The Tomb

 Monday, April 21, 2014

 "That if the resurrection of Christ is not true, then we Christians are of all men most miserable" (1 Corinthians 15:19).  "Joseph brought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock, and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb" (Mark 16:46).

 Hey Gang:  I need to add one morning message to the Easter messages of the past several weeks. I don't apologize for that because I believe we should not celebrate Easter/Resurrection Day only one day a year, but each and every day.  The horrendous price Jesus paid for our redemption deserves your honoring Him every moment of every day.  What happened on that hill outside of Jerusalem that day, when they crucified our Lord, is the very essence of where we will spend eternity.

 I have mentioned before, we, my bride and I, have been to Israel several times and hope to return again next year. Yes, we do have favorite spots that tend to warm the cockles of our hearts.  There is no greater joy than standing on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Kidron Valley and seeing  Gethsemane on one side and the Eastern Gate on the other.   As I look beyond the Eastern Gate I allow my mind to dream a little and see the Temple begin to rise out of the dust- the Temple Mount and the Eastern Gate where Christ will enter when He returns to take back what is rightfully His.

 But there is another place that warms the cockles of my heart, the Garden Tomb best known as Gordon's Calvary.  There is a great deal of controversy between the various schools of thoughts as to whether this is the right place where they laid Jesus body or perhaps at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  Hey folks, we have stood inside both and excitedly report to you, they are both empty!

 Of all the miracles and acts of God in the Bible, the Virgin Birth and Resurrection have, through the centuries, been the most attacked and denied and vilified.     In recent years "creation" has been added to that list, but the Resurrection continues to take first place.  The Resurrection is the foundational doctrine of the New Testament.  It is the miracle on which all other miracles rise and fall. 

 The Resurrection makes Christianity the only major religion in the world with a living originator.  Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, etc, all had their originators and founders, but they are all long since very dead!   Only Christianity has a living founder!

 

 Sooo, my friends, we are a generation that tends to take things for granted and not get too serious about the deep meanings and implications of what Jesus really did for us that day on Calvary’s Hill.  It is recorded that when Jesus was hung on the cross, he was totally unrecognizable; the beatings that he endured were beyond description. I wonder what went through the minds of Caiaphas and the other members of the Sanhedrin that night. I have spent much time thinking about His suffering, sacrifice, passion, love and grace.  Thank you Jesus!!!

Blessings,

Gramps

Faith Demonstrated - Faith Reward

 Monday, April 28, 2014

And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; for she was saying to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I will get well."  But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, "take courage; your faith has made you well."  At once the woman was made well" (Matthew 9:20 - 22).

Hey Gang:  As a little squeezer, our Sunday School used to have contest memorizing Bible verses and the winner would get a prize.  Being a lazy type I always looked for the short verses like "Jesus saves", "Jesus Wept" and "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God". But I readily admit I did not have a clue what ‘faith’ was.  In my tenure in the church the word ‘faith’ was used quite frequently but I do not recall anyone sitting me down and saying, “This is what faith is all about” and it is a very essential ingredient in your walk with the Lord.

And then one day, as I was doing a word study on the word faith, a brilliant thought crossed my dome of intellect, "Faith is an action word".   As I read and reread all the accounts where Jesus did miraculous healings, in each miracle faith rewarded was preceded with faith demonstrated!    In other words, I learned that faith was an action word.  In all the faith healings performed by Jesus there was a prerequisite - they had to believe with all their heart that Jesus could do what they were asking Him to do.

Do you remember the story of the paralytic? Due to the huge crowd that surrounded Jesus, the four men who carried him could not get close to Jesus.  Time to pack it in and wait for another day, right?  Wrong! They were determined that they would get their friend into the hands of the healer, so they went up on the roof, cut a hole in the thatching and let down the paralytic down into Jesus’ presence.    Seeing their faith, Jesus responded: "Your sins are forgiven, take up your pallet and go home".  (Mark 2:3-5).

How about the blind man who was sitting by the road when he heard commotion and learned that Jesus was passing by.  His response,” Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me".  He was told to keep quiet, to which he cried all the more!  Jesus said, bring him to me. Jesus then asked the man what he wanted Him to do.  The man responded, “I want to be able to see.” Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight, your faith has made you well" (Lu. 18:35-43).

 And then there was the woman who had suffered with a hemorrhage for twelve years.  She believed, if she could touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she could be healed.  Weakened from the loss of blood for so many years she had something that many of us lack - determination.  She would not be stopped!  And Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, your faith has made you well." (Matt. 9:20-22).

 Sooooo, My friends, these are but three of the awesome miracles that Jesus performed; each one was based on the faith demonstrated - faith rewarded formula.    I challenge you to do a word study on the word faith and see the many times that Jesus touched -the lepers, the blind, the paralytics and even the dead and said, "By your faith or the faith of someone who loves you dearly, you are healed".  It is a faith building exercise for truly "Faith does come by hearing" and reading of the many wonderful examples He gives, "and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17).

Blessings,

Gramps

Just Like the Days of No

 Wednesday, April 30, 2014

"For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah, For as in those day before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark and they did not understand until, the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:37-39).

 Hey Gang:  I tuned into what was supposed to be a discussion about the controversial movie "Noah", but it sounded more like an argument than a discussion.  I am always amazed that the movie moguls feel a need to improvise and improve on the miracles of the Word of God.  I mean, how can one improve on the parting of the Sea to allow the Israeli children to walk on dry land and escape Pharaoh's charioteers?  Or the creation story or the flood, or the etc. etc. etc.

 After hearing the various critical analysis and the many religious guru's, I sensed my time would be better spent reading the Biblical account of the event to see what really happened.  I do believe Moses had a better handle on the whole affair than the people involved in the ‘so called’ up dated and modern version of what happened at that time. 

 The critical analysis of the movie, on the part of the religious community, certainly got a lot of people’s attention.  Might I add a "praise the Lord" for that! Now ,before you tar and feather me for such a brash statement, let me add a thought or two for your consideration.  In my life-time I have believed that God has given me the gift of "seed planting".  I cannot boast of a green thumb, as most plants that I have touched soon fade away, but the Word into hearts, I pray has different results. 

 I have also been a seeker of ‘how do we penetrate the ‘domes of intellect’ of those folks who have never been blessed to have someone cross their paths with the Word and joy of having a relationship with Father God.    In other words, how does one connect the wondrous things God has done, and continues to do before our very eyes, when we have no connecting lines to Abba Father?

 When asked about the Noah film one young man made the following comment: "I went to see the film and enjoyed it, not so much for the content but for the photography and the neat things they did to project the floods and such." 

Okay, I can buy that.  But his next statement was the one that made me put down my book and pay attention.  He said, “After hearing all the controversy, I went into the closet and dug out the Bible my mother gave me when I was a little squeezer and read the story for myself.  And then I read it again and a third time.  But I did not stop there, I wanted to find out the context of the story and why ‘if there is a God’ (the seed is planted), He would see the need to wipe out most of His creation?

 I wonder how many people went to see Noah because of the media hype and did not have a clue what they were going to see, but came away with a’ seed planted’ in their minds and hearts to seek a deeper understanding of what was presented in the movie.  Mistakes, yes, but if it did indeed impact others, like it did with the young man, make them dig out that dusty Bible and get the truth - should we not be thankful? Keep in mind that God can take anything and turn it to good.

 Soooo, let me share with you a small piece of what I believe is my mission that God has challenged me too for my remaining years.  I have been researching the descriptions of hell and heaven to use in a future morning message.  Why? Because most people stop reading when they read the encyclopedia definition of hell, which in my opinion, has glorified hell.

 Revelation 20:14 gives us a much better understanding that should light a fire under every believer to prevent even their enemies from not accepting Christ as Savior.  Notice the words, "…then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.  And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire"  (Revelation. 20:14-15).

 Now hear this old man -is it not time to look at the things that unite us under that banner of Christ? Is our love relationship not strong enough that we can tackle our differences?  The one thing that frightens me the most is that I will miss the opportunity to break the bondage that Satan has over a soul and lead him or her to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

 Blessings,

 Gramps 

This one rang my bell this morning.  I am teaching on End Times and plan to go with a group to the ARK model in September! 

What Voice Are You Listening To?

 Friday, March 7, 2014

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life" (John 5:24)

Hey Gang: Did you ever literally have another person’s life in your hands?  Where a mis-spoken word could lead to their demise?  I have.  As an air traffic controller, on any given shift of work I held more than a hundred aircraft filled with people in my hands; one missed communication could have placed one, or more, of these aircraft in a life- threatening position.

 One night, while working at the Selfridge AFB Rapcon, I was idling away the remaining hour of my shift by tinkering with the long rang radar scope that allowed the Ground Controller at another facility to line the aircraft up with our radar and thus land the aircraft safely.  As I tinkered, I listened to the ground controller give instructions to the pilot. But, I noticed there were two aircraft taking her instructions.   The direction finder soon proved that she was also giving instructions to the wrong airplane.      

   A call soon corrected the problem and the aircraft was safely vectored to his home base.  The pilot thought he was following the instructions that would lead him to safety, but without immediate corrective action, the T33 would have soon run out of fuel and fallen far short of his Rehoboth (home base). Do you see the analogy painted here?  We may think we are following the right path when, in reality, we are slipping further away from the Lord. 

 Moses gave us the formula to remain strong in the Lord and not be subject to following the wrong voice when he wrote, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  These words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in our house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deut.  6:5-7). 

 Soooo, my young friends, unless you feed your heart, soul and mind with the things of God and stay in constant communication with Him, you may choose to follow the wrong voice.  In His teaching on what is to come in the last days, Jesus said: Be not deceived". (Matthew. 24:3).  If He were standing beside you this morning, He would still say, “Be in My word and be not deceived. Listen to His voice.

Blessings.

Gramps

PS So very important today when we hears voices on the Media, so much other communication. phones full of blogs, etc.    – It is important to check it all with Gods Word and direction.

 

Do You Feel Like You Are In God's Shaker?

 

Monday, March 10, 2014

Hey Gang:  The writer of Hebrews wrote these words, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.”  Yet once more,” denotes the removal ofthose things which can be shaken, as of created things so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.  (Heb. 12:26-29).

  James wrote, “Consider it all joy when you are in the shaker knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance and endurance the perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing”  (James 1:2-4 Hainley rendition).

 Yes, my young friends, we are going to go through increasingly more difficult shakers as the end of the Age of Gentiles, described so clearly in the Prophets and Revelation,  The writers of Hebrews and James also knew that, but they also had the words of Jeremah in their computer banks.  Notice the power verse in Jeremiah 29:12 where God said, “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” 

 As I little twerp I dreamed of the days when I could make my own decisions and do what pleased me.  And then that day arrived, and I walked into the world of reality.  The Amish have a saying that goes like this: "To quick old and too late smart!"  I have learned the wisdom in that statement a thousand or so times - each time I think I have the answer and tell God to take a hike that I can handle this "back-against-the-wall experience.  My life has consisted of a never-ending line of peaks and valleys, some top-of-the-mountain times when I allow God to be in control, and the drudgeries of the valleys, when I say, ‘okay I will take it from here.'

 In the past several weeks I have encountered some new valleys.  It is common to hear people refer to the older years as the Golden Years.  I have modified that to say Golden Years for the medical profession.  I have always been super blessed with good health but in the past several months my body has been sending me messages that my four score years is catching up with me.

 There are new aches and pains, new infirmities which gives me the right to grumble- right?  No, when I feel like doing that I turn by attention to those restricted to wheel chairs or life threatening conditions and I say, "Thank You Father for the wonderful gift of health!”   

  Soooo my young friends, when it feels that God has you in His shaker turn to Isaiah 25:1 and shout to the heavens,  “O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness". Having a tough time? Find someone that is worse off than you and bless them.

Blessings,

Gramps

Do You Do It To the Least of These My Brethren?

 Monday, March 17, 2014

"But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men"  (Luke 6:35). (NASB)

 Dr. Luke followed this power-packed verse with another power-packed verse that has been engrained in my heart and life: "Give, and it shall be given to you.  They will pour into your lap a good measure - pressed down, shaken together, and running over, for by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”  (Lu. 6:38).   

 Hey Gang:  I came across this neat, but very understandable, explanation of the difference between heaven and hell- this is only a story!!

A holy man was having a conversation with God, one day, and asked Him to show him heaven and hell.  God led the Holy man to two doors.  The holy man opened one of the doors and then looked in.  In the middle of the room was a large round table which a fantastic pot of stew that made the holy man's mouth water. 

 But the people sitting around the table were thin and sickly; they appeared to be famished.  They were holding spoons with very long handles which were strapped to their arms. Each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons to their mouth.  The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.  The Lord said you have seen 'hell'.

 They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.  There was the large round table with a large, fantastic pot of stew, just like the one before, which also made the holy man's mouth water.  The people were equipped with the same long- handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. 

 The holy man said, "I don't understand". "It is simple," said the Lord. “Entering heaven requires but one skill, (different from accepting Jesus) you see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.  In other words, those in heaven, having received Jesus, were focused on the Golden Rule: ‘do unto others as you pray they will do unto you’.

 In the very early years of developing the Village, making budget was always a very tough chore.  God supplied but did not spoil us with a dime more than we needed!  It was time when I learned that sacrificial giving was very difficult for many folks, including myself.  Coming out of the depression, the son of a coal miner, I tended to have a fear that if I gave it away, I would come up hungry. 

 And then a dear elderly lady, who resided in a local nursing home, taught me a wonderful lesson. She sent me a very special gift, three dimes, a nickel and two pennies, I knew this is what she had left after taking care of her financial responsibilities.  One thing I have learned, in my sojourn on this earth, ‘you cannot out give God!’

 Soooo, friends and neighbors, remember when Jesus died on the Cross He was thinking of you (John 17:20). When He defeated Satan and rose from the grave, He was thinking of you. When He ascended into the heavenlies and sat down at the right hand of the Father, you were on His mind and He now is your intercessor and one day, soon, He will hear His Father say – ‘time, go for it’.  Soon, He will come and collect all those who love Him as Savior and Lord and are committed to Him totally.

 Blessings,

 Gramps    

There Is A Better Way! Part

 Friday, February 28, 2014

 

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age".  (Matthew 28:18-20).

 Hey Gang:  In the last Gramps Morning Thoughts, I mentioned my management style, which was to give as much responsibility to those with talents, so it would release me to do far greater things.   It is a management style that Jesus used with the development of His disciples.  Remember at the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus said to the disciples, "You feed them ". (Luke 14:16)

 His command to us is “Go and make disciples” so that they can go and make disciples so that they can go and make disciples.  Several months ago our pastor preached on building disciples and used a five step plan to complete the task.   The first step requires initiative - you must find the right candidates.  I can attest to the fact that this is most difficult part of the process.  Pray First!!

 "Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casing a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  And He said to them, "Come here after Me and I will make you fishes of men."  (Matthew 4:18-19) Note: we see Jesus’ pattern in these two verses "Come", and "I will". 

 Step two is to develop or establish a clear pattern of life doctrines and ministry.  In Matthew 5:1-2 we are told that Jesus, seeing the crowd, sat down and He began to teach them in what we know as the Sermon on the Mount.  Later in 8:13 we note that Jesus’ teaching was active as well as verbal, He did something that was absolutely taboo - He touched and healed a leper!  Hey gang, would you lay hands on an HIV infected believer? or for that matter non- believer?

 Step three - grant authority and give ministry opportunities.  In Matthew 10:1-5 that is precisely what Jesus did.  He called the disciples together and gave them their tool box of powers and then sent them on their way to test these new weapons.   In Matthew 17 we note that the disciples blew it; they could not cast demons out of a man.  Failure? No, need for more training? Yes.   Jesus said it takes a prayer.  Did they not pray?  Probably.  But how many know there are steps to growth in prayer?  What I could not do yesterday, I can do today.

 Step four - gracefully correct and recommit. An evangelist was asked what he does when he prays for someone and they die.  His response, "I go to the next one".   In Matthew 16:8-9 Jesus takes the disciples to task: "Don't you remember the miracle of the 4000, or 50000.  O ye of little faith, why are you worrying about whether we have enough bread".   

 Soooo, good buddies, step five is repeat steps one through four until it becomes engrained in your head and heart.   How quickly we sometimes turn our back when the process becomes burdensome.  Jesus gives us the purpose for steps one through five in Matthew 28:19-20, "All authority is given to Me and I give it to You - so go!!!"   

 Blessings,

 Gramps

 Friday, February 21, 2014  What's Happening, Man? 3

Can you find Israel between Jordan & Syria?

 “O God, do not remain quiet:  Do not be silent and¸ O God do not be still. For behold, Your enemies make an uproar; And those who have You have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Your people,  And conspire together against Your treasured ones.  They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation”.      

  Hey Gang:  The people of Israel have been under constant harassment since the birth of the nation in 1948 with wars, on-going terrorist attacks and, boycotts of their products across the world.   It seems everyone in the world thinks Israel’s business is their business and can dictate to them how they/Israel should accommodate the desires of the US & UN! 

 In the mean-time we have seen the second greatest single piece of prophecy of all time fulfilled, second only to the birth of Christ, the rebirth of Israel.  And even as I write this blog, our President and Secretary of State are preparing to present, yet another mandate from the United States, demanding that Israel retreat to the 1967 boundaries, which all the world knows cannot be defended. (Only by God)

   “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples, all who lift it will be severely injured.  And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.”   (Zech 12:3).    

  I tend to think Zechariah 12:2 might answer that question, “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around, and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.”

 My bride and I have had the privilege of going to Israel on several occasions between the years of 1980 and 2008, (Last time in 2016 for our 60^{th Anniversary)} and, on each trip we noticed an increase in the ‘peace at all cost’ syndrome that grips the nation today.  The people of Israel are just plan tired of terrorist, bickering over who owns the land and the constant fear that the 170,000 rockets pointed at them will be released. 

 Can one doubt that Satan’s agenda is to complete the task Hitler began, the total annihilation of the Jews? Today the Palestinian flags and military uniform map patches, and  Maps in schools do not have an Israeli presence.  Is not Satan an arrogant pup?  He knows the Word of God better than seminary guru’s and there is no doubt in his mind he is on a one-way ticket to the pit, for a thousand years and then to the Lake of Fire. Yet he has this maniacal belief: if he can wipe out God’s chosen people and God’s chosen land, then   Jesus will have no place or reason to return. No wonder God sits in the heavens and laughs.

 Sooooo, it is not amazing how many people believe that, if there was no Israel, there would be peace in the Middle East? – But, be advised, there is a constant blood bath among the Sunni’s, Shiites, Kurds and others.  In Syria alone it is estimated that more than 130,000 Syrians have been killed in the civil war and over 5000 Iraqi’s, since the President pulled our troops out of Iraq - And I might add by brothers killing brothers which has nothing to do with Israel. Iran is up and coming.

 Blessings,

Gramps

Threats Facing Israel - 2013

 Wednesday, February 19, 2014  Hey, Man, What's Happening?   Part 2

 “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the things which the Lord has not spoken.  The prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him” (Deut. 18:22).

 Hey Gang:  Now hear this – now hear this – now hear this – I do not claim to be a prophet of God and have shied away from presenting what I believe is happening prophetically in our world.  I tend to leave the prophetic driving to those I believe God has blessed with the gift of prophecy.  But I sense in the last several months, that God is prodding me to share thoughts about what is happening in our world that lines up with God alerting His children to the signs of His releasing His Son to return to earth and collect His children.

 That does not mean that I do not spend a third of my Bible study time in the prophetic Scriptures.  It is my sincere opinion that since one third of the Bible is prophecy, I should spend at least one third of my Bible study time in seeking out those truths presented by Jesus, the Apostles and Prophets of old.  But, I also warn those who become top heavy in studying prophecy that time with the rest of the writers of the Scriptures is essential to gain a balanced spiritual perspective.

With that disclaimer clearly understood, I will honor Abba Father by sharing what I believe He has made clear to me in the past several months and even years.  Jesus, in the Olivet Discourse, laid out a very clear message for His children on the Signs of Christ Return.  Note: He began with a warning, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ’ and will mislead many” (Matt. 24:4b- 5).

 

One does not have to be a rocket scientist to realize deception is running rampant, not only in the pagan world, but also among many who avow they are believers in Christ and followers of the King of kings.  But, as my good friend and mentor Jessie, pounded into my mind and heart – “if it ain’t in the Word and taken literally, it will probably lead you down the prime-rose path.”                                         

It has almost become common place for self-proclaimed gurus who, claim they have the inside path to knowing, and announce to the world the exact time that Jesus will return.  Unfortunately there are many who do not heed what Jesus warned, “Don’t be deceived.” 

 The world is filled with deception today.  You can find just about anything you want to believe.   At this time there are three rapidly growing blasphemies that are very deceptive. One I call the Oprah Wintry blasphemy: she avows that there is more than one road to God.  Perhaps the verse “Jesus is the way, truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).  Is missing from her Bible.

 Perhaps the blasphemy that is causing the most upheaval in our world is Replacement Theology: the belief that God no long loves Israel and has replaced Israel with the church. This misunderstanding of the mega references pertaining to God’s eternal love of Israel, in my humble opinion, has caused a rapid growth in the fulfillment of Zechariah 12:2  “Behold I am going to make Jerusalem, a cup that causes reeling to all the people around”.  

 The third blasphemy is perhaps the most damaging to the salvation message.  Simply, it states: to “believe” is enough; as long as you ‘believe’ you are home free, no matter what you do or not do in this lifetime.  One might get the idea it is a license to sin. BE ADVISED: Satan and his "Demons also believe in God and shudder." (James 2:19)

 Soooo, now, let me ask you a question.  If you were living in Israel and each day know that you are totally surrounded by 170,000 missiles designed to cover every inch of Israel, would you be a wee bit nervous? .

 Blessings,

Gramps

PS  As I try to select Gramps thought from 10 years back – I am the one most blessed. The introductory One I left omitted but will post # 3 either mid-week or next Sunday.  Stay tuned you might think you are reading today’s paper!!

WiIl We Ever Learn?

Monday, February 18, 2013  

I am not predicting End Time, but our spiritual enemy seems to be  hard at work.

 “For behold, in those days and at that time, When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat   Then I will enter into judgment with them here on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations, AND THEY HAVE DIVIDED UP My land” (Joel 3:2 )

 Hey Gang:  The president announcement that he is going to go to Israel in the coming month to get the parties to the talking table and fix the problem that has persisted since Hagar and Ishmael were sent packing by Sarah, and Esau got snuffed out of his birthright.   

 When I heard this announcement, I immediately took inventory of my surroundings, laid in a few extra provisions and filled the wood box to the hilt, for such announcements do have a history or woe that followed shortly after they were initiated since the focus will be for Israel to give land and Jerusalem for peace.

 Did you notice that shortly after John Kerry was approved to be Secretary of State by the Senate, he announced he would be donning his diplomat’s hat and heading to the most sensitive spot of the world (Israel), to prepare the way for our exalted leader to do what a ‘skillion’ people have failed to do - get the parties to sit down at a table and put thousands of years of hatred and mistrust behind them and come up with a solution to the number one problem in the world.

 John Muncy (I don’t know who John Muncy is but his letter seemed to make sense to me) recently published an excellent letter pertaining to the folly of this type of approach to solving the problem.  In it he wrote,” I have 75 examples of major storms striking our country each time our nation’s leaders try to force the hand of the Israeli leaders to give away their promised/covenant land in exchange for peace.”

  It is interesting to note that within days of Kerry’s announcing that he would be going to Israel to put pressure on them to give away more Covenant Land, a major storm hit Massachusetts.  As Muncy in his letter and Koenig, in his book Eye to Eye, clearly explained, this is not a good idea.  Note the Scripture of the day, Joel made it pretty clear that God takes a dim view of we earthly folks trying to put Israel in the shoe box, and then sealing it shut, and burying it in a cave someplace.

 Paul wrote an irrevocable law, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatever he sows, that will he reap”.  (Gal 6:7).  Obediah 1:15 clearly states: “For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations.  As you have done, it will be done to you.  Your dealings will return on your own head.”   

 The Question, “Will we learn before it is too late? God made it very clear in Genesis 12, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you.” 

 Again, quoting from John Muncy’s letter, “Like it or not, God judges those nations that cross over His clear covenant with the Jews.  Any time you want to test His authority and power to make you miserable, try touching the “apple of His eye (see Zechariah 2:8).  And He as many ways of making us miserable.” 

 Sooooo, my  friends, button down the hatches, lay in some extra provisions and make your insurance is up to date.  Also keep in mind, if there is no Israel, then Jesus cannot return again and all the promises He made about Israel are bogus.  And you can bet your sweet bippy, you can take each one of Jesus’ promises to the bank. 

 Blessings,

Gramps