We visited Yad Vashem today. We would know it better as The Holocaust Museum. That was not easy to walk through. If you are interested here is their website www.yadvashem.org/
There are so many memories from there. I struggle to start to describe what it was like. They started with videos from before all the troubles started and there were Jewish communities. Then they showed some of the beginnings of the rise of German power and some of the anti-Semitic laws. They take it all the way though until the Allied victory and beyond to the Israeli state independence in May of 1948. There were constant interviews of people that survived. They talked about all kinds of issues and experiences they faced.
After one is done touring through the memorial, as you exit you see a view of Jerusalem that says it all about where they have come from to where they are now!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
A day in the LIfe of...
Well, let me tell you about life on an archaeological dig at Tel Gezer. I start my typical day at 4am where I go out behind where we stay and read and pray for about thirty minutes. Currently I am reading through the Psalms. There is something about reading through the Psalms in David’s backyard that bring them alive (that and being very dependent on the Lord here). There is a Byzantine church about a mile or so away that rings a bell three times at exactly 4:15am every weekday morning. I’m not sure why other than they want to let me know I have about ten minutes left for my quiet time. I’m sure that’s not their reasoning for ringing the bells but it works for me.
After that I come back to the room and put on my dig clothes. These consist of a tee shirt and a pair of shorts that I wear three days in a row because after about ten minutes in clean clothes they are just as dirty. After that we can go and eat a small breakfast of very sweet Israeli peanut butter and jelly, but I choose not to do this due to the sugar. Instead I eat a handful of almonds that I get at the store we go to on Wednesday afternoons. Then promptly at 5am we board the bus for Tel Gezer. It takes about fifteen minutes or so to get there.
Once we arrive at the Tel we walk about one hundred yards to the “container” and gather the needed equipment for the day including picks, hoes, water, and floppy buckets called goofas. Once we are loaded up we ascend Tel Gezer with the usual fanfare of moans and groans of how steep it is and other various complaints. Once we ascend the Tel, we raise our shade cloths and start to get to work.
We work in 4x4 meter squares that are separated by a one meter area called a “balk”. Depending on what we are dealing with in our square directs what equipment we use. If we are moving earth to get the area we want to get to then we use picks and hoes to get there. If we are there and are excavating around small things then we use brushes and very small picks. We work from 5:30 to 8:30.
Promptly at 8:30 the Field Archaeologist yells, “BREAKFAST!” Then we all descend the Tel to enjoy a breakfast set up near the container. This includes beef salami and turkey cold cuts, milk and cereal, tomatoes, cucumbers, as well as coffee. It’s pretty good and it’s a nice break from eating dirt.
The dirt here is a very, very, very fine powder. Think of finely sifted flour. Then think about it being inches deep and walking through it. The dirt here puffs up into a cloud at your feet when you walk through it. It gets everywhere – including your mouth, nose, ears and everywhere else.
After breakfast we must once again hike up the Tel to restart working. We work from 9am to 11am. Everyone on the Tel looks forward to two of the most important words on the Tel – the sound of the Field Archaeologist yelling the words, “FRUIT BREAK!!” I can smell the watermelons as I type this part. These are the best watermelons I have ever had! I’m not sure if this is due to them being so fresh or because we are so tired from working so hard. I believe it is both.
After about a fifteen minute break of eating all the ripe red, juicy watermelon we can fathom, we get back to work. At this point we have an hour and a half until we descend the Tel and go home for the day. We stop working at 12:30 in the afternoon because it is so hot to work in the summer heat. When we get back we all pile into the cafeteria and eat lunch after scrubbing our hands and arms in the bathrooms. The bathrooms are clean before we get there. Needless to say they are covered in Gezer dirt in a matter of minutes.
The running joke here is that all meals include chicken, potatoes, and rice. Occasionally we have some variations of this, but one can be fairly certain that one of these staples is on the menu. After we eat, we return to our rooms, shower, and have free time until 4pm. Free time usually consists of taking a nap, returning to the lobby area where there is wireless access, or hanging out with fellow Tel Gezer diggers.
At 4pm we all gather to wash pottery. The pottery soaks for a day or two and then we clean it systematically piece by piece looking for inscriptions, markings of some kind, as well as what type it is. Once cleaned the pottery is then set aside for a day or two to dry. While the volunteers are washing the pottery the directors are reading the now cleaned and dried pottery from the days before. This is interesting to watch. These men are experts in this field and to stand around the table and watch them discuss what age this pottery is and where at the Tel it is coming from is interesting to watch.
Pottery washing lasts for about an hour or an hour and a half. After that the daily lecture starts at 5:30 pm. These have been very informative. Every night has been a different speaker and a different subject. Once again these speakers are experts in their respective fields of study.
Once the lecture is over it’s time for supper. We eat (our potatoes, rice, and chicken) at 6:30pm. Then after that I call my wife at 7pm and then go to bed.
That is a day in the life at Tel Gezer. It’s tough, but I’m lovin’ it! I wish Shannon was here to experience it with me!
Striving for the Goal…
After that I come back to the room and put on my dig clothes. These consist of a tee shirt and a pair of shorts that I wear three days in a row because after about ten minutes in clean clothes they are just as dirty. After that we can go and eat a small breakfast of very sweet Israeli peanut butter and jelly, but I choose not to do this due to the sugar. Instead I eat a handful of almonds that I get at the store we go to on Wednesday afternoons. Then promptly at 5am we board the bus for Tel Gezer. It takes about fifteen minutes or so to get there.
Once we arrive at the Tel we walk about one hundred yards to the “container” and gather the needed equipment for the day including picks, hoes, water, and floppy buckets called goofas. Once we are loaded up we ascend Tel Gezer with the usual fanfare of moans and groans of how steep it is and other various complaints. Once we ascend the Tel, we raise our shade cloths and start to get to work.
We work in 4x4 meter squares that are separated by a one meter area called a “balk”. Depending on what we are dealing with in our square directs what equipment we use. If we are moving earth to get the area we want to get to then we use picks and hoes to get there. If we are there and are excavating around small things then we use brushes and very small picks. We work from 5:30 to 8:30.
Promptly at 8:30 the Field Archaeologist yells, “BREAKFAST!” Then we all descend the Tel to enjoy a breakfast set up near the container. This includes beef salami and turkey cold cuts, milk and cereal, tomatoes, cucumbers, as well as coffee. It’s pretty good and it’s a nice break from eating dirt.
The dirt here is a very, very, very fine powder. Think of finely sifted flour. Then think about it being inches deep and walking through it. The dirt here puffs up into a cloud at your feet when you walk through it. It gets everywhere – including your mouth, nose, ears and everywhere else.
After breakfast we must once again hike up the Tel to restart working. We work from 9am to 11am. Everyone on the Tel looks forward to two of the most important words on the Tel – the sound of the Field Archaeologist yelling the words, “FRUIT BREAK!!” I can smell the watermelons as I type this part. These are the best watermelons I have ever had! I’m not sure if this is due to them being so fresh or because we are so tired from working so hard. I believe it is both.
After about a fifteen minute break of eating all the ripe red, juicy watermelon we can fathom, we get back to work. At this point we have an hour and a half until we descend the Tel and go home for the day. We stop working at 12:30 in the afternoon because it is so hot to work in the summer heat. When we get back we all pile into the cafeteria and eat lunch after scrubbing our hands and arms in the bathrooms. The bathrooms are clean before we get there. Needless to say they are covered in Gezer dirt in a matter of minutes.
The running joke here is that all meals include chicken, potatoes, and rice. Occasionally we have some variations of this, but one can be fairly certain that one of these staples is on the menu. After we eat, we return to our rooms, shower, and have free time until 4pm. Free time usually consists of taking a nap, returning to the lobby area where there is wireless access, or hanging out with fellow Tel Gezer diggers.
At 4pm we all gather to wash pottery. The pottery soaks for a day or two and then we clean it systematically piece by piece looking for inscriptions, markings of some kind, as well as what type it is. Once cleaned the pottery is then set aside for a day or two to dry. While the volunteers are washing the pottery the directors are reading the now cleaned and dried pottery from the days before. This is interesting to watch. These men are experts in this field and to stand around the table and watch them discuss what age this pottery is and where at the Tel it is coming from is interesting to watch.
Pottery washing lasts for about an hour or an hour and a half. After that the daily lecture starts at 5:30 pm. These have been very informative. Every night has been a different speaker and a different subject. Once again these speakers are experts in their respective fields of study.
Once the lecture is over it’s time for supper. We eat (our potatoes, rice, and chicken) at 6:30pm. Then after that I call my wife at 7pm and then go to bed.
That is a day in the life at Tel Gezer. It’s tough, but I’m lovin’ it! I wish Shannon was here to experience it with me!
Striving for the Goal…
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Been Having Trouble
I have been having trouble signing into the Blog. BUT the problem is solved. Although I read some Old Testament Hebrew, I don't read it enough to figure out how to sign in to this blog. UNTIL NOW!!!
So expect to see some great things to come. I have been really frustrated in not being able to share in some experiences.
This place is great! There is nothing like reading through the Psalms in David's backyard!
More to come
Striving for the Goal...
Here is a picture of me in front of the Eastern Gate at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Walking Where Jesus Walked
Wow! What a day! While most everyone in the Eastern and Central US time zones were asleep I was walking where Jesus once did! We spent the day today sightseeing in Jerusalem. We visited the old City of David, south of the Temple Mount. We saw what may be the remains of David’s palace. We saw where Nehemiah once traversed the walls. But the most awe inspiring things were the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount itself. This is where Jesus, the Creator of the universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Savior of the world ACTUALLY walked!
Now, mind you, know one actually knows the exact location where Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives, but I’m sure I was pretty close to it. To be able to look out at the Temple Mount and think that this is the view Jesus Himself would have had when He did the things He did gives so much more meaning to the verses I now read. I can picture it in my mind.
I firmly believe that the verses are all that one needs, but to be able to picture these places sure doesn’t hurt.
I will post a few pictures to let you all in on what I got to experience. Right now the Internet connection here is slow. I've tried for a while to upload some pics but maybe I will get them later tonight.
Continue to pray for Shannon and me as we will be apart for so long of a time.
Striving for the Goal…
Now, mind you, know one actually knows the exact location where Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives, but I’m sure I was pretty close to it. To be able to look out at the Temple Mount and think that this is the view Jesus Himself would have had when He did the things He did gives so much more meaning to the verses I now read. I can picture it in my mind.
I firmly believe that the verses are all that one needs, but to be able to picture these places sure doesn’t hurt.
I will post a few pictures to let you all in on what I got to experience. Right now the Internet connection here is slow. I've tried for a while to upload some pics but maybe I will get them later tonight.
Continue to pray for Shannon and me as we will be apart for so long of a time.
Striving for the Goal…
Friday, June 12, 2009
All Packed up
Well, we are all packed up with some place to go. Just think... I will be walking where Jesus walked! Sunday we are scheduled to go to Jerusalem. Hopefully I will be posting pictures soon. I'm not sure when they will have the wireless up and running at the kibbutz.
Please continue to pray for us.
I hope to share some experiences soon!
Striving for the Goal...
Please continue to pray for us.
I hope to share some experiences soon!
Striving for the Goal...
Monday, June 8, 2009
Real Quality Assurance!
Over the last few weeks and months I have been anticipating this Friday with both tension, fear, and excitement. At first the thought of an archaeological dig was awe inspiring. But as the time grew nearer and nearer to leaving all kinds of thoughts entered my mind - mainly the thought of leaving Shannon for five weeks! In addition to that I thought of the recent conflict in Gaza as well as the surrounding countries that aren't too thrilled with Israel's existence. And without fail, people are very quick to remind me of these things when I tell them what I am doing. So the last few weeks I have been praying about some reassurance from the Lord. Well, He is definitely in the reassurance business!
After some weekly meetings this morning, I came to work to wrap up some loose ends before leaving this Friday. Laying on my desk was an unopened envelope containing the June 09 Jews for Jesus newsletter. I immediately thought I would open it and read it. Having been rather busy these last couple of weeks I have not found time to even open it or attempt to thumb through its pages. So with nothing pressing this Monday morning, I thought I would take a few minutes to read up on my Jewish brothers in Christ.
The opening article was written by the founder of Jews for Jesus, Moishe Rosen. Mr. Rosen wrote a very good article about adversity and perspective - EXACTLY what I needed to read at the time! In it he writes that when one is facing adversity it allows that person to gain a new perspective on who they are and where they are at - JUST what I needed to hear! I praise the Lord for Him allowing me to read this article at this particular time!
As I prepared for this trip I have always felt that there is a greater reason that I am going other than to dig in the dirt. I have always wondered who I will witness to while I am over there. Thinking about the Hebrew words we learned these last two semesters in Hebrew Language class I have been trying to think of ways to witness to Jews in Israel as well as verses to show them in my Hebrew Old Testament.
The next article was about HaTikvah, which is Hebrew for "the hope". Ironically it is the name of their national anthem, but to us Christians we KNOW who the real hope is in this world - Jesus Christ or Y'shua Messiah! This article gave specific ways to tell Jews about Jesus! I couldn't believe what I was reading. This was a way to engage them in conversation about Jesus!
Then after all of this, I look to the next page and listed there are twelve verses, six in the Old Testament and Six in the New Testament, that are related to holding on to hope in the Lord!
Could He have custom tailored this any better for me in my time of fear of the unknown? Surely not!
What an awesome Lord we serve!
Now THAT is what I call real Quality Assurance! He will reassure us in times of struggle and need if we truly seek to do His will.
If you are interested in receiving their free newsletter check them out at
www.jews-for-jesus.org
Striving for the Goal...
After some weekly meetings this morning, I came to work to wrap up some loose ends before leaving this Friday. Laying on my desk was an unopened envelope containing the June 09 Jews for Jesus newsletter. I immediately thought I would open it and read it. Having been rather busy these last couple of weeks I have not found time to even open it or attempt to thumb through its pages. So with nothing pressing this Monday morning, I thought I would take a few minutes to read up on my Jewish brothers in Christ.
The opening article was written by the founder of Jews for Jesus, Moishe Rosen. Mr. Rosen wrote a very good article about adversity and perspective - EXACTLY what I needed to read at the time! In it he writes that when one is facing adversity it allows that person to gain a new perspective on who they are and where they are at - JUST what I needed to hear! I praise the Lord for Him allowing me to read this article at this particular time!
As I prepared for this trip I have always felt that there is a greater reason that I am going other than to dig in the dirt. I have always wondered who I will witness to while I am over there. Thinking about the Hebrew words we learned these last two semesters in Hebrew Language class I have been trying to think of ways to witness to Jews in Israel as well as verses to show them in my Hebrew Old Testament.
The next article was about HaTikvah, which is Hebrew for "the hope". Ironically it is the name of their national anthem, but to us Christians we KNOW who the real hope is in this world - Jesus Christ or Y'shua Messiah! This article gave specific ways to tell Jews about Jesus! I couldn't believe what I was reading. This was a way to engage them in conversation about Jesus!
Then after all of this, I look to the next page and listed there are twelve verses, six in the Old Testament and Six in the New Testament, that are related to holding on to hope in the Lord!
Could He have custom tailored this any better for me in my time of fear of the unknown? Surely not!
What an awesome Lord we serve!
Now THAT is what I call real Quality Assurance! He will reassure us in times of struggle and need if we truly seek to do His will.
If you are interested in receiving their free newsletter check them out at
www.jews-for-jesus.org
Striving for the Goal...
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Getting Ready for the Trip
Well, Shannon and I have been spending a lot of time together these last few weeks. We have purchased almost all of the requirements for the trip, and have been planning and packing.
As soon as we get there you can expect pictures, granted the wireless is set up. We will be arriving in Tel Aviv Saturday morning Eastern Time. Israeli time is six hours ahead of Eastern Time/Seven hours ahead of Central.
So in other words, we will sleep on the plane all night just in time to get to Israel and go to bed!
I will attempt to update this site most everyday either here or facebook. So check back starting later this week and follow along as I follow the Lord's will and dig in the dirt in Israel.
Striving for the Goal...
As soon as we get there you can expect pictures, granted the wireless is set up. We will be arriving in Tel Aviv Saturday morning Eastern Time. Israeli time is six hours ahead of Eastern Time/Seven hours ahead of Central.
So in other words, we will sleep on the plane all night just in time to get to Israel and go to bed!
I will attempt to update this site most everyday either here or facebook. So check back starting later this week and follow along as I follow the Lord's will and dig in the dirt in Israel.
Striving for the Goal...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Time's A Drawin' Near!
Well, there is not much time left before I leave for Haaretz Israel(The Land of Israel). The last few weeks have been full of buying equipment and clothing, getting in shape, and asking for lots of prayer.
This is part of the race the Lord has in store for us. This is one of the hurdles placed before Shannon and me. As we strive to overcome this hurdle we grow closer to our goal - Christ!
What is your goal in life? Is it to be obedient? Is it to love your neighbor as yourself? Those are great things but they (as well as other things) only lead one to being closer to Him. Strive for the goal of growing closer to Him!
Five weeks in Israel is what He has placed before me. It is my responsibility to do the best I can while facing this challenge.
Please continue to pray for us!!
Striving for the Goal...
This is part of the race the Lord has in store for us. This is one of the hurdles placed before Shannon and me. As we strive to overcome this hurdle we grow closer to our goal - Christ!
What is your goal in life? Is it to be obedient? Is it to love your neighbor as yourself? Those are great things but they (as well as other things) only lead one to being closer to Him. Strive for the goal of growing closer to Him!
Five weeks in Israel is what He has placed before me. It is my responsibility to do the best I can while facing this challenge.
Please continue to pray for us!!
Striving for the Goal...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Determine in Your Heart Part 2
The last post was directed at Christians. You might be thinking, "Well, I'm not Buddhist, and I'm not Muslim, and my grandmother went to church all the time - so I must be a Christian, right?"
Well not necessarily. In my opinion, the biggest lie Satan has roped people into believing is that Christianity is a religion. (Some of you just gasped.) Let me explain.
Christianity is not a religion - it's a relationship.
A religion says you must do this and you must do that, oh but you can never do that... and on and on and on. There are strict rules one must follow in order to live up to God's standard. Well, give up because no one can reach that standard on their own. So what is the alternative?
The alternative is the correct approach. One must have a relationship with Jesus Christ who provides salvation for all who are willing to receive it. See God has put certain laws in place. One of those laws is called gravity. If someone jumped out of a second story window they would experience gravity with a sudden stop at the bottom. Another one of those laws involves the requirements to get into heaven. God's standard is perfection. There is no divine set of scales that have your good deeds on one side and your bad deeds on the other and if your good outweighs your bad then you're in. Nope, it doesn't work that way. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That means you and me.
So what is the penalty God has set in place for the bad things, or sin as the Bible calls them? Well, Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
If God were to simply wipe away the bad things you and I have done in our lives without us paying the penalty He put in place then that would make God someone who was not just. Look at it this way, if God is perfect then He will not break His own rules He set in place. So by allowing someone to get away with sin in their lives without the price being paid would make Him not perfect anymore. That is why He sent His own Son to die in our place!!! Read that verse in the above paragraph again. Did you catch that part at the end? "...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The gift Paul writes about here is Christ's sacrifice on the cross for your sins and for mine!!!
Romans 5:8 states, "But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!" Through Christ's free gift of His death, burial, and resurrection we can be in a right standing with God. So how does one receive this free gift of salvation? That's simple - it's as easy as A, B, C.
"A" stands for admit. You must admit you are a sinner. If you are like me, that won't be hard to do. We can all think of numerous things we have done that would not be considered good.
"B" stands for believe. You must believe Jesus is the Son of God, that He did live a perfect life here on this earth, that He did die on a cross for your sins, and He did rise from the dead and ascended to Heaven. But most importantly - He did all of those things for YOU!
"C" stands for confess. Pray to Jesus right now. Confess to Him you are a sinner in need of His gift of salvation in order to get to Heaven. Ask Him to give you that free gift of salvation and He will.
If you have just prayed that prayer congratulations. You have just started out a new relationship with the Creator of the universe. Now that you are a Christian, email me at strivingforthegoal@gmail.com and I will help you find some other Christians around you that will help you out as you begin your new relationship with Jesus.
Striving for the goal...
Well not necessarily. In my opinion, the biggest lie Satan has roped people into believing is that Christianity is a religion. (Some of you just gasped.) Let me explain.
Christianity is not a religion - it's a relationship.
A religion says you must do this and you must do that, oh but you can never do that... and on and on and on. There are strict rules one must follow in order to live up to God's standard. Well, give up because no one can reach that standard on their own. So what is the alternative?
The alternative is the correct approach. One must have a relationship with Jesus Christ who provides salvation for all who are willing to receive it. See God has put certain laws in place. One of those laws is called gravity. If someone jumped out of a second story window they would experience gravity with a sudden stop at the bottom. Another one of those laws involves the requirements to get into heaven. God's standard is perfection. There is no divine set of scales that have your good deeds on one side and your bad deeds on the other and if your good outweighs your bad then you're in. Nope, it doesn't work that way. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That means you and me.
So what is the penalty God has set in place for the bad things, or sin as the Bible calls them? Well, Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
If God were to simply wipe away the bad things you and I have done in our lives without us paying the penalty He put in place then that would make God someone who was not just. Look at it this way, if God is perfect then He will not break His own rules He set in place. So by allowing someone to get away with sin in their lives without the price being paid would make Him not perfect anymore. That is why He sent His own Son to die in our place!!! Read that verse in the above paragraph again. Did you catch that part at the end? "...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The gift Paul writes about here is Christ's sacrifice on the cross for your sins and for mine!!!
Romans 5:8 states, "But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!" Through Christ's free gift of His death, burial, and resurrection we can be in a right standing with God. So how does one receive this free gift of salvation? That's simple - it's as easy as A, B, C.
"A" stands for admit. You must admit you are a sinner. If you are like me, that won't be hard to do. We can all think of numerous things we have done that would not be considered good.
"B" stands for believe. You must believe Jesus is the Son of God, that He did live a perfect life here on this earth, that He did die on a cross for your sins, and He did rise from the dead and ascended to Heaven. But most importantly - He did all of those things for YOU!
"C" stands for confess. Pray to Jesus right now. Confess to Him you are a sinner in need of His gift of salvation in order to get to Heaven. Ask Him to give you that free gift of salvation and He will.
If you have just prayed that prayer congratulations. You have just started out a new relationship with the Creator of the universe. Now that you are a Christian, email me at strivingforthegoal@gmail.com and I will help you find some other Christians around you that will help you out as you begin your new relationship with Jesus.
Striving for the goal...
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Determine in Your Heart
We all have so many differences. Just think about all of the different jobs, hobbies, and interests our friends and family have. But with all those differences most of us still have one thing in common - we want to know what God's will for our lives is. If the doorbell rang and the mailman was standing there with a certified letter from the Lord most every one of us would sign for it and be interested in what it said. For the most part, we want to be in a right standing with the Lord.
I don't know about you, but I haven't received a certified letter from the Lord yet. So how do we know what the Lord wants us to do? If you are interested in learning how to know what the Lord's will for your life is keep reading.
Ezra 7:9b-10 states, "The gracious hand of his God was on him, because Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the LORD, obey [it], and teach [its] statutes and ordinances in Israel" (HSCB). Did you catch that? The gracious hand of the Lord was on Ezra because of what he did in verse ten.
Let's start with the end of verse ten. Ezra was a teacher. He taught the statutes and ordinances in Israel. That's what he did. Ephesians 4:11 states, Jesus gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 tell us of numerous spiritual gifts we are given when we are saved. Ezra taught - that's what he did. What are you supposed to do for the Lord?
In order for Ezra to teach he first had to obey. Obedience is key to being in the will of the Lord. As Christians we must be willing to die to self and live an obedient life for the Lord. But what are we supposed to obey? How do we know we are being obedient or not?
Before Ezra taught (because that is what he did) he first obeyed the Lord, but in order to obey he first studied the Word. In Ezra's day they only had the Old Testament, but now we have the full and complete Word of the Lord. We must study the Bible and study it often!
But there is one more thing Ezra did. What did he do before he studied? He determined in his heart to do so! I can't make you determine in your heart to do these things, but if you are willing to follow the Lord and want to find out where your place is in the Kingdom, I can help with how to study. But I first have to ask you - how's your quiet time? Do you have a regular time when you study your Bible and pray? If you need to clean up your quiet time try using the S.O.A.P. Method (1).
“S” stands for Scripture. Get into a regular routine of Scripture reading. Use a regular method of reading, either through a book of the Bible or a schedule that takes you through the Bible in a year. Whatever works for you stick with that!
“O” stands for observation. When you complete your daily reading look back over what you just read and revisit what stood out at you. Ask yourself what you think the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you in the verses that seemed to jump out at you. Write these down. If you like, do a more in depth hermeneutical study of these verses.
“A” stands for application. Ask yourself, “How can I apply the principle of this set of verses to my life today?” Remember we have to study the Scripture and obey it before we can be effective at teaching or preaching it. So how can you apply this to your life today? Write this down as well.
When Paul wrote about carrying out one’s salvation with fear and trembling, in part, this is what he was talking about. This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. If the believer is not willing to actually apply what the Holy Spirit is leading one to do, then what’s the point? Do you really want to be disobedient to the one that rescued you?
Lastly, “P” stands for prayer. Pray about what how the Lord will use these verses in your life today. Remember prayer is a two-way conversation; so remember to listen to what He is trying to tell you. Don’t forget to write down what He tells you.
By following these steps and applying them with the proper attitude on a consistent daily basis you will grow closer to the Lord.
I don't know about you, but I haven't received a certified letter from the Lord yet. So how do we know what the Lord wants us to do? If you are interested in learning how to know what the Lord's will for your life is keep reading.
Ezra 7:9b-10 states, "The gracious hand of his God was on him, because Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the LORD, obey [it], and teach [its] statutes and ordinances in Israel" (HSCB). Did you catch that? The gracious hand of the Lord was on Ezra because of what he did in verse ten.
Let's start with the end of verse ten. Ezra was a teacher. He taught the statutes and ordinances in Israel. That's what he did. Ephesians 4:11 states, Jesus gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 tell us of numerous spiritual gifts we are given when we are saved. Ezra taught - that's what he did. What are you supposed to do for the Lord?
In order for Ezra to teach he first had to obey. Obedience is key to being in the will of the Lord. As Christians we must be willing to die to self and live an obedient life for the Lord. But what are we supposed to obey? How do we know we are being obedient or not?
Before Ezra taught (because that is what he did) he first obeyed the Lord, but in order to obey he first studied the Word. In Ezra's day they only had the Old Testament, but now we have the full and complete Word of the Lord. We must study the Bible and study it often!
But there is one more thing Ezra did. What did he do before he studied? He determined in his heart to do so! I can't make you determine in your heart to do these things, but if you are willing to follow the Lord and want to find out where your place is in the Kingdom, I can help with how to study. But I first have to ask you - how's your quiet time? Do you have a regular time when you study your Bible and pray? If you need to clean up your quiet time try using the S.O.A.P. Method (1).
“S” stands for Scripture. Get into a regular routine of Scripture reading. Use a regular method of reading, either through a book of the Bible or a schedule that takes you through the Bible in a year. Whatever works for you stick with that!
“O” stands for observation. When you complete your daily reading look back over what you just read and revisit what stood out at you. Ask yourself what you think the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you in the verses that seemed to jump out at you. Write these down. If you like, do a more in depth hermeneutical study of these verses.
“A” stands for application. Ask yourself, “How can I apply the principle of this set of verses to my life today?” Remember we have to study the Scripture and obey it before we can be effective at teaching or preaching it. So how can you apply this to your life today? Write this down as well.
When Paul wrote about carrying out one’s salvation with fear and trembling, in part, this is what he was talking about. This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. If the believer is not willing to actually apply what the Holy Spirit is leading one to do, then what’s the point? Do you really want to be disobedient to the one that rescued you?
Lastly, “P” stands for prayer. Pray about what how the Lord will use these verses in your life today. Remember prayer is a two-way conversation; so remember to listen to what He is trying to tell you. Don’t forget to write down what He tells you.
By following these steps and applying them with the proper attitude on a consistent daily basis you will grow closer to the Lord.
The beginning.
I have been pondering just how I could journal what the Lord has, is, and will do in our lives. I would hope some (more like 'a few') people will be interested in following our adventure in Christ. As we more through our lives, I have to let you know that we are striving for the goal.
So what is the goal when it comes to Christianity? Some would say obedience, others would say it is love, but I say those only lead to the goal. The goal is to grow as close to Christ as possible.
So this blog will journal and catalog the race Shannon and I are running as we strive toward growing closer to Christ.
The next couple on months this site will be mostly devoted to my five week trip to Israel.
Visit www.gezerproject.org for more information on this.
This is only the beginning.
Striving for the goal...
So what is the goal when it comes to Christianity? Some would say obedience, others would say it is love, but I say those only lead to the goal. The goal is to grow as close to Christ as possible.
So this blog will journal and catalog the race Shannon and I are running as we strive toward growing closer to Christ.
The next couple on months this site will be mostly devoted to my five week trip to Israel.
Visit www.gezerproject.org for more information on this.
This is only the beginning.
Striving for the goal...
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