ISRAEL UPDATE

January 4, 2004 - An open letter to the editors of Fox News. . .
The camera zooms in on an empty chair, the only other noticeable item is a keffiyeh (Arab headdress), draped over the empty chair.

We then hear the melancholy reporter’s voice stating it has been three years since Yasser Arafat has been able to worship in Bethlehem during Christmas time.  Is not this the same Arafat that states he is a Muslim, a religion that does not believe in the deity of Jesus - so who or what would Mr. Arafat worship?

Arafat has continually boasted that Jesus and his disciples were not Jews, but rather Palestinians. . .  contrary to all Jewish and Christian writings written hundreds, some even thousands of years before any Muslim writings.

Arafat allowed terrorists to occupy the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, rather than the mosque they passed in order to get to the Christian church.

Christian presence in the city of Bethlehem is literally down to a handful of people, due to persecution.  The walls of the city carry posters of notorious terrorists and slogans such as, “Today we kill the Saturday people (Jews), and tomorrow we kill the Sunday people, (Christians).  Christian pilgrims once traveled to Bethlehem without hesitation – now their numbers are greatly reduced, and many times, they are forbidden entry.

This is not the crutch of a deceased Tiny Tim in a Dickens Christmas story, but a gross misrepresentation of a notorious terrorist, killer and persecutor of both Christians and Jews.

I am not sure whom you think Arafat is worshipping in Bethlehem, but I believe you need to retract this piece of news work due to the lack of readily available information, or perhaps refusal to report the truth!
 

January 4, 2004 – There is another part of the hyper-faith belief system that is in need of examination, i.e., held up to the light of Scripture.

People are told if they suffer financial hardships, or physical problems, it is due to being low in faith or having unconfessed sin in their lives.

What a concept in light of the Scriptures - great men and women of G-d such as the Apostle Paul were sanctified by G-d for His service.

“For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake” Acts 9:16.  As Ananias is told to go pray for the apostle, he is first told of all the great things that would happen in Paul's life. . .  then Paul was to suffer.

The question arises… did these problems in Paul's life cause him to depend on G-d, or himself?  In addition, did the problems in Paul's life manifest G-d's faithfulness in the hard times to inspire others?

No greater statement of faith can be made then those who seem to suffer – and in all ways are tempted and tried - yet live victoriously,  thus glorifying G-d.

To “put down” Christians who have suffered genuine trials because of spiritual inadequacy is not right, because there are none of us that are perfect in all ways.  It minimizes and demeans the contributions of godly people, such as those found in Hebrews Chapter 11.

 Once again, false teaching it is not able to stand in the light of the Holy Scriptures.  Darkness cannot abide with light…
 

To be continued. . .