"A Mighty God"

"For unto to us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6-7. These verses are familiar  to all who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior as they describe how Jesus will be referred to while He functions as the Son of God on earth. The two descriptions which we will elaborate on are Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 11 brings a similar message in verses 1 and 4, "There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse . . . He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked." The Rod from the Stem of Jesse also describes Jesus coming forth to live on earth and in verse 4 Jesus is again described as a Mighty God when with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

Our message this week is a message of encouragement and hope for all of God's people. Is this type of message appropriate now? Absolutely! Let us look at a few news headlines that might cause fear and anxiousness.

The leader of North Korea continues to threaten the whole world and last week launched a missile that could strike anywhere in the United States. He continues to threaten and demean President Trump and has specifically threatened the people of Guam and Hawaii. 

This week President Trump announced Jerusalem is the capital of Israel which is historically and Biblically correct but was never announced by previous American presidents. Additionally, he announced he will move the United States Embassy  from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. These announcements have already caused unrest in Israel and possibly could lead to another Intifada with terror attacks from the Palestinians.

We have heard some of the negative news surrounding us everyday. Now, we turn our eyes and our ears upon Jesus and the Good News of the story of His birth as illustrated in Isaiah 9:6-7 and Isaiah 11:1, 4 showing Jesus as a Mighty God who defeats His and our enemies. He did this when He walked on earth and He will defeat all existing enemies for good when He comes back to earth to Rule and Reign. Revelation 19:11-21.

What about enemies that currently surround us? Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and has it all under control! He is interceding for us continually and when He died on the cross He defeated death, sin, and the devil. As a result, when we pray in the Mighty Name of Jesus, we defeat all our enemies. Praise His Holy Name!

Be Encouraged, God's People; Be Hopeful, God's People; Jesus Is On His Throne And Is Functioning As Mighty God Referred To In Isaiah 9:6 and Isaiah 11:1,4.

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Everyday,

Frank   

The Season Of Giving

Traditionally, once Thanksgiving Day has been celebrated, we all think we have entered the Christmas season or the season of giving. Thoughts enter our minds about the kinds of gifts to give to our loved ones and friends.

As Christians, we know that Christmas is the celebration of the most important gift in all of history, the birth of Jesus Christ, True Son of the True God. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Additionally, as we confess with our mouths The Lord Jesus as our Savior and believe in our hearts this truth, we are saved. Romans 10:9. Hallelujah! We Serve A Giving God!

Now, it is our turn to give back to our Giving God. Romans 15:27 says, "It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things." This is a very important scripture and one you might not be familiar with or might have difficultly understanding. Let us examine its meaning. This verse declares that the Gentiles have received spiritual things through God's original covenant people, the Jews.

What are these spiritual things? Romans 9:4-5 says, "Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came." These two verses list blessings given to God's original covenant people by our Lord God including Jesus Christ as their Messiah.

How did Gentiles also receive these gifts? Ephesians 2:14 says, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us." The broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ has made Jew and Gentile equal and has made all spiritual blessings available to both, though given to the Jews first. As a result, Gentiles are indebted to the Jews. Romans 15:27. 

If this message has touched your heart and you desire to obey Romans 15:27, 

let me introduce you to a ministry called Bridges For Peace. They have been ministering to Jewish families who are moving back to Israel for many years by providing for their material needs upon arrival in Israel. For more information about Bridges For Peace please go to their web site: www.bridgesforpeace.com You will be greatly blessed this Season Of Giving!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank 

"Forget Not All His Benefits"

This week is always a very special one each year as we set aside a day to give thanks to our Heavenly Father. Of course this is good, even very good, but may I take it a big step further - Every Day Should Be Thanksgiving Day Unto Our Lord God! Hallelujah!

Many many years ago I purposed in my heart to be thankful every day. Psalm 103:1-2 says, "Bless The Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, Bless His Holy Name! Bless The Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." The Psalmist David exhorts us to bless The Lord with our souls and with all our very being but also to "Forget Not All His Benefits." 

Under the Lord's direction, it has been an extreme blessing to start each day in thanksgiving unto The Lord. The following is a list of just some of the blessings in my life of which I give thanks every day:

Knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior for the past 36 years

Knowing that all my sins are forgiven - past, present and future

Knowing that I will spend eternity with my Lord Jesus

Being married to my beloved wife Carole for 54 years

Being blessed with two children, Todd and Heidi, my son-in-law Craig and our three grandchildren, Liesel, Caedmon and Jensen - all serving The Lord!

Knowing I have a healthy body and mind through the shed blood of Jesus

Knowing all my needs are supplied - Philippians 4:19

Now, let us look at Psalm 103 and be thankful for all that The Lord is doing for us every day:

Crowns us with lovingkindness and mercies - Vs. 4

The Lord executes righteousness and justice - Vs. 6

The Lord is merciful, gracious and slow to anger - Vs. 8

He removes our transgressions as far as the East is from the West - Vs. 12

His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him - Vs. 17

His Kingdom rules over all - Vs. 19

Giving thanks to our Lord God every day also makes our other prayers effective. Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, With Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Be Thankful, God's People, Be Thankful And Forget Not All His Benefits! 

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

Making Aliyah!

As we see anti-Semitism escalating world wide, do we see parallels to Germany in the 1930's leading to the Holocaust? Adolph Hitler became Chancellor in 1933 leading to injustices, concentration camps, religious persecution and limited free speech. Most affected was the Jewish population and by 1941 escape routes were blocked. How did the Jewish population miss these signs of impending disaster?

Are there similar signs today and are God's covenant people paying attention? The answer to the first part of the question is a resounding YES! Anti-Semitism world wide has risen dramatically in 2017. Islamic extremism and Sharia Law is common in Western Europe. Banking and tax regulations identify the assets of citizens including charitable donations. 

In the United States, a 2013 Army Reserve Training Document listed Ultra-Orthodox Jews and Christians as "Religious Extremists." Trainees were supposed to go house to house determining if residents were Jews or Christians. Praise The Lord, this event never happened but just considering it was a concern.

The answer to the second question as to whether Jews are paying attention is yes and no. American Jews moving back to Israel is increasing each year but that number is still a small percentage of the Jewish population. 

What is our Lord God's will and purposes for the Jewish people world wide prior to Jesus returning to earth as their Messiah? Zechariah 8:7-8 says, "Thus says The Lord of host: 'Behold, I will save My people from the land of the East and from the land of the West; I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.'" He will bring them back to Israel! It is already happening and will continue to escalate. This is known as Making Aliyah!

How many of the world wide Jewish population will return to Israel? Could it be one hundred percent? Romans 11:26-27 says, "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.'" Yes, It Could Be One Hundred Percent! 

Please pray daily that the return of world wide Jews back to Israel will be increasing each year until "All Israel Is Saved."

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

Frank    

The Balfour Declaration Truth

Lord Arthur Balfour of Great Britain wrote what was to become known as the Balfour Declaration exactly 100 years ago. The 1917 Balfour Declaration stated, "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 achievements of this object."

This later became known as the "British Mandate For Palestine" and led to the 1947 United Nations vote in favor of Resolution 181 partitioning Palestine between Jews and Arabs. Shortly thereafter on May 14, 1948 Israel became a modern nation. 

This then raises the key question - why is there currently and has been for 100 years a conflict and disagreement over the land of Israel? Many people feel the Balfour Declaration laid the ground work for the establishment of the Nation of Israel. This is only partially true. The Word of our Lord God is the true and most important ingredient in the establishment of Israel as noted below:

Isaiah 66:7,8 "Israel will be reborn in one day."

Ezekiel 34:13 "The people of Israel will return to their own land."

Genesis 15:18 Outlines the land given by God to His people stating it is "From the River Egypt to the River Euphrates."

Our Lord God's Word is abundantly clear about the Land of Israel! Israel belongs to God's Covenant people through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Today almost 3,000 years after Isaac and Ezekiel proclaimed Israel will be re-born and 100 years after the Balfour Declaration, there is still a major conflict over the Land of Israel. What is this conflict? World media, governments and even church denominations believe the lie that the Palestinians have lost their "Native Land."

Israel has repeatedly offered to split the land into two states. Israeli Prime Minister Barak in the year 2000 offered to give away 95% of Judea and Samaria but Yasser Arafat said NO! The truth of the conflict is Palestinian leaders only want a Palestinian State with no Jewish residents.

So you can see there is in reality NO CONFLICT! The Word of God is clear, the Balfour Declaration is clear and United Nations Resolution 181 is clear. Our calling as God's people and lovers of Israel is to speak the truth about all three avenues of the truth. Bless His Holy Name!

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

Frank 

An Important Prayer Need

At least three rockets were fired into Israel's Golan Heights about two weeks ago. Top Israeli military officials believe this attack was likely intentional. An Israeli Defense Forces official commentated, "It is very possible this is a message from Syria. Our main fear at the moment is that this will become routine." Israel responded by destroying three Syrian army artillery positions.

Why has this now become an important prayer need? When you look at a map of Israel you will find that Syria is their eastern border. Syria has been involved in a brutal civil war for many years. However, this civil war does not just involve the Syrian army versus rebel forces trying to over throw the dictatorial Assad Government. Russia has troops on the ground in Syria, Iran is physically supporting Assad and ISIS is headquartered in Northern Syria. Quite a serious and volatile scenario!

Why is this such a dangerous situation for Israel? We need to look no further than Ezekiel 38 which is entitled "Attack By Gog." Gog is believed to be the leader of Russia. Our Lord God is addressing Gog in this chapter and He says in verses 14 - 16, "Therefore, son of man prophesy and say to Gog, 'thus says The Lord God: On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far North, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me.'"

Gog will lead a coalition of nations including Iran and will invade Israel from the North. The only way that Russia can invade Israel from the North is through Syria primarily and maybe through parts of Lebanon. Again, why is the current situation so serious and dangerous for Israel? Russia and Iranian troops are already on their border!

How can we who love Israel be part of this? By fervent prayer and supplication! We know our Lord God intervenes and wins this battle for Israel but what about the time frame from the start of the invasion and God's intervention? Also, Israeli Defense Forces leaders need God's current direction on how to react when rockets or missiles land on the Golan Heights.

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

Frank 

"A Light To The World"

As our Lord God was establishing the Abrahamic Covenant He said to Abram in Genesis 12:2-3 "I will make you a great nation . . . and you shall be a blessing  . . . and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." We all know Abraham and his descendants became that great nation which is modern Israel. Well, did the second part of this prophesy also come to fruition in that Israel is a blessing to the whole world?

ABSOLUTELY YES! When did a promise from our Lord God not come true? Israel is known as a country that goes out of its way to provide aid to disaster victims around the world. They frequently are the first on the scene sending one of the largest and best equipped response teams. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was asked why does Israel always respond in this manner and he responded, "Because we are a light unto the nations. This is the great fulfillment of prophesy, Israel is fulfilling our deepest values."

You might be thinking that applies to Israel and is an old covenant prophesy. Does it also apply to me as a Born Again Christian? ABSOLUTELY YES! Jesus was addressing His disciples and followers in Matthew 5:14, 16 when He said, "You are the light of the world . . . let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." This is the exact same exhortation for Jew and Gentile.

Let us go a step further! Is there a current connection between Jew and Gentile? ABSOLUTELY YES!  Ephesians 2:13-18 is entitled "Reconciliation Of Jews And Gentiles." Verse 14 is the heart of this message and says, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken the middle wall of division between us." Jesus has broken down the wall of division between Jew and Gentile and has made both one in God's sight and both are called to be a "Light Unto The World." HALLELUJAH! 

What can we learn from this vitally important message? Each day we should look for those God given opportunities to "Be A Light" to a hurting world and even look for opportunities to function together with our Jewish brothers and sisters.

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank