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 […]
Impending Storm August 6, 2024
Famous scientist and mathematician, Isaac Newton (1642-1727), had many notable quotes attributed to him. One referred to this very time in history we find ourselves in today: “About the time of the End, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the prophecies, and insist upon their literal interpretation, in the midst of […]
Israel and the Coming Great Middle East War…Part One
In light of events that have unfolded in Israel in the last couple days, I have decided to upload three articles in quick succession written about a year ago. The brutal attack by the terrorist organization Hamas, primarily slaughtering innocent civilians, including women, children, and elderly folks, has shocked the civilized world. The trio of articles provide a bit of […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…9/1/2022…”When You See These Things Beginning, LOOK UP!”
Notice these words Jesus said to His disciples, including all of us who are His followers today: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Matthew 16:33 There is a growing number of people everywhere realizing that […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…5/16/2022…Every Stain of Sin Cleansed by the BLOOD
One of the most important principles of the Christian life is “forgiveness”. When the disciple Peter asked Jesus how many times he would be required to forgive someone—thinking seven times was more than generous—Jesus told him he might need to forgive a person seventy times seven! That is almost unimaginable for most of us, but God’s view on most things […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…5/7/2022…”The Fields are White”
As I opened my Bible to read this morning, this passage caught my eye. It reads like this: Thus says the LORD God of Israel: Concerning the words which you have heard—because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you tore your clothes and […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…4/26/2022…”God’s Amazing Grace!”
Over the years that I’ve written updates for the House of Blessing, there have been many accounts of horrific things that HOB missionaries have gone through. Thousands of these men and women would not bend from their commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, even when facing sure and imminent death. In the previous update, I told the story of four […]
MIDEAST UPDATE..11/10/2021..Whether I Live or Die, It’s For Christ”
Throughout church history, the message of the crucifixion of Christ and His subsequent resurrection, has been both a source of great joy for multitudes around the world who have received God’s free gift of forgiveness of sin, but also of 2,000 years of persecution from those who reject Jesus Christ as the true Savior of mankind. Today’s Mideast Update includes […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…7/22/2021…”The Power of Humility”
As an introduction to today’s update, I would like to refer to an Old Testament story that I believe is particularly applicable to the latest news from Pastor R and the House of Blessing. The Old Testament has recorded within its pages the records of the kings of both Israel and Judah. The majority of the kings ended their reigns […]