times grueling tribulation that comes through santification, we have not one single ounce of fear of Whom we belong to and where we are going. There is no fear in our salvation, our works, our rewards, or anything that may await us in heaven, and there is no fear of man and what he might do to us. We know there is nothing we can do to earn anything! We know He is the only one who can perfect us and prepare us, and we willingly LET HIM DO IT in great praise and thanksgiving through His Spirit. We are at total rest in His peace... that completeness and rest that produces a humble confidence (immovable assurance) that the Word speaks of... According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Ephesians 3:11-12 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness [confidence] in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17 Let us therefore come boldly [confidently] unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 Do you ever ponder that "confidence" and what that really feels like -- to have a consistent, immovable assurance in His love for you that you can confidently approach Him and rest in Him, even when you have failed miserably or things are falling apart around you? I've begun to get a taste of it again, more consistently and assuredly. I am finding myself in His rest and peace more and more. And while I can write about what it's like to be perfected in His love, I can honestly say that I am still working towards this; there was much damage to overcome. Many of us do not realize the level of damage that results when false doctrine takes root. False doctrine can kill if it is not exposed, confessed, and uprooted. It is only by His grace that that's exactly what has happened with me! My storyAt this point, it is only His Spirit that can articulate this perfect love to me and begin to restore me. I am fully aware of what it looks like, and that all I have experienced in this regard is simply a means to an end. To think of where I was and where He has taken me now... I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude. Only I know how lost and dead I felt... unloved and set aside by the One I was so in love with because of what He did for me. It was horrible. But now... the night has passed and the Light has come! There is something I must share about this, and it will tie dircectly to what I share about Leah below. Only as I was speaking it to my dear friend this morning did I realize that my story was somewhat like Leah's. Obviously, it brought tears, awe, and much gratitude. I pray this blesses you! During the time that I experienced the perceived "rejection" of the Father and His Son, I was repeatedly reminded of things that were very condemning to my race of people, both by people I knew and things I would read. I was personally told that although I loved the Father, this did not mean He loved me, and that the nations were not His choice. I was told that the Bible was a Hebrew book -- by Hebrews, for Hebrews, and about Hebrews -- and no one else. I was told that we (the Gentiles, particularly white people) stole the book and applied it to ourselves and were living a lie. I was told that my salvation experience was a superficial "Christian" experience based on the "faulty love doctrine". I was basically told that salvation was for them and that what awaited me (and my people) was either hell or slavery, if we happened to make it to the kingdom. I did realize that much of what was being spoken to me was coming out of pain, but I also realized it was coming out of pride. Ultimately I knew it was all a lie -- but that was after the damage was done. I do not share this so you can feel sorry for me. I have responsiblity in this too; I received it... for a time. However, I was not so weak in my faith that I would believe just anything. My vulnerability came from what I had learned about the horrible racial division and abuse that had taken place in the past, and it had literally broken me. In addition to that, just prior to this I had suffered great tragedy in my family, and I was full of fear and grief and depression. As I mentioned in the post before, I was a sitting duck... the perfect target. This very extreme false doctrine, along with my fragile and broken state of mind at the time, devastated me... to the point that I had no idea why I was alive. How could I have been saved and transformed in such an amazing, supernatural way, just to have the Lord and God who did this miracle reject me? Was my purpose to suffer in this life knowing that He did not love me as a "punishment" for what "my people" had done to others? It was more than I could bear, and these things were continually spoken to me and over me -- and all by someone I dearly love and respected and trusted. I share all of this to say this one very important thing... Although I was extremely broken, very sad and depressed, greatly lacking faith in His love for me, and barely functioning... I NEVER turned from Him. I never stopped seeking Him, seeking holiness with all my heart, and I never stopped loving and obeying Him to the best of my ability. There was no way; I simply could not leave Him, even if He rejected me. I stayed the course, and I endured... by His grace and my true love for Him. I believe this was the sole reason that I overcame. I endured and overcame by LOVE! Through all of that, His steadfast, everlasting love was still IN ME, and therefore, I still loved Him -- even if He was to condemn me. His love brought life back to a very dead soul. I was dead, and I felt every ounce of it. But the story does not end there!! I claim now and forever with all confidence and thanksgiving... I AM ALIVE, I AM LOVED, AND I AM HIS! The "loved" brideOne day, I was pondering and writing how a bride feels when she is about to marry the love of her life... when all is pure and done right, and the two are coming together in total trust and submission to one another - with the Heavenly Father being the author and keeper of the union. I thought of her thoughts, ways, and attitudes towards her beloved soon-to-be husband. Then as I thought more about these, I asked myself if this is the way I feel now about my Beloved, soon-to-be Husband... Yahusha/Jesus. As you read these attributes of a bride, take it in and ask yourself also...
Philadelpha & LeahJust as the "unloved" bride could be somewhat connected with Ephesus and Leah, so too the "loved" bride can be connected with the church of Philadelphia and Leah (again). First, we all know that Philadelphia was one of the two churches for which Yahusha/Jesus had no correction, only praise. It is the church of Philadelpha, however, that is the one where love is a focus. As most know, the name "Philadelphia" means "brotherly love". Well, my thought is that we cannot have true brotherly love as our Savior explained to us (willing to lay our lives down for our brother) without His love fully received by us and operating in and through us. This church had it right and had her eyes directed in the right place. This church was a "loved" bride even by her own perception. She is so in His will and ready for Him that He says He is going to give her the name of His God, the name of the holy city of His God, and His own new name. As His bride, she will be taking His name! As I think of her, I think of all those things written in purple above about the bride who was resting in the love of her beloved and only focusing on him and making herself ready for him - she knew His love. In thinking of this Bride of Philadelphia and how He will give her His name, it reminds me of Psalm 45:10-11: Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; so shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. As His "loved" Bride, we are to "forget" in a sense our families and even our father's house, which represents our earthy identity, and we are to go through the open door to His tabernacle He has set before us, and we reside there with Him. We take His name, His identity, and His image. We are one with Him... we are a "loved" Bride through and through. And to Leah once again... In the first part of this post, she was the eptiome of the "unloved" bride. There is no doubt that Leah suffered and likely for a very long time. She loved Jacob with all of her heart, and I believe she wanted to be to him all that is written in purple above (and then some, as I can only express in part). But the fact remains that she was always the second choice. It certainly reminds me of the pain I went through in my time of rejection, so I can have some idea even spiritually. However, the story does not end here with Leah. As we know, Rachel passed away quite early in her life after giving birth to Benjamin. This left Leah as the only true bride amongst two handmaidens. The Word says that Leah was "tender-eyed", and this means that she was delicate, timid, and spoke words gently; she was a tender soul. Seveal years ago, I read something in the Book of Jubilees about Leah that blessed me so much. As I was pondering all of the parts of this post, I was reminded of what I read. This book shared some very beautiful things about Leah in the context of her death and how Jacob handled it. I would like to share it exactly as it is written in the book so that you can receive the full blessing. And Leah his wife died in the fourth year of the second week of the forth-fifth jubilee, and he buried her in the double cave near Rebecca his mother, to the left of the grave of Sarah, his father's mother. And all her sons and his sons came to mourn over Leah his wife with him, and to comfort him regarding her, for he was lamenting her. For he loved her exceedigly after Rachel her sister died; for she was perfect and upright in all her ways and honoured Jacob, and all the days that she lived with him he did not hear from her mouth a harsh word, for she was gentle and peaceable and upright and honourable. And he remmeberd all her deeds which she had done during her life, and he lamented her exceedingly; for he loved her with all his heart and with all his soul." Jubilees 36:21-24 Although Leah was initially "unloved", her unending love for Jacob caused her to overcome and endure all the suffering that came with feelings of rejection and being the lesser of Jacob's two wives. Leah obviously loved Jacob with the love of God that was in her. Leah was the epitome of a pure bride and virtous woman, and her ability to consistently and enduringly love in thought, deed, and words brought about an "exceeding love in both heart and soul" for her by Jacob whereby he would neve forget all her good deeds she had done in her life. She never turned from Jacob in the midst of rejection and pain; she continued to love and seek to be his perfect bride. She endured by and through love and became a "loved" bride! Before moving on from this section, I feel it necessary to share all of the favor that was poured out upon Leah in her life, clearly displaying the love of the Father for her and in her.
ConclusionIn His love, we are all called to endure till the end. Without fully receiving the love of our Heavenly Father, through His precious Son Yahusha/Jesus the Messiah, we cannot and will not operate in that love as we should. I believe that it is highly possible that in this state, we will remain an "unloved" bride, as this will be our perception -- our belief -- our reality. On the contrary, however, there is nothing more sure or more steadfast or more unchanging or more perfect than the love our King and Father has for us - NOTHING! It is now past time that we believe Him and live in the utter joy and peace and strength of this love. We simply will not survive what is coming without it. I end this with the words of Paul as he described the assurance of this love... Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, 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 separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
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The gate (G4439 – a gate, that is, the leaf or wing of a folding entrance) is straight (G4728 - narrow, from the base G2476 to stand, abide, bring, continue, covenant, establish, lay, present)
Narrow (G2346 – to crowd, afflict, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble; from the base of G5147 – to rub, a rut or worn track) is the way (G3598 – a road, a progress [the route, act, or distance]; figuratively a mode or means, journey, highway) After putting all that together, I believe it it would be safe to say it this way: “The entrance into eternal life is narrow and established in covenant – exclusivity and commitment unto oneness, and the journey thereto is progressive and includes suffering and tribulation.” We cannot enter into the ultimate reward of eternal life without our commitment in word and deed to covenant, and our covenant is based on faith in Yahusha as our sole redemption. He is the Mediator and High Priest of the New Covenant between us and Yahuah, to prepare and restore us to the eternal presence of Father God Almighty. Most of us already know and have experienced the suffering and great tribulation of the covenant journey/narrow path, and many of us feel it might not ever end. This is absolutely necessary, and there is no way around it. The Word is very clear about this. We have two choices: embrace it and wait for the glory to be revealed, or fight it with grumbling and complaining. I know which one we all want, but it is obvious that we cannot do it alone in the flesh. Praise our God and Father through His Son Yahusha the Messiah that they have promised to do it IN US! But there is more. There is another aspect of this “narrow path” that has been very prevalent in my life as well as many others, so much to the point there are times I feel I cannot take anymore. Did you notice that one of the meanings of the word “narrow” is “to crowd”? This is so, because the path is only meant for one person at a time – it is isolated, personal, and at times extremely and bitterly lonely. It is your own personalized journey, ordered and orchestrated by the One who knows you better than anyone… to the depths and crevices of your heart. He knows your base and foundation (your bones, your personality, your wiring, your essence), because He knit you together that way. He also knows your junk – all the childhood events that molded you (and for some these are even difficult to remember and process), the mistakes, the rebellion, the doubt, the wretched acts… and He knows why. He is so wonderful and loves us so deeply that each of us has our own path – a very narrow path, so narrow that it must be walked alone... with Him, that He is literally formed in us. It is a path tailored especially for each of us by the Master Planner and Savior. This is how creative the Holy Spirit is in the New Covenant. Because He promises to “cause us to walk in His ways” (Philippians 2:13 and Ezekiel 36:27), our path is specific to us. He knows our frame and what it will take to get us there; He will finish the work in His way, the perfect way for us. All the more reason that we should be humble and meek when looking at another person’s journey, especially when it doesn’t look quite like ours. For this reason, whoa to us when we judge wrongly! The entrance (gate) is by faith and covenant, and the journey (path) will be perilous and lonely. But as Yahusha told us over and over, He is with us until the end of the age. He will not leave us nor forsake us as we walk His path carrying our own cross till we get to the place of our death. And as we are crucified with Him, we remember that death by crucifixion involved torment and torture – a slow death that destroys the flesh and resurrects the spirit into perfection and eternal life. We die with Him and are raised up with Him, remembering these wonderful words of Paul: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 I would like to share an excerpt from the 2nd book of Esdras in the Apocrypha that speaks of this narrow path. This impacted me the first time I read it many years ago and has always stayed with me. It is the perfect picture of our narrow path with even more insight into why Yahusha had to walk it and why we also must follow.
And he [an Angel which had been sent to him the nights before] said unto me, Up Esdras, and hear the words that I am come to tell thee. And I said, Speak on, my God. Then said he unto me, The sea is set in a wide place, that it might be deep and great. But put the case the entrance were narrow, and like a river; who then could go into the sea to look upon it and to rule it? If he went not through the narrow, how could he come into the broad?
There is also another thing: a city is builded and set upon a broad field and is full of all good things: the entrance thereof is narrow and is set in a dangerous place to fall, like as if there were a fire on the right hand, and on the left a deep water: and only one path between them both, even between the the fire and the water, so small that there could but one man go there at once. If this city now were given unto a man for an inheritance, if he never shall pass the danger set before it, how shall he receive this inheritance? And I said, It is so, Lord. Then said he unto me, Even so also is Israel’s portion. Because for their sakes I made the world: and when Adam transgressed my statutes, then was decreed that now is done. Then were the entrances of this world made narrow, full of sorrow and travail: they are but few and evil, full of perils, and very painful. For the entrances of the elder world were wide and sure and brought immortal fruit. If then they that live labour not to enter these strait and vain things, they can never receive those that are laid up for them. 2 Esdras 7:2-14 (KJV) Most of us already know that this narrow path is extremely painful at times, including times of great dryness and loneliness. We use the word “wilderness” to describe some of these longer stops on our path. Just as with Yahusha for 40 days, the wilderness is the place of our necessary testing, where some of us spend more time than others. This testing is all about preparation for our eternal destination, but it is also about preparation for our assignment. Because we live in the last days when there will be a great harvest of lost souls, many of us are also likely being prepared to be a worker in this harvest. What great preparation and endurance this will require as the world will be in the midst of the greatest tribulation of all time and where mercy, love, and endurance will be required of us at levels we have never known! Most of us right now in this moment are like Peter... not realizing just how not ready we are for this. The magnitude of this assignment is massive. The wilderness stops can be some of the most challenging places along our narrow path, and they often bring us to a place of doubt and fear of our preparation for the future and to stand before our King and Judge. Because many of us currently find ourselves in this place, I wanted to share a short "pearl of wisdom" that my sister from South Africa shared with me that gave me the assurance and peace I needed. It is called, "His Finished Masterpiece". (And there is a story behind the new tab on this website where this pearl of wisdom is located. If you would like to know more about it, click here for the applicable blog post (the story is quite amazing!). May the Most High God, Yahuah, bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you... and give you strength and peace that you may endure the narrow path to fulfill your calling and reach the eternal reward, Yahusha, our Beloved! All throughout our walk of faith in Yahusha (Jesus of Nazareth), most of us have had various experiences with fasting and praying; it truly is an integral part of the walk. And now, as we are walking out a very trying time in our world, literally marching toward the fulfillment of all things -- including our standing before the Son of the Living God whom we profess our allegiance -- many are feeling the compelling to fast and pray all the more. When we are serious about our walk towards holiness and committed to running the race to the very end, we know that fasting, with prayer, is necessary and offers great rewards. Although the scriptures in Isaiah 58 are specifically directed at the Day of Atonement (referencing this "sabbath" holy day in verses 13-14), they reflect perfectly the end result that general fasting with prayer can bring: Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:8-9, 11-12 Also, in verse 6, He says further, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" So, if we put all this together, true biblical, obedient and pure fasting, with prayer, can bring about the following beautiful things in our lives:
Most who have made fasting and praying a regular part of our walk have experienced many of these things, bringing even further meaning and confirmation to the word. We know in our heart of hearts that it truly is a must in our spiritual life. Having said all of this, I will also say that fasting is not always easy; and sometimes even prayer can be difficult. I was lead to write this post this morning, as I prayed and struggled through my most recent compelling to fast. I want to share this in all transparency, as lead, so that this writing may even confirm for others that this time in which we are living is surely a time of fasting and praying. I would also like to offer encouragement for the same, in case others may be struggling to follow through for whatever reason. Although fasting and praying is not new to me, I have recently developed a new struggle with intense and more extended fasting, because of its correlation to the events of my life, specifically since 2015. I have had times of fasting on the heels of losing each of my family members (3 of them), and these were times of great despair, anguish, and isolation. Although I eventually experienced the reward of the fasting, those times are times I wish not to ever experience again. When I think of these times, it brings back a stressful intensity that tries to squash my desire to fast through negative emotions that I do not want to re-live. Because this is very real to me in my emotion, it can and will affect the purity of my heart to fast and pray as Father desires. As a result, I have to deal with this "correlation" that has developed in me before I can move on and fast in shalom and with clear purpose. My soul initially wanted to feel guilty for this, because it has now caused me to be weaker in my fasting; but my spirit by the influence of the Holy Spirit has received peace and comfort that this is only happening -- it is only surfacing -- because Father wants me to see it and deal with it, and He will heal me and deliver me. He is so wonderfully understanding, compassionate, and long-suffering. Never do I ever want to take advantage of this or disobey Him in any way, but I do believe that He is immensely gracious and will deliver us and equip us to move forward in His call upon us. In other words, He WILL finish what He has started in every aspect of our walk. This propels us forward to repent, pray, and trust that He has us, without guilt and condemnation, which will only sidetrack us all the more. As always, I stand so grateful that sometimes I cannot adequately thank Him with English words! I am prayerful that my sharing here will inspire as well as help any others who may be struggling, especially in the area of fasting. This is such a powerful way for us to truly crucify the flesh, even the desire for those things that are required for the body, and dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to seeking the Father with no distractions or impediments. And furthermore, when done with a pure heart and dedicated prayer, there are always results! We simply need to talk more about this topic! There is so much more I could say about fasting, but that is really not the purpose of this post. The last thing I wanted to do with this post is to share several inspiring quotes that will shed even further light on this subject as well as inspire and encourage -- and we all need this now, as this is truly a time for focus, full surrender, and unceasing prayer. May you be blessed and enriched with the following words of dedicated, holiness-seeking people... It has been a month since I have been compelled to post anything, but that all changed this morning as I was blessed to pray at dawn, the time when Father seems ever so close. The last month has been a whirlwind, but it has been a good one! As I type this, I am reminded of my sister Dawn in the UK, for more than one reason. As she is known by Father, "Abba's Dawn" (new Dawn rising), her name fits perfectly to that which I would like to share today. Even further, a few weeks ago she said that Father gave her the word "whirlwind" to explain what was going on in my life at that time! Of course this was a perfect description, as during this time, I had experienced a whirlwind of the Father's power and presence through revelation, deliverance, and change! Before I share about the wonderful dawn that we experience every morning, I wanted to publicly thank my Father in heaven, Yahuah, through His Son Yahusha ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ of Nazareth), for all He has done in my life -- forever obviously -- but specifically in the last seven years. He has literally stripped me, exposed me to darkness I never knew existed, taken so much of what I loved, and even brought me to a place of loneliness and isolation that at times was quite bitter. How can I thank Him for all of this? Because ALL things work together for our good and His glory! What He has done in my heart and life, spiritually and for the sake of His kingdom, during this very long and dark wilderness time is phenomenal and could not have been accomplished any other way. I will say it was very hard and very dark at times, but His light NEVER left my heart. His light and strength was always there, giving me a hope that could not be diminished or taken from me. He was faithful to never leave me or forsake me, even when I felt as if I was on a deserted island with no light and no other soul in sight. He is worthy of great praise during these times, because just as His Son learned obedience by the things He suffered, so do His children -- and this is an absolute necessity to prepare us to be in His presence. During my time of suffering, I learned obedience, I learned reverence, I gained faith, I gained wisdom and knowledge, I learned patience, I learned much long-suffering; and most importantly I learned the reason for the suffering. I learned more about my King, and I learned more about His character and being; and in His grace, He shared it with me and taught me some of it. He taught me how to carry my cross and not to love my life unto death. I have much more growth to go, but I stay prayerful and hopeful that the worst of the suffering is over, even if for a little while!! As I just now typed out my gratitude, I realized that what happened in me for the second time was another "dawn" experience. The first time was when I was initially saved, back over 28 years ago. Then at a very dark time in my life, steeped in sin and rebellion, but also beginning to seek Him, the powerful light of Yahusha broke through my darkness and brought mercy and joy and a new life... His life, His breath in me! His light conquered the darkness in me and made me His through the infilling of His Spirit! Just as every day is new, brought into fullness through the break of dawn, we are too brought into newness by the breakthrough of His light through our dark hearts. And just as I experienced that new life back then, I have once again experienced it at a different level, as His light has broken through the darkness of a seven-year wilderness and brought me up even higher. For He is Light, and there is no darkness in Him. This God we serve is all powerful, almighty, and all light!! This is a good lead-in to what I feel lead to share. This breakthrough of dawn that we experience every single morning is not possible without darkness. Every evening, the darkness begins to encroach upon the light, eventually overtaking it and leaving all creation in the absence of light, craving the light once again. Then every single morning, without fail or delay, the light breaks through and brings us the precious dawn. Everything begins to come back to life after the stillness and emptiness of darkness. Have you ever pondered the absolute perfection of our Father's faithfulness to bring His light to us every morning? We trust it. We trust that morning will come, always and forever, never even thinking that it won't. So we blindly trust that the light will come, but do we trust the One who brings the light? Do I trust Him as much as I trust that the morning will come? I ask myself this, and I can say that this is the place of faith where I am growing to... a trust that is so absolutely sure that I never think about Him not fulfilling His word. This is a place of unending and immovable assurance, rest, shalom, and joy. It truly is resting in faith.
parents, and it has been with us ever since. Father uses this darkness for His glory. He even uses evil as His weapon or discipline rod. Nothing is wasted with Him. His light shines through the darkness, and He is glorified! Just look how we see His new mercy through the darkness! Every morning at dawn as His light breaks through, His mercies are brand new (Lamentations 3:22-23) and available to us. And every morning, He promises that joy will come; joy is restored to us daily (Psalm 30:5). Why mercy and joy?? Because this display of His glory is a constant reminder that His sure and powerful overcoming of the darkness will never cease! Whether it be each for each day, for every situation in our lives, or even all the way till the end - it will not falter and it will not fail! Mercy and joy are His, and He willingly, graciously, and generously gives this to His children over and over! As I ponder this daily display of faithfulness, it brings even more meaning to a scripture most of us know by heart... This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 I pray that through this sharing, you will truly see that dawn has dominion! Dawn represents the breakthrough of the light of Yahusha, and He as the Light, has dominion over all things! It is He who reigns now in the heavens and will soon reign on the earth! It is He who is faithful to eternally destroy darkness and evil, bringing His light to cover us, and even to ultimately and eternally be our only source of light in all things. It is He who is light and has overcome the world!! For Yahuah, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Yahusha ha Mashiach. 2 Corinthians 4:6 I pray further that every dawn will be special for you, as you understand and intimately know that this is His time to constantly remind you, as His child, that He will never cease to break through your darkness, no matter what it is.... and no matter how intense or long it may endure. He will always break through, and in knowing this, you shall forever have hope of His never-ending mercy and joy! For Yahuah is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:5 It is of Yahuah's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Yahuah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Lamentations 3:22-24 Special Note: There are many who still believe the notion inherited from the Babylonian captivity of Israel that the day begins in the evening; after all, this is what "they" have taught us. However, after very careful study of the scriptures, as well as even described above, it is very clear that the beginning or newness of the day is at dawn... that moment when the light breaks through the darkness... just as it did the very first day of creation. If you have never heard this or are not sure, please search it out carefully. It is even very clear in the first chapter of Genesis ("and evening and morning were the first day", remembering that you cannot have evening without light - the light is first!). You will find much liberty and joy in the truth of the dawn. If you are interested in this topic, you can check out a great study by clicking here. Another more condensed presentation on the power and beauty of dawn may be helpful as well; you can access this one here. This post came about through a random study that ended in a beautiful story that I would like to share as encouragement for the brethren. I would be remiss by not stating that this will especially bless the sisters, but I also believe our brothers can glean from it as well -- after all, the core of the message is faith! I started out a few days ago wanting to look up the paleo Hebrew meaning of the word, "behold". This was after one of my sisters shared that its Hebrew word "hinneh" means so much more than we realize and that she was deeply blessed in what Father had shown her in this regard. She was right!! It is amazing and worth learning and remembering each time we see this word (so store that in your back pocket as well, because it actually comes up again later)! It was my search for a YouTube study on this word that ended up bringing me to another word that caught my attention. This word was "asaph or acaph", which is rereward or rear guard in English. As I listened to the study on this word, it brought me to several scriptures, but I ended up stuck on two of them in Joshua 6. It is in this chapter that I found my real focus and where I stayed planted... on Rahab. As I read about Rahab the "harlot" in the story most of us already know, I began to ask... Father, why did you choose her? Why did you choose this woman out of all the Canaanites in Jericho, especially when you had ordered every person to be destroyed as the Israelites took the city? Why her, the one who has been referred to a harlot almost every time her name is mentioned? I looked up the word "Rahab" in Hebrew, which is actually "Rachab", and found that it means proud, wide, roomy, broad, in any direction, at liberty. This didn't shed any light on my questions at all, so of course, I was eager to get to the paleo Hebrew breakdown of her name, and that is when I found something beautiful! The paleo breakdown of Rachab is resh, chet, beyt (and this is reading from left to right as is the custom with Hebrew). So how does this look? Now what does this mean? As you can see from the expanded meanings under each picture, to me it clearly says... "The Head or Prince (Yahusha) is a refuge or inner sanctuary for the House of Israel"! Rachab's name carries such beautiful and prophetic meaning!! And what did Rachab do? She risked her own life to hide the two Israelite spies in the flax on her roof (a refuge) so the House of Israel could take the land chosen by Yahuah... all to to fulfill the Word, which is ultimately about the Prince! It sure seems to tie together! All in all, Rahab believed, and she believed with great, great faith! ... for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Joshua 2:11 She was used by the God she believed in, Yahuah, to bring forth His will because of her great faith, which shown brightly like one single beacon of light in a very dark place (the Canaanites were very wicked)! As I pondered her faith, I began to try to live what she experienced to understand it further. Can you picture this woman, having her heart melted with fear of knowing that the God of Israel had parted the Red Sea for His people and had given them victory over all those who were currently occupying the land He chose for them (she expresses this as how her people felt about Israel in Joshua 2:9-11)? She saw the greatness and majesty of Yahuah, and she saw His utter faithfulness to His people. She understood with reverence how He had totally destroyed the Egyptians, the world power at that time, in the Red Sea for the sake of His precious own. Amongst all her wicked Canaanite people, who were the complete opposite of the Israelites, she sat alone in her home thinking about this God... knowing who He was... and believing in Him and wanting to know Him! And then the opportunity came! Can you imagine how she felt seeing the two Israelites come to her home? I can see how she would be shocked and excited and even fearful, but also zealously wanting to talk to them and help them, obviously at any cost! This Rachab is one of great faith, and I personally do not believe the Bible has described it in fullness, so that maybe we will go and search for ourselves to learn more of her. This woman and her family were the only ones out of all the Canaanites to survive Israel's conquest of their land, and the Word says that she continued through her life dwelling with Israel! I would even go so far as to say that she rejoiced passionately as she received the greatest desire of her heart... to know the God of Israel and to dwell with His people! And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Joshua 6:25 And the story continues... it did not stop with her faithfulness to the Israelites and her belief in their God, nor even with her dwelling with Israel. The Word tells us that she became the wife of Salmon who begot Boaz, and Boaz with Ruth begot Obed, and Obed begot Jesse, who was David's father. This supposed harlot full of faith was chosen to be in the lineage of our King Yahusha! And as many of us have probably wondered... would the Heavenly Father really choose a harlot? We know He is merciful beyond human ability and comprehension, and we know He can use anyone or anything to do fulfill His will, but would He use a harlot? Well, maybe He would, but I have had my doubts about this description of Rahab for some time, so I did a bit more digging. As I looked into it further, I received the solid confirmation I needed. Rather than me trying to explain this, I would rather attach a video that I believe will bless you and also settle your heart on who this woman really was. We must remember that translators are not always perfect, and just as any other human, pre-conceived notions or biases could have influenced them. In all things the Spirit will teach us where man has failed, and in this we have peace and freedom! The video is presented at the bottom of this post, so that you can continue reading for more blessing before watching! As I was pondering Rahab's involvement in the lineage of Yahusha, it made me think of Aseneth, Joseph's Egyptian wife. Herein, I believe, lies another example of a woman's overwhelming faith in the God of Israel in the midst of great darkness and her role in the perfect will of Yahuah for His people. About four years ago, Father used the extra-biblical book "Joseph and Aseneth"** as one thing to help me through the condemnation experienced from a false doctrine against "non-Israelite" people of our time, and so her testimony is very precious to me. This beautiful story describes the conversion of Aseneth to serving the God of Israel as well as her subsequent marriage to Joseph. The words of Aseneth to Yahuah are some of the most beautiful words of repentance I've ever read, and His response to her is even more overwhelming. Aseneth, like Rahab and Ruth, was a woman of such great faith and obedience and became the mother of two of the tribes of Israel, Ephraim and Manasseh. And as we know, Jacob pronounced the name of Israel directly on the head of Ephraim, which is one of the two sticks that will soon become one again! This is a major part of Yahuah's plan! In hopes that you will be further blessed and edified, I would like to share a few of Aseneth's words, as well as a few of Yahusha's words that were spoken to her! This will further solidify the level of faith she possessed, which also connects her to the faith of Rachab. As Aseneth secludes herself away from all, puts on sackcloth and ashes, and withdraws herself from food and water for seven days of mourning and confession, she utters these words (and please don't let the length sway you - her words are a blessing!): And after she speaks these words and more regarding her love for Joseph, she is visited by One who identified Himself as the "chief of the house of the Lord and the commander of the whole host of the Most High". Aseneth describes Him as One whose face was like lightening, and His eyes like sunshine, and the hairs of His head like a flame of fire of a burning torch, and His hands and feet like iron shining forth from a fire, and sparks shooting forth from His hands and feet. As she is bowed down on her face before Him, He spoke the following words to her (and notice how many times He says "behold", as this connects back to the word my sister shared with me that initially started my search/study!): Courage, Aseneth, chaste virgin. Behold, I have heard all the words of your confession and your prayer. Behold, I have also seen the humiliation and the affliction of the seven days of your want of food. Behold, from your tears and these ashes, plenty of mud has formed before your face. Courage, Aseneth, chaste virgin. For behold, your name was written in the book of the living in heaven; in the beginning of the book, as the very first of all, your name was written by My finger, and it will not be erased forever. Behold, from today, you will be renewed and formed anew and made alive again, and you will eat blessed bread of life, and drink a blessed cup of immortality, and anoint yourself with blessed ointment of incorruptibility. Courage, Aseneth, chaste virgin. Behold, I have given you today to Joseph for a bride, and he himself will be your bridegroom forever and ever. And your name shall no longer be called Aseneth, but your name shall be City of Refuge, because in you many nations will take refuge with the Lord God, the Most High, and under your wings many peoples trusting in the Lord God will be sheltered, and behind your walls will be guarded those who attach themselves to the Most High God in the name of repentance. It is my prayer that this post has blessed you as you read, just as it did me. I wonder what words will be spoken to us on that day when we stand before our King and Savior! I hope it will be this good, and I have a feeling it too will likely begin with the word, "Behold!". In closing, I have attached the teaching mentioned above regarding Rachab's true identity. Please take a listen and be further blessed and encouraged! ** As with all extra-biblical books, we must be diligent to compare with the scriptures and use discernment, so we will know what to accept and what to resist.
of hope and encouragement! This truly is a story of us -- the children of the Most High -- from start to finish! This is all so fresh in my mind, as Father has been prompting me with butterflies in so many ways in the last month -- too much to not notice! As a result, I have really dug in to see what He wanted to share! I have been so encouraged, because He has spoken to me personally through this, but I also knew it was for others as well. So as always, I am so prayerful that this little journey will glorify our Father immensely and encourage you deeply! Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? Isaiah 43:19 So how does our story start? It begins with the smallest deposit within our spirit... inspired by the Father and many times planted within us by the testimony of a loving servant. It would look something like this... the planting of a very small seed (egg) by someone (butterfly) who has already undergone the transformation... all in full alignment with the Creator's plan. So the seed is planted, and what happens next? Well, in the case of our caterpillar to butterfly story, this ugly little wormy-looking thing comes from the very tiny egg, and it has one mission... to eat! It is a newborn, and it is famished to receive nourishment and grow, so it eats and eats, even shedding its skin repeatedly as it grows. Does all of this sound familiar? Do you remember how much you craved and ate the Word immediately after you understood and received the salvation of the Most High? Do you remember how you were continually shedding off the old you to make room for new?! In this stage, it is as if nothing else exists except us and Yahusha (Jesus) and learning and growing in Him! And very important to note... the caterpillar eats from the very plant from which it was born, sometimes abiding there throughout the entire process! 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 15:5 So this ugly, but quite colorful, caterpillar is on its mission to eat until its reserves are filled and it can actually begin the transformation into its true identity. Once it stops eating, it goes into a short resting phase before it begins to go into its own little chamber of hiding. In its nature and obedience to its Creator, it submits to this isolation where it will actually begin to break down and transform into something completely different. Its Creator has provided it with all it needs to isolate itself; it just obeys and follows. This seems to be that moment of presenting itself as a living sacrifice to its Creator to do that which is required to bring about its full destiny. In the case of our journey, I can speak from experience that submitting to this part -- presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Father for His glory -- can be very hard. But it is not only necessary but somewhat commanded in the Word, as Paul "beseeches" or pleads with the Romans to do so. It is only through this submission and abiding that the preparation for full transformation and emergence can be completed. What happens in this little chamber, called a pupa, is incredible and miraculous. It can only be attributed to the love and wisdom of the One who created it. I will share now the details of what happens at this stage, and as we go through, think of yourself and where you may be -- entering in, in the midst, or about to emerge. Know that the miraculous story of this delicate, beautiful creature is about you... There is nothing new under the sun, and as the Word says, the creation speaks of the greatness of the Father - to us - and therefore, we are without excuse in knowing Him. First, the caterpillar is completely alone in the pupa. It is confined without its own freedom... but only for a short time (usually two weeks). With us, our pupa stage will be as long as is needed, and unfortunately for some (like me!!), it can be much longer! And I use the word "unfortunately" only in part -- because no matter how short or long it takes, the result is quite fortunate with beauty, freedom, true identity, and so much more! Obviously, it is worth it, and our Father knows exactly what He is doing in this stage of our journey. Before the caterpillar begins to enclose and isolate itself, its behavior changes, it sheds its final skin, and purges itself of any excess waste as it begins to create its own enclosure. Once isolated inside, the intense changes begin as it lies still. As I read about this, the words "massive rearrangement" were used to describe what happens in the pupa during this time. It is so important to grasp that the most dramatic changes taking place in this stage are done in stillness and silence. Is it not during our own "pupa stage" that we finally begin to be still and know that He is the one true and living God? Is this not the time when drastic changes can come to fullness -- many times through pain and suffering in isolation and loneliness, where we surrender to the point that our flesh, our old body, begins to die and deteriorate? It is here in this isolation that we finally understand that that the absolute death of self must happen to bring about refreshing and restoration unto newness! For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength... Isaiah 30:15 I would like to note here that only a butterfly pupa is called a "chrysalis". Although this chrysalis looks like a cocoon (or as my aunt and I like to say, a little green mini lantern), it is actually a living creature. Butterflies are set apart from moths and other related insects, because they become a pupa while exposed to the environment - they are visible to predators and the outside environment - but at the same time, they are typically protected through camoflage (they blend in with the leaves of the plant, which many times is the same plant as the place of their birth). And I must mention this wonderful nugget... the word "chrysalis" means gold! How perfect that the pupa/chrysalis or place of transformation and renewal is like gold! For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 As the creature within the chrysalis lies still and quiet, the transformation begins, and it begins with a dying from within. The old body of the caterpillar begins to be attacked by new cells within the chrysalis, and old body breaks down. These new cells, called imaginal cells, were already there within the caterpillar, lying dormant until the appointed time. These cells are called "the seeds of future potential which contain the blueprint of a flying creature". In other words, they are the cells that will create new life and are even said to carry a different frequency! As the caterpillar's body recognizes these new cells, it begins to attack back; however, the imaginal cells are more powerful and persist and multiply, connecting and bonding with each other, ultimately winning the battle and forming the new, multi-cell creature that will emerge, leaving the old body dissolved. How amazing is this and such a reflection of the intense battle within us between flesh and Spirit?! And just as the imaginal cells, or "new life" cells, win the battle over the old, so will the Spirit within us ultimately conquer the flesh! And when this happens, authentic, pure beauty emerges! As I ponder this, I think of how my Father's "cells" were within me from the beginning... waiting to be birthed at the appointed time. Then once activated through repentance and faith in our Messiah and then nourished with the Word, the true transformation process began through sanctification. This sanctification, or isolation/intimacy, birthed a true surrender and submission of the flesh in willingness to be overcome by the powerful, persistent Spirit of the Living God! And this process still goes on today! He chose us, He purchased us, and He is faithful to finish His work in us in the fullness of Messiah Yahusha! We can rest with all assurance in this promise! Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 As the transformation process within the chrysalis begins to cease, it will become somewhat transparent, and the new creature will become partially visible. At this point in time, the need for isolation and restriction is outgrown, and thus the struggle for emergence begins at its perfect "organic time". Notice the word "outgrown"... the time of isolation and restriction comes to an end as the creature is ready to emerge in its new identity! It is keenly aware of this timing as it begins to push against the lines inside the chrysalis by taking in air and pushing out with its abdomen. With much movement, which is absolutely necessary to exercise and strengthen itself, it pushes free from the chrysalis head-down, but once emerged, it immediately lifts its head upward where it sits perfectly still to allow its wings to expand and become firm. It is as if it says... I have emerged; I am here Father... now I wait on you to strengthen my wings! As it waits, it forms its own "proboscis" for drinking nectar and then pumps the fluid from its abdomen into its wings for firmness, lastly expelling anything extra from the abdomen to lighten the load for flight! It is now ready to fly!! There is no doubt that the transformation that takes place inside the chrysalis, worthy of the meaning "gold", reflects the same process that we go through as we begin to fully mature into the new creatures that will take flight, in the fullness of our identity in Yahusha, to soar above all that is below, all that is old, and all that earthly. It is a process of separation, isolation, stillness, death of flesh, and birth of the beauty of the Spirit of life. It simply must happen! It is also a process of finality -- it begins, it continues, and it ends in the fullness of the new creature. It is reflective of the promises of our Father that He will do all the work. He will draw us, He will plant the seed, He will nurture the seed, He will begin the sanctification process and set up all the needed circumstances along the way, He will provide all that is needed in us to complete this work, and He will ensure that at the perfect, "organic time" we are released to emerge into flight to soar in the calling He has determined for us. He will finish what He started in us, even if we feel stagnant, even if we feel tired, even if we feel we can't go on! I am amazed and encouraged by His creation and how He speaks through it, to show His endless and incredible love for us as well as His plans for each one individually! Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Yahusha ha Mashiach... Philippians 1:6 As I have gone through this journey over the last month or so, I have had the great pleasure of actually witnessing this process from the caterpillar stage to lift off! My aunt, completely engrossed in this, was gifted by our Father to allow her desire to watch the entire process become a reality. She was able to share pictures with me throughout the journey, along with all of her excitement and emotion up until "she", the new creation, flew away! Below is my aunt's new butterfly resting after emergence and then preparing to experience her new identity and freedom! As you now come to the conclusion of this post, stop and be still, and know.... Just as the caterpillar eats and grows and follows the lead of its nature into its own "sanctification" process; and without a care in the world rests until the proper time of emergence, so too will you under the faithful and careful leading and instructing of the Holy Spirit. And just as the Heavenly Father ensures with all certainty the emergence of the new and beautiful butterfly, how much more will He ensure this for you... His precious, blood-bought Bride?! There is no doubt that in your full submission in presenting yourself to Him, you will emerge and you will soar on eagles wings in your kingdom destiny as He has willed for you! Blessed be the name of Yahuah through His Son, Yahusha ha Mashiach! 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. Isaiah 40:31 Picture now the blast of the first light of the dawn through the thick darkness of night! What an explosion of power, might, and light! What an awesome fulfillment of the promises of mercy and joy, ours to behold and receive every single morning! This is only a small atom of the greatness of our God!! Can you imagine that we were created for such beautiful reasons -- to love, to be loved, and to worship the One who made us and redeemed us! The One who created the light and will always and forever triumph over darkness! The One who defines GREATNESS! Let this sink in! This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise! Isaiah 43:21 This post serves one purpose... to speak and shout of His glory and greatness! I am in awe when I read His word about Himself. I pray to know Him more and more, and this is how He shows me! How awesome and majestic is His greatness; how immeasurable is His faithfulness! Oh Yahuah, You are my God. I will exalt You; I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things. Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 25:1 Just allow the following scriptures to penetrate your physical body, then your soul, and then your spirit. Maybe consider listening to the audio of these scriptures, knowing that faith comes by hearing them (an audio link has been provided below): All scriptures in the section below are from Isaiah 40; click here for the audio link for the full chapter. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens with a span [of the hand], and calculated the dust of the earth with a measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or has taught Him as His counselor? Isaiah 40:12-13 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: that bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Isaiah 40:21-23 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. Isaiah 40:25-26 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isaiah 40:28-29 Oh how He is fully worthy for our praise and worship! One day soon, all creation will praise Him together!! Have we praised Him today? I often wonder what our praise does for Him. Does it create a certain frequency that streams quickly through the heavens directly to His ears? Does it bring joy and happiness to His heart, making Him smile? Does it cause Him to then rain down His love upon us to fulfill our every need? Although the Bible does not say this specifically, I think so! If we know He is in the midst of these praises, then He must come to us in some way! We know from experience that our praise brings His presence, and in His presence is fullness of joy! And we know that joy is directly from Him.... isn't this exactly why Yahusha said He wanted His joy in us to be full? When I really ponder all of this, it fills my soul with such satisfaction! And it is in this satisfaction and joy that we praise all the more! For we are His witnesses!! Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. Isaiah 43:10-11 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: Psalm 63:3-5 May your shalom be perfect and your joy be full as you praise our Almighty God and Savior this day, no matter what the circumstances, no matter how you feel, no matter where you are... for this is your purpose in this life and the one to come! Alleluyah!!
Although this post is a re-post from about a year ago, it is never more needed than now! In addition, I have modified the presentation that I had attached before to include more! I pray this will be both edifying and equipping for you in these unstable days when our faith armor is an absolute necessity for spiritual survival. In all my lifetime, I have never seen a time as now when our use of the armor of Yahuah is more critical, necessary, and important in our journey down the narrow path to the Kingdom. We are faced with principalities in high places blatantly attempting to take control in broad daylight - they are no longer hiding! They are frantically going about their evil, because they simply have very little time left! Thinking through this, I am reminded of something I read in the commentary section of my new KJV study bible... "The spiritual battle we are engaged in exists from now on until our beloved Savior returns. There is no quarter end, no cease fire, no temporary truce, and no cessation of hostilities. From now on until the end, there is all-out war." This is so true, but do we really get it? I know that there was a time when I had no idea of what was taking place in the spiritual realm, and now, that type of ignorance can result in some serious trouble. I feel an urgency in my spirit to fully grasp this and be equipped to handle it. Are you a fighter, or would you consider yourself a warrior in life? As for me, absolutely not. I have always been a peacemaker, avoiding the fight whenever possible. In the last few years, the Father has brought this to my attention and has been teaching me that this personality trait may be admirable in life (and we know He loves a peacemaker - Matthew 5:9); however, this is not an option in the spiritual realm. The battle there is ongoing and is of a magnitude that only the scripture can make known to us.. This battle has nothing to do with people (although it sure feels like it sometimes), but involves high-level principalities that are so bad that our gracious Father has holy angels protecting us before we even ask! These entities are so wicked and grotesque that seeing them would strike us down in fear, thus our loving Father has kept them completely invisible to us. The Word is clear to us about this, but sometimes we just forget... you know, out of sight out of mind. Read the scripture below slowly and ponder it for a few minutes before moving on: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 I recently had to do some deep spiritual introspection as I continue to try to overcome a level of grief I've never experienced, and in the midst of this, the enemy came in with ultra force (you know, he loves to kick us with a pointed steel-toe boot when we're down). It is in these times that we can get so down that we will begin to listen to his voice and believe his lies. He barges into the open door of trauma and grief and attempts to corrupt our foundation to the point that his lies become believable, which of course then manifests further into our already-fragile emotions. This is the trouble I referred to earlier -- this is a very vulnerable place to be. This is that time when we must rise up and fight, even when we feel we have no strength, remembering that Yahusha is IN us, and we have His mind, His strength, and His Spirit! We literally will win through Him, by Him, and ultimately for His name's sake! He will never leave us nor forsake us, and He will always be victorious over the enemy as our strong tower. But we have to choose to rise up first through Him and equip ourselves in Hiim to fully win the battle! We equip ourselves with His armor that He shares with us, and He tells us to TAKE it! Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:13 I mentioned how the enemy can try to corrupt our foundation when we are down, and this is a key point. When the enemy's voice becomes easier to hear and receive than the promises of the Father, then we know our foundation is compromised -- in other words, we must immediately feed ourselves more with the voice of the Holy Spirit through the truth of the Word, which is almighty and all powerful in Yahusha!. This will strengthen our foundation again and equip us to fight in faith! It's simply having the faith to rise up, put on our armor, and battle in His strength. On that note, I think it is important to bring out a few points about the armor that jumped out at me last year when I did a Zoom study on this subject. It helped me to understand the magnitude of the gift of the armor! The armor belongs to the Father, thus the "armor of God", and He has given it to us as a tool to fight, thus it is a gift! But just as we take action to open a gift in life, we have to take action with this gift as well! In Ephesians 6:10-11, 13-18, we are told to act multiple times, mainly by TAKING and STANDING, and finally with PRAYING and WATCHING. In looking at these scriptures below, pay attention to the words in all caps:
In this end time in which we have been appointed to live, and as children of the Most High God, we have no choice but to become professional warriors, both proactive and reactive, knowing our enemy's tactics to the point that we zap him in the spirit before he has any chance to steal, kill, or destroy. As for me, this is only possible through the mind, strength, and armor of Yahuah through Yahusha in me! I will lose the battle if my faith is weakened to the point I don't act; that's the simple truth. This post is meant to be a reminder for us all as well as an encouragement. There are so many promises and tools and gifts given to us that will give us a victorious walk, but I would say that many of us tend to forget sometimes. And when we forget, we usually have to go through an experience to be reminded. I am hopeful that this will help in our remembrance specifically with regard to the incredible gift of the armor of our God and Father! In closing, I would like to share the powerpoint on the subject from the Zoom study I mentioned above. I think this will further encourage you in your journey towards the Kingdom with the Word and with visuals that highlight the power of this tool that we have been given by the Love of our Souls! He desperately wants us to win this battle, and He will always equip us with all we need... fully, completely, and faithfully every single time! Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 Enjoy the Powerpoint by clicking on the image below.
all strength and love from my Father, as there were moments of great sorrow and intense loneliness. It has now been almost nine months since my daddy left this earth to his eternal destiny of peace, with mom now having been gone about 20 months. During this time, I have encountered hurricanes and storms both physically and emotionally, and even spiritually. While turbulent at times, I can say that I am fully grateful. The Heavenly Father basically put walls around me here and did not allow me to escape the pain in any way, as at times I so desperately desired. So many times I wanted to pack up and run to the comfort of my sons - I needed love and the familiarity of close family. But also during this time, Father has bestowed upon me great love and grace, which has given me the encouragement and strength to get through and fully endure, although sometimes at the last minute as I cried out in anguish and desperation. He is faithful, always. I have now reached the place where He has orchestrated every detail in releasing me to leave. I have sold my parents' home, after He brought the buyer directly to me as I had requested in prayer. This buyer is not only my friend but my sister in Christ. Her dad went to school with my dad and even worked with him for many, many years. This sister took care of the entire sale transaction and will now take over with her family to enjoy all my parents sowed into this home and beautiful property by the lake. I will be moving to be near my sons once again. And I am moving by the order, grace, and mercy of my Heavenly Father, which truly was my ultimate desire. This has been one of the hardest things I have ever endured, and I am so thankful that through the strength, mind, and love of Yahusha (Jesus), I was able to get through. A very many times, He used my closest dear sisters to lift me up, although all but one are very far away. And for that I say... I deeply thank you and love you Mimi, Dawn, Pietra, Nikki, and Tonya - you all are His faithful daughters who have been there for me through it all!! To Father Yahuah be all the glory!! And again, He is faithful, always! If all goes as planned, I will be packing and moving over the course of the next two weeks. I am hopeful and prayerful that once I am moved and settled that Father will begin to compel me to write again. I have a feeling that my writings won't be the same. Glory and praise and honor to His name... this is all I want!! As I close this post, I would like to strongly encourage you, if not slightly urge you, to please continue to check out the posts from my dear sister in South Africa, Pietra de Bod. She is Father's servant being mightily used in these last days to speak to the Body. And we ARE in the last days. This should be a time of urgently working out our own salvation with fear and trembling as we prepare our hearts to be the Bride of Christ... spotless and pure, refined and made ready for our holy Bridegroom! Please enjoy and soak in the rich truth and encouragement from the Father through my sister by accessing her site here: The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation Her last post, "Bring My Little Ones Home" will put all things into perspective. It truly is a shame to realize how we allow the shallowness of some of our own heart pains to overtake us; when compared to others, they are truly minimal. We all need this self-check sometimes. Father so graciously nudges us and reminds us of what truly matters and what pierces His very heart and leads our hearts in that direction. May we all find the strength in Yahusha to set aside the smaller matters of our hearts to pray and act on the matters of His heart. This truly should be our focus in these last days. I pray that Father will mercifully continue to guide us by His heart into His kingdom purposes. In the meantime and as we all continue to seek the face of our Father through His Son, may He bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you... and may He bring you great shalom (peace) to endure! Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ...
Philippians 1:6 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. |
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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