Forward and Not Backward

I was praying and asking the Lord about the new year (Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year is September 4-5th), and this is what He spoke to me for us. There may be more, but this is what I got so far.

My people must set their faces as flint to look forward and not backward if they are to reach the rewards I have for them in this time. There is no more time for looking at what lies behind you, My precious children.

Some of you are walking through times of great sadness, so you wish for the happiness  of the past, when what lies before you is an even greater reward if you do not miss it.

Focus. Focus is the key to victory this year, My children. If you will only focus, I will take you further in this new year than you ever dreamed of going. I desire to reward you for your faithfulness and your giving, for I have recorded every instance, every sacrifice you have made and are making, and I have a reward for you for each instance! The answers to many prayers lie just ahead for those who have obeyed My voice.

NOTE: I saw in my spirit that many had sacrificed for Him by moving, by giving up jobs or relationships, by obeying - He has noted everything you have done! You feel overlooked but He says you are not.

Do not disregard the smaller things, My people, for I take account of every one and what sometimes seems small to you is a very big thing in My eyes and you are rewarded according to what I see.

March forward with determination to reach your destinies in Me, for I shall astound you with My mighty power to transform your life into one of joy and wonder.

Focus on Me, on My work; On My Word, My gospel. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I shall direct your paths to where I want you to be. Be willing, be obedient, be listening.

I love you, My children! And soon we shall be together for all eternity and all the sorrows of your earthly life will be behind you forever.

Stay focused.

Isaiah 50:7:  For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Genesis 19:!7:  And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Romans 8:18: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Mark 10:28-30:  Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Song 2:15: Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. 

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.



I found this explanation of the four Jewish New Years on about.com:

The Four Jewish New Years

• 1st of Nisan: The first new year is the 1st of the Hebrew month of Nisan, usually in the early spring (April). Nisan is considered the first month of the Hebrew calendar though years are counted from the 1st of Tishrei, the seventh month. The 1st of Nisan was considered the new year for counting the years of the reigns of kings in ancient Israel. It is also the new year for ordering the Jewish holidays. The month of Nisan is closely tied with the festival of Passover, while Rosh Hashanah is seen as the anniversary of the creation of the world, the 1st of Nisan is seen in a way as the anniversary of the founding of the Jewish people when they escaped from Egypt during the Passover story.
• 1st of Elul: The second "new year" is on the 1st of Elul, the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar which usually falls in the late summer (August). According to the Mishnah this was the new year for animal tithes. It was used to determine the start date for the animal tithe to the priestly class in ancient Israel, similar to how we use April 15th in the US as tax day. Generally this new year is no longer observed, although the month of Elul does mark the beginning of preparations for Rosh Hashanah.
• 1st of Tishrei, aka Rosh Hashanah: Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year we are most familiar with. It falls on the 1st of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which usually corresponds to sometime in the month of September. It marks the day when the Jewish calendar year advances and is seen traditionally as the date when the world was created. In ancient times it was also used for calculating certain tithes, such as those for vegetables, and for calculating the start of Sabbatical and Jubilee years when land was left fallow. For more on Rosh Hashanah, click on this link.
• 15th of Shvat, aka Tu B'Shvat: Tu B'Shvat is considered the new year for trees, usually falling between January and February. According to the Torah fruits cannot be consumed from trees less than three years old, Tu B'Shvat was used as the starting date for determining the age of the trees. Unlike the 1st of Nisan and the 1st of Elul, Tu B'Shvat is still widely observed as a minor Jewish holiday. For more on Tu B'Shvat, click on this link.

Origins of the Four New Years

The main textual origin for the four new years comes from the Mishnah in Rosh Hashanah 1:1. There are references to several of these new years days in the Torah as well. The new year on the 1st of Nisan is mentioned in both Exodus 12:2 and Deuteronomy 16:1. Rosh Hashanah on the 1st of Tishrei is described in Numbers 29:1-2 and Leviticus 23:24-25.