Tag Archives: bible
Abundant Life
Abundant Life
(#246 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) If it is life abundant that Yahshua died for, then what exactly did His sacrifice offer you? What is the abundant life?
It’s time for a permanent shift. If your definition of the abundant life is primarily focused on external things, life in the physical realm, then we must submit that you are missing true abundance. Would you consider a new paradigm? “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” (Hebrews 8:5) Moses was commanded many times in Exodus to follow Yahweh’s exact instructions to build the Tabernacle (the dwelling place within where Yahweh reigns). Why? Because the pattern serves as a copy or shadow of heavenly things. (Hebrews 8:5) The physical, in this case the Tabernacle, is a pattern? Yes, and it is true of all things. Our entire physical world is a shadow of the “real thing.” What is the real thing?
Your physical life is a direct result of your thought life, both conscious and subconscious. For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) Your thoughts are the real thing! Your thoughts create your physical world. Here is something dramatic to consider; your thoughts are real and the world you see is a shadow. Man’s fallen thoughts (mind) manifested a fallen world. And the reverse is expected! The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation [manifestation] of Yahweh’s sons and daughters. (Romans 8:19). Sons and daughters of Yahweh will have the mind of Messiah (1 Corinthians 2:16) which will redeem all of creation. Fallen mind fallen world; redeemed mind redeemed world!
Your thought life is a very individual thing as well, as no one else can live in your mind for you. Your entire personal world is first a thought, before it manifests. Peace, joy, love, poise, balance, and power; are these not all states of mind, abundant states of mind? Is not all of life a byproduct of your thinking?
Consider Jerusalem, the “center” of all scriptural activity? Jerusalem means “city of peace, foundation of peace, or possession of peace.” Peace also must be the center of all your thought activity. The pattern (physical manifestation) serves as a copy or shadow of heavenly things (thoughts). Peaceful thoughts must therefore precede physical peace. “Shalom” in Hebrew is from the root word “shalem” which denotes completeness, wholeness and soundness. This is what His death was meant to offer you loved one, peace! Peace is a whole, pure, and sound mind; a mind so focused on Yahweh Almighty that the physical aspect of life becomes secondary. The flesh can die while the mind says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) This is life loved one. Perfect life! Abundant life!
Hope Defined
Hope Defined
(#245 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)
Hope: a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a feeling of trust. However, for our purposes we will define hope from a Heavenly perspective; hope is collecting pieces of faith. This more comprehensive view of hope requires multiple qualities to amalgamate into something more complex than expectation, desire, and trust. It is yet another pattern created by our Father. To fulfill the pattern, spiritual hope does not just happen; it is constructed. Think of hope as a building you must erect with different components needed before it is completed.
In hope’s case, you will first need to incorporate belief. Think of belief as your foundation. To help you believe, Yahweh has circumcised your heart (center of intellect) (Deuteronomy 30:6); He has taken out your heart of stone (stubbornness) and given you a heart of flesh (raw, renewal) (Ezekiyl 36:26). You must walk in this to lay the foundation for hope to rest upon.
Next it is time to frame the walls of hope. Framing is done with faith! Faith makes the structure or substance of hope. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) And since our faith is a gift, and we are each given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), we need not conjure it up. We simply must stand in it in order to build the beams and walls, the substance that will hold hope together. Every time we exercise faith, we add to the structure and strengthen it. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance holy reverence, to holy reverence brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (2 Peter 1:5-7) Soon, the pieces of faith, assembled together, build a solid structure that can endure any storm.
Once we have the foundation and structure complete, something supernatural happens. The hope that was formed from belief and faith, now actually further strengthens your belief (the foundation) and faith (the structure), as well as intensifying hope (the building) itself.
The final component of the blueprint for spiritual hope is the blessing. It is miraculous! Your reward for participating in the building process, the prize for your obedience to walk in belief and stand in faith, is the blessing. Yahweh Almighty will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. Yahweh will again rejoice over you. (Deuteronomy 30:9) The blessings cover the building and protect it from deterioration. The blessings strengthen all the components of the building so that it becomes an eternal structure, wherein no elements of the world (ego-centered life) can cause decay. The building is the Spiritual Temple loved one, and the construction of this Temple within is the renewed life promised to Yahweh’s chosen children. You also, as living [spiritually renewed] stones [firmly established spiritual thoughts], are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to The Almighty through Yahshua the Messiah. (1 Peter 2:5)
This is hope defined. For You are my hope, O Yahweh Almighty; You are my trust from my youth. (Psalm 71:5)
Pride or Humility
70,000 Dead
(#244 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Satan stood up against Israyl, and moved David to take a census of Israyl. . . David said to the Almighty, “Isn’t it I who commanded the people to be counted? I am the one who has sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand, O Yahweh Almighty, be against me, and against my father’s house; but not against Your people, that they should be plagued.” (1 Chronicles 21:1, 17)
Have you ever been responsible for the death of another, not to mention 70,000 people? David condemned them when he succumbed to the temptation; “Satan (the adversarial will in opposition to Yahweh’s will) stood up against Israyl, and moved David to take a census (dependency upon personal power and might) of Israyl.” Translation: David was motivated by his own ego (“self” determination and reliance). Even after he was warned (Verse 3), “Why does my master require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israyl?” he still chose sin.
Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? (Romans 6:16) David, the King of Israyl, servant of the Almighty, man after Yahweh’s own heart, and the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8), chose sin. David is well known for his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, her husband. But, rarely do we hear of his responsibility for the deaths of these seventy thousand.
This very same man, who gives us such hope with his genuine repentance; Have mercy on me; Against You, and You only, have I sinned; Create in me a clean heart (Psalm 51); was a slave to his own desires, a servant of sin. You are the servants of whomever you obey.
Now consider the thousands who died; would you be so inclined to see him as a pillar of faith if your loved one was one of his victims? Would you still read his words and be encouraged by them? Would you follow him if he was your “king” today?
Maybe a better way to ask is this. Do you see what Yahweh sees? Confession: “I am the one who sinned.” And intersession: “Please let Your hand be against me, but not against Your people.” Or do you overlook the heart (mental disposition) and see only what man sees, the consequences of sin; “Seventy thousand dead” (Verse 14)?
Who are you to judge? Does your true nature long to condemn others? Do you condemn others to make your “self” feel better about you? Learn from this, loved one. His fire is coming; you will be tried; you will be tested. If you’d rather have the short version of the test, then humble yourself. If you see yourself as a diamond with no flaws, step down from your self-made soap box.
The Father knows you are a diamond in the rough, in other words, a piece of coal. It takes a lot of “pressure” to turn coal into a diamond. The pressure will “squeeze” you and expose what is inside. Take your eyes off of everyone else’s sin. Get your focus back on you. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:31) If you do, there may just be hope for you yet.
Let him put his mouth in the dust, there might yet be hope! (Lamentations 3:29)
The Word of Yahweh
Bread Alone?
(#243 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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No My child, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Mighty One.” (Matthew 4:4) For those who have been pruned in great tribulation, the significance of such a declaration takes on new meaning. When you are poured out like a drink offering, when your strength alone will no longer do, you must rather hold fast to the Word of life, so that you may rejoice in the day of the Messiah (Philippians 2:16-17).
Bread alone? Temporal provision satisfying your every need? This strength you have come to rely on, this so called “bread,” has you hanging on by a thread. Holding tight to this false security, much like a child clutches his blankie for safety and familiarity, will keep you from ever receiving your full inheritance. As long as the heir is a child, he does not differ from a slave, though he is master of all. (Galatians 4:1)
When faced with trials, if you habitually manage the strife with your own power, wisdom, and insight, it is imperative that I expose your true poverty. I command you not to lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6), for it inevitably leads to decisions which depend upon your own strength, and this will never do. I will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught (Proverbs 3:26). If I desired that you depend on yourself, then why did I sacrifice My Son? And the truth is, My Spirit in you has already testified this to you. Yet, you ignore it with your sacrifice, which often looks like “struggling to do it on your own.” I desire obedience, not sacrifice! (1 Samuel 15:22)
When you receive the revelation that “bread alone” will not preserve life, and very often I must take away your bread for you to embrace this revelation, all that is left is My provision. Then My Word becomes your only source of nourishment. My patterns cannot be changed. My Word comes before anything; I have magnified My Word even above My Name (Psalm 138:2). Consider it like oxygen; although you can still breathe on “bread alone,” true life comes from the “breath” of My Word.
There must be a crossing over. You see loved one, there is a difference between the one who spends an hour with Me daily, due to sacrifice, and the one who communes with Me perpetually out of love and adoration. Yes, like the baby on milk, obedience is taught first, so afterwards true love can emerge. If you need to go back to milk, then do so. Even then, your effort will be blessed. Remember, I desire obedience (thoughts bound to reverence) over sacrifice (thoughts bound to burdens)!
It is only after you embrace this revelation that you can help others to receive what is intended for them. So, consider My words, the true delicacies of life, eternal delicacies. Then come away with Me, My loved one, and dine on all I have for you (Song of Solomon 2:10).
Unexpected Trials
Retrospection
(#240 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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As we go, we grow, and we set a path. –Michael David Beiter, Jr.
There comes a time when you realize that the edge you once stood on, that threshold where your utter despair and Yahweh’s comfort joined hands, was just “one edge,” for a new edge had come. You had persevered the anguish, believing that it could never be that tough again. But then, there it was again, a new edge with new circumstances, and that old pain. You thought you had grown, matured, and gained deeper spiritual insight. But, in an instant, you were crippled all over again.
Thankfully, in the moment you recognize the patterns; truly they are all you have. You realize the need to stay silent as you teeter on this new edge. You battle with memories of the regrets you had from the last breaking point; “I don’t want to think that again; I know what it says to You Father.” You purpose to make no impetuous moves, no emotional mistakes. You can’t afford to slip. “Don’t let me fall Father,” is repeated often in your silence. You meditate on your past victories, remembering how strong you felt after overcoming. Somehow you expected that the strength you had gained would be more permanent, not just a new arrow in your quiver, but a new bow. But this new crisis seems to vanquish the enlightenment gained from past victories. You wonder if you actually learned anything. Doubts enter in; “Am I a fool? Is any of this faith I claim even real? Are You real Father; are You here?” You become ashamed of these thoughts, but if you don’t reckon with them, that old friend sorrow will soon return.
Why is a devotional such as this remotely possible after so many others have expressed the power we possess to overcome? The answer is profoundly simple, His Holiness of course. The Holiness we will attain from this new “death” is far more than what we gained from the last edge we stood on. And each new edge is a fresh stone of remembrance on the path to Him, a reminder of His promises and His faithfulness (Joshua 4).
“You mean even when I think I have learned to be ‘unoffendable’ and pure of mind, Your high calling is purer still? And not only this, but that each edge creates something beautifully new in me, even when it makes me feel like I have now failed in an area I once thought conquered? Even if it makes me feel like I have forgotten everything I had previously learned?”
That’s correct loved one. Death, death, and another death is the path to His Holiness. The embodiment of strength: it is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). We have held you to a Holy standard. We know that illuminating patterns, and what they have produced within you, is inspirational. This word was to remind you that when you reach the place where you can only cry, “I can’t do it!” that is when you are in the safest, securest, most glorious, and transformational place possible; you are in the Palm of Yahweh—in the pure essence of His Holiness. You are going to make it. He is everything He claims to be.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
We are nothing without Yahweh
Certainly Imputed
(#239 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But the Almighty chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; the Almighty chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. The Almighty chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in the Messiah Yahshua, who has become for us wisdom from the Almighty —that is, our righteousness, set-apartness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in Yahweh.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
If any of you are wise, if any of you have understanding, then let this mind be in you. What mind? The mind that understands and accepts that no goodness, effort, esteem, talent, or gifting is of you (“self” created). If you are “good,” you were made so by the spilling of blood. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights. (James 1:17) Everything you have been given, anything that helps you excel, has been given to do one thing. And what is that one thing? To serve for good. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of the Almighty, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in the Messiah Yahshua for good works, which the Almighty prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
To help this one thing become real to you, let me suggest a short prayer to repeat over and over until this truth becomes part of your DNA. “Father, I recognize that all of my talents; all of my gifts; all of my skills; as well as my generosity and wisdom; anything that is good in me; comes from You! None of it is actually mine. It was given to me by You, O Yahweh, for one purpose, and that is to honor You. May my life glorify You.”
If this is real to you, then repeat one more prayer: “Father, thank you for the spilled blood of Yahshua. Forgive me for not remembering the truth. Forgive me for robbing You of Your esteem. Set my heart (center of intellect) and soul (emotional character) into a right relationship with You. Remind me daily why I have anything good in my life.”
You are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify Yahweh in your body and in your spirit, which are the Almighty’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Yes, remember that. Have that mind in you. It is a dangerous thing to forget the proper order of things, to forget the price that was paid so you could be what you are. It would be a fearful thing to be reminded with a Heavenly chastening. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of the Almighty underfoot, counted the blood of the Covenant by which He was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says Yahweh. And again, “Yahweh will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Mighty One. (Hebrews 10:29-31)
Listen very closely loved one. Quiet your mind and listen. The amount of mental strife you suffer is directly related to your belief in the delusional non-reality that there is some personal (self-achieved) “good” in you, and that you are worthy of anything from anyone. Your lust for personal vindication, in any area of life (conscious activity), is a denial of the Sovereignty of Yahweh! Make the shift!
Consider every day a wonderful new journey. Shout to your Savior; “I want to be the best Your blood could buy; And I want to honor the reality that I was created to glorify You.” So be it!
No Excuse for your Sin
“Everyone’s a Sinner!” Ministry or Death Blow?
(#238 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34)
With every statement, a mindset is revealed. What is in you will ultimately “overflow” from you. Whatever is brewing in the heart eventually erupts into words spoken. We explored recently that “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.” (Luke 6:45) Your inner thoughts or mental disposition is always mirrored by your verbal exposition. Yes indeed, your words expose your mind’s intent, for out of the abundance of your heart your mouth speaks. Are you a viper, or do you bring forth good?
If you believe that you are unworthy of forgiveness; that the burden of your personal sin is overwhelming; and that redemption is not possible; to you I say, “All have sinned and fall short!” (Romans 3:23) and, “While you were still a sinner, the Messiah died for you.” (Romans 5:8) This is the spiritual antidote that is meant to soothe the suffering, humbled soul. Humility is the reason these words actually penetrate the conscience of the sinner. The humble soul knows they need a remedy and appreciates that true repentance brings forgiveness. Their heart is ripe to bring forth good.
However, if you continue to sin and justify your actions with excuses and lies like, “Everyone’s a sinner!” “I’m covered by the blood!” and “No one is perfect!” sin has not only crouched at your doorstep (Genesis 4:7), it has made its way into the deep recesses of your conscious and subconscious mind, and taken over. Your sin is literally telling the Messiah, “Listen, if You died for all my sins, then just add this one to the list; it’s covered!” This is an arrogant, irreverent, and boisterous mind indeed. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries [ego-driven thoughts]. (Hebrews 10:26-27)
Which mindset dwells within you? How far will you push Yahweh’s grace? “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more…?” (Romans 5:20) Can you push so far that you might not be permitted to turn back? The answer is simple; the answer is Scriptural. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)
There is only Light and darkness loved one. There is no variation or shadow of turning with the Father of lights (perfect mental illuminations). (James 1:17) There are no gray (compromised) areas (thought plains) in His Kingdom. In the end, in your eternal destiny, you are either Light or darkness. Nothing in the middle exists.
Let His Mind be in you
Treasure of the Heart
(#237 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Watch over your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the sources of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
Hebrew is a language of action. Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Almighty, Yahweh is One! You shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) The first word of this key verse, quoted by Yahshua Himself in Mark 12:29, is very revealing. “Hear” in Hebrew, shamah, pronounced (shaw-mah’), implies to hear, listen to, and to obey. Moses and Yahshua are not recommending an intellectual exercise; the instruction is to “hear and obey” the command. It involves a response: it requires action to be fulfilled. We are supposed to think about what we hear from Yahweh, and then we are supposed to do something about it.
Heart and mind—these are one and the same in the Scriptures. The heart of a matter is one of thought and it is from the mind that life manifests. The thoughts of a man precede his actions. Hear and do! However, the heart of a man can devise both righteousness and wickedness. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) So, actions literally materialize from the treasure of a man’s heart, or in other words, the thoughts upon which he dwells.
Be warned loved one; the Word of the Mighty One will judge the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). With the tongue we praise our Mighty One, and with it we curse human beings, who have been created in the Mighty One’s image. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10) Therefore, you must guard your heart (mind) with all your strength. How so? Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to the Mighty One; and the peace of the Almighty, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts [center of intellect, intentions] and souls [character in consciousness] through the Messiah Yahshua. (Philippians 4:6-7)
But, that is just the beginning; there is an even higher calling, beyond guarding your center of intellect and character. It is a place where your awareness of impure thoughts is cleansed altogether. How much more, then, will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to Yahweh, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living Mighty One! (Hebrews 9:14) This is a place in which even the thought of sinning is not conceived.
Yahshua is our model; though He was tempted (constantly aware of self desire), He never conceived [thinking “not my will”] and therefore never even entertained evil desires (James 1:15). His mind remained pure through utter self denial and you are promised the same inheritance loved one. For this reason the Messiah is the mediator of a renewed Covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15) You have the mind of the Messiah. (1 Corinthians 2:16) In Him, you have been called to righteousness and have been given the power, through the Spirit, to reach this high calling. He has done His part; the rest is up to you. No one who is born of the Mighty One will continue to sin, because Yahweh’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of the Mighty One. (1 John 3:9)
Life springs forth from the heart (center of intellect) and therefore makes the soul (feelings, entire consciousness) merry.
Please Listen
Cling Tight
(#235 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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He put his trust in Yahweh, the Mighty One of Israyl, and after him was none like him among all the sovereigns of Judea, nor who were before him, and he clung to Yahweh. He did not turn away from following Him, but guarded His commands, which Yahweh had commanded Moses. And Yahweh was with him – wherever he went he acted wisely [prospered wherever he went]. And he rebelled against the sovereign of Assyria [the intellect focused on worldly prosperity] and did not serve him. (2 Kings 18:5-7)
Hezekyah (Hezekiah) understood. He embraced the true reality that the most important element in the walk of faith in the Most High was to “cling to Him tightly!” His testimony in 2. Kings itself speaks of Hezekyah’s obedience to the word of Yahweh, his clinging to Yahweh’s commands. It’s as if his life was a living testimony of Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Choose life; love Yahweh; obey His voice; cling to Him! The outcome: He will multiply and prosper you. The alternative: turn away; close your ears; worship self made idols; and “you shall surely perish.”
Hezekyah (the recognition of inner “strength” given by Yahweh), like all good kings, knew that the enemies he would face, the opposition that would come against him, would simply be too powerful for him alone. Hezekyah understood that to be a righteous king, his foremost responsibility was to remove all idol worship (ego driven devotion), and fight to trust in Yahweh Almighty alone. He was walking in the steps of the king after the Almighty’s own heart; “In You, O Yahweh, do I put my trust.” (Psalm 71:1)
What sounds so simple and basic is indeed a paramount task in the life of a king; so many before him had failed. The “pleasures” of the world and the influences of man had torn down many kingdoms of those who came before. Kingdoms that were intended to flourish and take dominion simply vanished at the hand of disobedient kings. Yes indeed, Hezekyah understood that his actions would affect the entire kingdom, and he had a reverent fear because of that reality.
How many of us simply go throughout our days and years, numb to the fact that our actions, as royal priests (1 Peter 2:9), affect the entire body of the Messiah, and that our lives do impact the Kingdom? Please recall; “The Kingdom of the Almighty does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the Kingdom of the Almighty is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
We somehow believe that our “secret sins” aren’t noticed by our Creator, and don’t affect other believers. This is a strong delusion that runs throughout the body and must be done away with. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. (Luke 8:17)
The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live. (Psalm 119:144) This is the cry of a heart that clings tightly to the hem of His garment, “taking every thought captive unto obedience (2 Corinthians 10:5),” as did the Messiah. And one who possesses such a heart (center of intellect) then proceeds in that obedience with a reverent and awestruck wonder of Yahweh. This is the life of success. This is the life that is continually guarded and protected from all enemies. This is the heart of the child that knows Daddy will provide. “Daddy is the authority, and I do what Daddy says!” A very wise and obedient thought indeed.
Why Bad Things Happen To God’s People
Acceptance
(#234 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse the Almighty and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Indeed, should we accept only good from Yahweh, and not accept evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:9-10)
“Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?” (Isaiah 28:9) My mature ones understand. Job understood. In My desire for your growth, I need to move you from feeding on the milk of babes to a more mature faith. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13-14)
I Am Yahweh; I desire that you are able to “discern both good and evil.” However, it’s not simply that you need to distinguish good from evil; as a mature believer you need also to acknowledge that I Am the author of both good and evil. I can already hear your reflex response; it is common in your discussions and teachings. “God would never allow evil into our lives; that’s the Devil’s domain.” Ponder that for a moment…then consider this; if I Am the One who allows the evil of the adversary to test you, who then is Sovereign over your testing? And you also must decide whether the testing is within you, or from some outside force. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. (Matthew 10:28-29) Fear who? The adversary? Or Me, Yahweh?
Your double-mind wants to tell you that an “All-loving Creator” would not allow such things. Remove the scales; because this is precisely how I operate. Your misperception tells you it’s “bad” when painful things happen. I tell you the opposite is true; trials are meant for your benefit. If this is hard to accept, it’s because you have the wrong perspective, My child. You’ve bought into the man-made theology that “a loving Creator would not do such things.” Rubbish I say, rubbish.
It is because I love you that the tests will continue. You rejoice that I planned My Son’s sacrifice to atone for your sins. Yet, you have difficulty accepting that I orchestrate your testing, your “sacrifice.” Let Me remind you; “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you….” (John 15:20)
Rather you might say, “Yahweh knows what I need in order to be crafted into the image of the Messiah, for He alone is omniscient.” This would be the correct perspective.
It is in My deep love for you, loved one, that I will repeat this pattern over and over again. The goal is perfection, Messiah-likeness. Do you admit that more of “you” still needs to be removed in order to achieve this objective? Or, are you more like a modern-day Pharisee, who reckons himself far more spiritual than he really is, but in your case, by “grace” of course? Which describes you My child?
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil [calamity, woe, trouble, disaster]: I Yahweh do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7) Accept this and be at peace not only with it, but because of it!