Introduction: Have you been keeping up with the deal in Israel? That is the deal with Lebanon over the gas fields called karish and qana (Maritime boundaries). This discovered territory stretches over 330 miles in the Mediterranean Sea. Is it wise? Will there be repercussions? How has America chimed into the negotiations? Is this good? Was this a political ploy by the current serving Prime Minister of Israel named Lapid? Let’s take a look at this present situation with a prophetical spin.

1. Israel (Psa 122:6)

“6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”

While there is justification for the deal according to Lapid, namely that Israel will supposedly receive 17 % of the revenue, we will see. However, the opposition group led by Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently rejected the deal. In his opinion, it would be selling Israel’s sovereignty over to the terroristic group called Hezbollah. Make no mistake about it. Hezbollah is an enemy of Israel. In fact, they were attacking this controlled area with bombs. However, Israel can defend herself, and may have to in the future.

2. Lebanon (Ezek 38,39; Psa 83)

Lebanon is strategically located north of Israel. Iran has a certain amount of control through its proxies called Hezbollah. Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah has been involved in the deal. According to Bible prophecy, Lebanon, along with Saudi Arabia, Edom, and Gaza, will attack Israel sometime in the future.

3. America (Psa 33:12)

“12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

Prime minister Lapid and President Biden have been interacting on the deal. In fact, Lapid thanked the President for rescuing the deal from being thrown out. Is this good that America is wanting for Israel to be in jeopardy with its security?

Introduction: What can we do about people who are lost without a shepherd? Are you concerned for lost souls? What are you doing to reach out to them?

1. Jesus did all that He could to fulfill His MISSION on earth! (Matt 9:35)

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”

2. Jesus did all that He could to fulfill His MISSION on earth with a yearning COMPASSION! (Matt 9:36)

“36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

The word “compassion” is σπλαγχνίζομαι, (splangkh-nid’-zom-ahee), which means to be moved in the inward parts, have pity on….

Jesus had COMPASSION. Do you? Have our hearts become hardened because of all the BAD NEWS; i.e. economical, political, and even religious apostasy in the world?

3. Jesus did all that He could to fulfill His MISSION on earth with a yearning COMPASSION while instructing His followers to PRAY with PASSION! (Matt 9:37)

“37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

1. Why do we need to be ready to CAPTURE the RAPTURE? (1Thess 2:18)

“18Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”

Evidently the devil was doing his dirty work. Notice the word “hindered.” It is ἐγκόπτω, egkoptó (eng-kop’-to), which means to cut into, impede, detain. It can mean interrupt. Tell me, do you feel like Satan is busy interrupting your prayer life? Your Attempt to witness? Reading your bible? Going to Church when the doors are open? Forgiving others? Loving others? Taking time to serve Jesus through His Church? How about this? Do you feel that Satan would love to keep your mind off Jesus coming again? Are you finding yourself getting preoccupied with the things of the WORLD….  entertainment, etc. which causes us to lose focus? Recognize this could be the strategy of Satan to render you ineffective as a CHRISTian.

2. How can we get ready to CAPTURE the RAPTURE? (1Thess 2:19,20)

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20For ye are our glory and joy.”

Many of the Thessalonian believers had been converted through the apostle Paul’s ministry. They were his joy and crown!
There’s HOPE said Paul! Jesus is coming again!! In the Bible, the word HOPE means “CONFIDENT EXPECTATION”…. so now will you “CAPTURE the RAPTURE”?

Conclusion: Look at the predictions and fulfillment of Jesus Christ’s 1st coming. There are over 333 prophecies concerning His 1st coming. Guess what? Everyone have been precisely fulfilled. That tells me we can TRUST the Word of God when it comes to predicting Jesus’ second coming, including the RAPTURE.

How can we CAPTURE the RAPTURE?
* Turn from idols
(1Thess 1:9)

“9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you,……..and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

* Serve the Lord
(1Thess 1:10)

“…. to serve the living and true God.”

* Wait for Jesus to come!
(1Thess 1:10)

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

Introduction: Does prayer work? Can Jesus save someone through prayer? Will you pray for someone who is not a CHRISTian today? Cornelius was a seeker of God but not quite a “Sealed and Saved Servant” of the Lord. He was PRAYING and FASTING with the light he had (he was not born again at the time). But his conversion came about by a believer in Jesus Christ who was also PRAYING and FASTING, namely, Peter. God the Holy Spirit hunted down Cornelius and captured his heart along with his whole family.

You see, God was working on both ends – on Cornelius and Peter to orchestrate His will.

Please take note how it was accomplished.

1.When God the Holy Spirit is working on one End! (Acts 10:1-5)

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:”

Although Cornelius was a God-fearing man, yet he had not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ….that He died for our sins on a cross but arose victoriously from the grave and offers forgiveness and eternal life through faith and trust in Him. The bottom line: Cornelius was obeying the light that he had, but desperately needed more light!

Since prayer is a cycle which circles from earth (birthed by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people), and ascends to heaven where Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father making intercession for us – and then as our Great High Priest answers the prayers according to His will and purpose – and He then sends the answer back to earth however He chooses.

Does hearing this make you want to pray more?

That leads us to discover how the Lord answered this “Heart Cry” from Cornelius. And then we can witness the lesson Peter learned about sharing the “GOSPEL” to the unclean race called Gentiles.

Do you believe the “GOSPEL” is still the Power of God unto salvation?

2.When God the Holy Spirit is working on the other end! (Acts 10:9-16)

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.”

Did you notice that Peter was obedient to the Holy Spirit? In fact even before he was directed to go and preach the gospel to Cornelius, he was spending time – daily disciplines – with his Lord.

That was the key to him being used by the Holy Spirit. Don’t you want to be used for God’s glory? Just when you think someone will not or cannot be saved, our Lord surprises everyone. Aren’t you glad that He did not give up on YOU! Praise the Lord!!

Please pay attention how God works to save a whole family. Can He still do it today? Yes!

3.Household Salvation occurs! (Acts 10:19-21, 44-45)

“19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?”

“44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

If we are going to see the conversions of people we must be led by the Holy Spirit. Think with me for a moment….Jesus knows “where” people are in relation to Him and “how” to get them to His WORD in order to SAVE them through His REDEEMING blood.

Grant it. He can do it without us, yet He chooses to use us because of His great LOVE. Don’t you want others to experience FREEDOM from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and ultimately the presence of sin?

4.How God the Holy Spirit brought it all together! (Acts 10:30,31)

“30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.”

Did you hear that?

The Lord REMEMBERS.

By the way, He has not forgotten you or me! He REMEMBERS our tears, our needs, and our prayers for others. Doesn’t that BLESS you?

Conclusion: Who do you need to pray for right now? Will you do it? Don’t procrastinate. Follow through. Try PRAYER and FASTING. Be ready to join the greatest work on earth through the power of the Holy Spirit in converting men, women, boys and girls to faith in Jesus Christ.

There is a CROWN of REJOICING awaiting at the Judgment Seat of Christ. See you there!

Introduction: Quitters never Win…. And Winners never Quit!

Do you want to WIN or LOSE? How can we win? The answer is by PERSEVERING! By the way, it is all by His GRACE!!
Perhaps you feel like QUITTING right now. What can you do?

1. Keep Holding on! (Rom 5:3,4)

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope.”

Holding on to the promises of God and not letting go will enable us to go higher and further than we’ve ever been. Hang on!

2. Keep the Faith! (James 1:2-4)

“2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Our faith in Jesus (Heb 12:1,2) is a work in progress. How are you doing? Is your faith being stretched?

3. Keep doing GOOD! (Gal 6:9)

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

To remain faithful is a task. Giving up and quitting when your frustrated is an easy way out. But to persevere through hardships is where the real maturity takes place. Are you willing to persevere? Jesus did. His Spirit is available to us. Keep growing.

4. Keep looking at the Big Picture! (Rom 8:28-30)

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Ultimately, when we persevere we are being made like our Lord. After all, He is the potter and we are the clay.

5. Keep praying and praising the Lord! (Acts 16:25,26)

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

Did you notice that they persevered in the toughest situation? But how did they do it? The answer is by prayer and praise! It works.

Conclusion: Paul wrote, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom 8:18)

Introduction: Is God finished with Israel? Not hardly! Are there future blessings and restoration in store for Israel? Absolutely. How can all of this be seen in one of the fall Jewish FEASTS called “Day of Atonement”? This brief devotion will explore those questions and more.

1. Israel’s Past (Lev 16; 23:26-29)

“6And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house. 7And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 8And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 10But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness” (Lev 16:6-10).

This yearly event only “atoned” – covered the people’s sin. However, when Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice (both slain goat and scape goat), He did it once and for ALL! Through His BLOOD, we are redeemed, justified, and washed clean!!

2. Israel’s Present (Rom 9: 1-3; 10)

“1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4Who are Israelites.”

Paul had a heavy burden for his people Israel to be saved, forgiven and restored with the God of the Bible. Today many are blinded.

3. Israel’s Future (Zech 1-14; Rom 11:25,26)

“25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob”

One glorious day in the future, many Israelites will turn to their Messiah and be saved!

Introduction: How do you pray? Jesus is listening. Do you realize that some people go down as being justified when they pray, according to our Lord, whereas others when they pray are proud and therefore unheard. How do we know that? Jesus gives us this analogy of two men who went to the temple to pray. Here is what He said:

“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others…
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican” (Luke 18:9-10).

1. A Good man needed to lose his GOODNESS in order to be clothed in Jesus’ RIGHTEOUSNESS! (Luke 18:11, 12)

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”

Did you notice his prayer consisted of telling God how “GOOD” he was compared to other people? Sometimes, unknowingly, we commit the same mistake. Deep down in our heart is PRIDE and SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. Secretly we feel a little better than other people; i.e. I read my Bible, go to Church, don’t drink, smoke, or steal… but our Lord searches our heart. Have you been praying self-righteously lately? Time for a CHECK UP!

2. A Bad man humbled himself and was justified with Christ’s RIGHTEOUSNESS! (Luke 18:13)

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

This man saw himself as Jesus saw him….unrighteousness outside of Christ’s righteousness. Yet, that made him a candidate to be clothed in Christ’s righteousness. After conversion, we are made righteous in Jesus Christ. However, even the “BEST of CHRISTians” can develop a Self-righteous attitude. How do you pray? What response would Jesus give toward your prayers and my prayers?

Conclusion: Listen to Jesus Christ’s evaluation of the publican – the second man who prayed. (Luke 18:14)

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Shortly after receiving Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, this Pastor was introduced to the power, principles and purpose of FASTING. Immediately, through prayer and seeking our Lord, it was revealed the great benefits from FASTING. However, during the first week of a total FAST (just water) several lifelong lessons were revealed. Through the last four decades, it has been a great privilege to experience many BREAKTHROUGHS all because of the Power of PRAYER and FASTING. Here are a few helpful hints.

1. Spend the time in prayer when FASTING by drawing near to the God of the Bible….He makes it well worth our minor sacrifices.
2. When your facing some spiritual battles that cannot be overcome any other way, purpose in your heart to cry out to God through FASTING; He will respond in His timing.
3. Understand that FASTING is not a manipulating game; i.e. “If I do this Lord, then I expect you to do this”. Instead, one of the main purposes for FASTING is to enjoy FELLOWSHIP and INTIMACY with Jesus.
4. Also be ready to see how much of the flesh is in control of your life when depriving the cravings of our flesh, and yet get ready for Spiritual Growth to take place.
5. Get ready to see spiritual truth in a different light.
6. People and motives will become clearer as we FAST with the right motives.
7. Expect to be broken as the flesh is weak but the spirit willing.
8. Others will not understand.
9. Please do not FAST as a diet, unless that is what you are doing – dieting.
10. Do not over gorge on food when breaking your FAST, but slowly allow your stomach to get adjusted.
11. Stay focused on what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life.
12. Be careful not to be boastful when FASTING. Sometimes because of PRIDE we feel superior because we are FASTING.
13. Be led by the Spirit to the length of the FAST (probably not a good idea at THANKSGIVING!)
14. Don’t rob God of glory, but be sure to give Him the Glory!

1. Preparation (1Cor 11:20)

“20When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.”

Evidently the Church of Corinth was treating the Lord’s Supper as something that was not sacred. So Paul writes to both correct them from the wrong approach and commend them for the right approach. Preparation was the key. Is preparation important to you before communion?

2. Examination (1Cor 11:28)

“28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

The word “examine” is δοκιμάζω: (dok-im-ad’-zo), which means put to the test, prove, examine. Am I fit? Again, either we take a self-evaluation or the Lord will do it for us. Hint: it is far better if we take the initiative!

3. Substitution (1Cor 11:23)

“23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.”

Jesus took our place, paid our debt, set us free! We owe Him a debt of gratitude!!

4. Transformation (1Cor 11:26)

“26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

In the light of His return, our motivation is to serve Him, love him, and wait for Him.

1. God’s call to His people to FAST and pray because of a National crisis! (Joel 1:6)

The nation of Israel was under God’s judgment because of their idolatry. But there was HOPE.

“6For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.”

Our Lord would use the Assyrians to invade the northern kingdom called Israel in 722 BC. But listen to the prophet’s call.

“13Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.
14Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD” (Joel 1:13-14).

2. God’s call to His people to FAST and pray because of a spiritual crisis! (Joel 2:12,13)

“12Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: “13And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”

Brokeness leads to BLESSINGS! Our Lord is gracious and merciful. When we repent and return to Jesus with fasting and prayer, He forgives our sin and restores us to fellowship.

Listen to the words of Joel:

“15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” (Joel 2:15-17).

3. God will answer His people as they FAST and pray and return to Him! (Joel 2:18,19)

“Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. 19Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen.”