Jesus and Islam don't mix!

Been in Ezra 4 today. In light of this weekend's Islam symposium, it has a lot of treasure to be mined out! "The enemies of Judah and Benjamin" came to offer their assistance to build the house of the Lord. They claimed to be sacrificing to Israel's God, thinking that they would be allowed to help. The builders knew that these enemies weren't serving the God of Israel, even though they claimed to do so. In their rejection, they "frightened them from building." This intimidation prevented the returned exiles from building the house of the Lord FOR 16 YEARS! How powerful fear can be! There is only one God. THE Father. He has a Son. Jesus. There is no other. All other gods are false gods. Only He who acknowledges BOTH Father and Son are legitimate worshipers! The Muslim Jesus is NOT the Son of the Father. No intermingling the deities. Allah is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When they come to the Christians and desire to build with us, we must be willing to risk rejection and persecution. We boldly proclaim that Jesus is God in the flesh. He is the Supreme Ruler of the Universe! We bow down to Him only!

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GO FORTH IN SPITE OF OUR FEARS!

CONTENDING WITH THE NATION OF ISLAM IN THE LAST DAYS

When Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, they were "terrified because of the peoples of the lands" (Ezra 3:3). In spite of their fear, they still offered burnt offerings on the newly built altar. Burnt offerings symbolize entire consecration to the Lord. It was a 'whole' burnt offering, given freely over to God. It represents a TOTAL surrender to the fire of His love. It was COMPLETELY consumed on the altar. It is entirely possible to offer yourself to the Lord in complete surrender, even if you're afraid. As Ray Comfort says, "Courage is not the absence of fear. But going on IN SPITE OF fear." Joshua was told 4 times in Joshua 1 to "be strong and courageous". Why? Because he was going to need much courage to face all of the enemies in the Promised Land. It says that they offered "burnt offerings morning and evening" (3:3). They worshiped the Lord even though they were terrified. This is truly an example of a 'sacrifice of praise'. In taking the gospel to the Muslims, we will most likely be afraid and in need of God's inspiring confidence and strength. But will we offer ourselves entirely to Him, in spite of our fears? Will we go for Him, bearing His reproach outside the camp? Will we "follow the Lamb wherever He goes" (Revelation 14:4)? Will we love not our lives even unto death (Revelation 12:11). I can hear the Lord say, "Be strong and courageous;" "You can do it;" "Fear not, for I am with you." The God Who gives encouragement through the Scriptures (Romans 15:4) persuades us to stand up for Him in this crooked and perverse generation. He is compelling us by His love and grace to go forth boldly and preach the good news to the Muslims in our midst. It may be intimidating at first, but allow His perfect love to drive out your fears. Let's offer ourselves to Him and His purposes in this generation. IN SPITE OF how we feel, He is with us, compelling us to go. They have already been prepared by His tender love and they are waiting for us to tell them about the Father and His beloved Son, Jesus! We don't have to 'go' into all the world to do so. He has brought them to us! Muslims from all of the nations have come to live in America. The harvest is ready! Let's do it!

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