The Perfect Storm?

Remember the movie the perfect storm? Three powerful storms converge together to create a mega-storm that is unsurvivable.

Let me tell you about another perfect storm that is brewing.

America recently voted in a very liberal government.

Israel recently voted in a very conservative government.

Iran now has enough plutonium to make a nuclear bomb.

Russia seems to be siding with Iran and other Arab countries.

The financial crisis continues to deepen with no end in sight.

What does this all mean? Big trouble if and when they all converge together.

Israel will most likely put the brakes on any Palestinian land deal and launch another military offensive to stop the missile launches from Hammas once and for all.

The US will most likely turn their backs on Israel for their unwillingness to solve the Palestinian dilemma and for launching another offensive.

Israel might try to bomb Iran's nuclear sites.

Iran might try to nuke Israel.

Russia will probably get into the mix at some point.

And who knows what will happen in the US and the world when financial panic breaks out.

Pretty gloomy huh? So is the last chapter of God's story....at least until the Messiah returns to establish his eternal kingdom.

I read a good quote today. It said, "a crisis forces us do what we were supposed to be doing all along."

Every generation since Jesus ascended back to heaven is supposed to be living like it is the last generation. This means that we live with an ever-alert sense of urgency and compassion. Only one generation will actually be around to do this in "real-time." Could that generation be us?

The Battle For The Land

The LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates — 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites."
Genesis 15:18-21

Israel held important elections two weeks ago. The battle is really about who will argue for or against giving up land for peace. Today, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, argued that peace will not come unless Israel gives up at least 1/2 of the Biblical land.

Here is the article: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304798677&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShoGive

The argument really boils down to two issues:

1. Who has a right to the land?

2. Will giving up the land really bring peace?

You'll need to read previous posts on my blog to know how I would answer these questions.

At this point, it looks like the more conservative party in Israel will be making that decision, which means that giving up land is not likely to happen any time soon. This decision will really heat things up in the Middle East. Hang on.

The lead article in the Jerusalem Post today revealed a breaking story by the NY Times. The Times broke a story that Iran is definitely pursuing nuclear arms and should have enough plutonium to produce a weapon by the end of this year.

Here is the article:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304767556&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Iran has repeatedly denied that they are pursuing nuclear weapons. Maybe they are also lying about wanting to wipe Israel off the face of the planet. Not!

Who has enough sense to sort out what Iran is really up to? Is our government really that blind and gullible.

God's story continues on. Each headline brings us one step closer to its dramatic conclusion.

This is not a time to get out of your seat to make some popcorn or you just might miss it!

Blah Blah Blah Blah

Obama said yesterday that he is ready to open a dialogue with Iran. Ahmadinajad accepted the offer and immediately responded with these words:

"If you really want to fight terrorism, come and cooperate with the Iranian nation, which is the biggest victim of terrorism so that terrorism is eliminated. ... If you want to confront nuclear weapons ... you need to stand beside Iran so it can introduce a correct path to you," he said.

Iran is one of the biggest sponsors of terror on the planet. Ahmadinajad denies the holocaust, has repeatedly called for the annihilation of Israel and has also repeatedly lied about Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.

I recently watch a video on the history of Islam. It spoke about a consistent strategy throughout Islam's aggressive history to subdue the world under it's belief system by duping it's enemies into thinking they were interested in negotiating peace- thus buying time to build military strength. When Ahmadinajad speaks of America "standing by Iran so that they can show us the correct path" this is what he means. Peace to Isalm means that the rest of the world is free from infidels (like us and Israel) and is under Islamic rule.

While our country opens a dialogue, Iran will continue to build it's military strength. Russia will continue to supply everything Iran needs to complete their military goals.

Ahmadinajad is a wise, evil man. Obama is an idealistic, good man. We lose in this deal.

The important news in this story is that Russia and Iran are destined to join forces according to God's story. They will eventually surround Israel in a joint military campaign. You can read about it Ezekiel chapters 36-39 called the war of Gog & Magog. It seemed like an unlikely union just a couple of years ago, however, it has already taken place.

While we dialogue with Iran, God's story unfolds. God help us!

Keep Your Heart Hot

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Matthew 24:12-13

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Unemployment jumped to a whopping 7.2% in January. Iran sent up a satelite into space confirming their global interests. Missiles are still being launched in Israel. The financial state of the world is hanging on by a thread. And last night, Obama used very harsh language to influence the passing of his stimulus package.

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Jesus warned about hearts growing cold in the last days.

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How's your heart this Friday morning? Hot or cold or somewhere in the middle?

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I do not believe we are at the point in history Jesus is speaking of in the passage above, but I do believe we are rapidly approaching it.

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"Stand firm to the end and you will be saved" Jesus says.

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A hot heart seems to be the key to a firm stance. Let your heart grow cold and you will not make it to the end.

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One thing is for sure, the current situation in the world will cause an exponential increase of wickedness. Wickedness will cause an exponential increase of cold hearts. Cold hearts will cause an exponential increase of unsaved souls.

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How do we keep our hearts hot through the coming tribulations?

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Here are a few verses to meditate on to give you some insight:

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Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

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Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.

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2 Corinthians 5:6-7

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,for you are with me;your rod and your staff,they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23

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Keep your heart hot today,

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Rabbi Gene

Iran Speaks Out

The president of Iran spoke out yesterday about what America needs to do to gain Iranian trust. Here is what he said:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Wednesday for "profound changes" in US foreign policy - including an end to support for Israel and an apology to the Islamic republic for past misdeeds. Ahmadinejad also urged Washington to withdraw its troops stationed around the world.

I guess if our new government leaders are going to try and warm relations with Iran with dialogue, they now have a clear place to start.

Make sure you pray for our leaders today! Pray for spiritual eyesight, wisdom and boldness that can only come through faith. The real task at hand is not learning how to be tolerant of two ideologies and faiths, it is recognizing the difference between good and evil.

History Always Repeats Itself History Always Repeats Itself

Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

Ecclesiastes 3:15

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The Jerusalem Post ran an article today about Obama's desire to warm relations between the US and Iran.

You can find it here:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233050203297&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

I give Obama an "A+" grade on his desire to unite the world and to reshape our negative image, but I give him an "F-" grade on his naivete concerning Islam's goals toward the annihilation of Israel.

Republican Senator, William E. Borah is reportedly famous for this quote in September 1939:

"Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler- all this might have been averted."

Just goes to show you that being a republican doesn't give you any more spiritual insight than being a democrat.

Hitler used our naivete to build his power. Ahmadinejad will do the same. When looking back on history, it is easy to see how any discussions with Hitler would only buy him time to build his killing machines. Read the article in the post today and visualize "looking back" on history a decade from now. It will bring chills to your bones.

When it comes to history and dealing with evil regimes, welcome to the department of the redundancy department!