In Ancient Footsteps

Empowering the Believer with Biblical Answers
for the Spirit, Soul & Body

The 40 days of Teshuva

This 40 day period is a 'Call to Repentance' ... Tueshuvah in Hebrew. It is a time where we can humbly come before Abba, the Creator of all things, and confess and repent of not only our own sins, but the enormous sins mankind has committed against Him.

As our brother Judah has done for centuries, let us join him in showing our remorse for what our forefathers have done before us.....and for the sins we continue to be mired in today. Let the 'two witnesses' join hands and come as one before the King of Kings.

This is the time - a time of a corporate call of repentance to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. Rav Shaul parallels the teaching of 16th century Rabbi Issac Luria who gave the instruction of Teshuvah being a corporate CALL - "We say we have sinned, rather than, I have sinned? Because all Israel is one body and every one of Israel is a limb of that body; that is why we are all responsible for one another when we sin. So, if one's fellow should sin, it as though one has sinned oneself."

Teshuva in the Hebrew language means to return or to repent and from a historical perspective commemorates the forty-days that Moshe (Moses) was on Mt. Sinai after the sin of the Golden Calf. According to Jewish scholars, Moshe when up on the mountain on Elul 1 and returned forty days later on Tishri 10, Yom Kippur. Read Exodus 34.

Jer: 9:23-24: Thus says the Lord: "let not the wise man boast in h is wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am YHWH who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares YHWH."

Let us enter this season of repentance...this time of reflection...as one who does not boast in our own wisdom, our own might, nor our riches - but let us boast in only in our knowledge and understanding of the Creator of the Universes. May we rest in only that.

As we begin to focus, not on ourselves, but on Him, may the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) continue the good work He has begun in our hearts. May the scales fall from our eyes and allow us to truly see our sins for what they are ~ filthy rags ~ and may we be humbled by His grace and mercy as we cleanse our hands and rid ourselves of the pride and arrogance we have carried forth to this day.

Consider this 40 days as a journey - a journey where you will discover who you are - inside - discover the you He meant you to be.  Let us not turn back, let us look forward and keep our eyes on the final goal...to be one, echad, with Him.

As this journey begins don't allow the things of the world to weigh you down - leave those sacred cows and golden idols in Egypt and let us go forth to the promised land! It is time to begin anew - to truly become that one new man and to allow Messiah to shape our future in His image.

So on this first evening of the month of Elul, the month of Repentance, let us charge ourselves to allow the Ruach HaKodesh to begin a new work in our life; let us put off the old - the habits, the damaging characteristics, the lies and deceit and let us begin to be honest with ourselves. Take a few minutes each morning and each evening to reflect on areas in your life that cause you to yourself.  Then allow the Spirit of the Living Elohim to bring you to a place of comfort, of healing, of refreshing ~ and be the light that you were meant to be!

Begin this evening by coming before the Almighty as one of  His children who have transgressed His instructions. Humble yourself before the Mighty King and loving Father and ask Him to show you things in your life that do not please Him. Be honest with yourself, strip away the old man....and begin a journey to return to the mountaintop!

As Abraham was told to 'leave your land, your birthplace, the home of your parents, and go to the land that I will show you,' so too will Abba show us what we need to leave behind.  My good friend Brad Scott always says that everything revolves around a piece of land, a house and family - and that is so true. So that is where our heavenly Father always begins...with a family, a home and a piece of land. We begin our journey with the piece of land.

In your journal, write down these headings:

• LAND

• HOME of your PARENTS

• BIRTHPLACE

Now, let's begin our journey.

LAND - Land represents everything around us - our friends, our peers, our fellowman. It is the influence we feel when we try to be 'set apart' among society and even within our own family! We are all deeply affected by those around us - it is only natural to want to fit in. So examine the 'land' or property that surrounds you - are you able to be set apart? List three things that you feel inhibit you from being able to be set apart. Pray about this and have Abba give you discernment.

TThe next item in your journal is HOME of your PARENTS. What do you think that could mean? Think about that for a minute - each of us have very close ties to our upbringing - some good, some not so good - but all of them have an emotional bond that goes from our heart to the hearts of our parents. Many times we find ourselves saying - "I'll never do what my mother/father did!" and yet, we find as we journey from year to year, that that is exactly what we find ourselves doing! List three things (attitudes, habits, ideas) that you find yourself repeating from areas that you recognize in your parents or grandparents. Again, pray and ask Abba for discernment. Is that habit a good thing...or do you need to leave that behind in Egypt?

Birthplace - now I find this a bit more difficult to explore. However, as it has been explained to me by the rabbis, your birthplace is 'who you are'. Each of us has a blind spot so to speak, an agenda, a survivalist mentality. Many of us don't even realize how focused we are on ... well....'us'.  Now, granted there are many good things we have gleaned and learned from all around us, but it is at this time that we need to examine who we are and why we do the things we do and step UP to a higher place! To remain in the rut of the self-serving wheel only serves to deepen the rut! Let us step up and begin to walk on the path that Yahweh has chosen for us! Ask yourself, what has the Father placed on my heart to do or to be and what is holding me back. As you begin to jot down the thoughts that come to mind, allow the Spirit of Yahweh to refresh you and anoint you with a new purpose and the insight to see what is holding you back.

This, the beginning of the month of Elul, the month of repentance, the month of turning back, is a season that is a soul-searching and eye-opening slice of time. May we all find inspiration in His words, may we keep our eyes open and our spirit willing to hear the instruction of our Father as He guides us through this set-apart time. Our goal of this season is to turn around, to return to the path of righteousness - His righteousness. And as we slowly, day by day, approach the Throne of the King may we truly gain an understanding of how fleeting time really is, and how important it is to 'go back' ... back to the beginning and follow in the 'ancient footsteps' of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

To be continued tomorrow....

Seven Vegetable Soup | Serves 6 to 8

3 onions, chopped
2 lbs. butternut squash, peeled and seeds discarded
2/3 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight
3 zucchini
1 gourd, turnip or rutabaga
2 quince, apples or pears, peeled, cored and diced
1 bunch chard, cut in strips
water or vegetable stock
salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon or to taste
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper or to taste
1 tsp. cumin, optional

Cut all the vegetables and fruit into large dice or rounds, depending upon size and shape. Simmer chickpeas and onions gently in salted water or vegetable stock until almost tender, about 45 to 60 minutes. Add the rest of the vegetables and simmer until tender. Season to taste.

Matthew 2:11 - And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Frankincense is referenced 23 times in Scripture, beginning with Exodus 30:34 and ending with Revelation 18:13. The Hebrew word for Frankincense is 'lebonâh' and literally means milk-white. The Egyptian term s-ntr is translated as 'that which makes god known'. Now isn't that interesting....even the Egyptians knew that Frankincense was special!

Here are a few facts:

Boswellia carterii Birdw
Hebrew: lebonâh and ketôreth
Septuagint: libanos and thumiama
Vulgate: thus and incensum
Middle Ages: olibanum

Frankincense has long been used for intercession, anointing of kings and priests and to represent divinity and purity. Frankincense and Myrrh has ancient roots in anointing oil and scriptures speak of a 'sweet savor to YHVH'. Both of these wonderful oils blended together specifically for anointing purposes will spiritually speak of dying to oneself and taking upon the mantle of a 'sweet smelling savor'. "Remember, your old life is dead and your new life in Messiah is as  a fresh anointing!

This is some of the finest Frankincense and Myrrh blended into pure extra virgin Olive Oil. This blend is not the cheap Frankincense and Myrrh that most companies use when offering this blend! This is the highest quality OMANI Frankincense  and the excellent dark KENYAN Myrrh!  This is a beautifully special blend that was designed especially for Ancient Footsteps and our desire to bring you quality products at reasonable prices!

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