Let’s drop the pretense and say out loud what everyone already knows.

People are leaving the Church in Wales because it is now led by an openly lesbian archbishop who openly lives in a way Scripture calls sin, and somehow we are supposed to act shocked by that.

According to a BBC article, Cherry Vann became the first openly gay archbishop in the world this summer. She later acknowledged that her sexuality has driven people out of the church. “Some, sadly, have felt the need to leave, and I take that very seriously,” she told BBC Wales.

What did she think was going to happen?

Christianity has never been vague about sexual morality. Not once. Sexual intimacy outside of God’s design for marriage is consistently identified in Scripture as sin. That includes homosexuality, just as it includes adultery, fornication, and every other sexual expression outside biblical marriage. And the problem is unrepentant behavior, especially in church leadership.

Yet the BBC frames this as a story about intolerance rather than truth.

Vann said the Church in Wales is “working hard to welcome LGBT+ people,” while also admitting that some believers “find that really difficult.” That framing misses the point entirely. Christianity welcomes sinners. It always has. What it does not do, or is not supposed to do, is place unrepentant sin on a pedestal and call it spiritual authority.

Vann described criticism of her lifestyle as personal attacks. “It can be very hurtful,” she said. “It feels like an attack on who I am and who God has made me to be.”

But Christianity does not begin with self-definition. It starts with repentance. The gospel does not affirm who we are in our sin. It calls us out of it. That is not cruelty. That is mercy.

Order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!

The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans said the quiet part out loud, describing Vann’s appointment as “another painful nail in the coffin of Anglican orthodoxy.” That statement was not hateful. It was accurate. When biblical authority is abandoned, orthodoxy dies.

The broader context makes this even more challenging to ignore. Vann took leadership of the Church in Wales after her predecessor resigned amid safeguarding failures, excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. She herself admitted, “I think there is a big cultural issue in the Church.”

She is right. But culture problems do not start with scandals. They start when sin is normalized and repentance is removed from the equation.

And none of this should surprise anyone who has actually read the Bible.

Scripture warned plainly that this would happen. The apostle Paul wrote that before Jesus’ return, there would be a rebellion, the great falling away, where many would abandon sound doctrine (2 Thess. 2:3). That warning was not abstract. It was predictive.

What makes this moment especially absurd is watching it be sold as Christianity itself, with help from institutions like the BBC, which has turned what should be a theological crisis into a sympathetic puff piece.

This is not a call to hate Cherry Vann. Scripture does not call for that. We are commanded to pray for her. Pray for repentance, restoration and truth. The hope should be that she turns away from a path that contradicts God’s Word and returns to the narrow road that leads to life.

But let’s stop acting confused.

When a church blesses what God forbids, faithful believers will walk away. That is not cruelty. That is Holy Spirit conviction.

And no amount of media praise can turn apostasy into Christianity.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.

Bethlehem is not a sentimental backdrop or a symbolic setting. It is a real town with a deliberate purpose in God’s redemptive plan. Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn says the town where Jesus was born reveals who Messiah is and why His birth continues to matter.

“Hidden behind all the nativity scenes, every Christmas play, behind the greeting cards, hidden inside the town of Bethlehem is a mystery, more than one,” Cahn said in a recent sermon. “Why Bethlehem? Why Bethlehem?”

The answer points directly to kingship, redemption and hope.

Bethlehem Is the City of a King

Bethlehem is inseparable from King David, and the Messiah must come from David’s royal line.

“The Messiah has to be linked to King David. Has to,” Cahn said. “He’s got to be born of the royal line of David.”

David, the first king of Israel, was born in Bethlehem, and Scripture declares that the Messiah would reign forever on David’s throne.

“The first king is David. The last king is Messiah,” Cahn said. “Messiah is going to reign on the throne of David.”

Bethlehem’s humility does not diminish its meaning. “It’s not about a nice little thing,” Cahn said. “The one who’s being born is the king of kings.”

A Real Jewish Town With a Real Purpose

Bethlehem was never meant to be filtered through fantasy or religious ornamentation.

“The Bethlehem of 2,000 years ago had no religious architecture, cathedrals, no religiousness,” Cahn said. “It was a Jewish town. Simple. Humble.”

That setting strips away spectacle and focuses attention on the meaning of the birth itself.

The House of Bread

Bethlehem’s Hebrew name, Beit Lechem, means “house of bread,” a detail Cahn says is central to the Christmas story.

“Messiah is called the bread of life,” he said. “Bethlehem is the house of bread. It’s the place where the bread of life comes down from heaven into the world.”

Jesus’ birth in a manger reinforces the message.

“Here’s the bread of life in a place of food,” Cahn said. “The world cannot satisfy your hunger. He’s the only thing that can truly satisfy your soul.”

Order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!

Shepherds and the Lamb

Bethlehem has always been a land of shepherds and sheep, which explains who God chose to witness Messiah’s birth.

“Not insurance agents, not politicians, not stockbrokers, but shepherds,” Cahn said. “Why? He was born to be the shepherd of our lives.”

Bethlehem was also known for lambs raised for sacrifice near Jerusalem.

“Messiah is not only the lamb. He’s the sacrificed lamb,” Cahn said. “How perfect that the Lamb of God is born in the city of lambs.”

Sorrow Turned to Victory

Bethlehem is tied to sorrow and restoration through Rachel, who was buried near the town.

“She called the name of her son Ben-Oni, ‘son of my sorrow,’” Cahn said. “But his father changed his name to Benjamin, ‘son of my right hand.’”

That pattern foreshadows Messiah. “Messiah comes as a man of sorrows,” Cahn said, “but then He becomes the son of the right hand, the victorious Messiah.”

The Place of Redemption

Bethlehem stands at the center of the biblical story of redemption through Ruth and Boaz.

“One day God Himself is going to become the goel,” Cahn said. “He’s going to redeem a barren world that cannot bear fruit.”

That redemption began in Bethlehem and was ultimately fulfilled in Messiah.

Why Bethlehem Still Matters

Bethlehem reveals the identity and mission of Jesus.

“It’s the place of David,” Cahn said. “He is gentle, but He is mighty. He is your king.”

“It was a place of shepherds to tell you the one who was born there is born to lead you and guide you and take care of you,” he said. “Don’t fear. Trust Him. Walk with Him.”

Bethlehem points beyond a manger to a King who reigns, a Shepherd who leads, a Lamb who redeems and the Bread of Life who satisfies the soul. That is why the mystery of Bethlehem still matters, and why Christmas remains a message of lasting hope.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.

Injustice is part of life. Every believer eventually faces unfair treatment from people in authority, broken systems or leaders who misuse their position. Scripture never denies that reality. What it does address, over and over, is how we respond when it happens and what offense can do to our hearts if we’re not careful.

Ministry leader John Bevere addressed these issues on a recent episode of the John Bevere Podcast, where he was joined by his son Arden Bevere. The focus was simple but challenging: how believers handle injustice without letting bitterness take root.

What the Bible Calls Unfair Treatment

Bevere made an important distinction many people miss. Not all suffering is injustice in the biblical sense.

“What is unfair treatment?” he said. “When I’m doing what is right and I get punished for doing what is wrong.”

That matters because Scripture speaks directly to how believers are meant to respond in those moments. Enduring injustice isn’t weakness. It’s obedience.

Honor Without Excusing Sin

One of the clearest points Bevere made is that honor does not mean approval.

“You’re not honoring his behavior,” he said. “You’re honoring his position.”

The Bible allows, and sometimes requires, calling out sin. But it never gives permission to mock, slander or treat authority with contempt. Honor and truth are not opposites. Scripture holds them together.

When God Must Come First

Submission has limits. When authority demands sin, obedience to God comes first.

“If authority tells us to sin, there’s a higher authority,” Bevere said.

That doesn’t lead to rebellion or rage. It leads to faithfulness marked by restraint and humility.

Why Retaliation Backfires

Scripture is clear about vengeance, and Bevere did not soften it.

“It’s an unrighteous thing when we defend ourselves and avenge ourselves,” he said. “It’s a righteous thing when we let God defend us.”

Retaliation feels justified in the moment, but it damages the heart and clouds judgment. God never asked His people to win arguments. He asked them to trust Him.

Offense Is the Real Danger

Offense isn’t harmless. Bevere warned plainly, “The number one thing that will get you out of the will of God is offense.”

Offense changes how we see everything. Leaders. Scripture. Even God. Left alone, it hardens the heart and drains love, exactly as Jesus warned.

Leaving the Outcome to God

At the center of the message is one hard but freeing truth: “He left his case in the hands of God.”

That choice defines spiritual maturity. Justice may not come quickly, but it always comes fully when God handles it.

“This world is filled with injustice,” Bevere said. “How we respond to the injustice determines our future.”

Injustice will come. Offense doesn’t have to stay. Scripture is clear on which path leads to life.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.

Angel Studios announced Sunday that its new animated musical, David, is projected to earn an estimated $22 million at the domestic box office in its opening weekend, marking the largest theatrical debut in the company’s history.

The opening is expected to make David the highest-grossing faith-based animated theatrical opening of all time, surpassing Angel’s own The King of Kings as well as DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt. The film opened in 3,118 theaters nationwide, signaling strong exhibitor confidence heading into the Christmas season.

With David and The King of Kings, Angel Studios has now released two of the top 10 highest-grossing animated domestic theatrical films of 2025, according to company estimates. The King of Kings has earned approximately $61 million domestically.

Angel said David also achieved the best three-day opening weekend in company history, topping the $19.6 million debut of Sound of Freedom.

Audience response has been notably strong. The film earned an A CinemaScore and holds a 98% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, indicating broad approval among family audiences. International rollouts are scheduled to begin this week in more than 42 global markets.

“Families are searching for values-driven films that honor hope, and our Angel Guild members embraced David from the very beginning,” said Brandon Purdie, Angel’s head of theatrical, in a statement. He added that the company expects an extended theatrical run, with the film continuing through the Christmas season.

Order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!

Earlier this year, Angel Studios announced it had acquired the David franchise and intellectual property in partnership with 2521 Entertainment. The acquisition includes both the animated feature film and an accompanying five-part animated television series, positioning the property as a long-term asset for the studio.

“King David—one of the greatest stories ever told—is powerfully reimagined for the big screen with this epic family musical,” said David L. Hunt, co-founder and chief creative and content officer of 2521 Entertainment. “Kids will grow up fondly remembering how their parents took them to the theater to experience this film.”

The film features original music from multi-platinum Christian artist Phil Wickham and retells the biblical account of David’s rise from shepherd to king, focusing on themes of faith, courage, loyalty, and purpose, culminating in his confrontation with the giant Goliath.

The success of David also raises a broader question for the entertainment industry: whether audiences are signaling a growing appetite for faith-based, values-driven storytelling over the increasingly explicit and morally hollow content that has dominated much of Hollywood’s recent output.

With strong box office numbers, overwhelming audience approval, and international expansion already underway, David may point to a shifting landscape—one where studios are rewarded for stories that uplift families rather than test their limits.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.

At Christmas, the familiar words spoken by the angels over Bethlehem still echo with power and purpose: “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.”

According to apostle John Eckhardt, those words are not poetic tradition. They reveal one of the central reasons Jesus came into the world. “One of the reasons Jesus came, or one of the causes of Christ’s coming, was to release good will, divine favor, salvation, redemption, deliverance to man,” he teaches. Christmas, then, is more than a celebration. It is an invitation to live differently.

Eckhardt explains that good will begins with God Himself. “Good will toward men is, first of all, God’s good will toward men and our good will toward men: kindness, benevolence, giving, caring.” It reflects God’s nature and His intention for humanity. While the season is often crowded with noise and commercialism, he reminds believers that the heart of Christmas remains unchanged. “The Christmas season represents giving. It is a time of giving… really, the intent is to release good will, gifts, giving, benevolence, kindness, loving people, taking care of people. This is really the heart of the Gospel.”

Pre-order John Eckhardt’s New Book, “The Power of Your Words” on Amazon.com!

Good will, however, is not sentimental language or seasonal goodwill. Eckhardt emphasizes that it is a lived reality. “Good will toward men is not merely a sentiment but a call to action,” he says, urging believers to embody what Christ came to impart. That calling becomes especially clear when Scripture refers to “people of good will.”

People of Good Will Live Out These Virtues

1. They promote peace
   People of good will actively work to reduce division rather than deepen it. Eckhardt teaches that they “actively seek to bridge divides, resolve conflicts, and foster understanding among diverse groups.” Their presence brings calm, clarity, and reconciliation in environments marked by tension.
2. They extend compassion and mercy
   Compassion is not optional for people of good will. Eckhardt describes them as those who “show mercy and kindness to others, especially the vulnerable and marginalized, without expecting anything in return.” Their concern is not transactional. It flows from a heart transformed by Christ.
3. They demonstrate generosity
   Generosity, according to Eckhardt, goes beyond financial giving. People of good will “share resources, time, and talents to uplift and support those in need.” They understand that everything they steward can become a blessing when placed in God’s hands.
4. They stand for righteousness and truth
   Good will does not compromise moral clarity. Eckhardt explains that people of good will “advocate for justice and truth, working against oppression and wrongdoing while upholding moral integrity.” Their kindness is anchored in conviction, not passivity.
5. They show active concern for others’ well-being
   Eckhardt defines good will as more than approval or polite affirmation. “Good will manifests as an active interest in the welfare of others, extending beyond passive approval,” he says. It means caring about people’s needs, struggles, and aspirations, and responding with empathy and support.

This calling stands in sharp contrast to the violence and cruelty visible in the world. Eckhardt points to real-world tragedy as evidence of what happens when human dignity is abandoned. “That is not kindness. That is cruel, harsh… not recognizing the dignity of anybody. That is not God’s intent,” he says. In response, he emphasizes that believers are meant to be an alternative witness.

“The church should be a vehicle of good will,” Eckhardt teaches, “supporting the weak, helping the lost, helping the hurting, lifting up the downtrodden.” In a fractured world, people of good will reveal the character of Christ through consistent, compassionate action.

Christmas, then, becomes both a reminder and a recommissioning. Eckhardt summarizes it simply: “God wants us to be recipients of His good will but also channels of His good will.” As Christians receive God’s favor, kindness, and benevolence, we are also called to release it into everyday life.

The message of Christmas is not confined to a single day or season. It shapes how believers live, give, and love. In Eckhardt’s words, it is a call to be “a person of kindness, benevolence, goodness, and compassion all the days of your life.”

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.

Jesus Christ warned that seismic upheaval would mark the period preceding His return. In Matthew 24, He spoke plainly of “earthquakes in various places,” describing them as birth pains rather than isolated events.

The warning was not meant to stir panic, but discernment. Scripture consistently calls believers to recognize patterns, not dismiss them, and to understand what unfolding events may be signaling, both spiritually and physically.

Renewed Seismic Activity in America’s Heartland

That context frames a recent Daily Mail report on increased earthquake activity in the central United States. According to the article, “a giant seismic zone in the heart of the US has seen dozens of tiny earthquakes break out in the last month, renewing fears of a catastrophic natural disaster soon.”

The report notes that “since mid-November, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has detected at least 38 low-level seismic events along the boundaries of the New Madrid Seismic Zone” spanning Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee. While none of the quakes exceeded magnitude 2.6, the timing raised concern because “the fresh activity came almost exactly on the date and in the same location as the last major seismic event to erupt within the NMSZ.”

The Daily Mail further emphasized the long-term risk, stating that researchers have warned the region has “a 40 percent chance of unleashing a magnitude 6.0 earthquake within the next five decades,” adding that a larger event could cause damage on a scale the Midwest is unprepared to handle.

Order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!

Bob Jones and Prophetic Warnings of Sudden Release

Decades before renewed attention on the New Madrid Fault, the late Bob Jones issued sobering warnings during a 1997 New Year’s Eve prophetic conference. Speaking at MorningStar Ministries in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jones described a vision involving seismic judgment.

“I have been showing My prophets these things for years. Now walk into it. I am beginning to perform My Word,” Jones quoted the Lord as saying. He recounted seeing “two mighty angels. One was holding the ‘San Diego plate’ and the other, the New Madrid Fault Line,” adding, “When each cup is full, the angel will turn loose, and the quakes will happen. They will be sudden.”

Concerning the central United States, Jones warned, “There will be an enormous earthquake somewhere along the New Madrid Fault line,” saying entire cities would be devastated and that “the Mississippi River will be 35 miles wide when it is all over.” The prophecy framed these events as restrained for a time, but not indefinitely.

Discerning the Times We Are Living In

When modern seismic data and long-standing prophetic warnings are placed side by side, the convergence is difficult to ignore. Scripture praises the sons of Issachar as men “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chron. 12:32). That same discernment is urgently needed today.

The Bible also issues a blunt warning in Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” As global events accelerate and natural systems show increasing instability, believers are called neither to fear nor complacency, but to spiritual awareness.

Earthquakes, wars, and upheavals do not replace the gospel, but they showcase its urgency. The signs are not given to satisfy curiosity, but to awaken understanding in a generation watching history move at unprecedented speed.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.

What the apostle Paul warned about nearly 2,000 years ago is not some distant theological concept. The “great falling away” he described is no longer creeping in quietly. It is brazen, public and increasingly wrapped in the language of spirituality.

Each news cycle brings fresh evidence that many who once claimed the name of Jesus have abandoned the authority of Scripture, rejected the lordship of Jesus Christ and replaced repentance with self-worship. What was once unthinkable is now celebrated, often from pulpits that still dare to call themselves churches.

As reported by Fox News, progressive churches in Colorado and Washington are hosting drag-themed Christmas events that openly mock and reimagine the Nativity itself.

Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, hosted “A Drag Christmas Spectacular,” advertised as “a joyful, irreverent reimagining of the nativity story that celebrates queer joy, chosen family, and the power of love and acceptance.”

Promotional material for the event declares, “Get ready for the ultimate festive extravaganza with ‘A Drag Christmas Spectacular,’ where magical Queers will slay their way to Bethlehem.” The event website also warns that the show contains adult themes and is recommended for ages 16 and older.

The pastor behind the Colorado event made no attempt to hide the theological inversion taking place. Rev. Sean Neil-Barron told Colorado Public Radio that the show was created in response to what he described as anti-LGBTQ legislation. “What if we created this queer little oasis, this little queer sacred space at the holidays for folks to come and see their lives and their community lifted up as worthy, which is so needed right now?” he said.

He went further, recasting the Magi not as seekers of Christ but as symbols of sexual identity exploration, asking, “Instead of just finding Jesus, what if they actually stumbled upon queer people coming alive, being born again, claiming joy, claiming hope, claiming resilience?”

This is not contextualization. It is substitution. Christ is no longer the object of worship but a backdrop, a prop to elevate human desire and identity. The gospel is not expanded here; it is erased. When the Nativity becomes a vehicle for self-affirmation rather than the incarnation of God in the flesh, the message of salvation has been replaced with another gospel entirely.

The same pattern is unfolding in Seattle. Emmaus Table, an LGBTQ-affirming spiritual community connected to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, hosted a drag-inspired Christmas production titled “Drag Church: The Yassification of Ebenezer Scrooge.”

Order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!

According to the event description, “The Yassification of Ebenezer Scrooge is a traditional Christmas pageant reimagined through a queer lens.” Attendees were told they would follow Scrooge as he is guided by “three drag queen spirits” who help him “release shame and anger, embrace his true self, and rediscover the joy of community.” Organizers described the event as “spiritually-inclusive” and “family-friendly.”

None of this should shock anyone who takes Scripture seriously. Paul warned that deception would come not only from outside the church but also from within it. Apostasy does not announce itself as rebellion. It cloaks itself in compassion, inclusion and love while denying the very truth that gives those words meaning. These events are not harmless expressions of creativity. They are deliberate distortions of sacred truths, stripping Jesus Christ of His authority and recasting Him as optional, symbolic or irrelevant.

Behind these spectacles is a deeper spiritual reality that must not be ignored. Scripture is clear that there are spiritual forces at work seeking to deceive, distort and draw people away from the truth. The goal is not simply provocation. It is dethronement. When Christ is removed from the center, something else will always take His place.

The response, however, is not hatred toward the people involved. We are commanded to love our neighbors and pray for those who are deceived. Many participating in these events are not enemies but captives of a lie.

At the same time, love does not mean silence. The church must pray fervently, stand firm and confront the spiritual forces pulling the strings behind these movements. The deception thrives where there is no resistance. Truth, spoken boldly and lived faithfully, remains the antidote.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.

Fasting is not a modern spiritual trend or a religious performance. As Pastor Vlad Savchuk of HungryGen Ministries teaches, it is one of the oldest disciplines in Scripture and one that God has consistently used in moments of major spiritual significance. Fasting creates space. It quiets the flesh, sharpens spiritual sensitivity, and restores hunger for God.

Throughout the Bible, fasting appears before revelation, ministry, repentance, and spiritual breakthroughs. Jesus fasted before beginning His ministry, the early church fasted before major decisions, and believers today are still called to practice it with wisdom and purpose.

What Fasting Is

Fasting means to go without food in order to hunger for God. It is a voluntary, temporary abstinence from nourishment for spiritual reasons. In Scripture, fasting expressed humility, submission, repentance, mourning, and preparation for God’s direction. While only one fast was commanded in the Law, fasting was widely practiced by God’s people and emphasized even more clearly in the New Testament.

Order Vlad Savchuk’s New Book, “Make the Devil Homeless” on Amazon.com!

Five Reasons Every Believer Should Fast

1. Jesus Expected His Followers to Fast
   Jesus said, “When you fast,” not “if you fast.” While He rebuked hypocritical fasting, He never removed the practice itself. Fasting is assumed to be part of a believer’s spiritual life.
2. Fasting Restores Hunger for God
   Fasting exchanges physical hunger for spiritual hunger. It helps reset a distracted or dull spiritual life and rekindles desire for God’s presence.
3. Fasting Prepares You for Temptation
   Learning to say no to what is lawful strengthens the ability to resist what is sinful. Fasting disciplines the flesh and builds spiritual self-control.
4. Fasting Is a Biblical Way to Humble Yourself
   Scripture repeatedly connects fasting with humility. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Fasting is a voluntary way to position yourself for God’s help rather than His resistance.
5. Fasting Prepares You for a New Level in God
   Fasting often precedes new assignments, clarity, and spiritual growth. It is not about striving for power, but about obedience and preparation for what God is releasing next.

Three Things to Keep in Mind While Preparing to Fast

1. The Right Time
   Fasting is not appropriate for everyone in every season. Those who are pregnant, nursing, under 18, or managing medical conditions should seek guidance. Minors are encouraged to consider non-food fasts.
2. The Right Motive
   Fasting should never be forced or copied from others. Extended fasts must be Spirit-led and done out of obedience, not pressure or comparison.
3. The Right Preparation
   Reducing caffeine and solid foods ahead of time helps physically. Preparing the heart through prayer and repentance matters even more. Fasting begins internally before it becomes external.

Fasting is not about proving spirituality. It is about humility, focus, and renewed hunger for God. When practiced biblically and wisely, it remains a powerful discipline that aligns believers with God’s presence, direction, and purpose.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.

For many Christians, the birth of Jesus is familiar territory. A manger, a stable, shepherds under a star-filled sky. But Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel says when the story is viewed through its original Jewish context, it becomes far more intentional, prophetic and breathtaking than most realize.

Appearing on The 700 Club, Sobel explained that Jesus was not born in a wooden barn at all. “He wasn’t born in a barn,” Sobel said. “He was actually born in a cave.”

That single detail, he explained, changes everything.

According to Sobel, the location of Jesus’ birth was no accident, nor was the identity of the shepherds who first received the angelic announcement. “These weren’t ordinary shepherds,” he said. “They were priestly shepherds. They were raising the Passover lambs for the Temple in Jerusalem.”

Those lambs, Sobel noted, were born and cared for in caves surrounding Bethlehem. “Those lambs were brought into the caves around Bethlehem when they were born,” he said. “So they see Him born in the same place that the Passover lambs were born.”

Order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!

Even the sign given to the shepherds carried a meaning they would instantly recognize. “Behold, you’ll see a baby lying in swaddling cloth, lying in a manger,” Sobel quoted, asking why such a specific sign mattered. “Why were those signs of any signs that could have been given?” he said.

Sobel believes the answer lies in priestly practice. “I believe He was swaddled in not ordinary garments but in priestly garments,” he said, noting that sacrificial lambs were wrapped carefully at birth to prevent blemish.

What makes the account even more striking, Sobel said, is how Jesus’ birth quietly points forward to His death. “His birth in a stone cave and put in a stone manger points to His burial in a cave,” he said. “And His being wrapped in swaddling cloth at His birth points to the linen cloth that He’s buried in as well.”

To Sobel, the parallel is impossible to dismiss. “So His birth and His burial are connected,” he said. “He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.”

Sobel, author of Transformed by the Messiah and a consultant for The Chosen, said this kind of detail reveals a depth to Scripture that feels anything but random. “The beginning and the end are all connected,” he said, a reminder that the Christmas story, when fully understood, carries far more weight than sentiment alone.

Far from diminishing the wonder of Jesus’ birth, Sobel said these connections make it even more astonishing. A Messiah born not just humbly, but prophetically. His mission was woven into stone, cloth and location from the very first moment.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.

A recent discussion on The Israel Guys Roundtable Podcast tackled several fast-moving developments that are reshaping the conversation around Israel, Gaza, and the future of Jerusalem. Drawing from on-the-ground observations, regional reporting and biblical context, the panel outlined why certain political moves—especially involving Turkey and international “peace” efforts—are causing deep concern, while parallel spiritual developments on the Temple Mount are being viewed as highly significant.

Rather than treating these events as disconnected headlines, the discussion framed them as part of a broader pattern that students of Scripture have observed—foreign powers promising peace, mounting pressure on Israel, and key spiritual shifts occurring in Jerusalem.

Below is a breakdown of the core issues discussed and why they matter

Turkey, Gaza and the Promise of “Peace”

• Turkey seeking to deploy troops into Gaza: Turkey has openly stated it is prepared to send troops into Gaza as part of an international stabilization force. This is raising alarms because Turkey has consistently taken a hostile posture toward Israel and has publicly aligned itself with Hamas rhetoric. Biblically, Israel’s history shows that foreign armies entering the land under promises of peace often become instruments of pressure rather than protection.
• Growing pressure on Israel from allies: Despite Israeli objections, there are increasing claims that friendly nations are pressuring Israel to accept Turkish involvement. Scripture repeatedly warns that Israel’s most significant strategic failures came not from direct enemies, but from relying on alliances that slowly demanded compromise.
• The “Board of Peace” and false peace warnings: The concept of a global “Board of Peace” sounds stabilizing, but it echoes the biblical warning in Jeremiah about leaders declaring “peace, peace” when no true peace exists. The concern is not diplomacy itself, but peace frameworks that ignore the root threat and instead restrain Israel’s ability to defend itself.
• Hamas disarmament being delayed: Proposed plans reportedly prioritize separating Israeli forces from Hamas before demanding Hamas disarm. Practically, this allows Hamas to survive intact. Biblically, it follows a familiar pattern where evil is temporarily contained but never removed, only to return stronger.
• Foreign troops operating inside Israel: Reports of foreign soldiers in uniform inside Israel are described as unprecedented. For many, this aligns with biblical prophecies describing nations gathering around Israel and Jerusalem in the last days—not always as allies, but as sources of mounting pressure.

Order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!

The Temple Mount and Spiritual Signals

• A breakthrough on the Temple Mount: Reports of Levites singing on the Temple Mount are being described as historic, marking what some believe is the first such moment in nearly 2,000 years. In Scripture, worship on the Temple Mount is closely tied to God’s presence and activity among His people.
• From suppressed prayer to open worship: Only years ago, Jews were arrested for quietly praying on the Temple Mount. The shift toward open worship reflects not only a political change but also a spiritual one. Biblically, the return of prayer and praise after prolonged suppression often signals an approaching turning point.
• Worship preceding restoration: Throughout the Old Testament, worship and repentance frequently come before deliverance. The reemergence of song on the Temple Mount is being interpreted as a prophetic indicator that spiritual foundations are being restored in advance of larger events.

Prophetic Patterns and Hanukkah Parallels

• Hanukkah as a living parallel: With Hanukkah now here, current pressures are being compared to the Maccabean era, when foreign empires imposed control under the promise of peace and progress. Deliverance then came not through international coalitions, but through faithfulness under impossible odds.
• A spiritual, not merely political conflict: The struggle surrounding Israel is increasingly framed as spiritual and ideological rather than purely military. Scripture consistently places Israel at the center of spiritual contention, making modern geopolitical pressure feel strikingly familiar.
• Warning signs, not reassurance: The convergence of foreign troops, international peacekeeping structures, and unprecedented activity on the Temple Mount is not being viewed as a sign ofstability. Instead, it resembles the biblical pattern where pressure intensifies even as signs of spiritual awakening begin to surface.

Why This Moment Matters

Taken together, these developments suggest Israel is entering a season that requires discernment rather than reassurance. History and Scripture both show that peace plans built on political pressure—while sidelining spiritual reality—tend to unravel quickly. At the same time, the quiet but undeniable shift taking place on the Temple Mount points to something deeper unfolding beneath the headlines.

The Bible consistently shows that moments of greatest pressure often precede moments of restoration. What is happening now does not signal calm, but it does align with the biblical expectation that God’s purposes for Israel advance even as the nations gather and tensions rise.

James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.