"I Will Bless Those Who Bless Israel!

As I looked at a number of news headlines this week, the title of our message came to mind. When our Lord God was establishing the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12:1-3, He said to Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you (Israel)." This again raises the age old question - does God keep His Word and should we as His people do likewise? The answer to both questions is a resounding YES!

However, the reason for God's people to obey Him and keep His Word at times can be misunderstood. Should we obey God and bless Israel so we in return will be blessed or should we obey God and bless Israel because this is a desire in God's heart for His people?

In last week's message, I encouraged all of us to keep any promises we have made before our God and even use as an example promises made by the new leadership in the United States. An announcement this week showed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu thanking President Trump and Vice President Pence for their continued support of Israel and leaving military aid to Israel fully funded. The new leadership in the United States is blessing Israel as they have promised and are obeying God's Word at the same time.

Additionally, Nikki Haley who is the new U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. demonstrated her commitment to blessing Israel when she blocked the appointment of a former Palestinian Authority official to a high U.N. position. She also called U.N. Secretary General Guterres and told  him to withdraw a U.N. report describing Israel as an apartheid state. Nikki Haley is obeying God's Word and keeping her promises. 

The United Kingdom also issued an ultimatum to the U.N. - "The Anti-Israel bias must change. If this does not change, we will vote against all resolutions against Israel's conduct in Syria and the West Bank." Netanyahu personally thanked British Prime Minister May for their new approach. Great Britain is blessing Israel and obeying God's Word.

These are just a few examples of people obeying our Lord God's Word! I trust these will be good examples so we will all be encouraged to obey God's Word. 

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

Frank     

Keeping Our Promises

The Balfour Declaration was published by Great Britain exactly one hundred years ago and it said, "His Majesty's government views with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this objective." In 1920, the WWI victors confirmed the Balfour Declaration and made it a legal obligation on Britain and a legal entitlement for the Jews. Well, this all sounds good on paper but how did it all really work out?

The first betrayal of these promises came in 1921 when Arabs rioted in Palestine and Britain decided to reduce Jewish immigration. The Jews had no choice but to agree and 78% of the land promised to the Jews became Jordan. Whenever the Arabs rioted, the Jews were made to pay a price. A 1939 White Paper limited Jewish immigration to Palestine at 75,000 per year and later it became contingent on Arab consent. Great Britain did not keep their promises!

The biggest British betrayal came a few years later when Hitler came into power in Germany. Jews were denied their rights and properties in addition to losing their jobs and professions. The Jews needed to leave Germany. However, while Jews were being sent to concentration camps, Britain did not increase their emigration for them. Even when the war was over, Britain would not let many survivors into their country and the Jews ended up being housed in camps throughout Europe. If Britain had kept their promises, millions of Jews would have been saved as they were able to move to Britain or Israel.

How is all this relevant today? There is new leadership in the United States which has made some promises. The new United States Ambassador to the United Nations has stated, "The bashing of Israel at the United Nations must stop." Additionally, the United States is considering pulling out of the U.N. Human Rights Council that is anti Israel. President Trump has promised to work continually for peace in the Middle East and to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Will the new leaders in the United States keep their promises concerning Israel?

I would think many of us have also made promises concerning Israel. These might involve praying each day for God's protection, supporting them financially or speaking out regularly on their behalf. Whatever your promises, I pray we will be those who Keep Their Promises Concerning Israel!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Each Day,

Frank

          

"All Israel Will Be Saved"

Two weeks ago our message was titled "Is Anything Too Difficult For Our God?" We came to the realization that NO, absolutely nothing is too difficult for Our God.This week's message could be considered Chapter 2 of the same message but from a different viewpoint.

Let us start by thanking all those who prayed for our move to our new home.We had a very successful move and now we are living in a beautiful downsized home with no leaves to rake or bushes to trim. Our God Is Good All The Time.

This message is based on Romans 11:26 the short but very important and powerful statement which says, "All Israel Will Be Saved." What does this mean and equally important what will cause this to happen? Many bible scholars believe this brief statement means that at a point in time in the future ALL of God's original chosen people will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Messiah. Additionally, it will happen on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem as they recognize Jesus as "The One Whom They Have Pierced." Zechariah 12:10.

This raises the very important question of how could this possibly  happen? Why would all of God's chosen people move to Israel? Could a factor be that anti-semitism world wide has increased dramatically? We can look at the United States as a prime example. Since January, Jewish community centers have received 140 bomb threats, Jewish cemeteries in three cities have had hundreds of grave stones defaced, college campuses throughout the United States have become unsafe places for Jewish students. For their safety, Jews might have to move to Israel. 

In closing, let us raise the other important question - How could ALL the Jews be saved? A number of years ago, I was the Head Elder of a church in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Elders for many months tried to interpret a certain passage of scripture without any success. Finally, our Pastor said, "This is simply God being God!" As we try to rationalize All Israel Being Saved On The Mount Of Olives, could we conclude this is simply God being God?

Keep Praying For Israel And The Jewish People! Amen And Amen!

  

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

Frank