Over the past weekend, we had some incredible storms with snow falling up north at Mount Hermon, and rain falling across all of Israel. I’m always amazed at how fast the rain creates rivers in the desert. Anything caught in the middle of its path finds itself destroyed.
Click to continue – there’s more encouragement ahead.For the past few days our family has been fighting off various viruses, and I’m hoping we’re finally coming to the end of this bout of sickness. But it’s causing me to reflect on the amazing way God has designed our bodies to combat these germs, with an immune system that can eliminate any intruder as soon as it penetrates.
Keep going – the Lord may have more to show you.As we continue our studies in Ancient Hebrew word pictures, let’s look at the symbols representing the word “Father”. The letters which compose this word are “aleph” and “beit”. The “aleph” was originally illustrated as an ox head, which denotes strength, power and a leader. “Beit” is the second letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and its ancient symbol represents a tent and illustrates a home, dwelling, and family. So the ancient word for “Father”, “Av” literally describes the leader of the house, or the leader of the family.
Don’t stop now – more truth and grace await.Anyone that’s been a believer for very long realizes how small the world is these days and how the Lord has connected millions of people with one another in miraculous ways. We meet hundreds of people from various backgrounds, and I’m often amazed how lives of those we meet are crossed over with others that we know.
Click here to read more of this devotional – let it speak to your heart.Tonight begins Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar year. Some of you may know that a lot of bad things have happened to the Jewish people on this date, the first of which was when the spies returned with an evil report of Israel, written about in Numbers 13 and 14. Both the first and the second Temple were destroyed on this exact day, hundreds of years apart. The Crusades began on this day in 1095. The Jews were expelled out of England on this day in 1290. They were expelled out of Spain and Portugal on this day in 1492. And these are just to name a few!
Click to continue – there’s more encouragement ahead.Every time we go to the States it seems I gain about 20 pounds! It’s really not that difficult – being a guest, and receiving the generous hospitality of American Christians for 3 months — which means being fed like a king. Feasting like this is really fun…until you get on the scale 3 months later! So now I’m back in Israel, eating right and knocking off what I call speaking weight. Those (women) who have experienced pregnancy weight, know just what I’m talking about.
Don’t stop now – more truth and grace await.We are big Casting Crowns fans around here; And they have a song called “Stained Glass Masquerade”. Ever heard it? The lyrics are so good… here are a few lines.
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