The Key To a Successful Relationship with God

Strive in This

(#197 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“…this day is holy to Yahweh. Do not be sad, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Sadness? Worship! Bitterness? Worship! Grief? Worship!

Oh how I long for you to learn My patterns, My perfect patterns. How much I want you to perceive that all that I say is true and that you can bet your life on it. You can pursue your death by My words, the death of those things that keep you from crossing over into My likeness. I have made it so that rejoicing in Me cures all ailments. Understand that this death is the offering, it is the sacrifice of praise. Rejoice, worship, and give thanks no matter what your physical world “seems” like. It is the ratification of My Covenant with you (Psalm 50:5). The Covenant of sacrifice will transform the conscience of My children from the carnal to the spiritual.

When I told you I desire obedience, I intended that your worship would be just that, an act (mental stand) of obedience. I would not have it any other way, and you should know this, lest you believe My patterns are somehow flawed? Worship Me in obedience and I will give you the heart (mind) to worship Me in true joy as well. The obedience is what manifests the joy and peace. Consider it a trade off if you must; the end result is worthy!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

You rejoice, I supply peace and joy. I know all of the motives of your heart. I know when worship from My children is pure, and none is more pure than that which is offered when you are in the most pain, especially in your thoughts. Yes, I always look at the heart (mind) of the matter. Keep coming to Me. Keep reminding yourself that My patterns work out for your benefit every time. Remember: “All things work together for good to those who love Me, to those who are the called according to My purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Strive in this, and I will show you why I created you–perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The Covenant of sacrifice: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

Before Casting Pearls

Reality Check 1

(#195 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“When you see a man casting pearls without getting a pork chop in return – it is not against the swine that you feel indignation. It is against the man who valued his pearls so little that he was willing to throw them into the muck and let them become the occasion for a whole concert of grunting…”

-Ayn Rand, “The Fountainhead”.

Do not give what is set-apart to the dogs, nor throw your pearls before the pigs, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matthew 7:6)

Dogs? Pigs? Pearls? Literally? What is “set-apart” that I have commanded not to be spread abroad so liberally? You assume that I would have My treasures flagrantly passed around like a sample platter in a supermarket. Listen child; if I tell you there are dogs and swine, and yes, I mean men, then is it not made clear that My treasures are not for everyone? So many of your desires are specifically that; your desires.

My words are for My people, My people Israyl (ruled by and for Yahweh)! Perhaps you might stop to consider that there are those who are Mine and those who are not. I know who will be redeemed. My Son knew who He would die for, and though He specifically pointed out one who He would not be dying for, My words tell you there are many more. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your Name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)

You see My loved one, when you understand Me and learn to obey Me, you won’t be so caught up in the idea that My love is to be handed out like a coupon. So many of you try so hard to spread My love, only to spread the rumor that you led someone to Me. It is I who woos a man! I alone draw a man towards spiritual things! Why is this important to Me? Because My redemption is not in word, but power! Redemption by grace is My gift to those whom I deem “children” of Mine.

Some of you call this gift “unmerited favor,” and yet you pretend that everyone has merits. You are too quick to try to spread My love when in fact your life does not prove My love has changed you. A secret for those who long to be wise: focus on the internal race (conquering your “self”) that I have commanded you to run, and I will make sure your life speaks to the lost. I will love them through My actions in you.

Slow down child. All of Mine will be in My Kingdom. Do you really believe that I would allow for a single drop of My Son’s blood to be wasted? Do you really think that man’s decision to deny Him was man’s and not Mine? I pity the man who serves a “god” who lets the man decide, and then acts. I Am far more than you know loved one. I Am the beginning (Aleph) and the end (Tau)!

The Bible shows us how to deal with oppression

Rescue Me

(#194 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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I sat and pondered the wickedness of this world, and the hatred that one man could have towards another. I watched the oppressors; they have no love or compassion in their hearts. It was not enough to see people in pain; these kind desire to increase their pain. The wounded and hurting were their prey; they actually sought out the lame with the intent to disable further. How could it be? From where does this wickedness in the heart come? From where does this cruelty originate?

I set out to do something about it. I talked with my eternal Father. I questioned Him on this way of man, this way that it seems man has chosen. He answered me; “The heart [center of intellect] is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Many nights I pondered the wickedness of the heart of man. I read the Psalms of David and was able to relate to all that he felt about those who oppressed men. I often prayed like he did; “Rescue me, O Yahweh, from evildoers, from treacherous, dishonest, and violent man.”

It was then that the Spirit spoke to me. “I Am doing exactly as you had hoped. I Am rescuing you. You simply did not perceive that the one I was rescuing you from was yourself. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3) When I Am done cleansing you, then we can look towards your oppressors.” What can I say to you about this type of revelation? Only confession and repentance can flow from this place.

Have mercy upon me, O Mighty One, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.

(Psalm 51:1-2)

Cleanse me; purify me; help me!

Sense-Less

Sense-less

(#193 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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I pray that the eyes of your heart [understanding] may be enlightened… (Ephesians 1:18)

To hear, taste, touch, smell, and see…or not!

What would your perceptions be if you minimalized the use of these senses?

Don’t lose “sight” of their ultimate limitation. Can any of the senses provide greater faith? It is possible; however, as the carnal nature manipulates them so easily, it is very unlikely. Perhaps a more balanced perspective is required in order to evaluate what your senses perceive and the limitations they have. Certainly, in the realms of higher understanding (consciousness) these senses are not even necessary. When you are completely connected in the Spirit, then is this not the Tree of Life you eat from? This connection plugs you into the knowledge of all things as they truly are, not the misguided perceptions of what you see in the natural? This is the connection to the highest order of energy (frequency). I Am, as you know, the Master scientist.

The losing of your life (Matthew 16:25), many times, means leaving behind perceptions of life and Spirit as understood by your senses, and discerned by your carnal nature. If faith is the evidence of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1), then stop trusting in everything your senses can perceive on earth. Yes indeed, the senses can be a great tool to navigate inside the dimension I placed you in; but, it is for the wise to know the limitations of these senses. Can you imagine an existence where spiritual perception (the mind of the Messiah) is accessible at all times? You would constantly experience everything that is perfect throughout eternity. Everything would be in perfect harmony. Speak to Me about these things. Open your spirit to Me. In silence, listen with only your mind, leaving all senses behind.

We will get a new body

Behind the Veil

(#191 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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The Scriptural patterns or blueprints are all hidden from the simpleton, the proud, and the spiritually lazy. If you have come this far in our time together, then you have certainly shown yourself to be of spiritual fortitude. One overarching pattern we have shown time and time again is that it takes a great commitment to will your “self” to die. Another is that it takes time to realize that there is no power but Yahweh’s, and just as paramount, that your inner rebellion, or “self-power,” will always be resistant lest He crushes it. The Scripture that comes to mind which speaks of this is from John 12:24-25: Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He who loves his life will lose it; but he who hates his life in this world will protect it for eternal life.

You are the kernel loved one. But even more significant is that you are learning to accept that you are the kernel. That’s why we are here together. We are those who have been given permission to enter behind the veil. We have been found worthy, not of our own strength of course, but because we have accepted the requirements which grant that permission. “The permission?” This Word should be like an old friend by now: “It is no longer I who live, but the Messiah who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14) Few understand; however, the masses claim to be “of Him,” while really just following an idol of their own vain imaginings. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the WILL of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord [Baal], Lord [Baal], have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

The crushed ones, the kernels planted in fertile soil, have broken open and will bear much fruit (Matthew 13:8). They are quieter than others, quicker to listen, and more apt to lend a hand. These qualities reflect the glorious life of Yahshua the Messiah within. Everything illuminates one grand idea; it is the premier pattern of being crushed, crucified with Messiah, and becoming unoffendable (Psalm 119:165).

The kernels “found worthy” quickly say, “Unless I had been crucified with Messiah (Galatians 2:20), I would have been ruined forever by my “self.”” Others only allow so much crushing until they shrink back. They refuse to embrace, “To die is to gain.” (Philippians 1:21) We know the price, and we realize that many will turn cold (Matthew 24:12). But, we also must admit we would have done the same, had Yahweh not done within us that which we would have never desired. “If not for Your mercy, I too would shrink back.” When we embrace this we become un-offendable. We experience a supernatural joy as we recognize, “that would have been me.”

This is your true rebirth, your mental resurrection. So few have been behind the veil loved one. Remember, the road is narrow (Matthew 7:14)! With every thought that enters into your conscience, remember that!

Freedom? 4th of July Message Who to Vote For

Freedom? 4th of July Message Who to Vote For

Give Thanks to Yahweh

Thanks

(#188 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name. (Psalm 100:4)

O Yahweh, let my words of thanksgiving settle in Your ears like the dew. Let my praise form like manna on the earth. May my worship be as sweet as honey cakes. I know that it is Your joy that my words of thanksgiving actually become provision for me, blessings and the bread of life.

You knew me before You formed me in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5). I dreamed of You then. I felt Your love before I was born. Then, as an innocent child, my dreams remained from You, nothing clouding my intention. They were good, pure, and hopeful. They were thoughts of what good I could do for others.

Thank You Father; the fire of affliction has returned me to this place. Thank You for Your love which has forged the hot iron of my will to conform to Yours. Thank You that You did not leave me to myself. Thank You for Your pruning which exposed my heart, and for Your power that comes with Your revelation. Thank You for skimming the dross so that what is pure in me remains. Thank You for not letting me stay the same.

I became a child again and You removed my abilities in this season. And You did it to reconstruct my temple. Thank You that during this rebirth You sustained only those things that I truly love most, the things of You. My spirit thanks You. Wonderful are Your ways; magnanimous are Your deeds.

Note to the reader: No matter what you are going through right now, even if it seems like no one cares, we care. We want to tell you to hold on, not with gritting teeth, but with a mind that says “He won’t lie to me. He won’t let my life become worthless. My day is coming; I will rise again, and I will be better than ever.” We know what it feels like to wonder if life is worth it, and we have come to a new place, a Promised Land. And we want to tell you that all your pain will soon be something glorious. You will look back at it and you will truly understand that without it, you could have never known what pure joy is. You will realize that grief and the feeling of despair are actually holy emotions used to allow you to experience how joyful joy is. Hold on: we are with you.

I Am is with you.

The Battle is Won

The Battle is Won

(#187 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Yahweh, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Yahweh our Mighty One, for we rely on You, and in Your Name we have come against this vast army. Yahweh, You are our Mighty One; do not let mere mortals prevail against You! (2 Chronicles 14:11)

How could victory not be celebrated, even now? And in the process, how can you consider any loss a mistake?

The Sovereignty of our Creator mandates that all battles are His. We proclaim, “The battle belongs to Yahweh.” (1 Samuel 17:47) We call Him King of the universe; and we ascribe to Him His rightful title as “I Am,” yet we still have fear. We doubt as we wonder what more might be taken. We often think of Job as the courageous one, forgetting the most pivotal part of his story; he repented and praised Yahweh after his loss (Job 42:5-6). He declared, “Yahweh has given, and Yahweh has taken away.” (Job 1:21)

The scriptures teach us that what we lose is meant to be lost and what we gain is only blessed if it comes according to our Creator’s will. If we trust Him for the battle, then we must accept that loss is just as valuable and perfect as gain.

Pruning often involves persecution. But even so, the battles we face are truly not ours to fight. If this is true, AND IT IS, then no enemy can prevail against us. The pruning we experience as a result of the persecution is actually intended to squelch the internal battle we fight against Yahweh. That’s correct; most of our pain (mind strife) is due to our struggle against our Creator, not our supposed enemies.

With this new understanding, let us be content with Him taking what He takes and giving what He gives. Have a grateful heart (mind) no matter the situation. He knows best what is excess and what is not. If we are going to trust Him, we must go all the way. Anything less is merely lukewarm faith, and that makes our Creator nauseous. (Revelation 3:16)

Regeneration

Though All Fail

(#186 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vine, the yield of the olive has failed, and the fields brought forth no food, the flock has been cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I exult in Yahweh, I rejoice in the Mighty One of my deliverance. Yahweh the Almighty is my strength. And He makes my feet like those of a deer, and makes me walk on my high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

A sacrifice of praise is what You desire, O Yahweh. It is the key to the Kingdom, the only true Kingdom. It is the only Kingdom in which dwells the love of Yahweh. Perhaps if we stop to think it through, if we truly want to uncover the pattern, we might ponder that the need for any external satisfaction must come to an end in order for this internal fruit to blossom.

Does it not make sense that you gain more glory through deliverance than through earthly abundance? Oh that we would learn to embrace Your ways, and that our way of thinking would shift to Your way of thinking. How much sweeter is it to walk Your paths when we embrace Your patterns.

Try these on for size:

1. “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me [Yahshua]; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

2. “He must increase, but I [John the Baptist] must decrease.” (John 3:30)

3. “My doctrine is not Mine [Yahshua], but His who sent Me.” (John 7:16)

4. “For I have not spoken on My own authority [Yahshua]; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:49)

We so often perceive Your patterns as opposite of what You intend. What do You intend?

1. When we feel pain, You are joyous as You witness our growth.

2. When we cannot see the end, You stand there waiting for us.

3. When we cannot overcome, You rejoice in the victory You had planned all along.

Oh that we would truly perceive all things as good. May we believe, like Shaul (Paul), that You, Abba, would never let your children go.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor malakim [erroneously called “angels”], nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of the Mighty One which is in Yahshua the Messiah our Master. (Romans 8:38-39)

“Give us wisdom to see as You see. Enlarge our territory, not of land, but of our minds, so we would feel how easy the yoke and how light the burden is, because You are our portion. Take us beyond, Father, to the place where only the Spirit man resides; take us to a new consciousness, to a new day. Implant in us that which Habakkuk earned, this ever-present gift in his life, the sacrifice of praise. Even though all seems lost… ‘yet I exult in Yahweh, I rejoice in the Mighty One of my deliverance.’ Please, Yahweh, bring us to that place.”

Redemption vs. Salvation

Bad Doctrine; Bad Mind!

(#185 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Everything matters; nothing is meaningless. Even those things you might think are meaningless have a purpose. With that, the purpose of all things must be exposed by His Ruach (Spirit-breath-mind). For this reason you are instructed [commanded] to: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

And so what is your doctrine on “being saved?” What about your life and doctrine should you watch closely? What is salvation?

Salvation is a mind saved unto absolute holiness, worked out in the temporal world, not to be, but most often confused with redemption (the free gift you do NOTHING to earn). If your life and doctrine are pure, then your thoughts will tell you that salvation is yet to be achieved, and thus it must be “worked out [practiced in every thought] with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)

Bad doctrine will cause you to say things like, “I got saved on….,” and you will convince yourself it is so. Saved means you have achieved One mind with Yahweh, His Son, and Spirit. If you claim to be “saved,” then you are claiming to walk with the mind of the Almighty.

Yes, a perfect mind is commanded, and therefore promised and available to the sons and daughters of Yahweh, as it is said, “Be perfect [holy minded] as I Am perfect!” (Matthew 5:48) This means having no more consciousness of sin (Hebrews 9:14); it means no longer possessing the ability to consciously obey the old “self,” while at the same time, fully recognizing that the old self once ruled every thought.

The mature ones have no problem acknowledging that they are not yet saved, but rather are redeemed to be saved. And so it goes that the immature will claim that “salvation” is completed in them, even while their minds, and therefore their actions, are still steeped in carnality. Let it not be said of you loved one; that you continue in sin (imperfect thoughts) and yet claim to be saved.

“He who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)