AM I A JUDAS?

The 'revelations' have been flying.  Things have been revealed to me in such a way that I feel like they are fireworks being lit and explode deep inside me.  It is not so much a feeling of joy and wonderment, but more of a 'lightening up' of the truth, so that I can see.  

My husband and I were reading through the gospel of Mark.  As I sat and read about the betrayal of Messiah, by Judas, I stopped and pondered.  Had I thought about this before?  Although we strive to be like Messiah, are we really more like Judas?  Of course, we would all refute the idea that we could betray the one who died so that we could live, but what is 'betrayal'?

How many times have we sold out for thirty pieces?  I think of all the times that I have done something that I have later felt regret. For example, the young girl at the cash desk told me that she had been very sick, and required a blood transfusion.  She felt a lot better now, but she had been very ill.  I sympathised.  I failed to lay hands on her and demand she be healed.  Why?  There were several reasons.  Firstly, this has not been common practice with me. Secondly, there was a queue and I did not want to cause a disturbance.  Thirdly.....why am I going on.  The second excuse is outrageous.  Isn't that what we are supposed to do?  Cause a disturbance?  At least in the way that it will show everyone that I am healing in the name of Messiah; I am healing with the power that has been invested within me.  When I left, she was talking to someone at the cash desk, and I demanded, "Be well!"  Was that enough?  

The point is that I did not do what was required of me, and therefore, I sold out.  No matter the circumstances, I did not do what I had been commanded to do.  I am not talking about waiting to hear from the Spirit whether it is the right time, I am talking about what we have been called to do, at all times!  

Each time we do not do the Will of The Father, or fail to do what we have been called to do, we are basically selling out!  

This has been rather a powerful 'revelation'.  Elohim has not foresaken me, nor does he not love me.  Instead, he was probably disappointed.  All sin is sin.  To that, I still subscribe!  Am I being too hard on myself?  I do not think so, but then again, I do not think I can be hard enough on myself when I am not doing the Will of The Father.

Each time we 'go our own way', we are acting in the same way as Judas.  We want what we want, and we are going to get it.  Yes, he gives us the desires of our heart, but they should be in line with His Will.  

AND THERE WAS LIGHT!

Genesis 1:3 And Elohim said, Let there be light: and there was light.

The world was created by words.  Elohim spoke, and it was.  Now, consider this. We are filled with the Holy Spirit; the Spirit of Elohim resides within us. Therefore, what we speak, is!  

Matthew 17:20 And Yehushua said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Once we realise that we can speak things into existence, we need to be very careful what we say.

"It'll kill you"; "You will catch a cold"; "You will need to take medicine forever". We say so much that we do not think about.  

Elohim made a covenant with Messiah.  Messiah destroyed the works of the devil so that they are no more.  If we have the authority to cast out demons, and heal the sick, then we also have the authority to invite something that should not be.

It is imperative that we renew our minds, and resist saying things that will cause harm, or that are just simply negative.

Of course, IAUE is always in charge.  There is no disputing that.  However, if we allow the enemy a foot in the door, then we have invited him in!  

Thought for the day.  Think before you speak.  You could create a world!

A NEW DAWN

The reason for the 'drought' has been two-fold.  Firstly, I have not felt compelled to write anything, and secondly, (perhaps giving reason to the first) is because I have been studying and learning, and growing.   I have started to look on my faith in a new light, following teachings from Charismatic preachers, and those who have a very 'outside the box' way of preaching, and teaching.

Suffice it to say, I believe I may be 'back on track', albeit going in a slightly different direction.  Perhaps, not so much in a different direction, but moreso in a forward direction, rather than a circle.

I hope to add, daily.  However, this depends upon the Holy Spirit and what He allows me to impart.  

Today, I am not going to write for hours, but say something that has changed my whole way of thinking.  Messiah died for us, and for all our sins.  He came to destroy the works of the devil, which he did.  Consider this.  Sickness, disease, corruption and all evil (or bad) things, are the works of the devil, and they have been conquered.  They have been destroyed.  I have renewed my mind into believing that Messiah destroyed all.  Therefore, I cannot get sick, because sickness is the work of the devil, which has been destroyed. 

As a sidenote, I would add that I have ailments.  I have suffered, in the past, from arthritis in my fingers.  They are crooked.  However, I had spoken to them and told them that they are healed, through the blood of Messiah.  It is, however, easier to stop 'new' things from happening, like dismissing a cold, or a trapped nerve, toothache, anything like that.  I can renew my mind to new ailments, but have to see the picture of healing on the inside for the old.  You cannot just say 'go', and hope.  You have to truly believe it is gone.  It may take time.  I do not get the pain anymore because I believe it has gone, but my husband, who has been walking in faith longer than me, who has high blood pressure, believes that he is cured (because it no longer exists) but the numbers tell him differently.  He knows that he needs to renew his mind to dismiss the numbers.  It may take time.  It shouldn't, but we rely on our five senses so much, what our eyes tell us, we tend to believe.  This is sin, but we are human!

Having said all of this, I find myself talking to Messiah at the stake, and thinking of the worst possible pain I have ever suffered, and understanding that He took this all on, whilst impaled.  Why did He die, and take all this on, if I am going to suffer from the works of the devil?  Elohim does not bring sickness and disease.  He has not done so since the resurrection.   Imagine the worst pain you have every suffered, then imagine how much worse it was for Messiah when he took on the impurities, every disease, ailment, unpure, evil thing, and then, he destroyed it.  Rebuke that pain! Rebuke that illness.  It is phoney!

Remember, the world was created by the WORD of Elohim. He said, and it was.  Messiah had that authority.  He said and it was (or was not!).  We have the spirit of Messiah within us.  We can say and it will be!  On the other hand, remember, when we speak negatively, that is also the WORD that will or will not make things happen.  I shall expound on what I have learned in more detail in my next post.

Be blessed

WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE?

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

I was not listening to this verse when a revelation hit me during the week, I was listening to Hebrews 11:1.  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Laying up treasures upon the earth, is not what we are called to do.  We are called to repent, and we are called to cast off the 'old man'.  We are called to be renewed.  It suddenly occurred to me, and I may have known this academically, that we are called to give up what we love the most.  Sacrifice!  Elohim sacrificed his only son.  Messiah died in a painful and humiliating way.  He called to Elohim and asked if there was another way, but there was not. 

What do we give up?  What do we sacrifice?  The following example is extreme, but brings to light whether we really are willing to do the Will of Elohim.  If Elohim was to say, "Take your child to the mountain, and offer him up as a sacrifice", what would be your response?  I have asked people this before, and the answer has been, "He would not ask us to do that".  The answer is not forthcoming, because no one wants to say "No!"  Having received the answer, I continue; "That is not an answer to the question.  IF HE was to ask you to take your child to the mountain and offer him as a sacrifice, would you?"  Again, the answer is not an answer.  My question is considered ridiculous, and the conversation is over.  It is an horrific thought, that IAUE would ask us to sacrifice our children, but He asked Abraham, and He sacrificed His own son. 

The next question is, "What is in your life, that if IAUE asked you to give it up, you would have a problem with?"  The answers vary from 'chocolate' to more elaborate things.  "What about your kids?"  Would you give up what you love the most, should IAUE ask?  That is what being a new creature in Messiah is all about.  I am not suggesting He would ask you to give up your children, to sacrifice them as he sacrificed Messiah, His Son, but the answer should be, "I shall not resist anything that my Father asks me to do".  We should have died when we were born again.  We should have been reborn to do the will of IAUE unconditionally.  Yet we still fight.  We do not want to give up the things we love, even though we claim we will.  The treasures of this world are not just gold, silver and other delightful objects, they are anything that is of this world. Would you give up the thing you love the most, should IAUE ask?  Remember, sometimes He doesn't ask.  That is because He is IAUE, and He is in charge! 

AMAZING GRACE

Yesterday, I learned something.  I have heard, over and over, the song, 'Amazing Grace'.  I have heard it said, 'By His Grace'.  I have said myself, 'By His Grace'.  I thought I knew what it meant.

Yesterday, I learned the real meaning of His Amazing Grace.  It was the second verse
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
  And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
  The hour I first believed!

Without His Grace, I can do nothing. It was His Grace that brought me to the place where I am now, and His Grace that helps me through.  Without Grace from the Almighty Elohim, we cannot see. 

As I said, I thought I had it!  I thought I understood.  Something clicked yesterday.  It is amazing how you can hear something, say something, believe something for years, and then suddenly you realise you have never really heard it at all.

Grace and peace to all.

What if....

Although I understand that Messiah died for the world, and its sins, I have not always felt as if I have felt what He did.  Academically, I understood why He died, but could not process it fully.  As with most things in my spiritual life, I have to experience it, or have it explained in a way to which I can relate. 

When telling people that I 'don't understand', or 'don't feel it', they find it rather baffling, yet I am sure that even the most devout disciple has, at some time, found it difficulty processing all.

I was reading a book, recently, and one of the characters was going to die.  She explained to another character, that she would be happy to die if it meant that others could be free.  I started to think about what she had said, and when she said she understood why Messiah had died to save the world from its sins, I suddenly realised what it meant.

To anyone who really does understand, perhaps you need not read further, but to anyone who struggles with the deeper reasoning, I would urge you to read on, because it may help.

I started to think about myself, and if I would 'die' for anyone.  If it meant a group of people could be free, would I give my life for the cause?  I started to think about careers and every day life.  The guys who work for us are required to be 'certified', if they want to be able to serve papers and compete with others in the industry.  Many agree that it is not a viable 'programme'.  What if I were to be asked to give my life so that they would not have to go through the programme, and just be able to deliver papers, because they are over 18 and not a party to the lawsuit.  Would I do it?  Say that I do give up my life, and they are at liberty to just serve papers, in a moral and ethical way.  They were able to go about their business as long as they did not use guile or any other forms of deceit.  Then, suddenly, after I had died a gruesome death so that they could be free, they started to use guile and deceit.  How would I feel.  I had given up my life for them, so that they could have freedom, but they chose to treat my death as if it was nothing. 

The young girl in the book was willing to give up her life to give others their freedom.  Messiah gave His life so that we could have our freedom.  Freedom from restrictions.  All He wanted in return was for us to do the will of Elohim. I know how I would feel if my death was treated as if it were of no consequence.

Just a thought.

DID HE HEAR, OR DID HE LISTEN?

psalm 66

¹⁸ If I regard iniquity in my heart, the IAUE will not hear me:

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Just to make sure, I checked a variety of translations for this verse. I believed I knew what it was saying, but I wanted to make sure that all translations were even. There was very little difference.

If I regard iniquity (sin; evil) IAUE will not hear me. The only problem that I have with all translations, is not the word used for 'iniquity', but the word 'hear'. IAUE hears everything, just as he sees everything. However, it is a case of listening. If my kids had been arguing, their explanation of who was right would 'fall on deaf ears'. I would not listen to their defence until they stopped shouting at each other, and sat calmly to explain. Until the anger (iniquity; sin; evil) had passed from them, I would not listen.

IAUE will always hear what is going on, but if we are not pure of heart, will he listen to us?  Why should He grant us a 'hearing', when we are going against His will. When we are acting like the heathen, and raging, why would IAUE take notice?

The amazing thing is that I read the psalms and proverbs yesterday, reading every 30th psalm (6, 36, etc), I read psalm 126, about how the heathen sees IAUE bringing His elect out of captivity, and thought, 'those are the verses on which I need to meditate upon this morning'. (I try to write something everyday, on the verses read, and send it to my husband.  We discuss it later, and find different insights.  I try to listen to the Spirit for guidance as to which verse I should write upon.)  In Psalm 126, the heathen looks at the disciple and wonders at what IAUE does, and sees that although we are occasionally afflicted, He, IAUE, still brings us out of captivity. When does He bring us out? When we do not regard iniquity in our heart.

We must understand that He hears everything, just as He sees everything, but until we stop being selfish and use our own agenda as our defence, He will not listen.

Who would want to?

Just a thought for today.

Proverbs 24:1 Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
² For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking
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It is so easy to get carried away with the world.  I should know, I have been there.  To see those that have so much, when you are struggling, and to see them throw away things that you would never be able to afford.  It can be very upsetting.

Not every wealthy person is evil.  Not every evil person is wealthy.  However, I have seen evil at work, and evil appears to get away with metaphorical murder.  Yet you look at the evil one, the mischief maker and you realise that they are not happy.  There is no joy.  Their heart devises violence and their lips talk of troublemaking.  Yet there is not joy.  When they succeed in their plots, they have to continue to weave their deceitful web, because if it is not a web it will be easily untangled.  When you see all of this put together, e.g. the lies, the web of deceit, the trouble that it causes, you realise that you will soon be part of this, either drawn in because you have 'heard' the 'rumours', or you will become the next 'rumour'.

Who would desire to be with someone like this?  We need to keep far from the road upon where the enemy has his house!

HIS WISDOM, HIS PLAN

 

               

^{Psalm 104:24} O IAUE, how manifold are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all.
The earth is full of Your possessions—
²⁵ This great and wide sea,
In which are innumerable teeming things,
Living things both small and great.
²⁶ There the ships sail about;
There is that Leviathan
Which You have made to play there.

 

74:13You divided the sea by Your strength;
You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.
¹⁴ You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces,
And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

 

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I have just learned quite how important it is to be familiar with the scriptures.  However, had I been more familiar, these verses would not have been in my thought today.

 

Psalm 104:24 begins with the psalmist telling IAUE that he knows that he made everything, 'in wisdom'.  There is nothing 'half baked' about IAUE's plan.  There is nothing that is not perfect.  It describes how we (and I include the saints, as we are all part of this) know that the earth is full of IAUE's possessions.  Everything belongs to Him.  Living things, both small and great, are on the earth, both on land and in the sea.  'Innumerable teeming things'.  Lots and lots and lots.  Ships are sailing about in the sea.  They all 'belong' to IAUE.  He sees the ships and their crew through the winds and rain, or He does not.  Either way, it is His perfect plan, and it is done in His wisdom.  There is also Leviathan. Leviathan is depicted as a sea monster.  In modern Hebrew, it is a whale.  A whale in biblical times was considered more of a monster than it is today.  However, in this verse IAUE made Leviathan play in the sea.

 

As I read, I thought that I had seen IAUE breaking the heads of Leviathan.  Not only did I know that there was a verse, but I had just seen it.  It was in the previous verse, so I returned to psalm 74/. 

 

74:13 You divided the seas by Your strength. You broke the heads of the 'sea serpents' in the waters.  (14) You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gave them as food......

 

Everything in this world is made by IAUE in His wisdom.  He gave the sea serpents, and Leviathan to the people to eat.  It makes perfect sense.  Whale meat was used during the war when there was a scarcity of meat and fish.  IAUE made Leviathan in His wisdom.  In verse 104, he makes Him play in the sea.  Leviathan is not such a monster in 104, he is just a creature playing in the sea.  It is something that IAUE has created in His wisdom because there is a time, and there was a time, when the people needed to eat. 

 

IAUE's wisdom is something that we need to understand. 

The depths of life

Once again, I have been thrown into the depths of  'life', and whilst I have not forsaken all things spiritual, I have felt slightly lost.  My husband sent me a 'Thought for the day', verse a couple of weeks ago, and I felt it was good practice to do this.  We recently moved offices, and our drive is such that we do not have enough time on the road to read the scriptures as we used to.  However, most mornings we read a chapter at home, then read psalms and proverbs.  (Every thirtieth psalm, depending on the date.  Today would be 12, 42, 72 etc.  Proverbs 12)  However, my husband had a very disturbed night last night, and I let him sleep, so our morning reading was non-existent.  Occasionally we come to the office early, so our morning reading does not happen.  Studying the 'next day's psalms', has become an excellent past time.  If we read them the next day, as well, it brings more thoughts.  As I have been writing, I have felt like I am meant to share.  So, this was my first 'thought for the day'.  I doubt that I will post every day, but when I feel that I should, I will! 
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Psalm 28:1 To You I will cry, O IAUE my Elohim:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
² Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary

When we cannot hear the voice of IAUE, what do we do?  Do we consider that we are 'like those who go down into the pit'?  Do we wait until he 'comes back to me'? 

We ask that he listen to the 'voice of our supplications'.  We ask that he hear our prayers.  Yet when he is silent, do we ask Why? 

How many times have we 'started again', because we have failed.  Just like the alcoholic, who falls from 'the wagon', we wait for our 'binge' to run its course, and then come back to the meeting place, because we can be sure that those inside will take us in, and we can stand there and say, 'My name is...., It has been 1 day since I had a drink'.

We are confident of IAUE's love, yet we throw it around like a used rag.  We discard it at will, because it is a 'constant'. 

What if he was silent forever?  What if we became like those going down to the pit.? How long would it be before we started to cry and beg forgiveness?  How long would it be before we forgot that His Kindness is everlasting.

WHAT A BLESSING!

My husband and I were recently asked to look at the first few pages of a manuscript, with a view to editing same. I prayed about what I was going to read, as I wanted to be fair, and non-judgmental. The author started by saying he had been charged by the Holy Spirit to write this, and get it published. I read the first three pages and found myself editing quite ruthlessly. I stopped immediately, and started to read again. If I were to 'edit' as an 'editor', the author would have been left with about two paragraphs. However, I had been asked to do this as a 'disciple', and I believe that if I am told something by the Spirit, to impart to others, I should not, (unless specifically told to do so) change the wording, and so I should pay the same respect to the author of this manuscript.

As we were reading, and discussing, my husband noticed that our car was pulling to the right. He thought it might be the brakes. I thought it might be because we were being too harsh on the writer of the manuscript, and prayed about the car. 'It's the tire', I said, as something just told me, and was quickly reminded that we have an array of lights that blink when there is a problem. I closed my eyes and asked Elohim to fix the car, and as I opened them, the light flickered, and the screen to the left of the steering wheel showed there was, indeed, a flat tire.

The cedar pollen count is very high at the moment, and my husband thought it best not to stand outside and attempt to 'plug' the tire. He suggested we take my car in the morning and he would fix the offending tire at the weekend. I agreed, but then, suddenly, thought I should check my car. I had not taken it out since before the holidays, and something told me that the battery was dead. It was. In fact, it was so dead, it did not even respond to a jump. My husband had no choice but to change the tire on his car. The bolts on the wheel would not move. No matter what he did, there was no way the wheel was coming away from the car. All I could think (and I was rather surprised, being that I have a propensity to think that my world is being messed with, not very spiritual, I know), was how blessed we were. True, we had two cars that were out of action, but it was an inconvenience. We would go back into our house, have some dinner and think about our options.

Again, something told me to 'Phone Jerry!' (Jerry is a guy who works for us, who either has the tool, or knows someone who has the tool!) I continued to prepare dinner, and was still thinking, 'We are so blessed'. It was then that another thought came to mind. If all else failed, my daughter could take us to work in the morning and we could phone our mechanic and he would take care of both the tire and the battery.

Jerry did have the tool! He drove from his house, about 20 miles away, and not only did he have the equipment, he took the tire away, so that his son could look at it, in the morning, and determine its fate.

We drove to our office this morning, and Jerry came in with the tire which was unfortunately deceased! We would have to buy a new one.

All I could think about were the positives. We were truly blessed. Editing and having reservations about what one man hears and writes, is not an act of disobedience, and the problem with the car had nothing to do with my comments. I was not disobeying the Will of Elohim, because I was being asked by a man to read and edit. Elohim may speak to us all, but he does not necessarily tell us all the same things, and sometimes, he tells us very different things. I learned a very valuable lesson (as always). Although we were electronically immobile, we had our health, and strength. We had a house in which to go and discuss our options. We had food on the table, in the freezer and fridge, and in the pantry. We had a daughter who could take us to work. We even had a mechanic who would come out to collect the cars. We had the ability to pay for the the tire, the battery, and the mechanic! As I have said before, Miracles are not necessarily things that make us 'oooh' and 'ahhh'. They are the simple, individual things, like being able to pay for a tire, having food on the table. Having a friend who will come to our aid without a thought. A real good Samaritan!

I will read the manuscript, because I have been asked to by another disciple. I shall give my opinion, and express it as my opinion, unless Elohim asks me to take part in the project. Unless I do something that will offend my Father, such as berate the writer, or make personal slurs, I will not be disobeying any will!

As I was writing this, I had the scriptures playing on my computer, and whilst I set it to start in Romans, it looped, and continued playing through the New Testament. However, as I was up and down, I did not hear very much, but I returned to my desk just as 1 Corinthians 14, started playing. Very interesting!

It has been a blessed day! Grace and peace to all.

We are in the world, not of the world!

With the new year now into its second week (in the Gregorian calender, that is) I found myself, once again, thinking about a new start.  I believe it is a natural part of the human condition. Unless you do not keep track of dates, and are not part of the 'rat race', as it it sometimes known, you have no alternative but to 'join in', to a certain degree.  Many clients, as well as acquaintances, and friends, wish me a 'happy new year', some aware of my spiritual beliefs, and some not.  I respond in kind, as it is the 'human' thing to do, and we are told (and I am sure there are some that will disagree, but it seems apt) to 'render to Ceaser, what is Ceaser's'.  (I think the verse about 'if thy eye offends, pluck it out, is on a more personal level!)

However, despite the 'wishing' everyone salutations, I realised that being caught up with the 'new' is putting myself in the way of the world.  Although we are 'in the world', Paul tells us not to be 'of the world'.  Starting 'afresh' at new year should not be something that I aspire to.

It was all too easy to 'slip' into the Christmas spirit, listening to the tunes on the radio, and joining in with the festive atmosphere.  However, when I heard one shopper say, 'I have just bought these boots.  No one else will. Merry Christmas to me!'.  I wondered why she needed the excuse to buy herself the boots, and didn't think of how I was being caught up in the same net.  Although Messiah was not born around December (and I am sure I have covered this), we are constantly reminded to 'remember the reason for the season!'  Even if Messiah were born around December, and even if we were to celebrate the birth with such fervour, where is the honouring in buying presents for oneself?  I must admit that although I celebrated as a child, I now consider 25th December, and the surrounds to be a time when I have a few days off work, and go home to England to be with my family.  Why?  Because they all have time off work, and it has become a tradition.  I do not celebrate the birth of Messiah at this time, nor do my husband and I give presents (just as we do not consider Valentine's Day to be the day to show our love for each other!)  However, I am in the world and my family still exchange gifts.  My personal gifts are no different to those which I take when I visit in the summer.  However, as they are given on 25th December, which is the time that everyone congregates, there is a preconception that this is a Christmas present. 

With my mother being in her 80's, there is much preparation and much clearing away, and so the day becomes a giant chore!  There is little time for reflection on spiritual matters, and by the time it is all over, we are exhausted.  I am not saying everyone is the same, and I am sure there are many who go to church, and give thanks, but I am also sure there are many like me, who get carried away with the atmosphere, and worse still, complain about how tired we are after it is all over. 

I read my husband's blog on the Sunday after the 25th, which dealt with doing Elohim's will, and not your own.  I was very humbled.  I had not necessarily been doing things that were selfish but I had not been paying as much attention to the Spirit as I might.  I was determined to make amends.  However, after spending most days on my vacation in the kitchen, or doing housework, I relished the 'me' time in the evenings.  I played games on the computer, and I knitted, but I did not read the scriptures, nor did I consider that there might be time to reflect and write something.  After all, it would be new year soon.

Yesterday, I read the Proverbs 7.  The young man is pulled in by the whore and she makes it all sound so nice.  I don't think I have ever contemplated the depth of this Proverb.  I understood the meaning, and I understood that it is easy to either take the easy way out, or to go down the wrong path.  However, it suddenly struck me that I was the figure that was the young man.  I saw the lights, and I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Christmas spirit, and festivities.  I went along and followed the whore to her house, and enjoyed the good life.  I had fun!  How did it end.  Blessedly, I was stopped in my tracks, and understood the implications of NOT doing the will of Elohim.  I understood the implications of going my own way.  I did not fall into the pit.  I was saved as I looked over the top. 

I believe that one of the biggest pit falls is not to recognise our own downfalls. 

Grace and peace to all, and may the voice of the spirit be as clear to you as it was to me, yesterday.

Are we guilty of doing, '...and such like'.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Elohim.
Two days after Thanksgiving, and I am looking at these verses.  Spending time preparing for the feast gives little time preparing the heart to give thanks.  Thanksgiving is now dubbed 'Turkey day', and once again something that is cause for us to reflect becomes focussed on the wrong thing.  Whether it is remembering the shared meal between the Native Indians and Pilgrims, or other historical stories, remains unimportant.  What is important is our Thanksgiving to our creator, the Elohim of the Universe. 

I was reading through the verses above, after spending hours preparing, eating, then shopping, and wondered at how I would recall the events of the weekend.  I sat waiting for my daughter and son-in-law to make a purchase, for an hour at our first stop on Saturday, and started to get irritated.  Did I give thanks for anything?  I have a daughter who is happily married to a great guy; I was being chauffeured by my son-in-law; they were able to pay their own way; I was able to pay my own way; I was able to spend the day shopping; I had plenty of food in my fridge to feed us all for another day; I had a chair to sit upon in the store.  The list goes on, but I sat miserably.  Of course I am ashamed for my actions, and was so at the time, but not before I had wallowed in self pity for quite some time. 

What I encountered, or was guilty of, were not those specifically mentioned above.  They all fell into the category of  'and such like'.  I really was displaying the 'and such like' sins. 

It is very easy to look at a list and think, 'but I was not guilty of any of those', yet fail to understand that the 'and such like' adds everything else to the list.  Being born again, giving our life to Messiah, means that we are not under the law of Moses, we are under the law of IAUE, Elohim.  This means that we are not restricted to a set of rules, we are free to follow his voice.  However, we do not have a 'get out' clause.  If we act in ways that come under the 'and such like', we are not breaking any laws, but we are insulting our creator. 

Short, but I hope helpful.  The few words I read caused a great dealof personal reflection.  How can I be 'thankful' if I am doing 'and such like....'.  Grace and peace to all.

LITTLE FOXES SPOIL THE VINE

Song of Solomon - 2:15
Catch us the foxes,
The little foxes that spoil the vines,
For our vines have tender grapes

I have often quoted the verse above, and more often than not it has been quipped without much thought.

Yesterday, however, I learned that often when we think the foxes have once again ruined the grapes, the opposite is true.

Many things, small things, have been the focus of my attention over the past couple of weeks, and I have asked for help from my Master, mainly to put them into perspective,

Without going into too much detail (as the detail itself is irrelevant) there were some irritations that were purely of a 'maternal' nature.  Although small in themselves, one piled on top of the other was starting to make the vine wilt.  However, by Thursday afternoon, the foxes had been caught and were no longer a threat to the wine.

However, within a short period of time, something happened to make me wonder, 'why?'  My husband had received a document to be delivered the next morning at the local Courthouse.  Despite his assurance that this would not be a problem, we had no one to deliver it.  Everyone had 'prior engagements'.  I questioned as to why there was a problem.  Why was everyone busy?  Why could we not fulfill our promise?  Immediately, I started to evaluate as to whether I had sat back, and forgotten my Master, and His goodness.  Without waiting for an answer, I had decided that this was a disaster, and the foxes had returned with a vengeance.  I had, in essence, lost faith.  Eventually, my husband received a call from his friend, who is in the same business.  It just so happened that he had something that had to be delivered to the local Courthouse in the morning, 30 minutes after our proposed delivery.  I gave thanks and marvelled at the goodness of my Creator, and apologised for my assumption.  Everything is for a reason, and we were shortly to find out why it had to happen this way.  My husband emailed his friend the documents, and shortly after received a call to say that there was a page missing.  My husband had not noticed that there was a page missing, and if he had simply handed the document to one of our regular guys, they would have had no reason to check.  My husband's friend called the attorney who was in charge of the case and she was so grateful that the omission had been caught and reported. 

It was obvious that this was nothing to do with the 'little foxes'.  This was Elohim making a statement, yet I immediately went to 'worse case scenario'.  In giving thanks, I felt at peace.  There was something very calming about the way I felt.  There were no sparkles, no tingles, no goosebumps.  I knew that Elohim had worked so perfectly, not only would we be able to get someone to the Courthouse on time, to deliver a document to someone who was, otherwise, illusive, it eliminated any embarrassment that may have been suffered by the attorney, or the person who sent us the documents on her behalf.

When the document had been delivered, my husband's friend returned to our office.  I asked him if he had success in delivering the other paper, that had put in him the right place at the right time for us.  He had not.  The attorney who had hired him had made a mistake.  The hearing at which his document was to be delivered was not going to take place until next week.  It was when he arrived at the courthouse that he received the call to say there had been a mistake with the dates.  He thanked Elohim.  His trip had not been a waste; more to the point, it had been a success. 

I pray that next time I believe the foxes to be at work, I will have the ability to discern whether it is indeed the canines being mischievous, or whether there is something deeper.  For every season......

I pray this speaks to someone, somewhere, who is in the same situation.  Grace and peace to all.

BELIEF OR FAITH?

My husband has become an avid blogger.  He posts every Sunday, and usually gets inspiration during the week, which promotes a great deal of discussion.

Last week we were discussing the difference between 'belief' and 'faith'.  Is it enough just to believe?  He gave an illustration of the guy who stood and stared at a chair, believing it would take his weight, and another man who simply sat in the chair, as he had faith. 

What happened to the faithful and why did we become a body of believers?  I thought about those who spread the 'good news' in Acts, and the letters that were written by Paul, Timothy, etc.  We have become 'watered down'.  Instead of being washed clean by baptism, it is as if we have been diluted.

Believing that something will happen is all well and good.  Having belief is not a bad thing, but consider this; would you sit in the chair?  Faith is the action!  I believe the problem in todays society, and modern day congregations, is that we are not called to have faith, we are merely asked to 'Believe'.  As a child, and as an adult, I have heard the question asked, 'Do you believe in Elohim?', (God/The Lord/Christ etc).  People do not ask, as a matter of course, 'do you have faith in Elohim?'  Do I believe in Elohim?  Of course I do.  Do I believe in magic?  Well I have seen some pretty good magicians.  However, I would not put my faith into a magician. 

Merely believing is not enough.  We are not called by Elohim to believe.  I believe Elohim does not need us to believe he exists.  He is the creator of the Universe, why should he be concerned.  He could come and twist us around and turn us upside-down in a second or less.  Faith goes much deeper.

Our discussion turned to the depth of faith.  As I have mentioned, I listen to ministers on the TV and watch the audience.  They get quite emotional and take in every word that is said.  Do they believe everything in their life will be okay?  They appear to be nodding and agreeing with the minister, but do they actually have faith?  Believing is more an act of self will.  'I believe, I believe, I believe', does not give you the faith to sit in the chair.  It lulls you into thinking you have done enough by believing.  Believing Yahushua is your master is easy.  Having faith that He will protect you is quite different. 

Over the years, many people have told stories of healing and miraculous divine intervention.  However, whilst many attend meetings where these wonderful events take place, as soon as they are suffering from an ailment, they immediately turn to medicine, be it alternative or conventional.  'Pray for my child, who has hurt her back....an appointment is booked for Monday, but that is three days away'.  The belief that relief may be had is there, otherwise why ask for the prayer, but the faith that all will be restored is not, otherwise why make an appointment?  As I have said before, how many pray for a car, a computer, any component?  A tree, perhaps, that is dying, but essential to keep your yard cool.  Messiah cursed a fig tree; he could surely have asked to make one bloom. 

The watering down of disciples into believers has happened over time.  Psalm 23, in my opinion, is the epitome of faith.  Walking through the shadow of the valley of death, I fear no evil; You prepare a table in the midst of my enemies.  Praying when you walk through a dark alley at night, hoping that no-one will jump out at you, do you quicken your pace, because although you believe He is there, do you really have faith that he will protect you. Unless He tells you to run, why do you feel the need to do so?  We have all done it, I am sure, prayed during our hour of need, but taken precautions. 

I would urge anyone who things 'outside the box', or is just looking for 'something that is missing' to read my husband's blog; 'http://versefortheweek.blogspot.com/

A good lesson for me.  Thank you for reading.  Grace and peace to all

WILL HE ANSWER?

After my last post, I returned to my native land for a couple of weeks.  I attended synagogue a couple of times, once for a service, and once for a wedding.  Listening to the Rabbi's sermon, I found the explanations for Christianity to be a little far off how, as a disciple, I think and act.  I did not have an opportunity to speak with him either after the Saturday morning service, nor after the wedding.  The Rabbi, unlike me, has not been 'born again', and his explanations are to the best of his knowledge, and whilst I do not challenge his wisdom on religious, or indeed, biblical matters, my faith is a way of life, rather than a religion.

When I returned to Texas, my husband and I continued with our daily reading of the Scriptures, and on Wednesday I read Proverb 28.  After I had finished, my husband asked me to repeat one verse.

Proverb 28, 9.

One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.

He asked me what I thought it meant, and how could it be adapted into contemporary Christianity.  Although we do not think of ourselves as Christians, for reasons I have already explained, we sometimes use the phrase when dealing with Discipleship. 

I did have to think about it, and it brought forth the most amazing in depth discussion. 

In the old testament, the Law was to be obeyed at all times.  If the Law was not adhered to, then even a prayer is an abomination.  If the Law was broken, what right would the sinner have to call upon Elohim and expect Him to answer?  I thought about contemporary times, and said that although we are no longer under the Law of the Hebrews, we are now under a new law.  We are subject to the voice of the Spirit. 

My first thought was about prayers that are said 'off the cuff'. If I see an accident, or an incident where someone is victim to something horrific, I immediately pray. I do not stop and ask the Spirit if this is right or wrong, I pray for the immediate need, or what I perceive to be the immediate need.  However, it then occurred to me, 'what if I am not meant to be in the place where I saw the incident'.  If I had been told by the Spirit to take one route, and I chose to take another, and an accident occurred where I witnessed something quite awful, that prompted me to pray, would it be an abomination?  Quite often, when I pray, I feel something quite instant, to say it has been dealt with.  Would I feel nothing? I am not saying that a prayer would not be answered, as the accident or incident would not be beyond the control of Elohim.  Nothing is out of His control.  My question is, would I be subject to knowing that I could not administer anything at that time. 

The fact is that He gives us all good things to enjoy, but what we should want is purely to do His will,;the desire of our heart should only be 'what is His will?'  What if we are not doing His will?  How much will that jeopardize the smooth flow; not the smooth flow of Elohim, as He is beyond our human reasoning, but the smooth flow of our walk. 

Perhaps the verse, put into modern day terms, should be, 'One who turns away his ear from hearing Elohim'.  Who am I to change scripture?  I would not dare.  However, I do believe we have the ability to hear it how it should be heard.  No matter how good my intentions, if I am not walking in the way I am being told, my prayers will be an abomination.  Why should He do for me, when I refuse to do for Him.  Yes, He is all merciful, He is goodness, and kindness, but He is not a walk over!  We have to learn discipline, and like children, we have to be taught, and if we misbehave, we have to face the consequences. 

We all make mistakes.  When we make mistakes do we stop praying?  That is not a question for me to answer.  Each incident has its own consequences, and that is a question that each person should ask themselves, and the Spirit.  Believing that my prayer would be an abomination if I am not walking in the Spirit, certainly causes concern for me. 

I hope this causes food for thought.  Grace and Peace to all.

WAS IT THE DEER'S DAY TO DIE?

In my last post, I put a link to an email to a TV production which showed the miracles that happened after an horrific accident.  If you saw the link, please bear with me while I summarise as quickly as I can.

My sister-in-law Cindy, and her husband, Jim, had taken a motorbike ride out into the country, and decided to come back along a route that would allow her to take pictures of a tree that was in full 'fall' bloom.  On their way home, a deer ran out in front of them. The bike hit the deer, and the two riders slid across the ground, with my sister-in-law on top of her husband,  When she got up, Jim was so badly injured, she did not know if he was dead or alive. What happened around these circumstances were amazing.  Nothing more than a miracle!

A truck coming the other way was being driven by a man who was on his way to attend a wedding, at a nearby church.  Another vehicle came along and it was a pastor, (who knew Cindy and Jim,) and the pastor's wife, who was a trauma nurse.  As the injuries were so severe, Jim had to be airlifted.  The only place that the helicopter could land was at a small church, which was full of people for a wedding.  Lots of people to pray.

Once at the hospital, tests were taken and Jim was in ICU.  He was very sick.  Jim had been very active, so much so, their son had started a blog about his father, just before the accident, called 'Jim the Axeman'.  When he was at the hospital, they said he was 'unresponsive', and the family should prepare themselves for the worst. Cindy, quite devastated, went into another room where her son was sitting, and seeing his mother very distraught, he used the blog to post that his father needed prayers. The following day (or thereabouts) Jim responded. The doctors were amazed.  Day after day, week after week, prayers were said, and like a miracle Jim got better, and better. Although not 100%, he was able to return home, and start work, much to the doctor's further amazement, and is living as normal a life as possible. There are a few problems, as there would be with any damage to the brain, but this man should, according to the medical profession, not have survived, or recovered as quickly as he did. Most of the prayers that were said were to God, or Lord, or Jesus, or Christ. Most of those saying the prayers had probably never been spoken to about the revelation that I have had. Elohim responded because Jim was not meant to die. However, Jim's suffering brought many to know the wonders of Elohim, and His son. 

With so many coincidences, it started me wondering whether Cindy and Jim should have been on the road, or should not.  My first thought when I saw the video (not after the accident) was that the deer was meant to die!  The Butterfly Effect.  After all, Elohim created it!  No one said Cindy and Jim should not have taken that route back home.  Cindy wanted to take a picture of a tree, and they chose to take the alternative route.  Perhaps they drove that route more often than not, but that day, they chose to take that route.  Perhaps the man in the truck was not meant to be at the wedding, and perhaps, he was meant to be the one that struck the deer.  There are so many variables.  What put everyone on that road at the same time?  They could have taken the ride the week before, when there was no wedding, when the pastor was not driving along with his wife the nurse. 

With so much going through my head, and so many questions asked of Elohim, I was given another insight.  Messiah told the disciples that they would suffer in His name.  I have always considered this to be persecuted for our belief, as has been indicated, and perhaps taught.  What if the suffering is not always persecution?

However, Jim's suffering brought many to know the wonders of Elohim, and His son. 

I am sorry if this is slightly disjointed but I cannot summarize with any more clarity.  The more I ask, the more I am given.  Being 'outside the box' has opened up so many more questions.  One of them is being obedient.  As I said, I am not meant to use the names that are commonly used, but I know he hears.  I know that everything is for a purpose.  I have continually stated how there was no 'J' in the Hebrew alphabet, and how it must be offensive to call Elohim's son by a name other than that given to Him by His father, and I still stand by this, but everyone must be obedient.  That is, after all, a command; To love IAUE your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul and all your might. As long as our ears are open to the Holy Spirit, we should receive the answers. 

Grace and peace.

IT NEVER GETS OLD!

Several things have been 'playing' on my mind recently, and I have been reminded that although I know that Elohim is in charge, those who do not call him by the names to which I have been shown, He is still in charge. 

I recently had lunch with a lady who is the wife of one of our process servers.  We have been promising each other for a long time that we would 'get together', but nothing materialised.  However, we made a date, after about eight years, and found that we were very compatible in all areas.  Although she considers herself a 'converted' Messianic Jew, she still uses the terms God, Lord and Jesus. This did nothing to diminish the quality of our fellowship. We talked for six hours, praying and praising, discussing and diagnosing.  We learned a lot from each other and realised that, although we did not necessarily see 'eye to eye', on the names, we both thought outside the box and our spiritual walk was constantly taking us to new depths. 

Many times I have said that prayers to Elohim do not need to be spelled out.  If someone asks for prayer for a broken arm, it is unnecessary to tell him how to fix the bone.  He knows how to heal, after all, he has the blue prints!  If someone is in pain, it is unnecessary for us to diagnose and tell him to stop the hurting by explaining what we think is causing the problem.  We ask Him to go to the 'root'.  After explaining to my new friend that I had been the victim of 'panic attacks' and then mentioning that I had dreamed a recurring dream for as long as I could remember, followed up by the story of my family (which I mentioned in a previous post), it became obvious to her that everything was connected, and suggested that his may be a family curse and she could pray for me and as Elohim to relieve me. She prayed for me, and asked Elohim (she used the Hebrew terms, as she knew that I do not use the commonly used biblical terms) to heal me and He released me from the curse.  Almost as soon as she started to pray, I felt a 'pop' inside, and suddenly I knew that I would not have attacks again, nor would the recurring dream reoccur.  I cannot explain how I know, and in the past I, too, would be sceptical, but I have faith that I have been released. 

My friend explained that she has prayed over many people, and many have been healed and given peace.  She has prayed in the name of Yahashua, and Jesus.  She has prayed to Elohim and God.  All her prayers have obviously been heard, and many have been answered.  (We can only ask; His agenda may not be ours!)  I am still firmly convinced that I have been shown something magnificent, and I will not revert as I do believe that I must not the terms God, Lord, Jesus and Christ.  However, it does not mean that He does not hear.  I feel that it comes down to us being obedient.  I can tell someone until I am blue in the face that there was no 'J' in the Hebrew alphabet, but unless it has been revealed, spiritually, I cannot force them to see what I have been shown.  It is also not up to me to judge someone who does not see something spiritually, just as others cannot judge me if Elohim has not spiritually revealed something to me.  His timing is perfect and we are all His tools. 

My meeting with my new friend started a new phase in my spiritual walk, and I knew we had been put together at this time for this very reason.  There were a lot of interesting things that 'popped up' after the meeting, and I saw some things in a new light.  We are, after all, continually growing. Then yesterday I was watching an episode of a broadcast on a network called 'Lumindeo'.  It featured my sister in law and her husband, who survived an horrific motorbike accident.  How they survived was a miracle.  What happened after the accident was a miracle.  I do not normally put links on my posts, but I am going to make an exception, due to the fact that I have been shown something quite interesting and, I think, amazing.  It also reinforced the magnitude of my creator and the miracle of miracles, and forced me, once again, to look at all the new things that He is showing me.

I shall leave my thoughts, and things I have been shown, for another post, just in case you wish to view the attachment.  Elohim works in mysterious ways, and who are we to argue.

http://lumindeostudio.org/2013/06/20/in-30-featuring-jim-cindy-sigmon/
Grace and Peace

REPENT! OR NOT?

Starting several posts, last week, and feeling quite good about them all, I was curious as to why I was not given the opportunity to finish them, and publish.  My husband has been writing his own blog, and we have been discussing the role of the church etc, in the life of a disciple.

The bottom line comes down to what we are called to do.  Firstly, we are called to REPENT!  Having got into a very heavy discussion, I became aware that I was meant to write what I was verbalising.  Then, before going to sleep, we watched a minister on TV, who was talking about the very same thing! 

Messiah instructed, as did John, 'Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!'  However, Elohim has become a commodity.  We are not called to 'Repent', we are called to 'Let Him come into our lives'.  If we accept Him, all will be well.  If we let Him into our lives...?  It is all about the pretty packaging.  There appear to be no consequences.  Just like everything else, things have been watered down for us to want it.  Who remembers the verse, 'many are invited, but few are chosen'?  (Matthew 22:14)  This confirms that we do not invite him in, He calls us!  However, in order to become a disciple, and walk in the way in which Messiah walked, we need to Repent, and then do the Will of Elohim, without deviation.  Paul, on the road to Damascus, was not given a nicely wrapped gift, he was given an almighty jolt!  Messiah did not say, 'Hey Paul, listen, you want eternal salvation, please come and follow me?  Please....I'll give you anything you want if you do!'  No, Messiah said, 'Why do you kick against the pricks', and then 'kicked him into touch'! 

My husband and I were discussing the 'marketing' of Elohim, in order to get people to 'want the product'.  I made a comment about ice cream.  Originally, a commercial for Ice-cream was just for the product.  It is a nice, creamy, treat.  Then that was not enough.  In order to 'compete', it was necessary to emphasise the attributes.  The ice-cream was eaten by 'cool' people, and celebrities.  It was advertised by attractive, slim people in swimsuits.  The ice-cream remained the same; the audience got bored.  A new audience, as well as the old, needed to be attracted. Same product, new packaging, may get more sales.  Elohim is being commercialised. in the same way.  He is being made to appear more appealing.  After all, 'Repent', and do exactly as you are told, even if you don't want to', does not sound like much fun.  Telling people that if the accept Elohim, allow Him to come into your life, because He loves you, and He wants you to be part of His Kingdom, and He wants to bless you with health, wealth and happiness, is so much more appealing.  Who wouldn't want someone who would give them their hearts desires while they are on this earth, and then guarantee them a place in paradise when they leave.  Who wouldn't want to do nothing but Let Him in! 

I have been astounded at how those who have been 'walking in the Spirit' for decades, cannot see the conflict.  My husband points out that I have not been part of the Christian culture, and have not had years of 'doctrine' to rewrite.  I have, however, listened to how believers have participated in miracles, and supernatural occurrences, yet lie constantly.  There is no fear of Elohim.  I have been learning about removing the beam from my own eye, before attempting to remove the speck from my brother's eye, but these are brother's who are telling me that I have a 'problem' because I do not attend church, and congregate with the brethren.  I have said that I do not need to be told, over and over again, that Elohim loves me (or God as it is in most churches), as I know he loves me.  He is my father.  I don't need to be told to follow a prayer that asks Him to give me what I want.  What I need is to hear his voice, and obey it! 

The message has been watered down to attract the masses.  Does the Creator of the Universe need to ask people to come and join Him in His set apart place?  Does He need to make it more inviting?  Does He lack the numbers to fill the space? Psalm 50:12 says it perfectly.  'If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it'. 

The message is clear, 'Repent'.  Then, as Messiah says when asked which is the greatest commandment, (Mark 12:29-30) '....The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, IAUE, your Elohim is one: you shall love the IAUE your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment ' 

I do not have the authority to tell people not to go to church, just as those who insist that I am wrong cannot tell me that I am hearing the Spirit incorrectly. (Corinthians 2:11) 'For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of Elohim, except Elohim’s Spirit.'  All I can do is write what is being told to me, and pray that I am saying it correctly.  IAUE will choose those He wishes to join Him, not man.  We do not need to wrap Him up in pretty colours to make Him acceptable to us!

Thank you for reading.  Grace and Peace to all.

WHY AM I HERE? HOW AM I HERE/.

Before I started to write my last post, I had everything planned out, and knew exactly what to write.  However, once I started, I realised that it was going to take more than one post to cover everything, and then by the time I had finished, I had learned my lesson! 

I have been quick to ask for help, from above, (or within,) when I have felt the urge to chastise or reprimand.  'Do I have the right?'   I started to write this post, and knew that it was not going to be a continuation, but another lesson in being sensitive to the word of the Spirit.  What I want to write is not important. It is not for me to wonder whether I will keep the attention of my audience.  One thing of which I am sure, is that Elohim is the same now as ever He was.  He is the creator of the Universe, and He is in control. 

We were blessed over the Memorial Day weekend, with a trip to Tennessee and drove around four surrounding states.  I took my kindle, on which I have the King James Bible, and we read the psalms each morning, and enjoyed the beauty that Elohim had provided.  On my way home, I was separated from my husband by the aisle on the plane.  The television was playing and I took out my earphones to listen, but decided that this would be an excellent opportunity to read the scriptures.  Although I felt very blessed, and uplifted, I felt the need to read 'The Book of Revelations'.  The gentleman who took the middle seat on my side, looked over and, with one glance, recognised what I was reading.  'Ah, Revelations'.  I smiled and he continued to chat about how awesome were the works of Elohim.  We chatted for sometime, and although he did not use the same names as me, we very much agreed with the fact that there are a lot of things that have been 'mis-construed'.  I knew, before he told me, that he was from Ghana.  It was something that had been imparted to me.  It is true, I could have 'guessed' correctly, but I do not believe this to be the case. 

My new acquaintance had moved to the USA some 20 years ago, as he had been instructed to do by Elohim, and although he held a good position in his native country, he struggled for a long time in his adopted country.  However, he knew this was where he was meant to be, and never gave up his faith.  I told him my story, and realised that this was probably the first person, whom I did not know, (or was not part of the group with whom I was with) with whom I discussed the scriptures.  We agreed that although we have the relationship of a shepherd and his sheep, we should not follow blindly, like the woolly animal.  If we have a niggle in our spirit, about something that has been preached, we should question it.  It may be that the niggle is unfounded, but in order for us to truly walk in the word of Elohim, we need to be sure we hear Him correctly.  I listened intently to all he had to say, and he finished with a prayer.  His faith inspired me, and although my husband is my mentor, and we have spiritual discussions regularly, he taught me so much.  He answered many questions that, although I did not ask, had been on my mind.  He explained things with which I was having issues, again, without me saying a word. 

Before we landed, it became evident that this man was seated next to me to bring forward my purpose for being at this place, at this time.  I could say he was an angel (I have met people before of whom I am sure were angels, put here in human form to help me) or he could have been sensitive to the Spirit and been speaking what he was told to speak.

Therefore, rather than continue adding to this post, and attempt to keep your interest, I am quite sure that I am meant to leave you with something to ponder.  How did we get here?  With my family history, it is a miracle that I am here, writing this post. It is for that reason that I know I am meant to do more than live my life, day to day, without purpose.  I know that I have been put here to witness, as was told to us in the New Testament (Covenant).  So, here is my history.  My ancestors were in Spain at the time of the Inquisition.  They escaped.  My maternal grandfather's paternal family came to England.  My maternal grandmother's family settled in Holland, until there were rumbles of anti-Semitic uprising, and my great grandparents came to England.  It appears that they were each the sole survivors of a large family of siblings, the remainder of whom were either killed before WWII, or during.  My maternal grandmother met my grandfather after he came home from the Great War.  (I watched the movie War Horse, and realised that my grandfather was one of those who went 'over the top', and came home alive, and was humbled.)  So, despite all the odds against my family, I became. It is very humbling. 

Elohim saved the remnant, and the remnant is me.  Who am I not to do His Will. 

Thank you for reading.  I thank Elohim for giving me life, and this opportunity to learn, and perhaps teach (in the broadest of terms!) 

Until next time, may grace and peace be with you.