God is doing miracles TODAY!
This Hanukkah season we have revisited the miracle of God’s enabling the small rag-tag army of Jewish farmers to overcome the mightiest army in the world. The Jews believed God; they didn’t compromise and take on the Hellenistic culture … they remained true to God and His precepts. And He miraculously spared them.
In 2014 during Operation Protective Edge (where Israel went into Gaza to dismantle the tunnels through which the terrorists were infiltrating Israel) we recall miracle after miracle that God performed where evil plans of Hamas were thwarted and countless Israeli lives were spared.
But what about miracles regarding Christians today? Below is Suzette Gutierrez-Cachila’s powerful article, “Jesus Speaks to 
Islamist Militants Hunting Down Christians: ‘Why Do You Persecute Me?’” (This was posted 12/23/2016 on Gospel Herald). This article relates God’s miraculous intervention.
“A group of Arab Muslims who were chasing after Christians said a dust storm suddenly formed on the road, forcing them to stop the chase, when Jesus appeared to them and spoke with a “mighty voice.” (Picture: Dust Storm Wikipedia Commons)
“Haroon (not his real name) said he and 19 other Islamist militants were informed that a group of Christians would be holding a baptism service. They boarded their vehicles and rushed to the site with the intention of killing everyone there.
“Their purpose, said Haroon, was to instill fear among Christians around the world and to make them stop sharing the good news to the Muslims in their country, according to Bibles For Mideast.
“However, when they arrived, they saw that the Christians were leaving. They were already on the bus and on their way back to the church.
“Instead of giving up the pursuit, the militants chased after the bus and began shooting at it.
“Rizwan, who was among those baptized that day at the Arabian Sea, recounted how everyone on the bus thought they would die that day.
“Maybe it was the militants plan to kill us in the sea during the baptism service. But somehow we finished our service earlier and tried to return back,” he said.
“When their bus driver increased speed, the militants also drove faster and continued to shoot at them, Rizwan said.
“Then, without warning, a dust storm formed “within seconds” and concealed the bus from the militants’ view.
“Rizwan said they felt as if Jesus himself appeared in the dust storm to block the road and protect them from the militants, who eventually stopped chasing and shooting at them. They all praised God and made it back to the church safely.
“What they didn’t know was that Jesus appeared to the militants.
“Haroon said as the dust storm raged on, the militants had to stop their vehicles because they couldn’t see a thing.
“We were unable to move forward,” he said. “We all got down from our cars and continue shooting through the dust storm.”
“Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the dust storm. Haroon said he looked “angry” and his eyes “were like blazing fire.”
“Why are you persecuting me; it’s hard for you to kick against the pricks,” Jesus said to them in a mighty voice.
“His voice was so powerful that when he spoke, a strong wind literally swept the militants off their feet and blew their guns away. Haroon said the whole thing was a “terrible experience.”
“As they struggled to get up, they realized they couldn’t talk. They felt afraid, yet they felt peace at the same time, an experience that was totally new to all of them.
“Haroon said Jesus told them that he “came to the world not to destroy anyone; but to save,” and he told them to “Go in peace.” Then he disappeared, and the dust storm also disappeared.
“All of them, save for two, praised God, but they argued among themselves about whether what they saw was from God or not.
“After the incident, Haroon’s group was no longer assigned to “militant activities.”
“Although the experience made him curious about Jesus, Haroon did not put his faith in Christ until a few days later when their family was around a bonfire in the desert. A deadly snake bit his sister Hajira. When she was rushed to the hospital, doctors said she would die.
“While Hajira was asleep, an angel appeared to her and told her about Jesus, “the Savior and the Healer.” She shared the story to Haroon when she woke up, and they prayed and asked Jesus to save them.
“They were both surprised when Pastor Paul of Bibles for Mideast, who was among the group of Christians Haroon and the other militants wanted to kill, walked into the room. He said an angel told him to visit them and even gave him their names.
“Pastor Paul shared the gospel to them, and Haroon and his sister confessed their sins and gave their lives to Christ. Pastor Paul also prayed for Hajira, who was completely healed from the snake bite.
“When their father learned about what happened to Hajira, he also surrendered his life to Jesus. Not only did Haroon’s entire family get saved; 17 of the militants in their group also got saved.
“They are now praying for the other two to know Christ.”
Challenge: As we move into 2017, let us not be overcome with fear and uncertainty. Let us remember our brave Christian brothers and sisters and their steadfast resolve to cling to our Messiah. Our LORD encourages us in Is 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Even as He strengthened these Believers, so He will strengthen us!
PRAYER: “Father, we thank You that You are sovereign. You and You alone answer our prayers. We bless You and pray for the protection of Your body. We pray You give wisdom to our leaders – that You will halt and thwart any evil plans that would come against Your land of Israel. In the Holy Name of our Messiah, we pray.”
IMMEDIATE Prayer Requests:
- Israel’s safety will not be compromised
- USA: Wisdom for our leadership and their direction. Prayer for their safety.
- Healing!
- Total healing spiritual and physical for all we know and love!
- Brother (Tracy Robeson): family crisis.
- Howells: needed sale
Continuous Prayer:
- Pray for healing and direction of the US
- Pray for Israel!
- Protection of the persecuted church
- PRAYER FOR OUR SOLDIERS: spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally whole!
Read what He is doing through prayer!
- The fires have stopped in Israel!!!
- Denise: amazing visit with family
- God intervened in the elections.
- April: God opened new doors!
- Duane (Coles’ friend): miraculous recovery from stroke
- Rhonda’s & Colin’s surgeries went well
- Kerene: approval for new medicine!
- Tere got an excellent report from doc!
- Children are applying Scripture memory verses to their lives!
- VBS was terrific!
- Coles’ trips: amazing – thank you for your prayers!!
- Rhonda is receiving answers! We rejoice with her!
