"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . May give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened." (Ephesians 1:17-18)

The "spirit of wisdom" is applied to a wide variety of circumstances. It certainly includes leadership (Deuteronomy 34:9).

But wisdom is also identified with the ability to make beautiful clothing (Exodus 28:3) and to engineer and invent complex equipment (31:2-6).

Daniel was said to have "an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts" (Daniel 5:12).

by Dr. Amiel Ungar

President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address was light on foreign policy while Indiana Governor Mitch Daniel’s rebuttal omitted the issue entirely.

Both the Democrats and Republicans realize that the 2012 presidential election will be contested on domestic policy.

Obama took credit for withdrawing American troops from Iraq and for the start of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. He tried to surround it with a sense of triumphalism, giving a pat on the back to the Armed Forces.

He also took credit for the imminent demise of the Assad regime, although his Administration had initially tried to engage it.

EU JEWISH LEADER: “IRAN IS AN EVIL KINGDOM!”
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu (IsraelNationalNews)

Iran is an “evil kingdom,” European Jewish Congress president Dr. Moshe Kantor told the European Parliament on International Holocaust Remembrance Day Tuesday.

It was the third year both bodies jointly observed the memorial day, which falls on the same day as the liberation of the Nazi extermination camp of Auschwitz, which Dr. Kantor noted was called by Holocaust survivor and writer Yehiel Dinur a “different planet, a planet of the ashes.”

"For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him." (Mark 9:31-32)

When the Lord Jesus told His disciples about His coming death and resurrection, He could hardly have spoken more plainly, yet they "understood not." Not willing to believe that He meant what He said (with all its uncomfortable implications for their own futures), they were "afraid to ask Him" what He meant, lest He confirm that His words should be taken literally.

"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." (Psalm 27:10)

There may be more people alive today than ever before, but there are also more lonely people today than ever before–divorced spouses, homeless street people, many elderly parents and, perhaps saddest of all, orphaned or abandoned children. These and many others are still alone, even in a crowded world.

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world." (Ephesians 1:4)

The search for identity and meaning can drive one to great successes or tragic failures. For the Christian, however, the question is answered throughout Ephesians.

We are chosen! We are selected as a favorite out of "many |who| are called" (Matthew 22:14) "out of the world" (John 15:19). What a privilege! We are God’s choice to bear His name, represent His cause, and share His glory throughout eternity.

"Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him." (Numbers 15:31)

Under the Mosaic law, there was ample provision for forgiveness of sins committed unintentionally.

"If any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, . . . and it shall be forgiven him" (Numbers 15:27-28).

"For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." (Psalm 116:8)

This is the beautiful testimony of the psalmist when the Lord answered his prayer:

"The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell got hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul" (vv. 3-4). The Lord does, indeed, deliver our souls when we call upon Him for salvation in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).