Yesterday morning my heart was yearning to be emptied of me. (I firmly believe this is a continuation of my experience from the day before which I very briefly outlined in the last Manna Bite.) After recently asking the Father quite frequently to show me the barriers in my heart to receiving His fullness, He showed me a few things -- behaviors and attitudes -- just within the last 24 hours that are not pleasing to Him. When I pondered these, they repulsed me, and made me cry out for help for them to just go away! I began to repent, and then I wanted to read about someone in the bible who struggled with similar things and how they overcame. My mind immediately went to Paul, so off to Acts 8 I went to read of his conversion. But before I got to that chapter, I reached the chapter about Simon the sorcerer first -- and not by chance either. From here I studied his "gall of bitterness" and "bond of iniquity" just to understand how the slightest root in our hearts can affect our thoughts and motives and actions -- even after receiving salvation and being baptized! This then led me to Gehazi, Elisha's servant, and the strong root that had to have been in his heart to cause him to actually lie to Namaan and Elisha for personal material gain (2 Kings 5). I would like to share a bit of what I found in this study, because it seems that many of us are in this intense place of cleansing... emptying and releasing... that we may be fully filled with the Father's heart to endure what lies ahead and for our assignments in these last days. This helped me to remember that it only takes one small bit of leaven to leaven the whole lump (Galatians 5:9), and therefore, we may have to dig deep and find that little (or big!) something hidden in our hearts that only Yahusha can excavate and eradicate. In looking specifically at Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:9-25... his "gall of bitterness" and "bond of iniquity" was such that he sought to pay money for the Holy Spirit that he may be endowed with power to do the same as the apostles. While it stated that he was in wonder of what he saw and that he also believed in Yahusha and was baptized, this bitterness and iniquity that resided in his heart did not disappear immediately. Instead, it kicked into gear, and caused him to desire the the very thing that had previously motivated his sorcery and witchcraft. In looking closely at "gall of bitterness", we can see the depth: Gall - G5521 - gall or bile; poison; maybe the same as G5514, which means greenish hue; used in the OT as "bitter" Of course, when we think of gall and bile in our bodies, it is the greenish yucky stuff that our gall bladder and liver remove from us -- the toxins and poisons and bad stuff that can harm us. This stuff must come out of the body and cannot remain, or it will literally poison us. Bitterness - G4088 - acridity (sharp, biting, or bitter), especially poison; bitterness The gall of bitterness in Simon was nothing less than similar to poison within his heart that was tainting his motives and likely affected everything that came out of him; and you know he was likely a miserable soul to boot! Thus, as Peter said, he could have no part or portion with the Holy Spirit until this was repented of and eradicated. The "bond of iniquity" also that plagued Simon was just as bad. He was literally bound (united, joined to, and even shackled) to injustice and moral wrongfulness. It had a hold on him. It was ingrained in him, buried in his heart affecting his thoughts and actions, making him, as Peter said, not right in the sight of the Father. Do some of these roots and bonds still reside in our hearts? Very likely yes, as the heart is so very deceitfully wicked, that it is impossible to fully know it (Jeremiah 17:9). These unresolved things in our hearts, no matter how small they may seem to us, have the potential to breed iniquity of all kinds. They hide and look for opportunities to come out of us in actions and attitudes; and before we even realize it, it's already happened and there we stand convicted and sometimes even ashamed. And it seems these roots and bonds are so many times associated with some form of pride or self-focus. Just like Simon... although it appears he truly believed in Yahusha, his focus was self-gain and glory, birthed from sharp and biting poison and moral iniquity in his heart. And how did this get there? It could have been anything... past wounds, unforgiveness, lack of self worth, willful sin, etc. Bottom line is that it did not go away immediately upon belief in Yahusha, and it was so prevalent in his life that it manifested itself quickly for all to see. These roots and bonds may be difficult for us to be rid of. It takes a pure, heartfelt desire and total surrender and then full assurance and faith that Yahusha will cleanse us. With some of us, this may be a process, especially if our roots go deep. This cleansing brings me to where I went next after Simon the Sorcerer. My bible commentary then took me to to the story of Gehazi, Elisha's servant, in 2 Kings 5:20-27. When reading this, it was just plainly obvious that something was lurking in this man's heart. To be the servant of the prophet Elisha and to boldly lie to both Namaan and him for personal material gain is just so blatant. Sad part is that this sin cost him his health, as leprosy was pronounced on him and all his seed forever. This is not the part of the story that moved me. I read the entire chapter, and it was what happened to Namaan before the incident with Gehazi in 2 Kings 5:1-14 that I believe is the key to what's next in this process of dealing with these roots and bonds. Namaan, a Syrian captain of the host of the King, was sent at the word of a captive Israelite maid to see "the man of God" (Elisha) to heal his leprosy. Elisha did not go out to meet him when he arrived but instead gave him some simple instructions of what to do through a messenger... Namaan was told to go and wash in the Jordan seven times and his flesh would then be made whole from the leprosy. Namaan was not impressed at first but then changed his mind at the advice of his servants and followed the instructions. When he did what he was told, he was miraculously healed. Because "leprosy" in the bible represents the defilement of sin and the resulting separation from the Father and the family of believers, seeing that Namaan was healed of this lead me to look into this washing seven times in the Jordan. Is this a representation of how we too can be cleansed? Jordan - H3383 - a descender; from H3381 - to descend, to go downwards to a lower region.... figuratively to fall Seven - H7651 - the sacred full one, a week; from H7650 =- to be complete, repeating a declaration seven times, take an oath or swear Obviously the Jordan River is significant. Yahusha was baptized in this river, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. Also, since it also means to descend or go downwards to a lower region, I immediately thought of bowing down in humility. Thinking of the Son of the Most High God stepping into the water to allow a mere man to baptize him... this is nothing but absolute humility! This is the river of humility where we also will descend downward but in our leprosy (defilement of sin), to bow down and submerge ourselves in the water that washes (which is Yahusha, the living word!). So with us, first we believe that we can be cleansed through Yahusha, just as Namaan ultimately had to believe enough to follow the instructions. Then we bow down in faith and humility, confessing our roots and bonds, that we may rise up having been washed. It's all about our faith in and obedience to Him to do the cleansing! But Namaan had to do this seven times. This process had to be complete in order for full healing to take place. Obviously the same is true with us; therefore, we believe Yahusha will finish His work and we follow His lead and stay the course in patience and obedience. And also, do you notice that the word "seven" also means repeating a declaration seven times or to taken an oath?? As we go through this cleansing process of our own, I believe this is also confirmation that our words and proclamations must line up with what we are expecting! So here we all are... wanting to be completely emptied of all these roots and bonds that still plague us from time to time and also take up space in our heart that belongs to Yahusha! Just the fact that we desire this is proof enough that His Spirit is working in us. And if we are willing to make this process complete through patience and obedience, then we can rest assured that Yahusha will finish this cleansing process that we may come closer and closer to Him, with our ultimate goal to be in total oneness with Him. I crave this day and look forward to being able to walk continuously in the Spirit to glorify Him and be His ambassador in this earth! So after this little study, I was ready to read in the book "Manna, Bread from Heaven" (by Pietra from South Africa). I ran down the table of contents to see where the Spirit would lead me to focus. I came to the writing titled, "Nothing". I thought, "Yes, that is me and that is what I want in my heart that He may fill it all!". Needless to say, it was the icing on the cake! I would like to share this writing with you below, as it seals up this blog post very nicely. And finally, again today I was blessed to be lead to another one of Pietra's writings that put the cherry on top! This one is titled, "Naked" and can now be accessed via link, since Pietra now has her own blog! This writing profoundly takes us to an example of that final place of surrender and cleansing! Please access this writing here. (And please also browse through her site; you will not be disappointed!!). In closing, the Father has been speaking loudly and clearly to us a very important message in these last days. Our emptiness, our nothingness, and even our nakedness before Him is required in order for us to be completely and fully filled with His love and Spirit and clothed in His righteousness, through His only begotten Son, Yahusha ha Maschiach. If we are willing to deplete ourselves to this point, He is willing to fill us to all fullness. I am so ready and pray that you are as well!! NOTHING
By Pietra de Bod How many times have you said “I can do nothing without God” and cried out to God in surrender? “Help me Lord, I’m drowning!” But when we look again, we have taken things into our own hands. Once again, we have tried to persuade by our own means to get them to do as we say. Tried to convince those we love of the need to follow the Lord with all their hearts. Trying to make them see things as they ought to. Having lashed out insults or retaliated in kind, just as they do to us. Where is our nothing? Nothing equals empty. Am I really empty if I still produce the fruit of anger and bitterness? Are you empty? Or do you find yourself still wanting to get in the last word? Have you asked yourself whether your reason for offense is just as much validated in God’s eyes as it is in yours? In the end it does not matter what we think of a situation, but rather what He thinks. No longer is it about my circumstances. My circumstances will drive many to tears, but it is about doing the will of God in spite of them. We come to a point where we realize that nothing we say or do will change those around us, and that the only one we can change is ourselves. I have long ago come to the conclusion that unless I change, my circumstances will drown me after each wave of panic, insults, blasphemies, and loneliness. No, no longer can I be swayed and tossed about by these waves. I have to start swimming instead of drowning. I have to fight back again. Only not in my own strength. This time it will be God fighting my battles. Yes, here we are. Having started in the Spirit, but coming to depend upon the flesh again. The only reason for that is that our nothing is not nothing. Still there is pride, still there is self-effort, and still we do not trust. Unless we die to all our plans of how to fix something or change something, we will time and time again meet up with our inability. And it is these very circumstances where we feel so out of our control that He uses to bring us to complete surrender. You can choose to fall on the Rock, or the Rock can fall on you. He has to bring us often to this place of complete weakness and defeat so that there will be no more plans. I call it the most horrible right place to be. This is where we come as a child and fall into His arms. Not in our strength, but in complete surrender. Before we can say, “I can do nothing without God”, we ourselves have to be brought to nothing. Empty of all our plans and no longer leaning on the arm of flesh. He really does not need our help. He is only moved by faith. Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 17:5-10 5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
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Here I share a much needed post of reality and encouragement by my dear sister from South Africa, Pietra de Bod. This post is confirmation of what it heavy on many of our hearts at this time (I even uttered a few similar thoughts this same day). Basically, right now at this point in time... our focus must be on the very face of the Father! This truly is His desire, and may it also be ours. This writing was received by Pietra today: FED IN THE WILDERNESS
I am often first a message before I relay a message. Father allows certain things in my life so that I may know His heart in that particular circumstance, but also to be able to know what His children are experiencing in the same. The past few weeks I have been going through a very difficult time with my daughter. Although wonderfully saved by our Father, she still has to fight fear daily on a level that few people understand. I can only liken it to someone that is in constant warfare 24 hours a day. But of late something new has reared its ugly head. Words. A flood of them. She will speak to me about her concerns and when she does, it comes out of her mouth with such force. No commas, no semi-colons, no periods. In grammar we call that run-on sentences. They run like a flood and they just don’t stop. The only problem is that her flood of words come with such an overwhelming sense of fear because of the anxiety disorder she battels, that the very atmosphere becomes toxic. I feel as if I am standing before a firing squad and thousands of arrows hit me at once. No gap for me to intervene, no pause so that I may console. Just an endless flood of anxiety. It would have been bearable should this have been every now and then. But no such chance with me. This is a few times a day…at least five times that I have to stand before this flood of words. Father has given me His peace. And in this place of peace in my heart I am so secure. But it is as if He has purposely removed the hedge around me so that in this still sea of peace in my heart, her words may come like a thousand stones at once and cause such disturbing ripples. I have been feeling overwhelmed to say the least. Please do not feel sorry for me. Can you believe that He would let me go through this for you? That my pain and suffering, just like His, has purpose for His Body? Never doubt that pain has purpose. You might not see it at this very moment, but our God, just like the enemy, does not waste pain. He turns all things to good for those who love Him and are called by His Name. Why am I telling you all this? Well, He reminded me this morning of the woman that flees into the wilderness after giving birth to the man child. In fear she is driven into the wilderness after complete chaos and the devil persecutes her. He runs after her. How? The word says the following: Revelation 12:15 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. The meaning of woman here is bride or wife in the Strong’s Concordance. Father could have illustrated this by so many different ways. He could have said that the serpent persecuted her with his mighty army or locusts. Or he persecuted her with great wrath and breathed fire or something like that. Who would choose opening his mouth and water and flood? Well, our Father knows, being the Alpha and Omega. In the Word, flood is often synonymous with a sea of people. But the fact that it came out of the father of lies’ mouth, is showing us that the enemy persecutes the woman with a flood of words by man. These words are words that will come from this world and how they have been deceived by the enemy to believe all his lies. They will be used by him to persecute her in the wilderness. Even so, now, presently His bride is being persecuted by a flood of words from this world, by the enemy. His mouth is wide open and he is screaming as loud as he can. And let’s face it, it is overwhelming. Because he is screaming threats. He is making his plans known and he is making it clear that he is coming after us. But I want to bring your attention today to Revelation 12:14. Revelation 12:14 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. The meaning of eagle in the Strong’s Concordance is breath and air. She receives two wings that she may fly as an eagle into her place. Not just any place, but a place prepared for her. For one reason. That she may be nourished. That she may be taken care of and be renewed as we read in Isaiah 40. Isaiah 40:31 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. It says that she may be nourished and cared for from the face of the serpent. This face in the Strong’s Concordance means to gaze upon. To look at. That she may in this place, prepared for her in the wilderness (not away from the wilderness), be away from the face of the serpent. That she may not look at him and be overwhelmed as he spews his bile of threats and fear. I am quite aware that what I am saying may not necessarily be new revelation. However, what is new is the vehemence and wave of words of persecution that is presently flooding this world. This is going to increase. The enemy has one aim and that is to wear out the saints. To bring them to exhaustion in their flight and to kill and destroy. It says in Revelation 12 that the enemy sends this flood that she may be carried away by this flood. This carried away means to be clothed with a burden. But our God has prepared a place for you. Not just any place. Just like the woman fleeing into the wilderness flees to her place, Father has prepared your place. Your place where He will raise you up by His Spirit away from the face of the serpent. This is our only save place. Not more information, not more exposure, not more knowledge of how the enemy is working now. Do not get me wrong, there is a season and a time for all things under the sun. However, in this very time, a cool-head goes a long way. The aim in fear, and trust me, having a daughter suffer from anxiety disorder for 15 years, I know what fear can do firsthand on a daily basis, is to paralyze. It escalates. It weakens, it becomes toxic to your thinking like a poison slowly filling your peaceful mind. But God has given us not a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. We can confess this all day long, but the proof is in the pudding. Is your mind sound? Are you in that place of the eye of the storm? Are your eyes on the face of the serpent or are you hidden where He can feed you and nourish you for the time to come. I believe the reason why Father allowed me to go through the experience of fear in my life with my daughter, is because this world will soon be enveloped in a dark depressing blanket of fear. The world will be clothed with a burden of fear that will be unbearable, just as the enemy planned. The spirit of this age is the spirit of Jezebel that rules by fear. There is purpose in my pain, and how I deal with it, whether I go to that place He has prepared for me, and be nourished now there by Him, will determine how I deal with it when I come out from that wilderness. Will I be leaning on my Beloved? I have such urgency in my heart to draw ever closer to that place like Elijah to be fed by the ravens. 1 Kings 17: 2 - 6 2 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5 So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. There Elijah was fed by the ravens bread and flesh and he could drink of the brook. This was a place prepared for Elijah where he would after a while receive his instructions from the Lord to go and tell Ahab of the coming drought. Our Lord said that Elijah will come first. We know this to be John the Baptist as well, the one who found himself living in the wilderness from honey and locusts. He sends his Elijah company to the wilderness to be fed and nourished by Him so that they may receive strength and instruction for the time to come. To come away from the face of the serpent and be fed by Him. Jesus said that whosoever does not eat my flesh and drink My blood does not have life. We must know that, in this place prepared for us, we are to feast on Him. He has prepared a table today for you in the presence of your enemy. We are to come into this place He has prepared for us by the renting of the veil, His flesh, and abide in the Holy of Holies. In that still place. The tent of the tabernacle made by Moses was right in the middle of a wilderness. In your wilderness, your Father has prepared a place where you can be fed. Where you can receive instruction. I believe Father’s dealings with me through my daughter is to say to you that the flood will increase. Many people have seen tsunami dreams, but today for me it resembles the flood of words over this whole earth. We have seen the destruction of tsunamis and how everything is carried away with it…just like Revelation 12 says the enemy desires to do. It will become overwhelming, unless you run to that place where He will strengthen you. This is not a suggestion. But a clear instruction from Him as He said to Elijah, and now say to us… 3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith that is before Jordan. One of the meanings of Cherith is to make covenant. The essence of covenant is to become one. Your enemies will be mine, and My enemies will be yours. It is an exchanged life. The Jordan is synonymous with death. Saying, Come drink of the brook of My death so that you may have life. From out of My side flows this river of water and blood, so that you may have life. Drink so that you may be fed by My words. Where I will speak to you, not as the enemy in a flood, but in a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-13 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? It is only in this place that you will hear His voice. Where the enemy screams, our Father whispers. But, it is in that hidden place, in the wilderness. A place He has prepared for you. Will you come? Even today? In Revelation 12 we read that the earth opened up her mouth and swallowed up the flood. This we know as to be a mighty earthquake. And the flood will be those sent out to persecute his remnant bride. But God, our Deliverer, will deliver us from this flood too. Read the following scripture in light of what I wrote here. Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. This is our comfort and our hope. This is our assurance and peace. But all things worketh by faith. This faith to hope and trust can only be found when you are fed by Him in the wilderness. There to receive His strength away from the face of the serpent. Come and hide yourself for a little while and gaze upon His face, face to face. Scripture ref: Song of Solomon 8:5a 5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Hosea 2:14-23 14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. 15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. 16 And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. 17 For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. 18 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. 19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. 20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the Lord, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; 22 And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. 23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. This post is a very recent writing from my sister, Pietra de Bod, from South Africa. May you receive all the Father has for you as He shares His very heart through this lovely sister. I believe if you read this, it is because He has chosen you to do so, as He is wanting to sow something needed into your heart. Thank you Father for how you never stop showing your love for your children! WALKING IN AGREEMENT
The year is almost coming to an end and looking at the media and the circumstances of this world, one can easily become overwhelmed or just fall in despair. And let’s face it, every now and then you just get to the point where you feel, “why even bother?” Sometimes the battle is relentless and never goes away, other times there is just a new battle waiting around the corner. Day in and day out it can slowly chip away at our “sunny disposition” and clouds of despair slowly start rolling in, right in front of our outlook on life. Then what was beautiful colors and inspiring, becomes dull and grey. Fighting self-pity becomes a battle. Or, like some of us, we just pull up our bootstraps and try the next best thing, never entering into that sweet place of rest we so desperately need in this season. I am reminded of the Israelites this morning. Having gone through the Red Sea in a miraculous way, they find themselves in a wilderness. “Gee, thanks!” they thought. And the truth is, we who have come through the Red Sea of Salvation, find ourselves in the wilderness with the same thought. And what an endless wilderness! No one gets to Canaan without the wilderness. And what you have to learn in the wilderness is exactly what prepares you for facing the giants in Canaan. During this time Father was with them in the Cloud by Day and the Fiery Pillar by night. I can imagine the awe they were in. This makes me think of when He meets us in our quiet times when we seek His face, and He meets us in this cloud. There to meet with Him face to face. My take on the Israelites during that time was that they all had one thing in common. Slavery. They knew what it was to have absolutely nothing and what it feels like to not have a say in their lives, being controlled by another. They had to learn during those wilderness season that they needed each other. They needed to be there for each other in a spiritual and physical way. To share, to give, to be there for one another and help carry the burden. The Word says they were desiring the fleshpots of Egypt. Who wouldn’t? Let’s face it, manna is not a delicacy. They were so dependent on the Lord and on each other. Enduring a wilderness for a month is a lot. A year must be plain horrible, but 40 years! Just think of the heat, the daily needs, and the nomadic lifestyle. Enduring the dangers that came with what comes with a wilderness. And then to feel that they did not have a land of their own, slavery already stripping them of their identity, that they were just sojourners hoping to reach that shore where they may enter into the Promised Land. Sounds familiar? Even though we find ourselves not in a physical wilderness today, our wilderness is of another kind. Things confront us that is so vastly different than what they experienced, and yet the same spirits hide behind it. And, when we read the scriptures we see that the original generation that went through the parted Red Sea, was not allowed to go through the Jordan, due to unbelief. It seems so unfair. But our God hates unbelief because in essence it is a declaration that He who is I AM is I AM NOT. Not cool. So, bringing that back home to us, I realize that many of us are tired, weak, overwhelmed, and just want this whole wilderness thing to come to an end now. And where we thought we would have reached Canaan by now, we now realize was a mirage, giving us hope to endure just once more. Some barely holding onto a thread. How do we make sure that we do not fall into the same unbelief as they did? The book of Hebrews warns us of this and tells us that to enter into His rest, is only done by faith. The assault is on our faith. Make no mistake. This faith of ours, the Word tells us, is the key. We are to treasure it and protect it. Father has provided for us means to protect this faith of ours. In essence it is up to us whether we will make use of His provision. He never said it would be easy. But He did promise that He will never leave us. The Word says that Faith worketh by love. When we immerse ourselves and allow our roots to grow deep into the soil of His love, it fills our veins, our being with His love that causes our faith to grow strong, because we trust Him. But we have to come drink of this love. The Word says that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. That “word of God” in this verse is the word rhema, which means the spoken revelatory word of God. Remember Jesus fasting in the wilderness and Him telling the enemy that man shall not live from bread alone, but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God? He was quoting Moses, the wilderness type and shadow of Him. We also know that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things we cannot see. That was the very faith that had to carry them through the wilderness and that was the faith they also let go of. It is not easy to hold onto this faith. It just is not. And unless we make a concerted effort to protect this faith and build it up, the wilderness will get the best of us. For the Word says that the Israelites are as an example to us. In reality we have to fight to hold onto our faith in this time we are in. One of the ways the Lord had the Israelites hold onto their faith was that they had to remember what He did for them. They built various altars on different occasions and songs were written so that they could lift up their eyes from their circumstances to the One who is higher than them. They had to be reminded who their God is, that He is a covenant God and that He has chosen them. They had to remind themselves of the covenant and even in this day, the same applies to us. We too have to remember what He has done for us. We have to recall it to memory (we are prone to forget) and inspire ourselves. We have to literally stir up our spirits within. We praise and worship Him in spite of our wilderness and so the spirit is stirred up and starts speaking to this soul of despair to yet believe in the God of impossibilities. That He is I AM. Therefore, the Word says that without faith it is impossible to please God and that those who come to Him must believe that HE IS (I AM) and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. It is really a simple exchange when you think of it…you seek, He rewards. But it has to be in faith. And so in those times of despair, you can choose to sink further into it, or speak to your soul as David and say, Psalm 42:5 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. It’s a choice. When you are in despair, you actively have to go get that hope. It is not going to fall into your lap. You have to go seek it by the One who is your HOPE. Then the Word tells us that the enemy comes with his fiery darts and that we who have to have our spiritual armor on (so important) have to stop these fiery darts from penetrating our heart. With our hearts we believe and with our mouths we confess. Once those fiery darts pierces our hearts, the aim is to rob us of our faith and whatever poison was in those darts, penetrates the soul, be it anger, despair, heartache etc. I can see this very assault on the Israelites during that time in the wilderness. Arrow after arrow, just as long they did not reach the Jordan to cross over. And so it is with us. We are not exempt of these arrows and therefore it is imperative for us to lift up our shields of faith. These shields were covered with leather, and were drenched in water to quench those fiery darts. Is your shield of faith drenched in the Word of God? Remember, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. You have to go to the One who is the LIVING WORD, there to find strength daily and to have your faith built up in Him. To spend time in the Word, in the Psalms that stirs up the spirit and soul to hope and faith. You have to do it, nobody else can do it for you. Although our Lord has made it very clear to us that He will never leave or forsake us, and we know He is with us, the reality is that He made a principal that still stands true to this day. Amos 3:3 3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? He is with us, but for this wilderness experience to be a success story, we have to walk in agreement with Him. He told us that we are to come to Him, we who are weary and heavy laden and that He would give us rest. Remember, faith = rest. He will give you the faith that causes you to rest. Then He says, take My yoke upon you, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light. The yoke He is referring to is that of the yoke that were placed onto the oxen when they tread the fields. Two were walking together under the same yoke. The stronger ox usually led the way and if the younger one were too obstinate, things would just not be going smoothly. We are to walk in agreement with Him (the Ox, our Aleph) and be yoked to Him in agreement. The Author and Finisher of our faith. In humble submission we follow His lead because He will never lead us in the wrong direction. There He guides and speaks to us. In agreement. Being so strong, when we are weak, His strength sustains us. It keeps us under His yoke and a great sense of not being alone envelopes us as we sense His nearness under His yoke. Therein lies the faith, the rest. Not the absence of doing, but the resting in doing. This I believe is the reason why He is constantly telling us, focus, look to Me, seek My face and draw near. These are not for His sake, because He has no need of anything. He is all-sufficient. But His Father heart yearns that His children will come and draw strength from Him for the journey ahead. His Father heart sees the struggle and endless battles and yearns that we would come to Him so that under His yoke, in agreement with Him, we may have the mind of Christ and know all things. That we will know His will in a given situation and be comforted by the very words that He has spoken to us when we seek Him. And no matter how much He yearns for us to come, in the end, just like the Israelites, we have to choose. Will I daily come and drink from the water that flows from the Rock in the wilderness and be revived? Will I choose to put praise and worship on even if I don’t feel the least bit in the mood? Will I set time aside to read the Psalms or those scriptures that I know will stir my soul to look to Him? Will I confess His word over my life and the promises given I have written down? Will I seek His face and do what it takes of me to come under His yoke so that I may enter into His rest and walk by faith? Will I do what needs to be done to build up my faith and to protect my faith, remembering what is at stake. Will I come to Him and not expect Him to come to me? Sometimes, in our weakest moments, He comes and carries us. Other times we must go to Him. It is a choice to walk in agreement with Him. There is grace to be found and mercy in a time of trouble. Comfort and joy in His sweet presence. There is a heavenly perspective and wisdom…if only we would come. Your God is in the midst of you. He is in you to walk with you in this day and to never leave your side. He is not over sensitive with whether you have spent time with Him or not, or insulted that you forgot to thank Him or even rejected because you were too busy…He just wants you to come, just as you are, in childlike faith. To enter under His yoke and allow Him to carry the weight. Scripture References: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 The Value of a Friend 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Hebrews 3:3 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house. 4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, today if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, they do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom swore he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Sisters and brothers, I am going through a wonderful time of refining right now. This refining is a gentle refining -- more like I am being taught in the midst of rest. I am learning more about the flow of the Spirit and how to operate consistently in this place, while I allow the Father to remove more dross from my silver cup. I'm seeing myself slow down in many ways, and if any of you know me, "slow" is not my personality. It's a spiritual slowing with a targeted outcome or goal, so it's all good! This new refining comes on the heels of a fiery, painful refining that seemed to never end... but it finally has. I am not nieve to believe it will never come like that again, but I choose at this time to bask in this rest as I believe my Father is working to take me to another level... one that will place me fully in His calling for me, where my hurts, pains, doubts, selfish ideas, and mis-beliefs will not hinder His work in any way. I share this with you, because I believe this will also slow down my blog posts a bit; however, I do believe Manna Bites will still be somewhat regular. Having said that, there will still be blog posts but just not all from me. I have found a treasure chest of wisdom that I will be sharing with you all through the blog, and I pray your heart is ready and willing to receive them! In the midst of this further training and teaching that I am encountering right now, the Father has placed somewhat of a new mentor in my life. I was drawn to this sister from across the sea, and what she has to offer and where she is in her walk is my very trajectory. The Father is using her in so many ways to help me. Her cup has been purified in these areas where I am now being purified, so she has much wisdom and encouragement for me. I am ever so grateful! So this new sister of mine that I speak of has a pure and truthful spirit in her, purified also through many trials, and is able to discern the truth of the Father's heart and put it into writing in a way I always say is "like butter". It is some of her writings that I will be sharing on the blog; and if these writings do for you what they are doing for me, you will be fed the choicest of meat, the finest of drink, and you will walk away satisfied and nourished, completely -- all for His glory and your encouragement and edification. So this post is just a bit of an update and just sharing what's going on over here with me. It is my prayer for you as well, and all of the body who are truly seeking the face of the Father, that we will willingly go through these moments of refining, no matter how hot and painful they get, so that we may be further prepared for the last-minute work that is about to begin for the Kingdom of our precious Lord, High Priest, and Savior, Yahusha ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ)!! For THIS should be our heart, our soul, our focus, and our every desire!! Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13 Please ponder and meditate on these scriptures with me... they are some of the more common ones we hear, so we must be careful not to allow them to become "mundane". They are powerful and are a foundation for our journey as we are being prepared to be His workmanship created for good works, His hands and feet of love and wisdom, and His ambassadors of truth and peace in these very tumultuous, trying, and unstable end of days! But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
I desired to share both of these posts, because they are both about His love for us. If we have not the solid, immovable foundation of understanding, believing in, and receiving His complete and unchangeable love for us, then we have nothing. His love for us is the basis for our faith, so without it, it is impossible to believe Him. NOTE: Pietra has written a few books which are compilations of words and understanding she has received over the years, some of which were very difficult years in her life. These writings are full of wisdom, hope, and direction, and each one has the powerful signature of the Holy Spirit. I so excited to say that you can access these books via PDF from the Resources page of this site under the "Writings, Books, and Blogs" section. These two posts below are fully edifying and I pray will leave you filled up in joy. Only His love can do this for us! LOVE POURED FORTH This morning, during my quiet time the Lord suddenly showed me a vision of my grandmother, now with Him. Her name is Mary. My mind went immediately to Mary Magdalene and I looked up in Luke 24 where there were Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joanna. I suppose we can go into the meaning of their names, but I sensed in My Spirit that this is not where He wanted me to focus on. He wanted to touch the deepest part of me. I, at this moment have only one desire. To be with Him. To be in His presence now and also in heaven. The love I have for Him is overwhelming for me now. I have a literal pain in my heart and I can only describe it as my heart is bleeding. The yearning inside me is causing my heart to physically ache for Him and my greatest frustration at this moment is that in my human capability I am unable to express this love to Him. All I can do is to pour my heart out to HIm by speaking in tongues, for the love that I feel for Him, human words cannot express, but only the language of angels. Mary came one day to an upper room to anoint the feet of the One she loved. The only way she could express this love, is to pour out her most precious oil from her alabaster box. Willing to break that which is most precious, she poured all of her worship and adoration upon Him. This oil, symbolic not only of her love, is also for us a type and shadow of the Holy Spirit. It is to this Mary that He appeared on that great day of Resurrection. To this Bride that have bound her life to Him, who have poured her love out on Him, who have broken and laid bare her heart before all, to this Mary He promised that He will come again. He will come and bring her home. About a month ago, He told me that He will fill me with His love, but it will not be in a way I expect. I have laid my life down, like Mary at His feet. My life, this alabaster box has been broken before Him, but today I realize this oil, is the oil of the Holy Spirit. The very oil He seeks of His Bride. We desire that He will pour out His love out upon us, but He said, the Holy Spirit will pour out the love of the Father into our hearts. That anointing oil, that is the love poured out. That love you feel for Him that makes you cry at night, hungry for His presence. That love that you feel for Him, that causes you to break down before Him and drives you to lay all at His feet and adore Him extravagantly, the love that causes your heart to bleed because you cannot bear it anymore...that love that is deep crying out to deep...That is His love for you. That what you feel, is His love for you. You may have thought that it is your love for Him, but it is in actual fact the love of the Spirit, that precious oil poured forth in your heart. Jesus prayed in John 17: 26, And I have declared unto them Thy Name, and will declare it, that the love wherewith thou hast loved me, may be in them, and I in them. When you come into His presence, it is the unity of the Spirit of God in us, in unity with the Father, the Spirit and the Son. In that moment, you find yourself in the holy communion of the Spirit poured forth, which is the love of the Father for His Son, the love of the Spirit for the Son and the love of the Son for Father and Spirit...in you. For you are the temple, the Body of Christ. In you, the Body, the Father has poured forth His Spirit, His love that He has for His Son. The Trinity has chosen you as one one the means to express their love for each other. And because you are in His Son, the love is for you, for you are one with Him. Even our love that we have for Him, is provided by Him, so that the love we offer from a pure devotion, out of broken vessels, is the pure love of God for His Son. When we adore Him, it is the expression of the Spirit to the Godhead as part of the Godhead. So when you pour, pour with all your heart so that the Spirit may find expression through your earthen vessel, whom He has chosen in this day to love through. Know that all you have to do, is to come. Come and open your heart, brake that precious alabaster box, and pour forth the love of God on the feet of your Saviour. Let the Holy Spirit find expression through your hands, your mouth, your heart as you come to Him in worship. Scripture ref: John 17: 21 - 23 That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou have sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. The love you feel for Him, is not only the love the Father has for His Son, but it is the love He has for you. He loves you in the same way He loves His Son. This was the prayer of Jesus, that you would know how much the Father loves you. When your worship for Him is poured forth with tears and adoration and your heart feels as if it will explode, know that that love you feel, is the love He has for you. For you cannot produce that love. We have a sentimental love that comes from reasoning and emotional attachment. But His love, is the love of the Father poured into our hearts. That void that was filled the day you gave your heart to the Lord the first time and you felt that everything looked different. That love has been wanting to find expression through you, not just to worship your Saviour, but that you may experience the love He has for you. In this day, as Mary, the Bride, pour forth the oil, the love you have received from the Father afresh and immerse yourself in the holy Presence of the Father, in Christ, by the Spirit. One in Him...the prayer of your Beloved answered by the Father, in you. ROOTED IN LOVE
Father led me to write some scriptures down with the Strong’s Concordance and their deeper meanings. He showed me a very quick vision of a tree from above, on a rock. The tree branches were swaying in a very strong wind. I immediately knew which scripture He was referring to. Ephesians 3 is about being rooted in the love of God. Of late He has been speaking to me about how important it is that we remain in His love. I realize His love can be liken to a diabetic that goes into shock and needs a hypodermic needle to bring them back. Sometimes in our waiting, we go into a slump or heaviness of spirit. But I have found that when we seek Him out in those moments, His love is our hypodermic needle. This scripture is broken up as bread so that you may be fed with God’s love for you. I pray this blesses you as it has blessed me. 1 John 4:16 (KJV) 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. For this cause, which is the divine influence upon your heart, I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is called by His name. I pray that He would give you daily out of His abundance, His view and perspective to empower you. That you be able, by His Holy Spirit in your inner-man and with Christ that is at home in your hearts through faith, you may be rooted, stable and that your foundation will be His love. So that you may be competent, able to see, prevail and possess with all the saints how wide, long and high the mystery of His love is. To absolutely know, feel, perceive and understand this love of His. It is beyond knowledge. That you might be filled like a crammed net to the full, be satisfied, well-furnished and perfect. Filled up completely daily with God’s supply. Now unto Him who has the power and might to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or desire, understand or even think, according to His ability and abundance that is active in us, the Church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all the generations, nations and ages to come, even into eternity, be the glory. Amen. For this love will cover you like a roof with silence so that you may bare patiently all that you have to suffer. And by this love you will be able to entrust your well-being and reliance on Christ, being convinced of His love in all things, no matter what. It will cause you to hope in Him and have an expectancy in all things, no matter what. So trust that you are fortified, able to endure under the weight, and continue without giving up in all things, no matter what. This love that you are rooted in as your foundation, will never fail you. It will never be inefficient, because greater and exceedingly stronger is His love in all things, no matter what. Because in all these things, all these troubles, persecutions and pain, we have a decisive victory and overcome through Him that loves us. You can be consoled by this knowledge with an inward certainty that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come; nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to stand between you and His love which is in Christ Jesus. For He has purchased you and He keeps you and have joined you together in your mother’s womb. His thoughts that are bound towards you are precious, weighty, powerful and they are foremost towards you. They are too many to count, because His thoughts continually multiplies and grow in abundance. Like an arrow it excels and like sand He dances and twirls over you. When you wake up every morning, you can grow and increase in His love for you, because He is with you. For the mountains and hills can be removed, but He will stoop down in His loving-kindness to have pity on you. To bestow His love, especially His compassion on you. He will never remove His loving-kindness, which is bound to His covenant, from you. He is bound in His love for you, to protect you, to be your friend and to give you rest. He loves you and has great compassion on you. Consider and understand the love feast your Father has given you and brings to you, in calling you His child. For you do not have to fear, because His love for you is perfect and when you receive His love, it throws out fear and hurls it away from you. It is His love that makes you perfect. It completes you and fills that which is lacking in you. You can come and feast. For love prevails in its strength and is as certain as death, just as jealousy is cruel as the grave, burning as live coals with fire, it is a piercing blade. Nothing, not even many waters can stop this love or even a flood wash it away. This love cannot be bought with all of man’s riches and wealth. For God so loved this world that He gave His only Son, so that whosoever believed in Him may be saved. For He has long ago looked upon you and have loved you affectionately with a love that transcends time. His love towards you is everlasting. And He bows down and He stretches out His hand and draws you with this everlasting love to Him. For the Lord your God is within you. He is a powerful warrior, your valiant champion. He will deliver, save, defend, and avenge you. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you with singing and dancing with glee. He will rest and be at peace in His love and affection for you. With shouts of joy and proclamation He will be merry in His love over you in triumph! Amen. The scriptures are taken from Ephesians 3:14–21; 1 Corinthians 13:7, 13; Romans 8: 37-39; Song of Solomon 8:6–9; John 3:16; Isaiah 54:10; Psalm 139:17–18; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:18, Jeremiah 31:3 and Zephaniah 3:17. Brothers and sisters, this blog post is a little different and one that serves somewhat as a request and reminder. As I was praying for this nation with regard to the potential major unrest and chaos stemmed from division and increasing hatred associated with the elections, I was reminded of the power of our praise -- and collective praise with us all together is like an explosion of power! If you haven't already, let us take this time this week to be meek, humble and trusting as a child, praising our heavenly Father through His Son, through song, joyful sounds (shofar, harp, guitar, clapping, etc.), worship, reading of the Word out loud, and asking Him to cover His people... asking Him to delay His judgment upon this nation a little longer for the sake of all the lost souls... and asking Him to suppress and bind the powers of darkness and any of their sinister plans for this very vulnerable time in our nation. Let us come as a child and believe as a child that our collective praise and prayers can help to bring this about through the power and work of the Holy Spirit. Our praise and prayers can make a difference!! We have a part in this as His people -- His body -- His voice through our proclamation of His Word and and our praise of His sovereignty and holiness! We are His children!! And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? Matthew 21:16 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2 Also, as I pondered the division that has literally engulfed our land through politics, race, sexual orientation, and the list goes on and on, I was reminded of the New Madrid faultline, that if set off and activated, could literally divide the US in two parts. We know that a house divided cannot stand (Matthew 12:25), and the word is true and will come to pass and accomplish all that it is set out to do; it does not come back void (Isaiah 55:11). Our "house" is surely now divided, and it is only a matter of time before it falls. Let this understanding motivate us to pray for mercy and grace and protection for this time as well as the tumultuous times ahead of us. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 2 Chronicles 20:22 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3 I share a song below that has always been one of my favorite praise songs, as the lyrics are powerful and exalt the Father in a way that is sometimes hard to do with words. It is my hope that it will bless and equip you as well. |
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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