Daily Devotion for July 14, 2006

Today ends my series of Devotions on our Spiritual Journey through the Land of the Bible.  I hope you have grown in your understanding of our Lord and were deepened in your faith that calls us to walk in His Steps and Serve Others in HIS NAME. 
Shalom
Tim Hetzner

 

Day 19

 

There Are Two Seas in Palestine
 

	There are two seas in Palestine.   One is fresh, and fish are in it.  Splashes of green adorn its banks.  Trees spread their branches over it, and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing water. Along the shores, the children play as children played when the Messiah-Jesus- was there.  He loved it.  He could look across its silver surface when He spoke His parables.  In addition, on a rolling plain not far away He fed five thousand people.
	The river Jordan feeds this sea with sparkling water from the hills.  So it laughs in the sunshine.  And men build their homes near to it, and birds their nests; and every kind of life is happier because it is there.   The river Jordan flows on south into another sea. Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaves, no song of birds, and no children’s laughter.  Travelers choose another route, unless on urgent business.  The air hangs heavy above its waters, and neither man, nor beast, nor fowl will drink.
	What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas?   Not the river Jordan.  It empties the same good water into both.  Not the soil in which they lie; nor the country round about.   This is the difference.  The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan.  For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out.  The giving and receiving go on in equal measure.   The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously.  It will not be tempted into any generous impulse.  Every drop it gets it keeps.

The Sea of Galilee gives and lives.  This other sea gives nothing.  It is named the Dead Sea.
 

There are two kinds of people in the world.

 

There are two seas in Palestine.

 

Which are you?

 

---

Did someone send you this Devotion? Would you like to receive future ones directly? Click here to subscribe.

While in the Middle East for a Biblical Study Journey with fellow Word Among Us Students, a 5-person crew is filming and taking pictures of the various sites. This vibrant photographic material will be incorporated into next year's Word Among Us classes.

Want to learn more about the Bible Jesus used – The Old Testament – and the Bible Jesus taught?  Enroll today in Word Among Us – Cover to Cover study of the Bible starting in Genesis and going through Revelation including the inter - testamental period, using history and archeology and Biblical culture to make the text alive - taught by Tim Hetzner.
Class sites are across the USA. Click here for more information.

Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
		333 W. Lake Street, Addison, Illinois 60101
		(866) 455-6466 • Fax: (866) 451-1476
		Web Site: lcc.LutheranChurchCharities.org
		E-Mail: TimHetzner@LutheranChurchCharities.org
At the end of the day. . . Making A Difference In People's Lives and In God's Kingdom