Middle East Peace Update Report

Your Word For Today: Yeshua Makes a Radical & Bold Statement

John 5:24, NLT 

I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Think about how powerful of a statement this is. In the Lord's day, the Jews of that day believed that ONLY God could forgive sin, they have believed this for over 4,000 years by the way and they're right, only God can forgive sin! 

Paul Series “Romans 5”

Source: Wikipedia

Before we continue our series on Paul's letters in Romans to Philemon, I want to announce that all my books are free today through Friday (10/21-10/25) on Amazon (ebook only) to celebrate my three year blogging anniversary. You can click on the links below to download the free ebooks.

http://tinyurl.com/YOU-CAN-HAVE-A-HAPPY-FAMILY

http://tinyurl.com/The-LOVE-Walk

http://tinyurl.com/Armor-of-Light

Last week, we studied Romans 4 how Abraham was justified by faith. Through his example we learn that we are also justified by faith. This week, in Romans 5, Paul explains some of the benefits of being justified by faith.

One of the benefits is that we have peace with God.

“having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

(v. 1, NASB)

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV).

Your Word For Today: If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar...

1 John Chapter 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  

When John penned these words it was before 70 A.D. and at that time there were Antichrist's in the form of Gnostic's. Basically Gnostic's believe that one is spiritual and saved by what they do predominately, not by who they place their faith in. Therefore, John was countering the trends of his day, and in our vanacular he was saying, let's get real, this is what sin is and this is the solution to it, recognize you are a sinner, confess your sin and yeild your will to God and the "true" God will forgive you your sin.

John's emphasis was on a personal relationship with a living God, not a god of their imaginations, something in the air or a good feeling for doing something good. John wanted the Jews of his day to understand completely, that first, one must exercise faith and the natural affect of that faith would be seen by what we do. Many in his day had it backwards, what you do was more important than what or who you believed in.

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Paul Series “Romans 4”

Source: Wikipedia

We continue our study of Paul’s letters in Romans to Philemon. Follow this link to read any previous messages in this series. This week we are studying Romans 4.

As in the previous chapters, Paul talks about how we are justified before God and made righteous by faith, not by works of the law.  Paul explains how Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.

How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

v. 10-12 (NASB)

Abraham set an example for us to follow in his footsteps as he, against all hope, believed God was faithful to deliver what He promised him. Because he stood firm in faith, Abraham received what God promised and he became “a father of many nations” (v. 17).

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

v. 19-21 (NIV)

We can learn by Abraham’s example how to receive what God has promised us in His Word. First, we learn that Abraham didn’t deny the fact that he and Sarah were well past child bearing age. Walking in faith doesn’t mean we ignore the facts. Walking in faith means we trust that God can change the facts.

...God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

v. 17 (NASB)

Your Word For Today: Keep Your Mind Stayed on Him

Based on Isiah 26:3

I hope in some small way this audio word will encourage you and help you to keep your mind centered and focused on the Lord. 

A few years ago the Holy Spirit moved me into listening to worship music to start my day.

Listen below...

 

Remember, the Lord loves us more than any of us will ever know. After all, He died and shed His blood for us and held nothing back!

Paul Series “Romans 3”

Source: Wikipedia

We continue our study of Paul’s letters in Romans to Philemon. Last week, we studied Romans 2. This week we move on to Romans 3.

The chapter starts off with talking about how the Jews were first entrusted with the teachings of God. And though some did not believe God, it did not nullify His faithfulness to His Word.

The Apostle Paul explains:

“What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written,

‘That You may be justified in Your words,
And prevail when You are judged.’

Romans 3:3-4, NASB

God’s Word will stand as complete truth regardless whether we believe Him or not.

Jesus said:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

Matthew 24:35

Even though our unbelief cannot hinder God’s faithfulness to His Word, it can hinder His Word from having an effect in our lives. Jesus told the Pharisees and teachers of the law:

“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Mark 7:9-13, NIV

Many people question God’s faithfulness today. There are many things written in His Word that people try to refute on the sole basis that they haven’t experienced or seen it happen.

Why is God’s Word alive and active in some people’s lives and not others? Why are some experiencing God’s promises while others are not?  Is God faithful to some and not to others?

Jesus said:

“Did I not say to you that IF you believe, you WILL see the glory of God?”

John 11:40, NASB (emphasis mine)

God is faithful to His Word. As we learned last week in Romans 2, God shows no partiality. He will do for each of us exactly what He says He will do.

Prophecy in Our Headlines: God's Warning to The World!

PM Netanyahu's Speech at
the UN General Assembly

 

In the PM's speech he materfully brings the listener up to speed on the history of Persia (Iran) from Cyrus The King of Persia to the current president Rouhani.

Netanyahu made a plea to the Iranian people and to the power elites within Iran to walk in the footsteps of King Cyrus and to accept the fact that the Jews belong in Israel by a God -given edict and towards the end of his speech he quotes Amos 9 and tells the leaders in the UN that Israel is here to stay and we will never leave because God has given us this land. "Paraphrased."

Paul Series “Romans 2”

Source: Wikipedia

We continue our study of Paul's letters in Romans to Philemon. Last week, we studied Romans 1 and learned the benefits of faith and the consequences of unbelief. This week we are studying Romans 2.

The chapter begins with talking about how God shows no partiality (v. 1-16). The amplified Bible says partiality is "undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another."

It can be comforting knowing God is not partial and He loves us all the same, especially when we think we are less worthy than others.

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

It can also be humbling knowing God is not partial. When He blesses us and works in us, it can be tempting to think He loves us more than those who do not know Him or do not submit to Him.

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous

Matthew 5:45

Making Sense of The USA, Iran, Israel and The UN

As world leaders met at the UN and gave speeches that offered up solutions to world problems we're faced with, one thing stood out, Israel and Jerusalem took center stage and the PM of Israel seemed to be power brokered into a political corner. He is now in a no-win position. If he refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and not relocated over 800,000 Jews from the West Bank, he will look like the problem and so will Israel.

It looked as though Obama and Rohani of Iran had met in a back room and scripted how all of this would be orchestrated on the world stage. I can't tell you how shocked and angry Israel, their politicians and citizenry are over this. In a word, they feel betrayed! Thursday September 26, 2013 more gas masks were sold than at any one time in Israel. That says a lot. The people of Israel are fearful that a war is now a real possibility. Looks like Zechariah 12 is coming to pass!

On Wednesday September 25, 2013 I wrote a report about how dangerous our world is now that our President has told Iran you're safe, and gave the green light to Iran.

Iran Wins and The World Loses

I believe that today will be a day that we look back on and ask, why didn't someone do something?

Since 2005 I have been sounding the alarm that Iran would go nuclear and I was ridiculed for being an alarmist! Well now our president has decided, along with our EU allie's, to allow Iran keep it's current stocks of uranium. Yes, you heard me right! The day that I feared has come and now, we will have the largest terrorist state wielding nuclear bombs and they will hold the world hostage just like North Korea does.

The Bible outlined for us some 2500 years ago, through the Prophet Ezekiel, in Ezekiel 38 and 39 who the power brokers in the Middle East would be and it looks like we have lived to see Bible Prophecy once again fulfilled in our generation.

NEW Paul Series "Romans 1"

Source: Wikipedia

I am starting a new series today. I invite you to join me in studying Paul’s letters in Romans to Philemon. This series will run every Tuesday. We will study one chapter a week. If you would like to follow along with this series, read the chapter listed for the week and then share whatever God taught you through that chapter in the comment section below. We can minister to one another, as God may teach each of us something different through the chapters.

This week, we start out by reading Romans chapter 1.

The first half of the chapter talks about the benefits of faith and how the gospel of Christ is exalted through faith.

In verses 1-17, I learned that:

• Faith is obedience (v. 5).

 We often think we have to do everything right to be obedient. But the Bible says, “know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16).

Renewing Our Minds

Source: Chicago Tabernacle

 

I am starting a new series next week on Paul's letters (from Romans - Philemon). In my Bible, I probably read Paul's letters the most because they are filled with teachings on how to follow Christ's example by living a godly life.  This week, I want to share a message I posted last September from a series I did on training ourselves to be godly, titled "Pursuing Godliness." In this message, I shared how Paul exhorted the Corinthians to follow his example as he followed the example of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). This message was one of the most helpful posts God has ever given me to share. It teaches the importance of renewing our minds so we can follow Christ's example and live a godly life.

 Renewing Our Minds

The Apostle Paul exhorted, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

How do we follow Christ’s example? How do we train ourselves to be godly?

The answer is in Romans 12:1-2:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. The Greek word for renewal in the above verse means “renovation.” When you renovate something, you restore it to a better state. The Bible says if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Your Word For Today... God is Always With Us!

Based on Deuteronomy 31:6

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

The children of Israel were about to enter the promised land without their leader Moses. Moses was passing the mantle of leadership on to Joshua (meaning Salvation) who would lead them before the Lord. The children of Israel were feeling uneasy, nervous and fearful for the unknowns that were ahead of them.

The fear of the unknown has a way of just griping our insides and causing all kinds of turmoil within our hearts and our stomachs for that matter. Fear is a strong emotion that can either help us to be sharp and act divisively or cause us to withdraw and shrink in the face of danger and not complete our God given mission.

The Prophecy Against Damascus

At the time of the writing of this report President Obama has decided not to go into Syria and he has asked Congress to not vote on taking military action due to an offer that Putin of Russia has made to the USA. Time will tell where all of this leads and we look to the Lord for our answers and in Him we put our trust!

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

Confidence to Persevere

I am excited to be back from my break. I took August off to catch up on some things and prayerfully prepare a schedule for my kid’s school year so that I am able to have more time to write. I checked my email messages when I returned and found some encouraging news regarding my first book “You Can Have a Happy Family: Steps to Enjoying Your Marriage and Children.” Last month, I was informed that I was a finalist in the Reader’s Favorite International Book Contest. It was announced last week that my book won a silver medal in the contest, and it will be featured in the largest International book fair in America this November in Miami.

 

 

Receiving this award is a great blessing, not only because it opens the door to reach more people with the message God gave me to share in that book, but it’s a humble reminder to keep my confidence in Him and persevere. In April 2009, God called me out of leading Bible studies in my home to follow Him and write about what He’s done in my marriage and my family. I was ecstatic to be called, so I didn’t hesitate even though I had no writing experience.

After a couple months, my excitement was quickly replaced by fear as I began to take my eyes of Jesus and focus on my inabilities. That’s when God led me to memorize Hebrews 10:35-37, and hide those verses in my heart, so I would remember to keep my eyes on Him and persevere:

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.