How to be An Advocate for Israel

 Israel's future is greatly impacted by how she is portrayed through the media. You and your friends can do Israel a great service by making sure that the news media reports fairly about Israel.

When a story seems unfair, decide how best to respond whether by letter, email, social media, or call.

When writing letters or emails to the Editor, Blog, or Webmaster:

• Do it promptly. Nothing is as irrelevant as "yesterday's news." If you wait too long, your letter or email won't get printed or posted.
• Keep it short. Focus on one issue (response to one article or post, or clarification of one point). 
• Have your facts in order before attempting to present them. 
• Point to specific problems within the article, post, or broadcast you believe to be unfair. 
• Maintain a respectful and considerate tone in your correspondence. 
• Include your full name, address, email, and phone number. 
• Remember to also write when compliments are due. 

By Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, founded 1983 (www.ifcj.org).
For daily news and updates, visit: StandForIsrael.org

Sound The Alarm

JOEL Chapter 2: 1-21 (KJV)

1. Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 
2. A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 
3. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
4. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. 
6. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. 
7. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: 
8. Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. 
9. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. 
10. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 
11. And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? 
12. Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 
13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? 
15. Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 
16. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 
17. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? 
18. Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. 
19. Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: 
20. But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. 
21. Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. 

 Things are changing and they are changing quickly. Watch this urgent message now.

A MIGHTY WAVE OF REVIVAL IS COMING over the land. God is pouring out His spirit right now upon the earth and people from every nation is coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Can you feel it? Young and old are having visions and dreams. Have you sense this URGENCY? God can place it upon your heart as His anointed WATCHMAN just as He is calling others to be His voice in this season.

The letter to the Church at Laodicea is the harshest of the seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor. By His indictment against their “deeds,” Jesus makes it clear that this is a dead church. That is not to say that there were no true believers there, only that the church as a whole was spiritually uncommitted.

Jesus frequently equates deeds, or works, with a person’s true spiritual state. He said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” and “Every good tree bears good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-17). Clearly, the deeds of the Laodiceans were not in keeping with true salvation because the deeds of the true believer will be “hot,” reflecting the spiritual passion of a life transformed. Is your congregation lukewarm?

Watchman, Wake up! Stand up! Speak up! Confess up! 

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV).

Heal us! Heal us! Heal us Lord! We need Your healing. Heal our lives. Heal our relationships. Heal our land. Hear us as we confess and repent of our sins; and have mercy, Lord.

Is America A Christian Nation?

Jesus told Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God..." (John 3:3-7).



However, to be born in God's kingdom requires the recognition and acceptance that Jesus is the only way to God! Here is what Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

Let us be cognizant of this fact as we prayerfully contemplate the brutal and bloody consequences of religious intolerance in the form of ISIS, People are calling for Muslims to denounce these senseless killings and terrorism, but can they? Will they denounce their religion and the Koran that call for Muslims to kill the infidels? I don’t think so!

Some people are fearful that the same thing could happen in America as Liberals proudly supports plans to remove God from the public vocabulary, and demonstrates their disregard for the Constitution; in the process trashing our founding document by violating the First Amendment which opens the door for establishing Islam as the nation's religion.

This is precisely what the Constitution guards against: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Interestingly, according to the Washington Weekly News, the "Federal Attorney warns that Negative Posts Against Islam Could Get You Prosecution and Imprisonment." Meanwhile, the debate continues about whether America is or was a Christian nation, there are many who wish to remove whatever remains of Christian reference in our public sphere and whitewash this country with the teachings and practices of Islam and establish Sharia Law.

Those who oppose Christianity in America make quick reference to John Adams’ statement, "The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." America may not be a Christian nation, but it was established on Christian teachings and principles, evidence of this can be seen all over America on public buildings and city squares. A monument at the Texas State Capitol depicting the Ten Commandments revered in Judaism and Christianity reminds us of our rich Christian heritage.

This country is blessed because of its Judeo-Christian belief and practices, a fact that cannot be disputed, because when this nation is at a crossroad, its people turn to the only source it knows that can bring healing and comfort, God almighty. At a recent Harvest Prophecy Conference: Lt. General William G. Boykin highlights some concerns about the direction that America is going.


Here's what is at stake, “Our Christian liberties.” Christianity teaches and practices Holiness, love, and religious tolerance (Heb. 12:14).

However, there're those who want to enslave us by bringing us into bondage. The Bible is God's message to the world. It is full of good news. God's Word, the Bible, tells how God loves you, and tells His wonderful plan for your life. From the Bible you can learn how to receive God's blessing in every area of life. Jesus said God's Word would make you free. “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

Men need the light of God’s word, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:17-21 NKJV). Pray for America!

Expediency in Relation to God's Command

Paul addressing the topic of immorality states, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body” (1Cor. 6:12-13).

Two important points are established out of these passages. First, something must be lawful in order for it to be expedient.  Sexual immorality cannot be expedient because it is not lawful to begin with (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).  Second, an expedient must also be beneficial, it must edify. If it causes offense (makes a person sin), it is sinful (1 Corinthians 10:31-32), repent therefore, and ask God for forgiveness.


On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex marriage nationwide. Speaking at the White House later in the morning, President Obama said "Americans should be very proud," because small acts of courage "slowly made an entire country realize that love is love." (Courtesy of CNN Politics)

However, on July 9, 2015, the Daily Headlines reported that a homosexual man Bradley LaShawn Fowler, an ex-con turned author filed a $70 million lawsuit against Bible publishers Zondervan and Thomas Nelson, alleging that their version of the Bible that refers to homosexuality as a sin violates his constitutional rights and has caused him emotional distress.

Here are some comments on the website:

Betty Miller Albright of Works at Glass Cottage remarked, “And so it begins again... because I don't like something that is written in the Bible, that does not go along with my lifestyle I want to destroy it. Then money always comes into the picture. There will always be those out there who want to destroy what is truth. If someone does not like something, does not agree with it, well then it must be wrong! There is no end to the madness that is going on.”

Jeanette Graff reasoned, "I as a gay man I am appalled that this guy is such a complete jackass... I am not ashamed of myself for being a gay Christian. But I am ashamed of those that are trying to make themselves out to be persecuted for every little thing… Gays need to realize we aren't special for being gay. It’s just life, deal with it, move on and quit whining about every little problem that comes your way thinking it’s all because you’re gay.

Randy Bobandy unabashedly states, and I quote, “Christ never said anything about homosexuals...” That may be true, but what does God, His Father, has to say about it? The answer can be found in the following passages of scripture, Leviticus 18:22; 20:13a.

Tom Magoon from Washougal, Washington made this observation “If this man is offended by the Word of God, sounds like possibly he is under conviction of the Holy Spirit!”

West Lenny, is convinced that “What the ultimate liberal agenda is, of which Obama is a chief player, is of satan and it is to squelch the gospel of Jesus Christ and His word.”

George Pincince recognizes that the church is in a spiritual battle for truth, citing this scripture that states “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers… against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12.)

Finally, Clayton Jackson of Grand Canyon University summed it up nicely, by saying “Yes, we are all born sinners, but when we ask Jesus to come into our hearts and forgive us of our sins. We don't continue in those sins. He will help you be the new person that you were meant to be.

Believing that Jesus is the Son of God and that He loves you; He would have died for you if you were the only one on earth, and because Jesus loves family He wants you to be a part of his family.

Believing that He was born of a virgin and crucified on that cross for you and for me and that God the father raised Him back to life again; He's coming back again. If I'm wrong, I have nothing to lose but if you're wrong, you have everything to lose.

Why gamble with your life. Jesus is the way and the only way, but we all have a choice to make. What will yours be?"

References:
Authorized King James Version – Word Bible Publishers, Inc.
Daily Headlines -
CNN Politics -

Shadows of Apostasy

As the shadows of apostasy increasingly overtook the early church, its leaders earnestly sought to meet the challenges; thus, Jude (and John) warned the church of “ungodly” and false men who had “crept in unawares” (Jude 1:1,15) with perverse doctrines and conducts that were polluting the church and leading the unsuspecting astray. Jude forthrightly identified these errors and counseled the church leaders how they might resist them.

Similarly, in recent times the church has experienced a wave of monumental unprecedented shift away from mainstream doctrinal belief, by some of its Frontline Ministers, to embrace a doctrine of deception that brushes aside and ignores some of the fundamental tenets of our faith. 

As a result, we have to be vigilant to identify and avoid these wolves in sheep's clothing whose mission is to lead the unsuspecting saint astray with their strange doctrine. It is remarkable that Satan’s tools and Man’s nature have not changed; which is to “Steal, kill, and destroy;” But Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly (John 10:10).

Indeed, there are wolves in the church today, and by this I mean clergy and laity speaking perverse things, diverting from the truth of God’s word, and being obstinate in the wrong, willfully in order to draw the weak and unwary members of the church after them. This is evident in our country, causing many to question the relevance of the church in a postmodern era.

Every Christian should ask himself this question, "Is apostasy occurring in my church?" The answer to this question can only be realized when we first look in our own house, for the Bible tells us that judgment will begin in the house of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17).

Therefore, we would not know it unless we first closely examine the Bible, our standard of truth, and then compare the present day Church to the Word of God; that is the measuring rod by which apostasy can be detected.
 
However, the arrival of the Antichrist cannot occur until sufficient apostasy has taken place, and we have already begun to see an increase in disaffection among church goers almost on a daily basis worldwide.



Apostasy means to fall away from the truth.  Hence, an apostate is someone who has once believed and then rejected the truth of God’s word.  As a consequence, apostasy is a rebellion against God because it is a rebellion against truth. 

In the Old Testament God warned the Jewish people about their idolatry and their lack of trust in Him.  In the New Testament the epistles warn us about not falling away from the truth.  Apostasy is a very real and dangerous threat. A denial of the following (to name a few) would suggest apostasy:

• Inerrancy of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16)
• Virgin Birth of Jesus - relates to incarnation of Christ as God and man.
• Fidelity in marriage in heterosexual relationships (1 Cor. 6:9)
• The condemnation of homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27)

Therefore, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1Pet. 5:8).