ISRAEL UPDATEJuly 24, 2005 – After four horrific bombings in London (3 trains, 1 bus), we as Americans can understand the pain, grief, and shock of these heinous acts of terrorism that were unleashed against an innocent civilian populace.
Of course, in the face of these cowardly murderous attacks, we are hearing the same rhetoric from British Prime Minister Tony Blair that we have heard from several U.S. Presidents…. “We will not negotiate with terrorists.”
It is ironic that since the time of Jimmy Carter, every President, whether Democrat or Republican, has continued to put pressure on Israel to not only negotiate with terrorists, but to also give up their G-d-given land. They are to do this for the cause of and in the name of Palestinian Nationalism, and for that cheap cliché, “…land for peace.”
As this article is written, media agents from all over the world are renting living quarters in Israel to cover the Israeli evacuation of Gaza.
In times past, they have withdrawn from the Sinai; with no peace… they have withdrawn from Lebanon, with no peace… and have continually relinquished other key areas of their tiny nation, with no peace…
It is sad to say, but the violence perpetrated against nations such as the United States and Great Britain has not softened their pressure against Israel – the stance is unwavering at this point in time…
Due to this secular mindset and attitude, it would appear that the future of all three of these nations, and their “battle on terror,” will be filled with the same sad news…
July 24, 2005 – In general, the Christian church is living in a world that teaches that G-d gives us all we ever want, and He gives us everything we desire.
However, in reality, we ask ourselves the supreme question about G-d’s attributes… is He more interested in giving you your wants, dreams, and desires – or – would He rather develop your character to become more like Christ?
John the Revelator, after being so closely connected to Jesus for more than three years, and living a hard, but successful life, put it this way:
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (III John 1:2)
We should take note that yes; the Apostle’s desire was for the blessing to follow. However, the emphasis is placed upon the prospering of the soul, or the completeness of the whole person. Contrary to popular opinion, G-d was not speaking here of the secular, worldly view and definition of prosperity.
In fact, if we were to think upon all of the Epistles that we have read and studied in the past, this same truth is woven throughout Scripture.
In John 4:34, we read, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
The question (and the bottom line) is, if we never achieve on this earth what we wish – will we still allow G-d to develop our character?
To be continued…