The Upper Room

Glass window in Upper Room depicting Holy Spirit


To every person who travels to Israel, one of the highlights of being in the city of Jerusalem is to visit "The Upper Room"

If you recall, this is the room where Jesus and His disciples ate the Passover meal together one last time, prior to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.  It is also the location of the events described in the opening chapters of the book of Acts -- the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

There are differences of opinion as to the actual location of this room -- but, our guide assured us that this was a good "possibility" of that location --- at least, this is the place where a large number of tourist gathered that day.

I love the atmosphere of this place ---  while our Jewish guide was trying to talk to us -- explaining all the archeology of this site -- the Biblical significance of this place, etc. --- there were other groups in the room singing and praying -- fact is, in the short while we were there, one of the groups nearby testified to some of their members being "baptized in the Holy Spirit" while we were there.

I didn't care about the lecture -- didn't listen.  I didn't care about the archeology and what some expert has said about whether this is the actual room or not.  All I wanted to do was worship!  And so I did!

Our visit to this room was relatively short -- but the lasting feeling I have, and the presence of the Holy Spirit I felt that day linger.

On that first day - when the disciples were eating the Passover - Jesus told them HE would go away -- but after He left -- HE told them to return to this room and wait until "you be empowered or endued with power".

Have you waited in His presence "until you be empowered"?
I have -- and I still do often!

What does the Upper Room mean to you?  What part of your life does the Holy Spirit play in your everyday life?

Share you comments with me below!  I want to know!

Church for All Nations

Church for All Nations, Jerusalem

One of the highlights of visiting the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem, was this church.  It's call the "Church for All Nations" - because it was built by contributions from a number of nations between 1922-1924 


 (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Italy, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Germany, USA, Ireland, Hungary, Poland, and Australia)

It is also called the "Basilica of the Agony", because it sits next to the Garden of Gethsemane and houses a huge rock, which we were told is possibly the "rock" that Jesus prayed on that night in the Garden, before being arrested and going to the Cross.
  
It was interesting to see the "seals" of all these nations portrayed in the ceiling of the church.


We were told that the altar is an "open altar" -- meaning services are conducted in this church by the Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Protestant, Lutheran, Evangelical, and Anglican churches.


It is by far, one of the most beautiful churches in the Holy Land.


I think it is so interesting that it is called "Church for All Nations" ---isn't that really what THE "church" is all about. 


Jesus said that HE would build HIS "church" -- and the "gates of hell could not prevail against it"


The Gospel (Good News) is still for "WHOSOEVER" - that means ALL Nations -- and everybody IN that nation


What do you think?  Let me know!

The Garden

2,000 year old Olive Tree in The Garden of Gethsemane

Nothing inspires a Holy Land traveler, like going to the area across from the city of Jerusalem, called the Garden area.  Here you will see OLD Olive trees -- they actually are at least 2,000 years old -- so theoretically these could well be the trees in the Garden that night, when Jesus prayed with his disciples.

As the Scriptures tell us, the disciples struggled to pray with their Lord -- they kept falling asleep. Then Judas and the soldiers showed up, and Jesus was arrested ....... you know the story!

The highlight of the story is the prayer Jesus prayed that night.

HE asked that "if possible" the "cup" be removed.  What the Son of God was asking is that the road to the cross be changed.  "If it is possible" --- think about it.  What IF the Son of God did NOT go to the cross?  No Cross = No Resurrection.  No Resurrection = Death to All of US!

I love the KJV version which states "nevertheless not my will, but thine be done...."
I know we don't talk that way .... but I love that word, "NEVER-THE-LESS"

IT WAS A GO!  Jesus was saying --- even IF it was possible to avoid the cross -- I WILL GO ANYWAY!

It's like the kids today who flippantly say, "Whatever!"

Jesus was saying - WHATEVER -- Whatever the cost -- whatever it takes -- whatever the pain and suffering -- whatever!  I WILL GO!!!!

You and I today no longer have to live under the curse of sin!  We have been set free by the the determined effort of Jesus Christ in the Garden that night, so long ago!

What are you going to do about it?
Will you serve Him?
Will you appreciate His effort for You?

WALLS

The Walled City of Jerusalem


When you make a trip to Israel -- and visit the "Holy City" of Jerusalem, you will notice quickly that this city has two distinctive things:   (1) It's a city "on the hill" -- you always have to "go up to Jerusalem" -- because geographically it sits on a hill, and (2) It's a walled city.

Centuries ago the settlers (the people of Israel) built the city with WALLS.  Walls serve a two-fold purpose -- (1) Keep the people inside for safety, and (2) Keep the "enemy" outside the walls.

What is amazing is that many of these walls are centuries old, and are still standing.  All  along the wall, you will notice different stones -- we were told that during the centuries different civilizations "rebuilt" the walls -- it's like a timeline of progress.

Several sections of the wall have great significance, Biblically. I want to point out two today.

PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE

This "corner" of the wall, we were told, is the site where the Devil took Jesus, during the "temptation" and suggested to HIM that HE throw himself over the wall, and God's angels would rescue HIM.  Remember what Jesus said ....."Tempt not the Lord".  So often we need to be reminded that the supernatural is not a toy -- or something we must "show off" to draw attention.  God is definitely a "supernatural" God and His miracles are for today!  But remember that everything God does is for HIS GLORY -- not mine, and they are always on HIS TIMETABLE.  Just a thought today!

EASTERN GATE

When I was a child, I used to hear the saints singing -- "I will meet you in the morning, just inside the Eastern Gate....."

I've often wondered what they were talking about .... and then we saw this gate in Jerusalem.  Note that it is sealed.  Centuries ago, soldiers closed the gate - sealed it up.

Tradition says that when the Messiah comes, HE will open that gate!

It's exciting to know that NOW -- the Messiah has come!  HE is already here -- and HE is waiting to open the gates of our potential and destiny. All we need to do, is let Him in!!!

Oh yes, I don't doubt -- when Jesus returns to the city, one day soon, HE will open that Gate and walk back into the "Holy City", bringing peace and justice to the world. He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Thought you might like to see some WALLS today.  Be blessed and BE READY for the King to come!

Father and Son

City of Jerusalem, Israel


I'm writing this blog today on Sunday, June 17, 2012 --- Father's Day in America -- and a special Father's Day for me, as it is also the birthday of my oldest son, Rusty.  I'm thinking about my early Father's Day gift this year (in March)-- an opportunity to travel with Rusty to Israel, along with others in a group, led by Dr. Mark Rutland (President of ORU).

What a time we had, traveling by bus up and down the highways and byways of the "Holy Land" -- seeing sites that are recorded in the Bible -- witnessing first-hand the tension of the area, between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Nothing is more beautiful to see - the highlight of every tour to Israel - the "Holy City" -- Jerusalem.  As you can see in the photo taken above, it's a crowded city -- buildings and people everywhere -- people from various backgrounds and religions.  One thing you see most is an abundance of churches and "holy sites".  In the heart of the city is a Muslim temple -- the Gold-Dome building, built over the top of a huge rock, which the Muslims believe that Abraham was to sacrifice his son, Ishmael -- and the Jews believe on this site, Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac, and they believe that in the end-times, this is the location where the Messiah will place his feet (the temple mount).

When I visited Israel back in 1985, we were allow to enter that temple, and I saw the Rock.  This year, were were NOT allowed to get near that temple.  Times have changed!

This is the city that Jesus wept over!  I'm thinking today of the Father's Heart that is grieved over the world He sent His only begotten Son into -- a world that hates one another - a world that kills it's unborn - that discards the elderly and other people not deemed to be "of worth" - a world that is divided and so lost!


It did my heart so good to be with my first-born son, in the land of Jesus.  But I think how it must do the heart of God the Father good to see whenever His Son, Jesus is honored.


Have you honored the Son, Jesus Christ, in your life?
If not, why not?  
Honor the Son Today -- Make the Father's Heart GLAD!

PETER'S TOWN

Statue of Peter in Capernaum

Matthew 16:17-19

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ Jesus replied,“You are blessed, Simon son of John,because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.¹⁸ Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.¹⁹ And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

On my recent trip to Israel, we stopped in the old city of Capernaum -- a town right on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.  It is reported that this was, perhaps, the home of Simon Peter.  In the middle of the old "ruins" is a statue of Peter, and underneath the scripture quoted above.

Did Jesus mean that "upon Peter" he would establish his church? If so, as the Roman Catholic Church believes, then Peter was the first Pope.

However, as we note in the book of Acts, during the first century, it was James (the earthly brother of Jesus) who was the head of the church in Jerusalem. No where do we see that the early church looked to Simon Peter as their leader.

I think what Jesus meant was "upon the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" (the words that Peter had stated just prior to what Jesus said), HE would establish His Kingdom and His Church.

If you look in the Gospel of Mark - the first chapter - you will find Jesus and his disciples stopping in Capernaum and Jesus would go to the synagogue there to teach.

Ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum

Mark 1:21-22

New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹ Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach.²² The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

I love the fact that the thing that astonished the people in Capernaum was, "for he taught with real authority - quite unlike the teachers of religious law."

That's powerful!  The words of Jesus were powerful -- with great authority -- not platitudes - not promises unfulfilled - but TRUTH!

In that same town are the ruins of the home of Simon Peter's mother-in-law.

Remember in the latter part of Mark 1, you find again and again that Jesus was "in the house" -- later Jesus came and healed Peter's mother-in-law of a fever- in this house.

Ruin's of Peter's mother-in-law's house

What a joy and inspiration it was to re-visit this city.  It reminds me of three powerful truths:

1.  Jesus Christ = Son of God and Son of Man = the founder of our faith and HIS Church

2. Jesus' teaching is with power and authority then -- and NOW

3. The power of the Lord is still "in the house" to heal any sickness and malady of life, if "you can believe"

TRUST OUR LORD TODAY!  HE IS STILL THE SAME TODAY, AS HE WAS IN CAPERNAUM BACK THEN!

DON'T YOU CARE?

Sea of Galilee

"Lord We Perish.....Don't you care?"

Today I was thinking back to my recent trip to Israel with my son, Rusty, back in March of this year, and the day when we went on a boat ride out on the "Sea"of Galilee.  I have purposely put parenthesis on the words, "Sea" -  it's just a title in the Bible.  Actually this is a LAKE in Israel -- fact is, it is the largest fresh water lake in Israel.  Thirteen miles long, and thirteen miles wide -- sitting some 690+ feet below sea level, it is the lowest fresh-water lake on Earth  (the lowest lake overall in the world is to the south of this one -- the Dead Sea).  Some other names for this body of water are:  "Kinneret", "Lake of Gennesaret" and "Lake Tiberias"

 I was reminded of the passage in Matthew 8:24-26, where the disciples were on such a boat ride, when a sudden storm came up.  The wind and waves really "did a number" on that boat -- and for a moment the disciples really believed that this was going to be their last boat ride.

Boat on the Sea of Galilee (very similar to the ones used in Jesus' day)

One unique detail needs to be pointed out from the Biblical passage --- Jesus Christ was ONBOARD that boat with them!  Fact is, the passage indicates that in the midst of this storm, Jesus was sleeping!

Frantically the disciples, thinking this may be the last trip, stirred Jesus and asked a question that millions over time have asked of God -- "Don't you Care?"

"God, don't you care that ......I'm sick?"

"God, don't you care that.....I'm unemployed?"

"God, don't you care that......."

If you have invited Jesus Christ to board your life, then HE is there always!  Notice that I said, "invited."  Just because you are a human being, doesn't guarantee that Jesus lives "onboard" your life.  You have to ASK  HIM to reside in your life.  You have to make a place for HIM to live in your life. You have to acknowledge HIM in your life.

If Jesus Christ, by your invitation, lives in your life, then no matter what you are going through, HE IS THERE!  And, YES, HE cares for you!

Frank Graeff in 1901 penned these words:

"Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth or song?....

Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed to resist some temptation strong?....

OH YES HE CARES, I KNOW HE CARES,

HIS HEART IS TOUCHED WITH MY GRIEF;

WHEN THE DAYS ARE WEARY, THE LONG NIGHTS DREARY,

I KNOW MY SAVIOR CARES."

And, Oh, my the way -- think -- you're in a storm -- you think you may not survive -- but Jesus is IN your life.  If your boat sinks -- HE sinks with it!  Cheer up!  

If Jesus is on board, you CAN'T GO UNDER!