The Land Of Israel - Part 1

Genesis 12:2 says, "I will make you into a great nation." This verse is describing Jehovah God talking with Abraham who was representing the Jewish People. Our Lord was about to describe how He will give His Covenant People the Land Of Israel.

The exact size of this land is described in Genesis 15:18 which says, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates." This land would cover almost the whole Middle East. Of course, this is a future event! Currently, Israel appears to be shrinking with the events in Gaza, the Northern Borders being attacked by Hezbullah and Arabs claiming portions of Judea and Samaria. The Jews living in Israel need our prayers!

Psalm 72 Is Entitled "The Reign Of The Messiah"

Vs. 8 - "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea and from the River to the end of the earth."

Vs. 9 - "Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him and His enemies will lick the dust."

Vs. 10 - "The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the king of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts."

Vs. 11 - "Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him."

Vs. 12 - "For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also and him who has no helper."

Vs. 13 - "He will spare the poor and needy and will save the souls of the needy."

Vs. 14 - "He will redeem their life from oppression and violence and precious shall be their blood in His sight."

Vs. 17 - "His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun and men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed."

Vs. 18 - "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things!"

Vs. 19 - "And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory."

Blessings,

Frank   

 

Returning To A Home At War

Our message this week will be different as it will revolve around a quote from the Bridges For Peace newsletter. Bridges For Peace is a ministry that exists to promote positive relationships between Jews and Christians.

The quote is as follows: "Why would someone move to a country at war? In fact, why would someone pack up their life in a prosperous, safe country like the United States or France and relocate to a country facing an evil enemy on the battlefield? There's more though. What would motivate someone to start over in a country at war that recently had its sovereign border breached by a genocidal terrorist army who massacred over 1,200 people, wounded nearly 5,000 and kidnapped 250 more, only to drag them back to their terror enclave to torture, rape and starve them? Yet during the first ten months of 2023 and throughout three subsequent months of war, 46,687 people from over 37 countries did just that. If you have not yet guessed it, I'm speaking about immigration to Israel." The author of this article is Rev. Peter Fast, International CEO of Bridges For Peace. 

Let Us Pray Psalm 122, "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem."

Vs. 1 - "I was glad when they said to me, 'let us go into the house of The Lord.'"

Vs. 2 - "Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!"

Vs. 3 - "Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together."

Vs. 4 - "Where the tribes go up, the tribes of The Lord, to the Testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of The Lord."

Vs. 5 - "For thrones are set there for judgement, the thrones of the house of David."

Vs. 6 - "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper who love you."

Vs. 7 - "Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces."

Vs. 8 - "For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will say, 'Peace be within you.'"

Vs. 9 - "Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good."

Blessings,

Frank  

  

"Do Not Be Haughty"

In our most recent message, we clarified the meaning of Romans 11:11 which states that salvation has come to the Gentiles to provoke the Jews to jealously. Our attitude in carrying out this assignment from God is very important as clarified in Romans 11:20 that says, "Do not be haughty."

Romans 11:17 describes Israel as an "Olive Tree" and that some of the branches have been broken off through unbelief and that Gentiles who are described as a "Wild Olive Tree" have been grafted in. {Romans 11:11} However, "Saved Gentiles" must be very careful about their attitude. Romans 11:20-21 says, "Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either."

Very Important! Romans 11:23 also says, "And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again." Let us remember at this point that Romans 11:26 says, "All Israel will be saved." 

In our support of Israel and the Jewish People, we should proclaim Romans 11:26 every day in addition to Psalm 149 as follows:

Vs. 1 - "Praise The Lord! Sing to The Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints."

Vs. 2 - "Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King."

Vs. 3 - "Let them praise His name with the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp."

Vs. 4 - "For The Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation."

Blessings,

Frank 

 

      

Israel's Rejection

Romans 11 is a chapter explaining why Jehovah God has temporarily rejected His Covenant People, The Jews, regarding their receiving Jesus Christ as their Savoir and Messiah. It also explains that this is a temporary situation because Romans 11:26 says, "All Israel will be saved."

Why would a loving and caring God reject His Covenant People? Many Biblical Scholars believe it is because of disobedience and some believe it is because many Jews believe The Law is righteousness.

How is our Lord God going to change this scenario and offer salvation to The Jews? Romans 11:11 says, "I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to The Gentiles."

Our Lord God works in mysterious ways! Romans 11:8 says, "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day." Jehovah God has put The Jews in "A Stupor" so currently they cannot recognize Jesus as their Savior and Messiah. However, this is a temporary situation since Romans 11:26 says, "All Israel will be saved, as it is written 'the Deliverer will come out of Zion and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.'"

How can we as Gentiles, who know Jesus as Savior, "provoke them to jealously?" {Romans 11:11} 

We Can Love And Pray For Them!

Psalm 19:7-11

Vs. 7 - "The law of The Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of The Lord is sure, making wise the simple."

Vs. 8 - "The statutes of The Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandant of The Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

Vs. 9 - "The fear of The Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgements of The Lord are true and righteous altogether."

Vs. 10 - "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."

Vs. 11 - "Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward."

Blessings,

Frank 

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A Major Deception!

An event took place this week that could deceive many people. United States President Biden met with the leader of Jordan. They ended their meeting with a handshake agreeing that a portion of Judea would become a Palestinian State. This scene was an exercise in futility and will never take place because it does not coincide with God's Word!

What does The Word of God say concerning the land that God gave to His Covenant People? Genesis 15:18 shows God speaking to Abraham saying, "On the same day The Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying: 'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.'"

God is saying to Abraham, who is representing the Jewish People, that He is giving to them almost the entire Middle East. Obviously, this has not taken place yet, but it illustrates that the decision between Biden and the leader of Jordan was a total waste of time and will never take place!

We who love the people and the land of Israel can ask for God's protection over both by praying Psalm 135 as follows:

Vs 1 - "Praise The Lord! Praise the name of The Lord; Praise Him, O you servants of The Lord!"

Vs. 2 - "You who stand in the house of The Lord, in the courts of the house of our God,"

Vs. 3 - "Praise The Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant."

Vs. 4 - "For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for His special treasure."

Vs. 5 - "For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods."

Vs. 19 - "Bless The Lord, O house of Israel! Bless The Lord, O house of Aaron!"

Vs. 20 - "Bless The Lord, O house of Levi! You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!"

Vs. 21 - "Blessed be The Lord out of Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise The Lord!"

Blessings,

Frank

Certainly Not!

We would think that either all or some of you are wondering about our title for this message. The proclamation we have used in the title is taken from Romans 11:11 that says, "I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles."

Romans 11 is a very important chapter explaining why temporarily Jehovah God has made it difficult for His Chosen People to recognize Jesus as their Savior and Messiah. Please notice Romans 11:8 says, "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day."

Only two percent of the Jewish People know Jesus as their Savior and Messiah. Why Is this So? Many Bible Scholars believe it is because of their disobedience and their belief that righteousness comes through The Law. Fortunately, this is a temporary scenario since Romans 11:26 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.'"

We Can Pray Psalm 147 For The Jewish People: 

Vs. 1 - "Praise The Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is beautiful."

Vs. 2 - "The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel."

Vs. 3 - "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Vs. 4 - "He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name."

Vs. 5 - "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."

Vs. 6 - "The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground."

Vs. 7 - "Sing to The Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God."

Blessings,

Frank     

Why Israel?

Like many people you have probably noticed that Israel is in the news almost every day. Why is this? Geographically, Israel is one of the smallest nations in the world about the same size as the state of New Jersey in America.

Genesis 12:2-3 illustrate God speaking to Abram, who was representing the Jewish People, saying, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Jehovah God chose the Jewish People to be "A Blessing To The People Of The World." Have they fulfilled this very important calling from God? Yes, with excellence! This is one of the primary reasons the forces of evil try to hinder this movement of "God's Goodness." Another primary reason is that Satan knows the Word of God and knows Jesus is physically coming back to Israel. {Zechariah 14:4}

Israel continually needs our prayers! Let us all pray together Psalm 125 repeating God's Word back to Him for its fulfillment:

V1 - "Those who trust in The Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abide forever."

V2 - "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so The Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever."

V3 - "For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity."

V4 - "Do good, O Lord, to those who are good. And to those who are upright in their hearts."

V5 - "As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The Lord shall lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel!"

Blessings,

Frank