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Blog, poetry, Teshuvah Devotional

Elul Two-Teshuvah

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Elul Two
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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

 

 

Blog, poetry, Teshuvah Devotional

Day One-Elul One-Teshuvah

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Day One
Teshuvah 20
It doesn’t seem new
On September/Elul  one
Have I missed my appointment
Now I’m left undone

What was I supposed to say
Where am I to go
Oh now I remember
Read my bible and pray, take it slow

Spend time in His Presence
Patiently wait
It is going to be amazing
My Teshuvah Date

September/Elul 1 2019 © laurette laster

Teshuvah, the season of our repentance, and introspection of our soul.

Teshuvah meaning is to turn away from the things of the world and spend time with The Lord. Then in turning we return to the heart of God and what He desires we accomplish for Him.

Have you been carrying a burden? Is there something nagging and lingering that you can’t seem to make go away? Well guess what, you are being wooed into His presence to do kingdom work for your soul.

Come with me as we journey and explore repentance and seeking the heart of our King.

Often I get so excited when something new is being ushered in. I must remind myself it is a process, and God is working in me to work through me. Teshuvah this year began with huge opportunities or obstacles, or can we get real and say thorns, the cares of the world vying for my peace of mind.

Today I find this exciting, because I have come to realize when the enemy is trying to distract me it is because he knows there is kingdom advancement on the horizon and he hopes I don’t see it. When we can see this as a challenge and not defeat we make different choices by changing our minds.

For believers Teshuvah is likened to an anniversary get away. A time of vow renewal, a time shut out the world and all the business and distractions. This is a special a face to face with our Lord, an intimate time away with our first love.

With work, and family, and ministry, we can get busy about the things and miss the main thing. What is the main thing? The main thing can get choked out, understanding what it is The Lord desires for us to accomplish. Often when Greg and I assume we know what the other is thinking, we don’t ask the right questions and are left assuming. We all know what that means right? If we do not set aside time for our Lord how can we say we know what He desires. When we know His desire for the lost is, that He is longing they be saved, how can we turn a blind eye to sin or worse yet participate in their destruction? We cannot and for me it led me into a deep repentance and a cry of, here I am Lord Send me.

When we enter Teshuvah we are praying and repenting not only for our self and the wrongs we’ve committed, or the places we’ve missed it, but also for our families. Our prayers can cleanse bloodlines and break soul ties, we are praying for the healing of our Nation, the lost souls who have been taken captive to do Satans will, to be freed from his bondage and grip.

We are coming into kingdom alignment and praying/inviting God’s will to come, over this earth His earth, His people and ushering in and asking that His desires come to pass.

Recently I heard that prayer is the greatest form of leadership on earth. By praying we are ushering in the will and ways of our God and partnering with Him in our lives and in our families and in our Nation.

I am so excited to share with you what The Lord has shared with me. It is a journey and an adventure. The Lord continues each year to expound on this season and the deep heritage of our Jewish roots.

Some may think it isn’t necessary. I say, ok stay in the wading pool, I however have been called to go to the deep.

Years ago someone ask me, why do you have to be so deep? I thought that was a strange question and I wondered, how could they be so shallow? In Psalm 42:7 we are told

deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

When The Lord calls us, and we go “all in”, it will cause division between us and others and show we have changed. As our Lord teaches us what pleases Him we lose ourselves and our faulty, shallow, self centered way of thinking, thank goodness for that! We study to know and train ourselves, bringing our wills into alignment with His ways. We no longer want our way, our desires change and we pray and usher in His word and ways.

I hear so many people say at this time of year, I’ve really been thinking about this subject, or saying I don’t know why this has been on my mind, but……….. I know why. It is because this is the time of the year the King is in the field. Are you ready to meet with Him?

Come with me as we go meet Him. I am my Beloveds and my beloved is mine.

 

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

 

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

 

Blog, poetry, Teshuvah Devotional

Welcome Teshuvah

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Hello September-Welcome Teshuvah

Elul 1 began at sundown Saturday August 31
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When September comes
Will I be changed
What is the difference
Between months and names
Feilds and other 10-01-16 147
When September arrives
Will I just know
Is it in the morning
Or at evenings glow

What do I wish
For September to bring
It’s the first of Elul
This month will be so amazing

Journey with me
In heartfelt lamenting
Into reflections
And pure repentance

Clearing the way
Cutting out brush
We have forty days
No need to rush

Sit and reflect
With The Father’s heart
In sweet Teshuvah Time
What will He impart

“I am my Beloveds
My Beloved is mine”
Forty days of our repentance
Blessed Teshuvah Time

Copyright © laurette laster 9/2019

And now here we are again, my favorite time of the year. Teshuvah is a sacred time, a time to come away with The Lord and clear the books from this past year.

A time to seek His heart and learn the deeper truths from time spent with Him.

Join me in forty days of Teshuvah or turning/ turning back or returning to the heart of God. We think nothing of taking a shower every day, or at least I hope you do J so why wouldn’t we think our souls and minds need some deep cleaning.

In this busy, work a day, hectic, dangerous, world we live in we can get caught up in the cares of the world before we know it. These worries will keep the word of God from producing a harvest in our due season.

In the parable of The Sower, Jesus calls this receiving the word among thorns. Explaining that the word was sown but they were concerned with the cares of the world and the word was choked out by the thorns.

We are in the world but not of this world. We do not think like the world, nor do we put our hopes in the things of this world. Believers are referred to as the just, and the just shall live by faith.

Jesus tells us that we are not to run after these things like the gentiles do. He DOES NOT say we cannot have them. We wait, pray, seek, and knock, then The Lord provides the opportunities. When we wait for His timing He is all in. He is our partner.

1John 3:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. The word used here is the Greek word tsalach and means to push forward. This word is used in various senses. (It is used literal, figurative, transitive, and intransitive)

I recently finished the rough draft of my first book, and have learned so much about transitive and intransitive verbs. My time spent with The Lord during the forty days of Teshuvah last year, I felt The Lord impress on my heart to write a book and include many of the poems He has given me. I believe repentance, real repentance is where the rubber meets the road for a “mature” Christian. I was very excited but I must confess this has been a labor of love. I’ve labored and I’ve loved.

My plan was to have the book ready to print by August of this year. I however just finished my rough draft and am now writing my manuscript. We may find it very interesting that a transitive verb has to have a direct object or objects to work with, expressing a doable activity.  Many of the instructions given to us throughout the pages of scriptures are speaking to us, we are the object of our Lord’s affection, expressing doable activities that please Him. Like if you………..I will, says The Lord.

So back to the meaning of prosper, to advance, to push forward, to be profitable.

When The Lord is in it with us, we cannot help but go forward, we will advance; push forward if we study to know His ways.

Hosea 6:3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of The Lord, His going forth is established as the morning. He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth. Read Isaiah 55:10-11.

His word is likened to rain that “maketh” it bud. So if we understand seedtime, and harvest, and seasons, we could be in for some hard work and some very exciting times.

Will you take a forty day journey with me during Teshuvah, the Time of our Repentance; Teshuvah is my favorite time of the year.

God is worried about our souls. When we get our soul, our mind, will, and emotions, fixed on the things of God we are moving and advancing and being prosperous in everything pertaining to life and godliness.

Teshuvah is a Hebrew word containing the Hebrew root word shuv. Shub, often pronounced shuv, which literally means to turn. Repentance is to turn back or Te(shuv)ah – return to The Lord and His ways.

This is Hebrew month of Elul. The acronym is from Song of Songs 6:3 This is information from the Talmud: the authorative body of Jewish tradition and expounds broadly on the Hebrew Bible.

“Elul” can be understood to be an acronym for the phrase “Ani L ‘dodi V’dodi Li”- “I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine”.

The forty days of Teshuvah include, study of the Torah, or teachings, which is the bible. Prayer and acts of kindness, repentance leading to redemption; I’m sure each of us know we cannot spend time with our Lord and not be changed and then offered His forgiveness for the redemption of our souls.

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

 

Blog, photo, poetry

The Hound of Heaven

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Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, That an abundance of water may cover you? Who can number the clouds by wisdom, or tip the water jars of heaven? (Job 38:34, 37)

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At the sound of the rain, I stepped outside to take a few pictures. Oh this much needed beautiful rain, the sounds and the smell flooded over me, as did this song; “There is a Fountain” and then something happened in my heart that caused a flood to flow out of my eyes.

Rains are set with harvest seasons and planting seasons. Planting seasons which ultimately end in harvest, both rely solely of the rain from heaven.

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These seasons line up with spiritual truths, and allegories, and parables. We find the truths from the First Testament, told by the law and prophets, to The Second Testament taught by Jesus, all throughout the Bible.

“Drip down O heavens, from above, and let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, and righteousness spring up with it. I, The LORD have created it.”  Isaiah 45;8

As I listened to the breeze rustling the leaves of the trees my own fountain began to flow. I thought oh how I’ve missed this sound and the cool breeze.

 

I realized the toil of the harsh summer’s heat, and the affect it has had on the earth around our parts. I then saw it is like hearts without the water of God’s word washing, watering, and nourishing their souls.

The cracks in the earth caused by the lack of water and the ground becoming hard and brittle break open….. But today I also saw the cracks and opening in a different way. I saw these cracks as an opening up, like a mouth gasping for air and for a drink. I saw this as an effort to breathe and begging or crying out for moisture.

(The dessert is a hot dry place, especially for those who don’t know where “The Water” is.)

When the rains come the water is able to run deep into the veins of the earth through theses openings and cracks.

I truly believe we are on the verge of revival. The fruit on the Nut Trees, fruit of the Oak trees and the Pecan trees (nut trees, pun intended) are flocked with fruit. The limbs are bowing almost to breaking.   I believe we will see breakthroughs; salvations, rededications, and yes repentant sinners being plunged beneath the flood will indeed losing all their guilty stains.

The song “There is a Fountain” flowed out of my spirit when seeing the rain coming down. I encourage you to listen to Selah sing this song.

There is a fountain filled with blood

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins

And sinners plunged beneath that flood

Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day and there may I as vile as he wash all my sins away.

Redeeming Love has been my theme and shall be till I die.

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins, and sinners plunged beneath the flood lose all their guilty stains.

 

Those of you who heard my testimony about the vision I saw during Praise and Worship, of the handler with the bloodhound, will understand this.

All I could see was “The Arm of the Handler.” The handler was rubbing and wool-ing what looked like a shirt, all over the hounds face and nose. The action was dynamic and stood out to me causing me to meditate on what I saw for many days after and even now. The rubbing of the fabric was bold, having very determined and unapologetic movement, and with an unyielding force. Then I heard these words in my spirit; “every time you call out their name you are rubbing their scent in the hound’s nose.”

 

I now know and understand this vision in a much deeper sense.  The hound and the handler and the scent portray a picture of none other than the Holy Trinity.

 

The Arm is The Arm of the LORD God. We know the Arm He lay bare; it is Jesus as He was crucified and stretched out on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus our relentless Savior and Redeemer is indeed the Hound of Heaven. God breathed life into Adams nostrils and he became living being. The Spirit is the breath or the Ruach, the nose!

 

We are calling out for and believing for the lost. Our very own loved ones, friends, and these God Himself is after.

 

Someone running from the ‘law’ (in this case the law of love) tries to hide in dense forest (world) and a body of water (lost in sin)  in hopes the pursuer or blood hound will lose their trail and scent.

In our case they cannot, as long as we relentlessly call out for their souls, escape the capture.

 

When they are captured they will be plunged beneath the flood, lose all their guilty stains.

 

Oh what a day. It is really upon us.

 

The Hound Of Heaven

The Hound of heaven, He has your scent

He is fast approaching, He will not relent

Stop and surrender put your hands in the air

It is only in Jesus your life will be spared

 

Without His grace,

I could have never faced

The failures and the tests

And then believed the rest

 

That my story could change

And that my God would arrange

Offer to me a new life and start

One with meaningful parts

 

Only after I faced the shame and remorse

Realized the purpose to get back on course

God wasn’t planning a long camp out

Only a stopover to lead me on another route

 

The time I spent in fearful resistance

Never understanding His tender insistence

Only hindered and lengthened the pain

It never accomplished my purpose of hiding the shame

 

I want you to know and I’ve come to share

He already knows and He still cares

Nothing oh nothing under the sun

Will cause our Lord to tuck-tail and run

 

So if you’re running and hiding from life

Stop for a moment rest from the strife

He isn’t chasing to make you pay

He is coming to capture and show you The Way

 

It is in failure with a Repentant heart

That Jesus appears with your brand new start

The papers for pardon ready to be signed

So today is the day and now is the time!

 

The Hound of heaven indeed has your scent

He is fast approaching, He will not relent

Stop and surrender put your hands in the air

It is only in Jesus your life will be spared

 

Copyright © laurette laster 2019

 

 

Pray church pray!

Prophecy believer’s prophecy!

Speak scriptures of salvation over them!

Believe and call out their names!

Stand your watch, and wait for the salvation of The Lord our God!

 

The Hound of Heaven is hot on their trail.

He is going to search them out. God is going to capture them!  When earnestly seeking The Lord in prayer concerning this vision, I said Lord, are they criminals? Then this truth began to flow.

 

  1. They are indeed hardened criminals. Their hearts like the parched earth are dry,  cracked,  and hardened, from walking away from God.

 

  1. They are in violation of the LAW and Covenant.

 

  1. The LAW of God which is the covenant of love.

 

  1. They are disturbing the Peace.

They will be apprehended by His Love.

 

  1. Their lives depend on it. They will perish if allowed to remain unprotected in these elements.

 

2 Timothy 2:24-26

And a servant of The Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come their senses and escape the snare of the devil having been taken captive by him to do his will. (NKJV)

 

And after this, if they do not heed the correction, we get out of the way because The Hound of Heaven is hot on their heels.

 

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you Shalom.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog, photo, poetry

A Gentle Reminder

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The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are under attack. But do not shrink back in fear, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, they are Mighty In God. 2 Corinthians 10:4.

This sounds like 10-4, over and out. meaning the message has been received and understood.

 

Have you ever desired His Touch?

Gentle reminder that He is near

Not that you have forgotten

Yet longing for His soft touch to calm the fear

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Have you ever cried aloud

Oh God the fear has crept back

Only to be reminded

Persecution comes by attack

 

The words of James to count it all joy

With these diverse fiery trials

Yes breakthrough is very near

Ready our feet to dance for miles

 

For when we have harvested

Like a woman travailing in labor

Oh what joy and celebration

As we gather at The Master’s table

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So as the fiery trials rage

Seven times hotter are the afflictions

Keep our eyes focused on Jesus

Hold fast our godly convictions

 

For the promise is sure and true

We shall reap if we do not faint

Satan desires to wear out

The people of God His precious saints

 

We shall rest when we must

Not forget to drink in plenty of liquid

Living water from the wells of salvation

Certain to extinguish the lies and contradiction

 

I hear the sound of abundance

It is coming over the mountain

For our God is sending revival

Salvations well the flowing fountain

 

laurette laster © August 2019

Recently I have gone through some difficult times and I’ve had to remind myself how to fight. Not to prepare physically to fight, but fight spiritually. You know the fight we fight as Christians? We fight fiery darts by soaking our shields of faith in water. Today I find myself wondering,  is this why we need the opposition. Is it to remind us to sharpen or swords, load our cannons, sharpen our axes, (not grind them), and make ready our weapons?

 

Last night out of my mouth came the words, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, they are mighty in God, to the pulling down of strongholds. Then I knew I had unleashed and unlocked my arsenal.

 

The old fear left when I opened the door of my arsenal. I saw and immediately grabbed every weapon I needed. This arsenal is full of swords. Which believers know is the the word of God.  My soul quieted and I had His peace.

 

So as I submitted to God, the enemy surely did flee. When he saw the arsenal and he knew it was over for him.

 

Stand still and see the salvation of God. Exodus 14:13

 

Drink plenty of liquids this heat is fierce.

 

1      “And in that day you will say:

Oh LORD, I will praise You;

Though You were angry with me,

Your anger is turned away and You comfort me,

  1. Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, For the LORD GOD is my strength and song; Yes, He has become my salvation.”
  2. Therefore with joy you will draw water From the springs of salvation.
  3. And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name [in prayer]. Make His deeds known among the peoples [of the earth]; Proclaim [to them] that His name is exalted!”
  4. Sing praises to the LORD, for He has done excellent and glorious things;
  5. Let this be known throughout the earth. Rejoice and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

 

ISAIAH 12:2-6 AMP

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (KJV)

You will joyfully draw water from the springs of salvation, (CSB

With great joy, you people will get water from the well of victory. (CEV)

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

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

 

 

 

 

Blog, photo, poetry

The Sacred Place

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The Sacred Place
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I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently find Me. Proverbs 8:17

The Sacred Place

I knelt down in that familiar place
I bowed my head in prayer
Folding my hands that feeling
Our sacred time alone to share

“I remember so many times”, I said
Our special sacred place
This is where it all got real
You listened and I felt completely safe

To say what needed to be said
I didn’t have to pretend
I knew we were going to meet
Your heart and mine did blend

Sometimes a word of truth
Sensing Your gentle soothing hush
The love exchanged during our encounters
I never wanted to hurry or to rush

So often I came to meet with You
Evidenced by the ridge worn in the carpet
The change not seen immediately
I realize oneness was Your goal and target

Oh those early years
You taught me how to stay
Was from my state of desperation
That You taught me to earnestly pray

How I need Your guidance
It is Your voice that I must hear
Are You sure I’m where I should be
Oh my Father show me You are near

My heart is drawn back yet again
To the place it all began
I kneel down and bow my head
I whisper I’m here again

The desperate cries and groaning
From deep within my heart
This morning I bowed down again
Hungry enough to wait is where I’ll start

I can pray from wherever
Yes I can pray at any time
But when I need an encounter
You draw me to our sacred place to remind

I’m drawn here in desperation
Back to our place sacred and familiar
I feel Your soothing hush-do not fear
Why my child are you so bewildered

I knelt down in our sacred place
I folded my hands in prayer
I need to hear Your Voice again
I’ve come to listen as You share

© laurette laster

 

“But from there you will seek The Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Jesus said love The Lord you God with all your heart, all your soul, all of your mind, and all your strength. And the second is like this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself Mark 12:30-31

Recently I was going through a dry spell. Some of the younger crowd might say, “just not feelin it.”

Nothing was wrong, but my soul had a deep hunger for more of Him and His touch. My prayers were powerful and I could feel His presence but I wanted more. I’m sure you can identify with what I am describing. Times when you want to know, and need to know that it is more than words you are praying. Like a face to face encounter with our Savior.

One morning while praying about this I was prompted to go kneel by the side of my bed and pray. This place is very sacred to me. This was my altar for many years, after purchasing my first home, following a divorce, years ago. My address has changed, my singleness has changed, along with many other things, but one thing hasn’t changed, my Savior who appeared to me during times prior in a lawn chair on a porch, and again at this place.

He is the One who brought me out. I grew to love my Savior Jesus, the One who paid my price for redemption and Holy Spirit who speaks to me about what my God desires for me. Prior to the purchase of this house I had encountered the very real Jesus, and was baptized with the baptism of His Holy Spirit and fire, while sitting in a lawn chair, on the front porch of my mother’s house. I had been seeking God with all my heart. I was living with my mom having left at His prompting.

I’m sure each of us has that time in life with our Father and Savior and His Spirit, where it got raw and it got real. That place where we decided I am going to make it or die trying. “I need You Lord” was the cry of my heart. I knew He had brought me to this place so how else could I continue forward, but by His word.

Years ago I wore a huge ridge in my carpet kneeling beside my bed. A fitting description of what it means by “pressing into the things of God.” My pressing into Him while praying caused a ridge in the carpet. I didn’t realize I was even doing this until seeing the ridge. I noticed it got bigger overtime. At first I didn’t realize where it was coming from. I didn’t give it much thought in the beginning stages  and I’m not exactly sure when I noticed and realized what caused it.

Starting over was frightening and exciting for this woman. I was starting over and this time it was with Him. Jesus and I were partners. He had manifested Himself to me and I wanted Him more than I wanted any manmade ideas or quick fixes. I would pray and believe to hear from Him. I would tell The Lord, “according to Your word, if I diligently seek You, I can hear from You. I would say, I need to hear from you and I expect to hear from YOU.”

Today looking back reminds me these times were among the hardest days and moments of my life, but the sweetest times of tender union with Him. Yes, He spoke to me. He spoke through dreams, through reading my bible, through stumbling forward, through tested preachers and teachers, and yes I have been gifted to hear His audible voice more than once.

When I couldn’t see anything happening He continued to draw me, and I kept believing and calling out. I couldn’t see what was happening but the momentum was building. Just like the pushed back carpet that created that ridge hadn’t appeared overnight, neither did the changes I was praying for. But after many heartfelt prayers through tears with snot running, through the screams, the absolute begging, and pleading and yes praising, things were changing and did change.

Is this how the truth of God appears? I believe the answer is a resounding yes. Greg and I were talking recently; how you cannot draw the exact line between the hour, or the exact minute, or day, when it is in God’s timing. God’s timing is supernatural and a mystery.

Ephesians 1:4 tells us that He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight, in love. The NLT says He chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. Weymouth says, He chose us as His own.

Greg said, “I believe it is like the colors in the rainbow.” You know they are different because you see all the colors, but to divide the colors for the human eye is impossible. We cannot find the exact line of demarcation in events He has planned; but, like the rainbow is a symbol of promise and His covenant, how much more the covenant of salvation, and His faithful love for us, His people.

There are times, seasons, and appointments with God that have eternal meaning. When we do not understand what is happening, something great is being ushered in for His people.

If you can’t see the change you need today I encourage you to seek The Lord with all your heart. When our minds, our wills, our hearts, and our spirits mesh with His we lose all pretense and we get real. When He knows we are desperate for Him, He appears. And sometimes He just appears to encourage us and let us know He is with us.

God has never denied a desperate prayer. He may change the circumstance, He may change the other person, but He may not. I promise He does change us, and we can trust His process to be better than we could think or imagine.

If you have gotten too deep, too mature, overly obligated or just so busy, I have a suggestion for you and for me. Let’s go back to where it all began and with childlike faith just spend time with Him. We will find Him when we diligently seek Him. Oh what a promise.

As I look back to the times reminisced in the poem above, it seems like it was only a couple of years ago but it all began two decades ago.

He is faithful!

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
Blog, poetry

I Slew a Giant

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Go be a Giant Slayer!

Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:12-18)

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I Slew a Giant

 

I slew a Giant

First thing this morning

With eyes as big as saucers

His head was GINORMOUS

 

Catching a ride

Inside the house

Silently lurking

Quiet like a church mouse

 

Startled I was

When he looked up at me

My initial reaction; shock

Oh how can this be

 

I slew a giant

My early morning task

Before first cup of coffee

I grabbed a weapon before you ask

 

Saying very loudly

Well HOW DARE YOU!

Yes this hideous giant

Now in my eyes view

 

Taking a fighting stance

He was as shocked as I but one must die

He was hiding on the feeder

Waiting on victims to drop by

 

Waiting in close range

Hoping to slay

My innocent tiny birds

Oh no you don’t, not today

 

But I slew a giant

Yes I took off his head

Now my little hummers

Have nothing to dread

 

What if we said

To the enemy of our soul

WELL HOW DARE YOU

I’d like to let you to KNOW

 

I have weapons in my arsenal

A sword and shield

The truth and shoes

Belt with instructions a faithful guild

 

Coming together in the unity of the faith

In the Name of Jesus our Lord

We can slay our giants

With a double edged sword!

 

Copyright © laurette laster August 2019

 

This morning, as part of my usual routine, I started my coffee and then went out to scatter bird seed for my soon coming visitors.

When coming in the house, I grabbed one of my hummingbird feeders to give them fresh sugar water.

 

While washing the feeder something grabbed my attention. I caught a glimpse of this giant in my sink, just as he was turning and looking at me I saw him also. We locked eyes. I was startled, but what I did next really spoke to me.

It all happened so quickly. Looking back was the afterthought that sparked the poem. Using eleven stanzas I describe what happened in a mere two or three seconds.

As we locked eyes I said loudly, How Dare You! How Dare You! I then grabbed a plastic glass and began to crush him.

 

A praying mantises head is shaped like a sledge hammer or a mallet, and yes his eyes were as big as saucers. (Remember I was the eye witness of the entire encounter).

Well at least before I was wide awake that how it seemed.

What startled me was my reaction. I very loudly said, “How dare you, How Dare You.” I was immediately outraged that he was after my hummers and now in my sink.

I now believe grabbing the feeder and bringing it inside to clean it, at the time I did, was divine timing. God knew the danger lurking about to the hummers. I believe I brought the feeder in and captured a predator, killing him and protecting my birds.

In my spirit I started hearing, “I slew a giant”. Did I slay a giant? Am I a giant slayer?

What is a giant? What determines the definition of a giant? Is it determined by size? Is it determined by a unanimous vote and agreement? Is it determined by venom or toxins?

Is it determined by color, mixture, or location, or breed?

A giant is whatever has the ability to capture, conquer, and destroy or kill our self or those we are responsible to, and responsible for.

 

I was not afraid that the mantis would kill me. He is not my giant, but he is a giant and a very real predator to my hummingbirds.

 

Mantis closest relatives are cockroaches and the termite.

 

How fitting, cockroaches often are attracted to filth but can live by eating the glue from cardboard boxes.

We all know termites eat wood, destroying structures, thus weakening our support system and covering. Termites come from underneath, the places we can’t see in to. But we have wisdom and the counsel of others (guild) to help us prepare and give us instructions on how to protect our dwellings. We have our bibles and the incorruptible seed of God, as believers.

 

Isn’t this interesting? I found this quite didactic. What a lesson this morning, I just had to share it with you my fellow giant slayers.

Pay attention to what The Lord is speaking to you. He speaks to each of us using very practical situations.

 

Go slay your giants and someone else’s also. As leaders and shepherds we are responsible for those God has put in our care.

For we know the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty in God pulling down strongholds.

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  (2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV)

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV)

 

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 Shalom.

 

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

 

Blog, photo, poetry

2020/5780 and Faithful Over The Few Things

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Recently I heard Dutch Sheets sharing his vision of the skeleton key. In a vision, Dutch Sheets was given a skeleton key and then a keyhole appeared, and the Spirit told him it was for the unlocking of the ancient. I immediately thought about the 7 feasts of The Lord.

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An eye chart is written very similar to the picture above. Eye charts measure and diagnose normal sight. Do you see what this says?

Today I noticed something while I was reading about the Hebrew year of 5780 that is fast upon us. This Jewish New Year will begin with Rosh Hashanah or Feast of Trumpets on the evening of September 29th.  When my eyes fell on 2020/5780 my mind immediately calculated the addition of 5+7+8+0 before I knew what happened I saw

5+7=12

12+8=20

5 we know is the number for grace, 7 the number for God’s perfection, 12 the number of government, and 8 being the number of new beginnings. (Yes I love numbers and believe they speak. As Troy Brewer says they preach).

So we still have the Hebrew Calendar and the Gregorian calendar aligning. And we have 20/20/20. Both calendars are turning over and ushering in a new decade

Earth and the body of believers are about to collide with heavens agenda.  And this sounds like alignment for assignments to me.

The whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of God!

In September 2016 The Lord gave me a word. Early on a Saturday morning, my husband and I were driving down the interstate. The moon and sun were directly aligned in the heavens above. It was as if they were staring at each other face to face. The full moon in the sky to the West, and the Sun rising in the East were facing each other. I felt a quickening from The Lord, as  I was looking at this sight. I heard The Spirit of the Lord say: “Alignment for your assignment.” It is time to come into alignment with the theme of God.

Then this morning while reading a prophetic word for 2020/5780 I had the knowledge of the 20/20/20.

But today I see even deeper into this image and I feel prompted to share. I am so excited and I pray you will be also.

The sun facing the moon and the two being face to face has a more profound meaning to me this morning.

On that morning in September 2016, I had a sense that I was present and being shown something. It was if I was being wooed, and was supposed to discern a deeper truth and an encounter. I definitely had one and heard the Spirit of the Lord speak to me.

During the month of Elul, our rich Hebrew culture has a saying and believes the King is in the Field. It is the time when The King, Jesus is walking among His people and checking on them. It is also a time to be face to face with Him and make our petitions known.

Remember Bob Rogers and his dream? His dad said remember Bob, August is the month of answered prayers. We know prayers are answered all the time but is there something supernatural about the Fall Feasts? I certainly believe there is.

The month of Elul is the beginning of the forty days of Teshuvah, and those who know me know this is my favorite time of the year.

The acronym of this holy season is from Song of Songs 6:3, I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine. This is another face to face encounter.

As I thought about this again this morning; about the sun facing the moon these scriptures came to me.

Psalm 19:4-6 their line is gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race. Its going forth is from the end of the heaven, and its circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Psalm 104:19 CEV You created the moon to tell us the seasons. The sun knows when to set,

1 Corinthians 15:41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars:

Psalm 8:3 KJV When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;

 

I delivered this word above, even having it inscribed on book markers given to those in attendance, while teaching at a women’s conference at our church in October 2016.

Alignment for assignment is still being preached and prophetically established. 20/20/20

I recently wrote in a blog that 20/20 is a vision diagnostic term for having average or normal sight. So what about 20/20/20? Well 60 is a very supernatural bible number. The number 60 is the product of three consecutive digits

The number 60 is the value of the Fifteenth Letter in the Hebrew Alphabet, Samek, which literally denotes to uphold, help, or support. Samek is the central and most active letter in the word yesod (foundation). yesod is # 3247 in Strong’s Concordance meaning base or foundation.

Ezra 6:3 which happens to be the Fifteenth book in the bible says; In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits.

(This is significant because the number 120 is the value of the name of the Fifteenth Letter as well as the world amud (pillar). information shared from © biblewheel.com check them out)

If you are faithful over the little God will make you rulers over much

Matthew 25:23 come and share in your Master’s happiness

Faithful Over The Few Things

I don’t want to struggle for a little venue
The Lord wants me to serve the world
Why do we fight to stay on a small stage
When it is destinies He longs to unfurl

The little mindedness and traps
Holds and bars on every window
Why oh why do we limit His power
Living with what if’s, unfounded innuendoes

Oh to be bold and reach out
Take hold with all our heart
Exactly what there is for us
Discovery of our faithful part

No matter the struggle
In spite of the pain
In the end all that counts
Is we will not be ashamed

I pray we never hold back
For fear of petty rejection
Because simply my dear
How unlimited is God’s correction
He told Abraham to count the stars
Joshua and Caleb to spy out the land
David was just delivering lunch
Goliath dead stone and a sling in his hand

What exactly is He revealing to us
To point out the small mindedness in our head
God said to Moses what is in your hand
Prophet sent to the widow asking for bread

Naomi well she became bitter
Elizabeth felt she had to hide
Hannah they thought was drunk
But in the end to all God did oblige

Ruth, we know she was a follower
Esther you know became queen
Rahab, remember the harlot
Yeah those are God’s team

What is in our homes
What is in our hearts
You may think it insignificant
But remember The Big is His part

© laurette laster June 14th 2019

Wow are we actually seeing into the things and the theme of God?  The supernatural is coming and is already upon us.

Open our eyes Father, that we may behold Your supernatural call.

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you Shalom.

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

photo, poetry

Fragrance Like the Rain

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You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, The LORD,  have created it. 

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Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time seek The LORD, until he comes and showers His righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)

I sense Your covering  in the clouds
Your fragrance fresh like rain
But Oh my Precious Lord
I became one with You through the pain

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I’m reminded In good times
Yes comforted during fear
That You are always close
In tenderness drawing near

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Your word did calm the sea
The voice others didn’t hear
Is always just what I needed
You are my help and constant cheer

Indeed my Living Savior
With excitement I shall give an account
For this hope that is in my soul
Just one drop an immeasurable amount

More than enough to span galaxies
More than our minds can imagine
Yes too vast and numerous to count
Cannot be contained by earthly chasms

I sense Your covering with the clouds
My skin glistens in the rain
But I’ve come to understand Your ways
In the trials and the pain

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To wish a life free from pain
Meant I had to lose one ounce
Of how I’ve come to ‘Know You’
I wouldn’t wipe away the smallest drop or amount

© laurette laster May 2019

Todays rain is such a welcomed blessing. With our Texas heat blazing and the humidity, it has been unbearable to those who work outside.

I am reminded that the work of renewing our mind isn’t easy, and it isn’t for the faint of heart. For myself and others, it was often accompanied with a lack of understanding. Not understanding what The Lord is doing in our lives can leave us asking (well maybe begging); why God why, when God when, how God how, but we remember that we have this promise: in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

Let us not grow weary in well doing, in doing good, for in due time, due season, at the appointed time, the proper time, the right time, we shall reap a harvest if we do not faint. Galatians 6:9

The leaves glistening in the much need moisture this morning gives me hope and I am reminded, there is an appointed time.

Due season always comes, faint not.

The Lord told Habakkuk, write the vision or revelation and make it plain, so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time though it lingers wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay.

Development, tilling the ground and planting takes time, and delay is not denial of His promises.

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