June 7-Israel

June 7. 

Today, we are headed to Jordan to visit Petra in the land of Ruth. 


Yesterday, I stood at the top of Mt Carmel—the site where Elijah prayed for God to consume his wet sacrifice. And as I looked down that mountain, it was bigger than I’d imagined. So the thought of Elijah sitting up there waiting for the rain, and then when it came, running down that steep slope fast enough in the hard rain to outrun the chariot of Ahab, is amazing! Only God. 


“And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.”

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:45-46‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Last night, after dark, we went for a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. It was perhaps the most significant moment to date. There was just something about being on those waters and looking at the dark waves, Jesus walking on those water became very real. 


“After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! ” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:23-28‬ ‭NLT‬‬


How many times I. Our lives have we been in trouble and Jesus says “I am here!” And we respond “Lord if it’s really you...” How Great is our God? 


The thing that maybe has struck me is that the Sea of Galilee is really a lake (and not a huge one) and Jesus’ ministry was 80% around less than a 1/4 of it. It’s a small little area where He spent his 3 years teaching, yet He prepared men to carry this gospel to the ends of the earth. 


Lord Jesus, you chose the very place to minister before you were born. How amazing that in only 3 years, in such a small area you were able to effect the whole word. Thank you Lord for your sacrifice. How great you are! We praise and honor you Lord, for saving us and giving us new life. We ask for your protection today - Surround us Jesus. We pray for healing for those we love who are sick and hurting and ask for the comfort that only you can give. Praise you Jesus, for you are the Alpha and the Omega. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 17, 2020

Happy Friday. It’s the end of another week and we have had more opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us and sometimes that takes quite a bit of effort. I don’t know about you, but I’m not always anxious to embrace others and really listen to them or share with them (especially those who I don’t know well). Sometimes, I just look at them and think “Are you for real?” I don’t always agree with people over politics, sports or of course, religion. And let’s face it, we’d rather spend time with people we like and mostly agree.  And then I read my Bible. God hasn’t called us to sit in our little groups with only those we naturally gravitate towards, but to love people—all people, even those who aren’t necessarily loveable. In this passage, Paul writing to the people of Colosse remarks on how wonderful it is that they truly love others. That love must have really been something over and above the normal and he tells them that it is evident that it comes from the Holy Sp
Read more

January 15, 2020

Happy Wednesday to you. I hope your week is going well. Yesterday, I went to Sams. I was out of things like trash bags, toilet paper, and chicken, so off I went. I like going to Sams because there is always lots to look at and the isles are nice and wide. Everytime I’m there, I am amazed at how much stuff and everything from diapers to TVs to mangos to beds. It just seems incredible that so many things in such quantities are all under one roof.  King David never saw a store with as much stuff aa Sams of course, but he did see countless miracles and understand that God has plans. He knew from creation and history that he was serving a God of miracles and he know that God loved him and his people and would take care of them. He was amazed and awe-struck by the fact that a God who had done such great and mighty things not only cared about his people but that He loved them with such a great love.  “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can co
Read more

January 9, 2020

It’s Thursday and I woke up to the blowing wind! Lots of it—I’m dreading Boomer waking up and having to go outside with him. That harsh, bitter wind seems cruel and almost evil. But I’ll wrap myself up with a fe layers and boots and brave it all.  Sometimes I think we try to do that with things we know aren’t right—things that are evil. We try to wrap ourselves up and just wade into it, but Paul tells us we should reject it—stay away from it. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-24‬ NIV When he wrote this he’d been in Berea and the Christians there diligently searched the scriptures to make sure everything Paul said was in line. Paul here is encouraging the Thessalonians to
Read more