Spiritual Growth

THE OIL OF HANUKKAH

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Hanukkah recounts the miraculous victory of a tiny Maccabean army of warrior priests over the mighty Selucid-Greek Empire in 165 BC. A second, presumed event generally regarded as equally miraculous, celebrates that a minute amount of holy oil kept the fire of God’s lampstand burning for eight days.…...

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The Intriguing and Inspirational First Intercessory Prayer in Scripture

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Abraham’s intriguing ministry of intercession, unlocked and unpacked, can invigorate your own intercessory prayer life. The traditionally read Torah portion for this week, Vayera (Genesis 18:1-22:24), shows us why.  The first intercessory prayer recorded in Scripture is found in this week’s Parasha. There Abraham extends hospitality to three…...

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Releasing the Joy of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

Called “the season of our joy,” the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) begins tonight and lasts through September 30. I’m grateful that each year the Holy Spirit infuses the biblical feasts with fresh, personal meaning to me. Annually I discover in them new and magnificent expressions of the living Word. I…...

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The Special Meaning of Yom Kippur for Messianic Believers

Yom Kippur (occurring this year September 18-19) is a biblical feast full of deep, prophetic significance. It points magnificently to the ministry of Yeshua in both His first and second comings. Here are some basic aspects of this special, holy day and ways you can engage meaningfully with God during…...

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The Feast of Tabernacles: Impartation of Joy

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) starts tonight in Israel. This prophetic feast uniquely releases joy, and as a follower of Jesus (Yeshua), you are invited to the celebration. An agriculture oriented feast, Sukkot celebrates God’s loving care and provision in our lives. This year the feast falls on October 4…...

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Restoring Yom Teruah: What You May Not Know about Rosh HaShanah

Last week, Israelis began excitedly preparing for Rosh HaShanah, the secular Jewish New Year. As you may know, Israel observes two main new years. According to Exodus 12:2, the new year which God gave us starts in the spring. The secular or civil new year is celebrated the first day…...

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Deeper Meanings of Elul (August 23 – September 20, 2017)

On August 23 we entered into Elul, the 6th month of the year on the calendar God assigned to Israel in Exodus 12:2. Elul is also the 12th month of the year on Israel’s civil calendar that some rabbis teach was observed in ancient times by the rest of the…...

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Celebrating Passover as a Prophetic Intercessory Act

The biblical feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread are just days away, falling this year on April 10-17. Here in Jerusalem, holiday excitement is in the air.  Meticulous pre-Passover housecleaning is dwindling to its final sweep of leaven from homes and businesses. Shoppers scurry through streets in last minute preparation…...

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At Purim: Four Keys to Overturning Kingdoms of this World from the Book of Esther

The biblical feast of Purim (“Lots”) takes place this year on the evening of March 11-13. The merriest of all Jewish holidays, Purim is based on the book of Esther. As you likely know, the book is an historical account of events that occurred in Persia (modern Iran) approximately 2,500…...

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Hanukkah and Christmas Convergence Celebration

In a few days Hanukkah and Christmas will both fall on December 25.  Jews around the world will usher in the Festival of Lights as Christians celebrate the Light of the World. Often the two holidays coincide because Hanukkah is an eight day commemoration. But this year’s convergence of Christmas…...

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