Tag Archives: Bill Cloud
I Will Follow
Psalm 22
(#125 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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But You took me from my mother’s womb; You made me trust in You, even from my mother’s breast! (Psalm 22:9)
So many words, so much idle chatter, and so much babbling. Babble on? Babylon! Sit still My child. Rest your soul. Rest your tongue and listen! You need to receive this. This needs to break into the matrix of your mind. A paradigm shift is what I offer. I Am Spirit and you must choose who to serve (Joshua 24:15). Will you serve your flesh or the Spirit?
What speaks to you most about Psalm 22:9? Does it matter? Does it speak to you at all? May I now tell you what I Am saying here? Yes, David wrote it, but I told him to. “You brought me out of the womb.” Yes, you are here by My choice. Long before you were birthed from the womb, I birthed the thought of you; I set all of your days in order. I Am the beginning and the end of all things. This includes your beginning and end. “You made me trust in You.” And herein, you have My greatest gift to you.
This is My plan: I CREATED YOU and MADE YOU TRUST ME! It then begs the question; why do you continue to fight Me? Love is what established this irreversible pattern, a pattern emphasized in Ezekiel 11:20. “Then they will follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws. They will be My people, and I will be their Mighty One.” Just the first four words are needed for this lesson; “Then they will follow.” Does it say, “Then they might follow?” or “Then they could follow?” or “Then they should follow?” No, it says, “Will follow!” Do not turn My gift of life into your vain quest for personal independence. You are My earthen vessel. I will finish the work I intend for you. It is My life inside of you.
This is the promise I have made to you. The Refiner’s fire always begins in My house. (1 Peter 4:17) When I bring this fire into My house, My Temple, your body (1 Corinthians 6:19), you will be very pleased then, for Me to take over all aspects of your life. When this fire comes upon you, I Am quite sure you may even rejoice for Me to take over. Be of good cheer though My child, you were never in control anyway.
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of the Mighty One; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the good news of the Almighty? (1 Peter 4:17) Or do you not know that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from the Mighty One, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Again, the question is, why do you fight Me in this? Do you really believe that if I had left any of it to you that you would ever be able to be joined to Me as One? It’s time for the arrogance, the foolishness, and the lust for death to end. You will trust in Me sons and daughters. You will.
Who is Double Minded
Who is Double Minded?
(#124 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Do you recognize this verse as it is commonly translated? John 3:16 might be the most misused verse in the entire Bible. To clarify, let’s read John 17:14-17.
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Now tell us who is double minded, the Creator or man? John 17:14 states that “they [believers] are not of the world.” Is this not the same world that so many of you say John 3:16 describes, the world Yahweh so loves? Let’s highlight John 17:16 for the moment. “They [believers] are not of the world, even as I [Messiah] am not of the world.”
We ask again, who is double minded? The common mistake when interpreting the scriptures is trying to understand Hebrew thought forms with a Greek mindset. The Hebrew, a language of adjectives and verbs, promotes action. It is a “hear and do” language. The Greek, on the other hand, is a noun based language, a “sit and contemplate” language.
Let’s look again at John 3:16 and John 17:14-17. What’s the deal? How can Yahweh so “love” a world that Yahshua clearly states we are not of? They are two different worlds, correct? Right!!!!!! Yet, the Greek interpretation makes no distinct difference. It uses the same word, Kosmos (Cosmos) in both verses. This creates double mindedness!
Satan (ego, self) rules this world (carnal desire) we live in, the world we are NOT of. Yahweh does not love this world of Satan’s; as a matter of fact, it is set to be destroyed. The “John 3:16 world” that He so loves, is His world, the world we are headed back to. The Hebrew language describes it as a place of absolute purity: socially, morally, governmentally and spiritually. It is a perfect place, His Garden of love. He sent His Son to take us back to that place.
If you are still struggling with this paradigm shift, these verses should help you. Oh, and pray for truth (John 17:17). Know the truth! It will set you free (John 8:32).
* John 15:19—If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
* 1 John 2:15-16—Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
* 1 John 5:19—We know that we are of the Mighty One, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
The world that is coming is the world He loves, not the one that we are leaving. Be of good cheer, He has overcome the [this] world. (John 16:33).
Yes, I said “All”
Yes, I said “All”
(#123 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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All the ways of Yahweh are kindness [love] and truth [faithfulness] for those who keep the covenant and His testimonies. (Psalm 25:10)
The greatest command releases the keys to My Kingdom. I have many doors of blessing for you to walk through, all of them leading to a spacious place. And what is the greatest command? Yes, obedience unto death sums it up. Would I lie to you? Is it possible? I cannot reverse the pattern, for I am Yahweh, and whatever I create, is perfect from the beginning. Look again at Psalm 25:10. Do you notice the pattern; the lovingkindness, and the truth and faithfulness? “For those who keep…” It is so fitting and convenient for the world to turn Me into the god of every desire; flesh or spirit. Oh, how longsuffering I have been. “If He, their “self” made versions of Me, was so loving…” How many times do you think I have heard that since Adam? My response is always the same; “If they (and that means you) would just keep My commands!”
Yes My child; activate My promises. Remind Me of My word. All of My ways are kind, loving, true and faithful—to the obedient! I don’t need perfection from you to get started. My Son handled that part for you. I’m watching your heart, as a willing heart (mind) overflows into an obedient heart, which becomes an obedient life. I need your heart. Let it be unto Me a heart that sacrifices praise under all circumstances at all times. Do this My child; do this and then sit back in awestruck wonder. I have more than you can ask, think or imagine waiting for you.
To know the love of Messiah that surpasses knowledge; that you may be filled with the measure of all the fullness of the Mighty One. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or imagine [think], according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the congregation and in Messiah Yahshua throughout all generations, forever and ever! So be it. (Ephesians 3:19-21)
Whom do you serve?
Enticement to Slavery
(#119 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Where in My word have I given you dominion over another? From where do you fabricate these ideologies that imprison all mankind? Of course you are void of answers, as there is no spiritually intelligent answer for these questions. Any answer, well thought out, should leave one ashamed for falling into such a matrix of human error.
Have I asked you to be kings in the way you interpret kingship? It is you who asked for kings (carnally dominant mindsets) to rule over you (1 Samuel 8:5). I honored your request so you would experience the absolute foolishness of your desires. Yet you failed to see it! To this day you continue to feed the very system you asked for, when all this system does is keep you in slavery (Read all of 1 Samuel 8). It is simply fear that drives your man-made device, and yet you embrace it as if this system protects you. I will certainly show you the end result of your desire to be ruled over. My word discusses it. It is called the eighth beast empire (Revelation 17:8-11). It is the worst man has ever seen. It will come to swallow up even those who believe such rulership and government is of Me. It will destroy all those who follow after it, including many of My own children who failed to heed My revelation long ago that it would happen.
In your crafty design of governing authorities, you have managed to produce paupers and dictators. Both feed off each other in fear and have come to be comfortable in this way of life. You have convinced yourself that it is My will for you. Oh My dear little ones, how could I ask you to submit to something that bears no resemblance of My rulership? Although I use wicked men for My purposes, I never asked you to honor them! I command that you give honor where honor is due, not where it isn’t! (Romans 13:7)
I wish to reveal a secret for you. This matrix in your mind is easily corrected if you would just look at My family for a moment. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit have only one way of interacting. We only seek the best for and of each other. There is no other way with Us. There is only perfection and the beautiful blend of all that emanates from perfection. Why would I change perfect government? Perfect government satisfies each soul completely. It does not rule by majority, has no opposing parties, and nothing but complete individual freedom, all while giving every other “family” member the same freedom. Oh My children, I will bring you back to perfect government. I only wish you would have realized yourselves what I offered all along. Now, free your mind. The matrix is easily solved if you just remove the fear. Ask Us to help. We are always willing. And might We remind you that Our government (the perfect conscience; the mind of Yahweh) is the same yesterday, today and forever? (Hebrews 13:8)
“Be careful, or your hearts [minds] will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)
This New Thing
This New Thing
(#118 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Growing in you,
You, growing in Me,
A Spirit rising,
Light pushing out darkness,
Inside of you.
Chemicals shift,
Thought processes change,
Mindsets shatter.
Intense, yet reserved…?
Intense, yet reserved? What is this thing still lingering, this reservation? It is the core issue, no? Is it the piece of flesh You left behind in me Father? Must it remain? Will it always be? My heart (mind) explodes with a longing to rejoice in a victory that has not yet been fully attained. Should I? Should I fully rejoice while there is work yet to be done? Is the reservation smart, wise, and Spirit led? There is a voice saying, “Is it real; is it really You Father?” Is this reservation doubt? Is it wisdom? It feels safe, yet it feels doubtful.
Root it out Father. I desire true freedom, a deeper freedom. I desire the unreserved freedom of a warrior kneeling before You, handing over his sword, or a maiden who realizes that You are the only true Husband. I desire to be submitted to You in everything, along with the wisdom to not boast in my own efforts. Fill me with a heart that only wants to boast of Your work in me. “He did this. Look. Look at my Daddy. He will never let you hurt me.”
Tears flow as I write this. As my pen hits paper, the boy in me realizes that I could never have uttered those words about my earthly father. How could I say such words about one who hurt, rather than protected my little heart? I forgive him, and I need him to forgive me. There is a great love today, yet I wonder if the tentacles of reservation still remain.
No Father, these reservations are not smart, wise, or Spirit lead. It is time to step over into a new place; into a new thing where, for the first time in my life, I get personal proof that I have a Father Who protects and does not hurt. I have a Daddy who will not discard me, even when I am not worthy of love. I can live a new life with no more rejection, only pure love from the Father of love, forever.
What is this reservation in me? Come Daddy. Come.
For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:9)
Listen and Follow Yahweh
Not You, But Me
(#117 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Why do you miss My voice? Why do you think you can’t hear Me every hour of every day? I’m not speaking to you. I speak Spirit things only, things pertaining to life, holiness and righteousness. I speak directly to the Spirit I placed in you. And when you listen with the ears of the flesh you cannot hear My voice. My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27) My sheep also hear other voices. Lust has a voice. Idolatry has a voice. Greed has a voice. Pride has a voice.
By now, you should understand that I use patterns to teach you. These patterns are not meant to be mysterious; on the contrary, they are intended to be traceable and detectable. It is no different here. Listen to Me My child. It may be a still small voice I speak with, but a quieted mind focused on Me will hear loud and clear. I don’t give rocks (difficult to understand precepts) when you ask for manna (spiritual food) (Matthew 7:7-11). Have I not told you that I know what you need before you ask? (Philippians 4:19) I Am speaking to you at every moment. I Am always here; always concerned; always ahead of you with good things planned.
I have this desire for you, and although I Am always surrounding you, making your path straight (Proverbs 16:9), I would love if you kept up. Time is short. Blessings are delayed by indifference to My voice. Listen according to My will. Listen with the Spirit I placed in you. My language is the language of love, but do not forget; My love demands chastening when chastening is necessary. You can end all doubt of Me by confessing all doubt of Me. This is how I heal you. You confess; I heal. It’s just between us. Come to Me and we will have victory, together, as One.
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©)
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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)