Cure For The Lukewarm Blues

Before the old boy and I got married, he asked me a very important question. "What will we do if our love for each other begins to grow cold and die?"

I answered, " We will look back and remember all of the great times we have had and we will reminisce about them!" ...and that is what we do!

The reason I answered my husband this way, is because I learned this from reading the Bible. Many of the Psalms recall the great things Adonai has done for His people and how He has delivered them despite their sin and rebellion. All of the Psalmists often encouraged themselves in the Lord by recalling the great things Abba had done for them.

There is a reason for what is said in Deuteronomy 6:5-9
and you are to love ADONAI your God with all your heart, all your being and all your resources. These words, which I am ordering you today, are to be on your heart; and you are to teach them carefully to your children. You are to talk about them when you sit at home, when you are traveling on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead, and write them on the door- frames of your house and on your gates.

You see, not only does it teach us a proper fear and respect for our mighty God, it also reminds us of His great love and mercy for His children. When I recall even the seemingly little things Abba has done for me, it makes my heart so full of love for Him! The very fact that He would bless, help and deliver little ol' me is just astounding! He made a way for me to be clean in His eyes through His Son, Yeshua.

I love to hear the awesome things He has done for others, too. People's testimonies greatly encourage me. I never get tired of them. We must not ever be afraid to tell people what our Father has done for us because it glorifies Him and encourages others!

So now, when the old boys says, "Remember the time...." and goes on to talk about something fun, or embarrassing that happened to us...even a silly fight, it puts joy in our hearts and we suddenly find ourselves holding hands with smiles on our faces.

If you feel your relationship with Abba is growing stagnant or lukewarm, please begin to recall all of the many ways our faithful God, King of the Universe has rescued and been kind and loving to us. I am sure it will begin to rekindle the fire again!

Psalms 111
 Halleluyah!
I will wholeheartedly give thanks to ADONAI
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
 The deeds of ADONAI are great,
greatly desired by all who enjoy them.
 His work is full of majesty and splendor,
and his righteousness continues forever.
 He has gained renown for his wonders.
ADONAI is merciful and compassionate.
 He gives food to those who fear him.
He remembers his covenant forever.
 He shows his people how powerfully he works
by giving them the nations as their heritage.
 The works of his hands are truth and justice;
all his precepts can be trusted.
 They have been established forever and ever,
to be carried out truly and honestly.
 He sent redemption to his people
and decreed that his covenant should last forever.
His name is holy and fearsome-
 the first and foremost point of wisdom is the fear of ADONAI;
all those living by it gain good common sense.
His praise stands forever.

Some Trust In Chariots

Psalms 20:7 (KJV)
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:
but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Someone recently asked me to explain how I prepare physically and spiritually for the hard times I see coming. I gave the person my short answer which I will try to explain in more detail here.

I have found that the best way to prepare for times of trouble and persecution is to get very serious with our Abba and be very honest with Him. I have told Him that even though sometimes I think I am very strong and people may think and say that I am, I am actually way, way too weak to deal with the things I see coming. I have been so very afraid at times that all I could do is cry and tell Him how weak I am! Ha! Like He doesn't know that!!! After much seeking and prayer, I can say that I have peace that my God will be strong on my behalf in my times of my need, every time! Not a minute too soon. Not a minute too late!

I do not believe He is telling me to build an Ark or a Goshen at this point, and I am in no position to do either of these right at this time. I always have a little supply of food and water for emergencies as we all should. Instead, He is telling me to give to the poor and do all I can to help others. Now, if you are seriously seeking Abba about this and you are sure He is calling you to build an Ark, or a "Goshen" so to speak, you seriously need to obey Him! I know some who are, and I believe they are hearing from our Father.

The best thing is to directly ask Abba what He wants you to do and to please give you the wisdom, strength and means with which to do it. He WILL show you, but you must listen very closely for Him and get very serious about it. Most times He shows just a little bit at a time.

It is good to take time to fast...yes, I said that word that most believers hate to hear ...but seriously, there is power in fasting and praying!  Things really happen and it shows Abba that you are very serious! Fasting always involves giving up some kind of food, if not all food and even water sometimes too from what I see in the Word. It is a sad thing that people of other religions are far more faithful to fast and pray than those of us who follow Yeshua/Jesus !

Please be very, very careful that you do not put your trust in the earthly things you may have stored up! Our trust should be in Adonai (the Lord) and Him only! I cannot stress this enough. Again, the number one, best way to prepare is to have a right relationship with Yeshua and to follow Him. We must constantly stay in His "secret place" in prayer, the Word, praise, worship and thanksgiving. Corrie Ten Boom's sister, Betsie, thanked God for the fleas in the concentration camp they were in. Corrie half-heartedly went along with it, but could not understand why Abba would want them to be thankful for fleas, until she noticed that the awful prison guards stayed away because of them! This gave the women more time to preach and teach the Word to the other women who were there!

Please begin to learn as much scripture as possible because our precious Bibles may be gone one day. Learning the Word through song works best for me. Psalm 91 is my favorite passage. It encourages me and gives me hope. I know the King James Version of Psalm 91, but the Complete Jewish Bible is very beautiful as well:

Psalm 91
 You who live in the shelter of 'Elyon [Most High],
who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai [the Almighty],
 who say to ADONAI, "My refuge! My fortress!
My God, in whom I trust!"-
 he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter
and from the plague of calamities;
 he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his truth is a shield and protection.
 You will not fear the terrors of night
or the arrow that flies by day,
 or the plague that roams in the dark,
or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.
 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand;
but it won't come near you.
 Only keep your eyes open,
and you will see how the wicked are punished.
 For you have made ADONAI, the Most High,
who is my refuge, your dwelling- place.
 No disaster will happen to you,
no calamity will come near your tent;
 for he will order his angels to care for you
and guard you wherever you go.
 They will carry you in their hands,
so that you won't trip on a stone.
 You will tread down lions and snakes,
young lions and serpents you will trample underfoot.
 "Because he loves me, I will rescue him;
because he knows my name, I will protect him.
 He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him when he is in trouble.
I will extricate him and bring him honor.
 I will satisfy him with long life
and show him my salvation."

Leave It In Father's Hands

Sometimes, people share things with me that I cannot comprehend because I have not been through it myself. I do feel their pain so very deeply, but feel so helpless when there are no words to comfort them. Maybe I am not supposed to comfort them, though. Maybe Abba wants to be their comfort. If He uses me, that's great, but I must learn to leave things in His hands. This can be the most difficult thing. I have often said, the worst thing I still hurt over from the death of my child is the fact that she suffered so much pain. I just cannot bear to see anybody suffering, yet I have suffered and it has been okay. Ah, that "fix it" mentality is very strong in some of us, yet there are wounds so very deep that only Yeshua can fix - but fix them, HE can!

There are a lot of things I do not understand at all. I am just a simple woman and have come to the conclusion that if a small child cannot understand some of the theology and stuff I hear talked about, perhaps it is not even meant for me to understand.

Corrie Ten Boom tells the story about how she and her father were on the train in Holland. She had been reading a book, which made her ask her daddy a question about sex. Her father thought for a little bit and told her to pick up his heavy case which was full of watch repairing equipment. She basically told her daddy that she could not pick up the bag! It was way to heavy for her!  He told her that that is the way it is with certain things in this life. They are too heavy for us, so we must let our Heavenly Father carry them.

Isaiah 42:3-4 (CJB)
He will not snap off a broken reed
or snuff out a smoldering wick.
He will bring forth justice according to truth;
 he will not weaken or be crushed
until he has established justice on the earth,
and the coastlands wait for his Torah. "

I am probably not interpreting this in the way it was intended,  but this always speaks to my heart about the kindness and gentleness of Yeshua. To me, it also puts His strength into perspective. The KJV puts it this way: "A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench"

Many of us are very bruised and about ready to break. Some of us are only just a dull ember, yet He will not snuff us out! Many times, He chooses to use the ones who are just clinging to dear, spiritual life and this way, we know it is from Him! He alone gets the glory and revives our hearts once more!

Oh dear Abba Father! Please fan the flames that want to die. Please make yourself known and deliver your precious children in this cold, dark world, for how can anyone stand without You? We love you and search for you everywhere! In Yeshua's precious Name! Amein ~