Some Food for thought…
As humans, we have a tendency to rate the value of our accomplishments in comparison to the accomplishments of others. Jesus seemed to have a different view. In Luke 17:10, He said: “You also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” That can be hard on our ego because we all hope to hear the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant,” and, of course, there is scriptural reason to hope for that. What Jesus is pointing out though, is that the attitude of a servant is just as critical as the service performed by the servant. God is the One who knows all the intricacies of the human heart and He sees straight through all our motives and agendas — no matter how spiritual we can make them sound. I read a comment stating that God rids us of any assumption that He may employ a system of quid pro quo. In other words, we don’t have the option of negotiating trades with Him in order to gain special favor or considerations from Him. Everything we receive from Him is a gift.
We are enormously blessed by the God of our salvation, but we don’t “earn” a special entitlement to those blessings by our obedience. Our right standing with God does not depend at all on our performance or accomplishments. Our standing with Him is dependent on Christ’s performance, and we are forever indebted. God is very much interested in our works but not our performance because we are responding in faith. We are not trying to gain favor. If we are truly being motivated by God’s Spirit, our service will be done in humility. After all, Jesus, as the Creator of the entire universe, humbled Himself, allowing His own creation to crucify Him for the salvation of a fallen world. It has been said, true humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.
On to the House of Blessing…
Both reports below are from Dr. Nibras, although much of what he had to share came from Pastor Abdelrahem. The first report was received the last weekend of October 2026.
Greetings Brother Jack:
All one needs to do to realize that our world is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises unlike anything seen in human history is to look around. In the West, there is a tendency to turn a blind eye to what is happening globally. Furthermore, most Western media outlets present a narrative that feeds into these very crises. The chaos defining today’s world is accurately described in various sacred texts. One such instance is found in 2 Timothy 3:1-4:
But notice that in the last days, difficult times will come, for people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemous, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without mercy, unforgiving, slanderous, lacking self-control, brutal, haters of what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
The passage above provides an apt description of the state of a lost human society and culture.
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, it is written:
Jesus answered them: “Watch out that no one deceives you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ’, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not alarmed. For all these things must happen. But the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you. And you will be hated by all nations for My name’s namesake. Matthew 24:4-9.
Among the abundance of sacred texts that addresses the subject, I would also like to add one another found in the Gospel of Luke:
And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and on the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, men’s hearts failing them for fear, and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Luke 21:25-26
For most of the world’s population, unless they are blinded or distracted by entertainment and materialism, misled by deceptive media, or even led by church leadership that refuses to address the escalating catastrophe unfolding on our planet today, even those who do not believe in the infallible Word of God as recorded in the Bible are left wondering where the growing chaos in our world is heading. As for believers who read the entire Bible, they ought to be aware, Jesus is coming soon.
Yet whether one lives in the relatively prosperous West, or in the East, much of which is under the rule of tyrants and despots, we are living in a barren wilderness. I will offer a further comment on this as I conclude today’s update.
Meanwhile, evangelistic efforts continue reaching a large number of families each week. For your information, here is a brief updated list of the results:
- Sheikh Zakaria, his adult sons, and his assistants have managed to spread the Gospel message to 870 family tents. They, along with all those mentioned below, were also able to distribute limited quantities of food and an oregano-tea blend, and to offer prayers for each family
- Kilani, Abu Laila, Majdi Sami, Musa, and their assistants: 460 family tents
- Mufida, Sarah, Fadwa, and their assistants: 380 family tents
- Adel, Mahmoud, Abu Laila, Abu Al-Azm, and their assistants: 590 tents
- Ibrahim Al-Bazlamit, Akram, and their assistants: 400 family tents
- Al-Hadmi and his assistants: 119 family tents
- Fatima and her assistants reached at least 900 families
- Al-Barazani, Zahi, Burhan (in Erbil and Bazra), Al-Awiwi, Jaafar, Zalatimo, Al-Sadawi, and their associates reached 2,100 families
The partial report above indicates that missionaries from the House of Blessing visited more than 5,819 families. Please note that these represent the most frequent outcomes, and only a limited number of locations. What a magnificent opportunity God has provided to spread the good news among people who had never before heard the truth of the gospel. In most cases, people respond with great enthusiasm, especially when the missionaries pray for the sick and the Lord heals them. New believers are then baptized as soon as their circumstances allow.
You know, brother, that the women engaged in this missionary work — most of whom are widows such as Hafesa Fril, Fatima, and Miryam, along with those who assist them, travel from place to place to provide Holy Communion to as many people as possible. They administer communion five times a day, with 70 to 130 believers participating each time. These believers partake in communion together while praising and worshipping God. Prayers are offered for the sick and many are healed as they participate in the sacrament. As our Lord commanded, this is done in remembrance of what He has accomplished for us!
As you are well aware, missionary work in the Middle East carries extreme risks and can even be fatal. Yet, as the Bible teaches us, while our sorrow, the sorrow we feel as believers over brand new souls paying the ultimate price after coming to faith in Jesus, ours is not a hopeless sorrow like those who do not know what awaits them after death. We all face death in one way or another, unless we happen to be alive when the Great Trumpet sounds, at which point we will transition from this mortal realm into eternity, entering into the very presence of Jesus. This could happen any day! Come, Lord Jesus!
Please continue to pray for Pastor Abdelrahem and his team. The Lord continues to watch over them with His protection and love despite everything they have endured. There are some things we will only fully understand when we are in the presence of God, but we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose Romans 8:28. Praise be to God!
In conclusion, a thought regarding this wilderness that we are all passing through. As we know, the wilderness and the Promised Land are two entirely different places; one is a land of hardship, while the other is a land of rest and blessing. Jesus said that in this life we would face troubles and trials; a wilderness filled with hardship, loss, conflict and tears; a time of uncomfortable waiting, far from where we long to be. One way or another we all go through this.
Yet this is the very place where God has led us to. Often we cannot comprehend why, but thanks to the promise in Romans 8:28 mentioned earlier, and the many other unfailing promises found in God’s Word, we know that this desert lies neither outside of God’s purposes nor beyond the scope of His promises. God will use everything to fulfil His purposes and plans for each of us; members of His beloved family, whom He has redeemed by His Blood. In God, even the desert becomes a blessing. If God is with you, or with us, then this journey through the parched, scorching wilderness is actually part of our destination. Our life on this earth is part of the Kingdom of Heaven. And because the living God dwells with us through the Holy Spirit, we are able to live a heavenly life.
So whatever circumstances you may find yourself in today, rejoice in the Lord and keep moving forward. Keep your eyes fixed on the joy that will be yours forever in the kingdom of the One who has conquered, not only your wilderness, but death itself. Hallelujah! Very soon you and I will reach the end of this desert and enter the Promised Land.
Your brother and servant of the Lord,
Dr. Nibras
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The report below was received on November 3, 2026 from Dr. Nibras (and Pastor Abdelrahem):
Greetings Brother Jack and peace to all those who love Jesus and follow Him.
Pastor Abdelrahem told me that sheikhs, men of great standing in their communities, traveled from far away to attend lessons on the Gospel, with a particular focus on the Blood of Jesus. Since ending our call, and sitting with the Lord in prayer, along with Sheikh Zakaria and other brothers, many Scriptures have come to mind. One of these is found in Isaiah 55:6-11.
Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call on him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. The Lord says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, My ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields a seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth. It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
What I share with the House of blessing Ministry team is to have a profound awareness of the significance of the times in which we live. Upon emerging from difficult circumstances that he and his companions faced, Pastor Abdelrahem made a solemn vow before the Lord to redouble his efforts in training volunteer evangelists to spread the Word of God throughout the Middle East. His goal is to increase daily teaching hours, prepare more evangelists in less time and reach as many people as possible while the opportunity still exists. Most people in the West do not realize how perilous the situation is in our world today. Conversely, others are fully aware of the despair that hangs over our world like a dark cloud claiming millions of victims. People need to hear the message of Christ’s cross now, while there is still time before it becomes too late.
It is easy for most to ignore the signs of the times and assume that life will simply continue as it is, especially when we live relatively comfortable lives. Yet, in the Word of God, we find warnings that call us to prepare for the Lord’s return. This is the very essence and spirit of the House of Blessing mission. Given the urgency of the time, the soon to come month of Ramadan, beginning on February the 8th, presents another great opportunity to reach the lost. The past few years have proven that Ramadan is a season of great harvest, and I am confident that the number of people who will encounter the good news of Jesus’ love this year will exceed that of the previous two years. It is not the god of this world that brings about this harvest of souls, but rather Jehovah God. And God has answered the prayers of tens of thousands of Muslims, some of whom have even witnessed the appearance of Jesus. Only then did they truly come to understand who Christ really is.
In the aforementioned passage from the Book of Isaiah, God promised that His Word would not return to Him empty, but would always accomplish the purposes for which it was sent. Such is the power of the Word. It is not about what any of us can achieve as individuals. Rather, it is about what God chooses to accomplish through us — whether in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. For those living in relative freedom, it is easy to turn a blind eye to what is happening elsewhere in the world. While most may not be missionaries and serving abroad, all are called to the same mission; to spread the message of Christ to every corner of the globe, including the Middle East, where the House of Blessing operates. We must pray earnestly for those on the front lines and support them financially as God directs, so that they may fulfill their mission.
In an era where finding a secure investment is difficult, perhaps we should carefully consider investing in the Kingdom of God. This is not about affiliation with any specific church or organization. Rather, it is about obeying what God asks of us. Wealth can be lost, stolen, or corrupted, but what is done in the name of the Lord in obedience to His call within our hearts can never be taken away. God keeps a record of everything.
A pastor once told me that the Lord reminded him of the sermon the Apostle Peter delivered on the day of Pentecost. It was a time when hundreds of thousands had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the first Feast of Firstfruits. Peter stood before the crowd and began to preach as more and more people joined the gathering. By the end of the sermon there were over 3,000 new believers in Jesus Christ. Two days later, another 2,000 joined (and the total was now only counting the men). Naturally there was also intense persecution, and the nascent Church began to endure great hardship. Yet instead of succumbing to fear, the early Church grew stronger and the message of the Gospel reached millions of people.
Many volunteer missionaries will do the same during this next Ramadan. Thousands of Muslims will find their Christ. Perhaps this will be the last Ramadan we ever witness. And if not, that is fine too. God is the one who orchestrates all things. All He asks of us is to trust and obey, as the old hymn says.
We worship a great and generous God. The need this time is immense. Therefore, we ask you to join us in faith, believing that God will provide for every need and quickly, as the printing process takes time and logistical arrangements must be made. Although we are grateful to now have two printing presses, we still face costs for paper, ink, and electricity even while running the presses around the clock. Ramadan is just around the corner, and we need thousands of booklets and Bibles to distribute to new believers. While our faith is in God, it chooses to use people, allowing us to play a part in what He is doing on this earth.
I would like to share with you one of my favorite Bible passages found in the second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 9. This passage is filled with God’s promises, so I will share verses 5-15 with you:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written, He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. Now He who provides seed to the sower and bread for food, will also provide and increase your store of seed, and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion and through your generosity, God will be thanked. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God because of the service by which you have proven yourselves. Others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity and sharing with them and with everyone else, and in their prayers for you. Their hearts will go out to you because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
Thank you and keep praying for us as we and you are trusting the Lord. His coming is getting so close, much closer than you might think!
Your brother, a servant of the Lord.
Dr. Nibras
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One of the things that is becoming increasingly obvious, is that I am not able to fully cover everything that is happening through the House of Blessing. God is moving in such amazing ways across the nations in which HOB is embedded that if all were written, the updates would likely come out every single day.
One of the things that has happened in the past few days is the story of a sheikh named Niazee. This man had gone to perform the Muslim “Umrah” in Mecca. He happened to go there while having in his possession a teaching booklet about Jesus. While there, he claimed to see the light of the Lord in the well of Zamzam, where he beheld the face of Jesus. He also had an extraordinary experience while circling the Kaaba. As he looked up he saw the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse riding back and forth across the sky. I don’t know more details yet, but the sheikh came to accept Christ as his Savior. He returned to his people and immediately searched for Abdelrahem and the community of believers. As a result of his commitment to Jesus Christ, 350 of his followers also accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. The sheikh and his followers have since been baptized and are receiving teachings.
The vision that Sheikh Niazee had is very similar to the vision another sheikh had just a few months ago. Pastor Abdelrahem has mentioned that sometimes as he looks toward the horizon, he catches glimpses of, not only the Horses, but even the heads of the Phantom riders! It is just another reminder that Jesus is coming SOON!
There is more that could be shared but it will have to be included in the next update. Thanks for reading! Thank you all also for your prayers and support for the House of Blessing. I have received word that thousands of booklets and a large number of Bibles have been printed by both printing presses and distributed. Thousands more are in process in both locations.
In closing, there are two more prayer requests. The reality of a massive Mideast war increases every day. On top of that, people in many areas of the Mideast (as well as all across the world) are experiencing catastrophic flooding. People are losing their meager belongings along with their tents, and as the season changes, the weather is getting colder. HOB is doing all they can to help, as they do every year. We serve a big God!
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack)