Focus

As I've collected my thoughts and notes for this article, I am reminded, I need this reminder.  As editor of this publication, it's easy to see and become focused on the turmoil as the tempest increases.  I remind myself frequently of Messiah's words in Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.   This article may sound a bit like a trip down memory lane, and perhaps it should, as our focus in life seems to be aimed more at what we are against than what and Whom we believe.

I can testify in my own life the varying issues that took my focus along the way through my spiritual walk and even before.  I want to take this moment to say, social media is doing a great deal of promotion of Oral Torah and the Noahide laws, and I've done enough research on both in writing a book a few years ago, to say, avoid the distraction.  Neither provide edification, but rather have served to take many away from seeking YHWH through Messiah.  But there are other issues believers get focused on as well, that don't necessarily cause them to turn away, but rather stifle their walk and silence their witness, while they still believe themselves to be moving forward on the narrow path.

The enemy is not omnipresent, nor is he omniscient, but he is a shape-shifter and he loves attention, especially the attention of those who claim to be believers.

When we stop and think of how many things we are against that get our attention, it's mind-boggling.  I am against tampering with creation, so I have a "Nonsanto" website and logo and I'm staunchly opposed to pharmaceuticals, but I also spend a great deal more time and definitely more energy sharing and encouraging organic gardening, natural food preservation, and healthy recipes.  In this publication, I have made a concerted effort to make sure I offer a plan, not just a criticism.  So far all of the Anti-Monsanto protests have been on Sabbath, making it so obvious, I can't just protest something, in following Messiah, I have to also be able to offer something "To Do."

Throughout the years, there has been an off and on focus of deliverance, but I've yet to see the focus remain on Messiah, once those "ministries" are officially declared.  I cringe when I hear the term demonology and I shudder when I watch someone set themselves up as the one who can deliver the deliverance.  YHWH is our deliverer in Messiah, and none other.

The focus on abortion is another troubling issue.  Oh, I don't believe in abortion, but it is a clear example of being focused on what we are against, and sometimes the better option is lost in the rhetoric.  I, personally, made the choice to live at a certain income level, so I would not pay taxes that fund Planned Parenthood.  Abba has never failed to provide for me, and I've been blessed to hold a number of sweet babies and provide gifts for them.

To be honest, ISIS is the current satanic focus in my awareness, and it rears a very ugly head.  The story of the Maccabees comes to mind frequently as I read the headlines.  I find it a real challenge to bring those thoughts captive and focus on the victory that is the end of the story . . .  Current events are turbulent, and Scripture indicates it will get worse before we see Messiah.  We must keep our eyes on Him, or the horror will indeed become our focus.

Fig Tree in Leaf?

I grew up like most folks of my era with the traditions of man being taught as the Truth of G-d.  In the past twenty years after really following Messiah and seeking YHWH, much of what I once believed has fallen away.  One of the real enigmas in my seeking and unlearning has been the parable of the fig tree as representative of Israel.  An olive tree is more recognized as the representation of Israel, with James even making the point of an absolute difference.  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?. . .  James 3:12a


This was about six or seven years ago, in researching the Threshold of Technocracy that I began to question the validity of what I'd been taught about the establishment of Israel.  James makes the point of separating figs from both terms that have been recognized and used to represent G-d's people.  I went back to Genesis 3, and realized fig leaves were mentioned quite early on, as "man's solution."  Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover shame, as a result of disobedience.   A third temple construction is planned, but according to prophecy, it will be planned by the nations . . . Even if it's done religiously, it's still "man's plan."  The Revelation states the Holy City will be trampled.  The Temple Mount is already under occupation.  I was refused access in 2004 on a Holy Day, at gunpoint.  Obviously, I didn't push the issue, as the Temple Mount is the site of the Al Aqsa Mosque, at this time.  Although Islam shouts about their right to Jerusalem, even in Jerusalem, they face Mecca when they pray . . .

I absolutely believe democratic Israel has a right to exist right where she is, and know this establishment of Israel is a sign of the end of days.  I openly support Israel and greatly admire Benjamin Netanyahu, but I do not believe this is the official return to the land as prophesied.  Since it obviously figures into end time events, I've wondered for these past years, what difference does it make whether G-d brings Israel back to the land supernaturally or uses the UN?  Further end time events make the difference . . .

The World government will have a world religion, and the only place the three Abrahamic religions will truly recognize as the City for this, is Jerusalem.  Catholicism reveres the Vatican, but the Vatican lays claim to a certain authority of Jerusalem as the "voice" of Christianity, and there is a Protestant move back to Catholicism.  Islam is claiming Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, but their holy city is Mecca.  Democratic Israel has already openly stated both Christianity and Islam are welcome alongside Judaism.

Granted these things will come to pass, but we need to make very sure we know which side of the chasm we are standing when the prophecy is fulfilled.  The remnant will not be approved by the New World Religion and the two witnesses will not speak from the man made temple.  Just as Y'hshuwah was put to death by the government on the say of religious witnesses, the remnant will face the same.  The coming "International Interfaith Temple" will be man's solution . . . the fig tree in leaf.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-palestinians-statehood-vatican-idUSBRE8AT01T20121130

http://ivarfjeld.com/2012/02/18/second-vatican-state-to-be-established-in-jerusalem/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positions_on_Jerusalem

Matthew 24:32  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

As a Roaring Lion (Part 3)

This will conclude what I was shown regarding the enemy's counterfeit gifts.  The gift of tongues is probably one of the most controversial of the gifts.  It could be, because it's the one most talked about and presumedly demonstrated.  The fact that believers spend an inordinate amount of time talking about tongues is significant in itself.  I do think there are times in which our praise and adoration of Abba leaves our known language in my case, English, but that is usually very private between Abba and I.  "Tongues," as described in the second chapter of Acts was for others to be able to hear the Gospel.  The crowd could hear in their own language, the message of salvation.  What transpired regarding that particular gift as the body of believers expanded across the continent isn't really detailed as far as the gifts in operation until I Corinthians 12.

The book of Acts records several accounts of the other gifts of the Spirit in operation in healing, deliverance, miracles and discernment, but is mute regarding tongues past the second chapter.  I'm curious to know if Paul spoke or penned his letters in the various languages, but we aren't told.  Although several folks bill themselves to be prophets, what most of us see see all these years later, is tongues is the about the only gift currently recognized to be in operation.  This simply ought not to be so.   I've experienced supernatural communication, both in speaking and understanding, when ministering abroad, but only for specific conversations when there was no interpreter.  I know what it is for the spirit to give utterance when I don't know how to pray as I ought, but I was given a message in an unknown tongue here in America, precisely once.  I was a guest speaker in a Pentecostal church, so technically I guess that would be their language.  I'm ashamed to say, when I heard the interpretation, I probably wouldn't have had the nerve to speak that message in English.

Since tongues has become the focus of so many, as a sign of the Holy Spirit, while the Instructions for holiness are mostly ignored, I have to wonder what spirit is actually behind much of what often sounds like gibberish.  I know the gift is real, but I also know it often is not.  If the focus is on the display, rather than the message, it may be the counterfeit roar.

Interpretation of tongues is the last gift of the Spirit listed in I Corinthians 12.  I've seen that come forth on occasion in my travels.  A cab driver or merchant will say something in his native language, and I'll understand it.  I've also seen Abba receive glory when I couldn't make a Greek merchant understand that his clerk had given me too much change.  I wasn't trying to get anyone in trouble, but I had more money in my hand when I left the shop than I went in.  That incident inadvertently turned into several people involved to translate, and many enjoyed the event.  The situation in which I was given the "message in tongues" at the Pentecostal church an interpretation did come forth . . . The individual simply stood and said, "You don't see the gifts because I don't see the fruit."

That interpreted message has stayed with me for years.  Since Abba is no respecter of persons, it is our lack of consecration and obedience that is prohibiting the manifestation of the gifts.  Rather than making disciples, we entertain and make excuses . . . and the counterfeit roar is heard.