Servant of Messiah Ministries

Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

From Tears to Triumph – The Power of a Praying Mother.

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The world celebrates the New Year with fireworks and celebrations. You and I are left with a reality of not much to celebrate. If you live in Israel, Gaza, or Ukraine after years of war or the USA struggling to make ends meet – we all face 2025 with our challenges.

I was reflecting on my journey of faith and how a praying mother is the only reason I am still alive. It was not luck or good fortune that spared me the consequences of a life of drink, drugs, and crime. It was God who protected me, to bring me to Himself late in life, in a wonderful demonstration of His Grace.

I am drawn to this story and Augustine’s reflections could be my own. Of another mother at another time long ago…

Monica could be called the “persistent mother.” A North African woman living in the fourth century, Monica was married to Patricius, a pagan, as arranged by her family. She endured significant abuse from her drunken husband, but her greatest challenge came from her oldest son, Augustine.

Monica taught Augustine how to pray when he was a child. When he became seriously ill, he requested baptism; however, after his recovery, he soon forgot about it.

Later, while studying in Carthage, he embraced a hedonistic lifestyle, living with his girlfriend and their son. Monica was so distressed by Augustine’s choices that she would not allow him to eat or sleep in her home. Her heart broke watching his prodigal lifestyle.

Despite their infrequent communication, Monica continued to pray for her son. She requested the bishop to go and counsel her wayward son. After many requests, the bishop advised her that it was better to talk to God about Augustine than to speak to Augustine about God.

He also reassured her: “At present, the heart of the young man is too stubborn, but God’s time will come. It is not possible that the son of so many prayers and so many tears should be lost.”

Augustine’s time came several years later. In Milan, the preaching of Bishop Ambrose profoundly influenced him. Soon after, Augustine found himself torn between his desire to live a chaste life and the temptations of his hedonistic sensual life.

In his distress, he went to an outdoor garden at the place where he was staying. There, he threw himself on the ground under a tree and cried out, “How much longer, Lord? Will your anger remain forever? Please, forget my wrongdoings.”

At that very moment, he heard a neighbor child singing from the other side of the wall. The child kept repeating the phrase, “Tolle lege! Tolle lege!” which means “Take up and read!” Augustine stood up, went inside, and found a Bible that opened to Romans 13.

He read in Romans 13 Verse 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in immorality and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Ambrose baptized Augustine on Easter Sunday in 387. Soon after, his mother passed away. Just before her death, Monica expressed her contentment, saying, “I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here. All I wished to live for was to see you converted and become a child of heaven.”

From that time on, Augustine led a virtuous life. He was later ordained and named the bishop of Hippo. Augustine is recognized as one of the great scholars of the early church.

Here are some famous quotes from Augustine:
“Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved You.
In my unlovely state, I plunged into those lovely created things which You made.
You were with me, and I was not with You.
The beautiful things kept me far from You; though if they did not exist in You, they would have no existence at all.
You called and cried out loud, shattering my deafness.
You were radiant and resplendent; You cast away my blindness.
You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after You.
I tasted You, and I am left hungry and thirsty for You.
You touched me, and I am set on fire to obtain the peace which is Yours.”

Later he wrote – “You have made us for yourself, O Lord and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

These words remind us that no one is beyond God’s reach.

As this year ends and we begin a new, Monica’s story invites us to remain faithful to prayer. If you are praying for a child, spouse, or friend, let her example strengthen your resolve.

Trust that God is at work—even when you cannot see it. This year we may need that faith.

Kind Regards,

A. Volunteer.

PS – For a more in-depth study of this topic  – you can find many books on prayer free to download on the website  https://servantofmessiah.org/prayer-ebooks/

 

Europe Swings Right

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I read prophecy as pictures of the future. There is no way to tell what comes first and how the pictures all line up. Like the Scriptures told of Jesus’ life, from Nazareth, out of Egypt, riding a foal to enter Jerusalem, coins thrown in a Temple to buy a potter’s field could only be determined AFTER they happened.

Revelation and Daniel speak of a 10-nation union in Europe that shakes the world. When and how is not known so I look for events describing how this could be coming together.

DAN. 7:23 “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it.
DAN. 7:24 ‘As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings.  REV. 17:12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.
REV. 17:13 “These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

Europe’s political landscape is significantly transforming, marked by a shift towards right-wing ideologies. This change was most evident in the recent European Union elections, where center-right and far-right parties have made substantial gains in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland. This trend signifies a departure from the liberal values traditionally associated with the EU, indicating a profound shift in the continent’s political sphere.

The French Shift: National Rally’s Rise

In France, the far-right National Rally achieved a decisive victory that led to a major political upheaval. President Emmanuel Macron, in response to the overwhelming success of the National Rally, dissolved the French parliament and called for early elections. Early results indicated that the National Rally would secure around 32% of the vote, significantly surpassing the president’s party.

This shift in France is particularly significant given the country’s historical resistance to far-right ideologies. France has long prided itself on its commitment to liberal democracy and human rights, making the rise of the National Rally a notable departure from this tradition. The party’s platform, which emphasizes nationalism, stricter immigration controls, and skepticism towards the EU, resonates with a substantial portion of the French electorate who feel left behind by globalization and disillusioned with the current political establishment.

Germany’s Political Realignment

Germany also experienced a significant rightward shift, with the center-right party achieving a comfortable victory. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured second place, surpassing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats. The AfD’s rise in Germany is particularly noteworthy given the country’s historical context. Post-World War II Germany has been vigilant in avoiding the resurgence of extremist ideologies. However, the AfD’s platform, which includes anti-immigration policies, Euroscepticism, and a focus on German national identity, has found a receptive audience among voters dissatisfied with the status quo. This shift represents a significant challenge to Germany’s political stability and its role as a leading proponent of EU integration.

Italy’s Embrace of the Right

In Italy, the rightward shift has been embodied by Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing party, which garnered about 28% support. This result highlights the growing appeal of right-wing ideologies in one of Europe’s largest economies. Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy, traces its roots to post-World War II neofascism but has successfully rebranded itself to appeal to a broader electorate. The party’s emphasis on national sovereignty, anti-immigration policies, and conservative social values has resonated with many Italian voters who feel alienated by the traditional political parties.

Meloni’s rise to prominence is a testament to her strategic political maneuvering. She has managed to distance her party from its more extreme elements while maintaining a hardline stance on key issues such as immigration and national identity.

Spain’s Far-Right Surge

Spain has also seen a rise in far-right support, exemplified by the Vox party’s significant gains. Founded almost a decade ago, Vox has become the third-largest party in Spain’s national assembly and has doubled its vote in recent regional and municipal elections. The party’s platform includes strong nationalist rhetoric, anti-immigration policies, and a commitment to traditional Spanish values. Vox’s success in striking deals with the center-right People’s Party (PP) to form governing coalitions in several regions highlights the increasing normalization of far-right parties within Spain’s political landscape.

Vox’s rise is particularly noteworthy in the context of Spain’s recent history. The country transitioned to democracy in the late 1970s after decades of dictatorship under Francisco Franco. The resurgence of far-right ideologies in Spain reflects broader societal concerns about national identity, economic uncertainty, and cultural change.

The Netherlands: Fragmented and Fraught

In the Netherlands, populist and nationalist parties hold a significant number of seats, reflecting the fragmented nature of Dutch politics. Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV), Thierry Baudet’s Forum for Democracy (FvD), and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) have all made notable gains. These parties capitalize on issues such as immigration, EU skepticism, and government environmental policies, resonating with voters who feel disenfranchised by the traditional political establishment.

Hungary and Poland: Strongholds of the Far Right

Hungary and Poland have long been considered strongholds of far-right ideologies within the EU. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party has dominated the political landscape for over a decade. Orbán’s government has implemented policies that limit press freedom, weaken judicial independence, and curtail civil liberties. These actions have drawn criticism from the EU, but Orbán’s anti-immigration stance and nationalist rhetoric continue to resonate with a substantial portion of the Hungarian electorate.

In Poland, the Law and Justice Party (PiS) has maintained its grip on power by promoting conservative social policies, Euroscepticism, and a strong stance against immigration. The party’s emphasis on Polish national identity and traditional values has garnered significant support, particularly in rural areas and among older voters. Both Hungary and Poland illustrate how far-right ideologies can gain traction and sustain political power within the EU framework.

Greece and Bulgaria: A Shift to the Right

In Greece and Bulgaria, center-right parties have comfortably led recent elections, reflecting a broader trend towards right-wing ideologies in Southern and Eastern Europe. In Greece, the New Democracy party has capitalized on public dissatisfaction with the previous left-wing government, promising economic reforms, stricter immigration controls, and a return to traditional Greek values.

In Bulgaria, the center-right GERB party has maintained its position as the leading political force. The party’s emphasis on economic stability, anti-corruption measures, and EU integration has resonated with voters. However, the rise of far-right and nationalist parties in both countries indicates a growing dissatisfaction with the political establishment and a desire for more radical change.

The European Parliament: A New Right-Wing Influence

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Austria’s Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl, and Czechia’s former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš have formed a new far-right alliance called “Patriots for Europe”. The alliance aims to attract more partners and become the largest right-wing group in the European Parliament. Orbán announced this initiative in Vienna, coinciding with Hungary taking over the EU’s rotating presidency.

The recent European Parliament elections saw gains for far-right parties, although their success varied across countries. These parties are currently spread across different groups and unaligned factions in the EU legislature. Orbán has frequently opposed key EU decisions, particularly on issues like the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia and China, which has often frustrated other EU leaders.

Orbán emphasized that Europeans desire peace, order, and development, but are currently facing war, migration, and stagnation from the Brussels elite.

We see a shift to the right. History shows that a Depression or economic collapse will spur this transformation. The 1930’s Great Depression gave us Hitler. Tito, Tojo, Franco, Stalin, and Mussolini were Nationalist populist leaders who promised a cure for unemployment and inflation.

Since history moves in cycles…. We are due for a repeat.

 

 

War of Lies

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Written by David Sacks - The war in Ukraine is based on lies — lies about how it started, how it’s going, and how it will end. We are told that Ukraine is winning when in fact it is losing. We are told that the war makes NATO stronger when in fact it is depleting it. We are told that Ukraine’s biggest problem is a lack of funds from the U.S. Congress when in fact the West can’t produce enough ammunition — a problem that will take years to fix. We are told that Russia is suffering greater casualties when in fact Ukraine is running out of soldiers — another problem money can’t fix. We are told that the world is with us when in fact the Global Majority believes U.S. policy is the height of folly.

We are told that there is no opportunity to make peace when in fact we have rejected multiple opportunities for a negotiated settlement. We are told that if Ukraine keeps fighting, it will improve its negotiating position when in fact the terms will only get much worse than what was already available and rejected.

Nevertheless the lies will succeed in dragging out the war. Congress will appropriate more funds. Russia will take more territory. Ukraine will mobilize more young men and women to feed into the meat grinder. Discontent will mount. Eventually there will be a crisis in Kiev and the Zelensky government will be toppled.

And then, when the war is finally lost, when the whole country lays in smoldering ruins on a funeral pyre of their own making, the liars will say “well we tried.” Having prevented any alternative, having smeared anyone who told the truth as puppets for the enemy, the liars will say “We did our best. We stood up to Putin.”

In fact, they will claim, we would have succeeded but for the fifth column of Putin apologists who stabbed the Ukrainians in the back. Then, having shifted blame and patted themselves on the back, they will blithely move on to the next war, as they moved onto Ukraine after their disasters in Afghanistan and Iraq. The lies are comprehensive — but they will work.

Insights from Idioms and Yeshua’s Wisdom

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John, caught in the relentless whirlwind of life’s daily grind, was in charge of the company picnic. His temper flared and he blew a fuse when the heavens opened up, raining cats and dogs. His best laid plans went up in smoke.  Ironically, his buddy, a TV weatherman, had given him a heads-up straight from the horse’s mouth – a warning of impending heavy rain.  John had dismissed it as leg-pulling, but now he realized he was up a creek without a paddle. “Well, I guess that’s just the way cookies crumble,” John muttered, fretting over the possibility of getting the axe from his boss.

In our daily discourse, idioms like “a bull in a China shop” and “when the cows come home” pepper our language with vivid expressions. These phrases have ingrained themselves into our speech over the years to the point of becoming commonplace. They’re like word pictures painting vivid depictions of various scenarios. “What’s the matter, cat got your tongue?” or “I’m just killing time” are perfect examples.

Hebrew idioms have similarly woven themselves into millions’ everyday conversations. Consider, for instance, the biblical expressions such as the story of a man unwilling to “go the second mile” or the celebration that goes, “we’re going to kill the fatted calf.” She couldn’t perceive the “handwriting on the wall,” and another believed he could “walk on water.”

Yeshua, too, employed a Hebrew idiom when He proclaimed His mission was not to “destroy the Law or the prophets.” He used a phrase familiar to his audience in biblical times. Accused of misinterpreting the Torah, Yeshua asserted that He was, in fact, teaching it accurately. What exactly did Yeshua mean by “destroy the Law” and “fulfill the Law”? These terms were like tools in the arsenal of rabbinic argumentation.

When one sage believed that a colleague had misinterpreted a passage of Scripture, he’d accuse, “You are destroying the Law!” Predictably, in most instances, his colleagues would vehemently disagree. What was “destroying the Law” to one sage was “fulfilling the Law” (correctly interpreting Scripture) to another.

In simple terms, Yeshua was stating, “Don’t even entertain the idea that I intend to nullify the Law through misinterpretation.” My intent is not to weaken it but, by faithfully interpreting God’s Written Word, to strengthen it. I would never invalidate the Law by misinterpreting it.”

Matthew 6:22-23 says: “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness” (KJV). Regrettably, translators and educators have grappled with the Hebraic concept of the “evil eye” for an extended period.
• “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (NKJV).
• “If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light” (NKJV).
• “Therefore, if your eye is sound, your whole body shall be full of light” (MKJV).
• “If then your eye is true, all your body will be full of light” (BBE).
• “If your eye is unclouded, your whole body will be lit up” (TCNT).
• “Thine eye may be perfect, all thy body shall be enlightened” (YLT).

This can be quite perplexing. Yeshua’s contemporaries immediately grasped His meaning when He spoke of the “evil eye.” This concept was, and still is, deeply rooted in Hebraic culture. But what did Yeshua truly intend?  From a Hebraic perspective, what is an “evil eye” or a “good eye”?  To unravel this idiom and bring clarity, let’s first delve into the context of Yeshua’s words and their connections in the Torah/Tanakh.

First, let’s zero in on the context. The very next verse, after the mention of the “evil eye” sheds light on its significance.

Matthew 6:23-24 explains, “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

When Yeshua referred to the “bad eye,” He wasn’t alluding to poor eyesight or advocating for LASIK surgery! From the context, it’s evident that Yeshua was employing a Hebrew expression to address human greed. Each time He referred to the eye, He addressed the avarice issue. An “evil eye” signifies a greedy eye belonging to an individual driven by selfish desires.

Proverbs 28:22 corroborates this notion: “He that hastes to be rich hath an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come upon him.”
In stark contrast, Proverbs 22:9 presents an alternative: “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.”

Deuteronomy 15:7-9 underscores the consequences of an “evil eye” within the context of assisting the impoverished, emphasizing the importance of generosity.

In essence, Yeshua employed the “evil eye” idiom to critique human greed. It serves as a poignant reminder that we should strive to be generous and not let selfishness dictate our actions. By delving into the original context and meanings, we can gain a profound understanding of these idioms and their enduring relevance in our lives today. Just as John learned from his rainy picnic experience, these idioms carry valuable lessons for us to uncover and apply in our daily journeys.

 

 

Ukraine is Important

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I remember the World Tomorrow TV show – filmed in Brussels –  The Message was "Pay attention to Europe!"  In the last 6 months,  more has happened to validate the warnings, than we have witnessed in the last 40 years.

Revelation talks of 10 kings or leaders that arise together to give their power collectively to one leader that will arise from what was historically the Holy Roman Empire.

REV. 17:12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.

REV. 17:13 “These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

REV. 17:17 “For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast until the words of God will be fulfilled

Daniel 7 prophesies a ''fourth empire'' to produce ten kings and another king. The final king will speak blasphemous words against God and will wear out God's saints for three and a half years. However, the Most High will destroy him and establish God's everlasting kingdom.

So how do we get from here to there?

  • The USA and the EU must part ways – The EU/NATO we see today must fall apart. The new union will not include the USA
  • Ukraine will not win …The only question is how badly they will fail and who will sign the surrender documents.
  • The rise of Nationalism will create governments that serve their citizens FIRST as Europe sleepwalks into chaos.

THE US AND THE EU/NATO MUST PART WAYS

Europe has chosen to cut off its most reliable and economic source of energy. The ability to melt aluminum and steel created the industrial power Germany enjoyed for decades.  The lack of energy threatens the deindustrialization of Germany and Italy and France.

US promises to make up the shortfall with LNG shipments falling short and now costing 4X as much. Senior EU officials were frustrated over the Americans profiteering from war despite the Europeans being grappled with economic hardships due to Ukraine's conflict with Russia.

One senior EU official who was interviewed said that the US was the one country that was profiting the most from the conflict because “they are selling more gas and at higher prices, and because they are selling more weapons.”

To add insult to injury – the French and German governments are protesting the IAF bill just passed by Biden and Congress that subsidizes any electric car and green energy built in America.  Europe fears the American $369 billion package of subsidies and tax breaks to bolster U.S. green businesses, goes into effect Jan 1, 2023. The Europeans are angry with Washington's scheme that will encourage EU companies to shift production and investments from Europe.

To understand the scope of the problem – the huge BASF chemicals complex in Ludwigshafen chemicals uses as much energy as the country of Switzerland.  Aluminum and steel foundries once turned off and allowed to cool will take years to restart – if ever.

Meanwhile, States in the South of the USA are offering tax breaks – cheap energy, and lower labor costs to European industry to facilitate the De-industrialization and relocation to the USA.

Zinc, aluminum, and silicon production cuts (amounting to a staggering 50% of output) have already left consumers in Europe’s steel, auto and construction industries facing severe shortages.  steel plants in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and other countries — more than two dozen in total — are beginning to slow down or entirely stop their output.

The fertilizer industry, which is heavily dependent on gas as a key feedstock as well as a source of power, is in even bigger trouble. More than two-thirds of production — around 30 plants — has already been halted. Food production next year will be greatly reduced in Europe.

Across Northern Europe, vegetable producers are having to halt their activities because of the crippling energy costs — required to heat greenhouses through the winter and keep harvests refrigerated, on top of rising transport and packaging costs. This further threatens food supplies.

In its attempt to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, the EU is increasing its reliance on supplies from countries like China and India — which, it would appear, are simply reselling to Europe gas that comes from… Russia (at a higher price, of course).

UKRAINE CAN NOT WIN.

We are being lied to with a fiction peddled in the Western Press.

We celebrate the military counteroffensive that was launched by Ukraine on 29 August 2022 to expel Russian forces occupying the southern regions of the Kherson oblasts.

Russia just pulled its troops out and parked them across the Dnieper River. No casualties – all their equipment was intact. Ukraine took the city after enduring fire and we all cheered – The Ukrainians immediately also had to evacuate that destroyed city.. since the Russians left only ruins.

Soviet military doctrine has always traded land for lives

On June 24 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia and the Russians traded lives for land even giving Napoleon Moscow itself as they fell back. Finding the city deserted Napoleon had to retreat. Of 600,000 men that invaded Russia only 100,000 made it home.

In WW2 the German advance again got to the gates of Moscow itself – as the Russians moved entire industries deep into Asia as they fell back – trading land for lives. Exhausted and depleted the Germans had to fall back …as the Russians finally rolled into Berlin.

The Ukrainians are being ground down, now making smaller attacks with fewer troops and fewer arms supplies, as the West has exhausted its arsenals.  Ukraine has limited men and materials. They do not have millions of men ….Russia does…and there are no more tanks and weapons to provide them. Nato has depleted its military stocks.  Russia can freeze the lines for a year or two if needed – Ukraine is bleeding out.

With no economy – no power and lights and internet – Ukraine's support fatigue among the Allies grows, as a new wave of refugees threatens to flood Europe.  The actual war is done…The allies need to stop the suffering.

Soon we will see the West scramble onto the last plane out of Kyiv, Kabul,  Siagon, or Bagdad and no one will ask what happened. We do not talk about US failures….

THE RISE OF NATIONALISM

In Europe, beggar-thy-neighbor policies aren’t an exception to the rule — they are the rule – as the wealthier nations try to protect their economies at the expense of their poorer neighbors. Capitalism at its finest.

The new leaders like Viktor Orbán and Georgia Meloni are only the beginning. Spain and Finland are set to head to the polls in 2023, and both elections could result in right-wing coalitions that would include far-right parties. Meanwhile, Belgium’s top two parties in current polling averages are far-right. Macron lost his majority in France. Poland’s governing right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) still leads parliamentary elections.

When the pope starts speaking about potentially retiring, the world should listen. Francis is 85, the age Benedict was when he announced his retirement. When a papal vacancy occurs, the College of Cardinals often chooses a new pontiff to deal with problems it struggles with.  A strong new pope is needed to deal with a scandal-plagued Church and Papacy.

The coming social unrest will elect new leaders. The last economic depression of 1930 -1939 gave us these  “messiahs”  to save their countries...Tito, Franco, Tojo, Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler. They also gave us WW2.  When massive unemployment, cold, and hunger strike, then people will ask for new leaders to deliver them.

We are sitting and watching prophecy ….not just reading it in the bible …but on the nightly news. God personally chose each of us to be here today in this time and place to serve His purpose.  Now we can pray Thy kingdom come. Come, Messiah, set up your government. No more hunger…No more war….No more refugees…No more corruption.

What a privilege!  What an honor to live at a time of chaos and the coming worldwide depression that gives rise to these new leaders.  We get to see the end of the movie ….the Trumpet will sound and the Calvary on a white horse will come over the hill,  to save us all.

Next week we can look at the coming  EU/NATO - Turkey split and Israel’s importance as a new Gas Exporter to Europe.

Shmita – The next Great Recession

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The Year for Canceling Debts

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and means “head of the year or first of the year.” This day is the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which falls in Sept. - Oct.  Rosh Hashanah 2021 to Oct 2022.

Deuteronomy 15 v 1 – At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. 2 This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. 3 You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your fellow Israelite owes you.

God took this land rest so seriously that He only allowed Israel to violate the command for 490 years then He came to collect on the 70 years of rest they owed the land. They were taken into captivity for 70 years to give the land an opportunity to rest.

2 Chronicles 36 v 19 – 22 So they burned down the house of God, tore down the wall of Jerusalem, burned down all the palaces with fire, and destroyed all the precious items. 20 Then he carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who survived the sword, and they were slaves to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia ruled, 21 to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate, she kept Sabbath, to fulfill

Cycles in stocks and the economy are not new. We talk about the Economic cycles. WD Gann was famous for his Dow Cycle theory.

The year of “Shmita” or “Shemitah” (meaning: letting go) also called the sabbatical year occurs every seventh September or October. The story behind the Shemitah is that the 7th year is the year of resting and releasing. The year also stands for debt forgiveness to break debt cycles.

So what makes this Shemitah cycle so interesting? If we compare the Shemitah years with the financial markets we can see a correlation. Major crashes in the stock market are correlated with the Shemitah years. Here are examples of stock market crashes that occurred during Shemitah years,

  • 1901-1902 Year of Shemitah - Stock market drops almost 50%.
  • 1916-1917 Year of Shemitah - Stock market drops 40%. United States enters WWI. Germany, Russia, Austria, Turkey, Great Britain suffer economic collapse.
  • 1930-1931 Year of Shemitah - The Great Depression. The worst financial crisis in modern history.
  • 1937-1938 Year of Shemitah - Half of the stock market collapses sparking a global recession.
  • 1944-1945 Year of Shemitah - End of German Reich and Britain's hold on territories. Establishment of America as the world's superpower. Bretton Woods Conference giving the U.S. Dollar Global Reserve Currency status
  • 1965-1966 Year of Shemitah - Stock market drops almost 25%
  • 1972-1973 Year of Shemitah - Stock market crashes almost 50%. Global recession; US oil crisis.
  • 1979-1980 Year of Shemitah - Global recession - Prime Rate hits 21%
  • 1986-1987 Year of Shemitah - “Black Tuesday”; stock market crashes by 1/3.
  • 1993-1994 Year of Shemitah - Bond market crash.
  • 2000-2001 Year of Shemitah - 9/11. Markets open on final day of Shemitah, September 17; the stock market falls 700 points.
  • 2007-2008 Year of Shemitah - On the last day of The Shemitah Year, September 29, the stock market drops a record 777 points.
  • 2014-2015 Year of Shemitah …correction…Greek/EU bailout....European Debt Crisis
  • 2021-2022 Year of Shemitah …8th Jubilee for U.S.A – A world drowning in debt with a "bubble" economy.

What could this all mean?

 The stock market has been inflated and on an artificial “bull run” for several years now. Trillions of dollars in Government debt handed out to spend and zero interest rates have inflated all assets. Asset values are due for a massive correction, and The Shemitah seems to be the time of debt forgiveness.

As a former stockbroker, I will not bore you with all the economic danger signals …..Each warning us that all Stock, Bond, and Real Estate assets are incredibly overvalued. U.S. public debt has doubled in 10 years, including by 14% in the last year alone while interest rates are kept artificially low. One-fifth (20%) of all US dollars were created in the year 2020. Inflation is rising and interest rates must rise.

• Real Estate Bubble is popping - 7% Mortgage Rates are not good.
• Retail Earnings miss heavily with a bad holiday season
• Industrial production drops sharply
• Used car bubble pops
• Mass consumer defaults on car loans
• Layoffs in tech spreads to all industries
• Credit spread blowout
• Zombie companies reduced to rubble
• Mass bankruptcies
• Negative real growth in all four macro sectors (income, production, consumption,
• Various crypto exchanges are insolvent
• Disinflation and then deflation (not stagflation)
• Energy bear market
• Corporate bonds turn into junk
• Municipal bond meltdown

Proverbs 27 v12 - Wise people see trouble coming and get out of its way, but fools go straight to the trouble and suffer for it.

Embrace God's priorities. Please reduce your debt - build up some savings - and create a network of friends among the Family of God. We will all soon be living by Faith and staking our survival on the Faithfulness of God our Provider. (Jehovah Jireh.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you in God’s other Book?

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Mal 3 v 16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a Book of Remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.  One way to be heard by God is to be a sociable person who speaks to others about Him. God pays attention to what IS said and He keeps a book of “Remembrance” of those conversations with other believers.

So how do we do this?                     What do we talk about?

Ps 105 v 1-5 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples. Ps 77 v 12 - “I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” 1 Chron 16 v 9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all His wonderful acts.

When God answers your prayers and doubts, HE will never tell you the future – He only gives you, His resume. I am the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob – I opened up the Red Sea, and I brought Israel into the promised land….

So, what has God done for you?

Do you even remember?

In times when life got hard, when I had backslidden and God seemed far off I started to make a list of God's Acts of Mercy... not to Israel... but to me personally.

You see, God found me in a world of hurt with life in chaos, addiction, divorce pending, and legal problems. He proved himself to me over and over and poured Grace and Peace into my life, and converted me in Oct 2000.

Everything I had lost in the previous 20 years running with the devil, was restored. I was privileged to serve a prison ministry for over 10 years. Finally, after 20 years alone, God found a Godly bride and we got married recently. So, I compiled a list –

It starts at age 9 when I got washed out to sea fishing on a deserted beach with only a younger brother to watch me go under the waves for the 3rd time. A jeep appeared out of nowhere and an adult waded in to rescue me. He left me vomiting on a beach and disappeared far down the beach. God saved my life before I knew of Him.

Manila – traveled to meet my future bride for the first time. Arrived at the hotel from the airport – only to find my wallet missing - no credit cards and no US dollars - no DL at the front desk. Instant tourist to a refugee. Panic. About 10 minutes later the taxi driver came looking for me… his next passenger found my wallet on the floor and it was all there. Nothing was missing. I thanked God for preserving that trip and met Jenith for the first time.

A month later I was back in Manila at a different hotel from the airport. This time I had lots of packages from Duty-Free for Jenith’s family and it was chaotic unloading suitcases on a busy street. The taxi left and inside the hotel – no wallet – no credit cards - no money. Hard to describe? Yes….this time the different taxi went back to the airport before finding my wallet. An hour later he returned…

I don’t know what the odds are… but in 30 years I have never lost my wallet even when so drunk I could not recall the night before. I think God was just telling me He had my back….in the small things.

After 20 years I could write a book of God’s answering prayer and other amazing “coincidences.” Co-incidence is not a “Kosher” word.
Now I face another trial – as a mortgage broker for 20 years – you all know what interest rates have done. Business is down 90%. It is no secret we are facing a global slowdown and I think this will be far worse than in 2008.

It is time to revisit that list of God’s Great mercies… remind God of all His faithfulness and Thank Him for all the times He Greatly intervened and brought me through.

Why don’t you take the time to make such a list of God's Great Acts of Mercy in Your life?

When the dark times come you may need reminding.

The Coming Famine

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1 - First came then droughts - We had a long-term drought in North America and Canada. Parts of Africa have been plagued by dry seasons growing hotter and rainy seasons arriving later and with less water for crops and livestock.

2 - Then came Covid with lockdowns and supply chain issues and sharply higher prices for fertilizer and seed.  The pandemic pushed 97 million more people into poverty in 2020, an unprecedented increase. Close to a billion worldwide suffered from hunger and malnutrition, with countries in Africa among the hardest hit.

More than 155 million people experienced acute food insecurity at crisis level or worse around the world in 2020, an increase of 20 million from 2019 and a five-year high, as the COVID-19 pandemic compounded economic shocks, conflicts, and climate and severe weather impacts estimate the 2021 Global Report on Food Crises. Pandemic-related food price increases put pressure on livelihoods, “As the prices go up and more people get pushed in poverty; After 2 years of pandemic lockdowns and supply chain delays the situation got worse in 2021. Wheat prices rose 70% in ONE month.

Somalia. Faced with ongoing political instability and civilian insecurity, as well as over a decade of droughts, Somalia ranks as the hungriest county in the world for 2021.

Here ae the numbers for 2020. .

Democratic Republic of Congo – 21.8 million people *

  • Yemen – 13.5 million people
  • Afghanistan – 13.2 million people
  • Syrian Arab Republic – 12.5 million people
  • Sudan – 9.6 million people
  • Nigeria – 9.2 million people
  • Ethiopia – 8.6 million people
  • South Sudan – 6.5 million people
  • Zimbabwe – 4.3 million people
  • Haiti – 4.1 million people

Now there in Afghanistan 22 million people face food shortages and hunger as that economy collapsed with the freezing of all their central bank reserves in the US. Their economy has been destroyed. The Yemen conflict has displaced over a million people and has led to Cholera outbreaks and medicine shortages and famine prompting the United Nations to call the humanitarian crisis the worst in the world.

3 - Finally came war in Ukraine.

Ukraine has long been called Europe's breadbasket thanks to its rich soil among the most versatile in the world. This region accounts for 15% of the world's wheat production and nearly 30% of its exports. Ukraine and Russia account for 80% of the world's sunflower oil.

Ukraine is ranked sixth in corn and sixth in barley and ninth in wheat and ninth in soybean production. Twenty-Six 26 countries in Africa are more than 50% dependent on Russia and Ukraine for their wheat imports. Benin and Egypt are over 80% dependent while Somalia is 100% dependent on those two countries for wheat...

No wonder 17 African countries chose to abstain from the UN vote sanctioning Russia. You cannot bite the hand that feeds you. With the Black Sea closed and exports frozen these countries are scrambling to find food. Egypt put out a tender to replace its wheat and the only country that had wheat to spare was Canada. The price was so high they canceled the tender. Now Indonesia Sri Lanka and Egypt are negotiating loans from the IMF to pay for food.

In response to the shortages, Egypt has banned the export of wheat flour and lentils while Indonesia has tightened exports of palm oil and Russia has temporarily banned any exports of both fertilizer and wheat.

China has managed to stockpile more than half of the globe's maize and other grains, leading to steep price increases across the planet and dropping more countries into famine. China is expected to have 69% of the globe's maize reserves in the first half of the crop year 2022, 60% of its rice, and 51% of its wheat.

They expect to have the worst crop in 40 years as flooding and other factors cut their harvests and have trouble feeding their population so making them a net importer.

The shortage and price increases in urea-based fertilizers may even have a greater impact. Ukraine Belorussia were all exporters. The price of urea has gone to $1000 per metric ton which is four times the price sold for 2021 you cannot grow fields of wheat barley or Soy without fertilizer. Farmers as far away as Mexico Columbia and Brazil are already worried about the shortages. Fuel costs are up, food prices are soaring, fertilizer is more expensive, and all of this feeds into new crises.

Next year is when this really hits the world. Hunger leads to desperation and discontent. Arab Spring of 2008 started in a market over prices. Popular riots are often associated with adverse economic trends: recession, rising unemployment and high prices or scarcity of food

In 2010, the chant was work, freedom, national dignity. Now the dream of a Tunisian is a gas canister. A piece of bread for his kids.”

So what is our response?

The bible tells us that Matthew 24:7, NLT: Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.

In Africa war has prevented the planting of crops and Russia Ukraine's conflict will certainly cripple their harvests and planting.

We that have enough to eat and more…….

  • Consider the local food bank for a regular donation of canned goods. It goes directly to the needy. Volunteer one evening a month to serve the less fortunate.
  • Support a local shelter.
  • Support an organization like Feed My Starving Children or Rise against Hunger

Most importantly – lift your voice in prayer.  This is the hope of ALL mankind. Your prayers can call on God to bring it soon…

Micah 4 v 1-4 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the government of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,  and He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:   And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares neither shall they learn war any more.  But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken it. 

Holodomor and Holocaust – A Ukraine Story

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With armies surrounding the Ukraine one should look back at their history. There has been enough pain and suffering for any nation.

Ukraine is a Texas-sized nation to the west of Russia. It was part of the Soviet Union and ruled by Stalin. He imposed collectivization which replaced individually owned farms with state-run collectives. Ukraine small farmers resisted giving up their lands and livelihoods and were considered enemies of the state. Soviet officials drove these farmers off their farms and deported 50,000 Ukrainian families to Siberia.

1932 the grain harvest missed the planner's target by 60%. There may have been enough food to get by. Stalin ordered their small crops to be confiscated as punishment for not meeting quotas. Much of the confiscated grain was sold overseas as proof of the success of collectivization. By 1933 only 1/3 of the households were left while prisons and labor camps were jammed and many were deported.

The Ukrainian famine was a clear case of a man-made famine. It was a hybrid caused by terrible social-economic policies and one aimed at a particular population group as repression and punishment. This Ukrainian famine became known as the Holodomor a combination of the Ukrainian words for “starvation” and to inflict “death” It claimed the lives of 3.9 million people or about 13% of the population with horrific stories of the terrible agony of death by starvation.

The Holocaust of World War II also started in Ukraine. One in every four Jewish victims of the Holocaust was murdered in Ukraine. The number of Ukrainians that collaborated with the Germans amounted to about 100,000. They joined police units and their auxiliaries, and lent a hand rounding up the Jews, for the mass shootings.

Before the death camps of Poland, killing squads called Einsatzgruppen A B C D of about 1500 men each fanned out over the East behind the front lines. They were only successful because of the Ukrainian police that supported their efforts. In just one suburb of Kyiv, 34,000 Jews were murdered on September 29 – 30, 1941 at Babi Yar shot and buried in a large Ravine. It only took 2 days. A total of 100,000 were murdered in and around Kyiv.

Ironically the Nazis decided that shooting women and children individually was inefficient and took an emotional toll on the soldiers. A more productive, method of extermination was needed, hence the industrial death camps and the gas chambers.

By the time the killing centers opened at Birkenau, Treblinka, Sobibor, Belzec, and Majdanek, more than 1.5 million Jews had already been murdered by the Germans, their Axis allies, and local collaborators in Ukraine, Belarus. Today there are some 2000 mass graves within Ukraine ranging in size from a few dozen victims, to tens of thousands.

Vasily Grossman was a Jewish Soviet writer from Ukraine. He wrote for the Soviet Ministries newspaper called the Red Star when he learned of the massacres in Ukraine. In despair, because he had no news from his mother, he wrote in an article…. There are no Jews in Ukraine. In the big cities, in the small towns, in the thousands of villages, you won't see a young girl's black eyes filled with tears, you won't hear an old woman's voice racked with mourning, and you won't hear a hungry baby's cry. Everything is silent. Everything is peaceful. A whole people have been massacred.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Ukraine finally became an independent nation—and for some the Holodomor and others, the Holocaust remains a painful part of Ukrainians’ common identity.

Now surrounded by armies and not part of NATO - they will again be abandoned to an uncertain future.  This crisis may be the event that prompts Europe to awaken to her own vulnerability and weakness.

I expect a new order and leadership in Europe. Nationalism, trade war, sanctions, and U.S. interference will not be economically beneficial to our allies. The economic fallout from the coming collapse will forge new alliances. These conditions will mirror the 1930’s and they gave us Franco, Tito, Tojo, Mussolini, Stalin, and Hitler.  It was Europe that dragged the world into war…Twice. The third time is a charm.

20 years – God is Faithful

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Around Thanksgiving 2000 – I was saved in a correctional facility when God crashed into my life and He proved to be the opposite of all I believed Him to be. The Chaplain challenged me with Ps 37 v 4 – Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

I wrote a list of my desires. 6 of 7 were granted within 1 year. One remained elusive for 20 years as I resigned myself to remaining single. Psalm 56:8 says: “You have recorded my troubles. You put my tears into Your bottle. Are they not in Your records?”

God remembered what I had already given up on. So this year I have a whole new reason to embrace life and this website project in Gratitude to the Father of us all.

In 2019 – I placed my profile on an International Dating Site since I work online and chatting with people from all over the globe was interesting. What surprised me was a woman’s profile on a secular site in Asia – A photo – No biography – No likes or dislikes – No list of what she was seeking – Just these few words.

“She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. Strength and dignity are her clothing, Grace and Truth are on her lips. She is a strong person, and people respect her. She looks to the future with confidence. Grace and beauty can fool you, but a woman who respects the Lord should be praised….”

I commented that only the “truly humble” would take Proverbs 31 as a biography…and she replied that “The Lord had made her that way” and that very few men even recognized the text. And so the conversation started…

So I booked a flight to Manila to find her….despite all the warnings of well-meaning friends.

Thanksgiving 2019 I met Jenith face to face and stayed a week. She is gorgeous and I had to assure my grown daughters that she was really old enough to be their mother. She had worked as a computer analyst and she beat me at chess….which I still do not understand.

Getting back I had to figure out how to work overseas.  A VPN and a whitelisted static IP solved most technology and security issues.  January I went back for a month and we visited friends and family all over the Philippines. I concluded the trip by giving her an engagement ring.

Covid in 2020 brought lockdowns and travel bans canceled flights, our May wedding, our honeymoon, with few refunds. An American passport was not welcome anywhere. So with Manila in lockdown, we had many hours to visit via video chat and talk and talk.

Jenith found a Myles Munroe Daily Devotional with a daily bible reading plan. So we read and prayed together. Our Father figured reading the whole bible through and praying together for 1 year would be good preparation for any marriage.

I investigated 11 countries that would be open to a South-African-American and a Filipino and would marry tourists. It seems South Africa where I was born, is the only country that has finally opened to both of us. January put us in Cape Town with plans to get married there.

February 2021 found us in Cape Town just in time for a new round of Level 3 Lock Downs due to the new South African variant Covid strain which shut down Home Affairs services and our needed interview and wedding license. Mid-March the Level 1 change allowed us access to a wedding license.

On March 24th, 2021 we were finally married in a Civil Service by a Marriage Officer in Home Affairs Office in Cape Town, South Africa. With only days to spare we got the application in for her Tourist Visa to be modified to a Residence Visa which allows her to stay. Manila had started a new round of lockdowns and her return flight had been canceled.

Prov 18 v 22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. A man’s greatest treasure is his wife — she is a gift from the LORD.

We have agreed that this little website will be our joint ministry. It is with a new joy we hope to serve the people of God, sharing some of the amazing things He has done.

As a former stockbroker, I understand a bit about the economy. By every measure – we are facing a severe global downturn.  Pricing bubbles in Equities and Housing Prices inevitably deflate.

More than ever the Children of God are going to learn to “walk by faith.”  Prayer is the language of the poor – yet God saves our prayers – not our tithes. 

Covid-19 has exposed the three false measures of our ministry “success.” Great empty Houses of Worship – Big budgets – Huge crowds.  Three measures of our modern Christian progress, NO-where mentioned in the epistles, as Paul planted churches.

God is using a pandemic to call us to pray.  He values our prayers – a sweet aroma to Him. Rev 5 v 8 The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

This website contains over 70 Free books on prayer. Please help yourself …You will be needing them.