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It Is Free “Not Cheap”
It Is Free “Not Cheap”
Grace changes everything
The Work Jesus Accomplished is Holy!
John 1:17 grace and truth came through Jesus Christ-
I write under inspiration
To share this story
I write under inspiration
To help set the captives free
He gifted me the ability
To share in all He has done
It is under His inspiration
The poetry doth come
He called my name and beckoned
I didn’t understand
Until came the inspiration
Summoned by His hand
I long to share the truth
Of a life of liberty
I write under His inspiration
To the God who set me free
It rhymes and has rhythm
Songs can freely flow
Under His inspiration
The gift began to grow
If you know the Author
He is summoning to you
Come up higher and closer
It’s up to you to choose
I write under inspiration
The story of His Son
About our God so Holy
To tell of all He’s done
His grace though freely given
In a world that makes it cheap
But just remember this one thing
It is mountain-ness steep
You cannot make Him common
Holy is the work He accomplished
He came to lift and take us out
His authority for the impoverished
To show those who see
Authority in His name
He did rise again
And expects from us the same
We must come up higher
Walk in His commandments and ways
Because these gifts and callings
Crucial for the coming days
I write under inspiration
To the struggling and the lost
Their are those who try to cheapen
Remember JESUS paid the ultimate cost
So as they peddle grace
Like tricks turned on the street
When grace is truly tasted
You’ll walk to a different beat
Beware of those who say
You can be happy in your sin
That is a lie and deception
Slithering in the vipers den
Snakes slither on their bellies
Licking up the dust
Set your thoughts above
Where neither moth nor rust
His power and grace have purpose
Eternal things spiritually discerned
It for this one reason
That earthly trash can be unlearned
So if you’re happy in your sin
Telling others this is grace
You my friend are spitting
In The Masters face
So please don’t make Him common
Holy is the work He accomplished
He came to lift and take us out
His authority for the impoverished
I write under inspiration
Today I feel I must warn
Those who want to cheapen grace
Have not truly been reborn
© laurette laster
Recently in prayer, in the early morning hours, this poem flowed.
First let me say and clarify, I am a recipient of God’s Amazing Grace. It is free, but it is not cheap.
There are some articles and posts I recently read that caused a twist in my gut, if I can speak plainly. Grace is free but it is not CHEAP. Recently as I was praying about my attitude The Lord revealed to me, my attitude isn’t off, I am discerning that there are those who are peddling His Holy Grace like cheap tricks with no real commitment or covenant rights.
Mercy covers all, grace came through Jesus Christ.
It is like paying a prostitute for sex, while exclaiming you are making love. Making love is confined within covenant, and this by God’s design. God has designed the art of love making to be between one man and one woman, in the art of Holy matrimony. I realize it may not be the most popular idea but it is His Holy Design and cannot be changed.
I know God’s Great Grace is freely available for anyone, regardless of what they’ve done or where they come from. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven and there is no sinner so far gone that cannot be changed by His Amazing Grace.
However when grace touches the (sinner) recipient, the sinner is changed at the very core and is made brand new.
If you haven’t been changed in the inner man, you weren’t touched and have not tasted His grace.
Romans 5
The apostle Paul says the old has passed away and the new is here.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone.
The grace Jesus Christ offers, lifts us up and out of a pit. Here are a few translations: a slimy pit, the pit of despair, a pit of destruction, a horrible pit, a desolate pit, a pit of confusion, a miry pit, and then God’s Great Grace sets our feet upon The Rock making our steps firm. So grace pulls us out and establishes our direction.
I am not in any way attempting to withhold His Grace from anyone, I am saying His Grace is Holy, and cannot be handled (fondled) or tossed around like a new toy. Once tasted, His Amazing Grace will be guarded and valued like the most precious gem, and taught with reverence.
God’s Grace allows us to walk through fire and not be burned or even smell like smoke. This grace erases the evidence and the smell of the old man from our lives. Once the smell is gone we do not want to go back.
His grace restores relationships and makes us bow down, even prostrating ourselves under the anointing of the Holiness.
Jesus said, “no one can come to Me less The Father draws them.” How much holier can it be?
We cannot be saved and be comfortable in our sin. Holy Spirit comes to convince (convict) us there is a way God desires for us to live.
Recently a friend shared this memory with me. While in prayer to The Lord, and repenting, she began crying out to Him. Telling Him how sorry she was for not fully surrendering and living the life He desired, she said He spoke these words to her, ” I won’t love you any less but you won’t know Me any more. She described a feeling of complete despair at His answer. Thinking His answer meant He would leave her, she was terrified at this thought. Later she realized what He meant. He would never quit loving her, yet she would never have the joy of knowing Him in a more intimate way than she did at that time. There couldn’t be a deeper walk with Him, an ongoing or a growing relationship wouldn’t be experienced without total surrender.
Beware of those who serve a common, cheap work of Christ, this is a cheap counterfeit.
The invitation is to whosoever, but His work on the Cross is Holy and Divine and is a game changer to those who are in covenant with Him. Those who have tasted His grace are changed and it is evident.
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
The Beaver Moon
Photos taken at daybreak!
Greg called and said you should go check out the moon in the West. I said I will. My coffee was brewing and I had a sense of urgency to go ‘now’ so I grabbed my keys, my camera throwing on a full length coat over my pj’s and dashed out the door. Out the door to snap a few pictures thinking no one should see me if I hurry. You know at least ten cars passed as I stood outside my car taking pictures.
Soon after returning home a friend text, “I saw you.” Oh well I’m glad I dashed or I would have missed this big orange moon at daybreak.
The Beaver Moon this morning at daybreak! It was an awesome sight! And I was caught in the act.
The moon was nestled
Resting atop the tree
What was it thinking
Was it waiting for me
What’s keeping her this morning
My time I’m biding
I’m bright and visible
Maybe she thinks I’m hiding
Perhaps Greg will tell her
Is she even aware
When I’m gone I’m gone
She cannot share
The moon nestled in that tree
I believe waiting for me
I captured a few photos
To share as you can see
A Full Beaver Moon
November of twenty and nineteen
Taken with my coat over my pj’s
Before coffee and caffeine
Someone said they saw me
Oh now what can I do
Just smile and post the pics
And share them with you 😉
© laurette laster
Written in the Leaves
“If you’re unable to understand and believe what I’ve told you about the natural realm, what will you do when I begin to unveil the heavenly realm?”
John 3:12 TPT
Written in the Leaves
Some want their name written among stars
I want my written with the leaves
Then I’m reminded I am pleasing God
If I can let go and simply believe
Some desire their names to be written in lights
I’ve decided mine belongs in the leaves
Reminding me I cannot go forward
Holding yesterday’s baggage and receive
All the good that God has
The gifts He is waiting to bestow
I’ve found nature teaches plainly
Quid pro quo-receive-let go
What does nature teach
It has to die to live and grow
And if you want to receive the new
Well we simply have to let go
Why is this root work important
Why is it so complicated
Because simply my dear
That is how our Lord created
Line upon line, Day by day
You must be born from above
When we are most frustrated
May be His language of love
Lord write my name in the leaves
And teach me to simply believe
That I am most pleasing to You
When I let go ready myself to receive
There is a leaf for your name
So today as you’re walking around
Stop and pick one up
Lift it up high above the ground
Pray God, surround me today
With Your good and perfect gifts
Then keep the leaf as a reminder He hears
Reminded to pray when you need a lift
Yes write our names in the leaves
Teach us how to let go
Remind us over and over
Train and teach us how to grow
In the simple and silly prayers
I’ve discovered we genuinely align
Is this how to be led by His Spirit
After all…….
each are His peculiar genuine unique design
copyright © laurette laster 2019 All rights reserved
Early this morning I went to capture a few photos of the moon (I will post in another post). It was breathtaking.
Coming back, it was a small pile of leaves that caught and kept my attention. All the colors are magnificent. Even though they are dead and dying the colors are beautiful. I couldn’t refrain from taking a few photos.
In 2011, While driving home I was marveling at the beautiful fall foliage, thanking God for such beauty. He spoke something I’ll never forget. He said, “Laurette they are dead.” Talk about jerking me back into reality, and I thought, Lord, as a matter of fact yes they are. I hadn’t given that much thought before.
I ask Him, how can something dead be so vibrant and beautiful? He quickened to me this is what repentance looks like to Him. I caught a deeper revelation at the changing of the seasons. It might have been nice if He had left me reveling in the thoughts, allowing my emotions to be stirred, but He didn’t. No, He desired truth in my inward parts and I am grateful.
After all what is the prayer many of us pray: that God will give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know Him better, that the eyes of our understanding (hearts) be enlightened so that we may know the hope to which He has called us, oh and the riches of His glorious inheritance with the saints, His holy people.
When I was adding my signature to one of the pictures this thought came rushing out as a poem. What came to mind was inspired of The Lord. So many people have dreams and aspirations of their names written in lights and being seen or achieving great things reaching the stars, and these are good, when done with Gods favor and blessing.
Without God’s favor and provision, achieving worldly heights often leaves people more wanting, dealing with feelings of sadness or loneliness.
Finding the will and purpose of God for our life is what brings eternal value with true joy and contentment. Simple tasks and kind deeds, seeing needs and coming up with solutions have turned into businesses some million dollar ideas have come by meeting a need and taken off.
Knowing our loved ones are saved and born again is a longing fulfilled becoming a tree of life.
So today I believe many of us are realizing our stories and dreams, indeed are written among the leaves. Don’t become discouraged, we are a solution waiting to happen, we are not the problem.
I want to encourage you if the promise hasn’t manifested, snuggle down, He hasn’t forgotten us. Who knows it may come today, or it may be on the way or it is being matured by another root season. Either way it is coming.
If like me, you’re not where you thought you would be by now; the promise is being perfected and nourished allowing for deeper roots.
I want to encourage you with this, out of 7 plus billion people in this planet, we are His unique design. No other soul on this planet has our fingerprint. That alone is mind blowing to me. But God!
I don’t know what your finger print or prints will be left on, but I do know we shall reap if we faint not.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 KJV
“If you’re unable to understand and believe what I’ve told you about the natural realm, what will you do when I begin to unveil the heavenly realm?”
John 3:12 TPT
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:”
1 Peter 2:9 KJV
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
At The River
At The Paluxy
(November 2019)
Sitting down by the river
Moon twinkling through the tree
Pouring out my heart in prayer
God is listening, He hears me
What is in your heart My child
Silently summoning me
Then I am reminded
How gracious and tenderly
The Lord our God
Gracious and everlasting
From beginning to the end
His love stills the gasping
He hears me in the morning
He heard my prayers at night
Where it all began
From the prophetic foresight
She said The Lord told me
At night when you pray
He is listening and He hears
Every word that you say
What was it I prayed all those years ago
Where it all began
I told Him I was terrified
I couldn’t see the plan
His hand extending out to me
Summoning to join Him in the deep
Tonight sitting by the river—quieted
Those fears are fast asleep
I didn’t see the plan
While being acquainted with the Author
He simply said believe
While whispering “my daughter”
The fear dissolved completely
His perfect love replaced
He put my fears to rest
At the touch of His embrace
On the bank of The Paluxy
Sitting down by the river
Reflecting back in time
Walking now with the Life Giver
Giver of love and grace
Giver of all things good
If you haven’t reflected
Maybe now we could
Thanks be to God
Sustainer and Protector
Thanks Be To God
Author and Perfecter
Thanks Be to God
The Speaker of Peace
Thanks Be To God
Calling Storms to Cease
Thanks Be To God
Faithful Supplier and Forgiver
Thanks Be To God
May we be forever Thankful-Forever
© laurette laster 2019
Greg and I just returned home from a weekend getaway, celebrating our seventh anniversary.
With the stress of the business and his commute he really needed the down time. What we didn’t realize is how prophetic it would be, we aren’t surprised knowing our steps are ordered by The Lord.
We stayed at a Inn that is one hundred years old this year. Greg made the reservations based on a recommendation of another, not knowing the history of the place. This Inn is a landmark. The Inn on the River was originally The Snyder Sanatorium, where holistic healing was used to quiet and calm tension and stress.
Being one hundred years old there was no television or telephone in the room. No business office with internet or the likes. Everything we needed was basically within walking distance, get the picture? Well almost everything; Greg would drive a few miles to the nearest Starbucks for his coffee. I on the other hand went prepared with a coffee pot and the Folgers
Sunday evening we were sitting down by the Paluxy River, the very bright crescent moon was shining brightly between the branches of a three hundred year old oak tree.
It was as if the moon was vying for and grabbing my attention and seemed to be winking or twinkling at me. Greg was reminiscing about praying outside; saying it is like the trees are listening………
Are they listening?
As I sat snuggled down in the high back Adirondack chair beside Greg, quiet and so peaceful, I was reminded of encounter with a messenger prophetess, while shopping in a bible book store, in 2001. The year I had stepped out in faith (this poem began to flow).
I was standing at a sale table full of clearance books, she was on the other side of the table directly across from me. When I looked up she was looking directly at me and began by saying: The Lord says when you pray at night…..she went on to describe things no person could possibly know.
I didn’t pray only at night. While lying on my air mattress (my new bed) I did pour my heart out to God now my Father. I hadn’t given much thought to His hearing me. I had found peace I had never known and I just knew something was different. It was Him! He was real and He listened to me.
Her words meant so much that day. I glowed in the dark for days after this encounter. Other supernatural events occurred on this day confirming God was with me.
When checking out I ask the store owner if he knew the woman who had prophesied over me, he said no I didn’t see and I’ve never seen anyone like you describe here before.
Was she an angel in disguise? I don’t know but I know she was a messenger with a word for me that day.
Many of the things I prayed about still have not manifested or come to fruition (yet), but I know I am no longer afraid. If He said it-He will do it!
I know the Author and Perfecter of our Faith, I know the Peace Speaker, and I know Him by Name.
The storms cannot destroy us, they have come to define us. If you are going through a storm right now, He is preparing you to face your giant. Your are being prepared to conquer.
I pray today you can take some time to reflect, He has been, always is, and will always be forever faithful!
And now I impart to you……
He hears you when you pray! So pour your heart out to Him, He is listening!
Blessings to you.
Keep me Desperate
Test and prove what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:10
Keep me Desperate
Keep me desperate
For more of You
In a desperate heart
Precious promises come true
Eternal grace
Sealed envelope
Seeking for You
With faithful hope
With each desired fulfilled
Encourage me to reach higher
Never become complacent
At Your request inquire
Where are You Lord
What is Your plan
Not my flagrant
Blatant foolish sham
You desire truth
In our inward parts
Only by Your wisdom
Holy Spirit impart
Yes keep me desperate
Not dry or unproductive
Hungering for You
Your word Instructive
Oh Taste and See
The Lord is Good
Desperate souls
Have understood
Ages past
Kings and Saints agree
The Lord is Good
Oh Yes Taste and See
© laurette laster
Recently I’ve felt like I am in a dry spell. One that isn’t normal for me. I have had several intense battles coming at me; none of these hindered my faith, did they, have they? Have you felt this way? I’m sure most, if not all of us have felt this way at some time in our lives.
In 2018 I made a vow that each morning first thing I would share a scripture to facebook. Facebook has become so fake, my husband, Greg, calls it fakebook. I’ve felt recently that I am just going through the motions, almost robotically. Not having the energy and zeal, or intent I first vowed. I had to ask myself is it real or has it become mundane? Is this works? Am I sowing to the flesh or to the spirit?
As I was in prayer I cried out to The Lord, Oh Lord, keep me desperate for more of You! We understand being desperate for more of The Lord is not the same as being in a state of desperation. We can be desperate without being in a state of desperation. More than once I have been in a state of desperation in my life, hopeless desperation to be exact. Not knowing how it could possibly work out, but it did, it always did because He was always there. Because The Lord has been, and always is faithful, and isn’t this where faith is grown? Grown on the battleground somewhere between the state of desperation and pure panic and begging? As we witness God’s faithfulness over and over our faith is increased. He indeed is challenging us to believe Him, to put our trust in Him alone. As our faith grows we fight harder battles, engaging at different levels of warfare. As we train we are being trained to use the weapons of our warfare. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, they are mighty in God, to pulling down strong holds. 2 Corinthians 10:4.
We are told in Proverbs 4:18 the path of the righteousness grows brighter and brighter, and in Psalm 23, The Lord is our Shepherd we shall not lack, and in Galatians we hear the apostle Paul, as he encourages them and us today, for you shall reap in “Due season” if we faint not. All of these scriptures give us hope to continue. But how we continue is equally important to our faith.
Are you desperate for more of God? I know I am. I pray today we all cry out, Keep me desperate for more of You Lord Jesus Christ. I am not suggesting we be in, or remain in a state of desperation, I don’t want to go back there, but I could never have learned to have the faith in God I have by simply reading the word. James tells us to be doers, not hearers only, so the doing is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak.
How could God be good if we are running to and fro, going from crisis to crisis with no hope of a brighter path? I am suggesting that we know where He is in our everyday affairs, in our walk, and in our homes and in our thoughts. Is He pleased? Are we pleasing to The Lord?
As He renews our faith I pray we reach higher in Him. The saints of old after fighting mighty battles agree on this one thing………………………
Taste and see that the Lord is ‘only’ good, for God is faithful to His people that put their trust in Him.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing Psalm 34:7-9
In the business and chaos of the times we live in I believe being desperate for more of God is something we will fight for. Being a doer may leave us a little drained, but we do it anyway, knowing He is faithful and will strengthen us.
There is so much vying for our attention: negative, positive, hateful, loving, good, bad, shouts, whispers, wanted, and unwanted just to name a few. We will want to keep our playing field intact with clear boundaries set. I’m appalled when seeing some commercials today. I recently read that the commercials today mimic early Playboy magazine publications, from many years ago ( I don’t know because I didn’t see them, but I do think today’s commercials are R rated. Total nakedness was not where it all began. It is and has been a slow fade, like the frog in the pot of water. Knowing this is what our children and grandchildren are veiwing and will come to see as ‘the norm’ or no big deal, while desensitizing their souls to what God desires and requires can become overwhelming.
I would have fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living…Psalm 27:13-14
But God! Keep me desperate.
Let’s pray this prayer, Oh God keep me desperate for more of You that they may also long for You and not for the vile things of this world……………………………..
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
Only Believe
Collins English Dictionary-Phrase: something up your sleeve!
If you have something up your sleeve, you have an idea or plan which you have not told anyone about.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter. (Proverbs 25:2 HCSB)
Only Believe
I love the sounds of morning
Autumn winds whisper through the leaves
I am quickened to have faith
He has something up His sleeve
He Who promised is faithful
He is there of course He sees
He is El Roi our Mighty God
Commanded “Only Believe”
Our God is not a magician
The All Powerful Mighty God
His plans eternal and omnipotent
Jehovah Shammah Sovereign Unflawed
When I cannot see He knows
When my faith seems so small
Like the disciples I’m told
As a grain of mustard seed is all
For my faith is on The Rock
He alone my firm foundation
Then my soul quieting
Into calm grateful meditation
I love the sounds of the morning
Autumn winds whispering through the leaves
Summoning where is your faith
“Only Believe” I have something up My sleeve
© laurette laster 2019 all rights reserved
Occasionally when The Lord gives me a poem I will hear a phrase or a catchy saying. With the words of the phrase ‘something up His sleeve’ I had to ask a question. Is this disrespectful? I love and honor God with all my heart so I never want to use puns or slogans that would be disrespectful or shallow. He teaches me, challenging my thought process and today leading me to learn something new. I went to look up the meaning of this phrase. I thought the reference was toward magicians, maybe from the years of Rocky and Bullwinkle, but I was totally off base. The meaning someone (in this instance Almighty God) has something planned that they have not done, or announced, or told other’s yet. I find this so comforting in light of my own personal issues, and issues shared with me by others. It supercharged and rejuvenated my faith and I pray it does yours also. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter. (Proverbs 25:2 HCSB)
El Roi I’m known by The One who see’s. I see and I am seen and I am known.
Jehovah Shammah God is there.
This morning shortly after dawn, while scattering seed for the birds a sound caught my attention. I stopped to listen. Hearing the comforting sound leaves blowing in the autumn breeze. This is a favorite sound of mine, in spring and fall; the sound is soft and comforting. I did not see the wind that caused their movement but I could see and hear the effect of the wind.
Isn’t that the way of faith? Luke 8:50 Jesus telling Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, “Only believe” and she will be healed.” Faith is felt, heard, touched, and the evidence is overwhelming. We believe before we see, and in believing we are assured we will see. Other’s may not see or understand our faith until the substance of what we believed for is manifest. Without faith it is impossible to please God. While faith is what we strive for we can become battle weary. I’ve sensed something a little off or out of whack this week and now I realize it is an enemy trying to sneak back in. This enemy, fear, is unwelcomed but trying to come in unnoticed until this morning. Reminding myself of His precious promises, I was prompted to exhale and, “only believe,”
Fear can grip our heart suddenly, I’m sure we all have memories of an event where this happened. But what about fear that attempt to silently attach to us, little by little without our noticing? When we have believed for something for a long time fear may drop hints, hoping to get us to question God and His timing. Whispering, “Why hasn’t it happened yet? Or is this ever going to happen?” Fear may not announce its arrival by shouting hey you, fear here, here I am oh you of little faith. We may realize we’ve allowed stress along with the gnawing doubt that can creep up on us ever so subtly, hoping we will doubt or become afraid. I’m reminded of an acrostic I learned years ago. H. A. L. T. Don’t allow yourself to get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
We may be under attack with new issues surfacing, or suffering from resurfacing of past issues, but we can quiet our souls assured God is faithful.
There is an offer of comfort, The Comforter speaks and reminds us, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.” Jesus did tell us He would not leave us orphans but would send us The Helper until He returns. He went on to explain that He, the Spirit of Truth, would remind us what He had told us.
“Only Believe.”
Jehovah Shammah walks with us into whatever our tomorrow holds, simply because of His great love for us. He is with us today no matter what we are facing, simply because of His great love for us. So we needn’t worry or become weary, for at the proper time we shall reap if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)
And I am reminded of a song I loved as a child. This song still speaks to me, today: He walks with me and He talks with and He tells me I am His own………………
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
Flowing from The Shofar
Flowing from the Shofar
Flowing from the shofar
What is this I hear
Appointed Time to Tabernacle
The LORD is drawing near
Supernatural changes
Brighter horizons still in view
A time to stop and gather
Before continuing to press through
Feast of Ingathering
A time to sing and dance
Season of our joy
Not a feeling, or by chance
Our ancestors came
Through many dangerous experiences
We appear before You now
To remember their deliverance
And understand that
Not one promise failed
Whether through then desert
Or on ships they sailed.
We gather and we are grateful
For all that You have done
From beginning to the end
To the setting of the sun
© Poem written by laurette laster 2017
The Season of our Joy is an occasion to give thanks for the bounty and gift of life. To dwell in the sukkah is a sign of trust. Trusting God for His faithfulness and going back to remember He brought us out of slavery to enjoy this life of harvest. This year we erected our third annual sukkah for Sukkot. We celebrated the appointed time and yes we rejoiced before The Lord, for all He has done and is continuing to do.
The Feast of Tabernacles also known as The Season of our Joy, Feast of Booths, and Feast of Ingathering, is where we get our traditional Thanksgiving Holiday celebrated in the United States of America.
The cornucopia is the ram’s horn. God provided a ram for Abraham, as a sacrifice, after Abraham obeyed The Lord. Abraham demonstrated his trust in God by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. The fruit that adorns the cornucopia is indicative of the fruit harvest having been gathered in, hence the name, Feast of Ingathering. It is a bountiful feast of eating and dancing and celebrating before The Lord for His promises that He has fulfilled.
The Feasts of Tabernacles is a seven day feast that contains many symbolic acts that speak of future events yet to come. There is an added day, The Eighth Day.
Rejoicing in the Torah
Shemini Atzeret The Eighth Day of Assembly
Shemini = 8
Atzeret- day of assembly to pause- one more day
Marks the closing of the Festivals, not just Sukkot but the close of all the festivals.
Semchat Torah is on Oct. 21-22 this year, Dancing with the Torah
John 7:37-38
Living Water ‘mayim-hayyim’ streams of running water, not a stagnant pool. The water libation, the water pouring out is the most joyous of the daily rituals, speaks to us of the Holy Spirit that is poured out after Jesus is glorified. Jesus celebrated The Feast of Tabernacles. He made His prophetic announcement with His words of, let any who thirst come unto Me (believe on Me) and I will give you mayim-hayyim.
I saw and understood and even deeper truth this year. Coming to the temporary dwelling to Tabernacle with God in our sukkahs is a time to remember where we came from. We remember Who brought us out to take us in. God specifically commanded the Israelites they are to remember that they were slaves in Egypt and that they dwelt in tents until entering the Promised Land.
I’m reminded that no matter whether we have had a great bountiful year or a decrease in bounty that we are required to come back to the heart of The Father and remember that had it not been for The Lord who was on our side we would have perished. This is the end of the agricultural season and a time to plan for the new. This seasons fruit is for nourishment and for serving, it is time to realize we depend and put our trust fully in our Father and His provision and protection. As we sit in our sukkah and look up at the sky we realize this life is temporary, we are completely dependent on God. God is faithful and calls us to gather with Him. He wants us to remember where He has brought us from and how He has blessed us. If we have not reaped the harvest of blessings (yet) we know that they are growing and remember He is faithful even when we are not.
We are commanded to rejoice and give thanks. This is a gathering with family and foreigners and a time of thanksgiving.
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
Welcome To Teshuvah Day 40-The Day of Atonement
Welcome To Teshuvah Day 40-The Day of Atonement
YOM KIPPUR
The Day of Atonement
The decisions are made
The book is being closed
They stand praying and fasting
Afflicting their souls
Were their prayers heard
Was the repentance deemed real
Is there going to be Atonement
The kind that seals the deal
As the High Priest entered
Going in behind the veil
Hush fell and a silence
Waiting now for a word to tell
Would the offering be accepted
Were we forgiven for our past
Would there be Atonement
We wait anxiously and we fast
The rehearsal isn’t just for show
Futuristic and timeless but how
What does this day prepare to show
We who are born again know now
Our High Priest and Savior
Did not enter a human sanctuary
It is His blood that speaks in heaven
That makes the Testament functionary
No longer just a rehearsal
It was a pattern for us to learn
It is Jesus blood He poured out
Oh how I pray you can discern
He entered with His precious blood
That purifies our heart and mind
Jesus blood redeems and His Atonement
Cleanses our conscience once and for All time
So today before the books are closed
Be sure your name is inscribed
This is our inheritance by Jesus blood
We are redeemed washed and sanctified
For now the law and shadow
Make sense and are fulfilled
Because it was His precious blood
Sprinkled poured out not spilled
Sprinkled over our hearts and minds
So we can become brand new
Free to serve the Living God
Heavenly pattern now in view
laurette laster © 2018
When we are saved we become ministers. The Bible says we are called with a holy calling. Then we are told we are given the ministry of reconciliation.
When we have had a real encounter with the Living Holy God, He changes everything about us. We become a new creation. Repentance from this place is deeper and more meaningful than anything we have ever experienced before.
We not only repent for ourselves but are grieved to the heart for the result and the consequences sin has had on our people and on our Nation.
Moses came back down and shared with the children of Israel the commandments of God.
Thus a new beginning and beginning from the place of Atonement.
It is time to start a new year. To be more fruitful and take more ground. The season of repentance has drawn to an end. I pray we continue the work of repentance as a life style. But for now we must go to work and plant.
After having gathered in the fruit of this season it is time for the Festival of ingathering.
We will now build our Sukkah and prepare for the feast of Tabernacles.
We have been found worthy by “The Blood” His blood taken in and placed on the mercy seat behind the veil in Tabernacle. Now we At One Ment with our Lord.
We live in and eat our meals in our Sukkah remembering how He led us through the wildness and now we have come into the Promised Land. Our God has brought us to a good land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
The jubilee year can only be announced on Yom Kippur. Think about it.
Luke 4:16-21
Jesus took and unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
If you have not made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, now is the time and today is The Day. I urge you brothers and sisters, I implore you on Christ’s behalf; Be reconciled to God. Amen
Teshuvah 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
Welcome to Teshuvah Day 39- The Days of Awe
Welcome to Teshuvah Day 39-Days of Awe
Prepare the Way
Matthew 3:5-8 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance
Prepare The Way
Gates are open
Roads are cleared
With prepared hearts
Call on God He is near
Groping in darkness
Knowing we are led
Faithful fearfully
Continuing ahead
The time is nigh
Season is here
Appointment with God
The Way is clear
Seek The Lord
While He is near
Listening ears
Perceive and hear
The Way is prepared
Gates swung wide
Call on Him
Until we walk side by side
© laurette laster
Prepare ye the way of The Lord. Do we know what John is talking about? Do we know what He and Isaiah knew and were referring too? They were referring to others being high minded or so spiritually superior that sinners in low places thought they didn’t have a chance of obtaining salvation. John is in the wilderness, the lonely place, the dangerous place, preaching to sinners. When these sinners heard the word preached, they confessed their sins and were baptized.
Matthew 3:5-8 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance
When John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this he was speaking from the prophet Isaiah, saying; “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.” John speaking from the prophet Isaiah, “make His paths straight” is referring to the cities of refuge marked off by God when Israel first became a nation. These cities had to have maintained roads and be accessible at all times. When the Israelites came into the land of promise, each tribe was given land to possess.
The Levites, the priests were only given 48 cities and 6 of these were cities of refuge. These cities were for those seeking protection from death, having accidently killing someone. These cities were not for killers who had malice or a murdering spirit. These cities were for those looking for protection from the wrath of a family of the slain person. In this time an eye for an eye was the desire of members of the family. The intention of these cities of refuge was not to defeat or escape justice, but that in serving justice, mercy might be extended to those who were eligible for it. If a person was found guilty of murder then the city of refuge could not save him from the death penalty. If he were acquitted of any malice, he was not freed but was obliged to remain in the city of refuge. Leaving the boundaries of the city would leave the refugee susceptible to the avenger’s wrath.
The cities of refuge had to remain open and accessible day and night. The roads were “prepared” and maintained for easy access. The required width of all roads was 48 feet wide. Potholes or worn areas had to be filled in, thus level, bodies of water had to have a bridge span from one side to the other. All the debris had to be cleared off of the roadway. Each road was marked with sign posts saying; Refuge Refuge; It was the court’s responsibility to ensure the accessibility of the cities of refuge by improving the roads leading to them and posting signs with the words miklat, miklat (“refuge, refuge”) to show the way.
Looking at the account of the Cities of Refuge there are several similarities of Jesus Christ as our city of refuge! Christ is our shield and refuge against the penalty of all of our sins, except those sins that we commit willfully against the knowledge received through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus does not shelter the obstinate or the unrepentant sinner, he does shelter everyone who accepts Him and calls on His name. We must realize that we were born in sin and shaped by iniquity. (Psalm.51:5). Each of us inherited sin through birth after the fall of Adam and Eve. To seek refuge in Christ we must flee from our old life and sinful desires. By doing this we find THE only refuge God has offered which is forgiveness and new life in Jesus. Fleeing to the city of refuge is when we repent and confess and willingly turn away from sin as we flee from the world. We must be honest and earnest in our desire to quit sinning with our body, our mind, and our affections. Like our ancient Hebrew brothers and sisters that sought the city of refuge, believing they would be safe if they could make it into the city, by faith, we now also seek Jesus Christ for the remission and forgiveness of our sins and seek refuge in Him by faith. We are assured that we will find protection if we call on the Name of The Lord but our actions and intentions must show we realize without Christ we are subject to the wrath of sin. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.
During the Days of Awe it is believed the books in heaven are open and The Lord God looks over our deeds of the year and is making decisions for the year to come. This is the season of Teshuvah and Return. We show a true desire to change by doing Teshuvah, which is “returning to God’s ways by studying His word. Reading His word we realize we have committed sins we run to our refuge Jesus Christ to repent, asking for pardon and for protection.
This is how we enter into a relationship with our Lord. Once He becomes our strong tower and our refuge we are in covenant with Him. His blood that was poured out on the mercy seat is for the remission of our sins.
Don’t miss your appointment; Teshuvah during the High Holy Days of Yahweh.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Through All Seasons 