ISRAEL UPDATE

March 9, 2003 – Recently, the nation of France has come under much criticism for its lack of support for the potential war against Iraq.

But if you are French, I am sure would be hard to sort out all the issues involving Saddam Hussein's regime.

First, the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirik that was destroyed in 1981 by Israeli bombers had much support from the nation of France.

Second, the French connection to Iraq has reached an incredible level of indebtedness to the maniacal dictator – to the tune of billions of dollars.

Finally, France, like all other European countries, has more than its share of Islamic radicals - ready to retaliate when the first missiles fall on Baghdad.

So the stalling of the French government concerning acceptance of the American plan is a natural reaction.  Once again, it only goes to show us another country that has made the wrong alliances – which now pose a danger to them.

Just across the English Channel is the United Kingdom, a nation where there are now more mosques than churches.  The Arabic tongue is the primary language taught in the schools of many cities and towns, while business is conducted to satisfy Arab demands.

True, Prime Minister Tony Blair is pushing against Iraq, but like Mr. Bush, many of his country’s politicians are opposing him.  Two of Europe's key players are showing how and why Europe is being anti-West, thus the prophecy of the ten toes of Daniel 2:42 comes to mind.
 

March 9, 2003 - The Hebrew word for altar, Mitzbe’ach, is made up from an abbreviation of four words: The mehilah, zekhut, berachah, and chayah - resulting from the concepts of forgiveness, merit, blessing, and life.

As I have written in many previous articles, our walk with G-d is made up of concepts, rather than specific issues.

The altar, like so many concepts, gets broken down into an idea of sin, asking forgiveness of G-d, etc., but the concept of the altar is so much more.

Our first example is forgiveness and one that is so important to our walk with G-d.

Jesus said, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." Matthew 5:23, 24.

To suggest or think that our prayers are not answered because of sin in our lives, or bad feelings toward others – only inhibits answers to our prayers.

After David’s failures, he wrote, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the L-rd will not hear me:" Psalm 66:18.  So as we prepare to come to the altar, first we must put our lives in check, resolve the sin, and then as we come to the altar, G-d is able to move in our lives in a powerful way. But first things first. . .
 

To be continued . . .