November 19th--Keeping an Eternal Perspective

Today started with Nazareth. "Can anything good come from there?"--yes, actually. We got to see the contrast between a church with lots of pomp and ceremony, and a simple Church of the Synagogue, built on a location which they believe is where Jesus read Isaiah 61 from the scroll, "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Pastor Matt shared how God can take our Nazareth, something in our life we think "Can anything good come from there?" and when Jesus comes to it, God can work it out for good (Rom 8:28). The acoustics in this place were amazing--we sang a song acapella, and it truly sounded incredible! Maybe if our church builds a building someday, we should build something like this--are you okay with stone walls, floor, ceiling, and seats?

We visited Megiddo today--such a growing experience of faith! I get SO excited when I think about it. When we were in Nazareth, it started raining and we were not sure how that would work out once we got to Megiddo, but we prayed and asked God to stop the rain while we were in Megiddo, even if it was just in that area and just while we were there. We got to Megiddo and it was still raining and when we went inside to watch a short video on it, it was literally pelting rain. It was still raining when we stepped outside to walk around, but within five minutes it stopped raining entirely, blue sky appeared, the sun came out, and it literally became the warmest we had experienced in Israel thus far. Over the Valley of Jezreel was a complete rainbow--such an amazing reminder that God keeps His promises, as we consider His promises of what is to come in this location (Rev 16). He is SO faithful and good and true and worthy of ALL our trust. Trust in Him at all times, dear people! Pour out your hearts to Him, for He is your refuge.

Pastor Brent challenged us as to whether we would be ready if Jesus were to come right now. Are you ready, church? He is coming like a thief in the night, when we least expect Him, and WE WILL SEE HIM FACE TO FACE! Come Lord Jesus Come!

I was also so challenged by his reference to 2 Samuel 23:9-10 about David's mighty men--the one man stood his ground ad fought till his hand was frozen to the sword. May we hold onto the Word of God until it's so much a part of us that we can't let it go!!!

Then to Mount Carmel--no, nothing to do with toffee here. The people of Israel in 1 Kings 17-18 were not so worried about sweets as water. With no water for 3.5 years in a place where one lost season of rain is devastating, they were desperate. Pastor Joel led us through this great example of spiritual warfare. We talked about how we can rest in the midst of the storm, as Elijah rested in God's provision while the prophets of baal danced around and carried on; as Jesus rested in the boat on the Sea of Galilee during the middle of a great tempest. May we "be still and know He is God", not striving on our own to try to fight, but know that the battle is the Lord's, that with Jesus on our side, the battle is won! Pastor Joel made this really interesting discovery--the ratio of the false prophets to Elijah was 450:1, which is the same as the ratio of the Midianites to Gideon's men--quite the odds against them both, but "Greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world. As Paul says, this happened so we might not depend on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead.

Dan on Mount Carmel

Blessings! Please continue praying for health, learning, unity, safety, and sharing with those we encounter! We look forward to being back with you next Sunday!