Unity . . . Pleasing To God

"Behold, How Good And How Pleasant It Is 

For Brethren To Dwell Together In Unity!" 

Psalm 133:1

I would think all of us, who love our Lord God, work each day toward wanting to do good in order to please Him. The above verse however, says it is good and pleasant in God's eyes to live in harmony with our brethren. In this verse brethren means all mankind. As a result it is our Lord God's good and perfect will for all of mankind to "dwell together in unity."

All we have to do is listen to the news each day to ascertain that all of God's creation is not dwelling in unity. This raises the question, why has this been a major problem throughout all of history? A very important reason for this is our evil adversary Satan roams about the earth seeking whom he may devour, 1 Peter 5:8.

However, we will concentrate our message this week on the continuing conflict in the relationship between the Jewish people and their enemies. When our Lord God established the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12:2 He said, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing." The "you" referred to in this verse are the descendants of Isaac. In Genesis 18:19 God says, "I will establish My Covenant with Isaac for an everlasting Covenant and with his descendants after him."

A primary reason for the conflict between Jews and their enemies is the false interpretation of God's Word in Genesis 12:2 and Genesis 18:19. The descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son through Hagar, believe God established the Abrahamic Covenant through Ishmael and his descendants. This is not the truth of God's Word!   

The truth for all mankind to know is our Lord God loves all of His creation including the descendants of Ishmael. He desires for all mankind to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We hear of Arab men having visions of Jesus and instantly being saved. Bless and praise His holy name! The unity of faith leads to the unity of the brethren.

What can we do to facilitate God's desire for "brethren to live in unity?" Of course, we need to pray fervently but also share the Gospel message with boldness. Romans 10:14-15 says, "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'"

Let all of us share the "Good News" with all the brethren!

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

Frank

Co-Existence

Most commonly the stories of Jews and Palestinians living side by side in the communities and settlements of Judea and Samaria give the impression of tension and even hatred. This is because the land itself appears to be disputed in the eyes of Israel's enemies and the world media.To settle this so-called land dispute, the land was given to Abraham's descendants in Genesis 15:18. There is no land dispute, it belongs to the Jewish people!

In Judea and Samaria or the West Bank as the world media calls it, Jews and Palestinians live side by side. How does this unique and tenuous arrangement work in the majority of situations? Overall, pretty good. Yes, occasionally there are terror attacks similar to those happening all over the world. However, in the majority of scenarios, we should be thanking our Lord God that the two camps appear to be co-existing. As a word of encouragement our message this week will illustrate examples of this positive co-existence.

This month saw a Palestinian terrorist shooting attack in which Rabbi Michael Mark was killed and his family wounded. The first person on the scene was a Palestinian who rescued the children of Rabbi Mark from the wrecked vehicle. Next on the scene was another Palestinian Dr. Sharach and his wife, a nurse, who administered first aid to all the wounded. As a result, two Israeli Medical Organizations have publicly thanked Dr. Sharach for his actions. Praise The Lord for this courageous and merciful act.

Another encouraging and uplifting story talks about a Jewish soldier and his attitude toward Palestinians. Hananya Naftali stated, "I believe in peace even as a Jewish Israeli soldier, I love the Palestinians." Let us pray and believe that the majority of Jews and Palestinians living in Judea and Samaria have a similar mindset. 

I know you all believe our Lord God hears and answers all our prayers. Psalm 122:6 exhorts each of us to pray for "The Peace Of Jerusalem." Most Bible scholars believe Jerusalem in this case refers to all of the people living in Israel also including the Jewish people worldwide. Being faithful to this exhortation will honor and please our Lord God and Savior! 

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

Frank  

"You Shall Love . . ."

News headlines this past week were not of the type to make one feel very good about what is happening worldwide. Last Friday in Dallas, Texas five policemen were murdered trying to restore order during an anti-police demonstration. We also learned from Iran that they along with Hezbollah have 100,000 missiles ready to use during an attack on Israel. Iran made this announcement as their own "final solution" for the problem of Israel. 

Additionally, 50,000 young people are attending a summer camp in Gaza. When we think of summer camps, we normally think of swimming, playing games and bonfires. No, not in Gaza which is under the control of Hamas, a terror organization. These 50,000 young people are being trained to be terrorists in this summer camp.

How do we who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior and love Israel respond to all this negative news? Mark 12:30-31 says,

"And you shall love The Lord your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. 

This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this; 

you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no

 other commandment greater than these." 

There is a very uplifting story as part of the events in Dallas which I believe illustrates "Loving Your Neighbor" in very difficult circumstances. The Dallas Chief of Police approached a long line of demonstrators and said the following, "Instead of standing in a line shouting anti-police slogans, why don't you join us and become policemen to help solve these difficulties? We will even send you back to function in your own neighborhood." This was a response of love in a very challenging environment.

Our Lord God also declares in Deuteronomy 6:4-9,

Here, O Israel; The Lord our God, The Lord is one! 

You shall love The Lord your God with all your heart,

 with all your soul and with all your might. 

And these words which I command you today 

shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently 

to your children, and shall talk of them when 

you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, 

when you lie down and when you rise up. 

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand 

and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

You shall write them on the doorposts of

 your house and on your gates."

Our Lord God gives to all of us a clear format of how to function in a challenging world. He desires for us to love Him first with all our heart, soul and strength. Then He desires for us to teach these principles to our children and to all people as He gives us opportunity. What a different world we would live in if God's people practiced Matthew 12:30-31 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

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

Frank 

   

Israel's Next War!

The main theme of last week's message was for all of us to "Know The Truth And Proclaim The Truth." Part of the truth concerned the land of Israel, defining the land given to Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 15:18. We also learned God's Covenant People have never occupied all of this land but will occupy it in the future. Obadiah 1:19-20.

Our message this week will define what is believed to be "Israel's Next War" and as a result how the land of Israel is dramatically expanded. Psalm 83:2-4 shows us how the nations surrounding Israel plan for its destruction as a nation, "For behold, 'your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate you have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'" 

Current headlines validate these plans against God's People. The Syrian Civil War has crossed their border into Israel causing Israel to respond. Hezbollah in Lebanon is storing thousands of missiles for a future war with Israel. Hamas in Gaza continues to build tunnels even into Southern Israel as preparation for their next war with Israel. As part of Ramadan, there has been numerous Palestinian terror attacks against Jewish people living in Judea and Samaria. It certainly appears the Psalm 83 War is close at hand.

However, we Praise Our Lord God for His continual hand of protection for His Covenant People. Israel has never lost a war and they do not lose the Psalm 83 War either. The book of Obadiah verses 15 to 18 is called the Judgment On Edom. Who is Edom? Edom is current day Arabs who are descendants from Esau and who comprise most of the populations of the current Middle East. The above verses show how our Lord God responds to the Edomites (Arabs) for their mistreatment of Israel. Hallelujah! 

Lastly, Obadiah 1:19-20 is a detailed description of Israel expanding and occupying the rest of the land given to them by God in Genesis 15:18. Be encouraged, Psalm 125:1-3, says, "Those who trust in The Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so The Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous." 

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

Frank