Because there are quite a number of questions on the subject of the “Rapture”, and because some find it controversial — or at least the timing of the event, I have updated and am re-running both parts of the series, back to back. I pray the reader is blessed and encouraged! We need it today! **************************** The “Rapture” has become one […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…8/19/2023…”God Sees Us Through All Things”
In Matthew 7:8 we find these words: “Everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” The words used in this passage, “ask”, “seek”, and “knock”, imply continuous, persistent action. Jesus didn’t tell His disciples that they should only ask once, seek briefly, or give a single knock when they pray […]
Chronology of the Seals, Part Fourteen, Revelation 7
At the conclusion of the 13th installment of this series, we ended by saying that Jesus warned the disciples, and by extension all of us, that the end of the age would come with a sudden, unexpected, cataclysmic destruction. The Sixth Seal and all events connected to it certainly fit the description Jesus warned about. As we look at Revelation […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…8/9/2023…”Everlasting to Everlasting”
A question that comes to mind at times, and badgers us as believers, is will God’s love for me truly endure? Will it continue even through my failings and sinful mistakes? Can my own weaknesses as a Christ-follower ever wear down His love for me? Psalm 103:17 tells us that The love (mercy) of the LORD is from everlasting to […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….8/1/2023….”Strengthen the Hands Which Hang Down”
With so much chaos and misery in our world today, a bit of encouragement and a brief reminder of what our lives as believers and followers of Jesus Christ are all about, might be welcome. I have turned back to Hebrews 12 several times in the past few days and have found it quite refreshing. Sometimes it is good to […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…6/22/2023…”By the ‘Foolishness’ of Preaching, Those Who Believe Are Saved”
In light of the approaching Muslim pilgrimage known as the Hajj, and the Muslim day of sacrifice on the third day, Eid al-Adha, this is a timely update. Pastor R mentioned the upcoming date in a call this week. Most readers are aware of the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. This year, about 2 million Muslims are expected to journey […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…6/16/2023….Our God Has All Things Under Control!
One request that is made quite often in the Mideast Updates over the past 11 years, is for prayer. Why is prayer requested? It is because God’s intervention is needed. I wonder how many of us, yours truly included, pray in a nonchalant way, not really grasping the gravity of what we are doing and not realizing what is involved […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…5/22/2023…”When GOD’s Answer Isn’t So Prompt”
One of the things that sometimes can cause frustration in our Christian lives is when we are in difficult situations and, seemingly, no amount of prayer is changing things — or at least, not that we can see. Gary Wilkerson in his World Challenge Newsletter, addressed the subject by using King David’s prayer in Psalm 6 as an example. I […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…5/10/2023…”God Sometimes Works In Mysterious Ways!”
How does one face life as we find it in 2023, knowing that tomorrow’s news will likely be more troublesome than even today? There are those who live in constant fear. There are also those who avoid knowing what is going on in our world. Others focus on staying entertained and refuse to deal with the more unpleasant realities of […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…4/30/2023…”The Scroll of Life”
One of my favorite scriptures is found in Psalm 139. Here is just a sampling of the verses: 1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. 3 You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to […]