Sabbatical: Day 7

Early today we come to the Garden Tomb. Just above us looms Golgotha, the features of a skull are clearly seen these two thousand years after the murder of Jesus on that place. There are no crosses standing there, no markers and no shrine. It is my opinion that even to this day most people want to avoid the cross and that is why there is not a shrine there. I see that cross, the pain, the agony, the suffering and death. But what I sense most is "alone". Jesus called out to God from that cross, "why have you forsaken me"? In my heart I know that Jesus loves me enough to face death for me. The guiltless, sinless and perfect Son of God gave his life as the sacrifice for my sin and suffered rejection to pay a price that I could never pay. Because of this I have approach to God and the option of eternal life. Eternity will not be long enough for me to sing his praise. Serving him here is insufficient to show my gratitude. By walking a few steps to the east and rounding a short partition wall I am in the garden where the borrowed tomb is located. (I think this partition is a sound barrier for street traffic) Several hundred people are here and great preparation for our service and communion. Pastors Matthew and John Hagee sing and preach and praise in sweet leadership as my thoughts turn from the cross to that "EMPTY" tomb. The songs were all well known and familiar but there impact was amplified, multiplied a million times as I gazed into the door of an empty room. My Saviour lives! The tomb could not hold him. Jesus returned to us, alive, having placed his perfect blood sacrifice on the golden alter before the throne. I can say without doubt; He lives in Heaven and in my heart. This communion service will be one of my sweetest memories of this trip. As I celebrated the body and blood of my Saviour I doubled my commitment to our relationship and my service to my fellow man. I experienced a "new birth".....again. 

The remainder of the day, my last day, was spent at two memorials, The Holocaust and Friends of Israel. I learned much of the history of the second world war from my family as a boy. Their stories did not prepare me for this day or these memorials. I won't write much here. I will say that the spirit, the hate and the evil that lived in the Nazi effort is in our world once again in these Radical Muslims. I pray that the world does not turn it's back on Israel.    

Newness in faith!

I am in awe of God's integrity. God has fulfilled each promise he has ever made with those who walk in covenant with him. I have entered into a better understanding of what a "blood covenant" is. God opened my understanding as I was seeking answers as to why many people I pray for are not healed. After all Jesus did pay the price for our healing (by his stripes we are healed) and I believe I am using faith in the proper manner. I still don't have all the answers about healing but I did discover that this covenant is much more than just believing. Covenant is a union that only death can close, I commit fully to God and God commits to me. I am a representative of his person and he is my representative. We are one in all aspects of existence. Jesus said, "I and the father are one" and then he said that he would be "one"with whosoever would follow him in complete obedience.What an exciting journey.

6-16-2015      Luke 4:31-37

S.       31And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.32And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.33And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, 34Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.35And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.36And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! For with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.37And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

O.      Jesus exercises authority over evil spirits.

A.      The world attributes more power to evil than actually exists. Christians should exercise authority over evil (In the Name of Jesus) and stop living in fear. Our foe is defeated, and powerless in the presence of Jesus.

P.       Father; thank you for the blood covenant, your un-breakable word and calling me into this powerful relationship. Amen.