30 Days in the Land with Jesus: A Holy Land Devotional

by Charles H. Dyer

A devotional that brings the Bible to life

What encouragement we receive when the Bible meets us where we are—just imagine how much more eye-opening it is when we encounter the Bible where it was written.

30 Days in the Land with Jesus takes the reader on a spiritual journey through the Holy Word and the Holy Land, guided by renowned expert and author Dr. Charles H. Dyer.

Complemented by vivid, full-color photography, each daily devotion draws new insight and inspiration from the ancient sites that framed the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Plus, the hardcover binding and ribbon marker make it a wonderful gift or bedside read.

Entries

Jesus in the Wilderness (Matt. 4:1–11)Mount Not Where, but How (John 4:1–26)Atop Mount Arbel (Matt. 4:12–17)Shorty in the Sycamore (Luke 19:1–10)The Three Gethsemanes (Matt. 26:36–46)Your understanding of the person, work, and words of Jesus Christ will take on an added dimension with this day-by-day exploration of the world in which He walked.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2012

About the author

He is an Old Testament scholar as well as an authority on Middle Eastern history and geography. A licensed tour guide to Israel, he has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East over the past 25 years, leading over 70 different trips throughout the region to countries including Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. He twice visited Iraq as an official invited guest of Saddam Hussein’s government.

When he is not working, traveling to the Middle East, or speaking, Charlie enjoys spending his time writing, reading, and golfing. He is a devoted (some would say fanatical) Macintosh computer user, and he collects antiquities—especially oil lamps from biblical times.

Charlie and his wife, Kathy, have been married for over 33 years, and they have two grown children—Ben and Becky. Becky and her husband are both graduates of Moody.

(http://www.moody.edu/edu_facultyprofi...)

Reviews

[Brandon Current · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Skim and Pass. The good: Dr. Dyer's book has some great little insights into locational and cultural contexts of the gospels. There are some genuine "aha" moments that help with understanding and picturing the setting of the events of Christ's ministry. I was struck by the small size of the land, lakes, and mountains. These helpful insights make the book worth a skim.

The bad: A devotional is the wrong format for this information. Applications are too often on Dr. Dyer's reconstruction and speculation rather than on the authority of the words of Scripture. The authority of Scripture does not rest in the rebuilding of historical events, but in the words recorded by the Holy Spirit about the events, understood within their historical context. One must be careful about expositing their own narrative rather than the Biblical one. Also, some will find the author's style a bit cheesy."

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed as a daily devotional. Found to be very beneficial to read prior to holiday in Israel. Will re-read. Did find some things in the book to not be accurate i.e. page 244 he notes that the fishing nets contained 153 fish. It is not just a "mess" of fish, it is significant to understanding the numbers of the bible (153 means "God s with us/you") per Birte Edwards and Dr. Gerald L. Borchert.

[Brittany Burkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book and definitely recommend it!!! Reading the Bible has always been hard for me to read as it’s confusing to me but this book has helped me understand the Bible extremely well. This book is meant to be read chapter a day but it’s such a good book that I couldn’t help but to read it so fast.

[Ethan Van Bruggen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The facts about the land of Israel are interesting, and they often supply good context to certain events in Jesus' ministry. However, the spiritual applications are almost all too much of a stretch. Descriptions of biblical locations are interesting, but not good enough for devotional material.

[Ronald J. Pauleus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good devotional with challenging conclusions after examining God’s word.

[Kimberly Kahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insiteful and enjoyable

I learned a lot. It helped me to look at maps of Israel from different eras to make it even more vivid.

[Harold Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What encouragement we receive when the truth of the Bible meets us where we are--just imagine how much more eye-opening it is when we encounter the Bible where it was written! Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus, takes the reader on a spiritual journey through the Holy Word and the Holy Land, guided by renowned expert and author Dr. Charles Dyer. Complemented by vivid, full-color photography, each day draws new insight and inspiration from the ancient sites that framed the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Your understanding of the person, work, and words of Jesus Christ takes on an added dimension with this day by day exploration of the world in which He walked." (From Moody Publishers Website)

About the Author:
About Dr. Charles Dyer
CHARLES DYER (B.A., Washington Bible College; Th.M. and Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) served for ten years as provost of Moody Bible Institute before becoming professor-at-large of Bible and host of The Land and the Book radio program. He is the author of numerous books, including A Voice in the Wilderness, What's Next?, The Rise of Babylon, and The New Christian Traveler's Guide to the Holy Land. His most recent book is Character Counts: The Power of Personal Integrity.

My thoughts about the book: Imagine being able to personally take a 30 day trek through the Holy Lands and do it with Jesus. How awesome would that be? Well, unfortunately because Jesus is not alive and among us he can not take us on a personal trip through the Holy Land with him, living as he lived and experiencing what he experienced when he was alive on planet earth. However, author and respected Bible College Professor Charles Dyer has done for us that which Jesus can not do…and in a good fashion I might add.

In his very compact and insightful devotional book, Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus, author Dyer takes us where Jesus went and shares with us some of what Jesus experienced as he lived and walked in the Holy Land. His book gives us a bird’s eye view of what it would have been like to be there. Using The Word and his well written words and gorgeous pictures he details what it would have been like to walk with Jesus for 30 days in the Holy Land. And what a journey he takes us on.

Starting with day one and the birth of Jesus to His post resurrection appearance on day 30 author Dyer leads us on a most wondrous journey that is more than just a travel tour of the Holy Land (a 30-day sightseeing tour if you will)…no he does so much more than that…he leads us on a spiritual journey along with our tour sharing with us at the end of each day’s journey spiritual truths to ponder and to transform our thinking and our lives. And that is what should happen when someone spends thirty days in the Land with Jesus is it not? Shouldn’t your life be different having experienced such a glorious journey with our Savior and Master? If you read author Dyer’s book and take it to heart I can assure you that you will not only know more about the Holy Land where Jesus lived and ministered, but you will also know more about Jesus himself and that my friends is what makes the reading of the book and the taking of the journey with Jesus worth your while.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Insider Pages – Moody Publishers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow in the footsteps of Jesus through the land of Israel with this wonderful devotional by Charles H. Dyer...

"See that single, rounded hill off in the distance? That's Mount Tabor, the hill where Deborah and Barak routed the forces of Sisera. And the ridge directly in front of us is the Nazareth Ridge. Jesus' hometown of Nazareth is located on top."

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit the holy sites of Israel? To walk where Jesus once walked, and to see the very places where He performed the miracles we read about in the Bible?

Thirty Days In The Land With Jesus is a 30 day devotional that digs deeply into the Word of God by exploring the places and people we read about in the New Testament. The locations in the scriptures will come alive to you as never before as Dyer vividly describes the sights, sounds, and smells of some of the most significant areas in Israel in the days of Jesus. Offering wonderful insight into the traditions and culture of those days, you will gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the miracles and works of Jesus Christ during his ministry in the land.

It is amazing how much we can miss out on when we read the scriptures from a westernized point of view. Dyer brings us back to the place where it all began, exploring it all from the proper cultural perspective during the life and times of Jesus. A real eye-opener, Thirty Days In The Land is a treasure trove of scriptural insight- packed full of great nuggets of information and facts that give us a deeper understanding of the Word of God. In addition, each day (chapter) ends with some final thoughts and practical life applications that we can learn from the scriptures, including several invitations to receive Christ as your own personal Lord and Savior.

I loved exploring and reading about places like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Samaria, the sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Caesarea Philippi, and more- imagining what it would be like to be present during the feeding of the 5,000, or walking the road to Emmaus with Jesus after his resurrection, alongside the two apostles. This fantastic devotional will inspire you to delve more deeply into God's word, and is perfect for individual or group study. If you can't make the trip to Israel and take a tour yourself, this book is the next best thing!

I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review.

Check out this review on my blog: EpicBookQuest.com

[Laura Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though compact enough to fit in a small tote, purse or travel bag, Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus: A Holy Land Devotional by Charles H. Dyer, offers vast insight into the life and times of Jesus, Christ highlighting historical and geographical details that bring the Holy Land to life.

The small volume includes beautiful pictures of locations throughout the Holy Land as well as some models of various structures like a model of Jerusalem, including colorful and telling photos of:
• the Judean Wilderness between Jerusalem and Jericho, the general area where Jesus likely faced temptation;
• the Sea of Galilee and the areas surrounding it;
• a heavy millstone; and
• a sycamore tree.

Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus is divided into 30 days’ worth of readings, each with a scriptural background passage, and each with a follow-up section at the end that encourages readers to explore what the discoveries mean for readers today—in the here and now. One such example is on day three when exploring Jesus’ visit to the temple at age 12. Dyer asserts that we can put ourselves under the authority of others because Jesus did, saying, “Rather than demanding our rights and pushing against that authority, like Christ we should be willing to give up our rights to demand our own way and to submit.”

Probably the greatest thing about the book is that while it helps readers understand the historical and geographic background of the Bible better, ultimately it helps readers know Jesus more and grow closer to Him.

Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus provides a wonderful overview of the Holy Land for those who haven’t been. And for those who have, it reminds them of all the little details that made the land where Jesus walked come alive to them. I think it would be an equally great resource for Bible teachers. I highly recommend this small book with big value.


About the Author:
Charles H. Dyer (B.A., Washington Bible College; Th.M. and Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) served for ten years as Provost of Moody Bible Institute before becoming Professor-at-Large of Bible and host of The Land and the Book radio program. He is the author of numerous books, including A Voice in the Wilderness, Character Counts: The Power of Personal Integrity, and Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus. His most recent books are Matthewand Daniel, two revisions of classic commentaries by Dr. John F. Walvoord. Charlie and his wife, Kathy, have been married for more than 39 years and have two grown children.

*Note: I received a copy of the book from Moody Publishers for this honest review.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus: A Holy Land Devotional is a short devotional book that gives you a bit of background information about the different moments of Jesus' life through the Bible. I loved that it also points things out that might otherwise be looked over. For instance, I already knew that the Bible never says how many wise men there were that visited baby Jesus. It could have been 2 or 3 or even 5. We don't know.(For the record, I DO tend to lean toward there being 3. When teaching my little ones about the wise men, we do have to have a number when activities or displays are involved.) I also already knew that it wasn't immediate that the wise men showed up. There was some time in between Jesus' birth and the visit. One little factor that I've always overlooked, though, is the fact that Jesus and his family were in a *house" when the wise men came. They were no longer in the stables!

Matthew 2:11(NKJV)

"And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."



Isn't it always exciting when you are taught or discover some little detail of the Bible that you've never noticed before?! :D There's lots of little information throughout the book that you might not have noticed or known before.

When I first got the devotional, I flipped through, and I have to admit that I was a little disappointed in the pictures. They were a little plainer than I was hoping for. As I read, though, I gained a better appreciation for them. They fit in with the devotionals and they gave me a better picture of what items or places looked like.

Overall, while it's relatively short, it is packed with lots of information, and I enjoyed it.

*Thanks to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus" is a 30-day devotional on the life of Christ that explores the land and the culture. The author often described each day's "stop" on our "tour of the Holy Land" in such vivid detail so that I felt like I could see the setting of each event. He followed the events in the life of Christ from birth to after the resurrection. He gave insights into how the geography surrounding the event can deepen our understanding of that event. Though he sometimes mentioned the different ideas people have about an event, he kept his focus on what we do know rather than getting sidetracked in speculation or debate.

There were nice, full-color pictures of the different places and of things like a manger when discussing Jesus' birth. I've been to the Holy Land and read many Bible background books, but I still enjoyed this devotional and learned some new things. Overall, I'd highly recommend this devotional.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty Days in the Land with Jesus is a unique devotional book by Dr. Charles Dyer. As its name suggests, it takes the reader through the land in which Jesus was born, grew up and in which He ministered. It is packed with beautiful pictures of the sights of the Holy Land. Part devotional, part commentary and part archaeological treasure trove, this volume will have you returning to your devotions day after day. It is insightful, understandable and a joy to read. My favorite was "The Puzzling Prophecy: A Messiah from Shoot Town."

I highly recommend this work. If you are looking for a new way to study the Bible and like the idea of a one month concentration, this book is for you. I have even marked my Bible with "go to page . . . in Thirty Days by Charles Dyer" in various places.

I received this book for review purposes from Moody Publishers

This review and others can be found on my blog: http://beacon2light.blogspot.com/2014...

[Anni Welborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this devotional! I would love to see a lot more along this line. Each day's reading takes approximately 10-15 minutes to read, and during that time, the reader will be presented with a geological, sociological, or archaeological tidbit about the time when Jesus was on this earth. I learned so much! I will probably never get to visit the Holy Land or attend seminary classes, but this book gave me a taste of both. It's definitely written for the lay person and doesn't get too deep into theology. I enjoyed that, as I'm usually reading my devo in the very early morning hours, usually an hour or so before I really wake up and before my brain is firing on all cylinders. I will probably use this devo with my high schoolers in our morning Bible times.

I gratefully received this book as an eARC from the author, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Michele Benchouk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a free copy of this book from NetGalley to read and review. Thank you NetGalley.

This devotional was thought-provoking and insightful, as most are. But this one had the unique take in that we got to virtually travel around to the places Jesus spent time in. The descriptions were vivid, and the photographs were helpful. A map would have been very useful. Overall, a recommended read as an introduction for those who've never been to the holy land, and as a trip down memory lane for those who have been there.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a trip to Israel, I read this book for daily devotions. Having just returned, all the places I traveled were fresh in my mind. The daily readings were a way to vividly recall my travel to many of the places described in the book. I would recommend reading it after a trip for reenforcement. But someone else might benefit as much reading it before going to Israel. Those not yet having an opportunity for such a trip, believe the places the author describes are true and real.

[RJ Gernant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this devotional about the holy land in preparation for a trip there. Now reading it for a second time as I prepare to actually go. Excellent insights and can’t wait to see it and experience it myself.

This book is a must before you go to Israel… or after you’ve come back. Great insights and good daily devotional, too.

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected was hoping for bettet.

[Al Halpain · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent tour of the Holy Land without leaving home.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent devotional. It is a fresh perspective of the Bible. 30 Days in the Land with Jesus is like taking a virtual tour through the several places in the life of Jesus. As someone who has visited the holy lands, it felt like I was transported back for another visit. It was truly inspiring.
What I found fascinating was when Charles Dryer identified locations in the Bible with a significance in the life of Jesus but only vaguely mentioned in the scriptures. For example, one of the devotions covered the location where Jesus performed most of His miracles. (No spoilers in this review. Must read the book to find the answer.)
I was refreshed and inspired as I read this book. And I can’t wait to read the rest of the author’s books. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that will prepare you for your trip to the Holy Land. If you do not have a trip planned, you may want to book one after reading this devotional.

I also enjoy Dr. Dyer's weekly radio program on Moody Bible radio.