December 2015
THE MUSLIM DILEMMA:
"AS YOU HAVE DONE TO ISRAEL IT WILL BE DONE TO YOU"
Obadiah 1:15 "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. AS YOU HAVE DONE TO ISRAEL, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head."
The present dilemma that much of the world finds itself in, as it relates to how to think and respond to Muslims in general, is of great interest — especially so for Europe and the United States. We have Donald Trump releasing yet another shocking statement, saying that NO Muslims should be allowed into the United States for the indefinite future. This statement seems to be the most extreme of the many almost unbelievable comments that Trump has made. We see that even Europe, while at first mainly embracing the idea of taking in Syrian refugees, now has cold feet regarding their humanitarian embracing of Muslims- that had been originally expressed before the Paris attacks.
A prevailing narrative is "75-85% of Muslims love peace" and we shouldn't overreact to the extremists. However, Trump and others are pointing out that there will always be 5-25% extremists, therefore the more Muslims, the more risk there will be. If we were to think only from a security interest, Trump's extreme position would be seemingly defensible. Of course, if we go down that path of security concerns trumping over human rights, then we can get on a slippery slope to the abyss. Do we force pregnant Muslims in our nation to abort their male children because they could become a future security risk in the United States? Or perhaps sterilize Muslim women after 1 or 2 children? Or even before any children? Ultimately we must ask, is it OK to be prejudiced against 75-80% because 5-25% might become radicalized? And if so, then what degree of prejudicial discrimination is OK?
It truly is an intense debate and it seems everyone is processing and giving an opinion as to "the Muslim dilemma.” Our "Christian" standpoint is being challenged as many leaders in the Body of Christ are in essence espousing security concerns over "loving our enemies.” (Obviously, there is a different standard and assignment for the church as compared to what government must do) Furthermore, many humanistic idealists (especially European) who considered themselves humanitarian champions of tolerance now find themselves weak on that utopian sentiment. A great moral quandary seems to have risen its head and it is now front and center in public debate. Are we humanitarian or protectionists? Do we prioritize loving others or protecting ourselves? Or better perhaps, how we do both?
AS YOU HAVE DONE TO ISRAEL...
What’s most interesting to me is how much of the world finds itself where it should be eating its words of judgment and condemnation of Israel. I absolutely believe that this is the essential lesson that’s being missed. For some time Israel has been the determiner of many nations’ destinies, as well as that nation’s overall protection. In essence, Israel is the anvil upon which the destinies of nations are being forged. Unrighteous and unfair judgments against Israel have severe repercussions because that's seen by our God as dishonoring what He has specifically asked of the nations. Israel is His firstborn of many nations (Ex.4:22) and through whom the covenants of grace came to everyone else and Israel is to be honored as such. It doesn’t mean that everything Israel does has been or is righteous. It just means when you’re unfair with your judgments and condemnation of Israel, it is observed by heaven -- doubly so if you instigate a war, an ordinance, or economic boycott against them. (Gen. 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you”). It means you are most likely under the influence of an antichrist spirit. While many of us may debate the role or centrality of Israel, the devil himself knows that Israel's restoration and revitalization is inextricably connected to God's end-time restoration of all things. This is why Israel is always in the news, and specifically so since 1948 when the impossible took place and Israel became a nation once again.
Europe has been progressively making unjust condemnations, demands, ordinances, and declarations against Israel, because Europe (and others) have not understood the intense battle that Israel lives under day today. France then topped it off by initiating a boycott against Israeli goods the very week jihadists committed their heinous acts of terrorism in Paris. This isn’t just ironic. Much of Europe, the United States, and the world has carried a narrative that Israel is an aggressor nation that is unfair in its treatment of the Palestinian people that live among them. No other nation on earth would allow avowed enemies who are bent on their destruction to even remain on their soil -- yet Israel is chastised, boycotted, and vilified for requiring Muslim jihadists to go through extra security measures as they live and work among them. Yes, many of these Muslims have no intention of destroying Israel, but when the Palestinian government has in its official charter the quest to eliminate Israel, then it is to be expected that its subjects cannot all simply be embraced as refugees to be pitied. I personally had a unique opportunity to see and experience this reality first hand in Israel and honestly, I was aghast at the kindness, tolerance, and humanitarian concerns that Israel displays in every way imaginable. Time does not allow me to properly cover and convey that here.
Now the world has an opportunity to experience Israel's reality and the challenges of "the Muslim dilemma.” It's quite noteworthy that Israel was quickly the lead nation that helped France with intelligence and strategy right after the Paris attacks, though France has been the most dangerous European nation for a Jew to live in because of the prevailing anti-Semitic sentiment in that nation.
If all nations, including the United States, want to figure out how to best protect themselves and bring security for its citizens -- the first answer lies in Obadiah 1:15. "As you have done to Israel, it will be done to you." I have closely observed over the last couple of decades that whenever Europe and the United States are at peace, they have tended to then focus unjustly on Israel. Over the last 3 years, there have been inordinate pressures and unjust measures against them. I can only imagine how far they might have prejudiced Israel if not for "the Muslim dilemma" that hit their own doorsteps. Though I deeply desire the end to Muslim jihadists, I have to clearly recognize how they are an instrument of the justice of God on the earth. The point is, the nations (especially the United States) must learn how important it is to understand Israel in their very difficult effort to protect themselves while they agree to allow a people to co-habitate with them who has declared them to be their enemies.
It’s also important to note that the extremists seem to be key in creating the desperate conditions that have provoked over 25,000 Muslims to come to Christ every day. The more vicious they are the more disillusionment there is with status quo Islam. We now have more Muslims that have come to Christ since 9/11 than in the entire history of Islam put together. The present narrative is not about radical Muslims taking over the world — it's about the veil being lifted and Muslims encountering the One who passionately loves them. Our personal test as believers is whether or not we will choose to love Muslims, despite the security risks. Many of us are failing that test, but thank God many are understanding the opportunity before us to love radically. I know we are totally within our rights to think of our personal and family's safety. However, let me remind us of Mt. 5:43-45. “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” May we be motivated to correctly represent the heart of our Father.
So, I pray we all better understand what is playing out on the world stage and how God is going after the collective hearts of nations. Israel has just gone through several months of almost daily attacks by Muslim jihadists whose only goal is to kill indiscriminately as many Jews as possible. I have not seen hardly a report on those stabbed or the families affected and this is most likely news to many of you -- because it is the norm for mainline media to ignore or understate what happens to Israel. Yet I have read several times of the terrorists shot and killed by Israeli security and they are always called “Palestinians” instead of terrorists or jihadists. Our own government has called for “restraint on both sides.” That would be almost as offensive as a Muslim nation calling for us to have “restraint” as we went after the San Bernardino jihadists. This distorted perceiving, processing, and reporting will be something the Lord will justly go after. Meanwhile, as believers, we have no need to demonize anyone. Whatever other kingdom assignments we may feel we have, it must fall under the heading of LOVE. May we be ones that prioritize love so much that we are indeed “children of our Father."
OK, friends, it is time to laugh your way to healing. If you will take Dec 15-31 and commit to laughing as much as possible you will find amazing healing and recovery for your body and your mind. Chose to enjoy every relationship and situation as much as you can- you will see that healing will sweep through your body in a miraculous way.
The Lord continues to speak to me of His presence as Healer over us in this holiday season and entering into merriment is a great key. Avoid being overly serious as much as possible. Avoid draining conversations that are rife with negative emotions. This may mean avoid talking about politics :) - unless you can find the funny in it. Instead, watch funny movies, tell funny jokes, belly laugh just for the sake of belly laughing, - whatever and however, find joy and laughter and don't be a miser with it.
Remember this is all Biblical. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." If you need "medicine" for anything- laugh. I'm seeing a vision and I see the Lord laughing. Laugh with Him. He is laughing at the enemy and his supposedly sophisticated strategies of death and destruction. He's laughing because He can already see you on the side of victory. He sits in the heavens and laughs over us and against our enemy. Time to join in- in an intentional way. I recommend jump-starting it all now. Hahahahahahah...Feel free to fill this post with funny jokes or stories or laughter itself. Come on, it is time for everyone to get better.
CHRISTMAS HEALING DREAM:
I woke up today (Christmas morning) with a vivid dream. In this dream, I was in a setting with a large extended meeting going on- that no one, in particular, was leading. A news reporting team from Time Magazine was present and they were interviewing me as to a story they were going to put in the magazine. They were reporting on how everyday believers were operating in the power of God and seeing many healings. They were asking me to tell my personal stories and I was telling them that it all began for me in 1995 (when I was still a paint contractor)- which was true as this was when I took teams to many nations and we saw amazing healings and miracles. In the dream, I noted that Randy Clark, Todd Bentley, and Bill Johnson were all in these present meetings and were also involved in praying for people to be healed. I myself began to get many words of knowledge for healing. I remember commenting to someone that this was great that a non-Christian magazine was covering all of this and that a report of all of this was going to be going mainstream. I then awakened.
INTERPRETATION:
The healing theme continues for me as the Lord has been speaking that over and over to me for this season- and I have been sharing on that. The Time Magazine part is significant as this means it is Time for both the uptick in healings to take place and for it to be so widespread that it would be reported on by the secular media. Bill Johnson, Todd Bentley, and Randy Clark are all names associated with healing and I think that is the significance of them in the dream. For this to be a Christmas day dream tells me that this is His gift to us at this time for us to be inundated by so much healing that it is noted in mainstream media. I think He wants us encouraged by this as well as expectant to see and participate with this increased outpouring of healing.
WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE:
In the dream, I gave out some words of knowledge and I will give them out here as well. If it applies to you just say, “I receive it now in Jesus' name”. Here they are. Somebody has some injuries from a bicycle accident and God is releasing full healing to you now. Anyone who has experienced unhealed injuries from a car accident the Lord is healing that now. Anyone with a lower back injury of any sort God is healing that now. God is healing a left ear lobe infection. A ringing in the ears is being healed. A rotator cuff is being healed. You will feel the healing heat and you will know it is you. Right leg shin splints are being healed right now. Headaches are being broken off right now. Fear that has been trapped in the stomach area is being broken off right now. Pain in the right eye is lifting off. A throbbing elbow is being healed…Whatever else you have faith to be healed from receive it now.
Merry Christmas!!