Thursday, October 31, 2013

THE SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

The spirit of Jezebel hates God's prophets and godly prophecies. "And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time" (1 Kings 19:1-2).

Christians bound by the Jezebel doctrine have no regard whatsoever for God's holy prophets. They sit coldly, as Jezebel did, unmoved while Ahab went into detail of the miraculous display of supernatural authority on Mount Carmel. But Jezebel was not impressed. All it did was turn her resolve to stone.

So it is now. The teachers of the Jezebel doctrine and those like Ahab who are its victims are not open to Holy Ghost conviction or to the message of repentance and holiness. They hear it and then go their way, more determined than ever in their doctrines. There is no fear of God before their eyes.

The surest sign of a false teacher and a Jezebel doctrine is the putting down of prophetic warnings and the refusal to hear about judgment. They call it gloom and doom. They laugh, mock and ridicule. Jeremiah says such shepherds are blind and dumb and the Lord told them to obey: "But they harkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward" (Jeremiah 7:24).

Those who teach the Jezebel doctrine claim to be prophets, but there is a test of true and false prophets. Jezebel prophets prophesy good things only, just peace and prosperity. "I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you" (Jeremiah 23:14-17).

Those with the spirit of Jezebel do not turn people from wickedness. They speak of dreams and act foolishly in the pulpit.

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25101?src=devo-email#sthash.FamQRVdW.dpuf

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Hebrews 9:1-28 KJV

"Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

THE GREATEST DECEPTION by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

The greatest deception in the modern church is the matter of using God's Word to put a badge of approval on covetousness. On the surface, the Jezebel doctrine works (see 1 Kings 21:14-16). It got Ahab what he wanted. He possessed his rights because when a man was stoned for high treason against the king, all his possessions reverted to the king.

Naboth the Jezreelite had told Ahab that he would not give him the inheritance of his fathers because the Lord forbade him to do so.

"And [Ahab] laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? . . . Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vinyard of Naboth the Jezreelite" (1 Kings 21:4-7).

Listen to the doctrine of Jezebel: "You are king, number one, and you have rights. Let nothing stop you from getting what you want." She said to Ahab, "Be happy! I'll get it for you." That is the false gospel in a nutshell. "Don't sweat it. Don't feel sad or condemned by those desires that eat you up. I'll get it for you." Like the deceptive methods Jezebel used, these doctrines twist and misuse Scripture.

But Ahab could not enjoy what he received because of a pesky prophet of God. "And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab . . . in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? . . . In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood. . . . And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord" (1 Kings 21:17-20).

Imagine Ahab walking about his new possession, saying, "Isn't life sweet? Ah, Jezebel. I may not agree with all her methods, but she certainly gets it done." But dogging his every footstep was the prophet Elijah.

So it is today. God has sent prophets, crying aloud, confronting the Jezebel doctrine of materialism, making it uncomfortable for Christians to enjoy their playthings and acquisitions. They have sold out. They cannot see it, but sin is behind all this. Every time I cry out against the prosperity doctrine, I sense the spirit and power of Elijah upon me. You are going to hear more and more exposing of this Jezebel doctrine. Everywhere, prophetic voices will be heard loud and clear, crying out, "Sin! You possessed by selling out to sin."

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25091?src=devo-email#sthash.gA8pGWkk.dpuf

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

THE DANGER OF HOLDING ON TO SECRET SIN by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

Three distinguishing marks of the Jezebel doctrine were all found in the Jezebel of the Old Testament, the mother and embodiment of false doctrines. Jesus made her name synonymous with false doctrine, any doctrine that teaches that something evil can be good, that the profane can be pure.

In Hebrew, Jezebel means "chaste, virtuous, without idolatry." Imagine! The most ungodly, idolatrous, scheming, hateful, woman in all the Bible called virtuous, without sin. Something very bad is named good. And, ironically, even "chaste"?

How did she become chaste? "And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel . . . and went and served Baal, and worshipped him" (1 Kings 16:30-31). Ahab means "one stamped with the nature of his father." Jezebel represents false doctrine and Ahab is its victim. The Bible states that it was not enough that Ahab had a heart bent toward sin, idolatry and compromise. He brings into his life a satanic influence that will confirm him in his sin. "But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up" (1 Kings 21:25).

The message is that the tendency of Christians who hold to secret sin and lust is to embrace and become married to a false doctrine that will only excite and confirm them in their sins. The last thing Ahab needed was a Jezebel. She brought out the worst in him, magnified it and destroyed him. So it is with false doctrine. If there is any sin, lust or worldliness in you, the last thing you need is a doctrine that will bring out your worst.

When David sinned with Bathsheba, he did not need a false prophet with a soothing message to tell him how much God loved him. He needed the uncompromising prophet Nathan, with a pointed finger, crying out, "Thou art the man."

Those who preach the doctrine of Christ show the people the difference between evil and good. There is no mixture from their lips. "And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean" (Ezekiel 44:23).

We have an entire generation of mixed-up kids who cannot even recognize evil when they see it. False prophets have deceived them. They call it good when purple-haired rockers, dressed as sadomasochists, strut and gyrate sexually in the pulpit. We are told that sex outside of marriage is good as long as you are in love and as long as you truly respect the other person. False prophets have become the defenders of sin.

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25063?src=devo-email#sthash.WvRnWjFW.dpuf

Monday, October 28, 2013

Hebrews 8:1-13 KJV

"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith 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 when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."

TRUE PENTECOST by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

In Acts 11, we read of a historic change in the church that came through unnamed, Spirit-empowered believers. These were the first to take the good news of Jesus beyond the barriers of Judaism to the Gentiles: "There were some of them . . . who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20). I love the phrase "some of them" used here. These faithful, unnamed believers had no idea of the crucial part they played in history.

Pentecost isn't just an event that occurred 2,000 years ago but a living phenomenon still happening around the world. Somewhere at this moment small groups of people are crying out to God—and His Spirit is falling on them, empowering them to be His witnesses to an unsaved world.

Pentecost is happening right now in Varanasi, a city in northern India I visited not long ago. Less than one percent of the population had been churched when a young Christian woman arrived there a few years ago. She began leading people to Jesus one by one, and those converts began leading others to the Lord. This young woman didn't keep Pentecost to herself and now there are thousands of dynamic believers in the region with a powerful witness for Christ. There are others just like her all over the world—Christians who cry out to the Spirit to take the Father's love further.

On several occasions my father, David Wilkerson, told me about what grieved him most when he pastored a small Pennsylvania church in the 1950s. It was a Pentecostal church, so the services followed a certain course. Sister So-and-So played the organ and the congregation sang some traditional songs. Someone stood up and delivered a message in tongues, followed by another who provided the interpretation. Dad then preached. Afterward, he offered a prayer and people came to the altar crying for the Holy Spirit to come down. Then everyone went home.

This church had no outreach, no ministry of mercy. Very few people were brought to Christ during the few years my father pastored there. These were Christians who sought Pentecost for themselves but never knew the Pentecost God had in mind for them. My father's heartbroken prayer said it all: "Lord, if this is Pentecost, I don't want it. If it's about having a 'bless me' club week after week, I'll have nothing to do with it."

It was out of his desire for true Pentecost that Dad stopped watching television and spent time praying instead. The rest is history. These decades later, his book The Cross and the Switchblade has sold multiple millions, with over 1,000 Teen Challenge Centers around the world working to rescue the lost and broken. All of these works proclaim God's active power today through the Holy Spirit.

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25058?src=devo-email#sthash.t3YRs9bg.dpuf

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Sunday Morning Service 10/27/2013

Sunday Morning Service 10/27/2013

My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Psalms 45:1-7 KJV)

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:13, 14 KJV)

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. (Psalms 61:8 KJV)

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. (Psalms 103:1-22 KJV)

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. (Psalms 64:1-10 KJV)

Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. (Psalms 149:1-5 KJV)

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. (Isaiah 12:4-6 KJV)

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (Luke 11:1-4 KJV)

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. (Acts 16:22-28 KJV)

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:4-8 KJV)

Friday, October 25, 2013

What do you believe: THE DOCTRINE OF JEZEBEL by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

Read Revelation 2:18-29 and you will see that Christ warned the church against the doctrine of Jezebel. "Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols" (Revelation 2:20). The Greek word here for Jezebel is a synonym for a "false teacher." She clearly represents false doctrines. Jesus clears it up by continuing, "As many as have not this doctrine" (Revelation 2:24).

Here is a group of God's people, full of good works and charity, having a form of faith and patience. But with all that is good and commendable, something very dangerous is going on, something so seductive that Christ warns He will send judgment and make them an example to all the churches. Certain members of the church were selling out to Satan. Their good works, charity, service, faith and patience were overshadowed by a seduction of false doctrine. They were under the spell of a false teaching, a teaching that came disguised as the true Word but was, in fact, evil.

It is dangerous to sit under wrong teaching and Christ does not take this matter lightly. His eyes are piercing the Church, and He has come to warn, expose and save His people from this terrible seduction. Where you go to church, who you are listening to, the teaching that has your heart is very, very serious.

The mark of a seduced Christian is that he is "carried about" seeking some new, different, strange teaching. The Bible warns, "Be not carried about with different and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9). This is speaking of running from place to place, seminar to convention, church to church, having no roots. The ears of such people are always itching to hear something new, something sensational, something entertaining, something pleasing to their flesh. We get them at Times Square Church: gadabouts, human tumbleweeds riding the winds of doctrines. They resemble the Athenians who "spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing" (Acts 17:21). Paul warned Timothy, "They will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3).

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25043?src=devo-email#sthash.acVePJEl.dpuf

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Joel C. Rosenberg: Must-read report describes "Iran's 30+ year war with the United States."

Must-read report describes "Iran's 30+ year war with the United States."

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/must-read-report-describes-irans-30-year-war-with-the-united-states/

Joel C. Rosenberg: This is the year for decision on Iran, says former IDF intelligence chief.

This is the year for decision on Iran, says former IDF intelligence chief.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/this-is-the-year-for-decision-on-iran-says-former-idf-intelligence-chief/

Joel C. Rosenberg: Inside Iran's murder of 241 U.S. Marines in Beirut: Reflections on the Islamic Revolution 30 years to the day after the attack.

Inside Iran's murder of 241 U.S. Marines in Beirut: Reflections on the Islamic Revolution 30 years to the day after the attack.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/inside-irans-murder-of-241-u-s-marines-in-beirut-reflections-on-the-islamic-revolution-30-years-to-the-day-after-the-attack/

Joel C. Rosenberg: Fifth earthquake in 5 days hits Israel. Bible warns of catastrophic earthquakes in Israel in the "last days."

Fifth earthquake in 5 days hits Israel. Bible warns of catastrophic earthquakes in Israel in the "last days."

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/fifth-earthquake-in-5-days-hits-israel-bible-warns-of-catastrophic-earthquakes-in-israel-in-the-last-days/

Joel C. Rosenberg: Netanyahu on Meet The Press warns White House not to ease up on sanctions. Video of interview.

Netanyahu on Meet The Press warns White House not to ease up on sanctions. Video of interview.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/netanyahu-on-meet-the-press-warns-white-house-not-to-ease-up-on-sanctions-video-of-interview/

Joel C. Rosenberg: Saying goodbye to Pastor Chuck Smith, a great friend of Israel & great teacher of the Word.

Saying goodbye to Pastor Chuck Smith, a great friend of Israel & great teacher of the Word.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/saying-goodbye-to-pastor-chuck-smith-a-great-friend-of-israel-great-teacher-of-the-word/

Joel C. Rosenberg: Netanyahu makes case for a preemptive strike during major speech on the 40th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War.

Netanyahu makes case for a preemptive strike during major speech on the 40th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/netanyahu-makes-case-for-a-preemptive-strike-during-major-speech-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-the-yom-kippur-war/

Joel C. Rosenberg: Here are videos of all the messages delivered at "The People, The Land & The Future of Israel" conference.

Here are videos of all the messages delivered at "The People, The Land & The Future of Israel" conference.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/here-are-videos-of-all-the-messages-delivered-at-the-people-the-land-the-future-of-israel-conference/

Joel C. Rosenberg: Will there ever be peace for Israel & her neighbors? Video of my address in NYC.

Will there ever be peace for Israel & her neighbors? Video of my address in NYC.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/will-there-ever-be-peace-for-israel-her-neighbors-video-of-my-address-in-nyc/

DOWN AND DISCOURAGED by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

Feebleness, brokenness, trouble, mourning—all these things brought low David's spirit. He felt dry, without direction, as if he had learned nothing over the years. "As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me" (Psalm 38:10). David was saying, "I've lost my spiritual understanding. I can't reach God as I used to!"

I know just how David felt. I have led evangelistic crusades in which thousands at a time have come to Christ. I have helped lead multitudes of drug addicts and alcoholics to deliverance in Jesus. My life has been full of many rich blessings. But often, within days of these events, I have become overwhelmed with discouragement and ended up thinking, "Lord, I haven't accomplished anything for You!"

That's the work of Satan's spirit of discouragement. It makes us a target for the powers of hell within moments of our greatest spiritual victory!

This heavy, demonic spirit laid David so low that he was dumbfounded in God's presence. He said, "But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs" (verses 13-14).

The Hebrew meaning of this last phrase is "a man who has no more answers or arguments left." David was saying, "Lord, I'm too discouraged to even lift my hand up to you. I can't pray, because I'm too confused to speak. I'm drained and empty. I have nothing to say."

David voiced the universal cry of the righteous soul that endures an attack of discouragement: "I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me" (verse 17). The word "halt" here in Hebrew means "fall." David was telling God, "I'm not going to make it, Lord. I'm at my absolute end and I'm about to fall!"

We can talk to God all we want about our feelings of failure. We can tell Him about our despair over our sins and foolish mistakes. But we are never to entertain the thought that He has abandoned us.

David is our example of someone who became discouraged but kept his faith. Even at his lowest point, David would not allow himself to wallow in unbelief. He cried, "For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God" (Psalm 38:15).

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/25023?src=devo-email#sthash.urNNbNJH.dpuf

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

A GOOD WORD by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

Our Lord has a wonderful plan for every child who loves Him and no satanic attack against His children can ever alter those plans. God knows the sorrows, struggles and pain we may be facing today, but He also knows the glorious things He has laid out ahead of us. He knows the revelation we'll receive, the usefulness we'll enjoy, the fruit we'll see, the joy and peace we'll possess. He has a "good word" for all who love Him!

"God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Lord desires to show us His "good word" about what He has prepared for us, and His Spirit is the messenger who bears that good word. The Holy Spirit will give wings to our drooping spirits with God's revelation to us and we will fly as eagles out of Satan's snare!

Listen to these wonderful words from Isaiah:

"Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:28-31).

The work of the Holy Spirit is to encourage us and our work is simply to trust Him to fulfill what the Father has sent Him to do.

Go to your secret closet right now, even in your discouraged state, and quiet yourself before the Lord. Even if you don't have enough strength to speak, you can reach out to Him in spirit with this prayer:

"Lord, I know Your Spirit abides in me and I know You have sent Him to comfort me, strengthen me and reveal the mind of Christ to me. So I turn to You right now in simple, childlike faith. Speak comfort to my heart because I have no strength left. Lift me up and lead me."

You are not going to faint! You are going to come out of your trial victorious, because your faith will have been tested and tried as gold. You will see the Lord fulfill every promise He has made to you!

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/24997?src=devo-email#sthash.RyjcmkAS.dpuf

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

IN TIMES OF DISCOURAGEMENT by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

The first thing the Holy Spirit often does in times of discouragement is bring to your remembrance the precious promises of Jesus. He has done this with me as He flooded my soul with promises from God's Word. "Your life isn't over," He assured me. "You don't know it, but the best is still ahead of you." The work of the Holy Spirit is to undo the lies of the enemy and bring encouragement from on high!

Multitudes of Christians enter God's presence every day expecting to be reproved by Him. How that must grieve our Lord. When we go to prayer, we ought to be prepared to hear a good word from our loving Father. For years every time I entered my prayer closet, I expected to hear a rebuke from the Lord. Thank God, He has taught me a better way.

On the other hand, there are entire denominations that avoid any mention of holy reproof. They say very little about sin because they want to preach only positive, upbeat messages. In the process, they ignore all the convicting, life-giving reproofs spoken by Christ and the New Testament writers. Such churches claim to preach a gospel of love, mercy and grace. But, sadly, they misuse God's grace, turning it into a license to sin.

I realize I am not writing this message to that kind of people. Rather, I'm speaking to overcoming Christians who avoid sin as one way of loving the Lord. I'm speaking to those who enjoy intimacy with Christ because they hunger and thirst for Him constantly. If this describes you, and you're downcast and depressed, please know it is happening because you are under attack for loving Jesus!

Be assured that all who wait on the Lord will receive His glorious promises:

"Since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him" (Isaiah 64:4).

"As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/24992?src=devo-email#sthash.rQTDSfNn.dpuf

Monday, October 21, 2013

Sunday Morning Service 10/20/2013

Sunday Morning Service 10/20/2013

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1, 2 KJV)

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (Romans 12:4-6 KJV)

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Colossians 3:5 KJV)

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:12-17 KJV)

Tuesday Night Bible Study 10/15/2013

Tuesday Night Bible Study 10/15/2013

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:25-34 KJV)

CLOTHED WITH POWER by Gary Wilkerson | World Challenge

I thank God His promise to "clothe His disciples with power" (see Luke 24:49) did not stop with the church of Acts. Yet, in a sense, that is just where it has stopped for many in the church today. We assign God's power to preachers, leaders, broadcasters, authors, anyone with a "platform." But is God at work in the pews? Is the Spirit's power working through every believing man, woman and child the way the Lord intended? If we have been saved, then we are meant to be filled with the power of God to do the works of God.

Here is how it happened in Acts: "There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles" (Acts 8:1, ESV). According to this verse, the apostles stayed in Jerusalem. But all the other believers were scattered throughout the region. "Those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ" (Acts 8:4-5, ESV). And so the new power to minister was unleashed.

Let me add that the man named Philip mentioned here was a layman. Signs and wonders followed this man as he preached. Demon-possessed people were delivered. Disabled people were healed and leaped for joy. Later, when Peter came to Samaria to witness these works, he saw that "there was much joy in that city" (8:8). An entire city was touched by the joy of God! That's quite an impact made by a single layperson.

Next we see Ananias, a follower of Jesus who lived in Damascus. We aren't told much about Ananias but we know that he was filled with the Holy Spirit—and he had a tough job ahead of him. God called him to witness to Saul, the famous Christian-hunter, who at the time was raging against the church. Ananias was being called into the line of fire and he knew that if he wasn't hearing God correctly, he could be killed.

Ananias had to overcome a very real fear for his life but he did it by being overcome with God's love. Suddenly, Ananias was filled with compassion for a man who had proclaimed himself the mortal enemy of every Christian. So he went in faith—and the story of Saul's conversion is well known. His transformation into Paul—the most famous follower of Jesus of all time—may be the most important conversion in history. Paul not only got saved but he wrote a major portion of what became the New Testament.

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/24984?src=devo-email#sthash.GIyTcPoH.dpuf

Friday, October 18, 2013

EVERYTHING YOU NEED by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).

I experienced a particularly heavy attack of discouragement at a certain point in my life. It happened when I was as close to Jesus as at any other time. One morning, as I was preparing a sermon, I was overcome by an intense despair. It came out of nowhere, weighing me down. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake it.

As I sat at my desk with my Bible open, I tried to continue working on the sermon but I couldn't get anywhere. Suddenly I was bombarded with doubts about my ability to put together a true message from the Lord. My mind was flooded with horrible thoughts that told me, "You don't understand Paul's writings. You haven't grasped the 'old man' and 'new man' concepts. You don't comprehend 'dying to sin' when sin still exists. How dare you presume to preach God's Word?"

I sat there for three hours, determined to dig out a message but nothing came. By mid-morning, all the words on the pages of my Bible seemed to run together. My mind was confused and my spirit was dull, unable to hear anything from the Lord.

I sank deeper into despair and became convinced I had nothing to give the people in our church. So I closed the Bible and left my study.

As I walked around the house, my discouragement only grew. I tried to figure out why it had come upon me in the first place, but I didn't have a clue. Finally, I went into my prayer room and sat on the floor. I couldn't even muster up a word to say to the Lord. Instead, I cried out to Him from my spirit: "Lord, I don't know what to do. I feel so down I can't even reach out to You, yet I know I've never loved You more than right now. Please help me."

When the devil comes with his spirit of discouragement, he bombards you with one lie after another. By the time he's finished, you're crying, "Oh, God, I'll never make it!"

This is just what the devil did to me. While in prayer, I endured his bombardment of hellish lies for about half an hour. Then God's still, small voice broke through to my spirit with these loving and compassionate words: "David, you're greatly loved. Don't worry, My hand is upon you. You are under severe attack, but do not fear. You don't need any strength of your own for this battle—I have everything you need!"

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/24962?src=devo-email#sthash.i09Bh9EJ.dpuf

Thursday, October 17, 2013

UNDER ATTACK by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

When you are under attack from the enemy's spirit of discouragement, you will not feel like praying. But you still must go to the secret place and be in Jesus' presence. Do not worry about trying to pray your way out of despair. This is the time for God's Spirit to go to work in you to lift you out of the pit.

When you go to the Lord, be honest with Him about how weak and helpless you feel. Let Him know, "Jesus, I'm dry. I have no strength left. If I'm ever going to get out of this depression, You are going to have to make it happen."

In such low times, the Lord is very patient with us. He does not expect us to exert some intense, fervent effort in prayer. He knows our condition, and He sympathizes with us. Just sit in His presence and trust His Spirit to do in you what He was sent to do. It doesn't matter how cast down you are, He will never forsake you!

We have the notion that every time we fail the Lord, the Holy Spirit flits away like a bird because He is grieved. But how could God's Spirit abandon me when I need Him most? If He leaves me whenever I fail and fall deep into discouragement, how can He be my Comforter?

Jesus promised us, "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever . . . I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:16, 18).

When the devil's heavy spirit of discouragement settles over your life, you may be so distraught you cannot even whisper a prayer. But even so, you can talk to Jesus in your spirit. Just tell Him softly, "Lord, help me. This attack is too much for me. I can't do anything but sit here in faith. I am trusting your Spirit to drive it out of me."

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/24954?src=devo-email#sthash.hxRcw1NB.dpuf

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

THE FIERY TRIAL by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

In his times of discouragement, David could not figure out why he was so cast down. He asked, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me?" (Psalm 42:5). Yet his questions were not doubts about God. David actually begins the psalm by expressing his deep thirst for the Lord: "As the hart (deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" (verses 1-2).

In the midst of his discouragement, David cried out for a revelation of the Lord. He was saying, "God, there's never been a time when I have loved You more, so why am I suffering such overwhelming discouragement?"

At times David experienced despair and depression because of his sin. He endured the Lord's chastening for his pride when he numbered his fighting men, which was against God's law. And he felt the pain of God's rod when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husband murdered. His heart broke over the judgment he brought upon his family because of these sins.

Many believers today are depressed because the Holy Spirit has wanted to bring them into victory, but they resisted. They have chosen the way of the flesh, and that always leads to pain and discouragement.

However, I am addressing repentant believers here, those who seek God with all their hearts. These faithful servants are gripped by a different kind of discouragement, the kind that comes upon them suddenly, out of nowhere, for no apparent reason.

When the attack comes, do not think it is unusual. God allows this kind of fiery testing with all His saints. Peter writes, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you" (1 Peter 4:12).

If this is true of you, you can be absolutely sure you are under attack. Satan has sent a cloud of discouragement to overwhelm you. It has been the enemy's weapon of choice for centuries against God's elect but He always has the victory!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Hebrews 7:1-28 KJV

"For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore."

Hebrews 6:1-20 KJV

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

Hebrews 5:1-14 KJV

"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

THE SPIRIT OF DISCOURAGEMENT by David Wilkerson | World Challenge

"I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. . . . I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. . . . My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. . . . I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs" (Psalm 38:6, 8, 10, 13-14).

As I read this psalm, I imagined David slumped in despair. Perhaps what troubled him most was that he couldn't understand why he was suddenly cast down so low. This man hungered for the Lord, pouring out his heart daily in prayer. He revered God and wrote psalms extolling His glory. But now, in his depressed state, all he could do was cry, "Lord, I'm at the end of my rope and I have no idea why this is happening!"

Like many discouraged Christians, David tried to figure out why he felt so empty and broken in spirit. He probably relived every failure, sin and foolish deed in his life and thought, "Oh, Lord, have all my reckless acts left me so wounded that I'm beyond hope?"

Finally, David reasoned that God must be chastening him. He cried, "O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure" (verse 1).

Let me point out that David isn't writing just about his own condition in this psalm. He is describing something that all devoted lovers of Jesus face at some point in their lifetime—being under an attack from a plaguing spirit of discouragement, which comes straight from the bowels of hell. No Christian brings it on himself, nor does the Lord send it, and such an attack usually has nothing to do with any specific sin or failing by the believer.

Very simply, the spirit of discouragement is Satan's most potent weapon against God's elect. Most often, he uses it to try to convince us we've brought God's wrath upon ourselves by not measuring up to His holy standards. But the apostle Paul urges us not to fall prey to the devil's snare: "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11).

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/24917?src=devo-email#sthash.m1uz3MGq.dpuf

Monday, October 14, 2013

NOW THAT THE VICTORY IS WON by Gary Wilkerson | World Challenge

As Christians we know that Jesus won the victory for us at Calvary. He defeated death, Satan and the power of sin. The question remaining for believers is, "Now what? I know Jesus won my victory on the cross, but what about my present conflict? Where is His victory for the battle raging in my life right now?"

It's an important question—and the Word contains an answer for every Christian. It begins with this scene: "The Philistines gathered their armies for battle . . . at Socoh, which belongs to Judah" (1 Samuel 17:1, ESV). This image presents a spiritual truth that never changes: The forces of darkness are arrayed against God's people.

When Jesus became your Savior, He made you a new creation—and although you changed, the world did not. Because of this, there are powers that align themselves against you: the world, the devil and even your own flesh, which wars against your spirit.

Sometimes your battles with these forces are external—attacks on your marriage, your finances, your children—and sometimes they are internal. We are nagged by worries: "Can my marriage survive this long, cold silence?"

"Will my child ever give his life to the Lord?"

"Am I even worthy to call myself a Christian?" All these pressures push us toward doubt and despair, causing us to wonder, "Where is God in all this? I can't see Him beyond my daily battles."

At times we cry, "Enough!" and draw a line in the sand. We tell ourselves, "I'm tired of being beaten up by the enemy." But the devil keeps crossing that line. This happened to Israel as they faced the Philistines. "The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them" (17:3). Did that stop the enemy? Not at all. The Philistines brought out a greater weapon in the form of Goliath, a giant of a man.

David knew he was no match for Goliath but he also knew that the battle wasn't his but God's. When he heard Goliath's taunts, he testified: "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down . . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel . . . For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand" (17:46-47).

Spiritual victory is never our own; it comes from our Deliverer.

- See more at: http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/24912?src=devo-email#sthash.0wYkby0F.dpuf

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Signs of the Times: Italy's Orvieto miracle inspires thousands during jubilee :: EWTN News

Italy's Orvieto miracle inspires thousands during jubilee

By Elise Harris

Rome, Italy, Oct 7, 2013 / 07:49 am (EWTN News)

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The front entrance of the Orvieto Cathedral. Credit: Elise Harris/CNA.

Signs of the Times: Morpho launches long-distance iris recognition | BiometricUpdate.com

Morpho launches long-distance iris recognition device

Logo_Safran_Morpho

By Adam Vrankulj

October 3, 2013 -

Morpho has announced the launch of a new product, the Morpho IAD (Iris at a Distance), which the company says is capable of capturing iris images at a distance of one metre.

According to the company, the IAD combines both iris and face capture, and can collect iris images at a distance of one metre in a second. This, says Morpho, makes it the fastest device available on the market.

"Innovation is in Morpho's DNA – that is why we constantly develop disruptive technologies to meet ever-evolving security needs" Philippe Petitcolin, Chairman & CEO said. Our teams have worked hard for the past few years to accomplish this technological feat and we are thrilled to be launching the market's fastest and most advanced iris capture device."

MorphoTrust USA, a subsidiary of Morpho, was recently given top marks for its iris identification technologies, by a NIST evaluation. According to the company, Morpho's technology proved to be the most accurate and among the fastest for iris recognition.

Morpho will unveil its new IAD device at GITEX 2013 in Dubai from October 20 – 24

Reported previously, Morpho has also recently launched a new fingerprint identification terminal, the MorphoAccess SIGMA series, aimed at access control and time and attendance applications.

http://www.biometricupdate.com/201310/morpho-launches-long-distance-iris-recognition-device

Signs of the Times: WCC general secretary calls on churches to work for justice and peace — World Council of Churches

WCC general secretary calls on churches to work for justice and peace

04 October 2013

During a visit to Rome the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit called on the churches to be congregations of peacemakers. Tveit also met with Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church as part of his participation in an event sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Tveit invited the Roman Catholic Church and the Pontifical Council to join in the "ecumenical pilgrimage for justice and peace", saying that "churches are included in God's work for peace".

Tveit made these comments at a 50th anniversary celebration of the encyclical letter Pacem in Terris(Peace on Earth) issued by the late Pope John XXIII in 1963.

The event took place from 2 to 4 October in Rome.

The peace encyclical was issued by the late pope as a reaction to the political situation during the Cold War, urging that conflicts should be resolved by negotiations and not arms.

In his message, Tveit said that the consequences of Pacem in Terris can be discerned when "His Holiness Pope Francis calls for a peaceful solution in Syria and condemns the proliferation of wars". He noted that Pope Francis's call corresponds well with the outcomes of a recent WCC consultation on Syria, held in Geneva last month.

"Churches worldwide have spoken out against the war in Syria [and] must continue to raise their voices in their congregations and with their governments. We must strengthen the public outcry so that those in power will protect the common interest of humanity," reads a joint communique from the WCC consultation.

In his message at this week's event Pope Francis shared reflections on the theme Pacem in Terries.

"I wonder if we have learnt the lessons of 'Pacem in terris'. I ask myself whether the words 'justice' and 'solidarity' exist only in our dictionary, or if we indeed all work towards making them a reality," he said.

"'Pacem in terris' does not intend to state that it is the Church's task to give concrete directions on themes that, in their complexity, should be left open to free discussion."

"On political, economic and social matters there is no dogma to indicate practical solutions, but rather to favour dialogue, listening, patience, respect for others, sincerity and also willingness to revise one's opinion," added Pope Francis.

In Rome, Tveit also introduced the theme of the WCC 10th Assembly, "God of life, lead us to justice and peace", to the participants of the event. He said that the concept of just peace "runs in the bloodstream of this assembly".

Given that the WCC assembly will take place in South Korea, Tveit added, "the immediate context of the divided Korean Peninsula compels us to intensify our commitment to the reconciliation of deep divisions, to a world free of nuclear weapons, and to peace."

The WCC assembly will be held from 30 October to 8 November in Busan.

Tveit concluded by sharing a message from the WCC's International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, Jamaica, 2011, saying "Christians are to understand peace and peace-making as an indispensable part of the common faith. Peace constitutes a pattern of life that reflects human participation in God's love for the world."

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/wcc-general-secretary-calls-on-churches-to-work-for-justice-and-peace

Signs of the Times: 50 'Hand-Picked' Christians Trained To Convince Churches To Re-Interpret Scripture's Gay Boundaries

50 'Hand-Picked' Christians Trained To Convince Churches To Re-Interpret Scripture's Gay Boundaries

BY JEFF SCHAPIRO, CHRISTIAN POST REPORTER

September 26, 2013|12:05 pm

Fifty hand-picked Christians were part of a seminal conference last week planned by Matthew Vines, a 23-year-old Christian who believes Scripture allows for monogamous homosexual activity, in an effort to spread the idea in the American church over the next decade.

Vines says he has had success in convincing lay members of churches over the last year that monogamous homosexual activity is allowed by Scripture, but is encountering resistance from Scriptural scholars. He is likely to encounter much more, say theologians.

More than 100 people applied to participate in the four-day conference, though only 50 were accepted, and the chosen were required to rigorously study throughout the summer before the conference even began. Vines sent them 1,100 pages of dense, academic reading material, for example, to make sure they understood both sides of the issue before the event began last Wednesday.

"The goal of the conference was to be training Christians who are in churches that don't currently support LGBT people and to give them the biblical tools and knowledge that they need to go back to their churches and have constructive, persuasive conversations with other believers on these issues," Vines told CP.

Some conference participants do attend LGBT-affirming churches, Vines told CP, though those who do so have other ties to conservative Christians.

The event was held last week at Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Kan., and was hosted by The Reformation Project, an effort started by Vines to re-educate the church concerning gay activity. The Reformation Project is a "Bible-based, Christian non-profit organization that seeks to reform church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity," according to the group's website.

Event participants, who are simply being called "Reformers," are required "to be willing to be a public, accessible, visible leader in their communities for the indefinite future going forward on these issues," said Vines. Regardless of what each leaders' strategy is for inspiring reform, the 23-year-old said it is important for them to be both "respectful and sensitive" when engaged in dialogue with others.

"Our primary goal is not to make the church pro-LGBT," said Vines. "Our primary goal is to protect the integrity of the body of Christ as the witness to God's love on earth."

Vines, a gay Christian, delivered a speech in March 2012 in which he argued that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality. The hour-long video of that speech has been viewed over 600,000 times on YouTube and has been the subject of debate among pastors and theologians.

He told CP that the writers of Scripture understood same-sex behavior as "an impulse toward excess," much like gluttony or drunkenness. But the issue must be approached differently, he says, when discussing Christian gays who are living out "an expression of covenantal love in a faithful, monogamous relationship."

Many Christians think they cannot believe in the full authority and inspiration of the Bible and at the same time support same-sex relationships, says Vines, though he hopes to convince them that isn't the case.

Vines says he's received several hundred emails over the course of the last year-and-a-half from conservative-minded Christians who have changed their minds on the issue. Most of them were laypeople, he says, though he never expected conservative pastors to change their minds immediately.

"I don't think that they will be likely to change their minds until they see a significant change within their own church communities," he said.

Evan Lenow, assistant professor of ethics at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, was just one of a number of scholars who spoke out about Vines' speech after it hit the Web. He says Christians must uphold a faithful interpretation of the Scriptures, which he says "declares homosexuality to be a sin."

"The church has always viewed it that way," said Lenow. "And there's been small minority groups here and there that have offered a different interpretation, and what Matthew's doing is no different than what has been done before. That doesn't mean we should ignore him. We should listen to what he has to say, but also respond, which is part of what I'm attempting to do."

Lenow, who is teaching a class on Christianity and human sexuality this semester, says conservative Christians have at times been "ridiculed as being backwards or stuck in the past" for upholding a traditional view of homosexuality. Still, he says, there are ways for conservatives to approach the issue.

"We need to participate in the discussion on two levels," he said. "We need to have the academics, the facts, the hermeneutics on the issue, but we also need to be winsome. We need to be engaging. We need to be kind in our approach to it. It's not simply about winning the factual debate. It's about winning both the mind and the heart."

Vines' YouTube video just started the conversation, he says, but he has a book coming out next spring that he believes will take the discussion to the next level. The book, titled, God and the Gay Christian: What the Bible Says-and Doesn't Say-About Homosexuality, will be released Mar. 18, 2014.

Vines says he suspects that many conservative Christians will accept the interpretation of the scriptures he subscribes to within the next decade.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/50-hand-picked-christians-trained-to-convince-churches-to-re-interpret-scriptures-gay-boundaries-105342/