1/3/2025
My mind is wandering all over the place. It's already way past midnight, and I can't even think about sleep until I clear my head. Over the last year I have mentioned more than once that my eyes cannot unsee the horror of things too ghastly to conceive. Each night I post three or four photos of hostages being held by Hamas since October 7th of 2023, most we are told are deceased. The names and faces have become forever etched in my mind. Each time the hostage release deals seem hopeful, Hamas leaders change their minds. The psychological mind games begin by tormenting and threatening the family members using the hostages' cell phones, many with photos of carnage and last words. How can anyone be so cruel, and yet, these people, the ones who committed this unimaginable slaughter, were youngsters themselves who had been drugged to enhance the effect, as if the hatred instilled in them were not enough. Imagine growing up in homes where the first words you hear, then are taught daily, are words of violence and extreme hatred of people you have never met. My heart breaks...for all of it, for every one, for those who will be born to live and be daily indoctrinated in this demonic evil, made to watch horrific acts of torture. But as awful as this is, this happens in other countries all the time, and no one mentions it.
From a very young age I wanted to serve as a missionary, and I read every missionary book in the church library as well as those in the elementary school library. On weekends my days were consumed with mental travels to the mission field. Often only the pleasant side of it is shared, not the heroic surrender of lives and, at times, leaving their children behind. I have been connected with missions ministries since my twenties. It began with Open Doors started by Brother Andrew, and since has expanded to others, Voice of the Martyrs, International Christian Concern, and many other ministries. When my younger son was searching for his spiritual roots, he became involved with a woman who embraced Islam. I remember taking him to my bulletin board showing him the faces of men imprisoned for their belief in Jesus. This broke my heart, but he didn't realize at the time the truth about this seemingly innocent group. The serpent has not lost his cunning in deceiving the weak and innocent. We must protect the innocence of our children and educate them honestly when they ask questions, when they are confused, and their is much to be concerned and confused about in this present age.
So many things are amiss today, things I would never expect to happen in my lifetime, and yet there is nothing new under the sun, as King Solomon once said. Evil has existed since the beginning, and it didn't seem to get any better after the flood in Noah's day. Here in America things have been beyond chaotic. Our nation, established on moral principles, seeks to remove God in every sphere of influence. If government had its way every church would be shut down, every Bible burned, and every person with a belief in God would be desensitized. Thankfully, God has heard the prayers of intercessors on their faces daily, repenting for the sins of our nation, our world, our churches' lack of action, beginning with personal sins. God, in His infinite grace, has chosen to extend His mercy, but, we, as believers, have much to do, as He calls us to persevere. The window of grace will be brief.
According to scripture, judgment begins in the house of the Lord, and the church's lack of action has hindered things. Leaders mistake government for politics, not interchangeable but separate as one is Biblical, the other carnal. It is so crucial that pastors and leaders understand the truth of the gospel message and instruct and guide their sheep regarding the Biblical role of the church. Praying and standing with Israel is the link to everything.
My prayer is that eyes will be opened as we seek God's guidance, speaking to us clearly through His Word. May this be our focus for this new year, one filled with hope for our nation and an end to the antisemitism and barbarism in our countries.
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