HANG ON....

Last weekend I had the opportunity to watch the 2019 Understanding the Times Conference that was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The lineup of speakers was superb.  Not in any special order, the group was made up of Amir Tsarfati, an international Bible teacher from Israel and author of the book, "The Last Hour: An Israeli Insider Looks at the End Times";  Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dallas Texas who serves on President Trump's evangelical advisory board;  Jack Hibbs, leader of Calvary Chapel, Chino Hills, California whose "Real Life with Jack Hibbs, is a frequent destination both online and on radio;  J.D. Farag who pastors Calvary Chapel, Kaneohe, Hawaii and hosts an online prophecy update on YouTube;  Laurie Cardoza-Moore from Proclaiming Justice to the Nation and the leader of the Conference, Jan Markell, the founder of Olive Tree Ministries.   

For me, Tsarfati and Farag captured my attention the most.  Tsarfati for what he senses happening in Israel today and what the future looks like.  Of special interest and discussion was the result of the recent election for a new Prime Minister.  Benjamin Netanyahu, who had served for the previous four terms had been expected to have a difficult road to victory.  Not many expected what transpired.  Not only did Netanyahu not win, no one did.   Not Benjamin or his primary challenger, former three-star general Benny Gantz.  They ended in a stalemate with neither one able to land a majority to form a government.  Days later though, President Reuven Rivlin tasked Netanyahu with forming a new government, the but the solution for such action doesn't appear on the horizon.  Wednesday night, Netanyahu called a number of ministers and told them unless there is a breakthrough with Kahol Lavan, he will inform the President he is unable to carry out the forming of the government. 

Should that be a concern?  No question, according to Tsarfati.  But not necessarily the way you'd think.  For some time now, there has been discussion of a new peace plan that President Trump was going to roll out with the Netanyahu.  If he doesn't resume his Prime Minister duties then what?  Is that deal dead in the water.  And could that be a reason why the United States doesn't come to the aid of Israel?  Could the issues with the Netanyahu election be the trigger of  it all?   To put it bluntly, we are in the countdown days. 

Farag's words provided solace in the matter.  There are a couple of songs over the years with a theme of hanging on.  The one that comes most to mind is "You Keep me Hanging On", a song made famous by the Supremes in the 1960's.   

Set me free why don't cha babe
Get out of my life why don't cha babe
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on 

Set me free why don't cha babe
Get out of my life why don't cha babe
'Cause you don't really love me
But you keep me hangin' on

Why do you keep a comin' around playing with my heart?
Why don't cha get out of my life and let me make a brand new start?
Let me get over you the way you gotten over me, yeah, yeah

Okay, I digress, as J.D. would say.  I just couldn't resist doing a little singing and humming from the little ditty from the past.  After all, it was a super, super song.

The point Farag stated quite honestly was that he went through a period recently...not a breakdown, but an overwhelming period of hopelessness.  He looked around his church and saw much of the same thing.   He saw people who were tired and worn down by the world.   But through this time, he heard God tell him to "hang on".   More directly, he sensed God's words saying, "I told you it was going to be like this in the end times".  So, Farag, stated, "why should we be surprised?  Just hang in there and hang on". 

To wrap things up, Farag offered the following thought.  We can maybe go without food for awhile, maybe we could go without water for a few days, but we can't even go a few seconds without Hope".

Remember that when things are spiraling to despair.  Hope and Hangin On.  It will be great tonic to your soul.

YGG,

John

P.S.  Jan Markell's Conference was so well done.  You should make plans to check in on the 2020 Understanding the Times Conference.  That is....if we're here.  And if we're not, that's not such a bad thing.  Then we can change up the phrase to "Is this Iowa.  No, it's Heaven".

It should be obvious which is which.....