2023-06-21 | Influence

 

Photo by Marcus Wallis on Unsplash

2023-06-21    07:33

4th Day of the Week

Daily reading

Titus 1-3

1 Kings 10-11

2 Chronicles 9

Psalms 22

Proverbs 17

Acts 26

Philippians 1:9-10 

Daily writing

My son, count your efforts, make them more. I will be with you even as I was with Paul, bringing instruction for good living. Do not consider what another might think of you, for each man's heart must go where it chooses. Be you at peace within your own self, to do the will of GOD. How many times have you read now that I spoke to Paul? And yet, man listens to another man for instruction. Who then is man's master, but he that gives instruction?

Who told you to grow your hair and make your vow complete? Who named you and gave you instruction to write here? Who called you to duty, who directs your outcomes? Yea, Mattit'YAHU, it is Me. Always remember Hosea, when you receive instruction; I have My own reasons for everything. Yea, write here, even as your hair covers your head in the fashion of a prayer covering. For what is secret and what is set apart is only for those who are set apart to it. Each thing will find its proper place for those who believe in truth. Yea, I measure the heart of man, I know the contents of it. Be you, who you were called to be; don't expect others to do as you do, other than obeying Me. Each has a job to do and not all jobs are the same, by now, you should understand. There are many required to move My tent, but only one to sit on a throne. Some duties are for many and the many will get it done; so the one, who has a duty as one, can do that duty; without being troubled to perform common duties. What did you think being set apart then meant? Oh, yes! There are those that love to be in control; they will not be pleased with these words. But, let each of them come to Me in silence; then, I will tell them what is expected of them. For I instruct; or, am I then not the Head of your movement?

Tell Me, son of man, the horn that you received; was it purchased or a free gift? And, what all then does that one horn represent? You know, but you won't say; for you guard against pride these days. Why then? What all is in an anointed horn? But, know this; the horn, it was a gift, and so too the oil that anointed it. It did not cost you, in purchasing; for it was a free gift from Me. Say again, son of man, what is the name given to you of your parents. You hide behind a door, for this is still a moment thereof; but tell Me, son of man; what even of all your names? Remember, 'chance' is not a kosher word.

As the son takes duties of his father, he relieves his father. Then, the father can get on with the other things that requires his own efforts. There is sense in sensibility; yea, there is order in organisation, and I am LORD of ALL. As One and one walks ahead, so too, will many follow. What is of a place and what is of the Spirit? There are those that run to exhaustion; but the good athlete knows where to refresh himself and where to abstain, to prevent the cramps of being overeager. Pace yourself at a steady pace that prolongs the effort for the full length of all the efforts that must be put in. Yea, finish the race strong and refreshed. Where One goes, there many will follow; in good and in evil. Know the Master of the camp you are running to. Know your enemies, find all their show-and-tell. Then you will know the nature of the Beast that does not get too squeamish to slay a child. Know your enemy, seek out his plans for then you have the upper hand. Do not be too predictable, for war requires surprises unto victory. Be sure footed on every route you travel.

Yea, One walks ahead; then... what have you learned? Where are the Captains of the Guard? Where is the Strength of GOD? Where are the Priests and Prophets, where are all the instruments of Praise and Worship? What tumult will bring down the walls of their protection? Who then is this great city, that the Kings and Princes will lament over?

Know your enemy, that you be not surprised, when you walk among giants again.

As for the word today, be it this: Son of man, have you paid attention? Of all you have seen and heard. What then is your own conclusions? Have you tested it? Have you formulated your belief? Can you narrate it as unto him who holds a pen? What of your opinions? What do you think is true and of what are you still uncertain? Do you seek out the answers, even of that which you are alarmed of? Do you swipe right or left on matters concerning your soul?

Yea, man thinks (they have been led to believe) that they are insignificant. They are convinced that they are too small for Me, to be considered. Son and daughter; oh! All you Children of mankind who of you even throws a puppy out to the cold of night? Are you not worth more than any dog?

So, I will do this: Do you think you are alone in your struggles? Do you think you are the only one that is being oppressed? What of those "influencers" you see who seems to have no end to their joy? What of those who "claims to conquer the world?" Are they like you, at all? Oh! All these "jetsetters" exploring all the world unincumbered, where does all their wealth come from? Are you like them? Do you want to be like them? Or are they luring you after all the things you cannot have? Are they rubbing your face in it? And yet, you follow them to increase their gain. What are they influencing you to desire, what is the "want" they establish in you?

Mankind lives in shelters, what more do you need than four walls and a roof over your head, to shelter you from a storm? And yet, that is not enough, for man always want more. Look at Solomon, he built a temple for Me, then for himself and after that, he had a list of temples he built for who? And of wives; could he stop at one? Man always wants more; more to see and more to hear; but, there are other sensations that should know greater constraints than these.

You want to know what you can do? Don't do as these, know good restraint and when you have more than what can please you in a lifetime, try charity and share a little of the blessings you received. Do not be like these "influencers," do not gain at the cost of the enslaved and poor. Do not give false hope of gain, but rather introduce them to Me. For I will break their chains. I will set them free from sin. Why are you so sold out on human practice; evil efforts of gain; designed to evoke your dissatisfaction with the blessings you received from Me? The enemy will always show you more-and-more of what you cannot have. Yea, he will design deceit to make you ungrateful of the good you have. Don't you know it is a trap? He counts on you to make selfish and foolish choices. The World-systems are designed to lure you to your own destruction. Think!

Shalom

Introspection

This morning, after I was done with quiet time (which went into a major over-time) I decided to take a walk to the shop to buy some bread. I could have driven if I wanted to, but this morning I needed to get out; I had to feel the fresh air on my face and walk in wonder of GOD. I was also highly uncomfortable about the level of intensity of the Word today, besides, there are personal matters that were revealed here. I pondered as I walked on what I have read and what I have heard. It might be hard for you to understand, maybe not; but much of what is above, came as a revelation to me too. The words dance through my head as an uncomfortable play of alarm. 

Now, I can admit that not all these things are new to me; and some, speaks to a deeper history which I have been made privy to. Nothing major, things that can all be found in the Word of GOD.  When the LORD pointed to my long hair, He pointed out the vow I have made; and GOD knows even the deepest parts of why I made the vow. It is deeply personal. When GOD points to my names, He points to so much more than meets the eye. 

In 1996, on the 6th of the 9th month; I made a personal vow, not to permit alcohol over my lips again. Yes, that includes that in medicine and even mouthwash. Like I say, these are very personal things. My friends, if I must give my testimony here, it will be a substantial book. A few years ago, I can't remember how many, maybe 3 or 4 years ago; the LORD brought me into a time of separation from the world I was part of. I will not go into major details here, but let's just say I am moderately confined to my house (nothing criminal, it is more in a form of servitude, but that is between GOD and I.) I started reading the Bible systematically from the beginning to the end, so I would be sure, that I have read everything. My hair was shoulder length then. As I read the Book of Numbers, Chapter 6, verses 1-21; I read of the vow of a Nazarite. The LORD said to me, in the still voice that I have come to know by now. He said that I already made the vow and have upheld it all these years; I already had my hair on my shoulders, and I refrained from drinking alcohol already too. He then said, why then not complete the vow, with all the elements of it. So, I gave up all grape products and I stay away from the dead. It was as if something already established, basically; was now just defined and complete. For more on this type of vow, you can follow this link.

It is personal and a matter between me and GOD, but He mentioned it this morning, so now; I must give something of it here. I am to be a Nazarite until the LORD let's me know that the time is done. I have had visions and so have others; of me still having long hair when I am grey and much older than I am now. Friends, these things call for faith; I do not expect anybody else to follow in this way; only, get close to the LORD. He will be your direction in all things. My way, hopefully, is not the way for all. There are elements of my life that speaks to this.

The LORD also mentioned the Horn I received as a gift, one that I saw in a vision, before I received it; and it is with me still. The Ram's Horn was named by the Spirit of the LORD as Dani'el. This Ram's Horn was anointed by gifted Frankincense Oil, at the start of my time of separation. It is also the oil of my own anointing, tip of the right ear, thumb of the right hand, but the right toe is omitted for the sake of separation; it is also rubbed into my long hair at times of prayer. These practices are of personal conviction and faith; it is not needed for any practice of the Christian Faith as far as I know; though Paul took the same vow, twice in recording; and John the Baptist was a life-long Nazarite. By practice, it appears that Samson and Samual were Nazarites too. But this is about as much attention as I can stand to have on me for now. If the LORD commands, then we listen, despite discomfort.

Back to the Rams Horn (Shofar): The Ram's Horn is a wind instrument, also associated with the feast of trumpets. The shofar is an instrument of worship and was a tool used in the capture of Jericho (as an example.) So it also has an element of warning, but also announcing a judge or judgment.

Now, to get to another uncomfortable matter for me; the LORD spoke of names. Maybe, I should start with the Word GOD said to me, that convinced me that it was not a case of simply thinking of what I wrote. This is the start, but vastly more overwhelming by now; the word was "Mizpah" and the LORD called me Mizpah. Now there are more, but let's focus next on my given names as by my parents. My family has Dutch roots; and let's just stay with that for now. My given names, are Mathys Johannes; Matthew John (in English) and Mattityahu Yehochanan (in Hebrew.) There are more names, but not all of them is for public mention; and some, not to be mentioned at all. But for the sake of this blog, let's do this; let's put at least these together in an understandable form: The gift of YHVH, YHVH is merciful, the Watchtower, GOD is my Judge.  You see, the Shofar, Dani'el; was a gift from YHVH. Understand? And the Frankincense was one of the gifts to our Lord Jesus Christ at birth by the wisemen of the East. There is so much more than coincidence involved here.

Now, let us move on to the message for the day; and it is all about influence. You see, the Holy Spirit is the influence of Christ that leads us unto a path of Righteousness in Him. We follow Jesus Christ and all His teachings. He is the influencer we should follow. Though, by association it feels like a crude description. Why? You see man is influenced by all kinds of media and forms of entertainment today. Of the strongest is the influence of marketing and the distribution of reports, especially News. Man is influenced by television, social media and huge marketing campaigns that borders on propaganda. In consideration, propaganda is probably the most apt term. The interesting thing is this: there are many that will have a problem with me for being spiritually influenced by the Holy Spirit to live a more righteous life, even to take a personally significant attachment to my own name; but they will stand in agreement with sanctifying a movement of mass-murder against a nation that is portrayed in a less than favourable light. Now tell me, which matter seems more fabricated then? Especially if you look at win falls and profits. 

The LORD is urging His children to wake up from their slumber and to remember the Words of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It is time to prepare your soul for the time ahead, to look up; for, your redemption draws near.

Today, I will end of with one of Bob Marley's songs; tell me again, that there is not things we fail to see. Think of how old this song is.

God Bless,

Shalom