There have been many answers to this question — good teacher, moral leader, tragic hero, well-intentioned martyr, prophet, antagonist, etc. — and they are all insufficient. Why? Because He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God, and by what we have confirmed from Scripture and the faith we hold, we know it is true. Let’s look […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….2/3/2026….”Strangers and Pilgrims on This Earth”
I have found myself reading and rereading Hebrews 11 many times the past few months. For many of us who live in relatively safe regions of the world, it is hard to imagine living under the most difficult circumstances and experiencing the great suffering that many of our brethren around the world are having to deal with. It is easy […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….2/1/2026….”I Am Sending You Out As Lambs Among Wolves”
As an introduction to today’s update I will share an excerpt from a devotional written by author Chris Tiegreen. It seems appropriate in light of the reports being received from the House of Blessing, especially this past year. “What good shepherd in his right mind would send his sheep into a pack of wolves? And yet this is exactly what […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….1/29/2026….”Keep On Keeping On…”
In today’s update, I have commentary directly from the House of Blessing’s Dr. Nibras sent to me on three consecutive days. Rather than add commentary of my own in today’s update, I will let him speak for himself. Please hear the cry of his heart and that of all of the House of Blessing. His report below was sent on […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….7/30/2025….”God Takes The Long View”
In the many years that Jake has been writing these Mideast Updates, he has been consistent in beginning each update with a Scripture verse that points us to the One who leads our hearts and minds into all truth. But I have often been challenged, feeling that I do not have the strength or courage to walk the path of […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….7/21/2025….”Who Shall Separate Us From The Love Of Christ?”
The true scope of the terrible events of the last few days in Syria is hard to put into words. The mainstream news sources only tell part of the story. Before I share details from reports I have received from the House of Blessing leadership, I would like to share a passage from Romans for us to keep in mind. […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….7/14/2025….”The Works That I Do, You Will Do Also…”
Miracles are something not often seen in the Western church. This, however, as stated in previous Mideast Updates, is not the case in these last moments of the Age of Grace in third world countries. The Mideast is only one such location. This is what Jesus had to say about miracles: 10 “Do you not believe that I am in […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….6/19/2025….”Accelerating Harvest”
For today’s update I am transcribing a report forwarded to me by Sister Rolla directly from Syria. It is a brief rundown on some of the areas of ministry by the House of Blessing within the nation. This is not an exhaustive summary of all HOB ministries within Syria but it will give you at least a brief idea […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….5/12/2025….”All Creation Groans”
One passage in the Bible which has more meaning to me every passing day is found in Romans, the eighth chapter: 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing […]
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 […]