Israel, can't part 4

What will it mean if this anti-Semitism continues and/or gets worse? To me, it indicates one more time that we are definitely in the last days and moving rapidly toward Christ’s return for His bride!  In my opinion, when Israel became a nation in 1948, the scenario was “kicked off.” Old Testament prophecies began to come alive as Israel bloomed, prospered and began to make her mark in the world. US Presidents,Congressman,Senators and other important persons saw her as a force to be reckoned with and were very supportive of her democratic government, the ONLY nation in the Middle East that was democratic. That attitude continued for decades, President after President, just about all were supportive of this tiny nation thriving in the midst of her Arab neighbors…all were antagonistic and threatening. The world quickly began to forget that the “so-called” Palestinians had refused their own state, were NOT the original occupiers of the area, thousands of years ago both Arabs and Jews shared the land, and the more antagonistic toward God…pagans…were conquered by the Israelites at God’s instruction so as not to pollute the holiness God instilled in them as a pattern for living. Even God’s instruction to the Jews was at times harsh but it was always to keep down sin among His people. You may ask why God desired a group of people He called “His”…what purpose did He have in mind in calling Abraham out from his homeland and people, not even telling him where He was taking them????  Well, He wanted 1) a people, a group of people actually, that would love Him and obey Him, and be His very own people that He would love and care for eternally, 2) a people that would keep account of His instructions and preserve the writings, 3) a line of people that would remain pure that He could use to bring His Son into the world as Savior of all. In return He gave them a land, starting with Abraham, that would always be His/theirs. The key word here is “OBEY…” Of course they did not, He was constantly dealing with them in their sin, the whole of the Old Testament is full of the account, and much of the New. But, the Covenant He made with Abraham was unconditional since He knew they would not keep it, and unconditional is unconditional…then and now! He said “I will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you,” then and now. He never breaks a promise…

If we go back to the book of Daniel, we’ll get a timeline of God’s dealing with Israel. All is accomplished with the exception of seven years. get out your study Bible and check it out, all but seven years. We Christians refer to that time period, as does the Apostle John in Revelation, as the Tribulation. Jesus Himself referred to it in Matthew 24-25, calling it a time when there would be such horrible events He would have to intervene at the end or none would survive, so terrible nothing in past history would compare and as you know, some pretty awful things have happened so it must be going to be too horrible to even contemplate. But it will come because God said so and He never changes His mind or breaks a promise.

ISRAEL…GOD’S PRIDE AND JOY!

When I was a little girl, we had a lady in our town and church named Margaret Carter who loved teaching children. She did it very well, with Sunday School, release school time, Bible clubs in her home…any place she could, she taught kids. I had no idea I was learning so much, thank God I was. She talked a lot about endtimes, emphasizing Daniel with her flannel graph lessons. When I was 15 my father, my favorite person in the whole world, died. I remember blaming God, and deciding to go my own way…and I did. For 20 years I lived exclusively for me. Then, someone gave me a copy of Hal Lindsey’s book Late Great Planet Earth, I read it from cover to cover in an evening and was never the same! I did a 180* turn to the Lord and to my surprise, all I had learned as a child, especially from Miss Carter, came back! I was so hungry for more, I read, and read, and read. That was 1974.

I also remember sitting with my dad and watching our new TV set, while Israel was partitioned by the UN, (Israel accepted the land offered, the Palestinians did not) and given nation status. I saw David ben Gurion stand on a balcony and  tell the Israeli’s they now had a homeland and no one could take it away from them. I heard on the radio with my grandfather, President Truman recognize Israel for diplomatic status with the USA. That was May 14,1948.

The very next day, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq invaded the brand new nation to take it away but Israel prevailed and they had to withdraw. They had told the Palestinians NOT to accept what the UN offered because they were going to “push Israel into the Med and they, the Palestinians, could have it all. Not happening! From that time until the present, the Palestinians live in refugee structures even though the US, UN and most EU nations sent them millions of dollars that went right into the pockets of their leaders like Arafat and the people never saw any of it. There are thousands of Arabs that have continued to live in Israel, prospered and are happy there. They do not want Palestinian rule. When Israel gave over Gaza, it ad left with homes, farms, fields, businesses…what did the Palestinians do???? They burned everything to the ground and now it is a barren, scorched piece of land not the blooming, thriving land it had been since 1967.

All I have written here is secular history. I have not said one word of what God gave the Jews, and what the boundries are. I’ll leave that for another blog…

 

TO BE CONTINUED

 

RELATIONSHIPS

I’M SURE WE HAVE ALL BEEN TO THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE READY TO THROW OUR HANDS UP IN THE AIR AND WALK AWAY FROM SOMEONE. THE RELATIONSHIP MAY HAVE BEEN A CLOSE AND PERSONAL ONE OR A MORE CASUAL ONE. EITHER WAY, WE CAN GET FED UP WITH A PERSONS CONSERVATION, ATTITUDE, BEHAVIOR OR SOME OTHER CHARACTER QUALITY OR LACK OF ONE. CONSIDER WHAT YOU ORIGINALLY BUILT THE RELATIONSHIP ON…SOME INCIDENT, SOMETHING IN COMMON, A MUTUAL FRIEND??????  THEN CONSIDER IF THE RELATIONSHIP IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO YOU TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT. I GUESS THAT SOUNDS PRETTY COLD BUT THINK ABOUT THIS…A RELATIONSHIP IS DIFFERENT THAN A FIENDSHIP.RELATIONSHPS CAN BE CASUAL, FRIENDSHIPS MORE PERSONAL AND INTENSE. AS A BELIEVER, I BELIEVE WE NEED TO BE MORE “ IF WE WERE, WE WOULD EXPERIENCE LESS PAIN AND HEARTACHE.

WHEN READING THE SCRIPTURE CAREFULLY, YOU GET THE IMPRESSION THAT JESUS WAS ERY DISCERNING IN HIS FRIENDSHIPS, PARTICULARLY BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION…HE WAS DOWN RIGHT PICKY! WE NEED TO BE AS PICKY IN OURS. WE ARE NOT GOD, AND DO NOT KNOW A PERSONS HEART SO IF HE WAS CAREFUL, WE SHOULD BE EVEN MORE SO. I DO NOT THINK I COULD ENTRUST MY INNER THOUGHTS TO A NON-BELIEVER. IN ALL PROBABLITY THEY WOULD NOT “GET IT.” HOW CAN THEY UNDERTAND US WHO ARE INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN THEY ARE NOT? IN MANY CASES, FRIENDSHIP WILL LEAD US TO SOMEONE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO. THAT BEING SO, THAT PERSON MUST BE TRUSTWORTHY AND DISCRETE AND OF COURSE HAVE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST OR YOU WILL NOT BE ON THE SAME PAGE. WE MUST HAVE SIMILAR INTERESTS, AND IT IS HELPFUL IF YOU HAVE THE SAME ACQUAINTENCES/FRIENDS. AND VERY IMPORTANT…IT TAKES TIME TO DEVELOP. CASUAL RELATIONSHIPS USUALLY DO NOT DEVELOP INTO TRUE FRUENDSHIPS. JUST BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION, IN THE UPPER ROOM, CHRIST TALKED WITH HIS DISCIPLES…HIS HAND-PICKED FRIENDS…AND TOLD THEM HE HAD ELEVATED THEM TO TH OSITION OF FRIENDS…QUITE A COMPLIMENT, THAT I DO NOT THINK THEY UNDERSTOOD UNTIL MUCH LATER. HE TOLD THEM A FRIEND COULD BE TOLD THINGS AN ACQUAINTENCE COULDN’T, BUT THEY HAD SPENT THREE YEARS TOGETHER NIGHT AND DAY, AND KNEW EACH OTHER VEY WELL. REMEMBER ALSO, HE TOOK PETER, JAMES AND JOHN WITH HIM WHEN HE WENT AWAY TO PRAY, AGAIN A COMPLIMENT THEY WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND UNTIL LATER. IN CONCLUSION, IF GOD HIMSELF WAS CAREFUL WHO HE INVESTED FRIENDSHIP IN, SHOULDN’T WE BE DISCERNING, DEPENDING ON THE LORD TO ASSURE OR CENSURE A FRIENDSHIP? HE INSTRUCTED US TO “BE WISE AS SERPENTS, HARMLESS S DOVES,” WE NEED TO TAKE THAT ADVICE TO HEART.

Accountability and Confrontation, Dirty Words…

For most of us, either of these issues are inviting. We don’t want to share our most personal matters with almost anyone, especially bad habits, thoughts, actions. but…we need to in order to grow a healthy and Godly Christian life. It is difficult to find someone you can trust not to blab to others, and one who will listen! As I see it being a counselor myself, listening is a lost “art.” People constantly over talk or interrupt or their facial expression tells you they are not listening. I think over talking bothers me he most. It says to me, “what you are saying isn’t important, I know better than you…” I just really dislike it and a lot of people do it on a continuing basis. Years ago when I was a new Christian and not yet in ministry, I had a retail store. People use to come in, sit down in the small sitting area I had, and many times pour out their hearts to me. I had always been a”people” person but this was different, I was almost compelled to pay attention. At times, I would start to interrupt, and would sense the Holy Spirit urging me to keep quiet. When it happened more than occasionally, I gave it some serious thought and prayer, and realized the Lord was teaching me to shut MY mouth and just listen. Later I learned by experience that good counseling was mostly a matter of listening. Most of the time, God has an answer for troubled people, something in His Word that can be applied or used as a guideline. If you are doing all the talking, you cannot hear what your friend is trying to tell you. And…it goes without saying, if you are not in the Word, living close to the Lord, you will have no answers for them. Now confrontation is another whole ball game…Again, a very close relationship to the Lord and deep knowledge of the Word and Biblical principles are essentials to be effective in confrontation. A Godly walk will draw others to you when they face situations they cannot handle alone. There are a few “rules” in confronting, 1/ being honest and direct, choosing your words carefully. Also watch YOUR body language. But do not beat around the bush, weigh what needs to be said and lay it squarely on the line. Be as loving as possible, non-judgmental, with the aim of giving the person a way to see the situation from god’s point of view. And never, ever confront anyone in anger or you’ve lost your opportunity to help another grow in the Lord, they will back off, perhaps permanently. If possible use an action you’ve seen so that you can be specific and not generalize…generalizing feels like an attack and you do not want that. Where possible be empathetic. If you’ve walked in their shoes, tell them so, it will help them realize you are not criticizing. And I think most important, be affirming. We never know what kind of childhood and upbringing they may have had, possibly never feeling adequate, being told they are stupid and useless. You will be surprised how many people have serious damage from childhood, damage only God can heal…and you may be the conduit He wants to use to accomplish it. Earn the right to confront…listen carefully to the Holy Spirit’s checks and act on them. That way you keep short accounts with the Lord and are always ready to be used in His service. Opportunities frequently come when we aren’t looking for them, so be alert…and ready!

THINKING, LOVING AND CARING ABOUT ISRAEL

I am a Bible believing Christian, every jot and tittle, I follow and read about prophecy, I also follow and read about current events. I’ve been a Christian, a very committed one, for 37 years, got right with the Lord through reading Hal Lindsey’s Late, Great, Plant Earth in 1974. I had been properly instructed in the Scripture as a child so I knew what he was talking about was true, and probably coming about soon. I remember either watching or hearing the UN voting on Israel’s partition. I remember Abba Eben  speaking before the UN as they debated what to do. At the time, I didn’t know what was going on but for some reason, I had a sense of “history.” I remember President Harry Truman making a speech stating our nation’s recognition of Israel as a nation. I wasn’t very old so I don’t remember too many details but after my experience with the Lord in ‘74, I remembered, and gave it a great deal of thought. I’ve been “thinking out loud” about Israel and her place in God’s world and ours. I consider it a great privilege to be alive now, in this time period, when I believe God’s final dealing with Israel as well as His wrath with mankind will be happening. There is a saying, “I’m not expecting the undertaker, I’m expecting the uppertaker!”

These last couple of years have been incredible in light of Bible prophecy. People say they can’t understand Revelation or Daniel or any other of the Prophets…hogwash…they don’t want to. The speed with swift…the Bible uses the term, “suddenly.” Who, 40 years ago would have thought the Arabs/Muslims would be taking over as they have these last years. Who would have thought the nations would be aligned as they are, with everything moving in the direction of one, great big world, governed by a few liberal radicals or that Christianity a we have known it would be almost totally wiped out! It is happening so fast it almost takes your breath away. Jesus told us, warned us, begged us, and still we don’t listen…then or now. The show is about over and we are soon to see the finale.

If President Obama turns us away from supporting Israel and being her greatest ally…it’s all over. There are more verses of Scripture that speak to the issue of “those who love Israel/those who hate Israel” than I can record on this blog but take my word for it, these are A LOT! God loves Israel and her people with an undying, unconditional, unexplainable love. And we as a nation had better think about that. But I doubt the powers that be will give it any thought and eventually we, Israel’s last important friend, will turn on her and she will be all alone. The big BUT here is this: they are never alone, Israel’s God will never leave her or forsake her, no matter how stiff-necked she is. Watch!!! We are about to see the greatest event in human history, the curtain falling on the drama of God and His creation of and love for humanity.

TAKE THE NAME OF JESUS WITH YOU

This beautiful hymn was written by a woman name Lydia Baxter, inspired by Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jeus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Most of us realize the name “Jesus” brings comfort,, cheer, settledness to those who are suffering and/or bereaved. It can also bring a sense of peace to persons who are depressed and/or fearful. Lydia Baxter was bed-ridden most of her life, she was always cheerful and patient. She would tell friends she had a “special armor. the Name of Jesus. when the Tempter tries to make me blue or despondent, I mention the Name Jesus and he can’t get to me anymore.” Mrs Baxter wrote this hymn from her bed, just four years before her death in 1874 at age 65. She was always known for her interest in and discussion of Bible names…their origin and those who bore those names…Samuel, “asked of God,” Hannah, “grace,” Sarah, “princess,” but the name that meant the most to her was the name, Jesus. It was used often during the evangelistic campaigns of DL Moody and Ira Sankey in the latter part of the 19th century. We still sing this hymn today, it speaks to us about carrying His name through our lives and even speaks to us of eternity, and the “joy of Heaven” that awaits us.

Here are the words, ponder them and enjoy…

Take the name of Jesus with you, child of sorrow and of woe; it will joy and comfort give you…take it then where’er you go…

Take the name od Jesus with you, as a shield from every snare; if temptations round you gather, breathe that holy name in prayer…

O the precious name of Jesus, How it thrills our souls with joy. When His loving arms receive us, and His songs our tongues employ…

At the name of Jesus bowing, falling prostrate at His feet, King of Kings in heaven we’ll crown Him, when our journey is complete…

CHORUS…Precious name, O how sweet, hope of earth and joy of heaven.

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