Mercy triumphs over judgment
See this update from our partners on the ground in Lebanon. The situation is touch-and-go, but the Lord is proving faithful as always. Please continue to pray and if you’d like to give directly, please go to trimercy.org/giving.
https://mailchi.mp/2fc0996422bb/one-month-into-the-war?e=bf7524257c
We should all be encouraged and confident when we read in Scripture about all the victories that are recorded in the war for the people of God.
Moses and the Israelites witnessed the deliverance at the Red Sea from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. He sings, “I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously, the horse and rider thrown into the sea.”
David writes, so often as he ascended to the throne, concerning his enemies and their relentless desire to defeat him and seek his life.
Elijah and his victory at Mount Carmel against Jezebel and her false prophets.
For we as believers, the ultimate victory was won by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over Satan and death:
…and the living One; and I was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades.
Revelation 1:18
Paul ends his letter to the Ephesians concerning our war as believers with a clear declaration:
We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against world forces of this darkness, the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
In Israel today, no one is exempt from serving in the IDF unless they are unable. Everyone is to serve and be ready to be called upon to fight. Paul exhorts Timothy, “to endure hardness (hardship) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Many messages on serving have been preached and taught concerning our service to our Lord, but I have not heard of our service to Him as a soldier. There is no exemption or choice in our place in spiritual warfare and our conscription into His army.
God’s word to Jeremiah tells him to belt himself and arise and declare all He commands Him to say. Do not be dismayed, (disheartened, lacking in courage), or He will make you dismayed before them.
Paul says, just as Jeremiah, stand and gird your waist with truth, belt yourself up. Once Jeremiah does what He was commanded, to wrap himself in truth and to be courageous, God tells him what He will do. For Jeremiah, He will make Him a fortified city, impenetrable. He promises that they will fight but they will not overcome him. For I am with you to save (deliver) you from the rulers in the nations and those who, through religious deception, have set themselves above God. They will not stand against the Lord of armies. Maranatha!
-KC
The three acts are one.
And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him. -Acts 5:32
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” -Acts 2:38-40
Three obediences, three actions, none optional.
Good morning brothers, sisters, and friends. I made it home last night by way of Istanbul, Turkey.
The Middle East as the world knows it is becoming an open book prophetically daily as the nations of the world are being gathered to the epicenter of the world, Jerusalem. The prophetic is becoming more and more historic in our time.
In the days to come, I will be updating and sharing perspective on our website here and where appropriate on Facebook. Being careful to remember those brothers and sisters, who I have known after going there for 30 years, in harm’s way. Much of their social media and communications are being monitored.
It was so humbling and encouraging to receive so many prayers while we were there. Just a bit of encouragement to stay up with current events. A few suggestions to add to your TV watch list:
Keep your eyes on Jerusalem, the city of the Great King, the most mentioned city in the Bible — over 800 times. Ancient maps put it in the center of the world. Jesus, in His Great Commission, said, “First in Jerusalem and then to the uttermost parts of the world.”
(but he shall have one tribe, for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel)
– 1 Kings 11:32
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning.
– Isaiah 61:2
“It will come about on that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will injure themselves severely. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. On that day,” declares the Lord, “I will strike every horse with confusion and its rider with insanity. But I will watch over the house of Judah, while I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.”
– Zechariah 12:3-4
It has come about, Jerusalem has become for all the peoples a heavy stone and it cannot be lifted.
Once again, thank you, and it is good to be home, especially to my beloved Betsy and my precious family.
Hallelujah! – KC
Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of armies, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of armies.
-Zechariah 1:3
Only the Bible dares to be prophetic. It was authored by the Father, the Son, the Word made flesh, and inspired by the Holy Ghost.
It will come about on that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will injure themselves severely. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. On that day,” declares the Lord, “I will strike every horse with confusion and its rider with insanity. But I will watch over the house of Judah, while I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.
–Zechariah 12:3-4
We are witnessing this very word: Jerusalem is a heavy stone for all the peoples. The whole world is confronted with this prophetic word of God. The heaviness that the people of the world are experiencing is so graphically being played out in these last five days. It has become a heavy stone for all peoples — ALL — to see and witness. The confusion and insanity are loosed in the attempt to lift the stone. There is no one place in all of scripture that is written more about and spoken of by God. It is the city that Abraham looked for with the eyes of the Spirit. This city is made and built by God and He will keep it so.
And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
-2 Peter 1:19-21
We are directed to know this first as believers. We are to see the certainty and God’s intention. We are to pay attention — closely — as to a lamp that lights our way. We cannot lose sight of the light in the midst of such gross darkness. We are not to despise prophesying, but to examine and to hold fast to that which is good.
In the coming days, we will see images on both sides and these sorrowful images cannot replace conviction with emotions used by the evil one to deceive us. He himself has schemed and called all of the kingdom of darkness to arms. He is a liar, and the father of lies, as Jesus said from the beginning.
Hold fast to that which is good.
Yes, there are unspeakable atrocities, but He who does not slumber or sleep is totally aware of His word at work. This is not His doing, but His word concerning Jerusalem will not return unto Him void. Guard your heart. Know what He said about the stone: those who try to lift it will be injured severely. Lift up your heads and hands and everlasting arms to the King of Glory for He is coming and will not delay. He will make all things new, including a new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven.
Maranatha! Maranatha!
-KC