Dear Ones,
It’s been awhile since I’ve written. Life has been full and God has been amazingly faithful. And, as you all know, any of us could write volumes of testimonies of His faithfulness, couldn’t we? As we said in the beginning when the Letters From Home section was launched, this section wasn’t designed to be a regular monthly posting but instead we’d post new material when prompted by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). Yes, there’s always something we can say, but the more important aspect is do we have something of LIFE to say, something that was birthed in that secret place with our indwelling God? Something that HE says is important to share with the family?
Today I do have something to share; it’s about the choices we make in life and where they lead us – their fixed and sure outcomes. This topic can also be called “cause and effect” or “choices and consequences” or “sowing and reaping” or anything similar. But the core idea is the same… is what I am choosing (or believing, or doing, or thinking, or planning, etc.) leading to Life or Death? Is it profitable or destructive? Where does it lead?
Before we launch into that, however, I want to give testimony to our ever present, ever faithful God and His marvelous works among us. Many of you have faithfully prayed for Mum’s recovery and I can share that she’s clearly on the road back to health. She’s gaining in strength and energy, engaging in more and more of the everyday life activities that she had not been able to do for so long. So I want to thank you for being our faithful, covenant family and standing for so long in intercession to see this through.
Secondly, I wanted to let you all know that the FMM update we were able to share with the Adat congregation last week went very well. As John, Brenda and I shared about our extended family (you!) and even used a few snippets from the Family News emails, they clearly saw what a precious work Father has been doing ‘under the radar’ for three years now. I see FMM as a seed planted by our God into the good soil of Adat. And from planting till now, that seed has been growing a deep and sustainable root system, tapping into the well of living water and being strengthened in order to withstand any onslaughts from the powers of darkness. And because so many of our world wide family members were tapped into that same living water source, even while there wasn’t much here at home to see above the soil line, because we were able to connect at a deep, covenant level, a love developed between us here at home and all of you who are scattered around the world. And we’ve been able to be part of the answer of Yeshua’s heart felt prayer that we would be one as He and the Father are one (John 17).
Today we are seeing the part of that FMM seed’s growth above the soil line here in Omaha growing too. Many others at Adat (and even guests who were there that day) were amazed and overjoyed to hear what our great God has been doing among you all. Their responses were all positive and encouraging and several are already planning to join the pilot group meetings.
One of the things that is clear to me is that growth in a work of God and done by God Himself can never be about human planning and effort, nor can it be about numbers. And we see that so clearly in how He has birthed FMM. One disciple in Omaha said “Yes” to Him; another disciple in Africa said “Yes” to Him, and the calling forth of true, Blood bought disciples has become a mighty force in the Kingdom of God and has grown into where we are today. How magnificent and so worthy of all praise our God truly is! He is worthy of the praises of all creation, which leads me into the main topic of this letter: discernment.
My life circumstances enable me to share many aspects of everyday ‘life on earth’ with a variety of people – family, friends, coworkers, even strangers who connect in brief and ‘surfacy’ conversations or joint interests. And it’s very clear to me that, just as God so clearly divided Light from Darkness, so we can see clear delineation between currently decapitated people who are dwelling on the broad road that leads to destruction and those who’ve been reconnected to their Head and Master and are dwelling on the narrow road that leads to Life.
I remember in my early days as a believer (before I realized that true belief meant discipleship and an airtight, unshakable trust in God), it didn’t take long for me to develop an “us vs. them” mindset… we were in, they were out. We were right, they were wrong, etc. At that time, I was ignorant of covenant Truth, and I did not really understand God’s written word or the beautiful Father heart it revealed. And so that belief, when rooted and fed, led to feelings of pride and arrogance and superiority… and death. During those years, the Lord was still able to speak to me, to grow me in my knowledge of His Word, and to use me wherever my sin and unbelief didn’t get in the way. But there were still pockets of self life and sin corrupting the whole of my life and testimony. Looking back from today, I can see that my personal crucifixion took a lot of years. It was kind of like peeling an onion – as soon as one layer was crucified, there was another layer exposed.
And as I share what’s on my heart with you now, it’s very important that you understand what I’m saying is not intended to foster anything like an ‘us vs. them’ movement. As disciples of the Living Lord of Glory, we are called to reflect His heart, and His heart clearly is FOR ALL of His beloved creation and is only AGAINST the Serpent and his band of fallen angels. So every human being, regardless of their current state of understanding or commitment, falls on the “FOR” side of the equation.
So how do we fight the fight of faith, faithfully? How do we address it when in conversation with others who have not yet bowed their knee to the Lord of Glory as He reveals Himself through His written and Living Word? How do we help them see that even though they use some of the same words we do, the definitions are very different? And how do we help them see that a Perfect God does not change His requirements or make exceptions to meet human desires and expectations?
Clearly, we do not debate or fight, manipulate or coerce. Instead, we live a life of liberty and freedom and holiness in their midst. And as they see a clear difference between what’s evident in us and what they see in themselves and others around them, they begin to be drawn by the One who dwells and reigns within us. The bedrock Reality of His Presence is beautiful and contagious. Even in the Scripture accounts, we never see sinners uncomfortable around Him. Discomfort was evident only in the arrogant and pompous who opposed Him and His teachings. The ones who knew they’d erred, who knew there was no hope apart from Him, came readily and were freely received. He didn’t shame or blame them; instead He cleansed, restored and healed. Can we be that accepting? Can we be that contagious? I believe we can – as long as we’re willing to allow our indwelling and Perfect God to be and do and say what’s relevant, necessary and custom made for the specific person or event we are encountering at any given time. And that’s nothing more than living out Galatians 2:20:
I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Amplified Version)
It’s just as John the Immerser said, “He must increase, I must decrease.” (John 3:30) The way in which God changes the world is one heart at a time. And as each changed heart impacts their world and the people in it, the Kingdom of our God grows while the kingdoms of this world diminish. And then, as that continues… at the appointed time, our beloved Yeshua will return to claim His inheritance. I am so glad – and humbled – to be a part of it and to be in covenant relationship with all of you as well! I long for the day when together we can worship at His feet and pour our love on Him!
May our Blessed Redeemer richly bless and encourage your hearts!
In His matchless love,
Your sister, Nancy