Update 06 - Finish Well - 10 Day

Update 06 - 172/10 - Finish Well

I’m watching a sunset and thinking of all the things that God has brought to pass in 172 days.  There have been speed bumps along the way which included an 8 day war.  It was really interesting to watch people ignore the possibility of war.  Refuse to prepare for war.  Attempt to prepare for war.  Stash and pack food and supplies for 30 days of war.  As the war is going on people carried on just like normal with a few short interruptions.  It reminded me of tornado drills where I grew up.  The siren would go off and we would immediately run to a basement and wait.  The only difference is that here in Israel people wait for the BOOM.  

Imagine getting hit by a bus and dying.  You wake up in front of God.  You immediately proclaim all the good things that you’ve done in your life.  Then God Almighty, creator of all makes this statement, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness”

God straight up ignores all your good works and ends the conversation with “I don’t know you, you have to leave”.

That scares the hell out of me.

This is where everyone gets upset and says God, that’s not fair.

Please realize that regardless of what you believe right and wrong is, God is right ... always.  The Bible says that He is perfect, all knowing, and sovereign (meaning controls everything that happens).

That means that an all knowing God cannot make a statement that is “not fair”  

So where am I going with this? 

I shared a meal with an Israeli who had a missile land dead center of his unoccupied bed.  He slept at the same time every day and this particular day he was not allowed to sleep.  So he left the building.  At the exact time he should have been sleeping, the missile struck.

He did not believe the Jesus was the Savior and Redeemer of our souls at that time in his life.  Today is is a believer in Jesus, thanks to God who gave him a second chance.

We don’t deserve a second chance, but God’s grace for us give us many chances.  I can’t count my multiple concussions ... I’d get hit in the head and everything would go black.

The Bible says that the absence of God is complete darkness or the absence of light.  You know those moments when you have been in a place where it is so dark that you cannot see your hand in front of your face?

Recently I heard of a funeral where the headstone inscription said: 

“Joe Smuckiteli 1877 - 1907”

You realize the only part of our short time on earth is the - ... that tiny dash represents your entire life.  

At the end, God will either say that he knows your “dash” or that he does not know your “dash”

If you are known, you will be blessed for all eternity.

If you are NOT know, you will be cursed for all eternity.

Either way, it’s your eternity.

Do you know how much Jesus loves you?

You can spend eternity with Him by simply accepting Him as Savior and Lord.

Why say all this?

Because I care about you.  Because without the truth of the saving power of Jesus you are dead in hell.

We have the chance to go to heaven and join God in the biggest best party that will ever be and I want for EVERYONE to go.  Including those who I do not like.

How does this apply to being in Israel for 172 days?

Same message of Good News, it’s just in another language.  The urgency is the same.  

Now!  The past 46 days I’ve met people who do believe in Jesus and have the same excitement and joy in telling others as I do.  There are believers EVERYWHERE and it’s been awesome to have a little glimpse of heaven on earth.  Just think of how many people you will meet in heaven from all walks of life and all nations who ALL worship and glorify God who is worthy of our praise!  It’s awesome!

The next 10 days I’ll be meeting more believers and sharing the Good New of Jesus with anyone who will listen.  I’m starting with a waterfall in the north (Saar Falls) and going all the way to the south by the Red Sea (Eilat).  There are stops along the way throughout Israel.  

One of the stops is with the Domari people ... literally Gypsies in Israel.  They are some of most pushed out people of all society.  No one cares for them.  It is the Love of God that gave hope to one of them.  Since then a foundations has been created to draw attention and gain support.

I could not understand the situation, I think most of us cannot.  Imagine being in a place where if your home is robbed and you report it to authorities there are other people groups, even authorities who come and make your life even worse that if you had said nothing at all.  

I’d liken it to a woman being beaten by her husband and reporting it so that she can get help, but the “help” turns around and beats her.

That’s heart breaking.  What the foundation does is provides a safe place to those people and children who would otherwise have no way to get help.  

I’ve met those kids, played with them, and helped to teach english.  It was a small thing and but realize that without the time and care of someone these kids literally are pushed out of public school and cannot get education to help themselves.

On an up note, I met myself.  Not literally, I met an Israeli who’s name is Jonathan and he was very interested in how I was so excited to be in Israel and how I was so fearless during the war.  I was able to share the Gospel with him and I’m looking forward to seeing him again before I leave.  You know, for some, this is the closest they will ever be to heaven.  Lord willing, Jonathan will come to realize the truth and love of God before it’s too late.

In His Loving Grace,
Jonathan