Hey Friends,

Greetings to you during this miraculous season of light! It has been a while since I sent a personal update. Before I do, present subscribers often ask me if they can get a copy of my eBook, “The 15 Most Important Facts About the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict”. I am happy to offer it to you. Please click here to download the book.

Elana and I are in Richmond, Virginia throughout the holidays. I grew up in Richmond and as my parents are getting older, we are trying to spend a bit more time here. We return to Israel in mid-January. In addition to overseeing Messiah’s Mandate, working with our congregation in Tel Aviv, being asked to take on more responsibility within our Israel-based international network (Tikkun), I was writing scripts and filming over 100 episodes for our new TV show, “Out of Zion.” This is in addition to traveling and ministering.

I am not saying this to brag—quite the contrary, I was doing too much and I knew it. I just needed the Lord to show me what should be cut out or passed on to someone else.

Then, a few weeks ago, I traveled to Dallas for a weekend of ministry. We had wonderful meetings, but by the end of the second service on Sunday, I was running out of gas. The next night, we had dinner with some dear friends here in Richmond. I felt a small pain in my stomach at the beginning of the evening. By the time I went to bed, it had gotten worse. I woke up at 2AM in quite a bit of pain that increased until 5AM.

We arrived at St. Mary’s and I had to sit at a desk and give information. Finally, I explained to the dear woman that I was going to fall over if she didn’t put me in a bed, now! She acquiesced. After about two hours of waiting in intense pain, they did a CAT scan. Twenty minutes later I overheard a nurse shout, “Acute Appendicitis,” like she had won the nurses pool! I knew she must be referring to me and that would mean immediate surgery.

The doctor came in just after that and confirmed that, yes, they were speaking of me. I wasn’t thrilled about having surgery, but now that it was diagnosed, they could at least give me something for the pain…and boy, did they.

A nurse pumped something into my IV and within three seconds all the pain was gone. However, it was like a mighty force rushing through my body. I don’t know what it was, but it felt like I was in a car and someone pressed the gas, hard! About ten seconds later, I settled into a wonderful rest until they took me into surgery.

The idea of going under and having someone operate on me is not pleasant. But I was grateful that I didn’t have a week to think about it. In fact, I didn’t have any time at all. Next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery.

After the grogginess wore off, I was wheeled upstairs and was so happy to see Elana, all my girls and parents there. As the anesthesia wore off, I realized that I had no need to sleep at the hospital as the doctors wanted. Plus, the fellow next to me had pancreatitis—very painful. I wasn’t going to sleep well there. I told the nurse that I wanted to leave, expecting a fight. She checked with the doctor and had me on my way in 30 minutes. I was also concerned about the insurance. We have travel insurance and I had no time to even get permission for the operation. Staying another night would be expensive. Fortunately, the Israel travel insurance company was great. I called them the next morning and they said would pay the bill directly to the hospital.

The result was that I had to cancel the rest of my ministry schedule for December, including a two-week ministry trip to Brazil. My dear friends, Asher and Betty Intrater, made a last-second decision to replace me and Elana, so the folks in Brazil got an upgrade!

I am still in mild pain and have been resting the past two weeks. I hate not exercising and just started walking a couple days ago. And then yesterday Elana and I did a small hike over the James River. I will visit the doctor this week to see when I can resume a normal schedule.
We head back to Israel in January and will be filming a GOD TV special with Ward Simpson and many other guests later in the month, as well as a week of filming Out of Zion. However, we are going to work with a less intense schedule.

In addition, we have enjoyed celebrating Hanukkah all week with my parents and children.
We appreciate your prayers so much! God bless you.

And as this year comes to end, we are blessed that we have been able to pay every staff member and every bill, but that has left us with literally nothing left. We even had to empty our book fund. While we are happy to not be in the red, we could be so grateful if you could make a end of the year donation to Messiah’s Mandate. Thank you so much for helping us to reach the people of Tel Aviv! Go to www.StandWithMMI.org to make your donation.

Or send your check to:

Messiah’s Mandate
c/o Maoz Israel
PO Box 535788
Grand Prairie, TX 75053

Thank you so much! Our Tel Aviv based team sends blessings!
Until all Israel is saved (Romans 11:26),

Ron Cantor

The post Post Surgery Update appeared first on Messiah's Mandate.

Overcoming the “My Ministry” Mentality

There is a phrase that we used in Bible school that I have all but purged from my vocabulary. It is the phrase “my ministry.” We used to ask each other, “What is your ministry?”,  “I think this will be my ministry”. Now, of course, we have unique individual callings, but rarely does someone fulfill that call alone. Yes, when the disciples scattered after Stephen’s death, Phillip goes to Samaria alone, but what is the first thing he does when the Holy Spirit is poured out? He calls for apostolic backup, and those stalwarts, Peter and John, are sent.

Paul worked in Apostolic Teams

We don’t see this concept of “my ministry” in the Bible. The only time it is used is when Paul says, “I magnify my ministry” in his efforts to win Jewish people to Yeshua. He is hardly exalting himself in an egocentric way; Paul was the ultimate team player. He begins his ministry serving Barnabas and the other leaders in Antioch. Then he is sent out as a junior apostle with Barnabas.  As the grace of God grows upon him, he becomes the team leader with Barnabas and John Mark. Later, we see Paul with Silas, Timothy and Titus.

Maybe no congregation was closer to Paul’s heart than Ephesus. He sends for the team of elders, not the senior leader alone, to give his final farewell to them. These are men who he raised up into leadership. He is not threatened by their success, as so many senior leaders are by those under them, but rejoices as they spread the gospel.

From there, he goes to Jerusalem to meet with James? No, to meet with James AND the Jerusalem Apostolic team.

Our Example in Tel Aviv

In our ministry here in Israel, Tiferet Yeshua congregation, we have a team of five couples in Tel Aviv. For several years, I led this team and just recently turned it over to a native-born Israeli—but I am still part of the team. Also, we are in covenant relationship with two other congregations in Jerusalem. Besides this, we have a growing relationship with five Messianic congregations in the Western and Eastern Galilee that have similar core values.

We have just started a brand-new show: Out of Zion on GOD.TV. I am the one who people see on screen, but it is the team that makes it happen. The program would be nothing without our producer Ivan, our cameraman Yigal, our soundman Michael and Ruth who does makeup and so much more. There is also Miriam, in the office. So now, Out of Zion is not MY ministry, it is the Lord’s ministry through which we, the TEAM, have the privilege of serving Him.

Young Leaders Sometimes Threaten Older Leaders

Sadly, some leaders have more of a king mindset. It is THEIR ministry and everyone else is there to serve them. In such a scenario, leaders of substance are rarely raised up. These lone leaders tend to fear men of authority and gifting, and so, they push away others with calling and anointing for leadership. They fear if they allow these leaders more exposure, it will lessen their impact. Consequently, they push them away and these potential leaders often leave in frustration, seeking to work with people where their gifts can be used.

The controlling leader is left with the equivalent of eunuchs or yes-men, who do their bidding. In some cases, he surrounds himself—yes, even in congregational ministry—with hatchet men, to keep young bucks in line. Paul abhors these personality cults and he rails at the Corinthians for saying, I am of Paul or I am of Apollos.

One of the great privileges of my life is to work with men who exemplify this mentality towards ministry. Asher Intrater, Dan Juster and Eitan Shishkoff made a decision in the 1980s that instead of birthing their own ministry, they would make a covenant before God to work together and serve each other. From that commitment, dozens of congregations have been birthed in Israel and the US, not to mention schools and discipleship training programs.

The Power of Synergy

We work in ministry teams where each one has a unique gifting. This is called synergy. The idea is very biblical and it means that the sum of the parts working together is greater than the sum, if they worked independently. Essentially, we, as leaders, can get more done in the kingdom, working in partnership, than we could if we worked alone.

But that takes commitment. It means not quitting when someone disagrees with you. It means embracing humility and rejoicing when your brother succeeds, not just when you do. It means preferring others above yourselves.

So, let’s shed the “My Ministry” mentality, and embrace the Apostolic Team model that we see in the New Covenant.

The post Replacing “My Ministry” with “Team Ministry” appeared first on Messiah's Mandate.

A recent report on RT News, reveals scores of former Muslims converting to Christianity in Europe. I recently met with a missionary to Europe who told me of one evangelist from a Muslim background who goes into refugee camps every day. Because of the danger, he asks the Lord to lead him to those refugees who are ready. The results of have been astounding.

One church has grown from 150 to 700 mostly from refugee converts. Last week 80 refugees from Iran and Afghanistan were baptized. In Austria, since January 1st there have been more than 300 applications for baptism and 70% are Muslim background refugees. And a church in Liverpool is attracting over 100 in their Farsi service (language spoken in Iran).

Furthermore, many of these have followed Yeshua into the waters of immersion—making it official to all their friends and family that they have left Islam and now serve Yeshua. One young lady says in the video, “Since I became a Christian, I fear no one.”

Why Now?

One of the reasons for the mass conversations is ISIS. Many of these refugees have witnessed the most horrible atrocities in the name of Islam at the hands of ISIS members. They want nothing to do with that religion.

Another reason is that in Muslim countries the penalty for converting is usually death. In Europe no such laws exist.

Additionally, it is rare that someone can hear the true message of Yeshua in countries like Syria and Saudi Arabia. However, in Europe, they can freely go to a church.

In their home countries, even if they are not killed, they will suffer complete rejection from their families and communities. There is no where else to go. In Europe they are finding new friends, who embrace them fully in the love of Yeshua.

Let’s keep praying for eyes to be opened and more Muslims to find freedom in Yeshua.

“Truly I tell you,” Yeshua replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29-31)

The post Watch! Refugees Leaving Islam en masse for Jesus appeared first on Messiah's Mandate.

Today was one of the most amazing days in our congregation. An Arab woman from the Iraq shared how she left Islam for Yeshua.

Fatma was raised in a strict Islamic household. When she was eight years old, her father took her to Mecca, where she saw a woman beheaded for adultery. Her father told her that the same thing could happen to her, if she did not live a devout Muslim life.

From that time on, Fatma was afraid of Allah. She shared with us that in Islam there is no assurance of eternal life. Allah is not a loving father, but someone to be feared. Despite the fact that she prayed and prayed, Allah never answered her prayers. Eventually, she was not allowed to leave the house without her father, brother or uncle. Her younger brother was given permission to abuse her physically if she was not living up to Islamic standards.

They took a trip to America and because of political unrest in their home country, they sought asylum and it was granted. As a young adult, while living in Georgia and still under her family’s control, she met a believer. Her grandmother, who was her only friend, had just died and she was devastated. This woman befriended her and took her to her congregation.

One striking part of her testimony was that Fatma had lived in the U.S. for eight years and passed church after church in Atlanta, and yet, not one person invited her to go to one. Not one person—until this friend.

She went and was amazed at how friendly everybody was. In Islam, everything was competition—there was little affection, but here were people who simply loved her. She took a Bible home and began to secretly read it. She loved what she read.

Eventually, Fatma decided that she wanted to be immersed in water as a believer. After that, her whole life changed. She has no contact with her family and has to be very careful, as there are those who would like to hurt her.

She now travels around the world sharing her testimony. The most powerful part of her message is that she was wearing full Muslim dress—like a burka, with her face covered during the whole story—until she shares about being born again. Then, dramatically, she removes the oppressive Muslim garb to review a beautiful young woman, full of the light of Yeshua.

Everyone in the congrgegation clapped for joy!

Tiferet Yeshua prays and blesses Fatma.

She repented before us for the hatred she had of Jews—a hatred that was instilled in her from childhood. She said that she’d never met a Jew, and yet she hated them. Several in the congregation expressed forgiveness to her and asked for her forgiveness for their own attitudes towards Arabs and prayed that God would open their eyes.

Everyone was deeply moved, not just by her testimony, but also by her expression of love for the Jewish people and the Jewish nation, that she carried as an Arab woman.

(names and places have been changed to protect her identity)

Dear friends, we are outgrowing out space at Tiferet Yeshua and we are “Expanding the Tent”. We are doubling our seating capacity from 150 to 300 and we will start live streaming our services to reach Israelis wherever they may be.

We need your help

We have raised $37,000 of the needed $200,000. You can partner with us here or learn more here. Thank you for helping is Reach Tel Aviv!

Elana joined Jewish Voice Recently on Mercy Mission to Ethiopia

Children often drink polluted water.

God has called the nations to bless Israel, but as an Israeli, who am I to bless? The answer is in Isaiah 49, where Israel is called to be a “light for the nations.” For many years now, I have been taking short trips to Ethiopia for medical missions. Recently, I traveled to Wiliso, Ethiopia with an amazing team from Jewish Voice Ministries. Some of these simple procedures, that people take for granted in the West, can save a life in Ethiopia.

Now, I am no doctor, and you won’t find me in the medical tent performing surgery (although I did hold the hand of an Ethiopian woman as she gave birth on this last trip.) My passion is the children. Often, the families travel for miles to get there and the kids are left outside.

Poisoned by Drinking Water

Drinking contaminated water causes much of the sickness and disease, not only in Ethiopia but all over Africa. We gather the children and their parents to teach them about the dangers of drinking unfiltered water. You have to understand that when a child is thirsty and he sees a puddle of water, he will drink it.

We handed out a product called LifeStraw. It is a portable water purification system, that even a child can use. We demonstrated exactly how to use it. The LifeStraw is super light—and you can wear it around your neck. Each one lasts for a year or more. Who knows how many lives will be saved because of this simple invention.

Always Hard to Leave

Elana participates in delivery!

As the bus was pulling out, my heart was hurting for the precious kids. I was overjoyed to look out the window and see some of these children drinking, right out of a puddle, with their new LifeStraw!

I can’t wait to go back! It is through your gifts to Messiah’s Mandate that I can make these trips, so in essence, you just saved the lives of children in Ethiopia!

Last week was an amazing week. It all started several months ago when two Israeli believers were inspired by YouTube videos of Todd White. If you have not seen Todd’s testimony, he was saved out of decades of drug addiction. He now shares Yeshua with nearly everyone he meets, and there is usually a healing or word of knowledge involved.

These young men felt that if Todd could simply take God at his word, then certainly they could. They began to go out on the streets of Tel Aviv and ask people if they needed healing. Most of the people they prayed for were healed. It began to spread throughout our congregation and now much of the body of believers in Israel.

Todd White in Israel

When we heard that Todd would be in Israel, we arranged a night for him to minister to Israeli believers. GODTV, where I serve as the Israel Regional Director, agreed to host the event. Over 300 people came—standing room only.

On the way to the meeting, I asked Todd to lay hands on me and pray that I, too, would be able move in the supernatural as I shared Yeshua with Israelis. While I know that I can go directly to God and pray for such things, I have learned that when someone who is doing it prays for you, there is a special “oomph.”

Mahmoud’s Knee

That was Sunday night. We stayed in Jerusalem all week in a hotel for the annual FIRM conference. On the second morning, I saw Mahmoud cleaning my room. I asked him if he needed healing. His knee was in pain. We prayed and, what do you know, this Muslim man was instantly healed! I shared with him about Yeshua. The next day, he came to the room and said to Elana, “Please thank your husband for praying for me. I have no pain in my knee. I can’t believe it!”

Achmad’s Back

The next day I met Achmad. He had back pain—I have learned that most hotel workers have back pain. I prayed for him, the presence of God came, and he, too, was healed. The smile on their faces after God healed them was amazing.

Rafa’s Knee Brace

The next morning, Rafa (also a Muslim), who works in the restaurant in the hotel, had a knee brace on. I prayed for him and I could feel the power of God going into him. He was instantly healed and overjoyed. The next day, he was all smiles and we videotaped him.

Sudanese Refugee

The day before we left, I saw another worker cleaning rooms. He was a Sudanese refugee. We have many in Israel who fled the racism, rape and murder from Sudanese Arabs. He told me that on Sunday, he was scheduled to see a doctor because his back was in so much pain he could not even work. We prayed and he told me felt something like heat and electricity going into him and was instantly healed. We taped him and saw him the next day—still healed.

Lital, the Israeli “heard”

Up until now, I had not prayed for an Israeli Jew in the hotel—three Muslims and one agnostic. Of course, they are all deeply precious to God and I shared the Gospel with each of them. But my passion and calling is towards Israelis. On Friday morning as we checked out, the young lady at the front desk, Lital, said to me, “I heard that you are a healer.” She explained how each of these workers had all told her that they were healed after receiving prayer. I explained that it was Yeshua that heals, but I can pray. She had hurt her knee that morning.

I had her sit down and I prayed for her knee. And the precious young Israeli felt the presence of God as He healed her knee completely. When I taped her, she kept saying that I healed her and I kept correcting her, saying that it was Yeshua. In Hebrew, Yeshua and Joshua are the same name. She didn’t understand that I was not speaking of Yeshua, son of Nun, but Yeshua, Son of God. However, overjoyed by what happened, she took a copy of my book, Identity Theft in Hebrew, and promised to read it.

Your Turn

Now it is your turn to pray for them by name, that God will continue to reveal Yeshua to them. For the Muslims, it is very difficult to leave Islam. It is drilled into you that you can never leave. It is hard for Jewish people as well, as we are taught that Yeshua is not the Messiah. But with Jews, we are not telling them to change religions, but to embrace their Messiah.

And it is your turn to use the power that God has given you. It is time to get stirred and seek God and then step out in faith.

“When they heard…”

We are on the verge of something special here. I told my congregation, the week before when I was teaching, that if we continue to pray for the sick—not in the congregation, but on the streets—they are going to start coming to us asking for prayer. Just like in the days of Yeshua, they heard about His miracles and sought Him out.

“When they heard about all He was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.” (Mark 3:8)

“When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak…” (Mark 5:27)

“When he heard that it was Yeshua of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Yeshua, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Matthew 10:47)

And that is what happened. The Israeli girl heard how four of her team members were healed and sought me out, assuming I was some healer. Of course, there is only one Healer and healing their bodies is not His primary aim, rather using the supernatural to allow Him to heal their souls.

I was lying down, just resting and suddenly I had vision or a dream or maybe drevision. I was walking along Israel’s main highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with someone whom I did not know. He told me that the newest lane, the outside lane—actually the shoulder—would soon fall into the ground because of sinkholes or erosion of the land. I was walking as far outside as one could get while still being on the shoulder. I felt a pull, like a magnetic force, pulling me off the road and into the brown grass.

Then I realized it was a vision.

Interpretation

The road is our life. The area off the road—dead grass—is sin, temptation, addiction, etc. If the road was going to fall into the ground on the side, why was I walking there? I should, at least, have moved to the other side of my companion, if not hugged the center of the highway.

The warning and encouragement is to not walk too close to the flame, lest you get burned. Or as Solomon rhetorically asked, “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without burning his clothes?” (Prov. 6:27) The words the Lord spoke to Cain come to mind:

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Gen. 4:7)

The key to ruling over sin is not merely resisting. Notice I said merely. Yes, resisting sin is part of it. James does tell us to resist the devil and he will flee. (James 4:7) (Ironically the same chapter and verse as the Genesis passage.) However, resisting is not enough.

In His Presence

If sin is represented by the area off the road, then the opposite of sin must be in the center of the road. Yeshua lives in the center. His presence is in the center. The key to overcoming sin or “ruling over” sin is spending time with Yeshua. There is no sin in His presence. There is life, love, forgiveness, joy unspeakable and a peace that passes all understanding. It is hard to give into temptation, much less sin, when we are in His presence.

I once remarked to a repentance preacher, “Holiness is not the absence of sin, but the presence of God.” The key to overcoming lust is not found in human effort, but in our desire for God. When we are hungry for God, we will not be hungry for sin.

How ‘Bout Them Apples

I remember when I started eating healthy. For snacks, instead of cake or a candy bar, I was told to eat an apple. I rarely ate fruit. I didn’t want an apple. But amazingly, after a few days of eating apples, I began to crave apples. In the same way, if you give yourself to seeking God, hungering after Him, you will find your appetite for sin decreases and your need for His presence increases.

Angels

And when we overcome sin, we can expect His presence. Many have taught about how Yeshua overcame temptation in Matthew 4—three times Yeshua fights off the enemy—but I have rarely heard anyone comment on what happened next. After He resists the enemy, something special takes place: “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Matt. 4:11)

When we overcome sin, we can expect angels to come and minister to us. You can be sure of this: God loves you and wants to help you in your struggle. It starts with strengthening that relationship with Him. Build up a hunger for healthy God and don’t give in to destructive sin. And though you can’t see them, angels are ministering to you.

We have to stop walking so close to the edge and get closer to Yeshua. When someone asks, “What is the least I can do and still get into heaven,” they are missing the point. That is like having 50-yardline seats at the Super Bowl, but hiding in the bathroom. Yes, you are there, but you are missing the best part. God is fun. God is joy. God is victory and life and love.

In the World, not Of the World

“But if I separate myself from the world to be with Yeshua, what good will I be?” Good question. Walking far from the edge doesn’t mean that we don’t have contact with sinners. Hello. Look at Yeshua. He walked so close to the Father—to the point that He said that He could only do what He sees His Father doing (Jn. 5:19)—and yet, He spent His time with prostitutes and tax collectors.

You can walk far from the edge and yet be right in the midst of those who need Yeshua. In fact, that is where we are to live. Just as Yeshua intimated—we are to be in the world, but not of the world.

“I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14-16)

God is doing an amazing work at Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv—a Hebrew-speaking congregation dedicated to reaching Israelis with Yeshua’s message. We are hungrier than ever before for a move of God. Stand with us in prayer and support as we share the bread of life to our people here in Israel.

Some teach that there is no immersion of the Holy Spirit or Second Blessing. However, we can see clearly in Acts 8 (The Samaritan Revival) the distinction between the salvation experience and the Holy Spirit coming upon believers.

“When [Peter and John] arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been immersed in water in the name of the Lord Yeshua.” (Acts 8:15-16)

No Sinner’s Prayer in Acts

Immersion in water, a very common Jewish practice at the time, was the sinners’ prayer of the book of Acts (Acts 2:21, 8:12, 36, Acts 10:47-48) and there was no such thing as “Baptism Classes”. It was the immediate, first expression of your new faith. When you went into the water, you were saying, “I believe in Yeshua, that He is the Messiah and died as a sacrifice for my sins.” (Acts 8:15-16)

But then the apostles came down to lay hands on the Samaritans and see them also immersed in the Holy Spirit, because, “the Holy Spirit,” although He was in them, “had not yet come on any of them.”

First, Salvation

The purpose of the two distinct experiences is clear. The first is for personal salvation; forgiveness of sins. We see this in Romans 6, one of my favorite verses.

“We were therefore buried with him through water immersion into death in order that, just as Messiah was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)

Immersion in water was the perfect picture of dying to the old way and being raised to newness of life. The water symbolized a grave. What an awesome picture of death and resurrection! Can you imagine on the day of Shavuot, thousands of Jewish people all over Jerusalem going into the, more than 100, mikvot (immersion tanks) in the Old City, only to rise up out of the water, free and forgiven!

Why do we need more?

So why do we need the second blessing? The first blessing, salvation, is for you. But the second is to empower you to reach others. God would come upon these new believers with His Spirit so they could preach with conviction and do signs, wonders and miracles. The best picture of this is Simon Peter. This fellow cut off a guy’s ear and denied he knew Yeshua just 50 days earlier. When they met in Galilee he was dejected. But after the Holy Spirit comes on him in power, he stands on the Temple steps and proclaims Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah, saying, “Men of Israel…”

His message was so powerful that his hearers were cut to the heart, and 3,000 Jewish men, plus women and children, came to faith in Yeshua. (Acts 2) And then, he sees a crippled beggar. He prays for him and the paralyzed vagabond jumps up, praising God. That is the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.

Have you received Yeshua? He is ready to forgive you and receive you and give you newness of life.

Have you received the Holy Spirit’s empowerment? If not, ask God for it. It is his great joy to “give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

Please consider a gift to Messiah’s Mandate. We just committed to up our giving to our Tel Aviv congregation by 2,000 a month. We can only do that with your partnership. God is doing a great work at Tiferet Yeshua! Thank you.

Testimony of Baruch

Elana and I were flying to Prague for Awakening Europe. I have really changed the way I live. Every day I expect God to use me. Not because I am special, but because He so loves this hurting world.

For years, I prayed this prayer:

I expect divine appointments in my life. I expect kingdom connections to take place daily. I expect to lead Israelis to Yeshua. I expect the gift of healing to work in my life with Israelis! I expect angels to be active in my life, working on my behalf for the glory of God. 

It is a powerful prayer, but I rarely acted on it. I have been a passive evangelist—walking through doors when they opened. Now I am a pro-active one. Now I am seeking out people.

Healing at 30,000-Feet

In the middle of our flight to Prague, a young man (26-years-old) came to front of the plane. He complained to the flight attendants that he was not feeling well. He came several times and I could tell that they were losing patience with him. I thought to ask him if he wanted prayer, but I had a check in my spirit that the timing was wrong.

I waited about a half hour and then began to sense the Holy Spirit’s presence. He was sitting one seat in front of me. I got up and sat beside him across the aisle and asked, “Are you not feeling well?” I asked him if I could pray for him. He said it would not help. I said, “God can do anything and sometimes when I pray for people, they get healed.” With that, he took my hand and allowed me to pray for him. His name was Baruch, which means Blessed!

“I Feel Love”

After I prayed, I asked him what he felt and he looked at me and said, “I feel love…I feel love coming from you.” I sat down with him and shared my testimony in Hebrew. Then he gave me his ‘take’ on God, which was not biblical, but then he added something very interesting. He told me, “God uses people. Sometimes we pray for something and God sends someone to you and you don’t realize that this person is God’s answer to your prayers. Look at me. I came to the flight attendants and they did not want to help me. Yes, they gave me water but really they hate me…they hate me! But you saw I was not feeling well and you decided to do something, and now I feel wonderful and I am having a great conversation with you.”

Small Risks, Big Dividends

It’s so much fun to share God’s love with others through the miraculous. But you must take small risks. These small risks can have huge payoffs. What was the worst that could have happened? He doesn’t get healed and he is still grateful that I prayed for him.

I have Baruch’s email and have sent him my testimony—which has in it, a clear Gospel message—in Hebrew. Pray for Baruch!

That evening in Old Town Prague, we met an American couple looking for someone to take a picture of them. We talked for a while and then Elana looked at Margaret, the wife, and asked something very strange: “Can I pray for you to conceive?” I have been around my wife long enough to know that she was being led by the Spirit. I am jealous with a godly jealousy of her ability to hear the Lord.

Margaret teared up and said, “Yes.” And then, “Oh my gosh, I want to hug you.” Amidst the tears, Elana prayed for her to get pregnant.

Roni the Pizza Guy

Finally, this happened today: I was just leaving the morning session of the conference. The presence of God was as wonderful as I can ever remember at conference—of course I always feel that way when God shows up. Worshiping with 10,000 to 15,000 people is always amazing. I can only wonder how heaven views it.

I left the meeting, almost in a cloud of ‘wonderful confusion’—if that makes sense. I was searching for lunch and ended in the hotel restaurant. The waiter at the other hotel restaurant had told us that the chef is Israeli. Elana had already met him. I looked at the guy behind the counter and realized he was the Israeli. Within minutes I was talking to him about Yeshua. He had already encountered several of the believers at the conference and was so open.

He told me that when he met Elana the other night, she came in with glow upon her. I told him that it was the presence of God. We had a great talk and then I asked him if I could pray for him. This is huge key in outreach. Always ask if you can pray for the person because you never know what God is going to do. As I prayed he lit up and smiled, as the presence of God came upon him. I got his email and sent him my testimony in Hebrew.

The in the evening Elana and I came to eat. He came and sat with us poured out his heart. He has two sons with whom he is not in contact. He longs to see them but one is not interested and the other has been prevented by the mother. We prayed for him—that God would show himself strong. I said to Elana, “The idea that a couple of Israelis would not only talk with him, but listen to his story and pray for him, is surely not what he is used to.” The lonely chef was so happy just to speak Hebrew. Please pray for him that as he reads my testimony and that would see Yeshua as his salvation. What a joy to be in Prague and having divine appointments with Israelis!

UPDATE: He just emailed me saying that we gave him hope! Hallelujah! Yeshua gives hope!

Share with us your story of how God is using you. I know He wants to! Take a small risk.

I think I made my concerns loud and clear when it comes to Neo Nazi’s and the KKK in my blog yesterday. And I did not hold back criticizing President Trump’s less than clear condemnation. However, there is a greater issue that threatens the very fabric of our society. It could actually result in the end of America as we know it.

The issue is the stifling of free speech. The Constitution is meant to be our Bible, so to speak, regarding the United States. It is meant to tell us what laws are legal or illegal. It guarantees our personal freedoms. However, unlike the Bible, the Constitution can be changed. But it is very hard.

It’s so hard that it has only been changed 17 times since the initial Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights, the first Ten Amendments, were adopted shortly after the Constitution was written. The first of the ten says this.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

We now live in a society were the first amendment is being ignored and it appears that the Charlottesville police did not do their job in protecting the rights of the disgusting white supremacists. Being Jewish (and human), I have nothing but disdain for the KKK, Neo-Nazis, David Duke, Richard Spencer and the like. They are the worst of Americans. And yet, they are American.

The is why the super-far-left-progressive ACLU took Charlottesville to court to fight for the right for the racists to have a rally. In other words—the freedom of speech and to peaceably assemble is so important, that the ACLU when to court for Nazis. (It can definitely be questioned as to whether or not their assembly was peaceful…riot gear?)

Hate Speech?

Someone asked me yesterday, “What if it is hate speech?” Yes, the constitution protects hate speech. Free speech scholar Eugene Voloch writes in the Washington Post:

I keep hearing about a supposed “hate speech” exception to the First Amendment, or statements such as, “This isn’t free speech, it’s hate speech,” or “When does free speech stop and hate speech begin?” But there is no hate speech exception to the First Amendment. Hateful ideas (whatever exactly that might mean) are just as protected under the First Amendment as other ideas. One is as free to condemn Islam — or Muslims, or Jews, or blacks, or whites, or illegal aliens, or native-born citizens — as one is to condemn capitalism or Socialism or Democrats or Republicans.

But it’s the Klan!

Today it is the Klan, tomorrow it will be pro-lifers or Planned Parenthood. Once we start making exceptions for other citizens to arm themselves and attack those exercising free speech, we begin a slippery slope towards a dictatorship or Stalinist styled government, replete with secret police and citizen spies.

In 1986, I was walking in Manhattan with Dr. Michael Brown. I was a student and Dr. Brown was speaking in New York. We came upon a group of Black Hebrew Israelites (I think that is what they called themselves) and they were spewing every kind of hate you can imagine. It was chilling, but that is their right under the first amendment.

And let’s be honest, it is easy to want to stifle the rights of hate groups of all kind. When I saw several people with Nazi flags at the Charlottesville rally, my blood boiled, but as disgusting as it is, it is their constitutional right. It is illegal to take up arms against those using speech we disagree with, as the Antifa groups did this weekend. You can protest against someone else’s speech, but you cannot silence them or attack them for that speech—only in the rarest of cases can the police stops someone’s speech.

• Fighting words—where one is threatening someone else
• Incitement to violence
• A few other minor areas

But it makes me so angry

Someone wrote me and said something akin to, “These people, the Antifa, believe that they are the only thing standing between the KKK and lynching.” I disagree with the statement, but either we have a country of law and order or anarchy. I know there is tremendous distrust of police and the more we hear, the more it seems that they did a horrible job of separating the two groups in Charlottesville, but the Police are there to stop people from being lynched (and come on—when was the last time we had a real lynching in America? It was 1981, if you really want to know).

We have fostered a generation that believes that if anything offends them, then they have to lash out. Goodness, I have been lashed out against several times just today (and it is only 1:00pm) and I don’t feel the need to fight someone or challenge them. Maturity is not getting offended. Proverbs says, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

Slippery Slope

So, my question for the pro-Antifa folks is, when is it not okay to show up armed to prevent someone from exercising their first amendment right to free speech?

• When I see BLM activists chanting “Pigs in a blanket, fry’em like bacon,” (which actually may be a violation of the First Amendment rights, because it is a call to violence).
• What if there is a pro-abortion rally? Can I show up with sticks and chains to shut them up?
• Can I stop people from protesting for hire wages?
• Can bosses attack union members who strike?

The answer is no (in case that wasn’t clear). Might point is that once you silence one group through violence or the threat of violence, then it is only a matter of time until all speech is silenced.

American’s Unique Place Among the Nations

What makes America great is our freedoms and liberties. That is why we rebelled against England. It is why we have a Constitution that is for every person. That is why the rebels risked their lives, as they wrote the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are created equal and independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…

Once we start limiting the rights of some citizens, it is not long before we limit the rights of all citizens.

How ironic, that Charlottesville, of all cities, host a Freedom of Speech Wall where citizens can express their views. (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/listing/freedom-of-speech-wall/2211/)

Against all odds, Donald Trump became President. He won big in the electoral college. Which caused me to wonder, Does God have a plan here? I certainly hoped so and do pray for him regularly. Many people have said that he is a Cyrus. What does that mean? I am not opposed to saying, “God has called him/her to be a Ruth” or “The Lord has put a Cyrus anointing him,” or “He has a heart like David.” For instance, regarding my good friend, Don Finto, I would have no trouble calling him a modern-day Ruth, for the way he has connected himself to the Jewish people.

So, is Trump a Cyrus?

First, who was Cyrus? He was the king of Persia who allowed Nehemiah to come back to Israel and rebuild Jerusalem and her wall. Isaiah amazingly prophesied about this long before he was alive. His prophesy came 150 years before Cyrus was king!

“who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd
and will accomplish all that I please;
he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,”
and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.”’” (Is. 44:28)

It is about Israel

While Cyrus was a powerful leader of an empire, God raised him up to stand with Israel—to help restore the Jewish nation.

“For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name [Cyrus, see v. 1]
and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge me.” (Is. 45:4)

Furthermore, Cyrus was not a believer. And yet God chose him to, “rebuild my city and set my exiles free.” (Is 45:13).

One well-known prophetic speaker says that Trump’s action against Syria shows that he is a Cyrus—that he was moved by compassion. But there is nothing in the Cyrus prophecy about Syria or his compassion. Others think the idea of Trump being a Cyrus has to do with delivering America from liberal/progressive policies. But in context, a Cyrus is a political ruler who protects Israel against her enemies.

Cyrus, the King of the Persian Empire, attacked Babylon. Babylon was God’s instrument of judgement against sinful Israel. But it was time for the Jews to return to Israel. Cyrus liberated the Jews and allowed them to return and rebuild their country and of course the Temple.

Three Reasons why Trump might be a Cyrus

1. He has the authority to recognize Jerusalem (rebuild the city) and move the embassy (rebuild the temple). The second one is a stretch, but taking that action could be seen as foundational. At the very least, a Cyrus would be extremely favorable towards Israel.
2. He may come to know the Lord. Cyrus doesn’t initially “acknowledge” the Lord. We see that twice (Is. 45), but we also see that God does all these things through him, partly “so that you may know that I am the Lord.” (Is. 45:3) Of all of the prophecies that I heard before President Trump won, there was one that seemed to really touch my heart, going all the way back to 2007.

“Listen to the word of the Lord, God says, ‘I will put at your helm for two terms a president who will pray, but he will not be a praying president when he starts. I will put him in office and then I will baptize him with the Holy Spirit and my power, says the Lord of Hosts. There will be a praying president, not a religious one. For I will fool the people, says the Lord. I will fool the people, yes I will.’” Kim Clement

Well, based on President Trump’s behavior, it is safe to say that the first part is true. Some people have said, hey, he is a baby believer. When I was a baby believer, I could not shut up about Yeshua and the same can be said about many new believers. I was so excited about my new faith. Donald Trump has never confessed his need for forgiveness and, in fact, stated that he has never asked God for forgiveness. I don’t say this to condemn him, but show we need to pray for his salvation.  We need to pray that he has a mighty experience with God!

3. He is an unlikely choice for president. Nobody gave Trump a chance. Cyrus’ grandfather tried to kill him twice because he was afraid he would replace him. The Lord foresees confusion amongst those who serve him regarding His choice.

“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker,
those who are nothing but potsherds
among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
‘The potter has no hands’?
Woe to the one who says to a father,
‘What have you begotten?’
Or to a mother,
‘What have you brought to birth?’” (Is. 45:9-10)

Surely the Israelites desired a Jewish savior—maybe someone from the line of David? God anticipated the reaction and basically said that He is God and will do His will as He pleases. And likewise, Trump—not a lifelong conservative, with a  checkered past—seemed an unlikely choice.

Is it conditional?

Not all prophecies or promises are unconditional. It may be that the Trump/Cyrus connection will depend on both his actions and our prayers. I know that are many believers praying for him. But, while God may have called him to be a Cyrus, he is not off to a good start.

The stage was set for him to favor Jerusalem. He was in Israel in the hours leading up to her 50-year anniversary of reunification. It seemed like a no-brainer that a Cyrus, raised up to favor and restore Israel, would recognize Jerusalem. But instead of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the U.S. Embassy, he focused on the decades old, failed peace process between Israelis and Palestinians and struck a $350 billion deal with the radical Islamist Saudis. His son-in-law—a man with zero experience in such matters—was put in charge of the peace process and quickly realized that there is most likely no solution. There is no doubt that President Trump had planned to recognize Jerusalem and move the embassy, as the recently ousted, Steve Bannon, just confirmed that he was urging the president to do is, but people, such as Kushner, got in his head and convinced him not to.

And let’s be clear—there is nothing in the Cyrus prophecy about him brokering peace between the Israelites and her enemies—just about Cyrus favoring Israel. So while many have blindly said, “he knows what he is doing,” or “he will fulfill his promise to move the embassy in the future,” you cannot call him a Cyrus while he pressures Israel to give up land. Joel speaks judgement over such leaders who divide up Israel’s land (Joel 3:2).

Cyrus was raised up for one reason—for the restoration of Israel. Please read for yourself in Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1-13.

And then we must ask, what will happen to the man who was called by God to bless Israel? Since his late May Israel trip the Trump administration has been in constant turmoil: resignations, firings, Scaramucci, Charlottesville comments, Donald Trump Jr. Russia meeting, Bannon, etc. Some blame the media and others the newly dubbed, Alt Left, but I have to wonder how God would have blessed him had he fulfilled the Cyrus role in May. There is still time to pray for him to fulfill this calling.

There was a story about a man who had inherited a substantial amount of money. The problem was that he did not know it, and when he was finally found and told, he would not believe it.

Rosh Hashana begins tonight. We prepare to share the traditional blessing with one another: May your name be inscribed for a good year. We share these words between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur because of the belief that our destinies will be set on Rosh Hashana, based on the prior year’s actions. We are taught that during the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we can change that destiny, through good works, repentance, giving and prayer.  

Of course this idea is found nowhere in the Hebrew Scriptures. Nowhere in Torah is such a thought suggested. It is mere tradition. However, we can be sure that our names are written in God’s Book of Life forever, without the fear of it ever being removed. The only question is will you be like the inheritor who refused to believe a great inheritance was his for the taking or will you open your heart to the possibility that God has something great for you? That all your sins can be forgiven?

No Temple, No Sacrifice, No Forgiveness

For centuries endless sacrifices were made in the Jewish Temple. However in 70 CE the Temple was destroyed and there have been no sacrifices for sin ever since. What’s more, the Talmud (Tractate Yoma 39b) says that the last 40 years, from 30 CE to 70 CE, the Yom Kippur sacrifices were rejected by God Almighty. So, what happened 40 years before the Temple’s demise, in 30 CE, that caused God to reject the sacrifices every single year afterwards?

The Lamb of God

That was the year that Yeshua (Jesus) was sacrificed for the sins of Israel and the world. I know you think of Jesus as a non-Jewish concept, but all of His original followers were Jewish. It wasn’t until many years after His death (and resurrection), that non-Jews even began to believe in Him—and initially many these non-Jews were told they would have to become Jewish in order to believe in Him. After all, He was the Jewish Messiah (not the Roman or Greek Messiah) and He came to Israel (not Poland or France!). In the end, the Gentile believers were told they did not have to become Jewish—but it never entered the minds of the Jewish believers that they were anything but Jewish. (Acts 21:20 shows tens of thousands of Jewish Yeshua-followers in Jerusalem alone.)

An Amazing Prediction

Isaiah, the Jewish prophet, predicted Yeshua’s death, 700 years before He came, as the ultimate sacrifice. Isaiah prophesied that a man would come from Israel to Israel. He would be rejected by HIs brothers, but He would not defend Himself. He would die as a sacrifice for sin and yet see life again. Don’t believe me?Read the passage in the Hebrew Scriptures for yourself!

The point is that we no longer have to wonder if we will be inscribed in God’s book. The book of Hebrews says Yeshua was the once for all time and all sin sacrifice that pleased Adonai. He died in our place. Through His sacrifice we can have eternal life.

But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Messiah was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:26-28)

Yes, He will appear a second time to bring salvation and usher in the Messianic Age, but He came first to deal with our sin. As a friend of mine once said, He had to first bring peace to our hearts, before He could bring peace to the world.

“How Can I Know God?”

Many years ago as a young adult I attended a lecture at the Jewish Community Center. I sat and listened, as the famed Rabbi Immanuel Shochet (who sadly passed away a few years ago) sought to discredit Messianic Jews. He went on for some time. At the end, a young Jewish girl with black clothing and purple hair asked him a question in front of the hundreds assembled. How can I know God?

The rabbi, who had a plethora of information to damage the reputation of Messianic Judaism, did not know how to answer her. He could tell what not to believe, but he could not introduce her to a living relationship with her Creator. In the end, he simply told her to study the holy books. Her expression made it clear that she did not get the answer for which she had hoped.

Do YOU Want to Know God?

Through faith in the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua, you can truly know God—not just know about Him. And when I saw know, I mean have a living, active relationship with God Almighty. It’s awesome! And you can know Him right now! When you ask Him to forgive your sins He will, because Yeshua already suffered for your transgressions. And that is why the Yom Kippur sacrifices (according to the Talmud! According to the Rabbis!) were rejected every year after the death of Yeshua—because they were no longer needed. The event that took place in 30 CE that caused God to stop accepting the Yom Kippur sacrifices was the death and resurrection of Yeshua. Since the death of Yeshua, not one Yom Kippur sacrifice has been accepted by God—according to the Talmud.

My hope and prayer for you during this Holy season, is not that you will be inscribed for a good year, but that you, through faith in Yeshua, will be inscribed for eternity!

I have not written this to be offensive in any way, though I am sure some will receive it that way. I have written this out of deep concern and care for your eternal destination. I want to see you in the Messianic Age when He returns.

Let me challenge you. Seek out the truth for yourself. We are talking about eternity; about knowing God. What could be more important? You mortgage, your job, your reputation? I don’t think so. If you truly desire to know the truth, ask God to reveal it to you. I believe He will answer your prayer. You can read my story here for free or take a peak at my book here. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me.

If you are willing pray this prayer: Yeshua, I believe You are the Jewish Messiah and that You died on Passover 2,000 years as a sacrifice for sins. You gave your perfect life for my imperfect one. I repent of my sins and ask your forgiveness. Come into my life right now, that I might live a new life even as You rose from the dead. Fill me with Your joy and Holy Spirit and release me from the power of sin and death. Amen.

Shana Tova,

Ron Cantor

Tel Aviv, Israel

You must forgive me for the title of this blog, but I am just keeping it real! I mean, when your Israeli taxi driver has a revelation and exclaims biblical truth with joy that he has never known, it doesn’t always come out the way you might expect. Let me back up. I was with some friends from the U.S. Our Taxi driver, Dudu, was full of information, teaching us the history of Tel Aviv.

We began to share with our Dudu about Yeshua. Just before we arrived at our destination, I asked him if he had pain in his body. He told me that his back was giving him trouble and that he had knee pain from an operation. We laid hands on him and prayed for him. He said his knee felt better and we prayed again, but this time I asked God to allow him to experience His presence.

I asked him again about his knee and he said again, that it felt better. But then, it was clear in his countenance that God had touched his spirit. I asked him what he felt inside. He took a deep breath and it was evident by the smile on his face that something had happened. He said, “Yes, yes, yes, yes, …”

I LOVE TO SEE GOD TOUCH ISRAELIS WITH HIS PRESENCE!

By his own confession, the Lord touched his knee—at least to some degree. I only use prayer for healing of the body to get to the soul. What good is a healed knee, if your soul perishes? For this reason, I try to always pray for people to experience the joy of the Lord—the presence of God. They immediately recognize that this is not mere human emotion.

In July, I was in a Starbucks drive-through and I asked God to give me a word for the girl who would soon take my money. Nothing came! Then I said, “Then give me something to say to her!” As I approached, I asked, “Have you ever wondered how much God loves you?” She said, “Actually, yes.” Then I asked, “Have you ever felt the presence of God?” She said, “No, I have not.”

“Give me your hand.” She did and I prayed for about 30 seconds. When I let go, it was clear God had touched her. She looked me and said, “You made my day!” I said, “I don’t want to make your day, but your life! Go home and read the book of John, and learn about Jesus.” Friends, you can do that too! God is with you!

An Unepected Reaction!

Back to Dudu. So…after we stopped the camera, he was still smiling for ear to ear when he exclaimed as if he was having a revelation: Yeshua was Jewish, Yeshua was a “blanking” Jew! The word shocked us, but we were not so religious, that we could not see that Zacchaeus was right before us. I am sure the Lord encountered more startling things as He reached out to sinners and tax collectors. We all laughed together as Dudu took off. But not before I got his phone number. I have been in touch with him on SMS and hope to send him some materials.

Another Encounter

On the way home, we had another amazing encounter. Rachamim (which means mercies) didn’t come across to me as someone open to the gospel. He was in his mid-twenties and was sporting that cool kind of quiet. It had come up that we were Messianic Jews. As we approached Tel Aviv, I asked him, “Are you curious how I came to believe in Yeshua?” Israelis are ALWAYS curious.

He said, “As a matter of fact, yes.” I shared with him my story. When I got to the part where I was explaining the gospel—that Yeshua was a sacrifice for our sin—he surprisingly seemed to understand. I told him that Jewish people think that their sins can be forgiven through fasting on Yom Kippur, but that is only because there is no Temple. When the Temple stood, a goat was sacrificed for the sins of Israel by the high priest. Fasting was merely the humble disposition the nation took, in hopes that God would forgive them.

However, after the Temple was destroyed, a new Judaism was created by Yochanan Ben Zakkai that replaced the substitutionary sacrifice with human works. Instead of falling on his face and repenting at the Temple’s demise, Ben Zakkai created a new, bloodless Judaism (see more www.roncan.net/histmess). I explained that only the shedding of blood could take away sin.

“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (Lev. 17:11)

“That makes sense,” he said. I was kind of shocked that such a young man could embrace a deep theological concept. “I want to learn more about this.” We prayed for him to experience God’s presence and he did! I grabbed about a copy of my book, “Identity Theft” in Hebrew, and gave it to him. He was eager to read it.

Friends, this is my passion—not only to share the gospel with Israelis but to see Israeli believers equipped to share the gospel with healing power. We are seeing it more and more. Pray for these two men that God would continue to work on them and that, when I contact them, they will want to learn and hear more, even visit the congregation.

Lessons from Abraham Part 2

In Part 1, we saw how Abram went from lying about Sarai being his wife, to walking in the favor of God. In Genesis, chapter 12, when he goes to Egypt, he is afraid that Pharaoh will kill him and take Sarai for himself. So, they tell Pharaoh that they are brother and sister and still the favor of God rests on Abram. Even in his lack of faith state—God blesses him.

Then, when he and Lot decide to separate, he tells Lot that he can have whatever area he wants. Abram had learned that it just didn’t matter. If God declares blessing, then Abram could have raised cattle in the desert!

Taking on Five Armies—No Problem

Now, he has a much bigger test: a king named Kedorlaomer is gobbling up territory in Canaan, building himself a nice mini-empire. The king of Sodom, where Lot lived, and three others decided that they didn’t want to be under this dude’s thumb any longer, so they set out to defeat him.

However, things didn’t go according to plan. They were defeated. And Lot, Abram’s nephew, was taken captive.

In reading Genesis 14, it doesn’t appear that our man even flinches:

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.  He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.” (Gen. 14:14-16)

Outnumbered!

Abram was no general. He had no army. It says his 318 men were trained, but how trained could they have been? Until now, we don’t see Abram as a conquering king. They were probably trained in defending the flocks against marauders. And Damascus, do you know how far that is from Sodom? Over 200 miles and most of his men had to have been walking. But Abram, the friend of God, knows that it doesn’t really matter if he has 3,180 men or 318 men or 31.8 men; God would give him victory.

Rejecting Riches from a Wicked King

And then he has this little conversation with the king of Sodom:

“The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’” (Gen. 14:21-23)

Now put yourself in Abram’s place. You just saved this guy’s kingdom. He wants to bless you with riches. Wouldn’t you be tempted to take the booty? Even if you knew it was wrong, human nature would start trying to figure why God really wants me to take this stuff. I have certainly been there. In fact, I failed.

“I am going to give you a Honda Accord”

When I was in my early 20s and had no money and no car, the Lord spoke to me over and over again, during August of 1987, that He was going to give me a Honda Accord. And then one day, my dad calls me and says, “Is your sister home? I am bringing her a car.”

“Really, what kind of car?”

“A Honda.”

“A Honda Accord?” I quizzed.

“Yes, why?”

I knew that was my car. My sister didn’t like it and he was going to return it to his friend, who owned a used car lot, in the morning. Because of my faith, he was committed to not helping me. And this is where I blew it. Instead of just letting God do what He promised, I went to my father and said, “You know, if she doesn’t want it, I’ll take it.”

“Absolutely not.”

(You have to understand that at that time my father really didn’t like me. I went from being one of the most hyperactive, irresponsible, drug-using, law-breaking kids to being a Jesus Freak. I was an embarrassment on so many levels, and I wasn’t always tactful in the way I shared my faith. I thank God that today my Dad is my best friend. It really is a miracle. Now I am trusting God for him and my mother to come to faith!)

I walked away dejected. I went to take my laundry out of the dryer about 30 minutes later and the Lord spoke to me, “Are you done? Will you let me work now?” Just then my father yelled my name to come to him in the TV room. I honestly thought that he was going to mock me about my faith (this was during the time that Jim Bakker was exposed and it was in the news). As I walked through the door, keys were already in the air, coming my way.

“You can have the car,” he said with an almost defeated tone.

Now, I rejoice in that testimony, but it would have been so much sweeter if, like Abram, I was walking so close to the Father that I knew He could do it without my help.

Walking in God’s Favor

Abram didn’t want money from Sodom. He wanted the world to know that he came from nothing to riches through the hand of God alone. I am sure he knew of the immoral ways of Sodom, and didn’t want his name connected to the evil king. He wanted to walk in the pure blessing of God! Me too! How about you?

This week, world renown theologian and general spewer of nonsense, Joy Behar, said that people who expect God to speak to them are mentally ill. You know, nutso—hearing voices. Well, here is how she put it.

“It is one thing to talk to Jesus. It’s another thing when Jesus talks to you…that’s called mental illness, if I’m not correct. Hearing voices.”

The Theology

Before we talk about how demeaning this is to the Vice President, let’s just examine her words theologically.

1. Behar has no problem with your religion. “It’s one thing to speak to Jesus.”
2. Her problem is when you actually believe that your God is real. It is mental illness if you think that Jesus is talking back to you.

So, according to Joy Behar, it is fine to pretend that God is real, as long as you don’t believe it. The God of the Bible speaks to people. He has sent his Holy Spirit to guide us. John 16:13 specifically says He will speak to us. Paul, the writer of most of the theology in the New Testament visited heaven (I Cor. 12:2), had visions (Acts 16:9), heard the voice of Jesus directly (Acts 9:4) and lived life as if God still speaks to men.

The Offense

Vice President Pence rarely defends himself against a steady onslaught of attacks against his faith. But this time was different. The insulated talk show host, who probably never has real conversations with people of faith, assumes that most of America is like her. Faith is a toy—something to entertain us, but not real. This time Behar didn’t merely attack Vice President Pence for not being willing to put himself in compromising positions, by being alone with women (something I call common sense or wisdom), but she criticized all Americans who believe that God plays a role in our lives and destiny.

Pence defended people of faith.

“ABC has a program that compared my Christianity to mental illness. And I liked to laugh about it, but I really can’t.

“To have ABC maintain a broadcast forum that compared Christianity to mental illness is just wrong. It is simply wrong for ABC to have a television program that expresses that kind of religious intolerance…It is an insult not to me, but to the vast majority of the American people…My faith sustains me in all that I do…

“It demonstrates how out of touch some in the mainstream media are with the faith and values of the American people that you could have a major network like ABC permit a forum for invective against religion like that.”

The Faux Apology/Excuse

Taking a page out of disgraced comedian Kathy Griffin’s book, she turned this into an attack on comedians. When Griffin committed career suicide by holding up the supposed bloody, decapitated head of President Trump, she sought to say that it was the Trump’s family that was attacking her and that it was only because she is female. “Cut the crap, this wouldn’t be happening to a guy — this is a woman thing.”

Behar too, takes no responsibility for the outrage against her. Instead, she sought to justify her comments, while backtracking, saying she doesn’t think all Christians are mentally ill. Thanks Joy.

“That would make me mentally ill since I’m a Christian myself; it would make my mother mentally ill, my mother, my aunts, my daughter, of course not. I don’t mean to offend people, but apparently, I keep doing it. It was a joke. Comedians are in danger these days.”

First, of course she is not a Christian in the biblical sense. She is a cultural Christian—in name only. She is pro-abortion, pro-homosexuality, pro-transgender, pro-everything-not-biblical. Secondly, instead of apologizing for going too far in her comedy (by the way, The View is not primarily satire, but political) she says, “Comedians are in danger these days.” Yes, we should not be offended when she equates our relationship with God as being mentally unstable. It’s a joke! You are hilarious Joy!

This is the same left, that crawls into the fetal position at any perceived micro-aggression.

And she felt the need to say the stupidest, most manipulative thing: “We also have a first amendment in this country.” She takes advantage of her naïve audience by pretending (I hope she was only pretending!) that this is a free speech issue.

Or is Joy Behar suggesting that the first amendment guarantees everyone a million dollar a year job to spout their views on politics and religion, with no repercussions? No one has ever threatened Joy Behar’s freedom to declare her offensive views. She seems to think, if offended believers respond to her hurtful words, it is somehow unconstitutional? So, in her world, the first amendment guarantees her freedom of speech, but not mine or yours, if we want to respond.

Megan McCain got it right before Whoopi Goldberg shut her down:

“As a Republican, I feel like liberals say we need to be tolerant of everyone, we need to be tolerant of everyone except pro-lifers, except Trump supporters, except gun owners, except for everyone in the red and middle of the country.”

Mic drop for Ms. McCain.

Several years ago I was preparing a message called, “A History of the Holy Spirit.” I came across this story about Billy Graham from a book called, A Personal Look at Billy Graham, the World’s Best-loved Evangelist, by Sherwood Eliot Wurt, It is one of the most powerful Billy Graham stories I have read. In 1946 he had an experience with the Holy Spirit that changed his life and ministry.

Here is an excerpt from that book:

During his visit to Britain in October 1946, a meeting was arranged at Hildenborough Hall in Kent where Billy was to be introduced to Christian leaders before his evangelistic tour of cities in England, Ireland, and Wales. He arrived in time for the closing service of a youth conference, at which the speaker was Stephen Olford.

Olford, born of missionary parents in Angola, had planned to be an engineer, but a motorcycle accident in England brought him face to face with God while he was recovering in a hospital. He attended St. Luke’s College and served as World War II chaplain to His Majesty’s Forces, who were leaving for the Dunkirk action. Later he became an itinerant evangelist.

At Hildenborough Hall Olford preached a fervent message on the text: “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit.”1 When he had finished, he seated himself and rested his head in his hands. He became aware of someone nearby and looked up to see Billy Graham standing over him.

“Mr. Olford,” said Billy, “I just want to ask one question: Why didn’t you give an invitation? I would have been the first one to come forward. You’ve spoken of something that I don’t have. I want the fullness of the Holy Spirit in my life too.”

Billy told his biographer John Pollock, “I was seeking for more of God in my life, and I felt that here was a man who could help me. He had a dynamic, a thrill, an exhilaration about him I wanted to capture.”

They arranged to meet in Wales where Billy was scheduled to preach in a town named Pontypridd, eleven miles from the home of Olford’s parents . In a room in a stone hotel in Pontypridd, Stephen and Billy spent two days together. Billy told Stephen. “This is serious business. I have to learn what this is that the Lord has been teaching you.”

The first day was spent, according to Stephen, “on the Word  and on what it really means to expose oneself to the Word in the quiet time.” They spent the hours turning the pages of the Bible, studying passages and verses. Billy prayed, “Lord, I don’t want to go on without knowing this anointing You’ve  given my brother.”

That night Billy preached to a small crowd. The sermon was “ordinary,” according to Stephen, and “not the Welsh kind of preaching.” Billy gave an invitation, but the response was sparse.

The next day they met again, and Stephen began concentrating on the work of the Holy Spirit by declaring, “There is no Pentecost without Calvary,” and that we “must be broken” like the apostle Paul, who declared himself  “crucified with Christ.” He then told Billy how God completely turned his life inside out. It was, he said, “an experience of the Holy Spirit in His fullness and anointing.” He explained that “where the Spirit is truly Lord over the life, there is liberty, there is release — the sublime freedom of complete submission of oneself in a continuous state of surrender to the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit.”

According to Stephen, Billy cried, “Stephen, I see it. That’s what I want.” His eyes filled with tears — something rare with Billy. It seems he had no appetite that day, only taking a sip of water occasionally. Stephen continued to expound the meaning of the filling of the Spirit in the life of a believer. He said it meant “bowing daily and hourly to the sovereignty of Christ and to the authority of the Word.”

From talking and discussing, the two men went to their knees praying and praising. It was about midafternoon on the second day that Billy began pouring out his heart “in a prayer of total dedication to the Lord.” According to Stephen, “all heaven broke loose in that dreary little room. It was like Jacob laying hold of God and crying , ‘Lord, I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me.’ ”

They came to a time of rest from prayer. Billy exclaimed, “My heart is so flooded with the Holy Spirit!”  They alternately wept and laughed, and Billy began walking back and forth across the room, saying, “I have it! I’m filled. I’m filled. This is the turning point of my life. This will revolutionize my ministry.”

Said Olford, “That night Billy was to speak at a large Baptist church nearby. When he rose to preach, he was a man absolutely anointed.” Billy’s Welsh audience seemed to sense it. They came forward to pray even before the invitation was given. Later when it was given, Olford said, “The Welsh listeners jammed the aisles. There was chaos. Practically the entire audience came rushing forward.”

Stephen drove back to his parents’ home that night, deeply moved by Billy’s new authority and strength. “When I came in the door,” he said later, “my father looked at my face and asked, ‘What on earth has happened?’

“I sat down at the kitchen table said, ‘Dad, something has happened to Billy Graham. The world is going to hear from his man. He is going to make his mark in history.’ ” The heavenly reservoir had overflowed.

A close colleague of Billy’s before Pontypridd, Chuck Templeton, heard the young preacher after that experience. Astonished, Templeton remarked that Billy’s preaching had taken on “a certain magnificence of effect…fascinating…really impressive.”

Whenever there is a controversial Biblical issue (e.g. timing of the rapture, signs and wonders for today, apostles and prophets, replacement theology), I ask myself one simple question: What conclusion would I come to if no one had influenced me and I simply read the Bible for myself?

If we were reading the New Covenant for the first time, would we conclude that there are no longer apostles and prophets? Most new believers, after reading the book of Acts, are eager to see God’s power.

“But, Ron, we aren’t supposed to focus on power.” Amen! That was Yeshua’s warning after the disciples came back from casting out demons and healing the sick. He chided them for being overexcited about the supernatural and potentially missing the most important thing, that their names were written in heaven.

He only lightly admonished them, and encouraged them in the supernatural. “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy.” (Luke 10:19)

Yeshua said that believers in Him will do greater works than Him (Jn. 14:12). In the book of Acts, we see believers healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons. If we conclude that miracles are not for today, what about demons? Do demons still oppress and possess? Is it now God’s will that we keep these demons? Or, are we called to cast them out as we see in the book of Acts?

Experience means something

The Word lines up with my experience. Experiences means something, particularly when it confirms the Word of God. (I often remind people who don’t believe in the restoration of Israel, that Israel is, indeed, restored.) I have seen blind eyes opened and the lame walk—I have seen people full of demons find freedom in Jesus and have seen these demons flee when confronted in the name of Yeshua (even in countries where the possessed/oppressed person didn’t understand English).

In our congregation, we have a woman who was oppressed by demons for decades. The moment she was immersed in water, the demons left her and she is a new person. As for healing, my administrator used to get migraines every day at 13:30. In June, US-based healing evangelist Todd White prayed for her briefly in Jerusalem, just as he was getting in the van to leave. The migraines never came back. I have personally prayed for many unbelievers in Israel to be healed and have seen the majority cured instantly. (http://roncan.net/2GLw0BB).

Apostles and Prophets

What about apostles and prophets? Do we still need prophets today? Not everything we need is written in the Bible. Paul was warned by the prophet Agabus what would happen to him in Jerusalem. Nothing Agabus said could have been understood by Paul through reading the New Testament. He needed a prophetic word. When Ananias came to Paul, he came as a prophet sent by God to tell him of his calling. Paul had a vision in Acts 16:9 about Macedonia. Joel said in the last days we would prophesy. What was the ministry of Judas and Silas, as prophets, that is not still needed today? (Acts 15:32)

Paul spends three chapters on the gifts of the Spirit. Why are such rules about prophecy even in the Bible, if it is done away with? He exhorts in 1 Cor. 14:1, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.”

Prophecy will End

“But, Ron, Paul says prophecy will end.” (1 Cor. 13:10) Yes, but when? Some say at the finish of the writing of the New Testament. Paul says that it will end when “that which is perfect comes,” when we see “face to face.” (v. 10, 12) That clearly refers to the Second Coming of Yeshua. Only then will all be revealed and there will be no need for prophecy.

More believers identify as Charismatic believers than non-Charismatic. According to a Pew research poll, there are 584,000,000 Charismatics/Pentecostals, as opposed to 285,000,000 Evangelicals.

Also, in many of these charismatic movements around the world, they firmly believe in the restoration of apostles and prophets. Some use the term “Bishop” to refer to a leader of leaders. Others use the term apostle. An apostle is a leader of leaders. Like Paul, he wants to take the gospel where it has not been heard. (Rom. 15:20)

Christianity Today uses the term “spiritual entrepreneur” about someone apostolic who births multiple ministries. Is he a pastor, a teacher, an evangelist? Could he be an apostle?

Again, if you are reading the New Covenant for the first time, what are the chances that you would come away thinking the gifts of the Spirit and apostles and prophets are no longer needed? In my opinion, very small.

This week in Israel, we celebrate the story of Esther. It is an all too familiar theme of a world leader seeking to carry out genocide against the Jewish people. I want to look at the three central characters and learn one thing from each of them.

Esther

When Esther heard through Mordechai that Haman was plotting to kill the Jews, she balked. She was not like Mordechai, who refused to bow down to Haman. She wasn’t naturally courageous. My friend Yakov Damkani is a Mordechai. He is a fearless Israeli evangelist, who has stood for Yeshua in the face of violent attacks. But Esther was not. Like most of us, if she was going to do this—risk her life—she was going to need help from above.

I think of those four policemen who did not charge into the school while 17 teenagers were killed. That is what you are trained to do. You put your life on the line for others. In Israel, it is second nature to run to the action, rather than run from it. On dozens of occasions, civilians have stopped terrorists. Last year, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, took down and knife wielding Palestinian with his bare hands.

I don’t judge the police officers in Florida. I don’t know what I would do in the same situation. But Esther had to overcome a similar fear. Probably shaking with fear, she approached the king. Her bravery saved thousands of lives.

Mordechai

We read in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” It is true and we can see that in the life of Mordechai. If God has determined blessing for your life, no outside element can stop it—not the devil, not Haman.

Yes, there are tests and challenges in life. They are not contrary to the blessing of God, but sent to help us mature. Joseph was not ready to save the world from famine as a teenager, when he boasted he would rule over his brothers. But after being sold as a slave, falsely accused of rape and then thrown into prison, he was ready.

The trials developed deep character in Joseph—so much so, that when he was reunited with his brothers he was able to say in essence, “This was God’s plan for me, not yours,” as he forgave them. Just because you are going through a trial doesn’t mean God has forgotten you.

Look how things ended up with Mordechai. Haman hated him. He wanted to kill him. One night the king could not sleep and so he decided to have someone read him the chronicles of his reign. He discovered that Mordechai had once saved his life from an assassination plot. The next day he asked Haman, what should be done for the man that the king wants to honor. Naturally Haman was sure the king wanted to honor him. So he says:

“For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’” (Esther 6:7-9)

The king was pleased with Haman’s idea and told Haman to do it for Mordechai. Hollywood could not have written a better script. In addition, Esther was given Haman’s estate and presented Mordechai with his signet ring that he took back from Haman. If God has determined blessing on your life, then you can expect it. He will overcome the impossible to bless His children.

Haman

Fueled by pride and jealousy Haman plotted against the Jewish people. When we seek to harm others, we clog the funnel of blessing. Like Joseph, we must forgive those who hurt us.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matt. 6:14-15)

And if we seek to harm others out of fear, jealousy, anger, pride, etc., we will bring curses on ourselves.

“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.” (Prov. 26:27)

This biblical principle states that the very vehicle that you seek to use to harm others will run you down. It is written in Esther, “when the plot came to the king’s attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head.” (Esther 9:25)

The King was informed that “a pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Impale him on it!” (Esther 7:9)

Conclusion

Let’s choose to be people of courage, walking in the blessing of God, forgiving all who sin against us.

In Hebrew the word for preaching the good news is mevaser. We have a city called Mevaseret, the female form of the verb. So, I was in the Gospel Mall today on my way to a meeting—meaning I was in the Mevaseret Mall—what better place to share Yeshua! I had to get something quickly. I was in the drug store when I noticed the woman in front of me point to her back, as if she was in pain.

Considering all the little things that happened to get me at that place, I assumed it was a divine appointment.

• I only came to the mall because I made wrong turn.
• Once in the mall, I decided to use the restroom first.
• Then, seeing the long line at the counter, I went to the pharmacy hoping I could pay there, but that didn’t work.
• I returned to the front and the women between me and the women in pain suddenly decided to go back and shop.
• And then the women in pain, inexplicably stopped outside the pharmacy(as if God had her waiting for me to pray for her) while I paid for my item.

Clearly I was supposed to pray for her.

I ran out of the pharmacy just as she was finally walking away. “Slicha” (excuse me). “Did you tell the woman at the pharmacy that you have pain in your back?” She said yes. “Can I pray for you? I believe God will heal your back right here.”

She was a little stunned—I mean, who does that? …asking someone if you can pray for them that you don’t even know. But when you are pain.  Curious, she said I could pray.

I asked her if I could put my hand on her back and she said I could. I prayed for her in Yeshua’s name and asked her to check her back.  All the pain was gone! She was in shock. I explained that God healed her back because he wants to know her and for her to know him. She was very grateful and I asked if she could just wait a minute. I ran to the car and got my testimony booklet and Identity Theft—both in Hebrew. I wondered if she would wait.

I ran back in and there she was. She took both items and again thanked me. I explained that God loves her and the healing was just the beginning. He wants more. She had no idea what I was talking about, but now she has all the information she needs! Pray that she reads the materials and finds salvation in Yeshua.

The moral of the story is:

1) Without the healing, the woman, most likely, would not have been interested in hearing about Yeshua. When someone experiences the presence of God, or a small miracle like the healing of their back—they open their heart to hear the gospel. The woman at the well in John 4 was not interested in Yeshua until He, through the Spirit, revealed the secrets of her life. Nathaniel was not at all interested in Yeshua until Yeshua told him that He saw him in the spirit.

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. When Yeshua saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” (John 1:46-49)

2) God gives us the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be witnessed for him.

“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

3) We must be proactive about using them, not passive. Take a chance and you will be amazed at how God backs you up. He is more eager to use you, than you are to be used!

As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.” (Acts 9:32-35)

4) There are hurting people out there who need to the truth. We are God’s plan to reach them. There is no plan B.

In this world we are like Jesus. (1 John 4:14)

Wow, Ron! That was harsh.

I know, forgive me, but imagine my shock on the elliptical machine, sweat running down my checks, meditating on 1 Corinthians 3, when it hit me! Paul is not talking about exercise!

In the passage, the apostle speaks of rewards in heaven, and then suddenly he starts talking about our bodies being the Temple of God. I wondered, how did he get there? It doesn’t seem to connect. I went back and reread the verses, before and after, and noticed a word I had never seen there: Together. And, boom, it hit me!

And how ironic that I was exercising—taking care of the temple, so to speak—when I realized that eating right, not smoking and exercising had NOTHING to do with what Paul was talking about when he said:

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Cor. 3:16-17)

Now to be clear, in 1 Corinthians 6, he does refer to our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit, in regards to sexual immorality. This is why sexual sins are especially perverse, because the presence of Jesus is inside our bodies.

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor. 6:18-20)

This is different than his meaning in chapter three. In chapter six, he says “temples” plural. Meaning, the presence of God dwells in every “individual” believer. But in chapter three, he says, that we, together (plural), are the Temple (singular) of God. He is speaking of the entire body of Messiah as being the replacement for the (soon to be destroyed) Temple in Jerusalem.

Why is this Important!?

Hang with me friends—it is soooo important.

Paul is very concerned about the Corinthians, who are rife with divisions:

“One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Messiah.’” (1 Cor. 1:12)

He then rebukes them in chapter three for this.

“You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings?” (1 Cor. 3:3-4)

We think “worldly” means listening to secular music, but worldly in the New Testament sense, means living life in the carnally—anger, strife, division, pride, jealously, etc. The Spirit-empowered believer is called to live on a higher level. Now, if we skip to verse 16 and 17, we will see that Paul was far more concerned about their unity than he was about their diet.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Cor. 3:16-17)

The word for you in Greek is plural in v. 16 and 17, hence the NIV adds the word “together” at the end of v. 17 to emphasize that we, the body of Messiah, together, are the Temple of God, not as individuals. When he says that God will destroy the person who destroys God’s temple, he is not talking about smoking cigarettes or over-eating (things I do not recommend)—he is talking about those who cause division!

Causing Splits

In the western world, it is nothing for an elder or associate pastor to split his congregation. How many churches today resulted from a disgruntled leader who left his former congregation to start a new work in the same city? Wounded feelings or pride, can lead us to deception, believing that God has called us to leave and take people with us. In my early years in Israel, I almost did that. Fortunately, I have godly leaders who kept me from doing something extremely sinful. We embraced the one year/different city rule. Either you plant in a different city or you wait a year.

The New Testament speaks regarding the sin of schism or division in the strongest language, “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person.” In the midst of division, people fall away from the faith—others are led astray. Division and splits break God’s heart because they rip apart the body of Jesus.

Sometimes there are legitimate reasons to separate: gross sin, false teaching or a leader who is abusing the flock. But most splits are rooted in pride and hurt feelings.

Years ago, I was involved in a nasty split. Let me say that I am not writing this to cast blame—we were all guilty on some level. Because this was a well-known ministry, the ripple effect was worldwide. The fruit was rotten. Families took sides against each other. Pastors and congregants were divided. Roommates stopped talking to each other. This was why Paul was so upset. I am happy that all the leaders that were connected to that split have been reconciled, but that doesn’t change the fact that the division caused damage to Yeshua’s body.

Unity does not mean Uniformity

In Paul’s letter, he refers to some being loyal to Apollos, others to himself and some to Cephas (Peter). We could take this too far and say loyalty to a group or subdivision of the body of believers is wrong. That is not what Paul is saying here. It is fine that there are Baptists, Assemblies of God or Messianic Jews. There was nothing wrong with the fact that Apollos had a group of disciples that were loyal to him as their leader.  I, myself, am part of Tikkun International—a group of about 40 ministries and congregations that are likeminded.

The issue is not the groupings, but the pride that enters in. Once you start thinking that your team is the best, you have entered a dangerous place. Paul was thrilled that Apollos was bearing fruit—he was not thrilled that some of these disciples were overly loyal to a man and standing in judgment of other leaders or movements. My connection with Tikkun International doesn’t cause me to judge other movements. Rather, I celebrate our unique giftings and callings. I don’t think everyone should be a part of my group. I see people here in Israel who are doing amazing things in the kingdom of God and who are not part of my group.

My friends at One for Israel have produced powerful video testimonies and apologetics. My friend, Israel Pochter, is planting congregations and winning many to the faith. Oded Shonshani is someone to whom I look up, as he leads what may be the largest Hebrew-speaking congregation in Israel. And Chad Holland, someone I once mentored, is doing an amazing job in expanding the work of King of Kings. We can have unity without uniformity, and we can celebrate with work of God in each other.

Conclusion

God hates division—pure and simple! Paul pleads with the Ephesians: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” We must be careful before we speak against a brother or sister. We must make sure that we are being led by the Spirit and not by the flesh. In our zeal for righteousness, we can end up destroying a brother or sister, or more importantly, a young believer. Let’s strive for peace and unity, and yet, never compromise.