Sukkot

We are in the last of the High Holy Days of Judaism, I enjoy Hebraic Studies as a Christian, although I don’t necessarily participate in all the traditions. I see their relevance in the life of Christ. God did not miss a beat in anything He did. He wasted no word or deed.

Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles began last night at sundown.  The third of the pilgrimage feasts, it lasts seven days and the people were not to work but present food offerings to God. Leviticus 23:39–43

People build sukkah or booths, to remind them of the ancestors in the wilderness. A couple I watched regularly, Messianic ministers, built one on their patio in Florida, using palm branches, they could celebrate outside and enjoy the food and friendship, even baptize people in their pool.

While there is a lot more depth to the study, it is the last of the three fall feasts that has to be fulfilled. Does it mean Jesus is returning soon? I think so. And we can take our figurative palms and worship and dwell Him this week, lay them before Him, and even proclaim Hosanna in the highest, because He is and will return to Jerusalem. The Prince of Peace in the city of Peace. The Feast of Tabernacles or Booths is also known as The Season of Joy.

The ceremonies associated with it are a water drawing. Jesus spoke in the Court of women, if anyone thirsts to come to Him. John 37-39 The temple was also illuminated. I could use a little more illumination, how about you. Funny thing the wicks for the candlelight were made from worn out priestly undergarments. Speaking for women everywhere, who have been up against spiritual warfare, we can relate to feeling like a worn out undergarment, and yet He lights our way.

He is the light of the world, He proclaimed. I thought it was at Hanukkah but it could have been here as well. It is the time where He wrote on the ground, ground that was probably stone, what we don’t know, but it caused the accusers to walk way. We need our accusers to walk away, for He does not.

And finally your booth, to dwell in with  Him and enjoy the Lord. It lets starlight in. Children are encouraged to help build it and decorate with rope, wood or canvas. It is fragrant with fruit reminding us of God’s provision.

And what I think is the most beautiful of all is the eight day, remember, it lasts seven, but the eighth day is called Shemini Atzeret, it means stay with me. Jesus wants us with Him, isn’t that beautiful, after all He is the Shekinah, the glory of God.

Enjoy some time with Jesus this week and have a lunch or brunch with fruit, invite family, friends, even someone in despair as the Jews do, and dwell with Jesus and on the 21st, stay with Him.

I will add to my Hebraic study board. Happy Sukkot! it is kind of a Jewish Thanksgiving.

Anfisa Eremina / pexels

https://adaughtersgiftoflove.wordpress.com/2017/11/26/shemini-atzeret-stay-with-me/

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Think About Love / Sunday Bonus

I got up this morning and I could sense the spiritual warfare going on. What is the first thing I think about? I go back to His love for me. I wrote about renewing our minds in Christ. I am blessed, I could have easily slipped in to one of those panic attack modes that so many women suffer from.

Of course, as a blogger and since I teach the Word, I am certainly immersed in it. And may I say well versed in it. It is what I will start to pray often during the day, but I am not immune to this human nature, this female flesh that often wants to just throw in the towel, but who knows better. I won’t give that enemy a place, not an inch or else he is ruler. Jesus is ruler of my heart and flesh, and He keeps me in His peace.

I only have one Lord. And He is so good when it comes to dealing with thoughts, emotions, and yes, even fear and panic. All these things are most often lies or accusations, that can make us weak, through not only lack of sleep, but lack of His rest, the knowledge that He has it covered.

These thoughts and emotions set off a chain reaction of headaches, nausea, even vomiting. Pain finds a place to settle and if you already have it, you may wind up with more. Ladies, Jesus was not kidding when He said to not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. His peace is a gift.

How do we get back into peace? By thinking about His love. Change the fearful and negative thoughts by thinking about His love. When you feel a panic attack or fear, begin to think about His love. Remember, He died for you to have His righteousness, it makes you a target as believer, the enemy knows it is a weapon that will cancel fear. You can surrender your will and soul and he has to leave in Jesus name. His peace is a gift. John 14:27.

It is a process, but you can learn. that is why the Holy Spirit is there. I know what it is like to fall into that mode but I have to choose to fall into His grace and peace, which is what He is. And of course, that precious love. So let’s purpose to think about His love, anytime.

But especially now as the enemy attacks appear to have stepped up on believers. I hear from women all the time. We are all overcome by our emotions and the conundrum of faith being attacked. It cannot be shaken if determine for it not to be even if the world is shaking, we don’t have to. I do believe His return is near, and we may feel as though life is being lived in a pressure cooker, but it isn’t if we hold fast to His love.

We have to go back and remember how He has helped us overcome. Go back to His love, keep falling in love with Jesus, salvation is a process, He saves us once but from so many things every day. I want us to think about His love.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phillipians 4:8

That is King James just because I memorized that one but I like these.

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. Contemporary Version

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. Good News

We want to think on good things and His love is the best thing there is to combat that mental fatigue and stress. I am wearing an ice pack around my neck right now but I know He loves me and will see me through, He has already made a way and I choose to love and think about Hi love, and if I need to relax and look at lovely flowers on Pinterest or settle in for a restful nap, I can do that now, because He love me.

We talked about mindsets already, and we want our mindset to be in His love. It is a mindset to love Jesus and focus on Him, and also to just rest in that love and place of safety and let Him love us. I truly hope this helps you today, God bless, keep thinking love.

Timothy Paul Smith Unsplash

Falling Into Mindsets

What exactly are mindsets and how do we fall into them? There are lots of ways, falling in love with Jesus has to be a mindset. And we are to have our hearts set on heavenly things as well, He really is where our treasure is. We have to renew our minds in Christ, Jesus knew how to be quiet and receive from the Father.

We are about to enter the holidays, people are already making plans and some into the New Year. I used to plan a lot and I kept schedules and went my own way waiting for the Lord. I prayed and studied, and many times I didn’t see the change except for more attacks. I have seen depression and grief, the effects of dementia, strokes and Alzheimer’s. Mindsets affect young and old, they can be habitual. It is easy to develop negativity, or be judgemental or have a bad attitude, it is easy to latch on to a critical spirit. People fall into lies and believing them. Your mind is part of your soul, it is a target as a believer, and really even if you are not. You can choose to fill it with good thoughts or bad. You may not be able to prevent some things but you should know the Word and be prepared. You don’t have to accept that if someone else has it you will.

While some people advocate diets and other alternatives, I want to help you not go there in the first place. Many of these serious conditions are hard, if not impossible to recover from. It takes a strong will and spirit to overcome the adversary and really, a sound mind. Someone already suffering from these afflictions, may not have the capacity to stand in faith for healing, and many times they do not have someone to stand or intercede for them. Though I know nothing is too hard for God.

There are also people who diagnose themselves or are misdiagnosed. Let’s talk about the madman, although an extreme case, he lived in the tombs, near Decapolis, ten wicked cities, he had a bad environment. And a legion of demons, he was suicidal, he cut himself and could not be chained. Tombs represents death and the past, why we are to forget the things past.

I have not achieved it either, I tend to dig at old wounds and see how I went wrong, it is not a good thing to do, even saying I don’t want to make that mistake again. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Phillipians 3:13

We already know God’s thoughts are not ours or His ways, we have to replace those thoughts, first we are not to take the thought, Jesus described taking a thought and saying, ” What will we eat or wear? ” we need to look to the Father like the birds.

And we have to not let our minds wander of into places of doubt or unbelief, to begin to question everything, being double minded and unstable as James puts it. We all do it, but we have the authority  of Jesus and can bring our thoughts into obedience, I used to think it was mine but He was the only one perfect enough  to be that obedient.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Now this is a great verse. We don’t have to look or sound like anybody else. It is a test, and you learn to discern God’s will. How many times have I heard God willing, in the South people will still sometimes say, ” If God’s willing and the creek don’t rise. ” I doubt if they even consider that that reference was popular when we had foot bridges, and here in Georgia, the Creek were Indians in the northern part of the state, see what a funny saying, and nothing to do with God’s will. See my Pinterest board and all the guardian angels watching over children on bridges.

Many people pray and then ask in His name and go back to if it is His will, renewing your mind brings discernment. The Holy Spirit will help your pray in the Spirit if you have that gift, but even love and renewing your mind should bring you to an understanding  of His good, acceptable and perfect will.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37

Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Ephesians 4:23 or in the spirit of your minds.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:27, 28

( You )have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. Colossians 3:10 New Heart Translation

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 2:5

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 1 Peter 4:7

And finally, You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 The Contemporary Version says whose faith is firm.

I hope this helps you, really, I do and I pray for Him to strengthen our hearts and minds and plead the blood over them. I see caregivers who are burned out, I have been there. I wrote this post to help me too. I want that peace and that of Phillipians 4:7, may He guard our hearts and minds as we believe and do our part to renew them in Him and break off old mindsets, whether it is about how we look or what might happen, that you won’t make it, focus your thoughts on Him and His obedience to God.

langll / pexels

https://adaughtersgiftoflove.wordpress.com/2019/10/13/think-about-love-sunday-bonus/

You Have No Idea How Much You Are Loved

I am not even sure we understand how much we are loved. We accept salvation and know about His love, but are we even close to knowing the depth of it? We were crucified with Him, and have the freedom and will to to let the Spirit keep our flesh and minds under control. He really did take our place.

That, we might find difficult at times, caving to fear, worry or even falling into doubt and unbelief if we don’t get instant results, if we  think our prayers are not answered. That is not carrying a cross after being both beaten and scourged. He should received on or the other but got both.

It is not the same as being mocked before crowds, spat upon. Most of us will never even be out if front of throngs, much less hoards of people yelling for our crucifixion. All this after a night of anguish in Gethsemane, and a walk with a cross to hill and that utter and hideous death, for us to live, and then going into hell, where the devil thought he had victory, but he was oh so wrong, when Jesus, after enduring all that, took his keys and the Spirit raised Him. Do we really have a clue what He truly endured. Read Isaiah 53, how lost and alone He must have felt, all He had known was peace, and then to come among people, lame and diseased, blind, lepers to heal to love and save only to be rejected.

And now in the place of torment surrounded by demons, still taunted by the devil. He remembers His Father’s promise to save Him. And snatches those keys. And He is back in His body and outside a tomb, pure and clean and holy, bearing only the scars as proof the story is true. No, even I can’t imagine all that for me, and I have a good imagination.

We love our children and try to teach and discipline them as believers. Many people are so indifferent to the message of Christ as a set of rules or does and don’ts, but His message was love and His gospel and power, His peace.

No, you aren’t supposed to do keep living a willfully sinful life, do anything, believe nothing or everything or abuse His precious grace. Don’t insult the Creator’s intelligence, the very sacrifice of His beloved Son or Spirit of grace. If you ever truly receive the concepts of the depth of His love, you will be free and not choose anything else.

Some people will hit you over the head with religious truth, pray more, fast more, pay tithes. You are always going to be too something for someone. It must be what you are doing is wrong. Some people will hit you over the head with your past, even though His mercies are new every morning, some people may hit you over the head so much, that you don’t want to even hear about Christ.

I have had that accusation hurled at me, and no,  I don’t intentionally try to force anyone to believe. If they only knew. I just want them to realize the same way I do, who He is and what He did, and how much love that is. I am going to hit you over the head once again, but with He loves you.

No matter what you are going through, fighting, facing or even believe you cannot be forgiven of, He loves you and He reaches out for you, He would plead for you to call on Him before it is forever too late.

His love is deeper than any despair, any wound and anything that could separate you from His love. He loves you and will forgive you, heal you, clothes you in righteousness, freely give you His Spirit.

I know I’m guilty of saying how bad things are, and they are. People are vile, violent and cruel. But I will hit you over the head one more time with this thought, I won’t tell you something you already know, you know how bad your life has been, I will tell you this instead, you have know idea how much you are loved.

Sarah Phlug /Burst

What About Speaking In Tongues? Pursue Love.

So what about speaking in tongues? I need to clarify that again. At least I feel like I should after watching an old television show, a murder mystery from years ago, a man in Ireland who was looking into his friend’s murder was trying to follow the lady going over the clues. He casually quipped with his Irish brogue that she was speaking in tongues.

Speaking in tongues may be a term used by some in that respect. But it is not merely that you just don’t understand what someone is saying. That’s not it. It is a gift. You may or may not understand the language, at Pentecost everyone heard their own language being spoken. And by fisherman who were not really educated. Jesus spoke in parables and that people didn’t understand that, it was like a riddle you had to figure out.

1 Corinthians 14:1 says to pursue love or follow love, actually, I believe He pursues us too. Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. Prophetic ministry eludes people, many have had words of healing spoken over them, I remember a particular lady, and I heard the word through someone else. She passed away, though a believer, she didn’t fully understand the teaching. From that word, a beautiful vision of her healing, she just couldn’t receive it. That is how the enemy steals, kills and destroys. Begin to thank Him, even if you don’t see it or feel it. Praying in the Spirit is helpful.

I like to make it simple. I had trouble understanding myself, even knowing the Word. You have to keep it in front of you, remain in it, and make sure you discern the enemy and the truth of the Spirit. He is the Spirit of Truth. And I had trouble receiving the gift, though others received easily. It was powerful. And it was love.

I want you to receive, I want you to heal. I want you to  understand this gift, read about it, pray about it, and if you receive, use it regularly. Don’t let the enemy deceive you from your inheritance of the Lord. Jesus died to redeem and bless us, and He really wants to, even more than we know.

Speaking in tongues in one of the gifts of the Spirit, from 1 Corinthians 12. It is what John called a baptism of fire. Though you receive the Holy Spirit at salvation, you can also be baptized in the Holy Spirit. When Paul went to Ephesus in Acts 19:3, he asked them about the Holy Spirit and they didn’t understand. When he asked how they were baptized, they said with John’s baptism.

Paul goes on to explain that it was a baptism of repentance and even John said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, Matthew 3:ll, and then,” When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues  and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” Acts 19:6,7.

Now about the gift, it is to edify you or build you up. And it is to give a prophetic word in church, it is to be done orderly. I have to tell you the first time I heard it in church I was scared. And I remember that I watched Kathryn Kuhlman as a girl, I was afraid of her too but I watched it. What was He doing to me? I stayed scared about it. But I knew I needed that gift, In order to have any power in my life, I was afraid of the power but not the love, but they went together and I asked own my own at home, you can do it that way, when someone lays hands on you, or just in a  service.

I always encourage people to read about the gifts and to research it, pray about receiving this gift. Don’t let fear hold you back, or what people may say, you will sometimes get the so called left foot of fellowship from people who not accept that teaching, That’s okay. You will find people who understand and I heard of a prophetic word given a few years ago by a man who has since gone to be with the Lord. He said the time would be here when you needed to operate in this gift to discern, people are really being deceived aren’t they? The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

And I must caution you, if you receive this precious and powerful gift, use it as often as you need to. I have seen personally, people who have not and it allows the enemy a place to attack. I even read of man who had the gift and was on tons of medicine  and had to have his family care for him. When he returned to speaking in tongues, he was healed and started coming off them.

I also never tell people to not to go to the doctor, or to quit medicine. Even if you pray in the Spirit, you can come off and have the doctor tell you you are healed. Speaking in tongues is a gift for believers, and not for unbelievers to hear as I was once told. The Lord loves us so much He sent His Spirit, and gave us a gift to build us up and to help us build others up. I hope that has helped clarify it for you.

For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:20

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13

…But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.…Romans 8:25-27

Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2

Believe me in these times we do need the Spirit, and that is what the Lord sent Him for to help us, teach and comfort us, it really is our salvation from so many obstacles, and fiery darts.

Renato Abati

 

Fall Completely In Love With Jesus

Why wouldn’t we be completely in love with Jesus? After all He completes us. What a difference His love makes, when we fall short, He gives grace, when we fall into problems, His peace falls into our hearts if we receive that gift. When we fall down, He picks us up and carries us close to His heart.

As we continue our Fall in Love With Jesus study, we have just been through the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippor. He was and is our great High Priest. we know his work was complete on the cross, and we received the blessings and benefits of tht sacrifice, now he is seated in the heavenlies interceding for us, yes, He prays for us. The Holy Spirit prays for us.

Let’s look at how Jesus completes us as believers, He loves us completely.

Your promise is completely pure; therefore Your servant loves it. Psalm 119:140  Jesus= completely pure.

Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. Psalm 139:4 Jesus knows us completely.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11   Jesus – complete joy.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24   Jesus- answers prayer.

Now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy completed in them. John 17:13  Jesus completes joy.

I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. John 17:4  Jesus helps us glorify God.

And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:10  Jesus – complete authority.

And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  Phillipians 1:6  Jesus – completes the work in you.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Thessalonians 5:23

Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25   Jesus saves completely.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17. Jesus fully equips us.

You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:3,4.  Jesus – gives perseverance, maturity and wisdom. ( patience )

And of course we know God finished His work and rested but the Israelites would not  enter rest, Jesus offers rest, and we want to enter and be complete in Him, it should be easy to fall completely in love with Him and let Him complete us.

Gabe Morales

 

 

Love That Casts Out Fear

We have all heard that verse, it has been drummed into believers and in charismatic circles for a long time. but let’s look at it again.

For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Darby translation says cowardice and others say timid and self control. But what I want you to know more than anything is that this is the Holy Spirit He is referring to. It has to be His Spirit with ours. As human beings we will experience fear, terror and torment, but it won’t prevail against us. Not any weapon formed will, none, not a one, let’s read.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD. Isaiah 43:17

Why? Because we are the righteousness of God, and we need to say so. The redeemed do need to say so. Yes, fear will will come, perhaps even terror and torment. What I like to call the unholy trinity. What stops them in their tracks, the Holy Spirit in us as we believe and speak the Word into our lives. Declare that you are His righteousness, I have seen lot of fear move with that profession of faith, I wish I had heard it taught sooner.

We are not talking about self righteousness here, that won’t work. We are talking about the righteousness of God imputed into us by His death on the cross. We were never going to be righteous otherwise. Let’s read that verse and soak it in because fear is destructive and controlling and keeps us from blessings.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” Galatians 3:13 He is quoting Deuteronomy 21:23. And the NIV says on a pole, remember how Moses was told to lift up the bronze serpent. Jesus was lifted up on the cross the same way.

Bronze has to do with judgement, Jesus’ appearance is described using the term bronze, and in Revelation in John’s vision also, in Daniel and Ezekiel. It is also a symbol of strength and very much in use in the tabernacle furnishings which were to be an exact copy of heaven. Only the High Priest could enter and blood and water are part of it.

What flowed from Jesus side when His heart was pierced? Blood and water. And we are covered by the blood of Jesus and have the living water of the Spirit, He has cleansed us and purified, even sanctified. Before only a pure High Priest could enter the temple or rather the Holy of Holies. They even tied a cord around his leg in case he died, we don’t have to worry about that, we may be overcome, slain in the Spirit as they say, John said he fell as dead. It happens when His power overcomes you.

He split the curtain with His torn flesh on the cross and now our great High Priest allows us into the presence of God. This is why we can be free from fear. It is in the flesh, the Spirit is stronger and has to be in us but we have to allow Him to be and to teach us or else we will fear. The devil is the one with the power of fear and death. Jesus defeated him.

I’m not talking about wisdom or caution, you don’t have to rn out and pick up serpents, there are enough spiritual ones to defeat and trample over because He said nothing would harm us, Luke 10:17 and it won’t if we surrender our lives to Him and make tht exchange. He literally and spiritually took our place. People usually see spiritually but not literally.

I have always hated fear, I have resisted it. I think it is at the root of a lot of, some of, if not all problems. We fear what people think, say, being mocked or criticized, what if this or that. We need instead to have that healthy respect or awe of God which is how fear is related to Him. The term fear God is more in line with reverence. But also to not fear people but the one who decides your fate heaven or hell.

Believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved. And if you are a believer, fear not, because His perfect love is going to cast out fear. Let the Holy Spirit help you and believe and confess that you are righteous because Jesus made you so on the cross. It will cause Isaiah 54:17 to be active in your life as well as 1 Timothy 1:7.

And if you read the passage in Isaiah, you will see how He says fear, terror and torment are not from Him, and about Him teaching children and His peace. The phrase that He created the waster to destroy, is perhaps not always understood in context. It reads like he created the devil and wants him to destroy or wreak havoc. If we add a comma, the Bible had no punctuation or numbers, as we know it. I created the waster, to destroy. An omnipotent God would have known this was coming. I am not attempting to add anything to Scripture, I studied the Hebrew and Greek here. One appears that God uses him the other not so much. God created him, then realized he would destroy him, or knew in advance, something to think about.

He really had to love us so much to send Jesus and let Him take all that for us, and He had to look away, as Jesus completed His work on the cross, bringing redemption, salvation, eternal life. And imparting righteousness to us, read that again, Job may have had fear but he was also righteous making him a target. So did He create the devil to destroy? In my opinion not like people may have.

Far from it, he was created a beautiful cherub with jewels and music, but pride and jealousy of Jesus and an attempt to take over heaven got him put out. So God created the devil but not do destroy, He sent Jesus to destroy Him instead and He continues to as we believe in the power of His love, and do not, even if you have to tell Him you are and ask His help, lean into His love. It is the love that casts out fear.

Merhdad Haghigi / Unsplash

 

Touching The Mercy Seat

Remember story of Uzzah? He was the one following the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. When something caused it to tilt, he reached to keep it from falling, and was killed on the spot. In the Old Testament, it was forbidden to touch the Mercy Seat. God did not want poor Uzzah dead, it was just the law at the time.

The power there was so intense. I read recently that it actually electrocuted him. There were so many laws and rituals even the High Priest would go through. The crucifixion of Christ gave us a new covenant, and a new High Priest forever, Jesus, Himself. Now back in the day the glory of God, His very Spirit even rested there.

Jesus changed that with His torn flesh allowing us access to the throne of His Father. Jesus touched a lot of people in the Bible and now we can touch Him, without fear. Many people are unsure of the Holy Spirit coming over people, He understands that, but we need His power to defeat the enemy. We can never do it in our own strength.

I have heard people describe that power as like lightning, I have felt it myself. But it does not electrocute you. You are able to touch the Mercy Seat of Christ because He is in your heart. The Holy Spirit also feels like wind, gentle and peaceful. I have felt many merciful breezes. And sometimes a more powerful one that overcomes you.

Sometimes, you just feel His love, other times if He is grieved. And others a burning like fire. God is a consuming fire and like a burning bush that remains in tact and men in a fiery furnace, we are safe in Him but what needs to be pruned, burned away or even healed can be in the fire of His Spirit.

Many times it is a thick white light encompassing you, embracing you in a spiritual love that only Christ can give. The more you pray and seek Him the more the Holy Spirit will teach you and empower you. There are many gifts of the Spirit. There is healing in the Spirit. If we walk in the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind we won’t always be at war with the flesh.

There is peace in His presence in. There is joy, And there is everlasting love. Do you need a supernatural touch today. read the healing verses throughout the Word. He sent Jesus to be the Living Word, and He sent His Spirit to Comfort and teach. That same Spirit raised Him from the dead. And once departed the temple.

As a believer He  will not leave or forsake us, we are now His temple, Christ is on the mercy seat of our hearts. And you will not have to be afraid to touch the  very hem of His garment of the Mercy Seat. Have a blessed Day of Atonement. You can wear white or fast if you like.

 

Our Beloved High Priest

You can go back and read about the High Priests of the Old Testament, and you can read about Jesus in Hebrews, being our beloved High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek, who some say was actually, Jesus, again in the Old Testament, in the time of Abraham.

I don’t have a problem with that, although he was supposed to be the king of Salem, he brought bread and wine to Abraham, sounds like Jesus and communion. Jesus cut a covenant with Abraham. A real king of a city, perhaps. Jesus, it sounds that way, it means king of righteousness, and if you are the High Priest of El Elyon, the Most High God, and your city is Salem a form of Shalom, well, you get the picture. Jesus is definitely our High Priest.

He can enter the Holy of Holies and His blood is on the mercy seat of heaven. And He made the sacrifice,  although Yom Kippor is the Day of Atonement in Jewish history, Jesus atoned for sin by His sacrifice, once and for all, for all who would believe. When He was crucified the veil of the temple was rent, a four inch thick curtain. So was His flesh, giving us access to His Father, through Him.

The study of the garments is interesting, it is deep study. Even the linen, like both swaddling clothes and grave ones. But I am focusing on the breastplate, also a piece of the armor, and I believe we wear that because of His Spirit.

John describes Jesus in Revelation with such a breastplate, sardius and jasper are on the breastplate of judgement, also worn by the High Priest. So, of course, Jesus will judge, and the emerald representing the tribe of Levi, meaning my husband will be joined with me, Genesis 29: 34. And aren’t we as the church, a spiritual bride?

Interesting too, are that stones represented each of the twelve tribes, the sardius and jasper are for Reuben and Benjamin, meaning the Lord looked upon my affliction and son of my right hand, also in reference to Jesus.

There is so much to delve deeply into. I will add some pictures to Hebraic Study on Pinterest. The people went before the High Priest in the Old Testament, basically to be judged or get answers.

While we are familiar with twelve stones, the Talmud gives the appearance of twenty four, along with the tribes, there were root names for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob allowing for the twenty two letters of the alphabet or alef bet in Hebrew. We know they had name changes, I cannot positively say what they were if indeed on the breastplate, and that makes good sense.

The breastplate was called the ephod, the other two stones, Urim and Thummin, which have meanings of light and certainty were used to inquire of God. The stones would light,  yes or no and the priest could also write the message from God. How interesting is that?

Remember those old Simon games? I was never very good at that, but it gives you an idea. Is it any wonder the wicked one wants to copy things using crystal balls and ouija boards? Forget it! It won’t work or will give falsehoods at best. And even Kabbalah.

Even when the breastplate was recreated for the second temple it did not work. Why? The Holy Spirit and His glory had departed the temple. Jesus is our High Priest and He can give us His answers through prayer and by His Spirit, we fall short of that glory, but He will never leave us.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have such a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:13,14.

Yom Kippor is tomorrow, you can wear white or fast if you like but I at least want to honor the one who atoned for me.

Just Say No!/ Sunday Bonus

Just say no! It was a popular slogan against drugs, but I hope women will start adopting it. Why? We are taking way too much heat as believers. Why is that if you are loving and maternal, people will see you as an easy mark or a doormat?

I get requests from women all the time, they need help with their children, their families, their health, their church activities. Women have special needs children, some in rehab, mental facilities, they have husbands with health problems, money losses, surgeries, cancer treatments and death. That sounds like a mouthful even typing it.

We have too much on our plates, we feel like jugglers, I was taking a message, checking messages, sending birthday greetings, shampooing my hair, cleaning the bathroom, doing laundry, I grabbed a muffin I baked late last night. I did blog link ups, wrote blog posts, my mother fixed me some dinner, and that isn’t the half of it.

And that can be the small stuff, mundane as it may be. In between meals and school, work, even from home, children, errands, doctor’s appointments, hitting the gym, if you do, and in some turmoil, the chaos the enemy inflicts and we are exhausted.

Jesus asks the weary to rest.  He knew we would need to rest or He wouldn’t be telling us to. Night was meant to be a time of rest, electronics, from to television to phones tend to bend that rule. It is okay to turn them off. You need to rest.

Just say no! Politely, as you can, let me help you. And be firm if you have to.

No, I can’t make it this weekend.

No, you cannot sit up another hour. ( Confiscate the remote if necessary. )

No, I won’t be able to do that today.

No, thank you, my schedule is full.

No, I’m not interested, please take me off your calling list.

No, I can’t keep the grandchildren this weekend.

No, I can’t drive you to the mall.

No, I’m not making dinner, we’re ordering out.

No, I’m going to take a nap. ( If you can trust your children and husband not to misbehave. )

No, I can come to dinner.

No, I just can volunteer right now.

No, I will try and donate another time.

No, you can’t go.

No, you can’t spend the night.

I used a picture of boots because you may have to put your foot down. Lord, knows  I let people walk over me enough. I was busy trying to be Christian, keeping my mouth shut, but I had to start speaking up and out.

And the guilt trips will come and people will lay them on you. I still have a landline too, take if off the hook, or let machine answer. I have gotten to place of rest that I can do that. Or if I am praying, I don’t answer. If it is important, I call back or they will, but usually the Caller ID says, unavailable, unavailable, unavailable. I don’t miss telemarketers.

Now, I’m not telling you not to take serious requests or do important things but some things are just habit, because you are available and will usually say yes. It felt good to write this, like when I reported a telemarketer once for twelve calls in three hours, when another one called me stupid, I was angry, then just laughed and hung up.

The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Roman 16:20, if you need to, write this on your shoes, or on a post it and put it in there.

I used to hear that we had to to get mad at the enemy and we do, but vengeance is the Lord’s. I want Him to repay. And he is under our feet as a believer, and it is just much better for Him to stomp him, but we have out boots on too.

Matthew Henry / Burst