The Mask We Wear: Authenticity versus Hypocrisy - Luke 12:1-12In a world where appearances often take precedence over substance, it's easy to fall into the trap of wearing masks. We put on a facade to impress others, to fit in, or to hide our true selves. But what if we're called to something greater? What if authenticity is not just a buzzword, but a spiritual imperative?The dangers of hypocrisy ...

The Sign of Jonah: A Call to Faith Beyond SignsIn a world often obsessed with spectacle and proof, we find ourselves at a crossroads of faith. Are we seeking signs and wonders, or are we ready to embrace the truth that's already before us? This question echoes through time, from the days of Jesus to our modern era.Consider the story of Jonah, that reluctant prophet who found himself in the belly o...

The Last 12 Verses of Mark’s GospelThe Roman Emperor Diocletian is famous for probably the biggest persecution that Christianity has ever faced. Diocletian imprisoned Christians, destroyed churches & burned every Bible in sight.In 303 AD he launched one of the most vicious attacks against the Bible that the world has seen against any book. Over a burned Bible he erected a monument w/this inscripti...

Hearing God's Voice in a World Full of NoiseIn a world filled with countless voices vying for our attention, how can we discern the voice of God? This question is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago when prophets and kings struggled to hear and obey divine guidance. The story of the man of God in 1 Kings 13 offers profound insights into this timeless challenge.The narrative unfolds ...

In the final year of Jesus' earthly ministry, a period scholars often refer to as the "year of opposition," we find a powerful narrative that challenges our understanding of spiritual warfare and the nature of God's kingdom. As we delve into the events described in Luke 11, we encounter a confrontation that not only showcases Jesus' authority over evil but also provides profound insights into the ...

The Power of Persistent Prayer and the Gift of the Holy SpiritIn our journey of faith, prayer stands as a cornerstone of our relationship with God. Yet, how often do we find ourselves wondering about the effectiveness of our prayers or feeling discouraged when answers seem delayed? Today, let's explore the profound truth about prayer and God's eagerness to respond to His children.Prayer isn't abou...

Setting Boundaries: Lessons from the Promised LandIn our journey through life, we often encounter the concept of boundaries. Whether personal, professional, or spiritual, these invisible lines shape our experiences and guide our paths. The Bible offers profound wisdom on this topic, particularly in the book of Numbers, where we find valuable lessons about God-given boundaries and their significanc...

Type your new text here. The Lord's Prayer: A Blueprint for Spiritual ConnectionIn our fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of the importance of prayer. Yet, this simple act of communication with God holds the power to transform our lives and deepen our spiritual connection. The Lord's Prayer, often recited but seldom truly contemplated, offers us a profound blueprint for how to approach our ...

Jonah ministered to the Lord during the reign of Jeroboam II (2Kgs.14:24-25).Jonah was a prophet from the Northern Galilee region, something the religious leaders in Jesus’ day failed to notice when they accused those who followed Jesus saying, ‘No prophet has ever risen from the Galilee.’The context of Jonah’s calling to go to Nineveh & preach to the Assyrians surrounds the fact that they were a ...

(J.Vernon McGee) “the Bible: Know it in your head. Stow it in your heart. Show it in your life. Sow it in the world.”The Psalmist by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit begins the very first Psalm with the contrast of foolishly getting counsel from the men of the world when you can sit at the feet of the Creator of the world & receive counsel directly from Him.In Psalm 119 the Psalmist speaks of al...

One of the themes that God has placed on my heart over the past few years as I look back at God’s faithfulness & look ahead to new the approaching finish line & the age of my past mentors is the constant reminder by the Holy Spirit through His Word to ‘Finish Well.’ I had the privilege of teaching upon this theme at Beit Shean in Israel this past March, where the bodies of King Saul & his sons wer...

The heart of Christ is to save sinners. Paul the Apostle in Romans 5:10 expounds on the extent of God’s love toward us even when we were sinners and the extent of Christ’s power to save us through His resurrection. Paul put it this way: “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” God’s grace...

Monday (Nov.4th) Flight from Denver to London We were able to take a bus tour through the city of London and eat together at a restaurant as well as pick up some souvenirs. It was a jolly old time!Tuesday (Nov.5th) Arrive in London at 9:30am & 9pm flight to Tel AvivWednesday (Nov.6th) We arrived early in Tel Aviv around 5am rented a car and headed to our home for the week in the beautiful hills of...

Truly Our Lord's forty day fast without a meal was a divinely empowered event! I can't even imagine going without a meal for that long. In fact, it's a very dangerous venture, healthwise.But we recently finished a week long gathering of prayer & fasting and that too, needs to be a time that is divinely inspired, empowered & sustained. Here's a few things that the Lord was showing me during this ti...

The blood stained stones of the judgment hall in Jerusalem are a solemn reminder of the price Christ paid for our sins. The innocent Lamb of God was slain for the sins of the world and we have received the blessing of forgiveness, adoption, sonship & eternal salvation.I'm specifically reminded of what Christ had to endure before He was fastened to the cross. I'm reminded of the trials before Herod...

In Acts 8:26-32 we have the wonderful account of Philip being led by the Spirit of God to leave the revival God had used him to spark in Samaria and now head down a road to the desert.'Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. So he arose and went.' Acts 8:26-27aIf you know the rest of the...

Caesarea, Israel is one of the first places where the gift of tongues was given to believers after the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The Apostle Peter was fetched by three men in Acts 10 to come & preach Jesus to a devout Roman soldier named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea. And while Peter preached the word, the Spirit fell, the Gentiles spoke with tongues and encountered the Lord in a beautiful way...

'So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel...which he had devised in his own heart.' 1 Kings 12:25-33After the days of David & Solomon. Rehoboam Solomon's son laid a heavy burden on God's people that divided the kingdom into the North & South. Rehoboam ruled in the South and Jeroboam ruled in the North. The prescribed place of worship by God remained in the Southern kingdom of ...

'Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the LORD our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there." Exodus 10:26God commanded Moses to represent Him before Pharaoh with a distinct message, "Let my people go, so they can worship Me." Pharaoh through God's powerful display of many mighty mira...

Outside of the Holy Spirit's descending upon the church on the Day of Pentecost & the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, one of the most important events in all of Christendom took place right here in Caesarea, the inclusion of the Gentiles into the Christian Church. Remember that Peter was in Joppa at the home of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10:9-16) when three times God spoke to him in a vision. He saw unc...