This is Jerusalem!

23 05 2020

Today I share a one minute video of video in honor of Jerusalem Day, which was celebrated this week. I also urge you to consider subscribing to Israel Today, the best Messianic site from Israel. I have met the editor, Aviel Schneider, an Israeli believer born in Israel. Israel Today was founded by his father. Please enjoy this link and consider a subscription.

The 2,000-Year Jewish Love Affair – Has any people ever had such a deep connection to their capital as the Jewish people? It was in the year 70 CE that we lost her, but we never forgot her. Foreign armies pillaged, slaughtered and raped her, yet her name has remained on our lips three times a day in our prayers. With hope and faith of a day when she would come back to us, we could not give her up. Israel Today 

The restoration of Jerusalem is not happening by the will of man, but by the eternal purpose of God Himself. The nations will rage. Politicians will oppose Him, but Yehovah God of Israel will certainly keep His word to His beloved people, Israel.

This is what Yehovah says: “You have said, ‘This is a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.’ Yet in the empty streets of Jerusalem and Judah’s other towns, there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to Yehovah. They will sing, ‘Give thanks to Yehovah of Heaven’s Armies, for Yehovah is good. His faithful love endures forever!’ For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past,” says Yehovah. Jeremiah 33:10-11 NLT

Pray for the restoration and peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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The Bible is not Ancient

19 05 2020

radioTo most modern Americans, the Bible is an ancient collection of out of date stories. But that is wrong. The Bible is more current than today’s newspaper headlines, because God sees the end from the beginning. The word of God is living energy, transforming everything it touches. Consider this verse.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The phrase “living and powerful” comes from Greek words that mean “alive” and “energy.” God’s word is alive! God’s word is energy! Think about it. His words are not lying around in some dead letter office. His message is throbbing with life, imparting life, breathing His very being into ours as we listen to Him.

When He speaks it is far more than inspiration. Powerful energy is released into our spirit, soul, and body. You need to understand that literally. When you are feeling blah, and listless, hearing the voice of God fires you up. I am not talking about the Bible as opinions of various writers, but as the Holy Spirit breathing out the very voice of the living Yehovah God, King of Creation.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

God lives outside of the human time/space continuum. When He speaks into our human condition, there is a supernatural effect. It is beyond natural. He speaks through the Bible, through visions and dreams, through prophesies, and even through circumstances. The key for us is to see what He is saying, to listen expectantly, ready to receive.

Most people think God never speaks to them. That is dead wrong. God speaks to every person on this planet. The problem is that we are not listening, or don’t want to listen, or are just too busy with our own selfish pursuits. The problem is that there are too many voices. Think of it as a radio with hundreds of stations with every imaginable programming. But, you hear every station, every frequency all at once, at the same time. Somewhere in the cacophony of sounds assailing your senses, there is one clear channel with the voice of God. How do you tune Him in, and tune the others out? The others are louder and demanding, and yet God is speaking. Can you hear Him? Try it.

Pastor John Thrift preached Sunday at Grace Assembly in Wake Forest, NC. He talked about a great commandment that is rarely preached. When Jesus appeared on the mountain with Moses and Elijah, who represented the Law and the Prophets, God gave a clear command. When Peter started talking, God interrupted Peter. Think of that. Even Peter was talking when he should have been listening. Whew!

Yehovah directed Peter to Jesus, His “beloved Son,” and commanded: “Hear Him!”

He (Peter) was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5 ESV

Have you ever considered that commandment? Are you talking, instead of listening? Maybe it is time pay attention to His voice? Consider what I say. Try praying this simple prayer: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for the restoration of rains in Israel.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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Trump Ziklag Prophecy

16 05 2020

The National Day of Prayer prophecy over President Donald Trump was overlooked by many, but has great significance. The President’s personal pastor, Paula White, spoke a powerful prophetic word that he and our nation would “recover all.” This was taken from King David’s heart-cry to God at a time of desperation. When David returned from battle, his camp at Ziklag had been overrun by the enemy who had taken captive the wives and children. David wept and sought God for an answer and guidance. Paula White prophetically applied this same counsel to President Trump, based on this text.

So David inquired of  YEHOVAH, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” 1 Samuel 30:8

Here is the text of Paula White’s May 7, 2020 word to the President in the Rose Garden at the National Day of Prayer. Several spiritual leaders prayed, but I believe this prayer and prophecy was from God.

“President, one last word,” she said, turning to Trump. “Like David, who had had victory after victory after victory after victory, would face his biggest battle—it was called Ziklag—and they would take his wives and his children and the city would be burned down. And he cried and he wept, and he began to pray out to God, and God gave him a word. And through fasting and praying, I believe this is the word for you and for this nation. The Lord spoke to him and said, ‘Pursue and go after them, and you shall, without fail, recover all.’ Sir, the word of the Lord, I believe, for this nation and this administration is: ‘You will recover all.'” Charisma Magazine

I believe we are at a turning point in the virus/economy crisis. A number of leaders, such as Lance Wallnau, are pointing toward Pentecost on May 31. We need to be in serious intercession for our President, our country, and also for Israel. We are joined with Israel because our President stands with Israel. Pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has now been sworn in for his fifth term as Prime Minister. He now faces old legal charges, with the trial starting next week. Pray for his exoneration. Yehovah has the final say!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and continue to faithfully pray for seasonal rains.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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Are You a Watcher?

12 05 2020

shofar-

Can you “see” something when someone is speaking words? There are degrees of seeing and hearing from God, that most never realize. Yet, we are called to “see” what God is saying. My friend, Sharon Sanders, of Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem, recently shared a profound truth. Her prophetic intercessors prayer letter referenced a Hebrew scholar with great insight, which I quote in this excerpt:

According to Chaim Bentorah, a Biblical Hebrew Studies teacher, we can “see” what someone “says.” He states that the word ra’ah means a physical and spiritual seeing… This takes a close guarding according to Chaim, something like a bodyguard or secret service agent whose entire attention and focus are on observing things that everyone around him are not observing. It’s like looking for any subtle hint or movement, which may signal a threat to his mission of protection. 

Our goals in prayer are to discern the situation before us, through prayer and to determine whether Israel might be in danger. We need to be focused in our watch time when praying for Israel. … We need to watch to see if God is saying something specific to our hearts. Sharon Sanders, CFI Jerusalem (March 2020)

When we use the phrase “God’s word,” we usually mean Scripture, but every Bible verse was first spoken by God. The power of words is in the speaking, or the saying of what is on God’s heart. Do you “see” what He is saying? There is way more in His words than the simple grammar. What is God saying to you, to us? Can you see it, and really hear it?

I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me,
And what I will answer when I am corrected. Habakkuk 2:1

Dear Heavenly Father, Yehovah God, please give us ears to hear and eyes to see what you are showing us when you speak.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for seasonal rains for Israel.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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Learning to Listen in Lock-down

8 05 2020

LOL

What did you learn during the global pandemic lock-down? Let’s get personal. I hope you slowed down enough to listen to God. Today I am sharing life lessons from two friends, Hannah Bochert and Bob Mumford. I don’t think they know each other, but each heard from God and encouraged me to slow down and listen to the voice of God during this present crises.

Doreen and I enjoyed getting to know Hannah on our Israel tour last June. She is Youth Pastor at Grace Assembly in Wake Forest, NC.  She is a young lady who loves Jesus with all her heart.

Bob Mumford, on the other hand, is approaching ninety years with a lifetime of pursuing intimacy with Father God. I first met Bob in June 1968. It has been my honor to fellowship with him in recent years in a small accountability group of brothers in Raleigh, NC.

Hear from two disparate believers by age and gender, hearing the same cry of the Lord Jesus: “Listen to me.” I am blessed to have each as my friend. This week Bob posted a video titled, “The Skill of Still.” We need to learn to intentionally listen to God. Here is his text and the 7 minute video link.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

Hannah shared an excellent analogy of how we react when someone whispers to us. We lean in to catch every word. We lean in close. That is what we need to do with God. She also pointed out that we are not willing to let a stranger whisper in our ear. It requires an intimacy that is not appropriate. Whispering is an intimacy reserved for close friends. What a treasure that Jesus is our friend. Let’s listen to him. Here is Hannah’s text and her 9 minute video link  from Grace Assembly.

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before YEHOVAH.” And behold, YEHOVAH passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before YEHOVAH, but YEHOVAH was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but YEHOVAH was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:12

You may have complained about the forced lock-down at first, but I trust you also found a new intimacy with our Heavenly Father through the voice of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that we can continue a new level of “leaning in,” even as we again ramp up our busy lives. Don’t leave home without it!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain in Israel.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists

(Why  do I use God’s literal covenant Name: Yehovah? Here is a link to the explanation  in my book: The Hebrew God Who Has No Name.) and here is a link to a great visual from my friend Keith Johnson.


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A Psalm for President Trump

5 05 2020

Pray for President Trump

Psalm 11 is for President Trump in the days of the Covid 19 virus. Originally written by King David of Israel 3,000 years ago, please open your mind to see that it applies to our President today (and equally to Israel’s PM Netanyahu, and to all God-fearing people). I will go verse by verse with comments between verses.

1. I trust in YEHOVAH for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!

“Panic! The sky is falling. The virus is going to kill everybody. Run and hide for safety?” No! Trust in Yehovah God for protection.

2. The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.

The enemies hide in darkness and shoot down truth, hiding behind these words: “anonymous, high official says, sources tell us, administration officials say, from a department source, many experts say, scientists say, insiders report, survey says, poll concludes, renown commentator wrote, my contacts say, allegedly.” Learn to recognize these words. They are words from the shadows.

3. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

We can do the most effective remedy…trust God. It is time to wake up, stand up, and speak up for the righteousness of the living God YEHOVAH and His Son Jesus, Yeshua ben Yehovah!

4. But YEHOVAH is in his holy Temple; YEHOVAH still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.

This is God’s safety promise. Some officials act like gods. Hitler started by tracing Jews in Nazi Germany: Churchgoers Must Register With the Government in Kansas City – May 1, 2020  Kansas City, Missouri, officials are now requiring every church to submit a list of members and attendees along with their names, addresses and telephone numbers to city officials for tracking and surveillance purposes.  UPDATE: KANSAS CITY MAYOR REVERSES ORDER

5. YEHOVAH examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.

But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. Jude 17-19 NLT

6. He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galations 6:7

7. For the righteous YEHOVAH loves justice. The virtuous will see his face. 

…and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, YEHOVAH, are among these people; that You, YEHOVAH, are seen face to face and Your cloud stands above them, and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. Numbers 14:14

Pray for President Trump. Pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Pray for rain in Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists

(Why  do I use God’s literal covenant Name: Yehovah? Here is a link to the explanation  in my book: The Hebrew God Who Has No Name.) and here is a link to a great visual from my friend Keith Johnson.


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Yehovah Has the Final Say!

2 05 2020

Abbas anti-Jew

Last week I wrote about the phased re-opening of various states after the virus panic. Today I show parallels with Joshua conquering ancient Canaan, and modern Israel re-claiming Judea and Samaria. Citizens of the U.S. must re-take our constitutional freedoms phase by phase. The same was true for Joshua. Israel did not just move into the Land at once. They had to win it city by city, tribe by tribe.

Also, do not make the mistake of accusing Israel of an immoral or illegal enterprise in possessing the Land. It was promised to them by Yehovah God 500 years earlier. God gave Israel the Land because the Canaanites worshiped false gods, shed innocent blood (human sacrifice), and lived in perverse immorality. Leviticus 18 and 20 give graphic detail of the abominations. Yehovah then warns Israel that if they do the same iniquity they too will be cast out of the Land.

“You must keep all my decrees and regulations by putting them into practice; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you as your new home will vomit you out. Do not live according to the customs of the people I am driving out before you. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them. But I have promised you, ‘You will possess their land because I will give it to you as your possession—a land flowing with milk and honey.’ I am YEHOVAH your God, who has set you apart from all other people.” Leviticus 20:22-24 NLT

Even so, God did not hand it to them on a silver platter. They had to win it city by city. I think we all find that true in our own lives. Growing in grace with the Lord Jesus is a process in which we only conquer with the power of the Holy Spirit. Self-control is not an act of our will, it the fruit of walking in the Holy Spirit. Eventually, we learn to yield to His control, not by strength of will-power, but by the choice of our will to yield.

Likewise, even though President Trump’s deal of the century allows Israel to extend sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, they must do it phase by phase. It can begin July 1. Pray for wisdom and unity for the new government as they proceed. Since the Palestinians have rejected the plan, Israel is free to act with U.S. backing.

State Dept. Ready to Recognize Application of Israeli Law in West Bank – TEL AVIV – The U.S. on Monday said it was ready to recognize Israel’s annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, but asked Israel’s newly formed unity government to also negotiate with the Palestinians. “As we have made consistently clear, we are prepared to recognize Israeli actions to extend Israeli sovereignty and the application of Israeli law to areas of the West Bank that the vision foresees as being part of the State of Israel,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said.

We are moving into exciting and dangerous times. Pray now more than ever for the God of Israel to show the way of peace. It is not in trading land for peace, but in possessing the Land of Promise according to Yehovah’s Plan of Eternity. This is the path to the soon coming of Messiah Yeshua and true peace for Jerusalem.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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