City Of God - Psalm 87:3

How important is Jerusalem to our Lord God? When we search scriptures we find that Jerusalem is described by 70 different names and everyone illustrates Jerusalem as God's city and how much He loves Jerusalem. Let me share a few names to illustrate this point:  City of God - Psalm 87:3, City of The Living God - Hebrews 12:22, Mountain of The Lord - Isaiah 2:3, My City - Isaiah 45:13, My Holy Hill - Psalm 2:6 and The Throne of The Lord - Jeremiah 3:17.

Another extraordinary example of God's love for Jerusalem and Israel happened 50 years ago in June of 1967. This event can only be described as a miracle of God, one of many He has performed for Israel. At the time, East Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria were under Jordanian control. This meant that the Jewish people in Jerusalem could not go to their Holy Sites in East Jerusalem or pray at the Western Wall. The event we are about to describe is referred to as the Six Day War of 1967.

Arab countries had surrounded the Jewish State with the intent of destroying Israel. Realizing the situation, Israel attempted a peaceful negotiation. However, the Arab forces led by the Egyptian President Nasser, still were determined to attack Israel. The odds of victory for Israel were limited since their forces were outnumbered and the enemy had three times the tanks and four times as many aircraft. 

In a bold and surprise move, the Israeli Air Force launched a strike on the Egyptian Air Force. This maneuver resulted in one of the most brilliant and surprise attacks in the history of warfare. As a result, on June 7, 1967 a brigade of Israeli paratroopers broke through the Old City walls and in victory marched to the Western Wall. The result was the sound of shofars blowing, the sound of voices singing at the Western Wall and Rabbi Goren declaring, "Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, Who comforts Zion and builds Jerusalem."

A week later the world was stunned. Military experts could not explain such a surprise victory. Moshe Dayan, commander of the Israeli forces, recognized the result as a miracle of God. He later said, "This was the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." We need to pray for our Lord God's miracle working power of protection for Israel each day. He Is Still A Miracle Working God !

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank   

   

                                              

"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

Is Anything Too Difficult For Our God?

In chapter thirty two of Jeremiah the question raised in the title of our message this week is asked twice. Both times the answer is a resounding No! Verse 17 shows Jeremiah stating, "There is nothing too hard for you." (God) Then in verse 27 The Lord Himself says, "Is there anything too hard for Me?" 

This concept came to mind this week as I read an article entitled, "Israel and Saudi Arabia: A United Front." This is very significant since from the birth of Israel in 1948, Israel and Saudi Arabia have not had any formal diplomatic ties. However, currently the threat of Iran has Israel and Saudi Arabia seeing eye to eye. At the Munich Security Conference both nations issued almost identical warnings of caution against Iranian aggression. Israeli Defense Minister Liberman stated, "The real division is not Jew and Muslim but moderate people versus radical people."

Let us take this message a step further. Isaiah 19:23-25 says, "In that day, there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. 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 will bless, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people and Assyria the work of My hands and Israel My inheritance.'"

But I must admit I have wondered how all this is possible. These three verses from our Lord God says there will be a highway running from Egypt to Assyria which is current day Iraq. This means the highway would have to travel thru Saudi Arabia. This also shows Jews and Muslims worshiping our Lord God together. Again, how is all this possible?

It is possible because of our Lord God proclaiming in Jeremiah 32:17 & 27 that nothing is too difficult for Him. This really is all we need to know! Hallelujah!  Additionally, when we see Israel and Saudi Arabia working together, is this a little glimpse of Isaiah 19:23-25 starting to come to fruition? 

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

Frank

I will not have a message for a short while as we are moving to a new home, please continue in your prayers and support for Israel.

Need For Repentance?

In Genesis 12:3 our Lord God said to Abraham and his descendants as he was establishing His covenant with them, "I will bless those who bless you." Our Lord God chose Abraham and his descendants to be His covenant people through Isaac and Jacob. He also said that He would bless those who bless these chosen people which became known as the Jewish people.

However, when we look at the history of the Christian Church we find that this has not been the case since Anti-Semitism has been around for a long time. During the early days of the church, Justin Martyr stated, "The Jewish scriptures are no longer yours, they are now ours. The Jews are now disinherited from the grace of God."

The Emperor Constantine promoted separation from the "despicable Jews." Augustine's sermon entitled Against The Jews impacted Martin Luther who promoted setting fire to Jewish Synagogues and schools. It is believed that Luther's writings inspired the horrors of the Holocaust. 

Today there are denominations, churches and seminaries that adhere to the false doctrine of "Replacement Theology." These false teachings proclaim that the church has replaced Judaism and the Jews have no future in God's plans. Nothing Could Be Further From The Truth Of God's Word!  The following two mainline denominations have been fervent in their Anti-Semitic views: The Presbyterian Church USA and The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

The good news is Evangelicals are the largest pro-Israel group in the United States. A poll found 82% of Evangelicals believe God gave Israel to the Jewish people.

In closing this vitally important message, I would encourage all of us to be absolutely sure our individual churches and denominations are those who are blessing Israel and the Jewish people. If not, a time of repentance is necessary and appropriate!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank     

"You Shall Be A Blessing"

When our Lord God established His covenant with Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 12:2-3, He created the following three truths which we will examine in this message:  

"I Will Make You A Great Nation" - Israel

"I Will Bless You And Make Your Name Great

And You Shall Be A Blessing"

"In You All Families Of The Earth Shall Be Blessed"

Has Israel Become A Great Nation? Absolutely! This tiny nation that is about the size of New Jersey has become the world's eighth most powerful country. This God - Ordained nation has been described as a rising power with a growing impact on world affairs. All of this taking place while Israel lives under constant threat of terror and war.

Has Israel Been A Blessing? Absolutely! Recent history reveals that Israel is the first nation to respond with assistance to countries who have just experienced a disaster. They were recognized by the United Nations for the efficiency of their medical tents at disaster sites. Additionally, Israel recently announced they will grant refugee status for 100 Syrian children granting them temporary residence status. They will allow them to become permanent residents after four years.

Have Families Of The Earth Been Blessed By Israel?  Absolutely! The stories of Israel having excellent relations with other countries are numerous, I have selected just one as an example. Israel and India established full diplomatic relations in January of 1992. Trade between these two nations was at one hundred million dollars in 1992 and today it stands at five billion dollars. Israel also stood with India in its wars of 1965, 1971 and 1999 and has assisted India with advanced weapons systems.

These are all examples of God's covenant people learning from His Word and obeying His Word. They are also a wonderful blessing and example for all. However, many of the nations of the world desire to destroy Israel as evidenced by the recent meeting in Paris. Israel and the Jewish people need our fervent prayers each day . . . Psalm 122:6.

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank