Tag Archives: Arthur Bailey
Taking Risks for Yahweh
Deep Exploration
(#276 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. (Proverbs 20:5)
Deep waters! This is a powerful metaphor. Have you ever been in the deep of the ocean? Almost all light is absorbed within the upper 200 meters. Only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth. There is barely any measurable light that can reach as far as 1,000 meters, in fact, so little that photosynthesis is not even possible. Below 1,000 meters, sunlight does not penetrate at all. That zone is bathed in total darkness. However, what does change considerably as you go deeper is the pressure. At sea level, the pressure on your body is 14.5 pounds per square inch (psi). For every ten meters you go deeper, the pressure increases by 14.5 psi. So, even though the change in perceptible light is negligible, the pressure change between 200 and 1,000 meters is eighty fold. And in the deepest ocean, the pressure is over 1,100 times that of the surface, or the equivalent 16,000 pounds per square inch on a human body. That would be equal to eight tons sitting on a surface little more than the size of a postage stamp. That’s a lot of pressure!
This magnitude of pressure creates risk, fear, and uncertainty for those daring enough to go there. The metaphor: the deeper you go the fewer men you will find have ever explored there. There are not many treasure hunters in the deepest places. Those who dare to go face all of the pressure and risk involved. But they go to seek the potentially remarkable payoff, “some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:8-9)
What is the increase in store for those who risk going deeper with Yahweh? What hidden treasures await you, if only you are willing to draw them out? I tell you, the treasures are the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Matthew 13:11) You get it, right? To those who do not search, it has not been given. To those who do, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which the Almighty has prepared for those who love Him.” But the Almighty has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of the Mighty One. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
The pressure is always increased when we travel to the depths, and the journey reveals who we really are, who we have been created to be. What too often is our daily alternative to the pressure? We stay on the surface. Staying on the surface only supports the illusion. Remember, it all looks the same from the surface and that is the great deception. We are not who we pretend to be. Better yet, we don’t even realize how much we are pretending. It is far worse than we are willing to admit. Some of us attempt to go to the deep places in order to heal, only to be frightened by the realities we discover in the depths, the pressure. There is so much more beauty below the surface loved one; it is where He makes “known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.” (Ephesians 1:9) If you are willing to go there, you will see things never before seen and experience things never before experienced.
Search the deep things of Yahweh, to attain all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of the Almighty, both of the Father and of the Messiah, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3) Don’t give up. Don’t fear the pressure. Keep going back, little by little. Dive deeper each time, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:13), remembering that the treasure hunters never dive alone. For safety, there is always a companion. And you know who it is; you are not alone. Go deep and find the treasures.
Feel the peace of Yahweh
Microwave
(#274 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Proverbs 29:20)
As I stood at the microwave waiting for my coffee to heat, I realized how the microwave had exemplified my life. In the past, when I needed a minute of the microwave’s effort to heat something, I would have usually opened the door with at least fifteen seconds left on the clock. There was not time to wait the entire minute, even though I knew that one minute was necessary. Because I had to “go,” I settled for lukewarm coffee. I never really enjoyed the lukewarm coffee; yet, I got used to it, used to “not finished, but good enough.” My entire life back then could be summed up by my choices made at the microwave, my inability to wait the full minute. Even though a microwave is already a shortcut, and not even good for you, I still could not invest the nominal time needed to get the best outcome it had to offer. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)
Today I am in prison. Prison has changed me. I laugh as I set the microwave for one minute. I use every last second. Everything will be as it should, once the minute is up. And the universe was just fine without me, for the entire minute. I often used to say, “Men can’t save men.” My lukewarm coffee proved I did not believe my own words. I had to “make it happen.” I had to “be the one.” Why? Was it for Him? No, it was all for my own purposes, all while pretending to be serving Him. I know better now. I still want to “do things” and “be the one.” But now I only want to do what He says and be the one who He wants me to be. Yahweh is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of Yahweh. (Lamentations 3:25-26)
So now I always ask first. I talk to my Father about everything and I hear His voice. “Heat your coffee Michael. Take as long as you need. We have time to discuss what I will require of you today.” The coffee tastes so much better these days. I have new goals, new dreams, and new convictions. In prison we only have a microwave. When I’m home again with my family, I will get rid of the microwave altogether and heat my coffee on the stove. Can you imagine that? Meanwhile, Yahweh and I have coffee every day now. Hot coffee together.
But as for me, I will look to Yahweh; I will wait for the Mighty One of my salvation; and my Mighty One will hear me. (Micah 7:7)
What it means to love your enemies
David’s Dilemma
(#272 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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David’s words:
“Arise, Yahweh! Deliver me, my Mighty One! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.” (Psalm 3:7)
“You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes.” (Psalm 18:40)
“In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.” (Psalm 143:12)
Yahshua’s words:
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28)
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
The Father’s words about David:
“You have shed much blood and fought many wars. You are not to build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.” (1 Chronicles 22:8)
The Father’s words about all those of old who had great faith, including David:
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since the Almighty had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40)
Put on the mind of the Messiah. Discern and comprehend. David was missing something. He was accomplished, yet incomplete. We believe he would want you to know this. He would tell you that the vengeance of Yahweh is activated by your prayers for your enemies, not your prayers against your enemies, something he would have to learn in eternity. “Only together with us would He be made perfect.”
He would also tell you that we should not desire vengeance, nor find joy in your enemy’s demise. He would tell you that the Messiah’s life upped the ante from, “You have heard it said” to “But I tell you!” He would tell you that the “eye for an eye” concept was easy to fulfill, and that loving your enemy is the more perfect way. He would rewrite some of his Psalms. He would expect us to have figured this out. His perfection waits for our perfection. “Only together with us would He be made perfect.” There is no room for bloodshed in this perfect place. David was a man after Yahweh’s heart, the apple of His eye. Part of what made him so was that he would admit his shortcomings easily and repent!
We have so much more available to us than David did. Rather than use the excuse that you cannot perceive because, “His ways are higher than Yours (Isaiah 55:9),” say to yourself, “I will reach for that higher way!” It was always an invitation, never a limitation loved one.
Now pay close attention to a mystery being revealed. Meditate on it, for it is deeper and wider than it might appear at first glance. Showering love on one who might just be an enemy is the very thing that will activate Yahweh’s vengeance, if in deed vengeance is due. Love is a double edge sword love one, and it knows exactly how to cut.
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. (Matthew 13:16-17)
Why You Must Suffer Well
Suffer Well
(#270 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Yahweh had declared former things from the beginning that He made come to pass, and He had hidden things that He later revealed. All this so you can distinguish His signature from the idols (“self” reliant thoughts) that tempt you. He also knew that you would deal treacherously with His truth, and still He restrained Himself from cutting you off.
Instead, He purifies you in the fire. “See I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake I do this. How can I let myself be defamed [profaned]? I will not yield My glory to another.” (Isaiah: 48:10-11)
What it sounds like when you finally understand; when you are finally free!
“Child.”
“Yes Father.”
“Do you now understand?”
“I believe I do. Can You test me to see?”
“Why do I allow you to suffer?”
“It’s the only way Father.”
“The only way to do what My child?”
“The only way to remove all idols and any thoughts that oppose You.”
“What do you think will happen once the suffering ends child?”
“I will only be able to agree with You Father.”
“So, you think your suffering comes from your resistance to do things My way?”
“Yes Father.”
“Would you suffer all over again, in order to see the things you see now?”
“A thousand times over Father.”
“My dear child, now it’s no longer just a hope and a belief.”
“What do you mean Father?”
“Now you are free because you understand. Now you are free because you know Me. You have suffered well.”
“Thank you Father.”
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Perfect Father. Simply perfect.”
Only by HIS Power!
Feeding Frenzy
(#269 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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He rules forever by His power. His eyes watch the nations, lest the rebels exalt themselves. (Psalm 66:7) Selah [ponder this]
If it is His power alone that rules all things, then you would do well to consider how it is you have reached any level of success or authority? “And Yahshua came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore…'” (Matthew 28:18-19) If you have any authority at all, it is because He has passed the mantle to you. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19) Therefore, if you’ve reached the “top” having never followed His leading to get there, then by what “power” did you arrive? “Not by might nor by [your own] power, but by My Spirit,” Says Yahweh of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)
The author of true power, power which never diminishes, only releases such through His Spirit to the righteous (right thinking). Unfortunately, many of you will convince yourselves that you have been “good enough” to deserve His blessings and power. This personal “goodness” is nothing but a byproduct of “self” deception. “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who does good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10, 12) And more so, what does the desire for, or the reliance on, personal power entail? It necessitates the use of tricks and manipulation. If you have “success” and it did not come through His power, then you have hijacked it. And remember, His eyes watch the nations, lest the rebels exalt themselves.
Conversely, if it is the power of Yahweh that has promoted you, then your success will always be accompanied by fruit in your life that has His signature on it: obedience, humility, repentance, and “self” realization. The latter, of course, meaning the realization that the “self” must die to make room for His true power to manifest in you.
What are you feeding on loved one? What desires do you have? Are they rooted and grounded in the perfect life of Yahshua the Messiah? A good way to know is to ask these questions; “Would He have cared about such things?” And, “Would He have done what I did to get them?” There is only one source of power loved one. Everything else is vanity and will be sifted like chaff from amongst the wheat.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
Waiting before Yahweh in Silence
The Master Craft
(#267 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Waiting before Yahweh in silence:
Be of great courage! Wait on Yahweh, and He will strengthen your heart (mind)! Wait I say, on Yahweh! (Psalm 27:14)
And to understand this master craft; the waiting, wouldn’t it be prudent to seek the Hebraic roots of what Yahweh intended when He said, “Wait?” Picture this meaning: to “bind,” to “twist,” to “collect.” These are the intended images; and their substance, of course, is spiritual. Many of you might have thought that the instruction is to wait for what you want when, in fact, the physical manifestation of what you want is not the relevant part.
It’s a matter of consciousness loved one, and the waiting has everything to do with receiving light so that the fragments of darkness (ego) slowly dissipate. Receiving the “Son” is like soaking in the “sun” on a cloudless day at the beach, but the “Son’s Rays” are far more valuable to your eternal mind.
Getting a spiritual “son tan” takes practice. You can determine how well you have developed your craft by going to a silent place and sitting quietly before Him. Clear your mind and see how long you can do just that. We think you will be very surprised at how little time you can sit in absolute silence, and we mean total silence with no thoughts running through your mind. We think you will be surprised at how quickly you want to make requests and petitions, rather than just bask in His glory, for His good pleasure. You have yet to learn that waiting in silence binds His Spirit and your soul together like two twist ties. It is the collection of His essence into your entire being like sun rays that soak into your skin. Learn to be a master craftsman of His presence. Sit quietly, and if you must, simply repeat His name over and over. Whisper “Yah” when you inhale and “weh” when you exhale. And then as your mind clears just silently think: “Yahweh, Yahweh, Yahweh, Yahweh….”
The Wonderful Plan of Yahweh
Sovereignty
(#266 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Your eyes saw my unformed substance; and in Your book, all the days [of my life] were written [preordained], even before one [day] came into existence. (Psalm 139:16)
You have My word. For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says Yahweh, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11) I give you My word to lean on in times when you think, “There’s nothing good about this life. Everything has gone wrong. Life is a mistake.” The hopelessness your mind indulges in is only an illusion loved one. Yes, you can experience a powerful and, at times, seemingly unconquerable oppression, but it is nevertheless an illusion.
If every moment of your life was ordained by Me before you ever lived one day, and if all that I create and establish is “good,” then what allows for illusions? Listen to Me closely My child; it is your unbelief that causes every ounce of strife in your mind, a lack of faith in Me and My word. Plus you must remember that it is through suffering that you are being perfected. He learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8). He was made perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10). The pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in His hand through His suffering (Isaiah 53:10).
If it was the necessary plan for My Son, then you must agree that it is good for you as well. Remember He said to you, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20) If you refuse to accept this as the way of your Father in Heaven, your non-conforming mind will stay bound to the ego, and the ego will always end up in thoughts of depravity and death, hence the illusion!
So, today I speak to you to bring healing and with that healing, joy for the life you live. And the “life you live” can be summed up in the “thoughts you think!” As My prophets always do, I call for you to repent; repent of your wrong thinking. Wrong thoughts always lead to wrong actions.
How many times do you witness in My Torah of love (thought instructions) that, on your own, you cannot do what is required. But, I stepped in on your behalf and empowered you to do it. I gave you a renewed heart (Ezekiel 36:26). I Am Sovereign over your sins as well as your spiritual triumphs loved one; and your sins have always been part of My process of transformation. Every single thought is either the manifestation of sin or Spirit. Either way, everything was written in My book long before you existed. Taking each thought captive means repenting of the sinful ones and rejoicing over the spiritual ones I placed in you. This is how the mind transforms until you can no less than say, “It’s a good life; Yahweh has been so merciful to me. It’s a good life!”
Netflix’s “Cuties” is pure evil
Cancel Netflix and their Child pornography films!
Love is the answer
The Tree of Life
(#265 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
The Tree of Life is …. within you! The soil (heart/mind) must be cultivated in order to remove the flaming sword (Yahweh’s judgment) that keeps the Tree from being accessed or bearing much fruit. Think of the flaming sword as being stuck in hard, cement-like, fallow ground. You must break up the fallow ground; it is uncultivated soil from which the tree will not bring forth abundant fruit. (Read Matthew 13:1-23.) Or you might think of it as a tree you cannot climb to taste its goodness.
You must sow righteousness into a circumcised heart which is fertile soil! Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek Yahweh, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12) Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, and take away the foreskins of your hearts. (Jeremiah 4:3-4)
Your ego which covers your mind like stringy moss or chokes your heart with thorns, keeps the original essence of the garden (hedged in conscience) from being expressed in you. Do not sow among thorns. Circumcise your heart so the tree (firm, fastened conscience) of life (heavenly nourishment) can grow in fertile soil to its full stature (Ephesians 4:13).
It is your “self” desire that keeps the sword (Yahweh’s judgment) in place. This cuts off your mind’s entrance into the fertile garden and keeps the soil untilled, and therefore prohibits your ability to eat (consciously devour) from the Tree. The Tree grows in the “Garden of Love.” The Garden of Love is the perfect imagery for what fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) the Tree of Life will produce once the “self or ego” is sacrificed. Surrender of “self” fertilizes the soil and grants access to the Garden. And that key to access the Garden, that “surrender,” is love itself; and it never fails to open the gates (1 Corinthians 13:8). The foremost reason it cannot fail is because love is solely committed to doing the will of Yahweh. Love is then expressed through the redeemed mind, the mind of the Messiah in man, and perfected through practice as it eventually annihilates the ego entirely.
Love is the standard by which every thought and action is measured. It is manifested altogether as patience, kindness, admiration, trust, modesty, humility, and meekness. It is gracious, polite, altruistic, peaceful, appeasing, virtuous, joyful, righteous, and truthful. It displays fierce loyalty; believes, hopes, and endures all things; and always succeeds and thrives. (The affirmative side of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Soon you will see it loved one. The Tree of Life is no less than the mind of Yahweh available through your obedience. The effort is the climb and soon you shall again eat of its fruit. We say again! The Tree of Life is the Truth of Life!
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34) Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. (1 John 2:7)
Does God Really Love Me?
My Eliana
(#263 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son [daughter], so Yahweh your Mighty One chastens you. (Deuteronomy 8:5)
Both arms on the table, dark golden brown curls draped over them. Only a portion of her bronzed elbows showing. “Eliana,” I say. “Lift up your head sweetie.” Her saddened eyes and pouty lips slowly lift off her arms. While examining her intense beauty, I ask her, “Does daddy correct you and discipline you because he is angry at you, or because he loves you?” I can see the little brown eyes go deep inside to the place where thoughts are gathered. The pouty lips then reply, “Because you love me?” Unsure if she has answered correctly, she watches as I grab her arms and reply, “Of course it is because I love you. I will always love you. Nothing can ever stop me from loving you more and more every day. That is why I must correct you for your disobedience.”
I quickly search the recesses of my mind and ask myself why she might ever doubt my love for her. Why would she ever perceive my discipline as anger? Why would she not distinguish my correction as my love for her? The answer is quite painful and includes one of those thoughts we all wish to stuff away and forget. It is possible to hide from the answer for a while, but not forever. We all must face it at some time. She perceives anger and not love because my actions have taught her so. Gladly I can say they are past actions that the Spirit has corrected in me, but nonetheless, I must own the responsibility for planting those seeds in her. “Perfect love never fails,” the scripture says (1 Corinthians 13:8), and I have certainly not loved perfectly.
There is another side as well, and that is her part. It is also something at which we all fail. We fail to understand the perfect love Yahweh has towards us. Yes, she is young, but she will soon have to acknowledge what we all must—fear. We all fear perfect love. It is the fear that it could actually be available, especially from the unseen Great I Am. I often try to imagine His love, one that has never been angry at me. Though He expresses emotion, His forgiveness is available all along. The Mighty One demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, the Messiah died for us. (Romans 5:8) His discipline is always contained within perfect love. We long for perfect love to be real, yet we fear it, perhaps because once we taste its sweetness we will realize how bland everything else is.
This is the love I want my Eliana to see in me and receive from me. But there is no way I can do that until I have received it from Him. I have promised my Heavenly Father that I will not be afraid to attempt it. Perhaps I will have the courage to accept it. Perhaps she and you will also. I could only ever desire to love her perfectly. And if I know how to give good gifts, how much more my Father in Heaven? (Matthew 7:11)
It is the perfect gift Father that my Eliana would hear Your still small voice for all the days of her life whispering; “I love you Eliana. I will never fail you. I will always be here, always want you, always cherish you, and always correct you so that you also will be made perfect in My love. I will always be so very thankful that I made you and that you shall exist eternally.”
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of Yahweh, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom Yahweh loves He chastens, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” (Hebrews 12:3-6 from Proverbs 3:11-12)
