In my private devotions, I began reading the Book of Mark again this morning. In chapter 1:21-28 we find the account of Jesus setting a man in the synagogue free of an unclean spirit. Those gathered were apparently used to seeing people plagued with demon spirits, but they had never seen someone freed. The first comment made after Jesus’ teaching […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….3/15/2025….”And God’s Grace Was Upon Them”
One of the promises God has made to His people is that He would never leave them nor forsake them. He also promised that all things would work together for good to those who are called to His purposes. This means that even the evil that the devil intends, is taken by our Lord and turned into His good purposes. […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…3/10/2025….”Jihad Unhinged”
In light of the explosive events in Syria in the last few days, I am going to take a detour from what I had intended to write. I have fresh details to share about the success HOB missionaries are having in many places across the Mideast, but right now the tragic events, centered mostly in and around the northwest corner […]
MIDEAST UPDATE…3/5/2025…”Filled With Wonder and Amazement”
The last month has proven to have a flurry of activity for the House of Blessing as they have prepared to minister during Ramadan. This might explain the increased number of Updates lately. Hopefully, this provides you, the reader and supporter of the House of Blessing, at least a glimpse into the things God is doing through the HOB missionaries. […]
MIDEAST UPDATE….3/2/2025….”Special Request”
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….12/14/2024….”Hard Pressed But Not Broken”
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 […]