The Friends of Israel Today is a magazine style radio program/podcast made up multiple segments; bible teaching, Q&A, interviews, and dramatic readings of Holocaust survivor, Zvi Kalisher’s articles, entitled Apples of Gold. We’ve intentionally crafted this program to revolve around God’s Word and how it affects our lives today.
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Surrounded by a litany of beliefs about the world, the Colossian believers needed a clear understanding of God’s Word. So, the apostle Paul provided it by writing an epistle filled with doctrine for them. Over the last two weeks, we’ve studied how Paul taught about the supremacy of Jesus Christ and the danger of false teaching. This week, in part .…
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The apostle Paul’s message to the Colossians rings true for Christians even today: Beware of false teaching! Surrounded by a plethora of philosophies amidst a pagan world, the Colossian believers were susceptible to being led away from the pure truths of God’s Word and the authority Jesus Christ deserved in their lives. In part 2 of our series on t…
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The apostle Paul set out on a mission when he wrote his epistle to the Colossians: It was all about Jesus Christ and guiding believers to love Him more. Paul offers much doctrine to help believers grow spiritually mature in the book of Colossians, which we’ll spend the next four weeks studying. This week we begin by examining Christ’s supremacy ...…
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It’s never too early to celebrate Christmas by studying Jesus’ First Advent! One truth we often forget at Christmastime is that Jesus’ birth is a Jewish story through and through. Our Friends of Israel representatives offer a deeply insightful study in our new devotional Finding Messiah in Christmas, a wonderful addition to anyone’s Christmas tradi…
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Do you take God’s Word for granted? If you feel like one of many Christians who do, you should take notes on the Jewish people’s approach to Scripture: They dedicate a holiday to celebrating it each year! They sing and dance and read the Scripture on Simchat Torah, the special holiday of rejoicing over the Law, or the Torah. Chris ... Read More The…
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After contemplating the solemn Day of Atonement last week, we’re following the Jewish calendar’s shift in gears and studying the festive Feast of Tabernacles this week! Also known as Sukkot, this holiday originates in Leviticus 23 as a reminder of Israel’s wilderness wanderings and a celebration of God’s provision and guidance for His people. This …
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Last weekend, as the Jewish people observed Yom Kippur, Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon fired missiles and drones at Israel. The brazen attack disturbed what should have been a quiet, somber day of reflection—one with which Christians should be familiar. This week, as we study Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, we’ll set our focus on some of the …
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Israel is surrounded by enemies. Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, all backed by Iran, attack Israel relentlessly from many sides. Antisemitism is running rampant toward both the Jewish nation and Jewish people around the world. Is there any hope for Israel? God’s Word is clear: There will always be hope for Israel! God made a promise to Abraham—o…
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One year has passed since Hamas’s brutal massacre of 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping of hundreds more on October 7, 2023. Life in Israel has changed significantly since then. As the Israel Defense Forces have spent the past year battling terrorists, many Israelis have been called to duty, while those who remain live in the war’s shadow. The Friends o…
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What is a ketubah? What’s the purpose of a year-long betrothal? And do Jewish weddings today follow the same customs they did long ago? On this week’s show, The Friends of Israel’s vice president of North American Ministries and our resident Jewish sage, Steve Herzig, offers an expert look at the purpose of marriage and the wonderfully unique world…
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Jesus came to Earth being fully God and fully human simultaneously. The unique name “Son of Man” ties these two elements of our Savior wonderfully. He used this title to describe Himself many times throughout the Gospels, showing both His humility as a human and His authority as the God of heaven and Earth. As we wrap up our 3-part ... Read More Th…
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Why is Jesus called the Son of Man? It’s not a name that stirs up thoughts of royalty or majesty like many of His other names do. In fact, it’s used in the Old Testament to refer to lowly humans. Yet this title was used to confront the Gentile school of thought and to portray Jesus in a new, personal ... Read More The post The Son of Man, Part 2 (R…
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Jesus has many majestic names: King of Kings, Messiah, High Priest. Yet one we find dozens of times throughout the Gospels is Son of Man. It literally means “human being.” But the Son of Man we see in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John is no mere human. It’s the Lord Jesus, the Son of God in human form. We begin ... Read More The post The Son of Man, Pa…
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Meet Pastor A! As one of our ministry representatives in Israel, Pastor A has a heart full of love for his Israeli brothers and sisters. We welcome him to the show this week to learn about him and the wonderful work He is doing for the Messiah in the Holy Land. In this compelling interview, Pastor A shares his inspirational ... Read More The post F…
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The Day of the Lord, the “man of lawlessness,” and widespread apostasy—there’s a lot going on in 2 Thessalonians! The apostle Paul had much to teach the Thessalonian church, but he offered great hope as he revealed God’s prophetic Word to them. After studying the false teaching influencing the Thessalonian believers on last week’s broadcast, we con…
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The Thessalonians in Paul’s day were confused and troubled. Many of them had been led astray by false teachers who taught that the great and terrible Day of the Lord had already come. But since our understanding of God’s Word affects how we live, Paul knew he needed to teach the Thessalonians correct doctrine right away! In part 2 of ... Read More …
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You may have heard it said that as much as one-third of the Bible is prophecy. But this week, Chris challenges us to consider that the entire Bible is actually prophecy! We open a 3-week study on the book of 2 Thessalonians by taking a look at how persevering through persecution ties to prophecy. Paul begins his second epistle to ... Read More The …
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Antisemitism is a serious, deep-reaching issue today—and it’s closer to you than you may think. Ty Perry, assistant to The Friends of Israel’s director of North American Ministries, covers real-life instances of antisemitism taking place today in his regular column ALERT (Antisemitism: The Longest-Enduring Racial Trauma) in Israel My Glory magazine…
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Everyone loves a good origin story. Learning about the factors that made someone who they are gives us a look behind the curtain and helps us better understand and appreciate a person. This week, we’re treating you to The Friends of Israel’s origin story! In 1938, the world was engulfed in evil, sitting on the brink of World War II. ... Read More T…
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In May, 16 young adults from the United States and Canada traveled to Poland to visit Holocaust sites as part of The Friends of Israel’s (FOI’s) training program, Encounter. Their trip gave them a sobering perspective on the horrors the Jewish people faced during the Holocaust and helped them deepen their love for God’s Chosen People. Ty Perry, Tim…
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This program is a rebroadcast from October 29, 2022. Jesus is the Holy One of God, and He was called this name by only the apostle Peter and by demons. What does this title reveal about Christ? We conclude our 2-part series on the Holy One of God this week by analyzing Jesus’ epic showdown with a demon-possessed man. The ... Read More The post The …
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This program is a rebroadcast from October 22, 2022 It’s impossible to capture all of Jesus’ wonderful attributes in just one name, so we learn about His holiness through the many different designations He’s given in Scripture. One such name is the Holy One of God. The apostle Peter called Him this name—and so did demons! What does this title ... R…
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Why is antisemitism dismissed in a way that other forms of racism are not? What makes hatred of the Jewish people so palatable? This week, David Bernstein, founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values, speaks about the growth of global antisemitism. His analysis of the role of politics in antisemitism from college campuses to city streets wil…
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The glory of God isn’t a concept we can’t wrap our minds around. It’s the very substance and presence of God! Over the past two weeks, we studied how God’s physical manifestation dwelled with His Chosen People. But God’s substance, having resided in the Temple, left before the Temple’s destruction through the Mount of Olives, leaving the Israelites…
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As Christians, we praise God for His glory—but what exactly is God’s glory? Last week we identified it as His substance, His physical manifestation dwelling with His people, and studied the consequence of disrespecting His it. In part 2 of our series on God’s glory, we take a look at a healthy fear of and love for it. King David ... Read More The p…
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We often praise God for and speak about His incomparable glory. But do you really know what His glory is? Could you define it? Understanding God’s glory is key to understanding His character. Scripture shows that His glory is not an abstract concept—it’s His substance, His physical presence. Chris kicks off a 3-week series on God’s glory beginning …
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Why does Israel face tremendous hostility from its neighbors? Why do many Middle Eastern nations want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth? From groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Authority to countries like Iran, Syria, and Lebanon, existential threats are never far from the Jewish nation. Our May/June issue of Israel My Glory m…
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Last week we studied examples from Jesus’ life that demonstrate that He was undeniably a Zionist who understood the inextricable link between the Jewish people and the land of Israel. But after Jesus’ death and resurrection, did that special connection become irrelevant? Is Jesus still a Zionist today? Chris finds the answer by taking a look at the…
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Anti-Zionism is spreading throughout the world. Recently, college campuses have become hotbeds for this form of antisemitism, as protesters against Israel chant, “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free.” But the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea is the nation of Israel’s. The fierce wave of criticism against Zionists, t…
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The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 was truly a miracle. But how does a nation starting with almost nothing become prosperous? Israel faced some serious growing pains and worked hard to provide for its immigrant citizens. And the story behind its journey is fascinating! Chris teaches a captivating history lesson on the growth of the State o…
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When you devote your life to a specific goal, others take notice and find inspiration. Friends of Israel field representatives Jeff and Arlene Berg have devoted their lives to serving God’s Chosen People—and their lives provide unbelievable inspiration for us to do the same! The scope of their ministry and their compassion for the Jewish people has…
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Do you know the meaning behind the Passover Seder’s unique practices? If you’ve never enjoyed a Seder, you might not know how to make sense of its many different traditions. Whether you’re curious about the Haggadah, the zeroa, or the maror, you’ll find answers to your Passover questions in this week’s broadcast! Chris walks us through the major el…
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Israel has been locked in a war with Hamas since October, but it now faces a much greater enemy: Iran. The Middle East powerhouse launched more than 300 drones and missiles from its own soil into Israel last Saturday night, marking the first time it had ever done so directly without using one of its proxies, like Hamas. What should ... Read More Th…
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Is the Jewish-Palestinian conflict in Israel blown out of proportion, or is it as hostile as it sounds? We hear many stories of animosity between these groups, but it’s hard to know the truth when we live far from Israel. That’s why Justin Kron, founding director of the Kesher Project, which connects the church to its Jewish roots, produced Hope ..…
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God’s wonderful plan of redemption stretches to everything in creation, but Israel is the key to its fulfillment. God gave the Jewish people special covenants and a special role in His plan. The apostles Peter and Paul highlighted these truths, linking Israel’s repentance from sin to Jesus the Messiah’s return and the restoration of God’s Kingdom. …
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Have you ever imagined how Jesus must have felt the night before His crucifixion? He knew His time to die for the sins of the world had come, and excruciating pain and suffering lay before Him. Sometimes we lose sight of the tremendous physical and emotional price of Jesus’ sacrifice. This Easter, let’s put ourselves in His position to better ... R…
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While most of us grieve for and sympathize with Israelis who suffered horrific violence perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, we can never fully understand their experiences. But firsthand accounts of that brutal day give us a true look into the eyes of the Israelis who bravely persevered and survived. Ronit Glaser, an Israeli mother …
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God’s covenant with King David unlocks many of Scripture’s beautiful truths, particularly about Jesus. It explains why Jesus is the King of Israel, the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Son of Man. This week we conclude our five-part series on the Davidic covenant with our focus on the ties between King David and Jesus, the King of kings. ... Read M…
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Does the Old Testament ever say that God would have a son? The answer determines our right to place our faith in Jesus! This week Chris remembers a conversation with his Jewish friend that gave him a chance to share God’s promises to King David in the Davidic Covenant. In part 4 of our series on this covenant, we see ... Read More The post March 9,…
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Jael Kalisher is a uniquely gifted Friends of Israel (FOI) field representative in Israel. Having joined FOI as a full-time representative only days after Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel in October, Jael has quickly become an invaluable part of FOI’s ministry efforts. Now, she is using her musical talent to glorify the Lord across the world! She sp…
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Even when we are unfaithful to God, He is faithful to us. What a blessed promise! We see this truth through God’s covenant with King David. In part 3 of our series on the Davidic covenant, we examine how this promise was not rooted in the faithfulness of David or any of his descendants but in God alone. Much like ... Read More The post February 24,…
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In 2 Samuel 7, God made a wonderful covenant with David with implications that reached back hundreds of years earlier and extended to Jesus the Messiah. Last week we studied how this Davidic Covenant began with the patriarch Jacob’s blessing to his son, Judah, David’s ancestor through whom royalty was promised. This week we study David’s reverent l…
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This week we begin a series on the Davidic Covenant. This promise God made with King David is a foundational truth that touches so much of Scripture, including Jesus’ birth, identity, and Kingdom reign. But instead of starting with David, we’re beginning with Jacob’s blessings to his sons. Chris walks us through these unconventional blessings this …
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The life of David, the “man after God’s own heart,” was filled with a vast range of experiences. Having been a lowly shepherd, a fierce warrior, a reflective musician, and an exalted king, David drew from his eclectic life to pen about half of the biblical psalms, which mean so much to so many of us who love God’s Word. ... Read More The post Febru…
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God’s glory is awesome and overwhelming—and yet God is willing to reveal His perfect character to us! He showed Moses His glory on Mount Sinai after the Israelites’ sin with the golden calf, revealing that He is merciful, gracious, patient, loving, faithful, just, and forgiving. In part 2 of our series studying the moment when God showed Moses His …
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Have you ever wanted God to show you His glory? Moses did. He carried the weighty privilege and responsibility of leading God’s Chosen People through the wilderness. God performed great miracles before Moses and the Israelites—speaking to him from a burning bush, delivering the people from Egypt, and parting the Red Sea to help them escape Pharaoh’…
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Our series on Paul’s letter to the Romans in September covered the Jewish context of the epistle, atonement, Jesus’ righteousness, reconciliation, redemption, and the eternal security of our salvation. But Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel and the ensuing war interrupted our series in October, as information on the war took precedence in our broadcas…
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This program is a rebroadcast from April 7, 2018. Sometimes, as Christians, we can dismiss the physical effects of struggles and sins we deal with every day. On this week’s show, Chris talks about the negative effects of worry and anxiety and what it does to our minds. We’ll head to the Old Testament and hear about King Hezekiah and ... Read More T…
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This program is a rebroadcast from December 29, 2018. We trust you are enjoying time with family and friends, and we hope you take some time and reflect on the reason we celebrate: God sending Jesus to Earth! Last week we began a two-part series on the incarnation of Jesus, when the Word became flesh. The only way for God ... Read More The post Dec…
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This program is a rebroadcast from December 22, 2018. Merry Christmas! We are excited to take some time out of this busy season and reflect on the reason we celebrate: God sending Jesus to the earth! We begin a two-part series on the incarnation of Jesus, when the Word became flesh. The incarnation is the combination of God becoming man ... Read Mo…
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