ISRAEL UPDATEJune 22, 2003 - Since the agreement of Mahmoud Abbas and Ariel Sharon to implement the Road Map peace plan, Hamas, an Islamic terror group, has stated that it will not honor any agreement until Israel has totally withdrawn from the area of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).
This should come as no surprise - because since its inception, Hamas has refused to knowledge Israel as a sovereign state, or any phase of the peace plan implemented.
Now American foreign policy is at a crucial crossroads – because a month ago President Bush stated that nothing would stop the implementation of the Road Map.
Should America stand firm in this policy - there will continue to be a rash of terrorist activities, not just by Hamas, but also by Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups who have this same basic mindset.
If that trend continues, then America's policy will be opening the floodgates of death and destruction for Israel – virtually tying the hands of the Israelis – leaving them unable to defend themselves.
One of my main objections to the Road Map was this very scenario… for two reasons. One, the peril for Israel, and two, the danger to America - for deciding against Israel in the name of peace.
If America is to be spared G-d's judgment for turning on Israel, it will be because believers pray for G-d to spare the remnant of the righteous… as U.S. policy runs counter to G-d's plan.
June 22, 2003 - There has been a whirlwind of controversy to date in our nation - related to sexual misconduct of clergymen with young boys.
Many of the men in leadership positions are of the mentality that they are only answerable to the heads of their organizations - not to the legal system of their county, state, or nation.
I have heard of some already attempting to compare this to the early church’s leadership – who were continually brought before their local authorities for preaching the gospel.
When told not to teach in His name (Jesus), there was but one reply, as stated in Acts 5:29…”Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey G-d rather than men.”
But there is a huge difference between these holy men of G-d refusing to stop teaching in the name of the One that sent them - and complete disregard for the law and accountability of personal actions.
Peter and the other apostles did not cover up sexual misconduct, nor did they attempt to hide financial indiscretions.
In the past, unfortunately there have been too many men and organizations and Christianity and have attempted to use Peter's statement as a license of excess.
The call goes out for men of G-d and their religious institutions to declare the Gospel - operating with honesty and integrity - and stop trying to hide behind scriptures taken out of context…
To be continued…