Promised land story
Do you have questions about God’s stance on Israel and the Jewish people? Yael Eckstein, president and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, explains.
Jerusalem is mentioned more than 660 times in the Hebrew Bible, which expressly calls upon God’s people to never forget the city or its significance, and more than 800 times in the Christian Bible. The City of God was decreed the capital of Israel some 3,000 years ago (Psalm 132:13-14).
Jerusalem is where David’s son Solomon built the First Temple, the central place of Jewish worship for the ancient Israelites. After the First Temple’s destruction, the Second Temple was constructed on the same sacred site.
Jerusalem remains Israel’s capital, fulfilling the prophet Isaiah’s declaration that “The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3).’’
The City of Zion has been conquered 40 times, destroyed 18 times and had more than 100 battles fought for its control. Though other empires and nations have claimed the Land of Israel as their own, not one has declared Jerusalem as their capital.
A Jewish community has always resided in the city and maintained it as their eternal capital even during
periods of occupation, persecution and war. The Jewish people were the largest ethnic group in Jerusalem for 100 years before the state of Israel was formally established, and today they still make up the majority of the city’s population.
In 2018, an archaeological discovery confirmed that the Jerusalem referenced in the Bible is the same Jerusalem of today. A clay seal 3 millennia old was found close to the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, proving the existence of a “city governor’’ mentioned in the Old Testament.
Jerusalem continues to stand as the Holy City of the Jewish and Christian people, and this position is critical as Israel’s enemies seek the annihilation of the Jewish people and God’s Promised Land.
Tamara Phillips, Murphy
Grateful for club donation
This letter was addressed to members of the Rotary Club of Murphy.
On behalf of the students at Cherokee County schools, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous donation of toothbrush kits.
Your thoughtful contribution will make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our students.
We truly appreciate the support you’ve shown. Thank you for making a difference.
Cherokee County, School Nurses
Thankful for help operation
The 2024-25 school year has ended, and so our Operation Help/Hope Kids Food Bag Ministry.
“I was hungry and you gave me cereal, oatmeal, pudding, peanut butter crackers, applesauce, breakfast bars, snack cakes, chips, spaghetti, ravioli, mac/cheese. I was thirsty you gave me milk and juice” – Matthew 25:35-37.
Who is “you”? In Jesus name: Jason Chastain and Rowland’s Creek Church, Jason, Julie
Rowland and Junaluska Church, Peewee and Amy Davis and Second Baptist Church, Angie Brooks and Beaver Creek Church, Laura, Terry, Jennifer Postell, Dorcas Brooks, Helen Wilson, designated offerings to Kids Food Bags and Andrews First Baptist Church, Dr. and Mackie Garland, Victor and Preston – Andrews Ingles provided bags.
Galatians 5:22 says a fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness: remaining loyal to something, consistent regardless of circumstances. Even with Hurricane Helene destroying Manna headquarters in Asheville, our Andrews Elementary and Andrews Middle school kids were fed abundantly each week. You – also our guys – Colton, Jerry and Bryan who delivered our bags faithfully.
Andrews First Baptist Church blesses this ministry providing a convenient, clean, warm in the winter, cool in the summer site in White’s Plaza.
Thank you, churches and community, for making Matthew 25:35-37 real for our hungry, thirsty kids.
Nancy Taylor, Andrews
The writer is with the Operation Help/Hope Kids Food Bag Ministry.