Author: Rev. Karen Gaithers

Rosh Ha-Shana and Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year.  Called the “High Holy Days,” Historically Rosh Ha-Shana and Yom Kippur is a time for deep thought, self-examination and prayer.  Rosh Ha-Shana means “Head of the Year.”  This sacred season marks the start of the Jewish year.  Instead of throwing parties Jews look back at the past year to decide which deeds were right and which were wrong.  Because God is  everywhere and knows the heart of every human being, self-examination is perceived  as a way of searching for God.

 

In the story of Nicodemus, Jesus was asked how it was possible for a man to be born two times.  Jesus responded by telling him, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”  Jesus then explains that in order for Nicodemus to follow him, he must be “Born Again.”  The New Year element of this sacred festival also emphasizes a New Covenant expression by commemorating the day of the believer’s spiritual birth in Jesus Christ and thereby reassessing their commitment and awesome responsibility in bearing the name, “CHILD OF GOD.”

 

Rosh Ha-Shana is also called “Yom Tervah,” meaning, “The Day of the Shofar.”  A shofar is a rams horn, a three thousand year old musical instrument that is blown in the synagogue during the Rosh Ha-Shana service.  Its urgent sound is like a herald in the spirit calling people to, “Wake Up,” “Think!”  The sound of the shofar seem to express the freedom given to every Child of God to change and be transformed and   being excited about the opportunity to do so.   The ten days between Rosh Ha-Shana and Yom Kippur are called the “Days of Awe.”  The historic greeting during the ten days is “May your name be written in the Lambs book of life” (sound familiar?). These are tender times when people look at the past year and face up to their mistakes.  This process of retrospect involves “Teshuvah,” which means, “Return or Repent.”   Teshuvah is and age old observance during the High Holy Days that demonstrates the stages of true repentance.  This is how it takes place:

First, you think about what you’ve done. 

Second, is to apologize to God and the person offended (if possible), and

third, is to serve with “mindfulness”.

 

Yom Kippur is the last day of the High Holy Days, and it is the climax of events.  It is the closing of the gates to this season of grace in which we make things right with God.  This day is more commonly known as “The Day of Atonement.”  Yom Kippur literally means “The Day of Cleansing.”  The day is spent studying and praying.  It is a day to be at peace with God and oneself.  There is a feast in the late afternoon on the eve of Yom Kippur and afterward everyone begins a 25 hour fast.  The fast is appropriate because it is a reminder of how dependent we are upon God.  It awakens the observer to the reality of how our time here on earth is like Yom Kippur’s “Season of Grace.”  It causes one to realize the gates will one day close for every living creature, either at our appointed time of death or at the Messiah Jesus return.  In any case, the resounding message from the High Holy Days is “You Must Be Ready.” 

 

The High Holy Days is considered the most sacred time of the Jewish year because it is the one holiday season that turns our hearts and minds to the reality of a coming Messiah, His sacred call upon our lives and to take serious account of how we have lived. This is a holiday that not only celebrates what God has done but also what is to come.

 

                                            

John 1:1-13

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

 

 

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he  came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

 

The War Between Two Kingdoms

Kingdom of Light	Kingdom of Darkness
Kingdom of Heaven	Kingdom of Hell
Moves in the Anointing	Moves in Deception (Perception)
Creates a Presence that Glorifies God	Creates a Presence that Glorifies Man
Spirit of TRUTH	Spirit of LIES
Is Holy in Nature	Is Profane in Nature
Breeds UNITY, LIFE & PEACE	Breeds SEPARATION, DEATH & DESTRUCTION
Performs Miracles	Performs Magic
Convicts Hearts	Controls Minds
Invites	Seduces
Spiritually Transforms	Physically Masquerades
Loves the Things of God	Hates the Things of God
Is Humble and Self-reflecting	Is Prideful and Self-centered
Is BEAUTIFUL	Is BEWITCHING
Encourages & Builds Up	Criticizes & Tears Down
Aligns with Nature – Health	Misaligned with Nature – Disease
Respects Order	Dishonors Order
Pursues Peace	Pursues Violence
Patient & Self-Controlled	Impatient & Out of Control
Is Spiritually Free	Is Spiritually Enslaved
Joyful, Hopeful, Optimistic	Depressed, Doubtful, Pessimistic
Is Long-suffering Toward Others	Will Not Suffer for Others
Giving & Forgiving	Self-centered & Vengeful
Consecrated	Religious
Honors God	Honors Man

This list could probably go on and on as we contrast and compare the existence of these two kingdoms operating in the earth.  While there are two prominent spiritual kingdoms in our midst there are also a variety of “sub-kingdoms” in the earth.  These would be the kingdoms of Religion, Family, Art & Entertainment, Education, Government, Media, and Business.  These various kingdoms of influence are called the “7 Mountains of Influence.  It is upon these earthly kingdoms of influence that the spiritual kingdoms of this world at war with one another to impact the lives of mankind.  As believers, it is important to have a working knowledge of how these kingdoms contrast with one another in order to live authentic lives in Christ Jesus (the reason we were born again).  Do you struggle, debate or wrestle with kingdom living?  Well, this is a good thing if your desire is to walk after the Spirit.  Do you legalize, ritualize or create your own doctrines and honor them as though they were the standards of God?  This may sound harsh, but it’s real.

 

If we are not mindful of these kingdoms and the way in which they operate we will unknowingly take on the “way of the world” in the way we understand God, pursue purpose, express love, and define happiness and success in life.  The benefit of comparing these kingdoms will illustrate the believer’s light in the world and their powerful distinction among men.  The benefit of contrasting them will expose what is hidden from us and ultimately the way in which they are capable of destroying our lives. Consider then, what reality you are living?  What philosophies are you lending your attention to?  What paradigms of life are you shaping your life around?

 

The culture of the Kingdom of Heaven is indeed a different culture.  If you are a believer, it is a lifestyle that must be loved, embraced and trusted.  This is a way of life and a way of thinking that is remarkably different from the world and it is through your relationship with God through Jesus Christ, His Word (Law) and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit within your heart, mind and spirit that you will not only “SEE” the Kingdom of Heaven but will also live in it with a unique sense of pride as a people of God.

 

Remember, the believer was born of God to live “IN” the world and not be “OF” the world. (John 17:14-15, Rom. 12:1-2)  What this means is that their godly presence, love, and power is supposed to always shed light upon the deception that exists in the world.     Remember the story of Joshua? (Num. 13:1-33) When he was preparing to take the promise land, he sent spies out to survey the land and they returned to report that the land was occupied with GIANTS!   Well, in the same way, this is how the Body of Christ should survey the kingdom of Darkness in the earth.  You see, you should never be intimidated by the giants that already possess the land (kingdom) God has given you.  This is indeed the LIFESTYLE of the believer.  They have been called to “dispossess the lands” and take dominion of it!

 

The giants in the land are those that govern this earth. They are doctrines, rulers, principalities and spiritual wickedness in which the Kingdom of Heaven has been raised up to overturn through the powerful presence of the people of God (Eph. 6:12).  Take stock today in how you live, think, and pursue life.  You cannot live between two kingdoms no matter how tempting it seems.  You will either love one or hate the other (Matt. 6:24) whether you realize it or not.  Our hearts are never hidden from God and He knows what’s in us even when we don’t know ourselves. (Jer.17:10)  So it literally boils down to the matter of TRUTH…What is it that we really BELIEVE?  There’s an easy way to find out!

 

“What you Really Believe is What You are Living Out.”

 

Despite what you say, you LIVE what you believe.  Thankfully, God already considered this would be a challenge for us and therefore gave us the ministry of reconciliation through confession and repentance which provides us forgiveness and restoration with God and men.  God knew we would struggle with life, with His spiritual culture and maintaining life in His kingdom so He has caused LOVE and FAITH to be the only thing that is required of our lives. When we strive to love and exercise faith to believe (God’s way) we will live more authentically.  God’s love for us and the love He desires from us is not based on merits or righteousness it is based upon PASSION after a relationship with him and a desire to please Him as much as He wants to please us.

 

When there is a lack of genuine love for God, our human nature will resort to having faith in the philosophies of the world (Kingdom of Darkness).  This is the natural response of a heart separated from God.  However, as growing believers, it is important to recognize that a heart that STRIVES after God is a heart that is capable of transformation.  This is genuinely what the believer’s walk of faith is all about.  Realize, when it’s all said and done, the believer’s walk of faith is not about the spiritual gifts, it’s not about righteousness, it’s not even about heaven or hell.  It’s about a genuine faith and a love relationship with God, through Jesus Christ and when that is REAL He knows, everything else in our lives will fall in line and the kingdoms of this world will have no power over us.

 

 

I was listening to a profound message by a prominent teacher on the topic of GRACE.  While listening, something about the message seemed a little top heavy in his dissertation and at the time I couldn’t put my finger on it. This is not to say that there was anything wrong with the teaching but instead it suggests that possibly more needed to be said on the subject.   The following is what I believe to be at the heart about this message of grace for me.

~ . ~

Grace is a gift from God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). With the believer’s command to love God, a life of GRACE is what we receive from our love relationship with Jesus Christ. The beautiful thing about the love of Jesus is that he would still be madly in love with us whether we responded to him or not.  His love for many who do not know him is like the endearing passions of a “Secret Lover.”  Truth is, God’s love was always present, we merely became aware of it when we (by faith) received his son Jesus and when we did…we experienced GRACE!

 

Grace should not be confused with mercy.  Mercy is renewed every day (Lam. 3:22-23) because of man’s predisposition to sin. Mercy is extended to us through the love of God and it withholds the condemnation and judgment that is a penalty of sin.  Mankind is prone to sin and struggles daily with the temptations upon his unruly nature that opposes the will of God.  Grace is a gift from God as a result of His love for us and it allows us to experience the goodness and blessings that come from a love relationship with God.  Grace has many layers from the many expressions of God’s love.  Mankind receives this wondrous grace whether he/she walks in righteousness or not. Consider the breath of life, the beauty of the earth, the order of the heavens and the magnificence of the human body, all effortlessly maintaining order day after day and working in harmony for our good so consistently that too often we take it for granted. Now, that’s GRACE!

 

Mercy is God’s everlasting promise to pardon our sin, established upon the cross while grace is a gift from a love relationship with God. Grace, as an intimate relationship with God, one we can have with him on the earth and it comes as an open invitation from God to every human being.  This invitation is extended to us until Jesus’ second return. The intimate blessings of grace are conditional upon a relationship of love. Without love, there is no relationship. Without relationship, there is no grace. Grace, in essence, is “Living in the Presence of God.”  You see, FAITH redeemed us. MERCY pardoned us and GRACE blessed us and keep on blessing through the attributes of God’s love. Eph.2:8, 1 John 4:16, James 4:6

 

So in the words of Paul in Romans 6:1, now that we know we have mercy from God, regardless of what we do from day to day, does that mean we have the liberty to keep on sinning because we are secured in having God’s love and grace? Again the answer is No!  You see, sin abuses God’s love which becomes an obstruction to the flow of his GRACE!   Sin is something WE so, and as a result, it creates a blindness and distorted view of the grace that God genuinely has to offer us. This is why Jesus said “If you love me you will keep my commands,” John 14:15.  In the language of grace this passage is merely saying “If you love me, you will want to please me.” THAT’S LOVE.  Isn’t this the expectation we have in your human relationships of love? How unreasonable then is it to expect that God wants the same from us.

 

In the Old Testament, we have a shadow of God’s grace until Jesus first coming. In the New Testament, we have the reality of God’s grace until Jesus second coming. After Jesus second return, grace will be ETERNAL.  In each of these dispensations, the believer is called to take full advantage of God’s measure of grace while it lasts.  What might surprise you is that with each of these dispensations, the believer’s respective reality of God’s grace has an end date.  The end date of God’s grace on earth for the believer is demonstrated by either their natural appointed time of death or at the appointed time of Jesus coming. With each dispensation, the believer is responsible for taking full advantage of the grace (love) that is given them.

 

The true substance of the believer’s walk of faith is one where he/she is endeavoring to experience more grace in their love relationship with God. This could be defined as “Quality of Life” or life in the “Fullness of God.” As with any love relationship, it is grace that causes that relationship to grow deeper and sweeter with time. As with any love relationship, grace is demonstrated (1Corn.13:1-13) through love and if love is real, grace will abound.

 

The long-standing theological definition for grace has been, “God’s unmerited favor.” Well, I think we can confidently say that this “unmerited favor” is actually what is exchanged in any healthy love relationship.  However, most people don’t give a thought about what makes love flow.  I tell you it’s GRACE!   This flow of love is, in essence, the Spirit of Peace.”  Now, let’s analyze this for a moment.  1John 4:8 says “God is love.” Isaiah 9:6 says Jesus is the “Prince of Peace.”  Matthew 5:9 says “Peacemakers are called sons of God.” So you see, God’s love is peace and this peace is what we experience in God’s presence and it impacts our lives on in fathomable ways. We have a privilege to this peace because we are the sons and daughters of God.

 

So, let us strive to grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus Christ (doing what pleases him most in the workings of our heart, mind, and spirit) so we may experience the wonders of his love. The wondrous blessings of God’s grace cannot be compared to any human relationship but our relationships give us a clue to the grace that God desires to flow in his relationship with mankind.   This is why Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you” Hebrews 13:5.   God’s grace is with us in every test and trial of life.  It is with us in every season that this world (which is so riddled with wickedness) may bring.  Grace passionately loves, it comforts, it forgives, it sacrifices, it gives, it encourages, it supports, it understands, it tells the truth, it rebukes, it accepts, it heals, it delivers, it hopes, it believes, it brings light into darkness, it brings joy to sorrow, and peace to all unrest.  Grace is warm and full of compassion and in every circumstance of life, it is the source for all you need.

Did you know that every great work and every great leader has been mentored by someone along the way? When a person pursues a doctorate degree from a (legitimate) university one of the unique features of this arduous program is a MENTOR. Great literature is endorsed by individuals who are considered an authority on the subject. Great students are guided by great teachers and counselors who have taken a special interest in helping them realize their full potential, worth, and abilities. Children are a product of their parents who have in some way sacrificed much and laid down their lives for their child in order for them to receive the many things in life they deemed valuable.

Now, this revelation didn’t come to me over night.  It is the substance of my own life journey and what has become the call to ministry upon my life.  Learn more about my personal testimony at:    http://www.aiglinstitute.org/#!blank/c8de

Most believers look at intercession as a mere commitment to pray, but REALLY, isn’t that the very basic?  This suggests that anything less must be NO PRAYER AT ALL! Lol!

When It Comes to Your:
*Life
*Career
*Family
*Friends
*Future
*And Knowing Who You REALLY Are…