Rosh HaShanah (Feast of Trumpets)

http://heartofwisdom.com/biblicalholidays/?p=921

In 2010 Rosh HaShanah will start on Thursday, the 9th of September and will continue for 2 days until Friday, the 10th of September.The Bible holidays begin at the sunset of the previous day, so Rosh HaShanah wold begin on the sunset of Wednesday, the 8th of September.

Rosh Hashana Overview

The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) was celebrated at the beginning of the month Tishri, the first month of the civil year. It was one of the seven days of holy convocation. Tishri is the seventh month of the Biblical calendar, and as such parallels the Sabbath as a special and holy time to seek God. The previous month of Elul is the time of preparation just as Friday is the Day of Preparation for Shabbat. This season is a time of reflection, contemplation, and putting things in order and getting right our relationship with God.

God named the other holidays, Sabbath, Passover, Day of Atonement, etc.; however, this holiday has no name. It’s simply referred to as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar), so it became known as the Feast of Trumpets, a special day calling attention to the coming holy day—the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). A shofar (ram’s horn) is blown during the Feast of Trumpets service.

Leviticus 23 calls the blowing of trumpets a memorial but does not say what it is a memorial of. Many believe it is a memorial of God’s grace to Abraham when He substituted a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac (Gen. 22). It is also regarded by both Jews and Christians as a memorial of the creation of the world, at which the sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:7). This holiday was the new year’s day, on which the people rejoiced in a grateful remembrance of God’s benefits and implored His blessing for the future year.

The Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) are the holiest days of the Jewish year. These ten days are called the Days of Awe or High Holy Days. Unlike other holy days, they do not celebrate a season or historical event. This season is a time for looking inward to spiritual growth. The themes surrounding this holiday include:

Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah literally is “Head or beginning of the year.”)
God’s Royalty (Coronation Day)
Day of Judgment
Remembrance (Yom Ha-Zikaron, the day of remembrance)
Birthday of the world

New Year

The Feast of Trumpets is the Jewish New Year. There is little resemblance between the Feast of Trumpets, one of the holiest days of the year, and a typical New Year’s Eve midnight drinking party. It is a celebration of the earth’s physical birthday on Tishri 1, the seventh month of the religious calendar, the first month of the civil calendar. It is the first of the fall holidays and usually occurs in September.

Judaism has several different new years. This is similar to the calendar year starting in January, the new school year starting in September, and many businesses starting fiscal years in July and September. In Judaism, Nisan 1 is the new year for the purpose of counting the reign of kings and months on the calendar. Regardless when the king became ruler, the coronation was on Tishri 1. Elul 1 (in August) is the new year for the tithing of animals. Shevat 15 (in February) is the new year for trees (determining when first fruits can be eaten, etc.), and Tishri 1, the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) is the new year for years.

Coronation Day

Another theme of this holiday is God’s royalty. The Jewish liturgical tradition has preserved tunes for many of the prayers that aptly accompany what the Chassidim called “Coronation Day.” The shofar, in this light, announces God’s Kingship: With trumpets and sound of cornet [shofar] make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King (Ps. 98:6).

Through repentance we become God’s subjects. It is said that the day that God manifests His Royalty, the day He created His world, is also naturally the day He sits in judgment. Coronation Day is a joyous day and world celebration.

Judgment Day

The history of the Feast of Trumpets as a “Day of Judgment” is from the legend that God sits in judgment between the New Year and the Day of Atonement over mankind to determine fates for the coming year.

This symbolism is drawn upon to great effect by the authors of the liturgical poems written to heighten the prayers of the season. The sages say that destiny — whether financial, physical, or other– is pre-ordained on one day each year for the entire duration of that year (Talmud Rosh Hashanah).

It is said that on this day God has three books that are opened. Those who have returned to God are written in the Book of Righteousness. All other people are divided into two groups. The first is the wholly wicked whose names are written in the Book of the Wholly Wicked. The other group are considered intermediates. They are people who have not been judged and have ten more days to repent. If they repent by the Day of Atonement their names will be written in the Book of Righteousness. Hosea 14:1-9 expresses this theme.

The sages of the Jerusalem Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 1:3) say, “Normally, someone standing in judgment would dress somberly, cloaking himself in black robes and not trim his beard. After all, he does not know how it will turn out. Israel is different, though. We dress in white and cloak ourselves in white and trim our beards and eat and drink and are joyous for we know that God will do miracles for us. Being judged by God is at once an awesome thing — He knows all — but He is a merciful God. Even judgment itself need not be devoid of joy (Talmud Rosh Hashanah 1:3).

Remembrance

The theme of “remembered” is thought to be from God remembering Sarah and Hannah. A Talmudic dictum (Rosh Hashanah 10b) says that on Yom Teruah, Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah were “remembered.”

Birthday of the World

Jewish tradition believes this day is the birthday of the world because the first part of Genesis, Bereishit, “in the beginning,” when changed around, read Aleph b’ Tishri, or “on the first of Tishri.” Therefore the Feast Of Trumpets is known as the birthday of the world (Adapted Chumney 1994).

The Shofar

The shofar has always had a special place for the Hebrew people. Trumpets were of a great variety of forms, and were made of diverse materials. Some were made of silver (Num. 10:2) and were used only by the priests in announcing the approach of festivals and in giving signals of war. Some were also made of rams’ horns (Josh. 6:8). They were blown at special festivals, and to herald the arrival of special seasons (Lev. 23:24; 25:9, 1 Chron. 15:24, 2 Chron. 29:27, Ps. 81:3 98:6). Trumpets are among the symbols used in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:10 8:2) (Bushnell 1995).

Specific uses for the shofar:

It was sounded to bring Moses to the top of the mountain to receive the Commandments. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up (Ex. 19:19-20).
It was a signal during time of war. And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them (Judges 3:27).
It was blown at the start of the Jubilee year. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land (Lev. 25:9).

It was blown during coronation services of a new King. And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon (1 Kings 1:34).
It is a sign of the regathering of dispersed Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem (Isa. 27:13).
* It was sounded as a warning of danger. Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid… (Amos 3:6).
* And the greatest anticipation of all is the day of the arrival of the Messiah. And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south (Zech. 9:14).

Feasts Of Israel

http://www.yahveh.com/feasts/
Dear Ones,

The Fall Holy Days as outlined in Leviticus 23 are approaching. Yahveh says, “These are My appointed times.” (Lev 23:2) These three Fall Feasts are the conclusion of what began with Passover and exemplify and foreshadow Yahshua our Lamb and Yahveh’s plan of redemption. The first of these three is the Feast of Trumpets. It begins at sundown on September 8th. This holy time is commonly known to the Jewish community as Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) but biblically as the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) or the Day of the Awakening Blast.

An integral part of this holy time is the blowing of the ram’s horn-shofar (trumpet), to alert the people that they must repent before a holy Creator who will judge sin and all who fall short of His righteousness. The shofar was made from a ram’s horn reminding the people that Abraham obediently put Isaac on the altar and Yahveh mercifully provided a substitute, a ram caught in a thicket. The sounding of the ram’s horn is an awakening and a warning for Yahveh’s people to come to Him in humility and repentance. He has provided a substitutionary sacrifice, His only begotten Son, Yahshua our Lamb, to forgive and cleanse us of all sin and unrighteousness.

We live in perilous times and the loud sounding of the shofar is as the Hebrew prophet’s words urging the people to escape, to get out of harm’s way. A loud shofar is sounding from heaven to earth beseeching the people to repent and flee from the judgments that are coming into a place of safety under the canopy of Yahveh’s protection-the blood of Yahshua. “Repent, for the kingdom of Yahveh is at hand.”

Where is your soul going to be for eternity, will your name be written in the book of life? The scripture says, “The wages of sin is death but the gift of Yahveh is eternal life in Messiah Yahshua…” (Ro 6:23) and “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Lev 17:11 and Heb 9:22) This year the most holy day of Yom Kippur begins at sundown September 17th. It is the Day of Atonement, a day reminding us that our repentant sins are covered and removed by the atoning blood of our Messiah’s ultimate and final sacrifice. Yahveh says, “Now is the day of salvation if you hear His voice do not harden your heart.”

The final holy day as outlined in Leviticus 23:34 is Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. This year it begins at sundown on September 22nd and finishes sundown September 30th. This time reminds us of Yahveh’s provision of shelter for Israel as He led them during her wilderness journeys. We are pilgrims on this earth, just passing through, as we long to enter the Promised Land - the Messianic kingdom of Yahveh the Father and Yahshua the Son-our Lamb.

This last great Biblical Feast points to Messiah’s first coming when He came to dwell (tabernacle) among His people. (Jn 1:14) The fulfillment of this Feast is the “blessed hope” of the redeemed which will ultimately be fulfilled and eternally enjoyed by a consecrated remnant of Jews and Gentiles –“one new man” (Eph 2:15) who will experience Yahveh’s kingship and holy presence forever. This time is also called the feast of “great rejoicing” that can only be experienced by those who have repented of their sins and have been cleansed by the blood of Yahshua.

May you open your ears and hear the sound of the shofar. May your heart be pierced with true repentance as you confess your sins and are cleansed with the blood of our Yom Kippur sacrifice, Yahshua. Let us continue to behold our Lamb and uphold His precious blood by glorifying Him in word and deed as we “work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” May you rejoice that your names are written in the Lamb’s book of life as you prepare by His spirit, to enter His soon coming kingdom.

The book of Revelation describes this glorious fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles-Sukkot. “I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from Yahveh … and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of Yahveh is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and Yahveh Himself shall be among them…the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” … I am…the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be His Elohim (God) and he will be My son.” (Rev 21:2-7)

“To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood…to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.” (Rev 1:5)

Longing and waiting for Yahshua’s return and the establishment of His messianic kingdom. In His love and service,

Terrye

As you gather at this time of the Holy Fall Feasts, the following message could be incorporated as a helpful and loving tool toward repentance and preparation. May Yahveh bless you as you meet together!

The Biblical Feasts of Leviticus 23

The Biblical Feasts as outlined in Leviticus 23, are ordained holy days and are a symbolic picture of the entire redemptive plan of YAHveh, the almighty Creator. “These are the appointed times of YAHveh … a perpetual statute…” (vv. 31,41). Indeed, these prophetic festivals have much to teach all who desire to know their Maker and His eternal plan.

Traditional biblical scholarship acknowledges that YAHveh is the memorial name of the Creator. The title LORD or Adonai (Hebrew) used in most translations of the Bible, are substitutes for His original name YAHveh - Yod Hey Vav Hey (the Hebrew letters spelling His name), which was to be remembered forever (Exodus 3:15). The original divinely given name of the Messiah is YAHshua, meaning YAHveh is Salvation, known to many by the Greek rendered name of Jesus.

We are living in perilous and fearful times. The Bible foretold that these things would happen and it cannot be ignored that the prophesies of scripture are being fulfilled. Inspired by the Creator Himself, we can trust the Holy Bible. The One who created you, longs bless you with the knowledge of His love, purpose and plan for your eternal well being.

Messiah is the fulfillment of all the Biblical Feasts. YAHshua’s death and resurrection were the fulfillment of the Feast of Passover (Pesach) and the Feast of Firstfruits (Bikkurim). YAHshua, the Messiah, was crucified in Jerusalem as the perfect Passover Lamb at the hour that multitudes of Jews were sacrificing their “spotless male lambs” (Exodus 12:3-7.) For those who accept His sacrifice, His blood covers the door posts of their hearts and protects them from eternal death (Exodus 12:12). Yahshua was resurrected as fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits. He is “the firstfruits” of those to rise from the dead, promising resurrection and eternal life to those who are covered in His, the Passover Lamb’s blood (1 Corinthians 15:23.) Shavuot (Pentecost), biblically referred to as the Feast of Weeks, was fulfilled precisely on divine schedule when Yahshua poured out His Holy Spirit at Jerusalem exactly fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits. On this day, three thousand Jewish souls were brought into the eternal kingdom of YAHveh. YAHshua’s sacrificial death opened the way for the promised blessings of Israel to be shared with believing Gentiles who through common faith in His cleansing blood would become united as “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15.)

The Biblical Fall Holy Days are approaching. The first of the three Fall Feasts, is the Feast of Trumpets. This Feast commonly known to the Jewish community as Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) but biblically as the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) or the Day of the Awakening Blast, is a feast calling ones attention to the need for humility and repentance. An integral part of this holy time is the blowing of the ram’s horn-shofar (trumpet), to alert the people that they must repent before a holy God who will judge sin and all who fall short of His righteousness. The shofar was made from a ram’s horn reminding the people that Abraham obediently put Isaac on the altar and YAHveh mercifully provided a substitute, a ram caught in a thicket. When the ram’s horn is sounded it reminds the people, that although YAHveh is warning them to come in humility and repentance, He is merciful to provide a way that their sins can be forgiven, a life for a life, a substitutionary sacrifice. Natural catastrophe requires and brings a loud warning to the people’s hearing urging them to escape and leave the path of destruction, to get out of harms way to a place of safety. Likewise in the spiritual a similar alert and loud warning goes forth from heaven to earth beseeching the people to repent and flee from the judgments that are coming!

We are called to be spiritual people, not just fleshly temporal people of this world. We have a soul and that is the issue. Where is your soul going to be for eternity, will your name be written in the book of life? The scripture says, “The wages of sin is death but the gift of YAHveh is eternal life in Messiah YAHshua…” (Romans 6:23) and “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Leviticus 17:11 and Hebrews 9:22) The most holy day of Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, the day repentant sins are washed over, covered and removed by the blood of the ultimate and final sacrifice. The Messiah’s atoning blood averts YAHveh’s wrath upon man’s sins fulfilling all that Yom Kippur pointed to. “Now is the day of salvation if you hear His voice do not harden your heart.”

The celebration of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, is in remembrance of YAHveh’s provision of shelter for Israel as He led them during her wilderness journeys. This last great Biblical Feast speaks of Messiah’s first coming when He came to dwell (tabernacle) among His people. This feast will ultimately be fulfilled and enjoyed by a redeemed remnant of Jews and Gentiles who experience His kingship and holy presence forever. This feast is one of great rejoicing that can only be eternally experienced by those who have repented and are redeemed by the blood of YAHshua the Passover Lamb, who is the final Yom Kippur atonement for our sins. The Savior of our souls extends His invitation: “Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of everlasting life.” (Revelation 22:17)

THE HOUR IS LATE

WHICH PATH ARE YOU ON?

By Terrye Goldblum Seedman

Are you ready and waiting for your glorious soon coming Savior? Time is rolling up like a scroll and the Almighty’s sovereign proclamation to judge the world in righteousness and truth is an impending reality, as trustworthy as labor pains that come upon a pregnant woman. “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice before Yahveh (God) for He is coming to judge the earth in righteousness and in His faithfulness.” (See Ps 96:11,13) Yahshua, the Savior has infinite love for all mankind, He “does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” receiving forgiveness through His sacrificial cleansing blood. (2Pe 3:9)

Regarding the last days, our Redeemer said in Luke Chapter 21, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap… Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Lk 21:34,36)

We must pay attention to our Savior’s warning against “dissipation” which is the squandering and wasting of our time, energy, and resources. Dissipation is also defined as selfish indulgence and the extravagant pursuit of pleasure. It denotes any diversion that entices us and draws us away from Yahshua and the high and holy calling He has for His redeemed children.

The clock is ticking, the grains of sand are falling in the hourglass; very little time is left! We are exhorted “to redeem the time for the days are evil.” (Eph 5:16) An important question is – What are you doing of eternal value at this most critical juncture in world history and its threshold into eternity? Most people are dulled and lulled into a stupor because of the varied enticements and preoccupations of this perishing world, including man-made religious agendas, which can deceive, if possible, even the elect. (See Mt 24:24)

The Heavenly Father, Yahveh is continually crying out, “Come out of the world and be separate and holy.” (See 2Cor 6:17) He gave His Son to die on the stake at Calvary, to cleanse you of your sins and to purchase you with His precious blood. This is the unfathomable price He willingly paid to give you eternal life and deliverance from the powers of darkness and deception that rule this world system. True “born again” believers can no longer be half-hearted lip servers, who cater to the flesh’s craving and longings for the things of this world. His Holy Spirit warns, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward the Almighty? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of Yahveh (God).” (Jas 4:4) “Do not love the world nor the things in the world… the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but it is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of Yahveh lives forever.” (1Jn 2:15-17)

The love and indulgence of self is an enemy to the love and service of Yahveh the Most High God.

“The enemy comes to deceive the inhabitants of the earth.” (Rev 13:14) The Heavenly Father loves you and is trying to get your undivided attention, wholehearted devotion, and love filled obedience, lest you be ensnared in the world and suffer its coming judgments. Hear His heartbeat, “Open your ears, wake up, O sleeper, now is the day of salvation.” (Eph 5:14 and 2Cor 6:2)

“Humble yourselves in the sight of Yahveh.” Our righteous King longs to bring you to a place of “godly sorrow that leads to true repentance.” (2 Cor 7:10) He is faithful and just to cleanse and consecrate your repentant hearts with the precious blood of His Son. Judgment is coming upon all who walk according to the flesh and live to satisfy their selfish desires and self justified prideful, stubborn, and often rebellious ways.

We must “find out what pleases The Almighty and do it.” (Eph 5:10) “For this you know with certainty, no immoral, or impure person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, or the cowardly, or those who practice magic arts, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah…” (See 1 Cor 6:9, Rev 21:8 and Rev 22:15) May the fire of His eternal presence bring conviction, compelling you to “cast aside every sin that so easily besets you.” (Heb 12:1) In order to be obedient and pleasing to our righteous King, we must “walk by the Spirit, so we will not carry out the desires of the flesh.” (Gal 5:16) “without holiness no one will ever see Yahveh (God).” (Heb 12:14) The Heavenly Father is purifying a redeemed remnant, to become as a beloved holy bride, who is preparing and longing to be with her soon coming eternal bridegroom. (See Jn 3:29 and Rev 19:7)

Are you eagerly preparing and longingly waiting for your Savior’s return? Are you making every effort to know your precious Redeemer more intimately in the spirit, adoring Him with an ever-increasing love, because He is becoming your utmost heart’s desire? Are the desires of His heart your interests? Apostle Paul said, “Many seek after their own interests, not those of Messiah Yahshua.” (Php 2:21)

Are you struggling with a conflict of interest? What is competing for your attention and affection? Are there cravings for other things that make you like an adulterer, idolater, and His enemy because He is not enough for you? Are the cares and preoccupations of daily life hindering your faith, love, and growing relationship to our great King and Redeemer?

Yahshua the Messiah said, “Make every effort (strive with all your being) to enter through the narrow door, because many I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Lk 13:24-28)

True disciples must “count the cost” to forsake everything to follow the Good Shepherd on that narrow path that leads into His eternal righteous kingdom. The redeemed remnant will continue to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling” as they glorify the Father and bring the love and uncompromised truth of the Savior to a lost and dying world.

Yahshua continually cautions His disciples, “be on guard” against the deceptive pull of this world, including its man-tainted religious systems that compromise and often nullify the very words of Yahveh His Father; the full counsel of the Old and New Testament Scriptures. “For this is the love of Yahveh, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1Jn 5:3)

He made it clear that although many would want to, only a remnant- “a few would enter that narrow gate and that narrow path that leads to eternal life.” (Mt 7:13-14) Messiah elaborates, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ (‘Master, Master,’) will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. many would say to Me on that day, ‘Master, Master,’ did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I (Yahshua) will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness (the breaking of Yahveh’s commandments).’ (Mt 7:21-23)

Our Savior described the tragic reality of so many religious people who thought their destiny was sealed in the eternal promised land, His forthcoming Messianic kingdom. Instead the many were assigned a place with the hypocrites where there will be everlasting “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” “Many are called but few are chosen.” (Mt 22:14)

Our precious sacrificial Lamb has poured out His atoning blood to redeem you to be His very own, now and forever. He says, “Behold, I am coming soon and My rewards are with Me. I will give to everyone according to what they have done;” (Rev 22:12) whether by Messiah’s indwelling Holy Spirit, which brings eternal dividends, or by man’s vain dead end efforts. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Pr 14:12)

Dear ones take your eyes off this dying world! Our Savior is crying out, “Look up, lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Lk 21:28) Our Heavenly Father’s infinite love, mercy, and grace, when humbly and wholeheartedly sought, will ensure that you will be “more than a conqueror through Yahshua Messiah ” and endure victoriously to the end. To Him be all the praise, honor, and glory!

“Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Messiah also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those (the few) who eagerly await Him.” (Heb 9:27-28) Don’t delay, make ready, be waiting, rejoice, he is coming soon!

_________________________________________

I humble myself in prayer before You, Yahveh my Heavenly Father and Yahshua my beloved Savior,

I ask you to convict me of my many sins causing me to have true godly sorrow that leads me to life changing repentance. I confess that I have been selfish, stubborn, rebellious and prideful in many ways. Forgive me for disobedience and catering to my love for the things of this world. Please cleanse me with the blood of Yahshua the Lamb. I need Your help to make every effort to ascend on Your narrow path, I want to be part of the few, the redeemed righteous remnant, who seek and do Your will. Draw me so close to You that I will not be anxious or fearful in the midst of these perilous times. Give me a hunger and a thirst for righteousness, a desire to pray and read Your Scriptures, so that I may be obedient to you in my words and actions. I want to redeem the time that is left; “Teach me to number my days, that I might present to you a heart of wisdom.” (Ps 90:12) I acknowledge that apart from You I can do nothing. I humbly thank You for strengthening my faith through Your cleansing blood and the power of Your Name and Spirit, that I can endure victoriously to the end as I eagerly await your return.