Ron Sawka Ministries
Oct. 2, 2024; Elul 29, 5784
“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).
“Then God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her’” (Gen. 17:15–16).
Being Changed from Abram to Abraham
On the evening of October 2, we enter into the new Hebrew year 5785. I believe that by far the most important key for us this coming year is being surrendered entirely to the Lord. Our walk and our ministry can no longer be a “partnership with the Lord” that can easily degenerate into our making decisions and moves and just hope God blesses them. I believe the Lord is requiring the same yieldedness of us that He required of Joshua, which is why “Full Surrender to Advance with the Lord of Hosts” is the theme for this coming Hebrew year (see below for full description).
But there is much more for us as we enter this new Hebrew year. I believe this will also be a year when longstanding promises and prophecies begin to be fulfilled. Additionally, I believe we will enter a time of fruitfulness far beyond anything we have imagined.
Abram and Sarai are also examples of this. God had promised them a son, but Sarai was unable to conceive. They were believing and hoping, but nothing happened. But after twenty-four more years of barrenness for Sarai—when Abram was ninety-nine years old—God appeared to him again. He reconfirmed the promise and also changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah. He did this by adding the Hebrew letter “hei” (ה). “Hei” represents “5,” which we see twice in this new Hebrew year, 5785. “Hei” also means “breath of God.”
Like most of you, I have long known that God made this name change for both Abram and Sarai, but never quite understood the full implication. Adding “hei” signified that God was putting His breath—the Holy Spirit—on them. He would no longer be Abram, “father of a nation,” but Abraham. The breath of God—the Spirit of God—on him would make him “father of many nations.” Likewise Sarai would now be Sarah, not just a “princess,” but “princess over many nations.”
Exceedingly fruitful—Look again at what God told Abraham. He said, essentially, “I am putting My Spirit upon you, and ‘I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you’” (Gen. 17:5–6). Without the Holy Spirit, Abram and Sarai could do nothing. Their lives were barren. They could only wait for the promise to be fulfilled. But when God visited and put His Spirit upon them, everything changed. Not only was the promise fulfilled, but it was far, far beyond what they ever imagined.
It’s that “exceeding fruitfulness” that God wants us to grab hold of as we enter the new year. Yes, we are thankful for all that He has done and how He has blessed until now. But we also have been waiting for more. We have been waiting for great harvest, for miracles to abound, and for signs and wonders. There is no way we can make this happen in our own strength. But just as the Lord visited Abram and Sarai and put His Spirit upon them, He is doing the same for us, and I believe He is emphasizing that in this new year.
It’s also what Jesus did for His disciples when He breathed the Holy Spirit on them. We read, “‘As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:21–22). They became fruitful far, far beyond what they could have imagined. The good news is that Jesus is with us to do the same.
Let me say it again. In this “hei” year of 5785, God is putting His hand on us—putting His Spirit upon us. I am believing to be exceedingly fruitful!
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
Oct. 3–12 — CTF World Conference, Sofia, Bulgaria
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.
