I was looking out the window this morning while eating and I was talking to Yahuweh. I was expressing my desire to always “feel” His presence as the leaves of the trees feel His wind, and as the plants feel the rain when it comes down. I want to sense His presence as I did in the car on the way to work when He explained and gave me the study on His Living Water, every minute of every day!
Then, it hit me in my spirit… ”feelings” are almost never aligned with Yahuweh or Yahushua! Feelings are something the world has told us and conditioned us from birth through TV, radio, magazines, billboards, books, school lessons, and more, that we are to have. For example, the world says, “If it feels good, do it,” and asks how we feel about everything. The world tells us that if we are rich and have everything we desire, then, we will be happy.
These western concepts have killed a lot of our ability to hear from His Spirit and sense His presence. Why? Because we are waiting for the feelings instead of going forward with our faith KNOWING He is there. He gives us signs He is there. He answers prayers, He brings confirmations through other believers, He heals and performs miracles, He never leaves us stranded, and more!
The eastern way is to persevere through all adversity because of your faith…which the foundation of your faith is His Word, your belief in His Word, your belief in Messiah dying for our sins, your TRUST of Yahuweh and Yahushua, and the time you spend with Them.
Most people say they trust Them, but when times are tough, and you really analyze how you are handling it, you will find that you aren’t TRUSTING Them completely! When you study the Hebraic roots of His Word, which is imperative to understanding His Word since it was written originally in Hebrew, you realize His presence is not a feeling which is abstract, it is a tangible that can be recognized by the signs He gives us that He is there.
Hebrews 11:6 “But without belief it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Elohim has to believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.”
John 20:29 “…Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.”
Even though Derek and I don’t watch TV, read secular books or magazines, etc, we were still raised in that culture and did do those things for the majority of our lives. The impact is profound. We are to be set-apart as He is set-apart. (Leviticus 11:44 and 19:2, 1 Peter 1:16) We are to be different from the world so they can see our light from His Light shining through us.
As we become more set-apart, He reveals Himself through these subtle ways and the more others see Him in us. If we are looking and waiting for “feelings” instead of knowing He is present through our faith and all the ways He shows us He is there, we are missing many things He is trying to tell us and show us!
Look, as you see the light shining through the forest trees onto SOME of the fernsMatthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, so that they see your good works and praise your Father who is in the heavens.”
Those who belong to Him, are in training. He is preparing us for the end. When He sends Yahushua Messiah to reign over the earth, defeat the enemy, destroy the wickedness, and set things right…will you be prepared? As apart of that training, He brings trials into your life, including not sensing Him, to see what you will do. (See Proverbs 3 and 12, Hebrews 12)
How you handle it usually determines if you have to go through it again. When your car doesn’t start, what do you do…get mad or pray? When you don’t “feel” He is there, do you call out to Him? Do you ask Him to reveal Himself to you? Do you read His Word and pray daily, waiting for His perfect timing on everything in your life or do you go about life as usual, trying to handle and control the situations yourself, and staying too busy so you don’t have to “feel?” DO YOU TRUST THAT HE WILL REALLY TAKE CARE OF YOU IN ALL SITUATIONS NO MATTER HOW IT APPEARS?
Are you focusing on gratefulness? Do you really believe you can command the weather, and move mountains when He has given you an assignment? Do you complain or praise Him through your trials…and not just out loud but in your thoughts too, where people can’t see and you can’t hide from Him? When people slander you, lie to you, and worse, do you lash out or do you have Messiah’s nature as you handle it?
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “For the weapons we fight with are not fleshly but mighty in Elohim for overthrowing strongholds, overthrowing reasonings and every high matter that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, taking captive every thought to make it obedient to the Messiah…”
Honestly—He has brought us through many trials and I am sure we have more as He continues to train us…but I am so humbled and grateful for what He is showing us, teaching us, revealing to us, saying through us, confirming through others and more….so truly grateful He is showing me how to have complete trust and faith in Him no matter how I feel, and even showing that His presence is always with me and us.
As I looked out the window and He revealed these things to me, I began to cry…happy tears of joy as I know our Abba is with us always! Thank you Abba and Yahushua Messiah for being patient with us, disciplining us, and never leaving or forsaking us…thank you Abba for giving us Your Spirit to teach us and guide us on Your perfect path!
Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For He Himself has said, “I shall never leave you nor forsake you,” so that we boldly say, “יהוה is my helper, I shall not fear what man shall do to me.” ”
Proverbs 3:1-7 “My son, do not forget my Torah, and let your heart watch over my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they add to you. Let not kindness and truth forsake you – Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, thus finding favour and good insight in the eyes of Elohim and man. Trust in יהוה with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; Know Him in all your ways, And He makes all your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear יהוה and turn away from evil.”
As the title of this blog states…
Don’t go by feelings…just believe, trust and watch for His signs! Record His miracles and answered prayers in your life, pray to Him and praise Him through the storms, and prepare for battle as a soldier for Yahuweh…the end is near!
Shabbat Shalom, and may His presence be strong with you all today as you spend time with Him.