One of my greatest highlights of the trip, one that will forever change the way I pray, happened this morning. I didn’t know it then, in fact, I didn’t know it was my favorite tell Mrs. Alfreda testified later during the night service.
Mrs. Alfreda was battling sickness the whole trip. There were days she couldn’t make it to tour, but
I know she was praying for us. But there are days when everyone has to come along, like when we are changing cities. Such with this day. We were leaving the Dead Sea and making our journey to Galilee. Mrs. Alfreda was hanging on to Jesus for help and strength. She testified that as the bus pulled out of the hotel that morning, she didn’t know how she was going to make it, but the Lord spoke to her and said, “Shout it out. Holler this out.”
I know she was praying for us. But there are days when everyone has to come along, like when we are changing cities. Such with this day. We were leaving the Dead Sea and making our journey to Galilee. Mrs. Alfreda was hanging on to Jesus for help and strength. She testified that as the bus pulled out of the hotel that morning, she didn’t know how she was going to make it, but the Lord spoke to her and said, “Shout it out. Holler this out.”
Usually one to do her best to obey, it wasn’t shouting she questioned. She said, “ Lord, I will scare the people on this bus if I just start shouting. They’ll think something is really wrong.” She went onto tell us in the service that her pastor, Pastor Josephine Flemings, has always taught her people: “when the Lord asks you to do something and you don’t see how it could happen or how it could possibly fit in pray and ask God to set the scene.”
Mrs. Alfreda began to talk to the Lord, “if you want me to shout this out you’re going to have to set the scene for it.” As she was praying, Pastor Jerry was encouraging people from the front of the bus to share a scripture with enthusiasm. Pastor Thomas, who also have been battling sickness the whole trip, felt prompted to shout the scripture with strength: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV) he shouted from the back of the bus.
That word “victory” caught in Pastor Jerry. He said, “ I don’t believe I have ever done this before but I believe the Lord wants to hear a shout a victory. . I don’t even know how to get it started…”
Well, there was someone midway back on the bus that did! As she began to shout, the whole bus corrupted in the shout. Everyone participated. No one even noticed Mrs. Alfreda’s shout. It wasn’t even the loudest.
Look what God did. He set the scene for Mrs. Alfreda to be able to obey. She thanked everyone that night in-service for obeying, especially Pastor Jerry. I wish I could describe to you the joy and surprise that erupted from the room. It is always a delight to see the Lord lead so specifically. If you have ever tasted this dish, you can’t get enough of it. You want more.
As for me, my prayer life has shifted. “Okay, God, if you are asking me to do this, set the scene. Set the scene.” Glory!
This was the morning also where it was on Mrs. Susan’s heart to pray for ISIS to be defeated. Rolland also prayed against the spirit of anti-Semitism in the world.
On our way north, we stopped at an overlook of En Gedi. Even though we were in the valley hiking yesterday. This outlook provides a stunning view of this oasis in the desert. Meir showed us how to find the image of the dove that is this valley. The valley is the body of the dove; the mountains are its wings. It is the cave at the top near the waterfall where it is believed David hid from King Saul. Pastor Jerry read the scripture attributed to this place Psalm 57:
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.
I will cry out to God Most High,
To God who performs all things for me.
He shall send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
My soul is among lions;
I lie among the sons of men
Who are set on fire,
Whose teeth are spears and arrows,
And their tongue a sharp sword.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.
They have prepared a net for my steps;
My soul is bowed down;
They have dug a pit before me;
Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise.
Awake, my glory!
Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.
Natalie sang, “Your Love, O Lord” in response.
Elizabeth sings “Cave of Adullam”
Speak to me, speak to me in my cave of Adullam.
Reach to me, reach to me. No one cares for my soul.
I thought I saw your kingdom,
but it's not going to happen like I thought it would happen.
Remind me, remind me of the vision you gave me.
Remind me, remind me what anointing oil is for.
I need to know you're near me.
I need to know you are holding me just as closely
As the day you took my life and gave me a vision,
as the day you poured the oil and gave me a dream.
I can't believe this is happening.
How does a shepherd become a king?
Pastor Thomas shares:
I am so thankful for everyone who is on this trip. There is not a single person I would want to be without. The Jewish people have a toast.”L’chaim” To life! The Holy Spirit is working deeply within
me today that some of you are choosing death over life. Weakness is designed for the strength of God to be made perfect. Many just simply agree with the enemy and do not even attempt to fight the enemy or press through the burden, but, today, today is a day of victory. Choose life.
We arrived in Qumran which is in the West Bank. Qumran is the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. It has been mentioned in the last couple of days that the history of modern Israel was contingent upon several key things. The validity of Jewish homeland, the right for Israel to exist in this land, has come up over and over. Whether it is Pastor Thomas speaking on the first day about the Balfur Proclamation or the visit to the Friends of Zion museum, we have been examining this topic. In Jerusalem we saw the real artifacts that were found here. The Dead Sea Scrolls became a testimony that had been hidden in these mountains for 2,000 years. Why weren’t they found at any time earlier. They had an appointed time to be discovered at approximately the Zionists were declaring Israel has a right to exist. This archaeological find joined that chorus to say: here is historical proof that Jewish people lived here.
I had never been to Qumran before. I was surprised to discover that there was a community here called the Essenes. They were a community of priests that according to some of their writings had separated themselves from Jerusalem to pursue pure study of the scripture without the distraction of politics and the bribery that was rampant in their day. They were scribes who were only allowed to copy the scripture 3 hours a day so that mistakes were limited. If they made a mistake, they could scratch it out and write over it, but if they made a mistake on the name of God, they had to burn the complete scroll.
These scrolls were written as Hebrew is today from right to left (we read and write left to right.) Before papyrus they would chisel words in stone. When you carve it you can see it better if you are writing right to left. Your hand doesn’t cover the marks you are making.
Meir’s father was a scribe and he used to say to him, “I’m making another copy of the Torah.” The first edition came from God to Moses. The rest are copies. In the time of the Essene priests it would have cost a 10 year salary to have a copy of the Torah. Scribes and priests had them for study and to copy. Today, we read the Torah three times a week, Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Monday and Thursday were market days in ancient Israel. Many people were illiterate, so they would gather to hear the scripture read in the market place. If you go every Saturday to hear the reading, you will hear the whole Jewish Bible (Old Testament) over the course of the year.
Many believe the Essenes practiced Judaism the best. To avoid the corruption that was around the Temple, they moved to Dead Sea. It was men only for a while, but they realized they needed to have families so that their traditions would not die with them.
Archaeologists found the oldest phylactery here. Phylacteries are little boxes that hold a portion of the Torah in them. Taking the Word and literally binding it to their mind, heart and hand.
Since 1947 to today, there have been 900 scrolls discovered. They were stored inside jars of clay in
the caves you see along the hillside. This seemed to be the library of the Essenes. 300 of the scrolls are copies of the Bible. Other scrolls are manuals of discipline, and commentaries. They found a copy of every book of the Old Testament here except Esther and Nehemiah. Both of which were written in Babylon. Meir informed us that Nehemiah has only been accepted in their scripture for 1000 years.
Qumran also had a Micah. A place of ritual cleansing. If people were to keep the Law, they needed a place to be cleansed, if they were not going all the way to Jerusalem. So people from all around would come here for ritual cleansing. Meir told us that 40 days ago, it was raining so hard that there was a waterfall coming off the mountain above Qumran. It would have filled the ritual bath.
One reason the scrolls were untouched for 2000 years is that the Romans came through here on their way to Masada. The priests would have hidden their work in the caves. They were either taken away from here and scattered over the countries, but most likely they would have refused to leave and would have been killed here. Near Qumran is a cemetery with countless people. Countless because it is illegal to excavate a Jewish cemetery. It is considered holy ground.
The voices of those that gave their lives here were resurrected in the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls as testimony to the right for Israel to exist.
We moved on to Jericho. Not everyone’s favorite, but we took cable cars to the top of the Mount of Temptation.
We came off of the mountain to a place known as Elisha’s fountain. Where the bitter water was turned sweet. We have personally received and believe that God moves in this place. Several trips ago we had a time of prayer and anointing here. There had been at least five miscarriages between two of our congregations. The grief was great. It says in the scripture about Elisha’s fountain.
“ Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’” 22 So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.” 2 Kings 2:21-22
After we returned, there were 9 healthy babies that came!
Pastor Aaron Simms stood and shared:
Reading from Mark 10:46-52 NASB
jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “[q]Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has [r]made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.”
Wow… Jesus asked “What do you want me to do for you?” and what came out of Bartimaeus’s prayer was what was coming out of him as Jesus walked by. His prayer wasn’t I want to receive my sight. He was crying out, he was driven, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” That was his prayer from the heart. Have mercy on me.
Right before this story in the scriptures, in the same chapter. We have another account. We have a group of men who have something coming out of their heart. Jesus’s question to them was the same, “What do you want me to do for you?” You’ve got James and John walking down the road, they come to Jesus in verse 35: “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” Jesus’s response is “What do you want me to do for you?’ They say what they want Him to do for them which you know the story. It’s a big deal:
37 They said to Him, “[n]Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking… this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared. 41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with [o]James and John.”
Mrs. Barbara then stood and said that it was on her heart that we all be anointed. Everyone has a need. Not one of us is left out. It could be physical or spiritual. It could be for the “here am I” part.
Pastor Jerry spoke up, “Pastor Aaron just shared about Jesus asking “What do you want me to do for you?” It requires a response from us. It is not too much to ask for healing. This is a place where Elisha turned the bitter waters into sweet waters. This is a place where God healing is still flowing. Anoint one another. The waters are stirred. If you want to be prayed for come forward.”
Everyone began anointing one another and praying. Even people not of our group got in line. It was a beautiful time of love and covering and community. Standing in belief in and for one another.
We reached Galilee and had an evening service. A beautiful time of review and sharing:
We started off by different ones calling out scripture:
Mrs. Jewell: “Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,” Ps. 106:4
Pastor Josephine: “2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,” Titus 1:2
Rolland: 35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,” Luke 12:35
Brent: 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 2 Thessalonians 1:11
Molly: 32 I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.” Psalm 119:32
Dana: “God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Dale: 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Vanessa: “ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Pastor Kim gets up and leads us in a song, “God loves people more than anything.”
Pastor Josephine stood and shared that she had asked God in her prayer closet about some things she wished to see come to pass before she finished her days. She asked to come to Israel. She didn’t know she could be so full.
Pastor Thomas said “Hope starts before Faith can move in.”
We spoke for a little while about how the meeting room we were in there in Tiberius was a meeting room used very often on the last couple of trips with Rev. Helm. We talked about the Waitings on God and the power in stepping away from our everyday activities to wait on Him. This room was once filled with some of the most talented, passionate people from all walks who longed to see the kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
James Doss began to share his first memories of early Waitings. He said he was only tall enough to look through the back of the chairs. He was amazed when people were prayed for and healed. It was where his desire for the kingdom began. His hope was that God would truly have His way and be able to hear His voice clearly.
Pastor Jerry Keller shared specifically about a memory from this room. “Going back to Molly’s scripture. Something happened in this room to enlarge my heart. Before I came into Rev. Helm’s ministry, I had been apart of a prayerless ministry. Rev. Helm’s ministry was full of prayer. I was in a season of God beginning to operate in my heart. I wondered if there was something physically wrong with me. Instead of going to a doctor, I decided to test it out for myself. I started doing wind sprints in my back yard. If this is a physical, I am going to blow this thing out. All I got was out of breath for a minute or two. It wasn’t the same feeling I was getting in my heart.
It was in this room in Galilee. I was sitting about there. Someone had gotten up to sing. I realized at some point. Rev. Helm had locked eyes with me. When you are in a room of several hundred and the person on the platform is sitting there staring into your eyes. You don’t dare to look away. It got to a certain part in the song. My heart started that beating strangely thing again. Without breaking his gaze, he reached up and tapped his heart to express to me that it was operating in his heart too. I do not have hope in politics, I have hope in God.
Mrs. Barbara: Hope is expectation. What is the reason for this expectation in me?
Pastor Kim: “My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness!”
Elizabeth: Pastor Kim! I was singing that on the cable car today for some of our passengers that were afraid. “On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand!”
Sondra: Today when Meir shared about the meaning of Ebenezer… Thus far He has helped us! Amen!
Dale: My reason for the hope is the thrills, romance and adventure. I am thankful for the time of romance in the Garden Tomb yesterday.
Katie: Before we even left the airport. My hope was filled. I am so thankful for the love poured out on my dad.
Brent: My hope is… Pastor Kim’s response in jumping up to sing. My hope is that joyful quick obedience. What God starts never ends.
Pastor Jerry: Pastor Kim’s response is so instructive.
Pastor Thomas: Our God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou our Guard while troubles last
And our eternal Home!
Rolland: God calls, He expects us to respond with “Here Am I”. He is in the doing.
Natalie: (reviewing) My hope is built on nothing less. Here I raise my Ebenezer. What God begins never ends.
Pastor Jerry: I am so thankful that Natalie obeyed the Lord and found us. She hopped on her bicycle as a high schooler and came to us. Just her for awhile. I don’t know many high schoolers who would do such a thing.
Sheba: If it hadn’t been for Rev. Helm coming to Israel. Then you guys, then me. I would have never come. I would not have been able to bring more back with me. I am so thankful for God’s drawing through it all. God said, “I am here” My hope I God is pouring into them (my friends and family I brought) so I can pour out. Disciples begat disciples. When you said, “Here Am I” Now I can do it.
Alfreda: “You heard my cry and then delivered me.” She then tells us the story I relayed to you at the start about the shout of victory on the bus and setting the scene. Glory!!
She finished with: God has a way of keeping you up. Watch the move of God.
We sang: “Blessed Assurance” and “Hope’s Anthem.”
Pastor Taylor shared: “Christ in you the hope of Glory!”
Pastor Thomas begins the message for the evening:
I am so thankful for this time of review and sharing. Speaking your hope. He’ll give you wisdom if you ask for it. We must wait for heavenly wisdom to descend.
Luke 18:15-17
15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
The disciples tried rebuking the people form bringing their kids to Jesus. They probably thought Jesus didn’t have time for kids. On the Mount of Beatitudes there were 5,000 men. There was no count of woman and children. It was the whole community.
The disciples were trying to save up some Jesus like there a limited quantity.
(my mom used to quote vs. 16 out of context from the King James: “Suffer little children!” I remember thinking to myself… I don’ think that means what you think it means” Jesus meant it as “allow” or let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them.
In the late 80’s at Palm Beach Gardens Christ Fellowship, Rev. Loran Helm preached a whole month of Sundays on one subject. Receiving the kingdom as a little child. He shared that all the ills of society could have been managed by teaching a child how to receive properly. Prisons would be emptied if these people could have learned this from a young age.
1. We want what is not ours.
2. We want what is ours too quickly.
3. We aren’t thankful for what we do have.
He spent awhile describing what a “little child” was. Rev. Helm said it is about the age range where you know what a shirt is, but you don’t know which hole your head goes through.
He spoke of the difference between a spoiled child and a childlike one. Are you thankful? We don’t need more stuff. We need more appreciation. Your riches may increase, but how about your appreciation. One is a leanness to your soul, the other enlarges your heart.
How tedious and tasteless the hours when Jesus, no longer I see. … When I am happy in Him December’s as pleasant as May.
We ought to be givers. To bless and encourage. When we are impatient, we accuse God of not caring. If you weren’t trained as a child on these things, you will be trained now through the circumstances of life. Sometimes what we want, we don’t need at all. It is vital that we receive like a little child.
A time for testimony opened up again and Trion began to share with us how much she had been enjoying her trip. She was so thankful for the sense of community even though we were all from different states and backgrounds. She said, “I haven’t always felt welcome. I remember in our house that even thought people despised us, we still prayed for them. God took care of us. My daughter is off at college. The Lord promised me He would take care of paying for it. But just like we do (I didn’t say this to Him), I didn’t believe that He actually would. So I got two jobs while I was going to school myself, but you can’t do that for long. In December, I said, “Jesus, I can’t keep this up.” He reminded me that he didn’t ask me to and that I had stopped trusting along the way. “When you let me be God, I will be.” I said ok, I’ll leave it to you. I quit the weekend job. My daughter’s bill was coming due, I didn’t have it. Just in time, I got an email saying a grant had come in and would cover almost all of the bill. Praise God! I didn’t have to carry the weight of it into this trip. He carried it for me,”
Mrs. Dana spoke up saying it had been a battle to actually get to come. Some people had come to her and said she shouldn’t come to Israel. Instead of arguing with them, she went to prayer. “Lord, I need you to have this conversation for me.” The next Sunday, she came home from church to a message from the person who had told her not to come: ‘The Lord told me, Dana needs to be on this trip. I heard Him. Let me know how I can help you.” Dana walked outside and began praising the Lord for answering her prayer! She called Sheba right then and they praised God together for it.
Pastor Jerry finished the service by saying maybe another thing we need in receiving as a little child is not to reject what He’s trying to give us. I believe I could trace a lot of my ills to this.
Oh God, enlarge our hearts to receive as a little child and choose life.
