Tag Archives: Bible Q&A

Obedience To Yahweh

Food

(#115 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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All “food” is clean.

Who gets to define what food is?

See Leviticus 11, the entire chapter.

A few facts derived from Leviticus 11:

* Yahweh defines what food is, not man;

 * Anything not named to be eaten is NOT food;

* Your desire to name something as a food, when Yahweh says it’s NOT, is sinful;

* Is defining food about redemption? Of course not. Is it about your wellbeing? Absolutely! The Good Father nourishes His children well;

* No! The Old Covenant cannot define what food is, and then it be changed in the New Covenant. Hint: Peter’s vision with all sorts of creatures in the sheet was about the gentiles not being called unclean. Be a Berean; search the Scriptures to see if what we are saying is true (Acts 17:11-12). Read all of Acts 10, not just a part of it. Specifically notice verse 28! “Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But the Almighty has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean”;

* Yes! That means eating pork and shellfish is against the commands of Yahweh. Please see verses 46 and 47 of Leviticus chapter 11. “This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, you must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.” And yes, the “you must” means YOU MUST!;

* If it needs to be said, knowing the heart (mind) of man, “Pork and shellfish contain toxins that are extremely carcinogenic.” Yes, very cancer causing. Perhaps that’s why Yahweh says, “You shall not!” It is NOT food and He cares for you.

Lukewarm Christians

Interactive

(#113 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Stop! Read Acts 15:19-33.

Read it now!

Key points:

A) The book of Acts was not written until approximately 20-25 years AFTER the resurrection of Messiah;

B) Only Torah scrolls, what you know as Old Testament Books, were read in the synagogues during Paul’s, James’, and Peter’s lives;

C) There was none of what you know as the New Testament during the Apostle’s lives. And no, they did not think they were writing, reading, or producing new Scriptures when they were writing letters, making decisions, or giving testimonies; they were just upholding the Word that was already written in the light of Yahshua’s revelation;

D) The Apostles preached the “good news” from the Torah scrolls;

E) New converts in Messiah were instructed in basic commands to start their faith walk, as you just read in Acts 15:20;

F) The four instructions for new converts were:

1) Abstain from food polluted by idols (self-reliant thoughts; things sacrificed to other gods);
2) Abstain from sexual immorality (lust-filled thoughts; fornication, adultery);
3) Abstain from meat of strangled animals (unclean thoughts; keep kosher eating habits);
4) Abstain from blood (all fleshly ideas; no eating food with blood in it, as life is in the blood; Leviticus 17:11).

G) Only the above four “starter” commands were given to new converts in Messiah, as they encompassed so much of the heart of Yahweh. Take a moment and meditate on all the commands of Yahweh that involve idolatry, sexual immorality, unclean living, and not violating life. Then, the instruction for the future learning follows in verse 21. “For the law of Moses [Torah] has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” In other words, the new converts were expected to come learn the Torah each week after their conversion. The intent was not to burden new believers with too many details in the beginning, but to reveal the heart of Yahweh and the essentialness of obedience; growing in the faith would follow;

H) The Sabbath was, and always will be, from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown.

I) The Apostles saw the need to notify the entire “church” about what the Spirit had revealed to them. So, they sent letters to the whole church (verses 22-33).

Ask yourself this question.

“Why have you not heard this?”

Be a Berean! “These were more fair-minded [noble in character] than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

Just Passing Through

Temporary Home

(#112 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, and listen to my cry; do not be silent at my weeping; for I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.” (Psalm 39:12)

Run. Run. Run.
Find home.
Mansions waiting,
Family waiting,
Rest ahead,
Eternal rest.

I was not meant to stay here.
A sojourner, peculiar, different;
I don’t belong here.
Passing through,
Heading towards the eternal,
Shadows in the temporal.
Peace always within,
Never found outside.
Looking outside is foreign.
Always heading to one destination,
A traveler,
Many stops on the way.

A tour guide,
Knowing others will follow.
Wives and children follow.
A path finder,
A navigator,
Others follow,
Decisions made,
Not just for me.
Narrow roads,
Stormy weather,
Perseverance and patience,
Directions sparse at times,
My GPS, a still small voice,
“Go here, go there,”
An Invisible guide, moving like the wind.
A forerunner,
Straight paths lay before me.

A follower,
Being led,
Having plans,
Yet, submitting to the guide
At moment’s notice.
Eternal heart,
Temporal body,
Tired, yet capable.
Nourished by food,
The Spirit’s delicacies,
Press on. Press on!
Unseen, yet known,
A finish line ahead.
Moving forward,
Eternal…

You Have a Perfect Score

You Have a Perfect Score

(#111 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

www.sufferwell.org
Rich I say; you are rich! Your account with Me will always be full. Come and borrow any time. You see, My child, when I give credit it never diminishes. I don’t take it back. I won’t leave you bankrupt. You can always put this credit line to work. I Am open to your mind twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week (Psalm 121:4).

Read My words, Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of the Almighty, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to the Mighty One, being fully persuaded that the Mighty One had power to do what He had promised. This is why, “it was credited to him as righteousness.” [from Genesis 15:6] The words, “it was credited to him,” were written not for him alone BUT ALSO FOR US, to whom the Almighty will credit righteousness, for us who believe in Him who raised Yahshua our Master from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:20-25)

Have I asked you to live as a pauper? Are you not heirs? (Romans 8:17) Yes My child, come to Me and withdraw. You have a perfect credit score with Me. Take from My treasures. They are here, just for you. I don’t charge interest; I only ask that you love Me and keep My commands. My commands prosper you and increase your credit, never deducting, always adding new treasure every day.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think [imagine], according to the power that works in us. (Ephesians 3:20)

Listen To Yahweh

7000

(#110 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

www.sufferwell.org
“But the Mighty One replied to him, ‘I have reserved for Myself, seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal (the Lord; ego).’” (Romans 11:4)

Oh My child, what do you think I meant when I said, “I have reserved?” Does this mean I actually have seven thousand who do My will perfectly, or is it that there are seven thousand I perfect? Yes, I know you. There is a big difference between My hand doing it and it being done by the hand of man. Remember I said that it was, “not by might nor by power” of the carnally minded, which should have given you illumination into My predestined plans. But, it is “by My Spirit!” (Zechariah 4:6)

Many of My children fight Me on this pattern, this principle. It is a losing battle indeed. How they long to believe their own decisions would lead them to perfection. Have I not told you, “There is none righteous?” (Psalm 53:3) Give Me your ears (understanding) and your eyes (perceptions) My child. My pattern, an everlasting pattern, is one that reveals My Sovereignty. How long will you compete with My glory? How long will you trust in your chariots (personal ideas and self-reliance) and horses (personal power)? Have I not told you, “The battle is mine?” (1 Samuel 17:47) Your job, My child, is to hand the battles to Me. Detect the problem and hand it to Me; then leave it with Me!

Yes My child; it sounds so easy. Yet, you fight Me on it at every turn. The real battle I want you to fight is the one warring internally. Your choice is to follow your flesh or My Spirit (Romans 8:9). The power I have given you is the power to root out all that is not of Me and hand it over. I am your Father; I will protect you. I remove nations (constructs of thought processes) for My children. I root out and destroy all that burdens you. All I ask is that you not attempt to steal My glory. I won’t let you anyway, and all it will cause is the necessity that I chasten you. These patterns are Mine! Now, go ahead and submit and find the path to the life I have for you. What do you have that was not received from Me anyway? Give in; I’m waiting.

Divine Discipline

Bound and Released

(#108 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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For Yahweh has bound all men over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on many. (Romans 11:32)

Yes My child, this is how I left you, shackled and bound. I cannot release you until you fully understand where you are. Only a prisoner truly rejoices in freedom. Only a prisoner understands his limitations. Confess to Me. Tell me you understand that you start in prison and move on from there. Tell Me that you perceive your complete inability to break the chains on your own, at all! And may I remind you that these chains are of your own doing, the works of your own hands (mental grasping) and heart (center of intellect).

In order for Me to truly set you free, you must see your prison. You must understand prison was a choice you made and would continually make, apart from My mercy. Your heart will only ever confine you.

Rejoice, for My mercy has overcome your judgment of death. My mercy removes the shackles. My mercy puts a new song in your heart. From the pit (self-reliant thoughts) to the palace (unity of heavenly thoughts), I will bring you. I will then release you to do My will on the earth. You will operate in obedience and you will come to love My plan for you.

Yes, this is another pattern, an unshakeable pattern. You confess your lack; I bring My power and provision. You will never be able to conquer on your own. On your own, your choice is to gratify “self.” Yes, just like Adam, you will always disobey. Yes, on your own you only gratify yourself. Tell Me you see the bars that surround you. Tell Me you can hear the shackles that bind you. Only then can we begin the work. I have an eager expectation for you. Now let’s go!

Trust and Faith

Not “Over” but “Through”

(#107 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

www.sufferwell.org
Do you really want victory, true victory, the kind of victory that not only affects your entire being, but nations as well? Are you sure? Listen to Me closely then. If you really want true victory, never again ask Me to remove you from the sorrow and conflict that comes with valley experiences. You may hope for a better day but not at the cost of devaluing the purpose of today (Matthew 6:34).

Give Me your eyes (perceptive abilities) My child; give Me your soul. I speak to the Spirit that I placed within you (Romans 8:11). It is in the desperate moments, the valleys, that our best work is done. I require praise and gratitude, not prayers of the destitute. This is one of My dearest patterns: Do not ask Me to remove you from the valley; instead obey Me and rejoice while you are in it (Psalm 107:21-22)! Has My Son not overcome the world (John 16:33)? Have I not, through Him, given you the same authority (Titus 2:15)?

Let the beauty of this wisdom reign in your mind (heart). A child that can praise and worship in the most painful moments of life, is a child who has overcome the world. Will you believe Me if I tell you that most of your inner turmoil is caused by exterior things? I teach you to win by the Spirit; victory is in the Spirit. Of course it seems difficult if you are carnally minded. My plan leaves room to rejoice in the Spirit and the flesh, but you cannot change the protocol. I will not change My pattern. It is already perfect! I do not lift you over the situation; I guide you through it, and I give you the power to do so with praise, awe, and wonder. Does it seem impossible? Good! May I now take over and do it for you? You praise, I conquer! You give sacrifices of thankfulness; I make straight paths for your feet. It is all for your good. Thank you for understanding My loved one; I will always offer you more faith if you ask (Mark 9:24).

This is the day Yahweh has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

Why Did God Allow the Coronavirus?

Why Did God Allow the Coronavirus?

Bitterness vs. Forgiveness

To Whom It Concerns

(#105 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

www.sufferwell.org
If you want me to suffer, suffer I have. If you want remorse, you have it. If you want me gone, I will leave. If you want me to be erased from your mind, time will do so. If you desire pain upon me, I have felt its touch.

And for you:

If you ever suffer, I will be there for you. If you ever have remorse, I will remind you that repentance is good. If others cast you away, I will take you in. If no one thinks of you, I will call you often. When you lose, I will help you regain. When pain comes, I will pray for your comfort, and that you may embrace the renewal.

I will always remember you, for I am you. I will always forgive, always hope, and I will always extend my love to you. You said we were brothers, a brother I will be.

And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the scum of all things until now. (1 Corinthians 4:12-13)

Encouraged with Hope

This New Desire

(#103 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

www.sufferwell.org

There is a new desire birthed in me, forged in the valley of humiliation, to become a servant who leads with a heavenly purpose and passion for only His will. This new desire is that every move and every thought are in alignment with the advancement of His good things. I am seeing a vision with new perspectives radically shifted and renewed. I have this hope, this new-found dream in which anxiousness is replaced by vigor and integrity. I am still bound in the natural, yet experience freedom. I am truly free for the first time. Yes, I thought so before, outside this valley, yet now I see. I am reborn. Even though I am a captive of man, I am experiencing a powerful surge of rebirth in the spirit. My temperament is reserved, yet, I am prepared to burst into newness. He will do it. Yes, He will do it!

Oh, and He spoke to me. He spoke so loud and clear. “Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” (Isaiah 49:23)

Like a thousand trumpets, He spoke. All my hope is in Him (Psalm 39:7). The prison in which I sit is the womb. Oh, His word is life. It is all that matters. I have been perishing and I must rise again to fulfill this new desire. The day of reconciliation will come. Restitution will come. Rebirth will come. Life I say, life!

It’s there, this new dream. Let it be Father. Let it be so. Yet, for these new dreams placed in my heart, dreams of things to come, I shall set them free knowing they can only come true if You remain my One desire. They shall be released to You, Father. You will retrieve your son from his captors. Only You can do it. Only you can. Your sons and daughters are meant to soar like eagles (Exodus 19:4). Oh Yahweh, we hope in You.

I say to Yahweh, “You are Yahweh; apart from you I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2)