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Are there consequences for our choices?  Yes.  There are consequences both for a nation and to individuals. 

In Ezekiel 33:17-20, we read about the Fairness of God.  And God is Fair.  Because God, and only God knows the heart of men (and women ?).  But we also read in many places in the Bible of nations being “punished” for their poor behavior.  In fact, we read of nations facing consequences in Isaiah 33 & 34

And yet we also read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Our Father destroyed both cities for their sinful actions, but God saved Lot (Genesis 19), who was righteous.

And therein lies our hope.  Our nation has made some truly sinful choices, but that does not necessarily mean that God will not save the righteous.  He has before and He will again.

Like Abraham, we need to pray for one another.  We need to ask God for His Great Mercy, both for ourselves and for each other.  Just as we need to ask God for His courage and strength for the days ahead.  For as long as we stay in His Will; He will answer ?

For His Will-it is the Safe Place and we need to stay there ?

There is so much to be heartbroken about in Afghanistan.  It has been reported that 229 Christian Missionaries will be put to death today.   In addition, it has also been reported that over 15,000 American citizens are in Afghanistan, and it’s been reported that many of them will not be rescued.  We have seen pictures of families desperately holding on to a plane leaving Afghanistan and desperate stowaways trying to leave Afghanistan, falling while the plane is in flight. 

And there are those who suffered so in our military trying to free the people of Afghanistan. Those who died or were injured. The families and friends that loved them. We owe all of them a huge apology and our prayers!

We have read reports of the Taliban going door to door to kill Christians and any American sympathizers as well as their families.  We’ve read of schools for girls, who finally believed in their own dreams being blown up.  Our nation has betrayed them all and our Allies have taken note.  Trusting America will no longer be on top of anyone’s list.

But as heartbroken as we are, this is when we must Trust God.  And this is also when we must take a moment and realize that this is not Heaven.  And while it is a fallen world, it is not our Home.  Our Home is in Heaven.

And in Heaven, we will live for all eternity.  There will be no fear and no suffering.  And that is where many of our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan are going.  It’s horrific for them to suffer in this way.   It’s horrible to watch.  And it’s even worse to know that our own country is responsible for this mess. 

But God has not moved.   He is still right by our side, loving us and loving them, as He always has.

So Pray.  Pray for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan and Pray for our nation.  That we, as a nation, betrayed them is truly sinful, and will lay upon our nation for many years to come.  But for those who truly follow Christ, our mission has not changed.  Love and serve God and love and serve each other.  Amen.

“He is not the best student who reads the most books, but he who meditates the most upon them; he shall not learn most of divinity who hears the greatest number of sermons, but he who meditates the most devoutly upon what he does hear; nor shall he be so profound a scholar who takes down ponderous volumes one after the other, as he who, reading little by little, precept upon precept, and line upon line, digests what he learns, and assimilates each sentiment to his heart by meditation.”-Charles Spurgeon via Worth Devotions

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”-Jesus in John 13:34.

This is what Jesus teaches us.  Not always easy, but always the right thing to do. Because Jesus calls us to love everyone, whether we agree with them or not.

There are many in our country’s leadership who would divide us.  For those who have been vaccinated and wear masks, it’s easy to become angry with those who do not.  For those who are unvaccinated, it’s easy to become angry at the pressure being exerted on them to do both. Rightly or wrongly, we are all definitely paying a price. So what is even worse, is our anger feels justified!

But Jesus’ command to “love thy neighbor as yourself” has not changed.  So no matter how difficult our circumstances, that is what we must do. And if we are struggling with that, God WILL help us-if we ask.

Lastly, “feelings” just are…And sometimes they can take a bit of time to catch up with our choices. So sometimes we can “feel” angry and still choose to “act” with love. And that is okay! We are choosing God’s Will over our own. And if we keep choosing love, eventually, with God’s Help, our “feelings” will catch up 🙂

From The Whitten Family:

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

“Since I started Worthy News in 1999 there is one thing I have not seen in 22 years — a day that there wasn’t news to cover! I’ve not taken a so-called vacation since I started the ministry — yet I don’t feel worn out or weary. One day I was pondering to myself and thought, “why don’t I feel worn out?”

Many people take vacations because they’re exhausted from work, and need an extended rest to be restored and revitalized. Yet, ironically, more often than not, when they return home, they feel the need for another break to recover from the vacation they just took! Something is missing … and I think it has to do with the essence of Yeshua’s (Jesus) invitation, “Come unto me…”

Our relationship with Yeshua contains a promise of rest. His yoke is not a heavy yoke of “religious” performance, but an invitation to an intimate relationship which is restful and truly empowering. His joy will be our strength, and serving Him in that relationship will not make us weary or worn out, but actually invigorate, revitalize and re-energize us IF we are doing it with His help, His power.

When Yeshua was here on earth He was surrounded by those who were constantly in need. He faced harsh opposition, and rarely found any privacy. And even in those private times, when he secluded himself for rest — we read that He didn’t sleep, but rather He prayed through the night. Yeshua found His deepest rest in the presence of His Father.

My Friends, now, there’s nothing wrong with vacations, and we all really do need to disconnect from our work routine from time to time, but are you feeling worn out or weary, or even close to “burn-out”? Then it’s time to renew and refresh your relationship and allow Yeshua to give you His rest. Wait on the Lord, He will renew your strength, and His rest will restore your weary soul, revitalize your body, and empower you to continue in the vision and calling He gave to you. Find your rest in Him this weekend! Shabbat Shalom!”

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah

It’s easy for us to picture Jesus Loving children. They are so pure and so innocent. But some times we, as adults, struggle with that concept. Battle worn and weary, we sometime forget the “joy of our salvation”. We forget the joy and the passion we had for Jesus in our youth. Our hardships and worries way us down and we simply forget that our Salvation can also bring us joy!

So how do we get that Joy back? We ask God for it :).

Please Father,

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”-Psalm 51:12

In Jesus’ Name. Amen 🙂