Iranian Deceit?

A number of headlines in the Jerusalem Post this past week show something very unique and interesting. As one might observe these headlines you might come to the conclusion that Iran has turned over a new leaf and desires to be a peacemaker in the world. Gaze upon the following headlines: "Iran Set To Shut Down Nuclear Site In Deal With West; Rouhani Urges World Leaders To Engage With Iran; Iran's President In Bid To Revamp Irans Image At The United Nations."

However, another major headline states "Israel Pushes World Not To Be Deceived By Rouhani." Israel's leadership urged the world last Thursday not to be fooled by Rouhani's smiles but to intensify sanctions against Iran. They further stated the same Rouhani boasted in the past how he deceived the international community with nuclear talks even as Iran was continuing with its nuclear program.

What does the Word of our Lord God say about deceitful intentions. Proverbs 12:5 says "The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful." Additionally, Jeremiah 17:9-10 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, The Lord, search the heart, I test the mind." While Ephesians 5:6&12 says "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret."

I pray for the leaders of Israel and the United States each day asking The Lord to help them function within His Wisdom. I now plan to also pray they not be deceived by the evil intentions of evil leaders. Will you join me?

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

Frank  

Israel's Twenty Year Nightmare

My title was one of the headlines in the opinion section of the Jerusalem Post dated September 13, 2013 which was also the eve of Yom Kippur. The author was Caroline Glick who is one of their feature writers. The following are the highlights from this truthful and thought provoking article.

September 13, 2013 was also the 20 year anniversary of the start of Israeli's so-called Peace Process with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Approximately one year later the PLO organized a massive terror offensive against Israel. The decision by Israeli's leadership to enter into this Peace Process with a terrorist organization has turned out to be a terrible mistake resulting in 1,500 Israeli lives lost plus large numbers of injuries.

The obsessive desire to elimate the Jewish people and the Jewish State is the reason there has been no peace between Israel and its neighbors. This hatred is irrational and all-encompassing. The Israeli public prior to the start of the Peace Process foresaw a nightmare and opposed it. More than two million Israelis opposed the Oslo Accords and what followed. This was the largest protest movement in Israeli history. Decorated military leaders warned that the PLO was a terrorist organization and had no intention of making peace with Israel. They warned that Yassar Arafat was a liar and a murderer.

History has shown all these warnings to be true. Israeli leadership made a terrible mistake! Currently, the United States government is trying to make key decisions concerning Syria while the majority of our citizens oppose any involvement. As a result, let us be those who pray on a regular basis for our leaders and for all leaders in the Middle East especially in Israel.

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

Frank  

   

A Word Of Encouragement

I sense a word of encouragement based on our God's word is in order this week for all of us. As we observe the extremely tenuous situations in Syria and Egypt, we can all easily become concerned and uneasy. When I refer to "all of us" this obviously includes residents of Israel but also includes all caring people around the world. Syria and Egypt currently are battleground countries involved in bitter civil wars, which depending on the outcome could have a devastating effect on the world economy.

How should we all react when we experience discouragement and challenging times? We can spend greatly expanded times in prayer; or we can sit at the feet of Jesus quietly and listen; or we can turn to our God's Word or all of the above. Isaiah 54 is called "The Messiah's Promise of Israel's Restoration." Verse 17 says to Israel but also to all believers "No weapon formed against you shall prosper" while Isaiah 55:11 says when we turn to God's Word "So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to me void."

Additionally, Isaiah 55:9 says "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts than your thoughts." We serve a powerful, loving, controling and orderly God who will always accomplish "His ways." I always love to share the following example of our God's order and control of all things in heaven and earth. Exactly 50 days after leaving Egypt, the Israelites received God's guidelines on how to live their lives at Mt. Sinai. However, a large portion of them in the process turned to idol worship and 3,000 perished. Also, exactly 50 days after Jesus was resurrected, Pentacost took place and after Peter's message 3,000 were saved. Is this a coincedence, I don't think so. Praise The Lord!

Discouragement and uneasness are not of our God. Let us be those who continually turn to our God and His Word during these difficult times to receive His encouragement and also be those who "Let our light shine" each and every day Luke 1:79.

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

Frank

Pray For Leaders

Our vitally important message for this week is to persevere in prayers for the leaders in the United States and Israel regarding the volatile situation in Syria. However, we need to look at the truth of what is really happening in Syria.

Syria is experiencing a civil war with a number of factions wanting to be in control. The Assad government, which has murdered 100,000 of its own people over 30 months, is backed by Iran and Hezbollah. Those trying to overthrow this government are referred to as rebels and are backed by Al-Qaida. However, this conflict is affecting almost the whole Middle East. Saudi Arabia's military is on high alert, Jordan has United States troops on its borders, Iraq and Lebanon feel threatened.

Complicating the picture even further, the United States is considering getting militarily involved. President Obama until this past weekend was ready for United States involvement but now wants input from Congress. Only 20% of the United States citizens feel this is appropriate. What is the motivation for the United States government to even consider getting involved? After all, our military does not have a very good record when getting involved in civil wars - Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc.

Last, but certainly not least, how is all this affecting Israel? Iran and Syria have threatened to attack Israel if Syria is attacked by the United States. Israeli Defense Forces are on high alert, 60% of Israelis have gas masks, and school children can purchase unique back packs that will convert to a miniature shelter during an attack. Iron Domes are in Haifa, Netanya and also Tel Aviv. Israeli Defense Minister Ya'Alon recently said "Our eyes are on developments in the north."

Yes, we need to pray feverently for the leaders especially in the United States so they will react to Godly Wisdom concerning how to react to the situation in Syria. However, let us also pray for those living in Israel that they will turn to God's Word for comfort. Isaiah 51 provides much comfort to God's people in Israel when it says in verses 12 and 22 the following: "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid. . .thus says your Lord, The Lord and your God. . .see, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; you shall no longer drink it. But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you."

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

Frank