Travel Journal Notes – Photos – Page 2 – denisebalog…Grace filled devotionals.

Day 18 – Joshua Journals

Strong and Courageous – 31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Eighteen – Hepher – Pit

“…the king of Hepher, one.” Joshua 12:17 NKJV

Joshua would have heard Moses say, “Be strong and of good courage” three times before he was appointed the new leader of the people.

“Then He inaugurated Joshua, the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.” Deuteronomy 31:23 NKJV

The same words were spoken four times by the LORD, before Joshua began his assignment of going into the land and conquering Jericho.

Seven times Joshua heard these words of encouragement. Seven in Scripture speaks of completion. Did the seven-time reinforcement of the words provide Joshua with insight to his good success in defeating the king of Hepher – the pit?

The “strong” in Joshua’s “Be strong”, is the Hebrew word chazaq which means – to fasten upon, seize, to bind, to conquer, and strengthen oneself.

Perhaps on hearing these words seven times “Be strong!” from both His teacher Moses and the LORD, Joshua understood his destiny was complete. By “fastening” himself to God’s plans and binding this truth to his heart, Joshua was then enabled to “Be strong” and defeat the king of Hepher, the enemy of falling into the Pit.

Lord, I too can face the enemy of the Pit in my daily battles. Help me fasten myself to Your Word and good promises to my heart, for my destiny is complete in You. I can either fall into the pit of unbelief or take the “pit” and plant the seed of Your Faithfulness growing to be strong and prosperous!

Thank You Father for Your Presence ever near.

Encouraging me in my weakness,

Casting out all fear.

Strengthening me as you teach me by Your hand.

For by the Power of Your Word

I am more than able to conquer the land..

“Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. The also brough some of the pomegranates and figs.” Numbers 13:23 NKJV

Day 17 – Joshua Journals

Strong and Courageous – 31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Seventeen – Tappuah – Apple

“…the king of Tappuah, one.” Joshua 12:17 NKJV

What possible enemy can be at a place called Tappuah or Apple?

The Hebrew word “apple” refers to a sweet fragrance, as from a tree, or the center of an eye – the pupil.

Tappuah is from the Hebrew word naphach. One of the meanings of Tappuah is to “give up” and to “lose hope in life”.

Simply put, Tappuah is the enemy of hope.

I wonder if Joshua every felt the daily battle was too much, and some days he felt hopeless wanting to give up? All energy gone fighting the enemy of Tappauh.

“He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;

He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.” Deuteronomy 32:10 NKJV

I can’t help thinking, as Joshua and the people traveled, they must have been encouraged seeing fruit trees, and “…the pomegranates and figs” in the land. The sweet fragrance in the air been must have refreshing and gave them hope to continue their journey.

I can now see the way to victory! When I find myself in the place of giving up with no hope, breathe deeply, refocus, and see as God sees me, as the apple of His eye! His sweet fragrance refreshes and renews my hope!

Thank You Father for seeing me.

Keeping me safe in Your hand.

For when I lose my focus, I’m an easy target of man.

Extend Your sweet fragrance upon me in the middle of my fight.

For I know Your eye is ever towards Hope,

And You make all things right.

May you always remember how God sees you, as the apple of His eye!

Denise

“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings.”Psalm 17:8 NKJV

(Isn’t He the sweetest! David’s Psalm Seventeen is right in step with Joshua’s Day Seventeen. Lord, thank You for keeping us in the center of Your Love today!)

Photo capturing almond trees in their first bloom of the season. I can remember seeing the petals floating through the air, and hearing our guide explain, those who see the first blossom of the year receive an extra blessing. We were like maidens in bridal procession enjoying the favor of the center of His eye. A hillside in Sephoris, a town located an eye’s distance from Nazareth, Israel 2011

Day 16 – Joshua Journals

Day Sixteen – Bethel – house of God

“…the king of Bethel, one.” Joshua 12:16 NKJV

The Hebrew definition of Beth is a house, especially a family a dwelling place, and yes, according to the definition, a dungeon. Ouch, that one hurt. “El” of Bethel means – strength, might and power.

I wondered as Joshua and the people prepared to move out of camp, did he need to be reminded to encourage and pray for his people? Joshua’s story shares, Joshua would often call them together to encourage and remind them the LORD was with them and fought for them.

“And Joshua called for all Israel…You have seen all that the LORD your God has done…for the LORD your God is He who has fought for you.” Joshua 23:2&3 NKJV

Lord is the “battle of Bethel”, in the remembering to pray for my family, my dwelling place? Reminding them, You are the One who goes with us, lest we forget and become like a “dungeon” of darkness and open to prey. For I am seeing as Joshua’s story unfolds, it’s here in this place called Bethel, we received Your strength, power and victory each day!

“Choose for yourselves this day who you will serve…but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 NKJV

Thank You Father, You are our dwelling place.

The One we hold tight too.

You keep our feet from slipping,

As we keep our eyes on You.

Thank You for fighting our battles,

For we have no good apart from You!

“But you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.” Joshua 23:8 NKJV

“For the LORD, your God is He who has fought for you.” Joshua 23:3 NKJV

Thank you fellow journeyers, I appreciate your time in reading this study. As I’ve searched through travel journals reading bits and pieces of memories, I’m reminded, even when I was tired and the days seemed long, it was the Lord God who guided the way, and in Him we found our joy and strength for the day. God bless.

Denise

Photo captured before we began our day’s journey from the shores of Galilee, in Israel 2018.

Day 14 – The Joshua Journals

Strong and Courageous -31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Fourteen – Adullam – Justice for the people – righteousness

There is no mention of Joshua coming against Adullam in Joshua’s journey except one.

“…the king of Adullam one.” Joshua 12:15 NKJV

Strategically placed between yesterday’ king of Libnah (whiteness) and tomorrow’s unknown, we find Joshua’s story quiet, possibly a secret place of his own.

I wonder, if Joshua weary from the responsibility of leading the people through miles of dry land, stops at Adullam seeking respite and wisdom “justice for the people” to guide them on.

The beckoning darkness from the desert sun may have been very inviting to his tired body.

According to Jewish history, the idea of “justice for the people or righteousness” was so important in the Old Testament times, that the community who housed the Dead Sea scrolls called their most important leader the “Teacher of Righteousness”. It’s not hard to imagine, Joshua as leader of the people, drawn for intimate time with the One he knew who spoke to Moses as a friend. The One who brought Joshua good success at Jericho, the One who made the day stand still, the One who anointed him for the journey.

Lord, may I be as Joshua. Stopping from the daily battles and journey, to seek intimate time with You. Your friendship is my hiding place, my Adullam. It is here I find rest and victory for my spirit and soul.

“He makes darkness His secret place,

His canopy around Him was dark waters.” Psalm 18:11

Thank you, my friends, for taking the time to seek the One who gives rest in Adullam. I pray you are refreshed knowing even in the silence of our own stories, the secret places, the Lord of Righteousness fights for you and calls you friend.

“He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

Denise

Photos captured in the Dead of the Sea area. Joshua and the people would have seen similar caves as they journeyed north through Southern territory of Israel.

Adullam is geographically further west and inland south of Bethlehem. The water flowing through the limestone, refreshing a traveler’s soul, is known to begin in Bethlehem. The cave pictured, although it not specifically the cave of Adullam, is typical of the caves found in the wilderness and also known in the Bible as a “stronghold”.

King David’s stories in the cave of Adullam can be found in 1 Samuel 22:1 and 2 Samuel 23:13

Day 13 – The Joshua Journals

Day Thirteen – Libnah – Whiteness

“…the king of Libnah one.” Joshua 12:15 NKJV

Libnah means – whiteness, a desert place

“Now the children of Israel moved on…” Numbers 21:10

Legend has it when God brought Moses to the top of Mt. Nebo, located in the Southern desert, he was able to see all the way to the white cap top of Mount Herman in the north.

I wondered as Joshua traveled through the desert, when he looked to the north, did he catch a glimmer of the white snow on top of Mount Herman encouraging him to continue his journey forward?

Last night stepping into my closet, the laundry basket overflowed again with the day’s laundry, I questioned myself how does one family use all these clothes? As I sorted between the darks and lights, I was thinking on the word “whiteness” for today. Asking the Lord, “whiteness”, what does that mean to me? Why did Joshua need to have victory over whiteness?”

I heard the soft voice say, “Why not whiteness, you spend your whole day sorting through darkness and the light.”

Like Joshua, I too have to decide daily, do I believe in, trust in, and look to the Truth, the purity, the whiteness of God’s Word and promises, or are my eyes clouded by what I see in my daily world preventing me from moving forward, walking by sight and not faith.

Lord, thank You for Your understanding of the battle word of whiteness. May I forever remember Jesus is the True Light who guides my way. May I never forget the price He paid, for “He was clothed with the robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” Rev. 19:13 NKJV

Your Word empowers me to be victorious over the king of Libnah by remembering I am “…clothed in fine linen, white and clean…” because He paid for it with His Love. Revelations 19:14 NKJV

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess…because He loves you.” Deuteronomy 7:1-7 NKJV

Mount Herman is located on Israel’s farthest northern border. Jesus and his disciples would have walked from Caesarea Philippi here for what many believe is the location of the Mount of Transfiguration. I love how Scriptures gives us this little detail of the walking distance, “Now after six days Jesus…led them up on a high mountain…His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” Matthew 17:1–2 NKJV

Mount Herman fascinates and stirs my heart. While sailing the Jesus Boat on the Sea of Galilee, a sparkle of sunlight caught my eye causing me to look up. There in the distance, I could see what appeared to be snow. Peering through the haze over the water, my eyes could make out what looked like a snow top mountain. Yes, it was Mount Herman, and each time we have returned its majestic whiteness never disappoints this pilgrim’s eye and heart. I can’t help thinking, Joshua and King David might have felt the same way too.

Thank you, fellow sojourners.. May you find safety and good health as we travel together following Jesus who loved us from the beginning.

Denise

Day 12 – The Joshua Journals

Strong and Courageous – 31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Twelve – Arad – To Sequester Itself, Fugitive, Wild Ass

“…the king of Arad one.” Joshua 12:14 NKJV

Is there a lesson I can learn from the king of Arad’s name?

As a young man traveling by Moses side, Joshua would have encountered the king of Arad as the Israelites made their way through their enemy’s territories.

“The king of Arad…who dwelt in the South, heard that Israel was coming on the road to Atharim. Thenhe fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners. Numbers 21:1 NKJV

Arad means to sequester itself, fugitive and wild ass.

Wondering how often in my day I act like a fugitive or wild ass allowing myself to be sequestered and taken prisoner by the king of Arad.

“Do not be like the horse or like the mule,

Which have no understand,

Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle…” Psalm 31:8 NKJV

Joshua and the people, on the road to Atharim, which means offense, asked the LORD to defeat their enemy. Asking for His power, and not relying on theirs, they were enabled to “utterly destroy” the king of Arad and have good success!

“I will instruct you

And teach you

In the way you should go…”

Psalm 31:8 NKJV

“Thank You Father, You Word reminds me to look to You,

Encouraging me each day as You guide me through.

Teaching me how to be victorious in this very hour,

For I desire to be sequester in Your Presence and power

Lifting up all my cares and weakness to You,

For You are my Strength and the battle belongs to You!”

Thank you, fellow pilgrims, for traveling with me these past twelve days. I pray you have been blessed and I invite you continue the journey as Joshua leads the way.

Denise

Photo captured is in Southern Israel. This region would also be known as The Negev where David and his men would have fled to hide from his enemy King Saul. The city Arad Moses and the people traveled through, was located further south and west of Negev flourishing in the third millennium.

PS: To our western mindsets, when the Bible speaks of “the wilderness” we often think of trees and dense forest. This desert picture is what is known as “the wilderness” in Israel. A dry, arid place with little to no water.

Day 11 – The Joshua Journals

Strong and Courageous – 31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Eleven – Hormah – A Devoting – a place laid to waste

“…the king of Hormah one.” Joshua 12:14 NKJV

Hormah – a devoting place laid to waste.

“But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop.” Numbers 14:44 NKJV

When the people heard the LORD was angry for their rejecting Joshua and Caleb’s words of the good land set before them, they determined to “go up” on their own. Moses warned them not to go because God was not among them or their plans. Not heeding the words, they decided to go it alone and found their plans laid to waste.

“They soon forgot His works;

They did not wait for His counsel.”

Psalm 106:13 NKJV

Joshua’s good success in conquering the king of Hormah, the wasted place, is found in his remembering the lesson he had learned through past experiences. He remembered what happened to the people 40 years ago when they looked to their own strength and timing.

Heeding the good plans of the LORD, Joshua waited on the LORD’s timing and not his own plans to achieve victory in the place once laid to waste.

“Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

On You I wait all the day.”

Psalm 25:5 NKJV

Photo captured in Upper Galilee, the northern limits of Jesus’ travels. Banias or as we see it through New Testament eyes, Caesarea Philippi. Banias was dedicated to Pan, a Greek god the god of nature, pastures, flocks, and shepherds.

Jesus would ask His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” here in this place laid to waste. As fisherman from the fertile shores of Galilee, one can only imagine their questioning why Jesus would lead them so far from home to “pagan place of devotion” a “wasted place”.

If only they knew the Mount of Transfiguration was only a few days away!

Joshua would have journeyed here to the northern part of the land of Israel. He and his men would have seen this place. In antiquity, a spring in the large cave was one of the principal sources of water to the Jordan flowing into the Sea of Galilee.

Thank you for joining me as we travel the truths of Hormah – a place laid to waste. I’m delighted to have you on this road as we ponder and look to His Saving Grace.

Denise

Abram’s Gate

“Now when Abram heard that his brother (his nephew Lot) was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. Genesis 14:14 NKJV

Sorting through pictures along our travel route in the Upper Galilee area this past January,

One of our stops was at Tel Dan where the oldest known Gate in the world is located; over 4000 years old. The “Gate” is where the people met to conduct business. (Kinda like your local restaurant or feed store in a small town. Lol)

Thinking on Abram’s Gate, I was surprised by the changes made to the site. So I thought I would share the progression of the site made from my first trip in 2011 to 2018.

February 2011

These would have been the same high walls seen by the men Moses sent to “spy out the land” Numbers 13:2 NKJV

These stone wall are TALL! No wonder the 10 spies said,

“…we were like grasshoppers in our own sight…” Numbers 13:33 NKJV

Pictures captured in 2011 by a small pocket size Nikon CoolPix worn on a lanyard around my neck. Nice little camera and it takes great pictures.

March 2014

Just think, Abraham would have walked and seen this same mountain.

Pictures captured in 2014 by a step up to a Nikon Coolpix P510.

I love this red camera! With all the zooming in and out all day, it ate up at 2 plus batteries keeping it charged daily! (Took over 3000 pictures on this trip) Very easy to use and light for travel.

January 2018 Journey

2018 pictures captured from the bus. Time didn’t allow for us to walk up. As most of our pilgrims had already walked the path over the past years, a stop to view from the bus worked. These were taken through the window on the bus with a 50 to 200 mm.

Pictures captured in 2018 by “Yes, I can’t believe I’m going to carry this camera all the way to Israel and back” Nikon D5300 DSLR with several extra lens. Crazy, I know! Love my traveling buddy D5300. Faithful, stood up to changing lens on a hard trip and in cold, wet weather travel. Captured over 3000 plus images.

Hope you enjoy the journey over the years.

Blessings,

Denise