How do you respond?

Shalom beloved,

Over the past few weeks Abba has really taken me on a journey of introspection. Examining my fruit in difficult situations. He focused my eyes on my response in every little thing, whether big or small.

I’ve come to realize how easily we end up in the same trap of blame shifting that happened with Adam and Eve… we seem to easily blame someone for our behavior. It just never seems to be us! As soon as we fall into this we don’t face the truth or acknowledge our mistakes thus we cannot repent and be washed clean…

Genesis 3:11-13 AMP

‘God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten [fruit] from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” And the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent beguiled and deceived me, and I ate [from the forbidden tree].” 

1 John 1:9

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].”

I once heard the quote: “the difference between a sinner and someone who sins is repentance.”

Repentance revives. It awakens you to see the new. It creates a space for intimacy with Abba Father.

Today I want to ask you, how do you respond? Try not to think about what the other person did, think about your response to the situation. Did you respond in the character of Yeshua? Did you operate out of love? Did your actions reflect the fruit of the Spirit? Did your reaction cause the Ruach Ha Kodesh to step back? Do you respond in prayer and worship?

Ezra 3:11

“They sang [responsively], praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His lovingkindness (mercy) toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.”

Sin separates us from Abba YHVH. It places a barrier within our relationship. Repentance gives you the opportunity to face the truth, and turn from the evil and Yeshua can then remove the barrier and reconcile with us.

In every situation we have the opportunity to choose between life and death, blessing and curse. Don’t be blindsided by the choice others make, focus on YOUR choice. What ABBA asks of you!

Another layer Abba opened to me was how humility and response are directly connected. If you are humble you won’t try to prove that you are right. You will find peace in letting it go because you want to humbly walk with Abba YHVH.

During the last few parashat portions, we saw parts of Moses’ character that really impacted me and confirmed what ABBA had been teaching these past few weeks:

• How his response in anger due to the complaining people cost him.

• How even when the people speak against him, he still prayed for them.

• How he reflects humbleness when Miriam and Aaron spoke against him.

• How he handled the uproar of Korah.

  
  

Numbers 12:1-3

“Now Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman); and they said, “Has the Lord really spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken also through us?” And the Lord heard it. (Now the man Moses was very humble (gentle, kind, devoid of self-righteousness), more than any man who was on the face of the earth.)”

Numbers 21: 4-7

‘So the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, nor is there any water, and we loathe this miserable food.” Then the Lord sent fiery (burning) serpents among the people; and they bit the people, and many Israelites died. So the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord, so that He will remove the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.’

Numbers 20: 11-12

‘Then Moses raised his hand [in anger] and with his rod he struck the rock twice [instead of speaking to the rock as the Lord had commanded]. And the water poured out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank [fresh water]. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you have not believed (trusted) Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, you therefore [a]shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

Moses apparently allowed his anger and frustration with the Israelites to blind him to the significance of what God had instructed. Although thoroughly exasperated by the Israelites, Moses was still held accountable for his behavior.

Numbers 16:4-5

‘And when Moses heard this, he fell face downward; and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to Him, and who is holy, and will bring him near to Himself; the one whom He will choose He will bring near to Himself.’

I truly pray that this blesses you and that you will consider your response in every situation!

Shalom