Miracles and Faith

I was watching a show on television that tried to explain the parting of the Red Sea when the Israelites were leaving Egypt. They did all these experiments to prove that a wind could have come and parted the Red Sea, just as told in the Bible, from a natural perspective. No, a miracle doesn't happen because some freak wind blows a certain way. The Red Sea parted for Moses because God said it was going to happen. Either believe it or don't... but don't try to explain it with a natural explanation.

In fact, I was reading Joshua chapters 3 & 4 today and noticed something. As the Israelites were crossing the Jordan to take the promised land, God did another miracle. God told the priests carrying the ark to go and put their feet in the waters of the Jordan. He told them that when they did that, the waters would stop flowing down the Jordan. The Jordan River would be "parted" just like the Red Sea was! Then the Israelites could all cross the river.

I don't think it was an accidental wind that caused this second "parting" to happen. In fact, it took a great act of faith. Just as Moses had to raise his staff for the Red Sea to be parted, the priests had to step into the Jordan for the waters to part. Wow! That's faith. Tell me this is not a miracle... the Bible says they all walked through this riverbed and it was DRY ground. I've never seen something covered with water that was not still wet when you removed the water. That was another miracle. Miracles can't be explained. They must be received by faith.

Faith always involves action. Faith is never just believing a set of facts but acting on them as well. What is God calling you to step out on faith about right now? It's time for you to step into the Jordan. God will do His part (be faithful) when we act on His promises by faith!

Focus, Focus, Focus

Joshua 1:7 (NASB95) says, “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go." 

The new leader Joshua was being taught by God on the way He needed to go to lead the Israelites. We must remember that Joshua was under the Old Covenant and therefore, was under obligation to the Law. Putting this verse in New Covenant terms would read something like this: "Be strong and very courageous; be careful to keep your focus on God, don't turn to the right or to the left..." 

My wife, Susan, and I were talking the other day at the dinner table. We noticed how our son, Jonathan, is very focused when you give him a plate of food that he really likes. It is hard to interrupt him when he is really enjoying his food. Focused.

God wants us to have that kind of focus on Him. Not interrupted by the sounds that try to get us to turn to the right or to the left. Not interrupted by the urgency of things that zap us of our energy to follow God. Just plain enjoying God throughout our day as we focus on Him. 

Israel - Day 9 - January 7, 2012

We started our day by going to Herodian. Herod basically took a mountain and added on to it to make it higher. This caused the city to be naturally protected. What a beautiful view. You can see the Dead Sea and the mountains pas it in Jordan. This site has some ruins from this time period.

Our next stop was the Israel Museum. One of the highlights is a scale model of the city of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. Also interesting was the display of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

We then popped by the Knesset building (Israel's Congress) for a look at their building.

Then it was on to lunch then the Garden Tomb. This site is almost assuredly not the spot of Jesus' tomb but is a great example of what Jesus' tomb probably looked like. The setting is very much what a garden in Israel would have looked like.

Next, on to the Valley of Elah. This is the place where David slew Goliah. You could see where the Philistines would have been on one side and the Israelites on the other. I got a stone from this valley to bring home. Maybe it's the one David used?

Last we went to supper in Joppa before heading to the airport. It has been a great sabbatical journey. I can't wait to get home!

Israel - Day 8 - January 6, 2012

We began at the Jerusalem overlook again today. Dr. Dukes shared the devotion today. We then proceeded to the location that is believed to have been where the Upper Room is located. There is strong evidence this was the right place.

Next, it was on to Peter at Gallicantu. This is the place where Peter denied Christ. It was also Caiaphas' palace. Jesus would have been tried and scourged there. We saw plausible locations where this could have occurred. Also we saw the actual road Jesus would have walked down after His trial.

Our next site was En Harim. This is where Elizabeth and Zechariah lived and John the Baptist would have been born.

We then proceeded to Nabi Samuel, the purported place of the tomb of Samuel. This is probably not true... but, it is the site of the ancient city of Mizpah. Mizpah is an ancient city from the time of the Judges. The view from the top of this mountain is spectacular.

Finally, we went to Mt. Scopes. It has an unbelievable view of the desert, Dead Sea, and even the mountains in Jordan. Another great day and it's back to the hotel.

Israel - Day 7 - January 5, 2012

We began othe day, once again, at the Jersusalem Overlook. Next, it was on to the old city and inside the walls through the Lion's Gate. We then proceeded to the Pool of Bethesda. I shared a devotional at the site... One of the highlights of my trip.

From there we went to the Temple Mount. This is under Muslim control. You can see the place that the Temple stood from the time of Soloman. The Dome of the Rock is an impressive Muslim structure from 617AD. I'm sure the archeological remains there, if we were allowed to dig, would be substantial.

Off to lunch at the Aroma coffee shop. Aroma is like Starbucks with better food. Afterward, we spent the afternoon at the Holocost Mueseum. This was a powerful, heavy afternoon trip remembering the Jews who were slaughtered through Hitler's regime.

Back to the hotel... I'm so tired... but it's a good tired!

Israel - Day 6 - January 4, 2012

We began the day by going to an overlook of the city of Jerusalem. This place had a beautiful view of the city the enabled our guide, Gila, to share where everything is in the city.

We then went to the top of the Mount of Olives where several people rode a camel (not me). We proceeded to walk down the Mount of Olives on the path that would have been Jesus' triumphal entry route into Jerusalem.

We stopped at Dominus Flavus, the place of tears, then went to the Garden of Gethsemane. I could imagine Jesus sweating drops of blood during His last hours.

We then went into the old city through the Damascus Gate. We went through the Moslem quarter of the city. There were many sights, sounds, and smells.

We did some shopping then proceeded into the Church of the Holy Seplucare, where both Calvary nod the empty tomb are located. It was really awesome to touch the stone that they believe held Jesus' body... Until the resurrection!

After lunch and more shopping, we went to a Jewish shop owner's store. He teaches at a Jewish seminary and we were able to have a discussion with him about our faiths.

Then we went to the Western Wll (wailing wall). So many people trusting in a place to help instead of just trusting God. Very interesting. We were able to go under the Western Wall to see some of the wall as it was at the time of Christ. After an exhausting day, we were able to come back to our hotel and crash. What a day!

Israel - Day 5 - January 3, 2012

We started the day leaving the Sea of Gallilee. We went to Mt. Carmel where Elijah Took down the prophets of Baal. I have a pic on FB of me withe the statue of Elijah in the background. You can see an unbelievable view from the top of Mt. Carmel. You can see how Elijah would have been able to see the clouds coming from the Mediterranean.

Next it was on to Ceasarea Maritima. This was a large port city on the Mediterranean Sea. This was the birthplace of Gentile Christianity. Cornelius from the book of Acts was the first Gentile convert here. Paul was imprisioned here for two while waiting to go to Rome. I walked down the steps that Paul would have walked down to go to a boat to go to Rome.

Finally, we headed toward Jersualem. Our next stop was a few miles south of Jersualem, Bethlehem. We went to the Church of the Nativity and saw the place where Jesus was born.

Finally, it was on to the hotel where we will be staying in Jersualem.

Israel - Day 4 - January 2, 2012

After a walk and breakfast, we began our day by driving to an overlook of the city of Nazereth. The old city of Nazareth was nothing to behold. There are no ruins or anything like that to look at.
But the view from this overlook was spectacular of the Jezreel Valley.

Our next stop was the nearby city of Sepphoris. Jesus probably came to this city with his father when he was a young man to do carpentry work. Sepphoris is not mentioned in the Bible, which is surprising, because it was a pretty large city. We saw many ruins there.

An awesome site today was Megiddo. Megiddo was the site of many Old Testament events. Josiah's death happened on a field we looked on today. Megiddo overlooks the valley of Armageddon, where the last battle of Revelation occurs. Pics on FB.

Next it was off to Ein Harod. This is the spot that has the actual brook that God used to shrink Gideon's army down to 300 men. Again, pic on FB.

Last, we went to Beit She'an. This place has some of the best preserved ruins from around the time of Jesus. We had devotional in a Roman theater that would has seated about 7,000 people. Awesome.

Will be leaving our Gallilee hotel in the morning to go up to Jerusalem for the last of our trip. Good night!

Israel - Day 3 - January 1, 2012

Started the day with a brisk walk at 5am. Then on to breakfast and on the bus at 8am. Our first stop today, Kursi. Kursi was known as the country of the Gerasenes in New Testament times. It is believed that Jesus healed the Gerasenes demoniac here and the pigs committed sui-cide.

Next, it was off to the mountains of the Golan Heights. We took a Jeep ride through the trails of the Golan Heights. We Pics of this will be on FB. This was an awesome experience. These open Jeeps gave you a great view of everything. We were at the Jordan River near its headwaters. At the top of a mountain we learned about the six day war in 1967 that won back this area from Syria.

Next was lunch at a restaurant in Mas'ada. I had a Labne. It looked like a big quesadilla. Pretty tasty. You can see the lady making in on FB.

After lunch, our next stop was Ceaserea Philippi. This was a gentile city with pagan worship long ago. It is also believed to be the place of Peter's confession... "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." as found in the gospels. The transfiguration may have happened near here on Mt. Hermon.

Our last stop of the day was at the ancient city of Dan. Much of this site was pre-Jesus. this is the place that Jeroboam built an altar and setup one of the golden calves for worship. The last part of this site was a real treat. The gates of the original city of Dan were there that are over 4,000 years old. We saw the gate that that we know Abraham would have passed through when following God's directive to the promised land! WOW! In Gensis 14:14, we know Abraham went through Dan and would have had to have gone through this gate.

We are now back at the hotel about to eat and have Bible Study. What an awesome day!