King of Kings Community Jerusalem » Teachings

Category: Jerusalem Mornings

…Over the years living in Jerusalem, God has used many little object lessons to make Himself and His Word real to me. In these devotionals, I want to share them with you. My prayer is that you, too, will drink with me from the fresh water He gives. Don't read a a portion from this and then go on about your day. This is only to whet your appetite for more! Light a candle, if it will help you to be aware of His presence. Dig into the Scriptures with your ears open to the Spirit of God. Meditate on what you have read. Leave yourself time to let it sink in. Be still and silent before Him. Then as you pray, you may want to do as I do -- journal your prayers… Read the full introduction »

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2012
The Chameleon Syndrome

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Jan 15th, 2012

Like a chameleon, we take on the ways of those who surround us. Our tendency to do this varies with individuals, but this phenomenon is well known, and God knows it. We become like our spouse, our friends, our society, for better or for worse. God wants it to be for better.

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: None assigned
2011
The Power of Identity

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Dec 8th, 2011

February 11, 1986 will forever be etched on my memory. I, along with my family, along with every family in Israel sat riveted to the television to watch a hero's welcome. Crowds cheered as Russian refusenik Anatoly Sharansky descended the stairs of an airplane, looking somewhat haggard and bewildered. I don't think there was a dry eye in all of Israel that day! We watched as he placed a call to President Reagan, thanking him for his help and release. Two days later I encountered him and his wife, Avital, out shopping for groceries. Here in Jerusalem, the city of …

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: Faith, Hope, Freedom, Identity, Persecution
His Face

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Oct 2nd, 2011

Do you even dare ask for His face? Are you willing to look into His eyes and see what is there?

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: God, Love, Devotion
2010
Very Much Right Here

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Dec 9th, 2010

The Lord is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear... Psalm 46:1 This psalm, as you can imagine, is one of our anthems, here in the land of Israel. But "ever-present" is a feeble translation. The usual Hebrew word for "presence" isn't used here. It's not talking about omnipresence, some ethereal cosmic abstract. I don't blame the translators, because we don't have an English expression for the phrase "nimtzah me'od." The modern Hebrew reader would understand it to mean, "very much right here." RIGHT HERE - with a superlative added!

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: Trust, Help, Trials & tribulations, Fear
The Yehudiya Challenge - 2 - When Courage Fails

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Nov 29th, 2010

One spring day our family hiked the beautiful Yehudiya gorge. I've already told you about this place where a bubbling brook, rocks, trees and flowers greet the senses in an exhilarating way. Our youngest son, Michael was then ten years old, and had plenty of spunk to keep up with the climbs, descents, river crossings and jumps. But when we arrived at the cliffs and pools, we had a crisis. I don't remember how it was that he cleared the first pool, probably he was helped by his brothers down the rope ladder. But by the time that we reached …

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: Trust, Fear, Courage
The Sign of the Smoke

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Nov 18th, 2010

Many people are surprised to learn that Mt. Moriah, or Mt. Zion (the Temple Mount) is not actually the highest point in Jerusalem. At 2,428 feet above sea level, it is still lower than Mount Scopus to the north (2,705 feet), the Mount of Olives to the east (2,665 feet) and the hill of Evil Counsel to the south (2,549 feet).

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: Worship, Sacrifice, Zion, Temple, God's glory
My Mistake

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Nov 10th, 2010

My seven-year-old Jamie was invited to a birthday party of a classmate, Liora. I sat and chatted and sipped coffee with some of the other parents, while watching the kids enjoy the fun. Liora's mother was an attractive young woman with smart looking black hair, her blue eyes accentuated by modern purple glasses frames. I noticed that she seemed rather distracted and lacking in joy at her own daughter's birthday party. In fact, to me she seemed rather uptight. As I watched her, my mind said, "Loosen up, girl! Smile a bit!" And I went on to think of her …

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: Love, Grace, Compassion, Judgement
Fig Leaves

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Sep 13th, 2010

Just a few steps down from our home there are a couple of large fig trees, in our neighbor's garden. In five years, those trees have grown to an enormous size, giving shade and delicious fruit. The leaves are large. A fig leaf can grow to over a foot wide. I can imagine why Adam and Eve looked around and seeing these nice big leaves, chose them for covering. Look under the tree, though and see the leaves that have fallen and dried. Yes, those are the same leaves three days later, you haven't mistaken them. They are puny little …

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: God, Sin, Responsibility, Shame, Garden of Eden
Taste and See

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Sep 7th, 2010

I've never been much of a swimmer. Water over my nostrils makes me panic and the best I can really do is dog-paddle. During one of our earlier trips to Eilat, on the Red Sea, my husband urged me to go snorkeling with him. The thought of putting my face under water was not a pleasant one. Navigating through the sea-urchined shallow waters with flippers on didn't boost my confidence. (Today that isn't necessary, you just step off a dock.) I kept going, just to please Wayne. Finally we reached waters deep enough to snorkel. I put on my mask …

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: Faith, Kingdom of God
Pal-Kal

By: Ann Hilsden Posted: Aug 26th, 2010

If you have read my account of the wedding-hall collapse in Jerusalem, you already know "what is Pal-Kal." In the early 1980's someone (who is now in prison) developed a flooring method much lighter in weight than the traditional heavy flooring that separated stories in tall buildings. Soon engineers deemed it unsafe, and by 1996 it was no longer legal.

Category: Devotionals, Jerusalem Mornings Topics: Trust, God's will
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