Christianity—an offshoot of the Jewish faith, founded by the Jewish Messiah and built on His teachings of forgiveness and love — ironically produced centuries of hatred, persecution and even murder of the Jewish people. All of this happened despite the apostle Paul’s instructions for believers to honor the Jewish people as the root of our own faith (Rom. 11).

Something went horribly wrong, and the church failed the Jewish people. Today, however, we have the opportunity to make amends and build a new relationship based on mutual respect.

Theological Seeds Sown

Christianity did not cause the Holocaust. However, Christian anti-Judaism developed into anti-Semitism, which paved the way for the Holocaust. The lesson for us today is that we should walk in the compassion and forgiveness of our Lord. If the church had walked in the humility and meekness Jesus taught and modeled, the Holocaust might never have happened.

Evidence of tensions between Judaism and Christianity showed up early in the life of the church and resulted in a complete split by the end of the Bar Kokhba revolt in A.D. 135. The changing composition of churches throughout the Roman Empire also contributed to the division between the two faiths.

Gentiles from pagan backgrounds outnumbered those from a Jewish background. Roman brutality also had ramifications. During periods of persecution of Christians, Jews disassociated from them, and during periods of persecution of Jews the Christians would do the same.

Within this complicated situation, some church fathers began to preach against Judaism and warned their followers to stay away from it. Centuries of this type of teaching developed into a church doctrine of contempt for the Jews, which motivated Christians to persecute them. It also paved the way for state laws that degraded the Jews, sometimes forcing them to live in walled ghettos or be expelled from their country altogether.

This article does not allow space to cover this history thoroughly, but suffice it to say, the state and the state church were both guilty of horrible treatment of the Jewish people.

The Protestant Reformation produced more of the same. Martin Luther is best known for the 95 Theses he nailed to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, birthing the Protestant Reformation and a return to the Bible as the source of religious authority.

Unfortunately, in his later years Luther turned bitter toward the Jews. In his writings, Luther outlined specific ways to persecute and degrade the Jewish people, ending with a plea for some solution, “that we all may be free of this insufferable devilish burden—the Jews.”

Hatred in Full Bloom

It is no coincidence that 400 years later, in Luther’s German homeland, Hitler reprinted the reformer’s anti-Semitic writings for distribution. He used them to coerce churches into silence as he carried out his “final solution”—the extermination of the Jewish race.

After Christian leaders had called the Jews “monstrous animals” and “evil seed,” it is no wonder Nazi cartoons could depict the Jewish people as devils with horns and tails. It was not Hitler who thought up the distinctive yellow-star badge to be worn on their clothing. The idea originated with Innocent III, the 13th-century pope who called for Jews to be identified by distinctive clothing.

Hitler also used medieval Catholic anti-Jewish legislation as a model for his own. The theological seeds planted centuries earlier had come to full bloom, and the church was silent—most Catholics and Protestants did not withstand Hitler’s plan.

The Need for Humility

This tragic history of Jewish-Christian relations should cause every Christian to seek ways to establish a new relationship with the Jewish people based on mutual respect. We need to repent for this tragic story and strive to make amends.

One way is to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people and support Israel. Likewise, we should condemn all modern forms of anti-Semitism—namely, the demonization of the Jewish State.

Support Justice

Israel’s founding brought justice to the Jewish people. After almost 2,000 years of exile and ongoing persecution, the Jewish people are back in the land and can now control their own destiny. We need to support their right to self-determination, to defend themselves, and to become the “light to the nations” God has called them to be!

That is why we, as Christians, have a moral obligation to support Israel. {eoa}

Dr. Susan Michael is USA Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and host of the Out of Zion podcast. Subscribe today to listen to her Israel Answers series on the Out of Zion podcast. Visit Israel with ICEJ Tours.

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One of the biggest things that keeps us Christians from being happy is ourselves. In my case, I know it’s the fact that I can never do enough for the kingdom. Coupled with that are the things that I just didn’t do—for whatever reason.

Jesus addresses this fear in this passage:

“And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Saducees.’ They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘He said that because we did not bring any bread.’ But Jesus, aware of this, said, ‘You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Saducees.’ Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Saducees.” (Matt. 16:5-12, NASB1995).

They had forgotten to bring food, and Jesus reminded them of two recent times when they’d had food but it wasn’t nearly enough. No problem. God multiplied what they had. Always believe God that you have enough, that things will always work out all right.

Or maybe I should say that things will always work out right for you if you believe they will.

What would be the point of chiding them for little faith if it didn’t matter anyway?

Four times in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus talks about people with little faith, and each time He addresses a concern that they have.

In Matthew 6:30, He is talking about people who worry about their daily needs: “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”

In Matthew 8:26, He is talking to experienced fishermen who are afraid of drowning in a sinking boat. He says to them, “Why are you timid, you men of little faith?” (my paraphrase). Then He gets up and rebukes the winds and the sea, and it becomes perfectly calm.

In Matthew 14:31 (NASB1995), Jesus is talking to Peter, who just attempted to walk on water and is about to drown. “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?'”

In two of these cases, the people were in difficult straits, but Jesus was physically present with them. What if He hadn’t been there? What if you were the one on a sinking boat or drowning?

Does faith make a difference?

If it doesn’t, then there’s no point of even bringing it up. If everything that happens is God’s will, then you don’t need faith. What will be will be. They all would have drowned.

And no, that wouldn’t have been God’s will.

Don’t try to overthink things here. Just learn to believe God for more things.

Jesus wants us to not worry when we forget things, when we think about our needs and when our lives are in danger. Always walk in the confidence that God is not only able but also quite willing to do what needs to be done to remedy the situation. {eoa}

Larry A. Craig went to school to go into the ministry (Moody Bible Institute, Mundelein College, Loyola University M.A. Biblical Studies) but spent his career in the meat business. Now he is retired, so he writes on politics and religion, both separately and jointly. He has written two books: The Importance of Healing and The Importance of the Lord’s Prayer. He is working on a commentary on the Gospel of Matthew and hopes to publish a book of his articles on politics and one of his articles on the Bible. He teaches the Gospel of Matthew in a weekly Zoom Bible class and emails out his articles on politics and religion. He can be reached at lacraig1@, and you can read his political blog at .

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“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18, NASB1995).

Multiple forms of prayer exist with great diversities of application, including every expression from devotional communion with God, to praying and singing in the Spirit or in the gift of tongues, to spiritual warfare dimensions accenting the gift of discerning of spirits.

In addition to these different models of prayer we also have petitions, devotional contemplation, travail, the prayer of tears, reminding God of His Word and so many other expressions. Prayer can be a form of taking a stand or a stance on something.

I teach through a variety of forms of prayer in my book Strike the Mark. That is the resource where I give the widest exposure to biblical, historical and revelatory intercession. However, in this setting, I am emphasizing my book The Global Prayer Storm: Where Every Prayer Counts and Every Sacrifice Matters.

Why? In this book I distinguish “crisis intervention through intercession.” It is the need of the hour!

Ephesians 6:18 says, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times.” We need every form of Spirit-directed and Spirit-empowered prayer. With this foundation in place, the scripture tells us to now “be on the alert.” The word alert means to be vigilant. We are not to fall asleep on our watch. We are to be alert! Wake up! Be vigilant!

Another key presented here is “persevering prayer.” Sometimes we just can’t quit. It is when we knock and keep on knocking, seek and keep on seeking. We ask and keep on asking. This is where perseverance matters. Pray at all times in the Spirit! “And with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”

The Enemy’s Plot to Divide Ukraine

I want to share a story with you. I met a man named Rabbi Boris Grisenko around 28 years ago. While in Minsk, Belarus, I walked into a room where I knew hardly anyone. Hundreds of people filled the room. I walked up to this young, bearded man and told him, “You are going to eventually have the world’s largest Messianic congregation.” Well, that’s a pretty risky thing to say to someone. I actually spoke the secrets of his heart and the doubts that he had, and I got his attention. I rolled the dice, and then I gave him this prophetic word. And this word ended up becoming true; eventually he did have the largest integrated Messianic congregation in Kyiv, Ukraine. I have not seen Rabbi Boris since then, other than one time at a Passion for Jesus-type conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

Recently I, along with hundreds of other people, helped raise funds for Ukrainian disaster relief. We assisted with funds for medical aid and humanitarian aid relief, solar Bibles and more. Then Rabbi Boris contacted me through a friend and asked me to speak at a Zoom conference for their leaders. So I sought the Lord on what to share.

Current-Day Diaspora

I talked to these leaders about how I felt the enemy’s plot was to divide Ukraine into two parts, and that one of his tactics would be to take over all port cities on the Black Sea. We know of the disaster that has gone on in Mariupol, and is still going on there, but just a few kilometers away is the port city of Odessa, which I believe is the third-largest city in Ukraine and has a large Jewish population.

This all is reminiscent of Jewish people in the Bible and the two diasporas, or scatterings. Now they could face a current-day diaspora. But this dispersement is going to be redemptive and result in congregational planting in Eastern and Central Europe, and in aliya, a return to the land of Israel. (Additional teaching materials can be found in my book The Mystery of Israel and the Middle East regarding how God’s redemptive purposes may come forth out of times of pressure. For more content and revelation on the present war in Ukraine, see my God Encounters Today podcast.)

Take a Stand at Odessa

I just want to declare we must join our brothers and sisters and take a stand at Odessa, Ukraine. We must stand together, draw up prayer plans and blueprints to take a stand so that Odessa will not fall into the hands of others. We must take a stand! It is time for the body of Christ in Eastern Europe; it’s time for the body of Christ in Central Europe; it’s time for the body of Christ in Western Europe — it’s time for the body of Christ in the global prayer networks to come together and take a stand at Odessa! Stand in prayer so that Odessa does not fall into the hands of the enemy and under Russian communism! No! Take a stand!

I have a small voice when it comes to the global prayer movement, but I am going to raise my voice: “We must take a stand at Odessa. Take a stand with Rabbi Boris Grisenko! Take a stand and help rally the troops! Do what you can, and let’s take a stand at Odessa!”

We must pray that this invasion stops and the enemy doesn’t take over all of these seaport cities on the Black Sea. God has a plan. Don’t let the devil’s plans prevail. Paul the apostle said we are not to be ignorant of the devil’s schemes (2 Cor. 2:11), and part of the devil’s plan is to take over all these port cities. I say, “No! Stop! Take a stand at Odessa. It is the enemy’s plan to take over all the port cities of the Black Sea. Stop! It’s time to take a stand at the Black Sea.”

Baltic and Black Seas: The Stand for Ukraine

When sharing, I kept saying “Baltic Sea.” I wondered why I was doing that. It must be because there is a double plan. Yes, it’s a double plan for the powers of darkness to take over all the port cities on the Black Sea and then to go for the Baltic Sea. But we say, “No! It must stop at the Black Sea because if the invasion prevails there, then the enemy will try to take the Baltic Sea.” That’s what it is; there’s the plot of the enemy being revealed. We must stop the dark powers at the Black Sea so the attack will not expand to the Baltic Sea, in the name of Jesus.

That’s what it is and what we must declare. We must stop the invasion at the Black Sea so it is not exported to the Baltic Sea. So I say, “Let’s take a stand. Let’s take a stand at Odessa in the name and by the blood of Jesus Christ!”

But hold on — there were many more signs surrounding my interaction with Rabbi Boris that day.

Raising Up the Next Generation

That night in a dream, the Holy Spirit said to me, “Keep this as the last piece. There will be a young man named Petros; call him forth, and do it at the very end. It will be a sign that everything I (you) have said is true.” So when I was speaking in the auditorium, I waited and said, “Oh, there’s a man here named Petros.” All the heads were turning. There appeared to be no Petros. I said, “There’s a man here named Petros, a young man. Where is he?” Finally, on the back row, a young man named Petros waved his hand. I stated, “Petros, stand up.” Petros stood up. I said, “Petros, come forth!” Petros came to the front of the auditorium. (This was being broadcast live on YouTube and is available to watch on our God Encounters Ministries [GEM] Media.)

I said, “Just as I identified young Rabbi Boris years ago, I now, as a sign, identify a Petros, and it’s upon the rock of salvation, Jesus, that his house is built. Even now the Lord identifies a next-generation apostolic man.” Well, it turned out that Petros lives in Kyiv, Ukraine. Not only that, but he is also Rabbi Boris’ assistant.

It was true; there was only one Petros there. “The Lord will give a sign that what I have said is true. There will be a young man there named Petros.” Well, there was, and there was only one, and he was on the back row, and he is from Kyiv, Ukraine, and he is Rabbi Boris’ assistant. Because this is about multiplication. It is about raising up the next generation even in the midst of perilous times!

When You Have Done All — Stand!

I want you to know that the purposes of God come forth in times of crisis. Ephesians 6:18 (NASB1995) states, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”

And when you have done all, persevere. And when you have done all, never give up! Stand up! Stand tall! Take a stand! Amen and amen! {eoa}

Dr. James W. Goll is the founder of God Encounters Ministries. He is an international bestselling author, a certified Life Language Coach, an adviser to leaders and ministries, and a recording artist. James has traveled around the world ministering in more than 50 nations, sharing the love of Jesus and imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry and life in the Spirit. He has recorded numerous classes with corresponding curriculum kits and is the author of more than 50 books, including The Seer, The Prophet, The Discerner, The Lost Art of Intercession and Praying with God’s Heart.

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At the writing of this article, there has been another horrific mass shooting, this time in Buffalo, New York. I am convinced that one of the primary reasons for this deluge of mass shootings over the past decade is the generational desensitization of human life in general, especially with the legalization of abortion.

After all, if a nation can legalize shedding the blood of the most innocent and vulnerable among us, this can subconsciously segue to the shedding of the blood of post-birth, fully formed adult humans. A nation’s conscience and boundaries are established by what it allows through its laws and ethics.

Since true Christ-followers believe that all humans were made in the very image of God, they have historically valued the sanctity of life (Gen. 1:27). The first divine act of establishing human government was centered around the moral implications of being made in the image of God as it related to the shedding of human blood (Gen. 9:6).

According to a news report I saw on television, the shooter was allegedly a white supremacist who’d had a conversation with a black man the day before the shooting in the same parking lot of the supermarket where the shooting occurred. They had spoken about race. The black man interviewed said he had told the young man “there is only one race.”

In response, the young white man said, “there are many races.” This belief that there are many races goes along with the evolutionary perspective of Charles Darwin, who wrote On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (1859), which purported that some species of humanity evolved more than others.

Future white supremacists like Adolf Hitler and abortion advocate/Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger utilized this evolutionary theory of various races to justify discrimination against others. While Sanger attempted to use abortion as a legal way to exterminate the so-called “negro race,” Hitler utilized gas chambers to preserve his view of a pure breed of humanity.

Biblically speaking, since all humans are made in the image of God, there is only one human race (Acts 17:26); therefore, the biblical position of the Imago Dei (image of God) is the most significant ideological position to hold against racism and all forms of human degradation, including abortion.

Regarding abortion, one of the seven sins God abhors is the shedding of innocent blood, because the (human) life is in the blood (Prov. 6:17; Lev. 17:14). Consequently, throughout church history Christ-followers have always fought for and advocated for the sacredness of human life, including humanity in its “pre-birth” and “post-birth” stages of development. (This is why the church spoke out against abortion, infanticide and slavery from the beginning of its existence. This is evidenced in documents like the first-century book The Didache as well as numerous other historical records of early church practice.) More importantly, biblical passages in Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139 and Luke 1:41 give the Hebraic perspective that human life begins in the womb.

Furthermore, in Exodus 21:22-23 we see an instance of biblical case law in which harming a child in the womb carries the same penalties as when harm is inflicted on a post-birth human. Ultrasound imaging also gives incontrovertible scientific proof that a baby just a few weeks old in the womb already has a beating heart and all human biological features in its embryonic stage. (If every woman were required by law to view the ultrasound image of her baby in her womb before she had an abortion, this horrific practice of infanticide would rarely occur!) As already stated, when the United States legalized abortion in 1973, it desensitized people regarding the sanctity of life. Thus, having less cultural regard for the rights of the most vulnerable in society (a human baby) can easily project less value to all other humans. After all, if you justify killing an innocent human baby in the womb in the name of “women’s rights,” the overall regard for humanity quickly goes downhill in a domino effect.

Hence, the equation goes like this: A culture with less regard for innocent unborn babies can equal less respect for all other humans. This results in more post-birth racism, crime, murder, rape and sexual harassment. Therefore, this erosion of societal mores makes it easier for people to objectify one another for their ends (like a mother terminating her pregnancy for economic reasons or to avoid embarrassment).

Does this mean that a pro-life individual will never murder, sexually harass or abuse another individual? Of course not. Since all humans are born in sin, we are guilty of living duplicitous lives and compartmentalizing truth. However, a pro-life person who intentionally murders or harms another person is going against their core belief system, which should make it harder for them to act on their deviant sexual impulse. Conversely, pro-choice people who are against the mistreatment of humans are inconsistent with their worldview since their ideological position fails to protect the most vulnerable humans.

In conclusion, I believe that the current conversations regarding mass shootings, sexual harassment, sex trafficking and slave labor should also lead us to dig down further and reexamine the abortion debate. All these issues are inextricably connected through the implications of the Imago Dei, which should frame our view of the sanctity of human life, both pre-birth and post-birth.

Dr. Joseph Mattera is an internationally known author, consultant and theologian whose mission is to influence leaders who influence culture. He is the founding pastor of Resurrection Church and leads several organizations, including The U.S. Coalition of Apostolic Leaders and Christ Covenant Coalition. Dr. Mattera is the author of 13 bestselling books, including his latest, The Purpose, Power, and Process of Prophetic Ministry, and is renowned for applying Scripture to contemporary culture. To order his books or to join the many thousands who subscribe to his newsletter, go to .

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In Franklin, Tennessee, a showing of Jonathan Cahn’s new film, The Harbingers of Things to Come, was sold out. Gayle, a woman who lives in Franklin, had to drive over 20 minutes into Nashville to get to a showing that still had seats available.

Gayle came to see the film because, since 9/11, she’s taken notes on what preachers are saying about judgment and the last days.

“When 9/11 happened,” she says, “there were different preachers that were talking about repenting. Then, all of a sudden, the president would say something and it was silenced. It was just a different message. I feel like the whole repentance message got lost.”

That’s where Cahn’s first foray into movies comes into play. The message of repentance is brought back to the forefront, and the film encourages people to pray and turn back to their Creator for answers.

Last week in its debut in more than 820 theaters in the U.S., The Harbingers of Things to Come registered as the second-most-watched movie in America behind only the new Doctor Strange movie. Charisma News reported that prayer and intercession for revival broke out in theaters across the country.

Cheryl Seneff and her husband, Greg, bought tickets and drove an hour to the theater in Franklin for many of the same reasons Gayle did.

“As I search the Scriptures, I’m fascinated by the details of God,” Cheryl says.

Greg agreed.

“For me, I know that God’s Word is very symmetrical. The more mysteries that are revealed about God’s Word, the more it improves life,” Greg says.

When asked about how the movie impacted them personally, both Gayle and Cheryl had similar answers. Gayle said that she would “try to be a light in spaces of darkness,” and Cheryl said, “As the world gets darker, I need to get brighter.”

Greg had a slightly different takeaway.

“Any outreach that increases an individual’s search for God or search for truth is important,” he says. “And if this inspires and motivates people to seek God’s Word to prove it to themselves or to double-check what Jonathan Cahn says, it’s good. That’s important.”

Gayle was inspired by Cahn’s message of repentance, and she thinks the film will inspire others to repent, read the Word and know the Scriptures for themselves.

While its two-night run in the theaters came to an end on Thursday, churches and schools can still register to host the film from now until June 13. Visit for details. It just may start a Holy Ghost revival in your area. {eoa}

Rob Vischer is a freelance writer for Charisma News.

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Jonathan Cahn is well aware that his new film, The Harbingers of Things to Come, might “scare some people.” But there are also those who have watched and had the opposite reaction, knowing that Christians “win in the end” and that “God is in control.”

In both cases, however, Cahn says that most people have left the theater after watching The Harbingers with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and look to the future with a great deal of hope.

“This is as it has been from the beginning. You have these two elements and they are balancing,” Cahn recently told Clay Clark on Clark’s Thrivetime Show. “If you ask me, I’m saying both. On the one hand, things are not getting better in the culture. We can pretend they are, but they are getting worse. America is racing away from God.

“On the other hand, we do win in the end and God is in control. And, God works everything out for the good of those who love Him. The thing I can say is this: Yes, the dark is getting darker now. But that’s not a hopeless thing. If that’s the case, then we as the light have to get brighter.

“The greatest people since the beginning of time have been when there were times of darkness. The prophets didn’t live in Christian times. Paul the apostle didn’t live in Christian times. They lived in cultures that were against God. But that’s when we shine the brightest. I believe this can be the greatest time in the history of the earth. Put it another way: When is the most exciting part of a movie? It’s the last 15 minutes. Well, this is the last 15 minutes, so let’s make the most of it.”

The Harbingers of Things to Come debuted to rave reviews on May 12 in more than 820 theaters nationwide. The initial response was so overwhelming that the decision was made to show it a second week. Audiences got another view of it on Thursday night, May 19, in the same locations.

Last week, The Harbingers of Things to Come registered as the second most-watched movie in America behind only the new Dr. Strange movie. Charisma News reported that prayer and intercession for revival broke out in theaters across the country.

“It was an excellent movie!” Misty Berry said in a Facebook post. “I took notes on my messenger on my phone.”

“Everyone needs to see this,” Raquel Ortiz-Nunez of Manhattan, New York, said in a Facebook post.

“He (Jonathan Cahn) is a Jewish prophet, a great man of God,” says Dorothy Starnes of Richmond, Virginia.

“Absolutely the most profound movie I’ve seen,” says Deb Switzer Blake of Bowling Green, Kentucky. “Everyone should see this movie.”

Pestilences, deep-rooted chasms on controversial cultural issues and the growing hatred of God are causing a division among Americans that we may never recover from.

But Cahn’s hope is that the movie will make people stop and think about the prophetic implications described in the film and that they will draw the nonbeliever to the cross of Christ.

“[The Harbingers of Things to Come] is like a prophetic explosion on the movie screen,” Cahn says. “This movie is about where we are, where we are going and what the future holds for us in America. Believers and nonbelievers alike need to know this information about what is coming.

“We take the viewer on a journey through America to these places that deal with the mysteries of what’s happening and where we are going. In a movie, it’s not just about reading about the harbingers—you’re actually seeing them happen. Many people are bringing others who don’t know anything about the Lord or anything about the harbingers. Hopefully they will learn a great deal from this movie.”

While its two-night run in the theaters came to an end on Thursday, churches and schools can still register to host the film from now until June 13. Just visit for details. It just may start a Holy Ghost revival in your area. {eoa}

Shawn A. Akers is the online editor for Charisma Media.

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Do you want to be happy — I mean, really happy? I believe that deep down we all want to be happy and enjoy our lives. We can spend a lot of time and energy trying to do things that will make us happy, but our own efforts will never truly satisfy us.

That’s because God doesn’t want our minds to be on ourselves all the time. He wants us to look past the things that are happening in our own lives and reach out to others and bless them. Because when our focus is on ourselves, we usually end up feeling sorry for ourselves and get caught up in self-pity.

I used to have a real problem with self-pity. I felt sorry for myself because I’d been abused by my dad, and sometimes I felt sorry for myself when my husband, Dave, would go out and play golf while I stayed home with our kids. I wasted so many days having pity parties for all types of reasons.

In the first few years of our marriage, Dave tried to keep me happy, while I carried on with a bad attitude. But one day he finally told me, “You know what? I’m not spending my life trying to make you happy. You can get happy or not get happy, but I’m going to be happy. I’m not going to feel sorry for you because it won’t help you.” And you know, even though it was really hard to hear at the time, it was the best thing he could have said to me. Because when you struggle with self-pity, if other people feel sorry for you it just feeds the problem.

Now that doesn’t mean we can never be sad. But we need to understand that if we hang on to our pain for too long, it can become self-pity, and we can become addicted to it. The good news is God gives us the tools to work through our feelings in a healthy way and not let them control us.

When God was dealing with me about having a pitiful attitude, He brought me to Galatians 5:19-21 (AMP), which gives a list of things the Bible calls sin. It says, “Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these.”

As I was studying those scriptures, I got an eye-opening revelation: Self-pity is idolatry. When we feel sorry for ourselves, we turn inward and idolize ourselves … essentially everything becomes about “me.” People who are focused on themselves never see what they can and should be doing for other people.

We should have compassion for other people who are hurting. In the Bible, there are times when Jesus was moved with compassion, and then He would go and help people. If we have compassion toward others and keep our mind off of ourselves, we will be much happier. We will also trust God to meet our needs and bring justice in our lives when we are hurting or mistreated, rather than getting into self-pity.

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 (AMP), “But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” That means God rewards those who are faithful and who wait on Him. If you’ve been hurt and you have put your trust and confidence in God as you seek Him, you have a reward coming!

I want to encourage you to keep a notebook of your blessings, the special little things that God does for you, prayers that He answers. And when you’re tempted to have a pity party, read that book and have a talk with yourself.

King David talked to himself when he started to feel depressed. He said, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Ps. 42:5, AMP).

I am so thankful that God is working in my life, taking what has happened to me and using it to help other people. The best treatment in the world for sadness and self-pity is to help somebody else. That’s when we get our minds off of our own problems and trust God to help us and do what’s best for us.

No matter what happens, be determined — with God’s help — to keep a good attitude, remain thankful and avoid self-pity. Then God will bring restoration, peace, joy and real happiness to your life. {eoa}

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 135 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and The Power of Thank You (FaithWords). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit .

Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.

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Note: This is the second of a two-part article.

In a previous article, I asked the question of whether or not Jesus will return in this decade. We affirmed that we do not know and we cannot even be sure that this definite, future event will occur in our lifetimes—let alone in this decade (Matt. 25:13).

Perhaps a better question would be, “Could Jesus return in this decade?” And, if so, what does the Bible say will occur in the days and years immediately preceding His Second Coming?

Great Tribulation

The Bible predicts a terrible time of tribulation (Matt. 24:21) for the elect of God in the last days (2 Thess. 2:1-4). This will include intense, spiritual struggles and martyrdom, as Satan releases his wrath (Rev. 12:9-12), through the beast and false prophet.

This intense persecution seems to be shortened and terminated (Matt. 24:22) when Jesus comes in the clouds to rescue the living believers and resurrect the deceased ones (1 Thess. 4:13-18). They all will be gathered by angels and transformed into spiritual bodies, able to join with Jesus in returning to heaven (1 Cor. 15:50-57).

Second Coming

This gathering of the saints of all the ages and their transformation into spiritual bodies fit for heaven appear to occur after the Great Tribulation of those days (Matt. 24: 29-31) and before the final coming of the Son of Man to earth.

In the interim, the wrath of God begins for the unbelievers (Rev. 14:7-10; 16:17-19) who remain alive on the earth and culminates with our Lord’s Second Coming to earth in the day of the Lord (Zech. 14:3-9). Then, as the Lord of lords and King of kings, Jesus will righteously judge all the nations (or ethnicities) (Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21)!

The Decisive Decade?

Experts explain that technically a decade begins with a year in which the last digit is one and ends with a year in which the last digit is zero. So, our current decade began in January 2021 and will end in December 2030—at least for those using the Gregorian calendar.

Modern rabbinic calculations (the Hillel Calendar) suggest the remaining years of this decade form the boundaries of another seven-year cycle of divine destiny, as described in Exodus 23 and Deuteronomy 31:10-13.

Exodus 23:10-12 states “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, but in the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow … six days you shall do your work and on the seventh day you shall rest.”

The Hillel calendar shows that the fall of 2022 is the end of one seven-year cycle and the beginning of another. Every seventh year was to be a year of rest. No crops were to be planted and other work was to be minimized by careful planning and storage during the beginning six years.

Deuteronomy 31:10-13 tells us that at the end of every seven years, at the Feast of Tabernacles, during the “year of release,” the gathered Jewish families and their workers were to review the writings of Moses and draw out illustrations and insights from this ancient wisdom for their own family and tribe. Additionally, there was to be an economic reset, as all debts were to be canceled (another once-every-seven-years event). It would seem that business arrangements and agreements would have been structured so they held hard assets, equity or cash at the end of every seventh year.

If the fall of 2022 is the end of a seventh year, as the rabbinical Hillel calendar suggests, then it is also the beginning of a new set of seven years, which will likewise conclude with the next economic reset and the cancellation of debts in the fall of 2029.

Do you remember what happened in the United States nearly 100 years ago that led us to a great economic collapse in the fall of 1929? How about 50 years later, in the fall of 1979, when mortgage rates under President Jimmy Carter rose to nearly 20%? What economic crises could happen in our country in just the next weeks and months?

Again, God’s wisdom and word (Deut. 15:1-6) would tell us to seek to have eliminated or reduced debts and own only hard assets, equity or cash at the end of every seventh year—which may mean by the fall of 2022 and 2029.

After seven sets of seven years (49 years, total) God added another sacred celebration, the Year of Jubilee. This joy-filled 50th year was similar to the recurring seventh-year Sabbath, known as the Shemitah Year, and was also a year full of releasing people from their debts and freeing Hebrew debtor-slaves. It also was a year for allowing the land to lie fallow and “keep a sabbath to the Lord.” Significantly, this Year of Jubilee included returning of property to the families of those who originally owned it (Lev. 25:1-13).

If the rabbinical calendar is correct, fall 2029 to fall 2030 may be a jubilee year, following seven sets of seven-year cycles. Does this seven-and-50-year economic cycle intrigue you in this decisive decade? You might want to check the short article HERE.

Then, ask the Lord to help you reduce any debt you have as soon as possible and pray for God’s wisdom and care, as we faithfully live out the days, months or years until our Lord’s return. {eoa}

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There are many very practical reasons for any American—not just Christians—to support Israel. America benefits from its relationship with Israel in many ways, and it only makes sense we would partner with and show support for the nation and its people.

1. Democratic Values – It is vital for America to maintain a strong alliance with the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. Israel advances our national interests and shares our values of freedom of speech, freedom of worship and human rights. Israel is the most stable, pro-American country in a volatile region and deserves a strong and committed friendship with the United States.

2. National Security – If there were no Israel, the United States would have to deploy aircraft carriers to the Middle East, along with tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers. This would cost our country tens of billions of dollars annually, possibly dragging the United States into unnecessary local, regional and global conflicts. Instead, we can rely on our partnership with Israel to represent our interests in the region.

American and Israeli militaries conduct joint training exercises that benefit both countries. Israel’s intelligence leads the world in its expertise and provides valuable intel, allowing U.S. officials to prevent attacks on its citizens and bases overseas. Israel created an underside reactive armor for our Bradley tanks, which has saved thousands of U.S. soldiers from improvised explosive devices (IED). In battlefield medicine, Israel’s expertise in combat and the development of post-traumatic stress treatment directly helps our American troops.

U.S. police commissioners, police chiefs and sheriffs have cooperative programs with their Israeli counterparts. Thanks to Israeli know-how and training in best practices, our airline and airport security have been dramatically enhanced.

3. Economic – Support of Israel is a good investment. The United States’ first Free-Trade Agreement was signed with Israel in 1985, and it produces a trade of goods and services totaling more than $40 billion annually. Thirty American states benefit from cooperative agreements with Israel in technology, agriculture, energy, business and homeland security. Out of the 250 multinational companies with operations in Israel, two-thirds are U.S. companies such as Apple, Intel, Microsoft, IBM and Cisco.

4. Medical Innovations – Israel’s medical innovations are another vast resource for Americans. Israel is home to almost 1,000 medical device companies and is a leading country in terms of both patents per capita and in absolute number of patents. The intersection of hi-tech and health care by these companies is generating cutting-edge mobile health devices, AI-powered diagnostic platforms, novel therapeutics, pharmaceutical innovation and new digital tools that improve access, quality and precision of care.

Israel is also leading in the growing field of cybersecurity for health infrastructure and supply chains. In short, hundreds of Israeli companies in the United States are bringing new technology to hospitals and public health systems, improving our healthcare and supporting jobs across the country.

5. Humanitarian Aid and Volunteerism – Although just the size of New Jersey, Israel has achieved acclaim all over the world because of its humanitarian aid efforts. Israel’s Foreign Ministry division, MASHAV, runs Israel’s official humanitarian assistance program. Since its founding in 1957, MASHAV’s training courses have trained over 270,000 participants from 132 nations. As a result, millions of lives in developing nations are being impacted as participants return to their countries and improve agriculture, medicine, water and other necessities.

Government programs are only part of the story in Israel. Israeli citizens are also known for volunteerism and assisting in disaster relief worldwide. IsraAID, a nonprofit non-governmental organization, focuses on disasters and long-term support. It has been on the ground in nearly every major humanitarian crisis since its establishment in 2001. Their civilian and Israel Defense Force personnel, including medics, doctors, search and rescue teams and post-trauma experts, often arrive in the earliest days of a disaster.

IsraAID has helped in over 140 countries. In the United States, they have assisted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Hurricane Harvey in Houston, wildfires in Washington State and the Florida Surfside condominium collapse, where they were heralded for their advanced techniques for locating victims’ remains.

6. Tikkun Olam – The drive to help others and make the world a better place is nothing new in Israel. It is simply part of the Jewish DNA. Generations of Jewish people have prayed daily for Tikkun Olam, or the repair of the world. The biblical foundation of this concept is found in Isaiah 1:17, where the people of Israel are instructed to “Seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” This value permeates Israeli society, which carries out Tikkun Olam in times of need.

Israel is certainly making our world a better place in ways that far outweigh its size in population or land mass. The world—and particularly Americans—should be grateful and support Israel’s efforts to be a light of goodness to the nations. {eoa}

Dr. Susan Michael is USA Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and host of the Out of Zion podcast. Subscribe today to listen to her “Israel Answers” series on the Out of Zion podcast. Visit Israel with ICEJ Tours.

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By now you’ve heard about the leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court indicating it could overturn Roe v. Wade. The question I have is, how and why was it leaked?

With the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg on Sept. 18, 2020, I prophesied we were at a tipping point in the pro-life movement. I decreed by the Spirit of God that it’s time for hinge intercessors to rise up and push for political victories that increase God’s government, according to Isaiah 9:7.

But are we about to see what many would call a miracle reversal of the pro-abortion law? Or is this a ploy of the enemy to give us false hope that he can later dash and use to discourage us?

The Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito circulated inside the court and obtained by POLITICO. You can find a link to the full 98-page opinion in the show notes.

Now, the White House is scrambling for ways to protect abortion, according to The Washington Post. President Biden said he would be ready when any ruling is issued.

NPR is reporting advocates, including Amnesty International’s secretary-general Agnès Callamard, would “damage the global perception of the United States” and “set a terrible example that other governments and anti-rights groups could seize upon around the world in a bid to deny the rights of women, girls and other people who can become pregnant.”

But is a ruling imminent? Or is this a false flag?

Listen to what Lou Engle, a pro-life intercessory prayer veteran, has to say.

Lou is standing boldly. I agree that the document was leaked to cause a stir and rally anti-life protestors.

As I wrote in September 2020, the United States is at a tipping point in not only her history but world history and I believe the bowls of prayer answers could tip over Decade of the Decree—if we respond rightly. The enemy is nervous because he knows we’re on the brink of taking back some spiritual land he has stolen little by little over nearly a century.

Turning point intercessors are positioning themselves at the crossroads of history, standing in the gap and positioning a person, place or nation for godly change. Although you may make many types of intercession over your life, turning point intercessors are alert and activated for a key moment to make the right petition at a critical moment. God is activating turning point intercessors now with an anointing and a grace to press through to victory.

Let’s not stop praying now. Get the prayer point here.

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