As stated in Genesis 3:17b-19, "Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it. All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return"(NKJV).
Reading these verses, you might say "So what? This is just describing the curse upon Adam after he and Eve sinned... right?" And I say, yes, that's exactly what these verses are talking about, but let's take a closer look at one aspect of them.
Notice close to the beginning of verse 18 that one of the results of their sin was that the earth was going to bring forth thorns and thistles. Some people say that thorns are actually undeveloped blossoms, the exact opposite of a beautiful, thriving plant. So the result of sin was that these hard, sharp, dead plants would interfere with the growing of plants. This is a picture of what sin does in our life as well. On our own, sin causes us to whither until there's nothing left but a dead, shriveled up thorn of a heart.
Now, where else do we see an example of thorns in the Bible? Consider Mark 15:17-18, "And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'" (NKJV).
These verses are describing the beginning of the torment that Jesus Christ received before He was crucified. When Jesus came to earth to die for the sins of all mankind, how fitting it was that He wear upon His head the first symbol of sin! Jesus came as God's sacrifice to wash away the sins of all people. What a beautiful picture of His plan for our redemption!
Next time you see a thorn, remember...
1. Thorns were part of the punishment for our sins
2. Jesus willingly wore the punishment of our sins upon His head!
3. We no longer have to be under the bondage of sin because Jesus has paid the price!
Praise the Lord!!!!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tickets
I have my tickets and I'm so excited! Now it is really official that I am going! :)
Everyone has been asking my if I am nervous about going to Israel, and I have to say that at the moment, no, not at all. I'm sure that when it gets closer to the time that I leave, I'll start to get sad that I won't see my family and friends for three months (except for vid chat), but for now, I am so excited to see what God is going to do during the time that I am there! Please pray for me that as the deadline gets closer to going that God will continue to give me and my family His peace that surpasses all understanding!
"Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation" (Psalm 149:2-4, NKJV).
Everyone has been asking my if I am nervous about going to Israel, and I have to say that at the moment, no, not at all. I'm sure that when it gets closer to the time that I leave, I'll start to get sad that I won't see my family and friends for three months (except for vid chat), but for now, I am so excited to see what God is going to do during the time that I am there! Please pray for me that as the deadline gets closer to going that God will continue to give me and my family His peace that surpasses all understanding!
"Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation" (Psalm 149:2-4, NKJV).
Monday, April 11, 2011
Class Schedule
Well, I looked on the website that talks about what I will be studying and I have found what my class schedule is going to be! I will be studying Biblical Hebrew and the Life of Christ in four parts for the duration of my trip. How exciting!
If you would like to pray for me right now, please pray that God will help us get the best deals on airfare, that I would be able to connect with my future classmates, and that God would even now be preparing my heart for the awesome things that I know that He wants to teach me!
Sept. 9 - Arrival in Israel
Sept. 11-13 - Orientation
Sept. 14-24 - Block 1
Sept. 28 - Oct. 8 - Block 2
Oct. 12-22 - Block 3
Oct. 23-29 - Inter-Israel Travel Days
Nov. 2-12 - Block 4
Nov. 16-26- Block 5
Nov. 27-Dec. 3 - Inter-Israel Travel Days
Dec. 5 - Leave Israel
http://calvarychapelbiblecollege.com/jerusalem/
If you would like to pray for me right now, please pray that God will help us get the best deals on airfare, that I would be able to connect with my future classmates, and that God would even now be preparing my heart for the awesome things that I know that He wants to teach me!
Sept. 9 - Arrival in Israel
Sept. 11-13 - Orientation
Sept. 14-24 - Block 1
Sept. 28 - Oct. 8 - Block 2
Oct. 12-22 - Block 3
Oct. 23-29 - Inter-Israel Travel Days
Nov. 2-12 - Block 4
Nov. 16-26- Block 5
Nov. 27-Dec. 3 - Inter-Israel Travel Days
Dec. 5 - Leave Israel
http://calvarychapelbiblecollege.com/jerusalem/
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Going to college!
Hello everyone!
For those who know me, you know that I have been praying very seriously about where to go to college. Well, God has answered my prayers! I will be going to college this fall semester in Jerusalem, Israel! I get to study in Israel for 88 wonderful, awesome, amazing days! Up until the time that I go to Israel, I will post a few blog posts sharing a little bit of the preparation for my journey. Once I finally go, I will do my best to share with you what God is teaching me and all the amazing things that I am seeing.
In Christ,
Victoria
For those who know me, you know that I have been praying very seriously about where to go to college. Well, God has answered my prayers! I will be going to college this fall semester in Jerusalem, Israel! I get to study in Israel for 88 wonderful, awesome, amazing days! Up until the time that I go to Israel, I will post a few blog posts sharing a little bit of the preparation for my journey. Once I finally go, I will do my best to share with you what God is teaching me and all the amazing things that I am seeing.
In Christ,
Victoria
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