Fwd: Embassy Update: Israel and the US Strategic Dialogue

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

-----Original Message-----
From: Benjamin Sack <paffairs@washington.mfa.gov.il>
To: sforest@aol.com
Sent: Fri, Dec 3, 2010 1:46 pm
Subject: Embassy Update: Israel and the US Strategic Dialogue

Having problems viewing this email: Click Here

EMBASSY OF ISRAEL Washington, D.C.   Israel Responds to Unprecedented Fire in the North Useful Links Ministry of Foreign Affairs Embassy of Israel Information on the Fire December 3, 2010 Statement by Ambassador Michael Oren in Response to the Fire in Northern Israel   The State of Israel is facing a fire of unprecedented magnitude. We mourn the tragic loss of life and deeply regret the devastation to communities, wildlife, and forests.   The People of Israel have been profoundly moved by the outpouring of support from a number of foreign countries, including many in our region.  We are especially grateful to President Barack Obama for his expression of support.  "That's what friends do for each other," he said last night, and he personally assured me that the administration would do its utmost to aid Israel swiftly in its hour of need.   We are ready to begin the task of rebuilding-restoring the damaged communities, replenishing the wildlife, and planting new forests.   The State of Israel has surmounted many challenges in its short history.  Together with our friends worldwide, we will overcome this too.   For more information: Embassy of Israel  The World Offers Assistance and Support in Israel's Effort to Combat the Fire From Ynet News: Israeli authorities are expecting to receive more than 20 firefighting aircraft Thursday night from Britain, France, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Croatia, Azerbaijan and Russia to help in the effort to contain the northern blaze that claimed at least 40 lives.   Turkish officials announced that they too will be sending two firefighting airplanes. Egypt also pledged to send a plane to help battle the blaze. Later Thursday, Jordan and Bulgaria said they are willing to send firefighting teams to help contain the fire. Italy also said it would offer assistance.   For the full article: Ynet News JNF-KKL to Help Coordinate Relief Effort  The Jewish National Fund - Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael is coordinating with the Government of Israel to help lead the response to the fire in Northern Israel. As all forests in Israel are urban forests and abut either large cities or small villages, lives, homes, and livelihood are always at risk. Hundreds of residents are being evacuated as thousands of dunams of forest have been consumed by the flames. Rescue teams and equipment are being brought in from all over the country. Shimon Romach, Israel's Fire Commissioner, is calling on the international community for support during this disaster.   For more information about JNF-KKL's relief efforts: Jewish National Fund More Information and Resources In the Carmel region of Israel, firefighters continue to battle the largest forest fire in Israel's history. In order to provide accurate, up-to-date information on the developing situation in Northern Israel, the Embassy has a created a website dedicated to this pressing issue including: statements, articles, and additional links.   To view the site: Embassy of Israel   Benjamin Sack Director of National Initiatives Embassy of Israel Phone: 202-364-5542 // Fax: 202-364-5423

Forward email This email was sent to sforest@aol.com by paffairs@washington.mfa.gov.il. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Embassy of Israel | 3514 International Drive, NW | Washington | DC | 20008

Forgotten Aspect of Advent

"When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory." (Colossians 3:4, Amplified Bible)

 

We are in what Christendom refers to as the Advent Season.  It has been traditionally a time of preparation, by fasting and prayer, for the celebration of the appearing of, "Jesus Who is called Christ."  But what few have realized, myself included, is that historically it is supposed to equally include celebration and preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  May God give grace to the Global Church this Advent Season to correct this neglect.

 

This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ--- "Good tidings of great joy," was the appearing of Him, "Who is our Life."  Jesus, "became flesh and dwelt among us."  Jesus, "Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree-- by whose strips you were healed."  God, the Father, "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...."  Moreover, "....inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."  

 

Many have heard me say over the years that is has been the Indwelling Christ and His Words, and the hope of the Second Appearing of Christ which has sustained me these past forty years, the season which has been without the presence of our eldest son, Stephen Paul.  When the funeral director asked us what we would like engraved on the marker, my immediate response, without hesitation, even without thought, was from the 1 Thessalonians passage, "Until the Trumpet Sounds."  This Advent Season I will include in every observance, every candle lighting, every Scripture reading, every prayer a celebration of the great Reality of the Universe, "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are sleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always with the Lord." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much for all of This!  Amen. 

***********************************

Blog sites:

    News, Commentary:            www.apf327.blogspot.com

    Jerusalem Reports:            www.apfjw.blogspot.com

    Prophetic Video:                  www.antipasprayerforce2.blogspot.com

    APF Devotional Archive:      www.apfdevotionals.blogspot.com

      
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Knowing The Bible Does Not Mean I KNOW the Bible

"Then Job answered and said: 'No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!"  But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you.  Indeed, who does not know such things as these?" (Job 12:1-3)

 

Job and "friends" knew, "such things as these."  The Book of Job reveals, however, that people can say  "right things," but not be right.

 

The Book of Job has an interesting scenario.  At the end, God says that Job's three friends, "have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has," yet on the surface it seems as though many times they were saying, "what is right."  The Book of Job has a very large percentage of passages which are not, "the Words of God," but rather the words of man, words that may even sound "good" and seemingly cannot be argued with, but nonetheless are not approved of God, because those who spoke them were not approved.  Of course they are still the, "God-Breathed," Word, but they reveal hearts not approved of God.  

 

There is more to "knowing" the Bible than just the ability to recite long passages.  I have known people over the years who can quote large portions of the Bible and impress many a naive people----- but they reveal little knowledge of, "The Word of God," Himself Who is Jesus Christ.  Many people throughout history have read the Bible through many times, and could quote very large portions of Scriptures, e.g., Joseph Stalin, the one who murdered more people in human history than anyone.  This is Bible without surrender to Jesus Christ.  Proverbs 4:7 in the Amplified Bible says, "The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)!  [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.]  And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)."  No one can, "get," anything from the Bible unless they allow the Bible to do, "the work of God," in them.  Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."  This is the difference between those who are Bible readers and Bible admirers, and those who are in a daily growing process, the process of having the Word of God written in their hearts and minds.  I can say in all certainty, if the Bible does not lead us to Jesus Christ, we are not reading the Bible.  

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me that in all my getting I get You.  Amen.

***************************************** 

To see what "one of the world's great religions" is doing to members of another "of the world's great religion," go to:  www.apf327.blogspot.com

 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Don't Be a "Company Man"

"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil." (Job 1:1)

 

,...and, may not have spoken our "language." 

 

Most evangelicals spend more time on the "plan of salvation" than on the Man of salvation, and how to, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."  Yet our text reveals a "plan," a life walking in Jesus Christ, "blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil."  There is just no prescribed "plan of salvation" in the Bible.  There are texts which give us insight into Salvation Theology, but no "one-size-fits-all" message.  The only common denominator in the Bible is , surrender, obedience, and love to the Living Triune God Himself in Jesus Christ.  Never get locked into a "plan."  Get "locked into" Jesus Christ.  We have no record of Jesus ever saying the same thing to two different people, because Biblical salvation is not a plan or some formula, but rather a life of, "Looking unto Jesus."  

 

People in the Old Covenant dispensation were saved the same way you and I are saved, viz., by faith, trust, surrender and love in Jesus Christ.  Abraham, Daniel, Simeon and Anna are just a few examples.  What is said of their expressions of faith in the Blessed Trinity are as varied as the people mentioned in Hebrews 11.

 

There are "Jobs" out there today who we probably walk right past because they do not fit our definition of a Believer in Jesus Christ.  Look for them today, especially the ones who are, "not far from the Kingdom of God."  We just may discover that some of them are, "in Christ," and can teach us things which the "company people" cannot.

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, it is Your "plan" and Your Way I desire.  Keep showing them to me.  Amen.

************************************

Read about "Muslim Genocide of Christians" at: www.apf327.blogspot.com 

 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"With a Song in My Heart"

"....The creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."  (Rom. 8:21)

 

I have been with family over the past week, and my out-of-date laptop is not working properly; hence, the infrequent communication.  Over the time with some of our family, I watched "The Sound of Music" with my granddaughters.  It's their favorite movie.  I just pray that such innocence will continue. 

 

"The sweetest sounds I'll ever hear are still inside my head."  These are the opening words of a song by Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rogers.  They speak of a person who has yet to find love and happiness in life.  And since the Fall, it has been a "song" of humanity.  We are a specie who has so much trapped inside us, so much longing, so much neediness, and we are incapable of "release" until Jesus Christ, Who broke the power of Satan, the power of sin and rebellion, comes into our being.  From that moment on, the release of all that Our Creator had in mind for us from the beginning can now come forth into glorious beauty, and we can come, "into the glorious liberty of the children of God."    

 

Listen to that "song" in you today.  It is birthed in Jesus Christ---- so much to be done, so much to be sung, so much to be released.  The world who can only sing longingly of love and happiness can only see the possibility of it all when they encounter the same Jesus Christ who lives in you-------- Sing.

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for the "song in my heart."  Amen.

************************************

New, Revealing articles at:    www.apf327.blogspot.com 

 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2