Sunday, March 1, 2015

Almighty...

Looking up to heaven through the branches of a 2,000 year old olive tree on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem

It was quite a moment at the Chris Tomlin Love Ran Red concert at the USF Sun Dome. 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. In the precious and holy name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen



Take a few moments
to worship Jesus Christ, Almighty, in this anointed hymn by Chris Tomlin…

Weekly Link-Ups

54 comments:

  1. Very powerful words. I love: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.
    I can picture that. How amazing!
    Playing Almighty as I type these words.
    Would love you to link to Sunday stillness.
    Blessings,
    janis

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    1. Thank you, Janis, I love linking up with Sunday Stillness. Many blessings to you ❤️

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  2. Beth,,how wonderful to go to a Chris Tomlin concert.... but how many times MORE wonderful to stand where the feet of Jesus trod, in His garden, I am sure the mighty power of I am is felt there,
    Thank you for sharing about Israel with your readers. I enjoy seeing things at it were through your eyes as you looked at what Jesus' eyes saw ! amazing indeed.

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    1. Thank you, Mary, you are a wonderful encourager, praying for you ❤️

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  3. I literally got the chills reading of your visit to Israel and picturing you walking the very places our Lord walked. You are so very blessed to have those memories and experience, Beth! I loved your insight as I read through your thoughts on John 18:6. I've always cruised past that section of verses without really pondering the deeper meaning. Thank you for your words of wisdom today. Thank you for encouraging me to dig deeper as I grow in my relationship with our Heavenly Father. God bless, Tina

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  4. This is all very interesting! I love hearing that inside info on Chris Tomlin's favorite verse. Out of all the favorites I've heard, I think that's a first for that one. That's also really cool about Israel. WOW! I would love to go there someday.

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    1. Natalie, thank you for your sweet comments, many blessings to you ❤️

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  5. First, I love how Chris Tomlin leads worship. It doesn't even seem like a concert. More like a worship service, for sure. Second, I was, too, enraptured by your words, imagining what it would be like to stand on such holy ground. I am so grateful you shared this piece of your experience. The theme of the next SDG retreat is "The Great I AM."

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  6. Jen, thank you! What a great theme for your next SDG retreat, many blessings to you ❤️

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  7. This was wonderful to think on and to read-it must have been so amazing to be in Isreal! Thank you!( I am going to this concert in a few weeks! and will think of this! :)

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  8. This is beautiful and powerful, Beth. I would love to be able to visit the places where Jesus walked - amazing. Thankful you were able to experience this and know Him more fully as you traveled - and thankful you share this with us. God bless you! Visiting from w2w today.
    Anne Dahlhauser @ www.FrontPorchInspired.com

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  9. Beautiful! Thank you so much for blessing me with this today.

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  10. We visited Israel two years ago, and I have many of these same thoughts, emotions, and responses to standing on the same ground. The age of the trees amazes me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. I'm reliving our trip through your words today.

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    1. Ginger, thank you so much for sharing that with me. Many blessings to you ❤️

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  11. Remembering what built our faith is so powerful. Love this! Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.

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  12. This gives me chills. Thank you for sharing this Beth!

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    1. Sarah, I feel exactly the same way...may blessings to you ❤️

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  13. It was beautiful 'walking' this path through your eyes, Beth, seeing the Almighty fresh. Thank you for joining us at Small Wonder.

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    1. Thank you, Amber, it is a joy for me to share these special moments...many blessings to you ❤️

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  14. Beth, oh I would love to see Chris Tomlin sometime. Thank you for blessing me with his lyrics and your words today on #livefree. Have a great one, Kim Stewart
    www.kimstewartinspired.com

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    1. Kim, thank you so much for your comments. Many blessings to you ❤️

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  15. Beautiful images. I've heard it said that travelling to the Holy Land is life changing. Thanks for sharing the experience with us.

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  16. Powerful post! Yes, He is the "I Am"! What a mighty God we serve. I am going to love studying these verses myself. Thank you for posting this on the link up at So Much At Home!
    God bless you.
    Chris

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  17. thanks for sharing your favorite verse with us in the Beloved Brews linkup. it's refreshing to meet a kindred who shares what God is whispering to her.. :)

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    1. Bonnie, how encouraging! I so enjoy your writing...love that term, "kindred," Spirit bearing witness to Spirit...truly, all is grace...many blessings to you ❤️

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  18. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story.

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  19. I'm your Weekend Brew neighbor! Glad I stopped by today. We do indeed serve and worship an Almighty God. Thanks for sharing your experience and His touch on your life!

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    1. Betsy, I so enjoy getting to know sweet sisters in Christ at Weekend Brew. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. Many blessings to you!

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  20. I can't imagine the awe you felt standing at this tree. Just seeing the image touched my heart. Love these words from Chris:
    Eyes like fire
    Face like the sun
    A voice like thunder
    Who was and is and is to come
    I'm eager to sing it! ~Pamela

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    1. Pamela, yes, I love those words from Chris Tomlin, too. Such an anointed singer-songwriter. Many blessings to you!

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  21. What a powerful song! How amazing that you stood where Jesus stood and in that moment His word came alive for you! Thank you for sharing at The Weekend Brew.

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    1. Thank you, Mary, I so enjoy getting to know sweet sisters in Christ at The Weekend Brew. Many blessings to you ❤️

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  22. Thank you for sharing this post with us at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings

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  23. Terri, thank so much stopping by from over at Good Morning Mondays. Many blessings to you ❤️

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  24. Hello. It's me again. I just wanted you to know that I have been so touched this week from this post. I have no doubt that God used it to speak to me through His word contained within it. There is such power in His name. He is the "I Am"! I have been up against strong spiritual battles and I know a couple of my loved ones who are bound so tight by spiritual bondage. This scripture has reminded me, in a most powerful way, that there is power when we speak the name of Jesus. Also, today at church, this same type message was preached. Therefore, I believe that the Lord has told me that by boldly praying in the name of Jesus and with the power given through His Holy Spirit, these chains can and will be broken. I hope to have a couple of days of prayer and fasting about this, but I feel like deliverance from these strongholds is coming for my dear ones. I just wanted to thank you again for sharing this post. I will be featuring it on my next link up as well.
    God bless.
    Chris
    So Much At Home

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    1. Chris, WOW! God is at work! You will never know how much your kind words of affirmation mean to me! I love, more than anything, being a broken vessel, sharing with others the encouragement I have received from our Lord Jesus Christ. I will be praying for you and your sweet loved ones. The battle is already won. As I was just praying, the Lord reminded me of the song, Victor's Crown by Hillsong...Every high thing must come down
      Every stronghold shall be broken
      You wear the Victor's crown
      You overcome
      You overcome

      At the cross the work was finished
      You were buried in the ground
      But the grave could not contain You
      For You wear the Victor's crown
      http://youtu.be/_2nBOGA6X2g

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  25. What a beautiful study, Beth. I am reminded of the power in His Name, I AM. He is and I am not. To depend upon Him is to live under His Strength.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

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  26. What beautiful post, Beth. I am reminded of the Power in His Name, I AM. He is and I am not. I want to depend upon His Strength so that I can stand strong in His Name.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

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    1. Yes, Linda, depending on His Strength, His Name in my weakness, amen!

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  27. Great Post - - I have seen strong men fall to the ground as the power of God hit them, so I can understand this verse. The amazing thing is the men in the scripture passage, waved all that aside and did not consider they were in the presence of the Almighty God. I am a near neighbor at Spiritual Sundays.

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  28. So beautiful! I would love to take this trip someday.

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  29. When I would ask my college students, is "I am" a complete sentence, most thought, "No." It is complete, though, and that, to me, speaks even more powerfully about who He is. Your story is so incredibly beautiful and deep in its revelation of God's power! So glad I stopped by!

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    1. WOW! Thank you so much for this wonderful insight..."I AM...it is complete"...amen...many blessings to you ❤️

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