11th Day of Elul: Compassion

Elul, 11th day, 31 August 2020. Can we learn to be more compassionate and caring? "The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion." Psalm 103:13

Humble Compassion
There is compassion that feeds the ego and there is compassion that humbles it. chabad.org

"We become like God and are drawn closer to God: deepening our capacity for caring, for being present and attentive to the needs of others — while setting our own needs aside, we seek to become more like God." Rabbi Yoel Kahn

10th Day of Elul: Givers & Takers

On this 10th day of the Hebrew month of Elul, the emphasis of giving and receiving is key in our relationships with those who are weak.

The Passion Translation of Acts 20:35 teaches us how to serve and take care of the weak. "I’ve left you an example of how you should serve and take care of those who are weak. For we must always cherish the words of our Lord Jesus, who taught, ‘Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.’”

Givers & Takers

"Our view of the world and its Creator’s view are very different. From our perspective, there is always a giver and a taker. Whether the merchandise be knowledge, affection, or money—somebody always comes out on top and the other on the bottom. In the Creator’s view, giver and taker are one. The taker is really giving and the giver, receiving. For without the opportunity to give, the giver would be forever imprisoned within his own self." (Daily Thought from Chabad.org)

9th Day of Elul: Kindness Needs to Grow

Shabbat, August 29th, 9 Elul. Today is Sabbath for Jews and as this Hebrew month progresses kindness needs to expand in the world.

"A seed ignites the power of the earth, but a gift of kindness seeds the very ground of the cosmos—for out of Divine Kindness the universe emerged, of Kindness it is built, and with Kindness it is sustained and nourished." Igeret HaKodesh 8

Loving-kindness is the goodness of God. Psalm 27:13

Elul 8th Day: Kindness

8th day of Elul and kindness is our focus today. As Psalm 27 is read twice during the day we see how the kindness of God is loving-kindness in verse 13. "I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living."

"Plant Kindness. A gift is a gift, but a gift to one in need is an investment, a seed planted in the ground. Invest kindness in those who are in need. The fruits of your investment will be beyond wonder."

Igeret HaKodesh 8

Joseph and Food Storage

There is a renewed interest in food storage for emergency situations that may arise due to COVID-19 and other natural disasters. Is food storage a lack of faith or can it be an action guided by God? There are several stories in the Bible in which God directed food storage. Yesterday we looked at Noah and how he was told to store food for his family and the animals. They were on the ark for 377 days so that was a lot of food that had to be stored.

Today we look at the story of Joseph and how he interpreted two prophetic dreams given by God to Pharaoh. This story is found in Genesis 41. Pharaoh dreamed about seven fat cows and seven severely thin cows. The thin cows ate the fat cows. He also dreamed about seven heads of grain, healthy and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted--thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. No one could interpret the dream but word reached Pharaoh that a young Hebrew man in an Egyptian prison was an interpreter of dreams. Pharaoh called for him and Joseph was brought before him. In Genesis 41:25-31 "Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine. "It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 

Joseph then told Pharaoh that the grain harvest for the next seven years must be stored. 
"Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."

Egypt experienced seven years of plenty and grain was stored in the cities as Joseph had instructed. Following the years of plenty, Egypt suffered a severe famine for seven years. The Egyptians were able to buy grain throughout the years of famine because of the wise planning of Joseph. In this tremendous example of prophetic dreams, interpretation, and obedience the principle of food storage saved a nation. 

Elul 7th Day: Joy

The 7th day of Elul's focus is on experiencing "joy". There is such a shortage of joy in our world and for many in our lives. Once again we look at Psalm 27 our key Scripture for the month of Elul. Psalm 27:6 "In His house, I am overcome with joy as I sing, yes, and play music for the Eternal alone."

"I ask myself: Do I sometimes have trouble feeling joy? And when I do, does it impede my ability to feel free to work on my problems? In this month of Elul, I will work on feeling more joy—in the little things of life, and in the big things, and in so doing may some of the challenges of my life feel less formidable."

Rabbi Leila Gal Berner

Noah and Food Storage

I have been thinking seriously about the last days and the return of Christ. Jesus said, "For it will be exactly like it was in the days of Noah when the Son of Man appears." Matthew 24:37 Peter wrote that Noah was a preacher of righteousness. It took Noah 100 years to build the ark so he must have preached (prophesied) during that period of time. As Noah completed the building of the ark God gave him instructions. One of these had to do with the storing of food. Genesis 6:21 "Bring every kind of food that may be eaten, and store it all inside the ark. That way, you and all of the creatures will have enough food to eat." Noah, Noah's family, and all the animals were in the ark for 377 days (a little longer than a year). God instructed Noah to "store" enough food to eat during a year of complete isolation. There was a year's supply of food stored in the Ark.

Tomorrow I will look at Joseph and seven years of food storage following the prophetic dream God gave to Pharaoh.

Elul Day 6: His Banner Over Me is Love

Some people and groups are very difficult to love. As we go through Day 6 of Elul opportunities will present themselves to extend the love of the Beloved to the unlovely. "I am my Beloved's and he is mine. His banner over me is love." This love banner identifies us as disciples of love.

"Reb Nachman of Bratslav counseled: 'Seek the good in everyone; reveal it, bring it forth.' When I look into the face of another, do I first look with critique or love? In the year that is waning, have I truly sought the good in all? In the year that is soon to be born, how can I gaze through a more gentle-spirited lens?" by Rabbi Leila Gal Berner

Jeremiah speaking for God said, "I’ve loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I’ve drawn you with gracious love." God's love is gracious love and only through gracious love are we enabled to extend grace to those who are difficult to love.

Fifth Day of Elul: Behold What Manner of Love

On this 5th day of the Hebraic month of Elul, the love of God is spotlighted. The Song of Solomon's theme of the Beloved's love is seen clearly. Song of Solomon 6:3 “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine...”

This love is seen clearly in the New Testament as in 1 John 3:1 "What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are." During these days of Elul remember that the love of God is deeper than we will ever understand.

Elul 4, 2020 I Am My Beloved's

4th Day of Elul and the emphasis is centered on being loved by the beloved. Song of Solomon 6:3 “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies.”

Daily Thought by Chabad.org
"No matter how distant the soul may travel, in the end, she can never tear herself away.
For the soul and her Beloved are one."

"Elul
Late summer month
Leading into the holiest of days.
Time of reflection
Time of return
Time of repentance.
An invitation to open your heart
And feel into your own depths
Searching for sweetness
Searching for tenderness.
Searching for reunion
With your Glorious Creator
Who loves your very being.
Open and be." by Rabbi Patti Haskell

Elul: The Third Day "Sabbath"

The third day of Elul is a Sabbath day for believers in Jesus. Yesterday was the sabbath, or Shabbat, for the Jewish people. Sabbaths are key days during this month. We seriously need to embrace and experience true Shabbat in our routine.

"A dictionary definition of overwork: “Overwork is the expression used to define the cause of working too hard, too much, or too long. It can be also related to the act of working beyond one's strength or capacity, causing physical and/or mental distress in the process.” There is a simple, exquisite antidote for overwork: Shabbat! As I move toward a New Year, I will resolve to rest more into the embrace of Shabbat and to share it with my community – friends, family, and synagogue." Rabbi Leila Gal Berner

On this Sabbath (Shabbat) this reading from Psalms 92 shows us how to give thanks and enter into rest from the tendency to overwork. Psalm 92:1-2 "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night."

Second Day of Elul: Light & Shelter

On this second day of Elul we remember how God has and continues, to protect us during this crisis time. One of the special Scriptures recited daily during this month is Psalm 27, "The Lord is my light and my salvation."

"Think of the effort you put out this year, the obstacles that you encountered, and how you dealt with them. This includes how you took responsibility, how you persevered even when it was hard, and how you dealt with resistance or self-doubt. Recognize your strength and courage and the affirmations you received for acting in strong ways. Who helped you with this?" by Tamar Frankiel

We know it has been the Lord who has helped us! Here is another key Scripture read during Elul, "I put my words in your mouth and sheltered you in the palm of my hand." Isaiah 51:16 We are sheltered safe within the hands of God.

First Day of Elul: Soul-Searching

Today is the first of the two days of Rosh Chodesh (“Head of the Month”) for the month of Elul. It is customary to practice sounding the shofar (ram's horn) on the 1st day, introducing the Elul atmosphere of soul-searching and repentance. As the last month of the year, Elul is a time for review and stocktaking for the closing year, as well as a time of preparation for the coming year. It is a time to audit one's spiritual accounts; a time to prepare for the "Days of Awe" which will be observed in the next Hebraic month of Tishrei.

Psalm 27 is recited at the end of the morning and afternoon prayers. Psalm 27:4 "One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I will look for: that I may live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to look upon the beauty of the Lord, and to worship in His holy house."

To receive all that the Lord has in store for us during Elul let us examine our own heart today. May we hear the clear sound of the trumpet giving warning of difficult times ahead. Ask God to lead us on the road to eternal life.

Elul "The King is in the Field"

One of my favorite months in the Hebrew calendar is Elul. Elul begins today at sunset. I shared this Elul message several years ago and wanted to make it available again. I feel it is more relevant at this present time. It is 9 minutes in length.

https://soundcloud.com/wphares/elul-the-king-is-in-the-field

What Happened on the Last Day of Av?

Today is the last day of the Hebraic month of Av. Did you know that on the last day of Av Moses received the 10 Commandments the second time?

On the last day of Av, Moses carved, by God's command, two stone tablets to replace the two divinely-made tablets, on which God had inscribed the Ten Commandments, which Moses had smashed 42 days earlier upon witnessing Israel's worship of the Golden Calf.

The prophet Jeremiah then prophesied this awesome revelation to Israel and to believers in Jesus, "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31:33

Prophets Hear Before God Moves

A few days ago I posted some thoughts I had about two prophecies. One was a prophetic dream and the other was a prophetic vision. We are living in a time in history when God is revealing coming events through words of prophecy. These events are being "revealed" by the Lord.

Amos 3:7 “But always, first of all, I warn you through my prophets. This I now have done.”

Ancient prophecies in the Bible are now happening almost daily and it is plain to see that everything which can be shaken is being shaken (Hebrews 12:27). Signs of the return of Christ are all around us. Prophecy is being fulfilled.

Stay open to the leading of the Lord and don't let your heart be troubled. "God will take care of you, through every day, o'er all the way."

Despise Not Prophecy

I feel that I have a word to the wise. It has to do with the next four months and coming events. We desperately need direction from the Lord to navigate the uncertain road ahead. Recently two ministers have received prophetic messages from God which I have listened to and also read in detail. I am not a gullible person who believes everything I hear just because someone says, "the Lord told me..." I have always followed this Scriptural admonition from 1 Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 "Don’t treat prophecy like something that is not important. But test everything. Keep what is good." This is what I used when I listened to these two prophecies. One was a prophetic dream and the other was a prophetic vision.

I believe the next four months are going to be very difficult. It is possible another disease stronger than COVID-19 will occur and much more serious riots may grow. Now is our lead time to prepare for necessities and household supplies in case we cannot leave home. Don't be caught short and unprepared.

Expect divine intervention from the Lord. Trust God to meet your needs. Live each day as a person of faith and do not let fear control your emotions. Learn to listen to the voice of the Great Shepherd and he will lead you in the way you ought to go.