Pray for Our Ally, Israel

Photo by wherejesuswalked.org

Today marks Yom Kippur, "the Day of Atonement," in the Jewish calendar. It is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has articulated numerous times that his greatest desire is to see Israel wiped off the face of the earth, is scheduled to speak at the U.N. conference on this holiest of days for the Jews.

That is equal to Hilter speaking at the Holocaust Museum (had he lived). That is equal to Osama bin Laden speaking at the 9/11 Memorial (had he lived).

Outrageous, you say? Insensitive? Indecent?

That's just the beginning.

The current administration taking up residence in the White House has not made any effort to challenge Israel's neighboring enemies in the Middle East, most of which (if not all) are our enemies as well. What they have called a "bump in the road" has resulted in the loss of scores of American lives and countless Israeli/Jewish lives.

Israel and America's enemies in the Middle East have declared that our nations are seen as one entity in their eyes. If either nation takes military action, they will attack the other. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried many times to coordinate a conference with the current President of the United States, but the President has declined with an ever-growing list of excuses. Netanyahu has been told to "wait." "Wait?" he asks. "Wait for what?" His country is being bombed daily by her hostile neighbors. Iran is on the verge of nuclear capability.

Yet he is told to "wait."

And the leader of America, Israel's closest ally, will not even make time for a conference to discuss a plan of action, let alone extend any kind of support.

Outrageous, indeed.

America's greatness stems from her roots as a Christian nation. She was founded on the principles of Biblical truth. That includes acknowledging Israel's position as God's chosen people, as is laid out in Scripture. In other words, America should be the first to lend a hand when Israel is in trouble. Many former Presidents, even those who made no claim to the Christian faith, have assisted Israel when she needed it.

Well, Israel certainly needs our help now, and the current administration has made it clear that America will not support Israel as she has in the past.

We need to pray for:

• the safety of the nation of Israel.
• the salvation of Israelis/Jews who do not know the Messiah as their Savior.
• the United States of America to remember her place in the world as a Christian nation, and her strategic role as Israel's greatest ally. 

The world is watching our nation - including those who are seeking to harm us and our ally, Israel. America's leaders would do well to remember that.

Please join me in praying for our country, the nation of Israel, and our Jewish/Israeli friends and neighbors who are in distress over these uncertain and tumultous times. 

Avinu Malkeinu, Chaneinu V'aneinu, 

ki ein banu ma'asim. 

Assei imanu ts'dakah vachesed, vehoshiyeinu.

(Hear our voice, Lord our God,

pity and be compassionate to us, and accept 

- with compassion and favour - our prayer.)

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Beneath the Cross

Beneath the cross of Jesus

I find a place to stand,

And wonder at such mercy

That calls me as I am;

For hands that should discard me

Hold wounds which tell me, "Come."

Beneath the cross of Jesus

My unworthy soul is won.

Beneath the cross of Jesus

His family is my own—

Once strangers chasing selfish dreams,

Now one through grace alone.

How could I now dishonor

The ones that You have loved?

Beneath the cross of Jesus

See the children called by God.

Beneath the cross of Jesus—

The path before the crown—

We follow in His footsteps

Where promised hope is found.

How great the joy before us

To be His perfect bride;

Beneath the cross of Jesus

We will gladly live our lives.

{Beneath the Cross by Thankyou Music}

Have a blessed Lord's Day!

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What Children Can Teach Us

"Every child you encounter is a divine appointment." {Wess Stafford}

"Only where children gather is there any real chance of fun." {Mignon McLaughlin}

"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." {Nelson Mandela}

"Children are our most valuable resource." {Herbert Hoover}

"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven." {Henry Ward Beecher}

That's just a small sampling of the many, many things have been said about children. Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, or someone who has interacted with children in various settings, you know how trying children can be for your sanctification (*wink*). Although children certainly can be a handful, there are a great many things we "older folks" can learn from them.

Scripture has plenty to say about this.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

{Psalm 127:3}

Children are blessings from the Lord, and are to be treated accordingly. If God has entrusted children to your care, He has given you the privilege of being responsible for the lives - both physical and spiritual - of those little blessings.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

{Proverbs 22:6}

If you are a parent, you are responsible for your child's growth and development - physical, emotional, spiritual, and in every other aspect. Yes, this includes training and instruction, but they also learn by example and observation. You know the saying: "Actions speak louder than words." Children are watching you and learning from you, even if you aren't always conscious of it. Someone has said, "Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate."

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 

{Proverbs 22:15}

Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 

{Proverbs 23:13}

A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. 

{Proverbs 29:15}

Children are fallen, sinful people, just like we "older folks" are. Discipline is a necessary aspect of biblical parenthood in order to raise children who fear God, obey authority and respect others. However, this does not justify abuse or neglect. It must be done in such a way that the child understands it is being done out of love for him/her.

Jesus had much to say regarding children.

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, ad said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. {Matthew 18:1-6}

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. {Mark 10:15}

Children have a simple, humble faith and trust in those they love (parents, grandparents, older siblings, etc). They have a confident expectation that those who love them will take care of them. That's the kind of faith Jesus tells us is part of the process of salvation.

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. {Matthew 19:13-14}

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. {Mark 10:13-14, 16}

Jesus chided the disciples for trying to keep the children away from Him. They were just as important to Him as the adults He was ministering to.

Children bring a tremendous amount of joy and laughter wherever they go, and that certainly is a blessing. God manifests His sense of humor through the amusing things children do and say. Some of the funniest things I've ever heard have come from the mouths of children.

When children are selfish and/or disobedient, it can certainly try our patience as we seek to discourage such behavior, discipline them for it (when necessary), and try to encourage obedient, others-focused behavior. Such times serve as a sobering rebuke about how we treat God and/or respond to His commands sometimes.

A Little Child

The nature of a little child, I simply could not see

How such a nature could become a part of me.

The pride of years would never let my Savior to the Throne,

But crowned me King and kept me where I reigned, just I alone.

This pride, oh, what a horrid thing! Kept me from bending low,

So, through the Kingdom's door, you see, I simply could not go.

Thus all the beauty of His realm was on the other side;

Oh, what I missed, oh, what I lacked, because of my old pride!

Then, oh the wonder of that day, I saw what I should do;

I said, "Lord Jesus, I step down and give the throne to You."

And so when I by faith obeyed, a miracle of grace,

Within this haughty heart of mine, that moment did take place.

For all at once I knew, I felt humble and meek and mild,

And saw that God had given me the nature of a child.

Now, would I, dare I, could I try once more the Kingdom's door?

I longed to, yet it looked so low, so near unto the floor.

But beckoned by the pierced Hand which had removed my sin,

Upon my knees, now weak and small a child, I entered in.

I entered in, oh bless the day, I entered through that door,

And all His Kingdom lay ahead for children to explore.

And so, diminished as I am, stripped of all else but grace,

I live, a trusting little child, and look upon His face.

And now there is but One supreme who rules and wears the crown,

And that great miracle began the moment I stepped down.

Now it's your turn: do you have any additional thoughts or insights? What other lessons can you think of that the Lord has taught you through children? Leave a comment below!

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Liberty in Christ

I love this time of year. Family and friend get-togethers, cookouts, patriotic music...and of course, the fireworks. Nothing stokes the patriotic fires better than a good ol'-fashioned 4th of July celebration. It's a time to honor our nation's heritage and to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

I believe in America because we have great dreams - and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.  {Wendell L. Wilkie} 

National honor is national property of the highest value. {James Monroe}

 The cement of this union [America] is the heart-blood of every American. {Thomas Jefferson}

We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution. {John F. Kennedy}

Even more important than our earthly liberty, though, is our spiritual liberty in Christ.


Before we were saved, we were slaves to sin (and the Law that governs sin). We were helpless to save ourselves from the burden of trying to uphold the Law in our sin-enslaved condition. When Christ died on the Cross, he provided the means necessary to free us from this bondage.

...our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is free from sin. {Romans 6:6-7}

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons... Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. {Galatians 4:3-7}

Our helpless, sin-ridden condition died on the Cross with Christ. Christ rose again, but our sins remained lifeless, and will remain lifeless forever. Never again will they be able to condemn us, control us, or hold us back.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. {Romans 6:14}

 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption... {Romans 8:1-15}

...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. {2 Corinthians 3:17} 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. {Galatians 5:1}

Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is the spiritual "Declaration of Independence" that we signed when we accepted Him as our Savior. The Bible is the spiritual "Constitution" whereby we are to govern our spiritual lives. We are to be the spiritual "Statues of Liberty" in the world - beacons of hope for spiritual freedom in a sin-cursed, sin-enslaved world.

During this time of celebration, remember to celebrate the liberty you have in Christ, as well. Take some time to thank Him for the spiritual liberty you enjoy because of Him. He deserves our gratitude. 

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Washed Clean

As I write this, rain is tapping away at the windowsill. The taps are becoming progressively louder as the rain starts coming down harder. At first glance out the window, it looks to be a dreary scene.

The rain has lightened up to a soft drizzle now.

On a second, more concentrated look out the window, I see it - a bush situated right underneath the window. I remember noticing the other day that this particular bush was covered in pollen and spider webs. Thanks to the rain, the bush is now free from the pollen and spider webs. It has been washed clean from all the filth I had noticed before. I couldn't help but be reminded of how Christ's atonement on the Cross gave my soul a similar cleansing when I accepted Him as my Savior.

(I realize this comparison/illustration breaks down, but bear with me a little.)

Back in in the days of the Old Testament, those who loved and feared God were required to make sacrifices to make restitution for their sins (you can read more about this in the first five books of the Old Testament, Genesis-Deuteronomy). Blood had to be spilled to cover their sins, because "without the shedding of blood is no remission [pardon/forgiveness]," Hebrews 9:22b. This wasn't just a one-time event. They had to take a sacrifice to the Tabernacle or the Temple (depending on when they lived) every day of their lives.

Approximately 2,000 years ago, God sent His Son to serve as the once-for-all sacrifice for all mankind. Christ was the Lamb "who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God" (Hebrews 9:14). The little phrase "without spot" carries big significance. God required a perfect sacrifice to make restitution for the sins of Old Testament believers. When Christ came to earth to die for us, that standard had not changed. He couldn't just be "good enough" - he had to be perfect, sinless, something  humans can never be no matter how hard we try. Christ had such great compassion and love for us pitiful, sinful, hopeless creatures that he "washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Revelation 1:5), something we could never do for ourselves.

The rain washed away the impurities I saw on the bush outside my window. The bush had no way of removing the filth itself; it was helpless. Similarly, you and I are completely helpless to cleanse our sinful hearts to be the perfect sacrifice that God requires to atone for sin. When we accepted Christ, Christ's blood washes us clean from all the "dust" and "spider webs," all the impurities of our sinfulness, once and for all. That doesn't mean we never sin again - we still have our sinful nature, and it will remain until we die. But our sins - past, present, and future - are already paid for. We do not have the burden of them on our shoulders anymore because of what Christ did for us on the Cross.

If you know Christ as your Savior, you have great cause to rejoice: you are washed clean of your sins by the blood of the Lamb - FOREVER!

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Remember Lot's Wife

Remember Lot's wife. {Luke 17:32}

Scripture is full of exhortations to leave behind the "old man," the way we thought and acted before we received the "new man" thoughts and actions through Christ's atoning work on the cross. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 

A less positive exhortation to refrain from looking back at our past life of hopeless bondage to sin and the world (ie. pre-salvation) is the story of Lot's wife. You can read the whole story in Genesis 18:20-19:30. In a nutshell, the story goes like this: Lot and his family lived in the city of Sodom, one of the most wicked cities of the day. God told Abraham, Lot's uncle, that He would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their abominable practices. Concerned for his nephew's safety, Abraham persuaded God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there were ten righteous people living in the city limits. Since there were not ten righteous people living in those cities, God sent two angels to Sodom to warn Lot about the coming judgment. They urged him to take his family and flee the city as quickly as possible. The angels warned them not to look back as they left. Lot's wife did not heed the warning, and she was turned into a pillar of salt.

{Philippians 3:13-14}

While there are many lessons to be learned from this story (including heeding God's word and obeying it, etc.), I would like to focus on just one in particular for now. God bringing Lot and his daughters safely out of the destruction of Sodom is a picture of Christ rescuing us from the debauchery of sin through His shed blood. when we "look back" at our former life, before Christ rescued us, we are making opportunity for the Devil to entice us back into that lifestyle. If you know Christ as your personal Savior, you have been made a new creature - you don't have to live your old, hopeless, dead pre-conversion life anymore because Christ has given you new, hopeful, joyful, everlasting life! 

In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul uses the picture of an athlete running a race to illustrate this transformative change: "...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God." If an athlete looks back while running a race, he/she will veer off-course or possibly even cause injury, hampering his/her ability to run. The same is true if we look back at "those things which are behind," meaning a pre-Cross, pre-Christ lifestyle and sinful habits that may have seemed enjoyable at the time. It hinders our ability to run towards "the high calling of God."

Remember Lot's wife - don't look back, look forward! 

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Spiritual Warfare

Exactly 68 years ago, in the early hours of the morning, the Allied Invasion of Normandy ("D-Day") began. The operation was the largest amphibious invasion in world history.

Over 160,000 land troops were involved in this operation: 73,000 American troops, 61,715 British and 21,400 Canadian. 195,700 allied naval and merchant navy personell in over 5,000 ships were involved as well.

 "You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely....The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower giving the D-Day order on June 6, 1944.
 

As you can see, this was a massive undertaking! 

The landings took place along a 50-mile stretch of the Normany coast. This landing site was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. The Americans' orders were to take Utah and Omaha beaches while the British were to take Gold and Sword, leaving the Canadians to take Juno Beach.

D-Day was the beginning of the end for not only the German Armed Forces, but Hitler most of all.

In the same way, Satan is constantly plotting to invade and attack the souls of Christians. The Apostle Peter warns us to "[b]e sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" {I Peter 5:8}

 I don't know about you, but the thought of a hungry lion coming after me with the intent to kill is pretty terrifying to me!

How are we to defend ourselves from Satan's bombardments? The Apostle Paul answers that question for us in Ephesians 6:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" {Ephesians 6:10-17}

Paul uses the picture of a suit of armor to represent the most important doctrines of Christianity.

First, he stresses the necessity of putting on the entire suit of armor. If a knight failed to put on his entire suit of armor, he would leave himself exposed to the weapons of the enemy, resulting in severe injury or death.

The belt of truth ("loins girt about with truth"): The belt joins the suit of armor together and prevents it from sliding off the wearer's body. Truth, in the same way, is the central doctrine that links all the other elements of Christianity.

The footwear of peace ("feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"): Footwear protects the feet from anything that would hinder the wearer's movement. Peace, then, is the "footwear" that enables the Christian to share the Gospel with those who have not heard the name of Christ.

The shield of faith: Knights used the shield to stop enemy weapons from hitting their target. Faith is the shield the Christian uses to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Without faith, the Christian has very little defense against the Devil's onslaughts.

The helmet of salvation: The helmet protects the most vital part of the body: the head, which houses the brain. If the head is damaged, the brain cannot work properly, and the whole body suffers. In the same way, then, salvation is the most essential part of the Christian life. Without it, Satan can eat us for breakfast!

The sword of the Spirit: The sword was the knight's main weapon in combat. The Word of God, the Bible, is the Christian's weapon against the Devil's attacks. Without the Sword, we are merely defensive.

We are in a war, my friends. Let's put on the whole armor of God so that we may be effective soldiers in Christ's army!

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