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January/February 2017 Plan of Salvation: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
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Rubio, Cardin Introduce Senate Resolution Condemning Anti-Israel Efforts at United Nations Israel and the Palestinians for a secure and peaceful Washington, D.C. – U.S. settlement. They are joined Senators Marco Rubio (Rin this effort by Senate MaFL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) jority Leader Mitch today introduced a Senate McConnell (R-KY), Senate resolution objecting to the Minority Leader Chuck passage of United Nations Schumer (D-NY), and SenaSecurity Council Resolution tors Michael Bennet (D-CO), 2334, as well as all efforts Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), that undermine direct, bilat- Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris eral negotiations between Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn JAN 04 2017
(R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dean Heller (R-NV), John McCain (RAZ), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Todd Young (R-IN). Cont’d Pg. 6
Top Bible Prophecy Stories of 2016 By Jan Markell www.olivetreeviews.org
At the end of each year I like to review how Bible prophecy played out during the year. Seeing dark news items from a prophetic perspective causes the darkness to be more beara-
ble. I often post these stories to my "headlines" daily which can be found here.
nute-hand is Jerusalem and the second-hand is the Temple Mount. They have all been prominent in the news.
These Tribulation stagesetting events aren't in any 1) Zechariah 12:3 became particular order. But we must keep our eyes on Isra- a blunt reality on Decemel, God's timepiece. The mi- ber 23. cont’d on Pg. 3
The Christian message is often referred to as the "Gospel," which means "good news." Specifically, it is the good news about Jesus—who He is, what He has done, and what He offers. Essentially, the message is that Jesus was God in the flesh, that He came into the world to reconcile humanity to Himself, and that his salvation is freely offered to each person who will respond in faith. The Gospel message explains that salvation is only possible through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Through his sacrifice, Jesus paid the price for our sinfulness (rebellion against God), thus offering us forgiveness. Then through his Resurrection He conquered death, removing it as the penalty for our sin and replacing it with the offer of eternal life that is only available from Him to all those that place their faith in Him.
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Good News Press - 2 About Good News Press Sharing the good news of God’s Love through his Son to our local community and world!
Partner With Us in Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to our Community! Good News Press is a Christian outreach publication in the San Francisco Bay Area. This popular high-quality, newspaper, informs and inspires believers, as well as plant seeds into the hearts of men and women that do not know Jesus Christ. Good News Press covers world, national, and local religious news and events, and features inspiring Christian articles and insights. It is available, both digitally online and in full-color printed format. Christian newspapers reach a targeted audience-specifically a family oriented, audience, with strong loyalties and convictions.
share the good news, and bring to them the love of Jesus Christ. We do that by bringing glory to God in this newspaper. • Urgency… We believe that these are Why Support Good News Press • Fulfill the Great Commission! Help the last days and that Jesus Christ is us tell our neighbors about the Good soon to return. News of Jesus Christ and reap eternal • Distribution Good News Press is distributed FREE all over the Bay Area. rewards. Good News Press believes You can find it in area grocery stores that this commission begins in our own backyards. There are more than 7 and businesses. Good News Press is produced by Million people in the Bay Area and a great number need to be reached. We Baron & Connie Woods and Family. want to reach these men and women, To contact us: info@goodnewspress.us.
Senate Resolution Condemning Anti-Israel Efforts Continued “Efforts to delegitimize Israel have been underway a long time at the United Nations and have now sadly been aided by the outgoing administration, but the time has come to turn back the tide and renew America’s commitment to the Jewish state,” said Rubio. “When it comes to the U.S.-Israel alliance, we believe that senators of both parties must stand firmly with Israel and condemn efforts to undermine Israel's legitimacy. This resolution expresses the Senate's rejection of continued anti-Israel efforts at the United Nations, reiterates our commitment to Israel, and urges the incoming administration to work with Congress on this issue.” “I am deeply disappointed that the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 2334, which is a one-sided text that makes direct negotiations for a two-state solution more challenging. Our Senate Resolution sends the message that the U.S.-Israel partnership is ironclad,” said Cardin. “Going forward, Congress will take action against efforts at the UN or beyond that use Resolution 2334 to target Israel. I hope that in 2017 we can look at policies and actions that facilitate resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and I stand ready to support productive efforts.” “The decision taken by the
President to abstain from this vote--to fail to act on behalf of an ally represents a failure of leadership and judgment. It is highly regrettable that one of President Obama's last actions in office was again to abandon our ally Israel,” said McConnell. “As this resolution notes, the United Nations is not the appropriate venue for dictating parameters for a two state solution, this can only come from direct negotiations between the parties.” “Since the days of ‘Zionism is racism,’ the U.N. has been a fervently anti-Israel body and, unfortunately, that bias has never diminished. Knowing this, past administrations – both Democrat and Republican – have protected Israel from the vagaries of this biased institution,” said Schumer. “Unfortunately, by abstaining on United Nations Resolutions 2334, this administration has not followed in that path. This Senate resolution reaffirms that peace must come through direct negotiations in order to achieve a sustainable two-state solution.” A PDF of the resolution is available here. The resolution: Expresses grave objection to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016); continued on Page 6
Good News Press - 3 Top Bible Prophecy Stories of 2016 Continued from Front Page By Jan Markell 1) Zechariah 12:3 became a blunt reality on December 23. This was the day the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to come against Israel. America abstained which is essentially voting with the other members. She symbolically became the world's burdensome stone. This was initiated and instigated by the President of the United States which means terrible repercussions are coming to this land. So Israel is to return to 1967 "Auschwitz" borders. The holy city of Jerusalem becomes "occupied territory." And Israel is further isolated and alienated as predicted. 2) The great falling away didn't stop falling in 2016. Many evangelical churches became nothing more than advocates for open borders and multiculturalism. The social gospel made such giant inroads and salvation issues became unrecognizable. Emergent/Postmodernism raged. Other churches fell into lukewarmness. Hardly any would deal with the issues of the day or the Lord's return. 3) The longing for a "man with a plan" was never so prominent. Even CNN's Home page begged for a man who could restore or-
der. It asks in smaller print, "Is there a leader who can stop the chaos and heal America?"
11) Europe is in a meltdown--setting the unstable stage for the arrival of the Antichrist out of Europe. Its godless culture wel4) II Timothy 3 character comes all things dark and was on overdrive in occultic. Their refugee policy 2016. Various presidential has thrown the continent incandidates were consumed 8) There was stage-setting to chaos. It will welcome a with pride and selffor the Tribulation's natu- "Mr. Fix-It" to calm the aggrandizement. Values ral disasters which will be storm. On June 1 they had a seemed to tank this past far worse than anything the literal Satanic ceremony as year. National industries fea- world has known thus far. they dedicated the Gotthard tured same-sex ads with no Publications called many Base Tunnel in Switzerland. shame. It seemed like eve- events "record setting," European leaders cheered ryone was drowning the lake "unprecedented," and "of this. Below is the demonic of me-myself-I. biblical proportion." The Bi- "goat man" who was celeble calls them "birth pangs." brated. This was addressed by Amir Tsarfati at our Octo5) Israel's re-convened ber 15 conference. Sanhedrin took the mo9) The war on cash intenmentous step of nominat- sified. A few nations are 12) The season of mocking a High Priest for the banning cash and this will ing the Lord's return intenTemple--for the first time eventually lead to "Mark of sified. The Christian publisince it's destruction in 70 the Beast" accounting. cation "Christian Today" A.D. The Tribulation Tem- Technology was introduced scorned the Lord's return and said a "zombie ple is in the works, even that enables the total paythough the United Nations ment of goods and services apocalypse" was more likely. just declared this area offusing only an embedded limits to the Jews! chip. 6) Israel struck Damascus in early December, targeting some weapons. This is a precursor to what is predicted in Isaiah 17:1. 7) God continues to intervene for His sovereign nation of Israel. In November, he sent a pillar of a cloud of dust and rain to push back
ISIS on Israel's border. See it here.He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121). The cloud of dust and rain stayed right at the border and did not cross into Israel.
13) The predicted rise of evil continues as foretold 10) Gog-Magog players are getting ready. Russia is in II Timothy 3:13. A new the new power player in the term was introduced in late Mideast thanks to America's 2016: "Spirit Cooking." It is absence. So is Iran. Turkey too dark to write about but you can Google the inforis in chaos and looking to mation. We don't recomRussia for support. These are the three primary play- mend it for sensitive people. It is borne out of the occult ers in Ezekiel 38-39, although other nations partici- followers of Satanist Aleister Crowley and it would have pate. entered the White House and Oval Office had Hillary
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Good News Press - 5 of clothing, furniture, cars, household goods, stocks, property, and even mileage spent on behalf of The tax man cometh. Time to the charity are all tax deductible prepare yourself to take all possiat the end of the year for full or ble deductions. partial value. Retirement accounts Retirement accounts are a Investment Strategy Checkup great method for reducing taxes. In Year-end is a great time to fact, the 401k and IRA were created rebalance portfolios for a couple give incentives for saving money. of reasons: Each dollar contributed reduces Rebalancing should be done perioditaxable income. cally to ensure that one's portfo401k -- The annual limit of lio has not skewed too far in one contributions is $18,000 ($24,000 direction during the year's ups and for those over 50) and this amount downs. does not include employer contribuIt could provide opportunitions. ties for tax-loss harvesting to IRA -- The annual limit is help offset any capital gains $5500 ($6500 for those over 50) earned during the tax year. College 529 -- You can contribute up to $14,000 per year New Year's budget resoluwhile still avoiding the gift tax penalty. While there is no federal tion? tax deduction for this, many states Try zero-sum budgeting allow a deduction for these contriIf your goal is to make 2017, butions. a better financial year, try Zero-Sum HSA (Health Savings Account) Budgeting, a simple idea that can -- Available to those with a high- bring big results. According to FamilyFinancideductible health insurance plan, the HSA allows one to contribute up er.com, Zero-Sum Budgeting revolves around two main ideas: Budgeting to to $3,350 for an individual and zero and paying for next month's ex$6,750 for a family (add an extra penses with this month's income. $1,000 if you are over 55). Charitable Contributions What is budgeting to zero? For philanthropic individuBudgeting to zero means spendals, charitable contributions are a ing every single dollar on a specific great way to manage your tax burden goal. while providing for those less forYou could have goals like paytunate or other worthy causes. In ing a bill, savings toward a holiday most circumstances, up to 50 peror adding to an investment. cent of yearly income can be deOver time you can identify ducted each year for qualified overspending in one or multiple categories and make adjustments. Slowly gifts. you can create a reliable growth in Something to consider when discussing charitable gifts is that savings. they don't have to be cash. Gifts
Tax considerations for the New Year
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How to Pay for Next Month's Expenses Today The second main goal for the zero-sum method is to pay for the month ahead with the current month's income. This allows for two benefits: * No issues paying bills on time * Safety net of at least one month's income in case of emergency Accomplishing these two goals would put someone far ahead of the average American. According to a recent Federal Reserve survey, 46 percent of Americans said that they would have to borrow or sell something to pay for a $400 emergency. Given this reality, paying bills a month ahead can take time unless a person already has savings. Once accomplished, this goal can provide substantial financial security and peace of mind. Tips for Implementing the Zero-sum Budget Start with your monthly bank statement in hand. Make a list of spending categories. Assign expenditures to one of these categories. This helps you see what you actually spend and where. Now, decide where you can cut spending and where you can add spending, to suit goals such as paying off bills. Make sure every single dollar you bring in has a 'home' in your budget. A few recommendations for someone trying this, or any other, budgeting method: * Use an app, tool, or spreadsheet to help stay organized and accurate. This makes the process so much easier. * Find an accountability partner. * If overspending is a problem, roll with the punches and work to get back on track.
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Good News Press - 6 Senate Resolution Condemning Anti-Israel Efforts Continued from Page 2
Calls for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 to be repealed or fundamentally altered so that it is no longer one-sided and allows all final status issues toward a two-state solution to be resolved through direct bilateral negotiations between the parties; Rejects efforts by outside bodies, including the United Nations Security Council, to impose solutions from the outside that set back the cause of peace; Demands that the United States ensure that no action is taken at the Paris Conference on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict scheduled for January 15, 2017, that imposes an agreement or parameters on the parties; Notes that granting membership and statehood standing to the Palestinians at the United Nations, its specialized agencies, and other international institutions outside of the context of a bilateral peace agreement with Israel would cause severe harm to the peace process, and would likely trigger the implementation of penalties under sections 7036 and 7041(j) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 (division K of Public Law 114–113); Rejects any efforts by the United Nations, United Nations agencies, United Nations member states, and other international organiza-
tions to use United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 to further isolate Israel through economic or other boycotts or any other measures, and urges the United States Government to take action where needed to counter any attempts to use United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 to further isolate Israel; Urges the current presidential administration and all future presidential administrations to uphold the practice of vetoing all United Nations Security Council resolutions that seek to insert the Council into the peace process, recognize unilateral Palestinian actions including declaration of a Palestinian state, or dictate terms and a timeline for a solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict; Reaffirms that it is the policy of the United States to continue to seek a sustainable, just, and secure twostate solution to resolve the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians; and Urges the incoming Administration to work with Congress to create conditions that facilitate the resumption of direct, bilateral negotiations without preconditions between Israelis and Palestinians with the goal of achieving a sustainable agreement that is acceptable to both sides
Good News Press - 7 Prophecy ‌...Cont’d from Page 3 White House and Oval Office had Hillary Clinton won. This may be the biggest reason the Left lost as many in the Clinton campaign were cheerleaders for this evil.
17) For most of these to play out required the prophesied rise in strong delusion (II Thess. 2:1012). Those who take delight in mocking and rejecting Him, He will condemn, confuse 14) The run-up to the lawtheir thinking, and cause lessness in the Tribulation them to believe fables. And has begun. There was post- they do! Remember, global election rioting with the prom- warming is a greater danger ise of much more to come -- than radical Islam. Today it all a blatant rejection of Don- would seem the Mad Hatter ald J. Trump. Barack Obama is in charge. was the most lawless president in U.S. history. He even told illegals they could vote 18) Technology giants with no consequences. Now came against righteousthe Left is making daily com- ness once again. From Faments about assassinating cebook to YouTube to Donald Trump. Google to Twitter, their progressive agenda rejected a conservative and Christian 15) The gay agenda has message. The Christian film "I turned blatant. Many major Am Not Ashamed" had their corporations promoted this YouTube trailer taken down with their national advertising. one year in advance, marginThe "days of Noah" have re- alizing ticket sales. turned as predicted by Jesus. The transgender agenda also flourished. In both cases Tar- Things are not falling apart -get led the way with promothey are falling into tion. place. Can you hear the hoof beats of the four horsemen of 16) The predicted rise in the the apocalypse in the dispersecution of Christians tance? and Jews intensified. At the same time, some pastors I won't be silent about the were forced to turn over ser- signs of the times. If Jesus mons for inspection in Ameri- chastised the Pharisees for ca and Christian businesses not knowing the signs of His were hammered for trying to first coming, why would we stand for righteousness. Yet not be expected to be aware Islam is protected and no con- of today's apocalyptic signs? demnation can be given. Rise up, wake up and look up!
Good News Press - 8 Dr. Martin Luther King Day is January 16, 2017 On Martin Luther King Day:
of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
Give someone the gift of forgiveness
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
Martin Luther King Day, January 16,2017 is the only federal holiday that marks the contributions of a private American citizen.
You don't need to have billions or a business to honor Dr. King. You can apply some of his philosophy in your life today. Dr. King said: "We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us." "The old law of 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind."
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
To honor the man and his philosophy of peace, many cities, and private businesses, honor the man whose philosophy of nonviolent, but pointed demonstrations, created civil rights laws and changed hearts. Just two examples: Philadelphia's MLK Day of Service has grown to over 125,000 volunteers since their first annual event in 1995. The MGM Resorts International holds training program teaching the value of respect, inclusion and the embracing of individual differences. They have invested over $3 billion in minority and women -owned businesses.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
I have a dream today!
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?"
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
I have a dream today!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
"Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "Forgiveness is not an occasion- "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2 al act. It is a permanent attitude."
A Portion of the Famous I Have A Dream Speech by Dr. Martin Luther King And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last!
last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at
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