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by Callibee
Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19
Sound the alarm! Arise and Shine! Open your eyes and see the manifestations of the Lord!! Across the nation (e.g. Maryland and Tennessee) “the waters are breaking!” God is doing a new thing…will you not be aware of it? Count it all joy for the Kingdom of God is here! The birthing of a New Season, a New Year, a New Manifestation of God’s grace and mercy…the ushering in of a “new” wineskin has arrived! Position yourself for the birthing process. Position your hearts. Position your minds in the manner of the prophet Elijah and get in the “birthing” position and P.U.S.H. (pray until something happens) for God is making a “roadway in the wilderness…rivers in the desert (dry places).” For the Spirit of the Lord says to His people, “this is not a time to fear but to look up for your redemption draws neigh. I have redeemed you from the curse of the enemy. I have redeemed you and will protect you in the days to come. Bear fruit and occupy. Bring in My harvest. Stand firm and trust me. Listen and obey when I speak for I will surely bring My people through even the darkest night!”
“A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:8)
A Lion has roared indeed! It’s painfully obvious that we are facing a global crisis. The nations are in a very dark and troubled time. Meanwhile, as the world turns in turmoil, the Jews are in the midst of their High Holiday season. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
“To every thing there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) In Hebrew philosophy, time and seasons present a thematic message or revelation from God to man. That makes it imperative for us to pay attention to what the Spirit is saying at this time.
Across the globe, while the world trembled over the economic crisis, trumpets were blown heralding in the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is characterized by the blowing of the shofar (trumpet) and personal repentance. What caught my attention was the fact that it’s the only Jewish holiday that begins on a new moon, when the moon is dark, not on a bright full moon.
That speaks volumes to me, spiritually. The trumpet is blown in a dark time. This reminds me of Genesis 1:1-3 when darkness and chaos were all around and the Lord spoke and suddenly there was light. The disciple John heard a loud voice, as of a trumpet, behind him while he too was in a rather dark time on the island of Patmos. The voice of a trumpet said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 1:11)
This connection shines a ray of hope, in my heart, for the present day we are living in. The Omega God, the Great I Am, is in the beginning, the middle, and the end of all this. Though the end may not be in sight, He is. He has given us a weapon to help us fix our eyes on Him during those dark, difficult, and stormy times. That weapon is worship!
The Jewish New Year is so different than the one I know. Rosh Hashanah is literally “the head of the year.” To the Jewish people, it is the day on which they crown God as king, and once again accept His sovereign rule and reign over their lives and ultimately their region.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t tremble at what it is going to take for the nations to return to the Lord because I have heard the Lion of Judah roar. This is global and we are all in it together which makes the next connection to this Hebrew Holiday of great importance.
This isn’t just any New Year; this year is a Hakhel year – a Year of Unity. Hakhel means “assemble” and it occurs only once every seven years. (See Deuteronomy 31:10-12) What I am seeing in my spirit and have been writing about is a type of Ezekiel’s army that is gathered together not to war but to worship. As this army worships, kingdom authority is released on earth as it is in heaven. This army isn’t ignorant to the problems but this army worships instead of worries because her eyes are on the One who’s got the whole world in His hands.
I am not talking about being unified in a purpose but rather in a Person. Being unified in a purpose is great and will command God’s blessing, however, we’ve seen it to many times before where unfortunately there are hidden agendas in our heart. We might not even be aware of them, nevertheless, they end up dividing instead of uniting.
An army that is united in a Person, that’s a ship the enemy can’t sink! Let us gather together as one voice across the world, each at our own location and worship the Lord in the full sense of the word for, “Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him!” (Joel 2:14) Beloved, if the people who are called by His name don’t respond, who will?
You may feel like you are only one voice and what can one voice crying out in the wilderness do? My answer is to look at Abraham in Genesis 18:16-33. One man turned back the wrath of God. Many critics would look at chapter 19 and say that Sodom and Gomorrah was still destroyed. Yes, that is true, but before Lot, his wife, and two of his daughters were saved.
Beloved, one voice CAN save a nation! Imagine if believers all across this world become one united voice of worship that trumped the worry of Wall Street. Yes there is a problem but let’s not panic, let’s praise for the Lord inhabits the praise of His people. That’s what we need – Him to inhabit!
On that note, let’s look once again to the Hebrew Holiday’s timetable. Hakhel occurs during the Festival of Sukkot (Tabernacle). Jesus Christ came to dwell/tabernacle (sukkot) with us (see John 1:14). Observant Jews will build a sukkot and make it their home for seven days. “In Him we live and move and have our being….” (Acts 17:28)
Sukkot is a joyous holiday and reminds us of God’s miraculous provision and care that was given after being delivered from Egypt. However, it also serves as a foreshadowing of the Lord’s sheltering presence in our immediate time of need. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2)
I don’t pretend to know what the future holds, but I do know the Lord holds us. God help us if we are indeed living in the hour where people will be asked to “take a mark” in order to receive food, gas, etc. One way or another, I want to spiritually ready as the wolf begins huffing and puffing to sincerely say, “…in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.” (Psalm 63:7b) Amen.
Looking once again at the time and season, Hakhel follows the sabbatical year, a year of rest. Beloved, when we choose to rest in the Lord we are demonstrating inwardly as well as outwardly that we trust Him. We can only worship what we trust.
Two years ago I had a dream. Interestingly enough, I was on a sinking ship but the captain of the ship was not coming up with a “bailout plan”. The dream was very similar to the movie titanic. We were all on the deck. I was sitting holding my husband and daughter and kept whispering “Jesus, Jesus” over and over again. Others around me, even family members, were yelling at me and becoming furious that I wouldn’t be moved. I just sat still whispering His name while the boat continued to sink. As the cold water touched our toes, my family looked at me for reassurance. Without breaking my song, I smiled and nodded at them as if to say, “It’s okay.” knowing this is where the rubber meets the road.
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way….” (Psalm 37:7) The phrase, wait patiently for Him, speaks of someone who is in a difficult situation, one who is suffering and distressed, one who longingly waits while in pain. Yet, we are encouraged to rest and not to fret – staggering. The only way this resting will be possible is if we keep our eyes on Jesus.
Waiting patiently for Him is not passive. While we are being still and knowing that He is God our faith is speaking louder than words ever could. When the situation seems hopeless and we make a choice to rest in Him, warfare is taking place in the spiritual dimension.
God has not left us un-warned or un-prepared. He has released this revelation of worship for just a time as this. The Lion has roared, how will we respond? This is the season. This is time. Let us assemble our hearts and become one worshiping army all across this land.
“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together!” (Psalm 34:3) Amen and Amen
Transitioning Into and Preparing for Spiritual Awakening
Rosh Hashanah is one of the highest holy days on the Jewish
calendar. I have come to understand that God works in times and
seasons and never does anything haphazardly. Over the last four
years since God first launched us out into the healing ministry I
always noticed that each year September would be a significant
month spiritually for us. It was in September of 2002 that our
ministry was birthed and each September following God has
brought a significant change and transition. It was only this last
year that I discovered that September marks the first month of the
original Jewish calendar with Rosh Hashanah marking the first day
of the New Year. I gained a revelation and understanding that the
Jewish Feasts and Holy Days mark important times and seasons in
the Spirit. God still works in line with His original calendar.
A TIME OF TRANSITION AND CHANGE-REALIGNMENTS ARE HAPPENING
September, coming into the Jewish New Year, is often a time of
transition and change. Often times when the Lord brings change
there comes a realignment of things and there is a cutting away
that happens. This brings a realignment of the Body so that we
are in the right place at the right time for the purposes of the
Kingdom. I believe for many in the Body of Christ they are entering
into a new season in their lives where God is calling them to leave
the old behind and step into the new. Things of the past that have
hindered and impeded our forward motion must be left behind if
we are to move upward in God’s purpose and call. It truly is a time
where God is stripping and removing everything that would hinder
our race in Him. As we transition into the new we must
understand what He is doing and what things He is requiring of us
to leave behind. This transition will be different for each one of us
depending on God’s unique plan and destiny for our lives. We
must have an ear to hear Him in this season.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO CARBON COPY OLD PATTERNS
God is breaking out of the box. We must be very careful in this
next season not to pattern ourselves after models of the past,
even good models. We must not carbon copy ourselves after
patterns of ministry that worked in the last season. God is doing a
new thing. To move into the new wineskin we must remain very
pliable and sensitive to what God is doing and how He is moving.
This will require a keen sensitivity to His voice and a boldness not
to blend in and go with the flow. It will require a heart of total
obedience and death to self.
Lev. 23:23-32 share about the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement.
There is both historical and prophetic significance in each feast.
The first three feasts deal with the first coming of Christ while the
last three look forward to His Second Coming. Each feast will be
fulfilled historically through the life of Christ.
The Feasts still hold great significance for us today.
Jesus said in Mt.5:17 “Think not that I have come to destroy the
Law, or the prophets. I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
Col. 2:16-17 also indicates that these feasts are a “shadow of
things to come.”
Things that have been concealed in the Old Testament have now
been revealed through the life of Christ.
THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS – BEGINNING A NEW YEAR SPIRITUALLY
Sept. 29, 2008 marks the day of Rosh Hashanah, beginning the
spiritual New Year. This day begins the period known as the Ten
Days of Awe and ends in Yom Kippur and the Day of Atonement.
Rash Hashanah is also known as the Feast of Trumpets. According
to the World Book Encyclopedia during this festival the Jewish
people pray for God’s forgiveness, for a good new year and for
long life. According to Jewish tradition this day is the beginning of
God’s annual judgment of humanity.
During this spiritual season the eyes of God are searching our
hearts. It is a time to:
Humble ourselves before God and let Him search and judge our
hearts. We must have a contrite attitude and repent of all sin.
Pray God’s blessing over the New Year.
Pray God’s blessing for a long and healthy life in Christ.
The World Book Encyclopedia indicates that Jewish services on
Rash Hashanah emphasize judgment, penitence and forgiveness.
A shofar is blown to call the people to a place of repentance of sin
and to be awakened to holy service to God.
During this season there is a call going out to holiness and power!
As we transition into the new season we will see two very
important streams running parallel to each other in the Church.
There will be a stream of very deep holiness along with a stream of
extraordinary power.
The days of mixture are over where people have operated in the
anointing in public and lived in sin in private. God is calling us to a
higher standard and to a place of spiritual maturity. God is
bringing the Church into a place of true son-ship. For this to
happen we must experience His holy, loving discipline so we can
mature into the place of holiness and power He is calling us into.
God is dealing with all mixture in the heart of the Church,
corporately and individually. There is a greater glory coming and in
order to hold its weight we must have a firm, strong foundation.
When you are building the foundation of a house, it must be strong
in order to handle the weight. As the cement is mixed there can be
no sand or stone mixed in with it or it will become weak and
brittle. When the weight of the house is placed on top of it, it will
crack and break. As the power of God increases on the Church we
must have an even more solid foundation. God is taking all the
mixture out so we can handle the pure power of the Holy Spirit.
In this season of Awakening we will see two parallel streams:
holiness and power.
We don’t always know what is in our hearts. If there is something
that must be purged, God will purge it.
This is a time and season where we need to humble ourselves and
let God search and cleanse our hearts.
WHAT WE SOW NOW WILL DETERMINE THE DIRECTION FOR THE COMING YEAR
The position we take before God will determine the direction of the
rest of the year. What we sow now will release a harvest for the
coming year. Rosh Hashanah is known as the “Head of the Year”.
Jewish tradition says that this day marks the anniversary of the
creation of the world and is the day when God takes stock of
creation. Just as the head directs the body so God’s judgments on
Rosh Hashanah direct the events of the coming year.
I shared earlier that it is very important what we sow during this
season. The seeds we sow will come into quick harvest. Since
Rosh Hashanah begins a season of God’s judgment, we must be
very careful not to sow seeds of judgment into the lives of others.
When I talk about God’s judgment some will jump on that and
say ‘Yeah! Man is so sinful God is just going to destroy the world!’
When I say judgment I don’t mean God’s destruction. God’s
judgment is always redemptive and His discipline is always in love
and with encouragement. Correction that comes without
encouragement is not from God’s heart. His discipline always
encourages us to rise higher; it never discourages us nor knocks
us down. That is usually the work of a critical, judgmental spirit.
In Mt 7:1-2 Jesus exhorts His disciples “Judge not, that you be not
judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged;
and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
We must be sure to keep a humble heart and not sow critical, fault
finding judgment into the lives of others. That kind of judgment will
release a harvest you don’t want in your life. The measure you
sow will equal the measure that comes back to you.
God will allow this reaping to expose what is in our own hearts.
Many times we don’t even know everything that is within us, nor
what is driving us to feel the things we feel. Usually false
judgment starts with an offense. That offense may not even be
grounded in absolute truth. It may result just from a difference of
opinion or style. We think our way is better and become critical of
others. This is actually a self righteous spirit and does not
communicate the pure heart of God.
DISCERNMENT V. ACCUSATION – KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE
It is important to understand the difference between discernment
and accusation. Spiritually immature people don’t know how to
distinguish the two. They begin to operate in a spirit of accusation
thinking they are operating with the heart of God when they are
actually coming into agreement with the wrong voice, the voice of
the enemy. The enemy’s voice can sound very self righteous and
indignant. If we are not spiritually mature enough to check our
inward attitudes we can easily come into agreement with this voice
and become a ‘crusader’ for judgment and accusation thinking we
are helping people by pointing out everything we think is wrong.
This can be a dangerous place when we step into agreement with
the accuser of the brethren and begin to sow division rather than
love, encouragement and restoration in people’s lives. God has
called us to be agents of healing and love, not division. Be very
careful that your discernment doesn’t cross the line into
accusation. Those are seeds you do not want to be sowing.
When we are operating in true discernment from the Holy Spirit our
hearts will overflow with love for that individual and we will
respond like Jesus. Jesus laid His life down for others. The main
purpose for discernment is prayer. If we lay down our lives for
others in loving prayer, then God’s hand will move beautifully in
their hearts bringing the change that is needed and we don’t even
have to say a word. Our job is to pray with a right spirit and then
speak only if we have earned that place in a person’s life through
loving relationship, trust and humility. Prov. 27:6 says “Faithful are
the wounds of a friend.” The key word here is ‘friend’. These
wounds are easily healed because they are full of heartfelt love.
Jesus never threw stones or spoke hurtful words. He rebuked the
religious people from time to time, but never cast stones at those
caught in a sin. He would confront sin when needed but at the
same time would offer perfect, eternal love with a heart of mercy
and restoration. We must hate sin, but always remember to love
the sinner. We must also be careful not to judge someone just
because they have a different style or way of doing things. Style is
not a sin issue. Man judges by the external, but God always looks
at the heart. We must be careful to look with God’s eyes and not
our own.
A GOOD TIME TO TAKE STOCK
If you have ever been the victim of false accusation or judgment, it
is a good time to take stock of your own heart and ask
yourself, “Have I ever sowed this into someone else’s life? Have I
ever had a critical, fault-finding attitude toward someone else?”
Maybe you have, maybe you haven’t. But it is good to check.
Sometimes we have such a sense of conviction with our judgments
that we are sure we have God’s heart. Not always. We can be
sincere, but sincerely wrong about another individual. We are all
susceptible to this deception if not careful.
As we move into the next season God has for us, the position to
take is that of humility, searching and judging our own hearts so
that we ourselves are not judged. It is also a time to pray for
God’s blessing and favor on the New Year.
Following Rash Hashanah is the Ten Days of Awe leading into The
Day of Atonement on Oct. 9, 2008.
The Day of Atonement is the day the High Priest would go into the
Holy of Holies and apply the blood of the sacrifice to the mercy seat
to atone for the sins of the people from the previous year. There
was no barrier between the High Priest and the full manifested
glory of God.
I believe that as we humble ourselves before God and embrace the
sacrifice of the cross in a new way in our lives, we will experience a
depth of intimacy and communion with God deeper than we have
ever known before. There will be no barrier between us and the
glory as we embrace the work of the cross. Humility opens the
way for us to go deep into a pure communion with God.
It will be out of this place that we reap the amazing Harvest that is
awaiting us. Not only a harvest of God’s mercy and love in our own
lives, but a harvest of global proportions as we see the heart of
humanity turn towards God in this last hour. Get ready to move in
His extraordinary power based in a life of holiness, humility and
extraordinary love. The best is yet to come!
