Tag Archives: Bill Cloud
Go Therefore!
Go Therefore!
(#324 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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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)
Go therefore! It’s the way of the Father. Yahweh gives authority to Yahshua; “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:49) And Yahshua gives it to us; He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all adversaries, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the Kingdom of the Mighty One and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2) Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; so that nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)
There is no authority except from the Almighty, and the authorities that exist are appointed by the Almighty. (Romans 13:1) In order to better comprehend this transference of authority, we might ask, “Who, what, when, where, how and why?”
Who?
The Almighty Father (Romans 13:1) grants His authority to His Son and His Son then grants it to us (Matthew 28:18-19; Luke 9:1-2; 10:19).
What?
The ability to overcome your ego; not your will but His will be done (Luke 22:42).
When?
It was predestined before the world began (Ephesians 1:4-11).
Where?
In the heavenly places in the Messiah (Ephesians 1:3). And on earth as it is in Heaven (Luke 11:2)
How?
As you emulate the Son’s humility in the same way that He submitted to His Father’s authority, your ego (self-will) is defeated (John 12:49). This is only possible by Yahweh’s grace (Ephesians 2:5).
Why?
For His good pleasure of course! (Psalm 149:4)
Remember these things loved one. Remember them especially when you are tempted to believe that it is, in any way, by your own authority (mental strength and power) that you have overcome your sinful ways. The Messiah in you is what removes sin, and nothing else. Without the Father’s authority passed to Him and His authority passed to you, you have no authority, no strength, and no power. May the Holy Spirit invade you with this reality; it is the only path to righteousness (right thinking).
Yahshua said, “The Spirit of Yahweh is upon Me; He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18)
Yahshua said, “He has!” Now, “Go therefore!”
First Things
First Things
(#323 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Do you often feel as if you have met some sort of requirement, appeasing the Father with the time you “spend” with Him in devotions? Is there some type of spiritual satisfaction you derive from being able to say, “I do devotions every day?” You do err in your thinking if you attempt to block out small segments of “devotion time,” while never considering what time with the Father really means.
A simple statement should suffice to explain the potential error, and then we can create a new context for your devotional activity. “If every one of your thoughts is commanded to come into captivity to the obedience of Messiah (2 Corinthians 10:5), and He did nothing of Himself but only what He saw the Father do (John 5:19), then every moment of your life should be a devotion time unto Yahweh!” Then Yahshua said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:28-29)
Therefore, this is the proper pattern to ensure victory over your thought world every day, all day:
• “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Yahweh; in the morning I will direct it to You, and look up.” (Psalm 5:3)
• “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of the Almighty.” (Romans 12:2)
• “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
If you never seek your own will, but always the will of the Father (John 5:30), then your thought world will be devoted to Him entirely! Anything less does not conform to the pattern. And the wise understand why the morning sets the stage to live in His mindedness throughout the day. It is the time when you rise to declare, “Abba, by the power of Your Holy Spirit placed in me, grant me the courage today to die to myself, and therefore do all You command. Please help me utterly forsake my own will and desire to do Your will alone!” Then, the rest of your day becomes an extension of your morning prayer, and the end result… “The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
Authors’ personal note: We are honored that you have incorporated Suffer Well into your life as part of the “renewal of your mind,” in other words, the declaration of your mental allegiance towards Yahweh. It is especially powerful if it is how you start your (His) day before Him. Yes, it can be a powerful kick start in the morning, but it’s not enough loved one. We say “mental allegiance” to remind you that it is your entire mind He has plans to take over, and you must press beyond these devotions. No doubt, we are very honored to be part of your growth. It’s an awesome blessing to be a blessing to you.
Crumbs from the King’s Table
Crumbs from the King’s Table
(#320 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Master, help me!” But He [Yahshua] answered and said: “It is not right to take the children’s bread, and toss it to dogs.” And she said, “True, Master, but even the dogs eat those crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” (Matthew 15:25-27)
It’s the ideal perspective loved one; it is faith demonstrated to perfection. The realization that your standing before the Master, well, actually you’re on all fours. This woman, only by His Spirit that touches her, can bow before Yahshua with authentic introspection and make an honest “self” assessment. Unto herself, she is not better than a dog, a spiritual cripple, a beggar. It begins with a mind that is desperate for the opportunity to come to the King’s table, the place where heavenly delicacies are spread before you. Bow at the King’s feet, get on all fours, lay prostrate, do anything necessary to come humbly before Him, anything to eat at His table. To her, the crumbs are not just incidental leftovers, but rather her opportunity to taste life. She is happy to eat the crumbs from the King’s table, even willing to compare herself to a dog that considers the scraps a delight.
Then Yahshua answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! May it be to you as you desire…” (Matthew15:28)
“Eat,” He said. Come to the table of heavenly delicacies and all of your requests are granted. Delight yourself also in Yahweh; and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For her, it was the healing of her daughter (thoughts of compassion and beauty). What will it be for you? Are you willing to come on all fours? Humble yourselves before Yahweh, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10) Then perhaps He will invite you to have a seat at the King’s table.
And what of the son of Jonathan who was lame in his feet? Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?”…But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” …“As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.”…So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet. (Excerpts from 2 Samuel 9:1-13)
Yahweh’s plan is that the lame will bow before Him and He will lift them up to dine at the King’s table. If you too come before Him as one who is lame, He will find a seat at His table for you like you are one of the King’s own children. May it be to you as you desire.
Begotten
Begotten
(#319 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“You are My son; today I have become your Father.” (Psalm 2:7)
As we rise to the mountaintop (elevated consciousness) and transfigure (exceed this flesh life), so many of the ancient ways become brand new, magnified, and illuminated. Things we had long overlooked, rarely understood, and possibly even ignored, become new beacons within. A new light shines in us, light that changes everything. All former levels of understanding are recognized as elementary (Hebrews 5:12).
I now decree, “I can never go back (Hebrews 6:1-2)!” So be careful to do what Yahweh your Mighty One has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that Yahweh your Mighty One has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. (Deuteronomy 5:32-33) “I can never again turn to the right or left. I will possess the inheritance He Has promised, His mind in me!”
Psalm 2:7 is one of those revelations in which you might have been tempted to stay with the elementary matters, until now. Written by David, but spoken to David himself, allowing for a clear and precise prophetic blueprint that would reveal the pattern of the begotten nature (Father-Son relationship) of Yahshua, the Messiah to come. Once again, an understanding of the heavenly mind language will bring absolute clarity of the depth being revealed; and with clarity comes power!
David literally means love and praise. Son means a builder and foundation of family name. Father here means to bear, bring forth, beget. It shows lineage. Now that we have the truth as originally prescribed, let’s take a look at the ancient ways with a transfigured mind and see the enormity of what is hidden in Psalm 2 verse 7; a verse about the bequeathing of a holy mind:
He has brought forth a new illumination in consciousness. Love and praise are the foundation of His Name. Love and praise reveal Yahweh; Yahweh in David, Yahweh in Yahshua, and Yahweh in you.
Can we yet be so bold as to bequeath something upon you and expect it to forever maintain every thought that comes hereafter? Can we express the true reality that when you think of your spiritual lineage, your mind can easily equate that with “mental lineage!” Can we expect you to remember this and forever embrace it?
Does your life (mental lineage) embody love and praise? If so, this day you too are His son or daughter; you too are brought forth.
Completely Like Yeshua
Home Inspection
(#315 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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So often we hear others say, “I need to try harder,” in reference to their spiritual life, their commitment to Yahweh. Nothing makes the Ruach (Holy Spirit) cringe more than a statement like this. It is this type of thinking that reveals a foundation built upon sand (Matthew 7:26), a foundation that will not remain when the testing comes.
A simple question should suffice to turn the sand into solid rock. “If there was anything at all about you that was good enough to satisfy the standard of righteousness required by Yahweh, then why was it necessary for His Son to be impaled?” Can you acknowledge that? You must decide whether or not Yahshua the Messiah died because you had some shortcomings and erroneous thought processes, or if He died because there was nothing good in you and your entire mindset was depraved. How you answer this has EVERYTHING to do with your ability to build your house (dwelling for your thoughts), and on what kind of foundation you build it. We’ll give you two hints!
1. Unless Yahweh builds the house, the builders labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1)
2. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3:25)
The natural mind, led by ego, must repeatedly deal with thoughts that tempt you to reminisce about some goodness that was in you prior to the Messiah’s work in you. It’s simply not true loved one; there was none. The goodness in you now is only because of Yahshua in you. The only goodness you will ever have is the Messiah in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). You must continually arrest any thoughts that attempt to convince you that all of the sudden you have (your “self” has) what it takes. You must demolish all arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of the Mighty One, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to the Messiah. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
John the Baptizer prophetically announced a prevailing thought pattern that must constantly invade your mind; “I must decrease!” (John 3:30) His denial of any “self” goodness was the declaration of his spiritual beheading, a foreshadowing of his physical beheading (Mark 6:14-29). If you were reclaimed by His redemption, you have testified, “Behold, the Lamb of Yahweh,” but have you had your beheading?
It’s time to listen closely again loved one as we expound on this idea using a crucial incident in the Scriptures. When the Philippian prison guard asked Shaul, “What must a man do to be saved” in Acts 16:30, the question is far more profound than it appears when you read it in the English language, or even as represented in Greek translations. Consider for a moment the Hebrew idea of salvation as understood by Shaul who was being asked the question. In context, he would be answering this question; “What must a man do to be yasha (yaw-shah)?” The word for saved in Hebrew is no less than a derivation of the name Yahshua. Say it to yourself out loud and let the ramifications settle deep within your soul. “What must a man do to be Yahshua?”
The wise ones personify this; “I must decrease; thank You Yahshua that anything good in me is You! What must I do to be like You?” And they never leave this place. Ever!
Doomed
Doomed
(#314 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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It ultimately brings the purest of joy when you release it completely. Release what? Everything that supports your belief that there is any good in you whatsoever. And on this narrow road, where you come face-to-face with the truth, you will encounter a sobering paradigm. “If you were left to your own devices, you would be doomed.” The fullest appreciation of what salvation offers (the ongoing process of your mind being saved) is directly related to your acknowledgement of what you are saved from. “I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.” (2 Corinthians 12:5) Boast in Him because weakness is the finest you can boast of.
The best you can come to the table with is this; “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh Almighty.” (Isayah 6:5) And if you are humble you will remember how deeply wicked every aspect of your conscience would be without Yahweh’s Spirit. Any climb from the pit you were in is only because of His grace. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of Yahweh. (Ephesians 2:8)
How many of you have been purchased from the grave by His grace only to start believing the preposterous idea that somehow you became “good” because of it. Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? (Galatians 3:3-4) Have you become judgmental, haughty, self-righteous, self-assured, rather than mournful, desperate, humble, and sober? Come near to the Almighty and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8) Perhaps you would be so bold as to ask Yahweh; “How wicked am I apart from You?”
When you have a revelation of the enormity of the wickedness of your personal “self” desire, you too will be terrified of the alternative of being left to your own devices. The mind of one who knows this is ever mournful, desperate, humble, and sober. And once we bear His mark, we confess that the reverent fear of our destiny without Him will keep our eyes fixed on Yahshua, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
“I know that whatever Yahweh does, it will be forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. Yahweh acts, and men will revere Him. That which was, now is; and that which is to be has already been, and Yahweh requires an accounting of the past.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14-15)
Two Ways, One Will: A Kingdom Perspective
Two Ways, One Will; A Kingdom Perspective
(#313 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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All the paths of Yahweh are mercy and truth, to such as keep His Covenant [Law] and His Testimonies [Case Law]. For the sake of Your name, Yahweh, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Who, then, are those who fear [reverence] Yahweh? He will instruct [prepare] them in the ways they should choose. They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the earth. (Psalm 25:10-13)
Tap into the complexity, yet simplicity of what Yahweh is saying. “He will instruct [prepare] them in the ways they should choose.” Both instruction and choice are necessary. His ways are His will for your life. Yes, there are two ways, your ways and His, but only one will, His! You must learn His ways and then you must choose a path. You can know His will for your life by knowing His ways; they are best discerned by knowing His Law (Torah) which is the structural foundation of His Covenants. Indeed, you are called a Jew, and rest on the Law, and make your boast in the Mighty One, and KNOW HIS WILL, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the Law. (Romans 2:17-18)
In the parable of the unjust steward in Luke 16, the master commends the dishonest manager for how shrewd he is; “The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.” (v. 8) Those who operate outside of Yahweh’s Kingdom can be very shrewd in the way they function in the world’s system; and when believers operate in that system, they too might experience the prosperity it has to offer. But until you learn His ways; you cannot expect to spend your days in His prosperity. What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of the Almighty. (Romans 3:1-2)
The oracles of Yahweh are His responses or utterances; Holy declarations; statements originating from Yahweh, as in the entire Old Covenant. In all that they applied incorrectly, Shaul still gave the Jews a decisive advantage in knowing Yahweh’s will because they were instructed in His oracles, His law! And you? Is this your testimony? For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of the Almighty; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (Hebrews 5:12)
Far too often you were led to believe as if Yahweh has two separate wills. It is often described as His “permissive” will and His “perfect” will. It is not so loved one! Yahweh only operates with One will, and that will is always consistent, never changing or altered. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of Yahweh. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which the Almighty supplies, that in all things the Almighty may be glorified through Yahshua the Messiah, to whom belong the glory and the dominion [the Kingdom] forever and ever. So be it. (1 Peter 4:11)
In addition, do not think you can approach the throne to be instructed unless you have complete forgiveness in your heart. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you; leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
It takes practice loved one; you must take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and make it obedient to the mind of the Messiah in you (1 Corinthians 2:16)! How? Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Yahweh’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) Then you can approach the throne of grace with His will in you, and He will “instruct [prepare] you in the way you should choose.”
How powerful, the way YOU should choose. The Messiah asks, “What do you want Me to do for you?” You choose! In Luke 18:38-42; Mark 10:48-52; and Matthew 20:31-34; those requesting that He find mercy on them are met with a favorable ruling. However, in Mark 10:35-40, James and John say, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask.” And Yahshua asks the same thing: “What do you want Me to do for you?” But, in this case they are met with a sharp rebuke instead of a favorable ruling. “These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” Prepared, yes, “Those who fear [reverence] Yahweh? He will instruct [prepare] them in the ways they should choose.” This was obviously not the perspective that the sons of thunder had in that moment of asking; they had not asked according to His will. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss [with wrong motives]. (James 4:3)
It is the path to this One Will that must be discerned. There is the path of mercy; if you approach Yahweh with the correct heart (do not ask with wrong motives), even if you are not instructed (prepared) in His way, He can still rule in your favor. “Son of David, have mercy on me!” The other path is the path of truth. This is the path of the learned, those instructed and prepared in His ways, wherein the conformity to the One will is secure, and all of your acts are of Him and empowered by Him; you have the mind of the Messiah. Yes, He is ever merciful, but in this case, He rules in your favor simply because you have been instructed and have chosen His path, His way, His will.
Two paths leading to One will, a Kingdom perspective. The risk for those who think otherwise; a mindset that believes Yahweh has standards lower than perfect holiness. Let it not be so for you loved one. Let it not be.
One Author and Finisher
One Author and Finisher
(#311 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Looking unto Yahshua, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2)
Every word matters loved one. Be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19). Would He waste His own words who has proclaimed, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise?” (Proverbs 10:19) And so as directed by His wise words, we are commanded to “look” to Yahshua as “author” and “finisher.”
What does this looking unto Yahshua mean? It means to: fix our eyes; look only; focus on; look steadfastly; to fix one’s gaze upon; to look away from all else. This is a spiritual matter. The intensity of the “looking” is not just about what you look upon, but what you look away from. It is not seeking what is physical. It is tangible, yes, but not what you can touch with your hands. Soul searching might be a more accurate explanation, a deep search within for what is and what isn’t. How can you tell if you are looking unto Yahshua? It’s obvious; take what your mind is producing in the natural and measure it against the life of He who said, “I am the way!” (John 14:6)
The author of your faith; it means: originator, source, founder, prince, and leader; the person who is the originator or founder of a movement and continues as the leader. As we look unto Him, we are commanded to see (spiritually perceive) Him as author. What does this mean to you? Would it be fair to conclude that if you don’t know what it means, or you have failed to seek out its meaning, that He has not been your top priority? Listen closely loved one; those who are His have their names recorded in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5). If your name is written, it is because you have professed your desire for Him to direct your life (mind activity). His sheep listen to His voice; He knows them, and they follow Him (John 10:27). This is what He is saying; “Look at My life; I’m the way to do it all. I stand ready to take over, but I won’t force Myself on you. And be very careful dear loved one, our Father is long suffering, but He is not timid.” Embrace that your old man has died and that His life in you has replaced him (Galatians 2:20). His life is now writing the book on yours. In other words, He is the author of your life!
The finisher of your faith; it means: perfecter, completer; the consummator who brings a process to its end. His perfection guarantees yours loved one. This crucial function has most to do with personal obedience. You are perfected because there was a death. Yes, His death paved the way. The question remains; must you die also to be perfected? An emphatic “Yes!” but then the critical distinction; die how? Our old self was impaled with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. (Romans 6:6-7) Yes, to attain the promise of perfection the death of your old nature is a requirement; the death of your body—optional.
He was the last sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12, 26; 10:10) necessary for you to achieve the promise. He made a way for you to be perfected before physical death, yet so many will deny such is possible. These are the timid ones, never quite dedicated enough to lose their life for Him (Matthew 16:25). Each man’s work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)
Who do you identify with, the timid who will only escape through the flames, or the one who is willing to lose his life? What do you say when asked of perfection? “It is not possible, not until we are dead (physically); He was the only one who could be perfect?” The finisher of your faith would tell you otherwise; He would say, “I finished it for you. (John 19:30) It is My life in you now!” (Galatians 2:20) So, if He is saying “yes,” why are you saying “no?” If a house [totality of thoughts] is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (Mark 3:25) Come to grips with this most important of realties. “It is finished;” now do your part because of it!
Acquitted
Acquitted
(#310 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Which is the first [greatest] commandment of all?” Yahshua answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, Yahweh our Mighty One, Yahweh is one. And you shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart [center of intellect], with all your soul [intellectual essence], and with all your strength [intellectual strength].’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31)
When asked, “Which is the first [greatest] of all the commandments?” Yahshua begins with: “Hear, O Israel, Yahweh our Mighty One, Yahweh is one.” Being One with the Father is the foundation of everything. That is why Yahshua prayed, “That they all may be One, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be One in Us”. (John 17:21) One who shares the mind and therefore the will of Yahweh does only what he sees his Father do. Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19) The love that follows this level of unity encapsulates the rest of the commands. What Yahshua is affirming is that the law is fulfilled in its entirety by love. And the singular defining essence of love is that it never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).
It is, then, only a disobedient mind that requires to be ruled by laws other than what is defined by love. The quintessential example of this disobedience is demonstrated by Israyl’s desire to be judged (ruled over) by a king (carnal laws for a carnal kingdom) instead of Yahweh. “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” And Yahweh said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:5, 7) They rejected Yahweh and He warned them that looking outside to be governed would not turn out well. “You shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” (vv. 9, 19-20)
Do you wish to “be like all the nations?” Or would you rather be One with Yahshua who never had to ask, “What should I do now Father?” Everything hangs on love; everything becomes perfect in love, by love and through love; and love never fails! And be of good cheer because love has been poured out in your heart (Romans 5:5), which we now know from #308, is the “center of intellect.”
Yahweh wants you to be free from mental bondage; and through Yahshua, you have been acquitted. Love has been shed abroad in your heart; it alone makes having any other king over you unnecessary because love is THE law unto itself. When you love like Him, it is the only Law you need.
Abandoned
Abandoned
(#309 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Abandonment is a state of mind loved one. And considering it from a supernatural perspective, abandonment is a state of mind resulting from Yahweh’s faithfulness. Indeed, let the Mighty One be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.” (Romans 3:4 from Psalm 51.4) And has He not previously declared that, “The wages of sin is death?” (Romans 6:23a) Because this is true, the mind that experiences thoughts of abandonment is a mind that has most assuredly paid its wages for sin.
It is in the most intense and dramatic depiction of abandonment that we witness the equity and justice of Yahweh. He demands the unimaginable price for our sins, and then He accepts His Son’s payment for our debts; His life for ours! It is the single greatest act of propitiation humans have ever known. “The gift of the Mighty One is eternal life in the Messiah Yahshua our Master.” (Romans 6:23b) Sin demanded the experience of abandonment; “Almighty Father, Almighty Father, why have you abandoned [forsaken] me?” (Matthew 27:46 from Psalm 22:1) Therefore, the feeling of abandonment is an absolute must if Yahweh is to remain faithful. Otherwise, you would never realize you had turned from obeying Him. The wages of sin is the fear of abandonment; the gift of life is Yahshua’s willingness to feel abandoned for you! But, DO NOT abuse this pure and perfect gift by assuming it gives you permission to sin.
This truth is reason enough to have great hope and rejoice; a supernatural fervor if you will. Think about it! You can be confident that you will always recognize when your mind is sick because your internal monologue speaks so clearly, “Something is amiss between me and my Maker.” This becomes the key that unlocks the door to oneness, “Help me see my sin Father, so I might dwell with You.”
The feeling of abandonment is just one of many options Yahweh has to bring conviction. All negative thoughts are rooted in sin, disobedience to the commands of Yahweh. Therefore the experience of any negative thoughts can be considered a gift from Yahweh, a safeguard so to speak. Yahweh is Sovereign over everything! Ponder it. Submit to it. Walk this out. It all leads to one remarkable discovery; it is never He who abandons you, but rather you who attempt to abandon Him. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)