Oh the plight of Israel. Oh how the heavens must thunder over their reliquishing their land to the heathen, destroying the homes of their own kind and giving them to the philistine.It has been quite in Jerusalem of late, but just a couple years ago, bombings were occuring day after day. How unnerving it must be, to be afraid to leave your dwelling, never knowing when the person next to you may explode. I know it is beyond us to imagine such a thing.What did they do to stop the bombings? Undoubtedly, they put in place some safe guards to keep the bombers and explosives out. I began letting my mind drift to the commands of the Father in the old testament, as He told Israel when they conquered heathen cities, to slay every man woman and child. Of course, they often failed to do that. It is not unimaginable to see that the problems they face today are a direct result of their disobedience. Light and darkness have no fellowship with each other. As long as one muslim lives in Isreal, the threat of further violence is ever present. Then I began to think about the life of a christian. I thought of how that the same thing God expected from Israel is expected from us. He said, come out from among them and be ye seperate. We live in the world, but we are not of the world. Be ye Holy, for I am Holy. How can two walk together, except they be agreed? The world we live in, especially in the USA is filled with temptation. The more opportunities we take at exposure to these tempting assortment of flesh pleasers, the more apt we are to do those things that quench the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives. Ever notice how our flesh can offer a suprise attack? Just like a suicide bomber, just when we least expect it, our flesh will distract us and lead our minds captive in some tempting thougth train, that even leads to what the law identifies as sin (works of the flesh, regardless of what side of the law the works are on). Just when we kneel to pray, up pops some ungodly thought or lust (desire) and distracts us. Usually, it's the most recent thing we slipped into taking part in that comes up. If you watched a t-v program last night that excited your flesh (99% of them do), it will invaribly pop up, a surprise attack, just when you start reading the Word of God. Suddenly you realize that you have not taken in a Word, for you mind has wondered to something that has occured that appeals to your flesh in one fashion or another. God wants us to live clean, uncluttered lives. When we try to co-exist with the world, we can expect the same thing within, that Israel is experiences in their streets. Surprise attacks to our faith, and our walk. Internal conflict, war that must be waged. Of course if we guard what we hear and see, in addition to feeding on His Word, then we are not as apt to such surprises. We begin to let our hearts dwell more on Him, and the world pales in His light. Many people that say they are christians today, are living with the same torment within, that Israel is living with. Why? Because they have not given into Christ with their whole heart. They are trying to serve two masters, and are miserable. Oh they smile and appear to be happy. They attend church regularly and pay tithes. But inside, the war wages. It will rage, until the enemy is driven completely out. Israel will have to wait for the second coming of Jesus to purge their land of Ishmael. But we don't have to wait that long. We can purge it out today, by surrendering completely to Jesus, and posting a guard on our vessel, to keep the enemy out. Just my thoughts, I look forward to reading yours. Humbly in Christ, Lahry
