Support Israel

In light of the speech by President Obama suggesting that Israel return to the pre-1967 borders, many Christians are taking action to support Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's response to President Obama's suggestion that a return to those borders is indefensible.

If you want to support Israel's response, I encourage you to visit the Christians United for Israel Web site (just click the previous text to visit the site), and send an e-mail supporting the Prime Minister's stance. The e-mail text is written, you only need to sign the letter. The goal is to have 50,000 letters of support mailed by Tuesday, May 24 when Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses a joint session of Congress.

Thoughts for Holy Week, 2011

By Charlotte Lowrie

If you’re like me, the ongoing events throughout the world are clear signs of Biblical prophecies being fulfilled before our eyes. As we enter holy week anticipating the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, I’m reminded of His command:

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this, if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24: 42-44 NIV)

As we watch and wait, I hope that you will join with me in praying for:

• A mighty, powerful revival that will sweep through the world.
• A strong, clear voice for Christians worldwide.
• Our brothers and sisters in Christ worldwide who are today being persecuted for their faith in the Lord.
• The Lord’s continued protection of Israel and Jews worldwide.

Jesus said that many deceivers would come. And today, we’re conditioned to be tolerant and accepting of other beliefs and religions. But the Lord didn’t tell us to be politically correct. He warned of false Christs and prophets that will deceive many. Rather, we are to test the spirits. I John 4 says, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (I John 1-6, NIV)

For a new and important look at the end times and prophecy, I recommend reading God’s War on Terror. This book by Walid Shoebat, a former Islamic terrorist who converted to Christianity, provides a detailed and revealing look at the end times.

I pray that this week will bring a renewed commitment to sharing the Lord Jesus Christ with friends, family, and anyone who will listen.

Nightline Slates Ten Commandment Series

Nightline begins a new series that explores the Biblical commandments from a modern-day perspective starting Thursday, Sept. 24 at 11:35 p.m. ET. The program will look at each commandment, what it means, and how the program's anchors and correspondents apply them to daily life.

There Is No Recession in the Kingdom

Every day the headlines ratchet up news of worsening economic distress. The economic downward spiral began with mortgage failures, followed by oil prices soaring to all-time highs. Then food prices—tied closely to the fortunes of oil in terms of transportation costs and the increasing demand for biofuels—increased, followed by rising unemployment rates. Then historic flooding in the U.S. Midwest, the nation’s bread-basket, resulted in an estimated $3 billion in crop losses. Meanwhile the transport of corn, coal, and steel along the Mississippi River came to a standstill. Like a house of cards, the first card fell hitting the second card, which hit the next one, and so they continue to fall in on themselves.

Avoiding Knee-Jerk Responses

As the economic reality of the headlines filters into daily life, the knee-jerk response is to cut back on spending and to prepare for the hard times. As an avid news watcher, that was certainly my natural response. But as often happens, the natural response is not God’s response.

As believers, we are in the unique position of walking both on earth and in the Lord’s Kingdom—and, in the Kingdom, there is plenty, not want. God is unaffected by human affairs; and, in fact, the Kingdom economy prospers regardless of earthly events. And we are His agents on earth charged with advancing the Kingdom during our time here. That means that even in times of recession or depression, all we need will be provided from His vast storehouses to advance the Kingdom purposes.

We’re reminded to not see ourselves as being swept up in the tide of human events, but to see ourselves being solidly planted in the Kingdom.

Look at God, Not at the News

In short, God says to look at Him, not at the news. God will make all things right according to His divine purposes and in His time.

Advancing the Kingdom is the focus. When we think of recession and depression, the natural response is to think of our own current and potential needs. Life as we know it is changing, sometimes dramatically, but we have to remember that the Kingdom does not change. As we think about our needs, it’s important to know that He is faithful to provide.

And more important, we know that our needs are not separate from the work of advancing the Kingdom. In other words, there are not two sets of priorities—our priorities and God’s priorities. There is only one set of priorities—the priorities of the Kingdom. There is only one purpose in heaven and on earth—that the Father’s will be done. And when we focus on Kingdom priorities, then there are blessings aplenty to go around.

If we focus on earthly events, we can easily lose sight of the work of advancing the Kingdom. I did that, but the Lord reminded me to stop thinking of want and to start thinking of prosperity. He is able, He told me again, to provide for everything because He is the Creator of the universe. All things are in His control—and there is plenty, not want. Limitless. Infinite. Abundant.

As each of us work in our own way to advance the Kingdom, we should dream big Kingdom dreams and ask God to supply all that’s necessary to bring those dreams to reality.

We limit ourselves, and we limit God, when we think that there is not enough.

A Prayer for Those at Virginia Tech

Lord, may You abide with all those who are suffering from the tragedy at Virginia Tech.
Let Your light shine in the terrible darkness of this tragedy.
Heal the wounded.
Hold those who grieve in Your loving arms.
Give them Your comfort and bring them into the light of tomorrow with your love.

In the name of our precious Lord Jesus, we pray.
Amen