A Message Of Encouragement - Part Two

Last week's message was the first of a series that are words of encouragement for all people especially the Jewish people scattered around the world desiring to return to Israel. We learned Jehovah God will bring His people Israel back home. How do we know this? God's Prophetic Word predicts this supernatural event and He keeps all His promises!

Our message this week will look at Ezekiel 36 entitled "Israel Returns To The Lord." Ezekiel 36:8-10 says, "But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for My people Israel, for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel."

Jehovah God is speaking to the mountains of Israel that are present day Judea, Samaria and Galilee with the following messages:

My people Israel are coming to you - Verse 8

You will yield fruit - Verse 8

I am for you - Verse 9

I will multiply men upon you - Verse 9

God is telling the mountain of Israel - Get ready My people are coming home!

Worldwide Anti-Semitism is considered to be at its highest level in history. God's Covenant People are insulted, Jewish gravestones are defaced, Synagogues are attacked and Jewish products are banned worldwide. Jehovah God says this is all coming to an end! Ezekiel 36:15 says, "No longer will I make you hear the taunts of the nations and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples or cause your nation to fall," declares The Sovereign Lord.

God's glorious name has been profaned among the nations even by His own people. Most importantly - He will bring this to an end! All nations will know without a doubt - He Is The One And Only True God!

In conclusion, Jehovah God repeats, "For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land." Ezekiel 36:24. Bless His Holy Name!

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

Frank      

A Message Of Encouragement

Our message this week is for all who are uneasy or troubled for any reason. We all live in challenging times and  God's people need to know He is able and willing to bring peace and joy into life's challenges. Billy Graham frequently proclaimed the answer to all of life's challenges are found in the Word of God! Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowlege Him, and He will make your path straight."

People everywhere need to understand that at times we turn to God with our prayers and the answers we receive are different than expected or not to our liking. This is not a time to become discouraged or to give up. Jehovah God's message of encouragement in Isaiah 55:8-9 reads, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares The Lord. "As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." God's Word will always accomplish what it declares! Bless His Holy Name!

Specifically, our message of encouragement this week is for the Jewish people who are still scattered around the world and want to return to Israel. Do Not Give Up! There are over 700 references in God's Word proclaiming He will bring His people back home. Following are just a few:

"I will be found by you," declares The Lord, "And will bring you back 

from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations 

and places where I have banished you." Jeremiah 29:14

"I will bring you from the nations and gather you from 

the countries where you have been scattered." Ezekiel 20:34

"And I will bring my people Israel back from exile." Amos 9:14

This miraculous God ordained event has been happening for many years. When Israel was formed in 1948, Jews living in Israel numbered 800,000 - today that number is 6.4 million Jewish people. 

In closing, be encouraged God's Covenant People! Keep Proclaiming  "Next Year In Jerusalem!"

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank  

Jesus - Our Husband And Peacemaker

"For Your Maker Is Your Husband - The Lord Almighty Is His Name - The Holy One Of Israel Is Your Redeemer; He Is called The God Of All The Earth." Isaiah 54:5.

Isaiah 54 is a chapter entitled "The Future Glory Of Zion" describing Jesus as our Husband and Redeemer. How is Jesus our Husband? Believers in Jesus are referred to as "The Bride Of Christ." In order to understand this, we first need to analyze the Jewish Betrothal Period. The husband to-be goes to the house of the bride  to-be and knocks on the door. Once the door is opened the Bethrothal Period has officially begun. This period is taken very seriously appearing like the couple is already married.

Why is Jesus referred to as our Husband? Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." Jesus knocks at the door of our heart and mind and once we open the door He becomes our Husband, Savior and Messiah. Also, Revelation 19:7,9 says, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him Glory! For the Wedding of The Lamb has come . . . Blessed are those who are invited to the Wedding Supper of The Lamb!" When Jesus brings us as His Bride to Heaven we will partake in the Wedding of The Lamb and in The Wedding Supper Of The Lamb. Hallelujah!

Additionally, Jesus is our Peacemaker! Isaiah 54:14,17 declares, "Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you . . . No weapon forged against you will prevail and you will refute every tongue that accuses you." These verses refer to the Millenial Period immediately after Jesus comes back to earth and wins the final Battle of Armageddon. Jesus sets up His Kingdom on earth which will include true Peace And Righteousness. Amen And Amen!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

The Shema

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Says, "Hear O Israel: The Lord Our God, The Lord is one. Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." These two verses of God's Word are referred to as The Shema that means Johovah God desires for us to listen carefully and obey. In this case, God wanted His people to love Him with all their heart, soul and strength. This was important to Him and still is important today for Jews and Gentiles.

I believe this week's message is also a Shema message since Wednesday, March 6th starts the 40 day period known as Lent leading to Holy Week. The entire chapter of Isaiah 53 describes Jesus Christ, True Son Of The True God, being crucified for all people - Jews and Gentiles. Verse 5 reads, "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed."

What does it mean "We Are Healed?" As a result of the death and resurrection of Jesus, all areas of our lives are healed not just physical healing. He defeated sin, death and the devil healing all areas of our lives - physical healing, spiritual healing, financial healing and relational healing. "We Are Healed!"

How can we be sure Isaiah 53 is describing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Isaiah 52:13 declares, "See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted." Only the Son Of God was raised and lifted up and highly exalted for His obedience. Philippians 2:8-9 says, "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place."

In addition to forgiveness of sins and healing, what other benefits were the result of Jesus' death and resurrection? Salavation Of Our Souls! Hebrews 9:28 says, "So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him." Jesus will appear a second time and will bring to Himself all who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. (1Thessalonians 4:16-17, John 3:16) Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank    

"There Is No Peace For The Wicked"

In a recent message we referred to our title taken from Isaiah 48:22 which says specifically, "There Is No Peace," says The Lord, "For The Wicked." I sense it is important and necessary to look at what will happen to Israel's enemies in the future. 

Ezekiel 38-39 describes an invasion of Israel from the North led my Russia (Gog), Turkey and Iran. Notice how Jehovah God responds in Ezekiel 38:18, 19, 23, "When Gog attacks the land of Israel my hot anger will be aroused . . . In My zeal and fiery wrath I declare at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel . . . I will summon a sword against Gog." Jehovah God will defeat Israel's enemies. There Will Be No Peace For The Wicked.

Another example! Zechariah 12 describes Jerusalem being attacked by the nations of the earth. Zechariah 12:3, 8, 9 says, "On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves  . . On that day The Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem . . . On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem." There Will Be No Peace For The Wicked.

In Isaiah 51 God exhorts His Chosen People to not be fearful for He is The Lord their God. The following verses show Jehovah God speaking to His people:

"Do No Fear The Reproach Of Men" - Vs. 7

"I, Even I, Am He Who Comforts You" - Vs. 12

"For I Am The Lord Your God . . .The Lord Almighty Is His Name" - Vs.15

"I Covered You With The Shadow Of My Hand" - Vs. 16

Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

Future Of Israel

This is the first of a number of messages prophesying the future of Israel. Our message today is from Isaiah 51 and the chapter is entitled "Everlasting Salvation For Zion." Isaiah 51:3 says, "The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her deserts like Eden, her wasteland like the garden of The Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing."

These verses have actually taken place and will continue into the future. Jehovah God provides comfort for His people when they turn to Him with their prayers and petitions. For example, Israel's enemies fire missiles into Israel on a regular basis. However, there are reports of these projectiles heading to destroy structures in Israel and suddenly they change course landing in an open field. God changed the course to provide protection and comfort for His people. Bless His Holy Name!

Ruins from wars fought in Israel have been rebuilt. Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa are now beautiful thriving cities. At one time Israel had large areas of barren desert and today much of that land is lush green farms and gardens. As a result, Israel ships fruits, vegetables and flowers all over the world. For those who have attended a Jewish wedding, they witnessed a joyful and thankful celebration and for those who attended the 70th anniversary of Israel last year also witnessed a joyful celebration. Isaiah 51:3 is happening right before our eyes. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 51:5, 6, 8 says, "My salvation is on the way . . . But My salvation will last forever . . . But My righteousness will last forever, My salvation through all generations." Jehovah God says in these three verses His righteousness and salvation is coming and they both will last forever. How will this happen? Ezekiel 36:25-26 says, "I will sprinkle water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you."

As a Jew or Gentile accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior and Messiah they receive a new heart and new spirit and most importantly they are saved! AMEN!

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

Frank    

The God Of Israel - Part 9

This will be the last message in a series showing the greatness and sovereignty of Jehovah God on behalf of His people Israel from book of Isaiah. These messages have primarily been a history lesson. Next week we will start a new series looking at Israel's future also from the book of Isaiah.

Our message this week will have three themes from Isaiah 48:18-22 with Jehovah God saying; "If only you had paid attention to my commands; leave Babylon and the wicked will have no peace."

Isaiah 48:18 says, "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea." A prime example of the Israelites not paying attention to God's commands was their disobediance right after He brought them out of Egypt. They had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. This trip should have been much shorter in time. Moses himself could not enter the Promised Land because of disobediance. "If only they had paid attention to His commands." This is a lesson for us today.

The 70 years of exile in Babylon referenced frequently in Isaiah and Jeremiah is another prime example of their not listening to His command. However, Jehovah God did not disown or abandon His people. Isaiah 48:20 says, "Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians!" God brought His Covenant People home! Why did He do this? He is a Covenent keeping God! God keeps all the promises of the Mosaic Covenant - past, present and future. Hallelujah!

In closing, Isaiah 48:22 says, "There is no peace," says The Lord, "For the wicked." This has always been a vitally important promise by God for His People Israel. The nation of Israel has had enemies who want to destroy them from the day of its founding. However, Jehovah God has always been there to protect them from enemies larger and stronger. Even today look at the list of Israel's enemies: Hezbollah, Turkey, Syria, Iran, Hamas, The Palestinian Liberation Organization, Anti-Semitism, The BDS Movement, The European Union and The United Nations.

We Need To Pray Isaiah 48:22 & Psalm 122:6 Into Existence Everyday!

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

Frank