I trust you are doing well. My wife Peggy and I went to Israel in October and we wanted to thank everyone for their prayers. If I were to sum up our trip in one word, it would be "confirmation". Everything we already believed in was affirmed and came alive while we were in Israel. I just want to share the incredible things we got to witness and enjoy while in Israel.
The tension in Israel was so apparent. Whether it was between the Jews and Arabs, or the Muslims and Christians, Israel is clearly a battle ground, a divided country. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 The Bible tells of Abraham and Sarah’s disobedience to God when they took matters into their own hands when Sarah couldn’t conceive. Abraham had a son, Ishmael, with his servant Hagar. Sarah eventually gave birth to Isaac but the end result was a divided family. We saw how the sin of one generation carries over multiple generations as evidenced by the tension between Jews and Palestinians.
We spent a couple of days at the Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent the majority of His ministry and performed many miracles: Jesus chose His disciples, walked on water, calmed the storm, made breakfast for His disciples following His resurrection, and preached the Sermon on the Mount while at the Sea of Galilee just to name a few. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...." Matthew 5:3-12
From the Sea of Galilee, we drove north to the premier pagan ancient ruins of the city Ceasarea-Philippi, known for its human sacrifices made to the god, Pan. Interestingly enough, a few feet away from this ancient demonic site which Jesus called "The Gates of Hades", is the Jordan River also called the river of life. "...and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" Matthew 16:18
Traveling south we stopped at the Dead Sea which happens to be 8 times saltier than the ocean. Peggy and I floated on the water like floating in space. It was surreal. The Dead Sea is where the cities of Sodom and Gommorah were located and where Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt.
We finished the week at the city of Jerusalem where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac and where Jesus was crucified. The Mount of Olives was especially moving. From this mountain, Jesus had looked over the city of Jerusalem and wept because of the people's disbelief. A short walking distance from the Mount of Olives’ lookout point, we walked through the Garden of Gesthemane where Jesus prayed before being crucified.
A high note of our trip was the opportunity to share the gospel. Our Temecula store manager Denise Colletti arranged for me to speak at Cavalry Chapel Jerusalem to a group of Russian and South American immigrants. My heart went out to them as I too was an immigrant years ago when I came to the U.S. By God's grace, over 20 came to Christ when I shared the grace, truth and love of Jesus with them!
"Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. John 4:35
In spite of much opposition and many attacks from the enemy while on our trip, it was a blessing for Peggy and me to visit the Holy land and work while we were there!
The Lord is so good to us!
