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"It is the LORD who provides the sun to light the day
and the moon and stars to light the night,
and who stirs the sea into roaring waves.
His name is the LORD of Heaven's Armies,
and this is what he says:
'I am as likely to reject my people Israel
as I am to abolish the laws of nature!'"
(Jeremiah 31:35-36)
I have been to the Holy Land two times, and our plan is to go back May 25 through June 4, 2026. We plan tentatively, though, because it is possible we will not be able to travel due to war. As I type this, Israel and Iran are at war with each other. Please join me in praying for peace and salvation. My wife Ashley and I love to go to Israel, and if she could, she would go back every year! I invite you to join our group as we head to the Holy Land and take a two-day trip to Jordan to see one of the most majestic sites, Petra. We will have the final cost of the trip in a few weeks. If you are interested in going, check with us in person or send an email to dforshee@dfea.com for more information.
Not everyone loves Israel. They are one of the smallest nations in the world but also the most hated. I believe God has favored them and made them into a great nation. They are one of only nine nations in the world that possess nuclear weapons. I believe the last thing they would want is a nuclear war, but with so many enemies on every side, they are preparing. I fully support and love Israel, but I am saddened by the war that continues in Gaza between Hamas and the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) after over a year and a half. If Israel does not get rid of Hamas, then I believe they are guaranteed another massacre like the one on October 7, 2023.
Unfortunately, it is Gazan civilians who are suffering the most, with many tens of thousands dead, far more wounded, and most survivors lacking homes and dependable food, water, and shelter. Please join me in praying daily for the Gazan people and the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6-7 says,
"Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
and prosperity in your palaces."
I received an invitation to travel to Israel this summer along with 1,000 pastors from America. The nation of Israel is inviting this large number of pastors to go to the Holy Land and tour the country and meet with Israeli officials. The invitation letter I received said, "Includes meetings with various government officials, hostage families, IDF soldiers, and Israeli citizens. The week will culminate with a certificate signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, identifying attendees as official Ambassadors of Israel."
I hope my schedule works so that I can take this trip, and I know if it is the Lord's will for me to go, then He will make it happen. Every day, I pray for the nation of Israel, for them to come to know Jesus as the Messiah, and for their protection from their enemies, and I also pray by name for the two guides and two bus drivers from our trips in 2008 and 2018.
I will close with a couple of my favorite photos I took while in Israel: |
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