Turning Away and Turning To

Prayer

Abba, along with Jews around the world, during this Hebrew month of Elul we humble ourselves, turn from sin and ask for new hearts of fiery devotion to You.

We cry out for a revival of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and of loving our neighbor as ourselves.

40 Days of Repentance

At sundown August 20th as the Hebrew month of Elul began we celebrated the New Moon with feasting and by invoking a heavenly Presence as we sang songs about God's holiness.

The atmosphere was rich with the Spirit brooding over us as we worshipped Him.

The New Moon Elul marks the beginning of 40 days of repentance for Jews worldwide. These hallowed 40 days ultimately leads to the climax of Yom Kippur, the most revered day in Judaism. 

In our community we not only take the 40 days to turn “away” but we also turn “to.” We turn away from sin and we return to our first love, Yeshua.

As a dancer I learned quickly that the way to prevent dizziness and falling is to keep a steady focus on what I was turning to and not what I was turning from.

It does not work to simply turn away from sin without a focus on where, or rather, on Whom you are turning toward.

Spiritually, we spend this month doing both. Turning away from all that hinders love and returning to the One Who is Love.

40 Day First Love Fast

We are currently on the 40 Day First Love Fast. We began sundown Elul 1, August 20th until sundown Yom Kippur September 28th.

We are focusing on 2 prayer points: 1) believers will return to their first Love Yeshua; 2) Israel will turn to Yeshua, the Lover of their souls.

Below are 3 of the Scriptures we are highlighting:

• REVELATION 2:2-5, “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear  those who are evil.

• …you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 

• Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…

• To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”

• SONG OF SONGS 3:1-4, "By night on my bed I sought the One I love; I sought Him, but I did not find Him.

• I will rise now…I will seek the One I love. I sought Him, but I did not find Him….

• ’Have you seen the One I love?’ Scarcely had I passed by them, when I found the One I love. I held Him and would not let Him go.”

• EZEKIEL 36:24-29, “For I will take you from among the nations…and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean…

• I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 

• I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes… you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses.”

Poems of Longing

In Its Time

Gazing into Your eyes of fire I’m lost in the mesmerizing flame found dancing within Your being.

As Your passion is exposed my deep calls to Your deep igniting vehement flashes in my soul.  

Glorious Lover, transcendent God, when can I behold You outside of my mind’s eye, face to face?

When can I hold You in an embrace never to leave and move with You in the dance of eternity?

When can I see You as the angels see, know You as the Spirit knows, behold You in the same light as the Father beholds?

Yeshua whispers to my soul,  “You are Mine. You are of Me, from Me, and for Me.  All things will come in its time.”

28 December 2016

The One My Heart Loves

I’ve been searching for the One my heart loves;

I’ve been searching for the One Whose heart loves me. 

I wake early in the morning and go to the place,

To find the Love that sets me free.

In time I know I’ll be refreshed,

As I sing and dance before My Groom.

With gentle eyes He looks on my heart,

And with His touch I am renewed.

He releases my soul from evil that preys;

As I turn to Him darkness goes away.

He awakens my eyes to His beauty and light;

He consumes my being with passion and delight.

He holds me in His arms;

And by His Spirit He never leaves.

I’ve found the One my heart loves;

I’ve found the One Whose heart loves me.

14 February 1995

Fellowship with the Indwelling Spirit

Romans 8:11

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Yeshua from the dead dwells in you, He who raised the Messiah from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

The Spirit of God dwells on the inside of all who believe in Yeshua, and this internal Companion is awakening us to an awareness of Him. He is drawing believers into an internal dialogue with Him.

The Holy Spirit Who lives within is waiting for any who are willing to give themselves to engage in conversation with Him. It is so simple and yet so profound. He simply wants us to talk to Him.

The way into the pleasures of His presence is simple, and, yet, the way will be complicated for hearts that have not yet decided to be fully given over to Him. 

First, I will address why finding His Spirit within can be complicated. The Great Lover of our souls looks down from Heaven searching for hearts who desire to be with Him where He is. 

“The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.” Psalm 14:2

He calls out to the precious souls who have not yet resolved if they want to give up all to Him. He wants fellowship with you and longs for you to want Him in return.

If you choose to give yourself to Him, know that our God is a jealous God Who likens Himself to a husband. (Isaiah 54:5) He will not share you with another. His greatest commandment is that we love Him with the totality of who we are.

Yeshua answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

God has placed His Spirit inside our human frame like an “engagement ring.” God, the Lover of our Souls, has sealed us for Himself. In God’s zeal He says, “I am yours and you are Mine.”

“…God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (II Corinthians 1:21-22)

A heart that wavers back and forth complicates the path that leads to fellowship with His Indwelling Presence. A resistant heart is like a crooked path that leaves a soul wandering aimlessly for His Presence. 

The road into fellowship with the Holy Spirit is a straight and narrow road, and this road is found by simply turning or returning to God as our first love. (Revelation 2:1-7)

When our hearts are pushing on God’s boundaries by walking “on the edges,” we begin slipping away from God. Hearts like these inwardly debate, “How far can I go toward sin and still not sin?” If you are internally asking a question like this, turn.

The Lord is seeking those whose desire is to see how far away from sin they can go. The heart in love says, “How close can this frail human be to You? How much can I give of myself? How far will you let me go into love?”

One heart desires to move as close as possible to sin without the torment of the pains of death. The other heart desires to move as close as possible to Elohim. The Lord sees within us and discerns the truth of who we are.

Asaph’s Response

Like I have already mentioned, the way into His Presence is simple for the undivided heart. 

Asaph in Psalm 73 is a wholehearted lover of God who is set to worship God and not compromise. When Asaph’s heart fails him, God strengthens his heart to return to his first love.

Asaph’s journey is an inspiration of how to set our hearts when we stumble and fall. 

For 20 years I have repeated Asaph’s words when I face my weak heart and foolish internal dialogue. Asaph came face to face with his own weaknesses. Though his heart is set to love God wholeheartedly, he became envious of the prosperity of the wicked and spoke out of turn. 

It is his response to his weakness that is astoundingly inspirational. He is clearly aware of his weakness and clearly aware of God’s unwavering presence. 

God does not leave him or forsake him. Elohim’s abiding Presence causes desire to erupt from Asaph. Because God continued to want Asaph, Asaph responds with an astonishing statement, “The is NONE upon the earth that I desire besides You.” 

Psalm 73:21-26, “Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind. I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.” 

“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Reap What You Sow

You can “burn out” on spiritual activities (i.e. prayer, fasting, Bible study, worship, services, ministering to others) if you are not fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit during these activities. Touching the Holy Spirit is the point these exercises, yet, many times we simply go through the motions for the sake of “being good.”

It is so simple, yet, so many times many of us forget this simple step of making conversation with the Holy Spirit as we are reading our Bibles, worshipping, praying, or ministering.

We will walk in the Spirit to the degree that we talk to the Holy Spirit. Speaking with the Holy Spirit releases within us a vibrant relationship with Him. 

This principle remains true: we will not walk in the Spirit more than we talk to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will not love me less if I do not speak with Him; however, I will not be empowered by Him to walk in the Spirit if I do not talk to Him.

God will not be mocked. If you sow to the flesh you will reap corruption. If you sow to the Spirit you will experience life that is vibrant with the Spirit of God.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:7

 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. II Corinthians 9:6-8

My Story

In the year 2000, sitting in the back of the prayer room on the floor against the wall I read about how others communed with the Indwelling God. The books I read taught on praying to the Spirit who is flowing from your belly like rivers of living water. (John 7:38)

Jeanne Guyon, St. Theresa of Avila, and others testified of their experience with the Indwelling Spirit. As I read their stories a holy jealousy gripped me and I said to myself, “Why not me?” 

With a set heart, I sought God to experience communion with the Spirit of Elohim Who lives inside of me. 

I told the Lord that I would fast, pray and focus on His Spirit in my belly until I began to feel His Presence inside of me. After 3 days of fasting and prayer, I felt Him inside me. 

The best way I can describe the sensation of His Indwelling Presence is to liken Him to the sense of His Presence that comes upon you during an anointed worship service. 

One sense of His Presence is around you or upon you, and the other sense of His Presence is inside of you. Just as you can feel His Presence in the room with varying degrees of strength, the same is true for the Indwelling Presence of God. 

Theresa of Avila poetically describes the journey we take into union with God.. She describes how we are given the “first water” and then are given the “second water” of His Presence after we have embraced humility, prayer, fasting and perseverance in the practice of spiritual exercises.

Saying “Hi”

The Indwelling Presence is like a magnet. We are naturally drawn to Him because we were created for communion with Him. 

In my 20’s I began my journey of seeking union with Elohim. I was compelled to teach others how to fellowship with the Indwelling Holy Spirit. 

My friend Tara has a testimony that is by far my favorite story about fellowship with the Indwelling Spirit. After telling Tara about what I had learned and what I was experiencing with the Indwelling Holy Spirit, she felt a holy jealousy and wanted to experience the Presence of the Holy Spirit within her, too.

Tara sat on her bed and after waiting on God for only 45 minutes the Holy Spirit within made His Presence known. She did not know what to say to Him, so she said, “Hi.” With a smile and light laughter she said that she waited a little longer and still didn’t know what to say to the Spirit. Tickled she said to me, “So I said it to Holy Spirit again, ‘Hi.’”  

The Beginning of Communion

The beginning of communion with the Indwelling Spirit is belief in Yeshua as the Son of God Who gave His body and His blood for us as a sacrifice for our sins. 

We come to Yeshua knowing that we have sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory. Because of the great kindness and passionate love of God we have been granted mercy, forgiveness for our sins, healing and deliverance from our bondages.

Before you are able to pray to the Indwelling Spirit, He must first live within you. When you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and when you turn from your sinful ways, then Yeshua will place His beautiful Spirit within you.

Holy Imagination

Since our mind operates in pictures, we picture the Scriptures in order to gain a deeper and stronger revelation and understanding of God. 

For example, when Yeshua told the a parable like the story of the father running after the prodigal son when he came home, immediately imagination ignites the minds of all who heard and hear the story. 

We can just imagine the scene. The father dropping everything and running to the father with tears streaming from his eyes and love welling up and exploding from the father’s heart. 

We imagine the humbled son filthy and smelling like pigs falling at his feet in full repentance. He is greatly ashamed that he wasted his father’s money and his inheritance. The father pulls him up before he can fall on his knees in shame and he embraces him with all his strength and begins laughing with tears and praising God and crying, “My son who was dead is now alive!!” 

Through holy imagination Yeshua reaches the emotions, hearts and minds of the hearers of the Word. Yeshua uses holy imagination to deliver our minds by replacing our dark and vain imagination with a holy imagination. He captures our attention, washes us with the water of the Word and redeems our heart, soul, mind and strength.

To use holy imagination in relation to communing with the Indwelling Spirit of Yeshua, simply close your eyes and imagine the Indwelling Spirit as He is described in the Scriptures. 

The Holy Spirit is described in the Scriptures as being within you, in your belly area. The Holy Spirit appears in the scripture as fire, light or water. Use your holy imagination and envision Him within you as fire, light, or water.

“Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Revelation 4:5

“Love is as strong as death; its jealousy unyielding as the grave. Love’s flames are vehement flames of fire, the very flame of Yah. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.” Song of Songs 8:6-7

“The Lord is my light.” Psalm 27:1

“‘He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Yeshua was not yet glorified.” John 7:38-39

“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life,” Yeshua. John 4:14

“…the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is the Anointed Messiah in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:26-27

How To Commune with the Indwelling Spirit

Dial Down

There are several practical approaches to take when interacting with the Indwelling Spirit. In each approach “dial down” and calm and quieten your soul as you begin to pray. If possible remove yourself from others the way that Yeshua removed Himself from others and sought remote places to pray.

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Mark 1:35

Times in the secret place with the Lord are irreplaceable as is time with God in public places. Practicing God’s Presence in public places is just as crucial as time alone communing with the Indwelling Spirit in hidden away places. 

“I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the One my heart loves. …I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go…” Song of Solomon 3:2&4

Madam Jeanne Guyon, one my favorite authors on fellowshipping with the Indwelling Spirit, wrote in The Short and Easy Method of Prayer (1685), “Prayer alone can bring you into His presence and keep you there continually." 

With prayer and fasting, if we will diligently seek God’s Glorious Presence Who dwells within us, in time He will grace us with a continual sense of His Presence. This is the place of Union with Elohim and intimacy with a holy God. This is what we seek.

Guyon wrote in one of her poems: "There was a period when I chose a time and place for prayer. ... But now I seek that constant prayer, in inward stillness known ..."

Seek the Indwelling Spirit in private. Seek Him in public. Increase the conversation with Him by speaking slowly and using short phrases. 

Distractions

Everyone gets distracted. As the mind begins to wander, use the Scripture to bring yourself back to being mindful of the Indwelling Spirit. You may need to draw your mind back to the Holy Spirit several times.

Do not be discouraged. Just continue to use the Scripture to draw your mind back to the One Who dwells within you.

For my frame I have found it helpful to sit up straight instead of lying down in a soaking position.

4 Approaches

Like I mentioned previously, there are several approaches to fellowship with the Indwelling Spirit. Here are four approaches to the Indwelling Spirit when contemplating or steadying your mind with a Scripture. 

Four approaches to the Indwelling Spirit are to: 1) seek revelation of the Scripture; 2) just be with Him; 3) watch a movie; 4) pray in the Spirit.

1) Seek Revelation of the Scripture

• The goal is to understand the Scripture with revelation.

Choose a Scripture to contemplate, In very small portions read the passage three times slowly and silently. Pray-read the scripture audibly, but softly, if you are in a group setting or if it helps you to focus. 

* We read the passage three times slowly to help us hear every word and take in what He is saying. Feast on every word as you read. Our goal is to go deep, not necessarily long. 

Give your attention to the Indwelling Spirit, the One Who lives within you, your internal Companion. Focus your mind on Him being inside of you. 

Wait in silence or with soft music until the Holy Spirit speaks revelation to you by giving you thoughts in your mind that are from Him.

Write down the revelation you receive or speak it softly into a voice recorder. Move to the next portion of scripture after 5-60 minutes.

For example:

• Choose the Lord’s Prayer. 

• Direct your prayer toward the Indwelling Spirit inside of you as you pray-read slowly and in silence three times, “Our Father Who art in Heaven.” 

• Wait on the Holy Spirit in silence or with soft music. 

• When the Indwelling Spirit gives you revelation, write it down or softly speak it into voice recorder as to cherish and not forget what the Spirit is saying.

• After 5-60 minutes pray-read three times, “Hallowed be Your name.” Wait. Write or record the revelations. After 5-60 minutes move on to the next few words in the Scripture.

2) Just Be With Him

• The goal is to sense the Holy Spirit’s Presence within you and enjoy basking in Him.

Choose a verse. Pray-read the verse three times slowly and silently to the Indwelling Spirit. Use this Scripture to escort you into the Spirit’s Presence. 

When you sense the ebb and flow of His Presence, quietly whisper or say internally the verse you chose until you sense His Presence again.

When you get distracted and your mind begins to wander away from the Indwelling Spirit, use the Scripture you chose to draw your mind back to the Spirit. 

Excellent Scriptures to choose that help capture and recapture your mind are Romans 8:11, Revelation 4:5, Song of Songs 8:6-7, Psalm 27:1, John 7:38-39,  John 4:14, and Colossians 1:26-27. 

When your focus returns to the Presence of God within you, allow God to infuse you with His Presence and become saturated with Him. There is no greater pleasure than being near Him and tasting His goodness. Oh the pleasures of His Presence!

“In Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore,” .Psalm 16:11

For example:

• Choose John 7:38, “…out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.”

• Direct your prayer toward the Indwelling Spirit inside of you as you pray-read slowly and in silence three times, “…flow rivers of living water.” 

• Wait on the Holy Spirit in silence or with soft music. 

• When His Presence comes, enjoy. 

• Whisper the verse when you sense a decrease in His Presence. 

3) Watch a Movie

• The goal is to see a Biblical story in your mind’s eye and let it play like a movie in your imagination. We are seeking the Indwelling Spirit to understand the storyline and feel the characters’ emotions. 

Choose a story that is no longer than 20 verses. Read the story 3 times silently. Pray-read the scriptures audibly and with emotion if you are with others or if it helps you to focus.

Wait on the “movie” to play in your mind. The Holy Spirit will give you insight and reveal mysteries. You may find yourself playing a character and experiencing his or her emotion, heart and mind.

If you are in a group, discern how long the people are accustomed to praying. Some groups need interaction after 5 minutes of waiting on the Spirit. Other groups can wait on the Spirit for hours. 

When “Watching a Movie” in your mind’s eye as I have described, I recommend waiting on the Spirit between 5 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the prayer group. 

It is good to debrief in order to gain the insight that was given to others. Everyone sees in part. It’s good to hear others experiences and let the Holy Spirit instruct you through them.

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part…” I Corinthians 13:9

For example:

• Choose Luke 10:38-42

• Direct your prayer toward the Indwelling Spirit inside of you as you pray-read slowly and in silence three times. If you are in a group, read out-loud.

• Wait on the Holy Spirit in silence or with soft music

• Wait on the “movie” to play in your mind.

• Contemplate 5 minutes to 2 hours

• Discuss and record what was seen

4) Pray in the Spirit

The apostle Paul said that he prayed in the Spirit more than his companions. Paul instructs us to pray always in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our source.

The more our faith grows in the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is our source for life, the more we will pray in the Spirit,

By praying in the Spirit: we are edified; we make intercession; we are empowered; we find peace; we have faith; we persevere; we love; we have joy; we are healed; we find union with a Holy God.

Everything good and holy in our lives comes from the Holy Spirit.

Through the Spirit you will find and give love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Do you need any of these? Are you weary or sick?

Pray in the Spirit audibly or inaudibly.

Through the Spirit gifts are dispersed among us. One receives words of wisdom, another a word of knowledge, still another faith.

The Holy Spirit gives gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. (I Corinthians 12)

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6:18

“But you, beloved, build up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost…” Jude 1:20

“Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26-27

 “What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” I Corinthians 14:15

For example:

• Choose times in your day to pray in the Spirit

• Focus on the Indwelling Spirit; pray to the One Who is flowing from your belly

• Pray audibly or inaudibly

Practicing His Presence

5 Phrases

Mike Bickle has a series on Fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit that I highly recommend. In this series he taught me a few phrases that I have found helpful in speaking with the Indwelling Spirit throughout the day. 

Below are five phrases that are a reflection of Mike’s phrases. Speak them slowly as you focus your mind on the Indwelling Spirit that flows from your belly. (John 7:37-39)

1. Thank you for Your bright Presence in me. (Wait a few seconds.)

2. Teach me Your thoughts. (Wait.)

3. Lead me in my words and into divine appointments. (Wait.)

4. Anoint me to bless people today with impressions and phrases. (Wait a few seconds.) Anoint me to heal and deliver. (Wait.) Anoint me to prophesy, preach, and write.

5. Strengthen me with love. (Wait.) Thank you for love in my spirit. (Wait.) Thank You for Your indestructible Presence in my life,

One more phrase that I thoroughly enjoy speaking to the Holy Spirit is, “I love you Holy Spirit. I love you so much.” This phrase is the one that moves my heart most deeply.

Prayer

Holy Spirit I acknowledge Your Presence and the truth that You live on the inside of us who believe in Yeshua. Shalom beautiful Spirit of God. Make me ever mindful of You.

At times I sense Your Presence within me and You bear witness of the truths that are written about You. Glorious Spirit, You are like an engagement ring, bearing witness of my covenant with Elohim. 

You have kissed this body that was dead in my sins and You have renewed me as one who will live eternally with You. Oh to be evermore in Your glorious Presence my Lord! 

You are here, Immanuel, God with us, dwelling in the midst of us. You never leave us or forsake us. Spirit of Yeshua, I abide in You.