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

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

The month of Av is the fifth month of the Hebraic calendar. Av 5779 begins on Friday, August 2, 2019 and ends on August 30, 2019.

It is our intention in The Quest of the Overcommers, to not only share our researched facts regarding each month, but the revelation with insights fresh from the LORD Himself that we’ve received in the process. The month of Av presents a most amazing picture for us of the importance of our faith with obedience.

The word Av in Hebrew literally means “father.” It is derived from a root word meaning “to will” or to “desire.” As we will see, it is critical in this month of Av for us to willingly choose to desire our Father’s good plans to bless us. We must pay very specific attention to listen carefully, hear with discernment and to obey during this month in order to keep progressively moving forward in our Journey of the Overcomers.

Why is the Tribe of Simeon so significant to understanding the choices we face in the month of Av?

Clue – The importance of “hearing.”

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Matthew 11:15

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

The Hebrew tribe of Simeon is aligned with the month of Av. Simeon means “to hear” or “be concerned.” Simeon was the second son of Leah, and was named Simeon “because God has heard that I am unloved and has given me this son also.” Simeon may have carried his mother’s wounds of offense because he became a man of violence. (Genesis 34:25-27) It would seem that he chose bitterness and anger instead of “hearing” of God’s goodness to his mother.

Perhaps Simeon was the instigator among Joseph’s brother’s scheme to kill him because he was his father, Jacob’s favorite son. He was the firstborn of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife; Leah’s younger sister. (Genesis 18-32) Could that be why Joseph held Simeon captive in Egypt until his brother’s retuned with his younger brother Benjamin? (Genesis 18:34). And, could it be that his root of bitterness and unrepentant attitudes permeated the tribe of Simeon generationally? It must be noted, that Moses did not give the tribe of Simeon a prophecy or blessing when he blessed all the other tribes before his death.

The month of Av is the lowest point in the Jewish year. Sadly, we will see that historically the month of Av is linked with tragic events, time and time again, because Israel did not rightly choose to “hear” the words of faith to overcome their fear and unbelief resulting in a terrible and repetitive generational curse. They doubted God’s ability to help them do what He told them to do.

What could be the ripe fruit from the Tree of Life we need for overcoming in this month of Av? (Revelation 22:2a)

Clue – Faith… for overcoming fear and unbelief!

”But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” Hebrews 10:39 NIV

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:1, 6 NIV

 A look at Jewish history on the 9th of Av resulting in the persecution and death of multitudes of Jews:

Av 9 578 BC – Babylon destroys Solomon’s Temple.

Av 9 70 AD – The 2nd Temple is destroyed by the Romans.

Av 9 135 AD – The final crushing defeat of the Jews and Israel by Rome.

Av 9 1095 AD – The first Crusade is launched to free Palestine of Christ haters.

Av 9 1290 AD – Jews are expelled from England.

Av 9 1492 AD – Jews expelled from Spain under the Great Inquisition.

Av 9 1942 AD – Jews deported from the Warsaw Ghetto to Nazi death camps.

Av 9 2005 AD – Beginning of expulsion of all Jews from Gaza.

No one can look at this horrific sequence of events and consider them a coincidence!  Why would all this happen on this date?

Clue – Fear resulting in unbelief!

The 12 spies return with a report from the Promise Land

And they returned from spying out the land after forty days. Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.” Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants ( the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:25-33

 Jewish tradition has believed that God had led the Israelites to the borders of Canaan to enter the Promised Land in the month of Av. The 9th of Av is the tragic date that Israel chose unbelief based upon fear! The number 9 represents God’s completeness. Whereas, the 9th of Av was to have been a date to celebrate God’s completion of Israel’s deliverance from 400 years of captivity in Egypt into the Promise Land, instead it has become a month of foreboding associated with generations of death and destruction historically due to listening to the bad reports based in fear and choosing unbelief.

Even though Joshua and Caleb gave a good report, the people of Israel chose to listen to the bad report from the 10 other spies. They chose to “hear” and receive their fear instead of choosing faith to fulfill God’s promise. After experiencing all the miracles of deliverance from the Egyptians, through the Red Sea and receiving the daily manna, they doubted God’s ability to help them overcome the giants in the land. They chose not to believe in God’s ability to help them do what He had told them to do. The month of Av was to be a month to celebrate God’s Goodness throughout posterity; instead becoming a time of dread and fear.

After 40 years in the wilderness, where everyone from that generation died, God mercifully gave a new generation raised upon the miracles of God a second chance to enter the Promised Land.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 1:18-20

 God designed the month of Av to be the month to enter into His Promise. Each of us by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, through His Blood Sacrifice, has the opportunity to enter into the rich promises of the Word of God for abundant life. God’s promises are true. Jesus is LORD. And, we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb out of the hand of the enemy!

 What is our hope to break patterns of unbelief, disobedience and the consequences of sin in our lives?

Clue – Repentance with Forgiveness.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9 NKJV

 The month of AV offers us the opportunity for self evaluation to recognize our need for repentance to break any generational curse that may be hindering us from choosing new life and blessings. Av is a month to stop struggling and stop wrestling with God. Don’t yield any longer to the doubts, fear and unbelief of the past. Accept the opportunity this month to break any generational curses or defeating patterns of sin. Ask Jesus for forgiveness and receive His finished work of the cross. Be a Curse Breaker and a History Maker!

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14-15

We mourn for the decisions that the Jewish people made, yes. All that they have historically suffered is so very grievous and sad. We pray for them to come to know their Messiah, Jesus; and we LOVE them with God’s everlasting and never changing love. However, we see through the revelation offered to us from the ripe fruit from the Tree of Life to Fear Not, but choose Faith!

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”Isaiah 41:10

 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 NASB

The Hebraic letter associated with this month of Av is the letter TET. It pictorially resembles a womb, representing the anticipation of new life. Also, the significant color and gemstone linked with the days of Av are green and Emeralds that represent new life and prosperity.

“Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the LORD. “Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?” says your God. Isaiah 66:9

 “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” Deuteronomy 30:15-16 NIV

A personal note from JoBeth:

When I was 19 and just a couple of years into my new life in Jesus, I had a profound sense of a calling to the nations and was planning to join a discipleship program with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), a very new ministry sending young people in international missions at that time. The same day the decision had been made, I got a call offering me my previous “dream” summer job in an old mining tourist town in the mountains of Colorado. Without prayer or seeking any spiritual guidance, I immediately said, “Yes!” Sadly, it was a huge mistake and a summer filled with many wrong choices. I thought I had forever missed God’s plan for my life. After much sorrow and repentance, a couple years after my husband and I had gotten married and dedicated our lives to seek our call to missions, the LORD miraculously opened doors for us to serve with YWAM, mostly in Europe, for eight and half years. He is a merciful God of second chances!

Step into the blessings and all that God has planned for you in your Promised Land. Abba, Father, created you with purpose and has placed other people within your sphere of influence that are wandering in their wildernesses without hope, that only you can minister to. So lets move ahead in our Journey of the Overcomers by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11)

Prayer and Declaration:

Thank You, God, for freedom from the curse of fear and unbelief! I declare that You are more than able to supply all my needs to walk according to Your commands. I choose to be a hearer of the Word and to believe God! Yes, there are giants in the land and I will see them without fear. Not by might nor by power, but by waiting on the Spirit of God to give me His One Word that will defeat and fell the giants that attempt to keep me from possessing my Promise Land! (Zechariah 4:6) I desire to see and partake of God’s best blessings for my life. I may not know exactly what that looks like but I trust that He will show me step by step as I continue moving forward with Him. I choose to be all that God created me to be today. I choose to move forward as an Overcomer! In Jesus Name, Amen!

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:12-13

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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

Please, follow us on our Quest.  Here are more eye opening and over coming articles.

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

Tammuz 5779

Sivan 5779

Sivan  5779 – Overcoming Fruit From the Tree of Life

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

Sivan is third in the twelve months of the Hebraic calendar with 30 days in the month beginning the evening before June 4th through July 3rd.

Sivan includes the second of three major feasts each year for the Jewish people. This Feast of Pentecost/Shavuot includes three celebrations of God’s provision: 1) The wheat harvest which demonstrates God’s physical provision; 2) The Torah which is the provision of revelation given to His people on Mount Sinai at the same time of Pentecost; 3) and the provision of the Holy Spirit demonstrating the power of God upon the followers of Jesus in the second chapter of Acts.

What is our ripe fruit that the Lord has prepared for us to eat from the Tree of Life this month?

Clue – Provision and to know Him as Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide (Jehovah Jireh). And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”” Genesis 22:14 (NIV)

The Tribe of Zebulun is associated with the month of Sivan and were esteemed for their abilities in business, in the marketplace. Sivan is often referred to “the business person’s month”. Sivan is a month of transaction, making it a month that Adonai does business with us and also a month for us to do “business” with God. It’s time to discern the Lord’s provision for us in our business, in revelation knowledge of His ways and to experience the increased empowering of the Holy Spirit in all things concerning our lives in the Overcoming Journey of our walk in the Lord.

How do we do “business” with God?

Clue – Connecting our talk with our walk.

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalms 84:11-12

What does it mean to walk before the LORD uprightly and what does this have to do with the month of Sivan? In our “Journey of the Overcomers” and partaking the fruits from the Tree of Life each month, we are learning the character and ways of God each step of the way. For the last 50 days we have learned the significance of counting the Omer from Passover to Pentecost; bringing our lives before the LORD – receiving forgiveness, deliverance and healing; submitting our lives in greater ways to Him and celebrating the more we are able to receive the fulfillment of His plans for us.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, ”Jeremiah 29:11-14a

How are we to seek and find the Lord?

Clue – By the Word of God and by His Holy Spirit.

In this month of Sivan, celebrating the Feast of Pentecost/Shavuot, we are reminded how God gave his people the Torah in the Old Testament and bestowed the Holy Spirit in the New Testament upon the followers of Yeshua Hamashia – Jesus the Messiah. The Word came to life and was made flesh through Our LORD Jesus Christ and on the day of Pentecost, after the disciples had counted the Omer in the upper room, the Holy Spirit was given by Adonai and every single person was given the choice to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and be filled with His Holy Spirit. When we choose to be among the followers of Jesus, Who declared that He is The Way, The Truth and The Life; and receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we are restored in rightful relationship with our Father God. As we continue seeking God in His Word, the Holy Spirit broadens our understanding of His ways and sheds the light of truth onto our path.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

The Constellation aligned with Sivan is Gemini – the twins. The two tablets of the Law was given twice to Moses because the first tablets were utterly destroyed when the disobedient Israelites chose to create a golden calf and participate in idol worship.

Also, Jesus first came to this earth as the Son of Man born to fulfill all the laws of Torah, died and was resurrected as King of kings and Lord of Lords that we might be born again into new life with Him. He returned to heaven and He will return a second time to this earth, to establish His new Kingdom on a New Earth where we will rule and reign with Him!

 “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”” Revelation 1:7-8

Have you ever repeated a time in your life that you would have preferred not repeating? Does it seem as if you are walking around the same mountain all over again? Do you want to stop this cycle of events and move forward? Do you want His best for your life?

Clue – Understanding Time

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV

His times and seasons reflect how we are to walk before Him uprightly. How do we do that?

Clue – New Boundaries

Sivan is the month where God chooses our New Boundaries. Everything in the universe, within every unique galaxy, operates within His well designed boundaries. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, we are given a glimpse into how to walk uprightly before God, within the guidelines of His times and seasons. He designed Time to define Seasons that establishes boundaries, bringing security and order for us to walk and live our lives. When we submit to God, and resist the devil, he will flee from us (James 4:7). As you submit to Him He will show you His plan and He will enlarge your boundaries.

A few additional characteristics of Sivan: 1) This is a month for alignment, especially in relationships as described in the book of Exodus when God dealt with Miriam and Aaron, the brother and sister of Moses when they refused to acknowledge his leadership chosen by God. 2) The Color/Stone for Sivan is Clear Quartz or White Moonstone. May we all see God’s path to before us clearly and to walk in the radiant glory of His presence more nearly. 3) This is also a month of giving so give generously back to God and ask Him to establish you within your New Boundary.

Another characteristic of the month of Sivan is to be merciful and is represented by the letter Zayin from the Hebrew alphabet, meaning the ability to receive mercy for completion. It is important for each of to receive all God mercifully provides for us in this month and to complete all He has assigned to us with our New Boundaries.

Zayin

“Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law. Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.” Psalm 119:49-56 (NIV)

A note from Beth:

Our gifts make room for us. New Boundaries must be received and secured. Our new boundary requires a step of faith. They require our declaration of agreement with God’s Word over us and we must add our faith to our declarations in order move forward.

Recently, I was asked to do something that was out of my comfort zone. I had many personal things going on and yet, I knew that it was truly God doing the asking.

One of my dearest friends asked me to speak for him so that he could go out of town. I knew that I was to do this. As soon as I said, “Yes, I would love to do that,” I was charged with this great impartation. I knew what to say and sensed the Breaker Anointing come upon me. It was time to break into a New Boundary. Not just for me, but for a specific assignment with a group of people and anyone who would take the time to hear what the Spirit of the Lord was saying.

God opened up a time and space for me to share what was on His heart. I submitted myself fully, for His will to be done; for His glory alone. It was not difficult. In fact it was simple and joyful! My prayer was that He would extend His message to whomever needed to hear His voice through mine. I will prophecy or declare or teach or minister the laying on of hands, whatever He calls me to do for His glory.

As I submit and lean more and more into The LORD, I hear His voice and flow in the Holy Spirit. We must be a people who allow the LORD to stretch us and establish us within His New Boundaries; to love what He LOVES and speak with His Wisdom in His Way, if we want His best for our lives. Who would want to settle for Plan B? I choose Plan A – His Best for me. How about you?

Sivan is the Month to make this choice: life or death, blessing or curse.

Whatever you choose this month, you will walk out until the next Sivan. Mark this on your calendar and take notes throughout the year. You will see quantifiable results that this is THE TRUTH. We choose life and blessing!

Please ask Adonai to reveal His New Boundary for your life. Receive it and learn to operate within it. Follow Him and walk in His life filled blessing because He will not withhold any good thing from you if you choose to walk uprightly before Him. We Trust YOU Adonai!

Lord, we come before You in Jesus Name. We understand that seeking You daily is the Key to our Quest in the Journey of the Overcomers. We are to count our days, number our days and walk uprightly before You daily. Submitting to You daily. Asking You for our Bread daily. Asking for the infilling power of the Holy Spirit daily. Continuing to walk step by step on Your well lit path that You have created for us daily. Our destiny is to fulfill Your purpose for our lives individually while working together corporately. Lord we yield and embrace all your abundant provisions for us in this month of Sivan. We receive Your New Boundary for our lives. Teach us how to operate within new spheres of knowing You and walking in ALL Your ways, in Jesus Name. Amen.

““The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’” Acts 17:24-28a (NIV)

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*If you would like to study further about the letter Zayin please visit this site.

https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/Zayin/zayin.html

All scriptures from the New King James Version of the Bible.

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

The Month of Iyar 5779 – Overcoming Fruit From the Tree of Life

By Beth Auman and JoBeth Kested

 The Hebraic month of Iyar began the evening before May 6 through 29 days to June 3rd. Iyar is still considered the second month on the Jewish calendar, following Adar 1 even with the addition of Adar 2 in this Hebraic calendar leap year. The Torah refers to Iyar, which is the eighth month from Tishrei, as the second month because the Torah counts months from Nissan, when Israel left Egypt. It’s helpful to understand that when the Torah refers to the “second month, it’s talking about Iyar.

The tribe of Israel associated with this month is the Tribe of Issachar. In I Chronicles 12:32 it says, “the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” The implication is wisdom with understanding from discerning the character and ways of God with anointing of the Holy Spirit for guidance. This is often referred to as the “Issachar Anointing” with the ability to “know” the secret things of the Lord.

There are several additional significant keys for insight into the month of Iyar which reveal additional aspects of the Issachar Anointing.

• The letter of the Hebrew alphabet assigned to Iyar is the VAV which means connection and linking.
• The constellation of Taurus is aligned with Iyar; representing power and strength.
• The color of royal lapis blue is also associated with Iyar representing the heavenly realms and the glory of the Lord.
• The name used in the Torah for this month is Ziv; meaning a glowing light; which signifies increased revelation, and implies our need to “see” and experience the glory of the Lord.

Clue — Counting the Omer.

The month of Iyar is also the only month of the entire year that we count the Omer each day of the entire month and is a key to becoming those that know and discern the times.

“‘And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath;”Leviticus 23:15-16

 Jesus told His disciples, “but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”” Luke 24:49

 This is where He instructed them to count the Omer during the 50 days up to the Feast of Shavuot. They all knew and had done this their entire lives and and were obedient. Jesus knew that the feast of Shavuot – Pentecost was going to occur at that time. At the Feast of Shavuot – Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given. (Acts 2) Through  obedience to Jesus our Lord, we can receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis and spend time with Adonai every day. This concept is actually where developing the discipline for Daily Devotionals came from. What seems like an old tradition is truly a key to the Issachar Anointing.

This month of Iyar is a month of transition and all of us know that transition is a difficult, confusing and uncomfortable time between where we’ve been, on the way to where we are going; and often times without clearly knowing exactly where that is! An excellent picture for more understanding of transition is when something is poured out from one container to another. There are those moments when everything is in a free fall with no boundaries, guidance or protection until safely settled into the new place. That gives us a pretty accurate picture of why we often become emotionally unfettered in the midst of transitions!

Now we can ask, “What is the Ripe Fruit from the Tree of Life in the month of Iyar?”

Clue — Iyar is especially associated with recovery and healing. “Ani Hashem Rofecha”—“I am the Lord that heals you.”

Our scriptural reference is the story of the children of Israel in transition from Egypt to the Promise Land. They have escaped 400 years of captivity after experiencing the numerous miracles of Passover and deliverance through the parted waters of the Red Sea. They have wandered three days past the Red Sea into the wilderness without water only to arrive at the bitter waters of Marah.

“And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you. Exodus 15:24-26

Expectation — To experience the Glory of the Lord of the God who heals!

Almost all of us may find ourselves in a place of transition. Maybe we’re glad to be out of the place where we were, but now stuck in some wilderness in desperate need of the Lord’s intervention to heal our minds, bodies, finances, relationships or circumstances. Even if we are not in transition, we’ll all agree that an Issachar Anointing of wise discernment would be a great help for us to know what we should do in difficult times.

So, how do we learn the secrets of the Lord?

Clue — Wisdom with understanding!

 “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7

“He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.” Daniel 2:21b-22

 “To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,” Proverbs 1:2, 5

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

Wisdom and understanding go together. Wisdom without understanding is not complete. Wisdom with understanding leads to discernment, accompanied by the dawning light of direction for the steps of action we need to take through the Wilderness of Transition!  Steps ordered by the Lord, in the power of Holy Spirit, lead us into the Glory of the Lord’s presence where He can reveal Himself to us as Jehovah Rapha—our Healer, Jehovah Jireh—our Provider, Jehovah Shalom— our Peace, Jehovah Nissi—our Refuge, El Gibbor—Champion or Mighty God Who fights for us and El Shaddai—our God that is MORE THAN ENOUGH!

From JoBeth: Many years ago I ended up in a deep pit of depression; where even Christian doctors and psychologists advised my husband that I would never be whole again. Something within me knew that if I couldn’t trust God, that He is Who He says He is and does what He says He does, then I had nothing but a shell of religion, without relationship, and no hope for myself much less anyone else. For several years the Lord directed me to his Word, especially delving into 5 Psalms and a Proverb each day, which was key to leaning the character and ways of God. It was a long journey, one step at a time. The increasing light of wisdom with understanding and discerning His path for me, grew brighter and brighter into the Glory of His presence in His redemptive, merciful, healing in His grace. He healed my broken heart, gave me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Counting The Omer this month, we are encouraged to actively turn our focus unto the Lord each day, learning the character and ways of the Lord, for unraveling the secret things with wisdom and understanding. Each day of Iyar leads us further in our Journey of the Overcomers, through our Wilderness of Transitions towards the “Promise Land” of fulfilling God’s ordained destiny and purposes for our lives. This is our opportunity of becoming those that know and discern the times with expectation that we will learn the Way of His Wisdom to see His light unto our path into His Heavenly glory.

Oh, Lord, Adonai, as we count the Omer during this month of Iyar, we give each day to you and asking, “What do we need to see?” At the breaking of each new day, we lift our hands, hearts and lives unto YOU. We ask You for the anointing as “sons of Issachar” that we might learn Your character to know Your ways, gaining Your wisdom with understanding, to discern the way we need to go. We receive the light of Your glorious presence for Your healing work in every area of our lives. We declare that You are Who You say You are, and You will do what you say You will do! Acknowledging that Jesus is our Lord, our Redeemer, Warrior, our Shalom and we declare that by His stripes we are healed! Thank You LORD! We receive Your healing touch this month of Iyar on our Journey of the Overcomers. Amen!

 “Arise, shine; For (our) light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon (us).” Isaiah 60:1

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All scriptures from the New King James Version of the Bible.

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

Nissan (Abib or Aviv) begins on April 6, on the night before in the Jewish custom, through May 5th and is the month known as the First of Months. Though Nissan is the beginning of months, the new civic calendar year does not begin until September, in the month of Tishrei, during the Fall Feast of Rosh Hashanah, known as the Head of the Year (Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 25:9-10).

“Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.” Exodus 12:1-2

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

Clue – Praise!

The tribe of Judah is linked with the month of Nissan and means praise. Judah’s mother, Leah, declared at his birth, “This time I will praise the Lord.” (Genesis 29:35) It is significant that Judah is aligned with Nissan because Judah, the tribe of praise, was also designated by God to lead first in battle. (Judges 1:2; 20:18) And they defeated their enemies!

 “…Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.” II Chronicles 20:20b-21

The letter “Hei”, from the Hebrew alphabet, is also associated with the month of Nissan; which is a picture of wind, breath and praise.

Clue – We get the term Jew from the Hebraic word Yehudah, for Judah. 

 Because we have received our salvation from sin through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, we are grafted into the promises of Israel (Romans 11:17-19). Therefore, we too, are Yehudi’s! We are also those called to raise our hands to “Praise the LORD” in triumph with victory over our enemies in battle! We are Yehudi’s, therefore, this scripture definitely applies to each of us, too!

 “Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.”

II Chronicles 20:27

There are three important Appointed Times of celebrations in the month of Nissan:

Rosh Codesh – the First Fruit Celebration marking our covenant with God and seeking Him first. This is a monthly celebration at the beginning of every month.

Feast of Unleavened Bread – Seven days of eating unleavened bread because God directed remembrance of the Israelites having to flee Egypt in haste with no time for their bread to rise. In Orthodox homes, it requires deep cleaning to remove all yeast, symbolic of sin, from their lives.

Passover – The Celebration of Moses and the Israelites moving out of the land of Egypt and deliverance from Pharaoh, their cruel task master that held them in harsh slavery. God gave instruction to apply the blood of the Lamb over the door post and the spirit of death Passed Over them. They experienced God’s deliverance from all of the plagues of Egypt and they Passed Over through the Red Sea into freedom as they saw the destruction of their enemies.

What can we Christians learn from Passover?

Clue – The Lamb Who takes away the sins of the world.

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12

Let’s focus on the significance of Passover in our Journey of the Overcomers. In the Feast of Passover we find so many types and shadows of Yeshua Hamashia, Jesus the Messiah, our salvation and deliverer. The innocent sacrificial Lamb, whose blood was applied on the doorpost of each family’s home; at the head, each side of the upper lintels and feet, symbolic of Jesus nailed to the cross. The partaking of the unleavened bread and wine, symbolic of the sinless, broken body and shed blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. The cloud of death that passed over the Israelites houses with the blood of the Lamb on the door posts, whereas the firstborn in every house in Egypt died; symbolizing our deliverance from death to eternal life. Passing through the parted waters of the Red Sea to freedom from slavery; symbolizing the waters of baptism where we experience the washing away of our sins to a resurrected life in Jesus and entering freedom from the slavery of our sins. The Lord’s destruction of all their enemies in the Red Sea; which is a significant illustration for our understanding of the power of the blood of Jesus to destroy all of our enemies! Oh, what joyous praise be unto to Jesus; our Passover Lamb!

“Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: “I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” Exodus 15:1-2

How are we to apply this revelation of the Celebration of Passover under the Blood Covenant of Jesus Christ?

Clue – It is not a matter of Religion – it is a matter of Relationship.

By seeking and submitting our lives unto the LORD each month and asking Him to teach us, we will discover how to partake of the Fruit of His Spirit from the Tree of Life. With His Wisdom and Understanding, He will lead each of us into His Truth. We encourage you to read Exodus and listen to it if you have an audible version. Ask the Lord Questions; trusting the Holy Spirit to give you insights and revelation as you read or hear it.

“So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.” Exodus 12:14

An additional significant note for Messianic believers in Yeshua, is that the Constellation of Aries – the ram (lamb) is associated with the month of Nissan. It is also important for us focus on the characteristics of Redemption, Repentance and Beginning of Miracles that remind us to prepare our hearts to receive the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, prophesied and fulfilled in the Passover story.

Thoughts from Beth: To many in the modern-day church, Passover has been labeled, old covenant, irrelevant things of the past, insignificant to Christians and only a Jewish thing. We celebrate the Biblical Feasts as precious family dinners; times of connection and consecration in the special celebrations with increasing understanding and blessings that The Lord brings forth. We ask Him to increase His wisdom and understanding in our lives and to bless our relationships with each other and with Him. We don’t know it all yet, however, we are so willing to learn to Love what He LOVES because He is LOVE. Jesus our Messiah, is the fulfillment of our Passover and we want to Passover every single thing that would lead to bondage or death in our lives, so that nothing can keep us from continuing to move forward with God into all He has prepared for us.

We have discussed leaving the past behind and had 2 months of Adar to allow the LORD to bring forth all of the things in our lives that we do not want to carry into this month of new beginnings and celebrations to Passover. We are seeking God’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding by the Holy Spirit because it is His purpose to shed light onto our path on this Quest of the Overcomers. We are moving forward, Passing Over to greater freedom and victory that is ours in Jesus.

LORD (ADONAI), we submit to You and and seek Your truth. We partake of The Ripe Fruit of Praise from the Tree of Life in the new beginnings this month of Nissan. With a song of praise in our mouth and rejoicing in our hearts we give you thanks for delivering us from the darkness of sin and destruction into the light of life, in the resurrection power of the blood of Jesus, our Messiah. We Passover into liberty because we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb out of the captivity of slavery to sin. Train us, teach us, equip us and impart Your wisdom with understanding by the Holy Spirit. May we be fruitful and multiply as we worship and praise You in this Journey of the Overcomers. In The name of Jesus, amen.

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalms 100:4-5

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All scriptures from the New King James Version of the Bible.

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

Overcoming Fruit From the Tree of Life – Adar I 5779

Adar II 5779