JORDAN RIVER BAPTISM

 

JORDAN RIVER BAPTISM

It is a cool morning in November 2018, and the sun is shining brightly through the trees surrounding the Jordan River baptismal site called Yardenit, as our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner baptized my husband, Jack, and me. As my bare feet step into the chilly water, I am immediately aware of the Presence of the Divine.
          It was here, in this water, this same water, that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ placed His Perfect Spirit Feet shod with flesh. He was baptized, and immediately coming up out of the water, as He looked up to this same sun, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him, and His Father's Voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, and in You I am well-pleased."
          I see the bright sun shining through the trees above me, I feel its warmth on my face, and as my husband, Jack, and I are baptized by our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Aaron Burgner in the chilly Jordan River. I experience once again the cleansing feeling of being buried with Christ in baptism, and raised to walk in a new way of life.
          This represents a re-commitment of my life to the One and Only Son of God, Who loved me so much that He took my sin upon Himself, nailed to that Cross, I come to Him again. I bow before Him, and look up to His thorn-pierced brow, and feel His Blood flow over those thorns to cover my heart, giving me His Robe of Righteousness to wear.
          From this day forward, I am a bond-servant to Jesus Christ. I am willing to be willing to surrender to You, Your Plan, Your Hope, Your Future for me. I will go where You want me to go, I will do what You want me to do, by the power of Your Holy Spirit Who dwells in the innermost part of me, taking authority over my soul—the seat of my emotions, and my body—my fleshly desires and appetites.
          This is the only place in the Scriptures where the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—appear all-at-once is here . . . Mark 1:9-11 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
            The first act of obedience after salvation is to be baptized. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change, and is a picture of three things: 

1.  It’s a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

2.  It’s a picture of the death of your old life, and that you’re raised to walk in a new way of life.

3.  It’s a public way to share that you’re not ashamed to publicly declare Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life! 

          Baptism symbolizes your new life in Christ and proclaims that you are now committed to Jesus. Even Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:1-22), and He calls His followers to also be baptized. Baptism was practiced by the very first followers of Jesus in Acts 2:41. 

          SAVIOR, every day people who are hurting and lost surround me. Help me to share the good news that you are the Christ and that you have set us free! Lord, if there are those in my life who are crying out to you, open my spiritual eyes that I might see, and give me the courage to share the gospel message with them. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

          Look Up—meditate on Mark 1:9-11 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
          Look In—as you meditate on Mark 1:9-11 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
          Look Out—as you meditate on Mark 1:9-11 … pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

MAGDALA BY THE SEA OF GALILEE

 

MAGDALA BY THE SEA OF GALILEE

          On our pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2018, our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner shared with us that this first-century synagogue in Magdala marks the hometown of Mary Magdalene. It was uncovered by accident in 2009 when workers broke ground for a new hotel. When the excavator first struck dirt, it made contact with a rock that turned out to be an ornately carved stone, now called the Magdala Stone. This stone was positioned in the center of the synagogue, leading scholars to believe it was used as a podium or reading desk—the flat surface where rabbis would unroll the Torah scrolls for teaching. Outside the entrance, archaeologists found a stone wash basin. This type of basin is where Jews would wash their hands prior to entering the synagogue. Scripture tells us Jesus taught in this synagogue, which means He likely rolled out a scroll on the Magdala Stone. And as a law-abiding Jew, He would have washed His hands in this wash basin. The hands that formed these rocks washed in them, taught from them. Archeologists long denied the existence of the first-century synagogues that Scripture mentions, but buried underneath this soil for thousands of years, these stones testify to the truth of His Word.
            In the basement of one of the buildings at Magdala is the Encounter Chapel which is modeled after the synagogue that was excavated in Magdala. The seating is like the synagogue, and the stones on the floor are the actual stones on which Jesus would have walked 2,000 years ago. There is a mural on the wall of the woman touching Jesus’ robe. This was painted by now famous Daniel Cariola from Chile. It is a work of genius and capturing that moment, he painted the tip of her finger as healed, and the rest of the hand is still sickly. He did a lot of study on the hands of 20 elderly sick women to produce this hand. By painting the tip of her finger as healed, he captures that instant of the miracle when Jesus asks the question, “Who touched me?” The disciples push back and say, “You're crazy, everybody's pushing, look at all the people here, so close, all tight, all wanting to get close to Jesus. Jesus knew and he said, “Power went out from me, somebody touched me.” What Jesus is interested in is the relationship with this woman, the relationship with every person whom he heals. Jesus wants personal relationships with us, not just a chemical, biological, physical healing. He wants us to enter into relationship because there's probably a lot more to be healed. We could be physically well, but we could be in real bad trouble with a child, with a parent, with a sibling, with a neighbor. The healing of relationships is so important.
          Think of somebody today who needs healing—it could be cancer, it could be diabetes, it could be migraines, but it could also be relationships. It could be depression, it could be unhealthy aggressiveness, unhealthy relationships, we want healing, we ask the Lord for healing. Place your finger as though you’re touching Jesus’ robe and think of someone now for whom we pray: Lord Jesus, we come to you as though we are at Magdala by the Sea of Galilee, with our sick and broken people, as represented by this painting. Jesus, we believe in you, that's why we bring them. We know who you are. Jesus, we hope in you because so many thousands came to you here 2,000 years ago with great hope of healing. We hope in you with a great hope. Jesus, we come to you with our broken person. We can say his name now, her name. We come with great love. Love makes us patient. Patience is nothing more than pure love for people who are a big burden for us. Pure love for you, Lord. When we are going through very hard times for which we have zero understanding. Jesus, fill the heart of this broken person with your love so that this person can become a hero of patience until they're fully healed. Jesus, we believe in you. Jesus, we hope in you. Jesus, we love you. Thank you, Jesus. Jesus, we adore you, amen.
          When you feel outcast or in need of healing, cry out to Jesus. The woman with the issue of blood did in Luke 8:43-48. As her story shows, Jesus meets us where we are and reminds us of our belovedness. Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and Holy Spirit, meet us in this space, whatever space we find ourselves in. Help us to learn more about who You are through this woman. Help us to see Your image in the image-bearer we find in this story. Help us to sympathize, grow, and lean into her story. Give us wisdom and gentleness with ourselves today. In the precious name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

          The unnamed woman in this Gospel story is a woman who has suffered for 12 years from a certain kind of bleeding; it is often translated as “hemorrhaging.” She has visited many doctors and healers, and none of them has been able to heal her. It seems frenetic and like she is acting out in a last-ditch effort. Her very presence in a large crowd would be frowned upon in this society because she is considered “unclean.” Her normal existence would often have been spent watching people skirt around her to avoid the possibility of contact. No brushing or touching or sharing friendly gestures on the path. She lived in isolation and would have been known for her uncleanliness.
          This unnamed woman, whose story the text brings to light, not only suffered from continuous bleeding for many years, but also that dirty, unclean feeling resulting from being stigmatized and isolated. Hers was a continual existence of pain and being cast out. Jesus meets her in this space—or, rather, is met by her—and does the opposite of what is expected. Instead of being repulsed or disgusted by her, he responds with peace. He responds with acceptance and grace. He seems to respond with understanding. He calls her daughter. He accepts her. He offers her peace and heals her.
          This bleeding woman’s story interacts with all of our stories because we, like her, have been in need of healing at some point or another. We have been outcasts or have felt abandoned by our communities or our friends. We have been in need of a merciful touch by God and by the body of Christ incarnate in our sisters and brothers here with us.
          Know that you are beloved and known by God. Healing does not always look exactly like what we are hoping for, but sometimes healing looks like acceptance, belonging, and connection. Sometimes healing looks like not letting fear have a hold in your life. Love looks like a touch from a friend or loved one in a moment of shame, hopelessness, or deep pain to draw us out and remind us that we are loved and called children of God.
          Reach out and touch the robe of Jesus today and ask for the reminder, the grace, and the knowing that comes from Him. Let Christ find you wherever you are and meet you there—at your lowest lows and your highest heights. Ask for wisdom and pray for strength and courage this day.
          Lord Jesus, thank You for facing the same temptations and problems we do and for fully understanding our weaknesses. Thank You for pouring out your life on the cross, for rising again and reigning at the right hand of the Father. Your throne is a place of grace for Your children, where we can receive Your mercy and help when we most need it, in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

          Look up – Meditate on Luke 8:43-48. Pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
          Look in – Meditate on Luke 8:43-48. Pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: “Because God is ______________, I will ______________.”
          Look out – Meditate on Luke 8:43-48. Pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.
NOTE: There is a wonderful online devotion every morning on YouTube called "Sunrise Stroll & Chat" with Fr Eamon Kelly which records the sunrise every morning from Magdala at the Sea of Galilee. It's a wonderful way to start the day.

From Jerusalem Prayer Center to Lakes Church Prayer Room

Lakes Church Prayer Room

 

FROM JERUSALEM PRAYER CENTER TO LAKES CHURCH PRAYER ROOM

          During our pilgrimage to the Holy Land on February 11, 2020, Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron Burgner asked me to spend some time in the Jerusalem Prayer Center to capture photos and information that would help him to replicate it in order to build a Prayer Room at Lakes Church in Lakeland, Florida. It was a blessing to spend time at the Jerusalem Prayer Center, take the photos shown above, and communicate with the directors of the Jerusalem Prayer Center to capture the essence of this beautiful space. After several months of planning and development, Pastor Aaron Burgner opened the Lakes Church Prayer Room on August 11, 2021.
          It was such a joy to introduce our two precious grandsons, Colton and Carson, to our new Lakes Church Prayer Room. Lakes Church Senior Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner was inspired to create this prayer room after visiting the Jerusalem Prayer Center in Israel. Imagine walking into the Garden of Gethsemane and experiencing an intense, focused time of prayer.
          There are interactive prayer stations for Praise, Confession, and Intercession. There is such an intimate atmosphere as individuals begin their prayer time praising the Lord by watching the Lakes Church video, “He Is” which proclaims Names of God from Genesis to Revelation. Tears flow as individuals sit quietly with the Lord, focusing on Who He Is and how grateful they are for all the Lord has done in their lives. 
           Cleansing From Sin--1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Take a strip of dissolvable paper from the basket. Write out the sin that the Holy Spirit has brought to your mind. Place the paper in the bowl of water and stir with the sticks provided. Watch it disappear and reflect on how He washes our sins completely away and thank Him for being a God of forgiveness.
             Intercession for the Nations—Commit to Pray for a People Group—By the world map is a basket of Prayer Cards showing unreached people groups throughout the world. Pray that the Holy Spirit would move through these unreached people groups, drawing more and more to salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. As you look through these Prayer Cards, ask the Holy Spirit to lay one of these groups on your heart. Take the Prayer Card with you as a reminder to pray for those who have not heard that Jesus is their Savior.
          Artistic Expression—Our God is a God of incredible beauty and astounding creativity. Express your prayers, thoughts, and petitions to the Lord through drawings, poetry, or other works of art. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. (Psalm 19:1-2) Take a few minutes and allow God to inspire you as you express your prayer through art, using simple colored pencils and paper that are provided.
          Pray for Hearts to Soften—A new heart born of love can only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Intercede for your unredeemed loved ones, and those of the world. As you cry out to the Father on their behalf, write that person’s name or people group on one of the stones that are provided, and place the stone in the basket that is provided. People pray earnestly as they write the names of their unsaved loved ones or unreached people groups on the rocks in the Intercession station of the prayer room. 
I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. (Ezekiel 36:26-27) 

          Look Up—meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27, pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In—as you meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27, pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
          Look Out—as you meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27, pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

Sunrise at the Sea of Galilee

 

SUNRISE AT THE SEA OF GALILEE

          It is 5:30am, still dark as I settle down on the rocks beside the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias, Israel, on a cool Monday morning in March, 2000. I turn on my video camera and set it down on the rock beside me to record the sunrise and then I steady my 35mm camera for this first still shot of the pink glow beginning to peak over the eastern hills. 
          Then it hits me . . . He was here, He walked here, He may have sat on this very same rock on that early morning after His resurrection as He prepared a breakfast of fish and bread on a fire for His disciples. Right here where I am sitting right now. I am in awe. His Spirit Feet shod with flesh left footprints in this sand.
          He is here now, with me. Emmanuel, God with us. His Spirit dwells in the innermost part of me, taking authority over my soul, the seat of my emotions, and my body, my fleshly desires and appetites. El Shaddai, my all-sufficient Heavenly Father, my Abba Daddy, speaking to me through His Word from Jeremiah 1:5, “Beth, before you were born, I knew you.”
          The video camera on the rock beside me hums, and I begin to sing, "My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine, for Thee all the follies of sin I resign, My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou". . . and then suddenly, at the exact moment when the first golden round edge of the sun peeks over the distant hills, my voice can be faintly heard on the video recording singing the closing words of the hymn, "If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now."

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign, My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree, I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now 

In mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now

          John 21:1-6 Later Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there--Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing." "We'll come, too," they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn the disciples saw Jesus standing on the beach, but they couldn't see who he was. He called out, "Friends, have you caught any fish?" "No," they replied. Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get plenty of fish!" So they did, and they couldn't draw in the net because there were so many fish in it.

          Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your peace today. You are our Peace. I ask you to help me to do these things: to lean on you, to meditate on your character and attributes, and to trust you with all my heart. Thank You for Your promise that Your perfect peace will guard my heart and mind. In Christ, I am relaxed and at peace in the midst of the confusions, bewilderments, and perplexities of this life, because I trust in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

          Look Up—meditate on John 21:1-6 pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

          Look In—as you meditate on John 21:1-6  pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

          Look Out—as you meditate on John 21:1-6   pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

Mount of Olives Moment

 It was quite a moment at the Chris Tomlin Love Ran Red concert. Chris asked the audience to send in questions for him to answer, saying he’d never done this before at a concert. He read and answered several questions, and then he came to this one, “What is your favorite Scripture verse?” He immediately replied, “John 18:6,” and then he went on to explain why. But instantly, I knew why. It had been a favorite verse to me, too, from the moment my foot first touched the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

As soon then as he had said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground.--John 18:6

A word study of the ESV English-Greek Reverse Interlinear New Testament reveals, Jesus answered them: “ego eimi” (I AM).

It is evident that it was the power of God that made these 600-plus men fall backward to the ground, but why did it happen when He said, "I am he"? In this verse, the word "he" is italicized. That means that the word "he" was not in the original text but was added by the translators to make the sentence grammatically correct. In this instance, Jesus literally said, "I am." Since Jesus was God manifest in the flesh, His statement of "I am" carried just as much weight as when it was spoken to Moses (Exodus 3:14). This was nothing less than the Almighty God releasing His glory through this powerful statement of "I AM." No wonder these men were knocked to the ground.

Our Israeli tour bus stopped at the top of the Mount of Olives. As I stepped off the bus, and my foot first touched the Mount of Olives, I became so aware of the holy presence of our Lord. I remembered God's Word in Zechariah 14:4...On that day, His Feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west.

My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ walked here, prayed here, ascended to Heaven here, and one day He will return here, splitting the Mount of Olives like the veil of the temple.

As I begin to walk down the steep incline down the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane, my eyes begin to fill with tears for the sweat drops of blood pressed from my Savior as He wept and prayed, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet, not as I will, but as You will.

Touching the huge olive tree I photographed above, estimated to be over 2,000 years old, I suddenly realize, He could have prayed here that night, beside this very tree. That night when He went further still after asking His disciples to pray with Him for just an hour...the place where Jesus was betrayed with a kiss.

Picturing the scene from John 18:4-6, Jesus knowing all that was going to happen to Him went out and asked them, Who is it you want?" When Jesus said, "I AM," they drew back and fell to the ground.

I hear my dear Lord saying, "I AM," right here where I am standing now. My God and my Savior Jesus Christ, the great "I AM."

What power knocked 600 armed soldiers to their backs? The God of all creation, El Elyon, the Sovereign and Supreme Most High God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob stood before them in living, breathing flesh and uttered His perfect, divine, and holy name: "I AM!"

Remembering Acts 1:11-12, This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives.

I will never be the same again...Lord Jesus, open the blocked artery that connects my head to my heart. Open my mind that I may understand the Scriptures, to have Your Feast every day until I see You Face-to-face.

Lord Jesus Christ, the Great I AM, we praise You for Who You are. Your glory is higher than the heavens. Your majesty fills the earth. We worship and adore You. Open our eyes to see Your unfailing love and goodness. Renew our trust in Your Word. With a word You brought into existence the stars in the heavens and held the seas in place. Nothing can thwart Your plans. Fill our hearts with songs of joy. You are worthy of our unending praise! You created the stars and turn darkness into dawn and day into night, I bow before You. Nothing can withstand Your power! Thank You for Your Word, which reminds me of Who You are and calls me back to devotion and truth. Keep me from evil, and guide me along the path of life. Thank You for the free gift of salvation, that we are justified on the basis of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Thank You that, right now, we are under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because we have placed our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by His precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for us and approval of us will never be determined by our performance is the most encouraging promise to which we cling. Oh what a Savior! Jesus, we love You, it is in Your mighty Name Above All Names—the Great I AM, we pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on John 18:4-6, pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In—as you meditate on John 18:4-6, pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on John 18:4-6, pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.