This is not a political post. You may vigorously state and defend your opinions. Do it in a civil and respectful way, or do not comment here. If you cannot abide by this one very clear request, I’ll put you on the blacklist. I have the very strong opinion that people who cannot express themselves with respect do not need to be babysat in moderation. Keep to the topic.
Once upon a time, in the Treehouse long, long ago, this was a well practiced custom. The discourse and exchange of ideas was the better for it. Those of you who cannot give and take in this manner take something away from this fine site, and from each other.
You are not out there fighting the good fight. You are just standing on the sidelines, stomping your feet. And before getting your back up, please go back and re-read my second sentence.
If you aren’t clear on what that means, then I suggest you not only studiously read Sundance’s comments, but also our admin Stella’s. Go look for some of her posts and comments here, or go over to her blog, Stella’s Place. She is a master at clearly presenting logic and defending her position without logical fallacies or disrespect. It’s kind of like a classroom for discourse, in my opinion.
I have been intending to do a venting post. Kind of a rant, if you will, for all of us. No great ideas, or study, or thorough examination of a subject. Just a brief few sentences on things I think are wrong. But now isn’t the right time for that, if it ever is the right time.
Yesterday I did a post requesting prayer for Israel. Apparently, a lot of people had a problem with that. A lot of others made a complete mockery of the idea by praying or wishing awful things for the terrorists.
Terrorists whose actions, whose nature, whose belief system and morals are the most awful example of what a human can be. They do not deserve sympathy. We can’t even put ourselves in their shoes, and try to see their side. They don’t have a side. Hate and evil are not a legitimate platform to examine for worth or understanding. Full on rejection of all they entail is the only logical and moral response, not only for Christians and Jews, but for anyone with a functional brain.
Some of the things I wanted to rant about have a little relevance here. They aren’t unique to me, or original in any way.
I am particularly tired of people who won’t work, who have never worked, and never intend to. Yet each year their lot gets better and mine gets worse.
I am tired of knowing that if I so much as don’t pay a parking ticket, I’ll suffer a trip to court and an expensive fine, while there are murders set free.
I am tired of paying more for goods because a whole group of people believe they are entitled to steal from everyone and suffer no consequences at all. And they don’t suffer any consequences. At all.
And, may I boldly emphasize that the topic and point of this post, and comments, is not about ranting. Maybe another day.
As I said, these few examples, and the others I’d intended to list, have nothing directly to do with my topic. Ah, but indirectly, there’s the point.
I have become so absorbed in my interior rants that I have crossed a line. I’m no longer in a place of righteous anger and seeking justice, justice grounded in God’s law and truth. I am no longer listening as I ought at all times to Christ’s voice inside me. I am no longer looking to him who taught us the both/and way of walking out our lives of faith. The Master who both turned over the moneychanger’s tables and wreaked havoc at the Temple, and rebuked the Sons of Thunder for their thirst for vengeance.
Yesterday was a stark wake up call for me. My own house in not in order. My will is not submitted to Christ. My words do not reflect his teachings. My heart has been given to passions other than that which should at all times be central in my life.
I have failed to carry my cross. I have scorned my cross. I have failed to offer my sufferings to Jesus. I have, through my fault, my most grievous fault, sinned greatly in my anger and pride.
The Confiteor
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Love you, Menagerie and the rest of the team. You are right, and this is what Christ called upon when he said his famous “he without sin” quote.
Yesterday was a wake-up call for me as well. Today I am working, to better myself, my family, and my soul. I do not wish ill on those caught in the middle of chaos, but I do pray for justice and for the righteous to be victorious. I do not blame the people trying to live their lives, because I would not wish to be lumped in among the evil being wrought by our government simply because I’m an American.
None of us are as good, as holy, or as pure as we would like to be. Being honest about that fact is the only thing that will keep us trying to be better.
I struggle every day with listening, and obeying. Our sermon today was on justification and sanctification, both requiring belief and trust in Jesus Christ, nothing we can do on our own. This world is very challenging. So I pray for you, and all with the same awareness, to submit to Gods work in our hearts.
As far as the Israel/Muslim problems,they could take over every inch of Israel &still not be happy.The made up religion is based on hate of others.
There was an article recently based on comments from a reformed jihadist in UK. (cant find it now). He correctly identified the issue as Islam as seeing our world as outside of “Allah’s perfect world”…hence that provides the reason for terrorism. Obviously we understand this as evil, as is the concept of jihad.
Sadly few Moslem clerics are working to reform the religious tenets that animate radical Islam, or even the idea that those of us that aren’t Moslem are essentially devils with lives not worth protecting.
Satan is having a field day right now but we can, I believe, have confidence in God’s ultimate triumph. We can also pray for God and the heavenly hosts to defeat evil and Satan.
Allah made the world, according to Islam. Why did he not make it perfect? That’s a question that can be asked of Christianity, too, but at least Christianity has a coherent answer.
I so love that prayer! Thank you for posting it Menagerie! It has been many years since I’ve heard it.
I agree. This one helps me too.
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle. Be our
protection against the
wickedness and snares of the
devil.
May God rebuke him, we
humbly pray; and do thou
O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, cast
into hell Satan and all the evil
spirits, who wander through
the world seeking the ruin of
souls. Amen
Agreed. I just made a screenshot of The Confiteor so I can recite it daily. Thank you Menagerie!
I concur, if I stray its never out of spite, but out of concern. All good people whatever their race,religion,ethnicity, national origin etc are welcome in my circle.
i believe, that when Jesus the Christ, turned over the tables and merchandise in the temple he wanted us to know there is a time and place for righteous anger. God bless those whose hearts are heavy this day. Peace be to you all as peace is given.
It’s a fallen world, filled with fallen people, beset by fallen angels who hate God and hate His creation, most especially humans, who are created in His image.
I have been learning to hate those humans who are the willing accomplices of Satan and his minions.
And that really makes me angry.
That makes me an accomplice in hate.
I resent that. I don’t want to give the enemy that victory over my soul. He wants us to hate each other.
My hatred of human evildoers is a misplaced hate.
Those humans who are unrepentant in their rebellion against the One true God will be suffering for their choice for eternity.
The Bible tells us to be angry, but do not sin.
It also tells us that vengeance belongs to the Lord.
My hatred for evil doing humans is misplaced and wrong.
So Lord, please take this hatred for human evildoers from my heart.
Replace it with confidence that YOU will repay unrepentant sinners, and that You will forgive those who truly repent and trust in Your Son, Jesus the Christ.
In His Name I pray.
Amen.
My half brother was an abusive man even when I was a young girl. I hated him. My older sister, later in life, told me it was not him I hated but what he did. No, I hated him because ‘he’ did those things. God did not condemn me for hating him. Rather he replaced that built up hatred to an acceptance that bad things happen. There’s a peace given to us that removes our limitations of being human with an understanding that we are forgiven.
Whilst I agree that God will judge these foul people who commit these abominable crimes, I can’t help be state that first they MUST face the justice of decent people.
but state. (we need an edit facility here please).
Go to the Daily Open Thread for today and ask how to edit a comment. You will get answered sooner or later.
Actually, I just press the invisible edit button a bit to the right of the reply button and it “magically” shows up. It looks like a little cog and below it is the word : edit.
I discovered it accidentally some time back.
Pretty neat!
I don’t dispute that at all.
That is one of the proper tasks of a righteous government.
I just don’t want to let Satan have a foothold in my soul and consume me with hatred.
Even if these evil doing humans never meet the fate they deserve in this life, I have peace from knowing that God is just, and joy from knowing that He is merciful.
Most, if not all, old testament prophets had more than a healty dose of righteous indignation. I read the Bible, and I know it’s okay to be angry about such unrighteousness. It just is, even to the point of hate. I try to hate the evil, and not the evildoer, but we’re limited here on how we halt the evil at some point. It has to be destroyed.
Dang Menagerie, you just blew Oliver Anthony out of the water.
Our message at church this morning was on “triggering”-what triggers us, how our emotions play into that, & how if we “take captive every thought” we would submit to God’s way & not our flesh. Your message goes right along with that. TPTB are looking for that final “trigger” for us so they can use it against us. I, like you, need to remember this in my speech & actions but unfortunately I don’t always. We do the best we can with God’s help.
thank you all and we agree ! Tough love with choices and consequences are needed when sundance deems and will follow his guidance and directions
Oh my goodness, I really needed to read this today! Thank you for expressing what I could not!
Its societal, pretty much throughout.
None of us measure up, Menagerie, for we all are sinners and we all fail from time to time.
Times are hard and trials and tribulations are abound for all.
Passions and emotions are affecting us all.
His Grace and love should be sufficient for you I would think and pray.
Don’t beat yourself. To err is human.
Bless you.
I think Menagerie is showing humility and repentance while demonstrating leadership – leading by example.
She is greatly appreciated by most if not all of us here in the Treehouse.
Amen and Thank You! I’m now entering the twilight of my life and feel fear and helplessness. Upon Examination of Conscience prior to Sacramental Reconciliation I find my heartiest sin in not putting my Faith in God through His Son Jesus Christ. He gave us the road map we need to follow it and as St JPII said quoting Scripture “Be Not Afraid “. No matter my physical
al aged weaknesses I am called as to be a fervent prayer warrior via prayer and fasting and fail to do so more than I want to admit.. Reconciliation helps me to see this and gives the Peace that only God thru Jesus can give. Again thank you for giving a forum to cleanse. God Bless CTH one and all.
Praying with you and for us all.
No more wild grapes in our vineyards.
Only what bears fruit.
Amen.
For me ranting about something that I find unacceptable or unfair, is easy. Remembering that my Lord and Savior, is always by my side is not.
I was raised to believe that it is better to suffer an injustice than to commit one. However I find myself struggling with that belief system and have sometimes fallen prey to the temptation of unChristian thoughts and actions. I pray that the Lord can forgive me for the poor sinner that I am.
Yesterday seems to have been a spiritual nudge for many of us.
Our son was involved in the drug scene. I went through years of worry, prayer, anger over his addiction. One day, he brought home another addict – a dealer no less. I was in blinding anger and kicked him out of my house. I felt he and his kind were the reason I was so miserable and the reason our son was an addict.
I prayed for his destruction – day after day. Something happened. One day I realized I was praying for him to seek and find recovery. I give God the total credit for that transformation in me.
I shared this story with my son as he began his journey of recovery and he shared it with the also recovering dealer. The former dealer made it a point to stop by and thank me for my prayers. I received so much joy from that experience. It was a huge spiritual lesson learned.
Yesterday, I prayed for Israel. It remains difficult to pray for the ‘bad guys.’ They are lost souls in need of prayer and conversion, too.
I confess to Almighty God…
Oh my dear Sundance, I pray daily to thank GOD for guiding me to you to receive a bit of peace and strength and to protect you and your loved ones but I have neglected to pray for your peace. May the Holy Spirit keep you close as you resettle yourself in Him. From my heart to yours, hugs.
It’s called being human and fallible. And, I’m guilty of both.
My faith remains in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And I trust He will continue to guide me and keep me strong in that very faith.
Oh my your thoughts make sense.
My daily devotionals have been in Psalms. I read one each day and then the commentary on enduringword.com (which I highly recommend). That so many reflect the thoughts and pleas of David, who also knew grievous sin, is humbling.
Guzik (compiler of the commentary on enduringword) noted in a recent entry that there is a difference between vengeance (which seeks to restore justice, which is good and ordained by God) and revenge (which is more personal response to wrongs). I found that very clarifying to my own conscience.
God bless you and thank you for your post. We can decry and abhor evil on earth while still praying that evildoers will repent (as God has graciously allowed us to do). That said, seems important to also be very clear-eyed about the situations we face.
Bless y’all. I don’t comment much but I do read and am mightily informed by, and strengthened through, this site.
Thank you.
Who is Managerie?
God Bless America!!!!
The better in all of us. The back reaches of our mind. A sort of reattachment to the light in alll of us. While you would pass him on the street, he is beside us all. Menagerie is “the reminder”.
I had the same thoughts after yesterday’s wonton slaughter of Israelis! I had such an evil foreboding I just couldn’t shake it all day!!! I have grown children and adolescent grandchildren. But my confession of those same thoughts to God were not near as sincere or heart felt as Menagerie’s confession but rather lukewarm by comparison. I don’t know what to make of that insincere confession, did I even mean it? I don’t know myself? I want retribution, I want justice for those murdered and injured, I want freedom for those kidnapped but most of all I want peace for Israel! But how is that achieved with murderous, totalitarian, muslim thugs next door? My thoughts eventually went to loading all my empty 30 round mags in preparation of a Hamas style evil coming here though Mexico!! HT Sundance! God help us! Hosanna! Godspeed Israel!!!
amen
Yes, God’s love will be the only victor in the end. I can only barely understand the earliest Christians, surrounded by false apostles, hunted and martyred in the empire that viewed belief in God as a threat. Hate is insatiable and consumes all before turning on itself. These are not end days but the end of an age. Let us hope those who survive will remember once again and turn back to God.
You have a great website. Always insightful.
“To err is human”
To you I say : keep up the
good work!”
As a mother of Jews, and a follower of Jesus, and a lover of Israel,,,my eyes are filled with tears and my heart is breaking,,I lost my rabbi, and friends,,,can’t take it
My prayers are with you.
Remember our Lord said that He will never forsake you, He will never leave you.
In this world we will have tribulation, but then He said “But I have overcome the world.”
Praying for you, my sister.
Someone want to help putting these things together
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.
(please don’t respond that we will witness to more people because that only addresses the “works that I do”, (the same action only more times)………greater works is also part of the verse
Peter being admonished to put away his sword and not even for me do you cut off ears
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
It seems as we haven’t grown much from the chimpanzee beating a pile of bones with a femur in front of a black monolith
The message to the repentant on the cross next to Jesus explaining that ‘no, it is never too late, and you are not lost’
Peter cuts off the ear prior to the cross. That time was not for fighting. Jesus was obedient, even to the cross.
John 18:11
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
But Jesus did advise his disciples to buy swords:
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough…
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
There’s a time and place.
Vengeance is the Lord’s, but that doesn’t mean one can’t defend themselves, or that a nation cannot defend its people.
Menagerie – Your posts are inspired. Thank you for taking time for prayer and for always inviting us to pray with you.
Always – Thank you.
praying for you.
Prayer request heard, dear Menagerie,
May we all, have enlightenment, courage, and the knowledge of our place.
What we need to do; and do it well.
1 Timothy 2
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
These are the times when Christians need their spiritual armor. I was reading in Job today. I hope these verses are a blessing:
Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
It’s like on the wires have gotten crossed in my mind due to the intentional chaos Sundance just described in the Slow at First post. I give to ranting about some issues, particularly as it relates to God’s Word.
I’m heartbroken over Israel. Seeing a photo of a missile hitting the hospital we visited and brought gifts to all the kids on the cancer floor. Now, bombed.
I’m heartbroken over Israel.
Last year’s intensive study was on the Northern & Southern kingdoms and their falls. Apostasy. The many prophets told them over and over again, but they still worshiped other gods. Yahweh kicked them out of His Land.
I’ll skip my rant about the nature of the current Church and get right to today’s sermon.
Yesterday, I listened to an online pastor’s discussion with his Messianic Jewish friend to discuss what was happening in Israel. He doesn’t separate events as just political. They brought in the spiritual/Biblical aspects too. When it comes to Israel you can’t separate the two.
In his sermons, he sticks to the spiritual/Biblical Word. Today the pastor talked about Eze 35-36. He will continue tonight and for many more sermons.
It gives the big-picture perspective of what such a significant event as the surprise invasion of Israel by Hamas means in a God’s timeline of Israel’s history. In a very condensed nutshell, the Jews have never accepted Christ as the Messiah (except for a few). They are still waiting and looking. This invasion of Israel is a major turning point. The terrorism on the land will continue. Fighting will become extreme, and they will accept who they believe will be the Messiah, to them. In fact, it will be the Anti-Christ. He will promise peace. Eventually, eventually, when Christ returns they will accept Him as the one true Messiah, the Christ.
This is an extremely simplistic version, but when I view events through God’s sovereignty I can accept what’s happening even though it is heartbreaking because it’s God’s timeline for Israel. It doesn’t mean one sits back and does nothing in the face of evil. But it does mean we are living in the age of grace, of the harvest of souls. There’s still time to accept Christ as the Messiah and Savior.
The apple of God’s eye is just as apostate and blasphemous today as in the days of the northern/southern kingdoms’ kings. It didn’t end well then, but this time the destruction of Israel will be bad but with a different endng. They will suffer greatly but ultimately they will turn to Christ and there will be a new Jerusalem.
Islam will not win out. Neither will the commies & their invaders in USA, but we too will suffer.
In a few hours, the Sunday evening sermon will continue on Ezekial & Israel and going forward for months.
Pray for Israel. Pray for USA. May the Holy Spirit reveal Christ to the unsaved while there is still time.
Amen! My in-depths the last months have been Exodus and Psalms – I suggest Psalms 80-83 to go along with your Ezekiel study. It appears we may be supposed to pray for 2 distinct/separate groups in Psalm 83.
Thank you for the Psalm chapters!
I needed this, too Menagerie. Yesterday’s discussions here, and elsewhere, knocked me off balance.
Amen Menagerie! Your post says it all and we would do well to reflect upon your words. My only additional comment is to include one of my favorite quotes – not because I like the idea it presents but because I know how desperately I need to absorb the message, precisely because it is one I do not like to hear!
“What we need today is not anger but anguish, the kind of anguish that Moses displayed when he broke the two tablets of the law and then climbed the mountain to intercede for his people, or that Jesus displayed when He cleansed the temple and then wept over the city. The difference between anger and anguish is a broken heart. It’s easy to get angry, especially at somebody else’s sins; but it’s not easy to look at sin, our own included, and weep over it.” Warren W. Wiersbe
Another comment, Biblically based:
There are many, many self-proclaimed Christians who believe a lot of false doctrine, among which is the falsehood that Christians have “replaced” Israel.
Just look at Gab to see this, perhaps even on these threads, as well.
The vitriol that comes out of some mouths is so evil, it can only come from the devil himself.
Even Christians can be deceived, which is why Jesus exhorted us to not be deceived, speaking Himself in His ministry and through the apostles.
2 Corinthians 2
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
it’s a contentious and not broadly supported theologically either way.
the question: who is israel?
therein lies the issue.
when jesus came and delivered THE PROMISE, it was not solely for one particular nation state.
and THAT is the issue. When we say “israel”, what do we mean by that?
and what does the bible mean by “israel”?
Here is where I land on the issue…this is purely my own opinion based upon logic, reason and fairness.
israel as a state carries no more significance or authority in the modern age than pogietown, venezuela.
there ARE meaningful prophesies that illustrate specific physical structures WITHIN modern day Israel…but we are not talking the same thing.
we are talking about PEOPLE…human beings. God’s creation. ALL OF US.
I was raised in a southern baptist church environment. There was a passion about recognizing the state of Israel for lots of reasons: 1) there is substance in the bible that supports that passion 2) we still live within 2 generations after the great holocaust///the near genocide of european Jews. Particularly the SOUTH buried many of our young men fighting against evil in that war, and THAT suffering and the awareness of just how much suffering the jews experienced, left a sharp and definite mark on this aspect of Israel as a state to be protected. I am not opposed to this, but I think, my belief is that Israel the state carries no more spiritual significance than any other nati0n state…not in terms of salvation and the reasons why jesus died on the cross. To suggest otherwise is to present the idea that God is unfair and partial and that it was pure LUCK AND FORTUNE of which you have no control. This goes against every notion of a fair and just God, that does not specific and recognize one particular state or society over another. And certainly not at the individual level.
we are ALL JUDGED according to our own deeds. This is fair and it is logical.
God Bless America
Thank you for this. This is what I understand. I briefly tried to express the same thinking on an earlier thread though not as articulately.
“All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.” – Isaiah 40:17
That includes those of here in the Land of the Free.
But Israel was, is, and will be the apple of God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8, Deuteronomy 32:10) and He will not allow it to no longer exist (Jeremiah 31).
We are instructed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, too.
Israel is God’s covenant people. Not all that claim to be Israel are of Israel, but there is a remnant and the land was given to Israel for an everlasting covenant.
Romans 11
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Isaiah 10
21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
23 For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.
24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.
25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.
At the end of The Tribulation “all Israel” which is all of the remnant, will be saved.
Jeremiah 31
31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
To the latter part of your comment, I would add that Israel carries great significance, and just as we do not know the hearts of Christians, neither do we that of Israel. If God could cast away Israel, what could that mean for Christians? God cannot lie. His counsel stands.
Romans 11
18 Boast not against the branches [Israel]. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25 For 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.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
They still reject Christ, to this day.
That said, I don’t wish them evil.
Hi, if you haven’t already read above – Romans 11 of the Bible explains their blindness toward Jesus Christ. They did reject God – the Father throughout the OT, Jesus at the cross, and the Holy Spirit when they stoned Stephen. When the Jews rejected Jesus, they said “Let His blood be on us, and our children” which has been so to this day.
But soon, this age of grace will be over, and God will pour out His wrath on an unbelieving world – Jews and gentiles alike – but there is a remnant of true Israel that is saved and will recognize their Messiah at the second coming.
If dispensationalism ends up being correct – I do not want to be definitive on that point – then it will be a fraction or remnant, since much of modern Judaism has not only rejected Jesus, but God altogether.
If one notes the Old Testament and the New Testament, they believe in dispensations.
Rightly dividing evidences dispensations (and ultimately shows there is more than just two dispensations).
Ephesians 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
The ‘times’ in v. 10 is plural.
After the cross, recorded in Acts, the 12 were preaching the Kingdom of Heaven. After they rejected God, Paul was called and the Kingdom of God was preached – grace through faith.
When the body of Christ is raptured, God turns His attention back to the Jews, preserving them for the latter 3 1/2 years in the wilderness like He did when they came out of Egypt the first time. At Jesus 2nd coming He will bring in the Kingdom of Heaven (The Millennial Reign) as was promised to the Jews.
It will be incredible.
Not all of them! Messianic Jews are multiplying like crazy right now. See One For Israel Ministries and First Fruits of Zion. Messianic Jews are taking the gospel to their own. My rabbi said recently that the first century church was told not to go east, but west only, and that slowly the gospel made it’s way around the world. Right now the fastest growing chuches are in Afghanistan and Iran. My rabbi believes that it is now back to Israel. Praise God!
Praise God! I know many Jews are coming to faith. I have tuned into One For Israel, and follow Amir Tsarfati, and Olivier Melnick, among others.
I pray even more are saved.
Amir Tsfarti has really good insights. On One For Israels youtube there is an interview with my rabbi.
Reg- Israel doesn’t start with the New Testament. You have to begin at the beginning – Genesis – and go forward from there. The Hebrews or Jewish history is the Old Testament. You won’t find their history in the New Testament. That isn’t part of their Holy Scriptures.
Interesting consideration: if you read Hebrews through Revelation in light of The Tribulation, it seems quite fitting that those books are for Jews during Daniel’s 70th week.
(That’s not to say Christians shouldn’t read them or that they can’t get any application out of them.)
It’s very interesting.
Yes. Not saying the New Testament doesn’t relate to the Jews, 144,000 is them! – but their history starts in Genesis and weaves particularly throughout OT & NT prophecy.
Those who denounce Christ will never know peace, through all eternity.
Pray for them.
This is all true. We need to be civil and accord each other a modicum of basic dignity here.
What is also true is that this place is periodically brigaded with operatives, who seek to flood the pages with an instructed narrative, or are promoting a specific commercial or institutional objective.
It is particularly pronounced around certain election windows, and where military events are sought to be amplified to fit an agenda.
I have no doubt that IMF, and other Israeli government assets have heavily posted here in the last 48 hours, and will continue to do so to promote their agenda.
Just as certain others, who have long departed, attempted to do during the early phases of the Ukrainian military adventure.
They often spout, as a whale breaking the surface, with a large daily toot. Often at the same time of day. And then fade beneath the waves to leave us with only the wake until the next day. Some will not even afford a questioning response the courtesy of a reply.
And then when the particular race, campaign or interest they are seeking to influence opinion on has ended, they disappear forever.
They are not moderated by the hosts, which is fine. So those of us who eventually figure out who they are, and what their objectives are, challenge them. Politely and with reason and questions at first, if at all possible. And occasionally, when all they respond with is a repeat of a rote and exhausted refrain, something stronger. That is how most communities of an exchange of ideas work.
Some of us may remember a certain poster who always posted the exact same comment every time the Tucker Carlson Show was talked about here. He would spout like the whale and then disappear, not even willing to respond to comments. It was obvious that he was an operative for the show. And he disappeared the day that FNC fired Carlson, never to return. He was here merely to promote a corporate objective.
I eventually strongly called this gentleman out over his obvious agenda. And now I am on this site’s ‘No Fly’ list. All my comments since are moderated. Sometimes for many hours, when in the context of the conversation they are no longer relevant. I am certain that this long comment will sit in moderation. That is why I rarely post here anymore.
But it was worth it. Sometimes, for the integrity of any continuing place of conversation, it becomes the right thing to call “bull$hit” when it becomes obvious.
And this place, more than anything else, is a continuing conversation, broken up into a hundred chapters, containing thousands of participants and listeners. Many more are watching.
So treat each other with dignity. But don’t ever be afraid to call out the bull$hit.
Satan knows our weaknesses.
❤
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The problem in America and the west is the same as that issue so beautifully articulated by Shakespeare in Hamlet, going along to get along, rather than expose oneself to controversy; to be or not to be.
To stand unapologetically for principles, or to cower from the risk of being unjustly ostracized (suffer the slings and arrows), especially when the truth in the controversy is extremely unpopular, yet pivotal to any real solution.
We can’t discuss the problem, because it’s been made axiomatically taboo by its very perpetrators.
God bless you Menagerie.
Here is a prayer to help you to forgive: Lord, You tell us to forgive our enemies. This I want to do—or do I, really? But Lord, I do not know how to forgive—or is it that I just haven’t the moral strength to do so? Deliver me from nursing a grudge. Help me to want to forgive. Fill my mind with magnanimous thoughts. Make me bigger than I’ve been acting. Let me know the joy of forgiveness and reconciliation. The Bible says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). So please take my enemy off my hands. And I thank You that I find it in my heart to say, “Be good to him or her.” Amen.
Sinner saved by grace here. Escaped Austin to a small central Texas town by a series of beautiful lakes. I see God in the beauty of the wildlife, the massive oaks, & the sunsets. I have friends that live in Israel. I understand the historical & religious significance in scripture of that tiny but beautiful country. Politically, they have the same struggles between liberals & conservatives that we do here in the US. Their practicing Jews love God and strive for righteousness. There are secular Jews that may claim the promises but don’t actually seek God. We have a lot of those here in the states that vote for the party of abortion, castrating young boys, and removing the breasts of young girls. (Quoting Our leader, Mr Sundance) I digress. My heart goes out to Israel. The satanic acts the demons perpetrated on innocent & defenseless women, elderly, & even children must be met with the swift arm of justice. Hamas & Hezbollah must be hit again and again until they cry for mercy. That is how you win a war against murder, rape, pillage, & desecration of the dead. That type of behavior is born in the pits of hell. Israel is the apple of God’s eye. The Holy land was promised and given thousands of years ago to the Jewish people. Gaza must go. The experiment has ended as Caroline Glick so aptly put. These terrorist organizations must be smashed. Israel’s very survival is at stake. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6
Love means ‘to will the good’. English uses ‘love’ for a host of reasons, of course, but in Christian Faith, ‘love’ means to will the good. That’s how one can “Love thy enemies,” one wills their good by prayer, first and foremost. Just knowing this – for me at least – keeps me from true hate. I don’t have to ‘accept’ what they do, not at all, but I can will their good, thanks be to God. God will take care of the rest.
There is none righteous, no, not one. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God.
And that’s why we are all in need of a Saviour.
Press forward, don’t look back. And God bless you.
Now is a good time to pray the Psalms–especially the ones that ask God to smite His enemies and to make His name great.
Retired Magistrate here: The conflict in the Middle East goes all the way back to Jacob and Ishmael which resulted in two tribes: Jacob (Hebrews) and Ishmael (Arabs). These two tribes have been at war with each other for thousands of years. Does this take GOD by surprise; of course not. GOD sees the big picture and whether we like it or not, what happens on this earth is going according to HIS plan.
So with all the confusion, I pray that GOD’s will be done. HIS ways are not my ways, and HIS thoughts are not my thoughts.
Does that mean that I don’t have compassion for the people of Israel who are under attack or people in this country who are under attack from a rouge “justice” system. Of course not. However, knowing that GOD is in control does give me a certain sense of peace.
It also doesn’t mean that I am not going to be prepared for the militant attacks that in all probability will happen in this country.
Well said.
Indeed. Nobody can quantify the exact amount of grace and mercy God will show, and far be it from me to judge the end result.
God’s will be done indeed.
Today, Sunday, I’m on the road and pulled into a small cowboy church in a Colorado ranching area this morning. We prayed for God’s nation of Israel, now under attack.
The preacher told us of pure evil coming our way. That now more than ever before, we must face the reality that Satan’s deceptions have never been so bold nor so subtle. That as Christians we cannot turn away, we must refuse to accept evil and sin in the name of tolerance and compassion – we must stand bold with Jesus and strong in God’s word.
He asked us to consider why God would take his loyal disciple Stephan, stoned to death by the Jewish leaders whom Stephan told of their refusal of the Holy Spirit and their hand in the betrayal and murder of Jesus.
Israel Resists the Holy Spirit
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”
Stephen the Martyr
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:51-60
The preacher asked us to think about the fear this stuck in Christians, and the profound impact on Saul, witnessing this and what would become his great role in building the church and spreading the Gospel.
The preacher gave another example – Peter’s deep conviction and intolerance in confronting Simon, a sorcerer of magic and other feats. Peter and John were sent to the Samaritans who, while baptized, had not received the Holy Spirit. Simon too had been baptized, and watched as Peter and John placed their hands on these Samaritans, they received the Holy Spirit. Wanting this power, Simon offered Peter money to have such power.
There was only good and evil and Peter showed no tolerance or acceptance Simon’s attempt to buy God’s grace. Simon was left alone to repent.
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” Acts 8:18-23
That as Christians we cannot turn away, we must refuse to accept evil and sin in the name of tolerance and compassion – we must stand bold with Jesus and strong in God’s word.
I have been trying to get this message to my family and friends for some long time now. I will not tolerate evil and sin!