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Dear Christian Warriors:
Today we reach Day#5 in Counting the Omer. In scripture the #5 is associated with both the Law and with Grace. As with Solomon's baby, the two must go together and not be cut asunder.
There is a mistaken notion, especially among the grace, grace, grace and more grace crowd, that serving in the Kingdom is akin to a wide open space to roam---sort of like going on a safari in the wild plains of the Serengeti. This is an inaccurate analogy. If we study Bible scripture, we see that the closer and closer we get to God, the way becomes narrower and narrower...tighter, more constraining.
Now, at first glance, this concept can seem almost unsettling...Sort of like being in the grip of a Boa Constrictor. There was a recent YouTube video of an Anaconda wrapped around a dog. Each time the dog exhaled a breath, the snake got tighter and tighter, literally squeezing the life out of him. The dog was surprisingly calm realizing that struggling would only make the situation worse. Thankfully the owner came upon the situation, scared off the snake, and the dog survived no worse for wear. So why would we want to envision an image of containment in our Christian lives?
The problem arises when we mistakenly think we are "free"...a term in our Western culture definition which usually translates to "doing my own thing." We are deceived. Seriously practicing Christians embrace the concept that we are bondservants to Christ. The scripture tells us that the only thing we have control over is our will or our right to choose. That's it. Despite what secular culture and all the commercials tell you...you don't get a vast array of choices...Just two:
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
~ Deuteronomy 30:19
We can't say: "I choose not to choose." Go back and re-read the underscore. You must make a choice. Like the boa-wrapped dog, you can't "wriggle out" of it unless your Master comes and chases the snake away.
I imagine after this harrowing snake incident, the owner proceeded to keep the dog on a short leash when walking through dangerous territory. I think the dog was more than happy to be close to his owner's heels and was cautious about running unrestrained through wild terrain again...Just stay close to the Master's feet and obey. Whew...close call.
The etymology for the word "Serengeti" is really quite interesting. On the surface, Serengeti means:
Seren = Serene endless view
Geti = Plain
But it ALSO means:
Seren = Siren Song
Geti = Rift Valley
The ancient Greek definition of "geti" has additional shades of meaning which indicate cattle being prodded by a spear through a gate. The devil, while seemingly giving us a vast array of delicious options, is really "cattle-driving" those who listen to his "Siren song" with a pitchfork to their destruction. You may foolishly think, like the Fleetwood Mac song, "you can go your own way," but instead you are really tromping to the slaughterhouse.
The Equator is one big imaginary line encircling the Earth. Geographic locations on the Equator experience the fastest sunrises and sunsets. It's truly the line where dark and light are closest together. The ultimate example is the equatorial location where the upper edge of the Serengeti passes through Lake Victoria in Africa. The Rift Valley there runs from Israel's Jordan Rift Valley to Kenya's Great Rift Valley. Great political symbolism here if you meditate on it.
Right now, there's a "rending" going on in the spiritual world. During Jewish mourning, known as "sitting Shiva," funeral-goers rip a piece of their outer garment off. Some wear a black ribbon. The Hebrew meaning for ribband is: "Line." The torn garment or ribband symbolizes and expresses the mourner's sorrow. This is a spiritual concept of the Remnant...those who will sit and mourn with God while the Earth is wracked with spiritual and physical grief. "Sitting Shiva" goes on for seven days. The Remnant will mourn for a "seven" also.
He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.
~ Daniel 9:27
The Great Rift is coming. It will be evidenced in both physical and spiritual struggles globally. Those who are closely wrapped up in Christ will have His Shalom Peace to face the coming constrictions as the earth labors and travails like one in childbirth. We will know, like the patient, trapped dog, He is coming soon to set us free. Those roaming the plains recklessly will weep and wail in loud pain and torment.
Only if you are walking the line with the Lion of Judah will you truly be...
Born Free
But thank God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed. And having been set free from sin, you have become the slaves of righteousness [of conformity to God's will and purpose.]
~ Romans 6:17-18 (Amplified)
Repentance Prayer:
Heavenly Father, as we enter this time of great rending, embolden us to openly wear a ribbon of mourning as we REPENT of the National Sins that have placed the world into a global death spiral. Call up your army of mourners Lord, those who sit at the city gates in sackcloth and ashes openly declaring that it is time for all nations to REPENT. Your Holy Word reminds us that "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4). We know that as we open up to the grief in our spirits by this worldwide apostasy, God's Comfort will be fully present.. We look onward to the arrival of our Prince of Peace, who will wipe away every tear and the Kingdom of God where there will be no more mourning and no more tears. Until that Day arrives, strengthen us to bring the Light of Christ to a lost and dying world. We pray this prayer in the Name above all names, the ONLY NAME under Heaven and Earth by which men may be saved, YESHUA of Nazareth.
~Amen
God Bless you!
Pastor Jeffrey Daly
pastorjeff@repentday.com
National Day of Repentance
www.repentday.com
www.facebook.com/TheNationalDayOfRepentance
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We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
~2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NLT)
Now these things, brethren, I have transferred, in their application, to myself and Apollos, for your sakes, that ye may learn in us the lesson of not letting your thoughts go above what is written, that ye may not be puffed up one for such a one against another.
~1 Corinthians 4:6 (DBY)
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