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

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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

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

 The Hebraic month of Tevet begins the evening of December 29 and lasts for 29 days. The beginning of each new month, in the new moon cycle, brings opportunities for new beginnings on our “Quest of the Overcomers.”

Tevet starts in the beginning of the winter season in the northern hemisphere, including Israel. It is the season characterized by colder weather and shorter daylight when the evidence of life in nature dies, shuts down, withdraws and hibernates. The winter season often symbolizes bleak dormancy, isolation, hopelessness and depression. Or, we can embrace winter as a time for reflection to identify and overcome the problems, mistakes and failures of the past; and to make plans with preparations for the future in the next season of growth. LORD, help our roots grow deeper and stronger in You in this winter season.

This tenth month of Tevet is the month of testimony. Our testimonies open up portals of grace for others to walk into the anointing to overcome. It is important to evaluate how far we have come in our Journey of the Overcomers and take time to praise the LORD!

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Revelation 12:11 

What is the fruit from the Tree of Life that the Lord is offering to us in this month of Tevet?

Clue – Vigilance!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8

 The Tribe of Dan is associated with the month of Tevet. Dan was the 5th son of Jacob and first son of Rachel’s maid, Bilhah. Dan means, “God has judged” with broader meanings – to rule, judge or to execute judgement.

“Dan shall judge his people As one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, A viper by the path, That bites the horse’s heels So that its rider shall fall backward.” Genesis 49:16-17

The Tribe of Dan was given promising declarations of God’s divine purposes to judge the people and to be overcomers against their enemies. Sadly, we discover in Judges 18 that descendants of Dan destroyed and burned the undefended, peaceful city of Laish where they stole a priest with idols and established a place of false worship in idolatry. It would seem that their failure to turn from idolatry is the reason the Tribe of Dan is not listed in the book of Revelation where 12,000 from each tribe are being sealed as overcomers. What a grievous lesson we must learn from this in our “Overcoming Journey.” We have to make sure that we are those that defeat our enemies instead of allowing our enemies idolatrous plans to defeat us!

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8a

 “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Titus 2:15 ESV

What is the significance of the number 10 in the month of Tevet?

Clue – Godly authority!

Tevet is the tenth month on the Hebraic calendar and the number 10 Biblically signifies completion of godly authority, law, order, responsibility and testimony. The greatest example is the Ten Commandments that were carried in the Ark of Testimony and represented man’s responsibility to keep God’s law; thereby, establishing God’s order and authority on earth. It is essential to pray for our leaders this month, for godly authority to be established and directed in the divine pursuits of Gods plans to subvert the enemy’s strategies to corrupt nations through entrapment of leaders to evil.

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” I Timothy 2:1-2

What is our spiritual warfare assignment in Tevet?

Clue – Watch and pray!

Tevet is the month of Ayin which is the 16th letter in the Hebrew Alphabet. The ancient picture for the letter Ayin is an eye. The letter Ayin represents seeing and watching. The eye is also considered the window to knowledge. We are to watch and pray that we are not led into temptation and to overcome traps and snares of the enemy in our realms of authority.

 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12 

 So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. Ezra 8:23

 We learn in Esther 2:16-17 that Tevet was the month that Esther was taken captive. “So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” It’s important for us to remember that Adonai redeemed her from captivity when Esther was chosen Queen for such a time to overthrow the evil plot of Hamann to annihilate the Jewish people.

 The 10th of Tevet also commemorates the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem in the year 3336 (425 BCE), which led to the destruction of the first Holy Temple two and a half years later on the ninth of AV. This day is commemorated by fasting over the destruction of the Temple by the Jewish people. During this month of Tevet we must be watchful and vigilant, standing our guard so that the devil who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, does not devour us. We must draw the blood line of Jesus, Yeshua our Messiah around all of our areas of delegated authority and forbid him to encroach the boundaries of our habitation.

 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4

How do we avoid the traps of fear and anxiety this month?

Clue – Prayer with thanksgiving!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7  

 Tevet is a month to be balanced and to submit all things to the Lord. Remembering that although bad things happen, when we submit them to God and resist the devil, he will flee from us. Submit your past to God and allow Him to reconcile your past to your present and prepare you for your Overcoming future. In everything give thanks!

Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Psalm 4:4

 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 

This month of Tevet is a major transition on the Gregorian Calendar into the new decade of 2020. Yes, in the natural we will want to see more sharply with 2020 vision, but we are to ask Adonai to look through His lens and see from His perspective what this new 2020 decade on the Gregorian Calendar means. Many are speaking, but not all are speaking with His wisdom and understanding. We must know that the Gregorian Calendar does not supersede God’s timeline  that is always from the Biblical Hebraic perspective. We will want to gain His wisdom and understanding in order to rightly discern what He is doing. For He alone will always provide and  perform in our lives for what He is saying.

Adonai, in His infinite wisdom, has ordained and set each of us into this time. He did so, because everything that He does is with divine intent to fulfill His purposes on the earth. We cannot truly understand correctly without yielding ourselves to the LORD, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to see from His perspective. During this amazing season of discovery, we’ll need a higher level of discernment more than ever before. Only by learning to love what Adonai loves and moving forward in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, can we go where He is calling us to go; and to be the Overcomers that He is ordaining for us to be.

“Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ ” Isaiah 46:9-10

 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.” Isaiah 40:28-29

Never fear the future, because Adonai has already been there! He knows you. He purposed for you to be here on this earth during this time. Listen for His voice and know that you have been redeemed out of the enemy’s hand from the curse by the blood of the lamb – Yeshua, Jesus our Messiah, for such a time as this. He will show you how to move forward and help you to hear His voice as you become more and more aware of His time from His perspective. You are Overcomers through Yeshua, Jesus our Messiah!

 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” I John 5:4-5

Adonai, may we increasingly, more clearly, hear Your voice and see all You want us to see; to follow You more closely in order to go where You are calling us to go. We dedicate ourselves to You and we are trusting You to teach us Your wisdom and give us Your understanding that we may prevail in our Journey of the Overcomers. We want to be the mature trees which provide shelter to others during their storms and Your light to those lost in darkness. Oh LORD, we desire to be filled to overflowing by the Holy Spirit that we might be vessels that pour out Your Rivers of Life to all of those that You have placed on our well lit path. In Jesus Name Amen.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”Luke 4:18-19 NIV

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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

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

Kislev is the month of dreams. The month to “chalom,” which means to dream and be made healthy and strong.

“In the Last Days, I will pour out from my Spirit upon everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17 (CJB)

One of our clues during this month of Kislev is “To Dream.”

Are you ready to see visions and dream dreams? Are you ready to “chalom with Adonai and be made healthy and strong? Scriptures reveal to us that He speaks to us through dreams for understanding, and clarity in many life situations. He gives us keys of instruction and direction with authority through our dreams to extend His will on earth.

Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.” Genesis 46:2 (NKJV)

But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in?” II Samuel 7:4-5 (NKJV)

“But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these:” Daniel 2:28 (NKJV)

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Matthew 2:12 (NKJV)

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10 NKJV

“I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” Matthew 16:19  (CJB)

Are you troubled by lost hopes and abandoned, unfulfilled dreams? Adonai is beckoning to you today to dream a little dream with Him. If you have never done so before, now is a good time to acknowledge your need for a Savior and invite Yeshua – Jesus, into your life today. Just raise your hands, and ask Him to be the LORD of your life, turn away from your path of wrong choices and sins, receive His forgiveness and step into His dreams for you that are full of goodness and blessings. He has such a beautiful plan for your life. Receive His dreams for you today.

“For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says ADONAI, ‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly; and I will let you find me,’ says ADONAI.” Yirmeyahu (Jerermiah) 29:11-14a CJB

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An exert from the month of Kislev in  “The Quest of the Overcomers.”

“For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.” Job 33:14-16 (NKJV)

Kislev is known as the month of dreams. The word for dream in Hebrew is “chalom” and is derived from the verb meaning “to be made healthy or strong.” This is a month to watch our sleep patterns as the Lord often speaks to us in dreams. “He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” (Ps 127:2 NASB) He imparts revelations, warnings, encouragement and truth with understanding for our future. Each dream is a parable to be revealed. The Torah portions for the month of Kislev contain more dream references than any other month.

You may want to begin keeping a dream journal during this month of Kislev. Adonai seals instructions in our hearts through our dreams. Sleep is actually a metaphor for death and the new moons are symbolic times of resurrection. Human beings sleep appropriately one third of our lives. Let’s become more and more aware of our dreams and how our LORD wants to communicate with us while we sleep.

Blessings and Shalom with Love Beyond Measure, Beth and JoBeth.

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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

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

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

The evening of November 29 begins the Hebraic month of Kislev that lasts for 29 or 30 days depending upon whether or not an additional day is required to make a “full” year. Kislev is the ninth month on the Hebraic calendar and the third month of the civil year which began on the first of Tishri. It is important for us to remember that each new moon is a picture of resurrection with opportunities for new choices and new beginnings. One month ending and a new month begins on our “Quest of the Overcomer.

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

Clue – Security, trust and rest!

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

The name of Kislev is a derivative from a Hebrew word actually meaning security and trust. Let us examine our hearts to see any areas of insecurity that may hinder our ability to fully trust in God’s faithfulness. This can be an important month in our Overcoming Journey to experience a new depth of security in the goodness of the LORD, to trust Him more deeply and to enter a new place of comforting rest in Him.

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalms 18:2

 “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” Psalms 32:7

The tribe of Benjamin is associated with the month of Kislev and was the second son of Jacob born to his favorite wife, Rachel. And, he was the only son born in the land of promise. At his birth before she died, Rachel called him Ben-Oni, meaning, “son of my sorrow.” However Jacob changed his name to Benjamin which means “son of the right hand.” (Genesis 35:17-18) The words “right hand” appears 166 times in the Bible and has significant meaning representing divine authority, power, strength and for blessing. Let’s trust the LORD to turn any sorrows or disappointments of the past into foundations of strength for blessings in our lives this month.

 “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you” (Isaiah 41:13).

 God hath sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength (Isa. 62:8).

 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Luke 22:69)

The Tribe of Benjamin were known as fierce warriors whose weapon of choice was the bow and they became known as mighty men of valor. “And from Benjamin two hundred and eighty thousand men who carried shields and drew bows; all these were mighty men of valor.” II Chronicles 14:8b

What is our assignment in spiritual warfare during this month of Kislev?

Clue – To hit the mark!

 It is also interesting to note that the constellation aligned with the month of Kislev is Sagittarius – the Archer with a bow and arrow. The Hebrew word “turah” is derived from a root word that was used in archery, ”yarah,” which means to shoot an arrow in order to hit a mark. Just as the Gospel is written in the stars, this is a month for us to “hit the mark” in our spiritual warfare assignments to overcome any cultural hinderances or areas of compromise that have come against us in this Overcoming Journey. The heavens truly declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork and Adonai reveals knowledge to us in the night.

“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.” Psalms 18:32,34,49 (NIV)

 “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.” Psalms 19:1-2

As the nights grow longer and the days are shorter, what is our hope in the night?

Clue – To dream!

“For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.” Job 33:14-16

Kislev is known as the month of dreams. The word for dream in Hebrew is “chalom” and is derived from the verb meaning “to be made healthy or strong.” This is a month to watch our sleep patterns as the Lord often speaks to us in dreams. “He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” (Ps 127:2 NASB) He imparts revelations, warnings, encouragement and truth with understanding for our future. Each dream is a parable to be revealed. The Torah portions for the month of Kislev contain more dream references than any other month.

You may want to begin keeping a dream journal during this month of Kislev. Adonai seals instructions in our hearts through our dreams. Sleep is actually a metaphor for death and the new moons are symbolic times of resurrection. Human beings sleep appropriately one third of our lives. Let’s become more and more aware of our dreams and how our LORD wants to communicate with us while we sleep.

The Hebraic letter for the month of Kislev is “Shamekh” which is a picture of trust, support, and coming full circle. May we all find a new level of trust and support in Adonai this month that will bring us full circle; ending some things that need to cease so that we can step forward into all the new He has for us in Him.

What is the Feast of Dedication that is mentioned in John 10:22?

Clue – Hanukkah, The Feast of Lights.

The Feast of Dedication – Hanukkah, is a Festival of Lights which is portrayed by the Menorah that was displayed in the Holy of Holies.

“You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece.” Exodus 25:31

 “And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.” Exodus 27:20-21

 Later in the month of Kislev is the Celebration of Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication. “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.” John 10:22-23 (NASB) This is the only place in the Bible that Hanukkah is mentioned.

The Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah with eight nights of lighting the Menorah candles. The historical, Apocryphal books of the Maccabees tells us of the Seleucid king that tried to eradicate Jewish religious traditions to force the worship of Greek gods. When the Jews took back control of the Temple during the Maccabean revolt, the one and only cruse of oil miraculously kept burning in the menorah lampstand for all of the required entire 8 days! Oil is a widely recognized symbol for Holy Spirit. The lights of the Menorah that were to never burn out are symbolic of the promised Messiah that would be filled with the Spirit of the Lord that would reign forever and ever.

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:1-2

 “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 1:4-5a

Kislev is a good month to ask Adonai to identify anything that may be hiding in the dark corners of our heart. As He reveals to us these things and brings them into His marvelous light, may we receive His healing and extend His healing to others. “Adonai, let Your light shine brightly within each of us, as we lay any dark and hidden things within us at Your feet.”

During this wonderful season we must all learn to see each person that we come in contact with in the light from Adonai’s perspective; not after the failures and inadequacies of our flesh. As we look upon one another we must not see dead splintery winter branches of barrenness. There are hidden threads of life beneath the surface of each of us that Adonai wants to reveal for His glory. God sees our ends from our beginnings. Through the redemptive sacrifice of Yeshua and the light of His Love, He is able to transform each of our lives from darkness to light. Each of us are as a seed of potential that can grow and be transformed into a fruit bearing tree. Let’s be the “Overcomer” that Adonai has created for us to be, and partake of the ripe fruit from the Tree of Life.

Kislev is a month to watch and pray for Israel. We need to realize that during Hanukkah, Christmas is looked upon as evil by most of the Jews. There are few places in the world that people can go during this time of the year that have not been decorated with glaring secular commercialism. It is even hard for believing Christians to see Jesus celebrated or exalted higher than Santa, endless festivities, lists of toys and numerous gifts to buy. However, we must make every effort to keep Jesus as the center of our family Christmas gatherings and celebrations. We are in a real spiritual war and the battle is just as real for us as it was for the Maccabean’s trying to restore Temple worship from those instigating to establish the counterfeit worship of false gods. Will the oil of Holy Spirit prevail within God’s people as His light in the world or will He be quenched from society because we pushed him out to celebrate shopping, feasting and traditions of man? The warfare is real and we each have our assigned battles in order for the Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.

Some believe that Yeshua, Jesus is Messiah and some do not. Some will never be able see Him if we don’t see them through the eyes of Adonai with His mercy. By God’s enabling grace, we must all be as Jesus on this earth; by doing what He did. He loved. He gave. He healed. He was kind. He spoke life. He only did what He saw His Father doing. He only said what He heard His Father saying. And, most of all He was willing to see people from His Father’s perspective of LOVE.

So during this month of Kislev, let’s expect to deepen our sense of security and trust in the LORD and be ones that dream dreams. Ask Adonai to bring you dreams that reveal the truth that you need to see from His perspective. Draw back your bow, in the power of His might, aim true and hit the target every time for His Glory!

May The Holy Spirit of Wisdom, Revelation, Counsel, Might and Knowledge in the Fear of God be yours as you learn how to celebrate in the truth of His Heavenly Light. Holy Spirit, come and fill us with Your magnificent light; that we may we be light in this world in Jesus Name. Amen.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalms 126:1-2 (NIV)

 Blessings and Shalom with Love Beyond Measure, Beth and JoBeth.

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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

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

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

This is the Era to Decree. When we entered the year 5780 in the Jewish calendar, we entered the decade linked to the letter “Pey” in the Hebraic alphabet, which is symbolic of an open mouth and implies “to speak or to decree.” To decree is a governmental declaration that is backed by authority to command enforcement of a judicial decision or royal edict. It’s important for us to walk circumspectly with confidence in our authority to proclaim and to make declarations or to decree God’s Kingdom purposes on our Quest of the Overcomers. Let us take a journey through the Holy Word revealed in our Bibles and learn how to decree by allowing Yeshua, Jesus – The Word to impart His truth with understanding to help us increase in our authority to decree.

 The Deity of Jesus Christ: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (NASB)

We must grasp that The LORD saw fit to bestow upon us to be the representatives of His voice in this earth and to receive revelation understanding of His will as we walk in relationship with Him. He has granted us His authority with anointing by the Holy Spirit to decree into every situation that He reveals before us to speak and to decree His will.

Let’s consider some scriptures to lay some foundations for further clarity. In the beginning Adonai spoke, He decreed light to be and it was.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-3 NASB

In the New American Standard Bible “God said,” appears 46 times. Let’s take a journey through His Holy Word, receiving an impartation of what “God said.” The reason that Adonai gave us a voice was for us to be speaking beings, made in His likeness, to decree into this realm under His authority to extend His Kingdom earth. Yeshua (Jesus) taught us how to decree as we pray, “Thy Kingdom come” in Matthew 6:9-13.

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [ For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ ]” Matthew 6:9-13 NASB

Our voices were not just created for conversation but for legislation and it is the time for us to step into a new level in this Quest of the Overcomers to legislate in agreement with God’s will and to watch Him manifest His will through our decrees. There are many ways that God sent His Word to manifest His will on this earth. He spoke directly into the earth and the earth formed. He spoke to light and light was. He separated things, created vegetation, animals and man in decrees through His spoken Word.

Our mandate to extend God’s authority on earth is recorded in Genesis 1:26.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26 NASB

Yes, Adam and Eve failed, but Elohim – The Creator God, spoke and revealed His will to man. He also spoke through dreams and angelic visitations to direct the affairs of men. And, He appeared before His chosen vessels, speaking to them directly, to bring forth His Kingdom to come upon the earth. Adonai changed the name of Abram to Abraham, and Jacob to Israel in order for them to decree to change for the manifestation of His Kingdom purposes into their circumstances.

The Covenant Renewed: Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you. Exodus 34:10 NASB

 In this verse, Adonai renewed His Covenant and said it is a fearful thing that He is going to perform in us. We must regard the manifestation of the Spirit, in the fear of The LORD to work within us as we learn to decree His Word on earth within our sphere of circumstances.

Adonai gave personal instruction to those whom He loved in order for them to manifest His Word. One specific example is when David inquired again of God, and God spoke specific  directions to him. We can see how our obedience and agreement with God’s spoken Word extends God’s Kingdom jurisdiction in our real circumstances.

David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees. It shall be when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”1 Chronicles 14:14-15 NASB

In Exodus chapter 20 Adonai speaks forth The Ten Commandments that established His Kingdom jurisdiction of laws for His people to live by. As we pursue our relationship with Adonai, knowing His law, knowing His will and knowing His assignments for us to extend His Kingdom on earth, we can decree in boldness, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

 Then God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

“You shall not murder.

“You shall not commit adultery.

“You shall not steal.

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:1-17 NASB

 God sent Yeshua, Jesus – The Word that was made flesh. He came speaking and decreeing God’s will to His people. Through His shed blood on the cross, Yeshua redeemed fallen man and declared His Kingdom has come on earth. He restored our rightful place in relationship with God the Father; in ability, anointing and authority for Genesis 1:26 to manifest on His earth through our spoken decrees in agreement with His will..

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus… For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:6, 10 NIV

Please take time, as you continue with us on this Quest of the Overcomers, to ask Adonai to open the eyes of your understanding in studying His Word to reveal Himself to you and to unlock within you His power and authority to decree and fulfill your personal destiny on earth. Every time that you see injustice, sadness, poverty, evil, etc, ask Adonai for the Word that He needs you to decree that will fell the enemy in each specific situation.

This is our decree over your life in the name of Yeshua.

“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.” Job 22:28 NASB

 Make this decree over your life, “I decree in Jesus’ name that not one Word that Adonai has prepared for me to decree will fall to the ground from my silence.”

 Lord God Almighty, we pray in agreement with Your Word, in the name of Yeshua, according to Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” (NASB) We receive You Holy Spirit, come and fill us to overflowing that we may speak the Word of God with boldness. May not one word that You have for us to decree fall to the ground from silence in my Overcoming Journey. We pray and decree according to Your will, “Let Your Kingdom come. Let Your will be done, on earth and in our lives according to Your will as it is in heaven. In Yeshua’s name, Amen and Amen!”

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 46 Bible results for “God said”. All references are from the NASB.

Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

Genesis 1:6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”

Genesis 1:9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.

Genesis 1:11 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so.

Genesis 1:14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;

Genesis 1:20 Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.”

Genesis 1:24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Genesis 1:29Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every  tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;

Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”

Genesis 3:1 [ The Fall of Man ] Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

Genesis 3:13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life;

Genesis 3:22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—

Genesis 6:13 Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.

Genesis 9:12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations;

Genesis 9:17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Genesis 15:13 God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.

Genesis 17:9 God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.

Genesis 17:15 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

Genesis 17:19 But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

Genesis 20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

Genesis 21:12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.

Genesis 31:11 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’

Genesis 35:1 [ Jacob Moves to Bethel ] Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”

Genesis 35:10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name.” Thus He called him Israel.

Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

Exodus 13:17 [ God Leads the People ] Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”

Exodus 34:10 [ The Covenant Renewed ] Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you.

Numbers 22:12 God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

Judges 6:20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And he did so.

1 Kings 3:5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.”

1 Kings 3:11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice,

1 Kings 13:8 But the man of God said to the king, “If you were to give me half your house I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place.

2 Kings 4:27 When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

2 Kings 6:6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float.

1 Chronicles 11:2 In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.’”

1 Chronicles 14:14 David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.

1 Chronicles 28:3 But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

2 Chronicles 1:11 God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king,

Jonah 4:9 Then God said to Jonah, “Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “I have good reason to be angry, even to death.”

Matthew 15:4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.

Luke 11:49 For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute.

Luke 12:20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’

2 Corinthians 6:16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

12 instances where “God spoke”.  All references from the NASB.

Genesis 8:15 Then God spoke to Noah, saying,

Genesis 9:8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,

Genesis 46:2 God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”

Exodus 6:2 God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord;

Exodus 20:1 [ The Ten Commandments ] Then God spoke all these words, saying,

Deuteronomy 1:6 “The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain.

Deuteronomy 10:9 Therefore, Levi does not have a portion or inheritance with his brothers; the Lord is his inheritance, just as the Lord your God spoke to him.)

Joshua 23:14 “Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the Lord your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.

Joshua 23:15 It shall come about that just as all the good words which the Lord your God spoke to you have come upon you, so the Lord will bring upon you all the threats, until He has destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God has given you.

Mark 12:26 But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

Acts 3:21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

Acts 7:6 But God spoke to this effect, that his descendants would be aliens in a foreign land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years.

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

© Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested 2019

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

The evening of October 29 begins the Hebraic month of Cheshvan that lasts for 29 or 30 days depending upon whether or not an additional day is required to make a “full” year. Cheshvan is the eighth month on the Hebraic calendar and the second month of the civil year which began on the first of Tishri.

Though Cheshvan is now the the primary name used for this month, Marcheshvan or Mar Cheshvan was adapted in scripts written following the Babylonian exile. In ancient Hebraic translations it means “eighth month.” Mar has become associated with “mara” meaning “bitter.” It’s often referred to as the bitter month; possibly because this is the only month with no fasts or holidays.

What is the ripe fruit we are to partake from the Tree of Life in the month of Cheshvan? (Rev. 22:2a)

Clue — New Beginnings!

Cheshvan is designated as the month of Messiah; with the number eight signifying new beginnings and also represents the eternal revelation of the supernatural. The Hebraic letter aligned with this month is “NUN” that symbolizes the Messiah. Used as a verb, nun means “to reign.” As a noun (from nin), it means “the heir to the throne.” The Jewish scholars believe that there are no celebrations this month because Messiah will come to inaugurate the third temple in the month of Cheshvan; establishing the beginning of His reign over all the earth.

“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:3

The building of Solomon’s temple was completed on the 17th of Cheshvan and the number 17 means “victory.” We are on the Quest of the Overcomers and we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. This is a month to build up our faith in Yeshua—the Messiah, for new revelation of His supernatural power for victory over our weaknesses, failures or any areas of doubt, fear and unbelief. Now is the time for new beginnings!

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19

The month of Cheshvan is linked to the Tribe of Manasseh—meaning to forget, to leap, up and away. Manasseh was the first born of Joseph in Egypt by Asenath the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. When he was born, Joseph declared, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s house.” (Genesis 41:51) This is a month to forget the pain and sorrows of our past to receive a new birth of hope, with a leap of faith, for new beginnings in our lives, circumstances and relationships.

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14 NIV

The Biblical text refers to this month as Bul (I Kings 6:38) from the word “bool” meaning flood. The flood began in the month of Cheshvan and ended this same month a year later. Adonai washed away all the evil on the earth in a “mikva”—a baptismal deluge of water to cleanse the earth of impurity. After the flood ended, Noah offered a burnt sacrifice to God and He swore never to flood the entire earth again.

What was God’s response to Noah after the flood?

Clue — Covenant

Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: “And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth. Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Genesis 9:8-15

“I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.” And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.” Genesis 9:13,17

 In order to believe and receive Adonai’s covenant, we have to settle in our own heart, that His promises are true. He honors His Word above His name (Psalm 138:2) and we must choose to trust the LORD with all of our hearts above all else. This month of Cheshvan is our opportunity to embrace God’s call to a covenant walk with Him on His well lit path through the cycles of life that He has designed for us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

 We encourage you to read Genesis 8 and 9 fully to grasp the fullness of God’s covenant that we enter when we receive Yeshua, the Messiah as our LORD and Savior. To know and understand God’s covenant is the reason He established the annual Feasts and Holy Days for His people to learn of His ways required to follow His path. Therefore, it’s also important for us believers in Jesus, to learn of His times, commanded Feasts and celebrations revealed in His Word. Elohim, the Creator God, created time as a boundary for our habitation in this fallen world. If we walk circumspectly, pursuing Him in love, faith and trust, we will learn His ways to overcome the traps of sin and destruction that separate us from a Holy God. He will perform the truth of His Word in our lives with blessings, joy and peace. And, we will dwell with Him in eternity!

What is the spiritual significance in the sense of smell?

Clue — The soothing aroma of sacrifice.

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.” Genesis 8:20-22

Why is the sacrifice a sweet smelling aroma to God?

Clue — Jesus!

Jewish scholars teach that the sense of smell is the most spiritual of all senses. The Hebraic word for smell is related to the word for spirit. Death was the judgement of sin from man’s rejection and disobedience that separated us from God. The sacrifice and shedding of blood from innocent animals was a symbolic shadow of the innocence, death and shedding of the blood of Messiah. It released the redeeming fragrance of forgiveness for our salvation that reconciles us back into relationship with a Holy God! Jewish tradition also teaches that Messiah will come and judge us by the way we smell. He will be able to identify the fragrance of His blood upon the doorposts of our hearts if we have appropriated His sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. We are also called to be a sweet smelling sacrifice unto Adonai.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Cheshvan is connected with the fragrance of myrrh. Myrrh was one of the gifts given at the birth of Yeshua by the wise men and it is a prized sweet smelling fragrance used from ancient times. Myrrh was an ingredient of Ketoret—the consecrated incense used in the first and second temples in Jerusalem; as described in the Bible and Hebrew Talmud. Myrrh is also listed as an ingredient in the holy oil used to anoint the tabernacle, high priests and kings.

Myrrh is commonly used as an anointing oil and symbolizes purification, grace and peace. Esther was bathed in Myrrh for six months before being presented to the king (Esther 2-12). Let us allow the purification process of the Holy Spirit this month, preparing us for more intimacy in the presence of our King, Jesus.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14 

 The Constellation of Scorpio is aligned with Cheshvan and symbolic that it’s time to tread on serpents and scorpions. Jewish sages teach that the scorpion is the deadliest member of the poisonous creatures and is linked to the primordial snake of Eden which brought the fall of all mankind and death entered God’s perfect world. The Hebraic word for scorpion is derived from the word meaning “heel” as it is said, “And you (the snake) will strike his (man) heel.” Genesis 3:15 (HCSB) Thus, the scorpion represents the deadliest “bite” to the heel of man.

The snake in the garden of Eden also usurped man’s God given authority to rule over the earth. It is critical this month for us to stand in our authority as those redeemed and restored to our rightful relationship with God by Yeshua’s blood shed on the cross. Also, remembering that we are now in the era of Pey, we must not only take our stand against demonic forces against us, but to declare and proclaim our authority over our designated territory!

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19

What is the significance of the color violet this month?

Clue — Jesus is King of Kings!

Violet, not purple, is the significant color associated with Cheshvan. Scientifically, purple is a combination of equally blending red and blue, whereas violet is a unique separate color in itself. Therefore, legalistically, violet is a more dominating color than purple; though purple is the common name most often used. Also, violet is the name given to one of the seven streams of light in the colors of the rainbow. It stands at the highest level, not a mixture between blue and red. Numerous symbolism’s for violet—purple include: spiritual heights, heavenly grace, vibrant faith, divine inspiration, sovereignty and the most commonly recognized is royalty.

Purple became associated with wealth and royalty because for centuries it could only be made from a tiny sea mollusk, from the region of Tyre. It required the sacrifice of over 250,000 to produce one ounce of dye and a pound of purple cloth was equal to a bag of gold! It was not until the 1850’s that a commercially acceptable dye for purple was created by combining red and blue dyes. Historically, Cyrus, king of Persia, was the first known king to wear a robe of purple. Therefore, with Cheshvan being the month of Messiah, it is clear why the unique, most spiritual and royal color of violet—purple, is the color of this month because our Messiah, Yeshua, is “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev. 19:16)

 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17 KJV

 Notes from JoBeth: This month I experienced numerous hinderances and frustrations that kept interfering with writing this message, including a numbing brain fog, so that I could hardly hold a creative thought in my mind. Finally, realizing this was all beyond circumstantial, I cried out to the Lord to remove the blinders from my “eyes” to discern the enemies assignment against me. I began to realize I had a personal battle to overcome before I could put together all our notes for this month’s message on our “Quest of the Overcomers.”

Beth sent me some words with prophetic insights that began to break through the fog. I began to see in my notes this was designated as a month to forget the past, for new beginnings and for victory. I remembered that last month we had entered a new era of Pey and it’s time to use our mouths to declare and decree. [Declarations and decrees require authoritative and governing conviction in agreement with God’s will, to see breakthroughs. It is helpful to understand that Jesus commanded us to pray (decree), “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.]

I asked for the LORD to help me see what He wanted me to see and how to decree what He wanted me to decree. He led me to loudly speak and break off the chains of captivity from every negative, judgmental, condemning, demeaning, restricting and hurtful word curse ever spoken against me that I’ld heard or was said in secret. Afterwards, I felt led to proclaim with conviction that I am who the Lord says I am, I’ll do what He wants me to do, I’ll go where He wants me to go and He is not done with me yet! I know, that I know, that things broke in both the spiritual and natural realms! It is truly our hope that these messages, for those joining us on this Overcoming Journey, will also find encouraging words that are applicable in your personal lives, too.

During this month of Cheshvan ask the LORD to reveal to you a deeper revelation of His covenant. Ask Him to make things plain and clear deep within your heart so that you will walk more and more by faith; increasingly trusting in Him. Ask Him to reveal to you how you can become a sweet smelling aroma to God. On this Journey of the Overcomers, let us determine to be “Covenant Keepers and Destiny Fulfillers” through the Blood of Jesus our Messiah.

Our Prayer:

LORD Jesus, please expose any hindering chains of bondage holding us back from being all you want us to be. Teach us how to pray, to decree and how to dwell in Your presence as we increasing trust and follow You. Draw us into deeper revelations of You as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and our soon returning Messiah. Help us to continue on the Overcoming Journey and embracing your divine covenant with us. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Until next month—Blessings and Shalom; Love Beyond Measure, Beth and JoBeth.

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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

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

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

On the evening of September 29th, we begin the Hebraic month of Tishri that lasts for 30 days. Before the Babylonian exile this month was called Ethanim (1 Kings 8:2), meaning “strength and endurance.” Tishri is the first month of the civic year and the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year, which began with the month of Nisan. Historically, in a book* by Edwin R. Thieve, he stated that the Kingdom of Judah counted years using the civil calendar starting in Tishri, while the Kingdom of Israel counted the years with the ecclesiastical new year beginning with Nisan.

What is so significant about the month of Tishri?

Clue — The High Holy Days and the Fall Feasts of the Lord.

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.” Leviticus 23:1-2

Tishri has more than any other month of appointed times, including a total of 13 days of special religious significance, seven of them are holidays with no work permitted. It is important for us to not only recognize and understand the scriptural and historical significance of the Fall Feasts, but also the prophetic importance of their symbolism yet to be fulfilled when Jesus returns.

Beginning with the Feast of Trumpets, it is commanded in Leviticus 23:24, “in the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets.” This not only begins Rosh Hashanah, referred to as the Head of the Year that starts the Jewish New Year, but prophetically points to when Jesus — the Messiah, will appear in the heavens with the sound of a trumpet, as the Bridegroom returning for His Bride, the redeemed Church. (Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 KJV)

[A popular Rosh Hashanah custom is to eat apples dipped in honey. It was believed in ancient times that apples had healing potential and honey signified hopes that the new year would be sweet.]

The Feast of Atonement, also called Yom Kippur, points to the day when Jesus returns. That will be the day of atonement for the Jewish remnant when they “look upon Him whom they have pierced,” repent and receive Him as their Messiah. (Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:1-6, 25-36 KJV).

The Feast of Tabernacles, also called Sukkot, pointing to the Lord’s promise that He will return to reign over all the earth from Jerusalem. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” (Revelation 21:3).

What is the ripe fruit for us to partake in this month of Tishri? (Rev. 22:2a)

Clue — Completion and spiritual perfection!

 “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”James 1:4

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10

 “It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.” Psalms 18:32

Though Tishri is the Head of the Year, it is also the 7th month and there is always spiritual significance in sevens. The number 7 is the most recognized number in the Bible used more than 600 times and used the most in the book of Revelation. It means “divine fullness, completeness and totality; including spiritual perfection”. It comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to be full,” “to be satisfied,” and “to have enough.” We will want to be prepared and receptive to all the fullness, completeness and perfection the Lord has for us in this month.

The sound of the trumpets commemorated the end of the harvest, celebrating the fruitfulness and completion of the old year. The trumpet sound was understood as the call to introspection, repentance and the solemn time of preparation in “The Days of Awe,” also referred to as “Ten Days of Repentance” leading to the “Day of Atonement.” It’s a month of awakening and removing anything which would keep us from returning to the Lord’s plans and purposes for our lives. The Fall Feasts are the times ordained for us to return to God, receive His atonement for our sins that separate us from Him and to experience His Glory.

What time is it?

Clue — Time to open our mouth to declare the Word of the Lord!

“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.” Job 22:28 NASB

With the blasting of the trumpets announcing the Hebraic civil New Year, we are also entering a brand new era. We are moving from the “Year of Seeing the Snake in the Grass” in 5779, to the year of 5780 that begins “The Year to Open Our Mouth to Declare the Word of the Lord.”

 The last ten years were the “Ayin” decade of the “Seeing Eye” where God directed us to “see.” We are now entering a new decade of the 80’s, correlated with the Hebrew letter “Pey” that is shaped like an open mouth. The primary definition of Pey is “mouth” with extended meanings of “word, vocalization, breath or speech.” This is a new era with God’s authority to “speak”. Pey comes from the word “Penuel,” which means “the face of God.” We will want to diligently seek God’s face and to know His will for the times and seasons upon us. “Ayin” was a season of insight. In this era of “Pey” — by the breath of the Holy Spirit, with our mouths, we are given authority with insight to declare and decree, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.” (Matthew 6:10)

“For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Luke 21:15 RSV

 “I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Psalms 81:10

“The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.” Isaiah 50:4 

How do we guard our mouths in knowing what to speak and decree?

Clue — Heed the words of Jesus!

“Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.” John 5:19 NIV

“For I have not spoken on my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has given me a command, namely, what to say and how to say it.” John 12:49 CJB

We need to have dove eyes for the LORD. (Song of Solomon 4:1) A dove can only focus on one single thing. We must keep our eyes on ADONAI at all times and remembering always the lesson that Jesus teaches us; to do what we see the LORD do and to say what He says. We are responsible for what we say. In pursuing to know His will, we can be assured of praying in agreement with the LORD when we pray His Word. For he tells us, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” (Jeremiah 1:11 NASB) We can speak and decree in unity with His Word and His will.

The Tribe of Ephraim is identified with this month of Tishri and means “double fruit,“  His father, Joseph declared at his birth, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Ephraim was second born but received the double blessings of the first born.

Over 20,000 men of Ephraim came to David at Hebron and were referred to as Mighty Men of Valor. No matter our situations beyond our choices in life, we should look for our double portion from the Lord in this season and to persevere in valor as overcomers.

The “Quest of the Overcomer” is about learning how to navigate the path of our lives and overcoming the pits and traps and snares that would defeat us. Let’s look at two different translations of John 16:33:

“I have said these things to you so that, united with me, you may have shalom. In the world, you have tsuris (troubles). But be brave! I have conquered the world!” Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus knew that we would have tribulation but exhorts us to be brave; and in the other translation to be cheerful in knowing that He is our Overcomer. He has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us; to see what Adonai is doing, to speak and to decree with our mouths what He reveals to us. Being united in Jesus, we have His Shalom — nothing missing, nothing broken, whole and complete in Him. In the power of “His strength made perfect in our weakness,” (1 Cor. 12:9) we can be brave and be of good cheer because He has conquered and overcome the World!

 “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”1 John 5:4-5 NIV

Notes from Beth:  God keeps speaking to me about knowing those who labor among us. He wants us to begin seeing with laser focus His gifts and His miracle working power available to those who labor in the fields, where He has placed us, in this season.

I hear Him speaking to my heart, “Look around at who is close. What do you see? Once you see… declare and open up! Stir up My gifts and I’ll apply fresh oil over you! Then, keep your focus on Me and My perspective. Move forward in My array — those splendidly adorned and displayed in divine order. For I have aligned and assigned each of you for My purpose in the earth for such a time as this. Declare, decree, open my portals around you for I have provided all that you need to walk in My Victory.” Amen, Adonai, amen!

“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b NKJV

I speak forth and declare His Word over you today. I am looking with laser focus through the heart of Adonai towards you. I decree His gifts and perfect completion upon you in this era. And, that He anoints you in the Spirit with fresh oil for victory and for His glory alone. In Jesus Name. Amen! Amen!

“But the LORD said to me: …’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you,

And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 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 1:7,9-10

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* “The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings“

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

Partake of the Overcoming Fruit from the Tree of Life – Monthly – Overcome – Breakthrough

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

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

The evening of August 31 we enter the month of Elul continuing through September 29. This is the twelfth month of the Jewish civil year and the sixth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. Elul is a month of 29 days and usually occurs in August – September on the Gregorian calendar. Elul is a strategic connecting month in preparation for the “high holy days” of the Fall Feasts.

What is the ripe fruit for us to partake this month of Elul? (Rev. 22:2a NKJV)

Clue — Mercy for repentance with forgiveness!

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” Micah 7:18 NIV

In Jewish history, God revealed Himself in great mercy in the month of Elul. It follows the two prior months where God dealt with the sins of the people in the wilderness at Sinai. Moses sought the mercy and favor of the Lord on behalf of the people because the Lord was ready to destroy them due to their unfaithfulness and idolatry (Genesis 32-33). The people repented and God mercifully forgave and made a new covenant with them. Moses then ascended Mount Sinai again to receive the “tablets of the covenant” to replace the ones broken when he saw the people’s idolatry.

“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13b

The Hebrew letter YUD is associated with this month which means “God has appointed mercy from His hand.” We need to grab the mercy God is extending to each of us from His outstretched hand to us! This is a time to experience God’s mercy for repentance and forgiveness.

Jewish tradition teaches that the month of Elul is a particularly propitious time for repentance that builds through this month to the period of Selichot, to Rosh Hashanah, and finally to Yom Kippur. The word Elul means to search. Let us seek the Lord’s mercy and allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts in the next 40 days to reveal any hidden sin for repentance in order for us to enter Adonai’s rest and to feast with Him on Yom Kippur; the Day of Atonement.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

What does it mean that Elul is the month when “the King is in the field?”

Clue — He comes near to us and welcomes us to come!

There is an interesting Jewish phrase for this month that says, “The King is in the field.” For most of the year, the King dwelt in his palace, protected by high walls with guarded gates and only approachable with great difficulty through royal protocol. But, during one month of the year, the king would set up the royal tent in a field close to the people and all were welcomed to come. The proclamation was declared, “The King is in the field!” God is especially accessible and welcoming to us at this time. The King of Kings is close to us and bids us welcome! We can put aside all of our religious striving and spiritual pretenses. He draws near to our homes, our workplace and the everyday places where we are! He moves among his people and loves for us to approach him. This is a time where he lavishes his mercy, forgiveness and love upon us. “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine!” 

The Constellation Virgo, the Virgin, is aligned with Elul and is traditionally linked with the scripture from Song of Solomon 6:3 “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine!” In Hebrew, the first letter of each word spells out the name of this month, ELUL! This is a fortuitous time when God is beckoning us to come and seek Him for special times of intimacy with Him!

“He has brought me to his banqueting place, And his banner over me is love [waving overhead to protect and comfort me]. Sustain me with raisin cakes, Refresh me with apples, Because I am sick with love.” Song of Solomon 2:4-5 AMP

Elul is the month that the King is in the field for us to come close to Him. We have access to our beloved during this month that we do not have during other months. It is the month to see the promises and blessings of God manifest; a month to receive rewards! We would all love it if Adonai would just give us what we want when we ask. That is not His way. We just walked through the time of dire straits during the month of Av. But, this is not a time to fear. Like the sons of Issachar, we must understand the signs of the times and expect to see exactly what He is uncovering for us to see. This is a time to receive His rewards, moments of breakthrough and to move forward with Him as the Overcomers He is calling us to be. How will you connect with Him this month? Will you draw near to Him and rest your head on His shoulder and receive His love for you?

We must find our way to “vav” ourself to Adonai this month. Vav is the 6th letter in the Hebrew alphabet and is a connecting letter. It is a hook, a spear, a tent peg and connects things together. The letter Vav in Hebrew literally implies the connecting between heaven and earth. This month of Elul is a special time of connecting Heaven and Earth; our hearts with His heart.

“Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.”Song of Solomon 1:4 KJV

Elul is also referred to as “the eye of the needle” month. God is not asking us to change everything all at once this month, but what little thing can we surrender or what little place can we open in our hearts to Him that we may have been holding on to? The challenge is to yield even the smallest thing or establish the smallest place completely dedicated to Him and let Him prove Himself to us in a BIG way! He is calling to us to, “Open up the eye of the needle and I will open to you the grand storehouses of my goodness!”

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.“ Jeremiah 29:11 TLB

What should we aspire to become from the Tribe of Gad in this month?

Clue — Mighty Warriors!

The tribe of Gad is aligned with the month of Elul as the seventh son of Jacob by Leah’s maid Zilpah (Genesis 30:11). Gad means “good fortune.” His birth was celebrated by Leah with the declaration, “How fortunate!” In Genesis 49:19 (AMP) Jacob prophesied, “Gad—a raiding troop shall raid him, but he shall raid at their heals and assault them [victoriously].” The tribe of Gad were known as valiant warriors. They were described as being fierce as lions and swift as gazelles. The least was said to be equal to 100 others and the greatest said to equal 1000! They came to the aid of David and were named among his Mighty Men. From the tribe of Gad we are inspired to become spiritual warriors of valor willing to plunder the enemy’s camp instead of being plundered!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV

A note from JoBeth:

A few years after I became a Christian, I was disillusioned with all the battles, increasing spiritual warfare and tribulations that I had not anticipated when I had asked Jesus into my life. As I was praying (really whining) to the Lord one day, that I had not signed up for warfare, but wanted the abundant life He promised in John 10:10! As strong as I have ever heard the Lord speak into my spirit, He informed me that whether I liked it or not I was in the Army of God and I could take up my weapons and learn to fight or live a very defeated, plundered life by the enemy! And, that it didn’t depend all upon me either! “So he said to me, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6b NIV) I am grateful to have learned that our battle is the Lord’s (2 Chron. 20:15), He is the Mighty Warrior who will train our hands for battle (Ps. 144:1), greater is He that is with us than our enemies against us (I John 4:4) and that we become more than conquerers because He loves us (Rom. 8:37)! In Him, we too can become Mighty Warriors!

“Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.” Psalms 144:1-2

We all walk through tribulation. Jesus said that in this world we would have tribulation, but behold He has overcome this world (John 16:33). Amen! Jesus has already overcome for us and we must allow Him to search our hearts so that we can continually repent for our sin, be forgiven and move forward as Overcomers. Elul is a month for sharpening our ability to repent so that we can come before Adonai with clean hands and a pure heart.

Notes from Beth:

Recently, I really felt condemned by a friend. This individual is very accusatory in the way that they minister to others; not something that I respond to well. I really try to release everything to the LORD so that I can come before Him with clean hands and a pure heart to intercede for others. Not one of us can pray for and intercede for others if we are not willing to ask for forgiveness for our own faults and failures.

I will admit to you that many times I had difficulty letting go of this individual’s tendency to minister in this manner and it had become sandpaper to my very soul. I know from past experience that I had to yield this to the Lord and to find His strength in my weakness. I have learned that He always sends something sharp to get my attention to smooth my hard heart.

One day, while talking to the LORD, I asked Him to show this situation to me from His perspective. I was so thankful that I did this because He settled it with me once and for all. I could feel His smoothness replacing the hardness of my heart when I repented for looking at the other person as if they were sandpaper to my soul. In fact, they led me to Adonai in a way that I perhaps would have never known!

I began to pray differently and to ask Him what I could do each day in His Kingdom for Him instead of always petitioning for my wants. When we come before Him and repent quickly for anything that we have done amiss, He forgives, changes our perspective and then He can reveal His heart and His way of overcoming to us. He will gently lead us, not push us into His will. He does not push or shove. He does not condemn. He does however want to teach us throughout the month of Elul to bring everything to Him and allow Him to show us where we need to grow in our Journey of the Overcomers. Praise Adonai! In Yeshua’s Name, AMEN!

Adonai showed me that we are not to accept every invitation to minister with everyone who asks. Every opportunity is not our assignment. Adonai will show each of us exactly what our assignment is. Adonai knows our motives. He knows when others try to goad or guilt us into something. He knows our hearts and when we lay down ourselves and pick up His purpose for our lives, he will lead us and guide us in that which He has purposed for us. Oh, how important it is to take the opportunity this month to seek His face, grab His mercy and look for His overcoming grace and goodness!

Our prayer for you today is that you will focus on Adonai. Ask Him what work He has for only you in His Kingdom. Repent for ever putting your hands on work that was not meant for you. May you see His breakthrough, provision and rewards in all that He has for you. We pray that if you have needs that you will ask Him what you have in your hand to meet the needs of another. He will work everything out on your behalf as you care and minister to others. Our focus should always be on Him and always centered on His Kingdom.

Oh, Adonai, help each of us to find You in the field near us this month, extending Your hand of mercy for repentance with forgiveness. Connect our hearts closer to Your heart, able to hear Your voice and to know Your ways. Please help us to surrender any little thing we are holding on to that keeps us from your goodness and generous rewards. By your mighty power, and by Your Holy Spirit, strengthen us to be Your Mighty Warriors, knowing your heart and Your will to plunder Your enemies. May Thy Kingdom come and thy will be done in our lives and on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Amen.

During the month of Elul Psalm 27 is read out loud everyday. Take time and read it to Adonai. Sing it to Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself through this Psalm to you in a new and revelatory way. Remember, The King is in the Field. Run out to meet Him. May we know Him more nearly as we read and declare these words during this strategic month of Elul.

Psalm 27 Complete Jewish Bible

A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God. 

“By David: ADONAI is my light and salvation; whom do I need to fear? ADONAI is the stronghold of my life; of whom should I be afraid? When evildoers assailed me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and foes, they stumbled and fell. If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear; if war breaks out against me, even then I will keep trusting. Just one thing have I asked of ADONAI; only this will I seek: to live in the house of ADONAI all the days of my life, to see the beauty of ADONAI and visit in his temple. For he will conceal me in his shelter on the day of trouble, he will hide me in the folds of his tent, he will set me high on a rock. Then my head will be lifted up above my surrounding foes, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, sing praises to ADONAI. Listen, ADONAI, to my voice when I cry; show favor to me; and answer me. “My heart said of you, ‘Seek my face.’” Your face, ADONAI, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, don’t turn your servant away in anger. You are my help; don’t abandon me; don’t leave me, God my savior. Even though my father and mother have left me, ADONAI will care for me. Teach me your way, ADONAI; lead me on a level path because of my enemies — don’t give me up to the whims of my foes; for false witnesses have risen against me, also those who are breathing violence. If I hadn’t believed that I would see ADONAI ’s goodness in the land of the living,… Put your hope in ADONAI, be strong, and let your heart take courage! Yes, put your hope in ADONAI!” Psalm (Tehillim) 27:1-14 CJB

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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

by Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

Av is the month to hear. Are you listening? Have you taken your place at the watchtower; standing at your post watching to see what He says to you? This is a month of hearing and listening. In the Book of Revelation Jesus tells the 5th church, the church of Sardas, to remember what you have received and heard.  “Let the person who is able to hear, listen and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.” Revelation 3:6 (Voice)

Letter to Sardis – Revelation 3:1-6 (Voice)

The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Sardis. “These are the words of the One who has the seven Spirits of God, the Perfect Spirit, and the One who holds the seven stars:

“I know the things you do—you’ve claimed a reputation of life, but you are actually dead. Wake up from your death-sleep, and strengthen what remains of the life you have been given that is in danger of death. I have judged your deeds as far from complete in the sight of My God. Therefore, remember what you have received and heard; it’s time to keep these instructions and turn back from your ways. If you do not wake up from this sleep, I will come in judgment. I will creep up on you like a thief—you will have no way of knowing when I will come. But there are a few in Sardis who don’t have the stain of evil works on their clothes. They will walk alongside Me in white, spotless garments because they have been proven worthy. The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death will be clothed in white garments, and I will certainly not erase that person’s name from the book of life. I will acknowledge this person’s name before My Father and before His heavenly messengers. Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.”

We are to take our place at the watchtower, stand at our post and watch to see what He is saying.

 I will take my place at the watchtower. I will stand at my post and watch. I will watch and see what He says to me.   I need to think about how I should respond to Him When He gets back to me with His answer. Habakkuk 2:1  (Voice)

When we have questions for God, we should ask, then listen to hear what He has to say to us. As we continue our walk toward the 9th of Av and make our way through this narrow straight, we must watch and listen to see what our Abba will say. We must also respond to His instruction and revelation. As we trust in Him and come before Him with the assurance that His Word is true, He will instruct us as we move forward.

“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

Through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ we can enter into God’s promises for each of our lives, only if we trust Him, and respond in faith. Be aware during this month of anything that is trying to prevent you from hearing, listening and responding to His voice. Are you too busy? Are you praising and worshiping Him? Are you observing His day of Rest (Shabbat)? If we won’t take the time to be still and know that He is God and listen for His voice then how can we expect to move forward and not be taken out?

Adonai – We cry out today that You will give us ears to hear and how to respond to Your voice. We ask for forgiveness for our business and the hinderances of distractions that keep us from listening for Your instruction. We declare and decree that we want to fulfill Your purpose for our lives, and we want to receive all You have for us. We will trust You Adonai. Every single step of the way, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Keep Moving forward, follow the clues and be the Overcomer that Adonai created you to be.

Blessings and Shalom in Jesus

Love Beyond Measure,

Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested