A Prodigal Son Story Analogy

Part of this week's message is taken from an editorial on the Israel Today Website that reviewed the Parable Of The Prodigal Son and then applied it to the relationship between Jews and Christians - very thought provoking.

In this parable of Luke 15, the older brother is not very happy with his father as he warmly welcomes home his rebellious younger son with a homecoming celebration. The older brother pointedly shows his father he had served him faithfully his whole life and had never received from his father such a celebration.

How does all this apply to events of today? Could we form the analogy of the older brother representing the Jewish people and Jesus in the parable illustrating how they would react when our Lord God brought in the Gentiles to the family? The Jewish people follow God's commandments believing they lead to righteousness while Gentiles claim to be forgiven and righteous by faith in Jesus.

However, our Lord God has intervened and miracles have happened and are happening in the relationships between Jews and Gentiles. Jews and Christians are learning to trust one another realizing they are serving and worshiping the same God and are mutually working towards the restoration and protection of Israel who has realized Christians are their best friends. Our Lord God is about to have a glorious celebration for both believing Jews and Gentiles at the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb. Revelation 19:7-10. Praise The Lord!

"How Good And How Pleasant It Is For Brothers To Dwell Together In Unity." Psalm 133:1 

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

Frank 

  

The Lord Of Israel

Jewish people in Israel today are regularly talking about the imminent arrival of the Messiah. Our Lord God seems to have hidden His face from the Jewish people for a time, but now He is making Himself known for the sake of His name. He also promised a great restoration for His people and that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through them.

What are the signs that the Jewish people are pointing to? What prophecies have been fulfilled during our life time? The following are four prophecies that have been fulfilled right before our eyes . . .

Israel Being Made A Nation In One Day

"Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day?" Isaiah 66:8

Yes, Israel was born in one day on May 14, 1948.

Winning Wars Against Huge Odds

"But thus says The Lord: 'Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.'" Isiah 49:25.

In all of its major wars since its founding, Israel has faced overwhelming odds and has been victorious each time.

The Jewish People Returning To Their Land From All Over The World

"For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries and bring you into your own land." Ezekiel 36:24

Since 1948, a total of 3.6 million people have made Aliyah or moved back to Israel from 90 countries.

The Ruin Cities Being Rebuilt And The Fruitfulness Returning To The Land

"But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel." Ezekiel 36:8. 

Approximately 240 million trees have been planted in Israel since 1948. Today Israel produces 95% of its own food requirements.

Our Lord God said that first He would regather the Jewish people to their land and then He would restore them spiritually. This appears to be happening in these days and times in which we live. "However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual." 1Corinthians 15:46

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

Frank 

Repentance

Pastors all over the United States are calling for repentance in light of the recent decision by the Supreme Court changing the Biblical definition of marriage. Additionally, many church leaders and members are looking forward to September when the fourth blood red moon occurs on the Feast of Tabernacles and the seventh year of the Shmitah ends. All of this is resulting in many believing a time of Godly judgement is about to happen. The prophet Joel prophesied of signs in the heavens, "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of The Lord." Joel 2:31

As an Elder in our former church in Charlotte, North Carolina we were taught before we prayed for a church member to ask them if they needed to repent of any sin. Additionally, church services started with all attendees kneeling in a short time of repentance and then it was time to worship The Lord.

In this regard, we can learn much from the Jewish people who are entering the time of Elul. This period of time on their calendar is marked by much heart searching and repentance. During Elul there are forty days of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur (Day of Antonement) which starts this week. These forty days are a time of repentance between man and God and between one another. Elul is also the time historically when Moses spent his second forty days on the mountain praying for God's compassion and forgiveness after the sin of the people with the golden calf. Moses was successful in his appeal for forgiveness.

Let us all follow the example of Moses and the Jewish people and spend the next forty days in a time of earnest prayer and repentance. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.

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

Frank 

   

Doing What We Can

In these days and times in which we live, if we are not prayed up and are not functioning close to our Lord and His direction for our lives, we can easily become discouraged. We might think, what can I do, I am just one person. As a word of encouragement for all of us, our message this week will show examples of people individually and corporately who are as the title says, "Doing What We Can."

The horrendous civil war in Syria has claimed 230 thousand lives. However, Lord George Weidenfeld, a Jewish man 95 years young, who is an honorary vice president of the World Jewish Congress, is determined to save Christian lives in Syria. Christians in Syria are very endangered, four years ago numbered 1.1 million but now 700 thousand have fled Syria. Lord Weidenfeld has a goal of rescuing 2,000 Christian families. For him, it is personal. In 1938 as a teenager he was taken from Vienna to London where the Plymouth Brethren took him in and provided for him. He is trying to return the kindness!

We have all heard of the devastating earthquake in Nepal. Shortly after the disaster, the Israeli Defense Forces sent a 747 jet plane carrying medical personnel, medical equipment and search and rescue teams to the area. The medical personnel set up a field hospital to provide emergency and ongoing medical treatment to the wounded. They were able to treat 1,500 patients, perform 85 operations and deliver 8 babies.  

On a lighter side, when David Barashi heard about the earthquake, he filled a suitcase with wigs, face paint and a red clown's nose and boarded a plane for Nepal. Barashi went to Nepal to bring some joy to children and adults injured in the natural disaster. He was accompanied by Yaron Goshen and three other clowns. Asked how do Israeli clowns cope with the stark reality of an earthquake, Barashi says, "We make each other laugh." 

Yes, each of us can Make A Difference. In fact, we are expected to function in this manner. Jesus, when asked by a Pharisee what is the greatest commandment, responded, "You shall love The Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37,38.

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

Frank    

Ten Years Later

Last Monday, July 27, 2015, marked the ten year anniversary of Israel evacuating 8,000 of their residents from the Gaza Strip. In the process, the evacuated Israelis left behind family homes, businesses, farms and their lives in the 21 communities of Gaza.

How did the Israeli government reach such a decision? Prime Minister Ariel Sharon felt the withdrawal would result in an increased security for the residents of Israel. He believed the offer of land which the Palestinians demanded would reduce friction leading to peace.

Well, what has been the result of this decision over the past ten years? Gaza has become a safe haven for the terrorist organization Hamas who have been using and abusing the people of Gaza to continue its war against Israel. Hamas has fired 15,000 rockets and mortars at Israeli citizens and has put tunnels in place under Israel to attack its towns and communities.

 This Decision By The Leaders Of Israel Ten Years Ago 

Was A Terrible Mistake! 

Let's consider, could the recently announced Nuclear Deal with Iran be a similar terrible mistake resulting in an extremely dangerous scenario for Israel and the whole Middle East? The Deal puts a lot of trust in believing Iran will obey its regulations. This is the same Iran who chants "Death to Israel" and "Death to the United States." Previously, the leaders of Israel thought they could trust the rulers of Gaza!

We can and must put our trust in the power and effectiveness of prayer! The United States Congress has 60 days to approve or disapprove The Deal. Chapter 3 of Proverbs is entitled "Benefits of Wisdom." Verses 5 through 7 proclaim, "Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear The Lord and depart from evil." The leaders of the countries who passed The Deal need our Lord God's wisdom, He can change their hearts and minds. Please pray accordingly! 

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

Frank   

The Abrahamic Covenant

Last week's message centered on reactions to what is referred to as the Iran Nuclear Deal. Some deal - Iran receives all it requested and more and gives up nothing. Israel, the most threatened country by this deal, was not even part of the negotiations. This is all difficult to understand and accept.

This week we will continue our response to those inaccurate reports that this deal is "Death To Israel." Those who report in this manner obviously do not know the heart and will of our Lord God. A study of the Abrahamic Covenant will prove this point without any question.

The Abrahamic Covenant is a promise made by God specifically to the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. The primary emphasis of the promise concerned a very specific and literal piece of land. The promise made is unconditional meaning it will never be broken.

What is the promise? Genesis 15:18 shows our Lord God saying to Abraham, "I have given this land to your descendants - from the river Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates River." The exact piece of land promised had a Western boundary of the Mediterranean Sea; a Northern boundary of North Lebanon and Syria; an Eastern boundary of the Euphrates River and a Southern boundary of Northern Egypt.

As we study history of Israel, we realize that the Jewish people have never inhabited all of the "Promised Land." To be sure, our Lord God is truly a Promise Keeper. If The Lord promised this actual land, then that is exactly what The Lord will give them in the age to come. In the book of Deuteronomy alone, The Lord reiterated the land promises to Israel nearly 70 times. All together, these promises are mentioned one way or another more than 200 times throughout the Word of God.

David, when threatened by enemies, cried out to God in Psalm 35, "Lord, oppose those who oppose me; fight against those who fight against me. Grasp your shield and protective gear, and rise to my defense. Brandish spear and battle-axe against my pursuers; let me hear you say 'I am your salvation.'" We can cry out in a similar manner to our God on behalf of Israel.

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

Frank

"A Bad Mistake Of Historic Proportions"

Last Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking at his weekly cabinet meeting called the international negotiations with Iran a parade of concessions. Even during the negotiations Iran's leaders continued with threatening statements against Israel and the United States. Last Friday Iran's President Hassan Rouhinni was part of Al Quds Day when Israeli and American flags were burned along with chants of "Death To Israel and Death To America." 

Netanyahu went on to say, "Iran does not hide its intention to continue their murderous aggression even against those with whom it is negotiating. Israel is not prepared to pay the price for the deep concessions to Iran that the Five World Powers appear willing to make to secure a nuclear deal." 

The Israeli Prime Minister even played a 57 second video of President Clinton announcing a nuclear agreement with North Korea. Clinton announced it as a good deal for the United States since North Korea would freeze and dismantle its nuclear program. Despite that agreement, North Korea detonated a nuclear weapon 12 years later.

This past Tuesday we were informed  that an agreement was reached with Iran granting them far - reaching concessions in all areas. Netanyahu responded by saying, "The Iran nuclear deal is a bad mistake of historic proportions." For example, all economic sanctions against Iran were lifted and sixteen billion dollars in held Iranian assets were released allowing them to buy additional weapons and stabilizing their economy.

Some news reports were declaring, "This is death to Israel." This is very careless, irresponsible and inaccurate reporting! Witness the word of our Lord God in Jeremiah 31:34,35 "This is what The Lord says, who gives the sun as light for the day, who ordained the laws for the moon and stars, to provide light for the night, who stirs up the sea until its waves roar - The Lord is His name: If these laws leave my presence, says The Lord, then the offspring of Israel will stop being a nation in my presence forever." 

Israel Will Continue To Exist No Matter What We

 See,  Hear Or Experience In This World. 

Praise The Lord!   

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Each Day,

Frank