ISRAEL: LAND OF PROPHECY AND VISION DVD by Hanna Ben Haim now available
The 8-disc DVD-set of Hanna Ben-Haim's guiding and teaching all over Israel is ready, and can be ordered from anywhere in the world!
This is what Hanna Ben-Haim herself says of the DVD-set:
"The Land of Prophecy and Vision is an actual unrehearsed tour of Israel. As ancient altars were built of unhewn stones to communicate with God, so is this production brought to you! The discs are divided into chapters to be easily used individually or with a group. As an Israeli tour guide and Messianic believer, I welcome you to take this opportunity to experience Israel. May you be personally enriched and blessed!"
The DVD-set is sold as a pack of 8 discs that includes this:
Disc 1: Sea of Galilee (105 min.)
Disc 2: Carmel, Caesarea & Megiddo (105 min.)
Disc 3: Nazareth, Far North & Golan (82 min.)
Disc 4: The Jordan Valley & Qumran (79 min.)
Disc 5: The Desert, Ein Gedi & Masada (88 min.)
Disc 6: The Jerusalem Area (106 min.)
Disc 7: The Old City & Mount of Olives (104 min.)
Disc 8: The Temple Mount (85 min.)
The cost per set of 8 discs is 70 US dollars.
If you are interested in more information, or ordering the DVDs, go to the Land of Prophecy and Vision website here, www.lpv.co.il
For a sample excerpt of video click HERE
Understanding the times
We have recently had the pleasure of being with some of you in Israel for the 24th Mount Carmel School of Ministry, it was truly a joy to share this time of revelation, fellowship and blessing with you, and we continue to be greatly encouraged by all that God accomplishes in these schools.
Now there are also some things we want to make you aware of, developments that you may not know about but need to be aware of, and in much prayer about.
Lately we have noticed a definite increase in attacks towards the apple of God's eye. Whilst in Israel we were grieved to hear of the barbaric murder of the Fogel family in their own home (more details here). We have seen an increase in rocket/mortar attacks coming from Gaza, with the rockets causing the Israeli government to look at the possibility of another Gaza operation to deal with the resupplied terror groups (more details here). Most recently we have had the first actual bombing in Jerusalem in 7 years, in which 1 person was killed and 50 people were wounded (more details here).
The Washington Post published a map this last week. The map was intentionally released to the newspaper by the Israeli Defense Forces. It showed an astonishing layout of nearly 1000 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon. These sites consisted of 500 bunkers, 350 monitoring stations and 100 weapons caches. Just in case you were wondering where in particular these sites are, they are south of the Litani River, which just happens to be the area the UN is supposed to be carefully watching. One of the most important aspects of the map though, is not only to show that these sites exist, but to show the world that Hezbollah has intentionally built them next to civilian villages, hospitals and schools. Presumably this is meant to put Israel off attacking them, or allow them to again claim war crimes when Israel has to inevitably deal with them (more details here).
This is important because Richard Goldstone, the man in charge of the UN's damning 'Goldstone report' on the Gaza 'Cast Lead' operation has just in the last few days admitted significant misrepresentation of the Israeli military's actions in Gaza, saying that Israel did not intentionally hurt civilians, but that in contrast, Hamas most certainly did. While this is a welcome admission, it comes after proceedings are already under way to hold Israeli leaders accountable for trumped up war crimes charges based on the Goldstone report.
Understanding this is important, because the same tactics used in Gaza are now being prepared in southern Lebanon, and all under the UN's watchful eyes.
The UN is also the Palestinian Authority's main avenue for achieving an internationally recognized State, and furthering their attempt to isolate and delegitimize Israel. Following a recent vote to condemn Israel's settlement activity in the UN Security Council, stopped only by the US veto, the PA have September firmly in their sights, and plan to use a lesser known resolution to achieve their goals. Resolution 377 or "Uniting for Peace" was introduced on 3 November 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The resolution came about as a direct response to the USSR's deliberate blocking of any Security Council action to protect the Republic of Korea against the aggression of North Korea.
So what's the big deal you might ask? The most important aspect of this resolution was stated that,
"Where the Security Council, because of lack of unanimity of the permanent members, fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the General Assembly shall seize itself of the matter."
The US has been a spanner in the works for the PA within the Security Council, vetoing their attempt to have settlement activity condemned, and also stating their clear dislike for the PA's move to achieve statehood unilaterally through the UN instead of talks with the Israelis.
Resolution 377 permits the General Assembly to recommend a range of collective measures to supportive states, including sanctions and even the use of force where there appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression. So 377 has the potential to take the matter out of the Security Council's hands, and into the General Assembly where a two-thirds majority is needed to pass a vote, considering that 118 out of 192 UN member nations already recognize "Palestine." You can see where this is going.
So what does this all mean? It certainly means that the hour is getting very late. We know that the word of God states very clearly that all nations will come against Jerusalem and that PA statehood will inevitably lead to a much greater pressure to divide Jerusalem.
"Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. (Zechariah 12:2-3)"
-The pressure which is building up upon Israel right now is staggering, I know that I cannot imagine what Bibi Netanyahu must be going through. But I can ask God to give me His burden for him and the whole government of Israel, showing me how He would have me to pray for them.
-Pray for comfort, healing and help for the victims and their families of the recent attacks upon Israel, and especially that they may come to know the God of all comfort.
-Pray for the salvation and security of the people of Israel, that God would exalt and sanctify His Holy name through fulfilling His glorious promises to bring them back, wash them clean and fill them with His Spirit, keeping them as a shepherd keeps his flock.
-Pray also for the salvation and the protection of the Lebanese people. As stated before these military installations are in civilian areas. May God bring a move of His Spirit to Lebanon delivering them both from the power of sin and the likes of Hezbollah.
-Thank God for Richard Goldstone's admission. Though not new, there is a growing anti-Israel spirit at work within the UN. Let us keep asking God to further reveal and bring to light those things hidden in dark places, exposing the lies of the enemy and the traps they have set.
Reflecting on Mount Carmel Fire- Video
Here is a very well made short film reflecting on the recent Mount Carmel Wildfire.
In it Pastor Peter and Rita his wife speak on the gracious lessons that can be learned through this tragic event. He also points out that this "birth pang" should only serve to remind us how precarious are the times we live in, and as a result to be much in prayer, in particular for Israel.
Israel weather report
Well, the reports we have received indicate that this week's weather in Israel has been somewhat incredible,
"Israel went from having no winter to being pounded by the heaviest winter storm the region has experienced in over 20 years.
In just 24 hours, from Sunday morning to Monday morning, more than six feet of snow fell on the peak of Mount Hermon in northern Israel, and nearly four feet of snow blanketed the surrounding Golan Heights and other hills throughout the Galilee. Snow even fell briefly in Jerusalem, but did not stick to the ground.
Heavy rains and howling winds blasted the coastal plain and central mountains of Israel, with flooding being reporting in a number of areas. The ports in Tel Aviv and Caesarea sustained considerable damage.
So, the long-awaited arrival of winter is a mixed bag for Israel. The flooding and high winds have caused widespread damage, and at least 30 people have been injured by falling objects. The recently scorched Mt. Carmel is also at risk of experiencing major mudslides.
At the same time, the Sea of Galilee rose a fair amount, and all the snow currently on the Hermon and the Golan will eventually melt and run down into the dwindling lake.
The storm was a much needed boost to a country in the midst of a severe drought." (Ryan Smith, Israel Today, 12/13/10)
First and foremost, we want to say Hallelujah for the provision of much needed water! Both immediately and as the snow melts in the future.
Secondly, we want to encourage you to keep praying for the Carmel region. Deforested areas are always more prone to mudslides in the event of downpours, and we do not want to see this happen.
Also, do continue to lift up the nation during this time of intense events, both for their salvation and protection. The recent events have shown some weaknesses in Israel's preparedness for national emergencies which need to be addressed.
Prayers Answered: Pastor Peter's Recap
"Warmest greetings from Mt. Carmel.
Thank you for your prayers during the recent fire in the Carmel forest. This was the worst fire in Israel’s history and it started just outside of the village of Isfiya where our ministry center and worship center are located. The flames came to less than 1 kilometer of our center but God caused the wind to keep the fire from reaching us. I have attached a photo taken the first day of the fire. We moved all the women and children from the shelter to Beit Yedidia for a few days and every one of our staff performed their tasks with wonderful dedication. When the power was cut off in our village we lost lighting and running water for almost 24 hours and discovered that our existing emergency generator was not powerful enough to handle the needs of our building. It will have to be replaced with a newer and more powerful unit. In the end, we all feel that God used the fire to prepare us for even more challenging times that are coming in the future. It was God’s gracious warning to be more ready for the unexpected and alert in the Spirit.
I just returned from a conference in Holland three days before the fire began. During the conference one of the sponsors asked me to share a message on the “Testing of God’s Fire” for the final session. After returning to Haifa, I had a dream as I woke up on Tuesday morning. In the dream, I was standing in the parking lot Or HaCarmel and I saw a small private plane fly low and dive over the roof of the worship center. There was an explosion and when I ran to a place where I could see over the top of the worship center there was a huge pillar of fire rising from the forest beyond. As I looked, there was another column of fire and smoke rising about 2 kilometers beyond it. I ran to alert our staff and discovered I was dressed in a bathrobe! Then I woke up. The fire broke out on Thursday afternoon and when Rita and I stood on the roof of the worship center that evening watching the flames approach, I told her, “This is exactly what I saw in my dream!” Later, when other countries sent help to Israel in order to put out the fire, the sky over Or HaCarmel was literally filled with small (and large) private planes dropping water and fire-retardant chemicals on the forest.
All of this leads me to believe that God is warning all of us to be prepared for greater testing to come. Jesus taught that the end times would be characterized by “wars and rumors of wars” but that these were just the beginnings of “birth pangs.” In the last few days, we have been through a crisis that was like a war – a single birth pang. God protected us and no one was hurt. Please share our gratitude and this alert with others who are standing with us in prayer.
Rita joins me in sending our love and blessings from all the Carmel “team” in Yeshua,"
Peter
Prayers Answered: Wildfire contained
The fire in total claimed 41 lives and consumed approx 55,000 dunams (13,750 acres) of the 115,000 dunams (28,750 acres) that comprised the Carmel Forest national reserve.
The testimony we have received is that although the fire came very close to Usifiya where the Kehilat HaCarmel congregation is located, praise God it did not enter.
I'm sure our friends in Israel would offer you their deepest thanks for all your prayers and words of support and comfort through this time. Now we must pray wisdom to those who have to deal with the aftermath of this crisis, comfort to those who grieve, and continue to praise God for His unfailing faithfulness, even in the midst of great difficulties.
Update on Mount Carmel Wildfire
"The Wildfire continued to spread on Friday evening, approaching Haifa University, the Denya neighborhood of Haifa and the Carmel Forest Hotel as well as engulfing the area of the Hai-Bar nature reserve.
The continued growth of the blaze followed an afternoon of cautious optimism in the fight against the largest wildfire in Israeli history.
As darkness fell, the operations of foreign firefighting aircraft from Europe were called off until the morning. During the night, only firefighters on the ground will be battling to stop the spread of the blaze, but there is not much of an expectation that they will be able to control it.
Firefighting authorities are putting their hopes on a Russian aircraft that landed in Israel on Friday evening and will go into action on Saturday. The plane is capable of holding up to 42,000 liters of water. (Haaretz.com)"
We continue to receive updates from friends in Israel on the Wildfire. In the midst of the whirl of information we don't want to lose sight of the very real human cost and the grief being experienced by many in Israel right now. One of the e-mails we received spoke in reference to the 40 prison guards that were killed,
"Emotions are high and passionate. Today our country is mourning. Last night the reporter on Ch 10 was in tears as she reported the day’s events. The report of the names of yesterday’s accident is deeply sad. Most of the cadets were between 27-31; many were married and had budding families. They were from all over the country."
This Wildfire is effecting everyone to one degree or another, with many questions being asked.
Some are asking how did this happen?
"The initial inquiry conducted by fire investigators has pointed to negligence, not arson, as the cause of the wildfire.
According to the investigation, the wildfire started at one location west of Usifiya. It is believed that household trash and tires that had been discarded in the area caught on fire and the fire spread. Investigators are looking into what exactly caused the trash to ignite.
Meanwhile, the police commissioner ordered district commanders to be on alert for acts of arson. (Ynet.com)"
Others asked, 'Were we prepared?'
"The evacuations in the North recalled the mass flight of Israelis southward to escape Katyusha rocket fire by the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, during a 2006 war. Acknowledgments by authorities Thursday night that they had no control of the fire raised questions about Israel's readiness to cope with another such barrage, analysts said.
After the 2006 war, a national inquiry found that Israel's fire services were underfunded and unprepared and recommended an investment in firefighting aircraft. But even as Israel prepares to acquire hundreds of millions of dollars worth of advanced fighter jets, no budget has been allocated for the much cheaper aerial firefighters. (Washingtonpost.com)"
While others, looking at the ongoing lack of rain that played a major part in this crisis, are asking for mercy.
In Israel this week, there was held another day of fasting and prayer for rain, culminating in a large scale prayer gathering at the Western Wall led by Israel's chief rabbis. The rabbis issued the text for the prayer, and encouraged all synagogues to make use of it. Those who can fast are requested to do so, even if it is only for half a day. They had written,
“The summer is gone as is most of the winter, and we are yet to be redeemed by the downfall of rains of blessing, and the water situation in the Land of Israel is under duress and great distress, especially since this is not the first year of drought, and the land is dry due to our many sins, and this is a troubling matter, (JPost.com)”
We ask you to please pray for the speedy extinguishing of this fire, for the safety of those involved in this task, as well as for the outpouring of rain upon Israel's thirsty ground.
But we would also like to ask for you to pray for the outpouring of God's Spirit upon the people of Israel, that God would meet with the grieving, the hopeless and the exhausted in His tender mercy and love, that there would be a great outpouring of the revelation of Yeshua upon Israel in this current situation.
Pray for the body in Israel at this time, that they would be empowered and led by the Spirit of God to minister to those in need around them, both practically and with the gospel of grace.
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:1-3)
PRAY: Wildfires ravage Mount Carmel
Highlighted in this disaster again is the dire need for rain in Israel, this has been the hottest, driest year for maybe 100 years, and has created the tinderbox conditions into which this fire has raged. Pray that God will send much rain on His land.
Below is an excerpt from an Israeli friend's e-mail, and also further details from a Jerusalem Post report on the crisis.
"A fire broke out about 11 am today very close to the Kehilat HaCarmel and Or HaCarmel. We could see the flames from the roof of the building. The deceivingly cool breeze has been the worst enemy as it pushed the fire to rapidly overtake acres of forestland. A prison in the path of the fire was evacuated, but guards, cadets actually, who were coming to help were overtaken by the flames and 40 paid with their lives. Beit Oren, a small moshav with livestock was evacuated. By nightfall, the flames had passed Beit Oren, but I could not tell if it was through it or around the small community. It is now 20:30. The fire is NOT under control. PM Netanyahu has asked for assistance from other countries, to which a few have answered and are sending help. Isfiya and Dalyat el-Carmel is on call for evacuation, parts of Nesher and Haifa are as well If the wind shifts in the night. We do not live on the border of the forest, but we will keep our TV's on and sleep with one eye open."
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, requested help from foreign states today as the IDF allocated all of its resources on Thursday to assist the Fire and Rescue Service in battling the blaze that had engulfed the Carmel Mountain region and claimed the lives of at least 40 people. Speaking earlier in Jerusalem, he said,
"We have never known a tragedy of this scope. In this hour, as the fire rages, we are galvanizing all the nation's forces to stop the flames and to save the wounded. Our primary concern is to save lives of those who are trapped".
PM Netanyahu expressed his support for the search and rescue teams that were working in the area of the fire. He spoke with the heads of state of Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Russia and requested assistance, specifically with helicopters designed to fight fire from the air. Greece agreed to send four such helicopters and Cyprus sent one.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman asked ambassadors in the United States, Europe and Jordan to seek assistance in overcoming the blaze. Lieberman said,
"We are talking about one of the worst disasters in the country's history. This is hard day for the entire nation."
President Shimon Peres expressed concerns over the fire raging near the Druze village of Isfiya which left 40 dead and dozens injured,
“Our heart today is in Haifa, with the fire-fighters who are bravely battling this, some of whom were injured, and with the residents. The fire has still not subsided. If there is something we can say it is that those involved in this difficult event are exhibiting true bravery that symbolizes the holiday of Hanukah. They exemplify personal and superior bravery and we are praying for a miracle. We pray for their safety. We pray for the cessation of the fire”.