basics of what I knew: Israel was a tiny country established in 1948 still facing international
conflict, and that it was depicted in little maps referenced in Sunday School lessons. Ok, I may have known a little more but needless to say, I had MUCH to learn.
This is Israel.
The Sea of Galilee
Matt 4:18-22
Mt of Beatitudes
{Matt 5-7}. These chapters are the heartbeat of who Christ is. Despite what the media, or authors, or coworkers may say about Christ, get to know Him for yourself. Listen to His actual Words and one will find Him to be clear, simple, and compassionate. Historically and today, His Words are "counter-culture." As I sat imagining hearing these verses for the first time, I was overwhelmed how many areas of our lives Jesus addresses in this one sermon. He cares about each detail. What a treasure Scripture is that we can go back and read it over and over again. While the thought "I wish I had been here with the disciples when..." will always come to mind, instead let us rejoice that we have a beautiful written record! We are not missing out in any way. We are not less prepared to follow Christ, nor do we need anything else to build up our faith. We have been given everything we need for life and godliness {1 Peter 1:3}.
Matt 5-7
- ...“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to the Father who is in heaven.."
- "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."....
- "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."...
- “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.... But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ...
- "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
- ..."But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."...
- "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ... and everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Nazareth
Olives: every little part was used! The first press {called virgin olive oil} was the best quality and reserved for the temple and holy use. The second press would be used for eating and cooking. And the final press was used in lamps. All the left-over pulp would be added to the plaster of their home walls which helped serve as a bug repellant. The shell {pictured below} was one of the natural substances used to dye the wool. It was a very rare, costly shell, therefore the high value of deep blue and purple fabrics. |
Ceasarea
Magdala
Prov 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Eph 6:4 "...Fathers... bring them {children} up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
Jerusalem
"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?" {Matt 21}
En Gedi
The Market:
Golan Heights - Mt. Bental
- 4 million Syrian refugees
- 300,000 land mines still in Israeli soil
- 150,000 Lebanese missiles pointed at Israel
Jish
The majority of the Israeli's religious population would be Jews or Muslims. However, the Christians are a drastic minority and currently facing the Islamic state. We heard the testimonies of believers whose church was bombed 14 times, of a pastor shot 4 times, and the church below set on fire. These are our brothers in Christ. Know them; do not forget them, pray for them.
1) to practice the Great Commandment: "Love the Lord thy God will all thy heart, and with all they might, and with all thy mind.... Love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt 22:37-39
2) participate in the Great Commission: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I can commanded you"
Let this be true.
Masada
The Dead Sea
The Gaza Zone - Sderot
"The terrorist want us to stop living, so that is the one thing we must keep doing - living - as much and as normally as we can." Israeli citizen