UPDATE:

The Israel Air Force, working with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), launched two missile attacks against terrorist groups in Gaza Tuesday night,[12/27/11] killing at least three and, according to Palestinian reports, injuring at least 11. Several hours later, Palestinians fired a Kassam rocket from inside Gaza but it exploded inside the Strip.

Israeli army chief Gen. Benny Gantz says there is no alternative to another major military ground operation in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

"From time to time, we face rocket fire from the Gaza Strip and we understand the continuing buildup from the Sinai region," said Gantz. "I believe that the state of Israel cannot continue to live under the active threat of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Sooner or later, there will be no escape from conducting a significant operation.

"No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy...." Psalm 33:16-18

Prayer looms large in the Holy Land. Jew, Christian, Muslim alike understand that the struggle for the Holy Land is a spiritual battle.

The Jewish people ask the God of Israel for His blessings each day and Palestinian Muslims pray five times a day to Allah. Both peoples pray for health, prosperity and protection, interceding for their respective nations. Christians who call on The Name of Yeshua fall somewhere in the middle:

Those who take the promises of the Bible literally stand with Israel; those who do not side with the Palestinians.

"...the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision..." Joel 3

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness... Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21

European members of the Security Council - France, Britain, Germany and Portugal condemned Jewish building in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem and took a very unbalanced view of what is needed to get the peace process back on track.

The Europeans said that recent Israeli plans to build additional apartments in existing Jewish "settlements" or in Jewish neighborhoods on the eastern side of Jerusalem "send a devastating message" and must be reversed.

"All settlement activity, including in east Jerusalem, must cease immediately," insisted France, Britain, Germany and Portugal.

Contradicting the traditional position that all peace negotiations should take place between Israel and the Palestinians, the Europeans demand that both sides instead present proposals to the Middle East Quartet comprised of the European Union, United States, UN and Russia. The Quartet would then mediate those proposals and provide a plan for peace.

Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners late Sunday, the second and final phase of a swap with Gaza Hamas militants that brought home an Israeli soldier after five years in captivity.

Under the Egypt-brokered deal, Israel agreed to exchange a total of 1,027 prisoners for Sgt. Gilad Schalit, who was captured by Gaza militants in June 2006. Schalit returned home in October when Israel freed the first batch of 477 prisoners. Sunday's release of 550 prisoners completed the swap.

"Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not: Do you not fear Me?’ says the Lord. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence... Jeremiah 5

As Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu wishes Christians in Israel and around the world a Merry Christmas - let us remember to:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever.  Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48

The Muslim world has clearly demonstrated their extremist nature of dealing with conflict by working itself into a frenzy over an Israeli decision to either repair or replace a bridge to Jerusalem's Temple Mount that wasn't even used by Muslims.

While Muslims have several other Temple Mount entrances at their disposal, the Rambam Bridge, also known as the Mughrabi Bridge, adjacent to the Western Wall Plaza was the only entrance to the holy site for both Jews and tourists.

Muslims across the region accused Israel of waging a holy war against Islam. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) asserted that Israel's plans for the bridge "constitute a war crime according to international humanitarian law."

"Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance." Psalm 83

In an interview with The Jewish Channel, former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich, stated that the entire basis of the Israeli-Arab conflict is off because the Palestinians are an "invented people."

"Remember, there was no Palestine as a state – (it was) part of the Ottoman Empire. I think we have an invented Palestinian people who are in fact Arabs and historically part of the Arab community and they had the chance to go many places," Gingrich said.

Gingrich did qualify his remarks earlier by explaining that he is in favor of a two-state solution to the current conflict, but stressed that it is the Palestinians who must prove they really want peace and compromise on their demands in order to achieve it.

"And now many nations have been assembled against you who say, 'Let her be polluted, and let our eyes gloat over Zion'. But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, and they do not understand His purpose...He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor." Micah 4

Barack Hussein Obama has disrespected the Jewish high holiday of Hanukkah by lighting all the candles on the menorah, having a Hanukkah party at the White House some 12 days early, and poking fun at the entire event by saying;

"So while it is not yet Hanukkah, let's give thanks for our blessings, for being together to celebrate this wonderful holiday season. And we never need an excuse for a good party."

There has never been a report where this president has mocked the Islamic holiday of Ramadan. In fact, he has always marked that false religion' holiday with serious respect.

As to Christianity, and Judaism, his record speaks for itself.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

Just days after a report indicated that Iran's Revolutionary Guards were preparing for war, air raid sirens blared in Jerusalem and across northern Israel in a test of the warning system.

Soldiers with the Home Front Command continued a week-long exercise in southern Israel simulating long-range missile attacks on hospitals, schools and other public buildings where mass casualties would be expected.

"... the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

"I trust in You, O Lord.... My times are in Your hand." Psalm 31:14-15

American Defense Secretary Leon Panetta suggested that all of Israel's problems can be traced back to its own behavior.

"Just get to the damn [negotiating] table," Panetta told Israel during a briefing at the Brookings Institute. Panetta insisted that Israel needs to be more flexible in order to "reach out and mend fences" with the Arabs, or risk facing even greater isolation.

"...know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!


"...Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned...." 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 12-14

Thus says the Lord God: "This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her." Ezekiel 5:5

The results of the election in Egypt were an astounding victory for the Muslim Brotherhood. The initial count shows the Muslim Brotherhood taking 45% of the seats in Egypt's parliament and the even more radical Salafist Muslims taking another 20%. The Washington Post reports that "Tunisia and Morocco have both elected Islamist majorities to parliament, while Libya has yet to announce dates for its first elections, Islamist groups have emerged as a strong force there as well.

It would appear our G-D is indeed aligning the nations to come against His Chosen people...

but He who has promised IS faithful:

"On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves." Zechariah 12:3