Friday, March 25, 2011

Classics Series: "Hi Tops"

 


Classics Series

 

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HI TOPS MUSICAL PLAY
Kids: High School Musical
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Load Date: 03/24/11MUSIC


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Last Call:(This Weeks) "Bob Caldwell"

The Last Call Devotions Network

"Legacy"

Legacy Posts will be presented in Weekly Formats

Begining in May and starting ASAP  posts as part of our "Legacy Series" will be posted on Monday AM for the Week. Some of the Classics will post a Sun-Sat; others will be Mon-Fri. This "note" or one similar to it will proceed all Last Call posts for the remainder of this year; 2011. The benefit to the reader is to have a "weeks" worth of Devotions to Read.

As a "free ministry" the Network has exapnded globally and this is a adjustment to grow with that need. The "Current" Series of Devotions will begin to follow the same format. It is likely that many in the "Current" series will be on a One week delay. Any comments or questions please write: 

 

lastcalldevotionalnetwork@gmail.com

 

  
 

This Weeks

Bob Caldwell


Friday

MATTHEW 1:1-17

  “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.” -Matthew 1:5-6

Matthew begins his recounting of the life of Jesus by linking Him to the father of the Jewish nation, Abraham. This would have been crucial, as this account was written primarily for Jewish readers. This family connection not only links Jesus to Israel in general, but more importantly to the amazing promise given to Abraham concerning the future of the Jewish people. This promise foretold that from the family of King David, which came from the tribe of Judah, would come the promised Messiah. Matthew will go on to use more evidence from the Old Testament scriptures than any other New Testament book to prove that Jesus is the actual fulfillment of the ancient prophetic promises concerning a Messiah, who would bring salvation and God’s kingdom to all the world.
Matthew also identifies people in the genealogy of Jesus who prepare us for the revolutionary life and teachings of Jesus. Matthew includes women in this genealogy, which was not common. Matthew reveals some who were remembered who had sinful pasts. These women committed sins similar to the sins Jesus openly forgave in His public ministry—but His forgiveness angered many of the religious leaders of His day.

Rahab, who had been a harlot, is on of these women found in this genealogy (Matt. 1:5, Heb. 11:31, Joshua 2:1). Bathsheba is also indirectly listed, as the mother of Solomon. But she adulterously conceived Solomon with David, while she was married to Uriah. Tragic sins, but sins Jesus would be identified with as forgiving when He called people to repent and begin new lives of faith in God. As we begin this amazing account of Christ’s life, may we be prepared to remove our own prejudices and religious blinders concerning Christ and His message. It is only then that the blessings Jesus promised to the entire world will become a personal reality to you.

  The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.

David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.

Introduction to Gospel Of Matthew

The gospel of Matthew was written by a former tax collector (Matt. 9:9-13). He was one of the Twelve Apostles. This gospel was likely the only N.T. book originally written in Hebrew, as it was written with the Jews especially in mind. There are more than 50 direct citations from the Old Testament, and nearly 75 allusions to the Old testament.

Genealogy (Verses 1-17) (Luke 3:23-28)

v. 1 Genealogy – This is to show the roots of the legal father of Jesus - Joseph - as a descendant of the first Jew - Abraham - to whom the promise was given (Gal. 3:16, Gen. 17:7), as well as of king David, from whose family line the Messiah would come.

Jesus – “Joshua” The translation of the Hebrew word Messiah into Greek signifies “anointed one.”

v. 2 Abraham – The father of all Jews.

v. 3 Judah – This is the tribe chosen out of the twelve tribes of Israel from whom the Messiah would come.

v. 4 Tamar – The first of four women listed in this genealogy, which was unusual as women normally were not included (Rahab v. 5 ; Ruth v. 5, Bathsheba v. 6).

v. 5 Rahab – A prostitute in Jericho who protected the Hebrews who spied out the Promised Land.

Ruth – A Moabite who married Boaz, a Hebrew from the tribe of Judah.

v. 6 King David – His was the one who received the promise from God that the Messiah would come from his family line and have an endless rule (Ps. 89:4).

Bathsheba – The wife of Uriah with whom David had committed adultery and married after her husband was killed.

v. 7 Solomon – He was the child born to Bethsheba and David. He would become the wealthiest king Israel ever had. Toward the end of his rule he fell away from God and supported the idolatry of his many pagan wives.

v. 8 Ozias (KJV) or Uzziah – Three Kings are omitted: Ahaziah, Jocesh, Amaziah, done likely to secure symmetry by bringing the number of names to fourteen.

v. 11 Jeconiah – Omitted here is Jehoiakim who was the son of Josiah and the father of Jeconiah (I Chron. 3:15-16).

12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. 14 Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. 15 Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

v. 12 Babylon – This was the world power that was used by God to judge the Jews for their rebellion against God by serving as slaves for 70 years in Babylon.

v. 13 Abiud – The son of Zerubbabel, his name and the following eight, up to Jacob (v. 15) belong to the 400 year period before the birth of Christ, a period that is not referred to in the Old Testament.

v. 16 Joseph – There are three sets of fourteen names, done to assist in memorizing and to indicate the three great periods of their history. #1 from Abraham to David; #2 from David to the captivity in Babylon; #3 from the captivity to Joseph, the husband of Mary. The line of Joseph is used rather than Mary because the lineage of a family was generally linked to the fathers in Jewish literature. This would be important to the Jewish readers who Matthew was primarily writing to.

Saturday

MATTHEW 1:18-2:12

  “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.” -Matthew 2:1

The miraculous conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary brought together God and man like no other event in human history. Over the centuries, God had spoken to humanity through men and women who were themselves sinners like the rest of us. But now, through the virgin birth of Christ, God would literally be among us as a man, just as it was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah (Is. 7:14). But the miracle of God becoming “flesh” (John 1:1-5, 14-18) only grew in wonder when God made known to the world that the purpose of His coming was to save us from our sins (v. 21). As Christ Himself proclaimed, He came not to condemn the world, but to save it.

It was God’s heart of love that sent Jesus to save us from the alienation and judgment sin has cursed us with. Yet in spite of God’s grace revealed at the cross, it’s shocking how mixed humanity’s response to Him was and still is. The religious leaders who knew the scriptures well enough to pinpoint the prophesied birthplace of Christ had no desire to go and see this wonder of grace for themselves.

The political response wasn’t very encouraging either. In 2:10-18 we will read that King Herod was so threatened by the possibility of people giving their allegiance to Christ rather than himself that he responded with an order to murder all the children in Bethlehem who would have been born or near the time of Christ’s birth, in the hope of killing Christ.

There were a few who did seek out this king born in Bethlehem, but they were wise men from Persia. And so it’s been ever since. The followers of Christ continue to be some of the most unexpected disciples.

What is your response to Christ and the purpose of His coming? Have you genuinely bowed before Him, accepting that God has come among us to save us from our sins? Jesus is much more than a theological discussion point or a political threat to egomaniacs. He is the Savior of the world, born among men by the power of the Holy Spirit.

  Christ Born of Mary

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

The Birth of Jesus (Verses 18-25) (Luke 2:17)

v. 18 Espoused – This preceded marriage, but was more binding than engagement is in our own culture. This relationship was legally binding and required a filing of divorce if it was broken off. If the groom died, the bride was considered a widowed virgin.

Of the Holy Spirit – Literally “out of,” marking the Holy Spirit as the source and cause of her pregnancy.

Mary – She was most likely from Nazareth. She had a sister by same name (John 19:25). In Luke 3 there is a record of her belonging to the line to David. Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother, was a relative of Mary. Mary reveals her deeply spiritual life in her “song” in Luke 1:46-55.

Joseph – Very little is recorded about him. We know he was a carpenter (Matt. 13:55), and a righteous man (Matt. 1:19). Joseph is never referred to as the father of Jesus and the scriptures make clear that he and Mary remained sexually pure until after the birth of Christ.

v. 19 Just – He was just in that He sought a just solution coupled with mercy. He did not want to publicly embarrass Mary.

Put away – This would normally have been completely acceptable since those espoused to each other were legally under a marriage commitment.

v. 20 Conceived of the Holy Spirit – The eternal Word“logos” (Gk.), who was with God and was God became a man, having been literally conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit (John 1:1-14). In this God provided a sinless Savior who would not only reveal God (John 14:9), but would redeem mankind from his fallen state.

v. 21 Jesus – This word is the same as Joshua is in the Greek, and means “Yahweh (Lord) will save.”

v. 23 Immanuel – Means “God with us.” A title more than a personal name, identifying the Messiah as God Himself, coming and dwelling among us (John 1:14).

v. 25 Did Not Know Her – Refers to sexual purity until after the birth of Jesus.

Wise Men from the East

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

Chapter 2

The Visit of the Magi (Verses 1-12)

v. 1 Herod – This Herod is the first of many Herods mentioned in the Bible. He was related to Antipates, father of Julius Caesar. He ruled over the Galilean region of Rome. He began the reconstruction of the Temple (called Herod’s Temple) in Jerusalem. He provided race tracks, theaters, and other improvements to try to win over the loyalties of the Jews. He married a Jewish woman, but being an extremely paranoid man, he later had his wife killed, his high priest drowned, and three of his own sons killed. On his death bed he ordered the leading Jewish people in Jerusalem killed at his death so there would be mourning in Jerusalem, because he felt no one would mourn his own passing.

Magi (wise men) – There is no reference in scripture that these men were kings or that they were three in number. However, we are told they came from the east, i.e. Persia. History tells us that these wise men from Persia were generally monotheists, skilled in astronomy, astrology, and cultic practices. They would also have been influenced by Daniel’s prophetic knowledge of the coming Messiah. They were also involved in Medo-Persian and Babylonian politics. It was these Magi whom Daniel the prophet ruled over (Dan. 2:24-43) as a key leader in Persia during the Jews’ captivity there.

v. 2 The Star – There has been much speculation, but little is known about this star. It may have simply been bright light from the glory of God that led them, like the light seen by the shepherds (Luke 2:9). This light did re-appear and guide them from Jerusalem (Matt. 2:9).

v. 3 Herod’s Paranoia – Refer to the notes on verse 1.

v. 4 Chief Priests – Refers to the current chief priest, his assistants, and the former chief priests who were still living.

Scribes – Those who transcribed and studied the scriptures.

Christ – Greek for Messiah, which means a “coming deliverer and king.”

v. 5,6 Micah 5:2 – Quoted with some change in phraseology.

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

v. 9 The Star – The light or star re-appears.

v. 11 Worshiped – These Magi in some way knew the importance and significance of the deity of the Messiah.

Gold – Signified Jesus as King.

Frankincense – Signified Jesus’ priestly role (Lev. 2:2 & 2:15,16).

Myrrh – Signified Jesus’ sacrificial death (myrrh was used for embalming, John 19:39).


 

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Last Call:(This Weeks) "Greg Laurie"

The Last Call Devotions Network

"Legacy"

Legacy Posts will be presented in Weekly Formats

Begining in May and starting ASAP  posts as part of our "Legacy Series" will be posted on Monday AM for the Week. Some of the Classics will post a Sun-Sat; others will be Mon-Fri. This "note" or one similar to it will proceed all Last Call posts for the remainder of this year; 2011. The benefit to the reader is to have a "weeks" worth of Devotions to Read.

As a "free ministry" the Network has exapnded globally and this is a adjustment to grow with that need. The "Current" Series of Devotions will begin to follow the same format. It is likely that many in the "Current" series will be on a One week delay. Any comments or questions please write: 

 

lastcalldevotionalnetwork@gmail.com

 

  
 

This Weeks

Greg Laurie

Devotionals by A New Beginning

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Temptation's Timing
Greg Laurie

Friday
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Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. 
—Luke 4:1-2

In a broad sense, we are faced with temptation all the time. But temptation often comes after times of great blessing. Temptation came for Jesus right after His baptism in the Jordan River, where the Father spoke and the Holy Spirit came upon Him in the form of a dove. But immediately after the dove came the devil (see Luke 3:21-4:1).

In the same way, it is often after we have been blessed that the enemy strikes. What was waiting for Jesus after His time on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah (see Matthew 17:1-21)? A demon-possessed child. That is how it so often is. After the blessing comes the attack.

Temptation also will come when you think you are the strongest. You might think, I could fall potentially in area A, B, and C, but I would never fall in this area. Don't think things like that, because you don't really know what you would do. You don't know your sinful nature. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"

It was Simon Peter's boasting of his great devotion to the Lord that led to his fall. When Jesus predicted His betrayal, Peter used it as an opportunity to say, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be" (Mark 14:29 NKJ). So Jesus effectively said, "Since you brought it up, Rock, before the rooster has crowed twice you will deny three times that you ever knew Me." It was Peter's arrogance that opened up the vulnerability that ultimately led to his fall.

Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall." Are there areas in your life in which you are feeling prideful? Be careful.

 

Saturday

The Best Place to Be

 

 

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. 
—Psalm 1:1-2

Where is the best place to be when temptation comes? In God's will. Luke 4:1 tells us that Jesus was "led by the Spirit into the wilderness." Jesus always was in God's will, but sometimes we aren't. We put ourselves in places we don't belong. We hang out with people we shouldn't hang out with, and then we end up doing things we shouldn't do.

Psalm 1:1-2 says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful." Note the progression in these verses from walking to standing to sitting. That is how temptation works.

It is like being on a diet and deciding to walk by your favorite bakery. Predictably, you spot that fresh cinnamon roll on display in the window. So you go from walking to standing. Then you are looking. The next thing you know, you are sitting in the bakery's vat, eating raw dough.

Or, you are with the wrong people, walking "in the counsel of the ungodly" or standing "in the path of sinners." They say to you, "Oh, would you relax? You are so uptight with your Christianity. Come on. Have a drink. What is one drink?" Or, "Hey, come with us and do this. It's just this one time. Oh, come on! Have a little fun!" And suddenly you find yourself in a place you shouldn't be. You think, How did I get here? You were in the wrong place with the wrong people at the wrong time.

That is why the best place to be when temptation comes is in the will of God. And that is why we need to keep up our guard and fill our minds with God's Word.

 

 


 

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Prophecy Today: News from JOEL C. ROSENBERG'S BLOG "Week in Review"



NEWS FROM

 JOEL C. ROSENBERG'S BLOG
 

Friday, MARCH 25, 2011

 

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JOEL C. ROSENBERG'S BLOG


MOST PRO-ISRAEL GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD FALLS: Canada’s PM Harper loses no-confidence vote

Posted: March 25, 2011 by joelcrosenberg in Uncategorized

“Canada’s minority Conservative government was defeated in a non-confidence vote on Friday, setting the scene for a federal election in early May,” reports Reuters. “Legislators in the House of Commons voted by 156-145 to back the motion, which was presented by the main opposition Liberal Party.”

EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN KILLED IN JERUSALEM BOMBING: Netanyahu in Moscow

Posted: March 24, 2011 by joelcrosenberg in Uncategorized

The woman who was killed in yesterday’s horrific terrorist bombing in central Jerusalem was an evangelical Christian tourist from Great Britain. The police identified the 56-year-old woman as Mary-Jane Gardner.  “She was an evangelical Christian tourist [and] a volunteer at the Bible Translators Society at Yad Hashmonah,” a moshav run by believers, said Calev Myers, director of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, an Israeli civil rights organization that defends the legal rights of Christians and Jewish believers in Jesus. “Please pray for peace and comfort for her family and friends.” Developing.…

BOMBING IN JERUSALEM: Also, more rockets/mortars hit southern Israel

Posted: March 23, 2011 by joelcrosenberg in Uncategorized

>> VIDEO: CBN runs interview with me on growing Iranian interest in the coming of the Twelfth Imam

UPDATED AT 12:15pm EASTERN : Israel is suddenly facing a new wave of terrorism. A bombing in central Jerusalem today has killed a 59 year old woman and injured at least 38. More rockets and mortars hit southern Israel today, after 50 were fired at Israel last Saturday alone. A new report indicates that since the end of the Gaza operation in January 2009, 282 rockets and 193 mortar shells have been fired into Israel. The IDF is retaliating, but several innocent Palestinians have been killed in the process. Please pray for the Lord to bring peace to Jews and Arabs on both sides of the border, and healing to the victims.

To read a more detailed story on this new wave of violence to hit Israel and the growing possibility of a new war in Gaza — plus see prayer requests — please visit the article on The Joshua Fund’s website.

MSNBC HOST DECLARES REVELATION “A WORK OF FICTION”

Posted: March 21, 2011 by joelcrosenberg in Uncategorized

 

MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell

 

MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell said last week on his program: “The Book of Revelation is a work of fiction describing how a truly vicious God would bring about the end of the world. No half-smart religious person actually believes the Book of Revelation. They are certain that their God would never turn into a malicious torturer and mass murderer beyond Hitler’s wildest dreams.”

It was an extended rant, and I would encourage you to watch the entire segment. It was sad to see someone so certain that the Bible is so wrong. Let’s pray for the Lord to open Mr. O’Donnell’s eyes that he might see and understand the truth and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord in these last days before Christ’s return.

For the record, I have no doubt that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. I fully believe that includes the Book of Revelation. What’s more, I am certain that those who read and study the prophecies in Revelation will be blessed, as the first three verses of the first chapter indicate: ”The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

How about you?

FRANCE LEADS, U.S. FOLLOWS, BUT THE WAR AGAINST GADDAFI IS ON: Yet U.S. backs away from regime change

Posted: March 19, 2011 by joelcrosenberg in Uncategorized
 

 

A Libyan fighter jet was shot down today by rebel forces.

A third war in the Islamic world and involving Western forces is now underway, this time in Libya, “Operation Odyssey Dawn.” President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton, however, are taking great pains to say that the U.S. is not leading; we are only helping. Remarkably, the French are taking the lead in this new war, under the direction of President Nicolas Sarkozy, Europe’s new “W.”

 

“As a part of this effort, the United States will contribute our unique capabilities at the front-end of the mission to protect Libyan civilians and enable the enforcement of a no-fly zone that will be led by our international partners,” President Obama noted on Saturday from Brazil.  ”And as I said yesterday, we will not — I repeat — we will not deploy any U.S. troops on the ground….Make no mistake. Today we are part of a broad coalition.”

“We did not lead this,” Secretary Clinton stressed in Paris on Saturday at an emergency summit on the Libyan crisis. “We did not engage in unilateral actions in any way, but we strongly support the international community taking action against governments and leaders who believe as Gaddafi is unfortunately doing so now.”

Why is the world’s only superpower not taking the lead in such a critical foreign policy arena? Why are we letting the French (and the British) set the pace? Who would have thought we would have ever heard in our lifetimes the sentence, “The French are taking the lead in military action” anywhere, much less in an Arab Muslim country? There are many theories.

Stranger still is that “regime change” is no longer an American objective. That’s right, the White House is no longer saying that removing Libyan madman Moammar Gaddafi is one of our strategic goals, even though it has been for weeks. Consider the troubling series of recent statements:

Let us pray for U.S., French, British, Canadian and other forces that are now in harm’s way to protect the Libyan people from slaughter. Let us pray for Gaddafi and his entire regime to be brought down, even if that is no longer the administration’s stated goal. Let us pray for our leaders to have true wisdom, discernment and courage in this situation. Let us pray, too, for every Libyan man, woman and child to hear and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and for believers around the world to find effective ways to support and encourage the persecuted Church in Libya.

Finally, let us pray for the Lord’s will to be done. As the Hebrew Prophet Daniel once prayed (Daniel 2:20-23):

 20
         ”Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
         For wisdom and power belong to Him.
    21“It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
         He removes kings and establishes kings;
         He gives wisdom to wise men
         And knowledge to men of understanding.
    22“It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
         He knows what is in the darkness,
         And the light dwells with Him.
    23“To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
         For You have given me wisdom and power;
         Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
         For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”

HEADLINES TO TRACK:

IRAN, ISRAEL AND THE THREAT OF ANNIHILATION: Modern Day Lessons From The Book of Esther

Posted: March 18, 2011 by joelcrosenberg in Uncategorized

>> NEW JOSHUA FUND VIDEO BLOG POSTED:  7 minute video discusses how Esther and Mordechai dealt with the Persian threat to “annihilate” the Jews so long ago, and how we can bless Israel as Iran threatens the Jews again today

>> SATURDAY 4PM EASTERN: U.S. launches cruise missile attacks against Libyan targets

We’ve just posted on The Joshua Fund website a new article I’ve written called, “Iran, Israel and the Threat of Annihilation: Modern Day Lessons From The Book of Esther“. It includes fascinating excerpts from a new CNN interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Piers Morgan on the Iranian nuclear threat and the savage killing by Islamic Radicals of an entire Jewish family in Israel while they slept. I hope you’ll take a moment to read it.

NOTE: The holiday of “Purim” commemorating these events begins Saturday evening. If you’re a pastor or Bible teacher, would you consider preaching and teaching on the Book of Esther? If you’re a father or mother, would you consider taking some time this weekend to take your children through the Book of Esther and help them understand God’s love for the Jewish people and His heart for saving them when they prayed and fasted?www.joshuafund.net

SATURDAY HEADLINES FROM ISRAEL:

MASSACRE OF JEWISH FAMILY IN ISRAEL:

OTHER HEADLINES FROM THE EPICENTER:

AFTER WEEKS OF INACTION, EGYPT — NOT U.S. — MOVES TO ARM LIBYANS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES: UN approves military action

Posted: March 18, 2011 by joelcrosenberg in Uncategorized

After weeks of inaction by the U.S. and our allies, Egypt has become the first government to actually begin supplying arms to Libyan rebels — including assault rifles and ammunition — to fight against the evil and brutality of Col. Gaddafi’s forces.  Good for them.

In a rare development, the Arab League last week actually suspended Libya’s membership in the organization, recognized the rebel faction as the legitimate government, called on the non-Arab world to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and take military measures to protect innocent Libyans being slaughtered by the forces of Gaddafi. Aside from Egypt, the Arab nations don’t seem willing to take actual military action themselves. They want the non-Arab world to do it for them. But I give them credit for showing resolve they didn’t show against Saddam Hussein, and haven’t shown against the Iranian regime, at least on paper.

Now, with Gaddafi’s forces gaining the upper hand, and his threats against innocent men, women and children growing more vicious by the day, and the Libyan people crying out for real help and not just words, the U.N. is finally moving, too. “The United Nations authorised military action to curb Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday, hours after he threatened to storm the rebel bastion of Benghazi overnight, showing ‘no mercy, no pity,’”reports Reuters. “‘It’s over. The issue has been decided,’ Gaddafi said. ‘We are coming tonight…We will find you in your closets.’”

As I wrote on March 10, the U.S. and other free nations should be arming Libyans to protect themselves from slaughter and possible genocide and assisting them in a variety of other ways. Had Washington and NATO done this quickly and decisively, many lives may have been saved. Instead, the West has dithered in the face of evil, issuing statements and holding meetings and wringing its hands. A week ago, I was reluctant to support military strikes and a impose a no-fly zone because I didn’t want the U.S. military to get sucked into a war the White House wasn’t serious about waging or winning, and which isn’t central to our national interests in the Mideast. That said, I cautiously support military action now (but not a full invasion) because other measures weren’t taken at all, people are dying, and this evil must be stopped somehow or another. After all, should Gaddafi be allowed to get away with this evil bloodbath, he will gain strength, feel vindicated, and project even more evil and violence, as will other tyrants in the region, notably the Iranians.

Let’s be clear and consistent: the God of the Bible loves the people of Libya, He loves the Arab people and He has a prophetic plan for them, just as He loves Israel and the Jewish people and has a plan for them. We should love the Libyans and all Arabs, too. The Lord Jesus Christ came to die for all people everywhere — Jew and Gentile — to set us free from sin and death and to give us eternal life and abundant life. Christ told us to love Israel. He also told us to love Israel’s neighbors and her enemies. We should, therefore, care what happens to the people of Libya. We should pray for them to be free, spiritually and politically. The Church should mobilize to reach every Libyan with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to strengthen the persecuted believers in that Biblical country.

Worth noting is that traditional left-of-center allies of President Obama are growing appalled by his unwillingness to show any kind of leadership on Libya. A few examples:

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