Elul Two-Teshuvah

Elul Two

September/Elul two

Now the date
I’ve returned again
Excited I wait

Time with my Beloved
He is speaking to me
I am enamored with Him
And He with me

A time to search
Looking for snags
I must be prepared
Not be a drag

He’s left me a gift
A new outfit He said
I must be dressed and ready
He is always thinking ahead

I’m so excited
I can hardly wait
Truly a special time
Teshuvah Date

 

© laurette laster

 

Second of Elul and the days of our repentance, known as Teshuvah: A time to turn, a time to turn back or return to God and His ways.

When we do the work of repentance we are giving up our selfish childish ways and looking into the things of God. When we spend time in His word we are learning His heart. What pleases God, and what does God instruct us to do toward others?

I’m very concerned about the denial of, or the need for repentance in todays society. It is rarely spoken of or taught.  I see many who are teaching God doesn’t require any work from us. The basic feel good message of “Live like you want its ok, Jesus loves everybody and we are all okay.” I believe in the grace of God. This grace is what wrecked me so that I changed drastically. In this grace I turned into a whole new creation.  I have never dreamed of going back  to the sins or what He saved me from.  While we know that God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, we find heart test that locate us. If Jesus is ‘all in’ do you think He requires the same from us? I say yes based on the scriptures. I’m going to use two here to make this point.

“Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my followers, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23 NLT)

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask The Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.” (John 14:15-16 BSB)

 

In a covenant we make commitments that are binding agreements, or at least they should be. A covenant requires that both parties be ‘all in’. In Leviticus chapter 23, in Numbers, in Exodus and throughout the bible we learn about the feast of the Lord. In Leviticus chapter 23 God calls us to meet with Him seven times a year. We could say there were eight feasts if we count the Sabbath day. God says every seven days we meet with Him, and seven times a year He has set aside specific time to meet with His people. God Himself calls these Mo’edims or appointments or rehearsals.

 

Recently I was teaching a bible study and shared that we are in the dress rehearsal stage of these feasts. We are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ.  We know the first four feasts have been fulfilled, literally, and now we have the last three feasts that we are still rehearsing. I’m surprised when I hear people say that the remaining feasts will not be fulfilled, literally. Some very educated, (much smarter than me) now believe the remaining three feasts are allegorical and will not be fulfilled literally. How can we be sure of this? When did God decide that? Can you show me how the first four were not allegorical also in light of our renewed or regenerated persons?

I know that Jesus is our  Kohen Gadol or High Priest and that He willingly laid down His life becoming our sacrificial Lamb, and has taken His spotless blood into heaven, placing it on the mercy seat in the Heavenly Temple, and I have atonement with The Father through His blood. I know we have the ability to Tabernacle with our Lord daily but there is sure to be more than our little brains can imagine to the fulfillment God designed in the beginning, when He designed and ordered these special meeting times. A few years ago during this season The Lord showed me that each time we pray or say “In Jesus Name” like the high priest we are in essence sprinkling His blood over the situation we are praying over. This work is being conducted in the Holy of Holies. So while it is done, it is still being done, on earth as it is in heaven. These seasons are very supernatural and I have talked with someone today being ushered into repentance and healing from long ago sins.

 

I believe God has prompted me and ushered me into these Holy Mo’eds with Him and is indeed well pleased we are learning about them. He has challenged me and spoke audibly to me about the seasonal changes that line up with the feast. I know He has shown me how Christians are like trees, fruit trees and we should mature and produce more fruit, and more delicious fruit, from season to season. Did He not tell Noah in Genesis 8:22

“While the earth remains,

Seedtime and harvest,

Cold and Heat

Winter and Summer,

and day and night

shall not cease.”

 

This is a set time, an appointment, an appointed time with Him, a Mo’edim, to come away and meet with our King. In the Hebrew month of Elul it is said that the king is in the field. Teshuvah is the time when we have full access to our Lord, a face to face meeting with our King. He is concerned about our souls and the condition of His people. He is offering freedom from oppression, giving special gifts, offering a time to repent and make amends. Don’t miss this special season while our King is close.

Isaiah 55;6 Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.

 

When thinking about Teshuvah/Returning, it is about repentance of one’s sins. Sin is to miss the mark. What mark do we miss? Putting it simply, we miss hitting the mark of love to love and obey The Fathers command.

When we allow self, our carnal nature lead, self will always strive to have its own way. When we are led by The Spirit we can see and allow or choose by our own volition to allow Gods way to be the way. Then we have peace with God and man.

What is the difference between conviction that leads to repentance and condemnation that leads to destruction? Conviction is about activity while condemnation is about annihilating our character and self. Conviction is meant to cut us to our heart, bringing about change. The change in direction or behavior is caused by changing our beliefs.

 

Condemnation is a tactic of the enemy to make us believe there is no hope. Condemnation strips us of believing there is any hope for us.

Holy Spirit convicts us to bring about change, so another way to explain this would be to say Holy Spirit is convincing us to do what pleases our Lord.

 

Yes conviction is uncomfortable and that is exactly His purpose. I have heard it put this way, “The Lord comforts the afflicted, and The Lord afflicts the comfortable.” When we can repent, and turn back to His ways, the weight of the conviction is taken away.

However when condemnation is at work we cannot do enough to feel better or ease the pain. No matter how much we do it is never enough. These are dead works.

What is repentance? It is where Holy Spirit, as our guide, counselor, comforter and teacher and does show us where we aren’t living out the new life we have in Christ. He shows us so we can repent and come back, Teshuvah (return) to His heart.

Acts 2:36-38 Therefore let all of Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent (return, Teshuvah, turn around) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

During this season of preparing our hearts, called Teshuvah, I pray the blessing of conviction, merciful breaking, is at work in every believer. As He gently Woo’s us back. To the place we were intended to be from the beginning. Repentance is precious in the eyes of The Lord.

 

Holy Spirit, lead us into merciful breaking.

Amen

 

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

 

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette