Friday, 16 December 2011 07:45
America's military presence in Iraq has officially ended. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has told the troops, "Your sacrifice has helped the Iraqi people to cast tyranny aside and to offer hope for prosperity and peace to this country's future generations."While we're scaling down operations in Iraq, we are apparently escalating them in Iran. Military officials are now saying that the RQ-170 Sentinel drone that crashed in Iran was ours, and that it was surveying suspected nuclear sites in the country. We have good reason for such an investigation. Dennis Ross, who just retired as President Obama's top Iran policy official, warned on Tuesday: "If Iran has nuclear weapons, the potential for nuclear war in the Middle East goes up dramatically."
These are just the latest headlines from this volatile region of the world. What makes these issues relevant nine days before Christmas?
Jesus was "the son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1). That means he was a direct descendant of an Iraqi. Abraham was from Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 11:31), the site of modern Tel el-Muqayyar in southern Iraq's Dhi Qar Governate. God called him to "leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you" (Genesis 12:1), and the rest is history.
The Magi who brought gifts to the infant Christ were from ancient Persia. Second-century Christian art in Roman catacombs depicts them in Persian garments, as did a golden mosaic over the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. In other words, Jesus' first Gentile worshipers were Iranians.
Two principles follow. One: God loves Iraqis and Iranians, and is at work in their ancient lands. More Muslims are coming to Christ than ever before, many after seeing visions and dreams of Jesus. By some reports, there are as many as two million secret Christians in Iran.
Two: we should join him. I pray every day for 100 million Muslims to come to Christ over the next year, and ask God to lead Iranian President Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Khamenei to salvation. If he could bring Saul of Tarsus to himself, can't he win anyone to his Kingdom? What impact would such conversions make around the world?
The Child who chose an Iraqi for his ancestor and Iranians for his worshipers now chooses you and me to advance his Kingdom. The Magi brought him their best gifts. What will you give him today?
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However, I would much prefer if you refer to Christ as adult and grown - he has been for millenniums. The Child to which you refer was then, He is no longer the Child.
God bless and keep up the good work.
If there was no Easter we would all be doomed.
It has always been a tool in the bag of the Lord to humble hostile kings. The more virulent and intense against Israel they are, the better he seems to like it.
Why? Because when we see that we cannot deal with them, his majesty shines ever more brightly against the darkness of Satan's deceptions.
He broke Pharaoh. He fried Nebachadnezzar AND his son. He ripped up Caesars like junk mail. He snapped Hitler. He stomped on the Communist regime in the U.S.S.R. He executed Saddam and Kaddafi and their red-headed step-child Osama bin-Laden.
Is there any doubt that he can deal with China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, or the Palestinians? If I were them, I'd be looking for a way to tiptoe out of town because those places have the likelihood of becoming red-hot, radioactive neighborhoods.
God will not be mocked.
I will join you in prayer for Iran and for all Muslims, indeed for all who do not yet know the love of our Savior for ALL mankind. God can, and does, change hearts and minds.
Recently, I was confounded by the hand of God…a man had written a report for the United Nations which accused the Israelis of being wholly responsible for the attacks on Palestine . A few months later, he reversed his position when he said new evidence had come to light. While the UN has chosen to ignore the revised edition, I can see no reason for the author to have recanted…except that God touched his heart!
On another occasion, the Pakistani government was ready to stone a Christian convert who was a pastor. I joined in the worldwide prayer for this man and his family, and they were spared. What other explanation, than the hand of God?
I have had miracles in my own life that show me I am here for a reason…I have a role to play.. I pray that God will use me, hand, heart, and head, to His Glory
Reading Mega Shift we learn of amazing ways God is TODAY touching hearts all across the world. All Glory be to God our Father. What new Glories will we be privileged to witness !?!??
Christ as a man stated that fact in John 3-16 " For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
In John 14-2 we are told of Christ's going
Christ said in John 14-6 I AM THE LIVING GOD, The Way and The Truth and The Life; no man comes to my Father but by me alone"
In John 14-2
For me I am thankful Christ who was willing to come from his home in Heaven and Father God to become the Christ of Calvary that I might someday live in Their presence.
With out the birth of Christ, the Baby of Christmas, there would would never have been the Man Christ on the Cross of Calvary and the tomb.
And three days the Resurrection of the Risen Lord and Easter.
All for me a sinner Saved by his Mercy and Grace. I am so thankful for His Father allowing Him to come and be my Saviour and the Saviour of all who are willing to accept him.
THANK YOU GOD