Tag Archives: Arthur Bailey
Obedience To Yahweh
Choose This Day, or I Will
(#139 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Please read Deuteronomy 28:1-12 before you continue:
If you fully obey Yahweh your Mighty One and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, Yahweh your Mighty One will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey Yahweh your Mighty One:
You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
Yahweh will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
Yahweh will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. Yahweh your Mighty One will bless you in the land He is giving you. Yahweh will establish you as His holy people, as He promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of Yahweh your Mighty One and walk in obedience to Him.
Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of Yahweh, and they will fear you.
Yahweh will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land He swore to your ancestors to give you.
Yahweh will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.
You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
If you fully obey…
Blessed above all nations.
Blessed in the city.
Blessed in the country.
Blessed in your womb.
Blessed with your crops.
Blessed with your flocks.
Blessed in your basket.
Blessed in your coming and going.
Blessed in victory over your enemies; they will flee from you, in seven ways.
Blessed in your barns.
Blessed with your hands.
Blessed in the land.
Blessed in holiness.
Blessed with prosperity.
Blessed from the heavens.
Blessed in lending.
Blessed as the head.
The key phrase among all these blessings is, “If you fully obey!” Do you see the beauty of it, the “it” being your obedience? Doesn’t it sound abundant? Yahweh says, “I have a special plan for you, a plan to bless you. I only want goodness for you.
Doesn’t My Son’s death prove that to you? I desire and I will have your obedience.
If you would you like to see how adamant I Am about blessing you, read about My curses for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
Yes, I will make sure you get your blessings. Soon My child, pleasing Me will be your only desire.
Self-Sufficiency
Self-Sufficiency
(#135 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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I must become perpetually weak (not reliant on “self”) to become perpetually strong (reliant on Him alone). Weak and meek equals strong! (2 Corinthians 12:10) However, the natural inclination (ego-centered desire) is to say, “I need to be strong!” This is not the proper pattern, however. Look to the One who was spat on, bruised, afflicted, and murdered. And He endured all of these for the “joy set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:2) To redeem men, He became nothing. He did not become strong in the flesh, but mighty in the Spirit!
But, what of my “natural talents?” Aren’t I to use my gifts? The better question to ask yourself is about the motivation of your actions. Is the power you have been given to fulfill your own agendas? Here is the crux of the issue; are your agendas meant to satisfy your “self”? Dare we slowdown to be certain that our agendas line up with our Creator’s? They have always been His talents, His gifts. In the past, quick and decisive actions were taken without considering a question such as this; “Father, what do You want me to do with the abilities that You gave me?”
He took everything from me in order to perpetually sear this question into the center of my intellect. Everything that was not of Him was shaken to the core, removed! It did not need to happen that way. It did not “NEED” to happen that way! Get it? Anything not done of and by Him, fails. It will be removed; it will backfire. “The removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” (Hebrews 12:27)
Judgment begins in His house (the center of your conscience). Yes, that means you; before anyone else is judged, you will be judged. You will be first in line. (1 Peter 4:17) So much was given and so much is expected. Take me seriously. Stop! Slow down! Reconcile! Be repentant! Then, He promises to dine with you in a love feast of perpetual rejoicing (Rev 3:19-21). Turn back now. You will do so either way, forced or willingly. His love promises you will.
I know that everything the Almighty does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. The Mighty One does it so that people will fear Him. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
Faithfullness
Enter His Courts and Answer!
(#133 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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He [the one] who believes [clings to, trusts in, relies on] in Him [Yahshua] is not judged [rejected, condemned, damned], but he who does not believe [cling to, trust in, rely on] is judged [rejected, condemned, damned] already [sentenced] because he has not believed in and trusted in the Name of the only [just one] begotten [accepted] Son of the Almighty [Yahweh]. (John 3:18)
Is John addressing the believer or the non-believer? Is the believer not to be judged according to this scripture? Am I not deeper than your surface thoughts? Is this scripture only a warning to the non-believer and not to be considered by those who are redeemed to be saved?
Is belief a one-time event, and then it’s over? Is the need to continue believing irrelevant? I tell you the truth; you need to read John 3:18 again, and consider applying it to your daily life. Is your faith in My Son “finished?” Is it over; or do you need to continue to trust Him for everything? This Word is to be applied every day My child, every day. Every time you operate in fear, doubt, pride or rebellion, I judge accordingly. I said judge but do not condemn, and it is a judgment that is just and appropriate.
Have I not told you that I take no pleasure when my people shrink back? (Hebrews 10:38) Yes, I sit on the throne and you are accountable to every act, every word, and every thought. All of them are judged! This is the perfect pattern to draw you close. Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly (John 7:24). And to do so, judge yourself first. It may lessen the chastening that comes appropriately to all who follow Me. Believe My Son for all your needs, and remind yourself daily that all of your needs are geared toward the redemption of your conscience first, after which your physical needs are met. Each of your thoughts is measured against the sacrificial act of My only begotten. It is no small matter loved one; I take it very seriously. This is the way I planned it; do you believe?
Never Alone
People will come and go in your life but Yahweh will never leave you! You are never alone when you have him. See this video and never again feel lonely.
Parablized
(#132 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Yahshua 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 13:10-11)
And yet the “church” uses these parables, which were intended to keep foreigners away, as a basis for crafted lessons which attempt to draw foreigners near. Yahshua used them to reveal deep mysteries of the Kingdom not as stories meant to simplify the “Gospel.” Nevertheless, “Church leaders” commonly refuse to explore these deep mysteries in lieu of seeker-friendly simplicity. Let’s disagree with this approach for the moment and explore a mystery.
Let’s explore fear. Do you have fear? If you do, it is the fear of Yahweh’s love. How so? Yahweh’s love, in its purest understanding, not the carnal replacement we commonly substitute for love, is utter and complete fulfillment. That’s how! If you are willing to see it with spiritual eyes, to mentally perceive the mystery, your fear says this; “I am afraid of not needing anybody or anything, and nobody or anything needing me.”
Yahweh has spoken; He has said that His love will fill every desire of your soul, but when you have fear, you have rejected this message. The love of Yahweh fulfills every aspect of your conscience, which then makes you responsible to walk in this truth: “I shall not want!” (Psalm 23:1) And this responsibility frightens you! It has been embedded in you by the Holy Spirit that His love will “cast out all fear” (1 John 4:18), and that all fear is steeped in personal desire. This includes the desire to need and be needed. Notice that it is “personal” desire and not spiritual desire. Spiritual desires are from Yahweh. “There is only You” (Psalm 16:2) is the cry of those who have attained to the mystery of the decree; “I have been completed in love.” Completed in love and completely in love; they need no other, and need no others to need them.
Are you afraid of Yahweh’s love? Are you afraid of not needing anything but Yahweh, and the prospect that in this place you would have everything you need pertaining to life and holiness (2 Peter 1:3-4)? Leave behind the parablized life and receive this mystery. Let it have its perfect work in you. Step into your destiny. Walk in the wholeness of the love of Yahweh.
Endless Repentance
Endless Repentance?
(#131 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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I know that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for a man to direct his steps. Correct me, Yahweh, but only with justice, not in Your anger, lest You reduce me to nothing. (Jeremiah 10:23-24)
How far must I go with you? Was Jeremiah written before you were born? I believe it was 2600 years before. Did not your brother Jeremiah reveal a secret to you? Listen again; “It is not for man to direct his steps.” Did he make that up? Is this the wisdom of man? No! This was a revelation given to him by My Spirit. I tell you the truth, you are not to direct your own steps. It is Mine to lead; it is yours to obey.
Why then the endless and repeated repentance? Let Me ask you: did I send My Son to be crucified by and for you? And, is it My desire that I guide and you follow? If you answered yes to both questions, then I have a final question. Have I not covered and protected your entire existence, from your daily activities to your complete redemption (transformed mind)?
Listen to Me My child. I do desire repentance; it proves to Me that you see your error. Repentance is a healthy indicator that you are following. What I don’t want is continual repentance over an issue you are truly sorry for. When you ask Me to forgive you, think of your Savior, My Son. It is done! Forgiven! As long as you are sincere, it is forgotten. Why then do you hang on to guilt afterwards? Stop it! Move on! Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. (Isaiah 43:18) I am doing a new thing.
Press on My child, press on. I forgave you, and “forgave” is past tense. I have accepted My Son’s sacrifice. Do not belittle such a glorious offer by not believing you are forgiven. Press on to the upward call My child. Press on.
The Testing of Yahweh
Covered
(#130 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)
Can you see it? Look with eternal eyes. Long before Peter’s denial; long before the rooster crowed; long before his restoration; everything had already been decided. “Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.” How beautiful! How utterly perfect! Yes, Satan must get permission to do his work. Just like with Job, and just like Peter, so also with you. “I have prayed for you.” Yes, Yahshua has covered your heart and actions for the testing to come. And please do not ignore; it is an “authorized” testing. “And when you have returned to Me.” Ah, the victory has also already been announced.
Just like the wilderness was “authorized” to humble and test Israyl, to know what was in their hearts, if they would keep His commandments (Deuteronomy 8:2). And long before Israyl had even entered the land or later been banished, their return from captivity (victory) was announced!
So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where Yahweh has banished you, and you return to Yahweh and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today… (Deuteronomy 30:1-2)
When your true heart has been revealed by the testing He authorized, you will then be stronger than ever. You will be able to “strengthen your brother.” Yes, it was always for you and for others. The whole plan was to bless many.
Oh how we praise you Abba. Everything is predetermined for good. Magnanimous are Your ways. Bring us a new key; open the doors and let revelation flood into our souls. Then we will serve you with awe and wonder. So be it!
Dying To Self
There are believers in Yeshua, and then there are make believers. Only true believers understand what it means to die daily and deny yourself. Please see this video so you can understand what that truly means.
Me Crucified
(#129 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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It is no longer possible for Me to have personal burdens; My resurrection granted Me the release from My own will. It is a burden for you, the one who still carries a stake that causes this moment in time for us. How many of you have missed what was intended when Shaul (Paul) proclaimed that one message mattered before all others; Me crucified? (1 Corinthians 1:23; 2:2) And so I have watched for a couple of thousand years now, and the same story resonates throughout a body (congregation of thoughts) of diminished power and capacity. The promise was that you would do “greater works” than I (John 14:12), and you haven’t. I have come to lift this burden from you, so that we could prepare for a wedding that I long for.
“Me crucified” is not only about My physical death on a stake; it is about how I crucified My “self” will, which was not always immediately obedient to the Father’s will. Nailing My personal desire to the stake, and forsaking thoughts of Myself was a greater death than what I suffered physically. I had to learn obedience. Hebrews 5:8 makes this quite clear; “Though [I] was a Son, yet [I] learned obedience by the things which [I] suffered.”
Every day I learned to say “no” to the things I might have wanted that My Father did not. And also to say “yes” to the things I did not want; “Take this cup from Me if possible.” (Matthew 26:39) At each moment I had to choose to submit My will to My Father’s will. Why would that be needed if We did not have separate wills? Do you see? I crucified Myself, so that you would learn how to crucify yourself (your personal will). This is what I intended with My words, “Deny yourself and take up your stake!” (Luke 9:23) I showed you the patterns of the removal of your personal will, and with this process comes power to do those “greater works” I promised. Perceive everything I did with the understanding that the Father is “greater than I” (the independent self) (John 14:28). I made it very clear! Although We are One in purpose, that purpose is that His will alone be done, and not Mine. He is the One who commanded My death for you. My death is the pattern of how your ego is removed.
Your burdens are leaving and His glory is entering in. Me crucified—so you to could be crucified (Romans 6:3-7). This is the summary of all that needs to be preached.
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. (Romans 6:6)
Pride, Humility and Honor
Is it Me- The Betrayer?
(#127 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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When evening came, Yahshua was reclining at the table with the twelve and while they were eating, He said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me.” (Matthew 26:20-21)
Twelve men, one would betray. Tell Me what you know about the heart (mind) of man. What was each individual’s mindset after Yahshua made the statement, “One of you will betray Me?” Search your own heart before you answer. Answer honestly. If you have eyes to see, here is what you may have come up with.
Consider that this is what might have taken place that night. The immediate heart reaction of all twelve was that they were frightened and each thought: “It might just be me.” After moments pass, ten of the twelve convince themselves that they would never do such a thing, one after the other saying, “Surely You don’t mean me, Master?” (v. 22) Notice I said, “Convince themselves.” They are not really sure, as they know full well that there have been doubts about their entire journey with Yahshua, yet they inevitably see themselves as better than betrayers. What of the other two? The betrayer of course is deceptive; “Surely You don’t mean me, Rabbi.” (v. 25) He furthers his deception by acknowledging Yahshua as teacher. He is exposed, yet is still in denial.
What of the possibility of the last disciple having a different experience? He is the wise and humble one. He is not pointed out specifically, but Yahweh sees the heart of man (1 Samuel 16:7). This humbled one knows he is capable of the betrayal, yet he loves his savior Yahshua. He feels every bit of his own weakness and longs to hold on no matter how wicked his heart may be. He is capable of love and deception. He is committed to his savior, yet wise enough to fear his own heart. He is the silent one. He does not speak during this event. All of the others say, “Surely not us Master.” They call Him Master, but this wise one is not so quick to speak. This one has judged himself. He has a deep realization that only grace allows him to be at the table and he is holding on with all he has. He takes no pride in his effort. He is afraid to leave the covering that has been gifted to him. He too is a betrayer, yet he believes in the offering to come. He knows that the shedding of blood is his only hope. He longs to be bought. He holds on with all he has.
Who is Double Minded
Who is Double Minded?
(#124 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Do you recognize this verse as it is commonly translated? John 3:16 might be the most misused verse in the entire Bible. To clarify, let’s read John 17:14-17.
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Now tell us who is double minded, the Creator or man? John 17:14 states that “they [believers] are not of the world.” Is this not the same world that so many of you say John 3:16 describes, the world Yahweh so loves? Let’s highlight John 17:16 for the moment. “They [believers] are not of the world, even as I [Messiah] am not of the world.”
We ask again, who is double minded? The common mistake when interpreting the scriptures is trying to understand Hebrew thought forms with a Greek mindset. The Hebrew, a language of adjectives and verbs, promotes action. It is a “hear and do” language. The Greek, on the other hand, is a noun based language, a “sit and contemplate” language.
Let’s look again at John 3:16 and John 17:14-17. What’s the deal? How can Yahweh so “love” a world that Yahshua clearly states we are not of? They are two different worlds, correct? Right!!!!!! Yet, the Greek interpretation makes no distinct difference. It uses the same word, Kosmos (Cosmos) in both verses. This creates double mindedness!
Satan (ego, self) rules this world (carnal desire) we live in, the world we are NOT of. Yahweh does not love this world of Satan’s; as a matter of fact, it is set to be destroyed. The “John 3:16 world” that He so loves, is His world, the world we are headed back to. The Hebrew language describes it as a place of absolute purity: socially, morally, governmentally and spiritually. It is a perfect place, His Garden of love. He sent His Son to take us back to that place.
If you are still struggling with this paradigm shift, these verses should help you. Oh, and pray for truth (John 17:17). Know the truth! It will set you free (John 8:32).
* John 15:19—If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
* 1 John 2:15-16—Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
* 1 John 5:19—We know that we are of the Mighty One, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
The world that is coming is the world He loves, not the one that we are leaving. Be of good cheer, He has overcome the [this] world. (John 16:33).
Yes, I said “All”
Yes, I said “All”
(#123 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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All the ways of Yahweh are kindness [love] and truth [faithfulness] for those who keep the covenant and His testimonies. (Psalm 25:10)
The greatest command releases the keys to My Kingdom. I have many doors of blessing for you to walk through, all of them leading to a spacious place. And what is the greatest command? Yes, obedience unto death sums it up. Would I lie to you? Is it possible? I cannot reverse the pattern, for I am Yahweh, and whatever I create, is perfect from the beginning. Look again at Psalm 25:10. Do you notice the pattern; the lovingkindness, and the truth and faithfulness? “For those who keep…” It is so fitting and convenient for the world to turn Me into the god of every desire; flesh or spirit. Oh, how longsuffering I have been. “If He, their “self” made versions of Me, was so loving…” How many times do you think I have heard that since Adam? My response is always the same; “If they (and that means you) would just keep My commands!”
Yes My child; activate My promises. Remind Me of My word. All of My ways are kind, loving, true and faithful—to the obedient! I don’t need perfection from you to get started. My Son handled that part for you. I’m watching your heart, as a willing heart (mind) overflows into an obedient heart, which becomes an obedient life. I need your heart. Let it be unto Me a heart that sacrifices praise under all circumstances at all times. Do this My child; do this and then sit back in awestruck wonder. I have more than you can ask, think or imagine waiting for you.
To know the love of Messiah that surpasses knowledge; that you may be filled with the measure of all the fullness of the Mighty One. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or imagine [think], according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the congregation and in Messiah Yahshua throughout all generations, forever and ever! So be it. (Ephesians 3:19-21)