides Him. Out of heaven He let you hear His voice, that He might instruct you; on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words out of the midst of the fire. And because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them; and He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day. Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that theLord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

Deut 5:32-33: “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.

2 Chron 7:12-14: Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. [Jerusalem] When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chron 14:11 And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”

Psalm 121: I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Isaiah 45:21-23: Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.

“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

Jer 31:3-6 The Lord has appeared of old to me saying:

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt,  O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice. You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food. For there shall be a day when the watchmen will cry on Mt. Ephraim, ‘Arise, and let us go to Zion, to the LORD our God.’”

Jer 31:7 For thus says the Lord:

“Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’

Jer 31:8-9 “Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the one who labors with child, together; a great throng shall return there.

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn.

Jer 31:10-11 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’

For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he.

Jer 31: 12-14 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord— for wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of the flock and the herd; their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all.

I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow. I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.”

Jer 31:31-37 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And its waves roar (The Lord of hosts is His name):

“If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the Lord, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever.”

Thus says the Lord:

“If heaven above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel For all that they have done, says the Lord.

Jer 30:10 ‘Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the Lord, ‘nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity.  Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make him afraid.

Jer 30:11 For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to save you; though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, and will not let you go altogether unpunished.’

Ezek 36:24-32: I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

Zech 2:3-5 And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

Impacting a Nation

Joanie — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:29:43 +0000

Passover 2012 brought me to the small island country of Sri Lanka at the invitation of Prayer for Peace. I was privileged to join the team from Women With A Mission. We were indeed on a mission of love and hope.

My assignment was to remind the church of God’s promises through Abraham to “bless those who blessed his descendants and to curse those who cursed them.” Since 1970 Sri Lanka suffered from their decision to expel the Israeli Embassy.

Hundreds of pastors and leaders heard the message “The Witness OF Israel” and the consequences of turning their back on the Jewish people and responded with deep repentance. To those who committed to pray for and teach about Israel we presented the Israeli flag and a bookmark with seven Biblical reasons to pray for Israel.

I also had the privilege of teaching the Feasts of the Lord to a group of pastors, many of whom had been celebrating some of them for years. I was thrilled to hear their testimonies of church expansion and financial blessings since they had started celebrating Passover and Tabernacles.

The highlight of the trip was celebrating the Passover with my new and eternal friends.

I left with two prayers:

For the peace and prosperity of Sri Lanka.
For a soon return

Here are just some of the pictures from the trip.

My hosts: Prayer for Peace

Sowing hope by planting a tree

Vavunia worship team

My twin and dear translator

Excellent keyboardist!

Praying for Brian

He won my heart!

Tangible love - clothes & food distribution

Praying for Israel

Pastor praying for Israel

Women working in the fields by 6 AM

Maxwoods Tea Factory

Tea everywhere!

Sign on bathroom door!

Sri Lanka

Going to our Passover Seder

Welcome to Seder!

Here we go!

The 10th Annual Sri Lankan Seder

: Tara lighting the candles

Something funny!

Pastor Edna reading

Pastor Wendi reading

The Four Questions

Raising the Cup of Sanctification

The Ecod - Matza bag

Breaking the middle matzo

Flute player in the tree house

Teaching the Feasts of the Lord

Mango + pineapple + apple = Heaven!

Our pineapples are so small and soooooo expensive

Fleeing from the beach after the tsunami warning

Occupy the Temple Mount

Joanie — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:01:05 +0000

BREAKING NEWS!

As of Sunday, December 11, 2001, the bridge which connects the Western Wall to the Temple Mount has been closed due to safety issues. According to Jerusalem engineers the bridge is in danger of collapsing. Sadly, this is the ONLY access Jews have to the Temple Mount. [Further, non-Muslim visitors are limited to several hours twice a day Sunday-Thursday.) On the other hand, Muslims have total access to the Mount.

Thus this closure affects only Jews and tourists who are predominantly Christian.

And yet, Jordan has been warning that the closure will lead to “trouble” claiming it is too close to the Mosque. Actually the distance between the entry to the Mount and the Mosque is at least 4 city blocks!

The Israeli paper, YNet reports:

The Waqf director said, “This is a sensitive issue.

”The bridge is so close to the mosque. Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims around the world will not be happy about this.” He said that they think that Israel is trying to hurt their tradition in the guise of safety concerns.” (Emphasis mine)

Again, let me point out that the bridge connects the Western Wall (West Jerusalem, controlled by Israel) to the Temple Mount, which politically also belongs to Israel. The bridge has absolutely nothing to do with Islamic traditions!

THE LATEST: The bridge has been temporarily opened but with continual closures. The decision has been made to rebuild….and that will be an issue for sure!

—————————————————————————————–

“God is not interested in real estate” a friend said to me. I couldn’t disagree more.

God is VERY interested in real estate and it is He who determines the boundaries of the nations.

However there is one particular place upon which His eyes, ears and heart are focused.

While He is omnipresent and indwells the hearts of all those who call Him Lord, there is only one place where He has chosen to reveal His Shekinah glory, to put His name and to build His house. (Isaiah 8:18, 2 Chron 7:15-16)

“But” you say, “look at the context, the preceding verse” (2 Chron 7:14).

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

In response I challenge that the promise of verses 15 and 16 is NOT dependent on verse 14. The first speaks to the promise of healing the land, the following verses are an affirmation of what He already promised.

Look at the prayer of Solomon at the Dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 8:29) and then the Lord’s response:

And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. (1 Kings 9:3)

This piece of real estate is one of the few for which we have a record of the Title Deed, “payment in full” as it were. King David bought the property which had belonged to Araunah (2 Sam 24:21-25).

Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing.”

Although the exact location is still uncertain, the Temples of Solomon and of Herod were built on this site. Tradition also puts Abraham’s intended sacrifice of Isaac on this mountain as well. Consequently this piece of real estate is the most holy and most contested in all the world.

Worship is synonymous with Jerusalem, as the Temple Mount is with worship. Therefore when the Psalmist and the people longed for Jerusalem, their focus was the Temple It is the place where the nations have, are and will come to worship the King. (Psalm 27:4, 122; Zech 14:16; Isaiah 2:2-3; Micha 4;1…)

The loss of the Temples and then the Roman destruction of Jerusalem were devastating to the Jewish people, but perhaps more than anything was the defilement by the building of Islamic mosques. ( 637-692)

Furthermore over the years, the Jewish people lost access to the Mount itself.

All that changed June 7, 1968 when Israel won the 6 Day War and regained the entire city of Jerusalem. Like the Maccabees before them, soldiers and politicians raced to the Temple Mount.

For some unfathomable reason, perhaps an attempt at peace after the war, control of the Mount was given to Jordan who then quickly limited Jewish access once again.

When I first came to Israel, the Mount was a high priority on my “to do/see” list. It’s hard to describe the feelings of standing next to the last remaining wall of Herod’s Temple and then looking up to see the gleaming gold dome of the Mosque.

My heart broke for a variety of reasons:

The fervor yet futility of the prayers at the Wall.
God’s departed presence where it had once been so manifested.
Jesus’ love for these people who still deny and reject Him.
The desecration of the Mount with a Mosque which has written on the inside of the dome: “There is only one god – Allah – and he has no son.

I was struck by the stark contrast between top and bottom.

Crowds of men, women, boys and girls pressed into touch the Wall. Some women found chairs and rocked as they prayed… some sitting for hours. The men were a bit more boisterous as they studied as well as prayed.

The section of the Wall is so small and the crowds are so large.

That was not the case on top. There the huge area was almost empty, devoid of people. Often one just saw guards to prevent the Jews and tourists from praying.

Times have changed!

I recently visited the Mount and activity abounded! All over the paved area, there were small clusters of men and women studying the Koran. One group seemed to be studying the Arabic letters of the Koran.

Although not yet 10 AM, there was a continual stream of mothers and children with picnic baskets and soccer balls, obviously preparing for a full day.

Tragically the Waqf (the Islamic trust controlling sites determined to be religious to Muslims) permitted the underground building of a mosque. Jewish archeologists were not allowed to see the unearthed relics. Initially the ancient ground along with its treasures was dumped in the back of the Mosque, but after a bitter fight was taken to a nearby dump and made available to Jews. Many wonderful “finds” have come from these mounds of “dirt.”

Furthermore, this third mosque on the Mount, now denied Jews access to the underground cavern which goes back to the days of King Solomon.

This was a blatant attempt to totally destroy evidence of the Jewish presence on the Temple Mount. Heaps of this valuable “garbage” was piled in the back where the tourists and pilgrims would not notice.

As I walked along this “burial ground” a casual glance resulted in finding pieces of ancient pottery, just laying on the ground. I wonder just how many treasures are buried under these piles?!

Near this dump were two men in the process of burning a dilapidated copy of the Koran. While Jews bury their old books, the Muslims burn them. Quite a contrast with the way we/they honor holy books.

One said to me,

“The Mosque belongs to us, everything else up here belongs to the Jews!”

That statement is correct and also explains the sudden activity. Call it occupation or squatting, this is an attempt to “prove” the Temple Mount belongs to “Palestine.”

I also saw two caravans which my friend correctly realized were for ventilation. Obviously there are plans for more buildings.

I expect all this is preparation for this most holy site to Israel and Messiah Yeshua to be claimed to be the site of the “Capitol of Palestine.”

GOD FORBID!

Here are other pictures from my morning on the Mount:

The entry from the now closed bridge is to the left in front of the trees. You can see the distance!

Another view of the Temple Mount Plateau

Ancient Olive Tree

Below: Ancient Marble Pillars

Capitol from Herod’s Temple

Sitting on the remains of the Wall of Separation

THE GOLDEN GATE FROM INSIDE!

The Golden Gate, also called, The Gate of Mercy (rachamin) is the entrance to be used ONLY by the Messiah (Ezek 44:2-3) . So as to prevent His entry, there is an Islamic cemetery on the other side of the Gate. Also you note that the Gate has been boarded up until His appearing, but the area is used by Muslims for parties and special events!

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
         And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
         And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
         The LORD strong and mighty,
         The LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
         Lift up, you everlasting doors!
         And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
         The LORD of hosts,
         He is the King of glory.

Traditions or Witchcraft?

Joanie — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:22:24 +0000

Once again I find myself embroiled in discussions which actually border on arguments regarding the appropriateness of Believers (Jewish or Gentile) celebrating the feasts of the Lord.

For some the celebrations are responses of obedience, for others it is a matter of tradition.

Tradition! The word itself makes me want to sing along with Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof! As he so correctly said, “Traditions tell us who we are and what is expected of us.”

I even suggest that in my book, “Celebrate Jesus!” I write, “Holidays bind us together as we share memories. They unite us as families, communities and even nations.”

However it’s important that we understand what the word actually means.

It comes from the greek word (παραδίδωμι) which means “giving up or giving over into the hands of another, surrender.” In the New Testament is is mostly used in a negative sense, as in giving Jesus over to the authorities. It also carries with it the idea of being held in bondage as to give over to power of another.

In view of this negative connotation consider the words of Jesus to the religious,

Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? Matthew 15:1-3

Religious Jews are not the only ones in bondage to tradition…even today. Is there a church or a denomination that doesn’t have traditions? The way we do so many things, is usually based on traditions established by loved or respected ones.

So you say, “Are traditions wrong?”

I answer “YES, when they separate us from others. YES when we are identified more by our traditions than as followers of Jesus. YES when our traditions intimate others. YES when we elevate our traditions over the Word of God.”

Man’s traditions bring bondage and division.

The very reason Tevye considered his traditions valuable, Jesus considers them destructive. The traditions which keep the Jewish people protected and separate are actually walls of imprisonment keeping them from hearing and receiving the Gospel.

Most Jewish traditions are based on what is called “The Oral Law” as opposed to the written Law contained in the Torah. It is believed that Moses received both the Oral and the Written Law at the same time on Mt. Sinai.

Actually the Oral Law began with the expulsion of Israel to Babylon when they were separated from the Temple and the Priestly rituals. Later, when they returned to Israel, they were confronted with challenge of Hellenism, they developed more traditions to protect and defend themselves from assimilation.

Sadly the walls of these traditions not only keep the Jewish people inside, but it keeps the Gospel out!

The traditions of men pervert, defile and disguise who God is. They divide and not unify. They glorify men and not God.

Lastly, traditions often turn into witchcraft. Witchcraft?!!

Witchcraft is ascribing feelings and experiences to things or actions and therefore seeking and expecting a repetition of the feeling or action.

How quickly our prayers and traditions morph into religious rituals.

O God, keep me pure to love and obey. Arguments regarding traditions are senseless. Purge out all vain traditions or magic. Your grace through my faith in Jesus has set me free from the traditions of man. My identity is found in You. I lay aside all religious rituals, prayers, objects to come to you as a child, in simple humility and love. Search my heart and see if there is any wicked or deceptive way. Thank you for freedom!

UN Update – the Speeches

Joanie — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:17:54 +0000

As I watched the live stream from the UN it felt that God was watching as intently as I was.

I thank him that someone had the good sense to change the schedule and Bibi spoke about 2:30 rather than 9:00.

Abbas

Tumultuous applause greeted Mr Abbas and he rose to the occasion. He flung his accusations against the “occupier” Israel into the air where they mixed with the thunderous approval of most of the delegates.

He played an emotional tirade making his appeal to grant the Palestinians rightful address for the horrors of the past 64 years. And yet, he kept pointing to the settlements as the reason why there is no peace. (His rhetoric is better than his math as the settlements began in 1967!)

When he held up the bid for statehood, the chamber exploded.

Bibi

The contrast was stark. Bibi entered a half full chamber and the applause was more polite than warm.

He looked so tired and almost defeated. I loved his obvious comfort in speaking to such an assembly.

There were no accusations, but rather recriminations against the absurdity of the institution itself.

Bibi confronted only some of the myriad of lies told by Mr. Abbas.

The Palestinians are armed with rockets, missiles and bombs and not simply “hopes and dreams”
The basic issue is NOT the settlements which began in 1968, not in 1948! Unless, as Bibi pointed out that Abbas was claiming that the “Palestinian land that Israel occupied was Haifa, Tel Aviv, Joppa and Be’er Sheva.
Abbs consistently refused to respond to the continual peace initiatives Bibi offered.

Like an elementary school teacher Bibi rehearsed the historical record of a Jewish Jerusalem. He did not need to further challenge Abbas’ claim that Israel occupied “Palestinian ancestral land.”

Over all Bibi was NOT in his best form. I would have liked to hear him address Abbas’ speech point by point. It was as though he had already given up.

While the applause was constant, it got smaller and smaller.

It’s a sad night indeed.

God is in control, but…

Yes, indeed the God of Israel is in control. I rest in that reality especially on this Shabbat eve.

Nevertheless to deny the dangers and tribulations that lay ahead of all of us, here and throughout the world, is just plain denial.

The real question is, “Are we prepared?”

How will I, how will you, how will our countries face God’s judgment which MUST follow this blatant division of His Land?

Trials and tribulations will prove the genuineness of our faith. They also give us opportunities to share the Gospel.

Recently I asked the question on Facebook, “What is mankind’s most urgent need?” I was astounded that NO ONE responded, “salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.”

As for me, I will continue to prepare

my home to be a refuge
my spirit to know Him better
my neighbors and countrymen to meet Jesus, their Messiah

For the salvation of Israel,
joanie

Netanyahu Insulted by UN

Joanie — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:25:31 +0000

Mr. Abbas awarded “Head of State” recognition by speaking at noon Friday to General Assembly. PM Netanyhu given 9:00 PM slot, which is his Sabbath, and guarantees an almost empty chamber and little news coverage.

Also that means 4:00 AM here in Israel and the religious and newspapers will not cover the speech.

Insult to injury.

I am praying for God’s strength and grace that Bibi will rise above them all and stand in God’s peace and power.

THE 2 STATE SOLUTION OF 1920

Joanie — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 07:43:07 +0000

For the past year, the PM of the non-existent country of Palestine has been promoting his desire for the UN to recognize an Arab Palestine as a member state. He wants the UN to issue a resolution and bring it to the Security Council for a vote. His second step, if the Security Council rejects the resolution is to bring it to the General Assembly for a lesser status of a permanent observer state, similar to the position that the Vatican currently holds.

Note: An almost humorous twist to this is the disagreement between Hamas and the PA who are “unity partners” in the proposed new state of Palestine The disagreement focuses on the size of the territory; Hamas wants “all of Palestine, including that which is now Israel” and Abbas is [temporarily] “settling for the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Gaza.”

Despite all attempts to stop him, Abumazin (Abbas) has remained resolute although he continues to meet with a myriad of international leaders to “find a solution.”

Actually, in the natural, his move is brilliant. He is forcing the international community to step in and push Israel into accepting his conditions. He is forcing Israel to either succumb to the powers of the nations against her or go to war.

The two sides have come to the end of negotiations. Each has drawn a line in the sand over which they will not cross, and in my opinion Israel cannot cross. They are diametrically opposed and there simply is no way to compromise.

So the nations are scrambling. America seems to be standing firm in its decision to reject the proposal if it comes to the Security Council. That will successfully stop Palestine from becoming a Member State. But the result will be twofold:

The end of President Obama’s desire to ‘make nice’ to the Muslim world. Only God knows what that will mean to America.
The guaranteed success of Palestine in the General Assembly. That could have far reaching negative consequences for Israel and for the nations.

So in either case, it is bad news for Israel and for America.

What the world seems to be ignoring is the truth that since 1920 there has been a two state solution: Palestine would be under Jewish sovereignty and Jordan under Arab.

The unreality of this situation defies understanding, (except from a Biblical perspective). Why?

The United Nations has no power to bestow legitimacy on any group of people who want to be a state or sovereign country. Only treaties made between consenting parties have legitimacy in International Law.

From a spiritual perspective, God is allowing the nations to choose which side they are on…and there are only two choices: with or against the Lord God of Israel and His Messiah Yeshua, Jesus.

So let’s take a closer look at some of the issues.

THE ISSUE OF LEGITIMACY OF ISRAEL

The below referenced link is excellent (despite its title) in a review of International Law in regard to Israel. Here is a summary of the salient facts. (Almost everything I’ve written comes from that video and at times I’ve directly quoted from it. )

After World War 1, the League of Nations met at San Remo, Italy to deliberate the outcome of what was formerly the Ottoman Empire. Britain, France, and Turkey were key players.
Only representatives with powers to make binding decisions on who would get what attended:
The San Remo Resolution of 1920 signed by: The United States, representatives from the Zionist Organization of Paris, representatives from the Arab concerns and what was then the European Union.

This is the key paragraph in regards to Palestine “The High Contracting Parties agree to entrust, by application of the provisions of Article 22, the administration of Palestine, within such boundaries as may be determined by the Principal Allied Powers, to a Mandatory, to be selected by the said Powers. The Mandatory will be responsible for putting into effect the declaration originally made on November 8, 1917, by the British Government, and adopted by the other Allied Powers, in favour of the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

Note: Jews were soon expelled from every Arab nation, without regard to their land or possessions. Israel reimbursed Arabs who chose to leave Palestine!

In 1922 the League of Nations approved the Palestine Mandate which affirmed the San Remo Resolution and gave recognition to the “historic rights of the Jewish people to reconstitute their national home.”

Note: This language is crucial to combat the claims of the Muslims that the Jews had no historic claim to the land, insisting that the Bible is a perversion of history. These words reflect that the pre-existing rights of the Jewish people in Israel (aka Palestine) were recognized by the world powers. The events this week at the United Nations prove that the nations either have short memories, or something much more sinister.

Both the Jews and the Arabs were “chosen to be beneficiaries of a trust or mandate;” the Jews in respect to Palestine, the Arabs in respect to Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon

The civil and legal rights of individual Arabs were protected in Palestine, but the collective political rights were reserved for the Jews, exclusively. The Arabs were given the same collective rights, exclusively, in the neighboring countries.

Note: There are 21 Arab countries and 1 Jewish state!

In 1946 the League of Nations was replaced by the United Nations. The final resolution of the League specified that the rights of people and nations from previous resolutions be protected by the UN. Furthermore, there was nothing in the UN charter which changed those rights.
Immediately after Israel’s “independence was affirmed by the UN, she was attacked by the five neighboring countries. During the war, Jordan annexed east Jerusalem and part of Samaria (called the West Bank of Jordan) but the annexation was never recognized by the UN.

After the 6 Day War of 1967, the UN passed Resolution 242 which is often referred to. It declares that there MUST be an end to the belligerency between the parties so there can be a just peace.

The charter of the PLO and of Hamas still do not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Article 1 of the Resolution calls for the “withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict.” Namely the very territory Jordan annexed in 1947 – east Jerusalem and Samaria- territories originally given to Israel. Israel NEVER surrendered or relinquished their rights to that territory.

The Oslow Agreement of 1993 had a clause, article 31 which specified, “Neither side shall change the status of the West Bank and Gaza prior to the completion of permanent status negotiations.

Bowing to pressure from the US and EU, Israel withdrew from Gaza. In so doing, she has suffered from thousands of missile and rocket attacks all emanating from Gaza.

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE

The nations of the world are on a collision course with the God of Israel. So is the Church

He has made His position extremely clear. Yet

There are many in the Church today who are tired of hearing about Israel.
Others say that the New Testament has replaced the Old and that all the prophecies regarding Israel are to be applied to the Church. Furthermore they allegorize the imagery losing the literal (and easier) interpretation subject to Israel.
There are even serious discussions about who IS a Jew and who is Israel.

Before I trusted Jesus, well meaning friends challenged me about the meaning of the prophets. I responded aggressively and arrogantly saying, “It’s easy, I don’t read them!”

Today much of the Church is doing and saying the same – they don’t read the prophets. Thus they remain ignorant of the significance TO THEIR OWN LIVES of the decisions their countries are making in relationship to Israel.

Someone said to me today, “For years we have known this day was coming, but ‘suddenly’ it is upon us.”

Beloved, let us not be deceived or ignorant. God keeps His covenant. Furthermore He means what He says and says what He means. You should know these Scriptures which bring together the future of Israel and you!

I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you,
      And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Gen 12:1-3)

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.” (Psalm 2:1-6)

For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. ⁹ For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me. (Zech 2:8)

“For behold, in those days and at that time,
When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,
I will also gather all nations,
And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
And I will enter into judgment with them there
      On account of My people, My heritage Israel,
      Whom they have scattered among the nations;
      They have also divided up My land. (Joel 3:1-2)

These are just some of the warnings God has given to those who would dare come against Israel.

I realize that the spiritual condition of Israel today is a mess. We too will come under God’s judgment. But woe to the countries who will be God’s instrument of that discipline.

SO WHAT?

I believe that we are truly entering into the time of Ezekiel 38-39. I will not set dates, but our lives are about to change – drastically. It might not be upon the vote of the UN on the 23rd, it might take a year or two. But change it will.

Consider:

The events of the last two years, heck, the last few months have seen breath-taking changes especially in the Middle East. The situation was and remains impossible. The tyrants who held their countries in bondage kept peace with Israel. They needed to be deposed, but consider the existential threat to Israel? Truly it was and remains a no-win situation. Now the Middle East has been prepared for a Muslim coalition whose one aim is the annihilation of Israel.

Remember, as long as Israel, a Jewish state, exists she proves the Bible is correct and there IS a God in Israel.

We have also seen natural catastrophes of Biblical proportions. Who can forget seeing Japanese cities being swallowed up by a tsunami? Or the off the chart snow falls, droughts, earthquakes in America? What about the roller coaster ride of the world’s stock markets? Or who can fathom the reality of the trillions of dollars of our debt? Trillion? What does that look like?!

What does all this mean?

God is being merciful in judgment.

God MUST punish sin. God MUST punish those who touch Israel…just as He MUST discipline Israel. Because of His eternal and everlasting promise to Israel, meaning the Jewish people, He MUST fulfill those promises. Even though we broke covenant, He never did.

All the machinations of the nations will avail nothing in God’s eyes. Each of these attempts at bringing peace will fail. There can be no peace as long as the Jewish people do not retain sovereignty over ALL the land God has promised. Remember, there was a two state solution dating back to 1920 – Jordan and Israel.

What shall I do?

First recognize we are in a time of God’s judgment. But in that judgment there is His mercy. Psalm 97:2 – righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.

Why do so many pray for God’s mercy rather than His righteousness to be revealed? Because we don’t want to suffer. Neither do I. But beloved, suffering is a gift of God’s grace because through it we are established and are transformed into the image of Jesus. So understand this season and prepare!

Second it is time to take a spiritual inventory of yourself, your family and your church. God will not be mocked and judgment starts at His house. Call sin sin, repent and RUN to the Cross where you will find abundant forgiveness.

Third pray and proclaim the truth of God’s justice and love, for Israel and for the nations. This time of judgment will also be a time of great harvest.

Finally, always remember that a spiritual problem will never be solved politically. The events of this week and what is to follow must remind us of God’s Word:

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

Let Israel now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the LORD now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”

I called on the LORD in distress;
The LORD answered me andset me in a broad place.
The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The LORD is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes. (Psalm 118:1-9)

Lord, may You be glorified in and through our lives. May You be glorified through Israel and through Your Church. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I pray this in the name to which EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess, Yeshua, Jesus!

Links:

Regarding Israel and “Palestine”:

http://www.givepeaceachance.info/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63hTOaRu7h4

G: Government

Joanie — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:05:49 +0000

Man was never meant to live in a democracy, Communism, a republic or any other form of government. Man was created to live in a theocracy and under the King of all kings. Considering the description of King Yeshua (Jesus) only a fool would not want to be His subject.

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will beno end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Wonderful: פלא pele’ [worthy of wonder, marvelous, extra-ordinary] See: Exodus 15:11
Counselor: יעץ ya`ats [as in English, to advise, to deliberate]
Mighty: גבור gibbowr [to prevail, to be strong]
God: אל ‘el [strong, mighty, ram-like in strength]
Everlasting: עד `ad [perpetuity, forever]
Peace: שלום shalowm [completeness, whole]

The words for father and prince have the same literal meanings in Hebrew and in English, although our experiences of both may give us skewed understanding, especially of father.

The God of Creation and of the Bible is all knowing, compassionate, just and merciful. There is not a nation on earth nor in history who has known such a ruler. Kings may come and go but only King Jesus will remain.

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.” (Psalm 1-6)

Mediation:

There will come a day that EVERY tongue will confess and EVERY knee will bow to King Jesus. He will establish His Kingdom and remove from His presence all the defilement of sin, the influence of Satan. His government shall be perfect because He is perfect. The governments of this world will crumble and disappear as did those nations from of old who would not bow their knee. Only that which is in Messiah Jesus will remain. All the man’s machinations will shown to be vanity.

Prayer:

My shoulders are not strong enough to carry even myself much less the burdens of others. Therefore I will yoke myself with You, Jesus so I can only be led by You! Thus I will partake of perfect peace.Because of who You are Jesus, I can and will trust You to govern my life. I am confident that You will protect and provide for all my needs, now and forever. You have promised to bring to perfection all that concerns me. I will bless You my Sovereign King.

E; ETERNAL

Joanie — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 16:14:28 +0000

The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;
He will thrust out the enemy from before you,
And will say, ‘Destroy!’ (Dt. 33:27)

The words translated “eternal” and “everlasting” are different in the Hebrew.

Etenal [קדם qedem] means “to meet, come or be in front, go before.” As an adverb it can mean “east, antiquity, aforetime.”

Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me (Isaiah 46:9)

Everlasting [עולם `owlam] means “long duration, forever and ever, not yet done.”

Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure.’ (Isaiah 46:10)

The LORD shall reign forever and ever. (Exodus 15:18)

Eternal: קדם qedem:

The Garden of Eden was planted by the eternal God in the east!

He is the God of creation (Psalm 55:19)

He is a covenant keeping God (Psalm 74:2)

Mediation:

Israel’s future, her existence, as is mine, is not dependent on anyone, any nation or system. Our eyes and expectations must come from You. You are eternal, and that must be my perspective of every circumstance. Your word is established and Your mercies endure forever and ever.

Prayer:

Abba, help me to remember that You are an ever present help in times of trouble. No matter what my eyes see and my ears hear, may my heart remember the things of old and trust in Your eternal and everlasting love. Nothing will ever change You or what You have ordained for me and for Israel.