Ron Sawka Ministries
Oct. 16, 2024; Tishrei 14, 5785
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37–39).
“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you” (Gen. 17:5–6).
Just One Drink and a River of Life Flows Forth
Permanent change to fruitfulness!
Thank you for praying for us the last several days. Teddy and I attended the Catch The Fire (CTF) World Advance conference, hosted by CTF Bulgaria. My own (brief) particular role was to release the recommissioning and new anointing the Lord has for all of us. It can be likened to God changing Abram and Sarai into Abraham and Sarah by putting his breath (the Hebrew letter “hei”)—signifying the Holy Spirit—on them. Suddenly, they became fruitful. Suddenly, the long-awaited promise of a son was fulfilled, as Sarah conceived and Isaac was subsequently born (see Genesis 17).
I wrote about this in detail in our October 2 update. But the reason I mention it again is to remind all of us, that this is not intended by the Lord as a fleeting blessing. I feel He is emphasizing to all who want it that He is recommissioning us. Abraham never changed his name back to the old. From then on, he was—and is—known as Abraham. Let the breath of God—the fullness of the Holy Spirit upon you—be just as permanent. Like Abraham and Sarah, do not allow yourself to go back to the old way of thinking.
Feast of Tabernacles (FOT) (October 16–23)
It was on the last day of this feast that Jesus shouted out those famous words, “Are you thirsty? Just come to Me and drink and a river of life will flow out of you” (my paraphrase of John 7:37–38). During the FOT, they were to construct booths or small tabernacles and somewhat live in them. It was an object lesson in “dwelling together with the Lord” in your daily life. If you would live with Him and He with you, then He would freely provide the rain (both physical and spiritual). It emphasized that God wanted to live with them.
The same is true today, and even more so. The Lord wants to spend time with us and wants us to spend time with Him. He already permanently lives in us, but He wants to spend time with us. Whenever we do so, it is like coming to Him and drinking.
It really is an amazing picture. We come to Him and have one drink, and it results in a river flowing out of us. How do we take that drink? A few thoughts are as follows:
1. Often remind yourself throughout the day that He is with you.
2. Also remind yourself He wants you to “hang out” with Him.
3.Talk to Him as you would to a friend or a family member—talk about the little things as well as the “important” things.
You will find your thoughts and ideas being directed. You will find your actions being more purposeful and successful. You will find your words being directed and being more of a blessing. You will find ministry to others happening through you. In other words, when we drink of Him, He causes a river to flow out of us.
Thanks for praying.
Ron and Teddy
Tishrei 5785—The Seventh Month of the Hebrew Year
Oct. 3–Nov. 1, 2024
Full Surrender to Advance with the Lord of Hosts
Thursday, October 3, is Tishrei 1, the first day of the new Hebrew year 5785. I feel it will be a year of incredible advance as we completely surrender to the Lord of Hosts. I called the previous year, 5784, “New Beginnings.” Those who are versed in Hebrew explain that the Hebrew letter/number for “4” actually means “door.” Indeed, the Lord opened many new doors for us and led us through them. Personally, because of my spinal issue, I was led through a door of surrender and commitment far beyond anything I ever experienced before.
But what about this new year, 5785? What does “5” (hei) mean? Some meanings are as follows: divine breath, revelation, light, and grace of God. “Hei” occurs twice in God’s name, Jehovah (Y-H-V-H). Therefore, as we enter this new year, we should be very aware of God’s hand and His grace on our lives and on all that He gives us to do.
A scholar pointed out that the original picture for the letter “hei” was a figure of a human with both hands raised. We raise our hands in worship. But raised hands also mean absolute surrender. To me, this is the best picture of what God requires of us, and without which we won’t advance. That picture of hands raised in surrender is illustrated from what the Lord showed me recently from the story of Joshua (see Josh. 5:13–15).
Joshua was standing looking at the formidable obstacle of the walls of Jericho when he saw a man with a drawn sword. He challenged if the man was for or against them. The man said, “No,” and announced He was the Commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua fell on his face, but soon asked for a “word or strategy.” He was abruptly told to take off his shoes because it was holy ground. Joshua did so. It’s a picture of total surrender.
That is our key for 5785. God has brought us through new doors, and just as in Joshua’s case, is already there, waiting and ready to advance. But it’s not about helping “us”; rather, it’s about us fully surrendering to Him and waiting on Him. Our lives are His and must be fully surrendered. He is in charge and will allow us to see amazing victories far beyond what most of us have ever seen. God has His hand ready to be fully upon us. But the key is surrender. Thus, I call this year “Full Surrender to Advance with the Lord of Hosts.”
More on Tishrei may be found here.
Ron’s Travel Ministry Schedule
Nov. 24—CTF Noda, Venue at: Saitama, Japan
Jan. 22–25—Project 173, Mexico City, Mexico
Praying for One Nation Every Day
Let’s keep praying, declaring, and believing every day for our own city, our own nation and one other nation in the world. Prayer strategy that comes from Apostle Karen Dey (New Zealand/Sri Lanka)
Click here to read Apostle Karen Dey’s document.
