Ominous Signs

A number of events have made new headlines during the past week all raising concerns for those charged with the defense of Israel. Two of the events revolve around happenings during the Syrian Civil War while the third event resulted from an announcement by the United States government.

The civil war in Syria has raged continually for over a year with "rebel forces" attempting to overthrow the Assad government. The rebel forces appear to include elements of enemies of Israel. Approximately 80,000 opponents of the government have been killed and now there appears to be strong evidence the government is using chemical weapons. An enemy of Israel on its border using such tactics is an ominous sign for Israel.

Additionally, Israeli Air Force General Eshel has stated that a surprise war can come about through many scenarios as the Syrian conflict can escalate very quickly. He also announced the Assad government has invested billions of dollars in buying the best weapon systems Russia can offer. Eshel also said this gives Assad greater belligerence. Another ominous sign for Israel.

Last Thursday President Obama announced the United States will limit the use of Drone strikes against extremists abroad. He stated there will only be drone strikes when a threat is imminent and it is almost certain civilians will not be affected. Reaction in Israel is they now feel alone in fighting terror. Another ominous sign for Israel.

History reveals Israel's God has helped them win many wars against overwhelming odds and we now petition Him, who is Master and King over all, to again be there for them.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Every Day,

Frank 

It Is All About The Land Again - Part 2

Our message last week informed us that the newly installed United States Secretary of State Kerry has announced he is working towards restarting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Every previous attempt to establish supposed peace through dividing the land of Israel has failed. Why is this? Every attempt ignored the Word of God! Joel 3:2 says The Lord will judge those who have divided HIS LAND. Also in Amos 9:15 our God says He will no longer uproot His people from the land He has given them.

Once again world leaders are attempting to divide God's land given to His original covenant people, the Jews. Kerry had originally planned to reveal his proposal for peace in the Middle East May 23rd but now has pushed this date back to June 7th. In addition, Kerry has been meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and has met with the Quartet which includes representatives from the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia. 

This all sounds good in the world media. However, how does our God react to even the suggestion of dividing up HIS LAND or the actual act itself. A number of years ago, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon caused thousands of Israelis to evacuate the Gaza Strip leaving behind their homes, their businesses and their farms all in a failed attempt to establish peace in the Middle East. Shortly thereafter, Sharon became gravely ill and has never recovered. History also reveals severe weather events while talks of dividing HIS LAND are in process. Are these just coincidences or realities?

Our God is a loving and caring God but also a God who keeps the promises in His word! We need to pray continually for leaders in the United States and Israel resulting in them seeking God's wisdom at all times and in all situations.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day An Each Day,

Frank    

It Is All About The Land, Again

Recently, a new United States Secretary of State was installed. Secretary Kerry visited with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu shortly after his installation which was customary, appropriate, and important. Also, very interesting but not surprising, was the announcement by Kerry that he would like to see the "Peace Talks" resume.

Yes, it is all about the land again! It seems good and appropriate then to look again at the "Land Issue." However, we will look at it from the only accurate viewpoint - THE WORD OF GOD.

The basis for determining who the land belongs to is the Abrahamic Covenant discussed in Genesis 12, 13, 15, 17. A covenant is a binding agreement between two parties meaning the promises made must be kept. This is nothing new since we know our God keeps all His promises - Hallelujah.

Well, what did God promise to Abraham and his descendants concerning the land? Genesis 17:8 reveals our Lord saying to Abraham "Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." Notice God said I give you all the land of Canaan.

Biblical maps during the time of Abraham show Canaan included all the land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River and well into present day Jordan. Obviously, this included Judea and Samaria which is the land of dispute politically called the West Bank. God gave all of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants through Isaac, Genesis 17:19. Also, God confirmed this convenant when He said to Jacob in Genesis 28:13 "And behold, The Lord stood above it and said: I am The Lord God of Abraham your Father and The God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I give to you and your descendants."

What can be our part before and during peace talks if they start once again? Obviously, we need to pray earnestly but in our prayers remind our gracious and powerful God of His promises to the Jewish people.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank

  

An Opportunity To Help

News headlines during the last week have revealed the Israeli Air Force has struck and destroyed two shipments of weapons in Syria destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization in Southern Lebanon bent on attacking and destroying Israel. As a result, Israeli Defense Forces have stationed tanks and anti-missile batteries along the Northern Israeli and Syria border preparing for any possible counter attack by Syria.

Situations like these of war preparations and alerts are almost a continual status for the Israel Defense Forces. Since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, they have fought numerous wars miraculously protected by the hand of God each time. Adding to the challenge of protecting its residents in wars, the Israel Defense Forces continually have to deal with the threats of terror attacks and entifadas.

We need to also realize that almost every young Israeli, male and female, after graduating from high school must serve in the Israeli Defense Forces. Even after completing the required time, men must serve in the Reserves for an additional twenty years. Protecting Israel has come at a cost of 23,000 lives and with 100,000 disabled from wounds received.

How can we who love Israel help the Israeli Defense Forces? First, we can pray for God's daily protection and for His wisdom for their leaders. Secondly, we can provide financial support for the Israeli Defense Forces through an organization called Bridges For Peace. Starting military salaries are very low at $105.00 per month. Military families assist as they are capable but more than 5,000 soldiers have no family or are from needy families.

Isaiah 40:1 says "Comfort yes, comfort My people says your God." In addition to praying, if you are interested in supporting the Israel Defense Forces or other programs of support for Israel, log onto WWW.bridgesforpeace.com and click on "Blessing Israel." I personally have been supporting Bridges For Peace for twenty years.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

"The Spirit Of The Lord Is Upon Me"

These are challenging days for God's original covenant people whether they live in Israel or throughout other parts of the world. Anti-Semitism is at its highest level in history. The last couple of weeks this blog has documented  the threat of a nuclear Iran as it becomes more ominous each passing day.

The last couple of days headlines reveal suspicions that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons to suppress the rebels trying to overthrow the government. Think for a minute of the threat to Israel of chemical weapons in the hands of Hezbollah as they are closely associated with the Syrian government. Additionally, a drone was shot down last Thursday off the coast of Northern Israel believed to have been launched by Hezbollah.

The enemies surrounding Israel continue their measures to destroy them from being a nation. How should God's people react to all this? They should turn to their Lord in prayer and to His word for peace and comfort. We can help them by praying God's word into effect for them.

The Old Testament has over 300 prophecies about the Advent Of Christ, their Messiah, and the word salvation appears 26 times in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 61:1-3 says about the Advent of The Messiah "The Spirit of The Lord is upon me, Because The Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of The Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To comfort those who mourn in Zion."

These are the kinds of words of comfort God's original covenant people need to hear not only for their peace but to reveal Jesus as their Messiah. Let us be about praying all this into fruition for them.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank