This issue looks at the meaning of “Jerusalem,” highlights a Middle East ministry that is effectively spreading the gospel in Islamic nations, and offers another writing tip for writing small numbers.

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION   

The Significance of Jerusalem

Beyond the reasons outlined previously, everything  about Jerusalem points to Jesus, even her name.  Jerusalem is made up of two Hebrew words: Jeru and Salem. Jeru means “to lay down a foundation” or “to cast down from above.” It pictures Jesus being laid down from heaven as our chief cornerstone  (Isaiah 28:16). Salem means “peace,” or more specifically, “an inheritance of peace,” pointing  to the King of Righteousness, the King of Peace as  pictured in Melchizedek. Until the King of Peace  appears, worldly negotiations are useless. Until the world seeks after God’s heart, His ways, and His peace, chaos will continue to reign. In any case,  Jerusalem will be in the center of the action because  this is the city through which God’s plans have been,  and will be, made known. I will explain more of her significance in future editions. I cover this topic in detail in my book The Israeli Connection. Click the link to my website.

IT’S NEWS TO ME  

Since most of the news regarding Islam is depressing,  frightening, and overwhelming, I’d like to share some good news. SAT-7 is a ministry that broadcasts the gospel via satellite throughout the Middle East. In April they aired the first in a series of live, call-in programs entitled “The Revealer of Secrets,” based on Daniel 2:28. The series is designed to reach out to Arab viewers wanting to know more about Christ and Christianity.

Much to the surprise of the staff, many Muslims bravely called the Christian station. The lines were constantly busy. More than 256 questions got through, coming from all over the region–Syria, Kuwait, and even Arabic-speaking immigrants living in Poland.

One text exchange went like this:

“I am a mother, I am desperate, please pray for my son who is in a coma for three days now.”  (He had suffered serious head trauma from an auto accident. His doctors said he would not survive.)

Counselor: “We are praying that God will heal your son. He is the life and the resurrection. Trust in Him.”

The next day another message arrived from the mother: “Thank you very much for your prayers. My son is healed and he is very fine now. I wanted to tell you that I am not a believer, but I trust in your God, Jesus.

Iraq is an especially difficult place to spread the gospel.  Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians have fled the country. Even so, a recent survey revealed that 18% of the Iraqis still there (Muslims) admit to watching SAT-7. Over 8% watch on a regular basis–that’s 2.6 million Iraqis! (This is possible because 97% of Iraqis have satellite television.)

Check out this ministry at www.sat7usa.org, pray for them, and consider supporting them financially from time to time. Our best weapons against Islam are the gospel and prayer. When we start feeling fearful as the world crumbles around us, we must remember that God has placed us here at this point in time for a reason. We must respond to our calling and do what we know to do. Ministries like SAT-7 and The Jesus Film Project are seeing amazing responses in the most dangerous countries on earth. Surely we can do our part for the kingdom right where we are.

WRITING TIPS

Writing Small Numbers

A small number referred to as a number and not a quantity is set in figures.

Put water into the graduated beaker until it reaches the 40 mark.

Change sentences 3 to 8 as numbers 1 and 2 are changed.

Count by 2s to 20.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, “You stay here. I’ll go on a head.”