MY THOUGHTS
I want to thank everyone who has sent me emails about the situation in Israel. My take is Israeli people are going about their normal lives, gas masks have and are currently being distributed, and war is in the air. However, many people seemed oblivious to the fact that war may be imminent. Some of course are preparing. In 1 Thessalonians, the people cry for peace and safety, and when they do sudden destruction will come upon the Israelis. I do not want destruction on anyone, and I do not want people to die, but the Word is the Word, and as hard as it can be, we must trust all of it. What we can control is our faith in Jesus Christ.
Franklin Graham and Dr. Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church of Dallas made news on MSNBC. Both described rightly that a person can only become a Christian if he/she asks Jesus personally in their life. Many disagree and think if anyone says they are a Christian they are, but they are not. You must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Deception is the first warning of Jesus Christ in Matthew 24, and many may say they are Christ, and I want to say many will say they are Christians, but only those who place their life personally with Jesus are saved. Also, Mormonism is not a Christian religion, and their other Mormon testament attests to that among other beliefs.
What we are seeing is distaste for Biblical Christianity. We will continue to see politics and religion meshing together, and we, as Christians, must be careful not to get caught up in the politics or the religion, but stay to the true story. That story tells of a loving God who sent His Only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins, and He raised His Son from the dead so each of us who place our life in Jesus may be raised from the dead on the last day. The world's hatred of Jews and Christians is increasing all over the world.
Lastly, it looks like war is inevitable in the Middle East. After March 5th, we will see more what is transpiring as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and US President Obama will discuss Iran. Look for Obama to give a very pro-Israel speech at the powerful Israeli AIPAC Conference, but behind closed doors his message will be greatly different. The Bible states we must judge people by their actions, not their words, and so many of our leaders' actions show they are not born again believers in Jesus Christ.
Bro. Brian
SCRIPTURE
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11
"Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord [a]will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then [b]destruction [c]will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you [d]like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as [e]others do, but let us be alert and [f]sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be [g]sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore [h]encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."
Note: Notice Jesus comes as a thief to unbelievers, but to us, who are believers, we will know His Coming is soon.?Bro. Brian
NEWS LINK
Evangelist Franklin Graham called President Barack Obama's religious views into question on Tuesday, stating that he does not know for sure if Obama is a Christian.
Graham, who is the son of Billy Graham and the CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that Obama "has said he's a Christian, so I just have to assume that he is."
"All I know is I'm a sinner, and God has forgiven me of my sins... you have to ask every person," he said about whether he could say for sure that Obama is indeed of the Christian faith.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/franklin-graham-obama_n_1290657.html
