A passage of Scripture came to me this morning as I was checking the news stories from around the world. It is found in John 16:33 and reads like this:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
This passage is often used to try and prove that the Church will go through the Great Tribulation along with the rest of the world. This is however not what this Scripture is saying. Jesus was telling His followers that regardless of the fact that living in a fallen world is going to bring many trials and tribulations, there is always peace available through our relationship with Jesus because He has overcome the world. God is always in control, no matter what we see going on around us.
This is certainly a welcome promise for anyone that is going through difficult times today. One of these days very soon, God’s remnant will be removed from this world and we will be ushered into the Kingdom of Heaven. Our corruptible bodies will be replaced with glorious incorruptible bodies that will never get sick, experience pain, or grow old. Praise God!
In the meantime, we are still here, and the House of Blessing missionaries are still busy reaching all that they can. As autumn has arrived, the nights are getting colder and before we know it, fall weather will turn to winter weather. With the beginning of fall, Omar, Sami, Musa, Radwn, and others have taken a few days to try and locate their families and visit with them for a little bit before returning to their ministry locations.
In northern Syria, there continue to be scores of injured needing help. Sisters Mufiedah, Fadwa, Sarah and others have been very busy treating at least 60 of the injured. Most of these are going through different stages of their recovery and healing. Most of these have also become followers of Jesus. From the crowds that gather, there were at least another 180 reached.
Hundreds continue to be prayed for daily by Pastor R, Pastor Farid, and the many who help them manage the crowds that gather. Wherever possible, communion is offered throughout the week for those that are able to gather. Hundreds gathered in the last few days, and that was just in two locations where we usually get reports. Wherever it is possible, the discipling of new believers also is continuing. Some of the former sheikhs are each presently teaching and training 12 men at a time.
The call I received from Pastor R was shorter than usual this time but before we prayed together as we always do when he calls, I did ask him if he knew approximately how many missionaries HOB has active at this time. He said there are at least 1800 active missionaries and then of course there are a great many volunteers who work with them. The work is much larger than most of us can imagine. The extended HOB community of believers across the Middle East has to of course function as an underground movement but numbers in the hundreds of thousands today. I don’t know if anyone knows the accurate number. God has done amazing things in the last few years and the harvest continues to be brought in on a daily basis. Every one of the former Muslim sheikhs who are now disciples of Christ have reached their entire families. Their families are now reaching friends and extended family members as they are able. Many of the former head-sheikhs who became believers are old men, and as men who have been community leaders, they have great influence on those who know them. These men very much depend on our prayers due to the great danger in Muslim countries of speaking openly about Jesus, as we know Him.
Hundreds of thousands of refugees who fled dangerous areas are now facing the soon coming winter. Exposure will then really become a problem because most of them don’t even have tents to use as shelter. The needs will be enormous and only our God is great enough to meet these kinds of needs. Prayer works! God is able to intervene in situations in ways that none of us can. Let’s ask Him and trust Him for great miracles. This is what Pastor R and all of the HOB missionaries are praying for. After all, we truly are entering into the days of Elijah!
Let us also continue to pray for the nation of Israel. The Scriptures say we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We know that this will not really happen in its fullness until the Prince of Peace comes in His might. Until our Messiah returns there will continue to be a demonic drive to annihilate the people through whom the Messiah, the Lamb of God, was brought into the world. To this day, most Jewish people still do not recognize who their Messiah really is. But, that day is coming, and it’s coming very soon! I am reminded of a passage in Deuteronomy:
“…but from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you inn the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice for the LORD you God is a merciful God. He will not forsake you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.” Deuteronomy 4:29-31
The Biblical foretold “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” is now very close. It is during this time when the whole world turns on the Jews that their eyes will finally be opened. The scales will fall from their spiritual eyes and they will recognize the Messiah they missed. Zechariah the prophet described it this way:
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for him as one grieves for a firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10
So…let’s pray for the peace of Jerusalem!!
In conclusion, I again want to thank all of you that are so faithful in your prayers for the House of Blessing. And, the financial support that is sent is so very crucial. The HOB missionaries are very grateful for every single dollar sent. All funds coming in to this website go to the missionary work of HOB. Thanks so much and may the Lord bless each one of you abundantly! Harvest time is nearly over!
Forever in His Service,
Jake