Who’s Your God

Today our story continues...

A group of men and women follow their pastor to the land of Israel. There they meet the best tour guide ever Ronen Ben Moshe. Ronen knows American culture so well, he will have you laughing throughout the tour.

Today our group will visit three places. Tel Megiddo, Mount Carmel, and Caesarea by the Sea.

Tel Megiddo

The ancient city of Megiddo has been excavated for over a 100 years. Tel Megiddo has 26 layers of past civilizations that built upon each other. Schumacher, a German archeologist, systemically excavated the ruins layer by layer, but an American decided to cut through all 26 layers at once like cutting a piece from a 26 layer cake. Tel Megiddo has taught other archeologists on how to properly do a dig due to 100 years of experimentation performing an excavation.

This is Israel, so the people want to prove the stories we read in the Bible really happened. So when they reconstruct Tel Megiddo, they can show others the city gate from the times of King Solomon.

The land surrounding Tel Megiddo is flat for miles all around. This ancient city is better known under its Greek name Armageddon.

Pastor Michael tells a story about an eight year old king named King Josiah (2 Kings 22-23). King Josiah repairs the Temple built by King Solomon. The Book of Law (Deuteronomy) is discovered during the remodeling of the Temple. King Josiah reads the book and tears his clothes in anguish of how far the Israelites disobeyed God. They have broken every law. King Josiah renews the covenant with God. He cleans house and removes all false idols and altars from Jerusalem. He restores Passover. King Josiah passionately pursued God.

“Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭23:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sadly, he also died in Megiddo in battle. He was buried in Jerusalem in his own tomb.

Great lesson of one man’s crusade to bring a whole nation back to God. According to Pastor Michael, this shows us no matter how far we’ve gone away from God, we can always come back home. The prodigal can come home. Rediscover the Word of God and never let go of the Word.

My past church experiences have not been kind. I eventually left the church. One day I could not get out of bed. I felt so tired. I discovered I was diabetic in 2016. I had a deep conversation with God that day. I told Him, he has my attention. God told me to come back to Him. I began mentally searching for a church to attend, but just big enough for me to hide. I remembered Rocky Peak from the 90’s and decided to go back to this church. I would attend the weekend service for a few weeks and one day with tears coming down my face I felt God saying this is home.

Mount Carmel

Pastor Michael vividly retells the story of Elijah versus the priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40).

Elijah calls out a duel between God and Baal.

“Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭18:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Elijah is taunting the priests of Baal to shout louder. Maybe Baal is deep in thought, busy, or traveling. The priests are shouting, dancing, and cutting themselves with spears and swords, so their blood would flow as was their custom. Nothing happened.

Elijah prays a simple prayer to God to prove that there is only One Living God that wants to turn the hearts of the Israelites back to Him. Fire came down from Heaven and consumed the stones, the water, and the sacrifice.

Pastor Michael reminded us the challenge issued by Jesus. No one can serve two masters. You will love the one and hate the other. You cannot have one foot in the world and the other foot with Jesus. The Church of Laodicea was neither hot or cold, but lukewarm. If you walk in the middle you will get hit. You don’t get to enjoy the world and you also do not get to enjoy Jesus Christ. You’re just miserable. How long will you waver between two opinions?

This reminded me of God in the box. What’s in your box? God and money? God and relationships? When the pressure of life hits us do we trust ourselves or trust God?

As a single man I do struggle with relationships. I was able to share my struggle on the Sea of Galilee with Stephen Lubin in front of our campfire. I’ve talked with John and Aileen Archibald over lunch. Bryan and Petra Weiss have been praying for me and share their wisdom on marriage and relationships. Carl Marquette prayed for me while we were visiting Caesarea. Monica Ruiseco has been praying for me for over a year now. I’ve learned the importance of being equally yoked and why this is so important in a relationship. A Christ centered relationship is able to reflect the grace, mercy, and love God has shown us. The importance of good communication to clarify what’s bothering you. I’m still struggling and stumbling with my dating life. In the meantime I am trying to find contentment just being single. God is the cake and the spouse is the icing.

Caesarea by the Sea

Pastor Michael mentions that Caesarea by the Sea is the capital of this region and not Jerusalem. This is where archeologists found evidence for Pontius Pilot. Pilot lived in Caesarea, but would visit Jerusalem for official business.

Pastor Michael tells two stories that occurred here.

The first story is the centurion Cornelius being baptized by the Apostle Peter (Acts 10). That a gentile can also be baptized and receive Christ Jesus.

The second story is Paul being a prisoner here in Caesarea and using this opportunity to share the Gospel (Acts 23-24).

Paradigms help you focus, but also blocks out what does not fit your model.

Jesus said to go into all the world and make disciples. We are to be a light for all nations. Abraham was told that he would be a blessing for all nations. Still Peter needed the Holy Spirit to see that Gentiles could also receive Christ Jesus.

God breaks our own paradigms.

Being a Christian for 15 years or 5 years, our view has changed as we develop a deeper relationship with Christ. If you are the same today as 5 years ago, then something is really wrong. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and changing us from the inside out to be more like Christ.

At Rocky Peak we’ve learned the difference between spiritual activity versus spiritual maturity. A Christian is not mature based on the number of Bible verses memorized or church attendance. A mature Christian shows grace and love to others.

I come from a legalistic church background. Fasting is a tool that is used to bring us closer to God. Some churches have put their rules on how to fast. So a tool to bring us closer has become a rule. Prayer is also a tool to bring us closer to God. Yet again well meaning Christians turned this tool into a rule. If the rule becomes unbearable, then the image of a loving God is now distorted. One of the things I love about Rocky Peak is to tear down the religious trappings and strengthen the relationship with God.

God gave Peter a vision to help him understand that all people can receive Christ Jesus. We also have paradigms in our minds on how to worship, pray, and be a good Christian. Some of these paradigms are helpful, but a few may be harmful. By going to a church with solid teachings and surrounding ourselves with Christ followers we can help each other grow as iron sharpens iron.

Paul knew God. He loved God. He wanted to please God. Paul pursued God. He loved others. He served sacrificially. He shared the Gospel.

This is our mission statement.
That we pursue God.
That we love others.
That we serve sacrificially.
That we share the Gospel.

In Him,
Stephen

PS. Shout out to everyone that’s been praying for the Rocky Peak Israel 🇮🇱 Tour. Your prayers are deeply appreciated. Thank you!