We’ve been encouraged by numerous phone calls and emails over the past few days, telling us that people are praying and fasting for Israel and believers in the land — and we so appreciate it, more than words could ever express!
...continue reading this devotion.The Hebrew word “shalom” has meaning that is deep and rich. Peace, completeness, prosperity, safety, contentment, health, blessing, and rest are all apportioned to the meaning of this remarkable word.. The ancient Hebrew spelling of “shalom” is interesting because it speaks only indirectly about these multiple meanings, but reveals something very profound about apprehending “shalom”.
...continue reading this devotion.Israel is celebrating its Independence today. Just before Israel celebrates its independence, it mourns those whose blood was shed for its freedom and then celebrates its freedom.
...continue reading this devotion.As we enter into day 16 of Operation Protective Shield, we read how a “ceasefire” is proposed by different countries in order to settle the conflict. However, it’s not a ‘true’ peace they want to achieve, but just a pause in the violence. A ceasefire in the eyes of Islam is called a ‘hudna’, which is understood as a time to regroup and rearm before rising to its ultimate victory. So how does one truly achieve peace?
...continue reading this devotion.At the beginning of the recent conflict with Hamas, we discovered an app called “red Alert”, which we, (along with millions of others around the world), installed on our iPhones. The app sounds an alert warning each time a rocket is fired into Israel, and identifies the city or area where the rocket(s) are expected to land. On the first day of “Operation Protective Edge” we were amazed at how often the alert sounded as hundreds of rockets flew out of Gaza. Driving with friends from the Galilee region back to our home in the Negev, the eerie warning sounded over and over again. With each warning we knew that potentially hundreds of people were in danger. And this has continued day after day for the past 11 days. Even today my phone has gone off incessantly.
...continue reading this devotion.As most of you know, we’ve been on a speaking tour throughout the United States during the past month, and have been preaching throughout the country in the midst of flu season. This past weekend the flu finally broke down my immunity and seriously knocked me out. But after a few days of battling, I’m starting to feel better. Influenza is a nasty virus that has the ability to replicate extremely quickly and once it establishes a foothold, rapidly gains a stronghold within the body. You may guess where I’m going with this personal illustration.
...continue reading this devotion.As most of you know, this past week the conflict in Israel has escalated. The IDF has termed Israelās military operation, āamood ananā, which in literal Hebrew, means, āpillar of cloudā. In English it has been rendered, āpillar of defenseā. The term is a direct reference from the Exodus of Israel from Egypt when they were led out of slavery and protected by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.[Exodus 13:21]. The pillar both led (directed and guided) and protected the children of Israel from the Egyptian armyā¦providing both leadership and protection.
...continue reading this devotion.