Monthly Newsletter
March 2006

Dear Friend,

Greetings in the powerful name of Jesus. As a born again believer, you and I have a right to use His name and we should. It is a powerful weapon and Satan has no defense.

As you know, Hamas, a major terrorist organization has made awesome inroads into the new Palestinian government.
Also, Arabs under the influence of Islam, are protesting and wildly demonstrating over European cartoons of Mohammed, the founder of Islam.

Genesis chapter 16 provides insight to the current problems. Sari, Abram’s wife, was barren. So she gave Hagar, her Egyptian maid, to Abram. He took her as his wife and in due time she bore him a son named Ishmael.

Ishmael was as much Abram’s son as Isaac would be years later. However, problems in the family would send Hagar and Ishmael back to Egypt. In this 16th chapter of Genesis an angel of the Lord finds Hagar, while pregnant, and gives her instructions that will temporarily sooth the family quarrel. He also tells Hagar what name her son is to have and that he and his descendants will be wild. Notice the statement in verse 12, “He will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”

Throughout history the descendants of Ishmael have demonstrated their character. Mohammed was a man of war and from him came the Koran, the Bible of Islam. He found solitude and acceptance only among his brethren and continuously forced Islam on other people.

Here are sound Biblical truths: All the land from the Euphrates River in Iraq, to the Nile in Egypt, belongs to Israel. Examine these additional Biblical references: Gen. 12:7; 13:5; 26:4; Ex. 23:31; Num. 34:3; Deut. 1:7; 11:24; 34:4; Josh. 1:4; I Kings 4:21; II Chron. 9:26; Neh. 9:8; Ps. 105:11; Is. 27:12. This vast area was
renamed Palestine during the Roman Empire and continued to be so identified until World War I.

Following WWI, the League of Nations divided the land creating Syria, Jordan, and Arab States. They also provided an area of malaria fi lled swamps for any Jews who wished to return to the land of their fathers.

It was not until after the horror of World War II that the Jewish people began returning to the land of their fathers, Israel.

Jewish settlers have never occupied Palestinian lands. Arabs have occupied, at various times, Israel’s land.

Now back to Hamas and the Islamic uprisings. Hamas is well known as a terrorist organization. Much of their support through the years has come from Iran and Syria. They operated, against Israel, from Lebanon. Until very recently, Lebanon was controlled by Syria. Hamas infl icted death and destruction on northern Israeli communities for years. The Russian Katyusha missile was often their weapon of choice.

Among the Hamas crowd was a fellow terrorist, Yasser Arafat. It was he who reactivated the word Palestine and became the self appointed leader of the P.L.O. As years began to show his inability to create a Palestinian State,
Hamas began infi ltrating the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Keep in mind the so called West Bank is ancient Samaria and Judea - Israeli land.

The Hamas move from Lebanon into Arab communities in Israel was well planned and timely. With Arafat’s death, Hamas’ infl uence and presence fi lled the vacancy.

Until they lay down all their weapons and provide public and written acceptance of the State of Israel, they remain terrorist enemies of Israel and the free World.

From all appearances, a Palestinian State is not any closer to reality than it has been in the past years.

Israel has certainly shown their desire for a peaceful relationship with the Arabs. They have given up settlements in both Gaza and the West Bank. Now it is time for the Arabs to show good faith and lay down their weapons and recognize the permanency of Israel. However, they face a huge hurtle because of their wildness and inability to have friends outside of their camp.

You and I, as Bible believers, must pray for all who are involved. This instruction comes from Psalms 122:6. Also, Ezekiel 38:8, 11 and 14 reveal a true peace existing between Israel and the Arabs at the time a great northern power
(Russia) attempts a military take over of that region.

In the meantime, we must pray for Holy Spirit conviction upon the Arab population. Having descended from Abraham and also placed here on earth during the Millennial Reign of our Lord Jesus according to Isaiah 19:23-25, a spiritual awakening must occur.

John chapter 16, verses 7 through 11 reveal some of the awesome accomplishments the Holy Spirit is sent to perform. The Arab world is included and we should expect and begin to see an awakening among the family of
Abraham through his son Ishmael.

I’ve given you a brief Biblical insight to problems now affecting the Middle East and Arabs that have settled in various parts of the world. For the complete story and greater details, you need this month’s audio message: “Ishmael
and His Descendants.”

A love gift, for our exciting ministry assignment, of $25.00 or more will automatically qualify you to receive this message by audio tape or CD. I know everyone cannot send $25.00, so send the best offering you can and request
this message. Above all, be sure and send your prayer request so we can exercise our faith with yours.

In the Joy of Serving Jesus,