My wife and I just returned from a 12 day trip to Israel. We had a marvelous time. 25 of us ventured to the holy land to study the bible, view the sites, and enjoy the country.

While I was there, I had several encounters with the Lord. I love sensing God. I love God-Moments. Let me share some of them with you.

My first God-Moment was the Garden of Gethsemane. For some reason this site really touches my heart. It is the place where Jesus prayed 3 times "Not my will but thine be done." In the Garden, they have olive trees dating back 2000 years. My wife did a devotional in the Garden on full surrender to Christ. I, once again, felt the tug of the Holy Spirit to offer my life and days to the Lord.

Another God-Moment was at the Wailing Wall. I went there with my prayers and verses written down on a piece of paper. I slipped the paper in the crevice of the wall and began to seek the Lord in prayer. God's presence was very powerful. I sensed the Lord wanted to speak to me about my wife, Rhonda. He dropped Ruth 4:11-12 in my spirit. It was my pleasure to share the promise with her.

On Sunday morning we had a church service at the Mount of Beautitudes. I preached out of Matt. 5 and the beautitudes of Jesus. I talked about the secret to true happiness. I felt so honored by God to teach on the same mountain that Jesus taught. The thoughts of David came to my mind in 2 Samuel 7:18, "Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and he said, Who am I, O lord God? And what is my house, that you have brought me this far?" Who am I? What a question of humility and gratitude! I felt so privileged to be a preacher of God's Word. It is a high and holy calling.

Another God-Moment was at the springs of Gideon. This is where God tested the Israelites before they battled the Midianites. God reduced Gideon's army to 300 men by the manner in which they drank from the brook. My wife shared on giving God all the glory. There are a few things we are not to touch. We are not to touch the tithe; we are not to touch vengeance; and we are not to touch God's glory. It all belongs to God, doesn't it? God challenged me to humble myself and not seek praise from men.

Those are some of my God-Moments while in Israel. I hope they blessed your heart.

Blessings, Pastor Tim