Tag Archives: Hebrew Roots

Elul

ELUL, Preparation for Elevation

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 “Speak Life Into Your Situation”

Scriptures are replete with principles that support the power of the tongue. This Scripture refers to Your Royal Anointing—this consist of the favor God that is poured over you because you belong to Him.

This reminds me of the story when Samuel went to David and poured anointing oil over his head to signify he would be the next king of Israel. Samuel didn’t bring him a crown, but anointed him with oil—a symbol of the Holy Spirit and God’s blessings and approval.

It was many years later before David actually wore that crown. Nevertheless, from the moment he was anointed, he was already a king in God’s eyes.

Good things began to happen to him almost immediately because he started looking at his world through eyes of blessing rather than eyes of failure.

Even as he overcame the lion and the bear, he knew he could overcome giants. And just as he took authority and overcame everything that threatened his ascent to the throne, you must take authority and overcome everything that threatens your ascent into the realm of success and prosperity.

A King does not beg and cry for anything. He does not have to.

A King declares something, and that thing is established. A king has the legal power to decree, which is an old English word for “legislate.” He institutes, he confirms, he settles, he summons, he authorizes—that’s what a King does.

Assimilation into our Western Mindset…

When GOD called the Children of Israel to be, Priest and Kings of a Holy Nation, it is important that we as westerners understand, that GOD was not speaking to a mean’s only club.

In the West, our minds tend to go there, because that is the lens with which we have become accustomed in viewing the world, by our cultural customs and mindset. Resist the temptation to listen to that cultural side of our voice.

GOD is not shallow like man, and when He spoke of the Children of Israel He speaks of male and female. We have to shift our thinking in this regard, so that we can hear what GOD is saying and agree with Him, and not our traditional mode of thinking.

Peter tells us we belong to “a Royal Priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).

The word royal speaks of our kingly attributes as Believers. Remember, Jesus is King of kings—He is the capital “K” King, and we are the lowercase “k” kings.

You must manifest your royal anointing to decree blessings over your marriage, family, business, ministry, and every other realm of your life.

The whole universe is waiting for us to give it instruction.

As the Bible says, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19). The whole universe waits in anticipation for the sons and daughters of God to manifest themselves and bring it back into alignment with God’s original intent for them.

Every word you speak is pregnant with regal, creative power.

The first to illustrate this was God Himself. According to Hebrews 11:3 (ESV): “the universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”

In the book of Genesis, chapter one, at the beginning of each day of the creation story, we see: “And God said, ‘Let there be…'” God spoke out what He had seen in His mind as He had envisioned in His creation of the universe, and when He spoke, the earth, all the planets, the sun, moon, and stars, as well as every plant, animal, and humanity itself appeared just as He had seen us all in His mind’s eye.

God spoke, and from “nothingness” came everything that exists in the physical universe.

James, the brother of Jesus, told a parable of how this is to work in our lives:

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.—James 3:2-5 ESV

When a ship sets sail to cross the sea, the pilot plots out the course. Then he determines the times he will need to adjust the direction of the ship to follow the course he has set. He checks his calculations from time to time to ensure he is always headed in the right direction, and then he keeps the steering as steady as possible heading towards his predetermined destination.

Certainly along the way, he may have to adjust the helm to go around storms, navigate currents, or avoid obstacles in the water, but he always steers with his focus more on where he is going than what he is going through.

If he constantly changes the steering from one minute to the next fixated on his present circumstances, the ship is more likely to go in circles than it is to arrive at the desired port of call.

For the pilot, the course is created first in his thoughts, communicated through the rudder, and then realized as the rest of the plane lines up with his intent.

For us, our lives only arrive at our desired goals if we line up our thoughts, words, habits, and actions in a similar way.

FOCUS ON WHERE YOU ARE GOING… Not On What You Are Going Through…

You must take the time to carefully consider your course. Where are you heading? What will it look like when you get there? Let your imagination take over. Spend time ‘seeing‘ yourself bringing your vision to life.

Rehearse your vision out loud. Read about it. Study it out. Write about it in your journal. Draw it. Paint it. Let your mind run free with the possibilities of what you could attain.

Don’t Let Your Vision Die. Take Action toward building the vision everyday.

What will it take to get there? Are there skills you will need to acquire? Are there people who live in that place that you can learn from? How did they get there? What paths did they take? Are there habits that you should form that will keep you on course?

Now talk about it. Line up your mouth—the rudder of your life—with where you are going. Then keep it steady and on course.

What happens to a ship if you head it in one direction at one moment, and then turn it in the opposite direction in the next—and keep doing that over and over?

Pretty simple—it goes nowhere. This is what happens when people start speaking about the good things they are expecting to happen one minute, and then spend the next half hour talking about all the negative things happening to them that are keeping them from getting there. They are turning their lives in circles.

They line up their spoken words with where they want to go for a little while, then when they meet a storm along the way, all they do is talk about the bad weather and lose track of where they were headed in the first place. They forget that they have the power to turn their lives around the storm or press on through it to the sunshine on the other side.

They forget that the “Son” has never stopped shining on their lives, no matter how dark the clouds in the sky are.

Even in the midst of what looks like catastrophe, keep speaking the blessing, keep the ship of your life on a steady course, and before you know it, the storm clouds will clear and you will have broken through your difficulty and left it far behind you.

Tell Your Troubles Where to Go…

Your every decree is pregnant with the power and potential to revolutionize your life. Psalm 2:7-8 indicates that God utilizes this prerogative, and grants the same to His earthly Ambassadors:

I will declare the decree:”The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You…'”

David used his right to decree and declare to turn the tides of Israel’s unfavorable fate and to defeat their enemy Goliath. In the Book of 1 Samuel 17:46-51, David addresses his enemy with conviction and authority:

“This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him…David ran and stood over the Philistine, took the Phillistine’s sword…out of it’s sheath…and cut off his head with it.

And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

NOTE: David did the hard work ‘physically‘ that we have to do ‘Spiritually!‘

May the sword (words) of your enemies be pulled down by your confessions of faith, causing them to lose their heads–lose their focus, their thought, their strategy, their plans, or any possibility or capacity to out maneuver you.

Since the spirit realm is the causal realm, Goliath was dead long before he was struck by the stone and beheaded by the sword.

Remember, according to Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Choose to use your tongue to bring life and not death, to bless and not to curse—even when it comes to your “enemies.”

Learn the art of Blessing, for in blessing a thing or a person, that thing or person must bless you.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14).

When you bless, blessings will be drawn to you, or as Deuteronomy 28:2 says, “blessings shall come upon you and overtake you.”

Conversely, in cursing a thing or a person, you draw curses upon yourself.

Again, as James said: “A double-minded man (is) unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).

What did he mean? A double-minded person is a person with conflicting thoughts—someone who holds two different opinions at the same time. That person is the pilot who steers his ship towards one port for a while, then reverses to steer it towards another in the opposite direction.

“He…is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).

At one point your life is headed towards blessings, because that is what you have spoken, and the next it is headed towards cursing, because that is now what your mouth is proclaiming.

James again describes this pilot’s plight later in his letter:

“With it (the tongue) we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”—James 3:9-10

I am convinced that Believers tend to live beneath the standard God has ordained for His children because of lack of knowledge first, and then lack of application second, i.e., those who do believe don’t apply what they said they believe.

We do not know that our daily declarations and decrees have the power to alter our destiny and change the quality of our lives.

Proverbs 13:3 states that “He who guards his mouth (watches what he says) preserves his life.” Or again as James said, “If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect (mature) man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2).

If guarding your words causes you to keep your life and grow in maturity, imagine what happens when you do not guard your words?

Note to Self:

  • Speak Life Into Every Aspect of Your Situation or Circumstances.
  • Conduct yourself as if the next Word you speak is positively going to manifest…Now what are you prepared to say?
  • Focus on where you are going, not on what you are going through!
  • Always dictate the terms to the storm…the storm does not dictate the terms to you!
    • It does not matter how many people around you are calling the storm into existence, You decree and declare the storm is OVER! Defunct, Dead and Powerless
    • Nobody has to agree with you, GOD ALREADY agreed in His Word.
  • Man learned to navigate the plane above the storm by watching eagles. Eagles know by instinct to elevate above the storm systems… be like the eagle, elevate in prayer, praise and worship…get some height above the storm.
  • Know the spirit you are dealing with…if you don’t know, ask GOD to show you.
    • Don’t be so easily provoked…find out what spirit you are dealing with…be slow to speak…
    • No jumping to conclusions and reacting…pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding in every situation.
    • Remember: The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. 1 Cor. 14:32
      • You are in control

All of your spiritual preparation for Elul, is taking you somewhere in the Biblical New Year. Are you ready to elevate?

Sun Zsu said, “Know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.  Know yourself and know not the enemy, and for every victory you will suffer a defeat. Know neither the enemy nor yourself, and you will be defeated in every battle.” 

I grew up with this wisdom saying, but I learned something else, so I amended it…

“Know the spirit your dealing with and know your own spirit, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.  Know your spirit and know not the enemy’s spirit, and for every victory, you will most certainly be defeated.  Know neither your own spirit nor the enemy’s spirit, and in every battle you will be constantly defeated…you will never stand a chance! “

Beloved, I pray that in every situation you encounter, you know your own spirit, and know the spirit you are dealing with…and in one thousand battles, you will never be defeated!

Amen.

Posts Included in This Series on Prayer for Elul:

Scripture in the Public Domain provided by Biblegateway.com KJV

Cover Photo by: Rev. S. Madison

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

Disclosure: I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.

Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer.

Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. GOD ask that we meditate on His Word day and night, because without a dedicated personal prayer life, we can do very little for GOD and Man.

May GOD always send you a confirming word so that you will know that these words are true.

GOD Bless You Always,

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

Judeo-Christian Teachings

Elul, Justice Shall You Pursue…

“Justice, Justice shall you pursue, so that you may live and take possession of the land…”

(Updated 8:40AM)

During the 1st Week of Elul, the torah portion under study is called Re’eh, which means ‘See‘.

I spent our 1st week presenting the Month of Elul to you as 1st time Students. Traditionally, we enter the Month of Elul focused on “Seeing”, so I thought it fitting to utilize the time “to see” what Elul is all about.

The usual course of progression is to study the torsh portion before the Sabbath comes.

In some ways, we are a week behind. Nevertheless, This week of September 7-13th, Justice will be our primary focus.

(I will post a teaching on Ki Tetze soon so that you can flow and pray with both teachings as you choose).

Below is the Torah Portion Schedule:

Re’eh (See) Aug 31, [Av 30] Deut. 11:26 – 16:17

Shoftim (Judges) Sept. 7, [Elul 7] Deut. 16:18 thru 21:19

Ki Tetze (When You Go Out) Sept. 14th, [Elul 14] Deut. 21:10 thru 25:19

Ki Tavo (When You Enter In) Sept. 21, [Elul 21] Deut. 26:1 thru 29:8 (9)

Nitzavim (You Are Standing) Sept. 28th, [Elul 28] Deut. 29:9 (10) thru 30:20

NOTE: Have you noticed how the dates are perfectly aligned with each other this year in the Month of Elul? This doesn’t happen this very often. (I just thought we should make note of it).

Torah portion is taken from Deut 16:18 through 21:9.

For anyone unfamiliar with this term (torah portions), it just means that each week a specific portion of the scriptures, are studied.

I will attach a Torah Portion Calendar so that you can take a look at it if you like. I think this is a beautiful custom. I like the idea of reading through the scriptures yearly, as a community of believers.

Spiritually, you always know how to sync up. In the Christian tradition I grew up in, this was not our custom. Our Pastors just went with the spirit on what to teach next.

What I found fascinating is that over time, as I increased in my knowledge of Christianity and my Jewish Heritage, I began to notice that some Pastors messages were synced up with the Biblical Calendar, — and they were completely unaware. I find that fascinating.

Pastors who flow with the Spirit of GOD, will always be on the same page!

In Parshat Shoftim: (Shoftim is the Hebrew word for ‘Judges’); Moses reminds the children of Israel of the rules for the Justice System, the Rules of Kingship and their relationship as a nation to their idolatrous neighbors, including the rules of warfare.

The key focus in this portion of scripture is his message, “Justice, justice shall you pursue, so that you may live and take possession of the land which God, your God, is giving you.”

Teachings Outlined in Parashat Shoftim:

  • The Judges must deal with issues that come before them unbiased…
    • Judges are required to interpret and apply the torah.
    • Consider/Process your decisions through the filter of torah.
    • Judges must be fair and meticulous in their investigations, i.e., never distort judgement.
    • Don’t take bribery.
  • A minimum of 2 witnesses to any crime are required for conviction and punishment.
    • Witnesses do not give testimony in front of each other.
  • Prohibitions outlined against idolatry and sorcery.
  • Guidelines are given to establish Cities of Refuge.
  • For those guilty of accidental murder.
  • Rules of Warfare are established
    • Offer terms for peace before attacking a city.
    • Zero tolerance policy against unscrupulous, wanton, gratuitous destruction.
    • Those Exempt From Battle:
      • The recently married, anyone who just built a home, or just planted a vineyard.
      • Anyone lacking courage are not required to serve in the military.
  • Procedures outlined for handling murders by an unknown assailant.
    • The Community is responsible for what they do, and also what they could have prevented.

God tells them that they will one day desire a King to rule over them, and that He will choose their King. The King will be held to the task of writing out in his own hand a duplicate of this teaching that GOD is giving now, and read it as long as he lives, so that he will not get prideful and lift himself up over his brethren.

God continues saying, that he will raise up a prophet from among them and put His Words in their mouth.

Shoftim begins by speaking to those who will be judges.

On the surface, we could content ourselves thinking that the torah is only speaking to the “official” judges of the nation. But, torah is speaking to the judge in all of us.

We learn the Word, to do the Word.

  • Justice is a purpose and responsibility to be shared by EVERYONE.
  • How we treat the weak, the broken, the down trodden, the widows, the orphans, etc. is a reflection of our core, as human beings.

There is an irreplaceable, undeniable joy that we each experience when we work along side GOD by lifting the burden and/or destroying the yoke off of another human being.

Helping another person because it is in our power to do so in honor of GOD’s Name is Phenomenal.

Some cry, “Where was GOD.” Others cry out, “Where are We?”

The qualities of “divinity” are in us, and as Jesus said, “greater works than these shall you do in My Name…” then we will exercise our authority in the spirit and speak from a Heavenly position and not from sea level.

Judges were appointed to protect the weak, the poor, the despised- through their words, prayers and actions.

Justice and compassion are paramount. We must cry out loud for justice with a passion.

Your words are spirit and life. Cry out against injustice with expectation that justice shall occur.

This week when we hear reports of injustice, say a prayer.

Take all reports of injustice into your prayer closet.

1 Samuel 15:22
“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Note: In the above verse the word “obey” in Hebrew is “shama” which means to hear.

To hear (shama) in Hebrew, means more than just “hearing” what was said. It is not an, “in one ear and out the other” kind of hearing!

Shama means to hear AND obey, together. “I will do AND I will hear”, there is not one without the other.

In GOD’s Language (Hebrew), doing is more important than knowing. Hebrew is verb oriented, rather than Noun oriented Language.

The emphasis is on Action.

Proverbs 21:3
“To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

Hosea 6:6
“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

Proverbs 15:8
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.”

A Few Amazing Prayers For Justice:

Read these Psalms out loud, over someones situation, then pray them out loud.

Psalm 17, Psalm 28, and Psalm 109.

Psalm 28 provided below:

Psalm 28

1Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

5 Because they regard not the works of theLord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall overthrow them, and not build them up.

6 Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

8 The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

AMEN

Elul

Keeping Your Appointments with GOD… Summary of Part 1 and 2

“The LORD is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness… not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Summary of Part 1 and Part 2 of this Teaching:

Below is an itemized list of what I hope I demonstrated to you in Part 1 and 2, of this teaching so far!

  • The Calendar of Heaven is Filled with Promise.
    • Elul prepares us for the Biblical New Year of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Feast of Tabernacles.
    • Elul is when we draw closer to GOD as a Community of Believers, The Faithful of GOD.
    • Elul is about looking into your own heart to see what you have locked inside, to cleanse the clutter out of our closets.
    • During Elul, you open yourself up to examination, to Yourself and GOD.

  • Unlike our secular calendar, the Biblical Calendar captures moments in time that GOD poured out very specific / special blessings over His People.
  • Elul is devoted to repentance and acknowledging GOD as sovereign to us.
    • Elul consist of 30 days in the year when the People of GOD, no matter what country they live in, or where they are located presently in the world, purpose in their heart to come together ‘spiritually’; one heart, one mind, and one spirit.
    • Whenever human beings come together for a singular purpose, as a community concerned about ‘a signular cause of any kind’, our history changes. The historical evidence is overwhleming for the truth in this.
    • Whenever human beings come together for a singular purpose, as a community filled with the intension of recognizing GOD, Honoring His Name, Acknowledging His Presence, being real before Him in prayer, repenting, judging ourselves and not others, etc., we change our worlds and the extended world around us.
    • During Elul, it is our strength as a nation of the people of GOD, that ushers in the blessing over all our lives!

  • It was in the Month of Elul that GOD renewed His Love for His People. Not only had they been forgiven, but GOD gave them the Second Set of Tablets, renewing His Covenant.
    • The 1st 40 days of Moses’ Prayer saved the lives of the Children of Israel (Gen 32)
    • The 2nd 40 days of Moses’ Prayer restored the love relationship between God and His People (Gen 34).
  • During Elul, we have an opportunity to reconnect with our Hebrew Heritage, with this same level of love and with the same level of forgiveness. We stir our hearts once more to return to GOD, remembering the incredible amount of times that GOD has returned to us, forgiven us, loved us – especially the times when we did not deserve it.

THE POWER THAT CREATED THIS PORTAL FOR FORGIVENESS, AND MERCY, AND FAVOR came from the Insight, the Courage, the love and compassion that Moses had for GODs People to Stand in the Gap.

Jesus Prayed For Us!

“Satan Desired to have you, to sift you like wheat! But, I Jesus prayed for You, that Your Faith Not Fail, and when you are converted (when you truly believe) GO AND STRENGTHEN YOUR BRETHREN.” Luke 22:31-32

  • Moses taught us many powerful lessons…
  • Like…Standing in the Gap and Strenthening Your Brethren Through the Power of Prayer.
  • Not settling for an ‘incomplete‘ salvation. Moses wanted to save the lives of Israel AND restore them back to GOD.
    • GOD respects and honors our intervention on behalf of mankind. Ezekiel may have done the best job in scripture of making this abundantly clear. ref. Ezek 22: 30

“And I sought for a man among them… that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.”

  • Noah didn’t intervene on behalf of mankind… as obedient as he was, he just built the boat as instructed, and prepared for the destruction. (He did not stand in the gap for mankind).
    • The false prophets noted in (Ezekiel 13:5) did absolutely nothing to repair the breach in the wall. Instead of standing in the gap, they simply denied that judgement was going to come.
    • Only one of Joseph’s brothers stood in the gap for him which saved his life, but Judah stopped short of delivering his brother ‘completely’. As a consequence, Joseph was sent into captivity. Note: Judah could have ‘completely‘ saved Joseph…but he didn’t. GODs Mercy gave Judah a second chance to redeem his self through saving the life of Tamar. Judah recognized the signs of divine providence (I call this recognizing that the Ark is passing by…).
      • There was a moment when he could have saved one brothers life and restored his other brothers back to GOD, that they not commit this evil, but he didn’t.
      • It wasn’t until he was faced with the issues surrounding Tamar, that he realized what GOD was doing in his life, and he jumped at the chance for redemption; Judah elevated spiritually that day.

The Prophets of GOD Shoud Make Up the Hedge...

Moses Perceived the Importance of Standing in the Gap

  • Moses went into prayer and fasting for the lives of the people! (Ex 34, Deut 5:5).
    • David confirms that GOD is just looking for someone to stand in the gap... ref. Psalm 106:23. Timothy reminds us of this again, beginning in 1 Timothy 2:1.

Elul presents a perpetual opportunity for us to stand in the gap, as a nation, and as an individual.

Elul also offers us the opportunity to activate our Spiritual Gifts.

  • We pray becasue we desire a spiritual relationship with GOD. However, I would be remiss if I did not tell you that Elul positions us, through our dedication in prayer, to activate the prophectic anointing that lies dormant due to a constant lack of prayer.
  • Honoring the Calendar of GOD Places Us in Position for Increase and Abundant Blessing! (I’m speaking of spiritual increase not financial).
  • Honoring the Month of Elul in prayer, sets you in Prophetic Position with GOD.
    • Anyone who has ever said to themselves, “I know there is more to this Word of GOD”, or anyone that has wanted to rise up into a higher spiritual level, yet has not seen the tangible increase, You can attain the spiritual increase by setting yourself before GOD daily in prayer. (Breaking Beyond Your Own Personal Barrier in Prayer, i.e What ever level of time you spend in personal prayer time with GOD, increase it!).

(In the near future I intend to write a teaching series ‘Prayer Makes You Prophetic’).

We have to have a ongoing, prayer life, if we ever want to become anointed with the gift of prophecy, which we should desire.

  • Without a relationship with GOD, grounded in prayer, you can never be “a Prophet of GOD, or Prophetic.” Prophets have a prayer life.
  • This is why this is such an important point to make. GOD’s perfect will that He made clear through Paul, is when He asked that we “follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1

It is through the righteous, those with clean hands, clean heart, clean lips, sold out, obedient, steadfast, faithful, dedicated, submitted, people of GOD that His People can be saved, healed and delivered.

Remember What GOD told Abimelech in Gen 20:7…“Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die–you and all who belong to you.”

Moses did not have to be told by GOD to pray, or asked to pray. You don’t have to ask a prophet to pray for you. The prophet is in prayer while you are still talking, telling them all the reasons you need help, or prayer, or what ever it is you need.

The Prayer of a Prophet…

The Church should be in the business of raising up the prophets in every area of prophetic giftings.

Many of us are alive today, because the prophet prayed

God Works with Mankind by means of Prophetic Partnership.

“GOD, He delivers even the one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanest of your hands.” Job 22:30

“You have not gone up into the breaches, or built up a wall for the house of Israel, that it might stand int he battle in the day of the LORD” Ezekiel 13:5

“Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon Jerusalem” Jeremiah 5:1

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16

The righteous set themselves before GOD constantly, they keep their heart right through prayer, sacrifice and servanthood, they pray at all times, and their prayers availeth much!

Spend Time with The One You Love!

Dedicate as much time as you can to GOD in the Month of Elul. Go Overboard!

In the last post, I told you the story I recite to all my new students when I teach on the Supernatural Seasons of GOD.

I hope I reminded you of how we each behave when we meet “a person of interest.” We will stay up all night talking on the phone or in person, holding every moment precious, and they are!

GOD the Lover of Your Soul…

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus asks that we remember our first love (Rev 2:4). That is what I’m asking you to do, Remember when you fell in love with GOD and those all night prayer sessions?

If you can’t say that you completely did fall in love with Him, I hope these teachings encourage you to do just that.

GOD wants to spend time with you till the breaking of the dawn… at least some time.

We spend hours on the phone with friends, how much of that time could we give to GOD?

I’m trying to provoke you in this thought because, I really want you to find time for GOD during this Month of Elul. We have all desired at some point to get into a higher place in GOD. This is how you do it

This is NOT About becoming Jewish.… (Just in case there are any thoughts creeping in from anyone of that kind).

This is about abiding in a Love Relationship with GOD. .

Arranging Some Time with GOD.

If you met someone who was from another country and spoke another language, you would spend a considerable amount of time, making the effort to learn something about their language. It wouldn’t matter to you that they are from another culture, another time and space, or celebrated unfamiliar traditions.

For Christians, the Feast of the LORD are not a familiar tradition, to most of us. Spending time with GOD is like spending time on a date with someone from another culture.

God does things differently, His thoughts are different, His ways are different, His language is different. That’s the beauty of spending time with Him, we become different!

In the Presence fo GOD, we become “different”, peculiar, better people.

Abraham was different!

Abraham was from a nation of idolatrous people, with an idolatrous Father and an idolatrous family. But that did not stop him from looking for or finding, the One True God. And Abraham became the Father of Many Nations.

Job was not a Hebrew, but that did not keep him from seeking and finding GOD and serving only Him, and GOD gave him a legacy, and made his name great.

Ruth was a Moabites, and that did not stop her from turning toward GOD in saying to Ruth, “…Your GOD will be my GOD”. Ruth 1:16. GOD blessed her for it and memorialized her memory, gave her a legacy and memorialized her name.

Rahab was not a Hebrew, but she recognized the people of GOD and gave them shelter and GOD blessed her for it, and memorialized her memory, gave her a legacy and memorialized her name.

The 12 Apostles were going about their daily activities, and one day caught a glimpse of the Ark, passing by.

They perceived that the Word of GOD was right before them… and they did not let the Ark Pass them by.

My point is, it does not matter where you start, or from what perspective you hail from, GOD is not a respecter of persons, and we all become better under His Presence!

This Month GOD can be found. He is not a man that He should lie. Dedicate yourself to prayer this Elul, and once you capture sight of GOD, never let Him go!

The Ark is Passing By During the Month of Elul.

DO NOT LET THE ARK PASS YOU BY!

Posts Included in This Series on Prayer:

Cover Photo by: Rev. S. Madison

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

Disclosure: I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.

Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer. Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. Without prayer, we learn nothing and we accomplish nothing.

May GOD always send you a confirming word.

GOD Bless You,

(Revised September 7, 2019 2:49AM /typo’s removed)

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

Elul

Keep Your Next Appointment with GOD… Part 2

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

I Know The Plans I Have For You!

So many times we have thought of that verse in scripture, quoted it, taught on it, etc.

The Hebrew word for “thoughts” is ‘makh-ash-aw-baw’ which can be understood as, “plans, intentions, designs or purpose”.

“peace” in Hebrew is the word ‘shalom’ which is better understood as, ‘to make one whole’, or rather, ‘to be made whole’.

These plans and intentions GOD has for You are calendared.

Think of it in terms of GOD’s Perfect Will. He has placed us on His Calendar, is anticipating our arrival and participation. However, You have to show up.

In His Permissive Will, we can choose to show up or not. We can, like GOD, anticipate the appointment, keep the appointment and plan our next visit… or not!

Where the Word of A King is, There is Power. Ecclesiastes 8:4

The Word of GOD is embedded in His Biblical Calendar with the power to release such an anointing, that it will supernaturally saturate your days and your years “far more abundantly” than you can ask or think!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

The Biblical Calendar Holds the Keys to the Plan!

Eve of Elul
Sat, Aug 31st

MONTH OF ELUL. – The Month of Divine Favor and Mercy!
(30 days of Prayer, spiritually setting yourself before GOD in prayer which allows you to see what’s in Your Own Heart, dealing with your character flaws and strengthening your virtues).

  • Search my heart and try my reins, and know my thoughts… See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (paraphrase Psalm 139:23)

MONTH OF ELUL
Sun, SEP 1 thru Sun, SEP 29

EVE OF ROSH HASHANNA (GOD’s New Year’s Eve)
SUN, SEPT 29. (a.k.a. 29th of Elul)

ROSH HASHANAH. (GOD’s NEW YEAR)
(The 1st of Tishrei)
Mon, Sept 30th

YOM KIPPUR
Day of Atonement
(10th of Tishrei)
TUE, OCT 8TH

Eve of Sukkot
(14th of Tishrei)
Sun, OCT 13TH

SUKKOT
Feast of Tabernacles
(15th of Tishrei)
Mon, OCT 14TH

Why is the Month of Elul so Important?

To understand the importance of the Biblical Calendar, we have to step our of our comfort zone a bit and place our Gregorian Calendar aside for a few minutes.

The significance of the Biblical Calendar is that it captures dates and timelines that are significant to GOD, including spiritual properties of the anointing that remain open and available that continue to provide us access today and throughout the generations.

That’s a very powerful statement, so allow me to support it with scripture.

Part 1 of this Post began with a teaching from the Prophet Isaiah. “Seek Hashem when He can be found, call upon Him when He is near” (Isaiah 55:6), and the question became, “When is Hashem near?”

The Rabbi’s tell us that Isaiah was directing our attention towards the Ten Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah (Sept 30th), and end with Yom Kippur (Oct 8th).

The Month of Elul marks the end of the year on the Biblical Calendar preceding the month of Tishrei, which is the start of a brand New year. In simple terms, Elul is to Tishrei, as December is to January.

GOD gives His People a jumpstart on the New Year!

In comparison to the Gregorian (secular) calendar, The New Year on the Biblical Calendar begins 3 months ahead of the rest of the world, a.k.a. Rosh Hashanah.

In spiritual preparation of the upcoming New Year, The children of GOD take the last month on the Biblical Calendar (Elul) to spiritually prepare themselves for their journey through the next 365 days of the year!

Elul is known as the Month of Favor and Mercy. It is a 29-30 day time frame in which we all have the opportunity to cleanse our selves spiritually, repent for our sins, ask forgiveness, judge our own souls, search our own hearts and look deep inside ourselves to investigate what it is we need to do better as a human being.

In Elul we re-orient ourselves back toward GOD. After all, teshuvah means repentance. It’s about returning to our place in GOD’s Presence.

How Did This Come To Be?

When the children of Israel committed the sin of the golden calf, GOD told Moses that He was going to consume them (Gen 32:10). Moses descended the mount and found what the people had done.

The sin of the golden calf occurred on the 17th of Tammuz. We know this because Moses had ascended the mountain for 40 days, after the day of Shavuot (Pentecost).

40 days after Shavuot puts us at the 17th of Tammuz when Moses came back down from the mountain and found the people in complete disobedience.

Moses did not want the people to be destroyed, so He ascended the mountain and prayed for GOD to forgive them.

  • 40 days after the sin of the golden calf puts us at the end of the month of Av and the beginning of Elul.

GOD forgave the people but Moses was not satisfied.

  • The people will live, but living without the Presence of GOD was pointless. Going backward into a chronologically unprofitable existence, i.e., living their lives under the sun. This was unacceptable to Moses. He wanted the people to live under the heavens.

Moses knew that without atonement, GOD would no longer dwell in the presence of the people.

  • Without spiritual atonement, the children of Israel could not return to a love relationship with GOD.

So, Moses returns to the mountain for another 40 days to pray for their complete atonement. (Rosh Chodesh Elul through Yom Kippur)

  • Israel repents as a nation.
  • GOD accepts the prayers and repentance (teshuvah) of the people and renews His bond of love between them.
  • GOD continues to dwell among among the children of Israel!

Elul is considered the most auspicious time of the year to offer repentance to GOD, because He accepted the prayers and repentance of the nation in this month.

The prayers of Moses created a penitent heart inside the people of GOD that has never been forgotten, or taken for granted or held in light esteem.

For thousands of years, a memorial has been set over the Month of Elul for prayer and repentance. It is a time of getting ourselves right with GOD. A time when our prayers carry the strength of our unity and love.

Let’s face it…

When we act in unity and love, our prayers become irresistible to GOD. Elul signifies acceptance of our prayers, we are blessed by GOD’s forgiveness and more importantly, GOD dwells among His people, restoring us with His Love!

The cycle of forgiveness and coming back into right relationship as one people, with one heart, one mind and one spirit, cycles back every year at Elul.

Because the Months on the Biblical Calendar have been kept alive through faithfulness, dedication and the remembrance of the people for what GOD and His Prophet Moses did for them, when they did not deserve it most, GOD’s anointing rest upon this month for favor and mercy!

Whenever we take the initiative to set aside our traditional worldly calendar and embrace the Calendar of GOD…(that He spoke of repeatedly all throughout the Hebrew Scriptures), then we step into miraculous moments of destiny.

We have just spent Labor Day, September 2, 2019 recognizing and celebrating the social and economic achievements of our labors as a nation.  Labor Day is our everlasting memorial and tribute to the contribution American workers have made to the prosperity, well being and strength of our country.

We have spent a lot of time, years, recognizing every event on the secular calendar. For the most part, recognizing only 2 major, yet questionably “Biblical” Holidays on the same calendar.

GOD has a Calendar filled with Days of Destiny, designated to celebrate our relationship with Him.

GOD’s Calendar is accessbile to everyone!  It has been right there on the pages of scripture the whole time!

We have always been invited by GOD, but most of us never knew it.

Step into Your Month of Favor and Mercy.

As we repent as a community of the Faithful, we have access to housands of years, anointed with the prayers of the saints, that have been tread out each year on the threshing floor.

A place for the Seed of Abraham has been prepared for us to partake of the blessings of GOD.

Show Up This Season For Your Appointment!

Part 3 of this Post will include the following topics of discussion:

  • Shifting Your Days from Chronos to Kairos
  • EMBRACING The Supernatural Seasons of GOD.
  • Show Up For Your Appointment!
  • How to Proclaim the Month of Elul
  • How do you want to start off this New Year?

Wisdom Is Better than Strength

Ecclesiastes 9

  • 9:13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 
  • 14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 
  • 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 
  • 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 
  • 17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 
  • 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.


Posts Included in This Series on Prayer:

All Photos, Including Cover Photo by: Rev. S. Madison

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

Disclosure: I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.

Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer. Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. Without prayer, we learn nothing and we accomplish nothing.

May GOD always send you a confirming word.

GOD Bless You,

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

Elul

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER… Creating Your Unbreakeable Bond in Communion with GOD

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12

Before Jesus ministered, after he ministered, before He spoke into the lives of anyone, After He spoke into the lives of the people, Jesus spent time in the presence of GOD in prayer.

His ministry bore the sign and the signature of prayer unceasing.

“And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it (prayer, praise & worship) and to keep it (guard and protect the anointing).” Gen 2:15

(Ref: Adam was not in Agriculture).

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.“ Genesis 2:7

We learned earlier of the deeper prophetic meaning of this verse which reveals to us that…“Man became a Speaking Spirit”

Mankind’s utmost power is the ability to communicate, and his first communication was expressed between himself and GOD.

Mankind has an intrinsic need to communicate with his creator. If that is not the case, why do we spend an enormous amount of time, energy, conversation and thought centered around such questions: as:

  • Whether or not there is a GOD?
  • How was the universe created?
  • Is there a First Mover of the universe?
  • Are we alone in the universe?

We have an insatiable need to understand the beginnings of everything, especially ourselves.

Our spirit needs some time to talk with the Spirit of GOD.

Mankind is Created to Speak with GOD, spirit to Spirit

Communication is the substance of relationships and all of our relationships are spiritual. From the relationships that bless us, to the ones that vex us, our communication connects or divides us spiritually.

GOD breathe life into man and man became a speaking spirit, created to communicate. First to GOD and then to each other, into the world and everything in it.

Like us, relationships are also created with the breath of life. All relationships are founded upon and sustained by communication. Someone must say something.

What we say, when, why, how we say it… our speech defines us, our world and others. Life and death reside in the power of our tongues.

We edify, build up and encourage, or we tear down, damage and destroy, by the very breath of our speech.

What we speak into our own existence and into the lives of others, has power, momentum, substance, and weight.

When directed toward GOD with intention, contemplation and focus, speech is elevated to the level of prayer.

…and Prayer is more than just talk.

We have the power to change the circumstances of a situation by what we speak about it.

Prayer is a lot like gravity. It pulls everything around it towards its center, even light.

Gravity is one of the forces in the universe that is the most difficult to explain scientifically.

The Power of Prayer is a force in the universe that exist, despite any difficulty the church may have in explaining it spiritually.

Prayer is a spiritual element and can only be understood in spiritual terms.

Prayer affects space and time; past, present and future.

Prayer is our mechanism in which we speak to GOD. It has no fixed place. Prayer penetrates all realms and dimensions.

Prayer is what naturally emerges from a relationship with GOD.

The greater the communication the stronger the relationship. The weaker the communication, the weaker the relationship.

One of the most critical signs that a relationship is in trouble is when communication is compromised. Lack of communication precedes loss of communication, which is the pre-eminent sign of distress in any relationship.

Once communication ceases, the relationship suffers a death. Anyone who has ever suffered a damaged relationship, understands first hand, the spiritual death experienced from severed or severing communication.

The only way we can breathe life into the relationship again, is by finding a way back to communication.

Somewhere and at some point, we broke off communication with GOD.

Mankind was created to communicate with GOD through prayer, and prayer is how we find our way back to GOD.

Even though our spirit, created to communicate with GOD first (avodah), we have eliminated and/or substituted family, friends, loved ones, even nature itself, in place of direct communication with GOD.

Prayer and Praying are 2 Different Things.

Speak to any veteran of prayer and they will confirm that “prayer” is much more than a 5, 10, or 15 minute prayer session. There are many levels of prayer.

Christianity has formalized 3 levels of prayer.

  • Vocal Prayer (i.e., petition, intercession, thanksgiving, blessing, praise, confession)
    • Surface Level of prayer; Essential, developmental, powerful,
  • Meditation (i.e., reflection, study, practicing the presence of GOD)
    • Reflective level of prayer on teachings, scriptures, purpose, destiny, decisions…
  • Contemplation (i.e., awareness of the divine, coming to know GOD at the highest personal levels).
    • i.e., being with GOD, dwelling with the presence of GOD, heightens spiritual strength, power, spiritual beauty, insight, vision, wisdom, understanding, joy… Benefits.

Vocal prayer is what I am referring to as “praying”. Contemplation is what I am referring to as “prayer”.

Why?

Due to the vast majority of church’s which do not teach prayer as a life-style, the body of Christ is not accustomed to using the terms, “vocal prayer” or “contemplative”. In addition to this, we tend to think of all prayer as the same.

All Prayer is Not the Same

For this reason, I am distinguishing the terms by referring to vocal prayer as ‘praying‘, and contemplation as prayer.

Contemplative prayer undergirds all stages and levels of prayer and requires the highest level of focus. Technically speaking, you have to train and discipline your spirit/flesh at this level of prayer.

Contemplative prayer demands that you master the ability to shut out all distractions, every vain imagination, submit your thoughts, ideas, every conversation in your head, focus, address and deal with your own character flaws, limitations and baggage, and deliver your spirit before the throne of GOD.

This takes more than 5, 10 or 15 minutes of praying. In the beginning, it can take up to 60 minutes or more, to get past your own obstacle course—in order for prayer to begin.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High…Ps 91, Matt 6:6, Acts 17:11, Ps 119:114

Prayer requires effort, struggle. It is not a tip toe through the tulips. Contemplative prayer requires that you battle your way past self, and press toward the Presence of GOD.

Attempts at this level of prayer are met with distractions, wandering thoughts, sleepiness, worldly demands, impatience, and any other conceivable device aimed toward dismantling your prayer life.

The reward is relationship.

Think of it like this…

Praying, as I have defined it above, is like having an acquaintance with GOD based upon an introduction from a third party.

Many Christians pray without having a deeper relationship with GOD. This is where we begin, but it does not have to be where we end.

Praying, takes place on prayer lines, fulfilling prayer commitments, praying before and after service, praying on the prayer lines, praying for others, etc.

Praying for others becomes far more effective, and should take place after spending time alone with GOD. This is the model set for us by Christ and the disciples.

Who wants to be in danger of praying out of their own spirit, rather than the spirit of GOD?

Who wants to be in danger of praying their own will, rather than the will of GOD?

Many times we have asked ourselves, what to pray?

The only way to know the answers to this question, is to spend time in the Presence of GOD.

Refining the 3 levels of prayer.

  • The Outer Court Prayers
    • Vocal Prayer (i.e., petition, intercession, thanksgiving, blessing, praise, confession)
      • Surface Level of Prayer; Essential, Developmental, Powerful,
  • Prayers in The Holy Place
    • Meditation (i.e., reflection, study, practicing the Presence of GOD)
      • Reflective level of prayer on teachings, scriptures, purpose, destiny, decisions…
      • Trains your spirit for solitude with GOD.
  • Prayer in The Holy of Holies
    • Contemplation (i.e., Awareness of the Divine, coming to know GOD at the highest personal levels).
      • i.e., being with GOD, dwelling with the Presence of GOD, heightens spiritual strength, power, spiritual beauty, insight, vision, wisdom, understanding, joy… Benefits.
      • Ability to emerge from Prayer having insight into your day, a sensitivity to the will of GOD, getting yourself in sync with the Spirit.
      • A Few Examples (a.k.a. Spiritual Evidence) of acheving this level of prayer are:
        • Shifting the atmosphere in places you enter into for calm, peace, harmony…
        • Knowing the spirits you are dealing with in your encounters.
          • Seeing beyond the person and into the spirit.
          • Not being easily provoked.
          • Being slow to speak, slow to anger, increased self control.
          • Judgmentalness under submission, increased self awareness.
          • Mastering your own tongue.
        • Complete strangers coming up to you and unburdening themselves, with spiritual questions or dilemmas–and having the answer they need to know.
        • Preparation for difficult encounters that would have otherwise taken you out of the spirit.
        • Multiple Levels of Character Refinement.
        • Increase in spiritual strength, fortitude, greater insight…
        • Falling in Love with Contemplative Prayer
        • Deeper Realtionship with GOD.

Praying for and with others should come out of this place. The place of saturating yourself in prayer.

Kingdom Relationship is established through prayer.

Before and after ministry, before and after any miracles, Jesus prayed.

We cannot substitute service for prayer.

There is no such thing as faithfulness, dedication, servanthood, etc., without first being steadfast, unceasing, fervent in prayer. Without prayer there is no way to become effectual in your kingdom assignments.

Jesus demonstrated the power of a devoted prayer life.

Saturated in the garments of prayer, praise and worship (avodah), Jesus saved, healed and delivered multitudes, then and now.

This requires much more than a part-time, some-time, inconsistent prayer life..

JESUS LIVED AND TAUGHT PRAYER AS A LIFESTYLE

Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Matthew 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Matthew 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Matthew 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Mark 6:46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

Mark 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

Mark 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

Mark 14:39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

Luke 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

Luke 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

Luke 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Luke 22:32 but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

John 16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

Your Prayer Life equips The LORD’s Disciples to hit the mark.

…AND JESUS GAVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS FOLLOWERS TO PRAY

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Matthew 9:38 pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Luke 6:28 bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Luke 19:46 saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

The ministry of Christ is distinguished by His prayer life.

We are sanctified by prayer. Prayer purifies our soul and transforms the spirit.

Prayer is how we stay connected to GOD. Our priorities are to stay connected to GOD first, as Jesus did, and then serve.

The flesh never wants to pray, let alone observe and submit to a prayer lifestyle. Nevertheless, our spirits require prayer to thrive, and remain healthy and strong. Prayer heals our spirit, keeps our souls connected to GOD and fills us with the power of GOD.

There is no way to obtain or operate within the mind of Christ without a prayer life.

We accepted the ministry, we desire the miracles, but far too often claiming to be the body of Christ, we neglect the critical need for a Contemplative Prayer-Life.

And yet we see that the disciples remained steadfast in the example that Jesus set.

CHRIST’s DISCIPLES WERE COMMITTED AND SUBMITTED TO PRAYER.

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Acts 6:6 whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 8:15 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Acts 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

This teaching is dedicated to my students. Diligently pursue and be filled with the presence of GOD daily and may your ministries always be distinguished by your dedication and consecration to your prayer life.

Posts Included in This Series on Prayer:

Cover Photo by: Aaron Burden, Unsplash.com

  • Covered in the Light of Prayer, photo by: Mads Schmidt, Unsplash.com
  • Woman in Prayer, photo by: Olivia Snow, Unsplash.com
  • Little Child reading a book, photo by: Samantha Sophia, Unsplash.com
  • Statue in Prayer, photo by: Scott Rodgerson, Unsplash.com
  • Archers, photo by: Alex Guillaume, Unsplash.com
  • Woman in Prayer, photo by: Olivia Snow, Unsplash.com

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

NEW Disclosure Added: I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.

Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer. Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. Without prayer, we learn nothing and we accomplish nothing.

Prayerlessness makes a pretense of piety.

May GOD always send you a confirming word to every message I write,

GOD Bless You,

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

ALTAR OF INCENSE

MAN IS A SPEAKING SPIRIT

3 Comments

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7

Man is a Speaking Spirit

Gen 2:7 reads, “and man became a living soul.” There is an interpretation that is more precise… A more accurate interpretation. The verse actually says, “and man became a speaking spirit.”

ha’adam l’nef’fish kai’yah – adam (120) nephesh (5315) chai-yah (2416); The present English translation is not wrong, it’s incomplete and lacks the essence of the message.

ha’adam = the man, l’nephesh = to a soul, a being (6x) kai-yah = living, alive

“The man became a living being” is literally accurate.

Then Why am I presenting an alternate translation?

Because scripture is meant to be understood by us. It is written for us. Scripture is not just some bible story, meant to entertain or amuse. Scripture contains vital information, written for the purpose of supporting our spiritual life and purpose.

Literal interpretations are the beginning of knowledge. What else could GOD have packed into this verse, desiring us to understand?

The Power of Speech Was Not Given to Man for His Own Amusement.

Adam; Mankind/Human Beings became speaking spirits. Every living being, is created, with the purpose and potential of speaking in the spirit to the Spirit of GOD.

Let me repeat that…. Speaking in the spirit, to the Spirit of GOD

Literal interpretations never bring this fact to the forefront. They remain flat and incomprehensible to our spirit. As a consequence, we generally read, teach and hear the bible as a lovely fairy tale, rather than as a sacred text, given for the purpose of conveying spiritual matters.

Our logical, rational mind can easily hold a conversation with the literal. However, our spirit man needs to engage the Spirit of GOD in every message presented in the text of scripture.

The first language of mankind, was intended to be the language of the spirit. Whatever our individual native languages are, they are secondary to the spiritual language of GOD.

The Breath of GOD was breathed into Adam. An impartation of the Spirit of GOD. By this means, adam is created a speaking spirit, in the image and likeness of the Speaking Spirit of GOD.

Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit.” In order for this to happen, our spirit needs to be able to speak!

Watch Closely:

Above, I presented Gen 2:7, with the 2 Key-Words in Hebrew that I want you to keep an eye on. We are going to compare them to the same words in Gen 1:24.

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” 1 Cor 15:45

Contrast and Compare Genesis 2:7 and Gen 1:24

Information you will never see until you look at the Interlinear…

Gen 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Let’s take a look into the Strong’s Concordance:

  • Gen 2:7 ha’adam l’nephesh chai’yah
  • adam (120) nephesh / soul (5315) chai-yah / living (2416);
  • In the case of man, we translate the words ‘nephesh chaiyah‘ as ‘living soul’.

Gen 1:24  And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

  • Gen 1:24 ha’ air-retz (776) nephesh (5315) chai-yah (2416);
  • In the case of the animals, we translate the words nephesh chaiyah as ‘living creature’.

As you can see, two of the exact same words are used in both verses. In Gen 1:24, nephesh chaiyah is translated, ‘living creature’. In Gen 2:7, nephesh chaiyah is translated ‘living soul’.

The question we want to ask ourselves now is, Why are the English translations so dissimilar, when the Hebrew words are exactly the same?

That’s a good question and your instincts are right. They can both be translated either as living soul or living creature.

What is the distinguishing factor between them?

First, you need to know that it was through the insight of the Onkelos, that we arrive at the understanding of the alternate interpretation of the verse, “and man became a speaking spirit”.

Adam was created with words. Adam came to life as GOD spoke the words…”and man became a living soul.” GOD created man, with such reasoning skills and understanding of words, that he responded with life, as GOD spoke to him.

Man’s soul responded to the Speech of GOD.

GOD’s speech initiated our spiritual life. Man, like every other creature and created thing in the earth became, from the spoken Word of GOD. But man, is the only part of the creative work that responded in words.

Rabbi Kleinman and I agree. “Man connects to GOD through speech”. The act of speech is expressed through prayer, torah study, praise and worship. Torah study, rises above them all, as the highest form of praise by virtue of study, care and the preservation of GOD’s Word within our spirit.

On Day 18 in Praying with Fire by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, he adds that “One who does not pray, then, is effectively muzzling his “speaking soul”, [a.k.a., his speaking spirit].

Man and creatures alike, became living souls. But man, as the crowning achievement of GOD, became even more. Man was given the ability to transcend his animalistic instinct and nature, to become a speaking spirit in the image and likeness of GOD. If he or she so desires.

The Breath of GOD… an impartation that imbued man’s spirit with the power to speak.

Man’s spirit was created to speak.

But the choice is still ours. We can deny our spiritual life. We can choose to disconnect from the spirit and allow our soul to slip away and descend to it’s lowest possible depth, even to the level of the beast. Which some chose to do with their lives.

How Do You Care For YOUR Spirit?

Man can cultivate his spirit with prayer, torah study, praise and worship. Man can activate every gift of the spirit and thrive, and arise into the character and nature of GOD…. into the full measure and stature of Christ Jesus. If we choose to do so.

So the new question becomes, what are we prepared to do with this spirit?

Prayer only knows,

Amen.

Reference: PRAYER JOURNAL PAGES

Reference: The Language of Prayer

Definitions and Terminology:

Who is Onkelos?

Targum Onkelos (or Onqelos), תרגום אונקלוס‬, is the official eastern (Babylonian) targum (Aramaic translation) to the Torah. However, its early origins may have been western, in Israel. Its authorship is attributed to Onkelos, a famous convert to Judaism in Tannaic times (c. 35–120 CE). (Excerpt from Wikipedia). The Targum is the spoken version or translations of the Jewish Scriptures, a.k.a., the Tanakh.

Onkelos is said to have been the nephew of the Roman Emperor Titus or Hadrian. (Through a sister of Hadrian’s). (Of course, there’s always a historical dispute). Nevertheless, the story goes that, “the Emperor asked Onkelos to go out and find something that wasn’t worth much today but that would be invaluable in the future. Onkelos found Judaism.”

1 Corinthians 12:9-16

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

God Bless You,

This teaching is dedicated to Yvette “My ‘Secret Weapon’ in Prayer”… Someone I can trust to be automatically in sync with me in prayer in the spirit, one heart, one mind,, instant in prayer, in and out of season! “No Briefings Required!” You are a GOD Send from the Most High!

Posts Included in This Series on Prayer:

CLICK THIS LINK: for the Next Post in this Series: Man is a Speaking Spirit Part 2

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

NEW Disclosure Added: I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.

Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer. Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. Without prayer, we learn nothing and we accomplish nothing.

May GOD always send you a confirming word.

GOD Bless You,

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

Bible Study, Judeo-Christian Teachings, The Journey Back

WHY DO THE PRAYERLESS PROSPER?

“Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”  –Psalm 63:4

No matter how dedicated you are in prayer there are times when this nagging guestion reasserts itself. Who has not asked this question of GOD?

The Prophets Asked.

Even the best of us has inquired of GOD, as King David did. His son, King Solomon asked the questions also. Habukkuk, Jeremiah, Job, Malachi… throughout time, the single most question of GOD visits every soul, “Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?“

Will there ever be an answer that satisfies the soul?

Let’s take a look in one of my favorite books; Day 16 in Praying with Fire with Rabbi Heshy Kleinman.

The Rabbi begins, “If prayer is the “key” that opens Hashem’s storehouse of blessing, one might wonder why there are people who acquire wealth and success without ever having to use the key? How does one account for those who have no relationship with Hashem, yet have everything money can buy?”

An echo of the question asked by Prophets, Priest and Kings for generations. It is right that Kings (You), continue to ask this question of GOD?

Can you recall a time in creation when GOD declared over anyone, at anytime, that they shall never want for anything? Someone or something that shall be filled all the days of their life?

Who would GOD desire to satisfy more than His Own Children?

MORE IMPORTANTLY….

Why does GOD grant health and wealth to a person that does not even pray? Prayer is given to man by GOD as a means to partner with GOD and engage in the plans He has for all of mankind.

Prayer connects our lives to GOD. Prayer allows us to exist within GOD and to align ourselves with His purpose.

Yet, we still ask, “Why do I need to live such a glorious life of prayer, when the wicked reject GOD entirely, let alone live a life of prayer?

Good Question.

“And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life” — Genesis 3:14

The serpent shall be filled with dust, all the days of his life. As the Rabbi says, “dust does not appear to be a ‘tasty diet’, but it is plentiful and always accessible.

GOD ensures the serpent will never have a need to call on Him or be in His presence.

And GOD said… the snake, will never go hungry or have any lack. Some may argue, that the snake appears to be more ‘blessed’ than man. But as the Rabbi explains, this was in fact, the serpents ultimate curse.

In regards to man, GOD takes steps to ensure the complete opposite. God let’s man know that he will have to battle for his bread, daily.

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” —Genesis 3:19

Mankind, will require both bread and manna. The need for bread alone will cause us to cry out to GOD, to search for GOD, even blame GOD. At this point, we are not aware of our need for manna from heaven.

Survival, is foremost on our agenda at this moment in the garden. The battle for bread will consume our thoughts.

Our daily need for bread, has the capacity alone to cause us to “forge a bond with Hashem, by coming before Him in prayer.”

On the contrary, the serpent will never have a need for GOD. All his needs have been provided for.

No need for GOD. No need for prayer. All your material needs satisfied. The serpent’s disrespect for GOD, from the beginning has barred him from the Kingdom ever since.

When man finds himself in this condition, he has no spiritual appetite, no longing for GOD, no need to seek GOD’s face. They can easily and wrongfully assume that they hold a superior position, and their tongues begin to walk through the earth in pride.

Every benefit of prayer and relationship with GOD are lost on the satiated man. GOD is Life, and this man has no need of a life in GOD, or closeness with Hashem.

Yet, by satisfying all his needs, GOD has placed this man at a distance. Not out of His reach, but out of His sight. GOD has set them far from Him –Psalm 73:27

“His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.” – Psalm 10:5

Not only, is he out of GOD’s sight, GOD has placed him outside of His courts and His judgments. GOD’s throne is reserved for those who have need of him.

At first glance, the man who prides himself on being self sufficient, independent, morally superior and self satisfied, might self assess their situation as a blessing.

Happy with him or herself, unaware that all their reason to seek GOD has been withheld.

Famine or hunger won’t be the cause of his/her search for GOD. Without adversity of any kind, they may be relegated to live a life void of the presence of GOD.

Prayer could have been their source for their greatest blessing.

When tempted to feel as if the grass is greener on the other side, remember that GOD has chosen to fill you with His Word, and not dust.

You shake the dust from your feet. You will not be consumed. The Word of GOD in you has set you above and not beneath. Your enemies shall consume dust that perishes. You consume the bread of Heaven.

Allowing our needs to draw us closer to GOD, works together for our good. The wealthy and healthy have virtually no reminders of GOD in the earth. They must look deeper, press in harder and longer to find what is already in front of them.

The bible openly reveals that there are times, when prophets, priest and kings have lamented the seeming prosperity of the wicked, but each in his or her turn recognized they possessed the superior position.

Prayerlessness has no prosperity in GOD.

God Bless You,

Amen.

Take a quick look at the interlinear for Gen 3:14 and 3:19. The word for dust (aphar) is the same. Man is formed from the dust of the ground, the aphar. The same dust that the snake is destined to consume, all the days of his life.

NOTE: We will cover this in more detail in the future, just know for now, the dust (the aphar) of Genesis 3, is the substance of the cosmos, created from the finest particles of the universe. –Man is made from stardust. (See addl info below)

Stardust retains a record of it’s origins.

King James Version Sources Cited:

For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. – Psalm 73:3

  • 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
  • 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
  • 6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
  • 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
  • 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
  • 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

Sources Cited Above:

The Testimony of Prophets:

“And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.” -Malachi 3:15

“Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?” -Jeremiah 12:1

“The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly”. –Job 12:6

Habakkuk also asked God, “Why do You remain silent when the wicked devours one more righteous than he?” —Habakkuk 1:13

King David also lamented, “Behold, such are the wicked; they are always at ease and they increase their riches. Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocence because all day long I have been plagued and I am chastised every morning” –Psalms 73:12-14

The Testimony of The Kings:

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” –Psalm 37:7

“When you see the oppression of the poor, and the perversion of justice and righteousness in the state, do not wonder about (God’s) will…” –Proverbs 5:7

“And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.”

Special Notation:

  • Again, per our custom, man does not agree on how much cosmic dust falls to the earth daily. Estimates vary widely. The point to focus on now is that, this is a completely different product than today’s ‘household’ dust, which is a product of dirt, skin, animal dander, waste, mites and other pollutants.
  • Man (You), were not made of this type of dust. Adam, was formed from the finest particles of the universe. Sin had not entered the earth, nor the product of sin, which is death. Therefore, dead skin, waste, dead mites, pollutants, etc were not present in the earth and man was not created from this lower substance.
  • Cosmic dust continues to fall to the earth everyday. This has been constant since the world began.
  • Consider the way in which we gaze into the stars in wonder. Our amazement with the cosmos, is deeply connected to the cosmic ‘stuff’ from which we are made. We instinctively know, we were created from the same substance that exists in the heavens.
  • When Adam was formed from the adamah (ground), GOD was forming Him from the finest particles of the heavens. Our connection to the creation of Adam is in our bones. We can almost feel that we were created from the substance of heaven.
  • We are the stuff of miracles.

Cover Photo by: Eric Nopanen, Unsplash.com

  • Prayer in the Pew: photo by Samuel Martins, Unsplash.com

  • Teachings related to this series on Prayer:
  • Benefits of Prayer:
    • Increases your sensitivity in the spirit realm and to the spirit of GOD.

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

Bible Study, Judeo-Christian Teachings, The Journey Back, What is Torah

26 Benefits and Blessings of Unceasing Prayer…

When We Get Serious About Prayer, Prayer Will Do Serious Things For Us…

” … if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” – Matthew 5:44

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” -Matthew 6:5

torah, obedience and prayer are How We Love on GOD.

Nothing can stop prayer from connecting You to GOD. –Nothing other than you…

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8:38-39

  • The Powers of Prayer are Accessible ALWAYS to the humble.
    • The prideful, arrogant, vain, entitled, angry, etc. need not apply.
    • Humility places you at the head of the line.
    • The humble have the heart and the favor of GOD.
  • Prayer is for the First Responders of Faith.
    • Prayer is our weapon of choice, never a last resort.
    • Prayer enhances all of our other natural strengths…
      • reason, intelligence, logic,
  • Prayer Makes You Mindful of the Presence of GOD.
    • You train/discipline yourself through prayer to stay mindful of the presence of GOD.
  • Daily Expectation of GOD.
    • You discipline yourself to remain in a state of anticipation, to see GOD move.
  • You will check your own spirit before you pray.
    • You will not pray in the flesh.
    • You will search your own heart and try your own reigns… first
      • Prayer strengthens your spirit to reject judgment of others.
  • You will not enter into prayer with secular activities or a secular mindset.
    • You place a premium on separating the sacred from the profane.
  • Your torah studies elevate and strengthen your prayers.
    • You notice a tangible difference in your prayers.
  • You take GOD off of a clock.
    • Your prayers become more focused on the future, eternity vs. temporal.
    • You lose track of time in prayer, to the point of your own amazement.
    • You come to realize how GOD compensates you in time, for all time spent with Him.
    • You expect to wait on GOD, rather than GOD wait on you.
    • You pray to the GOD that was, is and will be…
    • Your prayers become timeless…
    • You begin to understand that prayer can fold time.
    • You confidently place your prayers in time.
    • You pray the, “All Ready Been Done” kind of prayers.
  • Your thoughts will become prayers.
    • Your thoughts more easily and readily line up with the thoughts of GOD.
  • Your conversations will become prayers.
    • Your conversations end with yea and amen.
  • Your dreams become prayers.
    • You begin to awake from sleep with prayerful thoughts.
    • Your dreams become more prophetic.
  • Your decisions are a product of prayer.
    • You become more aware of how you are making decisions…
      • Mindful of GOD and prayerful, or not.
      • A Prayer Lifestyle prevents you from fighting banned battles.
  • You refuse to put up any unwanted barriers between yourself and GOD.
    • Your prayers focused on removing barriers between you and Heaven.
  • You guard your tongue because you won’t risk contaminating your own prayers.
    • You prefer to be silent than to risk speaking evil or spreading vain imaginations.
    • You refuse to waste valuable time pulling down your own vain imaginations/evil speech before you can regain your position of prayer.
    • Your speech/confessions are in agreement with GOD’s Word.
      • Quick to repent.
  • You guard your thoughts, so that you don’t risk losing the anointing power in prayer.
    • Discipline through prayer to control emotions, imaginations, vanities…
    • Superimpose GOD’s Word over and above your thoughts.
      • Will not hesitate to repent.
  • You know before you pray for anything, who you need to pray with.
    • You know who you are yoked with in prayer and who you are not.
  • You know that agreement in prayer is EVERYTHING.
    • Agreement is a powerful weapon.
  • Your vision will become linked to your prayers.
    • You look for the presence of GOD in your interactions and encounters.
    • I call it seeing through the lens of David… when people throw rocks or insults, instead of responding with anger you ask “What is GOD trying to tell me?”
    • Seeking revelation beyond any immediate / temporary provocation.

You give your prayers an assignment.

  • Your prayers become more strategic.
  • Your prayers have targets and you handle the Word like a marksman.
  • You pray for people and incidents that you see as you move throughout your day.
    • From car accidents, to sprained ankles, to mean faces, to harsh words…etc
  • You pray for your enemies as easily and as passionately, as you pray for your loved ones.
    • You will pray for your enemies, as if they are loved ones.
  • You will not complain about making ‘another’ consecration.
    • Your response to making another consecration will not be, “I already did one.”
    • The days of saying, “It’s not that serious”, are over.
  • You long for the closeness prayer brings you with the Spirit.
    • Your One on One time with GOD in Prayer, becomes the most treasured and priceless part of your day.
    • You will not compromise your prayer time.
    • You will make compromises with any other part of your daily schedule.
  • Prayer Brings Forth Light…
    • Effectual Prayer exposes darkness, deceit and deception.
    • Effectual Prayer binds temptation.
    • Effectual Prayer binds pride.
    • Effectual Prayer prevents the temptation to gossip.
    • Prayer binds the evil inclination and wicked speech (loshon hara).
  • Prayer becomes a Garment of protection for the humble.
    • Prayers gives our spirit power to subdue our flesh.
    • Prayer strengthens and nourishes your spirit.
    • Constant and fervent prayer eliminates doubt.
  • Prayer is Partnership with GOD.
    • Prayer keeps us from losing sight of GOD.
    • Prayer keeps us from moving ahead of GOD.
    • Prayer is our methodology that allows us to participate in the plans of GOD.
    • Prayer is how we agree with and engage with, the will of GOD.
    • Prayer gives us the ability to sync up our spirit with the Spirit of GOD.
    • Prayer gives position and power to the humble.
    • Prayer is for the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
      • How is that? Because it takes the humble to pray.

“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” –Matthew 18:4

Everything that lives and moves and has its being is of GOD. EVERYTHING created in the earth, above the earth, beneath the earth must respond to GOD.

“Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.” – Jeremiah 23:23-24

There is no place that your prayers can’t reach to get to GOD!

There is no force on the earth, in the earth, above the earth, or beneath the earth that has the power to control Your prayers—Except You!

Prayer is gifted to the simple….

This teaching is Dedicated to those simple enough to pray unceasingly…

Cover Photo by: Annie Spratt, Unsplash.com

  • Archery photo: 3 archers lined up for shot, by Alex Guillaume, Unsplash.com
  • Face of Young Child: photo by Wadi Lissa, Unsplash.com
  • Timepiece: photo by Sonja Langford, Unsplash.com
  • Prayer on knees: photo by Ben White, Unsplash.com

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.