Struggling with Biblical Living?

When The Father shows us truth in His Scripture and a "light goes on" inside us, but it does not go on in those around us, those whom we love and respect are left in the dark. We find ourselves at a crossroad of decision. Do we press in and take the turn that YHVH has put before us, even though it will means leaving others behind? Or are we to wait and let Him do a work in them before we "press" anything? These people of whom I speak may be the very people who the Bible says we need to love and honor, such as parent, extended family or community leaders or church leaders. These are people whom we have trusted and that have been kind and good to us in our own great times of need. Do we put our own conditions and parameters on our levels or change, or do we let YHVH?

These are Yahshua's words on the matter of being persecuted for standing for YHVH's Ways (not mine):

In Matthew 10: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

We are to let go of those things to which we hold dear and cling only to HIM. We are to do this in LOVE and HUMBLENESS and, in the context of Torah, with the willingness to submit our words and our ways to HIM while considering others as more precious than ourselves. We are called to willingly suffer long if need be, and to fight and flee as it is explained in the full context of Matt 10...and if YHVH tells you the time has come...we are to heed that voice and make a very clear CUT from that which we once knew and cling to Him with all we are and recognize that we have been adopted into a new family, a new life, a new way, a new understanding, a new house...the house of YHVH - the House of Israel. We are no longer to hide our light under a bushel.

That application looks different for different people, some people are called to make physical cuts...to leave physically, some are called to make emotional and spiritual cuts and remain right where they physically are in that season (the harder call in my opinion!). It is very important to know the difference and follow YHVH...this is not a "one size fits all" walk. We must be cautious with our counsel to other believers in this matter, because that is the MIGHTY Counselor's job...not ours.(So keep that in mind as you read my post.) :-)

Disclaimer: There is a very important distinction that must be made here. When a husband and wife have not been given revelation at the same time...this is a dynamic that is very different than any other relationship that exists. Especially if a wife is given revelation before her husband. (I am NOT addressing a very abusive or dangerous marriage here.) I have experienced this myself and YHVH seems to put women in my path who are going through the same - so that I may encourage them in their place. It would be wonderful if our husbands always "got it" first...but that isn't always the case. We are made ONE with our husbands, they are the spiritual heads of our homes...even if we are more spiritually mature in some areas or get a revelation they do not (YET). Our job in this instance is to be prayerful, be still and to exercise our TRUST MUSCLES in YHVH. He is sovereign and He knows exactly what is happening. He is faithful and if we are wives that respect our husbands and glorify YHVH with trusting Him fully...He will do amazing things in our families. If however, our actions do not show this and we press ahead and lead, "because someone has to" or because we can't submit to our husbands, than we have turned the tables. If we come to that place, we need to see that on the spiritual level it is YHVH to whom we are refusing to submit, not our husbands! Even though we may have revelation in one area...doing this would be evidence that we are clearly missing the revelation in the area of submission and Trusting YHVH. (Which TRUMPS ALL!) The price we (and our family) pay...is a big one! If we do this, we are going against the very order of YHVH's Creation and have stepped out if His will. Our attempts to prove we are right or to enforce principles which we understand to be true, above our husband's authority, result in turning the situation away from glorifying YHVH to glorifying ourselves. This is a recipe for relational and spiritual disaster. Instead "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto YHVH." Ephesians 5:22 (The same is true for older children in a father's home.)

Back on the general topic: We all must walk with the Creator of the universe intimately to guide you through the course He has put YOU in, so that HE may be glorified in the end. If you seek Him first, He will make it clear to you, but you must understand that your heart needs to be submitted completely to YHVH. THAT SUBMISSION is what opens your spiritual ears to hear. If we SAY you are submitted, but you "do not hear"... it has been my experience that this is evidence of "a condition". In other words, I have put a condition in place that interrupts by ability to fully submit. I am not FULLY and honesty letting go of that which He has called me to...(consciously or even unconsciously!). If this is where our growth stops we are (consciously or unconsciously) choosing to remain in that place, which is out of the will of YHVH. However, if we recognize that the road block between our "hearing" is something that we are not "letting go of" (even if we honestly don't know what it is) and we make the radical decision to not accept that condition and we flush it out the offending issue ...we can focus on prayer in that way and HE WILL DO IT! You may be surprised to find there is more than one obstacle there! If so...press in! He is doing a mighty work in you. Your reward will be great for the tears you shed and the pain you face. He is faithful!!!

Even though for a season, you may feel quite "alone" He allows this, so that you may learn to cling and rely on HIM. This is training our hearts to trust and obey HIM as a "first response", not a last resort. After that has been seasoned in us, He opens the doors to another area of the house...where all your TRUE brothers and sisters (in Him) are, and who have all been through the same process...who wait for you with open arms to welcome, edify and encourage you. We serve an awesome El (God) whose ways are so much higher than ours! Halleluyah!

Be encouraged..you who are struggling with "separation anxiety" from things which you THINK are 'yours' ". (Later you will find our they are not.) Also be encouraged, those of you who have separated from those things already, but feel quite alone and are being taught to TRUST YHVH as a first response in areas of habit and choice. Your faithfulness is being developed, your courage, discipline and strength in Him being honed. He is shaping you into a tool for the Kingdom. This refining is not easy, or even pretty, but the result will declare the beautiful craftsmanship that can only come from the mighty hand of YHVH. He will be glorified as you remain faithful, steadfast and true.

Also be encouraged those of you who have been taken into the other part of the house...you too continue to learn and grow and be challenged, shaped, molded,and humbled- however you walk in a fuller understanding of WHOSE you are and where you have come from and would give your life in a second for Him (because you have 100 times before!)...never forget...that is EXPECTED of you. It is not above and beyond the call of duty...it is your duty, your privilege and your honor to be there. You are to practice these things without ceasing. To whom much is given much is expected - your responsibility is great in the kingdom!!! You are the elders and the Tzadik. Embrace that status with joy and glorify your Father with gladness, thanksgiving, praise and honor as you serve Him with all you are and all you have.

Shabbat Shalom,