Shabbat Shalom, Day 5
Shabbat Shalom my friends! Which means: Peaceful Sabbath my friends!
Shabbat is Judaism's day of rest and seventh day of the week, on which the Jewish people remember the Biblical creation of the heavens and the earth in six days and God resting on the seventh. Here among the Jewish Believers in Israel is where I am enjoying my peaceful Sabbath today.
This week I've been on a study tour throughout Israel with a small group of women. We are traveling with Lysa TerKeurst and Proverbs 31 Ministries. While seeing some amazing sights, it's really been the study along with the learning of historical and current events, geography, and agriculture that has been life-changing. Yes, life-changing. I don't use that term lightly.
I thought when I came here, I would be most excited to be "where Jesus walked." To see "what Jesus saw." To pray "where Jesus prayed." And Oh my goodness, that really has been ... well, unbelievable! It's humbling to think that I'm looking and walking on the land where Jesus, Abraham, Moses, David and Joshua were, just to name a few. But here is the blessing for all of us. We don't have to be here to be close to Jesus. We don't have to see what He saw or pray where He prayed. Our prayers and faith are just as strong anywhere else in the world. After all, God knows our hearts. Acts 15:8-9 is just one passage of Scripture where this is referenced.
What I've been most excited about on this trip is that I'm learning more about the Bible than I ever pieced together before. The order of the Lord is astounding! It is so evident and clear that He has a plan for our world. This land and it's geography alone confirms Scripture. The Old Testament Scriptures are so intertwined with the New Testament in ways I didn't see before until this intense study and learning of the land and history. My heart and brain are full! And I still have the Sea of Galilee and Mt. Arabel to explore!
Today we attended a Shabbat service, which takes place each Saturday here (at Yad Hashmona) at 11:00 am Israel Time. What a wonderful time of worship among this family of Jewish Believers. It was in Hebrew with English translation. After a time of worship, prayer and specifically praying for the children, a message based on Acts 15:1-12 was given. Y'all seriously, I could write 10 pages from this, but I'll save that sharing for another day (and it will come because I can't keep it to myself!!!).
Here are just few pictures from the day today~
Something to Think About
I've shared with you today how I spent my Shabbat (Sabbath) today. How did you or will you spend yours this week?
Thanks for coming back to read today. We are heading to the Sea of Galilee as I type this! Have a great day!
Shabbat Shalom!