We are in awe as we walk in the sand beside this amazing Roman Aqueduct in Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea, and touch the “Pilate Stone” (below) which gives historical validation with the inscription of the name “Pontius Pilate” from 26-27 AD.
Taking in the significance of this Roman Amphitheater (above) where the Apostle Paul proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ declaring… From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us, For in Him we live and move and have our being.--Acts 17:26-28.
The
reality of where I am is
suddenly so clear to me, and all I know to be true because of what the Holy
Spirit has revealed to me in the inspired, infallible, inerrant Holy Word of
God.
As
I stand beside these
structures, built when Jesus Christ walked on this Earth, I am filled over and
over again with the awesome awareness of the Presence of God in this place.
"I
am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me . . . Because I live, you also will live." (John 14:6, 19)
Nothing
satisfies my mind, my heart, and the deepest longings of my soul like Jesus
does. He is not only the way, the truth,
and the life; He is personal to me. He is my way, and my truth, and my life—just
as he can be for anyone who reaches out to him, "He is not far from each
one of us." (Acts 17:27)
Peace
is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing. It is not related to
our environment or circumstances. Peace is a
gift, something Jesus gives. Through thankful, fervent prayer—articulating our
burdens to Jesus—we exchange anxiety for peace. We seize His promises and
assurances. The peace of God is powerfully vigilant, for it literally guards
our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We can imagine this peace as a fortress
encircling us. It protects our mental, emotional, and spiritual health; our stability;
our steadfastness; our confidence in God.
As
we pray, we experience His peace, the walls grow taller and stronger,
protecting us more and more. Peace guards our hearts, we live behind the
safe protection of our fortress of peace. No matter what, ruling our hearts is
the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing.
Heavenly
Father, God of peace, teach me the path of peace. Teach me to pray with
thanksgiving, to submit my requests and needs to You—and to leave them there.
Forgive me for trying to carry my burdens on my own. You don’t want me to live
in the clutches of anxiety; You want me to live freely, guarded by Your peace.
Please flood and guard my heart with peace. Remind me, Father, that peace is
not the absence of problems in my life but the calm assurance that You know
what You’re doing. You have never failed me, and You will never leave me or
forsake me—my confidence is in You. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, the Prince
of Peace, amen.
Look
Up—meditate on Acts 17:26-28 … pray to
see what it reveals about the character of God.
Look
In—as you meditate on Acts 17:26-28 …
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 Acts 17:26-28 …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.
* If you liked this post, you will LOVE this new book: Memorable Moments in the Holy Land, available on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/06G79jQm
Visiting from #MMBC,
ReplyDeleteMelynda, thank you so much for stopping by. Many blessings to you!
DeleteActs 17:26-27 is a portion that always brings a reassurance to my heart. From the time I first heard it in youth group till now, it brings such confidence that I am where God would have me to be. Wonderful post, Beth!
ReplyDeleteJoanne, I so agree with you! I especially love the phrase from Acts 17, "He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." As my adult children have moved away from our home, I am truly comforted to know we are each "in the exact places where we should live." Trusting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with my next breath, my next heart beat, my children, and grandchildren, and the exact places where we should live, until we see Him face-to-Face. Many blessings to you!
DeleteLove these photos of such significant places. What a privilege to walk there!
ReplyDeletePaul's sermon in Acts 17 has been a reassurance to me for many years because it reminds me that God knows where I live and has ordained all my moves even when I don't understand the purpose. There is one!
Thanks for linking up with Everyday Images
Kym, thank you so much for stopping by. I agree with you about the reassurance which I also found in Acts 17. I especially love the phrase from Acts 17, "He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." As my adult children have moved away from our home, I am truly comforted to know we are each "in the exact places where we should live." Trusting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with my next breath, my next heart beat, my children, and grandchildren, and the exact places where we should live, until we see Him face-to-Face. Many blessings to you!
DeleteWow Beth, how amazing and AWE inducing! Just beautiful. Praying with You today.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friend's this month.
Paula, thank you so much for stopping by with your gracious and encouraging comments each week. I so appreciate you and the opportunity to share my posts with your Sweet Tea & Friends. I have recently published all 20 of my Holy Land posts in a book on Amazon entitled, Memorable Moments in the Holy Land, available at this link:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Memorable-Moments-Holy-Willis-Miller/dp/B0H6NNR5JB/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
Thank you, again, for your gracious encouragement to me and so many others. Many blessings to you 🙏