Thursday, October 30, 2014

The Battle Continues

The Gaza War has been over for a number of weeks and unless we have been keeping up with events in Israel on a daily basis, we could be deceived into believing Israel's enemies are quiet for the time being. Nothing could be farther from the truth! 

"Jerusalem is under attack," declared Israeli's Prime Minister Netanyahu the day after a terrorist plowed through a crowd of Israelis at a light rail station last week. The attack was carried out by a Palestinian who was a supporter of Hamas. A baby just three months old died two hours later and an Ecuadorian woman, age 22, also died. Eight others were injured.

Equally disturbing, Palestinian riots have been raging in Jerusalem since last May; there has been numerous cases of vandalism to Jerusalem's light rail trains; plus continuous cases of stone throwing, Molotov cocktail attacks and sniper fire on cars, buildings and people. Riots have become frequent on and around the Temple Mount. During the same period, 107 Israeli policemen have been injured and just this week there is a report of a Rabbi being attacked. 

No, Israeli's enemies are not on vacation and their goal of destroying Israel and its people has not changed. However, Isaiah 2:2-4 declares, "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of The Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of The Lord, to the house of The God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of The Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."

Our Lord God's Word Validates

The Day Of The Lord Is Coming When Our Lord Will Reign Over All The Earth Resulting In True Peace. Come Lord Jesus, Come, Come Soon!

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

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Israel's Support Around The World

Jerusalem's Watchmen Prayer update last week included encouraging reports from around the globe of large groups gathering in support of Israel. "A Day Of Prayer For The Peace Of Jerusalem" was announced and two hundred nations responded. Thousands of people took Genesis 12:3 seriously and literally, stating that we are to "Bless Israel." Hallelujah!

Witness The Following Reports

Denmark - For the first time, prayers for Israel were lifted up in the capital.
South Africa - Day Of Prayer For The Peace Of Jerusalem was celebrated in Johannesburg.
India - A prayer gathering in Samalkot included a Jewish dance.
The Philippines - Representatives of the Israeli Embassy addressed the crowd.
Czech Republic - Prayer meeting was transmitted live throughout Czech radio. 
Zambia - Six hundred believers prayed for prosperity for Jerusalem.
Tanzania - 1,650 Christians in one accord prayed for Israel.
Papua New Guinea - Believers marched to church with banners proclaiming Psalm 122:6.
South Korea - Dr. Young Hoon Lee's church gathering included up to 50,000 people praying for the "Peace of Jerusalem."

These testimonies from all over the world are just a few examples of God's people obeying His word in support of Israel. I pray for all of us to be bold, under The Lord's guidance and direction, to work toward similar events happening in our corner of the world. Praise The Lord!

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

   

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Israel And The Church

Israeli United Nations Ambassador Prosor on October 8th wrote a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council. He pointed out that on Tuesday, October 7th two Israeli soldiers were seriously injured when three explosive devices were detonated in Northern Israel. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the planting of the devices. Prosor went on to state "I cannot be expected to stand by as Israel's citizens are continually put at risk and will not accept any attacks on its territory." The government of Israel holds the government of Lebanon responsible.

How ironic! Just weeks after the Gaza War ended, there have been a number of dangerous incidents on Israel's Northern border where the Civil War in Syria has spilled over into the Golan Heights. We also know Hamas is rebuilding its tunnels and regathering weapons for its next skirmish with Israel. Israel must be on constant alert along all of its borders and constantly contend with the possible threat of a nuclear Iran.

In the October Bridges For Peace Teaching Letter, author Dr. Bill Adams included a section entitled "Israel And The Church: God's Combined Arms Team." Adams stated that non-Jews play a strategic role in the struggles Israel faces every day. Deuteronomy 32:43 states "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His servants and render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people." We, who are Gentiles, are actually commanded to rejoice in what God accomplishes for His people on His land.

It should not surprise us that the Bible believing church has emerged as the primary Gentile ally of Israel today. While Israel commits her sons and daughters on the ground, Christians engage in the spiritual battle and aid the Jewish people as they move back home to Israel. Christian assistance includes praying, providing tangible help and speaking out in support of Israel. By faith, we "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem," Psalm 122:6 while looking forward to the day when Israel will "learn war no more." Isaiah 2:4.

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

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Netanyahu - Standing Strong

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was highlighted in the news a number of times this past week. Netanyahu spoke at the United Nations General Assembly and also met with United States President Obama. A fairly positive meeting with Obama ended on a sour note when the Obama Administration strongly criticized the Jewish State after learning of the approval of construction of 2,610 apartments in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Hamatos.

Netanyahu later suggested to reporters that the Obama Administration's position was being discriminatory against the Jewish people. "Arabs in Jerusalem freely buy apartments and nobody says that it is forbidden. There cannot be discrimination between Jews and Arabs," insisted the Prime Minister. Another government official agreed saying, "Discrimination based on religion, race or gender is illegal." Arabs will be free to purchase homes in Givat Hmatos.

There also is speculation that Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations General Assembly appears to put the final nail in the coffin of the "two-state solution." Netanyahu stated clearly Israel is not prepared to repeat the mistakes of the Lebanon and Gaza withdrawals in Judea and Samaria. Deputy Transportation Minister Tzipi Hotovely believes Netanyahu had effectively stated there will never be a Palestinian State on Israel's Biblical Heartland.

Equally important, this past Sunday the Israeli Prime Minister hosted in his home his sixth open Bible study over the past two years. Many of the attendees were Knesset members and included some leading Rabbis. Netanyahu noted there are many in the world today who do not accept Israel's divine appointment to their land and deny their birthright.The Education Minister shared a teaching by Jewish Sage Rashi who taught the Bible begins with Creation to demonstrate the whole world belongs to God and He gives land to whom He will.

Surely Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu trusts God and knows and studies His word. Isaiah 49:15,16 states "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?. . .Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me." Our Lord God continually has Israel before Him as an avenue of protection. Praise The Lord!

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