Archive | February 2020

Adar 5780 – Overcoming Fruit From the Tree of Life

Feb25

Adar 5780 – Overcoming Fruit From the Tree of Life

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

At sundown on February 25, 2020 we will enter the month of Adar, which is the 12th and last month in the Hebraic ecclesiastical calendar that began with the month of Nissan. It will last for 29 days to March 24th.

Adar is the happiest and most joyful month of the year. The Jewish motto in this month is “When Adar comes, joy is increased.” Adar means “strength and power” and is a month to overcome bitterness, to experience good fortune and fullness of joy. This is the season to overcome the giants of fear, anxiety, depression and bitterness in our land and to see any “Haman” plots of destruction against us exposed and defeated.

      “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11

The Tribe of Naphtali is associated with the month of Adar and means “Sweet victory!” It is celebrating that the curse of bitterness is overcome and turned into sweetness. Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob and second son born to Bilhah, Rachel’s maid. In Genesis 30:8 (CJB) Rachel said, “I have wrestled mightily with my sister and won,” and called him Naftali [my wrestling].” 

 Jacobs last words spoken to his son: “Naphtali is a deer let loose; he uses beautiful words.” (Genesis 49:21) The image is of one who springs forth with great speed and speaks eloquent words of wisdom that bring good news; with a beautiful ability to speak and communicate well. Part of the final words of Moses to the Tribe of Naphtali: “O Naphtali satisfied with favor, and full of blessing of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 33:23a) It is said in apocryphal writings that Naphtali instructed his sons to fear the Lord; to serve and to follow after Him. The men of Naphtali were fearless warriors and the tribe was part of the rear guard behind the Tabernacle when moving in the wilderness. Despite all their blessings, the tribe of Naphtali failed to obey God’s command to drive out all the Canaanites living in their territory.

What can we learn from the Tribe of Naphtali in this month of Adar?

Clue – Fear the LORD, serve and follow after Him!

Let’s embrace the lessons to be learned from the tribe of Naphtali this month: to seek the favor of the LORD, to fear the LORD in all things, to speak words of wisdom, to drive out all our enemies, and to pursue the sweetness of overcoming joy! Yes, AMEN!

     “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalms 42:1-2a

What is the fruit from the Tree of Life that Adonai is offering to us in the month of Adar? (Revelation 22:2)

Clue – Sweetness in overcoming joy!

The Feast of Purim is in the month of Adar and is the happiest, most joyous celebration time in the Hebraic calendar. This is definitely a month for those who have prevailed with us on the “Quest of the Overcomers” to experience fullness of  joy!

   “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5:22 NKJV

     Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV

 The Feast of Esther is on the 13th of Adar, which celebrates the story in the book of Esther about the beautiful Jewish girl that became the queen of king Ahasuerus in ancient Persia. The Feast of Purim, on Adar 14, is remembrance of when the wicked schemes of Haman’s bitterness towards the Jew, Mordecai, (Esther’s uncle) to destroy all the Jews in the land, were overthrown and turned into sweetness of joy!

     “When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him who the people of Mordecai were; therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.” Esther 3:5-6 NASB

   “…In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king’s signet ring. And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.” Esther 3:12-13

     And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14

Esther trusted in the wise counsel of her uncle Mordecai and submitted herself and the eminent destruction of her Jewish people to God. She relied totally on Him alone as she instructed all her handmaidens and the Jews in the city to fast and pray with her. With clear instructions, requiring her trust and obedience, she was not disappointed to see the salvation of God. In the end it was Haman and his entire family that were destroyed and the Jewish people were saved!

   “By these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to gather together and protect their lives—to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions, on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.

     The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor. And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday.” Esther 8:11-12, 16-17a NKJV

What is our Spiritual warfare assignment in this month of Adar?

Clue – Wrestle to Overcome!

It was sad to learn that the tribe of Naphtali did not obey God’s command to drive out all the Canaanites living in their land. We must identify any anti-Christ spirit rising up against us that would keep us focused on the giants of fear or bitterness that would hinder us from breaking through to the abundance the LORD has prepared for us in this next season. Adar is the month to root out any remaining giants in your life, your territory, that would keep you in depression, despair or defeat. It’s time to break any wrongful decrees spoken against us or personal vows we may have made in the past.

When trials come our way, the moment that it begins, submit it all to Adonai immediately. The word submit means to duck, get out of God’s way so that He can bring the victory quickly. When we submit immediately, He responds immediately even if sometimes we cannot see it. If we wait and try to defeat the devil alone then we are fighting a loosing battle. Our God is El Gibbor – the One who fights for us, our Champion! (Zephaniah 3:17) With God all things are possible. Without Him we lose. Esther did not perish nor did the Jewish people. Nor will you! As you learn to submit your circumstance immediately to the LORD, walk in His ways of wisdom and instruction, you will also eat of the ripe fruit in this month of extravagant joy in overcoming enemies and strategies of destruction!

Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:9-10 NKJV

     “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,” Isaiah 61:1-2a.

KUF is the nineteenth letter in the Hebraic alphabet and is linked with Adar – symbolizing the ending of a masquerade and entering the joy of true spiritual identity. It is the only letter with a line that descends beneath the baseline, representing one who ventures below what is acceptable or unholy, violating the boundaries of truth in the Torah. The KUF reveals both the sacred and profane and is also the word for monkey. Therefore, it symbolizes revealing the essential importance of removing a cover or mask of the superficial, animalistic, baselessness of humanity to reveal true holiness within.

     “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” II Corinthians 7:1

     “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” 2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

What is the doorway to the dungeon of depravity and ungodliness?

Clue – The root of bitterness.

Pride and succumbing to bitterness led Haman down the path to hatred for all Jews because Mordecai wouldn’t bow to honor him; and it ultimately led to his destruction. Ask the Lord to reveal any bitter fruit in your heart. Allow Him to search your heart and yield any bitterness that is exposed back to Him with genuine repentance. Ask Him to overturn any offenses and evil decrees that have taken root in your heart and created bitterness. Ask Him for the gift of repentance with forgiveness that will turn bitterness to sweetness. The sweetness in overcoming joy is the fruit Adonai offers us this month. Yeshua, our Messiah, paid the ultimate price for our victory and joy by overcoming all sin and death.

     Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; Hebrews 12:14-15

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. II Peter 3:9

        “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4

 The Constellation of Pisces aligned with Adar is a picture of two fishes. It reminds us of when Jesus sent Peter to go fishing and miraculously found the gold coin in the mouth of a fish to pay the required temple tax for them both (Matthew 17:24-27). In Jewish tradition, fish are a sign of blessing and fruitfulness and the two fish represented in Pisces also symbolize a double portion! Just as fish live in water, the Jewish people thrive when immersed in the Torah and we cannot hope to be overcomers without the life-giving water of God’s Word. Adar is the month to trust and seek the LORD for a double portion of His miraculous supply!

O, Heavenly Father, we ask for Your overcoming, empowering, sufficient grace to identify any “Haman” intents to kill and destroy us or our families and to expose any giants rising against our lives, or within our territories, to defeat us in our continuing Overcoming Journey. Free us from captivity in any dungeons of depravity and the pain of offenses from roots of bitterness. Grant us the gift of repentance, turning darkness to light, with the taste and sweetness of overcoming joy from Your Tree of Life. Grant us the double portion of Your miraculous provision for all our needs according to Your riches in glory during this month of Adar. In Jesus’ Name, amen!

   “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:19-20

 In a final note, Adar was also the last month the Jewish people spent in Egypt before the Exodus. Adar’s joy is so great, in part, because it serves as the opening to celebrating the miraculous joys of Passover during the next month of Nissan that will begin a New Year.

      “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25 KJV

 ~  ~  ~  *  ~  ~  ~

 

All scriptures are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Reference credit: “A Time to Advance” by Chuck Pierce with Robert and Linda Heidler  © 2011

(Photography purchased or taken by Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested. Photo Art by Beth Auman)

© Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested 2020

 

An Invitation to Join the Quest of the Overcomers by Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Feb23

Scripture for the week of February 23, 2020

I pray … that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe… Ephesians 1:17-19 (NASB)

Are you in need of wisdom to solve a baffling situation or revelation to grasp something beyond your understanding? Do you need renewed hope to see beyond impossible mountains too difficult to overcome? Wisdom requires discernment sometimes beyond our awareness, revelation can breakthrough as a dawning truth and hope is the anticipation of a fulfilled need or desire. We are reminded in this scripture that in knowing Him, our Lord Jesus Christ, gives to us the gift of His spirit of wisdom and revelation. We can also expect to “see” a lightening in our hearts to KNOW the hope of His calling. As His chosen ones, there is an awesome greatness of His power toward us who believe in the Lord. And, there is a wealth of glory that is His inheritance in us! May you know the greatness of His wisdom, power, and love for you! Amen!

 

By JoBeth Kested

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Feb16

Scripture for the week of February 16, 2020

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)

Have you ever felt your face light up when you come face to face with someone you love? What blessing and joy to to be loved like that and how awesome to know that when God sees us His face lights up, too! These verses were God’s instructions to Aaron, the first high priest, and his sons to pray over the people with the promise that He would then bless them (vs 27). As believers, we are a royal priesthood (1Peter 2:9) and we too can pray these words over our homes and loved ones. Our loving God longs to bless us with grace and His protection. His also lifts us up in His unmerited favor and He gives us peace. No matter what the future holds or what difficulties we may face tomorrow, fix your eyes on the Lord, knowing that you light up His face and He desires to extend blessings, grace, favor and peace upon you today.
By JoBeth Kested

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Feb10

Scripture for the week of February 9, 2020

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1b-3a (NLT)

Are you feeling caught in raging rivers of difficulties or the consuming fires of oppression and afraid of being overcome? How wonderful to hear the Lord’s command at the beginning of these verses that we are not to be afraid because we belong to Him! Our God has already paid the exorbitant ransom price to set us free and He calls each of us by our name! The Lord declares that because we belong to Him we have nothing to fear. He will not allow any difficulty, oppression or consuming circumstance to destroy us and that He is with us no matter what we have to face in the days ahead. What an awesome truth that He is not only The Lord God Almighty and Creator of the Universe, but also chose to be our Savior through the blood of Jesus! Renew your trust in His loving care and protection by His saving grace today and rejoice that you no longer walk alone. Thank You, Lord!

By JoBeth Kested

Found by Beth Auman

Feb7

Found

RoseThe most that anyone could ever hope for is to be found. See once I was lost and now I am found. Once I was blind and now I can see. Once I was bound and now I am free.

Those are not mere words. Everyone is searching to fill a big empty hole inside of our wounded human heart. Some of us try to fill this hole with work, money, greed, elicit immoral sex, and some with every form of religiosity that our human brain can fixate upon.

Still yet the hole in our human heart remains empty, gaping and unfulfilled. Going on day by day, becoming hardened to life. Immune to all of the desolation within and surrounding us. Every terrible thing in this world bombarding our minds, wills and emotions on a minute by minute basis.

One’s significance etched within, a knowing that there is more and in a dull immobile place. Frozen in a day to day ritual that if we can survive this day, perhaps tomorrow will bring something hopeful, something more.

There it is, a small glimmer of hope. A tiny light shining within our dark cold hearts.

There is so much more than we realize. We are buying this lie, lock, stock and barrel. It should make us angry to know that we are being lied to and that we indeed are living a complete lie.

I myself was right there once. I bought the lie too. This is all that there is I thought. I’ve messed up more than could ever be repaired. I’m fine just the way that I am and I’ll just float through life and everything will be ok.

One day it hit me like a flash, I am not willing to settle for ok.  Are you?  If you are willing to settle then by all means stop reading…right now… But. I challenge you to read the remainder of this article. Challenge on.

Continue if you have accepted the challenge

Being totally broken is a great place to begin. Because there is none of you left. So brokenness is acceptable. A totally and completely an acceptable place to begin again. The place where you end and the glimmer of hope within you can expand.

There are two primary scriptures in the Bible that led me out of that broken dark place:

 John 8:32 (KJV)  32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Ephesians 1:17-23 (KJV)  17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:   18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,   19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  23Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

Reveal the truth Abba Father and open my eyes.

If you are willing to look at your situation as the Lord reveals the truth about your situation and see it for what it is then you are on your way out of the world of bondage and brokenness.

When you are willing and you do this get ready because Abba Father will show you the good, the bad and the ugly in your situation. He will also show you your situation from His focus. Few people in this world are willing to truly look at their situation through the eyes of the Lord, from His perspective.

See Jesus Christ knows you by your name, not by your shame. You can never walk past that which you are not willing to confront.  You have to see the truth that is revealed and ask the Lord for the hope of His calling. His perception of your mess is totally different than yours. He sees your ending, not your beginning. He looks from an eternal focus. Not from a now focus.

If you will from your heart speak to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to reveal the truth and make you free and you are willing to have Him open the eyes of your understanding. He will bring wisdom and revelation into your situation and bring freedom.

This is a process and step by step allowing Him to lead the way, He leads you and guides you into all truth by His Holy Spirit. John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Freedom is a wonderful place because you are ultimately eternally totally free. Free to worship Him in spirit and in truth, this is His desire. When your desire become to worship Him freedom comes.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The Father seeks such to worship Him. He is seeking your right now. His purpose for you becomes primary and your brokenness goes away and you become victorious in Him..

In Him, a place where He surrounds you, a place where you are seeking Him first and finding Him. He  is leading you and guiding you and you are facing the truth in your situation without fear.

See fear is the False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear tolerated is Faith contaminated.

Has your faith been contaminated? Has fear gripped your heart?

Let the light of the Lord sine in your situation. Once you look at the truth, then you can ask Him to see the truth from His perspective. Jesus wants to be the light in your dark place. His light dispels darkness and once He shines as the truth on your darkness His light over powers the darkness.

Your willingness is the key. You must allow Jesus to reveal the truth.

Jesus did His part, He was born, He lived without sin, He died on the cross, rose again and sat down at the right hand of Abba Father in heaven for you. If you would have been the only one, He would have done this. He loves you this much.

He has already done His part and now it’s up to you to willingly allow Him to shine through you. He’s right there and He’s ready to help you if you are ready to use the free will that Abba Father gave to you and allow Him in.

Are you willing to allow Jesus to  reveal the truth and make you free? Are you willing to allow Him to open the eyes of your understanding so that you will know the hope of His calling? Are you?

If you are then FOCUS on Jesus, keep your eyes on Jesus and don’t look to the right or to the left and don’t look down. LOOK UP because Jesus Christ is your focal point.

In Him you are found, In Him  we live and move and have our being.

Acts 17:27-29 (KJV)  27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:  28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.  29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

In Him we can overcome the brokenness.

Follow

Our

Christ

Understand

Salvation

Abba Father, we love You and thank You for all things. We come today broken and truly, willing to lay it all down before You and ask You to reveal the truth in each situation. Abba we are willing to have our eyes opened so that we will know the hope of Your calling in Jesus name Amen

I apply the blood of Jesus Christ over you and your situation and I’m excited to hear  your testimony! Send me an e-mail at pray4all@triad.rr.com

Remember to FOCUS on Jesus

CHALLENGE

If you in anyway feel the urgent necessity to change your focus then please take this 10 day challenge.

 Day 1-10:  For ten days keep a journal and write down all of the significant things that you do. From the time that you wake until you go to sleep.Number each entry (this is very important). This is a personal journal and should look something like this:

                        Day 1:  Woke and did the following:

1.

2.

3.

Day 1: Noon

1.

2

3.

Day 1: Bedtime

1.

2.

3.

End of 10 days
At the end of 10 days, sit down and read over what you have written.  Are there things that are repeatedly in your journal? Where is the Lord in your journal? Who or what are you seeking first?

Matthew 6:31-34 (King James Version)

31Therefore take no thought, saying,What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

At the end of 10 days, you should have a very good idea of what you are seeking after. What gets your attention or who gets your attention. Read the definition of seek in English and Hebrew. Do you need a better perspective of what it means to literally seek the Lord.

  1. Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

If you truly want to change your focus then you must seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near Isa 55:6.

Main Entry:seek transitive verb1: to resort to : go to2 a: to go in search of : look for b: to try to discover3: to ask for : request <seeks advice>4: to try to acquire or gain : aim at <seek fame>5: to make an attempt : try —used with to and an infinitive <governments…seek to keep the bulk of their people contented — D. M. Potter>intransitive verb1: to make a search or inquiry2 a: to be sought b: to be lacking <in critical judgment…they were sadly to seek — Times Literary Supplement>

— seek·er noun

 

Seek definitions in Hebrew

1156 b`a’ beh-aw’ (Aramaic) or b ah (Aramaic) {beh-aw’}; corresponding to 1158; to seek or ask:–ask, desire, make (petition), pray, request, seek.

1158 ba`ah baw-aw’ a primitive root; to gush over, i.e. to swell; (figuratively) to desire earnestly; by implication to ask:–cause, inquire, seek up, swell out.

1239 baqar baw-kar a primitive root; properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e. (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider:–(make) inquire (-ry), (make) search, seek out.

1243 baqqarah bak-kaw-raw’ intensive from 1239; a looking after:–seek out.

1245 baqash baw-kash’ a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after:–ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).

 

To desire, to seek out, to strive for, to ask, to plough, to break forth, to inspect, to admire, to care for, consider, beseech, enquire, make inquisition, procure, to gush over, pray, request, make petition, ask, to acquire or gain to contend for.

Wow are you seeking the kingdom of God first? Are you seeking God, striving for His attention, asking for Him, breaking forth to seek Him, inspecting Him, admiring Him, caring for Him, considering Him, beseeching Him, enquiring Him, Making inquisition of Him, procuring Him, Gushing over Him, praying to Him, requesting Him, making petition to Him, asking Him, acquiring Him, gaining Him and contenting for Him? Are you?

Earnestly seeking the Lord who wants very much to be found by you.

Now, let’s begin day 11, when you wake up, say Hello Lord, thank You for this day, from your heart. Talk to Him and ask Him to place a scripture on your heart to get to know Him better. He’ll give you one. When He does, write it down and tape it to three places, your bathroom mirror, your coffee pot or fridge and somewhere near  your television.

Each time that you go to one of those places (or three important places that you’ve identified), say Hello Lord I want to fellowship with you and I’m seeking you and wanting to focus on you. Read the scripture to Him and ask Him to give you a deeper revelation of that portion of HIM..

Continue this for several days and see where He leads you.

Oh and don’t leave Him out when you go to bed. It is truly His protection that you need to get to the next day..

Please write me and let me know how this exercise helped you in seeking the Lord.

© Beth Auman 2014

Shevat 5780 Overcoming Fruit From the Tree of Life

Feb3

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

The evening of January 27 began the Hebraic month of Shevat that will last for the next 30 days. Shevat is the eleventh month on the Jewish ecclesiastical calendar that began in Nisan and is the fifth month on the civil calendar year. There are so many blessings to embrace this month as we press on in our “Quest of the Overcomers!”

The sense of taste is one of the characteristics linked with the month of Shevat.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” Psalms 34:8-9 NIV

The Tribe of Asher is associated with Shevat. He was the 8th son of Jacob, second son of Leah to her maid Zilpah. When he was born, Leah exclaimed, “How happy I am! The women will call me happy. So she named him Asher.” (Genesis 30:12-13) Moses said of Asher: “May Asher be blessed above other sons; may he be esteemed by his brothers; may he bathe his feet in olive oil.” (Deuteronomy 33:24). Asher became one of the most numerous and blessed of the tribes, inherited some of the most fruitful and prosperous territory in the Promised Land, dwelt in peace with his brothers and was protected from his enemies.

There is no mention of war hero’s from the Tribe of Asher, but an elderly prophetess, named Anna is mentioned in the book of Luke; “who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” She recognized the infant Messaiah’s arrival into the Temple and “in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:37-38) In this month of Shevat, let us be among those who are watchful and waiting upon the presence of the LORD.

What is the fruit from the Tree of Life that Adonai is offering to us in this month of Shevat? (Revelation 22:2)

Clue – Righteousness, right standing with Jehovah Tzidkenu.

“Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:6

 The letter from the Hebraic Alphabet representing the month of Shebat is TZADIK, which symbolizes “righteous one.” Jehovah Tzidkenu, “The LORD our righteousness” is a significant declaration for us to declare and decree over our homes in this month. If there are any areas of our lives that have gotten out of line, become cloaked in darkness by sinful choices that have led us into unrighteousness; then Shevat is the month the Lord is reaching out to restore our righteousness. Take this moment to lay any unholy entanglement in our lives at the feet of Jesus; asking Him to forgive and restore our right standing in Him. We are never able to be righteous within ourselves. Our righteousness is only found within a right relationship with Jehovah Tzidkenu — the only One Who is Righteous, Yeshua, Jesus our Messiah.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. Psalm 89:14

The name of this month appears in Zechariah 1:7 and is believed to have come into usage during the Babylonian exile. Shevat possibly originates from an ancient Akkadian word for “lashing or striking,” seemingly related to the heavy seasonal rains nearing the end of winter. Rain, in the Jewish tradition, is linked with blessings. It is not known where the acrostic for Shevat was first expressed, but Shevat in Hebraic can stand for Shenishma Besurot Tovot, meaning that “We should be blessed to share good tidings.” How appropriate, as we will want to receive fresh, restoring rains of the Holy Spirit for the fullness of blessings in this month of Shevat.

What is the holiday celebrated in Shevat?

Clue – Tu Bish’vat, The New Year of the Trees.

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14

Shevat is the month of Trees. The 15th of Shevat, is a holiday celebration called Tu Bish’vat, which is traditionally the New Year of the Trees. Some find it odd that this holiday is celebrated during the cold winter, however, during the winter months, followed by the heavy thrashing winter rains, the trees begin to drink deeply from the water of life during this time. Through their root system, sap begins to rise upward within the trees and new life begins to flow in the process of renewal and fruitfulness in the beginning of a new growing season. The holiday is celebrated by eating fruit, particularly from the “Seven Kinds” with which Israel is blessed – wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.

What a beautiful picture this provides for us during the winter months of our lives. If we are truly trees planted by the River of Life, in Yeshua, Jesus – our Messiah; and we are receiving His water of life during our winter days, our renewal will begin, and we will see vibrant life bursting forth in a new season of Springtime.

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalms 1:1-3

What is our spiritual warfare assignment this month?

Clue – Shevat is the month to discern our generations.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7

Why would we be directed to focus on tress in this winter month of seeming lifeless barrenness? What is planted in our fields? Scripturally, we are looked upon as trees and branches who will ultimately bear good fruit or if bad fruit is found, to be thrown into the fire. What type of trees are in your generational line? Prayerfully evaluate the trees, fruitfulness or barrenness, good fruit or bad fruit in your generational fields. We need to be asking ourselves, are the trees in our field ready to bear good fruit?

We need to be mindful that there are generational blessings and generational curses. We have authority to break every chain or curse off of our generational bloodlines with intercession for salvation that is already paid for on their behalf, by the blood of Jesus. (Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18) This Quest of the Overcomers is all about what is pictured this month, breaking every cyclical challenge that our generations have sown and reaped in the past; so that we can move forward to be rooted and grounded to become fruitful in all that Adonai has purposed for us. While we are awaiting on the return of Messiah Jesus, there is still time to break off the past and to speak forth blessings into our generations moving forward.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:17-20

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV

How can we make sure our future generations grow in wisdom with understanding knowledge in the fear of the LORD?

Clue –Words of Blessings!

Jewish families celebrate the sabbath, “Shabbat” together with a meal every Friday evening. The father of the house speaks blessings upon his wife, children and each family member in the home. What a difference it could make in all our families if each week the children heard the their father speak words of blessing and honor over their mother! Can we imagine the difference it could make for each child to hear their father speak a blessings over them? What would this world be like if every Friday night, every father in this world verbally spoke God’s blessing over every member of his family? Pause and think about that for a moment. Be encouraged to speak forth blessings into our children, children’s children and our generations going forward.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’ “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:24-27

 What is the significance of the Constellation of Aquarius, the water carrier, aligned with Shevat?

Clue – Pitchers of the the Water of Life.

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14

Of course we have already made mention of the importance of water, winter rains and preparations for a new season of growth. And, in the scripture above, we will all remember when Jesus had the encounter with the woman at the well and His declaration that He is the water of Life to quench all our thirst, that never ends. But, we may need to stop a moment to ask ourselves, “How am I being watered?” If you are not being watered and refreshed, you may need to position yourself to be watered in a new way. Who is carrying the pitcher of water you need for this season in your life? What changes do you need to make, new direction you need to go, in order to receive what is needed in your next season on our Overcoming Journey? It is also equally important to ask ourselves, “Who am I to share waters of life with on this Quest of the  Overcomers?” Look for those bringing pitchers of water to you! Shout, “My provision and blessings are on the way!”

“And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.” Revelation 21:6

“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Adonai, May we continue to clearly hear Your voice and clearly see the path ahead to always follow You. We welcome the winter, renewing and refreshing rains of The Holy Spirit. We resubmit and rededicate ourselves to You; trusting You to show us Your wisdom and give us Your understanding that we may continue to persevere and overcome. Please direct and position us amongst a happy tribe that is willing to water, encourage and bless each other on this Quest of the Overcomers. We want to be the mature trees which provide shelter to others during their storms and to be pitchers of water to those who are thirsty. Yeshua, we thank You that You are the Water of Life that will never end! In Jesus Name. Amen!

“Happy is the that people, whose God is the LORD!” Psalm 144:15

 

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All scriptures from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Reference credit: “A Time to Advance” by Chuck Pierce with Robert and Linda Heidler  © 2011

(Photography purchased or taken by Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested. Photo Art by Beth Auman)

© Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested 2019

Scripture of the Week by JoBeth Kested

Feb3

Scripture for the week of February 2, 2020

 “Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”” Isaiah 35:3-4 NKJV

Have you ever been so weary in the battles of life with no strength left to take another step and not knowing what to do? Maybe even now, crippling fear and hopelessness has you feeling like there is nowhere to turn for help in the circumstances you are facing. Be encouraged in these verses that we have a Heavenly Father calling out to us, “Be strong, do not fear!”. What does it mean that He will come with vengeance and recompense? He is our LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8) He extends His great strength to save and defend us; making amends to restore and to compensate us from injustice! Let us call upon the LORD our God with renewed hope and faith that He comes with His salvation to strengthen our hands and our knees to stand with us in the battles we face today and whatever lies ahead. Thank You, LORD!

By JoBeth Kested