The Threat of Iran

Iran has apparently produced an intercontinental missile with a range that far exceeds the distance between Iran and Israel. Last week, satellite imagery taken by Israel's Eros-B Satellite showed a new missile launch site capable of firing an ICBM. On the launch site was a new 27 - meter long missile never seen before.

The missile and launch pad indicate Iran's Ballistic Missile Program is an important part of its Nuclear Weapons Program. As a result, Iran is not merely a threat to Israel but also to Europe and the United States.

Of equal concern for Israel is the diplomatic action taken by the Joint Plan of Action initiated by the United States, Germany, France, Great Britain, China and Russia. The Joint Plan signed with Iran in November of 2013 placed no limitation on Iran's Ballistic Missile Program. The agreement is supposed to limit Iran's enrichment of uranium. However, since the agreement, Iran actually has expanded its uranium and plutonium work. It appears now Iran has sufficient quantities of uranium to produce two nuclear bombs with a missile launch site.

Additionally, since the agreement Iran has repeatedly refused to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency access to its nuclear installations. The United States and its partners do not know for sure what nuclear installations Iran has or what nuclear development work it has undertaken.

How do the leaders of Israel, the United States and Europe respond to the news of almost immediate danger from Iran? They all need the wisdom of God! In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses renewed the Old Covenant given at Mt.Sinai in three messages. The first message in Chapters 1-4 proclaim obedience brings blessings from God. Chapter 4  verses 1,6,7, and 8 say, "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe. . .therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom . . .For what great nation is there that has God so near to it?. . .And what great nation is there that has such statutes?" The leaders mentioned earlier will receive blessings and especially wisdom as they obey His statutes. 

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

Frank      

French Jews Making Aliyah

After the recent terrorist attacks in France, I read three editorials with the same message - "Jewish people living in France are moving to Israel at an accelerated pace." Can we possibly blame them? France has become extremely anti-Semitic. Caroline Glick, a journalist with the Jerusalem Post, wrote an article entitled, "The Answer To French Anti-Semitism." Most of what I share with you today is from this article.

Early live reports from France during the hostage taking situation at the Kosher Supermarket did not even mention the hostages were Jews. It is believed Marseilles will be the first Western European city with a Muslim majority population. The overwhelming sentiment among French elites is hostility toward Israel. French President Hollande told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu not to attend the anti-terror march in Paris on January 11, 2015. Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders are now calling for the Jews living in France to make Aliyah by moving back to Israel.

The threat of Aliyah is the only subject that causes French authorities to speak directly against anti-Semitism. The year 2014 saw a 50% increase in French Aliyah and it is anticipated 15,000 will move to Israel in 2015 with the number increasing each year. This will have a dramatic negative effect on the French economy. By the way, there are over 700 verses in the Word of God indicating the Jewish people will move back to Israel.

Our Lord God in Genesis 12:3 said to Abram, "I will bless those who bless you (Israel), and I will curse him who curses you." I believe this Word of our Lord God is now coming to fruition in  France.  Are you in agreement with me?

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

Frank   

    

Hypocrisy Toward Israel

We are all saddened and in prayer for the victim's families after hearing about three terrorist incidents in Paris this past week. A Jewish market was invaded and four patrons killed while preparing for the start of Shabbat. The most severe attack was the invasion and killing of 14 employees of the Charlie Hebdo Magazine. It appears Jihadist terrorists were attempting to destroy "Freedom of Speech" in France.

How does the incident at Charlie Hebdo Magazine affect Israel and especially where is the hypocrisy toward Israel? It is well known that Western Europe and especially France have become extremely Anti-Semitic within the last few years. How ironic and hypocritical this is since Israel is the only state in the Middle East with free elections, freedom of speech, political opposition and independent press, equal rights and protections for minorities and women.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently observed, "There is a standard for dictatorships, there is a standard for democracies and there is still a third standard for the democracy called Israel." What other country gives medical treatment to terrorists and their children? What other country gives refuge to a Hamas convert to Christianity? 

What is happening to Israel will eventually come to the West since Israel is an extension of the West.This past week in Paris is an illustration of this principle. Now this extremely important question arises - will Western Europe and especially France now change its stance toward Israel?

My prayer this day for all peoples in these challenging times is that we all proclaim like Moses just before his death about the one true God, "For I proclaim the name of The Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is The Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice. A God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He." Deuteronomy 32:3,4.

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

Frank       

Prayer Points For 2015

Major General Amos Yadlin is the Director of Tel Aviv United Nations Institute for National Security Studies. He recently published an analysis of the events in Israel in 2014 and challenges ahead for 2015. The challenges listed below can be used as prayer points emphasis for Israel in 2015:

The most serious threat to Israel remains Iran's preparation to become a nuclear power. The leadership of Iran mentioned again this week of their goal to destroy Israel. Talks concerning Iran's preparation for nuclear capability continue with a projected completion date of June, 2015.

Turkey is becoming a key player in the battle to contain ISIS. However, Turkey will not join the conflict until the United States commits to replacing Assad.

The terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon has been relatively quiet for seven years but there are signs of this changing quickly.

Israel should commit to a total and complete victory in any future conflict with Hamas.

The Palestinian Authority has become involved in diplomatic moves in Europe and the United Nations. April 1, 2015 the PA becomes a member of the International Court in the Hague. The PA recently petitioned the U.N. to become a Palestinian State.

Will the change in the control of the United States Congress result in more positive relations with Israel?

These prayer points for Israel in 2015 was published by Bridges For Peace on their web site, bfp.com. As a word of encouragement for us who support Israel and for them is in Psalm 105:15 when The Lord points out that when the Jewish people wandered from one nation to another He said to the kings, "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm."

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

Frank