Words written by the Apostle Paul have come to mind often lately, words found in Ephesians 5. This is how it reads in the Living Bible: 14 This is what God says in the Scriptures: “Awake O sleeper, and rise up from the dead; and Christ shall give you light. 15 16 So be careful how you act; these are […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….8/12/2025….”Holding Fast”
In the book of Titus we find this exhortation: 7 In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Titus 2:7-8 We know the Scriptures teach us to […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….8/4/2025….”The Unfathomable Love of God”
Most of us have read the Old Testament story of how God provided manna from heaven for the Israelites as they traveled through the desert wilderness on their way from Egypt to Canaan. We have read how God provided food for Elijah in the desert by way of the ravens. We are familiar with the New Testament accounts of Jesus […]
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….6/25/2025….”Jesus Is Coming Soon and VERY SOON!”
Throughout Church history, there have been seasons during which the Spirit of God moved in spectacular waves. During those times, there were great harvests of souls. The first one, of course, was at Pentecost. Although it is not seen as much in the West–at least not since the great Jesus Revolution in the late 70’s to late 80’s–there are great […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….6/16/2025….”God Can Speak Anywhere…Even At The Hajj!”
Sometimes we think the best place for a person to find Jesus as their Savior is in a church service. Yet, the New Testament presents us with many examples of Jesus meeting people at whatever station or situation they might be in. He was often criticized for this. An example of this is found in Mark 2: 15 Now it […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….6/10/2025….”God’s Two-Fold Agenda”
Most of us are familiar with the story of Jesus reading from Isaiah’s scroll while in the synagogue in Nazareth. Luke records it this way: 16“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17The scroll of the prophet […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….6/2/2025….”In This World You Will Have Trouble…”
Jesus did not hide the fact from the disciples that they would have trouble in the world because of their belief in Him. We find one of these warnings in John 15: 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….5/30/2025….Power of the Gospel
We find these words in Acts 5: 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.16 Also a multitude gathered from the […]