Posts Tagged ‘teshuvah’

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 19 (9/19/19)

Posted: September 19, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Now comes the part none of us want to hear, when we need deliverance from our carnal self that wants to be a couch potato, relaxing without a care….while all the time the world is going down deeper into darkness and our Beloved King needs us to do the work of the ministry.

Songs 2:10, “My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. (11) For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. (12) The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. (13) The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!“

Rise Up! – Rise up out of your comfort zone and secure place. She does not want to take risks, and face challenges and spiritual warfare. She is happy to just be at the banqueting house, even if He is not there.

  • Eph 5:14 (TPT) “Arise, you sleeper! Rise up from the dead and the Anointed One will shine his light into you!”

One morning as I was just waking up I heard “Arise My love, My fair one”. God was calig me to arise out of my bed of comfort. I knew that song, I knew that verse, but where was it? I had the CD from Israel and went searching to find it, finally going on iTunes for search. I FOUND IT! https://youtu.be/_47T8kwEnBc?t=1 Karen Davis, “Arise” from Israel My Beloved. Make sure you  listen to her husband’s voice speaking Arise My Love in the middle of the song. Just those few words caused me to rise up out of my comfort and follow what He had for me for that day.

“For  Lo the Winter is past and the rain is gone” (I would love to see TS Imelda be gone. It was 2 years ago we flooded with Harvey and now our friends in Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange are flooding. Please pray. They are just now getting over Harvey)

  • In the Middle East, the winter is dark, short days, cold rains, sometimes snow and nothing grows. This is symbolic of fruitless times in our spiritual walk.

He now gives prophetic signs of the soon coming harvest:

  • Flowers appear appear on the grape vine, signalling the soon coming harvest. We have so many signs that we are in the last of the Last Days and I am really looking forward to that promised “Harvest of Souls”, across the world!
    • Matthew 6:28, Flowers are symbols of God’s care
  • Workers sing in Harvest because it is a joyful time! Raise a Hallelujah! Singing always comes before and accompanies revival
  • Voice of the Turtledove is heard at Harvest time. The Turtledove is a bird of passage. It appears in Judea in early Spring, when the leaves begin to come out, the flowers opening, and everything looking lovely and beautiful. It remains until Summer is gone; and then flies away to a warmer climate to spend the winter.
  • Fig tree puts forth green figs just before the mature figs. We are going to see pockets of harvest before the Full Promised Harvest of Souls, but we are so ready for any sign of reaping this Harvest!
    • Watchman Nee taught, “The fig is a winter fruit which remains on the branches until spring. It denotes fruit which has passed through the winter of death and survived it. It is the fruit which we acquire through the discipline of the Cross and the hard conditions of severe trials. It is fruit carried over into the afterwards of richer experience in Christ.” Beautiful!
  • Grapes smell fragrant at Harvest time. This indicates the life of a believer at this stage gives forth fragrance and shows promise of very much fruitfulness! Our Savior has so much confidence in us, just as He saw Peter as a Rock!

Now that Harvest is in sight, Jesus is calling us love names to woo us into coming with Him into the Harvest field. He is Lord of the Harvest. The 2nd time He says, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!”

 

 

 

Elul 5779- Teshuvah Day 15 (9/15/19)

Posted: September 15, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Chapter Two of Song of Songs covers “Who I Am In Christ”, confessing our identity in Him.

Song 2:1, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”

“I am the rose of Sharon” — This is her 1st faith declaration of 7. Her first confession in the first chapter was “I am dark”, his light (holiness) exposed her darkness. After she sees the truth in SOS 1:12-17, she can make a faith confession that she cannot yet see. The Rose of Sharon was a very common flower.

  • AMPC reads, “ [She said] I am only a little rose or autumn crocus of the plain of Sharon, or a [humble] lily of the valleys [that grows in deep and difficult places].”
    • She sees herself as ordinary, but loved by the King.

“And the lily of the valleys” — This is the 2nd faith declaration of 7. Lily speaks of purity and humility.  The Bride’s primary purpose is to fully love (rose) and obey (lily) Jesus. You cannot separate love and obedience. It is all about our choice to love and obey, He does not change.

  • John 14:21, “Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love you in return and will manifest my life within you.” (TPT)

Valley speaks of the low places in this dark world, and she speaks plural — valleys. Our level of intimacy with Jesus in the valley (good or bad times) determines our spiritual success.

  • Revelation 2:3-5, ” I see what you’ve done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can’t stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out. But you walked away from your first love—why? What’s going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you’ve fallen? A Lucifer fall! Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I’m well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.”
  • In this time of the 40 Days of Teshuvah, returning to our First Love, this is a very important thing to do, confess who you are in Jesus Christ!!! Remember, repent, confess and do the first works!

 

 

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 14 (9/14/19)

Posted: September 14, 2019 in Signs In The Heavens, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Last night we had a FULL MICRO HARVEST MOON on FRIDAY THE 13th! The moon will also be full tonight. There has not been a Full Moon on Friday the 13th since the year 2000 and there will not be another full moon on Friday the 13th until year 2049. I took a photo with my SkyView App on my iPhone last night about 11:00pm CST. You will see it at the bottom of this post.

This moon was called a MICRO moon, which is opposite of a Super Moon. A Super Moon is when the full moon is closest to the earth and the Micro is when it is full and furthest away. This moon was to be 14% smaller in our view, but because it was a Harvest Moon it was extremely bright. I woke in the middle of the night and it was shining bright enough in our window that I did not have to turn on a light.

Throughout our Bible the number 13 is a symbol of evil. In the King James Bible, the chapters and verses border on supernatural. Of all the 13’s in the Bible, 10% of them refer to something good, 5% of them refer to something neutral, 85% of all the verse 13s in the Bible refer to sin, Satan, rebellion or a curse. The number 13 is a symbol of evil.  The first occurrence of the number 13 is found in Genesis 14:4, “Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.” I am fully aware that the full moon last night was a time of great celebration in witchcraft.

But the sign in the heaven with the FULL MICRO HARVEST MOON last night was another promise from God to pour out His Spirit on all mankind. Galatians 3:13 is a fact and a promise, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Below we see the Constellation Aquarius. It is interesting that the online Encyclopedia Britannica connects the Age of Aquarius to Eschatology (study of end times, last days). It links the events with the rebirth of Israel and the incredible rise of Christianity in that time period. E.W. Bullinger wrote in “The Witness of the Stars”, the sing of Aquarius (The Water Bearer) ‘Their blessings ensured or the living waters of blessing poured forth for the redeemed’.” This shows a man pouring forth water from an urn which seems to have an inexhaustible supply, and which flows forth downwards into the mouth of the fish, which receives it and drinks it all up. (pg 84)

The Moon is a symbol of the Church, which has no light in itself.  Genesis 37:9 speaks of Joseph’s dream that the Sun, Moon and 11 stars bowed down to him. His father’s answer was “This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” The 12 constellations have represented the 12 Tribes and the Sun was likened to Jacob and the Moon to Rachel.

Right above the full moon is Neptune, which was not one of the original 7 planets at Creation so I do not have a Bible reference for this planet.

In the 40-Day Season of Teshuvah, there is an open heaven where prayers are answered more readily than any other time of the year. It is a time when the King is in the field and the presence of the Lord is closer during these 40 days. I pray you will have special times with Him in these 40 days.

Friday the 13th

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 8 (9/8/19)

Posted: September 8, 2019 in Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Watchman Nee, “Within the inner chamber the Shulamite has come to see three things: first,  she is black in Adam and comely in Christ; second, by reason of the Lord’s dealings with her she realizes the vanity of her former fleshly and external works of service; third, she recognizes her need for spiritual food and rest. At this instant, therefore, the King responds to her diligent seeking, commends her, and gives her a promise.

KING’S REPLY, Songs 1:8, If you do not know, O fairest among women, follow in the footsteps of the flock, and feed your little goats beside the shepherds’ tents.

O fairest among women (NKJV); Listen, my radiant one— (TPT); loveliest of all women (MSG). First the King answers with kindness for not knowing, not rebuke. Jesus never turns away a seeker. He is wooing her, calling her the ‘most beautiful’. It is amazing how displeased we can be with ourselves, and yet be beautiful to Him.

This 3-fold answer touches the 3 main temptations to pull away

  1. “Follow in the footsteps of the flock”
    1. The King is asking her to make a commitment to serve, minister to others
    2. Footsteps are symbolic of experiences, find someone who has already gone through this dry empty season
    3. We have to absolutely refuse isolation, that is where depression and suicidal thoughts set in. We need to be with strong believers. God’s way of healing is through the Body of Christ. Every part of the Body is needed and important.
    4. Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 24:10
  2. “Feed your little goats”
    1. This is a commitment to servant ministry in our daily lives
    2. Refuse unsanctified idleness (such as sitting on the coach flipping channels)
    3. We each have a responsibility to our family and the young ones that God puts before us.
  3. “Beside the Shepherd’s tents”
    1. This is a commitment to be under spiritual authority
    2. Refuse unsanctified independence – find a good prayer group, Bible Study Group.
      1. One of the best groups I have found is BSF (BSFInternational.org. They have ladies groups, men’s groups, children’s groups and they are studying the same thing all over the world. Right now they are studying The Acts of the Apostles.
    3. Find a good Word-teaching Church and submit to spiritual authority, not such as the Shepherd movement back in the 70’s. Follow the Pastor, Sunday School Teacher, Spiritual Mentor as they follow Christ.
    4. Don’t be afraid of being hurt or wounded again. People will always hurt you. Jesus has a plan for you and he wants you to grow strong and healthy.

 

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 7 (9/7/19)

Posted: September 7, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Songs 1:7, (To Her Beloved) “Tell me, O you whom I love, where you feed your flock, where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself by the flocks of your companions?”

“O you whom I love” — this is her first act of returning (teshuvah). This is her confession of faith. I remember how Peter failed Jesus and denied Him 3 times.

  1. Luke 22:57 (TPT), “What are you talking about, girl? I don’t know him!”
  2. vs 58,  “I’m not one of his disciples.”
  3. vs 60,  “Listen, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t you understand? I don’t even know him.”

Now when the maiden begins to make faith confessions, it reminds me of the 3 faith confessions Peter made that wiped out each one of the denials and gave him a fresh start.

  1. John 21:15, (TPT) “Simon, son of John, do you burn with love for me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my lambs,” Jesus said.
  2. vs 16, Jesus repeated his question the second time, “Simon, son of John, do you burn with love for me?” Peter answered, “Yes, my Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
  3. vs 17, Then Jesus asked him again, “Peter, son of John, do you have great affection for me?” Peter was saddened by being asked the third time and said, “My Lord, you know everything. You know that I burn with love for you!” Jesus replied, “Then feed my lambs!

These choices Jesus used with me when I first was born again in 1982. Everyday for months, John 21:15-17 challenged me everyday. I knew that because this would not leave me, that I was going to have some serious times when I would be make some choices – like a fork in the road, which way to turn. I was led on a forty day fast later that first year. At the end I went into my bedroom and fell on my knees sobbing, “What have You to tell me?” I heard an audible voice “Feed My sheep.” Immediately my strength returned, my tears stopped and I had the call of God on my life to teach the flock. After that happened I had such a drive to study, dig deep into the Word like never before. I was never good in school, but now I was challenged to study and study.

“Where do you feed your flock?” , “Where will you feed me?” Watchman Nee shares, “Because of her need for nourishment she directs her attention now to where she can be fed…..” I remember in 1982 when I first received Jesus into my heart, I could not get enough of the Word of God. Ken and I spent hours each night after work around our dining room table with Bibles, Strong’s Concordance, Vines, notebooks and we were starved for all we could get. When we found a Bible teacher we moved to another state to be part of his church. We were like little birds with our mouth open, we were so hungry for the Word.

“Rest at noon”;  Proverbs 4:18, Path of the just is as a shining light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.” (AMPC- until it reaches its full strength and glory). Noon is the perfect day, when the Sun is at its hottest and brightest.

The only time sheep will rest is when they have a full stomach. Teachers can lead and inspire us, but only Jesus can really feed us. Ps 23:2, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” Where is the place my spirit will really be satisfied? Only in His presence.

I was watching Larry Huch’s 7th day of the 40 Days of Shofar this morning and he was sharing statistics of how few preachers will teach the Truth of the Word of God because they may offend some of their congregation and lose givers. Those people sitting in that Church will never be able to lie down and be satisfied, a place where their faith will be truly fed.

Matthew 5:6, (AMPC) “Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!”

 

 

 

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 6 (9/6/19)

Posted: September 5, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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NOTE: Chapter One focuses on how God feels about us, even in our weakness and failures. She sees herself as a failure. God loves us because that is His nature to love unconditionally. We are now in the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus; our spirit is willing but our flesh is weak. God looks at the heart, our spirit, because He is Spirit. God sees us fulfilling our destiny.

Songs 1:6, “Do not look upon me, because I am dark, because the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.

I think the Passion Translation puts this the best, “Please don’t stare in scorn because of my dark and sinful ways. My angry brothers quarreled with me and appointed me guardian of their ministry vineyards, yet I’ve not tended my vineyard within.”

The maiden is describing 5 failures and 5 pressures that relate to her crisis

  1. She feels shame because of her failure, mental state.
    1. This represents people, saved and unsaved, who are aware of their stains, their darkest secrets and failures (Who told you that you were naked? Gen 3:11)
    2. When you feel that way about yourself, you are always self conscious that people will find out your faults, secret sins (like a stain on your shirt you try to hide)
  2. She is rejected by her angry brothers
    1. Mother’s sons – those who are in authority over her
    2. She is rejected by the leadership of the Body of Christ
    3. They were angry at her zeal because it convicted them of their dullness – they accuse her of legalism, they prefer compromise
  3. She is being overworked keeping too many vineyards (plural)
    1. If the enemy cannot keep you away from Jesus, he will cause you to be too busy in the ministry
    2. Religious works are a burn-out waiting to happen because there is no connection with the Holy Spirit
  4. She has allowed her own vineyard (singular, her heart) to not be kept with fresh love for Jesus
    1. What she really wants is to be private with Jesus, receiving His love
    2. She has allowed weeds of spiritual coolness, sin and shame. This is the 3rd level of ground in Mark 4:19 and it is choking the Word
  5. She serves Jesus at a distance
    1. She wants to be near Jesus without a veil, doing what He is doing
    2. 1:7, she is veiled because in Eastern cultures when a woman works in public she has to veil herself around strangers
    3. Lepers had to wear veils and stay hidden, away from their loved ones, living with other lepers
    4. The veil comes off in private to those closest to her (family) and to her lover (intimacy)

Brothers, Mother’s sons – Mother represents the Church (Gal 4:19, 26; I Thes 2:6-7) In the Middle East sons represent authority.

Matthew Henry Commentary — They dealt very hardly with her: They made me the keeper of the vineyards, that is, First, “They seduced me to sin, drew me into false worships, to serve their gods, which was like dressing the vineyards, keeping the vine of Sodom; and they would not let me keep my own vineyard, serve my own God, and observe those pure worships which he gave me in charge, and which I do and ever will own for mine.’ These are grievances which good people complain most of in a time of persecution, that their consciences are forced, and that those who rule them with rigor say to their souls, Bow down, that we may go over, (Is 51:23) Or, Secondly, “They brought me into trouble, imposed that upon me which was toilsome, and burdensome, and very disgraceful.’ Keeping the vineyards was base servile work, and very laborious,(Is 61:5)  Her mother’s children made her the drudge of the family. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their wrath, for it was cruel. The spouse of Christ has met with a great deal of hard usage.

Verse 6 warns us that the maiden had only been doing what was entrusted to her, not what God had ordained for her. What God had ordained for her would have brought her joy and strength, where trying to please religion brought depression.

Selah

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 4 (9/4/19)

Posted: September 4, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Charles Finney quote on Song of Songs, “This book has wedded my heart to Jesus.”

As I see it, the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon, SOS) is all about coming back to the Lord and getting back into the Ministry of the Kingdom of God, running the race set before us. (Hebrews 12:2)

My personal observation from studying this book is that men really have the best understanding of this being the Church and Jesus. When Mike Bickle of IHOP, Kansas City was given the assignment of SOS for his ministry, he first thought this was a ‘girl’s book’. But now he sees “Repentance is breaking our agreement with darkness and agreeing with God in our thoughts, words and deeds.” You can find his teaching on http://www.mikebickle.org, search Song of Solomon and you will come to all his video teachings on this wonderful book.

George Whitfield read it through 4 times, the last time on his knees. Charles Spurgeon stated, “Every minister ought to read it entirely and carefully through at least once.” I really like the teachings of Watchman Nee on this book, as recorded and printed into Song of Songs, published 1965 by Christian Literature Crusade.

Sng 1:1, The Shulamite, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is better than wine.”

This verse is where many get whacky! They think that this book is all about sex. I watched Kerry Kirkwood on Sid Roth’s “It’s Supernatural” tell about how his mother would read him from the Song of Solomon every night as a bed time story. He did not get whacky! He understood from a young boy that this was about how much Jesus loves us, no matter what season of our faith walk we are experiencing.

Deuteronomy 8:3b, “…..that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” For 3,000 years the Rabbis would refer to this verse as the “kisses of the mouth” in the verse as the “kiss of the Torah”.  The kisses of His mouth speak of the release of the Word of God that tenderizes our hearts to the love of God. On the 8th Day of Tabernacles is called Shemini Atzeret. It is a day of great rejoicing, and in the synagogues, they will take the Torah scroll out of the Ark (scroll cabinet) and dance with it, men kissing the scroll. That is the love we should have for the Word of God.

Jesus told us to love God with all our heart, now we are asking God to allow us to love Jesus with all our heart, encountering Jesus the Word and the King’s passion for His Bride.

Kiss in Hebrew is nashaq, and it can mean to actually kiss on the lips. But I believe that the second meaning of nashaq is the correct understanding of Sng 1:2. It means to ‘handle, to be equipped with, equipped.”  The root word is nasaq, meaning ‘to kindle, burn, make a fire.’

For Adam, the kiss of God was the Breath of God that brought life to him. (Gen 2:7). The Word is that breath of God as found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, we ask you to equip each of us for what we need for this race that is set before us. You are the Living Word. Breath your life into us so we can fulfill our assignments in these last of the Last Days. Help us to run with Joy and Passion. Tenderize my hard heart and set me on Holy Ghost fire for you.”

Enjoy this song from Paul Wilbur, Dance With Me. https://youtu.be/7_4gJvDy2gU?t=7

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 2 (9/2/19)

Posted: September 2, 2019 in Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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How Hungry Are You?

I have been looking forward to this 40-day period of turning back to God with my whole heart and I am so ready.  There is something so divinely assigned to this time for each of us — hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

I have heard again and again how the Spirit of God has been speaking to many of my friends to turn away from their regular routine and make more time for Him. One of our ministry partners shared how God had been speaking to him to put aside a game he normally played daily for years and years. He was one of the best in the world at this internet golf game and has set it aside for 40 day, not knowing the timing of the 40 days of Teshuvah.

John 6:44, The only way people come to me is by the Father who sent me—he pulls on their hearts to embrace me. And those who are drawn to me, I will certainly raise them up in the last day.”

Yesterday as I was quietly waiting before the Lord, I heard in my spirit the “Oh Draw Me Lord”, a song sung by Selah. https://youtu.be/SQf_NzKBH5w?t=3 . John 6:44 above is not only speaking about unbelievers, it is speaking to those of us who have gotten so busy in our lives that the Word and God is the last part of our day, and too often not in our day at all.

Because of what I was shown yesterday in my quiet time, I will be going over Song of Songs during some of these 40 day devotionals. At the beginning of this incredible book, the Shulamite is ‘dark’ — discouraged and burned out. But the King draws her near. That is you. That is me. That is the state of the lukewarm Church, but we can all rekindle our light in this special season on God’s calendar and come out of the Wilderness, ready to run with her King.

There are Four Levels of growth in the Maiden

  1. “My beloved is to me” – self, what Jesus can do for her
  2. “My beloved in mind, and I am his” – ownership, shows need to love him
  3. “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” – His agenda first, then my agenda
  4. “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me” – His desire is all I want, totally sold out

Psalm 73:28, But it was good for me to draw near to God. I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.

James 4:8 (TPT) Move your heart closer and closer to God and He will come even closer to you (and He will be touching you)

Lord, lead and guide us back on the path and destiny that you have ordained for me before I was born. Help me to lay aside the things that so easily get in the way of a passionate love for you. Draw me near to You, draw me nearer and higher. Bring back the passion in my life I once had for the Word, prayer and heart-felt worship to You. Amen and Amen

 

 

Elul 1, 5779 – Teshuvah Day 1 (9/1/19)

Posted: August 31, 2019 in Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Every day for 40 days of Teshuvah the 27th Psalm is read aloud.

First of all, what is Teshuvah? Teshuvah is a 40 day season of time for introspection, judging yourself. It begins Elul 1 and ends Yom Kippur  (Day of Atonement). The last 10 days are known as The Days of Awe. This year the Biblical calendar and the Gregorian Calendar totally align the days of the month of September and Elul! I believe that God is bringing us into a special time of alignment and of really preparing for these last of the Last Days.

The Hebrew root for Teshuvah is shuv, number  H7725 in the Strong’s Concordance and it means to return, to turn back, to restore, to cause to return. Spiritually speaking it is turning back to God. He never changes and if you feel distant from Him it is because you have distanced yourself by your own desires and choices in life. It is now an open portal to return to the Lord. For everything there is a season – and this is the season of what some call, an open heaven. Not for what we can get from God, but coming back to our First Love. The Passion Translation of Revelation 2:4 reads, “But I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate love you had for me at the beginning.” Do you have that passionate love and joy you had when you first came to Jesus? Why? He has not changed. Just like the Ephesians, we have gotten too busy with good things.

Jeremiah 24:7, ‘Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return (shuv) to Me with their whole heart.

One of my favorite Jewish Roots teachers is Perry Stone. He calls this the season to prepare spiritually, financially and emotionally.  https://perrystone.org/40-days-of-teshuvah/

I woke very early this morning, feeling empty and I realized that I have been looking forward to this “special open heaven season” for the past month, anticipating the time of coming back to the Lord with my whole heart! I am ready to drop off the ‘sins’ that have so easily ensnared me – namely the sin of busyness. My priorities were not in order.

The Passion Translation of Hebrews 12:1 reads, “As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.”

Prayer:  Jesus, I need Your help. Lord, help me come back to the passionate love I had for You in the beginning. Help me to let go of all the distractions and offences that harden my heart and cause my ears to be dull. Bring my life back into alignment with Your perfect will, In Jesus Name, Amen.

Month of ELUL Begins Sundown 8/31/19

Posted: August 31, 2019 in Hebrew Months, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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The word ELUL is only found once in the Bible. Nehemiah 6:15, “So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.”  The 25th of ELUL is also the first day of Creation, when God said, “Let there be light.” This is the last month of the Hebrew civil year. The next month, Tishri, begins the civil year and the year changes to 5780, tied to the time when man was born (Adam).

The Month of Mercy

Historically this is when Moses went up Mt Sinai a second time for 40 days to seek forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf. God came down in a cloud and gave Moses the 13 attributes of who He is. (Exodus 34:5-7) Moses came down on Tishri 10, the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur and said “God forgives!”

The word ELUL is an acronym of “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine.” This is the time to come closer to God, begin to start dropping off time wasters and come back to the Bible, hear His voice.

The King is in the Field

This is the month historically when the King is in the Field. We can bring this into our lives spiritually because Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, our Bridegroom. When a person would request presence of a king there was a ritual that you would have to go through to come into the presence of the king on his throne. But in the month of ELUL, the king leaves his throne and goes out into the field to see his people. He comes to our life, our workplace,  our prayer room, our level.

Jesus is always available, He is always near, He is always here because He said, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” (Mt 28:20) But there is a time when His presence comes closer to our corporate gatherings, and also into our prayer times. It seems there is a season when there is a more open heaven.

ELUL 1 begins the 40-day season of TESHUVAH

 

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