Rosh HaShanah; A Description and My Prayer

This year Rosh HaShanah will begin the evening of Sept. 28, 2011.  Rosh HaShanah is typically celebrated by the blowing of the shofar and a meal with family and friends. Apples, honey and challah are traditional fare.   Rosh HaShanah means, "head of the year."  We find the scripture pertaining to  the observance of this festival in:

Leviticus 23:23-25   

And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,  “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you have a rest, a remembrance of blowing of trumpets, a set-apart gathering.
 ‘You do no servile work, and you shall bring an offering made by fire (food offering) to יהוה.’ ”

The time between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur is to be used as a time of teshuvah, meaning "returning to one's self" or looking at ourselves for repentance.  During this time, we step back and assess the previous year in order to:
*Come closer to YHWH
*Clarify our life's goals
*A time to truly consider our purpose in life, not just moving with the flow of life around us.
*Take time to look at ourselves critically and honestly, with the intention of improving.   Perhaps, more important than knowing what I will do is knowing what I am doing and how well I do it.

It is during this time of introspection that we can take the opportunity to begin life anew through repentance (we can repent everyday, this is just a time of year where we are reminded that there will come a time when it is too late to repent either because time is no more or because of our own demise).  We can recognize evil and turn away from it and turn to YHWH for understanding of His ways and strive to apply them each day in our lives.

 YHWH's compassion toward repentance

Luk 15:3  And He spoke this parable to them, saying,
Luk 15:4  “What man among you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
Luk 15:5  “And having found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luk 15:6  “And having come home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
Luk 15:7  “I say to you that in the same way there shall be more joy in the heaven over one sinner repenting, than over ninety-nine righteous ones who need no repentance.

2Pe 3:8  But, beloved ones, let not this one matter be hidden from you: that with יהוה one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

2Pe 3:9  יהוה is not slow in regard to the promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

2Pe 3:10  But the day of יהוה shall come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are in it shall be burned up. 

Turning to Good

True repentance involves not only a change of heart but a change of action as well-- turning away from bad and turning toward good or as David says in Ps. 34:14:  Turn away from evil and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. 

Seeking and pursuing are a daily task, a daily chore, one that requires diligence and focus but must be applied if we are to achieve our goal.  

During this time, evening and morning prayers are recited by the Jewish people and they recite Ps 27 which speaks of David's heart toward YHWH--he says, "One thing I ask from YHWH...that I may dwell in the house of YHWH all the days of my life."  This can only take place if we strive, seek and pursue YHWH's presence.

Time to Wake Up

The shofar is one of the symbols of Rosh Hashanah because in the scriptures is gave the sound to the people for when it was time to break camp, go to arms, usher in Feast days and the Sabbath.  During Rosh HaShanah it's use is the same, it is sounded as a wake up call to perform teshuvah (repentance) and moral introspection.  A Jewish Philosopher said this about the use of the shofar:

"Awake, o you sleepers, awake from your sleep!  Search your deeds and turn in repentance."

The story of Abe and Isaac in Genesis 22, describes Abe's willingness to sacrifice his only son and  is read on Rosh HaShanah.  The ram, whose horn was caught in the bushes, was sacrificed in place of Isaac.  The ram's horn became an eternal symbol of Abe's and Isaac's trust in YHWH, even in the face of death.  

The Shofar is also sounded as a reminder of YHWH's promise to bring the Messiah who will usher into the world physical and spiritual peace--literal, eternal, once for all, peace.  A promise soon to be completed by our Messiah Yahshuah. 

My Prayer

My prayer and my thoughts are tending toward this matter of self introspection or soul searching but more importantly than the searching of my own soul, the searching for what it means to turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  This is what I find myself desiring to do.  My hope is to find understanding and cling to it, to make it part of my being, one with me and to remember everyday and in every situation that YHWH is present, here, now.  THIS moment, THIS place, THIS situation is where He can be found of me.  This time and place is where He is waiting for me to come and repent and petition Him.  He is omnipresent, I am not.  I should not do anything but learn from the past, not dwell there...I am unable to affect what is gone by.  I should not spend too much time musing about what will be, it has not come to be yet and I have little of my own power to affect it.  But YHWH is HERE right NOW, He can do everything and I desire that I should be where He is, mediating, musing, speaking, searching His ways so that I may dwell in His house all the days of my life.  This is a lesson I am pursuing and striving to hold so that He may accomplish a good work in me.  May it be so.  Amein

*I found and used here, much of my Rosh HaShanah information in, "Holy Days of Israel" by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.

It was very informational as I studied this coming Holy Day.

I will praise YHWH

The Story of Paul and Silas as they were thrown into prison.  They chose to worship YHWH in the midst of their circumstances and praise Him and this is what happened for them because they chose to trust Him...

Act 16:19 .... they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Act 16:20  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Act 16:21  And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
Act 16:22  And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
Act 16:23  And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Act 16:24  Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Act 16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Act 16:26  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Act 16:27  And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
Act 16:28  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Act 16:29  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
Act 16:30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Act 16:32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
Act 16:33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Act 16:34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Act 16:35  And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
Act 16:36  And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
Act 16:37  But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
Act 16:38  And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
Act 16:39  And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
Act 16:40  And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

No matter what your prison is, He is still YHWH and His ways are perfect.  He has purpose in all things concerning you and His timing is NEVER late.  He asks us to call on Him and to wait on His perfect timing.

This is where we are today.  We will choose to believe  and not fear.  We will chose to watch and see the Salvation of YHWH.  He is at work.  He has a plan and a time for all things.  We will approach Him and make our requests known to Him and ask that all things done will be according to His plan.  May He show mercy on us as He leads us by the way...He has chosen for us today.  Amein.

Wisdom and prudence

This is the verse that is rattling around in my head today as I consider current world events.  

There is much to be said in scripture about prudence.  As with all things, there is prudence that comes out of wisdom from our Creator and there is prudence that comes from earthly knowledge and understanding which will not last.

Pro 14:8  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. 

Because of wisdom placed in our hearts from Abba, we seek to understand "the way" in which our path which we are walking is leading us, we then begin to seek Abba's ways, to know and understand Him and how He works, to find the path that He instructs us to walk that leads to eternal life.

Pro 14:15  The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 

Some will continue in the path of the majority, believing it is the right way because that is the most popular and the loudest message being shouted AND  often, it seems, to be the easiest way to go.  But, remember, there is earthly wisdom and wisdom from above.

Pro 14:18  The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 

Remember the verses:  Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened (Matt. 7:7)?  Wisdom and understanding are the blessings we receive for our efforts to sincerely know Abba's truths.  They are "the crown" given to us...a crown that shows what family we belong to, the family of the ONE, true Father who has instructed us in the way we should go.

Remember, there is heavenly wisdom and prudence and there is earthly.  Those who desire the earthly ways will also receive a reward...but it is not a reward of blessing, rather, a reward of shame and judgment.

Jer 8:9  The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? 

The word of Yah is described as wisdom to men here in Jer. 8:9 and those who reject it will be ashamed.

Psa 33:4  For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. 

Yahushuah said:  Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

We are sanctifed or set-apart by the word of Yah, first  by hearing then believing and doing (hear and do...Deu 4:5  Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 

Deu 4:6  Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 

Deu 5:1  And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.) 

The word of Abba in all it's forms are one and NO MAN IS TO TAKE IT APART by adding to or taking away from what is says...It is to all generations, perpetually.  The word appears to man in the written form as instructions to all generations and as the word made flesh which became the final sacrifice for sin.  The two forms in which they have appeared to man are one, joined by Abba because each is created for a specific purpose (if you're getting the picture of a union between a man and wife in which each serves a specific purpose but are designed to operate as one...you're getting the picture!!  One does have dominion over the other but does not do away with the other).  It is a picture of how our Father operates in wholeness or unity or completeness.  

As you study to seek truth and wisdom, remember the word of Yah is always teaching a division but the division is that of holy and unholy.  There is always both being shown in scripture.  The scriptures speak about life and death, cups of blessing and cups of curses, earthly wisdom and Heavenly wisdom, two types of burdens (good and evil), two yokes of bondage (one good, one evil).  You see, WE HAVE TWO CHOICES IN ALL THINGS...life or death, blessings or curses.  That's it.  That is why we are instructed to:

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

We are called to study, to learn the difference between clean and unclean, holy and profane and these truths are taught in the book that Abba left us that explains to His children how to live so He can be with us forever.  We all desire to do the same for our own children...to teach them the best ways to go in so they don't see trouble, right?  He puts that love in us for our own children to show us that that is the same, deep love He has for us.

All that to say this, I guess...  I pray that we have prudence to prepare our hearts and our homes for any storm that we may encounter along "the way" that we will travel today or in the future.   I pray that we might sincerely seek to honor Yah the way He has instructed us to do and not in the way that seems right to us.  I pray that we will have enough of His wisdom and spirit of life in us to be a light to a world that is dieing.  I pray that we will stand firm with good courage and strength with  "a face like flint" with our "minds set" to show honor to our Father in all matters.

Lastly, I want to give thanks for this wonderful day that He has made!  Thank you Father for the opportunity to study your word today!!  You are so good to me!!

Blessings,  Traci

Power of the Tongue

I think in our daily lives when life is just being life or when it is hurried or we are angered or down, sometimes it can be easy to forget the power in the words that we choose to use.  It is so, so important to remember the power of the spoken word. We can choose negative words which can harm us or others or words that can bless.  Father, help me to remember your words which are life...

The Power of the Tongue

With His words, Abba caused the creation of heaven and earth…

Gen. 1:3

And Elohiem said let there be…

And there was…

Abba’s very words have power to create life.

The power of life and death, blessings and curses exists in the WORD, both written and spoken.

Pro 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Jos 8:34  And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

We are instructed to Choose Life…we do have a choice.  Both have been set before us…life or death, blessings or curses.

Deu 30:19  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Pro 15:4  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

We can become bound because of the words from our own mouths…

Pro 6:2  Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Or set free from the path of wrath and folly.

Pro 15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Pro 15:2  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Our Words are Health to the Bones or Affliction to the Soul

Pro 16:24  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pro 26:28  A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

They are Either Wise or foolish

Ecc 10:12  The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

The Promise in Abba’s WORD to Those Who Mind Their Conversation

Psa 50:23  Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

My Prayer

Psa 19:14  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Yahuah, my strength, and my redeemer.

Job 27:4  My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

Psa 145:21  My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Psa 35:28  And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

Job 6:24  Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Psa 34:13  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

1Pe 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

1Pe 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Please hear my prayer today Abba and help me to remember the power that is in every idle word I speak and that every word is recorded.  One day when I stand before you let it be found that I have applied wisdom and my words have produce life, been wise, taught truth, and been gentle.  Abba hear me today and let me be found pleasing before you.

Thank you that you hear me.  Amien

Hope you all have a blessed day of preparation and a Shabbat filled with peace and good fellowship.

My Hope...

My hope is to reveal the unity of the scriptures. To reveal the fact that Abba’s WORD is ONE and that there is no division between the First covenant and the Last covenant. They are created to be ONE as in the definition of whole and complete and full. Yahushuah said, "I am the first and the last" and indeed He is just that. The first and the last, the same WORD which does not change, forever!!

The beginning points to the end and the end points back to the beginning

(Is. 46:9-10 I Am Elohiem…declaring the end from the beginning…)

The WORD of Elohiem is complete in itself. Everything required for life is provided in the WORD of Elohiem. Abba has provided all we need, the instructions (Torah), the blood (Yahushuah), and the Spirit of life, all were created for us while the earth remains. No jot or titl shall pass while heaven and earth remain. The Word is one and eternal!!

Thankful Heart

1Corinthinthians 7:3

And let the man render to his wife the kindness which is due; and so also the woman to her husband.

This is the desire of my heart, to love my husband and show him kindness.  There are days when I know I must seem ungrateful for all that he does for his family.  He works very hard each day to provide.  He is committed to us and he shows his love to us freely.

It is so important for me to remember to give Abba thanks for the blessing He has provided to me in giving me my husband. 

1Thes. 5:18

And in everything be thankful for this is the will of Elohiem in Yahushuah the Messiah concerning you.

It can be so easy to take your eyes off of the provision that Abba has made to us and then soon become unthankful for what we do have, focusing on what we think we don’t have.  Our joy will always be found in offering thanksgiving to Abba for His perfect will in our lives.

Paul reminds us of this fact when he tells us that he has learned to be satisfied in whatever circumstance he finds himself placed by Abba.  Whether it be a time of prosperity or a time of need, he understood his strength was found in the provision that Abba has given in Yahushuah and that he had no need beyond that provision. 

Phil. 4:11-13

…I have learned to make that satisfy me which I have.  I am able to be brought low and I am able to be brought high in everything; in all these things I am exercised (in my faith), both in prosperity and in famine, in abundance and in poverty.  I find strength for everything in Messiah who strengthens me.

I pray that this will be the offering of thanksgiving that I will bring to Abba as a sweet smell before Him.  His mercies to me are long and He has done me good all of my days. 

Thank you Abba for teaching us “THE WAY” in which we should go that leads us to you.  Teach us to walk in (apply) it to each step we take that we might uphold your covenant because of our love for you and our thankfulness for all You do for your people.

Amien.

 May your day be blessed as you seek your way in Yahushuah.


The above picture is, "Miriam offering her song of thanksgiving."

A word in season

May Abba's people be blessed with "the tongue of the learned" so that we may speak a word in season to those in need of hearing.

Yahushuah said:

Isa 50:4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

May we have a heart in union with our Heavenly Father to hear and obey Him in season.

This picture is in our yard as the sun is setting, looking West.

MY PRAYER

Father, make my feet set on YOUR path so that I go in the way determined by You each day. And that each day I may have a prosperous journey determined by your will so that I may impart some spiritual gift to your people so they may be established in you and that I may come to them and be comforted by our mutual faith in you.

Make me able to teach your ways, the gospel of truth and life which is from the beginning. Cause my words to be guided by you and my teaching to be from you in every situation in life. Make my tongue to be quiet when it should. Make my tongue to speak wisdom and guidance from you in due season. Make my tongue to speak lovingly with kindness. Cause discenment to be alive in me that I can know what you desire in all things.

Let your mercies be ever over my house and my children and my children's children that you are established in our hearts and evidenced in our daily lives.

In Yahushuah's name, let your will be done forever, Amen