It is so easy to allow ourselves to be overcome by all the “what if’s” that are whispered into our minds. But beloved reader, we are to walk in FAITH and NOT in fear. This is something that doesn’t come natural to many of us – it is a “changing of our mind” it is a “mind exercise” that we must daily commit to doing…
In the beginning of January, Holy Spirit gave me a word from the Lord for 2026. He told me:
“This will be a year of total immersion in Him”
I had no idea what that meant, but it filled me with excitement, and I visualized myself as a child climbing up the steps of a ladder looking down upon a huge pool and “dive bombing” into the pool. Afterall, as a lover of Jesus, who would NOT want to be totally immersed in Holy Spirit? 🙂
The Lord pressed upon my heart to plan my first trip out of the United States by going to Israel. (Which astonished many of my loved ones… Actually, they thought I was out of my ever-loving mind, to go to the middle east where such unrest was occurring) but this is where we learn whether or not we are going to listen to the voice of the LORD or listen to those around us.
WHOSE VOICE ARE YOU CHOOSING TO LISTEN TO?
I chose to listen to the voice of the Lord… And I was blessed beyond measure because of it… I want to say this to all who Holy Spirit directs to read this post –
WILL YOU LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF THE WORLD OR THE VOICE OF GOD?
When we read our Bibles, we see many who chose to listen to the voice of God OVER the voice of those around them. Take a look at Abraham in Genesis 12:1-4:
Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So, Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”
Now can you imagine how incredulous Abram’s family and friends were of their leaving their country? Can you imagine how many may have tried to dissuade them from leaving a place they were familiar and comfortable with, venturing off into the unknown and unfamiliar? Now think about yourself and if you are part of God’s called Remnant, a follower of Jesus, a born-again believer – how often have you heard negative remarks from those closest to you on your faith, love and commitment to the Lord?
WHOSE VOICE ARE YOU CHOOSING TO LISTEN TO?
Abraham is only one example of many in the Bible, but it is filled with many who chose to step out in faith and not in fear. I’m not saying that it is not normal to FEEL fear, but we are not to walk IN fear. We are to walk in faith. We get to choose the voice we will listen to and for me, in choosing to trust the voice of the Lord and travel to Israel, I DID experience total immersion in Him. It was life-changing and inspiring and revealing and filled me with a better understanding of the scriptures. I was able to:
- Visit the City of David
- Go to the Pool of Siloam
- Visit the Southern Steps and Robinsons Arch
- Visit the Western Wall
- Visit Capernaum
- See King Herod’s
- Visit Bethlehem
- See the Shepherd’s Field (where the angels told the shepherds about the birth of our Savior)
- Visit Mt. Gerizim and Ancient Samaria
- Visit Jerusalem
- Visit/Swim in the Dead Sea
- See the Dead Sea Scrolls (in the museum)
- Go to the Top of the Mount of Olives
- Go to Mt. Zion
- Visit Jericho
- Visit Magdala (where Mary Magdalan was from)
- See upper room (where the last supper took place)
- See King David’s Tomb
- Visit the Pools of Bethsheba
- Get baptized in the Jordan River (where Jesus’ was baptized by John the Baptist)
- Walk the Via Dolorosa
- Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
- Visit the Garden Tomb
Bringing Scripture to life by seeing some of the historical sites of the Bible has better enhanced my understanding of the scriptures. There is something really special about walking where Jesus walked… Where the Disciples journeyed. It brings to life what you are reading and is a total confirmation that the Word of God IS indeed TRUE and historical!
My life has been greatly enriched by all I experienced above. All because I listened to Holy Spirit and not to the negative voices of many saying “doom and gloom” around me. So, I ask you:
Who are YOU choosing to listen to? The voice of Holy Spirit? The voice of the world? The voice of doubt and fear?
YOU GET TO CHOOSE!
I will tell you that the propaganda that is being told by “fake news” about Israel is untrue! How do I know that? Because I decided to listen to the LORD and find out FOR MYSELF. We are called to PRAY for Israel! As well as for the world we live in. The Bible indicates that Jesus’ second coming will be a visible and powerful event. He will first appear in the clouds for all to see, symbolizing God’s glory and presence, and then descend to Jerusalem, specifically the Mount of Olives, which lies east of the city as told in Zechariah 14:4:
“On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.”
As well as in Acts 1:11:
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
And in Matthew 24:30:
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.”
Whatever Holy Spirit is calling you to do, the point is to listen and step out in faith and NOT in fear. If it has been a dream of yours to visit the Holy Land – than go!!! Don’t let fear hold you back. God IS with you! If you are unsure how to go about booking a trip to Israel, I recommend going with Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel. He is an amazing teacher who has traveled to Israel with people MANY times. Rabbi Jason Sobel is an American Messianic Jewish rabbi, author, teacher, and founder of Fusion Global, dedicated to reconnecting Jewish heritage with the teachings of Yeshua (Jesus) through Scripture, teaching, and media. I am providing the link to his website below:
Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel Fusion Travel Group
Our walk of faith is just that – one of faith NOT fear. Stepping out in faith leads to much growth and blessing in Him Who has called us by name. Our steps are ordered by God but still we have to step out in them. Will you? His plans for us are SO much better than our own, trust in Him and let Him direct your path. He loves you SO much listen to HIS voice above all others and you will experience life and His love in a much greater degree than you can even fathom. YOU belong to Him.
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