Praying the Scriptures Over Israel

I keep trying to type out my thoughts about the horrors happening to Israeli families, but no word in my vocabulary accurately describes the demonic horrors they are facing even as I type this post.  While my words fail me, God's Word is clear concerning the nation of Israel.  Like me, you might be feeling helpless, but we are not helpless.  There is something we can do right now.  It's the most powerful thing we can do.  Please join me in praying the Scriptures over Israel.

Praying the Scriptures Over Israel

Father God, 

Your chosen people are hurting.  While we find it challenging to speak adequate words over the horrors happening to Israeli families, Your Word never fails us.  Please hear our hearts as we pray Your Holy Word over Your chosen people.

God, you established Your everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants for generations to come.  You are the God of Abraham and the God of his descendants.  You gave to Israel, Abraham's descendants, the whole land of Canaan as an everlasting possession and You will be their God.  (Genesis 17:7-8)

Father, thank you for rescuing Israel form the hands of the Egyptians.  You brought them into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.  (Exodus 3:8)

Lord, Israel is a people holy unto You.  Out of all the people on the face of the earth, You have chosen Israel to be Your treasured possession. (Deuteronomy 14:2)

Lord God, there is no one like Your people, Israel, the one nation on earth that you redeemed from Egypt for Yourself and to make a name for Yourself.  You have performed great and awesome wonders by driving out other nations and their false gods from your people Israel.  (2 Samuel 7:23)

Lord, to Israel You have given the adoption to sonship, divine glory, the covenants, the law, temple worship, and promises.  To Israel You gave the patriarchs, and from them, Jesus who is God over all, forever praised. (Romans 9:4-5)

Father, deliver Israel from all their troubles.  (Psalm 25:22)

Oh God, do not be silent or turn a deaf ear or remain aloof.  See how Your enemies growl and rear their heads.  They cunningly conspire against Your people.  They plot against those you cherish.  They want to destroy Israel so that no one will remember Your chosen people.  (Psalm 83:1-4)

Make Israel's enemies like tumbleweed, Lord, like chaff before the wind.  As quickly as a fire engulfs a forest and mountains, so chase Israel's enemies and terrify them.  Cover their faces with shame so they might seek You.  May the enemies of Israel be ashamed and dismayed forever.  My they die in disgrace.  May they know that You, Lord, are the Most High God over all the earth.  (Psalm 83:13-18)

Lord, now we lift our eyes up to the mountains knowing Israel's help comes from You, the maker of Heaven and Earth.  You will not let Israel's foot slip.  Lord, You who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.  Your Word tells us that You are Israel's shade so that the sun does not harm them by day nor the moon by night.  Father God, keep Israel from all harm.  Watch over Israel.  Watch over their coming and their going both today and forever.  (Psalm 121)

In Jesus' name we pray Your Word over Your chosen people, 

Amen

If you would like to pray this prayer over Israel every day as they face the horrors of this war, right-click and save the following document to your device.  Then, print it out and place it in your Bible, on your refrigerator, a mirror, a cabinet door - any place where you will see it every day as a reminder to pray over the nation of Israel.  Thank you for joining me in praying the Scriptures over Israel.

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All this talk about women's empowerment . . . 

The Truth About Women's Empowerment

 The Truth About Women's Empowerment

Some tell me that I should support the killing of innocent babies to be an empowered woman. I say that I am empowered when I fight to protect them.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Some tell me that I should support strict gun control laws to be an empowered woman. I say that I am empowered for learning to shoot, purchasing my own pistols, and carrying them to protect myself, my family, and others.

Some tell me that I have to vote for a women to be an empowered woman. I say that I am empowered when I vote for the person who will protect my liberties even if the best person for that job is a man.

Some tell me that I have to support cultural changes that are contrary to Biblical teachings to be an empowered woman. I say that I am empowered when I stand firm, sometimes alone, on the inerrant truth of God's Word.

God's Word is true.

The Beautiful Word Coloring Bible is available here.

Some told me that to be an empowered woman, I should have put my career first so that my family could have grown up with much more than we gave them. I say that I was empowered when I chose what was best for my family even if it meant earning less. If you are someone who was able to build a career while you were raising your family, then you are empowered too because the world will often tell you that you can't do both.

Some tell me that to be an empowered woman, I should reject Christianity because Christianity oppresses women. I say that I was empowered when I chose salvation through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives within me. The Bible tells me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The Bible teaches the value of women. After all, God created women because He saw that it was not good for man to be alone. Christianity teaches the precious value of women.

Kingdom Woman by Tony Evans is available here.

Today, the most empowering thing I do as a woman is this . . .

I feel most empowered when I pray because the One to whom I pray is the One who holds all of Heaven, Earth, and time in His just but also loving and unfailing hands.

Women friends, don't let anyone tell you that you have to fit a popular worldly agenda to be empowered. You are empowered when you think for yourself with the mind that God gave you.

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The Answers in Genesis 2020 Event Calendar

 The Answers in Genesis 2020 Event Calendar

Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry based in Petersburg, Kentucky.  The Answers in Genesis ministry is dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They answer questions about the Bible, especially the book of Genesis, about key cultural issues such as but not limited to creation, evolution, science, and the age of the earth.  Answers in Genesis is continually releasing news topic related to Biblical apologetics.  They have two incredible museums.  My family has been to the Creation Museum twice and the Ark Encounter once last summer.  If you are interested in attending one or any number of several events throughout the year, here is the Answers in Genesis 2020 Event Calendar as of January 9, 2020.

Many people both young and old do not hold a Christian worldview because they have not been taught the foundational truths of God’s Word beginning in Genesis. Our dynamic speakers proclaim the truth and authority of the Bible amid growing compromise, anti-God rhetoric, and secular activism. In churches and conferences in the US and around the globe, we are committed to stand uncompromisingly on the Word of God from the very first verse and to relate the relevance of a literal Genesis to today’s world. - Answers in Genesis

2020 Mystery Island Vacation Bible School Workshop 

The Mystery Island Workshop will take place in the Creation Museum's Legacy Hall on January 25, 2020.  Participants will get the opportunity to get a sneak peak at the Mystery Island VBS program.  Answers in Genesis provides an overview of the Biblical content and various aspects of the program.  This workshop is a free event.  Parking at the museum is regularly $5.00 per car, but if you purchase a Mystery Island product, you can take advantage of free parking at the museum.

Foundations Conference Weekend Event at Dunamis Church in Australia

The Foundations Conference weekend event at Dunamis Church in Tanah Merah, QLD Australia features Ken Ham.  This event takes place January 31 & February 2, 2020.  Ken will speak on Friday night and again on Sunday morning.  This is another free event that will equip you to think Biblically about science, the age of the earth, racism, and more.

Answers for Women - Truth:  Uncovering the Lies We Believe

The Answers for Women event "Truth:  Uncovering the Lies We Believe" takes place at the Ark Encounter on March 27-28, 2020.  We live in a digital world where we are bombarded with "news" from all sorts of outlets.  Many of the articles we see on social media feeds and in emails come from non-reputable sources.  Fake news is not just media jargon.  It's a real problem which makes it more challenging to discern truths from lies.  At this event, women will dive deeply into God's Word to find truths to many of the questions raised due to our ever changing and morally faltering culture.  The more you know about God's Word, the better equipped you are to recognize truth and lies.

This event features several amazing speakers:  Ken Ham, Justin Peters, Dr. Georgia Purdom, Kay Arthur, Phil Johnson, Erin Benziger, Camille Cates, Amy Spreeman, and Sarah Mally.

Here are some of the questions that will be answered at the Truth event.

• Can we redefine holiness to make certain sins more acceptable?
• Can we pick and choose which parts of the Bible we accept as truth?
• Does saying a certain practice is “Christian” really make it so?
• Does the gospel message need to be updated with new and additional teachings about prosperity and judging others?
• Can we separate sinful desires from the actual act?
• Are out-of-context Bible verses appropriate as motivational encouragements?
• Is there power in positivity?

This event cost $149.95 but it also includes one ticket to the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.

An Answers Easter Conference:  Climate Change - Physical and Spiritual

The Easter Conference on physical and spiritual climate change takes place at the Answers Center at the Ark Encounter from April 9 - April 12, 2020.  At this event, you will get answers to questions about climate change.  You'll learn from Ken Ham, Ray Comfort, Dr. Cal Beisner, and many more.  The conference will conclude with a sunrise service in the Answers Center with worship led by Michael O'Brien.  The event cost is $149.95 and it includes a ticket to the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.  

Living Passages' South Africa Creation Safari Tour

Now this is one I would love to attend!  The Africa Creation Safari Tour takes place in Limpopo, South Africa.  You will interact with elephants in their natural habitat, walk with lions, and scout for hippos and rhinos.  You will enjoy opportunities to enjoy fishing, archery, and hunting.  You will also enjoy luxury accommodations, soak in a spa and/or enjoy a massage.  Buddy and Kay Davis will accompany the tour.  Buddy is a singer, song-writer, adventurer, and artist.  Buddy will deliver Biblical worldview teaching and you'll have the opportunity to serve on a mission trip.  This trip is guaranteed to make memories for a lifetime for the whole family.  The cost for this event is starts at $2,999 per person.  This price does NOT include airfare.  

The Bible & Sexuality:  Practical Answers for Today's World

The Bible and Sexuality event takes place at the Answers Center at the Ark  Encounter.  This conference is geared toward pastors and leaders but it is open to everyone.  It is scheduled for October 6-8, 2020.   The cost for this event is $149.99 and includes a ticket to the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.  Speakers at this event are Ken Ham, Joe Owen, Dr. Georgia Purdom, Owen Strachan, and worship leader Michael O'Brien.  

To learn more about these events and even more Answers in Genesis events, go to the Answers website here.  You'll find more information about ticket pricing by visiting the page describing each event.  In many cases, you will see a phone number so that you can call to speak to someone about any questions you might have. 

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Lies and Confusion Abound, but God is a God of Truth and Peace

Earlier tonight, I watched as a news anchor and a former congresswoman discussed the "innocent until proven guilty" assumption.  This is the assumption we are supposed to live by in our country.  We are supposed to assume that someone is innocent of an accusation until they are proven guilty of said accusation.  I sat in disbelief as I heard the former congresswoman state that the burden to prove someone's innocence is only valuable if the person accused of a crime or some kind of terrible act is in jeopardy of losing his or her freedom.  In other words, truth is only valuable if the accused is in danger of going to jail.  She went on to say that in any other situation, such as a job interview, it is only the accusation that matters, not the truth.

Image Credit:  Abdulhalim Yusuf - Public Domain Image - via Freely Photos

By her standard of truth, if I am applying to teach in a local school and someone FALSELY accuses me of harming a child, I am to be considered guilty and should be turned down for the position.  As a result, I would be stripped of my teacher's certification and would never be allowed to teach again.  All this simply because someone SAID I did it.  The truth doesn't matter.

We live in a society where boys pretend to be girls and girls pretend to be boys.  People want to "identify" as a person, race, gender (or someone or something else) that is different from who or what they actually are.  They are pretending because the truth of their real identity doesn't matter to them. 

We have become a people who would rather live in the confusion of lies.  We would rather live a lie than live in the joy of the person God created us to be.  We would rather believe lies about good people than demand the truth be uncovered so that men and women of integrity can redeem their reputations.  We would rather believe the lies being spewed out all around us than demand that false accusers be held accountable for the hurtful lies they've told.  All this because truth is no longer valuable.

God is a God of Truth and Peace

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that "God is not a God of confusion, but of peace."  If God is not the God of confusion, then who is?  Satan - and he's dishing out a whole lot of confusion, resulting in the opposite of peace.

What are we to do in the midst of all the confusion?  We are to be the salt and the light.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. - Matthew 5:13

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16

How to we be the salt and light?  By representing Truth.  What is real truth?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. - John 14:6

Jesus is truth.

We point people to Jesus.  When people know Jesus, they know Truth.  The more they know Jesus, the more they will want to be like Jesus and truth will be valuable to them. 

The Bible tells us in John 14:6 that no one goes to the Father except through Jesus.  

In the midst of all the fighting, confusion, and lies, I can rest assured in one absolute truth.  It is a truth that was true yesterday and all the days before yesterday.  It is a truth that is true today.  It is a truth that will be true tomorrow and all the days after tomorrow.  This is the truth of God's love for me.  It is the truth of God's love for you too.

If you would like to know more about God's love for you, more about the God of peace as mentioned above in 1 Corinthians 14:33, then click here.  

It is my prayer that you will know that God is a God of truth, not lies; that He is a God of peace and not confusion; and that He loves you utterly.  It is my prayer that you will know Him and know Him fully so that you too will be the salt and light in the midst of a very confused world.

 

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 Remembering September 11, 2001

I REMEMBER

I had just dropped our older children off at school. At the time, I worked as a part time preschool teacher and that Tuesday happened to be my day off. I was relieved to be off that day because I was so very tired. I remember pulling through the elementary school car pool line earlier that morning and feeling as though I shouldn’t even be driving. I could hardly keep my eyes open. My son and daughter exited the car and entered the school building to start their day. I drove home anxious to get some much needed rest. I remember pulling my youngest daughter out of her car-seat and carrying her into the house. My husband was off that day so I sat my daughter on the floor with a few toys to keep her occupied near my husband who sat in a chair watching The Today Show. While my husband watched the Today Show and my daughter played quietly on the floor, I settled into a comfortable position on the sofa and half listened to the show and half dozed. I seemed to be trapped in that state of mind just before dropping into “sleepy land”. I was resting, but half aware of what was going on around me. I remember the quiet noises of my daughter playing. Her little noises were making their way into my dreams. Then, I remember hearing the news.

I still remember the words “breaking news”. I remember half hearing something about a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. I remember thinking, “How awful. That’s terrible,” then drifting off into my half asleep/half awake state again. A few minutes later, I began to become aware of more news. Did I hear that correctly. Another plane? At that point, I sat up to tune in while my husband simultaneously said, “Honey, you might need to wake up and pay attention to this. Something isn’t right.” I agreed.

Suddenly, I no longer felt tired. I wasn’t sure how I felt – nervous, insecure, unsure of what was happening, afraid – all of those things at once. I continued to watch as the first pictures came onto the television screen. I watched the replays of the planes hitting the towers. Immediately, I said to my husband, “That was no accident. That plane veered into the building as if it was on purpose.” He agreed.

As we continued to watch the footage, more news came in. Another plane had crashed into the Pentagon. At that point, we knew. There in that moment, our since of security faded quickly into the blackness of the tragedy we were witnessing. At the time, we didn’t know who was responsible, but we were sure of one thing. We were under attack. I looked down. My three year old daughter sat there playing at my feet. Could we protect her? Would this happen again? It did. As the morning reports continued to flood the media, another plane had crashed into a Pennsylvania field. We wondered where the next plane would hit or if it would be a plane at all – perhaps a bomb? At that moment, who knew? My husband, an ex-Marine, decided that one of us should go get our other two children. We didn’t know what else might happen that day. How long would this go on? What building would be next? What city? Atlanta? Everything was uncertain.

The only thing we knew for certain was that our family should be together that day. Our school aged children were in the first and third grades. We wanted them with us. We wanted to protect them through whatever would come of September 11, 2001. I left to go get our two older children. As the day went on, time seemed to stand still. Would my husband be called back into active service? What would I do with three children all under the age of 7? How would we make it with a military and a preschool teacher’s salary? What would happen to us? What would happen to our country? Suddenly our every day tasks seemed unimportant. It didn’t matter that laundry needed to be done. It didn’t matter that dishes needed to be loaded into the dishwasher or that beds needed to be made. What mattered was that our children were home with us – safe. What mattered was the thousands of people who were dying – their families. All that mattered was what might happen next and how we would protect our family.

What mattered was faith – faith in our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God.

 I REMEMBER THE CHANGE

I remember the look on President George W. Bush’s face that day. He received the news as he sat in a classroom filled with children. I remember Congress that day. I remember how united our Senators and Representatives were, standing on the steps of the Capitol Building as they sang – united. There were no party lines on the Capitol Building steps that day, only Americans. I remember the country adorned with American Flags. Flags flew from almost every home – from porch posts, from windows, from trees, from mailboxes, from apartment buildings, from car door windows, from everywhere a flag could fly. Flags were raised higher, flew and waved more proudly, and Americans everywhere pledged their allegiance. I remember the slogan, “They wanted change, they got it.” Terrorist set out to destroy a nation that day. What they got was a nation united. The “sleeping giant” had been awakened once again.

I WILL REMEMBER

Years later, I still remember. How could one forget? I remember the burning towers. I remember watching one tower fall, then the other. I remember seeing the caved in section of the Pentagon. I remember seeing the scattered remains of the plane that crashed into that Pennsylvania field. I remember the signs people carried, hoping to locate a loved one. I remember the memorials covered with photographs and candles. I remember waiting for reports of survivors as hospitals stocked with supplies and extra doctors, nurses, and volunteers waited to treat thousands. I remember the phone call from my mother. She had asked me to remember a co-worker in my prayers. Her sister worked in the Pentagon. Her sister was never found. I remember the rescue workers – the policemen, the firefighters, and the countless numbers of citizens who risked their lives to save others. I remember the ash. I remember the people on the streets of New York City – covered in blood and ashes. I remember the crying and screaming – the immeasurable grief. I remember watching with shock as I saw people jumping to their death from the windows of the World Trade Center. I remember hearing the reports of the phone calls that were made. I remember the interviews of grieving families as they described their last conversations with their loved ones – loved ones who knew they would not be returning home that day; the phone calls made from the burning buildings and a plane that would never land safely. I’m sure that even after all these years, we have not heard every story.

I will remember.

I will never forget.

Do you remember where you were when the world stopped turning on that September day?