Scripture says of Israel that God says, "I will bless those who bless you." As Israel has been re-established as its own nation, God has amazing blessed. The tiny nation thrives despite being surrounded by hostile nations. On October 7th Israel was attacked by Hamas, whose stated goal is the total destruction of Israel. They beheaded, raped and burned babies, even. Yet protestors and the media accuse Israel of genocide of the Palestinians. We Christians must stand with Israel and for truth.

As Jesus began His ministry he declared the Kingdom is at hand or within your grasp. The Kingdom advanced as he did the works of the Father. He calls us to do the same works that he did. As the Kingdom advances, the enemy will counter. We resist by following Jesus, listening to the Father, and doing the works He gives us to do.

Jesus began His ministry at age 30 and announced the "time is fulfilled," repent and believe the gospel. Why was the time fulfilled at that point? Scripture clearly teaches that the time was fulfilled because the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon Him empowering Him to do the Father's will!

After the fall man had been oppressed by darkness and death through Satan's reign on earth. Jesus was sent by the Father as the light of the World. His sacrificial death has

How, practically speaking, did the Spirit of the Lord enable Jesus to heal the broken hearted and set captives free? Can He do the same thing for us?

Isaiah 59 warns of a time of darkness, and in which truth fails. Is that time upon us? Some who love the truth have been silenced. Some wonder if this attack on truth is ultimately a global movement of spiritual darkness.

Jesus said the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him to set the captives and oppressed free and to heal the broken-hearted. How many people around us are oppressed and broken-hearted? The Ignite Event is designed to equip us to do the works that Jesus did to bring freedom and healing.

As Jesus started His ministry he read Isaiah 61:1, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and has anointed me to bring good news to the humble..." After the Holy Spirit anointed Him He went about doing amazing works to set captives free and heal the broken-hearted. The promise of the Father is that in these last days He will pour out His Spirit on all of us and anoint us. How will this happen and what does it mean?

As Jesus started His ministry in Nazareth, He announced the Spirit of the Lord is upon me for He has anointed me and sent me to preach good news, set captives free, open blind eyes, and give liberty to the oppressed. So, with that anointing He went about doing good and healing those oppressed by the devil. As He sent us to be His witnesses, He promised that the Holy Spirit would also come upon us to empower our witness!

At Christmas we celebrate our love for one another by giving gifts. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We receive our gifts from each other at Christmas in faith that good things are inside. As we receive Christ Jesus as our Lord, the gift of God is eternal life!