Destroy it before it starts!

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

As we’ve been traveling around the U.S., we’ve been trying to take extra care of ourselves, taking vitamins and washing our hands regularly to avoid getting sick.

This got me thinking about God’s design of the human immune system. Our immune system is designed to be proactive, not passive. Whenever germs, viruses, or bacteria invade our bodies, our immune system seeks to destroy them before they become a problem.

Spiritually speaking, I think we can learn a little something from God’s amazing design. When it comes to our thought life, we, too, need to become proactive and destroy sin before it establishes a foothold. We’ll never have to tear down a stronghold if we don’t allow one. When that invading temptation comes, attack it immediately before it infects us completely!

Let’s be sure to boost our spiritual immune system today by taking some time in fellowship with the Lord, in His Word, and in Prayer. When those “invaders” try to enter, we’ll be armed and ready to obliterate them before they hinder our walk!

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Though the new cycle of Israel's feasts has concluded, I'd like to share one more observation about last week's high holy day, Yom Kippur. It is a day on which adults are afflicting themselves by fasting, abstaining from all pleasures, and repenting. But for the children, Yom Kippur is a very different holiday. This day is my son Obi's favorite holiday! Why? Because the kids are not fasting or recalling their sins or suffering at all – they are celebrating freedom!

During the Feast of Sukkot, the Jewish people took part in a water drawing ceremony on the last day of the feast. They would go down to the Pool of Siloam, draw water and bring it to the Temple Mount. Then they would pour out the water and recite Isaiah 12, "and with joy you shall draw water out of the wells (springs) of salvation." In Hebrew, the word salvation and Yeshua (Jesus, in Hebrew), are the same.

Sukkot is a festival about rejoicing in the blessings that God has provided, but let’s be sure our focus is on the Lord of blessing – instead of the blessings!

“Don’t be anxious”…even though it's a perfectly natural response to mounting threats; sickness, finances, employment, uncertainty, emotional stress, family crises...Nevertheless, it says, "Don't be anxious about anything". Instead, pray!

As we ask in His name, and we see our prayers being answered, we realize how real and faithful our God is. But I want to focus on the life that is overflowing with JOY!

A major earthquake struck Taiwan over the weekend, which triggered a tsunami warning as far away as Japan.

This reminded me of when we first moved to Israel, in 2003.

When does God answer our prayers? And when do we receive what we ask of Him? And when are we confident He has heard our requests? Many of us wonder why our prayers seem to go unanswered.