Tag Archives: Bill Cloud
Who Is Blessed?
Break it Down
(#143 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Note from the editors: take a breath; clear your mind; and enjoy the ride!
Psalm 84:5-7
Blessed [favored] are those [the ones who follow the pattern] whose strength [power, provision, purpose] is in You [Abba], who have [without guessing, moving forward] set [like in concrete, steadfast] their hearts [minds] on a pilgrimage [advancing, moving, no rust, no moths]. As they pass [yes, they leave and move on] the Valley [low places] of Baca [weeping], they [the ones operating in Abba’s power] make it [create a new thing] a place of springs [life, abundance, real reality]; the autumn [falling] rains [Spirit outpouring] also [as well as, doubly] cover [sustain] it [the mind in the valley] with pools [abundant blessing, overflow]. They [the blessed ones] go [keep moving] from strength [trust in Yahweh] to strength [more trust in Yahweh, closer to perfection] till each appears [kneels] before the Mighty One [Yahweh] in Zion [un-obstruction, perfection, a pure mind].
Here is a powerful paraphrase for your edification:
Favored are the ones who follow the pattern, whose provision and purpose are in the Father, who move forward without guessing and with steadfast minds advance. They leave the lower place of weeping by operating in Abba’s power and create something new, a place of abundance; the Holy Spirit pouring out in double portion is what sustains their new thinking with abundant overflow and blessings. These blessed children of Yahweh continue to move from trusting in Yahweh to even more trust in Yahweh as they approach perfection, until each kneels before the Mighty One with a perfect, un-obstructed, pure mind.
A Slave To Yahweh
No Options
(#140 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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One option! That is all you have. Freedom is having no other options. Is this not the true freedom I have for you? You have one choice, and that is to obey My commands! How quickly you test Me. I can hear your thoughts. “If I choose not to do Your will, then I can simply make my own choices, right?” It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? But, you would never think like that, would you? Yes, My child, every day; every day you say this to Me. Your disobedience says it all. The death of My Son says it. What do you think the shed blood was for?
Fill in the blanks in the scripture I have given you. Are you ready?
“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient [____________], you are [____________] of the one you obey—whether you are [____________] to sin, which leads to death, or [____________] to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)
Yes, slaves, slaves, slaves, and slaves! Read it aloud to Me. Fill in the blanks and read it over and over.
Because I know you and because I created you, I offer this consolation. My slaves are free! My slaves love! My slaves hope! My slaves grow! My slaves learn to adore their Master with all of their being! My slaves learn what freedom truly is! Won’t you come and learn from Me? Won’t you be My slave?
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.
Yahweh Wants Your Heart
I Cry Out For the Little Ones
(#138 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The voice said, “Cry out!” And he said, “What shall I cry?” All men are like grass and their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of Yahweh blows on them. Surely people are like grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the words of the Mighty One endure forever. (Isaiah 40:6-8)
Your Word shall endure forever Father. Yes, You have said to me, “Those who hope in Me will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
I listen to Your whisper Abba; You say, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths; I will guide them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)
My soul clings to these words, these words of life, these words of redemption. I too am a dad. I need Your atonement so that I might return to my young ones. As I need You, they need me. As You are teaching me to need only You, I too will teach them that they need only You. So many things You need to teach my soul. So many things I need to teach theirs. As I finally come to You in a truly authentic way, a way like never before, bring me back to them to show them how to also be authentic before You. I know that You know what it means to be a Father who gives the only kind of love possible, the love that never fails. How will the little ones know what it looks like lest their dad teaches them? Because Your love never fails, I know that You will allow me to teach my children what that looks like. I rest in that.
Inner Peace Acting Out
Inner Peace, Acting Out
(#136 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Am I not He who guides and protects you? Did I not appoint Malakim (mind messengers) to minister to your going out and your coming in? (Hebrews 1:14) Let Me be perfectly clear with you. I will work on everything on the outside, while you work on the inside. “Seek first”, My Spirit has spoken to you (Matthew 6:33). Am I not your Almighty Father? Is My strong arm not sufficient to cast away all of your foes? Am I not adequate to orchestrate the outcome of every situation on your behalf?
Listen to Me child! Your decisions; your acting out; and all the things you do to influence outcomes on your own; are evidence of a lack of faith. You attempt to control relationships, dreams, business deals, and the results in all situations and circumstances of your life, shouts so loudly that you cannot hear Me saying, “Be still and know that I am the Mighty One.” (Psalm 46:10) How quickly you act and react. “Please let this (whatever ‘this’ is) fall into place”, you beg of Me, before you even seek My will. All the hopes, all the efforts, “all the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied.” (Ecclesiastes 6:7)
Here is another unchangeable pattern for you. Listen closely! I will work on outside circumstances; you work on the inside. Synchronicity is what I desire. If you believe that I have all things in My control, then you have but one duty. Find out where I Am leading you and follow. I Am talking about inner peace, peace in all your decisions. Will I not tell you all things to come (John 16:13)? Am I a man that I should lie? Let inner peace be the language between us. How quickly you’ve run off without Me in the past. When you get ahead of yourself you are really only wandering away from Me. I Am the source for all good things in your life. I have the answers for all of your desires.
Synchronicity! Slow down and listen for guidance. Only after you hear My voice should you act. When you have My peace, then must you go.
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)
When We Lift Our Hands
When We Lift Our Hands
(#134 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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When we lift our hands to You Abba, what do we really intend? Are we worshipping? Do we really mean it? Is it possible to be filled with fears and doubt, and yet worship? Do You receive the worship of doubting people? How can we say we worship and adore You, but not trust You?
So very few of Your children live a life filled with power and grace. Is this why they hold up hands to You? Are they trying to pull something down from You, something deeply lacking in themselves? I ask again Abba; how can we worship You, but not truly trust You? Find me the man who says he does. Yes, Your Son is our comparison. How many raise their hands begging for mercy? This seems an appropriate reason to hold up holy hands. Is that worship Father? It seems like desperation. Is desperation power Father? Do we really believe Yahshua died for us? At times, it ironically seems more tangible to believe it was for Abraham, Moses or even Paul. Is it really for us?
Where are the ones who are anointed by Your touch Father, the ones who have lost their lives and found You? There are so few. Why Abba? Why? Your promises are for all of us who say we believe, correct? Forgive us for the mixed message we send, as we raise hands with doubt in our hearts. Help us believe, to believe in Your promises through Your Son and Your Ruach (Spirit). Grant us the faith of a mustard seed Abba (Matthew 13:31-32, 17:20). Birth belief in us Father, true belief. Make it real to us so we can move mountains (Mark 11:23). Prepare our hearts (minds) to suffer well for it. Help us to die to “self” so that we might offer genuine worship, for worship’s sake, and also for those who wonder about the faith of all who claim to believe what they so passionately preach, and seemingly, so strongly affirm.
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.
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!