Israel: UNESCO votes against Jewish connection to Temple Mount
UNESCO, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, at its executive board meeting in Paris passed a Palestinian-backed measure with 24 votes in favour, 6 against and 26 abstentions, referring to the Temple Mount as Al Haram Al Sharif (the Islamic name) without mentioning that it is the holiest site in Judaism. It also used the term Buraq Plaza for the Western Wall Plaza, denying the Jewish connection to the site. Hebron’s Tomb of the Patriarchs is called al-Haram al-Ibrahimi, and Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem called the Bilal ibn Rabah Mosque. Israel’s delegate to UNESCO said, ‘Israel and the Jewish people don’t require UNESCO’s or any other country’s confirmation of the special connection between the Jewish people and the State of Israel. There is no connection of another people to another place in the world that comes close to the strength and depth of our connection to Jerusalem from a religious, historical and national perspective.’
Pakistan: Aasia Bibi appeal adjourned again
Since 1987 more than 1,300 people in Pakistan have been charged with blasphemy, with the number of accusations in a single year rising to over a hundred in 2014. A disproportionate number of those accused are Christians. A lawyer, a judge and two leading politicians have been assassinated for taking a stand against the blasphemy laws. Aasia Bibi's appeal against her death sentence for apostasy has been adjourned again, following the decision of a leading judge to withdraw from the trial on the grounds of conflict of interest. The blasphemy laws are being used to fuel the flames of intolerance and must be repealed but it will take immense courage to withstand intimidation and release Aasia Bibi - a fact underlined by the large number of riot police at the court. 150 Muslim clerics have issued a fatwa warning the government not to release Bibi, and threatening to kill anyone who helped any person accused of blasphemy.
Morocco’s missing youth
Low numbers of young people voting in the recent general election (7 October) reflect their lack of interest in the country’s politics. Unusually for the Arab world, Moroccan elections have the merit of not being entirely predictable because the 'dirty tricks' department of the Ministry of Interior has reined in its activities in recent years. King Mohammed VI is understood to want a genuine political arena to develop, in order to balance, if not counterbalance, the ultimate political authority which he still enjoys. The 2011 general election victory of the Islamist-led government of the Party for Justice and Development (PJD) was seen as an experiment in affording greater executive leeway to a popularly elected party. 43% of eligible voters participated in last week’s election but many young voters did not participate, seeing little merit in the elite club of political interest groups and lobbies constituting most of the thirty political parties that contested the ballot.
The WOW of His Glory!
For all those that were at Trumpet Call, we spoke about the 'WOW' of God (wonder of wonders). We then got sent this article via the Elijah List. Interesting reading and confirmation!
"The 'Wow' of His Glory! Being Captured by the Awe of God"
by John Belt, Cincinnati, OH
From the Desk of Steve Shultz:
Do we ever need to see the "wow" impact of God...and over our nation. We've received some amazing words and have heard great testimonies about the glory of God...His revival glory that is happening.
My friend John Belt shares a "wow" word about the awe of God:
We should have days like this where God gives us an experience that wakes us up to His reality. This is not just His presence that I'm talking about. His presence is first and is the person of who He is, but it's His power that also has a way of shaking things up. When His power is manifested it causes us to "stand in awe" with an experiential understanding and a "wow!" of His glory.
Many are praying and believing that we are going to see and stand in awe of what God is going to do in our nation! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List go here.
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
http://www.elijahlist.com
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"The 'Wow' of His Glory! Being Captured by the Awe of God"
by John Belt, Cincinnati, OH
God wants us to be captured with awe for who He is and what He is doing. This is why it is so important that we notice God is working in our midst. When Jesus came on the scene things started happening that startled the people. They were captured by surprise by the wonders the Lord was performing among them. When miracles happen now, our spiritual senses become heightened, almost like a slap in the face, when God does something extraordinary.
We should be in passionate pursuit to see the "awe of God," and even the fear of the Lord, restored among us.
Luke 5:22-25, "But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, 'Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, your sins are forgiven you, or to say, rise up and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sin— He said to the man who was paralyzed, I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.' Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, 'We have seen strange things today.'"
Experience a "Wow" of His Glory
We should have days like this where God gives us an experience that wakes us up to His reality. This is not just His presence that I'm talking about. His presence is first and is the person of who He is, but it's His power that also has a way of shaking things up. When His power is manifested it causes us to "stand in awe" with an experiential understanding and a "wow!" of His glory.
Another benefit of God's power being at work among us, is that those who don't know God are struck with a healthy fear of God, conviction of sin and the need to come to a place of salvation. When people see that God is alive it changes everything. No longer can they argue with their minds, but they now have to deal with the truth of the living God!
The Necessity of Operating in Spirit and in Power
I really believe the Church, as a whole, has been led to believe that having demonstrations of the Spirit and power of God isn't necessary. But this was essential to the Gospel that Paul preached.
1 Thessalonians 1:5, "For our Gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake."
The message of Good News, "the Gospel," is followed by the reality of God's goodness being demonstrated in people's lives. For then, the reality of God's glory is touching people physically; bringing healing, restoration and health in dramatic ways that cause people to "stand in awe." The awe of God is essential to our lives. Ask yourself if you have ever been struck with awe because of something so amazing that God has done which caused you to step back.
If so, may it happen more often! If not, pursue God in such a way that it will happen. I'm sure blind Bartimaeus, in retrospect, was glad that he did not have sense enough to keep quiet when Jesus was walking by on that day and everyone there benefited from his miracle as well (Mark 10:46-52).
John and Brandi Belt
Overflow Global Ministries
