Answer to: Those who Bless/Curse Israel will be Blessed/Cursed

I was led to another website where the author debunked the bless/curse Israel promise that Christians point to today. I think this is important enough to answer:
Here's what this person says: "In Genesis 12:3, God said to Abraham, I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you, and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Notice, the direct "bless-curse" line concerned Abraham alone, not Israel, and "all the families of the earth" were to be blessed in Abraham, which meant through "his seed," which was Jesus Christ (see Galatians 3:16). In order to receive that very blessing, individuals must be willing to be "turned away" from their sins by God's grace (see Acts 3:25,26)."

However, if you read just a bit more in Genesis 27:29, you will find that Issac blesses Jacob with this: "Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you." Jacob was Abraham's seed through Issac!!
It might sound like a personal blessing, BUT, if you compare that with Hebrews 11:20, Paul says: By faith, Issac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come."

Consider, also, these scriptures:
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you... (what shall be the end of those who don't?? Look it up!!)

Isaiah 49 is the Messianic chapter, but read verse 16 to 26 about Zion (Jerusalem-Israel) God says in verses 15 and 16 that a nursing mother cannot forget her son, so He will not forget Zion... she is written (engraved, as in permanently) on the palms of His hands...her walls are ever before Him.

Jeremiah is full of promises for Israel and punishment for those who come against her: Read chapter 31... it ends with this: In the latter days you will consider it.

And Chapter 32 has this promise: 35: Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night,
who disturbs the sea and its waves roar (the Lord of Hosts is His name)
36: If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before me forever.
37: Thus says the Lord: if heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the Lord

In Zechariah 12, God will make Israel a cup of drunkeness and Jerusalem a burdensome stone to those who come against her...I would call that a curse to those who come against Israel.

None of this in any way diminishes the preeminence of Jesus Christ, or those believers (wild olive branches) who are grafted in the true olive tree, Israel. It is true that in Christ shall all the Word of God be fulfilled. Until His return, Jerusalem, Israel, and His believers are all important. When He does return, His feet shall touch Mt. Zion and Jerusalem will be raised up -- the New Jerusalem doesn't come down until after the 1000 year reign of our Lord on the earth!!Zechariah 14:4-21

These are just a FEW of the verses that indicate we are blessed if we bless Israel, no matter what her state, especially since God does, even though she has rejected His Son. For He promises that one day He will pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on the house of David and all of Israel, and they will look upon Him whom they have pierced. Zechariah 12:10

PLEASE REMEMBER THIS: Read the scriptures by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It takes more than degrees in theology to understand what the Lord has written. Anyone who desires understanding and trusts the Lord, will be led by the Spirit to know what God is saying to His people. I John 2:26,27 Get a good concordance and reliable translation of the Bible. Compare Scripture with Scripture. It is my hope and prayer that more people will search out the Word and walk in the Truth.

Consider These Deceptions...

I want to bring your attention to something I have gained a perspective on from my research on my latest novel, Barriers. My heart is knit with Israel. My love for this country and its people couldn't be stronger. But for those of you who feel as I do, I want to issue this caution: Keep a right perspective on all that is happening there. Israel and her current government and policies are far from perfect. They exploit, oppress, torture and exterminate at will, those whom they will, often without regard to human decencies for their own people or for those Arabs living within Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Keep in mind that, except for Messianic Jews, Israelis and Jews around the world have rejected the Lord Jesus as the Son of God--Christ--Messiah. Contrary to what some popular preachers are proposing now, Jews absolutely do need to accept Jesus as their Messiah, in order to be saved. The scriptures spoken by the Lord, Himself, say as much. No amount of twisting the Word of God in either the Old or New Testament can make this truth say that they can go on in their unbelieving state and still be saved. Not Hagee, not anyone else who holds services in support of Israel and tells Jews they are fine, spiritually speaking, especially when they deny the deity of Christ.

Don't be deceived. This is an age old deception put forth by the father of lies, satan, in order to keep Jews from hearing the truth and believing on Jesus Christ. Don't rob these people who are the apple of God's eye. They have a special place in His End Time Economy, but they still must hear the truth.

Stay focused as more and more deceptions infiltrate through the "church". New Age meditation or contemplative prayer and music, Eastern practices and beliefs that all roads lead to heaven...replacement theology...that believing in Jesus is narrow minded and Jews don't have to believe in Jesus...that solid basic truths and values put forth in the Old and New Testaments are outdated. Homosexuality is a sin, just as surely as murder, lying, cheating, stealing, gluttony, adultery, denying the deity of Jesus, and the list goes on. We are living in an age that was prophesied by the Lord; As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so shall it be when the Son of Man is revealed: Luke 17:26- Think about it!!

People...read your Bibles!! Don't be led astray and miss the purpose for which you were created... if you don't know what that is, then you really do need to read God's Word, and not some new twisted version either, that strips it of its original content and meaning.

Be strong and steadfast as the Day of the Lord approaches--Jesus said those who do His will and remain faithful will be hated by the world, even by their own families, but He then says... He who endures to the end shall be saved!! Matthew 10:22
May we all be found faithful when that day comes suddenly upon us!

The Interview With God

This is a beautiful and powerful presentation. You will enjoy the breathtaking photographic images and inspiring messages in this video. Please turn up your sound.

"The Interview With God"

Start video here

Don

"I Will Glory In The Cross"

After a long difficult week, someone shared this song with me this morning. Listening brought tears to my eyes as I focused on the words written of the glory, power, and majesty of my Savior and Lord. Just imagine...He died on that cross for you and me, bearing the burden of your sins and mine that we might have life - eternal life through Him, for He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life.

Quiet your heart and mind now, close your eyes and focus on Him.
Turn up your sound and listen here

"I Will Glory In The Cross" sung by Allison Durham Speer

Don

Aftermath of the Election ~ Israel

This morning, when I was reading from the Bible in Romans 11 and 12, two things stood out as I reflected on the outcome of the election: One is the importance of Israel in God's End Times Economy, and the other is the attitude of Christians toward the president elect.
Romans, chapter 11, clearly, unmistakably, deals with Israel, and how GOD views this nation of people. Israel has NEVER been cast aside...she has been blinded temporarily, and IN PART. Verse 1 says: "I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid!" Paul goes on to to quote Elijah's cry to the Lord and His reply. Then in verse 5 he says,"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." Paul continues to show how the Jews have fallen, and have been cut off from the olive tree, so that Gentiles could come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but he warns in verse 25: "but I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." Verses 26-29 then go on to say: "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There Shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes, but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance." Pretty self explanatory. You simply can't make that say anything else. You are ignorant in your own conceits if you think differently.

As for the election of our president this year, many Christians are being quite vocal about their disdain for this man they voted against. I stand guilty. Romans, chapter 12, is an amazing exhortation to believers on how they are to conduct themselves as representatives of Jesus Christ! Verse 2: "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God." compare that with Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of the Father, which is in heaven."
Read the entire 12th chapter of Romans; if you are not convicted as to the state of your heart, whoever you are, you have a hardened heart. Paul covers how we are to deal with the actions, thoughts, and emotions we encounter as members of the Body of Christ and ends with, "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." Couple that with the many exhortations to pray for those in authority and you have God's will for His people as it pertains to Israel and to this nation's leader! My prayer is that you will seek the Lord with all your heart and let Him show you His will, through His Word, for your lives. We are living in critical times...Look up~for your redemption draweth nigh!

Sack Cloth and Ashes~ A time of mourning...

Many of you may feel like the title suggests; you may even want to wear black or put on black armbands to visually show how you feel on this November 5th. BUT, I'm here to encourage you to put off the sack cloth, wash and anoint your heads with the Oil of Gladness... God is STILL God!! Jesus is STILL Lord, and He is STILL coming back for His own... Feel more like rejoicing now? I do!!! However, stay in prayer for this country...things are going to change all right...but not for the better for true believers, for the unborn, for family values, for Israel. Instead of mourning, why not make a difference while you can?!! Seek the Lord as to what He would have you to do and don't worry, Persecution WILL come as you do what is right...even so, Jesus said to rejoice when you are persecuted!! There's that word again...REJOICE!! ;)