Follow
Shalom Dear Friends in the Messiah Yeshua!
In the days following my return from Israel, I have thought of little else. How alive that land is with G-d’s presence and His Word. In the places we walked, one could almost feel Jesus among us and see where He Himself walked and ministered. It truly is the “Holy Land.” While we born-gain Believers in Jesus have the Holy Spirit living within us and we experience G-d’s presence any place, the land where most of the Bible actually happened seems to me to hold His presence that is evident and even palpable.
One of my favorite experiences was when Pastor Jimmy took us to the edge of the Sea of Galilee one warm afternoon. It was the last stop for the day, a day that had been filled with activity and learning. I sensed an immediate sense of peace when we walked along the shores of the Galilee, watching the water in its gentle movement. The sun was low over the water and the sky had pale streaks of orange heralding the coming sunset.
We all sat down on the small rocks of the shore facing the water. Pastor Jimmy opened the Word and began to teach. I closed my eyes and pictured the men on the sea in their boat trying to fish after Jesus’ crucifixion. I could almost feel their despair and confusion as they tried hard to understand what had happened before their eyes. They went back to what they knew – fishing on the Sea of Galilee.
The Scriptures came alive to us as we placed ourselves in what it must have been for Peter to look from the boat on the Sea of Galilee to see Jesus on the shore, right where we were sitting. The lesson I took away from that time is the lesson of being restored to fellowship with Jesus if we fail. Like Peter, many times I do fail and say the wrong thing at the wrong time or allow my fear to keep me from victoriously standing up and claming Jesus. Many times, I stay quiet. And like Peter, I need to come to Jesus with open arms and ask forgiveness, knowing that He will not only forgive but restore. And with that restoration comes strength to speak up the NEXT time. Just look at Peter! I confessed my human failings to Jesus while sitting on the shore of Galilee, and I could imagine those precious disciples sitting around the fire that Jesus made, eating the fish that Jesus caught and drinking in His forgiveness, love and restoration as well as the strength to go out and be His witnesses!
We then gathered small stones from the shore and tiny shells to remind us that when we blow it, as Peter did, there is forgiveness and restoration awaiting us if we but come humbly and ask our L-rd. I also gathered some of the water there at the Sea of Galilee since I enjoyed that area so much. I am reminded that Jesus spent a great deal of time there in this area that He loved so much.
Oh, there is so much to tell you my friends about our trip to Israel. I am trying to write some every little bit while it is fresh on my heart and the lessons that the Holy Spirit has shown me are still burning with excitement in my spirit.
What I wanted to say to you is “THANK YOU.”
Thank you for giving from your heart to allow this born-gain Jew to visit Israel as an answer to a life-long dream and fervent prayer since becoming a Christian 30 years ago. There was no physical way this could have happened except that our gracious L-rd moved in your hearts to make it happen through your prayers and your giving.
I want you all to know that you were and are the hands of Jesus in sending me to the Holy Land. I know that this came from Him and He spoke to your hearts about making this happen. G-d bless you for your sacrificial prayers and offerings on this mission. G-d has truly used you and I know He will bless you mightily!!
I am writing about my trip, little by little, as the L-rd leads, on my blog. If you go there and nothing new is up, please check back in a few days.
http://www.realfoodliving.wordpress.com
As I close this letter of gratitude, I can’t express adequately how much I appreciate what you’ve done for the L-rd Jesus and myself by sending me to Israel. I have a new determination and new vision to live, breathe and have my being for Jesus and a new power to share that love with the lost and dying.
Thank you dear friends, thank you in Messiah Yeshua, your L-rd!!
~~Your Grateful Sister In Messiah,
Vickilynn Haycraft
Micah 6:8
About Vickilynn Parnes
