This morning, I was reading about John the Baptist and how while he was in prison, he sent his messengers to Yahusha (Jesus) to ask and make sure that He was the One that should come or if they should look for another. Keeping in mind that John both saw the Spirit descend upon Yahusha like a dove when he baptized Him and had just previously proclaimed that He was the Son of God, the One that had come to save Israel... it seems that something must have caused John to need a bit of reassurance and confirmation at that time! I began to ponder on how John must have felt in prison, being left there, not rescued by his Messiah, and not being able to see all the miracles that were taking place fulfilling all the scriptures that John knew so well that confirmed Yahusha's messiahship. John, in great sacrifice for almost all his life, prepared the way for Yahusha only to be left in prison to die a very horrible and humiliating death, even having his head served on a silver platter to a gloating enemy. This got me thinking of the sacrificial life that was purposed for him and how it was one of loneliness, separation, and ultimately not being allowed to see the culmination of the ministry of which he was the forerunner. And I ask... Did John have his "best life now"? John committed and surrendered to a divine purpose-driven life that gave him a fulfillment the world would not understand, but John did not live his best life now. That life was waiting for him afterwards... I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 When we read this scripture, do we automatically feel that we are entitled to our best abundant life now through Christ? Or do we consider the whole of the scriptures and grasp the superior, beyond-measure, and exceeding kingdom life that Yahusha truly speaks of here? The entire goal of Yahusha's "ministry" of sacrificial death and then His defeating of death through resurrection unto an endless life was to reinstate and restore His children to their initial divine state of creation... which is holy and immortal in His presence, outside of this world. If we miss this or lose focus of this, then we will likely have our sights set on having our best abundant life now... here in this temporary, wicked place where life is fragile and fully incomplete. This misdirected mindset will keep us self-focused on self-satisfaction as we bask in our entitlement to all our abundant blessings. This is not to say we won't be blessed in this life as we experience all of creation's beauty, giving and receiving love, the joy of family, and all the things we really don't deserve that our Father has so graciously given to us. However, this abundance of blessings should not be our ultimate focus and goal, and we certainly aren't entitled to them. So what is this abundant life that Yahusha speaks of and how do we attain it? When we understand His kingdom mindset, then we know the abundance is primarily kingdom-focused. And as we obey and follow Him, we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and then all the things we need, and even at times desire, will be given to us. And the truth of the matter is that when we seek this type of abundant life, we actually find death -- death to all self-related intentions and self-seeking now in this life. Our self death brings us to seek only His path and provision as we run the race to true abundant life outside of this world. At this point, we begin to set our affections on things above and not on the earth (Col. 3:2). We can also ask the same question of Yahusha that was asked of John... Did He find His best life in this world? No He did not, but He found the joy of fulfilling His divine purpose in this life, and it had nothing to do with self. As our example, we are to follow Him and how He lived out His life in this world, which can be summed up in two words... sacrificial and obedient. As we attempt to walk out this journey in this world, we trust all His promises and obey all His commandments - all for His glory and the betterment of others. It's no longer about us receiving all our abundant blessings here... it's about preparing for our holy, immortal, and abundant life in the kingdom. We basically become a sacrifice in obedience, although not to the ferocious and bitter end of our Savior, but for His purposes alone. That IS His purpose-driven life for us now that we may have the glorious abundant life in the kingdom to come. And this is the entirety of the reason He created us! John the Baptist is an excellent example of living a divine purpose-driven life wandering the desert in his animal skins and feasting on insect delicacies, preparing the way for the King of the world and then losing his life because of it. However, he is far from the only one. We have a great cloud of witnesses standing right beside John cheering us on to stay focused and endure, some of these witnesses having never received the promises in their lives but instead endured great persecution, tribulation, and ultimately martyrdom. Was this the best abundant life now for these dear saints, or do we dismiss this by saying, "that was then, and this is now". Granted, we are now in an age of grace, but the Heavenly Father does not change. Our mandate as disciples of Yahusha is the same as then, and He left us this understanding all throughout the red letters of His word. However, today many are choosing to adopt as truth the plethera of devil-dangling distractions and deceptions leaving us feeling entitled to our best life in the here and now; and this is not the full truth at all. The following somewhat sobering scripture states the truth very well: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:25 Grace is a gift to us right now and oh how incredibly abundant it is, but the overall Truth of what it means to be a true disciple of Christ who waits for his most abundant life in the kingdom to come is firm and unchanging. In this very late hour, it is imperative that we recognize this, embrace it, and ask Yahusha to fill us with all truth and the ability to walk it out in full obedience through His strength, His mind, and His love. It's the only way we can accomplish this now, and it's the only way we will have the full abundance of life that He came to restore. As I write this, it is as much for me as it might be for anyone else who reads it. This seeking of kingdom everything in this life does not happen overnight, and it may take some time to even understand at first. It's taken me a good, long while to come to the full understanding to the point that I am beginning to actually walk it out. If we truly love our Heavenly Father through His Son and want to walk in all truth, this is the first step. He will put the desire in our hearts and will take us down this very narrow path, and as it is narrow, there aren't many others on it making it quite lonely at times. And because this is a "path", it has to be walked out over time where we may stumble or even fall some. But if we press on with our eyes on Him, longing for and seeking Him in all truth, He will take us all the way to the end of the path where we will find the real abundance He has prepared for us that no human mind can conceive or imagine. He is oh so faithful when we are willing to stand in His truth in full obedience. In closing, I leave a few scriptures that give us the hope of the abundant life that is waiting for us as we keep our eyes fixed on the King of the kingdom! And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:10 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4 And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:6-9
0 Comments
In these final days of the age in which we live, the battle of the two kingdoms has never been so visible in our realm. The lord of the earthly kingdom is no longer hiding himself and his followers, and he is bringing out all his tricks to prevail, even though he knows his time is very short and he will lose. On the other hand, the Creator and Kingdom of all eternity, who resides in the heavenly realm, is also showing Himself and urging all whom He has created to follow Him... and it will be, at all cost. It is past time for us to be sober, watchful, and both seeking and living in Truth, which can only be found in Yahusha (Jesus). Just in the last week, I have been blessed enough to watch and read two things that fully contrast these two kingdoms, at the root. I know this is not by chance, and I believe I am supposed to share this. Please make time in the coming week to watch and read what I am about to share. Although it may take a bit of your time, it is worth every second. The first thing I would like to share is a 5-hour video by a man from Australia who was apparently a winner on the X-factor TV show. Through his striving for fame, he became deeply entangled in something where he was able to see the tentacles of the kingdom of darkness -- of course, all cloaked in fake light. He was then miraculously saved by the grace and mercy of Yahusha ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ) and set himself in motion to fully expose this dark kingdom that exists right in front of our eyes -- one which many choose to minimize and ignore and even participate in, eventually to their own peril. And of course, throughout the duration of the video, He is exalting the One True Lord and King, Yahusha! Throughout this video, the speaker encourages us to please stay with him, and I encourage you to do the same. Make it your business to know in-depth your enemy, as we are admonished in the very Word of our Creator: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8 ...Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 And no wonder, for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 You may access the video below (and I encourage you to please watch it very soon, as I fully expect for it to be removed). And just so you don't stop here, please make sure that you continue reading beyond the video so that you can access the best part... a beautiful reminder and explanation of our ultimate heavenly Kingdom which will be brought to earth to rule and reign for all of eternity. UPDATE 10/13/21: As suspected, the video was removed from YouTube, but I was able to find it here (and this is one of only two places I was able to find it!) In stark contrast to the kingdom exposed in the video, we know that our Master and Lord, Yahusha ha Mashiach, has already attained the victory with His own blood and will rule this earth and all heavenly realms with His Kingdom where no evil will exist! He has already won the battle of the kingdoms, and He has done this so that we too, those who will sacrifice all to follow Him, may be with Him forever.
I would like to share a very recent writing by my sister from South Africa (Pietra de Bod) from her book, Kingdom Mandate. This is actually the very last chapter of her book, and in summary it offers the most perfect contrast to what we have learned about the wicked kingdom that constantly wars against the heavenly Kingdom. We need to know these things about our Kingdom!! Click here to access the last chapter of the book, "A Moral Conflict". In addition, click here to access the entire Kingdom Mandate book, which can also be found on the Resources page of this site under "Writings, Books, and Blogs". It is my earnest prayer that you are blessed by what you watch and read from this post. Please take sometime to feed yourself with this wisdom and understanding that is sure to equip you in these last days. Over the last few months, there has been somewhat of a shift with me... I can't find one or even a few words to describe it. All I know is that I truly desire to go with the flow, even if it hurts, because Father is doing something new. It has affected my writings... the content and the amount. Basically my writing has slowed way down, and I believe it is because He is perfecting much within my heart. Although I miss it and get that feeling sometimes that maybe I have turned my back on those I have so enjoyed encouraging, I really have no choice. I know many of you understand this, as we must be lead of the Holy Spirit in anything that we do for and about our Father and His Son, Yahusha ha Mashciach (Jesus Christ). And if we fail to go with His flow, our works will not be anointed, and in the end, they will be burned up. This post is one I feel compelled to write and share with those I know to be seeking to grow more and more intimate with the Father, regardless of the cost. While this is the desire of our hearts, we really have no idea of the cost. I am sure this is why Yahusha told anyone wanting to be His disciple to count the cost first (Luke 14:25-34). The fact that He said this should always cause us to pause and consider; and sometimes we don't fully understand it until the cost is upon us. Even mentioning this "cost" of being His disciple is a good lead in to what I felt lead to share... about the target, the focus, and the goal. Today as we face global challenges and deep deceit unlike ever before, many of us are sensing the urgency of the hour in our hearts. We know time is accelerating, the time of tribulation is upon us, and our Beloved King is about to break through the clouds! We know it is an hour of preparation, intense preparation, and if we are serious about our walk with Him, then this is our first thought, our first priority, and our first mention; it is simply always on our hearts. I read a devotional writing this morning by my dear sister from South Africa, Pietra de Bod, and it propelled me into this post. As you've noticed, I've begun posting many of her writings here on the site and also been sending out some of her shorter writings to a smaller group of you who requested to receive these regularly via email. For those of you who have read these writings, you likely can understand why I am sharing them. I want to reiterate why. I believe that our sister has the absolute correct target, focus, and goal -- the Father's heart through the Son -- and in obedience, this is what she shares with us. I believe these messages need to go out to the body, now. As I myself have recently been reading in Matthew, I have discovered many new little related nuggets of truth that have fed my spirit. One of these is the understanding that doing the will of the Father in Heaven is the way that we are accepted by Yahusha as "knowing Him". Those who actually do the will of the Father are the only ones whom He truly knows, according to the scripture: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 But how are we sure to do the will of the Father who is in Heaven... unless we KNOW the heart of His Son! Only the Son knows the Father, and when we know the Son, we also know the Father and are able to do His will. And we all know what "knowing" means in the Word... it means an intimate knowing that is only possible through oneness. This means that when we know the Father's heart and are one with Him through abiding in the heart of His Son, we are surely able to know and do His will. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Matthew 11:27
know the heart of the Father... this is no small thing and takes much seeking and focus on our parts, of course birthed from a genuine desire within our own hearts. I felt compelled to share this short message of my own to introduce this writing from our sister Pietra that so eloquently and truthfully explains to us what it means to truly know the heart of the Father. This is not her opinion nor is it a poetic attempt to explain what she feels to be truth. I believe she shares His words that have been poured forth from His heart into her humble spirit as true revelation. She explains that to know His heart is to know His rented heart that He has shown to the whole world through the humility and perfect obedience of His Son. The question for all of us and that we must ask is ... do we really know His heart? I pray that this writing below will minister to the depths of your being as it has mine. This is where He wants to take us brothers and sisters!! He is preparing us for something so big that we cannot fathom its magnitude, but in order to go there, we must know His rented heart!! I can say in all humility that I do not know the Father's heart near to the degree that I desire or that He desires, but I crave with all my soul and spirit to go there and pray that you do too! This is for those who do!! You may access the writing here. (And note that she has posted other writings since this one, and if you would like to see these, click here where you can scroll through them all.) And further, Pietra now has a Telegram channel where she has begun to do audio messages of her writings. For those of you who would rather listen than read, you can access her channel here once you have set up a Telegram account. Disclaimer: Having said all above, I have the utmost respect for each and every individual journey. Our walk is a process with stepping stones that lead to the heart of the Father, and each of us are currently at our own stepping stone in this walk.
This post will be a little different, as it will require you to click on another link. I wanted to do it this way so that you will go to this other site and receive what awaits you. This site does not necessarily offer notifications when new posts are added, so if you are fed by what you read there, you will be drawn back again and again to see what has been added. The message I would like to share now, The Prisoner of God, is just like the others included on this site... they are very much needed at this time, at this time when we must become a prisoner of and IN the Father, Yahuah, before we become a prisoner for Him in these last days. My prayer is that you will find nourishment, encouragement, and even conviction from these messages right now, for you have been chosen to live in such a time as this. It seems this is a time of urgency, but in His rest, like no other! May we all find this place in Him!
I was lead to read Malachi this morning after yesterday having been lead to Malachi 3:3. In reading this book of the Bible, I saw a bigger picture of the priesthood than I had seen before. The "Refiner" spoken of in 3:3 is none other than our High Priest Himself, and it seems that today He is doing this same refining in us to bring us to the priestly place of "messenger" as defined in chapter 2, verse 7. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:3 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Malachi 2:7 Overall, these wayward "priests of Levi" are being refined into priests and messengers of the heavenly Melchizedek order. In pondering this, we ask... at what depth would this refinement go to reach such a high calling? All I can utter is "deep", and when I think of this type of deep refinement, I see suffering and pain, and I see isolation in a vast wilderness. I am confident to say that this is likely quite similar to that which John the Baptist endured as he prepared to be that voice crying out proclaiming the only Way, Truth, and Life. As I finished reading Malachi, I was lead to read another one of the writings from my sister from South Africa titled, "Priests Unto the Lord". This is an amazing compilation of truth, richly refined truth, on this same subject. I was enlightened and blessed to overflowing as I read this. It is a bit lengthy, but it is worth every word. I am compelled to share this for those who feel a high calling to be a messenger of truth in these last days. This calling and price is much higher and greater than maybe we realize, and I believe this revelatory writing will provide more understanding, and thus preparation. May we ever be humble and obedient to be included in such a call -- or even a similar or lesser call. Any call from Him is wonderfully enough! Priests Unto the Lord
by Pietra de Bod As we see how much we depend on ourselves, the process of consecration starts. Whatever we depend upon when it be someone or our own wisdom or principles, all has to be placed on the altar. Art Katz asks, “How many of us have placed something on the altar, but not brought the knife down and set it on fire?” Consecration is a priestly action. To consecrate something is to set it aside as sacred. But it is also setting it apart unto Him. It becomes His. At first it is our family and friends we give up or lay down. We soon realize that we no longer enjoy the things that we used to share with them. Slowly but surely a rift forms, not because we reject them, but in the spirit there is a dividing line made between the holy and the profane. Soon we realize that we, just like Abraham, must be able to leave our children too should He ask of us. We should be able to leave them not just in His hands for the provision of their every need, but also we should be able to walk away. Jesus did not tell His disciples that if they leave mother, father, wife, husband and children, even hating their own life, then alone are they worthy to be called His disciples, in a symbolic way. He said unless you do it. This decision has to come from the heart with a definite understanding that should He asks us to physically leave them, we would. This is no easy task. And a true dying. Whatever we place on the altar, stays on the altar. Never to be taken back. Our life that we are to hate is not just our money, earthly possessions, dreams, aspirations and our various talents, but the essence of the life within that is the strength behind these categories. We are to hate this life we have been dependent on in fulfilling all of these things. Once it seems that we have given all up, we only realize that His work now starts deeper within hidden parts of our hearts. Closer and deeper He works to strip us of our impure motives and intentions. Pride is exposed in areas we never would have thought of. The desire to be esteemed and appreciated, especially spiritually. To be acknowledged and applauded. We reach a certain place in the Lord where we unconsciously become prideful of our inner beauty and wisdom. This too is exposed in His light. Our love for others is seen in His light and all we see is our hate for others that we disguised under the mask of discernment or “uplifting criticism”. Our prayerlessness and slothfulness in the Word. Our indifference to the poor and needy, especially during inconvenient times for us. Our selfishness within our own homes. Our appraisal of ourselves, anger issues and small compromises. Not that there are any small compromises. All this is brought into the Light and has to be dealt with thoroughly. So where we thought that up and till now our spirituality has been impressive or even commendable, He starts showing us that all our spiritual acts, be it fasting, prayer, self-control, laying our lives down for others are all filthy rags, if not done by faith. We had hoped it would count for something. Surely this makes us at least a bit more of value that someone who has just given their hearts to the Lord? But alas, no. We have become saved by our own righteousness. Philippians 3:9 (KJV) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: The truth is we can even start idolizing our own dying to self or religious walk. In the end we stand tall at the podium of our own self-righteousness, falling so short of the glory of God. Knowing also that we have become so dependent on His voice or religious experiences during our quiet times, He takes us through various seasons of spiritual “dryness” where we do not enjoy the sweetness of His presence or His still small voice. We ask ourselves whether we have sinned, and unless we are aware of the season we are in, we will try to look in areas for an answer that will only take us further away. This is the season where we see that in all our seeking, we have indeed sought His hands, and not His face. We judge our quiet time’s “success” by whether we have heard or felt His guidance, or experienced His presence. Without knowing it we seek not Him, but the experience of Him. It is self-serving and He teaches us in these moments not only to see our hearts, but also to love Him because He is worthy. Not because we need to experience something. He teaches us to become confident and at peace whether we hear or experience Him or not and rest in however long He deems the season to be. At first a great sense of abandonment takes hold of us. Never have you felt quite so alone, having already given up all for Him, now even His felt presence is removed. Causing us to hopelessly fail in every category of our lives and bring us to the place of true faith. True faith is true in the sense that it is not compromised with our unbelief in any area of our lives. It is true, because it is uncompromised. Oswald Chambers write in “His Utmost for His Highest” the following: The Delight of Despair – “It may be that, like the apostle John, you know Jesus Christ intimately. Yet when He suddenly appears to you with totally unfamiliar characteristics, the only thing you can do is fall “at His feet as dead.” There are times when God cannot reveal Himself in any other way than in His majesty, and it is the delight of despair. You experience this joy in hopelessness, realizing that if you are ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. “He laid His right hand on me…” (Rev. 1: 17). In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33: 27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength. And once His touch comes, nothing at all can throw you into fear again. In the midst of all His ascended glory, the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, saying, “Do not be afraid” (Rev. 1:17). His tenderness is inexpressibly sweet. Do I know Him like that?” In this writing of Oswald Chambers I recognize the same hand that was upon me that day that I came to my true end. From that day, I have had a peace that He calls, His peace. This peace of God settles as a permanent blanket over the soul. It never lifts. I think mostly because all the emptiness has been filled with the abiding calm of the Spirit. It is not a normal peace that we experience, but it is the final entry into the rest of God. A real actual rest. Finally everything will be consecrated. Only He knows how “deep the rabbit hole” goes before all is completely consecrated. Sanctification is the fulfillment of consecration. We are sanctified in Him, but are sanctified by Him through consecration. The Word says that we are a "royal priesthood and a peculiar people" (1 Peter 2: 9 KJV). We are priests unto Him and as such, the priests do not live unto themselves, but have been consecrated unto Him. Holy and set apart. Even so, Jesus our High Priest, emptied Himself of His divinity before He came to earth to be born a babe. He too, had to strip himself of all His strengths and become completely dependent on the Holy Spirit as the Son of Man. We have been saved from uncleanness unto holiness (1 Thessalonians 4: 7 KJV). We are called to be a royal priesthood to teach the people the difference between that which is holy and profane (Ezekiel 44: 23 KJV). How will we do this if we are still so part of this world? There is no glory without sacrifice, and there is no sacrifice without the priestly function. No priests without consecration and sanctification. Holiness unto the Lord. It is because the priests of the church and homes have been compromised that truth has fallen in the streets and equity fails to enter in (Isaiah 59: 14 KJV). Priestly ministry is a lot of cutting, a lot of blood. It is a sacrifice of obedience, causing the blood to be on you and others. Ultimately that which you sacrifice will cause not only you to be affected by it, but those around you. You will not be able to do this in isolation, as if under cover, but the sacrifices will be your very testimony of your devotion to the Lord. Not only was the sacrifice cut up, but also completely burned. Parts were eaten by the priests, so in essence, not only with the spilling of the blood did the priests become one with the sacrifice, but also in the eating thereof. In the same way, our High Priests takes the sword of the Spirit and yields it to the veil of the flesh over our hearts, cutting all to pieces, and in the process consumes the sacrifice. This is the fulfillment of our part of the covenant we have with Him. When making a covenant, both parties are involved in acting out the agreement of the covenant. Jesus became the literal sacrifice, giving up His life, and we become the spiritual sacrifice, giving up our lives. We lay down our lives, in order to take up His life, which is to say, His resurrection life. “We are to put on the garments of priests, to take off the garments that have been spotted and stained with the spirit of this world, and put on the vestments, the breastplates and let them be attached with heavenly cords to the God who has called us!” – Art Katz. God is not going to enforce onto us that which is heavenly and perfect as long as we are satisfied with something less. You don't learn priesthood, you inherit it. There has to be a death. All has to be sanctified. Our speaking, eating, thinking, seeing and hearing. Priests were peculiar people. They did not hang with the boys. They were a hidden people with profound authority given to them. Their function was to lie prostrate before the throne of God in the presence of the Most Holy. The High Priests were bound around their waist with a rope when they went into the Holy of Holies once a year. Should there be any sin in the High Priest’s life, he would be struck dead and those on the outside were not able to enter. They had to drag the High Priest out. A whole year he spent ensuring that he had no hidden sin in his life, knowing the price he would pay would be ultimate. Yet, we think we can just walk into the very holy presence of God as if we are best buds. God is not obligated to give us certain experiences reserved to the holy ones. He is not obligated to give us anything. “The calling of priesthood is most grave”, says Basilea Schlink. The priest does not leave the Holy of Holies and then stops being a priest. It is not an occupation but a calling, a state of being. It is not something he does, but who he is. To be a priest is to make covenant with God. Jesus when He entered the Holy of Holies went in with a sacrifice, His own blood. When the priest enters, he enters in order to sacrifice. There is always a death before a resurrection. It is a continuous offering of your thoughts, how you walk, your whole body becomes the living sacrifice. Therefore we are told in Romans 12: 1 to “give our bodies as a living sacrifice, which is our reasonable service unto the Lord”. We are told that the only way we can enter is by faith. The Word says, it will be according to your faith. Not a cheap “name it and claim it” faith, but a holy faith tried by fire! The word consecrate means “blood on your hands”. We read in Genesis 32: 27 that Moses told the Levites (the priests) to slay their kinsman. There is always an ultimate requirement of the holy. And he said unto them, Thus says the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. In Hebrews 12 we also read, …”follow peace with all man and holiness, for without holiness no one will see the Lord”. If we are to seek holiness, it would stand to reason that it is something to be obtained and not something that we get without a price. Priestly men are not subject to moods and sentimentalism. They are without father and mother. No sentimental soulties that prevent them to speak the truth even if it hurts. The truth will set us free, but if we are so bound by others in sentimental ways that causes us to consider the pain the truth would cause, how are we ever going to be willing to yield the very sword God gives us to set them free? Priests are ruthless towards the flesh! In Ezekiel 44 we read about the defilement of the priests that caused a judgment to be spoken over them that they could only serve God up to the inner court and was not allowed any further. Many of us find ourselves still in the inner court. It may be glorious and holy, but His heart has always been that we may abide in the Holy of Holies. If it took the earthly priests a year to prepare to go into the Holy of Holies, which is only an earthly type and shadow of the heavenly, what will it take for us to enter into the heavenly? We are seated in Him in heavenly places. But are we in the outer court, inner court, or do we abide in the Holy of Holies? This is the very purpose of sanctification. To make holy, to set apart and to make acceptable, blameless and perfect unto God. This is what Jesus died for, not that we could only be saved, but that through our sanctification we may enter with boldness into the Holy of Holies. We find that the Levites did not receive an inheritance, but the Lord is their inheritance. Deuteronomy 10: 9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him. We have to understand that our willingness to die to self to the uttermost has the uttermost reward. God Himself. He is our inheritance. We have to understand that our willingness to die to self to the uttermost has the uttermost reward. God Himself. He is our inheritance. 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
Reading this excited me, simply because this topic was coming up yet again; I know this means I am to revisit it and consider it. This is a wonderful topic, because I too have experienced it in my walk; but I will admit, it has been some time since it happened. About seven to eight years ago, it happened to me more than once, and it was so profound at the time that I wrote about it. As I read again this morning what I had written years ago (which I know was inspired by the Holy Spirit, because I do not have this type of knowledge in my own self), it spoke to me and reassured me and ignited a desire in me to hear this wonderful knock again. As I read the words, I prayed to the Father that I understood it more now and I even know better how to respond, and I asked Him to please come and knock again! Then as I read in one of my devotionals today (what are the chances?!), it is completely settled in my spirit: I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled.... Song of Solomon 5:2 I would like to share this little writing I wrote years ago about this "knocking", and as always, I pray that it blesses you in some way. And if you have ever been woken up to a knock in your spirit, take heed!! It is the Father of Glory knocking on your heart. He wants to come in and commune with you for whatever purposes He has for you. It's so simple; just get up and respond and let Him have His way. You will surely be in for a great refreshing, revelation, and experience of His beautiful presence. And we can rest assured that the more we answer His knock, the more He will come knocking! Praise Him for He is greatly faithful!! A Knock at the Door
Have you ever heard loud knocks while you are sleeping or even while awake? Some of the Father's children have had this happen to them. What could it be? The knock on the door. Have you heard it? Has it awakened you? Could it be on the door of your heart? Is a door in your heart closed? Ask yourself this question. My heart knocks on your heart. A knock says, "I am here at your door. I am seeking you." He is seeking to enter the door of your heart that is still closed. Seek your own self, and ask His Spirit to show you this door. There are many doors just like there are chambers. He wants full access to all. And when you open the door, He comes in and abides; He does not leave. When you hear this knock, how do you respond? With child-like anxiety or a lazy thought? Do you know that it is Him? Don't you remember that He said He would knock, and if you open the door, Hewould come in and sup with you? It is He who knocks. The One who holds the very key to your heart. You belong to Him; He has the key. He does not use the key, because He desires your surrender. The knock requests your surrender. In His mercy and grace, He knocks. In His sovereignty, He knocks. Will you answer Him with your child-like surrender? You must answer before He can come in. Next time you hear the knock, know that it is Him. If you love Him, open the door. Allow Him to come in. Heed the knock, for it is truly Him. What about our hearts? Obedience begins in the heart. Is there a door closed that keeps you from total obedience? Is there a physical need more important than obeying Him? Is there a person more important? Ask His spirit to show you. If there is anything at all, no matter how small, it is a closed door in your heart. He will knock and request your surrender. He will also give you the strength to do so. Ask Him, and you shall have what you ask. But first, hear His knock and open the door. |
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
All
Archives
May 2024
|