RECIPES FOR SUCCESS WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL
Week's issue:27/01/22
TOPIC:Part 4.
When God appears to be in waiting mode whilst we are running out of Patience😓😨😰😣!!
Joshua 6 Tree of Life Version First read Joshua 6:6-11 or Click to read online
The phase of attainment of maturity in sensory perception is also the moment of choice. This is because man faces 'temptation' to choose between God's way and his own sensory informed way. Once he has 'knowledge' that knowledge has a constant pull on his/her decision-making process.
Temptation: What does this temptation consist of. It is a constant draw between either following the order of the beast or the order or pattern of God. When Moses also reached maturity as a man he faced the temptation of carrying out the purposes of God in his own strength. Click to read Exodus 2:11-20 about Moses during his escape from the threat of death in Egypt. It was also the start of a 40-year waiting season in his life.
Moses' initial attempts to rescue his people provide us with an example of why we need to wait on Adonai instead of rushing into Situations in our own strength. Instead of delivering his people, Moses becomes a fugitive(a wanted man by Pharoah) no doubt with a prize on his head! The process of relying on our expertise, human capabilities, and sensory perception is how humanity to a large extent operates.
This challenge is faced by other Bible characters who worked in collaboration with Adonai to usher in His purposes on earth. Each of them was tested in their faith! One of the most common areas in which this has occurred in the lives of each of all three Patriarchs is through waiting patiently for Adonai to answer a specific prayer request although they probably had their own thoughts on how to fulfill their long-awaited desire.
REFLECTION BASED ON SCRIPTURE:
🏹Two weeks ago(this is being sent on 8th February 2022) I shared some insights from scripture about the nature of Adonai, Our Lord God Almighty, and highlighted some of the various clues Adonai has given us within Scriptures that the events which occurred in scripture were carefully orchestrated by Him. An essential pattern revealed through scripture for us to identify is that Adonai has worked consistently in collaboration with chosen human vessels to impact human affairs.
Refer to our Scripture verses in Joshua 6 Tree of Life Version First read Joshua 6:6-11 or Click to read online
The verse above highlights the journey of the Israelites. After six days of waiting, three million Israeli immigrants were now poised to enter their inheritance: Canaan Land! They had arrived at the outskirts of the Sinai desert. After having left Shittim on one side of river Jordan they proceeded through to the other side of the river Jordan: Adonai, their God(The Almighty) had enabled them to cross by making a way through the Jordan at a time when it was in flood stage and had overflowed its banks; this was at the time of harvest.Joshua 3:14-17 After the Jordan crossing, Adonai instructs them to await Seven days before He causes the insurmountable wall of Jericho to collapse. This waiting period provides us with insights into the nature of Adona, which are consistent with how He is revealed in other portions of scripture.
What is a season of waiting?
A season of waiting is any period between a present dissatisfied phase and our desired, expected or dream fulfillment phase in the will of God. By the will of God, I am referring to the fulfillment of the Purposes and Plan of God for our lives. So my assumption is that individuals reading this primarily aspire to be in God's destiny for their lives.💜
Let us highlight some scenarios: Have you ever wondered why you have remained a Single Christian, although your own desire and prayer have been and still is be married? Perhaps you have even turned down offers of marriage from others not sharing in your faith and commitment!! Meanwhile, God does not appear to have come through for you yet! Have you wondered why?
Perhaps you know of a Christian turning down a lucrative job opportunity that requires working on all weekend days of worship in the month. Yet in spite of significant sacrifices that even involved placing God's purposes ahead of their own, they continue to endure an extended season of waiting! Perhaps as a Christian business person, you have abided by highly ethical principles, meanwhile, your contemporaries who have been unethical appear to be excelling more in business! Do some or all of the above scenarios apply to your personal situation or someone you know? Then you are among those of us that can identify with being in a season of waiting! This usually applies to nearly all of us, with very few exceptions! Because we are all a work in progress in the hands of Elohim.
Last week I highlighted the fact that through scriptural research on the patterns of God's dealing with the nation of Israel, I have identified 8 phases within any waiting season. I believe these phases have a practical life relevance for many of us. Learning to exercise patience during the phases of waiting in our journey of faith is ESSENTIAL to the fulfillment of God-given promises.
RECAP:
In Part 3 of this series, I discussed Phases 1,2,3 of our season of waiting! Phase 1 is characterized by the darkness of uncertainty and unexplained events within our lives! Our lives essentially are scenarios of chaos and darkness until Adonai brings Divine Order into it? Life at this within that phase is characterized by unfavorable but unexplained events! An extended season of waiting which is testimony to the fact that a work of Restoration to divine Order is either required or in process within our lives! Please click on to Philippians 2:13-15 for illustration
PHASE 4
In todays' Recipe for Success, I shall continue with phases 4,5, and 6 by discussing the significance of individual days 4,5,6 when the Israelites encircled the walls of Jericho.
Do remember this underlying truth: even when it has not been so obvious, to human thinking or logic Adonai, our Lord is certainly at work!
Please pause and briefly reflect on the following questions:
Are you waiting for God to reveal His plan about an aspect of your life? Have you asked Him to reveal His will to you but still find yourself waiting without an obvious response? Please click on this reference to undergo the 'James test' for obtaining wisdom from God James 1:2-6
Reading from the Epistle of James in the New Testament, to obtain wisdom from God we need to A)First of all, ask Him and B)Secondly ask in Faith and C)Thirdly examine our motivation and ensure it is aligned with His and not driven purely by our passions!
Provided we have undergone the above 'James Test' we can expect the Holy Spirit to lead us to the will of God.
When God's will is known His unique destiny for our lives is also revealed to us. Which is a revelation of our primary calling in our earthly life until eternity.
Now let us explore some references to day 4 or figure 4 in scripture:
On Day 4 of creation Elohim(Creator God) designed the signs and seasons that set in place the days and the years within His creation. That is how we have been able to mark the period of our earthly existence.Please click on this link Genesis 1:14-19 .
In the book of Esther Esther 5:1-8 it was on the fourth day that Queen Esther unburdens King Xerxes with what was on her heart. That sparked an episode that led to the redemption of the Jewish people from destruction within that regime.
In the book of Revelation, there are four living creatures in the middle of and surrounding the throne of God each having six wings, full of eyes all around and within.[c] They do not rest day or night, Revelation 4:6-8 TLV . Please also refer to Revelation 5:6-8
and Revelation 5:14.
The number 4 refers to the phase of divine revelation. Revelation from God's presence is symbolized by 'eyes' in Revelation 4:6-8 TLV .
This revelation from God's presence is assigned to the Individual human illustrated by the six wings in Revelation 4:6-8 TLV 'Six' is the designated number for humankind and the beasts of the field who were both created on day 6 of creation Genesis 1:26-29
Wings illustrate speedy transmission to man by revelation. Angels appear with wings illustrating they are not limited by distance or time.I have highlighted the above so we can also follow up on this theme in our personal devotion and further study of the above Scriptural references.
But the principled lesson: In each of us is untapped potential, undiscovered destiny. We were designed to individually reflect Elohim, including His attributes and His creativity, and His imprint in a way that is unique from others.No one within our past, our present, and our future has ever represented, is currently reflecting or would ever reflect! THERE IS THEREFORE NO NEED FOR COMPETITION WITHIN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
This is why our Soul is priceless: Please click Mark 8:36-38 and Psalm 49;8. Our fingerprint and DNA are unique. We are on God's database, not because we are being targeted as potential criminals but due to the immeasurable value, He has placed on us.
Elohim has even numbered the hairs on our hair, numbered our days on this planet so each day accounts for this amazing vocation of reflecting the glory of Elohim. He has sanctioned all the beasts of the field, the elements of nature, the forces of evil against bringing harm on us whilst we fulfill His assignment and assigned guarding angels to protect us so we can fulfill it.Psalm 91:1-11
In spite of our Godgiven potential, we are unable to appropriate the resources that we are endowed with until our unique identity in Yeshua is discovered. This is the primary function of the Holy Spirit in us after we are born anew . In scripture, there are examples of God the Holy Spirit making a visitation to individuals sometimes in dramatic supernatural ways and on other occasions in quiet undemonstrative ways. The common denominator is that He comes to reveal to our unique identity in Him, in Christ (in Yeshua). Yeshua(Jesus) said my father and I will manifest ourselves to the one abiding in the word. Refer to John 14;23-24 TLV.
Note that the timing of this revelation is after the loss of our old identity(old nature), which exists apart from and independent of Yeshua. It is often the case that we become more open to the revelation of the Holy Spirit when we are at the end of our own efforts! The place whereby we recognize.2 Corinthians 5:17-21 TLV our utter dependence of Christ you emerge from after you have been tested in your wilderness. NOTE IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE A CONVERT TO THE MESSIAH(CHRIST) WITHOUT HAVING MADE THIS DISCOVERY OF ONE'S IDENTITY IN HIM. The true revelation might occur at a later stage of one's faith journey usually after a personal crisis has occurred. Christian Author Catherine Marshall describes her own wilderness experience in a book 'Light in my darkest night'book by Catherine Marshall's that I recommend. She had been a Christian for years before a personal family crisis became her wake-up call. After emerging from that crisis she made fresh discoveries that inspired her Christian walk of faith. Halleluah🙌
Phase 4, of your waiting season, therefore, is perhaps halfway through your wilderness season. When the element of the light bolt moment of receiving the revelation of your identity is part of your Christian experience. Discovering how you fit in God's master sovereign plan. This is the phase within a season of waiting when they embrace your unique identity and place in Adonai, Lord's plans. Phase 4 is when you reemerge from deep contrition and Consecration(phase 2), the Commitment to a new life and a new direction( phase 3), and you are empowered by the joy of discovery! This discovery is about yourself! Your unique divinely endowed imprint of destiny! Certainly a time of great celebration🙌🙌
I have edited and shortened my reflection on Phase 4, so please do reach out if you need more clarification. In summary Phase 4 is an event or a process involving divine initiative to enable individual discovery of Adonai's plan in that individual's life. When we respond to Adonai's initiative by carrying out His corresponding instructions that accompany the revelation received we attain results that impact others other than ourselves: This is what we do in Phase 5 of our waiting season. Some never get there, because they are stuck in the mountaintop afterglow experience of the last personal revelation they received.
PHASE 5
Phase 5 in our season of waiting could be a celebratory period of our uniqueness provided we respond to God's initiative that we receive during phase 4 of our waiting season. It is when we play our part in responding to the Calling of God that we received by the discovery we have made. Without our corresponding action and obedience to the instructions we receive, we will remain stuck at the same place: This is the place of the last revelation we received from Adonai. If we remain stuck with the 'afterglow' of the last encounter we had with the Holy Spirit of God, that is all we are getting! Something to reminisce about via a constant visit to the memory lane within our thoughts👶.We won't mature in our season of waiting unless we validate the personal revelation we received and go bear some fruit by exercising some faith! By walking the walk and not just talking the talk!
This could be our fruit-bearing phase provided we are prepared to exert some effort! Seeds are planted in our thoughts as individuals when we discover our unique identity within Lord Adonai's plans. There may be challenges notwithstanding. We may have encountered God in a dry and thirsty land. But with the revelation also comes the equipping! After the equipping, we are responsible for our individual assignment! Where God guides He also provides and the seeds of revelation when planted would result in fruit on our desert situation which will blossom.
This discovery is in the form of a directional word that we received. It is set within the confines of the written word of God(Does not contradict the logos and is not weird or outlandish). Always wise to submit it for testing just as Joshua did after he heard from the LordJoshua 1:1-9. Joshua believed the word and was prepared to obey and yet he sought confirmation by secretly sending two spies to survey the land and they returned with the confirmation he needed Joshua 2 TLV
Acting on Divine instructions which accompany divine revelation received enables Adonai our Lord's words to takes root in us! it results in an incorruptible seed that was introduced in the soil of our hearts to deepen its roots in us and grow to produce fruit after its kind.
As we ACT on DIVINE INSTRUCTION our obedience and the results which accompany that obedience becomes infectious and then contagious! Phase 5 can set the trajectory for further growth and maturity in our lives. It sets in motion a cataclysmic set of events which creates an atmosphere for faith in Adonai and one where miracles are manifested!
BUT WITHOUT PLAYING HIS PART,
BY RESPONDING TO THE INDIVIDUALISED REVELATION HE RECEIVED IN JOSHUA 1:1-9,
WE WOULD CERTAINLY NOT HAVE READ ABOUT THE PARTING OF THE JORDANJoshua 3:14-17 TLVATTAIN THE NEXT PHASE, WHICH IS THE PHASE OF MATURITY REQUIRED TO GIVE US AN EDGE CLOSER TO OUR BREAKTHROUGH!
Now for an illustration let's understudy the example of Moses. After receiving that revelation Moses had a responsibility: He was given the choice to do something about it. To act in trust even though there would be obstacles. So He did and although he paid a heavy price He was never deterred from that individual idea of personal revelation.
Before experiencing His burning Bush moment he spent a season in the Wilderness, where he learns to wait. But first, he meets the daughters of Jethro, the Midianite Priest. Through that meeting, Adonai provides for him the shelter of family life when he marries one of priest Jethro's daughters, Zipporah. Now as a father raising a family, his focus is directed to the quiet life of a Shepherd. He stays away from Egypt for 40 years, tending the sheep of his father-in-law. It appears during this season of waiting that Egypt is no longer his primary occupation. Then Moses has an encounter with Adonai in the wilderness through the burning bush experience. Please click Exodus 3:1-21
He is empowered by Adonai during this encounter and commissioned back to Egypt to lead his people out of Slavery. Upon his return, he is successful this second time around in his God-given task of delivering his people.
How does this apply to us individually? God is the Creator of our entire universe. He is the creator of mankind and He certainly does not waste His time creating nobodies. Everyone is created with a purpose. God uses our crises episodes within the wilderness to generate a response in our human will to help create the conditions for His will. So we would reflect on him. Friends and family is there any association between leading the flock of Sheep belonging to his father-in-law Jethro and leading the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt? Definitely! Moses recognized that his destiny was to be an instrument of deliverance for his fellow Hebrews. If only he had also recognized that he could only succeed in accomplishing with Adonai's help.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IS INVOLVED!
To the extent that Yeshua, Ben Elohim says 'Let your light so shine before men(and women) that they may see your good works and glorify you Father in heaven. Personal responsibility is involved in 'letting our light shine' because this is our response! In other words, it is something we do! Divine initiative comes in Phase 4, through a personal revelation we receive! That needs to be followed by our response in the form of corresponding actions in phase 5. It is a collaboration and you do not get results without that collaboration! Divine revelation alone is ineffective without human response to that revelation!
Anyone who either declines to respond with the corresponding action to God's revelation to them or procrastinates rather than act in response would not see the effectiveness of God at work in their lives until they take action:See Hebrews 4:1-7 for an illustration about those who missed out, for that reason.
If whilst reading this you feel the strengthening tug of God's conviction at your heartstrings please stop reading for a moment and relinquish it all to the Lord.
Alternatively, join in this prayer of Consecration. Please let this be your reconnect to Yeshua, the anointed one, to Christ;
' Heavenly Father I give to you all that I am and all that I have the best way I know-how. Please take what I give to you and use it to the glory and praise of your holy name, Amen.
What impact does waiting have on the lives of people of God and why does Adonai require waiting as the gold standard test of our faith? Waiting provides clarity! It resolves the issue of what our motivation is? Corresponding actions require a necessary balance as well. We have to ensure we take constant self-inventory by asking: Are we reliant on our sensory experience and expertise of how to accomplish our purpose or destiny in God or are we dependent on the Lord to the letter of His guidance? We will make further reference to this in our next phase.
TRAINING LEADS TO FULL MATURITY:Being fruitful and having results is God's ultimate objective for revealing Himself to us in Phase 4.He places such a high priority on our response to His revelation to the degree He wants us to bear even more fruit by equipping us to full maturity beyond the Phase 5 of our waiting season. His method for leading us to full maturity is training, where we understudy a mentor,a Godgiven role model. Of course Jesus Christ is our primary example however, even he was raised by human parents.Therefore our mentors are human imperfect, however the process of training perfects us.This is the pruning process Jesus Christ refers to, which brings out the maturity, more perfect quality in usJohn 15:1-7
PHASE 6
Day 6 represents Phase 6 the phase of full maturity, skill, and expertise in sensory perception. Knowledge and understanding have been attained to operate independently from parents and guardians! This is a necessary phase of growth that is shared by both man and the beasts of the field. Both are designed to operate within the foray of the natural terrestrial material universe.
Both were created on day 6 by Adonai, our creator God. Creation finishes on day Six, reflecting the fullness of humanity. In scripture, the number 6 can be attributed to a lifestyle informed by sensory perception by which both humankind and beast relate to their environment. However, there is e difference between the two. Mankind is created in the image of God and has been created to have dominion.
The phase of attainment of maturity in sensory perception is also the moment of choice. This is because man faces 'temptation' to choose between God's way and his own sensory informed way. Once he has 'knowledge' that knowledge has a constant pull on his/her decision-making process.
Temptation: What does this temptation consist of. It is a constant draw between either following the order of the beast or the order or pattern of God. When Moses also reached maturity as a man he faced the temptation of carrying out the purposes of God in his own strength. Click to read Exodus 2:11-20 about Moses during his escape from the threat of death in Egypt. It was also the start of a 40-year waiting season in his life.
Moses had been in a hurry to address the tragic situation of enslavement that his fellow Hebrews were living in. He was in such a hurry to change things, he hardly factored waiting into the equation. That strategy had been abortive and resulted in the murder of an Egyptian, deceit when he attempted to conceal his crime. It also ended very ingloriously after he escaped from what will have been certain arrest and punishment at the hands of Pharoah.
After his plan A had failed he was left without any options and no choice but to undergo a 40 year period of separation from his people, his family during a season of waiting! Let us take the cue when our own plans create mayhem, disorder, and strife within our lives. Perhaps it is time to let Adonai lead us to our wilderness season, in order to complete a season of waiting, refuel and refire us back to our assignment of destiny! Amen!
Before Moses the deliverer of the Hebrews arrived on the scene, all that they knew was a life of Slavery and servitude at the hands of the Egyptian regime of Pharoah. One day Moses attained physical maturity. He attained Phase 6 and when he did, the period of temptation to rely on his physical sensory expertise became too difficult to resist. He attempted singlehandedly to start an insurrection against Pharoah's wicked rule of enslaving his people. His attempts were futile and his life is now in danger he had to escape what will have been certain death at the hands of Pharoah,
Moses' initial attempts to rescue his people provide us with an example of why we need to wait on Adonai instead of rushing into Situations in our own strength. Instead of delivering his people, Moses becomes a fugitive(a wanted man by Pharoah) no doubt with a prize on his head! The process of relying on our expertise, human capabilities, and sensory perception is how humanity to a large extent operates.
This challenge is faced by other Bible characters who worked in collaboration with Adonai to usher in His purposes on earth. Each of them was tested in their faith! One of the most common areas in which this has occurred in the lives of each of all three Patriarchs is through waiting patiently for Adonai to answer a specific prayer request although they probably had their own thoughts on how to fulfill their long-awaited desire.
In most cases, the initiative has come from Adonai: He makes a promise to an individual Patriarch and then keeps them anticipating its fulfillment, oftentimes this involves for them an extended season of waiting. During the period of waiting they face a temptation to carry out God's purpose in their own strength or expertise. When they do it leads to disastrous consequences for them and their family until God's redemptive plan comes into effect.
Most of the world including the Canaanites who relied on the sealed City of Jericho and its wall for their security was operating in human expertise at Phase 6. It was the time of the Bronze Age, at about 1400 BC. That was the code that matched the strength of the wall, its security, but going beyond that it unraveled Satan's security. The lesson we learned is that human expertise and security are no match for Adonai, the almighty, Omnipotent creator.
The walls had to collapse.
Luke 2:51-52 TLV . Full maturity in your humanity. Jesus grew in favor of God and man.
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Next week we will resume with Phases 8, and a discussion about the Biblical Significance of the numbers 9.10/11: Phase 8:Posterity,9:Outreach,10:Human Accountability, Responsibility, Divine Opportunity,12:Divine order, and then subsequently Numbers 12 Preparation forerunner Dominion and we will explore the Symbolism of the number 13. Yes, there is something special about encircling Jericho 13 times in silence)!: This number is regarded by some superstitiously as unlucky. That number is actually blessed and reflects a prophetic event. The children of Israel ended up encircling the walls of Jericho 13 times in silence. It symbolizes for them the countdown to the collapsing of the wall of Jericho
In conclusion,
Scripture is full of illustrations about how individuals experienced Divine revelation. Moses for example had failed and come to the end of his dream. He was his lowest and most humble estate God came to him in the form of an individualized revelation. It was the revelation about how his life fit in the big picture. What about Joshua, Moses' Assistant who had been content to dwell almost his entire adult life under the shadows of Moses the great Leader. He was what you'll refer to within the Americanised Evangelical circle as Moses' amour bearer😁. He was content and secure within that role. However, the Lord took His security away and then he was left without his primary identity and security.
He wept through the traditional days period after the departure death of Moses. During this period in his season of waiting God spoke to him first hand revealing to him his unique calling and his true destiny.
Let's be assured Adonai, our Lord God almighty has a carefully mapped-out strategy that only makes sense when He reveals this to us in our due season, Amen! Adonai Lord revealed Himself uniquely to each family, clan, tribe in Israel who were all by then stewards of a Unique identity in Yahweh
Dear friend and family, have you endured heartbreak? Are you being dragged down into an emotional ocean of grief? Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed and engulfed by the darkness of deep depression due to your circumstances! Are you in dire economic straights?
Can you have a heart to heart musings with you? Please, my dear brother or sister, I have been through some of that, and to the degree, I have had first-hand experience, know others who have!
Here is our witness and testimonial:
Through the Agency of the Holy Spirit, Adonai usually imparts a fresh revelation about our unique individual destiny after some of the lowliest phases of our lives! This nearly always occurs during an extended season of waiting in our lives! So don't discount your season of waiting! It is your journey into significance! Pick yourself up, wipe those tears, put away those garments of mourning, refresh yourself and adorn yourself with fresh makeup and prepare to hear the Ruach of God as He beams the significant signal of your unique Shine. Prepare to arise and shine as you are empowered with the joy of discovering your destiny print!
God bless you
John
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