Clouds . . .

We so often associate clouds with a negative atmosphere and impending doom, but Scripture doesn't usually refer to clouds, negatively.  The word "cloud" appears in the KJV of the Bible 147 times, and most of those times give reference the presence of our Creator!

I'm not claiming to be all knowing on the subject here, but I will offer two absolutes.  The clouds are not intended nor were they ever to be in the control of man, thus they are under the authority of our Creator.  Throughout Torah, the clouds signified the promise of YHWH.  The cloud held the signature of YHWH in the rainbow:  Genesis 9:13, I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.  In Exodus 13:21 we are introduced to His leading of the children of Israel in the pillar of cloud: And YHWH went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.  The cloud signified His presence in the Tabernacle in Leviticus 16:2:  And YHWH said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.   His glory in Numbers 16:42: And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of YHWH appeared.  When Moses spoke the summation of the journey in the book of Deuteronomy, this was recorded in 5:22.  These words YHWH spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and He added no more. And He wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

The New Testament also includes references of clouds and the presence of YHWH and His Word.  Matthew 17:5 our Heavenly Father speaks His approval of His Son: While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.  Mark 13:26 speaks of the return of Messiah in the clouds.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.  Acts 1:9-11 records Messiah's ascension into the clouds and addresses His return.  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.   I Thessalonians gives quite a vivid image, detailing clouds, of the Second Coming of Messiah:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The Revelation virtually begins with the announcement of the Second Coming, 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.   

Could it be, the clouds contain such a negative message for so many and instill such ominous fear so often because, as a society, we are not listening and not following?

Fruit Bowl or Fruit Basket Upside Down?

Upon completing a nine week study of the fruits of the Spirit, I learned quite a bit. I simply cannot get that statement said by YHWH, out of my heart. "We don't see the gifts because He doesn't see the fruit." It is a "natural progression" of supernatural order. We, as children, are often guilty of desiring HIS presents, rather than HIS presence. Since we walk out our own salvation, I'm guessing each of us does not express the fruit of the Spirit in exactly the same way. I think I learned, probably more than I was able to put in writing, so here's my review and report. The very first thing I have learned is when we want something from YHWH, we will be presented with opportunity to use it . . . or need it! So the next revelation followed. The fruit of the Spirit cannot be produced in my strength. Next, came the confirmation from social media . . . Being "G-dly" gets talked about a lot, but most folks "cherry pick" their issues. Cherry picking is not our option and fruit inspecting is not our responsibility, regardless of who claims otherwise. That is not to say we are to just accept everything, but I have discovered the works of the flesh don't really want to be next to the fruit of the Spirit very long. Fruit is for the most part, sweet. I believe that's why the metaphor was used. There are a few sour fruits and we see that evidenced in the spiritual metaphor as well. There are religious sour grapes and a few gooseberries, but for the most part, fruit is recognized as sweet. When the Spirit of Elohim controls our spirit, our demeanor will be sweet as well, not sugary and not syrupy, but sweet. I don't know about everyone else, but being sweet natured isn't my natural leaning. I'm not necessarily sour by nature, just matter of fact; leaning toward distant or sometimes even indifferent. Indifference is not acceptable in a believer's life. Often acceptance without great emotional display is called for, but not indifference. Hate is not the opposite of love, indifference is, and love is first in the list of the fruit of the Spirit, so I've been experiencing a spiritual overhaul since this new year in YHWH has begun. I pray others who have been reading these articles have also seen the need for some spiritual realignment. Most of us have been hardened a bit by just surviving this world before we became believers, and it's easy to become hardened or callous toward some things that are going on around us. Y'hshuwah's parable of the soil reveals stoniness or hardness impedes the goodness of YHWH from taking proper root. Shallow roots do not produce beautiful sweet fruit. It is also easy to get caught up and bogged down in the cares of the world and riches, which Y'hshuwah referred to as thorns. We all are aware that the bad news is continuing to dominate our awareness, while covetousness is expanding even in the body. As a gardener, I can tell you, thorns are no fun to pull and they certainly impede the growth of the seeds I plant. It takes serious maturity for seeds to actually bear produce . . . Which brings us to good soil, a loving heart. In the natural, even good soil, is just soil, dust if you will, which is exactly where seeds are planted! My understanding has now bloomed to the point of accepting my call to a fuller awareness which is allowing YHWH to produce the fruit in each of us, unto Himself and spiritually we become the vessels He uses. So, naturally, we're dirt, but spiritually; we are vessels. So not only is YHWH the vinedresser, He is also the potter. He determines the fruit and He fashions the vessel for His use at His time. It's getting easier to envision and be loving as I picture each of us as different "containers" for fruit. Some are colanders, some are bowls, some are baskets, and some aspire to be compotes. Ours is not to concern ourselves with which vessel we are, or if He chooses to refashion us, but merely holding the fruit of the Spirit . . . A colander is used in conjunction with water, living water for refreshing and preparation. It's up to YHWH to do the straining . . . Bowls are for service and portions. YHWH determines the occasion. Baskets are for gathering, YHWH determines the harvest and compotes can be ornamentally useful, making fruit readily available for all those who come to the table. Not all compotes, however; contain fruit of HIS Spirit. The love of G-d in our hearts, is what causes the seeds to grow and what transforms clay to vessels. The true love of His Spirit, doesn't argue to be right, nor does it condemn. Peter tells us YHWH is not willing that any should perish, and Peter also tells us to be ready with an answer when someone asks. If someone isn't asking, they probably aren't ready to listen . . . We love them anyway, because YHWH loves them and HE loved us before we were paying attention or listening, too! Love for YHWH means we allow HIS Spirit to use us to love others. John said it very clearly and concisely Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of G-d; and every one that loves is born of G-d, and knows G-d. He that loves not knows not G-d; for G-d is love. I John 4:8-9