Time to turn away
from everything that is distracting us –
towards Our Heavenly Father/Messiah.
In Hebrew culture, the time to turn, is designated to the appointed season of Teshuvah in the annual cyclical calendar. For believers in Yeshua/Jesus our Messiah, it is an ongoing daily attitude of heart and mind, so that we can walk as His disciples.
In Luke 22:31 the adversary demanded to have you people for himself to sift you like wheat….But I prayed for you Simon Peter that your trust might not fail.
When Jesus/Yeshua spoke of little or faith that might fail, He was referring to faith that was immature and needing further experience to grow by tests and trials; just as our faith grows and matures with every test and trial we go through.
Messiah continued…And once you have TURNED back in repentance strengthen your brothers.. Teshuvah turning..
תְּשׁוּבַת (teshubah) tchuvä;
בַ
Recall the hebrew letters b and v bet/vet בַ
are the same.
In the Hebrew mindset, Turning is not Conversion but repentance.
It is the ability to turn back to Him and seek healing for our brokenness.
Psalm 51 is sometimes called “Perek Teshuvah”
the great chapter of repentance
which includes the well known scripture:
Create in me a clean heart …..
tchuvä;
Teshuvah is better translated as “return” and signifies:
a return to the original state,
and there we will have our ‘answer’, the place of restored relationship and peace, true shalom.
Teshuvah has 3 parts:
first, the regret of our sins,
secondly, the decision to change,
and third, a verbal confession of our sins.
We could also say there are the 4 R’s of Repentance:
Recognize: what we are doing wrong
Regret: with godly sorrow
Resolve: to change and do better in the future
Refrain: from exposing ourselves to things and people where there is temptation.
In truth, whenever we sin, we should immediately do Teshuvah;
to turn from evil, and to turn to the good.
2Cor. 7:10 godly sorrow worketh repentance For the sadness that is used by God brings a change of heart that leads to salvation–and there is no regret in that! But sadness that is merely human causes death
Acts 3:19-21 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from
the presence of the Lord,
After repentance
sins are blotted out
and
times of refreshing come.
and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
The season of Teshuvah is the month of Elul,
the 6th month of the Hebrew spiritual Calendar.
This is the equivalent of the months of August /September for the Gregorian calendar months and are observed over a period of 40 days.
August 26th is Elul 9, Elul is the 12th and final month in the Jewish civil calendar, or the 6th month, from nisan. (Recall Israel has 2 calendars Civil and Religious. These are covered in previous posts).
Elul 1 5783 began on August 18th 2023
Rosh Hashannah is on September 16th this year.
It is a month that connects the past year with the coming year..
Elul ( אֱלוּל)
Elul is traditionally a time of introspection and a time to review one’s deeds and spiritual progress over the past year.
This month is set aside for Teshuvah/Repentance in anticipation of the Fall Appointed Times/Feasts. The month of Elul is a time to prepare for Yamim Nora’im, The Days of Awe by getting our spiritual House in order.
This is a time to look into our hearts and ask the Ruach HaKodesh to search them and reveal any hidden sins, resentments, forgiveness, pride, anger, bitterness etc. and to repent, make Teshuvah and work at walking according to the Spirit and not the flesh.
For Messianic Believers in Yeshua/Jesus we look back and rejoice over our past redemption and deliverance during the Spring Appointed Times /mooedim/ Feasts of Messiah, With the Fall Appointed Times /mooedim /Feasts we look forward to our future deliverance and exodus from this earthly realm and to the return of our King. This is a time that we prepare ourselves as His Bride and make sure we are ready to hear the Sound of the Shofar! For the trump will sound.
Link below for more on the Appointed Times/feasts of the Lord
Notably the last 10 Days of this season of Teshuvah come between Rosh Hashanah and leading to Yom Kippur are specifically designated for Teshuvah, when in Hebraic tradition the gates of prayer and repentance are said to be more open than at any other time during the cyclical Hebrew year.
For messianic believers, Yeshua/Jesus is our sacrificial lamb. He has paid the price for our sin and as we have repented/teshuvah/ turned to Him; we have forgiveness of sin and are restored to a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
We do not have to wait a whole year to be forgiven because of Yeshua/Jesus we can repent immediately we sin, trusting in the power of His shed blood to not only cover our sins, but erase them. Then we are forgiven and the broken fellowship, the separation because of sin is restored.
teshuvah; an abstract concept meaning,
“returning;” from
שוב shuv,
a primitive root meaning,
“to return.”
The 3-letter root is:
shin + vav + bet.
shin ש =
two front teeth, sharp, press, eat, two, again.
vav ו =
the tent peg, add, secure, hook.
bet ב =
the house, household,
family, in, within 
To put these together we have:
Again (shin) secure oneself (vav) to the house (bet). The house we have left, (like the prodigal son), to which our Heavenly Father returns us, is His house, because Genesis, His story, began with the Father, a beautiful garden, and the two children He had made to dwell with Him forever, to be a part of His household. His story will eventually be complete…full circle!
Shuv is the root of teshuvah, “repentance.” The term most often used to describe this restoration in the New Testament, is salvation or justification.
The abstract concept of teshuvah is used sparingly in the Hebrew scriptures; most English translations of repentance and restoration are of the verb, shuv.
Here it refers to Simon Peter / shimon kefa, RETURNING to unshakable trust after denying Him three times.
John 21:15 – 17 strengthen your brothers,
which he effectively did/ fulfilled in the early messianic community. Acts 1-15
This is what we are also called to do after we stumble into sin – once we have TURNED back in repentance and are restored and refreshed we are to strengthen our sisters and brothers..
Sifting exposes weaknesses that need to be, and can be strengthened by the infilling of His Spirit Acts 2:14 Peter stood up and said let me tell you what this means
and later in verse 41, 3000 were added.
Sifting is part of the process our Heavenly Father uses and applies to our lives. Then the weaknesses that surface and are exposed can be dealt with accordingly; salvation includes freedom, deliverance from all bondage.
Messiah prayed for Peter by name because He knew him and his previous stumblings.
In the same way He knows each of us our strengths and weaknesses. However just as with Peter and the talmidim/ disciples, He does not leave us in our weaknesses.
In the last three posts we have looked at His Spirit of Holiness. Ruach haKodesh, and His role in our lives. Peter was filled with that same spirit, a holy boldness spoke through him, he was never the same again.
The same can happen for us also, however we must be willing to surrender all, holding nothing back. If we have been saved for many years and feel a dryness in our walk and relationship with Him…
then it’s probably time to teshuvah –
to return to our first love ….
Click link below for more:
The Lord had breathed on them in John 20:22, and it would seem that was the point of their being born again from above.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: Aramaic Bible in Plain English.
This would mean that this infilling of His spirit was a separate occasion, different from the salvation moment and different from water immersion.
Paul also found this to be true in Acts 19:22
There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.…
…46For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,
Acts 10:47 Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.”
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38.
Is it possible that a lack of true heartfelt repentance is a spiritual block to receiving the fullness of His spirit?
According to scripture,
Repentance is a commandment and
only the obedient receive His spiritual gifts?!
And if we love Him we will obey what He asks of us?
So much of what our Father wants to accomplish in our lives is prevented by us; we are a stumbling block to ourselves, it is not our Father Who is withholding from us, it’s our self centered disobedience!
Acts 11:17
So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder the work of God?”
Acts 15:8
And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.
In Matthew 3:11 John declared two separate immersions or baptisms – one out ward cleansing the other inward cleansing
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Here is a question for every reader to consider and ponder.
Have we ever come to the point in our lives where we can say the words from this verse..
I indeed …but He?
Until that moment comes we will never know what the baptism/infilling of His Holy Spirit means.
I indeed am at the end of myself and I cannot do anything more.
We have been struggling trying to walk a spiritual walk with only physical carnal tools, abilities and weapons; and we simply get worn out because it has been in our own strength.
We indeed are out of options, our energies and resources are completely spent, leaving us exhausted and feeling like we should just give up.
But He begins right there at that point of complete lack.
He does the things that no one else can ever do.
Are we really, truly, honestly, prepared for His coming?
When Jonah/Yona/Dove, preached in Nineveh they made a choice…and repented before judgment came upon them, a sign Messiah referred to..
We know He is coming again but He is also coming first in a personal way to each individual. He cannot come and do His work in and through us as long as there is anything blocking the way, whether it is something good or something bad.
When Messiah comes to us, are we prepared for Him to expose every wrong thing we have ever done into the light?
Because that is exactly where He comes and wherever we know we are unclean and need to repent, is exactly the place where He will stand and highlight the need and wherever we are clean, where we have dealt with that sin that hinders our relationship with Him He will walk away; expecting us to follow Him.
The sifting is in process in our lives and like Peter, there is the option of repentance, of turning.
Repentance does not produce a sense of sin, it produces in us a sense of unworthiness that words cannot express. It is not just an emotional feeling of being sorry for doing something and then turning around and continuing to do it again and again.
Derived from the Greek word METANOIA it means:
to have a complete change of mind; and to have a renewed mind in Yeshua HaMashiach /Jesus Christ. It means to forsake the old way of thinking, living and doing and to humbly seek our Heavenly Fathers will for our lives.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.
When we find that true repentance, we realize that we are absolutely helpless and that like John, we are not worthy even to carry His sandals.
Have we ever repented like that, or do we have lingering thoughts of trying to defend our actions?
Perhaps the reason our Fathers Holy Spirit is restricted from coming into our lives in fullness, is that we have not come to the point of complete repentance in true humility.
In verse 11 he will baptize you….. John is not speaking here of the baptism of Holy Spirit as an experience, but as a work performed by Messiah Yeshua/Jesus .. He will baptize you.
The only experience that those who are baptized with His Holy Spirit are ever conscious of, is the experience of being aware of their absolute unworthiness, of how truly dependent we are on His mercy, grace and forgiveness.
I INDEED was us in the past, BUT HE came and something miraculous happened. We must get to the end of our ourselves, where we can do nothing but He does everything. It feels like a point of complete helplessness and it is because…. without Him we have nothing and we are in big trouble when we think we don’t need Him. He looks for our complete and total surrender, not just our acceptance of His offer of salvation and belief in Him.
Have we surrendered all?
Is there any part of us that we are withholding from our Heavenly Father?
Is there any area of our lives that we still want to be in control?
Today is the day to make certain and to allow the sifting process to complete its objective, then we can turn like Peter did and strengthen those Father puts in our path.
True repentance leads to complete surrender, then we, as the prepared vessels can be filled with His Spirit of holiness.
Christ in us, not only the hope of future glory, but present power to accomplish His will, plan and purpose and for His good pleasure. Let us be sure, certain, that we do not miss the day of our visitation. Let us grab it with both hands. We are only promised today so let’s surrender all to the only One who surrendered all for us. We don’t know the day nor the hour He is coming back for His Bride; a body of believers who are ready, without spot and wrinkle on their robes of righteousness.
The season, the time of Teshuvah is constant for the messianic believer; we are to be those wise bridesmaids with our lamps filled with oil/spirit of holiness. It’s a wake up call to all of us to be ready spiritually, prepared mentally with the mind of Christ; focused and not sleeping, looking for His return. Every day believers leave this world behind – one day it will be our turn.
The same cry that John called out is echoing through the ages into our hearing…repent for the kingdom of the heavens is near
…its the same cry that Messiah preached in Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
We cannot be saved without true repentance, being sorry is not enough. Acts 17 warns us… it’s a command, not an option; and when Messiah said it 2000+ years ago, how much closer are we today?
Time as we know it will soon run out,
we need to hear truth not ear tickling, comfortable messages from our pulpits; because only truth will make us free. We must have ears to hear, because only the truth we hear and apply will change us into vessels He can use….
There is a timely warning for us all to wake up in
A basic part of focusing on teshuvah is Who our Father is; and we can see that in the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy that were revealed to Moses after the sin of the golden calf in Ex. 34:6-7:
Link below to the Thirteen Attributes
13 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD’S MERCY.
Our Heavenly Father’s great compassion, in Hebrew His rachamim, is for us to make it to the end, to endure and mature and grow in grace and faith; so that once we return to Him we are to strengthen our fellow believers. Because everyone goes through the refining fires, the times of sifting and separating. This is the work of His Spirit of Holiness in us as we saw last post.
Again everything is connected, we cannot compartmentalize His working in our lives, nor can we say we don’t need this part or that part. We cannot choose His method or the instruments of His preparation for our promotion. Listen to what the Ruach HaKodesh is saying to us and showing us, as we submit ourselves more and more to His Way, His Truth and His Will for our lives.
Do we as Believers in the Messiah need to Repent, to do Teshuvah?
What does the Word say?
Read again His message to the 7 Assemblies/Synagogues in Revelation and we will see correction from our Messiah and His warnings to repent. Revelation 2-4
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19
Prophets like Jeremiah and Joel were calling the people to return to the Lord:
They said, ‘Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. Jer. 25:5
Joel 2:12-13 AMPC Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored].
The verb ישׁוּב, turn oneself, turn about, is here used in a double sense: first, as turn away from one; and then turn towards him, return again.
In the new Testament in Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
This season also reminds us of Esther and her willingness to prepare herself before coming into the Kings presence so she could approach him and ask for mercy for her people. This is a reminder that in humility with a truly repentant heart we can always approach the King of Kings and allow His countenance to shine on us.
Prophetically,
Teshuvah’s 40 days of repentance,
prepares believers for Messiah’s appearing!
We must choose to allow our Father’s Ruach HaKodesh, Who loves us, to rebuke and chasten us so we can bring true fruits of repentance and go forward a Bride without spot or blemish ready for the Wedding Feast!
Turn and keep on coming to Messiah family, for surely this is our hearts desire that every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship with our Lord is restored.
This is His desire for us…
and it’s time to turn!
שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם,
Shalom aleikhem
chaverim and mishpachah!
Peace to friends and family.
Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.
Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.
You are very precious in His sight.
Not sure ..you can be…
SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,
SAY IT RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name
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