Wednesday, December 30, 2009

BREAKING FREE TO LIVE THE PROMISE, GALATIANS 4:21-31

The old year, 2009 is quickly winding down and the new year is very quickly coming upon us. I am sure that all of us have things that we would like to break free of in the new year.  I don’t just want to break free of things I want to live the promise.  Today’s portion of Paul’s letter to the Galatians gives us some inspiration and encouragement to do just that.
Paul is visiting the law verses the gospel topic yet one more time.  He uses the births of Abraham’s children Isaac and Ishmael to reinforce that the gospel is the source of life.  Abraham’s one son was born to Hagar Sarah’s bond servant, slave woman.  He was born in the ordinary way. This made her son, Ishmael, a slave.  Abraham’s second son, Isaac, was born to Sarah, the free woman.  He was born by the power of the Spirit in Sarah’s old age.  He was the son of promise.  He was a free man.  Paul told them that the Scripture says to get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.  Paul said to the Galatians in verse 31 “Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.”
The challenge before us is to break free and live the promise.  We are ready to break free from the old year.  I ask Is there pain, sorrow, grief, challenges that have a hold on you?  Are there places that 2009 has you in bondage?  We could use the analogy that 09 is an old covenant.  Break free of the bondage that it may have brought you.  Let’s break free from the slave woman, the grip that 2009 has on us and live the promise.  As believers in Jesus Christ, children of God, children of promise.
My challenge to you today as we come to the end of 2009 and enter into 2010 is to break free from any bondage that 09 brought to you and live the life of promise that comes from God to you in 2010.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Time has fully come. Galatians 4:1-20

I have been conducting a series on Galatians with one of my build to points being Galatians 4:4-5.  We will begin the new year in Galatians 5 talking about living by the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit. Chapter 6 will be an encouragement to us to press on in the new year with the law of sowing and reaping.
I have to admit that I usually look at Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” simply in light of the birth of Jesus Christ.  But now looking at these verses in context with the message of Paul to the Galatians they have an even deeper meaning.
Paul is continuing to urge his readers to walk by faith in Jesus Christ and not follow the legal system nor the traditions of the Jewish believers who are still attached to the past. Their biggest requirement that Paul is refuting is circumcision.  Paul is using another means of explaining how faith in Christ overrides the legal system of the Old Testament. 
He paints the picture of a child heir stating that a child heir is no different from a slave.  The estate belongs to him yet he has no control over it.  The guardians and trustees have control of the estate until the time, the age set in place for the guardians to step aside and the heir has full control of his estate.   Paul says we were like that child heir.  We were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.  But the time set in place has come, “God sent His Son, born of woman, born under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the full rights of sons.”  We are no longer a slave but a son.  The Spirit of God is now in our hearts so we can call God Abba Father.
We have a one on one relationship with God through Jesus Christ so that we don’t need the guardianship of the law any longer.  Paul is perplexed as to why the Galatians are even considering going back to the old way.  He compares the pain that he has right now for the Galatians to the pain of childbirth.
My prayer for all as we enter the Christmas season is that we would take a hold of God’s Son to be the Lord and Savior of our lives.  

Friday, December 11, 2009

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PROMISED SEED, GALATIANS 3:15-29

Paul continues to emphasize to the Galatians  that we are justified by faith, that the righteous live by faith,  that is about trusting and not trying.   This is a part of his effort to combat the Jewish believers that came to Galatia teaching that obeying the law is a requirement to salvation.
In today’s verses Paul is saying that it is all about the promised seed of Abraham.   Paul emphasizes that the law came to show us the expectation of the Holy God, to put us into protective custody until the promise came, therefore leading us to Christ.  The law could be compared to an x ray machine that reveals the problem but is not the solution.  It has also been compared to a light that shows the dirt but it is not the broom that sweeps it up.   Therefore the law does not set aside the promise.  The promise has priority over the law.  The promise is the solution to the problem. 

The promised seed of Abraham is the key to our new life, our righteousness, our eternal inheritance, and so much more.  We are getting nearer to the celebration of the birth of that Promised seed.  I am so glad for that seed, Jesus Christ.  I am so thrilled to be an offspring of that seed who has done so much for me.   Thank you Lord for your Son.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

The righteous will live by faith Galatians 3:1-14

The statement the righteous will live by faith is a very beautiful and important statement.  It addresses the key to our righteousness, faith.  Paul is addressing the conflict between two alternate roads to righteousness, trusting and trying.  Trying is to act in a way that seems pure and Godly. Trusting puts our trust in a Savior who paid the price for sin.  Paul appeals to  their experience of faith in his effort to convince them to stay on the faith track. 
He asks, did you receive the Spirit By observing the law, trying,  or by believing what you heard, trusting.  He knows that they began in the Spirit.  They are now trying to reach the goal through human effort.  Paul further emphasizes his point by reminding them that their experience is in harmony with the Scriptures.  He shows them through Abraham their  experience is Scriptural.  In Galatians 3:6 Paul says Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.  Then in verse 7 Paul says  “Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.”  Paul is talking about a spiritual kinship to Abraham.  Those who believe are kin, children of Abraham.  He is not talking a physical action, trying, that makes one a kin to Abraham.  Listen to a very powerful verse 9.  “So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”
I came across a very applicable very applicable illustration.   “Consider the difference between a sailboat and a rowboat. In a spiritual rowboat the sailor is dependent upon human effort, In a spiritual sailboat the sails are raised in faith and the undying power of the wind of the spirit moves the boat--it is still entirely necessary that the boat move, but the power source of the sailboat is unquenchable.”
Let’s be men and women of faith who trust.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Galatians 2:11-21 Speaking The Truth In Love

Have you ever dwelt with a relationship issue and struggled to deal with it? This week’s message from Galatians records one of the best known conflicts in the early church and in it we see a model for how we should deal with controversy and end up with the good Christian fellowship that we talked about last week.

We begin with the source of the conflict. These verses bring out three factors that brought about this controversy. The first factor is fear. Paul records in verse 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.” Peter drew back from his close association with the Gentile believers because of fear. It was not fear of God but fear of men. The second factor is Hypocrisy. Peter would associate with the Gentile believers when the law keeping believers were not present. Peter would then pretend that He didn’t associate with the non-law-keeping gentile believers when the law-observant Jews came to visit. Hypocrisy, it’s hurtful to people, it discredits the cause of Christ, it causes struggles in relationships. The last factor in the conflict is legalism. The forcing of the Gentile believers to follow Jewish customs. When we try to force our customs on others we are causing conflict. Legalism is when I tell you that you must practice my custom.

Paul lays out the solution for us in these verses as well. The first part of the solution is confrontation. Paul confronts Peter in verse 11. “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.” Paul didn’t get on the phone nor did he whisper behind Peter’s back. Instead he went to Peter and said let’s talk about it. Many of us fear confrontation, but without it wounds fester.

Let’s bring the issues to the surface so we can deal with it. Another vital part of the solution is truth. Paul deals with the problem by reminding Peter of the Truth He already knows verses 15,16,21. Before you jump into confrontation, make sure you know the truth. When we confront error with truth we must do it according to the Scriptural admonition to speak the truth in Love. If we do this it will lead to the final step in the solution to conflict, Reconciliation. In II Peter 3:15,16 about the thoughts and feelings of Peter. At the end of his life Peter looks to Paul not as a rival but as a dear brother and he acknowledges Paul’s apostleship and the fact that Paul’s letters are in fact Holy Scripture. Confrontation with the truth, in a spirit of humility and prayer and love does not divide, it unites. If you have a relationship issue use this example that Paul gives us and resolve it. Resolving relationship issues will help each of us have a better Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The right hand of fellowship 2, Galatians 2:1-10

Finishing our conversation about the 7 keys to solid Christian fellowship from Galatians 2
Unity, Vs. 6b The leads of the church in Jerusalem added nothing to Paul’s message. There was a unity between Paul & Barnabas and the leaders in Jerusalem. Unity among believers is very important. Unity among Christian leaders is so valuable. We will watch this unity play out in the next several keys to good solid Christian fellowship.

Responsibility, vs. 7,8 Everyone there in Jerusalem knew and accepted their responsibility. They saw that God had called Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. They knew that God was working in and through his life. Just like they saw that God had sent Peter to take the Gospel to the Jews. They knew that God was working in Peter. This observation of Peter and Paul both taking the Gospel to their respective groups shows the unity, the distribution, and the acceptance of responsibility.

Congeniality, vs. 9 Peter, James, and John gave to Barnabas and Paul the right hand of fellowship. Paul is saying that he not estranged from the apostles in Jerusalem but that he has a friendship with them. He not only has a friendship with them he says we have shaken in agreement. They have sanctioned our ministry. Sometimes we can be all of the above and not very congenial. Congeniality is a picture is one of genuine warmth. We don’t just tolerate one another in the church, the basis of our Christian Fellowship is the love of Christ. We let the Lord love others through us, even when it’s hard to generate that love on our own.

Charity, vs. 10 Paul says that the leaders in Jerusalem didn’t add any additional requirements. Paul says there was one request. The request was that we should continue to remember the poor. Paul said that I had already planned to do that. The poor referenced here is the poor in Jerusalem.

Paul said I received the right hand of fellowship in Jerusalem. I learned some great keys to that fellowship. I want you to know, accept, and live by these keys and experience the great fellowship in Christ. Review these keys with me. Humility, Diversity, Loyalty, Unity, Responsibility, Congeniality, and Charity. These keys will play a solid role in making your Christian fellowship great.

Monday, November 16, 2009

The right hand of fellowship, Galatians 2:1-10

Galatians 2 begins with Paul telling the Galatians about a visit that he made to Jerusalem. This visit was to meet with some of the apostles, leaders of the church there. We read in verse 9, “James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.” Good solid Christian fellowship is so valuable and extremely beautiful. I have come across 7 keys to good solid Christian fellowship in these verses.

Humility, Vs. 1,2 Paul is telling the Galatians about his second visit to Jerusalem which happened to be 14 years after his first visit. We see his humility expressed in verse 2, “I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.” When Paul uses the phrase “for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain” he was saying I wanted to be sure that I was getting it right. It takes humility to do an evaluation of yourself.

Diversity, vs. 3 This diversity involves Titus who Paul had taken along with him to Jerusalem. Titus was an uncircumcised Greek. His being with Paul gave to them a personal example of the effects of his ministry to the Gentiles. Titus this uncircumcised Gentile was not compelled to be circumcised. Diversity does not mean compromise. There are black areas. There can be little diversity in the black areas. There are white areas. There can be diversity in how you and I move in the white areas. There are gray areas. The greatest diversity lies in those gray areas. Diversity is a part of the path that solid Christian fellowship walks on.

Loyalty, vs. 4,5 There were Judaizers who came in the form of false brothers and infiltrated the ranks in the churches in Galatia. They concealed their real motives. and their hidden addenda. They gained access to the church. They were spying on the freedom that we had in Christ. They were sneaking around seeing what they could learn. Paul makes a bold statement that they wanted to take our freedoms away and make us slaves. They saw that we weren’t obeying the law and the traditions of men so they wanted to put us back under that bondage. “We did not give in to them for one moment” vs. 5. Paul is saying that we remained loyal to the Gospel. We want the truth of the gospel to remain with you.

We will visit the other 4 keys tomorrow. Remember that Humility, Diversity, and Loyalty are vital keys to good solid Christian fellowship.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Galatians 1:12-24, Called By God

Have you ever had to make a bold, a strong, or a difficult statement? Many time we have a tendency to make known our authority to make that statement before we even make it. I have been appointed the foreman on this job. I’m the one who takes the heat if things don’t go right around here. Paul has made a bold statement already and he gets even bolder here in Galatians so he seems to be qualifying his authority.

There are three things that stand out in these verses. Paul is called by God to preach the Gospel to the Gentles.

Paul is called by God. He is saying, I want to make known to you with certainty, I want to make it clear that the gospel I preach is not man made. It is good news from God and not bad news from man. He adds, I had a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. Paul had a personal encounter with Jesus. We have a tendency to listen a whole lot more to men than we do to God. It needs to be the opposite way around. We need, must listen to God.

Paul is called by God to preach the gospel. Paul became a different man. He went from persecutor to preacher almost immediately. He hated the Gospel, the good news that men were announcing about Jesus. He was a murderer for the sake of Judaism. God set Paul apart, called him even from birth, to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Paul is called by God to preach the gospel to the Gentles. Paul says in verses 15, 16 “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16. to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,” Paul was saved to serve. He was called to preach Him. Paul was not called to preach a message to the Gentiles he was called to preach a man, a Savior, Jesus Christ.

We have been called by God…to go. We have been promised the power to carry out the call.
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.
Matthew 28:19,20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Galatians 1:1-11, No Other Gospel

Paul begins Galatians with his salutation. It contains the three customary elements found at the beginning of an ancient letter, the announcement of the writer, the designation of the readers, and the salutation itself.

Paul expands his announcement of himself as the writer. He says I am not an apostle of man, but of Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. Paul seems to include the brothers that are with him as a part of his writing team. The designation of the readers, to the churches of Galatia, and the salutation itself seem quite basic and straight forward.

Paul adds to his salutation an even longer description of the work of Jesus in verse 4. “who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father”. He concludes his salutation with his doxology, “To Him be glory forever and forever“.

It is here that Paul’s opening takes a much different turn than in many of his other letters. His openings are typically very positive. You can read examples of positive openings in Romans 1, I Corinthians 1, Ephesians 1, and Philippians 1 to name a few. He cuts to the heart of the matter very quickly. I am astonished that you are letting yourselves get pulled away from the gospel that you have heard and accepted. You are quickly deserting the one who has called you. You are turning to a different gospel.

Paul speaks of the severity of preaching another gospel. Presenting a hypothetical case he says, “If we or an angel would preach to you another gospel than the one we preached that one would be eternally condemned. The curse of God would be on the one preaching the other gospel. Paul practically repeats verse 8 in verse 9. I know what I am saying. I mean what I am saying.
Paul understands that he is not making friends with or gaining the approval of man. That is not his desire. His desire is the approval of God because he is a servant of Christ.

We live in a world today that presents many gospels. There is only one gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us accept the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and live by the Spirit.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Sermon series on Galatians

I began a new series of messages through the book of Galatians yesterday at the church. I am going to use my blog to highlight each weeks message for those not able to be in the service and for those who would like to have some of the information that I shared in print.

My goal is to build into chapter 4 during the Christmas season. The birth of Christ is spoken of in verses 4-6. “4.But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5. to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

My prayer is that chapters 5 & 6 will be an inspiration to all as we begin the new year. They focus on living by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, and the law of sowing and reaping.

I am combining Galatians 4:6 with Galatians 5:16a for our series theme. “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts;… so I say live by the Spirit.” It is beautiful to know that we are children of God, that His Holy Spirit lives in our hearts. It is very important that we seek to live by the Spirit.

I will recap Sunday’s message tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Are we in a position to listen?

I want to make a second visit to Joppa today. Peter is at the center of this visit. As we talk about Peter in Joppa I want to ask us the question are we in a position to listen.


We begin in Acts 9:32 with Peter traveling and visiting the saints. He is visiting the saints in Lydda. He says Jesus Christ heals you to a paralytic. Tabitha, a disciple in Joppa becomes sick and dies. When the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda they sent for him to come immediately. Peter listened to their request and went to Joppa at once. A great miracle took place. Peter stays in Joppa for some time at the house of Simon the tanner.

While Peter is staying in Joppa a man named Cornelius in Caesarea heard from God. Send to Joppa and bring back a man named Peter who is staying with Simon the tanner in a house by the sea. The next day as Cornelius’ men are preparing to enter Joppa Peter goes on the roof top of the house he is staying at to pray. It is about lunch time and Peter is starting to get hungry. He sees an amazing vision that confuses him. While he is thinking about this vision the men sent by Cornelius knock on the door of Simon the tanner looking for Peter. These men said Peter God spoke to Cornelius and told him to send for you. That was not allowed to happen because Peter was a Jew and Cornelius was a Gentile. However Peter was in a position to listen and the vision on the roof top spoke to him that God wanted him to go. Great things happened in that household when Peter arrived and spoke the Word to them. Peter’s visit with Cornelius is recorded in Acts 10.

Very simply there was a whole lot of listening going on in these verses bringing Peter to Joppa and taking Peter from Joppa to the house of Cornelius. Great things took place because of this listening.

Are you in a position to listen? Let’s have ears to hear and place ourselves in a position to listen. When we do great things will happen. Listen and be blessed.

Monday, September 28, 2009

A Visit To Joppa

I visited Joppa in our messages yesterday at the church in Hollentown. I would like to share those visits with you today and tomorrow. The current name of that city is Jaffa. We enjoyed our visit there. The look out across the sea was beautiful. Joppa was a very important port and station on the ancient trade route of “Via Maris” which connected Egypt with Mesopotamia and the north.


Let’s talk about some activity that took place in the Old Testament at this sea port. We read in II Chronicles 2:1-18 that Solomon, who has taken over as king in place of his father David is preparing to build the Temple. Solomon sends a message to Hiram King of Tyre asking him to send cedar logs for him to use to build the temple. King Hiram replied “we will cut all the logs from Lebanon that you need and will float them in rafts by sea down to Joppa. You can take them up to Jerusalem.” (Vs. 16) Similar events happened in Ezra 3:1-13 with the rebuilding of the Temple after Israel‘s captivity. Verse 7 says “Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and gave food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, so that they would bring cedar logs by sea from Lebanon to Joppa, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia.”

I want to move to Jonah 1:1-17 and reflect on that seaport activity in Joppa. Jonah was given a command from the Lord to go to Nineveh and preach against that wicked city. He choose to go to Joppa, buy a ticket, and board a boat for Tarshish instead of obeying the Lord. That was not a good move. We know the story about the big storm and the big fish.

I am going to draw a conclusion that Joppa became a good point of entry and a bad point of escape. I like the picture of those logs for the building of the Temple, floating into Joppa on the rafts. I don’t like the picture of Jonah getting on a boat in Joppa and sailing away from the will of God.

My question to us is this. Are we going to take the wisdom and knowledge that God gives us, like he gave to Solomon, and use Joppa as a good point of entry to build the Temple? Or are we going to reject the plan of God like Jonah and use Joppa as a bad point of escape? My challenge is this. I don’t want to see any boats leaving Joppa for Tarshish but I want to see rafts with cedars on to build the Temple floating into Joppa.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Processing Holy Land Tour - 3

We visited many churches on our tour of the Holy Land. There was the church at the Shepherds field, the church of the Nativity, the tear drop church, the church of the Holy Sepulcher, and St. Anne church to name a few. Some were very old and dark, others were very beautiful. Some had great acoustics and some were decorated with amazing painting and pictures. All of them commemorated a place or a time in the life and ministry of Jesus or an event in the Word.

Many of these churches are full of religion and religious activities. I saw many people who were very attached to religious practices. I saw the kissing of stones, pictures, and icons as well as many lit candles.

I appreciated seeing the churches, their great architecture, and the many furnishings. However my heart was not stirred by these places built by man, nor was my heart stirred by the religious practices of many. My heart was stirred by the reality that the Word of God had come alive in the person and work of Jesus Christ in this area, near to these places. I was reminded once more that it is not about religion but it is about a relationship. Not just any relationship but a relationship with Jesus Christ. I pray that you have a relationship with the Lord and that you are constantly working on making that relationship better.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Processing Holy Land Tour-2

It was amazing what we saw, where we walked, what we observed, and what we heard. We visited many churches and saw many ruins of ancient cities, buildings and the like.

As I continue to process this trip in my mind and heart I am reminded of two words that we heard quite often by our guide on our tour “tradition says”. Let me give you a couple of examples of where we heard those words. We were leaving the Mount of Olives for Jerusalem and we stopped at a garden and church complex. That was what they called the teardrop church. Tradition says this is where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. We traveled on to Gethsemane. There is a large garden of stately old olive trees. A beautiful church was erected in this garden. This church was built around a large rock in the back corner where tradition says that Jesus knelt and prayed at the rock asking the Father to remove this cup of suffering from Him. There were numerous other places where we heard those two words.

Do those words add to or take away from what we saw? They don’t add to because they reveal the uncertainty that this is the exact place where Jesus said this or prayed that. Neither do they take away from the experience. We were certainly in the land and the area and did not have to be at the exact spot to reflect on these many events in the life and ministry of our Savior Jesus Christ. Being so close just made the Scriptures that we read come alive all the more. I did not expect nor desire tradition to come alive but I did expect and desire the Scriptures to come alive. Let the Word of God be alive in you today and always.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Processing Trip To Israel-1

I have appreciated getting some good rest the past two nights after a long journey back across the ocean. I am going to process what I saw, heard, and experienced over the next few days. My goal is to share some of that processing with you on this blog.
We walked in many places, many areas where Jesus walked. That was a very beautiful and powerful experience. My desire is to do more than walk where Jesus walked but to walk in the footsteps of Jesus everyday of my life. That thought brings to mind the words of the hymn Stepping In The Light.

Let the words of that song speak to your heart as you read through it.

Chorus 1
How beautiful to walk
In the steps of the Savior
Stepping in the light
Stepping in the light
How beautiful to walk
In the steps of the Savior
Led in paths of light

Verse 1
Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior
Trying to follow our Savior and King
Shaping our lives by His blessed Example
Happy how happy the songs that we bring

Verse 2
Pressing more closely to Him Who is leading
When we are tempted to turn from the way
Trusting the Arm that is strong to defend us
Happy how happy our praises each day

Verse 3
Walking in footsteps of gentle Forbearance
Footsteps of Faithfulness Mercy and Love
Looking to Him for the Grace freely promised
Happy how happy our journey above

Verse 4
Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior
Upward still upward we'll follow our Guide
When we shall see Him the King in His Beauty
Happy how happy our place at His Side

Read these two beautiful Scriptures that connect so well this hymn.
I Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Psalms 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.
Peter challenges us to follow our Master’s steps and the Psalmist says blessed are those who walk in the light of our Lord’s presence. Let’s do that today and always.

COMMENTS WELCOME

Friday, September 11, 2009

Wailing Wall and Garden Tomb

Day 8 began a little later than most days. We left the hotel at 9:00 am We traveled to the city of David visiting the Gihon Spring and the pool of Siloam where Jesus healed the man born blind by spitting on the ground, making mud, and putting it on the eyes of the blind man. He sent the man to the pool to wash. He was healed. We toured some ruins there and I bought a special souvenir for me, an oil lamp found in the ruins from Jesus day. We traveled a little further to the Temple mount and visited the wailing wall. That was a very interesting experience. There were a number of Bar Mitzah's going on in the area at at the wailing wall. That was very interesting to see. I prayed a short time at the wall for the peace of Jerusalem, that the eyes of the blinded would be open to see Jesus. I also prayed for the coming of the Lord. We visited the old city. Had lunch there and spent some time in the shops.


Our last stop on tour today was the garden tomb. It was a very beautiful quiet place. Our guide there shared with us the story of the Crucifixion. This could have been the place of the skull. They showed us an empty tomb on that sight. That was very interesting. The most powerful part of that visit was a private communion service in the garden. The presence of the Lord was so strong. The presence of God has been so real so much of this trip.

We visited another one of Julie's close friends. We had desert there before we came to the hotel for dinner. We enjoyed dinner and called it a day.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Continuing on

We did a lot of traveling today.  We left Nazareth for the Golan Heights area.  We visited Caesarea Philippi looking at some of the ruins of the city reading about our Lord's ministry there.  We went up to the Hermon springs.  It is one of the three springs that feeds the Jordan river its water.  There were some ruins from the mythology time period there. 
We drove into the Jezreel valley and up to Megiddo.  There is where we believe that Armegeddon will take place.  What a massive valley you see before you from Megiddo. We viewed some ruins from King Solomon's time.  We ended our tour there decending into the cave to see the water system set up to supply water for that ancient city.  Water is such an important part of Life. 
I have drank a lot of water this week.  It is very refreshing in the hot sunshine.  I am also being refreshed and renewed at the Springs of Living Water.  True satisfaction for the soul comes when we drink at the Springs of Living Water.  Take a drink today and be refreshed.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

An amazing day

We visited numerous sights in the Galilee area. This was one of the most powerful days of our trip. Our first stop was the Annunciation church in Nazareth built to commemorate the angels announcement to Mary that she was going to give birth to a son our Savior, Jesus Christ. After boarding the bus we proceeded to the mount of the Beatitudes. Again there was a beautiful church built and gardens to commemorate the sermon on the mount and the beatitudes. We sat in the grove and read from Matthew 5 and prayed. We visited the church of multiplication in the area where Jesus fed the 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish. We found a quiet spot and read that great miracle. It was time for lunch at St Peter’s restaurant by the

Sea of Galilee. Our deep fried fish came to us head and all. It was very good tasting but there wasn’t much fish on them bon es.

It was time for perhaps the best part of the day. We boarded a boat, our group alone on the boat and headed across the Sea of Galilee. What a powerful time it was as we sang, read Scriptures and prayed. Let me just say the Spirit fell on that boat and our guide said that he had never seen such a powerful Spiritual experience in any of the groups he had ever taken. Before we left the sea we took our shoes off and walked in the sea for a bit. No none of us walked on the water. Our Lord spent much time in and around the sea.

Our last stop of the day wasn’t any less blessed. We visited the Jordan river stepping in the water that our Lord was baptized in by John The Baptist. We watched many being baptized. It was a great time to reflect.

The Holy Spirit certainly descended on us today. What a great blessing it is to walk in the power and blessing of the Spirit. Walk in the Spirit today and allow him to calm the storms that you may be facing in life today.

Monday, September 7, 2009

A Journey North

We checked out of our hotel in Bethlehem this morning and will return to the hotel there on Wednesday evening. We began a journey north along the coastal plains and along the Mediterranean Sea. We stopped at many interesting places.

Our first stop was Jaffa, the Biblical city of Joppa. It was a beautiful picture out across the sea. We reflected on Peter raising Tabitha from the dead as well as Peter’s vision while at the house of Simon the tanner in Joppa by the sea. That vision opened the door of his heart to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Our next stop was Caesarea Martima where Herod the great had built a palace, and fortress by the Sea. We walked along the sea and saw the ruins of this massive complex.



We visited Mount Carmel where we had lunch at a small shop. We reflected on the prophet Elijah’s fleeing to the cave from Jezebel and Ahab. We visited a church built onto a cave on Mount Carmel that tradition says was the cave that Elijah hid in. We looked from the top of Mount Carmel over the city of Haifa again out into the sea. That was a breath taking view.

We finished our journey for the day into Nazareth for our stay at the Hamayan Hotel. We checked into our rooms, had dinner, and spent some down time chatting and relaxing.

My reflection today is on the refreshing and the strength for the journey that God provided for the prophet Elijah while hiding out in that cave. Don’t let the battles you face wear you down. Daily allow the Lord to refresh and strengthen you.

What a beautiful Lord's Day

Our day began a little latter than most days. We had a leisure breakfast then went to church at 11:00 AM in Ben Jalla, the church that Julie attended most of the time that she lived here. That was a very precious and powerful experience worshiping with this small group of Palestine believers. I had an opportunity to great the church and share briefly with them. The political situation between Israel and Palestine makes life so very hard for these believers. Pray for these brothers and sisters in Christ. We enjoyed dinner with them at a local restaurant. Our worshipping with them touched their hearts because very few pilgrims worship with the local believers.

We spent the afternoon visiting Herodion, the remains of the palace of Herod the great on Herodion mountain. We also visited what they call Solomon’s pools. They have nothing to do with King Solomon but are a part of the water system.

This is a quick morning because we are leaving this area at 8:00 am for the Sea of Galilee area staying in Nazareth the next two nights.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Israel Trip Day 3

We had an amazing day for our first full day in Bethlehem. It was long and tiring but worth every step. We jumped in our bus and traveled about 6 miles to the Mount of Olives. We looked across the Kidron valley to the other hillside at the city of Jerusalem. What an amazing view. Then our journey began. We began our decent at an angle to the right. We stopped at the tear drop church commemorating the place where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. We read from Luke 19 about Jesus weeping about Jerusalem, and Revelation 21 about the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem. Proceeding down the hill we visited the Garden of Gethsemane, the garden grove where Jesus prayed Lord if it be possible let this cup pass from me. Walking onto the city of Jerusalem. We visited the pool of Bethesada. We walked the Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering stopping at all of the stations of the cross. visited Mount Calvary and the church of the Holy Sepulcher. We visited the upper room before we left Jerusalem.


We returned to our hotel, freshened up a bit then went and did a little shopping. Ate a late dinner at the hotel and called it a day.

I sense in my heart at so many of these sights much religion and tradition. Large church complexes have been built at so many of these sights. They are very old and very large but also hold so much tradition. I pray Lord let there be a relationship here with the one we are honoring at these places.

Today we are visiting the Palestinian church to worship with them. This is the church that Julie was a part of during her stay here in Bethlehem. It is small church but the people are so excited to be meeting us. Pray for me because I have been invited to share a brief thought, testimony with them. Psalms 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.”

Be blessed this Lord’s day.

Friday, September 4, 2009

A journey to the Holy Land days 1 &2

Wow! We are here.  We had a very long but safe and uneventful journey.  I didn't sleep much Wed. before we left and just a few minutes on the plane so I am about spent.  It is noon at home and 7:00 pm here.  We are about to have dinner here at the hotel then call it a day.  We have a very long day planned for tomorrow. 

My heart is so wide open to receive from the Lord on this trip. Julie our host encouraged us to ask God to open our hearts to what He desires to teach us.  My openness is from two sides.  I want to walk where Jesus walked and learn what the Lord desires to teach me.  It is going to be so amazing to see where so much of the Bible unfolded. My heart is open to the missions aspect of this trip as well. There is such a mission field in the Holy Land.   Our guide told us today that there is only 1.4 % of the Palestinians that are believers. What a mission field.  Where will my greatest inspiration come from walking where Jesus walked or seeing a whitened harvest field?  Lord Bless I pray.  

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Anticipation

All that I can say is that today is a day of anticipation. I will be taking care of a few small errands.  The majority of the day will be packing and checking lists.  Trusting God for a wonderful Bible Study tonight at the church with the folks who were so kind and generous to us by helping us with the cost of this trip. About 40 hours from now we will be landing in Tel Aviv, Israel.  Lord this amazing trip is in your hands.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Lord's Supper

I am still rejoicing because of the powerful presence of the Lord in our communion service yesterday. It is such a joy to celebrate the Lord’s Supper remembering the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for my sins. I am so glad that He was nailed to the cross for me, that He was willing to die that I might live.

Julie, our tour host has ask me to lead our group in communion when we visit the upper room. Wow! I am getting so excited to be a part of such an awesome experience. "I know He rescued my soul, His blood has covered my sin, I believe.... My Redeemer lives."

Monday, August 31, 2009

The Cart Before The Horse

Perhaps I got the cart before the horse. Before I blogged about the Holy Family Hotel and walking where Jesus walked in Israel I should have shared that my wife and I are blessed to be taking a trip to Israel. I was assuming that everyone who might read this would know that bit of information. There will be 10 of us leaving in 3 days for a 10 day tour. We are expecting to have a blessed time.


My jottings will likely take on the form of a journal over the next 2 weeks. I am looking forward to sharing thoughts and inspirations from this trip. My mind and heart is beginning to race with excitement.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Holy Family Hotel

We will be staying at the Holy Family Hotel in Bethlehem for the majority of our stay in Israel. That name stands out to me bringing back memories.


After I spoke at a Lenten lunch several years back I was approached by Father Tom one of my pastor friends in town who said that he never thought he would see the day that the Assembly Of God pastor spoke on the holy family. I quickly understood that he was talking about Mary, Joseph, and Jesus the earthly family of our Savior Jesus Christ. I spoke about Mary and Joseph taking their 12 year old son to the Passover. I briefly shared about their short coming in leaving Him behind sharing how important it is that we keep our eyes on Jesus.

I then realized the emphasis that he was placing on this entire family unit. I have deep love and respect for Mary and Joseph our Lord’s earthly parents but my heart belongs to Jesus. I believe that the greatest blessing of this trip will not be staying at the Holy Family Hotel but will be walking where Jesus walked.

Friday, August 28, 2009

It is time.

It is time to get with the program.  I have thought about and started to develop a blog last spring when I was transitioning to Hollentown.  I even set up an account, made a post or two, didn't really tell anyone I started a blog, then dropped the ball.  My goal is to be somewhat consistent in jotting down some brief, inspirational, encouraging, and thought provoking notes to share. 

My motto in life is the brief thought I am choosing to share today:  "Live & Love Like Jesus".