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Remind Me Dear Lord: Reassurance During a Pandemic – Part 1

Remind Me Dear Lord: Reassurance During a Pandemic – Part 1

daltonjenkins

Dalton Jenkins / General

Zechariah (Ne. 8:4); Assurance; Comfort; Jews (return from Exile) / Zechariah 4; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 91; Isaiah 65:24

Zechariah 4:6 ESV

6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

PART 1

INTRODUCTION

Zechariah 4:6 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It is a reminder to me that no matter what I will face, God is in charge. All my limitations are not enough to limit God’s power to work in my life. All my fears disappear in the presence and power of Almighty God. I hear the verse in Philippians 4:13 echoing in my mind every time I read Zechariah 4:6, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” COVID-19 pandemic changes our lives. However, it does not and could not impact who God is and what he can do.

All my limitations are not enough to limit God’s power to work in my life. All my fears disappear in the presence and power of Almighty God.

COVID-19 stripped us from all our securities that were outside of God. The global impact of COVID-19 has challenged us in all areas of our lives. We have lost many of our loved ones. Our lives have been placed on hold and, in some areas, are disrupted. We need reassurance that we are not alone. We need reassurance that God is still here with us. Let us look at the story of Zerubbabel, as is written in Zechariah 4. There are five points we should consider as we seek reassurance during this pandemic. Many of us have never had this kind of experience and most likely will never experience this kind again. As we strive to be assured, let us be reminded that God never changes. Nothing in the past, in the present, nor in the future impacts who God is. Not only do we need God, but we also need real companions. We cannot be connected spiritually and not maintain physical connections. We will need this combined connection to deal with the apathy in leadership.

Nothing in the past, in the present, nor in the future impacts who God is. Not only do we need God, but we also need real companions.

Leadership is not just a pastoral activity, but we all are leaders in our rights. As we pursue God’s appointment, we must listen to the message of hope that comes from God. Through this message, we will receive the reassurance that the task we are assigned will be completed with God’s help. To conclude this blog, we will briefly examine the impact of God’s anointing that is available to us. We all need reassurance, especially during a pandemic. 

Zechariah 4:6 (ESV) is a simple verse buried in a much more detailed text. It’s an answer that was given to Zerubbabel by God through the prophet Zachariah. It says this,

6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

This text reads like Revelation. A dream with certain representations that are figures that mean something. In this vision, the angel is asking Zechariah probing questions. What does this mean? When he asked the angel a question, the angel would then ask him another question. When you compare this dialogue to Revelation, you see the angel giving instructions to John, and he is writing it down. In Zechariah, we see a more interrogative approach. This kind of dialogue expressed to the prophet the whole meaning of the dream.

What we have here in Zechariah is not just a dream with symbols and figures and representations. This is a dream and someone who is explaining to the prophet the meaning of the dream. In other words, it wasn’t to keep him in darkness, but it was to enlighten him, to assure him of what was to come. When we talk about the goodness of God and speaking in this way, Isaiah 65:24 tells us to “call on me, and I will answer. It shall come to pass that before they call,” God says, “I will answer; and while they are speaking, I will hear.” This verse is another verse of assurance that says God is always there for you.

I am looking through this text, trying to understand the context of what was going on. It is said that this book is the most comprehensive of all the minor prophets, and it comprises over 211 verses [i], while Hosea is the second-longest of the Minor Prophet [ii]. This book of Zechariah presents something of importance and value to us that we can apply to our lives today. When I look in the context of what was happening in those days, this book is what we call the post-exile prophetic utterances. At this point, this prophet received this word to give to the king. In other words, this happened after the exile of the children of Israel.

In his dedication prayer, Solomon prayed in 2 Chronicles 7:14, and he said, “if the people should turn their backs and cry, then Lord, please hear from heaven.” Once he finished praying in chapter six, the Lord responded with the exact words he prayed. Solomon was thinking about the future because he knew the people. He knew that the people would someday or sometimes turn their backs on God.

Just as Solomon had feared, the children of Israel turned their backs on God, rejected God’s commandments. God allowed the enemy, the Philistines, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, to overpower and captured them.  Nebuchadnezzar was one of the great kings of Babylon.  He devastated Israel, broke down the temple, took out all the gold and precious things, and left the place all tattered and torn. Then he took all the elite people, the young, energetic ones. Those who were princes and princesses were taken to Babylon. He also took those that looked like they could serve, brought them, and placed them in his kingdom.

One theologian says that he believed that Zechariah was left back and grew up during exile. While many were cast away, he was a young man who was brought up in exile. Zerubbabel grew up in a time when the temple was destroyed. He grew up, and he saw destruction all around him, which became part of his reality. I think about some of the children today who are in school and are growing up in this pandemic.  The impact of this pandemic on these children will have a lasting effect.  This period is going to be etched into their memories.  The destruction and the devastation that took place will be part of their experiences.

GOD NEVER CHANGES

Amidst all that has happened in our world today, we must be reassured of the God we serve; he never changes. The God we serve supersedes all things. And so, even though the prophet Zechariah understood what was happening, he still served God. He could have become disheartened and disgruntled. He could have said, well, look at the broken walls, look at the tombs of my ancestors that have been exposed. Can you imagine him walking the streets and hear him saying, this used to be, this was here? The impact this experience had on a young man is unimaginable. But God had his hands upon him. It doesn’t matter what you’re facing, what you’re going through. If God has his hand upon you, you can go through it. You can become what God wants you to be despite what you’re facing.

It doesn’t matter what you’re facing, what you’re going through. If God has his hand upon you, you can go through it. You can become what God wants you to be despite what you’re facing.

Zechariah became a prophet. Regardless of his past experiences, Zechariah excelled. It is important to note that it wasn’t that there was a lack of prophets, so God only chose the available one. No. There were a lot of prophets, but God used this man for this time. He embraced what God wanted him to be, like David. God used him in a mighty way. God used him to speak encouragement to the man of God who was leading the country at that time. We must become encouragers. We must become carriers of good news. God is looking for men and women who will become the voice of God, proclaiming good news and hope. That’s who Zechariah was.

Another prophet who faced similar circumstances was Nehemiah. He worked in the king’s court; he was the king’s cupbearer. One day Nehemiah requested to go back to his homeland and help to rebuild the wall. The background story to this is interesting because even the temple was destroyed. All the consecrated items in the temple were taken out, brought to the captive lands. Their homes were destroyed. Their sepultures were opened and exposed. When they were sent back to Jerusalem to rebuild, they began to rebuild their own homes. The returning citizens left the temple in disrepair because they got comfortable. The temple was still left broken down. Zerubbabel saw all this disrepair and realized that there was a lack of concern for the things of God. As I studied this, I was reminded that we must make sure that we take care of the things of God in all our endeavors. Here are the things that matter in this world: our service to God and the things of God, and the responsibilities God has given us. It is all about pleasing God.

I’m reminded of the story that Jesus talked about the man who had a huge harvest, and he said in Luke 12:18–19 (ESV)

18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” 

The moral of the story is that we should not become so tied up in our pursuit that we neglect what God has put in our hands. We face our realities knowing that God is in charge and never changes. Our God is the same, whether you face situations like Nehemiah, Zechariah, or the rich man in Jesus’ story. Your experiences are nothing that God cannot handle. He is reliable!

WE NEED GENUINE COMPANIONS

In this part of scripture, Zechariah 4:6, we heard Zechariah having a conversation. This part of the conversation is essential because there are so many times we want to correct people and speak into people’s lives, but they have not permitted us to do so. Therefore, they don’t receive your correction; they don’t receive your challenge. I am moved by the fact that Zerubbabel and Zechariah had a good relationship. The king and the prophet had a good relationship so that the prophet could have dreamed a dream, and the king would listen to it. I’m cautious about dreams. Dreams sometimes are meant to tell us things, and sometimes it is just a result of what we consume mentally. However, dreams also are one of the ways God speaks to us. We must be careful in understanding the context of a particular dream since it’s based on interpretations. You must make sure you know what you’re interpreting.

In this scripture, we learned that Zechariah had a series of dreams. This dream was the fifth of the series of dreams that he had. It wasn’t just a one-off. In Zechariah 1, he had a vision of a red horse riding among the myrtles. In Zechariah 1:18-21, he had a vision of four horns and four craftsmen. Then in Zechariah 2, he has a vision of the surveyor with the measuring line. In Zechariah 3, he has a dream about the cleansing and crowning of Joshua. In Zechariah 4, he dreams of the golden lampstand and the two-olive tree. In chapter five, verses one to four, he had a dream with the flying scroll. In Zechariah 5:5-11, he had another vision of a woman. Lastly, in Zechariah 6, he had a vision of chariots. We can see that dreams have their place in how God is communicating to us.

In the series of about eight visions that he had, one of those visions had described a lampstand under two olive trees standing on either side of the lampstands. He interpreted the vision. This message was about providing for and rebuilding the temple of God.

What a companion Zechariah was that God could use him to encourage the king. God entrusted him with the vision and encouragement for the king. Can God entrust you with encouragement for someone else? Can God share the vision of greatness with you for someone else? A good friend is sometimes hard to find.

Can God entrust you with encouragement for someone else? Can God share the vision of greatness with you for someone else? A good friend is sometimes hard to find.

DEALING WITH APATHY

Facing apathy was challenging to Zerubbabel and many leaders of his time as they sought to rebuild the temple. The people had become complacent. They showed little concerned about the condition of their homeland. Can you imagine that people would just live in this disrepair? Things are all broken up and deteriorated around them.  As long as their house was okay, they did not see any need to fix what was still broken. Please do not allow yourself to be comfortable with places of brokenness. Resist the urge to turn a blind eye or to become concerned with only persons in your circle.

Please do not allow yourself to be comfortable with places of brokenness. Resist the urge to turn a blind eye or to become concerned with only persons in your circle.

Zerubbabel was faced with apathy and complacency. He now had to figure out how to rebuild the temple. As a leader, he was concerned about the place of worship. He was concerned about the house of God. As a child of God, as Christians, we must always be concerned about the house of God. When we talk about the house, it’s not just the building. We are talking about the people of God. The people are the church, not the edifice. We must be concerned about one another, concern about a place where we can gather. As the text says in  Proverbs 27:17, iron sharpens iron. We can get together as one and serve and praise God with all our minds and our souls.

One exciting thing in the text that we see is how we should deliver messages. Sometimes we get intimidated about the responses we will receive. Should I say to somebody what the Lord said to my heart? Then you begin to question yourself, is this what God is saying to me? Is it what God’s saying to me, or is it my thoughts? Messengers are constantly questioning themselves to be confident that the message they will deliver is the one God has given to them. In this message, there was concern about the state and the present condition of the temple. The people were less concerned about the temple because their homes were already built.

We see this similar concern with David. When God gave the children of Israel peace, David had built up his palace, and everything was going well. However, David got concerned because he said, “I am living in a timber house, but the Ark of God is in a tent.” Then David inquired of the Lord; he said, “I want to build you a house.” And God said, “no, David, it’s not your place to build it. I have a man that is going to build my temple, but I like your concern.” David says, “well, if I’m not going to be able to build it, then Lord, I’ll provide for it.” This lesson can be applied in this story. King Zerubbabel could have said my palace is okay. I have got people who are caring for me. Why am I worried about the temple? A true man/woman of God who has a heart for the things of God cannot sit still when the things of God are in disarray. Your heart and your mind are concerned; you are concerned about current conditions.

A true man/woman of God who has a heart for the things of God cannot sit still when the things of God are in disarray. Your heart and your mind are concerned; you are concerned about current conditions.

I am writing this article in the middle of the COVID19 pandemic. In the USA, over 700,000[iii]persons have died from the pandemic. Many persons have been severely sickened because of this disease. Many lives have been uprooted, and things are not the same. I was just thinking the other day, and I said, even when COVID has passed, things will never go back to what we called “normal.” Life and the way we operated have entirely changed.

COVID19 has taken over the entire world; our lives will not be the same. Many are not taking this reality well. Many people are suffering mentally during this time. What will happen to those people when this is passed? I can imagine Zerubbabel; as I was thinking about this crisis, I kept thinking about all these people suffering today. I think of all the frontline workers who work in the hospitals and the nursing home. The trauma that they must have suffered. What is going through their minds when they hear the codes being called.  They hear all the suffering and the sounds and smell of death.

I heard from some of the frontline workers as they told me that they could hear the sound of death in the hospitals. One person recalled her experience suffering in the hospital suffering from COVID19. Some of the scariest times were in the middle of the night; one could hear someone dying. You know that they have the same disease you have, and they just passed away. You were laying in the bed, not knowing if you were going to survive that night. Now those who have come out of that experience have to live with this experience.

What made the trauma even worse in the early months was that you couldn’t even go to the funerals. So, you don’t know if the person who’s lying there is your loved one or not. You’re just taking it at face value. You didn’t even have a proper burial. I mean, they didn’t even have services at the church or services inside of the funeral homes. They just had them in the parking lots and gravesides; then, they would go directly to the burial ground. People didn’t have time to grieve and to say a proper goodbye to their loved ones. We need to hear from God. We need to listen to a word that will give us some comfort. We need to understand that God knows about the things we go through. Maybe you are like Zerubbabel, faced with devastation but want to serve God. Faced with the fact that you might not have the folks that you need to encourage you, but you have God. Faced with the fact that all your plans might have been destroyed you can take comfort in the fact that God is with you. If God is with you, then you’re all right.

Faced with the fact that all your plans might have been destroyed you can take comfort in the fact that God is with you. If God is with you, then you’re all right.

[i] Hwang, J. (2016). Zechariah, Book of. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

[ii] Hwang, J. (2016). Zechariah, Book of. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

[iii] https://covidusa.net. 10/01/21

[iv] Silva, M., & Tenney, M. C. (2009). In The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, M-P (Revised, Full-Color Edition, Vol. 4, p. 918). Grand Rapids, MI: The Zondervan Corporation.

[v] Smith, R. L. (1984). Micah–Malachi (Vol. 32, p. 166). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

The Gospel as the Foundation for Racial Reconciliation

The Gospel as the Foundation for Racial Reconciliation

daltonjenkins

Thanks, Urban Apologetics Community

I am honored to be leading a workshop at our National Conference. The topic is 

“The Gospel as the Foundation for Racial Reconciliation”

Under-represented groups continuously cry against injustice and inequality throughout our societies. Sin is the cause of injustice and inequity. As an immigrant from Jamaica, I will begin with my own story of learning about racial injustice and inequality in the USA. We will seek to lay out a pattern for racial reconciliation and justice based on our dependence on God’s Word. First, we will look at the issue by addressing the:

  • A pattern of racial reconciliation in the Scriptures
  • The rise of the inferiority myth
  • The black church and the backdrop of the black experience

Then we will suggest some ways to address systematic injustice and racial reconciliation by:

  • Addressing the Biblical Kingdom agenda
  • Prophetically declaring the Kingdom impact on the culture
  • Incorporating urban apologetics in our theological discipline
  • Practically addressing structural changes that are needed

No matter where we emigrate and what injustice we face, God has provided the right balance to deal with these issues. We are all made in the image of God. We are recipients of reconciliation by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We, therefore, have the suitable characteristics to lead reconciliation.

I want to thank Damion R, Adan Coleman, Jerome Gay Jr., Toney Evans, Dr. Eric Mason, Voddie Baucham Jr., and the Urban Apologist Community for resources that served as receipts to this workshop.

Several years ago, I needed information relating to Africa’s contribution to Christianity. I also wanted to be more informed about the rise of the Black conscious community and the Black Religious Cults. Also, this was in part to counter the statement “Christianity is a white man’s religion.” I was introduced to Brother Damion, who introduced me to Tomas Oden’s book, “How Africa Shaped the Christian mind. That started my journey into unbelievable discovery and understanding.

This introduction was the tip of the spare. I later got connected with the Urban Apologetics Community (UrbanApologetics.org) and Jude 3 Project. From there, I connected with Adam Coleman. This brother is the real deal.

Thanks to everyone for your invaluable contribution to my workshop.

Day 4 of My Spiritual Journey

Day 4 of My Spiritual Journey

daltonjenkins

Sunday, 3/24/19

The name of God we are focusing on today is Jehovah Raah  – Lord, my Shepherd.

Today is Day 4 of what has been one of the most moving moments for me so far.  It is challenging to explain what I felt today as I spent time at Shiloh. What began as a tour, for me, turned into a more spiritual and reflective time. Combined with the two stories at Bet sheen and Mount Ghiboa made Shiloh’s experience more moving. Then we enter Jerusalem.

Bet shan

Our first stop was at Bet Shan, a Roman metropolis and a Hellenistic city. This is an exciting place. It is located about 27 km from the Sea of Galilee. The city was rebuilt in 63 BC by the Romans and is known as Scythopolis, Col. 3:11. After King Saul was killed on Mt. Ghiboa, they hung his head at this site. Jesus could have stopped here on His way to Judea. Time of Christ, the man healed of the legion, maybe came here to tell the story. He could have gone to Jordan as well. 

Interesting Fact: There are seven levels of Tel that make up this site. We drove past the Golan Heights, West Bank, and the border with Jordan today. 

Mount Gilboa

Our next stopped was Mount Gilboa Passing, Gideon spring on our way. This mountain is a mountain range overlooking the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. It is here that King Saul led the fight against the Philistines – 1 Samuel 28:4.  They killed King Saul on this hill. Even though King Saul had the military advantage; He was on the mountain, and the Philistine was in the valley.  However, Saul was afraid because God was not with him. With the death of his sons, they ended his royal rule. 

Saul had the crown, the ark was with him; he had the positional advantage, but he was afraid. He went to the witch of Endor to seek help. The only time in Scripture that we see a person come back from the dead to give instructions. The witch was a concern because Saul was the same person who had expelled all witches and this man sort her out to ask for directions.

David took his men to Bet Shan and brought back David’s body and burn the body to prevent desecration. David then sang a song of mourning after Saul died. He taught his army to sing that song.

Lesson:

Forgiveness: We should not cheer when our enemies die; we mourn. When there is no possibility of an apology from the person who wronged you, will you rejoice or mourn when they are suffering? The power of forgiveness must rule our lives.

Interesting Fact:

Saul had all the elements identifying with the presence of God, but God rejected him. One concern I have is that whatever I am doing for God that I always seek his anointing. When the Spirit of God departs, all that is left is just rituals. I can be a great orator without anointing. Without the Spirit of God, the emblems or simply only emblems. It is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that makes the difference.

The leader of our trip, Pastor Denny Miller, after reading from the scriptures about this story, lead us in a time for prayer and reflection. He challenged us to leave unforgiveness on Mt Gilboa.

Shiloh

My journey here took on a new meaning. The Holy Spirit spoke to me (not in an audible voice) that this is not a tour that I am experiencing. This was a spiritual journey. Having left un-forgiveness on Mt Gilboa I now enter this Holy Place as the old Patriarch would on their way to Jerusalem. As I think about my experience tears are coming to my eyes. Something is going on, and I am listening to the Holy Spirit. 

One of the most notable events here involved Eli. His two sons defied the temple and Eli did nothing. Hannah offers a prayer, yearly, for a child. Her husband went annually to provide sacrifices at a place that was corrupted. What if he had stopped taking his wives to Shiloh? Would there be a Samuel? The people came three times to sacrifice at Shiloh.

Take Away:

Do not stop pursuing God, even when there is barrenness. Everything you do as a Christian has a more far-reaching impact on those around you. Who are you preventing from experiencing God because you gave up?

Are you consistent?

Things that you do or don’t do impact others.

God is always seeking to meet with his people, and he desires a relationship with them.

Do not contaminate the holy place. 

Facts:

Shiloh or Mt of Samera is one rich area in Israel. Bethel is also another area of importance associated with Shiloh. Shiloh was the location of the tabernacle in David’s time. The two tribes of Two tribes Efrain and Benjamin were given these areas for inheritance. This is an area of Jewish settlement. For 369 years, Shiloh was where the tabernacle settled. It is believed that those on their way to Jerusalem would stop at Shiloh before continuing to the Holy City. 

Jerusalem:

We left Shiloh and headed to Jerusalem. What a moment, as we were about 15 minutes outside of the Holy City, Pastor Denny lead us into singing some songs about Jerusalem. We sang songs like The Holy City (Jerusalem) as we continue to our stop at the gates. We broke bread and paid before we settle in for the night.

Song: The Holy City (Jerusalem)

Day 3 of The Tour

Day 3 of The Tour

daltonjenkins

Day 3, Saturday 3/23/19

Today was another amazing day. As you can tell each day, we are focusing on a Hebrew name for God. Today we are concentrating on the name El Elyon (The Most High God) – or you can say the God of the heights.

Our journey took us to: 

– Karazim

– A shoe factory in a Kibbutz community (A Collective community unique to Israel).

– Driving by the Golan highs

– Tel-Dan the discovery of the old city of Dan

– Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asked His disciples, “who do you say I am?”

-Bethal

– We had lunch at a Druze community K

Karazim

Our first stop was at Karazim. This is where Jesus rebuked the leaders of the synagogue for not living what they were teaching. At this site, there were two discoveries in the temple. The seat of Moses, which is where the Priest would sit. 

Interesting Fact: The other was the discovery of an artifact that was used as a decoration. It was the image of the sun god. This presents a significant dilemma. What was the decoration of a pagan god doing in the Synagogue? Maybe it was used for decoration by the original leaders of this community. One Rabbi explained that the way to rectify this is that they can use these signs for decoration. However, they must not be any adoration of these artifacts. What has happened here is that there must not be a mixing of unclean things for any purposes with the Holy thing. The thing that is a decoration for one generation can become an act of adoration for another.


Tel Dan

We drove by the Golan Highs to the city of Dan. The story is seen in 1 Sam 3:20 & 1 Kings 12:26. Dan was given an area of the promised land known today as Gaza. However, his tribe did not inherit that land; instead, they when someplace that did not have giants. He went far away to a more manageable site. Gaza is what was given to Dan because he did not occupy. Gaza is now a thorn in Israel’s side. 

Fast forward to several years later to the division of the kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam built shrines (made two calves of gold – 1 Kings 12) for the people to be worship rather than going to Jerusalem. This was a great sin against God.

Interesting Fact: The discovery of the city of Dan reveals the Abraham Gate from 18 century BC. 

Take Away: 

Your decision has far-reaching consequences.  God is Holy and requires a relationship with human beings that is holy.

Our Last stop was at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16). Jesus took his disciples 31/2 days from Dan to Philippi to ask them the important question, who do you say that I am? 

Caesarea Philippi,

In Caesarea Philippi, It is believed that life originated from this location where the water came out of the mountain. The people of Caesarea Philippi could not determine the source of the water that came out of the rock. It is that reason they dedicated the place to the pagan god, Pan, the means from which everything emanates. They Hold that this is the place where god was born. It was here that Peter responded with the statement that “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” On this fact, Jesus declared I would build my church and the gates of hell should not prevail against it. 

Interesting Fact: Gates are meant to keep things inside. Pastor Denny reminded us that the place that Satan and his demonic force are located is behind the gate. Second, around this time locks were made like our modern-day padlocks, and keys were used to open locks, not to close locks.

Interesting Fact:

Today we visited the border of Israel with Lebanon and Syria. We could see the states from a safe distance.

Today I saw the mustard seed plant. Jesus taught that if your faith is like a grain of mustard seed, you can move mountains. The plant has these pods that hold about 1-3 seeds. These plants grow wild and sometimes cover a vast area of the mountainside. The plant can grow by 10 feet. How big is your faith?

Day 2 of The Tour

Day 2 of The Tour

daltonjenkins

Day 2 – Friday  – 3/22/19

Today, we focused on the name of God, Adonai (Lord). As was true with regards to the first day, today was moving time. 

Fri, Mar 22, 2019 — Migdala, Ginosaur, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Baptisms, Kursi,

TOWN OF MAGNOLIA

We began with the first stop in Northern Israel at the town of Magnolia, the town of Mary Magdalene. This site was recently discovered. Artifacts discovered lends credit to the fact of this town is the Town of Mary Magdalene.

Interested fact 1: It is always taught that this Mary was a prostitute, but that is not documented in scriptures. This idea immolated from the 5th century. A bishop at that time mentioned in one of his sermons asked what if Mary was a prostitute? It was repeated as a fact from that time. This was a fantastic day; I am truly blessed with this moment in time. 

Interested fact 2: There was a discussion about the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, and the Dead Sea. It is said that the same water flows between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. The difference is the soil that is at both locations. The dead sea takes in water from the sea of Galilee, but all living things die in the Dead Sea. However, the sea of Galilee takes in water and passes out water with living things. Application: we must always be willing to give as much as we get, otherwise we will become like the dead sea, killing everything we receive.

CAPERNAUM 

The next stop was at Capernaum. We took a boat from one end on the Galilean sea and sailed to Capernaum. This region where is where Jesus performed nine recorded miracles. What a time of inspiration as we read from the text about Jesus and some of the mighty works he did in this area. That I am on the river that Jesus performs miracles, moved me, and taught so many lessons. 

In Capernaum, we visited the location that is viewed to be the place where Peter lived (Matt 8:35

Like 10:13). 

RIVER JORDAN

River Jordan was a fantastic experience. I assisted Pastor Denny in baptizing 17 individuals, and then I was baptized. My friend Deacon Mattis helped in my baptism after I baptized him. What an amazing experience to be baptized in the same river as Jesus was over 2000 years ago.

KURISI (CHORAZIN) 

We stopped at a 4th-century church around the place where Jesus cast out the legion of demons from two men who lived in the tomb. 

Take away:

There are  3 cities where Jesus performed most of his miracles, but the residents did not accept him and repented. Jesus warned in Matthew 11:20-23 (NKJV):

20 Then He rebuked the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Those who are witnesses to the power and working God must endeavor to repent and come in full obedience to God. 

Day 1 of The Tour

Day 1 of The Tour

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Here are the Places that we visited on Thursday – 3/21/19

Our Hebrew name for God-Jehovah Shammah —  The Lord is There

—Caesarea – Paul preached to Agrippa

— Mt. Carmel where Elisha called fire from heaven

— We had Falafels for Lunch (chicken)

— Nazareth ( 2 churches: Where Jesus Read from Isaiah, Where the Angel spoke to Mary, and where the crowd tried to throw Jesus off the cliff) 

We saw the valley of Megiddo where the final war will be fought at the end of the world (Armageddon).

— End in Tiberius at Sea of Galilee (staying tonight for 3 nights)

CAESAREA BY THE SEA

What a moving day we had on our first day. Standing in the same place where Paul defended the Gospel before Agrippa. He was in change but made a convincing argument. Agrippa responded to him, almost you persuaded me to be a Christian. Paul was sent on a ship to Rome. We had a teaching session in the same place about the seven Herod in the Bible. That was just the beginning of the Day. 

MOUNT CARMEL

We then went to Mount Carmel, where Elisha challenged the prophets of Baal. The place where he called down fire from heaven to prove that Jehovah Shammah is always there (presents). Jehovah is the one true God who answers by fire. What a moment it was as I stood there overlooking the Valley of Megiddo, located in the Jezreel Valley. When the reality of the final war and the practicality of the war registered. The valley is a vast area of land and is prepared for the last showdown at the end of this life. This is where the battle of Armageddon will be fought.

NAZARETH

The reality of the Bible came alive today. The trip to Nazareth was just amazing. We stopped at the Synagogue Church. This was the place that Jesus when and read from Isiah 61:1 & 2, referenced in Luke 4:16. It is said that the floors are the same floors that were there in Jesus’ time. What a moment of worship we had and following the reading from Luke 4:16. We left that location and went down through Nazareth to the Church of the Annunciation. This is believed to be the place where Gabriel told Mary she was going to be the mother of Jesus. Wow!! What a moment to stand in the location of this great revelation. We moved from there to Mount Precipice. At this location, the Bible told us that the people of Nazareth tried to throw Jesus off the Cliff, but a miracle took place, and Jesus escaped without harm.

We ended our day with a one-hour drive into Tiberius at the Sea of Galilee. 

The food was excellent and all you can eat! The fellowship was enjoyable and refreshing. The teaching was enlightening and inspiring.

Day 2 is coming…

Holy Spirit, I need A Double Portion Of Your Anointing

daltonjenkins

BethelChurch_11thAnn_Banner_M3

Another year has passed, and God’s grace and mercy still extend towards us. I want to take this time to congratulate Bethel Temple of Praise, a Church I gladly call my home church, on your 11th year anniversary. It is by the grace of God that we have arrived at this juncture in our church history. I am elated at what God has done up to this point and look forward with great anticipation for what God will do in the future.

I want to also, express my gratitude to the Bethel church family and partners for your continual support over the years. Truly, we are still in existence but for God and your faithful support. Thank you and please continue to partner with us in spreading the gospel to the world.

Our theme for this year is the cry of my heart, “Holy Spirit, we need a double portion of your anointing”.

Ephesians 5 verse 18 said that we must seek for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.”

It is in this same context, like Elisha, I am asking that a double portion of the Holy Spirit’s anointing fall on me in this season.

2 Kings 2:9 states “When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me” (ESV).

It is this power that we need to do ministry. We can’t do ministry without the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot live without the anointing of the Holy Spirit. A. W. Tozer (1897–1963) said, “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on, and no one would know the difference.” I do not want how I do ministry today to be grounded in self and less dependence on the Holy Spirit. So, this statement has helped me to evaluate my priorities.

I am concern that the practical application of this call is not being realized in our generation. Many are more caught up with putting on a show than seeking for God. They seem to possess the “to be seen spirit”. Their main focus is themselves. This “feel good gospel” has left little or no room for the genuine move of the Holy Spirit. Francis Chan, in his book “Forgotten God” said, “There is a big gap between what we read in Scripture about the Holy Spirit and how most believers and churches operate today.” Our desire should be that our aspirations and activities should line up with the teachings of the Bible. Particularly, we should depend on the scriptural application of the practical nature of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. What am I leaving my children. Will they have live in a time when we have demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit at work? What legacy of the anointing am I leaving for my generation? I want my boys and their peers to experience the genuine manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Paul reminded the Ephesians that the anointing is not just a momentary experience but should be a present continuous experience. This anointing should be evident in our daily lives. I echo Paul’s challenge that if any at all we are going to be effective on carrying out the mission of God we have to depend on the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This anointing does not begin and ends at the doorsteps of the church. No! This anointing carries on in our homes, workplaces, social gatherings, and everywhere we go. Francis Chan makes the point again that,

“The Holy Spirit is absolutely vital to our situation today. Of course, He is always vital; but perhaps especially now. After all, if the Holy Spirit moves, nothing can stop Him. If He doesn’t move, we will not produce genuine fruit—no matter how much effort or money we expend. The church becomes irrelevant when it becomes purely a human creation.” (1)

It is when we are experiencing the genuine manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we are going to see real change in peoples’ lives. Since the Holy Spirit dwells in us, with no limitations, then our lives must be different from those that have not come into this experience. There must be a difference between the person who has the Holy Spirit living inside of him or her and anointing them as compared with the person who does not.

It is when we allow the Holy Spirit to have a free reign in our lives that we are going to experience his full power. Jesus promised us that with the filling of the Holy Spirit comes power. This power is to carry out the work of the gospel. It is never to draw attention to ourselves or to boost our egos. In Acts 1:8  we are told that

“What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world” (Message Bible).

My daily desire is to walk in this power.

Now, let’s seek for the genuine manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let’s desire to be where God is working rather than manufacturing it.  We can only defeat the enemy, Satan, if we are allowing the Holy Spirit to have unfiltered access to our lives and His church. We must stop looking to signs and wonders and seek for the source of this manifestation, the Holy Spirit. We must not rely only on the historical manifestation of the Holy Spirit and search for how He can and is working today in our lives. History should be a teacher and a reference; we should not stop there but use it to go higher.

I like what R.T. Kendall said in his book, “Holy Fire”,

“Jonathan Edwards, who taught us that the task of every generation is to discover in which direction the Sovereign Redeemer is going, and then move in that direction. How do we discover in which direction the Sovereign Redeemer is moving? I think it requires our being vulnerable and to stop worrying what people will think of us. I would encourage you to throw caution to the wind and become more vulnerable.” (2)

Yes! We need to release our motives, our intellect, our emotions and everything about us into the hands of the Holy Spirit. If we are truly seeking for a double portion! My consuming desire is for the genuine and unfiltered manifestation of the Holy Spirit work in my life. That must be pour singular desire. How about you? Let us with one voice declare that “ Holy Spirit, we need a double portion of your anointing”.

——Dr. Dalton Jenkins

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(1) Chan, Francis (2009-09-01). Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit (Kindle Locations 176-178). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.

(2) Kendall, R.T. (2014-01-07). Holy Fire: A Balanced, Biblical Look at the Holy Spirit’s Work in Our Lives (Kindle Locations 1921-1924). Charisma House. Kindle Edition.