After covid testing and negative testing result for all 48 people, the Holy Land Tour Group headed to Nashville to depart the airport Sunday evening for Israel.
Group arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel Monday evening where they aboard a tour bus to travel through Joppa, checked in to the Herods Herzliya Hotel on the Mediterranean Sea, ate dinner together, and rested for the evening to begin tours Tuesday morning.
Shalom from the Holy Land!
Our group arrived in Israel last night safe and well. Our hotel was located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. We couldn’t see the Great Sea because of the darkness. However, a majestic sight was before us this morning with the break of dawn. What an amazing place to start our day! Our group ate a delicious dinner last night and breakfast this morning. And yes, I believe I’ll be writing about this often, we’ve already consumed a healthy amount of chocolate.
Our team arrived at the bus early this morning. Folks were ready to leave the hotel and experience our faith’s homeland.
As you and I open our Bibles, we have four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). Believers in Israel say that we have five Gospels. Walking in the Holy Land is the fifth Gospel. You can’t spend time in Israel and read the Bible the same again.
Our first stop of the morning was at Caesarea by the Sea. We sat in a historic theatre and read Acts 10 (Travis Massa). That chapter makes the connection between Joppa and Caesarea. The gospel changed Cornelius’ life and the lives of his family members and close friends, resulting in spiritual transformation for us.
We visited Megiddo and read Revelation 16:1-16 (Ed Larson). This is the site of the future Battle of Armageddon. Blood will fill the Jezreel Valley. Our task of sharing Jesus and making disciples of all nations is urgent. Jesus is coming again! As Jesus shed His blood for us once and for all, Satan, our adversary, will be defeated once and for all. There’s a tunnel and spring at Megiddo that we walked to. We walked down 186 steps and walked up 58 steps. I heard shouts of joy when that walk was finished.
Our first worship service in Israel was at Mount Carmel. 1 Kings 19:1-14 was the biblical text for the message. John Mark Cox, Licia Massa, and Jennifer Oyler led us in singing songs about the faithfulness of our God. My message focused on mankind’s wickedness, Elijah’s emotions, and God’s whisper. Traveling up to Mount Carmel allowed us to see several first-century tombs.
We visited Mount Precipice. We read Luke 4:16-30 (Julie Carney) from God’s Word. People turned on Jesus quickly. Rejection is a real issue for people who serve in Christian ministry. Standing on Mount Precipice was a little chilly. However, the views of Nazareth, the Mount of Transfiguration, and the Jezreel Valley were breathtaking.
Our final stop before going to The Scots Hotel was in the village of Cana. Jesus attended a wedding in Cana and performed His first miracle there (John 2). We had ten couples renew their marriage vows. It was a special time of worship, celebrating God’s design for marriage. Among the ten couples, they had a collected 360 years of marriage.
One unforgettable experience of visiting the Holy Land is taking a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Our two-hour boat ride is scheduled for early in the morning. Besides the ride, we’ll stop in the middle of the sea, shut off the engines, and worship the Lord. I’m praying that our worship experience will be a “holy ground” moment.
Thank you for praying and following our pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We’ll post another update tomorrow.
Rejoicing in God’s Faithfulness,
Pastor Ronny
Lamentations 3:22-23
Today’s weather was beautiful. Temperatures are mild in the Galilee region. We leave tomorrow for the desert area of the Holy Land. It’s going to be another great day.
Our day started on the Sea of Galilee. It's a favorite place in the Holy Land. We started the day with a boat ride and worship service on the sea. It was an amazing time with the Lord. We sang songs, read Scripture, preached truth, shared testimonies, and prayed together. As we prayed and expected, it was a “holy ground” moment. I sure hope you’ll consider joining us on a future trip.
Once the boat docked, we visited a museum that displays the “Jesus Boat.” The boat was discovered in the Sea of Galilee in 1986 and is estimated to be 2,000 years old. The movie that describes the discovery and excavation process is inspiring. I encourage you to Google “Jesus Boat” and see pictures and read stories about this amazing discovery.
An inspiring place to visit is the village of Capernaum. Capernaum is an ancient Jewish fishing village. The area was prominent in Jesus’ life and in the New Testament. Mike Harris read from John 6. Peter’s house was in this village, and a church met under his roof. Peter’s mother-in-law was healed in Capernaum. The village had a prominent synagogue. Jesus spent considerable time in that place of worship. He’d often read Isaiah the prophet. I get chills thinking that we stood in a place where Jesus walked, worshipped, and witnessed. Jesus cursed this village (Matthew 11:20-24). People rejected Him. There’s an urgent lesson for us. We can’t reject Jesus, refuse to repent, and escape the consequences. Sin is serious in God’s eyes. Near the synagogue’s entrance, you can step on a step, that in all reality, is a step that Jesus stepped on. The synagogue in Capernaum is the most mentioned synagogue in the Bible.
Our next stop was supposed to be at St. Peter’s Primacy. However, the area was closed because of Covid issues. Lynn Wilson still read John 21 in a nearby place.
We ate lunch today at a restaurant, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Many in our group ate St. Peter’s fish. If you’re wondering, the head and tail are on your plate. The fish’s eyeballs were still intact, too. I must say, the fish was tasty. By the way, two people in our group ate the eyeballs. Enjoy this part of today’s video.
We visited the Mount of the Beatitudes after lunch. Ted and Missy Reece and Mike Provine read Matthew 5-7. Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount at this location. As we read this sermon, you could hear birds singing, and you could see flowers all around. Jesus used simple object lessons to teach profound truths.
Our afternoon was dedicated to baptisms at the Jordan River. Our baptism service wasn’t about obedience; it was about identification. Many in our group wanted to be baptized in the area that Jesus was baptized in. It was a joy to stand in the water with eight members of the group and hear them confess their love and devotion to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope you enjoy today’s video footage of the baptismal service. To God be the glory!
As we prepare for another delicious dinner at The Scots Hotel, today has been amazing. Thank you for reading and watching, and we hope you’ll join us for tomorrow’s update.
Lord, Open Our Eyes,
Pastor Ronny
Psalm 119:18
I live free because of His grace. As you and I know, His grace is still amazing!
That was our theme for the day!
We left the Scots Hotel early this morning and made our way to a small fishing village called Magdala. We held our worship service in this village, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. Jesus visited often and taught in the local synagogue. As I’ve said before, it’s overwhelming to teach and walk where Jesus did. As we walked into the seaside chapel, we sang, “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)” and “Jesus Paid It All.” The acoustics were amazing. God always touches hearts when His people sing about grace. I shared a message about a life that was radically changed. Jesus paid our sin debt in full. That truth is worth shouting!
Our next stop was at Bet She’an. Saul, David, and Solomon had roots in this city. Dr. Mike Carrigan read 1 Samuel 31, reminding us of the significance of Bet She’an with the deaths of King Saul and his sons. This area has a beautiful theater (known as the second oldest in Israel). The acoustics are impressive in this ancient structure. I’d love to have a worship service there one day. Outside of Bet She’an is Mount Gilboa.
As we traveled from the Galilee area of the Holy Land to Jericho, the landscape dramatically changed. We went from lush, green vegetation to a desert view. We ate lunch in Jericho and toured areas that we read about in the Old and New Testaments. We stopped on the side of the road and saw an old sycamore tree, a tree like the one Zacchaeus climbed to see Jesus. Rhonda Kennedy read Luke 19 for the group. Our group started singing the children’s song about Zacchaeus. It's amazing how we remember songs from VBS. The Mount of Temptation is near Jericho, as well.
We visited the Jordan River area outside of Jericho. It’s believed to be the place where John baptized our Lord Jesus. The water is dirty in this location. I took the opportunity, along with several other people in our group. to have my picture taken with two young ladies who serve on the Israeli police force.
Later in the afternoon, we made our way to Herod’s Hotel at the Dead Sea. Our group had time to float on the Dead Sea. It’s an experience like no other. Many people in our group took advantage of this experience. It was fun to watch them walk in the water and float on the Salt Sea. Believe me, you can’t sink.
Tomorrow is a special day for our group. We make our way up to Jerusalem. We’ll see the Holy City for the first time. We have a special experience planned for our group as we near Jerusalem.
Thank you for following our journey today! We hope you’ll join us again tomorrow.
His Grace is Sufficient,
Pastor Ronny
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Thank you for following our Holy Land journey!
The Bible says that Jesus would get up early in the morning, go to a solitary place, and pray. Many of our group members did this today. We gathered to watch the sunrise over the Dead Sea. Clouds hindered our view, but we were still able to quote God’s Word and pray. God’s mercies are new every morning!
Over the past two days, we visited the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Both bodies of water are fed by the Jordan River. The Sea of Galilee is about life. The Dead Sea is about death. God has called us to live abundant lives and share the good news of Jesus Christ. His gospel is about life!
Our first stop of the day was at Masada. Many of our group members rode in a cable car to reach Masada, while many others walked up the steep terrain to reach the top. I must say, that’s impressive! Masada was a getaway for King Herod. It’s perched high on a mountain, overlooking the Dead Sea. The place oozes with archeological history. Hebrew scrolls were found at Masada. King Herod had his problems. He loved to eat. Sounds like many of us Baptist folk! King Herod built his palaces to the highest standards. He loved the good life. King Herod faced his physical ailments. He dealt with gout and syphilis. He fathered many babies. People survived these days because their bodies were strong, and their immune systems were resilient. During Masada’s history, because of Roman aggression, Jewish men had a decision to make. The choice was between Roman slavery or physical death. A passionate speech took place in the synagogue on Masada. Those Jewish men choose death, not slavery. Ten Jewish men were selected to remain. The question was, “Who would kill the other nine men and then fall on his own sword?” The decision at Masada was an act of courage. What decisions are you and I facing? May you and I make decisions with courage!
During our visit to Ein Gedi, we enjoyed an animal known as the Ibex. We saw several of them upon our arrival. Animals are always fun to see in their natural habitat. George Wyatt read 1 Samuel 24, describing the story of David and Saul at Ein Gedi.
Our next stop before lunch was at Qumran. The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered here. Today’s worship service focused on the Word of God. The Bible is spiritual nourishment in our walk with the Lord. Our group was challenged with seven principles. (1) Ask the Lord to give you a hunger for the Bible. (2) Use an accurate Bible translation. (3) Open the Bible with realistic expectations; (4) Invest time in the Bible. (5) Overcome obstacles to Bible study. (6) Study the Bible with a group. (7) Read helpful books about the Bible. What a blessing to worship Jesus today with the Qumran caves as a backdrop!
Our afternoon stop was at the “Valley of the Shadow of Death.” Robin Harris read Psalm 23. God has used this Psalm throughout the ages to comfort many people. Our group shared personal stories, detailing how the Lord used this Psalm to give them hope and assurance in the valleys of life. We even saw a shepherd leading his sheep through the valley. God’s timing is always perfect!
As we drew near the city of Jerusalem, we played the song, “Jerusalem.” That song is a perfect introduction to the Holy City. It’s emotional to see the beauty and magnificence of Jerusalem for the first time. We visited Mount Scopus for a “Genesis Blessing.” I watched people stand amazed at seeing the Holy City with their own eyes. That’s one reason why I’m passionate about leading trips to the Holy Land.
We arrived at the David Citadel for the next several nights. We finally get to leave our luggage in one place. This is a nice, comfortable hotel near the Old City. Our group experienced a Shabbat for the first time. For the Jewish people, it’s a day of rest and worship. There’s a lesson for us all in their weekly rhythm of life. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and hopefully a restful night after a long, fruitful day.
Thank you for joining us today. Join us tomorrow for amazing sights and stories from Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Christmas is coming in March for our group.
Waiting Now for the New Jerusalem,
Pastor Ronny
Revelation 21:1-4
It was our first day in Jerusalem. We left the hotel after a delicious breakfast, and our group was eager to see the Holy City.
Our first stop was at the Pool of Bethesda. Jane Walker read from John 5. The injured, blind, and lame would gather at this place. When the water was stirred, the first one in was healed. Jesus healed a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. Jesus changed his life both physically and spiritually. How is Jesus changing your life?
We sang today in St. Anne’s Church. It was amazing. We lifted our voices to the Lord and sang, “It is Well, Amazing Grace, and the Doxology.” The acoustics in this church facility are unbelievable. We called our group the “Jerusalem Choir.” Take a moment and enjoy our glorious singing.
We worshipped the Lord today at the Garden Tomb. It was a moving worship gathering. I was blessed to lead the Lord’s Supper with five of our deacons. The resurrection makes a difference in our lives every day, not just on Easter. Our guide at the Garden Tomb was a Scottish lady. She was excellent. Her love for Jesus was touching, and her testimony about the gospel was inspiring.
We toured the Israel Museum. A model city of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago is located here. We talked about the Temple Mount. This area had several courts: (1) Gentile Court. (2) Jewish Court. (3) Priestly Court. (4) Holy of Holies. Beginning at 3:00 pm, blood and water flowed from the Temple Mount down to Jericho and then to the Dead Sea. Here’s an important connection for us. Jesus was crucified at 3:00 pm. Blood and water flowed from His body. Jesus was the last sacrifice. His sacrificial death was once and for all.
We made our way to Bethlehem. We ate lunch in the city. We entered a shepherd’s cave and enjoyed Christmas in March. Stephen Broome read the Christmas story from Luke 2, and we sang many of our favorite Christmas carols. What’s significant about Christmas and Easter. (1) Bethlehem says, “God is with us;” (2) Calvary says, “God is for us;” and (3) Pentecost says, “God is in us.” It’s always special to be in Bethlehem and sing, “Away in a Manger, Silent Night, and O Come All Ye Faithful.” We made our way to the Church of the Nativity before leaving the city. Crowds were small today. By the way, this is unusual at this site.
The city of Bethlehem is much different today than in the days of Jesus. We saw a Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Stars & Bucks Café. I wonder if Starbucks is aware of this place? Bethlehem is no longer a little town.
We finished our day with shopping. Folks enjoyed buying authentic items from the Holy Land.
Thank you again for following our journey today. We have two days left in Israel. Please check back tomorrow and see how the Lord blesses our group.
One final thought from today’s time at the Garden Tomb. “The tomb is empty, the throne is occupied, and Jesus is alive!”
Looking Forward to Seeing Jesus’ Face,
Pastor Ronny
Revelation 22:4
Thank you for following our journey today. Our group arrived at breakfast after a good night’s rest to find warm chocolate cake. Life in Israel is the best.
Our first stop of the morning was the Temple Mount. It’s a holy site for Christians and even for Muslims. This is Mount Moriah in the Old Testament. God called Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac on this mountain (Genesis 22). What are you and I willing to sacrifice to obey the Lord? The Bible teaches that Abraham departed early in the morning and obeyed God's call. And, as we know, God provided a ram at the right time. You and I love and serve a Father who always provides. His timing is perfect, too!
The Temple Mount is the third holiest place for Muslims: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. It's said, that from the Dome of the Rock, the prophet Mohammed went to heaven and met with Moses. Moses told Mohammed to lead Muslims to pray five times a day. A major focus of the Temple Mount is sacrifice. Jewish people would sacrifice to God animals without blemish. God deserved their best. He still deserves our best. Are you and I giving the Lord our best, what we don’t need, or what we have leftover? We saw the Eastern Gate (Golden Gate, Beautiful Gate). It's closed today. However, one day, Jesus is going to return and come through that Gate.
We worshiped in the Garden of Gethsemane. What a sacred place! We adored the Lord in song; we taught God’s Word; we sought the Lord’s face. Tears flowed from our group members. We prayed prayers of thanksgiving, confession, and surrender. Angie and I rejoiced to pray together again in this place. I asked our group to pray for those of us serving on staff at our church. We’re desperate for the prayers of God’s people. I was moved and strengthened as people prayed over us. My challenge was for them to pray for us using five words: (1) Devotion. We’d seek the kingdom of God first: (2) Wisdom. It takes God’s wisdom to lead in ministry. (3) Balance. We need to be able to balance ministry responsibilities and family life: (4) Unity. The enemy would love to divide our ministry team and church; and (5) Protection. Our adversary loves to steal, kill, and destroy. Hearing people pray for us was overwhelming. People wept; people rejoiced. This was a holy ground moment!
We enjoyed Jerusalem pizza for lunch. It was a treat for our group.
We visited the Upper Room on Mount Zion. The Tomb of David is near, too. Allison Clouser read from John 13, and Rissa Larson read from Acts 1. Stones from the Holy of Holies can be seen in the Upper Room.
Walking the streets of the Holy City is inspiring. We saw thousands of Jewish people going about their day. I pray always to see people through the eyes of Jesus. God opened a door for us to have a gospel conversation with three young students about the “Suffering Servant” in Isaiah 53. What an honor to sow gospel seeds in their lives!
Our group walked inside the Western Wall Tunnel. We touched stones that date back 2,000 years. Biblical history is deep and rich in Jerusalem. I grew up near Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. The Western Wall Tunnel reminds me of walking through the cave as a young boy. The tunnel is cool and tight in places. The stones in the tunnel are massive. Many people were praying inside the tunnel because of its nearness to the Holy of Holies.
We have one more day in the Holy City. We take our last Covid test in the morning. Thank you for praying for us again. We're asking the Lord for negative test results.
Bless you for following our journey. We’ll have one more update tomorrow.
Shalom, and have a great Sunday back home!
Today was our last day in Israel. It’s special to see our group grow in Christ and in fellowship with one another. And, as a praise to the Lord, everyone tested negative on their Covid test. That means we all get to come home!
Our worship service today was on the Southern Steps. We worshiped the Lord by singing, teaching, praying, and testifying. As we sat on those sacred steps, we could see the Mount of Olives and the City of David. Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, and He walked up those steps! Our group shared personal testimonies about their time in Israel. It was touching to hear them share. I was able to meet and talk with Max Lucado on the Southern Steps. He is leading a group in Israel this week, too. Several in our group had their pictures taken with him.
We walked down the Kidron Valley to the Pool of Siloam. Apartment buildings fill the hillside along the valley. Many of the apartments have been around for more than 2,000 years. On our right was the City of David. You can see from the landscape how David saw Bathsheba bathing on the rooftop in 2 Samuel 11. The Water Gate of Nehemiah 8 is in the area, too. Jennifer Harper read from John 9. The pool is dried up now. Water is a major commodity in Israel. It’s biblically accurate to say that Jesus walked through the Kidron Valley.
Our final stop was at the Via Dolorosa. Jesus was tried and beaten in this place on His way to the cross. Sarah Sumpter read from Matthew 27. We bowed and prayed on stones that Jesus stood on. Lynn Wilson read from Hebrews 12. John Mark led us to sing, “There’s Something About That Name.” Hearts were moved and touched as we reflected on Jesus’ sacrifice and love for us.
During dinner tonight, we passed out many certificates that we received while in the Holy Land. Our tour guide was Shafik. He led our group well, and George was our bus driver. His driving skills are amazing!
Our staff team from church served well in Israel. I’m thankful to have experienced the land of the Bible with them.
Thank you for following our journey to the Holy Land. It’s been a blessing to hear from many of you. As we finish this trip, we’ll begin planning soon for our next journey to Israel. We expect that to be in early 2024. If you have an interest, you can contact us at First Baptist Clarksville. We’ll add your name to the interest list.
Let me say one last time, “Shalom from Israel!”
The Tomb is Empty,
Pastor Ronny
Matthew 28:1-10
Group arrives back in the Unites States forever changed from walking with Jesus in the Holy Land!