As we begin this new day, may the Lord bless your steps and steady your heart in His presence. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to carry it on to completion. Each moment of discipline is a step into His grace, and every act of devotion draws you deeper into His love. May you walk today with confidence that God is shaping you, guiding you, and preparing you for what lies ahead.
Here is a preview of today’s devotions, designed to nourish your spirit and guide your walk with Christ:
Fulfilled in Christ – As the Day Begins
Jesus reminds us that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, inviting us to see God’s Word as both eternal and complete in Him.
When Sight Becomes Life – A Day in the Life of Jesus
The story of the man born blind shows us how faith grows into worship as our eyes are opened to see Jesus more clearly.
When We Refuse to Listen – Thru the Bible in a Year
Jeremiah 42–44 warns us of the danger of seeking God’s will while holding on to our own plans, calling us to obedience even when it is hard.
When Worship Changes Everything – DID YOU KNOW
Worship is our thank-you that cannot be silenced, reminding us that true security and joy come when our hearts are set on God alone.
Every Word Still Matters – As the Day Ends
As night falls, we rest in the assurance that every part of God’s Word remains and is fulfilled in Christ, giving us peace for today and hope for tomorrow.
May each of these reflections lead you closer to Christ and strengthen your journey of faith. Walk today with expectation, knowing that God is near.
Pastor Hogg
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Lebanon News: The Radical Change in the Balance of Power in the Middle East consequent to the Oct7th Abomination War.
Lebanon has begun disarming non-state armed groups, specifically starting with Palestinian factions in camps such as Burj al-Barajneh, as part of a broader push to ensure weapons are held only by six official state security agencies. Additionally, Lebanon’s cabinet has approved the objectives of a U.S.-backed plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025, tasking the army to oversee this transition.
In response, Hezbollah has outright rejected the plan, with its deputy leader Naim Kassem denouncing it as serving Israeli interests and warning against its implementation. Lebanon’s president has strongly rebuffed Iranian interference, emphasizing national sovereignty and rejecting foreign meddling—remarks delivered during a meeting with a senior Iranian official. Reports also indicate that Iran appears anxious about the implications of Hezbollah’s potential disarmament, viewing it as a major strategic setback to its regional influence.
UNIFIL continues to operate across southern Lebanon, with its current mandate extended through August 31, 2025. The Security Council is debating a new resolution that not only aims to extend the mission, but also signals an eventual withdrawal of UNIFIL—contingent on the Lebanese government achieving full control over its territory and so long as a comprehensive political solution is in place.
UNIFIL has experienced dangerous incidents in recent years: Israeli tanks forcibly entering UN positions, multiple attacks on watchtowers, and injuring or endangering peacekeepers. Locally, some communities have pushed back against UNIFIL patrols, especially when they occur without Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) accompaniment, fueling tensions.
A tragic incident on August 9, 2025, killed six Lebanese soldiers during munitions dismantling at a Hezbollah-linked depot, underscoring the persistent danger in the area. Its future beyond August hinges on Security Council deliberations and Lebanon’s ability to assume full security responsibilities.
Despite a legislative ban by Israel that came into effect on January 30, 2025, targeting UNRWA’s operations in Israeli territory including East Jerusalem, UNRWA continues to provide essential aid in Gaza, the West Bank, and among refugee camps across the region. The agency has lost access to its Jerusalem headquarters, and many of its international staff have been forced to leave; yet, local staff remain on the ground delivering services under increasingly hostile conditions.
Israel’s ban and accusations of UNRWA’s alleged ties to Hamas (including dismissals of some staff) have had far-reaching effects—diplomatic, legal, and operational. The agency remains under scrutiny, including court cases in the U.S. Still delivering critical services across Gaza and the West Bank, despite bans and evacuation of international staff.
Moshe, thank you for laying this out with such clarity. I can see more clearly now how, in your view, the Torah’s covenantal framework is not only the key to Israel’s past but also the lens through which to interpret its present struggles and even its politics. The way you connect Sanhedrin legislative review, prophecy as moral policing, and the current regional shifts gives me a stronger sense of the consistency you are defending.
As an outsider trying to understand, I do have questions—not to dispute, but to explore:
If Sanhedrin legislative review represents the highest form of covenantal justice, how would you imagine it applying today in conflicts not only within Israel, but between Israel and non-Jewish nations?
You describe prophecy as mussar, timeless rebuke. Can nations outside Israel ever receive or benefit from that kind of prophetic mussar—or is it something only Jews can experience?
In light of the Lebanon situation you described, how do you see covenant law shaping Israel’s relationship with neighbors whose political systems are rooted in entirely different traditions?
I am grateful for the way you set these things down. They give me much to reflect on. And though you may not wish to, I would welcome any questions you might have for me as well.
Such a beautiful reminder to start the day! 🙏 These thoughts remind us that discipline is a step closer to God’s love and guidance. Every reflection brings us closer to deeper trust and faith. Thanks for the inspiration! 🌟