"How long will you go limping between two different opinions?" 1 Kings 18:21


Poor Elijah.....he made strong stand against hypocrisy, and idolatry and became the #1 man on the most wanted list!  Elijah...a wanted man, took a step of faith and an act of obedience and came to King Ahab.  He presented a dual, a showdown...the Spirit against the flesh.  The Prophet of God vs. The prophets of Baal.  All the outward show of the prophets of Baal was just that...an outward demonstration of the flesh. They concentrated on what they could do...how they could manifest, create something....always an indication of the flesh. Elijah, on the other hand, was all about the Spirit. He made it impossible for himself to receive any recognition. It was all about God....Elijah didn't want to receive any glory. He didn't draw any attention to himself...but rather got all eyes on God and brought all attention and glory to the Creator rather than the creation.
    
Often times when we make a stand against the flesh, and carnality....even in the church...we will be opposed.  You may feel like Elijah...that "I, even I alone am left." You  may feel that no one else knows what you're going through...that you're the loan ranger.The Lord would say to you the same thing that He said to Elijah; "I have 7,000 in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth has not kissed him."(1 Kings 19:18). Be encouraged today that you're not alone...there are others who are not limping between two opinions. Stay strong...stand your ground...bring glory to God!

Mount of Olives - Matthew 24

The Mount of Olives is a  very significant spot for believers. It's where Jesus shared the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24...when He told them how they would know that the Kingdom of God was near. He shared about the increase in deception, pursecution, and pestilence. This is what is occurring in our world today! We see the signs of the time and His return is near! There is no time to waste...we need to be about our Fathers business...sharing the gospel with all we can! It will be here on the Mount of Olives that Jesus will put His foot at His return and the mountain will slit in two (Zechariah 14: 1-4)  Half will split to the north and half to the south. This is also where Jesus in Acts 1:10 ascended to heaven before His disciples....leaving them in the exact way that He will return. If the signs for the 2nd Coming are so near....how much nearer is the Rapture of the church? Exciting times! Maranantha!

Masada

Masada is the incredible sight of Herod's palace built high on top of this huge mountain. It's shocking to think that people could build such a large structure 120 stories up a mountain.  As I walked up the steep mountain...i thought of the people, the slaves and those that risked their lives to protect Israel. I also thought...I need to exercise more! Haha! It was fun and rewarding to reach the top...turn the corner and see Israel's flag flying high in the sky!

Tel Dan-1 Kings 12

Jeroboam dwelt in Dan worshipping idols. He took over the 10 tribes to the North, where he built a golden calf to keep the people from going back to Jerusalem to worship. Jeroboam made up his own religious system which led the people away into idolatry. Many today say this same thing; "worship what you want...there are many ways to God." No, there is only one way...through Jesus! Don't be one who goes through the celestial salad bar to pick and choose what you want. An idol doesn't have to be a statue...it can come in many forms...a career, a car, or even a person can be an idol. As the people made the alter, they turned away from God. This is always a danger in the life of the believer...be careful to tear down the alters of idol worship and to stay in the Word of God. Don't allow anything to stand in the way of you and Jesus!

BETH SHEAN " The First King"

We started out day 7 going to the Roman ruins of Beth Shaen.  This is where Israel's first king , Saul was hung along with his son Jonathan after they were killed in battle. John taught from I Samuel 21. We learned that Saul started well but he didn't finish well. He played the fool. The person who plays the fool  walks in pride and not humility. They also walk in disobedience...doing what they want instead of what God told them tom do. They make excuses for sin instead of repenting, and they end in a defeated life instead of victory."  We often wonder what could of been for Saul had he repented and obeyed the Lord.  Even though David sinned as well...even to a greater degree than Saul, the difference between the two was that David repented, humbled himself and was restored.Remain humble before the Lord and you will a useful vessel to bring glory to the King of Kings!

GIDEON SPRINGS- Judges 7 

"Using the Ordinary to do the Extraordinary"

In Judges 7 we read of an ordinary man named Gideon who was in a cave thrashing wheat when an angel came and spoke to him. The angel comes to tell Gideon that he wants to use him to save Israel from the Midianites. Gideon puts out a fleece twice to be sure it is the Lord. The Lord confirms that Gidion is to choose his army. ... But the army is too big. -so the Lord calls Gideon, an ordinary guy to, to narrow the army down by telling all the men that are afraid to leave and go home to their families. Theremwere still 22,00 men left...that was still too big for God to domHis work. So, as the men came down to drink at the spring the Lord told Gideon that all those that lapped from their hand like a dog would be the ones to fight. So, 300 men were left and now the army would be out numbered 450 to 1. The odds were against them...but the Lord was for them! He would work in unconventional ways tomaccomplish His perfect plan in and through these men...little is much in the hands of the Lord. The men were commanded to put a pitcher over their torch and smash it at the commanded time, which would create a commotion and the appearance of attack. You see, it was only after the pitchers were smashed to pieces that the light could shine. Jesus cannot shine brightly in and through our lives until we are broken and humble before Him. Then we are usable vessels of honor to Him. Gd isn't looking for ability...He's looking for availability! He uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Be available for His work :)

Dead Sea-
This is a beautiful place...an oasis out in the desert. God has blessed Israel tremendously and even though nothing can live in the Dead Sea, it's minerals have been useful for many things, especially useful is its healing agents for the skin. When you go into the dead sea your feet almost  immediately float up. It's hard to stand back up once you've been floating. It is an extremely relaxing experience. Your skin is soft and the water is warm...it's like a free Spa for the day!

En Gedi - 1 Samuel 24 

David was anointed early in his life to be king by the prophet Samuel. Saul was reigning at the time and Samuel came to him and told him that the kingdom would be taken from him and given to another. Meanwhile, David behaved more wisely than Saul's servants. The people loved David and began to sing; "Saul has slayed his thousands, but David his 10 thousands.Saul grew jealous as he saw the hand of God upon David, and sought to kill him. David fled to En Gedi, a beautiful garden Iike area with waterfalls and wildlife.Some say this was the place of the Garden of Eden. It certainly looks like it could be! David knew death was eminent so he hid in the caves at En Gedi with Saul still  pursuing him. On one occasion, David found Saul in a cave and could have taken his life, but the Lord spoke to him telling him not to stretch out his hand on Gods anointed. Although David was  tempted to take matters into his own hands, he obeyed God. This is a good lesson for us...trust God to bring things to pass. Trust Him to be our strong tower and our defense. He is our fortress...He is a very present help in time of need. Will you trust Him?

Caesarea Philippi- Matthew 16:13

" Who Do Men Say That I am?"

Caesarea Philippi is a beautiful area with fresh springs and waterfalls. It is a quiet place and very calming as you hear the water trickily down the stream.I imagine this is why Jesus chose to come here and discuss things with His disciples. The question he asks them is answered  in several ways, but Peter chimes in and says,"You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Every person will need to answer this question...and every person will be responsible for their answer. C.S. Lewis said ,  "Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord?  Who do you say He is? Upon your answer...you build your life...build it upon the solid rock of Jesus Christ!

Golan Heights- Damascus Road- Acts 9

"Discovering the Will of the Lord"

The Golan Heights was a place of many battles, but one battle stands out amongst the rest...the battle between Saul of Tarsus and Jesus Himself. Paul had papers in hand to imprison all Christians. He was on a rampage...out to persecute Christians. He had just heard the message of Stephen and held the coats of those that stoned him.  These words would ring in Saul's ears as he traveled along the Damascus Road. On his way he was meat by Jesus Himself....in the form of a bright light....saying, " Saul, Saul why do  you persecute Me?" notice it says Me...and not " why do you persecute Christians.?" Jesus first asks him about his conduct..."Why are you fighting against what you  know is true?  Second, we see the confrontation as Saul asks in verse 5, " who are you Lord?" and third, we see his conversion as Saul says:  " Lord, what do you want me to do?" Jesus replies...arise, go into the city and I will reveal the rest.Saul takes one baby step at a time in his new found faith in Jesus. As he steps out in faith...Jesus reveals the next step...often times the will of the Lord is revealed one step of obedience at a time!