To most modern Americans, the Bible is an ancient collection of out of date stories.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
ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY!
Every four years the Democratic Platform becomes more anti-Israel. Why is this? It is a natural result of leftist liberal ideology. It is very clear in liberal churches, which deny the literal authority of Scripture. Once you reject the authority of the Bible, you are on the slippery slope to apostasy. The Bible clearly speaks of Yehovah’s favor on Israel, not only in ancient times, but especially today in the miraculous restoration of modern Israel.
After an enjoyable train ride from North Carolina, we have arrived in Maine for three weeks of ministry including New Hampshire and Connecticut. We are delighted to speak in four churches with 7 or 8 meetings. We are based with our friends Rob & Ruth Brown whose Hospitality begins with a capital H.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 
This coming Sunday, Jews around the world celebrate Shavuot, which Christians call Pentecost. It occurs exactly 5o days after Passover. What is the embedded meaning in this singular summer feast? With three Spring feasts and three Fall feasts, how is this one unique for both Jews and Christians? Last week Jerusalem Day was celebrated in Israel, marking 49 years since its liberation and reunification through the Six Day War of 1967.
Passover 101
Today we have a “words are fun” segment. I was trying to think of a word to describe a certain candidate for President. I will not mention his name. See if you can guess. One word jumped out, so I looked up the meaning and found it became a thread connecting two other words that also seemed to capture the spirit of this candidate.
Today we celebrate our grandson’s sixteenth birthday. We are going to see the new Star Wars movie in IMAX 3D. Yet, in Bethlehem, a completely different celebration was recently held. It was a birthday of sorts. It celebrated 51 years since the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) first terror attack. This Bethlehem parade was sponsored by the Palestinian Authority (PA), Israel’s “peace partner” for the failed “two-state solution.”
White Privilege or God Privilege?
2 06 2020There is much talk these days about white privilege. But allow me to explain something. The Bible is clear in declaring: Blessed is the nation whose God is Yehovah. God deals with us on two levels. He deals with nations, and he works with individuals. Jesus will judge between sheep and goat nations, but each of us will stand before Him on our own.
Historically many who accepted the Gospel happened to be white, since the message spread through Europe, which led to blessing and favor from God. In Africa, one of the most blessed nations happens to be Kenya. Are Kenyans white? They are blessed because 80% of Kenyans follow Jesus. Privilege is the favor of God, not the color of our skin.
The United States was largely founded by people who followed Jesus. Even though many have rejected Him in recent decades, America is still reaping the blessings and favor of God from our ancestors. This is not racial favor, it is Jesus favor. His blessings are for whosoever wills to serve Him.
The church is multi-racial with one culture, the Kingdom culture. When we emphasize ethnic culture to divide us, we learn hate and prejudice. We should embrace each other’s unique cultural values, but become one as Americans and as believers. That is where the blessing, and favor, and privilege comes from. Our fight is not against other humans, but we must resist the evil lies and plans of Satan. We are in a spiritual battle where the devil seeks to set us against one another. Resist him. Rise up and follow the living God of Israel and His Son, the Messiah Yeshua. Love your neighbor as yourself.
He fashions their hearts individually. We each are given a choice of life and death. Choose life! Those of you who know me have heard me say the same thing when asked how I am doing. “I am blessed more than I deserve!” That is the absolute truth, even though I borrowed that saying from Dave Ramsey. We are saved by grace, we don’t earn or deserve this wonderful salvation life. Pray for our nations and pray for every person to stand “under the spout where the glory comes out.” It is all from God. Hallelujah!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for seasonal rains in abundance.
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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Tags: favor, Favor of God, Jesus, racism, white privilege, Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary