Tensions In Gaza

Israel announced last week that it desires to help the Palestinian Arabs. This is a surprise announcement because it sounds like Israel wants to help its enemies, because people assume all Palestinians are enemies of Israel. This is not true since many Palestinians live in Israel and are treated equally and they prefer living there.

Tensions have now developed among the Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. Just off the coast of the Gaza Strip a large natural gas field has been discovered. This find could dramatically boost the Gaza economy. However, Gaza is ruled by Hamas that is a terror organization. It is believed Hamas will use the gas field income to attack Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel announced the gas field will be developed by Egypt and the Palestinians leaving Hamas out of the equation. As a result, there is a great number of tensions developing in Gaza.

This Whole Scenario Needs Our Prayers!

Please Pray With Us Portions Of Psalm 118:

Vs. 1 - "Oh, give thanks to The Lord, for He is good! Because His mercy endures forever."

Vs. 2 - "Let Israel now say, 'His mercy endures forever.'"

Vs. 3 - "Let the house of Aaron now say, 'His mercy endures forever.'"

Vs. 4 -"Let those who fear The Lord now say, 'His mercy endures forever.'"

Vs. 5 - "I called on The Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place."

Vs. 6 - "The Lord is on my side, I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

Vs. 8 - "It is better to trust in The Lord than to put confidence in man."

Blessings,

Frank

Israel Today!

Psalm 83:1-4 says, "Do not keep silent, O God! And do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult . . . They have taken crafty counsel against Your people . . . They have said, 'Come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'"

Verses 5-8 actually list those countries that are trying to destroy Israel including Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and Jordan. This consultation among Israel's enemies is currently taking place in and around Israel. This has been the tenuous situation since Israel was founded in 1948. On that very special and important day, Israel was invaded by the surrounding Arab countries.

Looking in more detail at Israel today, Judea and Samaria, where Jesus performed many of His miracles, has become a place where the Palestinians claim is their property and are actually building their own towns. Also, looking further at Israel today, judges have a major influence on decisions made by the Knesset. Prime Minister Netanyahu attempted to lessen the judge's power but had to stop this attempt after much pressure from political foes.

Possibly, reports like the above come as a major surprise. After all, this is all about the Holy Land. How can we who love Israel and its people, respond? 

We Ask That You Pray With Us Psalm 99

For Our Lord God To Reign:

Vs. 1 - The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!

Vs. 2 - The Lord is great in Zion and He is high above all the peoples.

Vs. 5 - Exalt The Lord our God, and worship at His footstool; for He is holy.

Vs 6 - Moses and Aaron were among His Priests and Samuel called upon His name.

Vs. 8 - You answered them, O Lord our God, you were to them God who forgives.

Vs. 9 - Exalt The Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill.

Blessings,

Frank

  

Bring My People Home

Our last message ended with a statement that Jehovah God will bring His Chosen People Back Home. Ezekiel 36 very clearly addresses why our Lord scattered His People around the world and how and why He will bring them home. Ezekiel 36:16-21 says:

"Moreover, the word of The Lord came to me, saying; 'Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds . . . Therefore I poured out My fury on them . . . So I scattered them among the nations . . . When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name . . . But I had concern for My holy name.'"

The People of Israel offended their God with their disobedience but especially their worship of false gods and idols. As a result, their Heavenly Father distributed them all over the world where they continued their unholy ways.

However, God did not abandon them. Ezekiel 37:23 says, "They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My People and I will be their God." This process has been happening for many years and continues every day until all are back in Israel. {Ezekiel 39:28}

Please Join Us In Praying Psalm 106 

For God To Gather His Chosen People Back To Israel:

Vs. 40 - "Therefore the wrath of The Lord was kindled against His People"

Vs. 41 - "And He gave them into the hands of the Gentiles"

Vs. 44 - "Nevertheless He regarded their affliction"

Vs. 45 - "And for their sake He remembered His covenant"

Vs. 47 - "Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles"

Vs. 48 - "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting"

Blessings,

Frank  

The Light Of The World

Our message today will be somewhat different as I will be referencing information written by Cheryl Hauer who is with the "Bridges For Peace Ministry" located in Jerusalem.

A recent Gallup Poll indicates that unhappiness is on the rise throughout the world. The Middle East is one of the saddest regions on earth. The four saddest of the top ten countries include Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. However, 84% of Israelis say they are not sad, 75% are not stressed, 66% live lives of enjoyment, 64% are well rested and 85% feel fulfilled. 

Overall, Israelis are healthy people. Israel comes in at number ten in the list of healthy countries of the world. It is believed that a healthy diet and low alcohol consumption play a large part in a healthy Israel. Israel's excellent healthcare system is very important. The fact that Israel has mandatory military service for men and women contributes to a fit and healthy society. 

Thank you, Cheryl Hauer for the excellent above information. 

Most importantly, God created Israel and her people and is bringing them home from throughout the world so they can be the "Light Of The World!"  

Please Join Us In Praying Psalm 105:

Vs. 1 - "Oh give thanks to The Lord! Call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples."

Vs. 2 - "Sing to Him, Sing Psalms to Him; Talk of all His wonderous works."

Vs. 42 - "For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant."

Vs. 43 - "He brought out His people with joy."

Vs. 44 - "He gave them the land of the Gentiles."

Vs. 45 - "That they might observe His statutes and keep His laws."

Blessings,

Frank  

Israeli Casualties

Israel has suffered loss of life and serious injuries from numerous wars and continuing terror attacks. This has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Israelis suffering from Post - Traumatic Stress. Even in the year of 1948 when Israel was formed as a State, immediately they were invaded by surrounding Arab countries. 

This year on Yom Hazikaron {Memorial Day for the fallen soldiers of the wars of Israel and victims of actions of terrorism} Israel mourned 24,213 victims. This number included 4,255 civilian victims who have been murdered by terrorist attacks.

So far, we have only addressed the threat of continuing terror attacks in Israel. However, Israel is surrounded by those who desire to totally eliminate them as a State. Hezbullah, a terror organization, is located on Israeli's northern border with thousands of rockets pointed toward Israel. Gaza, located on Israel's southwest border, is a terror organization that shoots rockets into Israel on a regular basis. Syria is located on Israel's northeast border and currently houses Russian and Iranian troops who certainly are not friends of Israel.

Isaiah 40:1 says, "Comfort, Yes, Comfort My People!" We probably do not know any of those who have lost their lives but we can be involved in comforting their families through our prayers. 

Please Join Us In Praying Psalm 91:

Vs. 2 - "I will say of The Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress."

Vs. 4 - "He shall cover you with His feathers and under His wings you shall take refuge."

Vs. 5 - "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night nor of the arrow that flies by day."

Vs. 9, 10, 11 - "Because you have made The Lord, who is your refuge, even the Most High, your habitation, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plaque come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."

Blessings,

Frank