Tag: Jerusalem

Netanyahu: Israel is the Bright Star of Freedom – Reblog

Netanyahu: Israel is the Bright Star of Freedom

NetanyahuPrime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issues a special greeting ahead of Israel’s 65th Independence Day.
By Elad Benari – First Publish: 4/12/2013, 6:14 AM

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a special video greeting on Thursday ahead of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s 65th Independence Day which will be celebrated on Tuesday.


“65 years ago we celebrated our new found freedom, the renewal of Jewish sovereignty in our ancestral homeland,” said Netanyahu. “This was a dream of ages. Jews prayed for this for generations, ‘Next year in Jerusalem’. Now we’re here in Jerusalem, in the one and only independent Jewish state.”

Israel, he said, has “a remarkable economy, with technology, with entrepreneurship, with science, with culture. We have a strong army and a strong economy and we have a home for every Jew around the world who wants to make Israel his home.”

“When you look around us, you see that Israel is the bright star of freedom, the bright star of a liberal democracy that embraces all its citizens, Jews and non-Jews like.”

“I hope that all of you have a chance to visit Israel this coming year, and I want to thank you for the support that you’ve given us. I know that because of your support, we have renewed strength to face the future with great optimism and with great hope,” said Netanyahu.

Morning Reading: Luke 13.31-35 NLT – Blessed is He

Reading: Luke 13.31-35 NLT

At that time some Pharisees said to him, “Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!”

Jerusalem and CrossJesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem!

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – I pray for the peace of your Holy City – Jerusalem. Forgive their obstinacy of heart and spirit… and honor the covenants that you made with them through the patriarchs and prophets. Lord Jesus – save your people – Jew and Gentile – those who are near… and those who are far away. Cover them and their households with your precious blood shed on the cross… and deliver them from the evil one. Holy Spirit – turn the hearts of all who speak of Jerusalem to you alone… away from all false prophets and religions. And fill your people with your power and love. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai” – Paul Wilbur

Morning Reading: Luke 9:51-56 NLT – road to Jerusalem

Reading: Luke 9:51-56 NLT

image

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.

When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?”

But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – You weren’t distracted by “side shows” on your way to the cross. You understood your mission and purpose and kept to the Plan… painful and humiliating as it was. Give us the same clarity of vision to pursue the mission and purpose you have given each of us… no matter the cost.And may we be found faithful to the end. To you be all honor and glory. Amen.

Hymn: “We’re Marching to Zion” – Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

audio: Amy Grant (We’re Marching to Zion) – click below-

Come, we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, Join in a song with sweet accord, And thus surround the throne, And thus surround the throne. We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God.

Then let our songs abound, And ev’ry tear be dry; We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground, We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground / To fairer worlds on high, To fairer worlds on high. We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God.

We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God.

Morning Readings: Zechariah 2.10-13 NLT & Luke 1.26-33 NLT

Zechariah 2.10-13 NLT

Jerusalem-flareThe Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you. The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city. Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.”

Luke 1.26-33 NLT

La Anunciación - oil -Francisco Goya (17885)
La Anunciación – oil -Francisco Goya (17885)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Advent Hymn: “Comfort, comfort ye my people” – YouTube

“Comfort, comfort ye my people”

Jerusalem pic“Comfort, comfort ye My people,
Speak ye peace,” thus saith our God;
“Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning ‘neath their sorrows’ load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over.”

Christ the Lord’s the One that’s crying
In the desert far and near,
Leading all men to repentance,
Since the Kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare your Lord a way;
Let the valley rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him.

Make ye straight what long was crooked;
Make the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o’er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.