In my private devotions, I began reading the Book of Mark again this morning. In chapter 1:21-28 we find the account of Jesus setting a man in the synagogue free of an unclean spirit. Those gathered were apparently used to seeing people plagued with demon spirits, but they had never seen someone freed. The first comment made after Jesus’ teaching […]
From One Evil To Another 3/13/2025
After the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the Assad family dictatorship on December 8, 2024, there was, understandably, considerable jubilation among the Syrian population, especially among those who have been displaced and have been living in refugee camps all across the nation. The Assad regime had been well known for its barbaric brutality since its beginning, but it only got […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…3/10/2025….”Jihad Unhinged”
In light of the explosive events in Syria in the last few days, I am going to take a detour from what I had intended to write. I have fresh details to share about the success HOB missionaries are having in many places across the Mideast, but right now the tragic events, centered mostly in and around the northwest corner […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….3/2/2025….”Special Request”
I have a special request to share with those of you who are prayerfully invested in the ministry of the House of Blessing. I’ve been communicating back and forth with brother Abdelrahem again since he returned from his last trip up north. He has asked me to send out a special request for prayer. As most readers already know, the […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…2/15/2025…”And He Looked Up Toward Heaven…” Part One
— Part One — The story of Stephan’s death in the 7th chapter of Acts is one that is familiar to most Christ-followers. After Stephen’s answer to those accusing him of blasphemy and giving the Jewish crowd a history lesson of God’s dealings with them over the centuries, he was stoned to death. The last few moments of his life […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….2/6/2025….”Ambassadors of the Kingdom”
As the midnight hour of the Age of Grace draws ever closer; it is important for God’s people to recognize that every one of us, no matter what station of life we have been placed into, can be Ambassadors of His Kingdom. As much as many would like to bury their heads in the sand, our world is in deep […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….12/14/2024….”Hard Pressed But Not Broken”
As most readers are probably aware, the Syrian Ba’athist regime of Bashar al-Assad, which arose in a coup d’etat led by his father Hafez al-Assad in 1971, has fallen. Remnants of the Assad regime will disappear over the coming days, weeks, or months. The fractious conglomeration of rebellious militias — primarily Sunni — will see to it. They are already […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….LIGHTS IN A VERY DARK WORLD….11/14/2024
As I gathered my thoughts this week after hearing the latest news from the House of Blessing, I remembered something I had read in a devotional not long ago. A question was asked: “How does God accomplish salvation? Does He do it by removing all evil from the world?” No. Salvation came through His presence, by His coming into the […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…9/30/2024…”Imitators of the Father, as Beloved Children”
Just before sharing a fresh report on the latest from the House of Blessing, I’d like to share what I hope will be an encouragement for the reader. In today’s world in which “normal” is being turned on its head; right being considered wrong and wrong considered right, it is important for us to remember “who” we really are as […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…8/7/2024…”God Is Always In Control”
In light of world events that we see unfolding, especially at the epicenter of the world, we need to remember to pray earnestly for the entire House of Blessing community of believers, its leadership, and its missionaries and volunteers. These are especially turbulent times for them and things will not get easier. Soon the Lord will call His faithful ones […]