In the time we are in, it is crucial not to let the world’s distractions engulf us or keep our eyes off of Him and what is important. “Seek Him with all your heart…”
Derek and I have noticed that all around us, the people are more and more like zombies. No personality. No smile. No attention to what is going on. “Nothing is between the ears” as some would say.
You go to a restaurant and the people are either talking about mindless, superficial stuff, watching one of the zillion TVs, or they are all on their phones and no one is talking period.
What would people do if they had no cell phone with Internet or games on it, no TVs in the restaurants and only classical music to listen to while they actually talk to their friends or family?
We believe technology is the number one distraction and family separator right now…including Father’s family. People don’t quiet themselves long enough to hear His voice…to be aware of what is going on in the unseen world where He IS!
A few days ago, Derek and I were reading a devotional together by Sarah Young:
“When you approach Me in stillness and trust, you are strengthened. You need a buffer zone of silence around you in order to focus on things that are unseen. Since I am invisible, you must not let your senses dominate your thinking. The curse of this age is overstimulation of the senses, which blocks out awareness of the unseen world.
The tangible world still reflects My Esteem (Glory) to those who have eyes that see and ears that hear. Spending time alone with Me is the best way to develop seeing eyes and hearing ears. The goal is to be aware of unseen things even as you live out your life in the visible world.”
After we were finished, we looked up the verses and had a discussion about how society as a whole are going with the flow of become an ‘it,’ or a number…even at the driver’s license office, they use your phone number to keep your place in line and text you when it is your turn. You are a number to your employer, to the IRS, to just about every business out there. We are definitely in the end of days when “the love of many will grow cold.”
But for His children…those who are keeping their eyes attentive and their ears listening, He is speaking LOUD AND CLEAR! Draw near to Me…read my Word daily…worship Me and praise Me daily…listen to My voice…heed my warnings…share/witness to others…be a light in the darkness…be set-apart to Me and set-apart from the world…remain meek, humble, and child-like and steadfast in your faith…and walk in a state of thankfulness to Him for everything and in all circumstances!
I want to close with what happened the same day we read that devotion but later in the evening. I was taking our dog Freedom out for a walk. As I walked outside and let him off leash to run around in front of a pasture, I looked up and saw only one patch of clouds in front of me to the West. The rays of the sun were coming straight down in the middle opening of the clouds. I started talking to Father, thanking Him for His faithfulness and for creating the beautiful clouds and sunset before me. All of sudden, I heard a boom. I immediately knew it was Him. As I said, “Is that you Father?,” I felt His presence and both sides of the clouds opened up and rays of light went out the left and right sides at an angle to the ground. I knew He was there and had spoken to Me! I called up to Derek to come look and he took a picture (see below) from our balcony.
I will never forget that moment. You can’t tell in the picture, but there was blue on both sides of this cluster of clouds. I had been praying to be more aware of the unseen…more aware of His presence…more aware and able to hear His voice. He answered loud and clear!
Derek and I have been going through a hard transition. What is seeing us through is knowing that Abba is with us and Messiah Yahushua is holding our right hands…leading us on the path of His choosing. When we are almost at our breaking point, He is faithful to give us the strength to keep going and send us a confirmation through others. Staying in His Word, continuing to do His business as He leads, and staying in a constant state of thankfulness…plus praising and worshiping Him often, are the keys to survival…to remaining in Him…to not becoming discouraged and giving up.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“I wait for Yahuweh, my soul waits. And in His Word I do hope. My soul waits for Yahuweh more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6
Seek Him above all else and everything else will fall into place.
Shalom, peace and joy,
Derek and Rivkah