Passover is April 6th - Donate to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

This message comes from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, president of International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.  www.ifcj.org.  Passover is quickly arriving.  They need donations to provide 40,000 Passover Food Boxes to impoverished Jews in Russia and Israel.  Please read this Message from Rabbi Eckstein, then visit their website to see how you may be a blessing to impoverished Jews this Passover.

Thomas Cain

It is especially heartbreaking that so many Holocaust survivors are unable to afford basic foods, much less the special items like matzah needed to observe the holy Passover Seder with dignity.

My friend, I am asking you to join our Fill the Pantry Passover food campaign and help The Fellowship deliver 40,000 Passover Food Boxes both in Israel and the former Soviet Union.

With Passover now only days away, I urge you to please make your gift today on behalf of thousands of needy Holocaust survivors like Alexander.  Alexander is an 86-year-old widower who witnessed the murder of his entire family and endured four horrific years in a Nazi work camp. Yet today, Alexander lives all alone in heartbreaking poverty.

When Yael, my daughter, arrived at his tiny apartment to deliver one of our Passover Food Boxes, Alexander broke into tears. “This food package reminds me that I’m not alone, and will truly help me be joyous when I look at the beautiful meal on my table that The Fellowship provided,” he said.  “Thank you for caring about me in my old age. And thank God that there are people and places like The Fellowship. You’re the only ones that care about me anymore.”

By making a gift to our Fill the Pantry Passover food campaign, you can help bring comfort to destitute Holocaust survivors like Alexander.

These dear people have nowhere else to turn to for help, other than to you and me. Please be as generous as you can and thank you for caring.

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President

   

PS	Many Holocaust survivors who need our help live in hard-to-reach villages, so please donate today and we will make certain their Passover Food Box reaches them in time to observe the Seder at sundown on April 6th.

Emailing Rescue My Chosen People

All the month of March until Passover, Grace, Faith, Justified Ministry is focusing its attention on Jewish charities that help impoverished Jewish families, worldwide.  The following is a message from Rescue My Chosen People.

Emailing Rescue My Chosen People

Starting in April, 2012, Rescue My Chosen People will be accepting emails from impoverished Jews, worldwide, that need to get in contact with Jewish charities that provide, food, clothing, medicine, shelter, and in some instances, transportation cost to Israel.  If you are an impoverished Jewish family, or person, you may email rescuemychosenpeople@gmail.com.  Your email will be forwarded to the appropriate Jewish charity.  Please state your name, with your needs, and a contact address, such as your email address.  This will help us determine which Jewish charity is most apt to address your needs.

Please note:  All information provided to Rescue My Chosen People will be held in the strictest confidence.  Also, Rescue My Chosen People does not provide or sale your email address to any organization, company, individual, or entities.  However, your email will be forwarded to the Jewish charity most appropriate to address your needs.

Thomas Cain

Impoverished Jews in Former Soviet Union and Israel Need Your Help

This message comes from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, President of International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.  www.ifcj.org.  They need your help now to fill Passover food boxes to impoverished Jews in the former Soviet Union and Israel.  Please visit their website to see how you may be a blessing to impoverished Jews.

 

Message from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein:

For the thousands of Jewish families and elderly who will be receiving Passover Food Boxes from dedicated friends like you, our Fill the Pantry Passover food campaign is already a success.

But Passover is now only a few weeks away and there are still desperately hungry people in both Israel and the former Soviet Union who are looking for our help.

I would like to share one moving story of why each Passover Food Box we provide during our Fill the Pantry Passover campaign is so important.

Her name is Irina and she lives in Krivoy Rog, Ukraine with her daughter Nastya.

Right now their “home” is a dilapidated former army barracks where there is no indoor plumbing and the leaky roof makes it terribly cold and damp. They have nowhere else to go. Ever since Irina was laid off from her job, she struggles to provide her daughter with life’s basic necessities.

It broke Irina’s heart to know that because of their extreme poverty, she would not be able to give Nastya a proper Passover celebration. So you can imagine her relief when she learned that The Fellowship was distributing Passover Food Boxes to hungry Jewish families.

“I have no words that can adequately express my gratitude to The Fellowship. Without you, we would not have simple foods to fill our stomachs or the special foods needed to celebrate the Passover Seder,” explained Irina.

Passover begins at sundown on April 6th — that’s less than three weeks away. My friend I am asking you on behalf of hungry families like Irina’s to join us during our Fill the Pantry Passover food campaign to bring joy to their lives and this special holiday celebration.


With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President

Homelessness in the Holy City

Grace, Faith, Justified, Ministry is focusing on Jewish charities for the next few weeks, especially up to Passover.  This article written by Yael Eckstein will touch the heart of every person that reads it. It is not only timely, considering the rising tide against Jews, but the significant importance that Jews, even in the Jerusalem, need your immediate help.  Please read Yael's message and respond to International Fellows of Christians and Jews www.ifcj.org with a generous donation.

Homelessness in the Holy City
by Yael Eckstein

March 22, 2012

Shalom,

The holy city of Jerusalem is known for many different things. The Old City is renowned as the site of the two Jewish temples in ancient times. The ruins that cover this city hold innumerable biblical secrets. Israel’s parliamentary building is based in Jerusalem – and so much more. But one thing that rarely comes to mind when people think about Jerusalem is homelessness, which, unfortunately, is now a bigger problem than ever.

It was shocking for me to learn that in the relatively small city of Jerusalem there are hundreds of homeless people, mainly immigrants, with nowhere to go for much-needed shelter. This winter, the people who run the only homeless shelter in Jerusalem came to The Fellowship desperately begging for help before closes down due to lack of funding.

When I met with Jerusalem municipality leaders recently and asked them what the biggest problem currently facing the city is, I expected to hear about the unstable political situation and fear for terror attacks. Instead, they told me that homelessness is on the rise, and that the government has no way to meet the needs of the homeless given the city’s ever-tightening budget.

With embarrassment and sorrow, these city workers officials told me that the only homeless shelter in Jerusalem is going to have to close within the next month unless The Fellowship can raise the funds to keep it open. “This has been the rainiest winter in 10 years,” one said. “If we don’t keep the shelter open, we will see more situations like what happened to Yohanes Berko in Tel Aviv this past January.” When she said this, my heart sank. Berko was a homeless man in Tel Aviv who froze to death while sleeping on a park bench during a spell of extreme cold. It gets considerable colder in Jerusalem than in Tel Aviv, which leaves homeless people there even more vulnerable. This situation is truly what the Bible refers to as “sakanat nefashot” – life-threatening.

After hearing about this growing problem of homelessness in Jerusalem and the desperate need for shelter, these words from Leviticus 25: 35-36 began to repeat in my mind:

“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.”

It was then that I knew The Fellowship needs to step in to help. It is clear to me that God wants us to act now to save the lives of Jerusalem’s homeless.

My friends, open up your hearts and pray to God for the homeless people of Jerusalem who have nowhere to go for warmth and shelter. Give to our Guardians of Israel program which supports shelters and countless other initiatives that ease the suffering of homeless Israelis. Meditate on God’s holy words in the Bible that instruct us how to respond in situations like these. There are hundreds of homeless people living on the streets of Jerusalem who are begging for our help. How will you answer them?

With blessings from the Holy Land,

Impoverished Jews need your help!

This article comes from Rescue My Chosen People at www.rescuemychosenpeople.blogspot.com.

Impoverished Jews need your help!

We all have heard of the recent attack on a Jewish school in France that left a Rabbi and three children dead. They were senselessly murdered in cold blood by an assassin in wait. This despicable cowardly act must not go unpunished. Jews must not cow-tow to this horrific terror.

We that believe in justice must act swiftly against violent crimes against Jewish people. This perpetrator will be brought to justice, as will any person(s) that commits an overt act against G-d’s chosen people.

This is why Rescue My Chosen People is appealing to your generous benevolence to help impoverished Jews this Passover. Charities such as International Fellowship of Christian and Jews www.ifcj.org are reaching out to Impoverished Jews in Russia with Passover food boxes. Without your donations thousands of impoverished Jews will not be able to observe their most sacred religious celebration: Passover.

As the money is available International Fellowship of Christian and Jews assist impoverished Jews with airfare or other means of transportation to migrate to their “Promise Land” Israel. With your help, you can make it possible for impoverished Jews in Russia that desire to travel to Israel a reality.

Please visit www.ifcj.org to see first hand impoverished Jews being snatched from the gutter of hunger and starvation. The Lord has said the Jews (His Chosen People) are the apple-of-His-eye. By your generous donations, you too are the apple-of-His-eye. My heart and spirit goes out to the Jews that are in need of rescuing. So will yours when you visit www.ifcj.org.

Thank you,
Thomas Cain

Rescue My Chosen People is not a part of International Fellowship of Christian and Jews, nor do we directly or indirectly receive any financial compensation from any non-profit organization listed on our blog. Rescue My Chosen People provides information on Jewish charities, so that you, our reader may be able to make a qualified decision on which charity you may wish to support.

Operation Smile

It is not to often that I find myself so impressed with a charitable organization such as this one: Operation Smile. Operation Smile www.operationsmile.org is a group of doctors that go throughout the world performing plastic surgery on children that are born without clefts. Or is some cases they perform plastic surgery on children in war torn countries that have been disfigured. This of course is at no cost to the child’s family.

These marvelous surgeons donate their medical skills and practice absolutely free to indigent or impoverished children around the world. The parents of disfigured children call these “miracle workers” God’s Angels. Truly they are miracle workers. Operation Smile’s surgeons are not only God’s Angels, they are the best plastic surgeons in the world. They come from all nations, backgrounds, culture, and faith.

Without these marvelous surgeons, these disfigured children and their families would be without hope of any kind. Some will even die. You can be a part of this great gift of God by going to www.operationsmile.org and generously donate to this worthy cause. Without you and your generous support, there would be no “miracle workers”, without the surgeons, there would be no Operation Smile, and without you impoverished children around the world requiring this much needed surgery, would be doomed forever. Please become a part of this God-Sent medical team.

Thomas Cain
President – Rescue My Chosen People

Israel Under Attack

This news article come to us from Rabbi Eckstein at www.ifcj.org. Please visit their webstie to see how you may help impoverished Jews in Israel during this crisis.

Thomas Cain

March 15, 2012

Dear Friend of Israel,

To look at southern Israel today, you wouldn’t know that just a few days ago it was a war zone. Between Friday and Monday, terrorists operating out of the Gaza Strip launched more than 200 rockets at the region. Since a ceasefire was called several days ago, relative quiet has settled in most of the area, and the number of rockets has dropped sharply (though not ceased entirely). Some schools have reopened, and some people have gone back to their daily routines. While scores of Israelis were injured in the attacks, thankfully – perhaps providentially – none were killed.

Yet it was difficult to find reports on these recent events in the U.S. media; it seems that, for many outlets, the firing of terrorist rockets at Israeli civilians simply isn’t a story. As usual, where stories did appear they positioned Israel’s defensive efforts as aggression. Reports trumpeted the fact that, by some accounts, more than 20 Palestinian terrorists were killed during IDF strikes in Gaza, while Israelis were “merely” injured.

Of course, it is Palestinian terrorists who disregard all rules of war and common decency by launching unprovoked attacks on innocent Israeli civilians. Under such circumstances, it is Israel’s right – indeed, her solemn obligation – to protect her citizens. Certainly, the world should be able to understand that. And yet, many do not.

The low number of Israeli casualties reflects the great efforts Israel makes to protect her people. During the recent round of attacks, the newly deployed Iron Dome missile defense system shot down about 90 percent of the rockets it targeted. The extensive network of bomb shelters the Israeli government has created (many funded by The Fellowship), has saved countless Israeli lives. This is in stark contrast to Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, who cynically manipulate the media by putting their own people in harm’s way.

It is a bitter irony that the world places blame for the Palestinians’ plight on Israel, the one country in the Middle East that has consistently shown it values life and is committed to protecting the innocent and attending to the wounds of all casualties – both Israeli and Palestinian. The conflict this past weekend is but one skirmish in a greater war. But it reveals the profound difference between Israel and the Palestinian terrorists, between a nation that nurtures a culture of life, and a group that revels in death. Recognizing the true nature of Israel’s foes, you can understand why Israel must defend herself — and why she depends on friends like you to stand with her.

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President

Urgent Need For Passover Boxes

Grace, Faith, Justified Ministry received an urgent request to post a message from Rescue My Chosen People by Thomas Cain.

Dear Friends there is an urgent need for Passover Food Boxes. Please read Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein's message below. International Fellowship of Christian and Jews are in desperate need of donations to fill 40,000 Passover Food Boxes before the Passover deadline of April 6, 20012. Rescue My Chosen People urge you to do what you are able to help in this crisis. By clicking on Fill the Pantry Passover food campaign below it will take you to their website.

Thomas Cain

Message by Rabbi Eckstein:

With Passover fast approaching, we urgently need your support for our Fill the Pantry Passover food campaign.

Our goal is to provide 40,000 Food Boxes to destitute Jewish children, families and the elderly — including Holocaust survivors, both in Israel and the former Soviet Union — who struggle daily to obtain life's basic necessities, much less the special foods needed to celebrate the Passover Seder meal.

Please take a moment and watch this important video message — then help The Fellowship make a meaningful difference in the lives of these suffering people this Passover season by sending a generous gift to help Fill the Pantry.

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

President

Rescue Me! Where's The Food!

Written By Jonathan Israel
jonathan@cityroompress.com

Every city across America is faced with a severe homeless population. In the last five years, America’s homelessness has escalated thirty percent higher in every central city. Homelessness is no longer confined to major metropolises. Urban towns, small farming villages, country townships, and mountain rural communities have their share of homeless troubles.

Homeless people rely upon charitable organizations, such as Catholic Charities, churches, and private non-profit organizations, for a hot meal, a shower, and toiletries. Food and Care Coalition in Provo, Utah serve three meals a day, plus a sack lunch to Provo’s growing homeless population. Two years ago they averaged 700 meals a day. That figure has now risen to over 1000 hot meals, plus they provide dental, optical, and medical care.

They’re not alone. Catholic Charities states there is a vaunting increase in homeless people in America. For example, in Colorado Springs, Catholic Charities feed 700 to 800 people a day; compared to six months ago they averaged 400 to 500 homeless people. Charitable organizations that care for the homeless are faced with a mammoth financial dilemma. They are simply running out of money and food. Non-profit organizations rely on the generosity of private citizens, churches, private corporations, and the federal government.

Across America the current recession has largely affected freewill contributions. In most cases, donations are down fifty percent or more. With the rising cost of food, some grocery stores, such as, Safeway and KingSooper (United Grocers) have ceased disseminating meat products, milk, and juice to charitable organizations, except for expired bread and pastries. The reason: The federal government allows for grocery stores a much higher tax write-off if expired food is discarded rather than given to charities. Catholic Charities, Food and Care Coalition, Manna, and other homeless charities primarily rely on food donations from grocery stores.

The Obama Administration has significantly cut back funding to all charities, putting charitable institutions in a most difficult position to care for the homeless. All along, America’s “moneybags” live in marble palaces, and dine at recherché restaurants eating caviar and sipping Pertimali di Livo Sassetti. Year after year, these self-praising “economic whores” rob the middle-class out of what little money they earn. They’ve set themselves as kings over America’s middle-class and wretched misfortunate ones. How long will the poor allow America’s aristocrats to rule over them? A fresh wind is blowing across America: It is a revolutionary call to unity for economical equality for all peoples.

18,000,000 People Starve To Death Daily

Written by Jonathan Israel
johnnyisrael@email.com

The World Heath Organization recently stated that 18 million people worldwide die of starvation daily. That’s 18 million people! The Counsel for the Center of Disease Control (CDC) has stated that over 11 million children in America go to bed hungry every night. The only meals they receive are school lunch vouchers. On the weekends, most do not have anything to eat. Americans as a whole have been blessed with the good life. We live in comfortable homes with manicured lawns, possess big screen televisions, eat the best of foods, wear fine apparel, we drive the best of automobiles, we own boats, luxury toys, and the more we acquire, the more we crave.

A very rich man had a big house with many servants. The rich man enjoyed life’s greatest paramount. He was the “big fish” in his community. There was a very poor man named Lazarus that sat daily under the rich man’s table expecting to eat the morsel of crumbs that fell to the floor. Lazarus was very sick; his body was covered with bleeding blisters. The rich man figured that by allowing poor Lazarus to scrounge for the measly crumbs that fell from his table that he was performing an act of kindeness.

Lazarus eventually died and so did the rich man. As the story goes, the rich man looked up from the flames of hell and saw Lazarus being comforted in the arms of his Heavenly Father. The rich man apparently was dismayed at this turn of events. After all, he believed he was being kind and generous by allowing Lazarus to eat the crumbs that fell from his table. The Lord saw it differently and told the rich man so. He reminded the rich man that while he had the opportunity to bless Lazarus, he squandered his blessings on his own selfishness.

The Iraqi and Afghanistan war has cost America over a trillion dollars. We pump billions into useless projects that benefit only a few. Greed and more greed has become our model of standards. Our churches throw a few pennies in the poor bucket believing, just as the rich man, that we have fulfilled God’s service to humanity. Our self-centeredness separates us from the very blessings we seek from our Heavenly Father. How true the old adage loudly rings, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Come Judgment Day, the Lord of Righteous Judgment will not adjudicate us for the wealth we enjoyed, but rather, how we administered our wealth to the poor. How dare we call ourselves Children of the Lord and close our eyes and ears to the cries of the hungry and poor. Shame on all of us! If America and the free nations desire to prove themselves as a benevolent, generous, kinder, loving nation, than each and every nation must rise up with financial aid to rid the world of hunger and starvation. Tell your pastor, rabbi, minister, Congressman, and those in charge to act immediately to rid the world of hunger. 18 million people a day are counting on it. If we fail God will judge us accordingly.

Looking Unto Jesus

Written by Jonathan Israel
Email: jonathanisrael@email.com

God’s Word directs us at all times to keep our eyes on the Lord Jesus. In these troubling times Christians are paying special attention to terrorism, abortion, recession, money, material things, family issues, politics, candidates, judges, moral decay, and a host of other everyday problems. We’ve become so transfixed on national and world events rather than the “Good News” that we lost sight of the Cross.

Jesus told his disciples to “preach the Good News.” Preachers today have a new message, that is, they preach “how to get rich schemes” to what candidates to vote for. Jesus willfully went to the Cross to save the world from the condemnation of sin. The shedding of His blood was to cleanse us from unrighteousness; and to bring us into a perfect relationship with our Heavenly Father. Through Christ we have complete access to our Heavenly Father. Christ taught his disciples to pray for one another. He directed them to preach the “Good News” and to minister to the more unfortunate ones.

Yet, Christian’s are praying for money, power, and a myriad of selfish greed. The Lord has turned a deaf ear to our covetous prayers. We are in awe over the fact that His anointed presence has left the Church. And yet, we believers continue marching down “Selfish Lane” without giving a second thought as to God’s purpose for our lives. We’ve educated ourselves to know more about Him rather than developing an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.

The quandaries of today are not new ones. The Devil would have us believe that He, not Christ is in control of the world events. Yet, he has deceived the Church into believing that material things, money, wealth, avarice, lust, power, fame, and having a “righteous cause” to fight for are the keys for survival. He has swindled the Church out of her righteous inheritance of faith and trust. By focusing on world events, social issues, and the current political spectrum, our faith has soured into self-seeking fulfillment.

True faith desires to please Christ. Today’s Church adheres more to preaching the current political spectrum than the joys of entering into his anointed chamber room. I have often contemplated if the Lord has the audacity to equate today’s Church as His beautiful bride to be? The Church podium has cultivated into a political platform. She has danced to the voice of crime and punishment, moral laws, politics, and governmental regulations. Her weary face bears the marks of an angry, harden-bitter woman.

The Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman who was caught in adultery. They demanded that Christ sentence to woman to death, according to the Law of Moses. Christ responded, “You without sin, let him cast the first stone.” The law makers departed having been put to shame by their harden hearts. Christ then asks the woman, “Where are those that condemned you?” She admitted there was no one. He said, “Neither do I condemn you.” The religious political spectrum of the day demanded the death sentence. Christ offered the adulteress woman forgiveness. It is time for the Church to take her eyes off today’s religious political continuum; and fasten them on the Lord of mercy and forgiveness.

The Passover Meal by Jeannie Cole

The following of the Passover Meal was written by Jeannie Cole of West-Ark Church of Christ. Ms. Cole explains the Passover Meal and its significance in terms that are easily understood. Passover (Seder) will be upon us in the next few weeks, Ms. Cole's message is timely and enlightening in helping non-Jews understand the true meaning of Passover.

Jonathan Israel
City Room Press

EXODUS 11-12
The Passover Meal

The Passover meal that the Israelites held in Egypt was unique from all the Passover meals held since. Before the first one, they were to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorposts and lintel, and they were to eat it in haste. It has since evolved, maintaining many of the same customs, as well as adding a few. You are familiar with the one in Exodus 11-12. Let's look at how it is usually done today.

Every year before the Passover, an Orthodox Jewish family will eat up as much as possible all the foods in their house not processed or packaged for the Passover. This is to remove all the leaven from the house - any fermented grain product, starter dough, breads, cakes, cookies, yeast, (baking soda and baking powder). What cannot be eaten is sold to a non-Jew. Not only can a Jew not eat any leaven during Passover week, he can't have it in his house or even own any leaven. They do usually go and buy back their products after the festival. Leaven is an emblem of sin, corruption. Paul refers to it as that in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.

The final search for leaven is made the night before the Passover (PESAH). Traditionally a candle, feather and bag are used for this final search. Every member of the family is to participate in this search. Every nook and cranny of every floor, shelf, cupboard is inspected for the minutest grain of bread crumbs or leavening. Any dust found is swept up with the feather (like a broom) into the bag for fear it might contain a grain of leavening. Traditionally, 10 pieces of leavened bread are hidden throughout the house and the ritual is not complete until the family has found the 10 pieces. All that was found is burnt the next morning before the Passover begins.

Cooking for the Passover meal is an extremely complicated procedure. Everything used during the preparation - refrigerator, stove, counter, sink, etc., is thoroughly scoured before beginning. Because some minute speck of leaven might be left unnoticed on some utensil, some Jews find the easiest way to prepare their meal is to have a special set of dishes, silverware and cooking utensils reserved only for use during the Passover. Some cover their burners so that no Passover pot touches the parts of the stove used every other day.

The SEDER (SADER) - the Passover meal - is the central celebration of the Passover. It's origin stems from our text today. The entire extended family is to come together. They go through the meal and the retelling of the story in first person as if they had been one of the slaves freed from Pharaoh's bondage.

This book, the HAGGADAH, is the text for the SEDER. Everyone present would have a copy of it. It contains all the blessings, order for eating, telling of the Exodus story from slavery through the plagues, crossing of the Red Sea, giving of the Law, and to the giving of the land of Canaan. There are also songs and psalms to be read, etc.

Seder Table

(Assemble around table -- don't eat yet.) All recline around the SEDER table, because reclining around the table was a sign of a free man. Everything on the table has a significance.

On the SEDER plate there is:

Hard boiled egg - symbol of the suffering and oppression in Egypt. Everything else in boiling water becomes soft or disintegrates. But an egg becomes hard, like the Israelites. The more it is boiled, the harder it becomes. An egg also symbolizes New Life.
Roasted shankbone of lamb - reminds them there had to be blood sacrificed to save their lives.

Bitter herbs - horseradish - reminds them they were servants to slavery.

Greens - parsley, celery - symbol of coming of Spring which brings hope.

Salt water - reminds them of the tears they cried in Egypt.

Haroset - nut, apple, cinnamon, wine mixture which has the appearance of straw in remembrance of the mortar used to build the Treasure Cities for Pharaoh. It is symbolic of the hope of freedom that enabled their ancestors to withstand the bitterness of slavery.

Matzah - the unleavened bread that reminds them of the haste with which they left Egypt.

After the drinking of wine and washing of the hands the greens are dipped into the salt water and eaten.

Then the bread on the SEDER plate is broken. Half remains on the plate, half is hidden for the dessert. This is to keep the interest of the children. Children are to find it and keep it till the end of the meal when the leader redeems it in exchange for the promise of gifts. Throughout the service many things are incorporated to keep the interest of the children. The most important thing is the telling of the story of the Exodus to the children.

The telling of the story of the Exodus includes everyone's favorite part - the 4 questions, asked by the youngest child present.

Why on this night do we eat only mazzah, which is unleavened bread?
Why on this night do we eat bitter herbs especially?
Why on this night do we dip the parsley in salt water and the bitter herbs in haroset?
Why on this night do we all recline at the table?

The leader replies to the child:

Indeed, this night is very different from all the other nights of the year, for on this night we celebrate one of the most important moments in the history of our people. On this night we celebrate their going forth in triumph from slavery into freedom.

I am glad you asked the questions you did, for the story of this night was just what I wanted you to know. Although the Haggadah we are reading tells this whole story, and if you listen carefully you will surely learn it, I should like to tell you here, in a few words, the answers to your questions.
~ Why do we eat only mazzah tonight?

When Pharaoh let our forefathers go from Egypt, they were forced to flee in great haste. Now, they had prepared dough for bread to take on their journey, but the Egyptians pressed them to hasten out of the land. So they snatched up their dough, and fled, and had no time to bake it. But the hot sun, beating down on the dough as they carried it along with them, baked it into a flat, unleavened bread which they called mazzah. That is why we eat only mazzah on Pesah.

Why do we eat bitter herbs on Pesah night?
Because our forefathers were slaves in Egypt, and their lives were made bitter. That is why we eat bitter herbs on Pesah night.

Why do we dip herbs twice tonight?

You have already heard that we dip the parsley in salt water because it reminds us of the green that comes to life again in the springtime. We dip the maror, or bitter herbs, in the sweet haroset as a sign of hope; our forefathers were able to withstand the bitterness of slavery, because it was sweetened by the hope of freedom.

Why do we recline at the table?
Because reclining at the table was a sign of a free man in olden times; and since our forefathers were freed on this night, we recline at the table.
After the symbolism is explained the story of the Exodus is told. It can be read straight from this book, but more than likely the leader will go around the room asking everyone to reconstruct a part of the story. [What do you remember about your leaving Egypt?] Each person will tell a part as if he had been a slave and as if he had actually witnessed the plagues and as if he had actually crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and then watched Pharaoh's army drown.

The hands are washed again, a double blessing is given on the matzah, and it is eaten. Then the horseradish is eaten straight or is dipped into the sweet haroset.

Or, a sandwich is made with matzah and horseradish and haroset, or perhaps a little bit of lamb is included with the sandwich.

[A Passover style meal is served and eaten at this point.]

Mrs. Needham and the Metro Jr. High girls made our matzah bread for us this morning. Listen while I read to you some of the restrictions on making this bread in order for it to be kosher for a real Jewish Passover.

The wheat is watched from the time of harvesting until the final baking to insure that no water, heat, or other natural processes cause it to begin fermentation. . . The utensils used for making it are washed every eighteen minutes. . . . The flour must be absolutely dry, and stored in a cool, dark place. . . . The water must be drawn from a spring and allowed to settle overnight in a cool, dark place. . . .
Then the matzah bread for dessert is redeemed from the children with presents and eaten.

The meal ends and Psalm 126 is read. [Read.] The ceremony goes on with more reading, singing and praising God.

[If time allows--] Let's relate this to us as Christians. Jesus initiated our Lord's Supper from this first Passover meal. Let's look at some similarities.

God initiated this Passover meal before the events took place that it was to commemorate. Jesus initiated the Lord's Supper commemorating His death and looking forward to His resurrection before the events took place.

God told Moses for them to take a lamb four days before its slaughter. Christ entered Jerusalem on Sunday - four days before His crucifixion. Both took place on the 14th day of the month Abib.

Israelites were to sacrifice a male lamb one year old - in the prime of his life - when he was at his strongest. Jesus was about 33 years old - pinnacle of earthly strength and maturity.

Male lamb was to be without blemish. Jesus is our example of perfection and sinlessness - without blemish.

Lamb is patient, noiseless and submissive to death as was Christ.

Exodus 12:6 - whole assembly of the congregation of Israel were to kill their lambs. This was not done by a priest. Everyone was to witness and be responsible for the death of the lamb. Just as we are all responsible for the death of Christ on the cross. It was our sins that crucified Him.

The blood of the lamb was to be put on the two doorposts and lintel so that they might be passed over when death came to Egypt. It is the blood of Christ that keeps us from everlasting death.

Lamb was to be roasted whole - no broken bones. Christ was crucified and died with no broken bones - even though the soldiers were sent out to break His leg bones to hasten His death.

The meal was to be eaten with bitter herbs to remember the bitter slavery, suffering and hardships in Egypt. During the Lord's Supper we are to remember Christ's hardships and suffering.

Eaten with unleaven bread. Leavening is a form of corruption, sin, impurity. Paul gives us the spiritual application in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. We are to be unleavened - clean out malice and evil from us. Jesus alludes to this in Matthew 16:6-12 when He says beware of the leaven of Pharisees and Sadducees.

The Israelites were to eat in haste with their shoes on, staff in their hand and ready to go, looking forward to their future as free men. We as Christians are to be ready to go - watching and waiting for Christ to come - looking forward to our future in heaven as men free from sin.

The Israelites put the blood on their doorposts several hours before midnight. The passing Egyptians must have thought that peculiar and ridiculous. It made them vulnerable to the spiteful Egyptians. But the blood of the lamb protected them from death.

We are to accept Christ as our Passover Lamb and let his blood protect us. We are perpetually being saved from the hand of the destroying angel when we have Christ's blood on our doorposts.

What does it mean to have Christ's blood on our doorposts?

It is the act of perpetually having a badge that can be seen, experienced, spit upon, and being made vulnerable like the Israelites were vulnerable with blood on their doorposts for the Egyptians to see and laugh, and revile.

It also means cleaning up our act, diligently searching for corruption and sin present in our lives - like the Jews meticulously cleaning their house of leaven with a candle and a feather.

It means doing everything that God commands us.
As we continue our study of Exodus, we shall observe many other things that are typical of Christ and the deliverance He has brought all men.

Jeannie Cole
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Ladies Bible Class, Fall 1989

LDS Church vs. Same Sex Marriage

Written by Johnny Israel

Last week the Californians voted against the California initiative to ban same-sex-marriage in California. The LDS Church pumped 25 million dollars into the fray to fight against the same sex marriage initiative. A majority of Californians overwhelmingly voted against the same-sex-marriage initiative. Nationwide the gays and homosexuals were outraged; the matter is now headed toward the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Sacramento, California.

The LDS Church was founded on traditional family values and morals. It is the fundamental philosophy of their faith. The Church leaders teach traditional family values as the core of Godliness; and view traditional marriage as a most important Biblical law. Same-sex-marriage violates the essence of God’s law, therefore the LDS Church and a vast of other faiths entered into the same-sex-marriage fray as a conduit to ensure conventional American family values and morals. In taking a righteous stand for Church values the Gay community has accused the Church of intolerance, racism, haters of gays, and bigotry. This is not the case.

The LDS Church is one of the most generous and benevolent ministries worldwide. They welcome people of all faiths to fellowship with them, no matter what their sexual preferences are. The Church spends millions of dollars every year reaching out to the poor (church members and non-church members) with housing assistance, food, clothing, medical bills, and a host of other charitable needs. They are involved with local and national politics, social events, aid organizations, and scholastic scholarships. They make available Biblical agendas for kids, teenagers, young adults, the elderly, singles, and families.

The Church is not anti-gay, but rather pro family values. If the Church had failed to take a stand against California’s same-sex-marriage initiative, they would in essence have violated the very principles of their faith. Moral principles, ethics, Biblical doctrine, family significance, love, kindness, and forgiveness are the characteristics the LDS Church. Jesus said that the Church would be persecuted for righteousness sake. While some radical gays sling bigotry accusations at the Church, the Church continues to extend a hand of kindness toward to the gay community. Christians everywhere are obligated by the Word of God to love every person, no matter what their sexual preference may be, without compromising their doctrine of faith.

Rock of Deliverance inTroubling Times

Written by
Johnny Israel
johnny@cityroompress.com

There is an old gospel song that refers to faith as "planted as a tree before the waters". In these troubling times, Christians are encountering difficult if not seemingly impossible obstacles, especially in economics and health issues. Never before has America faced uncertainties as she has in the last seven years. The whole world is under attack by religious extremists who are bent on destroying all things that are decent and moral, especially the God-given right of freedom that America and the free nations enjoy.

Yet as the world grows more restless, Christians are assured in God's Word that deliverance is just a prayer away. Our Heavenly Father has promised each and everyone of us that He will deliver us is the day of trouble. The Word teaches us to "look to the Author and Developer of our faith" as the source of our deliverance.

On a certain day the disciples were instructed by the Lord to get into a boat and cross to the other side of the sea. As Jesus slept in the lower part of the boat a storm arose, filling the boat with water. The disciples fearing they were about to drown woke Jesus up and said, "Master don't you care that we are about to drown? Jesus went to the bow of the boat and commanded for the winds and sea to calm. Immediately the storm ceased its violent rage. Jesus said to His disciples, " Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Jesus gave them the instructions to cross over to the other side, yet as the storm arose, they focused on the storm and not the dictates of Jesus. I often meet Christians, just like the disciples, whose eyes are on the world problems and not the Word of God. When troubles come, they are suddenly afraid for the worst to happen. God never promised us that we would not have troubles, nor would He shield us from life difficulties. He did promise us a way of escape through His Word.

As a believer, we must not kowtow to troubles, but face them with the Word of God. In the mouth of believers, the Word becomes a two-edged sword dividing and cutting away at our problems. The Holy Spirit is only moved by God's Word. The same Holy Spirit that resides in each believer, great and small. As the believer rises up in faith through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit moves in for our deliverance.

The difficulties we face are real. The world is in a chaos, yet as we remain in the Word, God builds a hedge around us. He is faithful and just to deliver us in these troubling times. Keep your focus on the Word of God, and God will deliver you from your troubles. That is His promise to you as a child of your Heavenly Father.

The God Kind Of Faith - Part 3 0f 3

Written by Johnny Israel
johnny@cityroompress.com

The Bible says, “Without faith it impossible to please Him…” The Lord instills in all of us a measure of faith. Faith is like a muscle. It must be exercised daily in order to increase in power. As we learned in parts 1 & 2, faith comes from hearing the Word of God. But that is just the beginning of increasing faith. The more we read and study the Word, faith increases.

The next step is speaking the Word in good times and bad times. The Word is the power of God to change the circumstances we face. The Bible says God’s Word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish that where it is sent. God has declared His Word, it is up to his to release the authority of the Word by speaking the Word into our circumstances.

We either act in faith or fear. Fear and faith are equal in action. We deny fear through faith in the Word, even when our circumstances seem fearful. In the case of sickness, we don’t deny the sickness, but we do deny its right to remain through faith, thereby vacating fear.

The Lord told us to remind Him of His Word. We do this in worship, praise, and prayer. There is something unique about God when He hears us speaking His Word over our circumstances. When we speak the Word the Holy Spirit’s ears perk up. He immediately begins to move in our behalf. It not only catches His attention, the Lord immediately dispatches Angels to help us fight the good fight of faith. The Word says that angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister on our behalf.

A friend once told me that “faith people” put God in a box, they dictate to Him what they want instead of His will. I responded by saying, “No, God put Himself in a Book that has unlimited power for those that seriously take Him at His Word.” God never intended for us to be limited to our circumstances, He gave us His Word to empower us against the daily issues of life. This is part of God’s love for us. It is never His will to leave us powerless in the face of problems that require His power.

Remember, it is God’s Word that holds the power, not us. Yet, His power comes through us when we respond to His Word. God cannot act outside the scope of His Word, yet faith is the key to unlock the unlimited power of the Word. It is boundless power working on our behalf.

We can not change our circumstances at will, yet God does as we act in faith through His Word. The Word and God are as one, you can not separate the two. To identify with God, you must first identify with His Word. Word power comes through an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Faith is a responsibility, mishandled we stumble blindly in our Christian walk. We are more than conquerors through Christ who is the author and developer of our faith. The good news is God rejoices in our faith, especially when we respond to His Word in dark times.

When fear and doubt enter our mind, we replace it with faith. I am not saying faith is easy when our minds are screaming fear. As I said, faith is a building exercise. We learn to first use faith for the small issues, then increase it as we grow in the Word. The old adage says, “When fear and doubt knocked at the door, faith answered and there was no one there.”

The God Kind of Faith - Part 2 of 3

Written by Johnny Israel
johnny@cityroompress.com

We first learned that a measure of faith is given to every person at the time of their new birth. We also learned in order to grow in faith, we must study the Word of God, and then we are to remind the Lord of His Word in Prayer.

Not to long ago one of my friends was sick in the hospital. He had been praying for healing, but his condition turned from bad to worse. Needless to say, he was greatly discouraged. He just could not understand why the Lord did not heal him. Was it his lack of faith, he questioned?

I reminded my friend that God has many alternatives to healing. One of His alternatives is using the skilled hands of surgeons and medicine. Yet he was told by other preachers that real faith only accepted the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit for healing. I responded, “Should your car blow a head casket, would you not take it to a mechanic to be fixed? The God kind of faith is using wisdom in time of our need. It allows God to choose His ways and means in our deliverance. The Lord may opt for a miraculous healing without a doctor, or he may elect to guide the skilled hands of a surgeon. Either way, our faith lies confidently in His Word for healing.

Once I was able to convince my friend that faith is not limited to a single decision, he was able to accept that fact that God honors our faith, yet it is His decision to the method for our deliverance. Faith accepts God’s Word as the final authority for what we believe for, no matter what form of method He prescribes.

Faith is simply accepting God’s Word at face value. What the Word declares, God will do. It is up to us to accept His Word as the final authority of our faith. In the case of my friend’s need for healing, faith does not deny he is sick, rather it denies the right of sickness to remain. The disease is real. Pain is real. We can’t deny these facts. Yet God’s Word is the final authority over the disease and pain.

Faith is a simple process, we accept God at His Word, even in the mist of the most trying times. Then we allow Him to take the necessary action through the power of the Holy to accomplish the end result of our faith. The Holy Spirit is moved by faith, and faith is the key to God’s power. As we worship Him in faith, the Holy Spirit responds in our behalf. Jesus said in the Book of John, “Whatever you ask in my Name, that will I do.” Faith is asking, and then believing what we ask for is ours, and then we accept it as fact, even before we see the results. Faith is a substance of things hoped for. Whatever you are hoping for, faith is the key to receiving it.

Part 2 of 3

The God Kind of Faith – Part 1 of 3

Written by Johnny Israel

johnny@cityroompress.com

The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him (the Lord).” Often I am ask about faith, what it is, and how to use it to overcome circumstances we are confronted with, especially for physical healing, finances, marital issues, including issues with our children.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for…” Notice it says faith is a substance (essence) of things hoped for. In other words, faith is the basis of what we believe. The Word says, “Let us draw near (to God) with the full assurance of faith…) Is faith more than conjuring a positive mental attitude?

When you, by faith, accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, your spirit was instantly regenerated a new, or born again. The old man of sin perished, the new man, your spirit, was made whole. At that moment, the Holy Spirit took permanent residence inside your body. Your body now houses the Spirit of God along with your regenerated spirit (the real you). When this happened, God imparted to you “a measure of faith”. In other words, a small portion of faith was imparted to your spirit man, the real you.

So if I have faith, then why do I struggle with faith, you may ask? It was your spirit that was made new at the time of your “new birth, not your mind. The mind is where in warfare between faith and doubt. For instance, your mind still retains the same me thoughts, and holds onto the doubts and fears before you were born again. The Apostle Paul said in Corinthians 2:10 “Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus…” How is that possible?

The first step to building faith is reading the Word. God’s Word not only encourages us in our circumspect walk with Him, it is the foundation to building up our faith. Again the Word says that when we pray, we are to remind the Lord of His Word. His Word says “We are healed by the stripes of Jesus.” When sickness attacks our bodies, we remind the Lord that we are healed by His stripes. The Word also says, “My God shall supply all your need according to the riches of His glory.” In financially difficult times, we remind the Lord it is He that meets our financial needs accord to His riches.

God is not short concerning his promises. The promises of God are “yes” and “amen” to the believers. As we study the scriptures, faith is imparted to our heart. The inspiration of the Word builds faith. When we pray the Word it is our communication of faith to a loving Heavenly Father that is eager to answer our prayers.

The first step to getting a measure of faith is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. That leads us to step two, faith comes from hearing the Word (studying the Word); and step three we pray the Word. As we do so, faith becomes alive in us.

Polyester Faith - Virgin Wool Faith

Written by Johnny Israel

Two churches that I am personally acquainted with are currently in a building fund raising project. One church has taken on a huge debt, (Polyester Faith), and the other church has chosen to be debt free (Virgin Wool Faith) by raising the full capital for their building project. We’ll start with the polyester faith first.

Polyester Faith

First, let’s describe the term polyester faith. Polyester is a cheap synthetic oil product that is mainly used in clothing and plastics. The 1970s was the notorious years of discounted polyester suits, pants, and shirts. Stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, J.C. Penney, and most cheap discount stores sell polyester garments. The poor and indigents are synonymous when it comes to cheap, shoddy polyester clothing.

This polyester church (RCC) consists mostly of poor indigents that do not have a pot to cook in and a plate to eat off. Approximately 100 people attend this church on a weekly basis. Out of their 100 parishioners, 70% are indigent street urchins. Out of the other 30%, less than 20% of those support the church financially. This particular church meets every Sunday in a local movie theater at an enormous weekly cost to the church. Three years ago, the church sold its original church building for approximately $250,000, in which all the money has been spent foolishly on renting the above-mentioned movie theater, and other non-essentials to the church’s financial good. The money now spent, the church is broke and barely able to pay rent, and unable to meet its financial obligations.

Last November, RCC agreed to purchase an old three story building at a cost of 1.5 million dollars, which sits in the middle of an old abandoned car lot. The building itself is planned to house a small restaurant and meeting place for their youth. The problem is the church is broke, with very little income to barely meet their current needs. According to their agreement with the lender, RCC must first raise $300,000 dollars within 90 days. Since November of last year, the church has barely raised $5,000 dollars, yet they foolishly believe that they are in the Lord’s will.

Is it God’s will to obligate so few people with such an enormous debt without any financial resources? Most financial consultants would advise RCC leadership that they are sailing into turbulent waters. It is never the Lord’s will to strap his people with heavy financial burdens, especially in these trouble times. Would this pastor tell a financially strapped parishioner to go out and buy a new Cadillac, and the Lord will meet the obligations? That would be ridiculous, if not insane. Then why would this pastor take on a huge financial burden without first having the resources to meet the obligations? This is nothing but cheap polyester faith, deceiving them into believing they’re in God’s perfect will. This church is headed for disaster. Most likely RCC will not be around by the end of 2008.

Virgin Wool Faith

Virgin wool is 100% pure wool. It is the finest of all garments. This is where CEVF enters in.

CEVF’s pastor is a meticulous man for details. This man of God was once an administrator of a Christian school, whereas part of his job was overseeing the school’s budget. CEVF owns a church building that houses 600 people. They have out grown their old church, and now are in a building fund raising project. To date CEVF has raised nearly $900,000 dollars. Their goal is to sell their old church, which is estimated to be around 2.5 million dollars, plus to raise another 2 million for their new church. The church currently meets at a local high school for their Sunday services, while maintaining the old church for offices. The rest of the church is rented out to a day school; this money is going toward their weekly church operations.

This pastor refuses to burden the church with huge debts and enormous financial obligations. He has rather decided to go debt free, therefore relieving the church body from an unnecessary inconvenience. He has recognized the importance of being debt free, and the liberation of financial bondage placed on the church. This pastor is a wise man, who is building a solid foundation of financial freedom. While RCC continues to needlessly struggle financially, CEVF continues to prosper under the direction of an astute church leader.

Both pastors are good, decent servants of Christ. Both men are hard working, honest, and faithful, with a vision for Christ. However, the first one is on a destination of financial failure; the other one has chosen the path to financial success and freedom. Surely this is virgin wool faith. CEVF will be around for many years to come.

Alternative Health Care

Written by Johnny Israel

For some years a now a blood clot (thrombophlebitis) coagulated in my left leg, between the knee and ankle. The heart pumps blood through the arteries to the skin and tissues throughout the body. Deep vein thrombosis (throm-BO-sis), or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Blood clots occur when blood thickens and clumps together.

Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. They also can occur in other parts of the body. A blood clot in a deep vein can break off and travel through the bloodstream. The loose clot is called an embolus. When the clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, the condition is called pulmonary embolism (PULL-mun-ary EM-bo-lizm), or PE.

A few months ago, I came across “Your Health Today” a weekly cable television health show hosted by Doctor Richard Becker and his lovely wife, Cindy. (Doctor Becker’s website is http://www.bioinnovations.net.) As it happen a viewer called in to get advice from Doctor Becker on thrombophlebitis. Doctor Becker counseled the caller to immediately take Omega 3 oil, along with other supplements. As I listened to the doctor’s wisdom, I decided to follow the same advice.

After two weeks of taking Omega 3 in the form of fish oil, the swelling and pain in my leg abated. At one point the pain associated with the swelling and lack of blood flow in my leg was so horrendous that a local doctor recommended immediate surgery. That was on the same day I had to good fortune to come across “Your Health For Today”.

Since then, I have religiously taken a good multivitamin, along with supplements of A, B12, C, D, E, Oregano Oil, Garlic, Zinc, Magnesium, Folic Acid, Milk Thistle, Ginkgo Biloba, and a few other minerals, and nutrients. I also bought a professional juicer. I daily juice vegetable juice and or fruit juice. Then, I made a change in my diet. Refined sugar, bread, and dairy products, are no longer part of my daily staple. My current diet consist of 60%Vegetables and fruit. This has made a wonderful difference in my body. My energy level is returning to that my youth; my mind is clear and strong, as well as, I am losing weight.

I am a firm believer in the health benefits of vitamins and nutrients. Contrary to the pharmaceutical companies’ persuasion that vitamins do little in the way of promoting good health, more and more medical doctors are advising patients of their health benefits.

It seems clear that pharmaceutical drugs do more harm than good. The dangerous risk factors of death are a proven fact. Just listen to any television drug commercial. The side effects are endless. Common sense tells us that vitamins and health supplements promote the same medical benefits as pharmaceutical drugs, without the dangerous side effects, Then why not choose alternative health care over drugs?

Kings and Priests Before God

Written by Johnny Israel

"And He has made us kings and priests unto His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." Revelation 1:6 KJV

John the revelator wrote this scripture passage while living in exile on the Greek island of Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea. Historians tell us this legendary Apostle of Faith is the author of First, Second, and Third John, as well as the Book of Revelation, also known as “The Apocalypse of John.”

It is no coincidence that John refers to the Body of Christ as kings and priests. The word king is interpreted as “one who rules a wise kingdom; the word priests is interpreted as “a person having authority.” Luke 10:19 declares, “Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing by any means hurt you.” All through the four Gospels, Christ taught his disciples they possessed awesome power in His name. He sent them out to heal the sick, cast out demons, and to raise the dead.

Paul the Apostle said in the Book of Ephesians 2:6…”and He made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Paul was instilling in us Believers that even though we are in the world and not of the world, we are not weak in power. Paul reminded us Believers, that we are already seated with Christ in glory and authority. The Church was birth in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was this mighty power of the Holy Spirit that the disciples performed monumental miracles. In the Book of Acts, Peter and John were brought before the religious zealots and severely beaten for their faith. After their release they prayed, “And now Lord, behold their threats: and grant to your servants, that with all boldness we may speak your word, by stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the Name of your Holy Child Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30

Notice they prayed for boldness to speak the word by God stretching forth His hand to heal. The Word refers to the Believers as the Body of Christ. As the body of Christ, we are God’s hands on the face of this earth. They Word says, “You shall lay hands on the sick and heal them.” Just as the Devil needs a body to work through to accomplish his evil deeds, God also requires a body move through to perform the power of His Word, and that body is the Believers. While this statement may anger preachers, it nevertheless is true, God’s power is limited to the faith of the Believers. Nothing happens without the Believers first submitting to the Word by allowing the Holy Spirit to move through them.

Unfortunately, today’s Believers are constantly bombarded with candy-coated sermons from the pulpit with doubts and unbelief. We are often told, “If God chooses to perform miracles through His Word, then the choice is up to Him.” What a foolish statement. Smith Wigglesworth, the mighty man of God once said, “If the Spirit of God does not move, then I will move the Spirit.” Wigglesworth knew that God and His Word are one. That the anointing of the Holy Spirit comes through Word obedience; and most of the time obedience goes against the tradition of pulpit teachings.

The Apostle John reminds us that we are kings and priests, that we are people of authority and power. We are not “old shoes” for Christ, but rather we rule as kings and priests in command of lives circumstances. It is time for the Body of Christ’s return to its rightful position of authority. The Believer is called to change the world; and not become slave to the world’s circumstances. The Word tells us in Revelation, “As He is now so are we.”