The Hebrew Bible Amongst Jews and Christians
The language of the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as its status as canon, plays a critical role for many students … Read More
Category: Opinion
Become a Watchman
The American church remains largely unmoved by and uninvolved in Israel’s struggle, yet Robert Stearns explains why our fight–and very … Read More
Israeli Group Saves Muslim Child’s Life
It’s a story that works to break down the walls between Muslims and Jews. It’s the story of Kevin, a … Read More
Sabbath in the Bible
The last thing that G-d created in the story of creation was the Sabbath, the day of rest. The Sabbath … Read More
Israeli Leaders Praise Christian Life Missions
In 2006 Israeli leaders gave Christian Life Missions a message commending the nonprofit organization for giving to the country during the second Lebanese war. Below we’ve … Read More
Reasons for the Sabbath
God created everything in six days, and
He rested on the seventh day (Gen. 2:2). This initiated a set time each week
called the Sabbath, or Shabbat in Hebrew, which means “to rest or lay
aside labor.” There are Hebrew words translated rest in the English
translation of the Torah. They include: shabath, which alludes to
letting go (Exod. 23:11); shamat, alluding to letting alone; and nuwach,
to settle down (Isa. 23:12). They all carry the same connotation. A shabbat
was a personal letting go and resting. God commanded that the land and animals
rest and be “let alone” in order to fulfill the commandment.
The theme of resting
from labor was so important that God hallowed the seventh day each week as a
Sabbath of rest. Every seventh year was a Sabbatical rest year (called Shemitah
in Hebrew). Every seven cycles of seven years—forty-nine years—was designated a
Jubilee cycle of complete rest. During these three Sabbatical cycles, people,
animals, and the land enjoyed exemption from work (Exod. 23:10–12; Lev.
25:4–55). With each of the seven feasts, God commanded the people to refrain
from work. The Sabbath was created for man’s enjoyment: And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made
for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
Ministries Partner to Respond to the Fires in Israel
Thefires in Northern Israel is said to be the worst disaster in the nation’s
history. Now Christian Life Missions (CLM) is partnering with Vision for Israel to
respond quickly to the need.
Christian Life Missions is the non-profit partner of
Charisma magazine. In 2006 it partnered with Vision for Israel, headed by Barry
and Batya Segel, to raise $150,000 to help rebuild a civic center in Northern
Israel. Every dollar raised will go to help in Northern
Israel.
Charisma magazine. In 2006 it partnered with Vision for Israel, headed by Barry
and Batya Segel, to raise $150,000 to help rebuild a civic center in Northern
Israel. Every dollar raised will go to help in Northern
Israel.
“We can
spring into action to meet the need because of our relationship with Vision for
Israel. They have the infrastructure and the relationships to respond to the
need,” said Steve Strang, president of CLM and publisher of Charisma. “We have
total confidence in them and their ability to respond quickly and to use the
money as it should be used.”
spring into action to meet the need because of our relationship with Vision for
Israel. They have the infrastructure and the relationships to respond to the
need,” said Steve Strang, president of CLM and publisher of Charisma. “We have
total confidence in them and their ability to respond quickly and to use the
money as it should be used.”
Readers
of Charisma also responded generously when the tsunami hit Southeast Asia in
2004. That time CLM partnered with the equivalent of the National Association of Evangelicals in Sri Lanka to
respond to the need. And readers responded to Hurricane Katrina, also working
again with local churches in Louisiana.
of Charisma also responded generously when the tsunami hit Southeast Asia in
2004. That time CLM partnered with the equivalent of the National Association of Evangelicals in Sri Lanka to
respond to the need. And readers responded to Hurricane Katrina, also working
again with local churches in Louisiana.
A Jewish Awakening?
With more Jews professing faith in Yeshua than ever before, Israel’s supporters wonder if this isn’t the beginning of an … Read More
Love in Action Tackles Sex Addictions
Wounding is the ground that Satan camps on. Wounds can be intrusive, derived from early exposure to pornography, sexual, physical and/or verbal abuse. Wounds can also be non-intrusive, meaning, lack of affirmation, lack of affection, overbearing discipline, painful verbal comments and traumatic separation.
Wounding that, for whatever reason, has missed the Savior’s touch is often appeased in the trap of self-medicating addiction cycles. What seems at first to be innocent and even acceptable within societal norms evolves into a life-consuming behavior, derailing relationships and leading down many destructive avenues of self-abuse.
Those that struggle with unwanted sexual behaviors don’t need more sex. They need a period of sobriety from sex, stepping away from the culture, safe from whatever triggers drive their actions. Sex Addiction, whatever form it may take, is not about sex.
At Love In Action healing is a process that uncovers root issues, offering proven tools to restore those trapped in sexual and relational sin through the power of Jesus Christ. Five specially designed programs minister to the entire family.
Men and women, spouses, parents, pastors, returning military, professionals and college students may all find what they need to live free of unwanted dominating strongholds through the programs at Love In Action.
Pruning the World’s Largest Church
The pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church says it is poised for growth — now that it’s smaller On Jan. … Read More
What If Prayer Consumed Every College Campus in America?
Though most of the 2,600 colleges in the United States have some Christian ministry presence, few have entire groups of … Read More
The Joseph Storehouse
The Joseph Storehouse is a humanitarian
aid center in the hills of Jerusalem and is the central focus of an
ever-expanding ministry, Vision for Israel.
The goal of this organization if to be
a source of emergency assistance to the entire community of Israel,
whether Jewish, Arab or Christian. Their desire is to be a channel of
mercy through the distribution of a full range of items such as
emergency medical equipment, food, toiletries, clothing and other
necessities. The Joseph Storehouse also warehouses supplies for times
of emergency in the land of Israel.
Vision for Israel
Founded in 1994 by Barry and Batya
Segal, the nonprofit Vision for Israel (VFI) is an international
humanitarian-aid center operating in the Judean hills outside
Jerusalem, primarily through its distribution outlet, The Joseph
Storehouse. Each week, orphans and widows, homeless and handicapped,
elderly and geriatric, new immigrants and victims of terrorism all
receive food, clothing, toiletries, kitchen and house-hold items,
blankets, towels, linens and toys from the ministry.
Betrayal in Zion
We are on the brink of a spiritual breakthrough in the nation of
Israel. Today, the number of Israeli Messianic Jewish believers is
estimated at 12,000, with about 140 different congregations and home
fellowships. God is birthing a new end-time movement of Jewish lovers in
Yeshua that is becoming a prophetic voice to Israel as well as to other
nations. This is truly a time to rejoice.
Nevertheless, many Jewish believers in Israel regularly experience
not only rejection by the traditional Jewish religious establishment but
also growing antagonism and hostility from extremist ultra-orthodox
elements. What is happening to the Messianic Jews is to be expected
considering we are in the end times. Similar persecution is being
experienced by believers all over the world.
We Need Your Feedback
A Note From the Publisher:As founder and publisher of Charisma, it’s my pleasure to write this note asking for your … Read More
We Will Never Forget
Why Yad Vashem is more than a top tourist attraction in Israel
All it takes is turning the channel, turning your head or turning your thoughts to something less disturbing. That’s how easy it has become today to tune out the reality of a million people slaughtered in an ethnic cleansing or hundreds of thousands killed by another massive earthquake, flood or hurricane.
But in Israel each year, more than 800,000 individuals refuse to turn away from a past filled with pain and indescribable horror. Instead, they walk through the doors of Yad Vashem and leave willingly scarred for life. Despite the cost of deep wounds being reopened, they choose to never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust.
Ministry Feeds Jerusalem’s Poor, Both Jews and Arabs
A New York-based ministry that co-organizes the annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem is coupling its intercession with action by raising funds to help the poor in Israel.
Eagles’ Wings ministry hopes to feed at least 1,000 impoverished families in Jerusalem and other Israeli cities this year as part of its ongoing mission to bless the people of Israel through prayer.
The ministry provided some meals this summer through a partnership with an Israel-based aid organization. But it hopes to raise more funding for the outreach through donations made at its website and during services held on the global prayer day Oct. 3. Each meal costs $18, according to the Eagles’ Wings website, with a week’s worth of food provided for $189.
“I feel like it’s time for us to really pray prayers that we are willing to become the answer to,” said Eagles’ Wings founder Robert Stearns, who launched the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem eight years ago in partnership with Foursquare Church leader Jack Hayford. “… Yes prayer is vital, yes prayer is urgent, but [we want to do something] from a social justice aspect that also brings a sense of relief and a sense of genuine comfort to the people living there.”
The Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee is one of the most popular tourists spots in Israel. Yeshua stood on its shores—and sometimes on the sea—and performed many miracles. He saw Peter and Andrew casting their net into the water and said, “‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men'” (Matt. 4:19, NKJV); He walked on water (see Matt. 14:22-33), and fed more than 5,000 people with five fish and two loaves of bread (see Matt. 14:13-21). To learn how to cast your net in this ancient sea, click below to watch the video.
A Grateful Nation
God loves a grateful nation. Just as an individual cannot “out-thank” the Lord-for God pours out His blessing more than ever, so a nation cannot out-thank God either.
Just as those individuals who praised God on Palm Sunday possibly did so selfishly, even ignorantly and for the wrong reasons—and God accepted their praise, so God accepts the praise of a nation that attempts to show gratitude to Him. It does not necessarily matter that every single person who participates in such thanksgiving is a faithful servant of God in his or her private life; God just notices a nation overall that makes any attempt to show gratitude to Him.
The Most Important City on Earth
I love Jerusalem! I love it because it’s a beautiful city and because it is where Messiah taught, laid down His life for the sins of mankind, and was resurrected, triumphing over death. It is the city of the great kings David and Solomon, and the place where the prophets and other great Bible heroes came to worship God in the temple.
From a human perspective, Jerusalem would not rank as one of the world’s most important cities. Even when biblical history was being written in Jerusalem’s streets, the city was not as significant as Alexandria, Rome or Athens.
Still, 3,000 years after King David’s reign, most of the world’s population believes that Jerusalem is the most important city on earth. There is only one possible reason: It is important to God and to His plans for the last days.
Organizations Offer Help and Hope in the Holy Land
It’s easy for a Hollywood celebrity to stand next to a starving child, stare into a video camera and remind us that children are our future. It’s much more difficult to nourish that child—on a regular basis—with enough food, clothing and education to help him grow up and truly shape the future.
The same principle applies to caring for widows, immigrants, the impoverished and other people groups who, for various reasons, need assistance for a better life. In Israel, dozens of organizations have been birthed specifically to reach this swelling segment of the Jewish population. Amid the politics of the most contested land in human history, the following five humanitarian aid organizations have dedicated themselves to being a consistent presence in the Holy Land to shape a brighter tomorrow for the next generation of Jews.