Leaving your wilderness

“Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart, wait, I say, on the Lord.  Psalm 27:14

Our God “Elohanu” is calling for those with spiritual COURAGE to step up and offer themselves as living sacrifices… to step out in FAITH as Abraham did when he was called to go to a new land. Yeshua taught there can be no looking or turning back if we would be His disciples. We MUST be setting our eyes on the Heavenly goal and not letting anyone or anything hinder us from OBEYING YAHWEH. If we have truly decided in our hearts to follow and obey Him then this should not be an issue. Abraham was told to slay His only beloved son as a sacrifice and he did not falter or question… just knowing that YAHWEH’s way is perfect. There was a reason as he soon found out and the Angel spared the child. As with his own original calling, the test was to OBEY and go without question… TRUSTING in God’s provision… expecting the LORD to lead and show what is necessary as he went forth. It was then for him and still is for all of us a matter of raw faith at times. Read the great Hebrews chapter 11 about others of faith and what they went through.

As we are “waiting upon the Lord” the Holy Spirit is doing a deep and good work of preparing us to meet Yeshua! Those who are part of the last days remnant Bride of Messiah should be honestly dealing with anything that is hindering them from the Kingdom of God. All their secret attitudes and personal issues… especially any sin, pride and rebellion. (This was typified by the Hebrews having to clean out all the leaven in their houses) A negligent attitude is not good enough. We HAVE to prepare our Lamps of Love with the Anointing Oil of the Blessed Holy Spirit and keep them ready. Not get sleepy and lazy, taking Yeshua for granted. (see video on top of the HOME page) We cannot take anything of the old earthly creation into the New Heavenly Jerusalem where the Law is Love of God and each other. The LORD will do the last final work of changing those who have made themselves ready into His Glorious likeness, when theye see Him as He really is. Yes we are still in the world but we are not to be of it. Not to even identify ourselves with belonging to it’s religions… only to God Himself, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God“. James 4:4

If we belong to another… who is NOT of this world… then it is time to come out of the wilderness of this world, leaning on our Beloved Yeshua and enter His SABBATH REST where we are ALWAYS inwardly keeping ourselves in the Love of God in that Secret Place of Communion with the Holy Spirit… no matter what is going on on the outside. (Please see this post also…  https://brideofmessiah.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/the-brides-secret-holy-place-of-prayer-preparation-for-sharing-of-love-ministry-to-others-in-yeshuas-name/ )

No matter what grief or turmoil others are experiencing in this world, we are to be the “Overcomers” of all that is in it… for our hope is not found in it at all! It’s lusts and pride of life, consumerism and entertainment. It’s “delusions and fantasies” (as the Lord gave in a prophecy, see my photo with veil on the top right side ) “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts“ Gal. 5:24 So wait on the Lord about EVERYTHING that concerns you and He will raise you up in His resurrection power to be courageous of spirit… confident and strong in Him after all your floundering around. Come forth in His strength. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the world. ” John 16:33

When YAHWEH says, “Whom shall  I send and who will go for us?” and we say “Here am I send me“… Isa. 6:8 then realize we will be tested on it.   There is also much PREPARATION… the work of sanctification in our souls before He can really use us for His Glory. All our natural instincts and ambitions… even for a successful “ministry”… must pe put to death on the Altar of the CROSS and left there. We have to reckon ourselves dead in Him and then risen up as a NEW creation by the power of His Resurrection Life working in us as we YIELD TO HIM! “I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I, but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20 As soon as we forget Him or try to do things OUR way… the old selfish  flesh nature of sin and death, tries to come back to life and take over. Hence the nightmare “struggle” between the flesh and the spirit, right and wrong.“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” Math. 26:41 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” ”  Gal. 5: 16-17

In this Paul is saying the natural human being CANNOT and will NOT love and obey the true God… is actually opposed to Him and therefore has NO SPIRITUAL PEACE deep in their spirit and soul. Only DIS-EASE which leads to sickness, mental illness and death. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7 What amazing grace that the Father cares for us in this sinful state… but He knows our weakness and what we need to change… a new birth as His own Spiritual child and then the sanctifying work of His Spirit in us. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” Romans 8:1

As long as you or I are concerned about what WE want… then we cannot truly represent the LORD and what He wants and are not ready for going anywhere in His Name… as His disciples and witnesses. If a new believer is given too much praise and recognition he /she can become puffed up with pride. The immature can faint in the heat or cold and become disillusioned and give up! Many fall away from the faith through deception caused by hidden leaven/ sin in their lives… so that God turns them over to their enemies and their fears come upon them. Perhaps the worst “leaven” of all is religious pride. This is Satan’s spirit and he knows it separates souls from God… making them feel defiant against the Most High God. To be like the Son of God is to be meek and lowly of heart, quiet and humble of spirit as He has set the example. There is no pride in Him… a courageous, strong spirit yes but no pride or vanity. IF we will just learn the art of “waiting on the Lord”… by looking intently on Him (as Peter did when he started to drown) …putting Him and doing His will first, for His glory… then His Holy Ruach Spirit will work his likeness in us, strengthen and empower us inwardly and we will rise up on high like strong eagles.

IF we will “wait on the Lord and be of good courage” as the song and verse says…  we will NOT faint or be overcome by spiritual apathy from fears and doubting… which make us weak in our faith. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isa. 40:31 We,  including myself, need to really grasp this today… that IF and only IF we will do what is required… then that is the Way that the Most High has made for us to be strengthened and blessed. (see His promises to the Overcomers in Rev. 2 and 3) Again… the point is “IF” we will do that… (humble ourselves, follow and talk to  Lord Yeshua / Jesus about everything, wait on Him for His blessing and guidance and set ourselves aside as obedient sons and daughters of the Father… as “Holy unto YAHWEH”)  then it follows that He will always inwardly lift us up by His Spirit’s supernatural power… This is also promised in James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

I am emphasizing the need of willing obedience because it is such a spiritually crucial matter. This is the VERY thing that Lucifer / Satan and one third of the Heavenly Hosts would NOT give the Most High God. The awe and reverence that He deserves for all He is and has done for us. In a way… the Father is replacing them with redeemed and glorified Sons of God!  The Holy Spirit told me once… “Satan hates to see my servant on her knees because then he know he has lost the battle” Sometimes I have a real “battle” to get on my knees… making excuses like I’ll do that tomorrow… yet I know that is the VERY thing I need to do to break and win the battle! It crucifies and humbles the flesh and soon as I’m so aware of my nothingness and inability to do or pray anything… I usually start to weep and the Holy Spirit enables me to pray and I find that any rebellion or excuses have completely gone. When that happens I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, doing anything else and I can get up with a sence of having overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. Victory is to be free of vanity and to keep free by staying humble with a sweet spirit and a thankful attitude towards the LORD. Free to kneel and bow down and worship our Heavenly Father as the Holy Spirit leads. This is the way of obedience and being able to wait on the Lord… not by trying to obey any outward law but by the “law of the Spirit of Life” working in our heart and mind. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:2 and see Jer. 31:31 about the new heart and mind of the New Covenant which enables us to WANT to obey God’s laws of Life and liberty. Our aim should be to remain in this state of spiritual freedom and worship and not keep getting distracted from the Tree of Life (single eye and purpose) over to the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil. (double minded)

To “Wait on the Lord” about our personal needs doesn’t mean being total inactive until God does something in the future. It means being totally dependant on Him for everything right now… especially in a time of trouble. It means- I will NOT give up waiting on God no matter how long it takes- He IS my hope- I will NOT give in to despair or doubt Him. It means I have put myself and my needs into His Great hands to take care of (please also see…  https://brideofmessiah.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/encouragement-in-fear-problems-say-peace-be-still/ ) To say “I’m waiting on the Lord about such and such” shows that you are trusting Him… completely and continually, even with your life! It is about coming to Him personally, preparing yourself in humility and repentance and praising and worshiping Him. It’s waiting for God to reveal Himself and His will to you and being willing to do it. It’s being thankful and willing to comply with His wishes and wait for His Wisdom and answers. It is knowing that He is trustworthy and worthy of your trust. It is having an unquestioning faith, looking to Him above all others for His guidance, help and right timing. It’s to surrender yourself and expect His intervention, especially when all other resources have failed! No matter how your help comes you will always give God the Glory as the Divine supplier.

Also as we “wait on the Lord” about our ministry to others, He usually works in an intimate way WITH us and THROUGH us not FOR or INSTEAD of us as if He were seperate and far away. “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” Mark 16:20 There has to be co-operation. That is… I cannot sit on a couch and keep saying please help those who are in need if I don’t do something about it, or help me make some videos if I don’t get my notes and camera ready! (Have tried that for years. LOL) Yes, there are some times when God moves sovereignly and miraculously or through His Angelic messengers but He usually expects US to ask for His blessing and guidance then make the first move so that He CAN help us. He also expects us to help each other and to be His witnesses to those who don’t know Him. As they say, it’s not your ability but your availability that matters to Him. We are to “walk in the spirit” which means living by our own spiritual hearts and instincts, in communion with the Holy Spirit of the Lord and being obedient to what He teaches us as a disciple of the Teacher Himself. This is not drudgery but joy to do His will. “I delight to do thy will O my God, yea thy law is within my heart”. Psalm 40:8 (Watchman Nee’s book “The Spiritual Man” explains our body, soul and spirit and what the normal spiritual state is like etc.)

(photo of the Judean wilderness and the Dead Sea)

What a blessing and privilege to be called out of the wilderness after overcoming the tests of our faith… and the temptations to disobey God… and then being sent OUT from “ourselves” and our self-consciousness and self-centeredness and self-reliance and all that is so important to us… following only His Voice and calling… those Godly desires… as God works in us to make us willing to do His good pleasure.  “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil 2:13 At times unforeseen or unpleasant circumstances come up in our lives that we have to LEARN to deal with and overcome. Yes they can be “attacks” from the evil one but they are still times to learn to “CALL ON THE LORD” and wait on Him… trusting Him for His help and intervention… while “being of good courage“, even if it takes a while to receive an answer… it WILL come in some way. I know stress from soulish motions or a troubled mind can make us “feel” helpless and look around for a human comforter, confirmation and approval. We may “feel” frightened and alone… even that God has abandoned us during those sacred times… but remember “tests”and “temptations” are allowed by YAHWEH to prove and approve of our “faith” and “obedience”. The wilderness experience means those times when there is no one and nothing else to help us EXCEPT GOD! Even our Savior was led by the Holy Spirit to face Satan alone in the wilderness and afterwards He came forth in power to start His ministry AGAINST the powers of darkness!

This is HOW we work out our own salvation “with fear and trembling”… clinging to our FAITH in God during times of shaking. Phil. 2:12  It’s to see our level of faith and obedience… just as He allowed  Satan to afflict His righteous servant Job… who was better off afterwards. Perhaps He wants to show the demonic realm how much we Love and OBEY Him… even without ever seeing or hearing Him… whereas they did know and see Him but still rebelled and disobeyed the Most High! Paul said it is through the Church /Assemblies of Faith that God will make known His wisdom and that Yeshua’s disciples will judge fallen angels.“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” Eph. 3:10 “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” 1 Cor.6:2-3

Can you perceive the awesome responsibility the Bride of Messiah has to rightly represent our Messiah and the privilege that will be given to some members to actually judge angels? Is our commitment to do His will just as real during those times of testing and even temptation to sin… when we know we HAVE to do His will not our own? Are we being totally transparent with the Father and each other… keeping the Unity of the Spirit? We may only see defeat and failure in our lives to do God’s will… to finish what He has called us to do. I do. I repent often that I am not committed enough, loving enough, not doing enough. Sometimes I have “felt” very disheartened but as I pray about things that concern me… my faith is restored, it doesn’t seem to matter any more and I am enabled to rise up, give thanks, praise Him and keep on going again. This is all it means by “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage” and “Call upon Him while He is near”. He virtually “saves” those who call upon Him for help. He delivers, heals and restores. It may not always seem spectacular but it IS an ongoing work of restoration and sanctification in our souls. We keep growing more spiritually through facing and overcoming our problems than when everything is calm. We don’t see all the mud in a still pond until it gets stirred up. Sanctification is very much about dealing with our emotions and attitudes. What ruffles our feathers and why? What will it take to not get ruffled?

Be sure that if our heart’s DESIRE and attitude is real and honest and we really worship the Father in our spirits… then by the Anointing of the Holy Spirit God will Himself gift you and I with skills and abilities and a Godly character that are not from our natural selves. Just for instance… to BE more “patient” as the effect and proof of spiritual changes within! He is the enabler… the along side one, the comforter. Bow the knees, humble yourself and call upon Him every day. Tears may come as the Holy Spirit helps you yield your old, natural body, soul and human thinking so that you are able to willingly obey the Father and experience the blessing of this. How sweet it is to let go of anger, unforgiveness and all the bitter roots buried deep down… to be purified and changed into His image in all areas of our lives. “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46 (this show Yeshua expects humility and unquestioning obedience to His Lordship… what is the opposite? Pride and argumentative rebellion)

It does take courage to obey God. The old selfish self has to be overcome. This is who “the Overcomers” are. Those who have proved themselves to be  faithful. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” 1 Pet. 1:7  They say ‘Yes Lord’ and the indwelling Holy Spirit works His resurrection Power and Life in them. Like our Lord Yeshua, sometimes we have to set our “face like flint” towards the very thing we don’t want to do! It’s by pure love of God, faith and obedience.

Our Lord and Master Yeshua set the great example of this submission to the Father’s wisdom and will as He prayed, waited on the LORD and battled with the demonic spirits in the Garden of Gethsemane (please see my other site http://holyfaithofyeshua.wordpress.com) The realization of who He was and what He was born to do created a DESIRE in His heart that was far greater than the fear of temporary pain and death. He was strong and “courageous” because of the joy that was set before Him! Heb.12:2. How many of us are being really hated, maligned, persecuted, whipped, tortured, imprisoned and bleeding blood for our faith? Most of us have it pretty easy… but there is NO guarantee that we will always have a life without tribulation in this world just because we carry God’s blessing! In fact our Lord said “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. It’s good to remember all the saints that have gone before us and made such sacrifices… even giving up their lives to be Yeshua’s witnesses and disciples… to their last breath being FAITHFUL to the high and heavenly calling. Great is their reward in Heaven. Amein?

Those who wait upon the Lord WILL be led by His Holy Spirit into His perfect will for them. It may be something they have desired for a long time or something they have never even thought of! Their lives may touch many or only a few. They may be taken far away in tears from all that is comfortable and familiar to them… even from their ministry to others and fellowship with them for a time. In His wisdom and foreknowledge, the Almighty Creator of all things… appoints times and seasons and various places and as the Great Potter, even causes people (like Jeremiah, David and Paul) to be born in those particular times and places for His own particular purposes. This is an amazing thing. How do you know you weren’t born at this time for a special reason? Will you say “Here am I  send me”… and then follow on every day and pay whatever the cost is to do it? Perhaps years alone waiting on Him… dealing with disappointment, being sifted by Satan who wants to lead you astray and to worship other gods and all manner of other tests and trials of your faith until you are “weaned” and can eat the stronger meat of spiritual wisdom and discernment? We have to remember that the Father sees all… from the beginning to the end and that He IS the Alpha and Omega… our Savior… the One who we call YAH SHUAH. This is a great mystery that is being unfolded and one day we will see clearly… but for now it IS like looking in a blurry mirror. Things aren’t always clear.

I believe that for those in the Bride who ARE waiting on the Lord about everything in their lives… there is a place of rest that can be entered into… even in the midst of turmoil or the boringness of everyday life. Is is an inner rest of soul from all one’s own ambitions and working. It is when the questioning and “battling” stops in place of an  acceptance that what they are being and doing IS in God’s perfect will for them. In this knowledge and acceptance they will come out of their wildernesses and tests FOR THEIR FAITH AND OBEDIENCE TO HA SHEM HAS BEEN PROVEN! There is a continual spiritual Sabbath rest that releases the soul from guilt and fear caused by “the curse of the law”… the judgement of sin and death upon those who don’t obey YAHWEH. Obedience is necessary to become an Overcomer and part of the blessed Bride of Messiah… but He wants it to be by ones’ own free will out of Love for YAHWEH as our Abba Father… “For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his” Hebrews 4:8-10 Let us pray that He will bring us into this blessing of spiritual rest… a total RESToration and PEACE of soul… free of the spirit of fear, pride and rebellion against Him…“He maketh me to lay down in green pastures, He restoreth my soul” Psalm 23. It is a SPIRITUAL PEACE…that effects the whole being and life… it is His own Shalom Peace that He can impart into us. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. John 14:27 A peace that passes all understanding.

So IF we are going though a time of trouble or problems… or in a wilderness experience where God is cutting us off from others to teach us new things… IF we will stop complaining… panicking and being emotional… IF we will choose to ask for and accept God’s will and be courageous and look at the actual wonder and sence of PROPHETIC DESTINY that a personal, being alone with God in that wilderness experience represents… knowing that all God’s prophets and servants have to experience it for their spiritual growth and ministry in some way… then something of the enormity of this sence of privilege and destiny will replace all the negative fears and blockages. All the 5 senses that scream out “I can’t do this” ( I often say that!) have to be silenced with yes but “I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me” I had to confess this last night and yes you can too! “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death” Rev. 12:11

(May I humbly suggest: No matter what you “feel” like, read this over and play this joyful video over several times until you understand what I’m talking about. The issues of preparing ourselves through the tests and temptations of daily life to become strong in faith and obedient to the Father’s will. Would you believe I have spent some 40 hours writing and “waiting on the Lord” about this Post. It seemed He wanted me to keep adding more verses and words to  “strengthen your hearts”. He knows and so will you. I know it seems rambly but I will send it out praying and believing it will affect and encourage you spiritually, for there is so much in it and so much more to it… but I will leave that to the Holy Spirit. We can only bear so much and some things can’t really be said or written down. Just sence in your spirit from those dry, silent, mountain ranges… how long things have been being prepared and what is happening now… a people being raised up from all Nations, coming out of their wilderness experiences to praise and worship YAHWEH with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. How this blesses Elohanu/ our God. How LONG HE HAS WAITED FOR THIS TIME TOO… a time and place of restoration for Jews, Israel and Gentiles… to become that One New Body… with Yeshua as our “head”.  No, we cannot understand it all yet… that He has waited for you and I to love and serve Him and become inheritors with His Son of all things! We each get different glimpses of the Royal Bridegroom of Love behind the lattice as He is knocking and calling out to us… “Open to me my Beloved”! God is not wanting us to DO something for Him so much as to BE HIS BELOVED BRIDE and please Him with our Love and company… with our prayers and tears of longing for Him to come in a full manifestation to us. We want to see Him as He really is and we want to be like Him in that Glorious Shekinah Light. For this I long too. But there is work to do in His vineyard in the mean time and that is why we have to spend time with Him and then go forth to work under His direction and blessing. NEVER without it!)

As Abraham was called to leave his country and go forth by raw faith… may you have that same FAITH and sence of destiny burning in your soul. Just believe there IS always a reason even if you never know what it is. All we REALLY need is Yeshua and His love. He said He wants to be our FIRST LOVE NOT OUR LAST! Some have to be prepared to leave their countries to do God’s will. Some have friends and families who oppose their faith and obedience to God and they have to leave them! The question is who do we love the most? Our real family is those who are Yeshua’s disciples. They are our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers in Him. So be COURAGEOUS, keep your eyes and heart set firmly on YAHWEH the Elohim of Israel… realize His great power can do anything at any time. Move mountains, part seas, heal, deliver, provide and lead you by a way you have not trodden before. We are NEVER alone. Yeshua said He and the Father would come and make their abode with those who love Him. Do you really believe this? SO… there is no where on earth.. even in the Judean wilderness (which you will see in the background of this inspiring, uplifting video)… in the highest heaven or the lowest sea where He is not. We cannot escape from God even if we wanted to… nor will He give us up easily. Even when we are rebellious, He forgives, intercedes for us and keeps wooing us to Himself. The history of the children of Israel should prove what YAHWEH’s character is like. Long suffering! If He loves us even when we were sinners… how much more does He love us after we have trusted in His Son Yeshua as our Savior

Yes, being His servant demands sacrifices as Abraham, Moses, David and all the prophets and apostles made for Him. As millions of nameless believers have. He knows each one. He sees all their tears. We are only here on earth for such a little while but know our very lives are in the Father’s great hands. Our every breath is by His continuing Grace… and we have a prophetic destiny to fulfill by being willing and obedient to His calling on our lives. So may you be encouraged right now in the Mighty NAME of YESHUA HAMACHIAH and keep waiting on the LORD about everything that concerns you… be sure He hears and cares for you more than your realize.

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May this message and YouTube video song bless and help to strengthen your spirit and build up your COURAGE to do God’s will, HalleluYAH! Thanks to Teddy’s YouTube Channel. Details are there and under his videos about his website and music downloads etc.  http://www.youtube.com/user/YERUBILEEtheBand?feature=watch

Another good song is… “When I call Yeshua all things are possible, Jesus I believe in you, Jesus I belong to you, You’re the reason that I live, the reason that I sing”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qppvcy_gts4

Another but shorter article is about… BEING ALONE AND QUIET WITH GOD… WAITING ON GOD… STOPPING OUR STRUGGLING… IS THE WAY TO SPIRITUAL PEACE… EMOTIONAL HEALING & RESTORATION OF OUR SOULS

https://brideofmessiah.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/waiting-on-god-stop-your-struggling-be-still-is-way-to-spiritual-peace-emotional-healing/

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ANOTHER WEBSITE I made about the Bride in the wilderness of this world… https://brideinthewilderness.wordpress.com 

BACK TO MAIN PAGE… https://brideofmessiah.wordpress.com/

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TWITTER… https://twitter.com/BrideofMessiah