The Vicki Store
What a wonderful trip as I started in New York for a few days then went to airport where the group tour started to Israel and did the extra extension to Jordan then back to New York then home to Texas !!!!!
The group I went with is Passion and Fire. Brian and Candice Simmons have translated the manuscripts/Bible into The Passion Translation. You will find fresh revelation in the way it reads. The website to find out more is:
Awesome vacation going to Israel and Jordan. Thank you for allowing me the time to slow down while on vacation with limited calls. I really did appreciate the time and was busy from early in the morning until late every night. The Passion and Fire team I traveled with over seas kept us busy from breakfast to worship after dinner so we were full force !! So much to see and really can't put into words and pictures don't do justice either but maybe you can You Tube or travel yourself one day. We had buffets for breakfast and dinner and many family style lunches. The food was fresh and I love mediterranean food so I stayed overstuffed !! My main take away is that there is so much history that has been built on top of and a reminder that civilization has been here for longer then we think about. You had to go levels deep down to get to original streets in many cases and much has left to still be excavated. Please know that many of the locations are where they think events happened but not 100% sure. I was surprised to see so many cats, some even in the churches. Driving thru the dessert we did get to see packs of some animals but passed to quick to get pictures. Many times I enjoyed what I was doing and not taking pictures. It was really interesting to see see how the caves are so plentiful and brought to life how David and others could hide and how the Dead Sea Scrolls could be lost for so many years. No telling what else is out there that has not been discovered yet. As we went from Israel to Jordan we had to walk thru a concrete parking lot that is no man's land as not owned by either country. But as much as I enjoyed seeing the past and walking on streets where Jesus walked which is awesome but nothing compares to the daily joy I share with the Holy Spirit as I go thru my everyday life. The Holy Spirit comes to live with you once you accept Jesus as your Savior. You are never alone again from that day forward !! Below are some of the highlights of my trip.
Day 1-Haas Promenade
This is where God showed Abraham where one day his descendants would build and his descendants would be numbered more then the sand before they had any children !!
What promises are you standing on? What future plans do you have with God?
Genesis 12:1-4, 13:14-18
Day 2-Herodium, Shepherd's Field, Valley of Elah, Beit Shemesh
Herodium was a palace built by Herod the Great. Shepherd's Field where the angels announced the Good news of Jesus birth to the Shepherds, Valley of Elah is battle between David and Goliath, Beit Shemesh was first stop for the ark of covenant after is was captured by the Philistines and sent back to Israel.
TODAY showed me that the world's way is not God's way. Herod built a material empire that is now destroyed but Jesus came humbly and his riches are eternal. What is your foundation built on? David was not even his father's choice of who should be King but he was God's choice!!
Luke 2:1-20, Matt 2:1-18, 1 Samuel 17, 1 Samuel 4-7, 2 Samuel 6
Day 3- Western Wall, Tunnels, Mount of Olives, Gethsemane
The destruction of Herod’s Temple in AD 70 by Titus was predicted by Jesus in Matthew 24:1–2 and Luke 23:28–31. The Bible also predicted the restoration of the Jews to their native land (Ezekiel 36:24, 33–35). Praying at the wall I could feel the Spirit strongly but no more then I do sometimes just when worshipping Him.
The Garden of Gethsemane is where Jesus prayed before they arrested him and I always thought he was asking if there was another way besides the cross but we were told when properly translated He was praying so He did not die there but was able to complete His mission, reconciling the world to God with His sacrifice on the cross. Do you pray to discern truth or just take the word of others for your eternity?
Got to ride a camel at the Mount of Olives which is where Jesus ascended.
Matt 21:1-27, Matt 23:37-24:51, John 5:2-9, Luke 22: 39-53
Day 4- City of David, Hezekiah Tunnel, Yad Bashem, Galicantu, Israel Museum, Garden Tomb
Yad Bashem is the Holocaust Memorial and museum.
At the city of David we walked 1600 ft thru bedrock tunnel which was the way David was able to attack and win. . Calicantu is the site that Peter denied knowing Jesus 3 times and Jesus improsed after being arrested.
The Garden Tomb is one of two possible sites were Jesus was buried and resurrected !! We did communion together at this sacred site. It was overwhelming knowing the extent Jesus went thru because of His love for us. He wants us with Him and was willing to leave Heaven and take on human form to endure all this so we could be with Him forever if we choose to. Do you put your faith in Jesus?
2 Samuel 7, 2 Kings 18-20, Matt 26:69-75, Luke 23:33-49, Matt 27:52-28:10.
Day 5- Qasr al Yahud, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea
Qasr al Yahud is where the Israelites crossed over the Jordon under Joshua's leadership and where John baptised Jesus.
Ein Gedi is places of caves where David hid from Saul and had opportunity to kill him but chose not to even though Saul was trying to kill him. This was one of the test leading to his eventual promotion to King. How do you handle the test and trials put in front of you?
Floating in the dead sea was so much fun and my skin was so soft the next day. It's not like normal swimming water and you don't want the water to touch your lips as not tasty. But I'd like to do this for weeks!!
Joshua 3-4, 1 Samuel 24, Matthew 3
Day 6- Masada, Jericho, Shilo
Masada was a fortress built by Herod and used by the last Jewish rebels. No place is secure as the Lord himself.
Jericho is the first fortress city conquered by trusting the Lord and doing it His way which would not be the way man would have chose to fight a battle. When you know God is telling you what to do, it is better to do it even if it does not seem logical to you.
Shiloh is a place Jesus would have worshipped in and where Hannah prayed for a child to dedicate back to God. God is a miracle worker.
Joshua 5:13-6:27, 1 Samuel 1-3
Day 7- Tel Hazor, Caesarea Philippi, Mt of Beatitudes, Sea of Galilee
This is the area where Jesus spent most of his time and did many miracles.
Caesarea Philippi is where Jesus asked his disciples "who do you say that I am". Even the demons knew who He was, do you?
Mt of Beatitudes is where Jesus gave the sermon on the mount, one of his most famous sermons.
At the Sea of Galilee we did a boat ride and ate fish and they were cooked with the head still on. Probably how Jesus ate his fish. I'm always happy when I think about Jesus eating a fish after he resurrected as I love eating so glad our new bodies can eat. (Luke 24:40-43).
Joshua 11:10-11, Matt 16:13-19, Matt 5-7, John 21:1-13, Mark 4:41-45
Day 8- Magdala, Capernaum, Tabgha, Baptism in the Jordan
Magdala is where Mary Magdalene (not her last name but what we call her). Jesus elevated women to equal status.
Capernaum was the home base for Jesus and he taught from the synagogue here. Even though they had Jesus in person and doing miracles there were many that did not respond with faith in Jesus. So sad.
Tabgha is where Jesus restored Peter and he was set free from his guilt of denying Him 3 times. No matter what you have done Jesus wants to have a relationship with you too !!
Many of us were baptized in the Jordan river as it doesn't say you can only be baptised once in the Bible so was okay to experience. Usually once you decide to follow Jesus the first thing the Holy Spirit lays on your heart to do is get baptized as a public confession of your new faith as showing dying to self and being resurrected to live for Him and as He died on cross and resurrected back to life. This is why we know we will one day also !!! If He didn't die and live again, why would you have hope?
Luke 8:1-3, Luke 4:31-42, John 21:15-19
Day 9- Giligad, Mt Carmel, Caesarea Maritima, Jaffa,
Gideon listened and God took army to only 300 men out of 32000 and won the battle as God confused the enemy. They never had to lift a sword only their trumpets and their words. Jesus is the word (Rev 19:13) so let Him fight your battles. Use prayer. Always do things the way God shows you, not from your own logic. I have been taught this lesson big in past.
Mt Carmel is where Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal and God visually demonstrates His power. Even with all this King Ahab eventually let's people's influence lead him back to allowing Baal worship. Who is influencing you?
Caesarea is where Peter shares the Gospel with a gentile Cornelius after his dream in Jaffa. This is also where Paul was imprisoned for 2 years but wrote letters that are part of the Bible.
There was still a stadium left that people can perform on and saw many hang gliders over the water.
Luke 4:14-30, 1 Kings 18:1-46, Acts 22:30-26-32, Acts 1, Judges 6-7
3 days in Jordan - Red Sea, Negev, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra, Mount Nebo, Amman
We went snorkeling in the Red Sea and saw beautiful fish around the coral.
We did jeep rides (small trucks) thru Wadi Rum and had tea. It was so beautiful.
At St George church there were many mosaic pictures.
In the city of Petra was able to ride a horse for a short ways.
Mount Nebo is where Moses was shown the promise land that he had led the israelites to but would not be allowed to enter because of striking a rock when he was only suppose to speak to it. Moses later after his death was seen on Mt Transfiguration.
One of the gas station/convenient food stores had a little robot you could use besides the human workers !!!
We are so blessed that it is not because we have to be good enough as none of us are, but just thru faith in Jesus we will have a secure happy eternity.
Deut. 34:1-12, Matthew 17, Romans 3:10-10:13.
The "Romans" Road to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Problem of Sin
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.."
The Wages of Sin
Romans 6:23a
"For the wages of sin is death..."
The Love of God
Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The Free Gift of Salvation
Romans 6:23b
"But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Accepting the Free Gift
Romans 10:9 & 13
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved.
(13) For whoever calls on the name of the LORD
shall be saved."
When you are alone and no one else around just call out the name of Jesus 3 times and seek Him and He will answer you. You do not need to take anyone else's word or any book. Experience Him for yourself !!!