What is the cost of discipleship? Though many people throughout history have made great sacrifices for the greater good, human nature, especially in our age, tends to avoid ‘carrying crosses’ at all costs. Safety, comfort, security, and pleasure are high on our agenda, but often at the expense of what God asks of us. Let the missionaries and ministers live […]
MIDEAST UPDATE …. 4/20/2026 …. “The Days of our Lives”
All of us have wondered at one time or another where we fit in God’s overall plan and what His will is for us. When we are young, we see the potential of many years ahead and we wonder what our life’s work should be. As we age, we wonder where we still fit in God’s plan. In Psalm 139 […]
MIDEAST UPDATE …. 4/15/2026 …. “Living in Expectation”
There are many times we read right through and then past a scripture without stopping to contemplate all of what the narrative is trying to tell us. One of these passages has to do with an old man named Simeon. This man’s appearance in scripture is a brief eleven verses and he is not mentioned anywhere else in scripture. In […]
MIDEAST UPDATE …. 4/12/2026 …. “The Light of the World”
I read a devotional dealing with living out ‘the story’ of our lives. I would like to share a couple excerpts that struck me. The storyline had to do with Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph experienced very difficult things, but also blessings. He was falsely accused and sent to prison but was later released and eventually given a […]
MIDEAST UPDATE …. 4/9/2026 …. “Lights in a Dark World”
In Isaiah 5, we find a description of a culture that sounds very much like our world today. The very things God was about to judge Judah for are overwhelmingly present in our own generation. In verses 8-23, we have a list of “excesses” that are very much present today. Verses 8-10 is a description of uncontrolled greed. In verses […]
MIDEAST UPDATE …. 4/6/2026 …. “What Other Explanation Is There?”
In John 6:35 we read these words of Jesus: “I am the bread of life, He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” In Matthew 5:6, He said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” How is this supposed to happen? He […]
MIDEAST UPDATE …. 4/3/2026 …. “For Such A Time As This”
History proves that God has always been in control of all things — even evil. God has had His hand on those who have fulfilled His purposes, whether they were pagan leaders, such as King Cyrus or King Nebuchadnezzar, or those who were followers of God’s ways, such as Queen Esther. The exactness with which Bible prophecy has been fulfilled […]
MIDEAST UPDATE …. 4/1/2026 …. “Be Like The Sons of Issachar”
There is an interesting verse in the Old Testament which describes the kind of men that were available to David to aid him in establishing his kingdom in Israel: “From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do — 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command”. 1 Chronicles 12:38. Little by little the Lord […]
Crucifixion to Resurrection
The very center point of human history is punctuated by one man whose life had a greater effect on the human race than anyone who has ever lived. Although Jesus Christ was not born exactly in the year -0-, nor did He die in that year, the timeline of history wraps around His life. The time before Christ is traditionally […]
MIDEAST UPDATE …. 3/28/2026 …. “Where Are You Adam?”
We are all familiar with the verse in Matthew 26:28 that says: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” There may not be many who are familiar with a quote by British evangelist and author, Roy Hession: “At Calvary, the naked truth is staring down at us, challenging us […]