Year of the Snake

7 02 2013

snake Chinese new yearThe Chinese New Year which begins February 10 is the Year of the Snake. Previous “years of the snake” saw the US stock market crash of 1929, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Chinese 1989 crushing of the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests and the 9/11/2001 World Trade Center attack in New York City. Do I have your attention?

Let me be clear at the outset. I do not believe in astrology. The Bible is quite clear on the subject.

And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? Leviticus 19:31

And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. Leviticus 20:6

Also he made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of Yehovah, to provoke Him to anger. 2 Kings 21:6

And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? Isaiah 8:19

The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst; I will destroy their counsel, And they will consult the idols and the charmers, The mediums and the sorcerers. Isaiah 19:3

Additionally, Jesus explicitly defined Satan’s purpose to steal, kill and destroy. The devil is at his tasks every year. This year will see terrible events, not because of a plethora of occult false prophesies, but in the Biblical timing of the end of the age.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Jesus goes on to explain that we are not at the mercy of the devil at all, but that if we walk with Jesus we will be over-comers!

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. 1 John 5:4

Therefore, we will not live in fear, but faith! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Muslims Discovered America before Columbus?

4 02 2013

Nihad Awad (second from right) stands to President Bush's left, when Bush said "Like the good folks standing with me, the American people were appalled and outraged at last Tuesday's attacks [on Sept. 11, 2001].

Nihad Awad (second from right) stands to President Bush’s left, when Bush said “Like the good folks standing with me, the American people were appalled and outraged at last Tuesday’s attacks [on Sept. 11, 2001].

What does President Bush have to do with the outrageous claim in the title of my commentary? This picture was taken on September 17, 2001 during the President’s visit to the Islamic Center of Washington, DC. It was during this period immediately after 9/11 that he called Islam “a religion of peace“.

My focus is not on the President, however but on the man second from right. His name is Nihad Awad and he is the subject of this post. He is the Executive Director and Founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). It was in his December 27, 2012 interview with a Saudi TV network Iqra TV) that he claimed Muslims beat Columbus to America. The video interview is here.

And here are some quotes from the 12-27-12 interview on Saudi TV.

Nihad Awad: In my view, Islam and the US are twins, linked by common values.

It is extremely important to know how Islam began in the US. There are historical accounts according to which the Muslims preceded Columbus, who is said to have discovered the US. Some documents and accounts indicate that Muslim seafarers were the first to reach the US.

After 9/11, we saw great interest among the American public in becoming better acquainted with Islam by studying and reading about it. We found that very few books on Islam were available in the public libraries, which are frequented by many Americans, and that most of these books were misleading or anti-Islamic. Therefore, we decided to publish several books on Islam, written by Muslims and non-Muslims. We decided to send them free-of-charge to the American public libraries.

There are 16,200 public libraries in the US, serving 300 million Americans. We managed to provide this collection, free-of-charge, to half of these libraries. (translated by MEMRI TV).

I just thought you would like to know. If several books means at least three, then we are talking about a minimum of 25,000 books! Beware of CAIR!

How tragic the timing, as we completely strip our schools and hotels of the Bible, Islam is ready with pagan propaganda to pervert the minds of gullible Americans. May Yehovah, God of Israel have mercy on our land. Our God is a father whose Son, Yeshua ben Yehovah, is our Savior. Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah of all who believe in Him and the Father’s Promise.

For unto us a Child is born, ​​unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called ​​Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, ​​Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ​​Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. ​​The zeal of Yehovah of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists       (READ MORE)

(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name, obscured for 2,500 years, is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)

 

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Free from God

7 01 2013

Yesterday we had an amazing Bible class at Covenant International Church. We have been studying Jeremiah and the Holy Spirit came upon us in power over one profound verse. Even though I was the teacher, I was speechless for over a minute, with tears, in the presence of our holy God, Yehovah. The class likewise experienced the weight of His glory.

We were looking at the reaction of Judah’s King Zedekiah, to Jeremiah’s prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction and exile to Babylon. The King proclaimed liberty for all the slaves and they even came together in the temple making a covenant. All the people agreed and released their slaves. However, they soon reversed course and took their slaves back.

Therefore Yehovah released them from Himself!

Therefore thus says Yehovah: “You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and every one to his neighbor. Behold, I proclaim liberty to you,” says Yehovah–“to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine! And I will deliver you to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth.” Jeremiah 34:17

The magnitude of this settled on the class in such a sober, holy revelation that it took our breath away. God gave them liberty from Himself! Since they found it objectionable to follow His ways, He released them from His mercy, His protection, His provision and His peace. He set them free to experience the sword, pestilence, famine and trouble! This is not the kind of liberty we usually think of with our Heavenly Father. Do you want to be free from God? Do you choose the “liberty” to do as you please in sin and disobedience? Or, do you choose the constraints of the narrow path of His righteousness through Christ Jesus, Messiah Yeshua?

For many years I have posed a question about justice and mercy. Given that the Bible is clear that we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God, and that we deserve death, here is my question to you. Do you demand that God gives you justice, that is, that God gives you exactly what you deserve? Or do you cry out from your heart for grace and mercy? I see this similar question, of liberty from walking with God, as a fool’s bargain. I don’t want it, I choose to be His servant: willingly, lovingly, eternally bound to Him.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17

This last season of history is presenting these same choices to men and nations. I grieve when it seems that our beloved USA chooses liberty from God over His honor and glory. The choice offered by God is also for Israel and for every nation. God help us. Still, as for me and my house….

And if it seems evil to you to serve Yehovah, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve Yehovah. Joshua 24:15

Let the priests, who minister to Yehovah, weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Yehovah, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?” Joel 2:17

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists

(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name, obscured for 2,500 years, is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)


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Will Israel Stand Alone?

27 12 2012

Dry Bones Prophecy D12C23_3Monday, I explained that the enemies of Israel in reality hate God. They can’t reach Heaven so they attack His Chosen Ones. There is a primary evil spirit loose on the earth of satan himself, who would overthrow the God of Heaven. This anti-Christ anti-Messiah spirit takes form as anti-Jew, anti-Israel, anti-Semitic and anti-life. It is the same violent principality that was judged by Yehovah in the great flood of Noah’s day. The Hebrew word for violence in the flood account is “hamas“. Used many times in the Bible, it is no coincidence that the rulers of Gaza chose that name. Yet, the spirit of hamas indwells all of Israel’s enemies.

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Genesis 6:11-13

Here an example list (links) of this spirit increasingly breaking out in many places recently.

If you have a little extra time over the weekend, please click these links. Remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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Jesus and Mary as Weapons

24 12 2012

jesusandmary ‘Jesus and Mary have become weapons in hands of Israel-haters’

This is the headline in the Israel Today Magazine (12-23-12). Reading this quote (below) from the writer, Yossi Aloni, highlights a subject I have been planning to write about. It is known by several names: anti-Semitism, anti-Jew, and anti-Israel. By any name it has been around for thousands of years, but is now resurgent in Europe, the Middle East and even in America. This age old hatred is now nearing the levels of the rise of Hitler in Nazi Germany. Before I comment, here is the quote:

Anti-Israel activists in Ireland have printed and distributed Christmas greeting cards that claim if Mary, the mother of Jesus, was alive today, she would be unable to give birth to Jesus as documented in the New Testament because Israeli soldier would hold her up at the Bethlehem checkpoint as they do all Palestinian women.   These new greeting cards were announced the same weekend that the Israeli embassy in Ireland caused a storm by posting to its official Facebook page that if Mary and her baby, Jesus, were in Bethlehem today, they would likely be lynched as Jews. Shortly after, the embassy deleted the post and issued an apology.

This subject is on my heart today on Christmas Eve because it is prophetic fulfillment. The hatred expressed against Israel and all Jews everywhere has it source in the worst hatred of all: anti-God or more specifically, anti-Yehovah, God of Israel. The dots are connected beyond question in Psalm 83.

Do not keep silent, O God! ​​Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! ​​For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. ​​They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. ​​They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” Psalm 83:1-4

The enemies of Yehovah and His Son, Yeshua ben Yehovah (Jesus), hate God with an unquenchable fire of loathing. Yet, they cannot reach into Heaven and attack Him there, so they take it out on His chosen people, Israel and the Jews .

The fact of baby Jesus and Mary being used for propaganda is revealing. The lines are being drawn. Which side are you choosing? As for me and my house, we serve Yehovah, the Everlasting Faithful God of Israel. This is part one of my comments. Next time I will list and document examples of the growing anti-Israel actions around the world. Please continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in this Christmas season. It is a person, Jesus Prince of Peace!

One quick good news report. The rains are returning to Israel. The seven year drought is broken. The Sea of Galilee is predicted to rise to its highest level in ten years by the end of the rainy season. Hallelujah!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)

(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name, obscured for 2,500 years, is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)


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The Unknown Christmas Tragedy

18 12 2012

We are all weary of the endless media coverage of the horrible massacre of children last Friday. But is it even possible to overstate the evil? Media talk about it because people are insatiable for every detail, not out of morbid curiosity so much, but because of the very unthinkable magnitude of evil that befell that idyllic New England community.

We live in a fallen world. There really is evil personified. The Bible is clear that the devil came for death and destruction. Jesus, Himself, said this about Satan:

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Today I attended the first Christmas program of my three-year old grandson, complete with Mary, Joseph, shepherds and animals. It was priceless, yet sobering in light of the suffering families in Connecticut. But there is a part of the Christmas story that is never portrayed with cute little ones dressed in animal costumes. It is the part about King Herod’s rage and jealousy upon hearing of a baby born “King of the Jews”. Determined to kill that baby, but unsure of his age, Herod ordered the murder of every single baby boy up to the age of two.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Matthew 2:16

This Christmas season is different for many because of the events in New Town. Yet, although some have decided not to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I disagree. Certainly the false images of tinsel and glitter and excessive commercialization are inappropriate, but more than ever we need to rejoice in that certain event 2,000 years ago when God became man. It is our only hope. He is our only hope.

Lamb cover 2The miracle of Yehovah God sending His Son, Yeshuah ben Yehovah, to be born as a baby into this evil sinful world was absolutely necessary. It was the only way to redeem fallen man. Through blood he was born from Mary’s womb. Blood was shed as the enemy tried to kill Him as an infant. Blood has been shed throughout the millenniums as Satan has tried to kill Yeshua’s family before and after His birth. It was necessary that Jesus come as the Promised Messiah, but more importantly, that He die. His blood was the only perfect, holy, righteous blood that could satisfy the justice of a holy God. He became the human Passover Lamb. It was completed with His resurrection from the dead, thereby defeating death itself.

Our hope is not that this world will get better and better, but that no matter what happens, we have the blessed hope of resurrection life and eternity with Jesus where there will be no more tears or death or dying!

I was amazed to hear comments on Fox News from a Catholic Priest, Jonathan Morris, and an evangelical, Max Lucado. They both emphasized free will in the evil choice of the killer last week. He chose to kill. The contrast with Jesus could not be more stark. He chose to die to give life to all who would believe in Him. It was not imposed on Him by the Heavenly Father. He chose it, out of His love for each one of us.

saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

So, the million dollar question is: What will you do with your free will?

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists          (READ MORE)


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Face to Face

1 12 2012

Jacob & EsauThis morning I was reading the Times of Israel website and found an article about this week’s reading from the Torah, being read in Jewish congregations today. The writer’s favorite verse has a hidden meaning that does not come through in most English translations. It is in the story of Jacob and Esau, ending with Jacob wrestling with the angel of God (or even God Himself). The particular verse reveals Jacob’s plan to smooth his precarious reunion with Esau after many years and much antipathy. Jacob sends presents on ahead to indicated his positive intentions toward Esau. Here it is in New King James English.

For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.” Genesis 32:20b

What intrigues me is the fact that in the Hebrew text the word “face” is used four times. The author of the article describes it as alliteration. So, the use of the word “face” is the key.

Here is an English translation (YLT – Youngs Literal Translation) that comes close, using “face” three times. (I have used bold emphasis for the fourth.)

`I pacify his face with the present which is going before me, and afterwards I see his face; it may be he lifteth up my face;’ Genesis 32:20 YLT

Now here is what I am getting out of all this (if you are still with me). Jacob’s desire to be reconciled with Esau is understandable. He is seeking a sort of relational intimacy that was lost, which was not to be. Instead, Yehovah met Jacob that night and changed his name to Israel. The intimacy Jacob sought from Esau was instead provided by God Himself. Jacob’s name meant “supplanter”, one who took another’s place. But God gave him a new name, Israel, that means “prince with God”.

The key revelation is in verse 30. We need intimacy with God first and foremost. A human will never fulfill that deep inner need for fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Even politically, Israel is still trying to give “gifts” to placate “Esau” when what they really need is to walk with God.

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. Genesis 32:30

Peniel means “facing God”. Jacob named the spot Peniel because he had seen God “face to face”.

Each one of us is changed forever by the same experience. When we embrace Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, the Saviour and the Promised One of Israel, we are saved. But more than being saved from Hell (fire insurance) we enter into that glorious intimacy of knowing God “face to face”. Jesus’ reason for coming was that we could know the Father. We are now part of God’s “forever family”. We are part of Israel by faith. Thank you Jesus for showing us your Father.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:6-7

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists       (READ MORE)


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Pharaoh!

23 11 2012

According to Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei:  “Morsi today usurped all state powers & appointed himself Egypt’s new pharaoh. A major blow to the revolution that could have dire consequences.”

CAIRO
Egypt’s Islamist president unilaterally decreed greater authorities for himself Thursday and effectively neutralized a judicial system that had emerged as a key opponent by declaring that the courts are barred from challenging his decisions.

Riding high on U.S. and international praise for mediating a Gaza cease-fire, Mohammed Morsi put himself above oversight and gave protection to the Islamist-led assembly writing a new constitution from a looming threat of dissolution by court order. Associated Press

Only one day after Hillary Clinton gushed over Morsi’s role in the Israeli/Gaza truce, the Muslim Brotherhood President of Egypt became the new Pharoah. The grand new democracy of Egypt didn’t last six months. This was a major leap fulfilling Isaiah 19 as explained in my earlier posting: Egyptians Against Egyptians.

I updated this process later with this post: Egypt’s Dark Night Begins.

Islamization has taken Turkey President Erdogan ten years. Morsi is accomplishing it in six months. My interpretation of the acceleration of events can only mean one thing. The God of Israel is bringing all prophecy to an appointed end; and it is very soon.

This has profound importance for believers. Jesus said to look up for our redemption is close. We are watchmen on the wall. This is no time to be caught “sleeping”, or ignorant of His timing.

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. Luke 21:28

​I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; ​​They shall never hold their peace day or night. ​​You who make mention of Yehovah, do not keep silent,  and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11 NLT

Many think that prophecy is only to let us know what is coming. But when we reach the last generation of this age, prophecy also gives us the timing. I upload an Issachar Forum prophecy video every Sunday based on this honored Israeli tribe. I pray that we are all sons and daughters of Issachar.

From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. 1 Chronicles 12:32 NLT

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)

(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name, obscured for 2,500 years, is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)


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Mercy

7 11 2012

MERCY – My final commentary on the U.S. election.

My view of a second term for President Obama comes from several scriptures. We have prayed for mercy for our land through super storm Sandy and the election according to Job 37 (see last week’s post). We know that God is in control either for correction, for His land, or for mercy. I suspect that all three apply here. A Third Great Awakening is destined for America because of the character of God. There has never been a nation that has spread Jesus (the Bread of Life), on the waters (nations) like America has. Therefore Yehovah God will bring one last great revival.

Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1

This morning the sun came up and we sang: “This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!” How appropriate that Jesus sang those very words at His last Passover supper, the night He was betrayed. He knew what He was about to face, yet would have sung the traditional Passover hymn including Psalm 118; and we sing it with Him!

This is the day Yehovah has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. Daniel 2:21

God is in control.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Romans 13:1

Finally, here is a very sober text from a time of God’s judgment on Judah.

A Warning for Rebellious Judah (Does this now apply to America?)

Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of time as a witness that these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention to Yehovah’s instructions.

They tell the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” They tell the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies. Forget all this gloom. Get off your narrow path. Stop telling us about your ‘Holy One of Israel.’”

This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel: “Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in oppression and lies, calamity will come upon you suddenly—like a bulging wall that bursts and falls. In an instant it will collapse and come crashing down. 

This is what the Sovereign Yehovah, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.

So Yehovah must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For Yehovah is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. Isaiah 30:8-13,15,18 NLT

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever. Thomas Jefferson

Mercy, Lord Jesus!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)

(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. This name occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text, yet remains untranslated in most Bibles. His name has been obscured for 2,500 years, but is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)


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90 Gaza Rockets in 24 Hours

27 10 2012

Americans are understandably consumed with our Presidential election 10 days away. We are also shocked by the Administration’s six weeks Libya silence. They are obviously playing out the string hoping most voters will not hear about it until after November 6.

Yet Israel, our truest Middle East friend, was targeted with 90 rockets in 24 hours on Wednesday. Again, the miracle report is no deaths and two injured. But what civilized nation would suffer 90 rockets and not retaliate? We must pray for wisdom for Israel’s Defense Forces. There is a ridiculously fine line imposed on them by the world governments. No matter how measured their response, they are regularly condemned for “disproportionate force”.

There have been 500 rocket attacks in 2012! That is more than two a day. What would you do if you were Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu? Most of the world still considers Gaza as occupied territory. But Israel completely withdrew all Jews and all troops in August of 2005. The only Jew in Gaza since then was Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier kidnapped and held hostage for five years until last year. Israel valued his life to the degree that they traded 1,000 terrorist prisoners for him. Again, what would you do?

The best news is that the God of Israel will defend His chosen ones.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—​​from whence comes my help? ​​My help comes from Yehovah, ​​Who made heaven and earth. ​​He will not allow your foot to be moved; ​​He who keeps you will not slumber. ​​Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4

And King David famously spoke of the salvation and victory that would be fully accomplished in the rule of the Messiah Yeshua, whom David called “my Lord” in Psalm 110. See Acts 2:22-34 for Peter’s application of this verse to Jesus.

Yehovah said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” Yehovah shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! Psalm 110:1-2

Yes, the promise is true and the victory is sure. Pray for the SHALOM of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists        (READ MORE)

(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. Yet, it occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text. His name has been obscured for 2,500 years, but is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)


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Blessing Israel

19 10 2012

You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come. Psalm 102:13

Please notice the photo. Israel is the part that is green. When you look closer, you can even see the outline of the “West bank” in brown. Most of the surrounding nations are also brown. The only part of Israel that is not green is the Negev desert area (which happens to be the only desert on the planet that is shrinking!).

What is my point?

About 150 years ago, Mark Twain traveled the area and found it almost entirely barren and God-forsaken. He detailed his journey in The Innocents Abroad. Seeing the desolation in 1867, he wrote: Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes. Over it broods the spell of a curse that has withered its fields and fettered its energies. There is hardly a tree or shrub anywhere. Even the olive and cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, have almost deserted the soil.

The Ottoman Turks had taxed every tree growing in the Holy Land as a means of causing the desolation; because the residents would cut down the trees to avoid the tax.

Today, Israel is a miracle nation resurrected as no other in history. It is indeed the “set time” to favor Zion. It is the supernatural blessing of Yehovah, God of Israel. Consider just a few of the hundreds of prophesies and promises fulfilled in our day.

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of Yehovah, the excellency of our God. Isaiah 35:1-2

Jeremiah 31 Thus says Yehovah: “The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness–Israel, when I went to give him rest.” (verse 2). Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child And the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there. (verse 8). Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, Streaming to the goodness of Yehovah–For wheat and new wine and oil, For the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, And they shall sorrow no more at all. (verse 12.) “And it shall come to pass, that as I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to throw down, to destroy, and to afflict, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says Yehovah. (verse 28.) “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Yehovah: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (verse 33).

“I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am Yehovah. Ezekiel 36:11

“So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ “Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, Yehovah, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, Yehovah, have spoken it, and I will do it.” Ezekiel 36:35-36

PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM! May they prosper who love you. Psalm 122:6

For King Jesus and for His Kingdom,

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)

(As is my custom, I have taken the liberty to change the word “LORD” to Yehovah. Every single time you see LORD or GOD in all capital letters in the Old Testament, the actual Hebrew word is Yehovah. Yet, it occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text. His name has been obscured for 2,500 years, but is now being revealed. It is TIME to restore the name of Yehovah!) (for deeper study click here.)

 


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The EU and the Caliphate

5 10 2012

Friday night musings…

International discussions for a decade or so have centered on whether Turkey will be admitted to the European Union. They are already a member of NATO. (The escalation of live fire with Syria implicates NATO.) Turkey sits on the junction of two continents, Europe and Asia, but more importantly is rapidly rising to a place of supremacy in the Muslim world. It was the location of the last caliph during the Ottoman Empire.

Yet, I see a new question that seems more to the point. Will the European Union be admitted to the emerging Islamic Caliphate? Europe is swiftly succumbing to the overwhelming pressure of Islamic migration. I say migration intentionally. It is clearly not immigration, which implies assimilation into the new culture. Islam aims to subjugate the target culture.

Therefore Europe faces the eventuality of merging into the Caliphate. However, there is a third option. Eleven members of the EU are seriously contemplating a federal Europe complete with a standing army. Western prophetic scenarios have for years featured a ten nation anti-Christ confederacy in Europe. More recently, Walid Shoebat, Joel Richardson and others see an entirely Muslim anti-Christ system. What if the proposed European Federal group merges with the Caliphate thus fulfilling both scenarios with one system?

One of my early mentors, Earl Waterman of Dalton Mountain NH, advised me in the 1960’s to consider Daniel’s Image. It had two feet and ten toes. He observed that no single foot has ten toes, so look for two groups of five. He further actually (and prophetically) suggested it may be one foot in Europe and one foot in the Middle East.

One thing is certain. Yehovah God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel will finish His plan for this planet. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.

And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure. Daniel 2:44-45

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Free Speech Lite

1 10 2012

Who said the following?: “The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam.”

Iran’s Ahmadinejad? Egypt’s Morsi? Some little-known, fatwa-flinging cleric increasing the bounty on Salman Rushdie’s head?

None of the above. The words are President Obama’s, and he spoke them this week to the U.N. General Assembly. (So begins commentary by Diana West)

I agree with her conclusion that the President of the United States (in his UN speech) was defending Muslim sensibilities more than defending the American vision of free speech. One word stands out to me in his speech: blasphemy. Our vision of free speech permits blasphemy. Consider another quote and comment from Diana West:

…the president also said: “The strongest weapon against hateful speech is not repression; it is more speech — the voices of tolerance that rally against bigotry and blasphemy, and lift up the values of understanding and mutual respect.” Let’s crack that code. “More speech” as a weapon sounds perfectly fine until the president defines it. What does he mean by “voices of tolerance” rallying against “blasphemy”? (Since when does a supposedly secular politician decry “blasphemy”?)

It is time to wake up, friends. There really is an international plan fully underway to criminalize free speech. Consider the following headlines and links.

Islamic states to reopen quest for global blasphemy law

UN Preview: Islamic States Will Push for US Free Speech Restriction

Islamic Leaders in Dearborn Mich. Plan Rally to Support Speech Prohibition

The Freedom to be Silenced

I hope you take the time to view these reports. It is now time to get serious. As we pray over the presidential election next month, we must be fully informed of the consequences of our votes.

It is my firm conviction that American Christians have the duty to vote. This falls in the same category as paying taxes. The principle Jesus applied to taxation  is equally true for voting, under our US system of government. Notice the context of Luke 20. They wanted to arrest Jesus for speech against Caesar. This is not a new problem!

Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” He saw through their trickery and said, “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent. Luke 20:20-26 NLT

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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I Must Tell Jesus

24 09 2012
I Must Tell Jesus | Elisha A. Hoffman
  1. I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
    I cannot bear these burdens alone;
    In my distress He kindly will help me,
    He ever loves and cares for His own.

    • Refrain:
      I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
      I cannot bear my burdens alone;
      I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
      Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
  2. I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
    He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
    If I but ask Him He will deliver,
    Make of my troubles quickly an end.
  3. Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,
    One who can help my burdens to bear;
    I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus:
    He all my cares and sorrows will share.
  4. What must I do when worldliness calls me?
    What must I do when tempted to sin?
    I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
    Over the world the vict’ry to win.

Today I offer a little refreshing reminder that God is faithful and He is always with us.

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrew 13:5

View my political views on my daughter Andrea’s blog: LilKidThings.com

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists       (READ MORE)


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Secrets Made Known

11 09 2012

The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Luke 12:2

TODAY! This is how the Muslim world celebrates America’s great tragedy of 9/11: Protesters destroy an American flag pulled down from the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Egyptian protesters, largely ultra conservative Islamists, have climbed the walls of the U.S. embassy in Cairo, went into the courtyard and brought down the flag, replacing it with a black flag with Islamic inscription, in protest of a film deemed offensive of Islam. (Photo Credit: AP)

Enough has been spoken and written about the political conventions, but one more observation is fitting. The shocking departure from democracy at the DNC was a major embarrassment for President Obama. Someone noticed the change in platform content from 2008 to 2012. The endorsement of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was removed, along with all reference to God. Even though it was duly voted before the convention, it was certain to torpedo the Obama campaign, especially among Jewish and millions more Israel supporters. This led to the reversal that required a floor vote at the convention requiring a two-thirds majority. Though the voice vote was repeated three times, it never passed fifty-fifty which was abundantly clear in the audio recordings. Yet, the chairman declared it had passed with the necessary two-thirds! Finally, his pronouncement was greeted by a raucous chorus of boos. I conclude that the hidden changes were made known by the hand of God.

My commentary on May 5, The President’s Hat, was from a prophecy by Bob Jones detailing his impression that hidden things would be revealed all this year about secret dealings of the President. His “hat” would blow off. This has been true in a number of areas such as Operation Fast and Furious, the White House leaks of classified information, and various lies exposed at the highest levels. Still, the most serious is his dealings with Israel such as the flap at the DNC.

TODAY, it was announced that President Obama cancelled his critical September 27th meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu when the PM is in New York for the United Nations session. The reason given was the President’s busy schedule. How could this conceivably happen when Iran is threatening Israel and the world with a nuclear World War III? The cancellation may have been a reaction to these strong but clear words TODAY from Netanyahu: Those who do not place “red lines” in front of Iran have no moral right to put a “red light” in front of Israel when it comes to military action.

This year’s election will determine the destiny of the United States of America. If we choose to stand against Israel we will most certainly fall. Pray for our beloved country. God has an eternal covenant with the land and the people of Israel that has determined the end of nations and empires for 5,000 years.

​I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Genesis 12:3

Let all the earth fear Yehovah; ​​Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. ​​For He spoke, and it was done; ​​He commanded, and it stood fast. ​​Yehovah brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; ​​He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. ​​The counsel of Yehovah stands forever, ​​The plans of His heart to all generations. ​​Blessed is the nation whose God is Yehovah, ​​The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Psalm 33:8-12

Dear Lord Jesus, we pray for mercy for our land and our leaders to hear and obey your word.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists        (READ MORE)


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Southern Decadence

29 08 2012

Seven years ago to the day, August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hammered aNew Orleans. Today it is Hurricane Issac. Does the Biblical name and the number 7 suggest a possible connection to the amazing timing? Following are two quotes. One is from the event organizers. The second is from a Christian description of the event.

There is a New Orleans event every year since 1972 called Southern Decadence. This “celebration” of GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) culture has begun attracting as many as 125,000-135,000 participants from all over the world in recent years.

This is a homosexual event known to be one of the most vile, perverse and ungodly events in our nation. Its 5 days of public display of sexual acts, ludeness, debauchery, drugs and drunkenness. Most of these things take place out in the streets during this festival, and are so debase they cannot even be mentioned, and are also illegal. Shekinah Today – Cindy deVille

Now before you jump to the wrong conclusion, this is not about condemning homosexuals. Jesus died for homosexuals, just as he died for murderers, adulterers, thieves, liars, and drunkards. Oh, and He also died for the proud, the selfish, the arrogant. He died for Muslims, Jews, whites, blacks, old and young.  In other words He died for all of us. It is not about the type of sin, but sin itself. God could destroy New Orleans in an instant. This storm’s lesson is not about the wrath of God, but the mercy of God. It is another wake-up call. We have all had events intersect our lives that caused a change of direction. This is a call of mercy. There is still time to turn to Jesus. Heterosexual immorality is more widespread. Heterosexuals Repent!

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Romans 3:23-25 NLT

So, does God care that people flaunt being opposite to His way? Sure He does. Could He send a storm to get our attention? You betcha! Does that mean he hates us? No, but He does hate our attitude. Christians have failed to convince folks that God hates the sin, but loves the sinner.

Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:15:23 NLT

As I have often declared of Muslims: “When a Muslim finds the real Jesus, he becomes an ex-Muslim.” This is true for any pagan religion. It is also true of sexual sin of any variety. When you find the real Jesus, you become an ex-whatever you were. It is not that you never sin, but that you stop “practicing” sin, getting better and better at it. You start practicing “righteousness”, and believe it or not, you actually start getting better and better at it! Here is one more verse to my point that we are all sinners, saved by the blood of Jesus.

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NLT

What a great church with a list of sinners like that! But it is past tense. They were “cleansed”, “made holy”, and “made right with God.” How? by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

I rest my case. A sinner can become: an ex-sinner!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)


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Beware the Leaven

4 08 2012

 

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man checks a myrtle branch for blemishes at a Jerusalem market.  (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)

Then He (Jesus) charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Mark 8:15

Two types of leaven are referenced by Jesus in this verse: leaven of Pharisees and leaven of Herod. We know the implication. Leaven is a yeast that spreads throughout the dough so it will rise when baked. But of what is Jesus warning us?

For years I have made the case that Communism failed to dominate the world because of one critical strategic mistake. Based on atheistic humanism, it had no spiritual component. Yes it was demonic in its character and goals, but it was not inherently spiritual at its core.

On the other hand, Islam is spiritual at its core. But Jesus said to watch out for two kinds of leaven. The leaven of the Pharisees is a “religious spirit.” They go about trying to establish their own righteousness, according to the apostle Paul. It also infects modern Christians, who try to earn salvation rather than receiving it as a totally free gift of God. There is a seduction to the idea that you must do something to qualify for it. This is the religious spirit. (Jesus further defines it as the traditions or doctrines of men and as hypocrisy. See quotes at the end of this commentary).

The leaven of Herod speaks of the other kind of leaven. It is a “political spirit.” Herod was the archetypical political animal. He double crossed, connived and deceived. He played both side against the middle. Jesus called him “that fox”. Herod reminds us of today’s politics in Washington, DC.

The debt ceiling crisis we have all just witnessed, was pure politics (an interesting oxymoron). Yet, there is a greater threat rapidly rising in this nation and the world. It is militant Islam. One main reason Islam is so powerful is that it combines the two leavens. Islam is both a religious spirit and a political spirit. Communism had only the political, but Islam has both. The lust for world conquest is not only in the core of sinful man, it is fueled and energized by the passionate religion of death. The true believers are actually convinced that salvation comes by blowing up infidels, Christians and Jews and yourself in the process. These are Muslims who are faithful to the Koran and other writings, who follow WWMD: What would Mohammed do?

How opposite is the motive from Jesus and Christians who follow WWJD: What would Jesus do? Jihadists die to save themselves. Jesus died so that we could live! Pray that Muslims all over the world will discover this great salvation offered through Jesus the true Messiah and Son of God, Yehovah. His Hebrew name is Yeshua ben Yehovah. He came because God loves the whole world. Yet, it is not automatic, one must receive Jesus as Who He is.

Pray for Muslims to be set free from that evil religious spirit of earning salvation. Also pray that they be released from the political spirit of pride and greed and arrogance driving them to conquer the earth in the name of their false god.

Pray for the Church to see the folly of religious hypocrisy and repent for political methods.

Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod!

In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 12:1

Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 16:12

Great article on leaven by an Israeli pastor: BEWARE

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)

(Today’s post is a reprint, originally posted on February 8, 2011)


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Peace That Doesn’t Make Sense

26 07 2012

For decades we have made deposits in our “faith account” We believe in storing up faith more than anything else for future times of need. There will be times for all of us when we need to “withdraw from our faith account.” April 11, 2001 Doreen and I had finished preparations to travel in a motor home, and preach in support of God’s purposes for Israel. It was the final day of our rental house and we would drive away the next morning. As I positioned the motor home for the last minute loading, it caught fire which jumped to the wooden porch of the home and within minutes the whole house was burning. It was a total loss. As the firemen fought the 40 foot flames, Doreen and I watched (with a hundred of our closest friends and neighbors). Doreen leaned over to me and said: “I’m sure glad I wore my comfortable shoes.” And I was just thinking to myself: “Wow Lord! I didn’t see that coming. What are You going to do now?” Honestly, we had some sort of real supernatural faith withdrawal from the transcendent grace and peace of the Holy Spirit of God.

Some of our friends said we were in shock and it would hit us the next day. When it didn’t, they said it would be the next week or month. Well, it has now been over 11 years and it still hasn’t hit us. Yes I boast, but not in our faith, but in God’s faithfulness. We actually experienced what I call “peace that doesn’t make sense.” We should have been in shock. We should have panicked or collapsed or had any other normal reaction. But we did not. We had peace. Thank you Jesus! The Apostle Paul said it another way:

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Last year, my good friend Doug Walton, shared a gem from the Hebrew text of this verse:

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

One would be right to assume that “peace” here is the Hebrew word “shalom”. What I did not know before Doug shared, was that the word “perfect” is also “shalom” in the Hebrew text. The concept of perfect peace is really shalom-shalom, or shalom squared! So the perfect peace (that doesn’t make sense in the human circumstance) is really a double shalom from our loving Heavenly Father, right at the time we need it most. Hallelujah!

When we face tragedy, reversal, uncertainty or anything unexpected, we stand at that choice again of two roads as mentioned in the introduction of this book. Do we choose LIFE in Jesus or self-will? Do we stick with Him or deny Him in blasphemous rebellion? Joshua said it best for all generations:

And if it seems evil unto you to serve Yehovah, choose for yourselves this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yehovah. Joshua 24:15

So then, we will walk by faith, live by faith and stand in faith. It takes courage to stand in faith in the face of insurmountable odds. Yet, as someone said: “You and God are not a majority, you have a monopoly.” Paul reminded the Romans that if God was for them, no one could stand against them. I do not diversify my Heavenly hope; my total trust is invested in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel. All my eggs are in one basket. (This post is an excerpt from my newest book, Generation LIFE, available soon.)

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Hollyhocks

7 07 2012

Around 1935 my Dad and Mom took a trip from Illinois to the West Coast to visit friends and it may have been to celebrate their fifth anniversary. It was about that time in their marriage. While on the coast, Dad contracted a life-threatening case of typhoid fever. It appeared to all that he would die a young man without any children.

He told me the story himself many times as I was growing up. He faced the end of his life lying in a hospital bed in a strange land far away from all but his loving wife. That last night he said goodbye to her, and made His peace with God. He said he faced the reality that he would probably not wake up the next morning. He was ready to “give up the ghost” as they say. Just before he closed his eyes for what he expected to be the last time in this life, his eye caught a slight movement outside the open window near his hospital bed. He saw the wind gently moving some hollyhock buds growing right outside his window. At that moment, he thought: “I wonder if those buds will open and bloom in the morning? Maybe I will just wake up early and see if they bloom.” With that he fell asleep. During the night, his typhoid fever broke and he woke up to the morning light and fully blooming hollyhocks. He was a new man. He was healed and lived a happy, blessed and thankful ninety years; with two sons, seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and still counting great-great-grandchildren! Oh! And guess what became his favorite flower?

Just a twinkling moment, frozen in time, bought fifty-five more years. Would the hollyhocks bloom?  LIFE seduced my Dad. What wondrous ways are the works of Yehovah! Dad knew something about abiding in the vine. After you face death and win, there is nothing else that can threaten you. Your life is in God, it is His call. So you live LIFE. You serve Him, not to obtain anything, but out of gratitude. Thank you Jesus!

(An excerpt from my newest book, Generation LIFE, available in August, Lord willing.)

Dad’s favorite verse:

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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The Voters Are Coming!

4 07 2012

Taxed Enough Already = TEA Party

Today’s Tea Party movement is the contemporary revival of the signal cause of the American Revolution. The original Boston Tea Party was a protest over an unfair tax on tea levied by the British on the fledgling American Colonies which eventually led to the Declaration of Independence. One of the most famous quotations of the era was “No taxation without representation.” It is ironic that nearly 240 years later that the largest set of taxes in history are to be levied through The Affordable Health Care Act, aka Obamacare. Also, it was enacted without having been read and with ignorance of its provisions.

REPLACE AND REPEAL – Following the disappointing ruling of the Supreme Court, the remaining remedy to avoid this catastrophic tax is to replace the government. Before we can repeal the law and replace it with a better plan (as in the Romney slogan: “Repeal and Replace”) we must first replace the Senators who were for it and elect a new President. My appeal is to all patriotic citizens to rise up now to aid our country’s liberty, regardless of your faith or political party.

Secondly, I appeal to Christians. There are some political issues that I may hold my nose and support out of party loyalty or ideology. However, there are certain red lines that violate my Biblical faith. I appeal to Christians to bring God into the voting booth, because our nation’s liberty is on the line.

1. I will not vote for one who opposes Israel.

2. I will not vote for one who supports abortion (see NOTE below.)

3. I will not vote for one who supports infanticide.

4. I will not vote for one who dismisses the Biblical view of homosexuality.

5. I will not vote for a liar, whether in campaigning or in autobiography.

6. I will not vote for one who violates the First Amendment (freedom of religion).

Finally, every vote counts. North Carolina was carried by Obama in 2008 by only 14,177 votes. It is time for Christians with a Biblical world view to stand up and vote. But before that, register. Some are not even registered! Please help encourage your family and neighbors to vote this November. It is time for Biblical believers to wake up, stand up and speak up for Godly leadership. We in America live in a representative republic, which means our actions (or inaction) affects our leadership. We must vote and pray!

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:1-5

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)

(NOTE: Since 1973, 54 million American babies have been legally murdered in the safest place on earth, their mother’s womb. One hundred million have been born, leaving one-third of our posterity MIA! 27 million of those aborted were female. Talk about a war on women?!)


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Thank You from Elisha Vision

28 06 2012

We give praise to God for His blessings in our Elisha Vision ministry. Today I am giving an account via this praise report. Three years ago we launched Elisha Vision to expand our life long commitment for Israel. The Lord gave me a voice representing Christian Zionists through speaking engagements, books, articles and, of course, this commentary site. One goal we have fulfilled was for Doreen and I to each author one book per year. We thank you for following this blog. We have received over 40,000 views in that time. This includes visits from 121 different countries. This year we began our YouTube Video Issachar Forum weekly news and prophecy report.

When we are home in the Raleigh area each week, I teach a Bible class at Covenant Church International, host Issachar Forum: A Prophetic Think Tank, and lead a home meeting. I also speak in various churches and clubs when invited.

Doreen’s third children’s book, A Three Strand Cord, is now available, continuing the story of Matt and Rachel, a Christian boy and a Jewish girl. This series explains the modern application of the Biblical feasts. It follows her first two, How Hanukkah Saved Christmas and A Lamb for Rachel. Doreen plans to conclude the story next year with her fourth title featuring the feast of Tabernacles.

My first book was published in the 90’s, Prophesy To The Land!, a Biblical primer on the restoration of Israel. In the last two years I have published Generation LAST, about why I believe we are in the last generation. Generation LIGHT is about Jesus the light of the world, indwelling, and shining out from His people.

My newest book, Generation LIFE, will be published in a month or so. We are praying for the remaining funds needed (approximately $1,000), we will not borrow  to pay for it. While it is based on Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life”, it is also somewhat autobiographical, being full of personal stories illustrating real life in Him. The outline is below.

All of our books are available at our Books and Donations link here.  Please prayerfully consider a donation today. If you prefer to send a check, the address is: Elisha Vision PO Box 1601 Wake Forest, NC 27588.

Introduction: Circumcise Your Bible

Part I – JESUS IS THE VINE

Chapter   1: Jesus is Alive

Chapter   2: LIFE is in the Vine

Chapter   3: Why Jesus Wept

Chapter   4: LIFE is God

Part II – WE ARE THE BRANCHES

Chapter   5: Roots and Branches

Chapter   6: Joints and Marrow

Chapter   7: Truth and Hypocrisy

Chapter   8: Honor Your Father & Mother

Part III – WE BEAR MUCH FRUIT

Chapter   9: God of Elisha

Chapter 10: Prophesy!

Chapter 11: Holocaust Resurrection

Chapter 12: Generation LOVE

Epilogue

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)


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Categories : Israel Commentary

120 Invisible Rockets

21 06 2012

If you have to explain the punchline of a joke, it probably isn’t funny. That is Israel’s second problem when they are attacked with 120+ rockets in three days. The first problem is that the Western media did not cover it. I watched several major news channels in the US over the three days with not even the slightest report. This is how 120 rockets in three days become invisible.

But back to the second problem for Israel. When three days go by without proper news coverage, it is easy to blur the cause of the outbreak. That is where my analogy of needing to explain a joke applies. Hamas is able to claim that Israel is the aggressor simply because there is no timeline established. This week’s attacks started with a terrorist attack over the border from Egypt’s Sinai into Israel that killed one worker in Israel. Only then did Israel defend itself by a counter attack into Gaza. Without proper press coverage, Hamas makes claims that Israel started it, forcing Israel into “explaining the punchline”.

Then, the international media has a field day reporting Israel’s action without context. Now Israel again has to “explain the punchline”. Reuters offers a classic example of my point. After virtually no coverage in the two previous days, they finally have this headline and story on Wednesday: “Israel Kills 2 Gazans as fighting enters third day”. The story tells of Israel killing them as they are riding a motorcycle, as if they were just out for a drive. You have to keep reading five paragraphs into the story to hear that they were the ones who killed the Israeli worker on Monday. The story says 20 rockets were fired on Wednesday when the actual number was 70. They fail to mention the total of 120+ rockets since Monday’s incident provoked Israel’s defensive response, as reported by The Times of Israel site. Here is another example from Reuters (Thanks to Elder of Ziyon)

Another example comes from the BBC, reported in the Israel Hayom news site.

BBC: Hamas admits Gaza child was killed by Palestinian rocket Palestinians first blame Tuesday’s death on Israel Air Force strike, but a Hamas official later attributes incident to Palestinian rocket fire • Despite this credible report, Chinese and French media report child died in “mysterious” blast.

A Hamas official has admitted to the BBC that a Gaza child killed on Tuesday died as a result of Palestinian rocket fire, and not from an Israeli strike. While this is not the first time Gazans have been killed by misfired Palestinian munitions, the admission, made to BBC Gaza and West Bank Correspondent Jon Donnison, is unusual in its rarity.

Please click here to see the official graph of rocket attacks from Gaza since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. Since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, terrorists have fired over 8,000 rockets into Israel. Over one million Israelis are currently under threat of rocket attacks. The graph is from the IDF site.

Yehovah lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God who avenges me, and subdues the peoples under me; He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Yehovah, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name. Great deliverance He gives to His king, and shows mercy to His anointed, to David and his descendants forevermore. Psalm 18:46-50

Let us pray this Psalm for Israel’s deliverance in the name the God of Israel, Yehovah, and in the powerful name of Jesus, His Son; Yeshua ben Yehovah!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)


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A 21st Century Psalm

16 06 2012

Next week we will know the results of the Egyptian presidential elections taking place this weekend, expected to be won by the Muslim Brotherhood candidate. My commentary will follow the returns. In the meantime, here is a witty contemporary Psalm for your weekend enjoyment. My friend Steve is a North Carolina pastor/author married to my cousin, Robin. Thanks, Steve for permission to share your creativity with us.

A 21st Century Psalm – by Steve Ruberg

Of the mercies of the Lord I will tweet;

I will text of your faithfulness so sweet.

Your homepage proclaims Your status each day;

You’re available to message when I pray.

When I invited you to be my friend;

You confirmed your acceptance without amend.

I can link to you any time or place;

One click leads me to your space.

I can browse Your Word where’re I roam;

Your WI-FI connects when I’m not at home.

There’s never a dead space when I call.

Your bars are full; you’ll connect to all.

With your operating system program me;

Your memory “too low” will never be.

Your system will never crash nor stall;

Yet you let anyone penetrate your wall.

When I commit a fault or error,

Your auto correct function is always fair.

I can Google you in prayer each day;

Your logic anticipates whatever I say.

When my system is full of spam

You clean the malware from my RAM.

To my queries you always reply;

For whatever I search, you will supply.

My errors are deleted when my request is sent;

Your memory won’t restore once I repent.

I like my blessings, each one sublime;

You are online all of the time.

You Excel in all that You do;

Your Word is what I seek from You.

Thank you for access to your Domain.

May I always in Your network remain.

Selah.

copyright © 2012 Stephen M. Ruberg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Arthur Burt of Wales at 100

13 06 2012

Arthur Burt, a traveling minister of Jesus for some 50 years, resides in Wales. He reached 100 years of age on May 12, 2012. We are so blessed to host him in North Carolina next week. For his full event schedule please see his website.

We first met in 1968 and I have hosted him an average of once a year wherever I have lived. He has been a friend and mentor to me as he has to many across the globe. Last year I published Generation LIGHT which was dedicated to Brother Arthur. Here is that quote:

This book is dedicated to my friend and mentor, Arthur Burt of Wales, a contemporary of Smith Wigglesworth. He continues to travel and preach around the world as he approaches his 100th birthday this year. He has imparted faith to me for over 43 years. Arthur exemplifies Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Thank you, Brother Arthur. His parting words are nearly always, “See you in the Plan, brother.”

Here is an example of Arthur’s heart, an excerpt taken from his website.

Why should I settle for less by hanging on to my identity, the right to myself? The fullness of God, – “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”, demands all ! It is not some rare, “to be hoped for” experience….it is my birthright. It is offered to me, it is open to me. I don’t want to settle for less by hanging on to the right to myself. Included in these “rights” are the strongholds in my life: my fears, my complaints, my pet dislikes, opinions and judgements……all needing to go on the altar to be burned up in the fire of God. The fire of God produces ashes and the wonder of it all is that in God’s brilliant plan, “He gives beauty for ashes.” The divine exchange! If I am willing to lose my identity in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will form and extend the image of the Son in me.(The Look of God..)

Please be in prayer for these North Carolina meetings even if you cannot attend. Pray for a continuous connection all the way back to the Welsh Revival.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists    (READ MORE)


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FAVOR – 7

11 05 2012

Three years ago, Doreen and were driving back from a quick trip to Florida. However, the timing was tight because our good friend Anna May Hoffman was enduring an operation the next day back in Raleigh. Hurrying back before she came out of recovery Monday night, I was stopped on I-95 in South Carolina for speeding at 85 MPH, which was 15 over the posted limit. We still made it back in time, which proves my speeding was unnecessary. So, I faced the options of paying a large fine of nearly $200.00 and four points on my license, or going back three months later to appear in court, three hours south of my home. My hope was that by appearing I might find mercy and have the charge reduced to $100.00 and two points. I chose the latter option. When the time for court came, I was so blessed to have my dear friend and brother, Rob Brown, visiting us from Maine.

On the appointed day Rob and I headed back to South Carolina, (driving the speed limit). We had wonderful fellowship and were enjoying some great worship CD’s. In fact, we were really getting caught up in the Holy Spirit so deeply that we considered pulling over for a while. But as we continued Rob noticed a car that just passed us with a New York license plate that simply said: FAVOR – 7. Rob pronounced that the Lord was giving us favor, to which I heartily agreed. As we drove and talked and worshipped, we kept passing the FAVOR – 7 car; and he passed us, back and forth for an hour, till we were quite convinced that the Father was encouraging us with His favor. Just before our exit in rural South Carolina, FAVOR – 7 passed us one more time and then actually got off the same exit, going the other way at the end of the ramp. We knew God’s favor was with us, but never dreamed of what was about to happen in court.

When we arrived at the little simple court there must have been 160 other speeders, three months’ worth, I guess. The judge was an elderly black Southern gentleman who was alternately stern and understanding. He would lecture a reckless driver with attitude, and a young mother who he warned how she could have killed her dear children at that speed. All but one pled guilty and were fined accordingly. The one who claimed innocence was forwarded on to trial. When called before the judge, I also pled guilty. I told him I definitely was going 85 and had no excuse. He then asked me why and I told him the truth about the ministry in Florida and the hospital in Raleigh. He then paused a long moment and leaning forward said this: “Well, I want everyone to know that there are still a few folks in South Carolina who love Jesus.” He then pronounced the judgment:  “NOT GUILTY!” he said, with some force. I could not believe what had just happened. Not guilty, no fine, no points! If you thought we had worshipped on the way to court, you should have heard Rob and me on the way home.

FAVOR – 7 is the story of unmerited, undeserved favor. It was more than mercy. It was grace. Whatever word you choose, my sin of speeding was cancelled! What a great microcosm of standing before Jesus at that great day of eternal judgment. Because Jesus died for us and was then raised from the dead, our sins are forgiven. Jesus judges us Not Guilty! Not reduced or covered over for another year, our sins are gone! That’s a pretty good reason to follow Jesus, if you ask me.

This true story is an excerpt from my latest book Generation LIFE (just finished and available soon).

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says Yehovah. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. Isaiah 1:18

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Israel Shocker

7 05 2012

Late tonight (early Tuesday Israel time)PM Benjamin Netanyahu reversed course and canceled the just announced plan for early elections. Totally surprising everybody, he made a deal with Kadima, the opposition party to form a new coalition. The prime benefit of the arrangement is that Israel is now unified to deal with Iran.

Kadima, in party elections, had dumped Tzipi Livni, the outspoken liberal critic of the Prime Minister. It is now a whole new ball game in Israel. One benefit is that Israel will now be stronger resisting the leftist pressure coming from the US President Obama and his Administration.

Shortly after 2:30 a.m., Netanyahu and Mofaz arrived at the Knesset to brief their parties of the details of their agreement. Kadima joined the government in exchange for Mofaz’s appointment as a deputy prime minister, a minister without portfolio, and a cabinet member.

Additionally, the government will propose a replacement for the Tal Law on national service for the ultra-Orthodox, which is set to expire in August. There will be legislation on electoral reform, and the budget will be passed smoothly, the two agreed. Mofaz said that in the coming year Kadima will receive additional ministerial positions. Both parties have agreed that the 18th Knesset will complete its term and elections will be held on schedule in late 2013. (The Times of Israel)

Kadima, that unreliable, hard-to-define centrist faction looked to be disintegrating. The Netanyahu-Mofaz deal changes all that. And the anger on the left is only part of the reason for the pleasure Netanyahu must be feeling at what he and his supporters will doubtless depict as a political masterstroke. (David Horovitz)

These radical developments certainly call for passionate prayer for supporters of Biblical prophecy unfolding before our eyes in Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We ask Yehovah, the God of Israel to bless and favor Israel according to His covenant promise. We also pray for the revelation of Yehovah ben Yeshua, Jesus Son of God, to Jews everywhere and to all nations.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)


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Is G-D L-RD?

12 04 2012

First I was ignorant, then I became annoyed. Now I am alarmed. Why do many Jews and some Christians put a dash in the place of the vowels in English words that refer to the God of the Bible? Why do they substitute generic terms such LORD in place of His knowable personal name?

The earthly reason is history. Jews, before Jesus, believed pronouncing the name of God could become blasphemy, so it was banned. I respect their intent and believe they will come around to using His name in the fulness of time, which is soon! (This is actually predicted in the Talmud.) Later, institutionalized Christendom gladly picked up the man-made tradition, intentionally obscuring the Hebrew roots of the faith.

The “under earth” motive is from satan’s wish to defeat Yehovah God and take His throne. He has opportunistically seized the moment today for further confusion through the rise of the false god of Islam. The name of that god is more well-known today than the name of Yehovah. I challenge you to notice the multitude of prophetic references to God “making His Name known” throughout the Bible. If He wants to make His name known, how come so few know His name?

Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son’s name? Tell me if you know! Proverbs 30:4 NLT

Thirdly, the Heavenly plan seems to be the judgment of God. He has allowed His name to be obscured until now in the appointed last generation. His name has four Hebrew letters expressed in English as YHVH. This personal name of God is used 6,828 times in the Hebrew text. Yet, Jews will not utter it and Christians miss-translate it.

Most Bibles have His holy name simply as the generic terms, GOD and LORD. This is code for YHVH (explained in the Preface of most Bibles) from the translators who must think we cannot handle His real name. These mere titles are written in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, and we are supposed to know it is His name. I have an idea. Why not actually use His name? Yehovah! It makes your Bible reading come alive. (I will not quibble with the correct way to say it, Yehovah, Jehovah, or Yahweh. Click here for more.)

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

If we heard Paul say those names out loud in Hebrew, I believe it would be this: Yeshua ha Meshiach is Yehovah. Jesus, the Messiah, is Yehovah.

Finally, back to G-D and L-ORD. It is time folks! It is time for all Bible believers to start using His personal name. I call for all to prayerfully consider this appeal. Islam is the direct opposing force. What a surprise when folks find out that “the great satan” turns out to be the god of Islam. Choose this day where you will stand. The great cosmic  rebellion from eternity is about to end. We have read the end of the Book and we win! Satan is futilely pulling out all the stops to defeat Yehovah, but has already lost. It was over when Jesus died and rose from grave. His blood satisfied the price demanded by a just God. Jesus’ submission to His Father overcame the self-will model perpetrated by the devil.

The Hebrew Scriptures don’t say “praise the LORD”, they say Praise Yehovah! (Praise Yah!) There are many lords and many gods, but only one true Yehovah. Choose you this day which one you will serve. As for me and my family, we choose to serve Yehovah and Yeshua ben Yehovah who we know as Yehovah the Father and Jesus the Son of Yehovah.

For King Jesus and for His Kingdom!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Messiah Died

7 04 2012

Sandpoint Sunrise by Ross Hall

(The following is an excerpt from my newest book, Generation LIFE Chapter 1 – Jesus is Alive, being published this summer.)

JESUS DIED

Do you believe in Him, I mean, do you really believe Him? Do you follow Him? Do you have a deep desire in your innermost being to be like Him? I want to know all I can know about Jesus. Getting to know Him personally is really possible. Do you know Him?

Do you believe He really died? Or do you think He just sort of passed out and then woke up a little later? If Jesus didn’t die, we are still in our sin. Guilty! I want to talk about His resurrection LIFE, but first we need to get this. Jesus really died. He was dead. He was so dead that He Himself could not come back to life. We need to understand this. It was not a charade. When He gave up His last breath, He was utterly dependent on the faithful true Promise of His Father to live again. That is why this chapter is named: Jesus is Alive. Of course He was eternally alive and existed with the Father before Creation, and He is alive now. But between, for three days, He was dead.

You may think it strange to begin a book about life with a dead Jesus. But, if you don’t know that He died and why He died, you are missing the best part. Yes, it is the resurrection, but it is meaningless if He did not die. Jesus died, and on the third day, rose again. Hallelujah! I really want to talk about His life. But we must understand His death to appreciate the all-encompassing glory of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Jesus did not then, nor does He now possess some super power called “resurrection power”. If it were up to Him, He would still be dead. As we will soon see, Jesus is LIFE, He is resurrection LIFE. It is His own personal experience of redemption from death. Here is a verse to confirm how He was raised back to life.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you Romans 8:11.

So Jesus was dead and was resurrected by the Holy Spirit of God. We know that Jesus lived by the Spirit and was raised by the Spirit. Therefore, through His ultimate trust in Yehovah, the Father, He qualified to die for all who believe in His finished work. I honestly believe in Him, do you?

He is no longer in the grave, He arose from the dead. Jesus is alive!

Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists       (READ MORE)


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Changing the Subject

3 04 2012

Seeing with Elisha’s eyes is the theme and the name of our ministry, Elisha Vision. Man always looks at the outward  while God looks at the heart. We are transitioning from the days of Elijah to the days of Elisha, as explained in my book, Generation LIGHT.

Satan, on the other hand, always changes the subject. Today in America one such example is the great healthcare debate over the Obamacare law, focused on insurance, medicine and money, and government control of each. But, seeing the spiritual scene is the real focus of the believer. What does Yehovah God want us to see?

One of my mentors, Arthur Burt of Wales, turns 100 years old next month. He still travels the world preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. He carries a vision for health. Let me explain. Man is looking at healthcare. Christians look at healing, but God is revealing a vision for health.

Do we need healthcare when sick? Sure. Do we believe Jesus can heal us? Yes, we do. But, what if our faith would expand as we grow from “faith to faith” to the degree that we walk in health? What if we could see our way through Yeshua haMashiach (Jesus, the Messiah), to simply be healthy and not even get sick? What a concept!

My prayer is that believers set our sights on the highest vision. Man is three parts: body, soul, and spirit. Most of the attention is on the body and soul, but God gives us eyes to see something far better. I am talking about this life. Of course we will all be healthy in heaven, but God gives us faith for today. Are you with me? It is time to mature our faith.

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. Then Yehovah answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:1-4

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

I see in this last generation, an explosion of faith in true believers. Yes, the world is sinking into a great darkness, but we are arising in the light of the glory of God. Candles are for dark places. The world needs to see light. Both Jew and Gentile will see the light of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The blind must open their eyes in this hour. Wake up! Stand up! Speak up! The Kingdom of God is at hand.

For King Jesus, and for His Kingdom!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Israeli Spring

17 03 2012

Over 300 rockets and mortars rained down on Israel last week. Why isn’t this news in the Western media? With an on again, off again cease-fire, Gaza is again spreading terror in southern Israel. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Turkey incredibly says: Israel must stop ‘massacre’ of Palestinians in Gaza. We live in an upside down world, where evil is good and good is evil. Yet, Gaza in clearly in God’s focus. There is some unfinished business for Gaza in prophecy.

Thus says Yehovah: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they took captive the whole captivity to deliver them up to Edom. But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, Which shall devour its palaces.” Amos 1:6-7

An important key to understanding Gaza is given in Zephaniah 2:1-7:

Seek Yehovah, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of Yehovah’s anger.

The timing of this prophecy is repeated in verse 2 and 3, as “the day of Yehovah’s anger.” I have often proposed a response to the New Age bumper sticker: “Visualize World Peace.” My alternative bumper sticker is: “Visualize the Wrath of God!” This is not a mean-spirited or fleshly idea, but rather the real order of things. Before we will see true world peace, we will see the judgment of God against violence and evil. Israel will only know true peace when they recognize that Jesus (Yeshua Sar Shalom) is the only real prince of peace. They will surely one day say to Him: “Baruch ha ba hashem Yehovah! – Blessed is He who comes in the name of Yehovah.

Zephaniah 2:5, which identifies Gazans as “Cherethites” is literally: executioners, or assassins! It would seem a simple step to understanding this reference as an ancient way of describing the suicide/homicide bombers of today’s Hamas in Gaza. Remember that “hamas” is not only the acronym for Hamas, but is also the Hebrew word for violence.

Finally, Zephaniah pictures Gaza after the judgment as a place where shepherds tend their sheep and a place for the remnant of the house of Judah.

Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of Yehovah is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you; so there shall be no inhabitant. The seacoast shall be pastures, with shelters for shepherds and folds for flocks. The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; They shall feed their flocks there; in the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For Yehovah their God will intervene for them, and return their captives.  Zephaniah 2:5-7

Israel faces a very threatening Spring this year. We speak often about the Psalm 83 War. The judgement on Gaza is very likely a major component. We need to be faithful watchmen on the wall, calling on God to defend Israel His chosen as He fulfills His prophetic word.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)


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Lost In Translation

14 03 2012

For some time now I have listened to the voice of Yehovah God regarding a bombshell controversy in the Bible translation business. Here is the issue in a nutshell. Three major translators today are substituting the name of the god of Islam for Yehovah in Bibles intended for Muslim countries in their own languages. Their rationale is to make it more acceptable to their readers. On the surface, it may sound like a good evangelistic plan.

However, if you trick people into reading the Bible by deceiving them about the nature of God, you confuse rather than convert. Many moderns think Islam is some great complex religion, impossible to grasp. Allow me to simplify. The god of Islam is not a father and does not have a son, according to all their holy books and writings. This is indisputable from their own sources. The God of the Bible is a father and has a son revealed in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

What does this conclude? The god of Islam is a different god. Period. Full stop. Selah.

Therefore, we do not “all worship the same god” no matter how many people, how high their place (including pastors and presidents) say otherwise. It really is that simple. You need go no further. You do not need 20 hours of comparative religion classes to “understand” Islam. You need to read your Bible. What part of: “You shall have no other gods before me” don’t you get? Exodus 20:3

The translation deception is only possible, because for millenia translators have refused to translate the name of God, Yehovah, conforming instead to Jewish rabbinic tradition. They substitute the generic LORD (in all caps) for His name. Yehovah is His personal name, mentioned 6,828 times in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament. Try reversing the substitution in your own reading. Say Yehovah every time it says LORD. You will open up an artesian well of revelation through Scripture.

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know? Proverbs 30:4

I will declare the decree: Yehovah has said to Me, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” Psalm 2:7

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:12

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)


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Don’t Feed the Animals

1 03 2012

The food stamp program, part of the Department of Agriculture, is pleased to be distributing the greatest amount of food stamps ever in its history.

Meanwhile, the Park Service, also part of the Department of Agriculture, asks us to “Please Do Not Feed the Animals,” because the animals may grow dependent and not learn to take care of themselves. (Thanks to Dave McCurdy for this.)

Does anyone notice a disconnect here?

This bothers me on three levels. First, is the obvious fact that our government is systematically creating total dependence on its services. Between welfare and government employees, 50% of Americans now depend directly on the government for their “daily bread”. The transfer from depending on God to man is breathtakingly arrogant, and is accelerating.

Second, this creates a “demanding spirit”. Derek Prince, Bible teacher and mentor, used a profound phrase: “You can never satisfy a demanding spirit”. A genuine, sincere request can be answered. But once people get something for nothing, they always want more. Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied. Proverbs 27:20 There is a satanic spirit behind the demands. It is also illustrated in the demands of terrorists. All attempts to meet their demands are only answered with more demands. Appeasement is a dead end.

Third, never cast your pearls before swine. Jesus taught, that not valuing your gestures, they would turn and attack you! Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. Matthew 7:6

There is a place for food stamps for truly needy people, but it should have the goal of independence rather than unending dependence. The same can be said of nearly unlimited unemployment benefits. There are now operational plans where the benefits lead to actual employment. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)


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New YouTube Video from Issachar Forum

19 02 2012

Check out this week’s prophecy and news update on my new YouTube channel.

Click here: New YouTube Video from Issachar Forum

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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President Reagan on Faith

15 02 2012

This is an excellent followup to my previous post on Freedom of Religion, don’t need to add anything!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Super Bowl Analogy Revisited

7 02 2012

My last (guest) post matched the previous highs of visits to this blog commentary site. Such interest deserves this follow-up. Again, I thank Melinda Fuschetto for her article. I have had good comments both pro and con to the analogy, by phone, email and two good ones on the article comment section. What is your opinion? Please comment at the end of this post.

Now the game is history, won by the Giants. The broad picture of the teams and colors and previous game context made an intriguing meditation. If her vision was about the game, the “wrong” team won. However, if the real purpose was to wake up people to the major challenge of this election; then it was quite profound.

One friend emailed a link to the many reports quoting the wife of the losing quarterback in a shameful and profane rant against other NE Patriot team members. The lesson of her outburst is that true American Patriots during this election need to stand in righteousness. The tiny issue of the game is dwarfed by the sober reality of the choice that will soon be made by this nation.

Many voices are saying that this election is the most important in our lifetime. We better get right with God. Believers actually will decide the outcome in two ways.

First, we must once again repent before God (as we did in the late ’70s): If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Notice both the call and the promise are for God’s people to act, to do something!

The end of the Carter Presidency nearly ruined our nation, but for the mercy of God. This year we are facing an even more desperate national condition. We are staring over a precipice that could be the end of the Untied States of America. Socialist, Marxist, Communist and even worse, Islamist forces are clamoring at the gates. Some have already embedded in the highest positions of power in government, media and academia. PRAY! REPENT! and then STAND for righteousness.

Second, God’s people must vote. If we all listen for God’s voice by the Holy Spirit, and then obey His leading in the voting booth; His choices will be elected all up and down the line. When a king rules a nation, that entire nation is judged by the king’s decisions, as in ancient Israel. However, we are not in a monarchy, but a republic. Our decisions combined determine our national destiny.

Finally, of course, the outcome is in Yehovah God’s Hand. We are fast-moving toward the greatest monarchy of Jesus, Son of God, Yeshua ben Yehovah!

The prophet Daniel got it right:

Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.” Daniel 2:20-21

May God have mercy on our land. What do you think?

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)


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Elisha’s Eyes

24 01 2012

There is a major transition underway in the Church. For several decades the emphasis has been on the Elijah anointing of struggle against false gods, and the restoration of Fatherhood. Today, however, we have moved into an era of seeing more clearly in the Holy Spirit dimension, just as Elisha’s servant saw God’s answer in the chariots of fire surrounding the Syrian army. Read the story in 2 Kings 6. My latest book, Generation LIGHT, examines the transition from Elijah to Elisha: seeing what God sees.

Book One the GENERATION Series, was Generation LAST, on why we are now in the last generation of history as we know it. The conclusion expounded Isaiah 60 and the glory of Yehovah given to His people at one of the darkest hours of world history. Glory is expressed some 15 times in the first five verses of Isaiah 60 as arise, shine, glory seen, and even the word light.

Perhaps the most important key word is radiant, found in verse 5. We do not simply reflect God’s glory, we radiate His glory: Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart will swell with joy; Isaiah 60:5.

Jesus is the light of the world. Generation LIGHT reveals His glorious light expressed in supernatural power enabling us to swim against the rising tide of the enemy of our souls. The result is not only survival, but also an overcoming authority: to heal, to save, and to set captives free. This is the day of resurrection power as exemplified first in Elisha, then Jesus, and finally in the last generation, through Israel and the Church. While this book accentuates “seeing” as the prerequisite LIGHT, the GENERATION Series concludes with Book Three, declaring the resurrection power released in this last generation. Generation LIFE is coming this Spring (Lord willing).

Exploits!

Yehovah God let the prophet Daniel see today’s news, over 2,500 years ago. What was Daniel’s revelation about the 21st Century? He was not seeing only destruction, but victory. Many Christians have heard at least something about the great vision of history that God gave to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. It was interpreted by Daniel. God revealed the major kingdoms of history, even including the kings of the last generation. But just look at the result: God’s King and Kingdom fill the whole earth!

And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Daniel 2:44

That gives us the big picture, but what about the personal view? How will each believer act in the end times? We have already talked about being children of light, not surprised as the world will be, when Jesus returns as a thief in the night. But Daniel gives us another piece. When the antichrist is in power, He will deceive many by his flattery. Yet this will not be the case for believers who know God.

Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. Daniel 11:32

The Hebrew word translated great exploits means function or do. In other words, believers will be able to function when the world becomes dysfunctional with fear and panic at the unfolding events. That is certainly good news and a reason for our hope. We will be watching, sober, awake and functioning even at the worst of times. We have read the end of the Book. Jesus wins! And He lives in us! Christ living in us is our hope of glory.

I am praying that we all see what God sees with “Elisha Eyes” and radiate His glory and His joy! This is the only way to function effectively in today’s dysfunctional world.

Les Lawrence – Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Year of Reckoning X 3

2 01 2012

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

K T McFarland, FOX News’ National Security Analyst,this morning called 2012 the year of reckoning for Iran. I agree with her and would expand that pronouncement to include the United States and the Arab states that touch Israel.

First, with President Obama signing legislation on New Year’s Eve blocking Iran’s banking system, Iran is finally going to feel real pressure. Just in the last two days, hyper inflation has begun as a result, according to McFarland. This is in the context of missile tests and war games around the Straits of Hormuz. Forty per cent of the world’s oil passes through that narrow (50 miles wide) channel from the Persian Gulf. Even though Saudi Arabia has agreed to pick up the slack, it will impact world and US oil prices dramatically. Then add in the very real inevitability of a military strike by Israel or the US on Iran’s nuclear program. Yes indeed, 2012 is a year of reckoning for Iran.

Second, we in the US are not out of the economic woods yet, either. With Europe still teetering on the brink of collapse and our recession continuing, we are being weighed in the balances. We deserve the judgments of God for our corruption, immorality, abortion, anti-marriage and anti-family realities, just to name a few. This year’s presidential election may be our last chance to reverse direction. If we the people reject ungodly leadership and vote godly men and women into office for Congress and for President, perhaps God will extend one more season of national mercy. For faithful believers, there is extraordinary favor coming even in the midst of judgment. But for the wicked there will be no rest. 2012 is certainly a year of reckoning for our dear blessed United States of America.

Third, the Middle East is reaching the flashpoint. We have spoken often of the Psalm 83 War, which in one sense began in 1948. However, the end of that war between Israel and her immediate Arab neighbors will see Israel in control from “the river of Egypt, to the great river Euphrates.” Egypt has fallen. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the spiritual head of Egypt’s Muslim brotherhood, (and the most influential Sunni Islamist in the world), has declared that Egypt must break its peace treaty with Israel. Syria’s Assad is near his fall from power and will be followed by a Sunni Muslim brotherhood coalition. Jordan has just accepted Mashaal, the head of Hamas from Damascus, relocating to Jordan. As a result the MB has held demonstrations in numerous Jordanian cities which will eventually lead to the overthrow of the friendly monarchy of King Abdullah. Finally, we include the destruction of Damascus prophesied in Isaiah: The burden against Damascus. “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.” Isaiah 17:1

Certainly, in 2012, the day of the Psalm 83 reckoning is also near. These are days of anticipation and watchfulness. This is not a time to sleep or bury our heads in the sand. This is the time to rise up and stand for Jesus. Speak up for the truth. Don’t be intimidated by persecution, but embrace it. Remember the word that I said to you, “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20

For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says Yehovah. Jeremiah 33:2-11

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)

 


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Positive End to 2011

26 12 2011

Another example of why Yaakov Kirschen, an Israeli, is my favorite cartoonist.

Les Lawrence,Voice of Christian Zionists      (READ MORE)


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Why Hanukkah?

20 12 2011

Happy Hanukkah!

… TO … all my Jewish friends and to all my Christian friends. So, why should Christians celebrate this Jewish holiday? Is it given to us like all the Biblical feasts of Yehovah in Leviticus 23? No, actually it is not. Why then, should we celebrate?

I know two good reasons. First, it has genuine historic significance that changed the course of nations and fulfilled prophecy. My wife, Doreen, wrote a children’s story book called How Hanukkah saved Christmas. Had the Greeks under Antiochus succeeded in killing all the Jews and destroying the temple, Jesus could not have come. You see, He must be born a Jew, a descendant of King David. No Jews left; no Messiah. He also had to come into the temple. No temple; no fulfilled prophecy.

The second reason to celebrate has to do with the traditional miracle oil that was enough to light the temple menorah for one day, but lasted eight days, allowing time to sanctify (or dedicate) new oil. Thus the references to Hanukkah as the Festival of Lights, and Feast of Dedication.

Now it was the Feast of Dedication, and it was winter   (John 10:22).

At Jesus’ last visit to Jerusalem before His death He announced several times, leading up to the Festival of Lights, that He was the Light of the World. That generation and that Jewish culture could make no mistake about what He claimed. That is one reason He was charged with blasphemy. They knew exactly what He meant. He claimed to be the Son of God, Yeshua ben Yehovah!

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

Finally, today’s Israelis celebrate with nine candles instead of  a regular seven candle menorah. Why nine? Eight makes sense because of the eight-day miracle. But why nine? The ninth one is usually offset a bit and is called the shamash, or, servant/attendant candle. Its purpose is to light the other candles. What a great object lesson for the purpose of Jesus as the Light of the World. He brings the Light of His Father, Yehovah to all who receive Him.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists     (READ MORE)


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Miracle Baby

16 12 2011

An unprecedented event changing the entire course of history occurred in the otherwise simple birth of a miracle baby to the young bride of a common tradesman. The birth was in a small Middle Eastern town with little widespread notice. Nothing before or since that birth compares to the impact on the society and culture of the entire planet. Most of humankind even restarted marking time and calendars. Even though it was nearly 4,000 years from creation, the clock restarted at year one in recognition of this miracle baby.

What was so profound about this birth? Contrary to the common view, it was not all about the later life of that child. The miracle was that this child was the Creator of the Universe formed as an infant and submitting to the indignity and complete helplessness and dependence of living in His mother’s womb for His first nine months on planet Earth. It continued to the inglorious transition through the mother’s birth canal to emerge as an even more helpless newborn with no ability to survive without the loving care and nourishment of motherhood and fatherhood. As He grew physically, He learned the carpenter’s trade from His adoptive father who trained the young apprentice to functionality as a man. Adopted children in our day learn that He was adopted, too. In a sense, all we who believe in Him are adopted as well, into the eternal family of our Heavenly Father Yehovah God.

This is the miracle of Christmas. How did God the Father Yehovah manage to transform His eternal Son into that tiny seed placed in the willing young woman’s womb? That, indeed, is the mystery of God becoming man. It is the incarnation, God becoming flesh. We know more about why He did it than how He did it. In this traditional time of year to remember His birth, we should pause and let the real miracle part of His birth sink into to our inner consciousness, the spiritual part of our being. Take a break from the hectic external pace of this over-commercialized season and just say “Thank you, Jesus, I am very glad you came.”      Selah.

This miracle baby was the Son of God, Yeshua ben Yehovah. He came  for us broken and corrupt sinners, to make the Way to the Father. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the only God Who is a Father. All other gods are impotent imposters.

May you be blessed and thankful as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Messiah during this season and throughout the year.

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know? Proverbs 30:4

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:12

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

For an explanation of this great miracle, please read this link: Colossians 1.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christina Zionists     (READ MORE)

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