The following post is one I initially did last year at this time, and I thought it might be good to repost it (with a few updates), since we are now entering in once again to the celebratory Feast of Tabernacles!! If you are not an observer of the Father's appointed holy days, please consider joining in! These were statutes that He established for His people forever that they may never forget the full story of His Son, our redemption, and the ultimate culmination of our salvation when the Father Himself dwells fully in the midst of us forever and ever!! I pray that what I share is a blessing to all, whether you are celebrating or not, and I also encourage you to study these out, because each year I learn something new. (Note: What I share below is what I have learned, but as with all my posts, I do not proclaim to be right about everything; therefore, it is important that you search these things out and see what the Holy Spirit reveals to you.) As we enter in to the Feast of Tabernacles, we remember that that this is one of the seven and the last of the seven of those appointed holy times established by Yahuah for His children of Israel -- and it is the pinnacle or culmination of the ultimate promise that these times represent. In summary, His appointed times tell us an amazing story that will fulfill the Creator’s plan and promise to His faithful children. It looks something like this, which is very abbreviated:
So here, today, as we consider these appointed times and begin the Feast of Tabernacles, we remember the things Yahuah did for His people in the past and look forward to the promises of the future! These promises give us joy and hope, and therefore, we celebrate!
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:34-36
And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths… Leviticus 23:40-42 There is so much in this last feast – so much to celebrate! Here are a few very important points to ponder with regard only to the numbers that are associated with it:
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8
In the last day, that great day of the feast [referring to the feast of Tabernacles], Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John 7:37 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Revelation 21:3 Even considering the numbers that are associated with this feast and their representation and significance is just amazing! But there’s more! Yahuah also told His people to dwell in “booths” for the seven days of the feast and then to have a holy convocation on the 8th day after the feast. As we look into these booths a little more, as well as what seems to be the overall purpose of this feast, we will see both the past and future merging together. The past being an actual nature of works whereas into the future, we can see the overall spiritual purpose in our remembrance. Very importantly, Yahuah told His people he wanted them dwelling in booths for the seven days of this feast, specifically to remind them of the time that He had the Israelites dwell in booths after He brought them out of the land of Egypt. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 23:42 When we think of this time, there are several important points that come to mind that actually give us a glimpse into what may precede the Israel of God in the end days as they are finally begin their journey to promised land of the kingdom and then into eternity. Here again, the past is showing us the future…
They were confirmed as His people, and He loved them, despite their waxing and waning faith. It was by Him and through Him, their sole provision, that they were kept alive and well while He prepared them for the promised land. Is this not where we should be even today? Isn’t this the very same type of reliance that we should have on Him today? Doesn’t the Spirit of our Father tabernacle within us today? For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Acts 17;28 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19 If we look closely just at the sustenance that was provided to the children of Israel in the wilderness, we clearly see the Son, Yahusha, at work. Was the water from the rock the same water that Yahusha offered the Samaritan women at the well – the living water that when drank would cause a man to never thirst again? Has Yahusha not been called the “Rock” of our salvation? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:13-14 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 Was the manna from heaven the same bread that Yahusha fed the 5,000 and told them that was the Bread of life that would be the meat that would bring everlasting life? Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. John 6:27 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35 Even the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night… His presence among us as our protection and direction in the day and our light and protection at night. And even the fact that He dwelt among them and tabernacled with them… Yahusha dwells within us through his Spirit. He is always with us providing every single thing we need. He will even give us the words to speak, the strength to endure, and He will warn us and protect us by telling of us things to come. …or he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13 We have so many reasons to remember this feast and be thankful for the promises contained therein; it should be a celebration of gratitude and anticipation! All of the feasts and special days are specific, appointed times that Yahuah used to gather His people, purify them, prepare them, and show them of the wonderful One (Yahusha) to come. This One would be the very Way used to reconcile and gather all together in Him in the end, that He may be with those who love and obey Him, through His Son, in His kingdom and into all eternity. Alleluyah!!! That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him… Ephesians 1:10
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.Day in and day out, I proclaim my belief in my Savior, Yahusha ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). But I remember the day I had to ask myself this question… Are you really believing Yahusha in all your circumstances and with all your heart? The answer shocked me. In fear and trembling, I realized something that really made me think. I saw very clearly that when I allow myself to be swallowed up with doubt, anxiety, worry, fear, etc., over whatever it may be – no matter how big or small – then basically at that moment........... I have made the choice to believe what the enemy is saying to me as opposed to the steadfast, holy promises of my King and Redeemer. Through the tangibility of my dire circumstances and all the little wicked whisperings of the enemy, I have then allowed myself to give my time and attention to his LIES, manifesting itself in complete anguish and angst in my mind and body (and remember, he only speaks lies, for there is no truth in him!). At this point, when I accept his lies as truth and allow them to work in me, I have then surrendered my allegiance to him – the one who hates me and hates my King – and I have no rest! No, this cannot be!! And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:18-19 On the other hand, when I truly believe my King and Savior, Yahusha, and all that He has said in His word – and He CANNOT lie – then I can quickly realize if I am headed in the direction of believing the enemy. I can stop, renounce that path, and pick myself up and make the blatant choice to seek the truth of the Word of my God… believing it, speaking it, and acting upon it. At that moment, all of the anguish begins to fade away, and I then enter into the rest that comes from believing the truth from the One who IS the truth! And when I choose to believe Him, then through endurance and fullness of faith, I am proclaiming my allegiance and worship to Him! Alleluyah! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you… James 4:7-8 We must remember that our actions and responses to undesired or even heavy situations and circumstances will show where our allegiance truly lies. And we know we must go through trials and testings to have this very thing refined and perfected in us. To reach this goal that we are running towards as followers of Yahusha, there is one thing we are called to do, which will not only compel our good works, but also bring us the strength to endure and the rest we so need and desire in every single situation… Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent’. John 6:28-29 Yahusha the Redeemer is absolutely 100% faithful to His word, and as His children and purchased possession, we must wholeheartedly believe this, always and forever! … God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 36:5
The timing and circumstances of this poem are directly connected to the second post I mention above. My sister and I stand amazed at the same promptings and understandings the Father was giving to us somewhat at the same time, in different words and formats using the specific gifts He has placed within us, to create a message that glorifies His greatness and reminds us of the enormous and unwavering HOPE that we have in Him! For He is LIGHT and there is NO darkness in Him! Praise Him all ye His children; praise Him!! Please take your time and read the poem below and then read the second post which compliments it. May you be blessed and encouraged and edified in these last days! YHWH The Light of Life
What do you see, When morning greets thee? You see My New Dawn rising and shining. My light is so precious, bright and beautiful, In My divine timing this became so. It was I who said, “Let there be LIGHT, and there was LIGHT”. I purposely set My compass to rise from the east, To connect to My timely chosen festivals and feasts. These appointed times to honour, celebrate and to meet, With My set-apart peculiar Melkizedek Priests. To fly My flag with love, peace and praise, Blow the shofar, rejoice and sing, Raise your hands!!! To worship Me your King- of Peace, Royal High Priest, To whom I know all of your hearts, This place within is your holy temple that has its part!... to play, In past time and covenant, I came to visit the tabernacle that I created from above. In this present time, I come directly into your circumcised heart, To share with you My Agape Love. My living word is My tale that is told, Instructions and revelations it beholds, Foretelling My covenant, calendar, and constellations, To enlighten your journey to heal grow and transform, To be fully restored. As the golden threads of love faith and hope, Bind all of time and space together, In the past, the future, and now, I allow you the opportunity, When weaving your unique tapestry, To have a loving relationship with Me, Living out a Torah lifestyle, As of commitment, obedience and responsibility Unto Me, That I shall stand up in you and through you, Shining My Light inside and out for all to see, My Holy Word to be, Both written and living, Showcasing TRUTH that is the Key, By choosing to walk for and with Me, To eat from My “Tree of Life”. My elemental seasons and cycles have been timely created as a sacred gift, Abundant and essential through My divine solar source, To seed, to feed, and nourish everyone. The earth is Mine and provides the land and a foundation, To wisely grow and to build upon. As My sunbeams shine upon the open vast sea and its serene sublime shores, In My gorges, My valleys where further living waters flow, To meet, merge and create My sacred hot and cold fountains and springs, My holy waters travel far and wide within and through My mass of mighty mountains, Whose peaks reach up to greet My divine array of sunshine, Remember it is I who keeps this world biblically aligned. My heavenly story is playing out through past, present, and future timelines, For I am the Alpha and the Omega, your Heavenly king, Redeemer and Saviour. I knew your life before you were born, Who and how you shall become a certain someone, Created for such a time as this, To live and witness all that shall come to pass. Through dreams, visions, and prophecies, I have gifted for all to see, My divine concept showcases its true reality, That triumphs and glorifies Me, Your One and only Almighty Elohim, Your Most High Supreme Majesty. My power and intimate connection captures and touches all of your senses, As My inviting and inspiring vast and lush green pastures, Golden wheat fields, fruited trees and pine pillared forests, Showcase and spotlight to seasonally storytell, To share their delightful aromas within the environment they favour to abundantly dwell, Making hay while the sun shines, harvesting the grapes through My holy vines, Everything divinely timed, To support and be as of treasure in your tale being told, That over time some shall become a momento and so precious to withhold, In your heart. At night My star-filled sky further showcases My story within the firmament, It is I who illuminates the moon and its fullness by My divinely-timed appointment. My powerful electromagnetic field connects to your precious heart, Allowing My essence to impart, and make your inner smile shine, My radiance, power and potency to be for thee, Both a healing journey and sanctuary, Both inside and out. For I share with you so much, through My luminosity, Only My LIGHT allows you to clearly see, My vast and bliss beauty, That I willingly and abundantly share with thee. So Remember I am YHWH your omnipresent, unchanging, faithful, righteous Elohim, I AM the LIGHT of the World! I came as planned to live out a life on the earth as Yahusha Hamashiach, To fulfill My Torah that by many was witnessed and heard, To be greatly mocked, rejected, afflicted, then killed, To be the Holy Lamb, the living sacrifice severely slain and slaughtered. This had to be fulfilled and showcased for all to see, For it is only I that could die in this horrific way to set you free, From all of your sins, transgressions, and iniquities. It was I that spoke and said, “It is finished”, I tore the veil, I shook the earth and stopped the sun from shining! Through My perfect divine alignment, This was to be, for My testimony to stand the test of time, Past, present, and future, My Light returned to live on and on and on. I AM the Way, the Truth, the Life, Who is gathering My Melkizadek Priests from north, south east and west, To manifest a new spiritual Light-filled Life with Me, Virtually connecting via technology, It is I that is allowing this to become a reality, In this present timeline. In addition My Ruach HaKodesh has also come to dwell within thee, He is My Advocate and Comforter who shall be there to teach you all things, As you choose to submit and surrender to all that has been. Time is of the essence to be made ready, To overcome, To be Yahusha’s bride, Shall and has be a transformational spiritual rollercoaster ride. For a deep divine work must be done, When choosing My way and new lifestyle, To embrace your true identity. Fully trusting and believing in Me, You become My Segullah, Striving forward to run the race, No one can ever take My place, It is only I who can protect you and gift you grace, To walk in faith and be forever changed, For all your chains are broken, Your Salvation can only come through Me, An ongoing process to eventually come home, To live with Me in eternity. Your sins and transgression no longer do I see, Through the power of prayer you can come to Me - at any time, For My Love and LIGHT is within you as My divine child, You are grafted into My holy Vine, To love thou YHWH with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength, To Love thy neighbor as thyself. My word is a lamp to your feet and a LIGHT to your path, I am with you always as the Segullah in your heart. As you Bow down unto Me, In prayer of gratitude, praise, love, joy, kindness and humility. So be it! Before I begin this post, I would like to encourage you to please read the content on the picture above and absorb it as best you can, because it will be important in understanding the rest of what I would like to share. I will attempt a quick re-cap as follows: Many times when we see the word "morning" in the Bible, it actually means "dawn" in the Hebrew, including Genesis 1:5 and the similar scriptures that follow throughout chapter 1. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:3-5 This word "morning" in verse 5 is the word "boqer" in Hebrew, and it literally means dawn or break of day. This "morning" is the specific time before the sun comes up when the light first breaks through the darkness. of night This "morning" time (dawn) was the exact time of the first day of creation when the Light of our Father's words, "Let there be light" broke through the darkness that was upon the face of the deep and began the first day! Light triumphed over darkness first before any of the other creation work of the Father took place. That makes me say, Alleluyah!! I believe with all my heart this Light was Yahusha (Jesus). He, as the Word and Breath of the Father, thrust forth through the miserable darkness with a magnitude of glory that is way beyond a human mind's comprehension. This darkness that is referenced in these related scriptures is called "choshek" in the Hebrew, and it means misery, destruction, death, sorrow, etc. Our King and Savior conquered this ugly darkness in the beginning, and He also defeated death with His perfect sacrifice on the tree when He came into the world! He is truly King of Kings and Lord of Lords!! The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 (ESV) Let's take a look at just two other scriptures that will tie all of this together and somewhat set the stage for the rest of this post. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5 In both of these scriptures, the word "morning" is "boqer" in the Hebrew (which again, means dawn or break of day). Our Father's mercies are new at the break of day - let there be Light!! Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes when the light breaks through the darkness of night! Do you see this? Mercies are new and joy comes at the time each day when the Light triumphs over darkness, just as it did on the very first day of creation! This breakthrough of Light began the Father's creation of the world, and it is the same breakthrough of Light that began His re-creation in us, bringing new mercy and joy!! The idea for this post came when a dear sister was reading a poem to me that she had written over the last several weeks, which was about her spiritual transformation and the glory of the One who took her there. As she began to read it and got a few seconds into it, she said "Let there be Light", and I was immediately quickened. I was reminded that at the very moment of her transformation, the Light broke through her darkness, just as it did for me and all others who have been recreated by the gracious and merciful Father. It is as if the Father said, "Let there be Light in my child right now!", and at the command of His word, it happened! His glorious Light immediately illuminated and exposed our darkness, our souls being flooded with love and grace bringing deep repentance. And with this came our incredible re-creation, an absolute miracle in us that is just like the miracle in the earth on the first day of creation! Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12 Have you ever gotten up early to sit outside when dawn first happens -- when the light first breaks through the darkness of night? It is amazing to sit with the Father at this time and relive this miracle! Every single day, He faithfully reminds us of the miracle of the Light of the earth as well as the miracle of the Light in us! Every single morning He testifies of the love and grace and glory of His Son, Yahusha, whose Light gave us life now and will ultimately give us life eternally!! It boggles my mind to think of it and joyously overwhelms my spirit each time I experience it! Please, if you haven't before, do this... get up with the Light, go outside and behold the miracle, and be blessed with the glory and joy of His presence! I have searched and studied this truth for over a year now, and it has been one of the most wonderful revelations of my spiritual walk. Through this, I have observed multiple scriptures throughout the Word about the morning (dawn) that further confirm this truth! Even David and Solomon spoke of it and knew that the morning (dawn) was the key time to seek the Father! My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:5 (here again, "morning" is the word "boqer" meaning dawn) I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverbs 8:17 (note: "early" is the Hebrew word "shachar" and it means dawn!) As I close, I leave you with a last thought (or recap) to ponder... Isn't it true to say that we have the very same Light living in us that defeated the initial gross darkness of creation and illuminated the earth on the first day? Imagine... we have the Light of the world IN us, and He is absolutely the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is wholly and perfectly faithful, daily reminding us through His magnificent dawn so we will never forget His immense love for us as He willingly shared the power and glory of His Light to transform us that we may be with Him for all of eternity. Let us stand in unending gratitude and praise of His blessed, holy name!! P.S. I had originally planned to include my sister's poem with this post, but it is so Spirit-lead with a profound message that it deserves it's own post. If you haven't already, please read the poem HERE.
Have you ever meditated on what it means to "abide" in Christ? There is so much blessing connected to abiding, so of course, most of us have searched it out already! I have a set of scriptures I read out loud regularly, and this one about abiding is included: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7 In looking at that scripture, we first abide in Him... we come to Him, we rest in Him, we trust Him, and most of all, we surrender fully to Him. Then His words abide in us, for He is the Word!! And because His words -- all truth, all spirit, and all supplying -- are in us, all our needs are met. And I believe all our spiritual desires towards Him and for others are met as well! We ask according to His will, and it is done. I looked up the word "abide" in the Greek and Hebrew, and it generally means to stop, to stay permanently, continue, dwell, endure, stay, etc. Then I looked in the Webster's dictionary, and it said it meant to rest or dwell, to continue permanently or in the same state, to be firm and immovable, to remain or continue. I see "abiding in Yahusha" to mean to dwell permanently, being firm and immovable, under the shadow of His wing. Oh how I wish I could do this permanently with no wavering! It is the passionate desire of my heart. And it is the only way to continually operate in the anointing to produce the ripe fruit of our calling! Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-5 So why do we find ourselves not abiding at times? There are many reasons, some of which we bring upon ourselves due to continued sin, lack of faith, doubt, unforgiveness, guilt, and the list goes on and on. I believe we continue to fight these things even after being born again by His Holy Spirit, because our flesh wants to rise up and prove that it's still in control. This is not what we want to do at all, but it still happens sometimes, and the enemy will surely provide ample opportunities. When I recognize this, I begin to fight, because I hate it! This is where pruning comes into the picture! Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2 So in order for us to abide continually in Yahusha, it is obvious that the process of pruning must also be continual. The flesh has to be "circumcized" or cut off. This gradual pruning will eventually bring complete death to the flesh so that the Spirit of our Holy God may reside in us and grow us in Him -- and then we fully abide... living, breathing and having our being solely in Him! Is our Father not the most gracious and gentle Father? He prunes bits at a time to help us reach this place of full abiding. If He circumcized all our flesh at once, we would very likely be unsuccessful in our walk, and certainly unable to abide at all! It amazes me to think of what He tolerates in His great patience and overflowing love for us! So I share all of this just to get to the best part!! A few weeks back, a sister on my Calendar Club Sabbath gathering shared some incredible words about this very subject, and it moved my heart to tears. It was one of those moments where the Holy Spirit took over and said, "These words are for you... take them and eat them." I knew then I would want to share it here on the blog for all to feast upon. So with that, enjoy what follows... read these words and swallow them in your heart and hearing, and allow the truth to nourish and encourage your spirit. Believers draw their life from Yahusha (Jesus) the same way a vine & branch draws life from the main trunk. Yahusha made a simple comparison that a person who is not united to Him is like a branch that has been cut off from the vine. The branch quickly withers and dies and is burned with the rest of the pruned branches.
The purpose of the branch is to serve as a vehicle through which the vine expresses itself. The branches serve the vine by bearing its fruit. Yahusha has chosen to express His love and purpose in the world through His chosen people. The fruit of a person’s life comes from Yahusha and comes only as the result of a relationship with Him. We often find ourselves asking, “Why am I here?”. Human purpose finds its fulfillment in a relationship with Yahusha. It cannot be found with money, possessions, or other idols. We were created to bear the fruit that Yahusha wants shown to the world. We cannot bear the fruit unless we are as related to and dependent upon Yahusha as the vine is to the branch. Where good deeds may be limited, the spiritual qualities which indicate the essence of a person cannot be imitated. Where good fruit issues forth, good deeds will always be present. Where bad fruit festers, no deed can be good because of the underlying spiritual corruption which has motivated it. The quality of a person’s life does not depend on the deeds they do, but on the root that generates their deeds. Paul understood a bad tree as he confessed “If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, and have not love, I have gained nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:3) NIV For an act of benevolence to be completely void of selfish motives, guilt, or other causes, it must be an act of love created by the abiding relationship with Yahusha. By abiding in Him, we open the channels through which He feeds the soul and produces spiritual fruit. Spiritual nourishment occurs in a reciprocal process of obedience and prayer to our Heavenly Father. In living the Torah and keeping the commandments (of the New Covenant), we abide in Yahuwah’s (God the Father's) love. Obedience: the action or condition of obeying authority. It also is the means by which Yahusha bestows His love and blessings upon us as we abide in Him. To obey the words of Yahusha, one must have a firm faith in the One who spoke those words. Doing what Yahusha requires of us, forms the outward and visible signs that a person actually believes Yahusha ha Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah) is our Melchizedek High Priest. Obedience then becomes a conduit for receiving the love of Yahusha. “If you keep My Commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s Commandments and abide in His love.” Obedience is the way in which Yahusha’s Spirit nourishes the True Believers, those who obey His words and commandments. It is also the way in which prayer has a nurturing power. Abiding in Yahusha involves a closeness that only prayer can bring. The power of prayer comes from the vine/branch relationship. When we pray, truly desiring the will of the Father, that prayer has incredible power. Through His prayers, Yahusha did abide in the Father and the Father in Him. When Yahusha emptied Himself of His Glory by coming into the world, His oneness with Yahuwah was maintained by Their Holy Spirit and Their constant conversations with each other in prayer. Yahusha had but one thing on His mind during the conversations with Yahuwah ---- that His Father would be glorified and His purpose accomplished!!!. By His atoning death, Yahusha opened the access to Yahuwah and became our Melkizedek High Priest making constant intercession for us. Power of prayer is when a situation is humanly hopeless, but Yahuwah changes everything as a result of a specific request. The power of prayer is seen in the intervention by Yahuwah in the natural course of events and nature are changed. The power of prayer may mean the miracle of Lazarus rising from the dead in (John 11:41-44), but it may also mean dying a horrible death to accomplish Yahusha’s purpose (Luke 22:42) saying “Father if it be your counsel, remove this cup from Me. Yet not My desire, but let yours be done.” The New Testament urges us to draw near in (Hebrews 10:19-22): 19. So brothers, having boldness to enter into the set- apart-place by the blood of Yahusha, 20. by a new and living way which He instituted for us, through the veil, that is His flesh, 21. and having a High Priest over the House of Yahuwah (God), 22. let us draw near with a true heart in completeness of belief, having our hearts circumcised and our bodies washed with clean water. Yahusha then instructed the disciples of the necessity of abiding in Him during the shaking by giving an example of the vine and the branches. Just as the life of the branch is contained in the vine, also the life of the believer is found in Yahusha. He is our life source, and it is only by obeying and abiding in Him that a believer can be fruitful in his or her faith. Yahusha then introduced the disciples to an important aspect of abiding in Him---called PRUNING: the action of the gardener to cut off any growth on a branch that is not desirable in order to produce more long-term growth. How do we recognize our season of pruning? Have you ever wondered how to know if you are in a season of pruning? Many times in our various trials we find ourselves confused. In the face of a great trial, we often fail to know whether to rebuke the enemy, repent of sin, or surrender to Yahuwah’s molding process, or all of the above. The primary indicator of a season of pruning is the suffering of loss of finances, possessions, job position, stature, a relationship, loss of a child, or an opportunity coming up that we need to be made ready for. To be pruned is to lose the basis upon which everyone around us measures our success. The process of loss on multiple fronts produces weariness, fear and despair. The temptation then comes for us to give up and draw back into a seemingly safe, comfortable, or controlled environment. In the vulnerable moment of pruning, the Tempter whispers to the Saint “give up and draw away from the will of Yahusha". Can you imagine the words Satan said to Peter after his denial of Yahusha? He may have said “Peter you failed beyond repair! Your life is over, you wasted all that time for what! Who, you a fisher of men? Go home and back to your old life before you were called to follow HIM. At least you could succeed at that!" But, after the resurrection, Peter resisted the Tempter and gave an exhortation to the church about the testing of one’s faith that proves its genuineness. The testing of our faith and how we handle it, proves its genuineness!! Paul encourages us not to grow weary in doing good and that through many tribulations the Saints will receive the Kingdom. HALLELUJAH !! James tells us to be patient in endurance and establish our hearts for the coming of Yahusha. SPIRITUAL PRUNING: the removal of whatever inhibits our time spent with Yahusha developing a personal, deep, loving relationship with Him learning, gaining knowledge, understanding and wisdom by keeping the commandments. This pruning is a gift from our Heavenly Father because He loves us like no human is possible of loving another. This is more precious than silver or gold! Another way we are pruned is by Yahusha moving us out of our comfort zone. Prime Example: at different times in July, I prayed to Yahusha to show me what I could do for Him now that I am retired. Low and behold, Charlene suggested that Bette and I take this assignment in August. Shocked and petrified as I was, I said I would have to talk to Bette first before we could make a commitment. I am amazed at how quickly He answered my prayer. So here we both are never having done anything like this before. We were taken out of our comfort zone and are very thankful for it! As we mature in Yahusha, there will be things that we lose our desire for, such as: TV , consuming hobbies, wrong music, shopping etc, as our desire for Yahuwah increases. There may be character traits that you recognize in other people and you are shown ways to make the necessary steps to sever the ties with them. It’s crucial to remove objects that take away our time from Yahusha and our spiritual growth. He will reveal to us the roots of our vices, insecurities, and fears and will tell what to do to walk in freedom!. It may very well involve forgiving someone or those who have wronged you. Pruning is not meant to be comfortable, BUT, it is a necessary part of being a child of Yahusha ha Mashiach . I would like everyone reading this, if they so desire, to allow the Ruach ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) to prune each of us and use His double-edged sword when necessary to purge out everything that blocks us from moving forward to a more loving, righteous relationship so that we may be worthy to be a bride at the final wedding party. Accept this refining fire with JOY & PRAISE thanking Yahusha for it. He is doing this because He loves us and wants us to be the perfect bride. Perfect in His eyes - not in our eyes. We should never feel that we are already worthy, otherwise our fruit will wither and die and we will be severed from the branch and die. In closing... As we continue down our path to draw near to Yahuwah (God) by studying His word and keeping the Covenant Law and Commandments, He will continue to prune us as needed some times with His double-edge sword when necessary. As we are given knowledge and understanding and find ourselves approved, we will be given more: wisdom and discernment. The more we diligently search the Scriptures for the Truth, Yahuwah’s (God) gracious love and mercy will abide in us as we strive to become righteous in His eyes. Yahusha stated in John 13:34 & 15:17 and many other verses, “This is my command “TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. It is the greatest command of all.” RESOURCES: http://tiffaniebutts.com - "It’s Not Punishment, It’s Pruning: 4 Ways God Develops You" Allen Wood: Recognizing the Season of Pruning & Temptation to Draw Back Harry Poe: The Fruit of God’s Presence NIV Study Bible1985 copyright Scriptures Bible 2016 copyright |
Special NoteThese writings are written in love and a spirit of servitude. They are not designed to judge but make us think. We are all sinners in need of saving, and we all need encouragement and absolute truth to endure on the narrow road to sanctification and ultimately eternal life. Categories
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