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…2/26/2025….”And He Looked Up Toward Heaven…” Part Three
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus made this comment: “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” That statement was made 2,000 years ago and it has proven true throughout the centuries. Not only that, but it will continue to be true until the very end of the age. The Church started […]
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….1/14/2025….Harvest Time
As most readers are aware by now, there has been considerable celebration in Syria at the collapse of the Assad dictatorship. The rule of the Assad family, especially against any opposition, was extremely brutal and deadly. As time has passed since Assad’s ouster, more and more evidence has been uncovered describing the extent of Assad’s atrocities. Many mass graves have […]
Comfort One Another With These Words
The title for this article stems from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the first century church in Thessaloniki, Turkey. It is actually said twice: Once in chapter 4:18: “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” It is mentioned a second time in chapter 5:11: “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another…” There is another passage written by the Old […]
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 […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…7/18/2024…”What If?”
There are a number of Scriptures that remind us that we should be aware of the crucial nature of “time”: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 NKJV “Walk in wisdom […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…5/24/2024…”Comfort One Another With These Words”
Often when I make a quick rundown of the latest world news, I think of a passage of Isaiah 55: Seek the LORD while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD. And He will have mercy on him; […]