What is Happening in Israel and Gaza? How Should We Respond?

With the tragic attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7 and the following war taking place in Gaza, my heart has been heavy. With friends who are Israeli and friends who are Palestinian (and some who follow Jesus from both sides), I have been following the news and praying for peace.

Since then the level of anti-semitism and islamophobia are both terrible to hear about on the news.

I have found conversations with people like Salim Munayer of Musalaha and a Jewish Rabbi named Muttel Baleston to be incredibly helpful.

There are some really meaningful interviews recently on Preston Sprinkle’s podcast that I highly recommend.

If you are wanting to go beyond praying, consider watching or listening to the following:

Try listening to a perspective you are not as familiar with and pray with me for the release of the hostages and peace in the midst of the conflict.

photo credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/israel-palestine-flag

2 Peter 1 – Have you Forgotten You’ve Been Forgiven?

The apostle Peter urges believers to grow in their faith and live a godly life. We have everything we need to do so because we have access to God’s divine nature! He emphasizes the importance of adding virtues to one’s faith, listing qualities like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. These virtues are seen as a pathway to becoming more like Christ and living a life that pleases God.

When we forget we have been forgiven, we live a more corrupt version of life.

Peter reminds his audience that their faith is founded on eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ ministry and teachings. The chapter also addresses the reliability of Scripture, stating that prophecy is not a matter of human interpretation but comes from God, and it should be a guiding light for believers in a dark world.

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