The Season of Teshuvah

I have a series of words for this season. 

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.

Messianic Dance – Teshuvah From: wmbencarl

Upward Gazing…

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.

Glory-Jeremy Camp from kenandvianey

On My Knees…

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

http://bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Lexicon.show

/ID/H3766/kara`.htm

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.
• Decided or resolved.

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/determined

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:

http://www.vbm-torah.org/archive/salt-bereishit/12-8vayechi.htm

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.

Also take a look at these sites:

http://www.prayerisamust.org/

http://4marriagematters.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/the-locks-and-keys-of-effective-prayer/

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

Let This Be Our Prayer..

 

On this day, let the words of this song be our prayer. I pray blessings and favor on those who stop by. 

“Daystar” By Michael English/Guy Penrod/Wes Hampton(2008)

from hoover4000

Daystar Lyrics

Lily of the Valley, let your sweet aroma fill my life,
Rose of Sharon, show me, how to grow in beauty in your sight.
Fairest of Ten Thousands, make me a reflection of your light.
Daystar shine down on me, let your love shine through me in the night.

Lead me Lord, I’ll follow,
Anywhere You open up the door.
Let Your word speak to me.
Show me what I’ve never seen before.
Lord, I want to be Your witness, for You can
take what’s wrong and make it right.
Daystar shine down on me, let your love shine through me in the night.

Lord, I see a world that’s dying, wounded by the Master of deceit,
Groping in the darkness, haunted by the years of past defeat,
Then I see you standing near me Lord,
Shining with compassion from Your eyes.
Jesus shine down on me, let Your love shine through me in the night.

Lead me Lord, I’ll follow,
Anywhere You open up the door.
Let Your word speak to me.
Show me what I’ve never seen before.
Lord, I want to be Your witness,

you’ve taken what’s wrong and made it right.
Daystar shine down on me, let your love shine through me in the night. 

 

New Posting at…

Hi everybody,

there is a new posting under “Transformation Garden” which you will find on the right hand column. Blessings..Alma

Out Pouring of Love..

We would like to thank all of those who have sent their heartfelt expressions of support and love through postings, emails, cards, phone calls and in person. Thank you for understanding how precious Kiki was to us.  Thank you for sharing your own losses with your furry loved ones.  God bless each one of you.

I would like to point out that from time to time, I posted under the page in the right hand column, “Life with Kiki and Dolly…” take a minute and read some of the thought provoking situations Kiki and Dolly provided.

I have many more incidents to post regarding precious moments with these two pets, and will post in the future. Thanks for your time.

JOB 12:7-10

You have only to ask the cattle, for them to instruct you, and the birds of the sky, for them to inform you. The creeping things of earth will give you lessons, and the fish of the sea provide you an explanation: there is not one such creature but will know that the hand of God has arranged things like this! In his hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of every human being!

Marriage Conference..

Blessings everyone! Dr. Diana Johnson has a message, and if you are following the “Love Dare” challenge, as so many of you have done, then this will be for edification of the Body. ..Alma 

Well Beloved,

Now is the Time, the International Marriage Conference, is only 12 weeks away SEPTEMBER 24-26 2009. Pastor Joe and I are so excited, every year for the last 13 years we have attended this conference.  It has been a tremendous blessing to our Marriage and our Family.

After counseling and doing life with couples across the united states, all year long, we need a refreshing for our own marriage, and of all the many choices we have, we always choose the IMC. It is exactly what we need to regenerate and receive the encouragement we need to keep on doing what God has commissioned us to do.

As married folks or even those intending to marry, We suggest you drop everything else and go to this life changing spirit lifting marriage empowering event.  You will not regret it, I promise you.  

So Pastor Joe and I would like to invite you to come along on an incredible journey. We always have a large group, which allows us to take advantage of the discount rate of $95…00 per couple. that’s about $10.00 a week for the next 10 weeks, that’s less than a burger and all the works.

So just drop us an email letting us know you want to enhance your marriage, and join our group, and we will do the rest.

IF YOU ARE NOT MARRIED, PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW. THIS IS NOT ONLY FOR MARRIAGES IN TROUBLE, BUT FOR EVERY MARRIAGE!!

Remember “What ever good someone does, he will receive the same from the Lord: you make it happen for someone else, God will make it happen for you. Ephesians 6 verse 8

Gods Blessing and Rewards to you and your Family

Pastors Joe and Diana Johnson, Senior Pastors

Risen Son of Faith Christian Center 

http://www.rsofcc.com

http://4marriagematters.wordpress.com

www.ffhfam.com

I could not post the poster, but here is the website:

http://www.marriageconferences.com/pages/about.php

He Captured My Heart…

This post is about love.  A little piece of my heart was chipped away today. My precious furry buddy Kiki lost his life today. My poodle was ten years old. He began to have respiratory difficulty, and I was up with him all last night. I took him for his last walk this morning, but I had to carry him back.  He stared into my face for a long time, as I prayed for him.

Minutes before he passed away, he came to lean against my leg, and I scratched his puffy little head as it lay against me. Then I saw him wander off, and he gave one long last look at me and the room. Within a minute, I heard both my mom, and Dolly, the other poodle, give out a scream, and then a gut wrenching cry from deep within the soul. Even as I ran crying to the spot, where Kiki lay at the feet of my mom, (his beloved), his little eyes focused on me. I held him against me as he gave his last three breaths, and his stare went blank.

My mom and I caressed him, as we said a prayer of thanksgiving to God for having allowed this little fellow into our lives.  He was our protector, our entertainer, our little one. Friends and family knew tht Kiki would eagerly wait to greet them with a toy at the door. He loved family, even if some did not love him back. Kiki loved christmas and birthday’s, and I mean anyone’s.  He loved vanilla ice cream, and we would give him a tablespoon of ice cream on a party plate, topped with whip cream. He loved helping to open presents, but mostly liked to receive his own. He had numerous toys and outfits. In the wintertime, I would put out his sweaters, and he would make a selection. He looked stunning in his tuxedo, and loved to prance around, and pose for pictures. He had the air of an aristocrat.

I will miss him terribly. He would bark at me, repriminading me as I left, and would joyfully greet me, and then bark a reprimand, as if I should never have gone out without him. I am so attached to this funny furry little guy, and there is an emptiness, only another pet lover who has lost a friend would understand. He was definetly family, and today as different members of my family and friends called to lament Kiki’s passing, I could hear the emotion in their voices.

As much as I love Kiki, and he loved me right back, unconditionally, he loved and lived for my mother. He protected her from harm, and danger, and after her falls, he was so much more protective. He alerted us if something was wrong. Pray for my mom she feels lost without him, and a deep emptiness. Afer the doctor recommended a furry companion for my mother, my eldest brother Joe took her to find Kiki. They loved each other from the start.  We always laughed because he was a pedigree poodle from East Los Angeles.

He is lying beside my feet, in his favorite blanket, and he looks as if he is asleep. This is how he would take a nap after a bath, wrapped up like a baby. Goodbye my little sweetheart, your memory will always make me smile, but I will cry for awhile.

Kiki loved to sit at my feet when I would play worship music, and would come running as soon as I put on some praise music and lie contently with his head on his paws. When the music was over, he would leave the room. Other times, when a song was on, like a movie theme, (he loved romantic ballads), he would love when Mary Lou would waltz around the room with him.

As the Spirit of the Lord works his way in my heart at this moment, I thought about the different journeys God has brought me through with Kiki by my side.  I thought of one in particular, and the moment I knew without a doubt how great God’s love was for me.  What could have been the darkest moment of my life, is remembred when God loved me most, when I least deserved it.  And he gave me a little friend named Kiki.

Psalm 36:6 (New Living Translation) – Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.  You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.

This one’s for you Kikibons.

Selah: Be Still My Soul from LifeTodayDotOrg

 

Be still my soul
The Lord is on your side
Bear patiently
The cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God
To order and provide In every change
He faithful will remain.

Be still my soul
Thy best, thy heavenly friend Through stormy ways
Leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul
The waves and winds still know
Still know
His voice who ruled them
While he dwelt below.

Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

 

        

Managing a Disease…

I am successfully managing Diabetes through Christ alone until He heals me completely.  On days, (and there have been a few), when I am not at my fullest in health, I draw from scripture – 1 Corinthians 3:16  – “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

Last Sunday, during and after church, I was not feeling particularly well, since I had not been sleeping well, and a sleep regimen plays a big part in the health of a person with Diabetes, so when I arrived home, my eldest brother Joe seeing I was not up to par, shared an explosive DVD with me “How Great Thou Art.”

I was so excited about it, since my sister has been sharing with the Body of Christ about taking care of our temples, and the message on that DVD was so powerful.

So now I know that more  than “the Spirit of God dwells” in me, His very cross holds me together. Anyhow, I found an excerpt, and share it with you. I hope it blesses you, as it did me. Indeed, God is an awesome God!

Louie Giglio – Laminin from tsunkatsemaster

None but Jesus with lyrics from TH4TG1RL7

Daughter of a king…

July was a very trying month for me with inner turmoil and struggles for many situations and people.

But it was also a time of great blessing. I received a Word of blessing from Pastor a few weeks ago in July. He said the Lord would give me poetry.  Those words spoke to a dormant gift that had been locked away for about 15 years or so.  I loved to draw using charcoal as my medium, and I would often write poetry, journals full since I was in elementary school.  However, when your are torn down consistently, and told your gifts are worthless and a loss of time, you begin to believe it, and after awhile the well of creativity that God gifted one with dries up. That is what happened in my case. 

My natural ears heard the words and did not even want to go to that place where dreams and beautiful words once resided.  Now here comes the blessing, my spirit heard the words Pastor said.

That very night, the Lord gave me a gift of words.  I woke up in the morning with this entire poem, and was able to write it down word for word. You see that is a miracle in and of itself because of the difficulty concentrating and retaining information associated with the aftermath of the diabetic diagnosis.  I struggle to write and remember the simplest of things, but I persevere!  Blessings…

My Bottle Refilled With His Grace

I don’t pretend to be anything but the daughter of a king

That is the praise behind the words I sing

His precious gift, this outrageous grace

Pushing me toward the mark to finish this race

 

You don’t know who is in the room with you

Whose power you draw from

Can you recognize His Kingship

As you bow done before his throne

 

My life is like an open bottle of perfume

The seal broken

The contents now spilled on the altar

My bottle refilled with his grace

 

I am once forgiven by Jesus

Forever restored

Trust and love exchanged

For me His adored

 

Once filled with fear and anxiety

Set apart from God

Frail with emotion

A messy life bleeding and broken

Now healed by God’s Holy Word Spoken

 

I have placed you like a seal over my heart

As I was called to the Kingdom

Before a seat called mercy

For the battered and beaten

where precious oil flows over garments and crowns

 

I am entering into the inner court….

by Alma Barela

Here are some songs about “grace.” 

Wayne Watson: Grace from LifeTodayDotOrg

Grace by Silers Bald w/Lyrics from knjones830