A Heart Of Compassion

Last Saturday morning a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, the death toll has climbed to over 5,000. There are still many residents missing and homeless, possibly located under the ruins of buildings. Even before the earthquake, Nepal was considered a poverty stricken country.

Israel has responded immediately with compassion, aid and hands-on assistance. Numerous Israelis are in Nepal to help in the search and rescue efforts and provide medical treatment and other support to victims. Approximately 240 Israeli Defense Force personnel are involved in searching for survivors. Medical personnel have set up a Field Hospital in the capital of Nepal to treat 200 patients per day.

Israel has a long tradition of rushing to the aid of those in need. Regardless of where disaster strikes, Israelis are often the first to respond. The list of natural disasters in which Israel has responded is impressive: Earthquake in Haiti, 2010; Typhoon in the Philippines, 2013; Earthquake in Japan, 2011; Earthquake in Myanmar, 2011; Hurricane Katrina in USA, 2005; Tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, 2004.

An important and interesting side note - Israel is possibly due for a major earthquake as on the average of every 80 to 100 years  an earthquake of 6 or more on the Richter Scale has occurred. The last one took place in 1927. Is this prophetic? Ezekiel 38:19 shows our Lord God ending the Battle of Gog and Magog with a "Great Earthquake."

Israel responding quickly and with compassion to disasters and to people in extreme need is a wonderful example for all of us. Isaiah 58:6,7,10 our Lord God raises the question, "Is this not the fast that I have chosen. . .Is it not to share your bread with the hungry. . .when you see the naked, that you cover him. . .if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness?"

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

Frank    

Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke last Wednesday night at Yad Vashen to start the Holocaust Remembrance Day that would take place on the next day. All of our message this week is taken directly from his "Kickoff" speech.

Netanyahu connected lessons learned from the Holocaust with Israel today. Iran, he said, is the twenty-first century version of Hitler's Germany and Radical Islam is its version of Nazi ideology. He drew direct parallels between world attempts to appease Hitler in the 1930's and the attempts to appease Iran today. He raised the question, "Has the world learned a lesson about the futility of appeasing a ruthless regime with global ambitions? I wish I could tell you the answer is yes. Just as the Nazis aspired to crush civilization and establish a 'master race' while annihilating the Jewish people, so today does Iran."

The Israeli Prime Minister went on to point out, "All Iran is doing is in broad daylight in front of cameras, yet the blindness of world leaders and the worldly media is immense." He quoted from Isaiah, "For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples." World powers ignore those in Iran that shout, death to America; death to Israel. Worldly leaders also say nothing about wholesale executions and the arming of terrorists by Iran.

Netanyahu did attempt to bring in some hope pointing out Israel's developing alliances with Saudia Arabia and Egypt but added, "If we are compelled to stand alone, we will not be afraid. We will keep our resolve to defend ourselves. The nation of Israel that has risen from the Holocaust is ready for any challenge."

We also who put our hope in our Lord God can be encouraged by Chapter 2 of Isaiah which describes "The Day Of The Lord" that appears to be approaching rapidly. "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of The Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, come, and let us go up to the mountain of our Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of The Lord from Jerusalem. O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of The Lord." Isaiah 2:2,3,5.

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

Frank

A Coincidence?

April 1st, the President of the United States announced a "Framework" nuclear agreement with Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu immediately warned that this will threaten the very existence of Israel. However, the significance of the date needs a much closer look.

On the Jewish calendar for this year, April 1st coincided with Nisan 13, the date in history when King Ahasuerus of Persia signed an agreement for the destruction of the Jews in his country. President Obama made his announcement on the very same day of the month that King Ahasuerus and his leaders had previously come together to issue their statement. This historical reference comes from Mark Bilz, Pastor of El-Shaddai Ministries in Bonney Lake, Washington.

Is this just a mere coincidence or is our Lord God showing us something very important from His perspective? Author Joel Richardson states, "The God of Heaven and earth frequently orchestrates world events in such a way to demonstrate His perspective. It is the cynic that dismisses the possibility of a Divine hint as a mere coincidence. I think we need to be looking at this very seriously." 

Iran does not recognize Israel's right to exist. Their leaders have said they will burn Tel Aviv. One nuclear weapon would wipe out this city of 400,000 people. Additionally, news reports within the last few days report that Russia has decided to sell to Iran defensive missiles.

How do we, who love and pray for Israel, respond to such reports as these? I believe we need to be on our knees more than ever and pray more powerfully and effectively with wisdom from our Lord God. Proverbs 4:1,5,7 say, "Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding. . .Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. . .Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting, get understanding." 

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

Frank   

Passover 2015

Passover is a special time of the year in Israel as God's covenant people remember how they were freed from slavery in Egypt and returned to their God given land. They also look forward to the future and at the challenges and security threats facing Israel. As they are celebrating Passover 2015 with their families, the following appears to be the main security threats.

The Egyptian Border - There is an increase in terrorists activities since 2010 with a peak last year. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have built a new security fence between Israel and Egypt. The main concern is that terrorists will try to attack IDF forces on the border. 

The Gaza Strip - Hamas and Islamic Jihad are working hard to rebuild their military capabilities. Hamas is spending large amounts of money in restoring its stockpile of weapons and its tunnel networks. As a result, the re-construction of civilian facilities is a low priority. 

Judea and Samaria - There are regular arrests of terrorist cells planning to kill civilians. Morning prayers at a synagogue were suddenly stopped when two terrorists carried out a massacre. Car ramming attacks have killed numerous citizens.

The Syrian Border - Two rockets have been shot into Israeli territory out of Syria. There have also been explosions along the border injuring Israeli civilians. Additionally, Syrian military aircraft have been seen flying over Israel. 

The Lebanese Border - Hezbollah is a strong force in southern Lebanon, one of their missile attacks killed two IDF soldiers on the Israeli side of the border. Hezbollah maintains 30,000 soldiers and 170,000 rockets pointed at Israel able to reach any location.

All of this does not even include the threat of a nuclear Iran which will be addressed in our message next week.

Last Monday as part of Passover, thousands of Jews joined together at the Western Wall to receive God's blessing for themselves and their nation from hundreds of priests. These blessings occur three times a year as part of Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles when Jewish men come up to Jerusalem.

The Priestly Blessing reads, "The Lord Bless You And Keep You; The Lord Make His Face Shine Upon You, And Be Gracious To You; The Lord Lift Up His Countenance Upon You, And Give You Peace." Numbers 6:24-26. How special and important it would be if all of us would pray this blessing over Israel and our families each day.

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

Frank 

Holy Week Message

This is my favorite week  of the year as we, who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, spend time in reverence and thankfulness toward our Heavenly Father remembering His plan of salvation. Our Lord God planned, through creation, to have a close and intimate relationship with all of us. However, Adam and Eve broke this relationship in the Garden of Eden by bringing sin into the world. However, God sent His Son to earth to shed His own blood redeeming our sins and leading to salvation. Romans 10:9 says, "That if you confess with your mouth The Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

But salvation is only the beginning - it is only the first step toward establishing the intimacy that God desires. At that moment, God gives to each of us the choice of increasing the maturity and intimacy of our relationship with Him. Philippians 2:12 says, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." 

We can learn a lot about this relationship that God desires with us by examining how our Lord God set up the camp of the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness. He put His tabernacle in the middle of the camp and put Himself in a definite spot inside symbolizing His desired place within our lives. In the same way today, as we enter into God's salvation, we enter into His protection, His covering and a certain level of relationship with Him. There is more to be had as we move toward the center.

Especially during this Holy Week, let us all thank our Lord God for His plan of salvation but also recommit our hearts and minds towards a deeper and closer relationship with Him. Amen and Amen! 

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

Frank

United Nations Bias

The United Nations determined last week Israel is the greatest violator of Women's Rights in the world because it is "violating the rights of Palestinian women." The United Nations Commission on Status of Women (CSW) only condemned Israel among its 193 members.

This action drew sharp criticism from Israeli leaders who stated among the 193 members of the CSW there are dozens who slaughter innocent civilians and impose discriminatory laws that violate women's rights with the primary violators being Iran and The Sudan. Israel's representative to the CSW said recently, "change will come for Palestinian women when their leadership takes responsibility for its own people."

The truth of the matter is Israel in its Declaration of Independence promises "complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants regardless of religion, race or sex." The 2014 World Economic Forum report ranked Israel 57th out of 137 for Female Political Empowerment with the United States ranked 54th and Saudi Arabia ranked 117th. The previous Israeli government had 27 women, both Jewish and Arab, as lawmakers among its members. Israel stands out as a place where gender equality is a fundamental goal of government.

Why such bias against Israel? All of this is another sign of the days and times in which we live. Zechariah 12 refers to a time period called "in that day" in which most Bible Scholars believe is a time period just prior to Jesus returning to earth. Zechariah 12:2,3,9 say the following, "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples. . .and it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. . .it shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." We, who love and support Israel, certainly can take comfort from our Lord God's response to these difficult and challenging days in which we live. Hallelujah!

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

Frank            

Bibi's Big Win

Newspaper headlines in Israel are declaring Benjamin Netanyahu's win in Tuesday's election as a "Shocking And Sweeping Victory." Israeli elections are very different than other democratic societies. Israeli voters elect a party from which the Prime Minister comes, who then must form a coalition from the other parties that will govern with the Prime Minister.

Israeli elections determine a value or seat total for each party and the total of all parties is 120. The elected party and its named Prime Minister must form a coalition from other parties of at least 61 seats. The parties forming the coalition will then be the governing body that is called The Knesset. Confusing, isn't it?

Netanyahu's victory is being described as a big surprise with some even calling it "A Miracle." Netanyahu's party (Likud) was projected to win around 20 seats but the final tally showed them winning 30 Knesset seats. Additionally, it appears a sure bet that Netanyahu will be able to form the coalition without much difficulty. 

Let me go back and look at the concept of all of this possibly being a miracle performed by our Lord God! Netanyahu's victory was accomplished even with overwhelming odds against him. The opposition, that did everything they could to defeat him, included the Israeli media; pre-election and exit polls; interference by foreign governments; and opposition parties including a new Arab party. It is also very important to realize that the closest opposition party, the Zionist Union, campaigned on turning half of Israel over to its enemies.

I am going to join the chorus of those proclaiming this victory A Miracle Of Our Lord God! Daniel 2:19-21 proclaim, "Daniel answered and said blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."

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

Frank