That ’s the question. If we buy into the idea that there is an Israel somewhere that is still near and dear to God’s heart, is what we see now in that nation called Israel the same thing? I’d say yes and no. Yes, because there are Jewish people living there that make up the majority of that nation. They are living in the land promised them by God and given to them by their natural forebears centuries ago. No, because not every Jewish person living there will say yes to Jesus. That is the key deal. There is so much prophetic scripture about Jesus returning to rule the world from Jerusalem, so there has to actually be a Jersualem to return to. That’s why the reestablishment of Israel as a nation in 1948 was such a phenomenal event. For nearly 2000 years there had been no Israel or Jerusalem on the map in any way, shape or form. Scholars were puzzled for centuries and came up with some “interesting” interpretations of scripture to reconcile with there being no Israel or Jerusalem on the map. Now there is, and people have trouble believing they are the same folks. One key may be this - while Romans 11:26 says “…so all Israel will be saved (delivered)” this does not mean everyone living in Israel now will go to heaven. The door to eternal life is still narrow, meaning one must accept Jesus Christ as savior and Lord to be able to enter in. Not all Jewish people will do this – but some will. (Romans 11:4,5) So pray for Israel and the peace of Jersualem. Just like with our gentile friends and relatives, you never know who might say yes.
God has been opening my eyes to His people Israel the last few months. I’m not sure when or how it started, maybe just from being in the Thursday 10:00 AM intercession sets for Israel. All I know is that I’m seeing some Scriptures that are so plain on the subject, I wonder at how I never realized this before. Two of them are Romans 11, where it is abundantly clear that we are now one “tree” with them and Ephesians 2. The Romans 11 passage makes it clear that they were God’s original olive tree in the earth and we gentiles have been grafted into their “trunk”, much like a fruit tree can have different branches grafted into it to allow for various fruits to come from one tree. Also, in the Ephesians 2 passage, Paul clearly says God has made ”one new man” from the two of us, with the barrier between us having been removed in Christ. Wow. So what does mean about the present day nation of Israel? Surely that isn’t the same group, is it? I’ll save that for another post, but for now, check out these two passages and see what you think.
I read an interesting article in the Kansas City Star yesterday about George Tiller and his “formative” years as a doctor. According to the article, Dr. Tiller’s dad did abortions in the 50’s and the 60’s. The article mentioned that his dad started doing it out of guilt from not doing an abortion for a woman who ultimately died. Then, when his father died he found out about this and eventually Tiller started doing this himself. He actually intended to close out his father’s practice and become a dermatologist, but, in the end, he kept it open and continued the abortion “service” his dad had provided. I guess the point is, the article more or less presents Tiller’s start in the abortion business as a response to finding out his dad did it and why he got started. In the end, it was humanistic compassion that made him think he should serve women by aborting their unwanted children. Hence, the late term abortions as well. Women would find out their child would have birth defects, and he would abort them. Wow, all this from finding out his dad did abortions and never let the family know it.
I’m at the Monday, 10:00 AM right now. We are praying for the response of the nation to the murder of abortionist George Tiller yesterday in Wichita, Kansas. Obviously this is a heinous act, as heinous as the late term abortions he performed. But here is the key difference – this is NOT the heart of the Pro-Life movement in this country. I know of no one who is Pro-Life that wants to see abortionists murdered. Rather, our desire is to see themsaved and transformed in their thinking. For me personally, I’m grieved that this man was sent into eternity unprepared. Anyone who dies without a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is destined for Hell, and, if you’ve heard Bill Weise’s testimony of Hell, you would not desire for anyone to be there for even a little while, never mind eternity.
I invite you to pray for George Tiller’s family, for the family of the one who killed him and for this nation. There has already been an editorial in the Kansas City Star decrying Pro-Life people and and “assuming” that we are happy in this murder. Here’s an excerpt:
Tiller’s murder stains anti-abortion leaders
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
The outspoken leaders of anti-abortion groups can save their feeble “we’re shocked and saddened” statements. They are privately pleased at George Tiller’s murder on Sunday.
They have wanted Tiller out of the way for years. He has been fought in the courts, and won. He has been shot before, and survived.
But not this time, not when a (likely) anti-abortion nut got too close and killed Tiller at a church service.
People who genuinely abhor the killing of unborn children — and there are many of these well-meaning people in the anti-abortion movement — have a right to be very worried right now.
Yes, there is likely to be a backlash against the anti-abortion movement from Americans who abhor the killing of someone just because he or she disagrees with your view.
George Tiller performed a legal service as a physician. Yes, it was controversial, and it endangered his life.
But the kind of movement that wanted Tiller dead finally succeeded in their cause on Sunday. It’s a stain on their cause, one that will last many years.- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
“Privately pleased”?? This is what Pro-Abortion folks will inevitably say. This is what must be prayed against, for no one but God will be able to alter this opinion.
The above is the title of a Mike Bickle book I’m reading. Overall I think it is the best summary of what IHOP and the prayer movement as expressed here is all about. I’m particularly grateful for the treatment of the issue of the fasted lifestyle and how that impacts those around you. Bickle points out that the typical pattern is that people warn you that you are “extreme” and “unbalanced”. If that doesn’t get your attention, then you can end up in the “you are demonized” category. Check out the commentary on John the Baptist in Matthew 11:18 for proof on that one. It has helped me in particular because I have struggled with the tension this has brought on my life from family and friends. I’m coming to a place where I’m more at peace with the accusations, realizing that it is part of the territory and that it is those very folks that I’m praying for. Forerunners are meant to help break out of old ways of doing things and break into the new, and that is what the prayer movement is all about – breaking us out of where are to prepare us for what is coming.
I’m still amazed at the videos Morningstar is putting out on the Todd Bentley thing. They certainly have been wide ranging, including the primacy of the Word of God and spontaneous healing ministry from Todd. I sense they are getting a ton of email comments of all kinds and this may be driving some of what they are doing. I haven’t seen the latest ones yet, but there is a three parteron “Learning from Mistakes”. I’ll probably have a comment after viewing those, but for now, I think we are seeing a new trend in Morningstar’s ministry, getting away from print/webpage only “written” material and going with more web posted video. We’ll see.
I just watched Todd Bentley’s video apology to the Revival Alliance, Peter Wagner’s apostolic network that, I thought, brought some covering and leadership to the Lakeland revival. First of all, I applaud Todd for apologizing to those guys and seeking to clear the air around them, so to speak. Todd made it clear that they were not endorsing him as a leader or the mistakes he made during the move, especially divorcing his wife. In fact, he mentioned that that same evening, he and Shonnah were committed to working through their on going marital issues. However, many have questioned Peter Wagner and the other leaders that were there over “getting involved with/endorsing” Lakeland and Todd apologized for the grief his stuff has caused them.
I was a little puzzled over Rick’s statement that the Revival Alliance never meant to give leadership/oversight to the move. Rick said they just wanted to “stand with” Todd and cheer on the revival, mentioning somewhat belatedly that they would bring correction and direction if needed. That wasn’t my understanding from what Peter Wagner has said, but he and Rick have talked a lot so I’m sure I’m ill-informed. Nevertheless, I do remember them commissioning Todd on the platform as a leader o this thing. Don’t get me wrong, I believe their hearts for unity in the body and revival are right on, but if you are going to communicate about specific issues, you need to make sure you get it straight. Maybe that’s it, getting it straight means this is what they always intended. Okay, color me “straightened”. Anyway, I again, want to applaud Todd’s heart to admit his wrong and apologize. I do believe he wants to do this right and I know he is submitted to the process. Looking forward to watching this play out.
So by now I’m sure many are familiar with the weekly video updates Rick Joyner is doing on Todd Bentley’s restoration process. There has been a real blitz the last two weeks, including some stuff with Bill Johnson in it, etc. The issue I was most intrigued by was Todd’s quick remarriage. In “Frequently Asked Questions, Part I”, Rick specifically addresses that. He mentions that his number one value is Galatians 6:1, that we should restore one who has fallen in to sin gently. He even takes some responsibilty for Todd remarrying. Apparently Todd came to Rick and asked what he should do and Rick told him go ahead. Rick also said he didn’t agree with divorce or quick remarriage, yet this is what has happened. I guess that is one I’ll always be disappointed in, that he remarried so quickly. What if, after a while, Shonnah had a change of heart? What if their family could be restored, say, in a year? Now, with Todd remarried, there is no potential at all. I know he is committed to his kids and all, but still. Whatever I think, what is done is done. Now I get to wrestle with my attitude toward Todd on this issue as a brother. My issue, not his. Am I going to let a bad, judgmental attitude enter my heart toward him, or not? That’s a question for us all, really.
Okay, so now if you want to know what is going on with Todd Bentley, you need only go to the Morningstar Ministries website and look for the weekly video update. That’s right, Rick, Todd and the Morningstar leadership are committing to taping a weekly video update of what is going on with Todd’s process of healing and restoration. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of such a thing before involving a “high profile” leader in the Body of Christ. If you haven’t seen the first one, check it out. Todd speaks of how Shonnah and the kids are doing, and that he talks to his kids multiple times a week. He even speaks candidly of past ways of relating that have contributed greatly to the breakup of his marriage. He ends with a candid apology to the Body for all the hurt this has caused. I’m very interested to see how this plays out, for they are obviously opening themselves up to let the world comment on practically every step of the process. Hopefully this will become an example of how to handle these kinds of situations in the future. Hopefully, we all have the humility to see what God may want to show us through it as well.
Wow, what an update. Rick Joyner just put out an bulletin on Todd Bentley. Click the link below to read it. The remarriage thing blows me away. My heart breaks for his three kids at the divorce. I guess I knew about the divorce, but it just hit me about his kids. We need to pray for Shonnah and the kids, as well as our own hearts as Todd goes through his process with Rick, Jack Deere and Bill Johnson.
Here’s the link to Rick’s bulletin. http://www.morningstarministries.org/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=1000045589
