Ten Years Later

Last Monday, July 27, 2015, marked the ten year anniversary of Israel evacuating 8,000 of their residents from the Gaza Strip. In the process, the evacuated Israelis left behind family homes, businesses, farms and their lives in the 21 communities of Gaza.

How did the Israeli government reach such a decision? Prime Minister Ariel Sharon felt the withdrawal would result in an increased security for the residents of Israel. He believed the offer of land which the Palestinians demanded would reduce friction leading to peace.

Well, what has been the result of this decision over the past ten years? Gaza has become a safe haven for the terrorist organization Hamas who have been using and abusing the people of Gaza to continue its war against Israel. Hamas has fired 15,000 rockets and mortars at Israeli citizens and has put tunnels in place under Israel to attack its towns and communities.

 This Decision By The Leaders Of Israel Ten Years Ago 

Was A Terrible Mistake! 

Let's consider, could the recently announced Nuclear Deal with Iran be a similar terrible mistake resulting in an extremely dangerous scenario for Israel and the whole Middle East? The Deal puts a lot of trust in believing Iran will obey its regulations. This is the same Iran who chants "Death to Israel" and "Death to the United States." Previously, the leaders of Israel thought they could trust the rulers of Gaza!

We can and must put our trust in the power and effectiveness of prayer! The United States Congress has 60 days to approve or disapprove The Deal. Chapter 3 of Proverbs is entitled "Benefits of Wisdom." Verses 5 through 7 proclaim, "Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear The Lord and depart from evil." The leaders of the countries who passed The Deal need our Lord God's wisdom, He can change their hearts and minds. Please pray accordingly! 

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

Frank   

The Abrahamic Covenant

Last week's message centered on reactions to what is referred to as the Iran Nuclear Deal. Some deal - Iran receives all it requested and more and gives up nothing. Israel, the most threatened country by this deal, was not even part of the negotiations. This is all difficult to understand and accept.

This week we will continue our response to those inaccurate reports that this deal is "Death To Israel." Those who report in this manner obviously do not know the heart and will of our Lord God. A study of the Abrahamic Covenant will prove this point without any question.

The Abrahamic Covenant is a promise made by God specifically to the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. The primary emphasis of the promise concerned a very specific and literal piece of land. The promise made is unconditional meaning it will never be broken.

What is the promise? Genesis 15:18 shows our Lord God saying to Abraham, "I have given this land to your descendants - from the river Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates River." The exact piece of land promised had a Western boundary of the Mediterranean Sea; a Northern boundary of North Lebanon and Syria; an Eastern boundary of the Euphrates River and a Southern boundary of Northern Egypt.

As we study history of Israel, we realize that the Jewish people have never inhabited all of the "Promised Land." To be sure, our Lord God is truly a Promise Keeper. If The Lord promised this actual land, then that is exactly what The Lord will give them in the age to come. In the book of Deuteronomy alone, The Lord reiterated the land promises to Israel nearly 70 times. All together, these promises are mentioned one way or another more than 200 times throughout the Word of God.

David, when threatened by enemies, cried out to God in Psalm 35, "Lord, oppose those who oppose me; fight against those who fight against me. Grasp your shield and protective gear, and rise to my defense. Brandish spear and battle-axe against my pursuers; let me hear you say 'I am your salvation.'" We can cry out in a similar manner to our God on behalf of Israel.

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

Frank

"A Bad Mistake Of Historic Proportions"

Last Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking at his weekly cabinet meeting called the international negotiations with Iran a parade of concessions. Even during the negotiations Iran's leaders continued with threatening statements against Israel and the United States. Last Friday Iran's President Hassan Rouhinni was part of Al Quds Day when Israeli and American flags were burned along with chants of "Death To Israel and Death To America." 

Netanyahu went on to say, "Iran does not hide its intention to continue their murderous aggression even against those with whom it is negotiating. Israel is not prepared to pay the price for the deep concessions to Iran that the Five World Powers appear willing to make to secure a nuclear deal." 

The Israeli Prime Minister even played a 57 second video of President Clinton announcing a nuclear agreement with North Korea. Clinton announced it as a good deal for the United States since North Korea would freeze and dismantle its nuclear program. Despite that agreement, North Korea detonated a nuclear weapon 12 years later.

This past Tuesday we were informed  that an agreement was reached with Iran granting them far - reaching concessions in all areas. Netanyahu responded by saying, "The Iran nuclear deal is a bad mistake of historic proportions." For example, all economic sanctions against Iran were lifted and sixteen billion dollars in held Iranian assets were released allowing them to buy additional weapons and stabilizing their economy.

Some news reports were declaring, "This is death to Israel." This is very careless, irresponsible and inaccurate reporting! Witness the word of our Lord God in Jeremiah 31:34,35 "This is what The Lord says, who gives the sun as light for the day, who ordained the laws for the moon and stars, to provide light for the night, who stirs up the sea until its waves roar - The Lord is His name: If these laws leave my presence, says The Lord, then the offspring of Israel will stop being a nation in my presence forever." 

Israel Will Continue To Exist No Matter What We

 See,  Hear Or Experience In This World. 

Praise The Lord!   

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Each Day,

Frank  

ISIS On Israel's Border

Within the last two weeks, ISIS has launched attacks against Egypt along Israel's Sinai border. The surprise attacks caught Egypt's Security Forces off guard and was a simultaneous attack against 15 Egyptian security posts along Egypt's Northern border with Israel. Equally surprising was that ISIS used sophisticated and modern weapons. Egypt quickly received permission from Israel to move armored personnel carriers, helicopters and fighter jets to the Sinai.

Israel is concerned because they wonder if this conflict could develop into rocket or mortar fire toward Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces closed all Sinai crossings along Highway 12 which runs along their Southern border with Egypt. Additionally, the Israeli Defense Forces reinforced its presence in the area to include helicopter and fighter jet patrols.

These developments are serious and are being addressed appropriately by Israel and Egypt. Notice both countries have responded in almost identical ways even in a posture of cooperation. Is all of this prophetic and the start of a time of revival in Egypt? Isaiah 19:19, 24, 25 say, "In that day there will be an altar to The Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt and a pillar to The Lord at its border . . . In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land, whom The Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.'" The day is coming when Egypt, Iraq and Israel will worship our Lord God together. Are all these developments a preview?

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

Frank        

An Act Of Disobedience

"If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book." Revelation 22:18. Our Lord God is very clear in respect to those who feel they can add to the contents of His Holy Word. Obviously, this message is very important to our Lord God as He ends His Holy Book with this message. 

The end of last week we all witnessed those who thought it appropriate to add to our Lord God's Word. The United States Supreme Court determined that the definition of marriage should now include the union of same sex couples. This in effect adds to and changes the Word of God. This is an act of disobedience.

How does our Lord God react to willful acts of disobedience? Deuteronomy 28 lists numerous blessings for obedience but also Promised Curses For Disobedience. Verse 45 is a summery statement, "Moreover, all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you."

Another possible act of disobedience might take place this coming September 15th in the United Nations General Assembly. France will bring forth a resolution which will recognize a Palestinian State. In the past, the United States has always vetoed such resolutions. However, this might not be a sure reaction on the part of the United States anymore. Genesis 15:18 clearly states that our Lord God gave almost the whole Middle East to His Covenant people - The Jewish people. 

We live in unstable and challenging times. However, our Lord God states in Revelation 1:5 that He is "The ruler over the kings of the earth." We need to be in continuous prayer that all the rulers of the earth will hear and know the Word of God and obey! 

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

Frank