Tish B’ Av

This is the Jewish observance we are now under.  During mid July until Aug 3rd (2006) is a time of trouble and mourning for the Jewish people.  The spies who went into the Promised Land, ten had a “bad” report, only Joshua and Caleb brought back a “faith” report of a land flowing with milk and honey.  Also, the temple has been destroyed and many other Jewish tragedies through the ages.

Satan has given a “bad report”.  40 days is between this day and September 11th.  40 is a time of testing.  August 22nd is when the “false messiah is supposed to come (12th Immam).  September 22-23 is Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets).

Personally this past weekend my fiancé and I had taken a trip to the mountains in Colorado where we love to visit and pray to God.  We had such a great trip.  I saw the Broncos training camp and it spoke in a very affirming way to my man/boy heart (Wild at Heart).  My fiancé (Kellie) had lived in the mountains for 8 years and took me to a spot.  We explored the mountains and prayed at a high point over everything going on in the world, or families, children, jobs, worries, etc.  She then took me to a place I had never been before.  It was a valley with some horse ranches in Bailey, Colorado.  It was so beautiful it took my breath away.  Up there in the mountains was truly a “Land flowing with Milk and Honey”.  There was a green, plush valley in the mountains, with a crystal clear creek running through the middle of it, and many horses running around freely.  It was so beautiful I did not have words for it.  All I could do was praise God in my heart.  I had bought a digital camera and we took 200 pictures from this trip.  We savored all eight hours driving home and looking at these pictures and dreaming of what God was speaking into our hearts.  We talked of Abraham and Sara, David and Abigail.  When I got home that night I had gone through the manual and was trying to figure out for the first time how to save and print these pictures.  I went to follow the directions in the booklet that came with the camera.  When I formatted the disk it erased all the pictures.  I was devastated and then had to deliver the news to Kellie.  She was so kind, but I knew it hurt her too that the pictures were gone.  I cried out to God about this.  I know Satan is on the attack.  I got a wonderful devotional yesterday that said do not get the promise and fulfillment mixed up.  I know in my heart that God has promised Kellie and I much.  I know that this angers Satan to no end.  God allows many tests and trials and our promises from him many times suffer “death” and then a resurrection.  I am so anxious for the fulfillment of his promises soon to come.

Encourage each other with these words.  I know God has given so many promises as well.  I am so glad he is a strong and powerful Deliverer of many.

So Much to come from the Lord.

Blessings, 

Tony Ellsworth