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WEEK NINETEEN: Friday, March 31—Thursday, April 6, 2006

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

(3 John 2) God wants us to prosper in all our ways, but love is giving in all ways, not getting.

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings.” (Prov. 28:20)

How faithful are we in all the areas of our lives? Are there some dark closets in our hearts that we haven’t given to the Lord? Could this be a reason why we’re not being blessed? What’s holding back the blessings from being manifested?

(Source: Riding with the King in Unity, by Giles F. Mack, P.O. Box 1761, Branson, MO 65615, pp. 76, 77 )

“Father God, we come before You and we repent that we have become a “gimme church” instead of a GIVING CHURCH that demonstrates Your love to all who are in need. Help us, Lord, to learn Your ways, and please redeem back that which the enemy has stolen in our lives, through our erroneous ways. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

II. REPENTANCE FOR THE SINS OF THE NATION: GAY MARRIAGE

The term “gay marriage” is an oxymoron: it is neither “gay” nor is it “marriage.” But, whatever you call these illegal same-sex relationships, this is a HUGE topic. Our intention is to simply come before our Lord, in repentance, fully acknowledging that, in many courts throughout our land, “gay marriage” is considered “legal,” and that this concept has taken hold in our nation.

The good news in this picture is that, according to the Christian Coalition of America, an average of 71% of the voters in America thus far have voted for state constitutional amendments banning homosexual "marriages". So far, 19 states have such constitutional amendments and it is expected that as many as 15 more states may allow their citizens to ban homosexual "marriages" this year. The states of Alabama, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin will have constitutional amendments banning homosexual "marriages” on their ballots in 2006.

For more information on the issue of “gay marriage,” go to the Traditional Values Coalition at:www.traditionalvalues.org. And for information about how your own church or ministry can support and protect traditional marriage, go to the website for the Theological Education Institute, “http://www.teinetwork.com“, and read their link for the Ministers’ Affirmation of Marriage. The Affirmation addresses concerns about “gay marriage” with regards to civil rights and the ministry of the Gospel. Ministers across the nation are encouraged to sign on to support this document, and then to see it printed in state and local newspapers.

“Father God, we come before you, freely confessing that ‘gay marriage’ is not gay nor is it marriage, but is instead another lie of the enemy. We ask Your undeserved mercy upon our nation, even as we see more and more lost souls falling prey to this web of deception. We ask, Father God, that You would forgive all those who are entangled in these illicit webs; and we ask that many would RISE UP to OPPOSE GAY MARRIAGE on the ballots in states across the nation.

“Thy people shall volunteer freely in the day of Thy power.” (Ps. 110:3 NAS)

III. THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL: THE BEGINNING OF MONTHS

“THIS MONTH SHALL BE THE BEGINNING OF MONTHS FOR YOU; IT IS TO BE THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR TO YOU” (Exodus 12:2)

At sundown Wednesday evening, March 29^th, began the “First Month” of the Hebrew year, even as it also signaled the beginning of the month of Aviv /Nisan (the year’s “number” changes at the Feast of Trumpets in the Fall). It was on this day, exactly two weeks before the Exodus from Egypt, that the Hebrews began counting. Ten days later each family chose a baby goat or lamb and set it aside. On the fourteenth day it was slain at twilight and its blood placed on the lintels of the doors…and the LORD’s Passover was eaten (Centuries later, the Lamb of God presented Himself in Jerusalem…clean and without sin, and four days later was slain for the sin of the World.).

A year later on this same day (Exodus 40:17; 34-38) the Tabernacle was raised and the Cloud of the Glory of the LORD settled down upon it. From that time, the Presence of the Lord was visible in the Tabernacle “in the sight of all the house of Israel” as a fire by night, a cloud by day.

Israel begins this new year in a flurry of change. Tuesday’s election, with the lowest voter-turnout in the nation’s history, as expected propelled Ehud Olmert into position to become the next elected Prime Minister. Although his Kadima party came out in the lead, it was with only 28 seats, far below the projected 45 of a few weeks ago. . . This means that it may be difficult for Olmert to bring together a strong coalition of the over 61 seats required.

Central to Olmert’s campaign has been his so-called “convergence” plan, which would uproot tens of thousands of Israelis from settlements in Judea and Samaria to “converge” them into several large settlement “blocks”, which would become permanent parts of Israel. By doing this, Olmert says he will be insuring the continued “Jewishness” of the state. Although he says that he is open to negotiations with the Palestinians, the Hamas majority in its government, which began operations today, doesn’t bode well for progress in that directions. If attempts at diplomacy do not progress quickly, Olmert plans to implement his plan unilaterally, completing it within four years. He has vowed not to allow any party into his coalition which will not agree to his “convergence” policy.

PLEASE PRAY:

*That the government which is formed will be one which will allow the most freedom for believers to lead “quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence” (I Timothy 2:1-5), and raise fewest obstacles against the spread of the Gospel among Jews in Israel.

(Source: Prayer News Alert. To subscribe send a blank email to join-na@lyris.strategicprayer.net)

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