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14
March 2010
Psalm 122 is on my heart today. In 1947 the
United States became the first nation to recognize the
new nation state of Israel. Since that day we have been
Israel's greatest and often its only friend among the
nations of the world. We have not always agreed with
everything they do or say. We have often been
embarrassed by their hard line in mid-east relations,
especially with the Palestinian peoples. Yet we have
kept out disagreements to the conference room and
continued to stand beside the nation. This week the
Vice-President of the United States took the singular
action of publicly and openly condemning Israel for
their actions, not once but twice! I have no fears for
Israel in this. God will take care of His own people
and He has a plan for them that He is working out. I
fear for the US. We have been dragged against our will
into the un-laudable position of abandoning the the city
of Jerusalem to its fate. We have in effect prayed not
for the peace of Jerusalem but for its condemnation. I
will continue to pray for the peace but I now must also
pray that God forgives the US for their sabotage.
Forgive us, O Lord, for we knew not what he was doing.
God bless you all.
Bro. Russell
7
March 2010
In Acts 4:7-13 we have a clear declaration of the
source of our salvation and of our continued activities
as believers. Peter and John have been arrested and
brought before the Sanhedrin, the group who condemned
Jesus to die. They are given a chance to account for
themselves. Peter gives the powerful statement on the
source of our authority, Jesus Christ! He is the only
reason we are saved and He is the one who guides and
empowers our actions. If you are trying to serve Jesus
in your own strength, stop. You can offer Him nothing.
If He commands you to do something that is impossible,
do it. He will never command you to do anything that He
is not prepared to empower you to do! We are saved
forever through Him and His sacrifice. We are able to
do anything He commands by the power He places about
us. Remember He said "All power is given unto Me, go ye
therefore..." Pray about it. God bless you all.
Bro. Russell
28
February 2010
In Isaiah 53 we have a unique picture of the
mission of our Lord Jesus Christ from 700 plus years
before His advent. We learn that we are all guilty but
He is the one who carries our sins. Jesus died to save
us and He lives forever. It is a passage that troubles
the Jewish leaders and theologians. It presents them
with questions they cannot answer. We find in it a
great comfort and a source of hope not only for
ourselves but for everyone. Today we will go over the
implications of God providing a remedy for our sins and
what that means for our daily lives. God bless you all.
Bro. Russell
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