Welcome to Teshuvah Elul 28

I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who continues in me and in whom I continue bears abundant fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

 

Welcome to Teshuvah Elul 28

Elul twenty eight

Today and one more

So much accomplished

The sacred time with Him how I adore

 

What a time in His Torah

With my Savior and King

His lessons and teachings

Have been heart cleansing

 

The field will be sprouting

There is new Life all around

It shall be a glorious harvest

The precious fruit abounds

When looking unto Jesus

Faiths Author and Finisher

Has made known this season

He is my vineyard replenisher

 

It become blatantly apparent

Why I was unable to be fruitful

Because without abiding in the Vine

All work is completely futile

 

© laurette laster 2019

 

While turning my thoughts to the Fall Feasts and many traditions in the USA, I realize more and more why God hates mixture. In the book of Revelation He says I’d rather you be hot or cold because lukewarm is a mixture or a hint of both. Have you known people you’re not really sure who they are? Jesus tells us to let our yes be yes and our no mean no.

The State Fair of Texas just kicked off this week. I’ve noticed for several years that many traditions we have seem to mimic our Jewish Ancestors and the deep Jewish roots. And if I am correct, they are certainly defiled.

I don’t believe it has been done with malice but I do believe it is Satan’s strategy to take us slightly off course. Our ignorance has kept us veering further and further off course until someone discovers God’s truth and begins to live by His truth.

The word ignorance is to ignore. See how a simple truth has gotten way off from what God ordained and called.

The booths at carnivals sure look like the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths, but the meaning now carnal, relating to or given to worldly desires and we call them carnivals. Go figure.

Could this be a coincidence? Is this a coincidence? The word carnival was first used in the 1600’s. I certainly am not against the fun of Fairs and carnivals, do we glimpse where this originated? At State Fairs there are jelly making contest, fruit dish baking contest, and other crafts. All of these following the fruit harvest. Classic movies show how the fairs were community events, bringing family’s outdoors, together. These were fun festive times, to show off their cooking skills and other talents.

I truly believe today’s celebrations has its beginnings in God’s original Feast and mo’eds.

When doing the work of repentance we denounce the fleshly carnal desires, turn back to God, and His ways. God is the originator of good times and festive events. Any time we bring our sensual desires into the equation we will get off and miss the mark. Sin is called missing the mark, we see how being slightly off at the beginning can cause complete shipwreck in a few generations. I love when I begin to see that God’s original design is everywhere. Satan corrupts through slight deviations, hoping we don’t notice. His tactic hasn’t changed since the garden. When we ignore God’s laws and commands it takes us into complete ignorance followed by judgment.

I’ve recently learned that compasses have two North’s. Did you know that? I did not know this, or if I have ever learned this I’ve forgotten. There is North, and there is true North on compasses.

So there is almost going God’s way and there is His Way that is Absolute Truth. The Truth we know is Jesus Christ. He did not abolish the law He fulfilled the law in love. He made a way that we can repent and escape judgment. He laid down His life, any who repent have redemption and the remission of sin. And that is the gospel and the good news.

As the month of Elul draws to a close we look toward The Ten Days of Awe, a time of introspection. Earlier this month I thought about our Jewish brothers and sisters coming back after captivity. In the book of Nehemiah, as Ezra read from the Torah, the people wept, hearing the words from the Torah cut to their heart. Can you remember a time like this? I sure can.

I remember when I realized how far off I was and how generational ignorance had taken a toll on our family. It only takes one to Teshuvah and return and begin to pray for your loved ones.

So 40 Days of Teshuvah, the days of the Hebrew month of Elul added to The Days of Awe, leading up to The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. Think about this. To be certain they didn’t get too far off they added extra time to the season of our repentance, additional time spent with our Lord. How can we go wrong becoming radical? I know I would rather ere on the side of doing more than hoping I can slide by. But the truth is, love makes you long to stay. When we are in love we look forward to talking to our loved one. We look forward to sharing special events and happenings from our day. Isn’t it nice to get a call or a text, saying I love you. That is the heart of Teshuvah. I pray you have grown to love the Lord more this season than ever before. We are called to bear fruit and this is seasonal and continuous.

I pray we do not ignore the love of our Savior and how God has prepared a way that leads to our bearing much fruit by abiding in The Vine. Jesus said, apart for Me you can do nothing. The definition of the word futile means to be of no kingdom use, God forbid. God is all about His kingdom and we are commanded to be fruitful.

The sweetness God requires is that His people bear much fruit by abiding in The Vine.

Don’t miss this sweet season, the Season of Teshuvah, The Season of our Repentance, my favorite time of the year.

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