The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Four..Hoshet Li Yad..
I receive a Phrase and a Word :
Hoshet Li Yad in Hebrew meaning to reach or extend your hand to me
Kaddish in Aramaic meaning “Holy”
The Holy Spirit leads me to the following verse :
2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV) If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
In considering this Damascus Journey, the Holy Spirit has been talking to me of Christians ministering to others, of the saints in the field, and of “Harvest Time”, and of Paul’s missionary trips.
A missionary heart burned within Paul, and he had an urgency to tell everyone and anyone about God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. He was unstoppable and Acts 28:31 reads: “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”
That same missionary heart burns within many of our brothers and sisters who leave the comfort, stability and safety of home and suffer persecutions and hardships, and some unto death.
One of my brothers, Jesse, has been on many missionary trips to South America, and the things he has shared, leave me speechless. A dear friend, Melinda, shares from her heart how the basic necessities we take for granted our precious to those in the field. A new friend in Christ, Jenn, a missionary reflects on the gift of personal space, and not even having space to think because of living in close quarters. They travel to places where the instability of peace can be broken at any moment, and understand that only God’s Word is stable. Their mission of evangelizing, discipleship and church planting is not in vain.
Besides a Warrior’s Heart, what do they have in common? A love for their fellowman and a hunger for others to know Christ as their Savior and to fulfill Mark 16:15
King James Version
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. New American Standard Bible
And He said to them, ” Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
KairosKingdomWomen weblog can go to places where I cannot physically take the Word of God. The Amplified Bible Version of Mark 16:15 reads:
Amplified Bible
And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].
The travelling Body of Christ, uses the last of their personal money and resources to purchase Bibles and literature or anything precious that will translate into the love of Christ. If we cannot take the Word, then let’s be a resource to those who can take the Word, and lay their life down. Resource translates into many things in many areas. A powerful resource is that of intercessor. Prayer Points for our Missionaries:
Pray for groups of intercessors to cover these missionaries in a prayer chain 24/7
Pray that God open doors for the missionary
Pray that the Holy Spirit open the hearts of the people
Pray for ease of adaptability to whatever culture and environment the missionary is in
Pray for believers in that culture to take on the responsibility to nurture that which the missionary has planted
If your church or group is supporting a missionary, it is likely that the missionary will have specific requests for your support.
I leave the dear missionaries with these encouraging scriptures:
Isaiah 41:10 (Amplified Bible) – Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.
2 Timothy 1:6-9 (Amplified Bible)
6That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [[a]with those of the elders at your ordination].
7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
8Do not blush or be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [[b]with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God.
9[For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].
There is a Latin phrase “urbi et orbi” meaning “to the city and to the world.” May the Holy Spirit continue to empower you and may you walk in the authority given to you by Jesus Christ our Lord…Alma for KairosKingdomWomen 2009
Reach Out To You – Aviad Cohen from redsors
What if His people prayed ~ Casting Crowns~ With Lyrics from wolfprincess4ever
I consider how this would relate to The Road to Damascus Journey, and remember that Paul went through the storm (Acts Chapter 27). It was one of the many times Paul faced death. Once again, he overcame by committing himself to Christ through prayer.
The battles did not catch him unaware. He was girded with spiritual armor at all times. He was prepared for himself and others, as in the storm on his way to Rome to appeal his innocence. Remember Paul had been unjustly charged and imprisoned for two years during his ministry.
Even though he was not on steady ground, and was a prisoner, he was on a ship in a tumultuous storm, and he could have been swayed to and fro, and yet his feet were on solid ground, on the Rock of Ages. He was grounded, his anchor set in Christ. He was a witness and a steady shoulder for believers and non-believers alike.
Have you had journey’s where you seemed to be in chains, bound up, and a tumultuous wave strikes, and destruction seems imminent? Life’s journey has those seasons, when it rains torrents and high winds blow. Storms come in many forms, loss of a job, losing a loved one, strife in relationships, being hard-pressed financially, being the only believer in your school or work place, or compromised health of a loved one or yourself. Lest you think you are alone, and the only one in a storm, Paul shares some of his own sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 (NIV):
23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
Many have been drifting in a dark season. Progress is hard to come by when you’re navigating in the dark and buffeted by high forces. Like the account in Acts 27, the passengers abandoned hope. (Acts 27:20 – Amplified Version)
Sometimes we have a Paul in our lives who wants to alert us of the dangers on the horizon, yet we set sail because there is not a cloud in the sky, and the popular vote wins out. Did Paul pout? No he girded himself up with prayer and interceded for his fellow man.
Have you had to stand in the middle of the storm (hurricane type winds) and give comfort to others, with prayer as your only shield and refuge? But wait, a steady voice in the dark, one who knows the way to safety. Paul encouraged them (Acts 27 :22-25 – NLT) 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.
The clouds are parting and bringing days of sonshine and light. Light breaks into the darkness. He was giving encouragement despite the circumstances because he simply believed God, “to whom I belong” (NLT Acts 27:23) and “whom I serve ” (KJV Acts 27:23). Imagine Paul was offering encouragement despite being told by the Angel that he had to stand trial before Cesar, God’s will fulfilled.
Paul was an ambassador of Christ, as are we. We are meant to offer hope in the darkness, during life’s storms. It does not matter that we might be in a storm ourselves, we are to offer encouragement, to share the Word of good news. Keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost…”
Through the storm-Yolanda Adams from elricalday
Kathy Troccoli – My Life Is In Your Hands from DJSkelly777
I Will Praise You In This Storm from themaineman2001
I am having trouble with my vision. While challenging myself to look at this temporary condition on a different level, I think about…
Keeping the lens clean for optimal vision
Checking your“equilibrium” (balance) – it will affect your “vision”
How as Christians we live under a magnifying lens, and people tend look through the lens to assess our walk with God
By the same token when people look through the lens they ought to see Jesus magnified in us. Let our desire be “Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20).
I have been in conversation with God about my present limitations. He said “Believe my word”. So this is the perspective I choose – I have an assignment yet to accomplish, so I will overcome this visual acuity test and get one step closer to fulfilling my assignment.
I considered the life of Paul, and what we read in the New Testament letters of his life and many journeys. I recalled the persecution he suffered, and the infirmities and weaknesses he spoke of in his letters (epistles). There is great controversy about his “thorn in the flesh”, and I have read multiple opinions and conclusions ranging from eye disease, continual persecution and/or the stoning. One thing is sure, Paul entrusted “all” to God. Let’s read:
2 Corinthians 12: 8 – 10 (New International Version) – 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
If we read Acts 14 carefully we find that he stayed awhile in Galatia because he was recovering from the stoning, and as a result many came to the Lord. Genesis 50:20 says it this way:
Genesis 50:20 (New International Version)
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20 (King James Version)
20But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
I receive two Words:
Ani nichna (spelled A’ni Ni’c'na – Hebrew) meaning “Surrender”
Ayin – “eye; to see; to understand and obey”
Brethren, let’s not wait to have a “stoning” experience like that in order to share the Word of God or to grow into mature Christians. What will it take for you to be persuaded? Paul writes in Romans 8, that he is “persuaded” (Romans 8:35 to 39). “All” that he had faced in his journey’s persuaded him. He surrendered all, and in his afflictions he developed a “spiritual eye.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV) – “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
This brings me back to the beginning again, it is a scripture which set the Kairos Journey in motion in 2006, and subsequently to this Damascus Journey. That verse is: Habakkuk 2:3 (King James Version) – 3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Habakkuk was a Watchman and a Prophet. Ezekiel 33:1-7 speaks of the duties of a “Watchman”. Let’s read (Amplified Bible):
1AND THE word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2Son of man, speak to your people [the Israelite captives in Babylon] and say to them, When I bring the sword upon a land and the people of the land take a man from among them and make him their watchman,
3If when he sees the sword coming upon the land, he blows the trumpet and warns the people,
4Then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning shall save his life.
6But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, he is taken away in and for his perversity and iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
7So you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at My mouth and give them warning from Me
The Watchman works together with the Gatekeeper. The watchman has the ability to watch (see) and (again the Word Ayin – “eye; to see; to understand and obey”), from a distance, enabling him to guard the people of God, and to warn the gatekeeper, and the gatekeeper can see and guard the kingdom and the House of God (up close).
1 Chronicles 9:26 -27 reads: “But the four principal gatekeepers were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.”
Watchmen, Prophets, and Gatekeepers, all have assignments and responsibilities and are authorized by the King in strategic placement. These are exclusive relationships, just as our relationship to Christ is exclusive.
Psalm 84:10 tells us that King David was also a gatekeeper. Peter in the Bible was and is a Gatekeeper. John was a Watchman who was also a Scribe, giving us the Book of Revelations.
God has enabled us with gifts and tools. Some to be Watchmen, Shofar blowers, Gatekeepers, Prophets, Psalmists, Writers (Scribes). Whatever our gifts, our enabling, our vessels, must be available for and to God, to be used.
Again I have a Word that is familiar to this blog: (Kerugma October 2008 Journey):
Kerugma means – Greek Word –(Strong’s 2782) – proclamation; message preached
Also, Greek Lexicon – (Bible Crosswalk) Kerugma – that which is proclaimed by a herald or public crier.
“What is to be proclaimed ?” I ask of God.
I have the Greek Words “Logos” and “Rhema” in my spirit. One is His written Word (Logos) and the other (Rhema) is God’s spoken Word. It all points to Jesus, the Word of God. We are watching for the day the Living Word of God returns for his Church.
I told several friends I felt a journey was on the horizon.
Sunday night to Monday morning – I was awakened at 4:30am to spend time with God. I inquired of the Lord – “what is it?”
I receive a Word – Olam (Hebrew). Obediently I got up and did a Word study. This is what I learned:
“In the ancient Hebrew words that are used to described distance and direction are also used to describe time. The Hebrew word for east is qedem and literally means “the direction of the rising sun”. We use north as our major orientation such as in maps which are always oriented to the north. While we use the north as our major direction the Hebrews used the east and all directions are oriented to this direction. For example one of the words for south is teyman from the root yaman meaning “to the right”. The word qedem is also the word for the past. In the ancient Hebrew mind the past is in front of you while the future is behind you, the opposite way we think of the past and future. The Hebrew word olam means in the far distance. When looking off in the far distance it is difficult to make out any details and what is beyond that horizon cannot be seen. This concept is the olam. The word olam is also used for time for the distant past or the distant future as a time that is difficult to know or perceive. This word is frequently translated as eternity or forever but in the English language it is misunderstood to mean a continual span of time that never ends. In the Hebrew mind it is simply what is at or beyond the horizon, a very distant time. A common phrase in the Hebrew is “l’olam va’ed” and is usually translated as “forever and ever” but in the Hebrew it means “to the distant horizon and again” meaning “a very distant time and even further” and is used to express the idea of a very ancient or future time.” From – http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/27_eternity.html
A Hebrew word with insight to “Horizon”. “Yes Lord, a trip on the Horizon”, I said.
Interestingly enough, Horizon is listed in “Roget’s II, The New Thesaurus, Third Edition 1995” as a noun and shows Horizon as “The extent of one’s perception, understanding, knowledge, or vision.”
Wikipedia shows horizon as “the apparent line that separates earth from sky. It is the line that divides all visible directions into two categories: those that intersect the Earth’s surface, and those that do not. ”
Next word – “Emrooz” (Farsi) – meaning today. “Is today the day Lord?” I ask.
The next word is “derekh” (Hebrew) meaning way, path or road, leading to a specific location. Then He drops the name of this Journey into my heart, “The Road to Damascus Journey”. I stay quiet awhile. That Journey for Paul turned out to be a heavy spiritual encounter. That same encounter (journey) was a conversion experience (his testimony) which had an eternal outcome (for more than one). We can read about Paul’s spiritual encounter in Acts 26 (King James Version)
The next thing I heard was, “People have been interceding on your behalf. It has been a struggle with death itself. There are many who have interceded with you and for you.” I continued to praise God and asked blessings upon the intercessors. I have continued to claim my healing in Kairos time. I acknowledge God in all of my ways and days, because only through Him, could I have progressed so far.
The next few things were on instructions for this Damascus Word Journey I was beginning. It is to be a 21 day journey. I committed these things to prayer and started my day in the wee morning hours. I hurried along because I had another doctor’s appointment to get some results back and check my ongoing Diabetes related health and some residuals I was experiencing.
My sister dropped me off at the doctor’s office, and while I waited to be called, I contemplated the Journey I was about to embark on, and began to receive some Words for upcoming posts. “How am I to begin this Journey Lord, with what post?” Suddenly a song echoed in my heart and mind. “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and I tried to remember the words to the song, but only the chorus kept ringing in my ear…”Why should I be discouraged? When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”
Just then I was called in to see the doctor, I was celebrated for having kept an A1c reading of 6, which is a desirable number on the scale for people challenged with Diabetes. In fact, in some respects, I was doing so well, my medication was decreased. Out of over a dozen medications plus insulin, I was down to only 2 medications. Then the doctor said, “Are you aware that in 21 days, it will be one year from your date of onset?”
21 days. That really sparked my attention. As Christians we know there are no coincidences in God. I had a “testimony.” God had been working these 11 months in miraculous ways, and it seemed there was much more on His mind. The doctor told me there were some abnormal results totally unrelated to Diabetes, which required further testing and a biopsy. He grabbed my hand, and he said, “don’t be afraid.” (For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7)
I smiled a gentle quiet smile, and he asked if I had heard him, or understood what he was telling me. “I understand,” I answered, “and I am trusting in God. He has kept me all this way.” He stopped typing data into his computer, and peered at me. He gave me further instructions and left me to the nurse.
Once outside, waiting for my sister to come and get me, I contemplated “The Road to Damascus Journey.” “Okay Lord, let’s do this. Show me what I am to post,” I said. “Start at the beginning” dropped into my heart. Somehow I knew right away that He was referring to the first writing He gave me for “KairosKingdomWomen”. It is found here in the 1st newsletter, and is titled, “Tweet, Tweet, Said the Lord.” I said, “Okay Lord, but could you confirm that I am on the right track, you know what with “His Eye is on the Sparrow” song and the “Tweet, Tweet” post, I want to be sure.
Even as I spoke, three things happened, I have the Word “tsipor” meaning bird in Hebrew, looked down, and saw I was standing by a flower bed containing “bird of paradise” flowers, and then I was aware of fluttering at eye level to my left side (peripheral vision), and about two hand breadths away, so I slowly turned my head thinking it was a huge bee (so afraid of bees!), there it was, a Hummingbird in mid air, looking at me!
Amen, nothing more need be said. Here is the post from the Summer of 2006…read on… Tweet Tweet said the Lord – Summer 2006 (Previously Posted)
First Occasion
I came out before mid-day and saw my mother feeding the birds and caring for them, and just fawning over the birds. Now this had been an especially hard morning with some financial issues and just a hard morning in general. I looked out the door at the birds, and opened the door a crack and saw the little wrens that fly about, stopping to eat of the seed that had fallen to the ground from the cages birds. I peered out at the blue sky and I said in a sigh, “Lord I know that you are the one that provides for these birds, and just like your eye is on the sparrow, and you watch over them, watch and provide for me Lord.” Well as I walked away to go back to work, my inner nature came up and I said, “maybe I’m not as important as that bird Lord, but keep me in mind anyway”, then I went about my business.
Later that same day, as I went out to walk precious Kiki, about 7:45ish, our usual walking time, and as I stepped out onto the porch, I saw from the corner of my eye, a little wren swoop down from the roof top to a low branch of the avocado tree. I remember I briefly acknowledged that the bird was there, and thought it odd for a little bird to be out after dark, when they are usually snuggled up somewhere. Well, as I walked along, the little bird chirped, then he chirped out loudly, and swooped down near my head, as I left the walk from my house, and turned left to walk down my block. This also caught Kiki’s attention, and he stopped and looked at the bird for a long time. As I urged Kiki along, the bird chirped out loudly, and jumped from tree to tree, following my path right beside me.
You should know, I live on a tree lined street, some small, some large, but most have branches at my height. Well the bird chirped his way down the block, and followed me along, getting louder along the way, until he swooped down and lightly fussed my hair. Well Kiki stopped and looked at the bird, and then looked at me, as if to say, did you see that? Well, it was already more on the dark side of the sunset, and was close to eight by now, and it was obvious this bird meant business with me. Well Kiki wouldn’t budge, until I acknowledged the bird, so I said in a sort of kidding way, “is that you Lord”, and the bird chirped, and as he looked at me from a distance of an arm’s length away at eye level, he turned his head inquisitively from side to side. I looked around to see if anyone was witnessing the crazy lady and dog talking to the little bird, but the street was quiet and you could clearly hear the bird chirping. Well, I sort of shook myself off, and said, “okay Kiki, let’s be on our way”, and made to cross the street, some seven to eight trees down our block. Well as we crossed, the bird swooped across the street to the tree, and looked toward me and practically screeched at me. I stopped in amazement, and this had Kiki’s attention too, he wasn’t pulling forward on the leash as usual. I said, “Okay Lord, is that you trying to tell me something”, and then came the strong scent of roses, which is my usual sign that the Lord wants my attention, and immediately my words from earlier that morning came rushing back to me, and as I looked back up at the bird, he began to chirp as if singing, you know bird singing, like tweet, tweet, tweet. And as I humbly acknowledged the Lord, and praised him and just worshiped him as I walked slowly along, the bird followed along from tree to tree, all the way down this side of the street too. When I came to the place where I cross the street to come back home, the bird chirped loudly and flew overhead as I crossed the street. I turned to Kiki and said, “Kik, that was the Lord”, and Kiki wagged his tail as he looked at the bird sitting on the roof of the porch.
Second Occasion
I was walking Kiki one evening, about a week later from the first incident, and was about a block away from where I usually walk, and as I turned a corner, a little bird looking suspiciously like that same little bird, swooped in front of my face at about two hands length, which caused me to pull back suddenly, as birds don’t usually do that. Well, Kiki again acknowledged the bird, and I said in a whisper, “Hello Lord, is that you?”, to which the bird chirped as he sat on a tree branch slightly above head level. I thanked the Lord for visiting me in the form of the bird, and reminding me that I am His, and that I abide under the wings of the almighty”, and continued on my way, with the bird following me home, and as I reached my home, I said “Thank You Lord for accompanying me on the way”, the bird again sang out a tune, and flew and came to rest on the roof over the porch area.
Third Occasion
Two weeks after that, on a Friday, after having delivered reports, Kiki demanded I walk him, and as anyone who knows Kiki, I mean demanded. So out we went on a walk, and as I spoke to the Lord, and thanked him for the week of work that he had given us and enabled us, I also told him of how discouraging a day it had been, and asked his favor over my life, and of course from a tree down the street, I saw a little wren, swooping down in my direction, stopping close in a nearby tree and chirping at me, as he seemed to be looking at me, and moving his head from side to side. I thanked the Lord for his care, and for watching over me, and I quietly sang the hymn, “his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me”, the little bird flew along, until we made it home again.
FROM: Tweet Tweet said the Lord – Summer 2006 (Previously Posted) – TAKEN FROM THE 1ST NEWSLETTER POSTED HERE
So dear friends, I have to sign off now. As you read, I am preparing for a Road Trip. I will check in during this 21-day journey. Jesus is the driver, I am just a passenger. We might fly some days, and others we will be fast pedaling up hill, others will be a slow drive through soft green hills, and sometimes we might walk. There will be plenty of living water for refreshment. We will see the road from different angles and situations. There will be days when I will not be able to talk (type) fast enough, and others where we might just walk on in silence.
My spirit tells me you too are facing situations and challenges that have left you speechless. You might be weary, but you are never alone. There is one that will never forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5 . . . God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”) Let’s pray today that we will pause long enough in our journeys to be able to Hear His Word. His Word will direct us and His voice will make our Hearts burn within us. His voice comes in many forms, listen for it.
Grace and Peace…Alma
His Eye Is On The Sparrow – The Gaither Vocal Band/Lynda Randle & Friends From gospelhour
I have been waiting to post. I kept seeking God, asking Him to show me what I was to post. He has given me many thoughts to journal about, and I have waited until I felt His direction to post.
“Lord, we’ve been silent too long” I said. “Should I just post a scripture, a short thought, a prayer, what Lord?” Silence. Then I asked, “What do You need me to know Lord?” “Give me a Word”’ I prayed.
In my spirit and mind, at the same time, came the word “Endure”. I prayed about that word, and then Joseph came to mind. You know Joseph whom we read about in Genesis (Genesis Chapter 37 through Chapter 50).
I have the Word “Qoowut” (Aramaic) which refers to strength, endurance and possessing power.
That sends me to: 2 Peter 1:3 to 8 (Amplified Bible)
3For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).
4By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.
5For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence),
6And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety),
7And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.
8For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
How do you endure?
You endure in the face of everything that tells you that you are waiting for the impossible. You endure even while the wounds are fresh and they still elicit pain. You endure with faith. It is faith that strengthens you while you wait. You wait on the Lord.
Waiting. Waiting is such a hard thing to do while you are “enduring”. The waiting in silence works to help you sharpen your patience. I know for myself during those times of “endurance” I mess up midway and cross my arms, and say “okay God … can we just do it this way? I can cry and rant, and end up having to “wait” anyhow. There have been times that I have had to meet grace and mercy with humbleness, because I did not “endure” quite as well as I could have.
Check out these Scriptures for endurance:
James 1:2 to 4 (NLV)
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NASB)
3 Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
The Word of God comes alive in several verses in Romans Chapter 8 that speak to endurance, Grace and perseverance. In fact Romans 8 speaks of the triumph in enduring and the deliverance that comes in serving Christ as a Christian.
I have selected a few scriptures which speak to endurance:
Romans 8:24 and 25: (KJV)
24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans 8:35 – 39: (KJV)
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Translation: Our God is able to enable us to endure. He is able to help us endure physical attacks, and spiritual warfare. Be persuaded. Be persuaded through his Word and the Holy Spirit.
What are you enduring today? Is it on a physical, emotional, spiritual or financial level ? Here are some other examples of Endurance:
Joseph had to endure in a pit
Daniel endured in a Lion’s den
Jacob had to endure a session of wrestling
Three Hebrew children endured a fiery furnace
Hannah and Sarah endured bareness
Naomi endured the loss of her hope
Ruth endured a journey
Job had to endure extreme losses
David had to endure in a cave
Mary endured the whispers
Paul and Silas had to endure in jail
Jesus endured the cross
They had to endure in the face and place of hopelessness and despair. They understood the cost of endurance. They endured until they were fulfilled. Yes, indeed, breakthroughs come at a cost. Endurance is staying faithful. Psalm 136 tells us over and over that God’s love endures.
We can endure because of Grace. I can endure because of Grace. We can endure because:
Romans 8:37: (KJV) – Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Romans 8: 28 (KJV) – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Keep on believing in Christ despite the circumstance. Keep on enduring through his Word. His Word is life. His Word is Grace.
I leave you with 2 Peter 1:2 (NIV) which reads:
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Amen.
-Alma for KairosKingdomWomen
Chris Tomlin – Forever from ziyulu
Natalie Grant- Our Hope Endures from acessgoplacess
“The name of the month (spelled Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed) is said to be an acronym of “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li,” “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine,” a quote from Song of Songs 6:3, where the Beloved is G-d and the “I” is the Jewish people. According to: http://www.jewfaq.org/elul.htm
Shachah is a Hebrew Word (07812-Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon) meaning to bow down in Worship.
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, [a]
as you did that day at Massah [b] in the desert,
9 where your fathers tested and tried me,
though they had seen what I did.
Freinds, we can’t walk on the middle ground, or be half-committed. Have you ever been in an earthly relationship where you loved someone with your whole heart, and you were committed 100% to that person, but that someone was not wholly committed to you. Or maybe you were the one that was not 100% committed. You or they were walking the middle ground.
Was that relationship able to withstand the trials that came against it? How did that make you feel when that person called you only because they needed something or needed you to fix something? Think about it. Is that how our relationship is with God? You have to work at relationships, and our relationship with God has to be intentional, not haphazard.
Pursue Him, and God who will pursue you right back.
Let’s continue with the series of words for this season.
We covered “The Season of Teshuvah” in the previous post. Remember “The Season of Teshuvah” begins thirty days before Rosh Hashanah. “In 2009 Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) begins at sundown on Friday September 18 and ends at nightfall on Sunday September 20.”
As I mentioned before, altogether it is a forty day season. ‘Teshuvah’ begins on the first day of the month of Elul and continues 40 days, and ends with Yom Kippur.
It is noted that “the word אֶלוּל (Elul) is an acronym for the words (taken from Song of Songs): “אַנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי לִי”, “I am to (G‑d), my Beloved, and my Beloved is to me.” According to:
“The name of the month (spelled Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed) is said to be an acronym of “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li,” “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine,” a quote from Song of Songs 6:3, where the Beloved is G-d and the “I” is the Jewish people. In Aramaic (the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted), the word “Elul” means “search,” which is appropriate, because this is a time of year when we search our hearts.” According to:
Elul is more than just the last month of the Jewish year. It is more than reading from the Psalms. It is a month of reflection and sanctity. It is a time for reparation and preparation, to pardon trespasses and to ask to be forgiven for our trespasses committed in words and deeds with God and with our fellow man. For example, if you have spoken ill of someone, and continue to do so, then this is something your should ask for forgiveness. Seek God on the matters of your soul. It is a time of transition, of restoring the soul, the spiritual self with God. As born again believers, we know we have that access of the restoring of our souls, through the Mercy seat, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross, and our renewal through His resurrection. It behooves us to recognize the spiritual renewing and significance that our Jewish brethren observe.
This following is from a website:
“For thirty days the shofar is blown every morning in the Synagogue to remind the people that the holy days are approaching, in order that they may prepare themselves. Their preparation consists of confessing their sins and seeking forgiveness along with a change in life, if needed. The Jews’ earnest prayer is that their names may be written in the Book of Life (Wagner 1995). This might represent the period before the rapture—calling people to repentance. One’s name is written in the Book of Life only when he or she has a repentant heart and comes in submission to our Heavenly Father, asking for forgiveness through Jesus’ death and resurrection.” You can find this and more at:
So dear ones, I urge you to consider “Elul”, and the need to seek God more intimately. Blowing the shofar every day of Elul is like our soul crying out to God to know Him more deeply, our calling out to God, our awakening. This brings to mind the book of “Songs of Songs”, the crying out for our “Beloved.” The One on one experience. He is waiting just ahead, at the foot of the altar. I urge you to take a step forward. The wedding is near.
My Beloved – Kari Jobe from jeuelc
You’re My Beloved
You’re My Bride
To sing over you is My delight
Come away with Me My love
Under My mercy
Come and wait
Till we are standing face to face
I see no stain on you
My child
You’re Beautiful to Me
So Beautiful to Me
I sing over you My song of peace
Cast all your care down at My feet
Come and find your rest in Me
I’ll breathe My life inside of you
I’ll bear you up on eagle’s wings
And hide you in the shadow of My strength
I’ll take you to My quiet waters
I’ll restore your soul
Come rest in Me and be made whole
You’re My beloved
You’re My Bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love
CeCe Winans – I Surrender All & No One from BrothaAjay
We have covered some of these Words here on this blog before. These Words are timely for this season, since it is “The Season of Teshuvah.” We first looked at the Word – Teshuvah – in the “Masei 22 Word Journey” of 2008 here at KairosKingdomWomen.
“The Season of Teshuvah” begins thirty days before Rosh Hashanah. Altogether it is a forty day season. ‘Teshuvah’ begins on the first day of the month of Elul and continues 40 days, and ends with Yom Kippur.
A search of many Jewish Messianic sites and Hebrew study noted that for 30 days the shofar is blown in the Synagogue every morning to remind God’s people to prepare for the Holy Days. It is a time that brings us back to the heart of God. There is prophetic significance tied to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Of Jewish faith or not, it is good practice to confess our sins and seek forgiveness if needed. It is a time to restore relationships and right wrongs one has committed, by action, word or thought.
Let’s revisit that Word first posted on March 21, 2008: Teshuvah
In Hebrew, the word that is often used for repentance is Teshuvah (teh-shoe-vah’). It literally means ‘to return.’ When we fully repent, we return with all … The full meaning of repentance, according to Jewish doctrine, is clearly indicated in the term “teshubah” (lit. “return” – http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com
What do the Scriptures say about repentance? Let’s read:
Luke 5:32 – I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Acts 5:31 – God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
2 Corinthians 7:10 – Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Hebrews 6:6 – if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Luke 8:39 –“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
Repentance is the key to change. Repentance is our door to eternal life. Repentance is our source for re-direction. Repentance brings refreshment and renewal.
Let us also return and “tell how much God has done” for us. Share the Resurrection story. Share the difference that repentance has made in your life.
This season we have been through has taught me something. It seems that after much prayer, fasting, and meditation, and daily living, all we can do is “Wait on the Lord”
“I am waiting on the Lord, trusting his promises” and quickening in the lives of family and friends. It probably seems like the same prayer, but it is always on different levels. One thing I have gleaned from “Waiting on the Lord” is that he is faithful in even the small things. Answers and solutions are not always how I thought the answer would be, but it always turns out to be right.
I stand on the promises I have in His Word. When adversity has struck, I had the great blessing to be able to put the armor of God over me.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28 – KJV)
As I have gone through my days, praise is in my heart, and praise bursts forth out loud, and as I wash the dishes, vacuum, take out the trash, and clean the bathroom, do the laundry, in all things, I am able to share those things with the Lord, while reminding him that I have several concerns, and then the blessed assurance of committing all of my work and finances as I sit down and work at the computer.
I am blessed by the sharing we do by email, and when I get to see you all. The emails help my faith grow and worship the Lord for how faithful He is to each of us. All in all, I would say “Waiting on the Lord” is a good place to be at while experiencing the principals of faithfulness. God bless family and friends.
In past posts, we had been talking much about worship and praise. What about prayer? The power that is unleashed in prayer. This is where authority in God is accessed. When you pray you are standing on God’s Word, you are tapping into his promises.
We need the word of God and prayer to enable us. Sometimes the “buzziness” of life takes our time of prayer. We do prayer on the go-you know, “fast food” type of prayer. I know it is true for me that the set apart time for prayer is the point of contact that equips me, and the “continuing prayer” throughout the day sustains me.
I have a Word:
Kara-to bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate, bow down self, bring down low
Psalm 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
In those times where you do not know what to pray, you must remember the Lord’s prayer as taught by Jesus. It is a good thing to speak this prayer as part of your prayer arsenal. Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen.
As I worked on this post in July 2009, this summer, situations rose up, where I had to go before the Lord in prayer for direction and a determined answer. Looking up the word “determined” I find the following:
Marked by or showing determination; resolute: was engaged in a protracted struggle with a determined enemy.
As I consider the above, my thoughts go to the situations and people with which I come to the Lord. There are times when I seek God in prayer as a LIONESS GOES IN FOR THE HUNT. You know the Lion leads the pack in the Kingdom, but it is the Lioness that goes in for the kill. She then makes way for the Lion to have first “pickins” in the Kingdom.
As I shared previously different situations rose up in July which necessitated set apart time for “determined” prayer. It was then I received a phrase (words) which when I did a word study I found that the words had an Aramaic translation of Hebrew having to do with prayers as weapons of warfare, such as swords, and arrows, and prayers which have effect like a sword, and the arrow being the “targeted supplication”. Due to copyright laws, I can only refer you to the interesting article. You can check it out at:
Just a note, an “E-friend” Donna Diorio has the right concept for one of her websites which is “Arrows from Zion Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel.” Amen.
Talk to God about your heart’s desires. Ask the Holy Spirit what you should pray, and to show you how prayer works according to scripture. Have that conversation on your knees. He will meet you there.
Jaci Velasquez-On My Knees from ihsgdf
Phil Wickham – I Will Wait for You There from mmattheww
