Jane and I recently returned from another of many enlightening, inspiring pilgrimages in the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Our new friends from across the United States and Canada were amazed by this “miracle in the desert” called Israel, and so, once again, were we. Each visit is a special privilege in our lives.
Pilgrims often ask me to choose my favorite site or identify what inspires me to keep going back. While every trip has its special moments, my key memory this time arose from a morning of praise and worship with Daniel Carmel on the Sea of Galilee. In particular, I began thinking about the disciples who found themselves in a real dilemma. I would suppose that every Believer can connect with the Twelve in our own modern-life dilemmas.
The story unfolds in Matthew 14 when, after Jesus had fed the 5,000, He tells His disciples to get into a boat and sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while He goes elsewhere to pray. The next time New Testament readers encounter the disciples, they are in the middle of a stormy sea. I have witnessed such a storm on the Sea of Galilee, when tumultuous weather moves in surprisingly quickly — calm water one minute, rough sea the next.
Note the conclusion of the story in Matthew 14:27–33.
Please look with me at three lessons to be learned from this stormy encounter.
The disciples were being obedient to what Jesus told them to do, and yet they experienced stormy circumstances. As Believers, you and I are not insulated from the storms of life. You can attend your local congregation’s weekly services, pray and read your Bible daily, give to the poor, and volunteer your services for worthy causes. Suddenly the doctor’s office calls to inform you that your lab results are not good; or your spouse abandons the marriage; or you are laid off, downsized, offered early retirement, etc. In that moment, Jesus/Yeshua is stretching out His hand to hold you up in the power of His might, through your faith. Hold on tight — He is the Good Shepherd!
Peter reached out for the hand of Jesus. What would have happened had Peter not exercised his faith by calling out to Yeshua? Maybe Jesus would have passed by the foundering boat, walking on to the other side, and the disciples would have continued in their frightful experience. Or, perhaps they would have been lost.
The disciples had a decision to make. They could reach out and take the hand of the One who could save them — as Peter’s cry admitted; or they could go it on their own and watch Yeshua pass them by. Thankfully, Peter’s boldness saved them!
Please consider joining Jane and me on the fall 2017 Israel tour, where we will worship and praise Yeshua on the same Sea of Galilee where the disciples experienced their most picturesque and stormy predicament. Though I cannot promise calm waters, you can be sure that the One who calms the waters will be there with us. Contact our travel manager, Sandra, at 214-696-9760, email her at travel@levitt.com, or visit levitt.com/tours at your earliest convenience.
This Fall Tour is sure to sell out early as we welcome our new ZLM family members, David and Kirsten Hart. As the new hosts of Zola Levitt Presents, David and Kirsten will lead our music and worship on this tour.
Believers who visit the Land of Jesus come away with a renewed love for the Bible, the Lord, and Israel. Please join us!
Our weekly Zola Levitt Presents television program debuts Close Encounters with Yeshua. This ten-part series focuses on how Jesus/Yeshua supernaturally came and ministered on Earth, and today calls all mortals to draw near to Him. David and Kirsten Hart introduce each episode from the studio, while Myles and Katharine Weiss teach in Israel, using dramatic re-enactments and interviews with Believers about their journeys to faith in Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah.
Myles and Katharine recount how Abraham’s travels in the desert led him into dependence and relationship with his God. Interview: Dean Bye, Director of Return Ministries; and Chaim Malespin, Director of the Aliyah Return Center in Tiberias, Israel.
In a simple animal stall, Jesus (Yeshua) supernaturally came into the world as a baby, lived to fulfill the Law, and promised to return as the Lion of Judah. Interview: Daniel Sayag, Lead Pastor of Kehilat HaCarmel (Carmel Congregation).
As a boy, Yeshua came to the Temple to offer sacrifices. Later, after being tempted by Satan, He became the sacrifice, the Lamb of God. Interview: Karen Davis, Worship Director of Kehilat HaCarmel (Carmel Congregation).
Near the Sea of Galilee, Yeshua performed many signs and wonders that amazed many but disturbed others. Interview: Eric and Terri Morey, founders of The Galilee Experience.
Zola Levitt Ministries is enhancing its teaching outreach in an increasingly sophisticated and fast-paced world. We ask that you view our exciting transition with an open heart and join us in experiencing what God will do. The phenomenal movement of God at Pentecost occurred because the disciples did exactly what Yeshua asked them to do—they prayed!
Zola Levitt Presents will continue its laser focus on up-to-date teachings from Israel. Our new journalistic format will enable us to feature more Messianic Jewish teachers in Israel and the U.S. than ever before. This revolutionary news magazine approach to Bible teaching (think “60 Minutes”) will reach Believers—both Jewish and non-Jewish—as well as non-believers, with solid Bible teaching.
We believe this new approach is a win-win upgrade for everyone.
P.S. Whatever travails you may be experiencing in life, reach out to Jesus/Yeshua — the One who calms the storms and brings comfort. Don’t let Him pass you by. Call out to Him as Peter did, “Save me!” He cared for His disciples over 2,000 years ago, and He really does care for you and me — He endured the cross to prove it!
Like the disciples, I have experienced storms in life. I’m thankful that ZLM has been there to better acquaint me with the Jewish Messiah, my Deliverer.
Here is my contribution for May. I look forward to seeing your on-location series Close Encounters with Yeshua and experiencing your improved TV program.
Passage-by-passage exposition of Jesus’ principal teachings is brought to life through on-location production with real-world re-enactments, all performed on location by Israelis.
Zola gives a fresh, interesting survey of the entire New Testament before a live audience. A real collector’s item, beautifully packaged.
A concise overview of Scripture from the Gospels to Revelation. Zola’s point of view is unique. One CD covers Matthew to Revelation with surprising clarity.
An entertaining and thorough tour of the Old Testament, with virtually every story included. Relevant to all who want to understand the beginning of God’s plan and the roots of the Church on Earth.
A most readable and clear survey of the New Testament. The theology is understandable and treated with thoroughness in this concise, but complete, study.
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