Tag Archives: Blessings vs. Curses
The Whole Matter
The Whole Matter
(#365 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear the Almighty and keep His commandments, for this is man’s whole duty. For the Mighty One will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
You were created in the image of Yahweh and to keep His commands. Your carnal attempt at “free will” will always end in a death of His choice, just as in the Garden of Eden. Your whole duty is to obey Yahweh, a death of self that should be the only choice, just as offered in the Garden of Gethsemane! This will transform you into His image, to a perfect man [perfection], to the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Messiah (Ephesians 4:13). And do not think it pride that you are called to such a lofty place; you are joint heirs with the Messiah (Romans 8:17). And He thought it perfectly acceptable, and even more so, was commanded to be like His Father. Don’t be fooled loved one; there will be a death either way. The only question is whether you will bow willingly or be forced.
Let this mind be in you which was also in the Messiah Yahshua, who, being in the form of the Mighty One, did not consider it robbery to be equal with the Mighty One, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the stake. Therefore the Mighty One also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Yahshua [Yahweh saves] every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Yahshua the Messiah is Master, to the glory of the Almighty Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
With this confession on your lips, let’s revisit the first Garden and ask ourselves, “Were they given choices or commands?” Yahshua’s example in the second Garden, as well as these bold words, can help you with the answer. “If you love Me, keep My commands.” (John 14:15) You must settle this answer inside of you, once for all times, and then you must live by it! Let this mind be in you which was also in the Messiah Yahshua. The Kingdom within (Luke 17:21) is the mind of the Messiah in you (1 Corinthians 2:16). It is the conclusion of the whole matter.
If you have eyes to see and ears to hear, read this aloud; “I was never intended to think for myself, but rather only to have His mind in me.” This will transform every aspect of your life. And make no mistake, life, the entirety of it, the whole duty of it, is lived first in the mind! And if you are willing to surrender your will, it can be lived with His mind, the Messiah in you, the hope of glory. (Colossian 1:27) Your soul, your conscience, lives forever and for those who obey rather than insist they have a choice, “forever” is pure bliss. The others, those forced to bow, whose conscience is seared (1 Timothy 4:2), will involuntarily acknowledge Yahweh’s glory, but will live forever absent His presence. Hell indeed!
Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, had it all. He had every luxury the world could offer, all the riches of the physical realm. And how did these strong attachments impact this most valuable gift of the Father? It turned his wisdom into vanity. His final reckoning, his repentance; his conclusion of the whole matter; fear the Almighty and keep His commandments. All else is “vanity!” “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) The result of “choosing” to go against what Yahweh commands: Vanity!
And so, again, if you have eyes to see and ears to hear, read this aloud; “If I give up the idea that I have a right to my own thoughts, my obedience will allow me to become all I was intended to be; I will attain the Holy mind.” This is exactly what His Covenant (unilateral mind contract with fallen men) guarantees loved one. When all vanity is washed away, the Kingdom of Yahweh will manifest in the Holy of Holies of your mind. He will have total dominion over all of your thoughts. The result: a conscience without sin (Hebrews 9:14)! This, loved one, is the conclusion of the whole matter!
To All Our Loved Friends Who Traveled With Us,
Thank you for taking this devotional journey to the Kingdom within.
Michael & Jeffrey
P. S. “It” is “not” finished; go back to #001 Merciful One and travel deeper!
Seeing Red
Seeing Red
(#363 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty [careless, idle] word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37)
You will be held accountable before the throne of Yahweh Almighty for every word you speak. When your language fails to align with the Holy Mind, when your words are not that of a Kingdom citizen, you must change or answer the charge before the Courts of Heaven. Each of us will give an account of ourselves to the Almighty. (Romans 14:12) All things will be tested by fire; whatever is not of Him will be burned away (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
Time spent in any culture reveals its language. Prison too has its own vernacular. Phrases like, “Slow your roll” and “Don’t get it twisted,” are commonly used among the men. Both phrases are intended to express the idea of slowing down and thinking things through, before possibly speaking. In the Body of the Messiah, the congregation (the gathering of thoughts intended to be Holy), the totality of all that we think and speak is supposed to express the mind of Yahweh alone. However, so much of what we think and say fails to meet this standard, a lack of power being the proof of this sad affair. Yes, we call it an affair, as it is an affair with the world, an affair with the kingdoms that will perish.
And yet, many professed believers will minimize their affair with the world by simply proclaiming, “I’m covered by the blood.” Let us consider what that means using Hebrew vernacular. “Blood” (dam in Hebrew) refers to life or that which when shed causes death. What is even more piercing is that one of the Hebrew root words for blood is “adam”. With just a little effort and a little time spent seeking for Yahweh’s wisdom, you will be amazed at the depth of what it means that Yahshua shed His blood.
Here is the realignment of that thought using Kingdom vernacular; the shedding of the blood was what the Messiah did. That’s what perfected Him! He shed His “adam”; He shed Adam (Stop and read 1 Corinthians 15:45-49!). The shedding of blood was the death of His ego and self-will in order for His will to become One will with the Father. So you see, you are not covered “by the blood”, you are covered because through Him, the blood (the first man Adam) was removed from you also! You were cleansed “from” blood, not “by” blood! You had to be because, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of the Mighty One, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 15:50)
Slow your roll. Don’t get it twisted. Seek and you shall find!
“In fact, the Law requires that nearly everything be cleansed [purified] with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission [forgiveness of sin].” (Hebrews 9:22)
Sufficient For Today
Sufficient For Today
(#361 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has its own worries. Each day has enough of its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)
Listen closely loved one. Yahweh says exactly what He means and He means exactly what He says. And He knows that to raise children; it takes repeating His words (Deuteronomy 4:9-10; 6:7; 11:19) and sometimes a rod as well (Proverbs 13:24). If He says that you should not be worried about tomorrow, then any concern for the future will be absent His anointing. Meditate over and over on these words: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to the Mighty One. And the peace of the Mighty One, which transcends all understanding, will guard the thoughts, feelings and purpose of your hearts [minds] in the Messiah Yahshua.(Philippians 4:6) If you are instructed to not be anxious or worried about anything, then losing your peace or having anxiety over your desires, hopes, or concerns for the future is foolishness. He is your everything today and your everything tomorrow.
Trust in Yahweh, and do good; dwell in the land [what is firm], and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in Yahweh, and He shall give [grant, set, appoint, assign] you the desires of your heart [satisfy your thoughts, feelings, and purpose]. (Psalm 37:3-4) Do you get how powerful this is? You have no need for anxiety about your future because Yahweh both assigns the desires of your heart and then He grants them. If you are living in obedience, you can be confident that the very desires you have in your heart were place there by the Mighty One and will also be fulfilled by Him. The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Yahweh; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. (Psalm 21:1-2)
You should have no anxiety about tomorrow, but this does not mean that you should not cultivate a vision for what Yahweh has for you, the purpose for why you were created. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the Law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18) There is a call on your life, and obedience to that call brings happiness. Besides, the gifts of Yahweh are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). The desires that He placed in your heart are the very clues which identify your calling, define your purpose, and cultivate Yahweh’s vision for you. “I know the plans I have for you,” declares Yahweh, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) And the key to assuring that your desires are His desires is to be a man after the heart of Yahweh (Acts 13:22). It is the key of David; “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” (Isaiah 22:22, Revelation 3:7) When you are after the heart of Yahweh, you have in your hand the keys to the Kingdom.
Those keys unlock Yahweh’s vision for your life and help define your purpose. However, one thing above all will insure that you have no worries about tomorrow. It is to be satisfied with your cup being filled by the Almighty alone. If your happiness, peace, and contentment require a new job, or perhaps a better marriage, then your hope is in idols, something other than Him. It says that your emotional stability is subject to your physical or emotional satisfaction from people or things. To the contrary, when you are complete in Him, everything else is provided automatically (Matthew 6:33)! The mind (heart) longs for nothing else, needs nothing else, and is utterly and overwhelmingly satisfied with Yahweh alone!
If today, you cry out for Him to be your everything, to love Him and His will alone, then you will find that you have more than you could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). It will be too glorious to even think about tomorrow.
My Dream “Don’t Get Your Children a License”
My Dream “Don’t Get Your Children a License”
If you want your Prayers Heard, Give Reverence to Yahweh
If you want your Prayers Heard, Give Reverence to Yahweh
Death is Gain!
Death is Gain!
(#359 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
As no man can control the wind, so no one has power over the day of his death. (Ecclesiastes 8:8)
In the light of this reality, a world of rebellious mindsets and agendas are exposed. It is not just CNN, MSNBC, FOX, the BBC, and your local news channels that become eviscerated, filleted open and exposed, but also your fleshly lusts for their “news and views”. Have you become addicted to their opinions and worldview, or built your identity around their crises and precedences? To the contrary, you should be unaffected by global warming, Wall Street numbers, foreign affairs, liberal agendas, and all of their other seeming priorities and disasters.
Are we saying that you should bury your head in the sand, ignore the things going on around you? Absolutely not! What we are saying is that you should take your rightful place of authority over these things. Yahweh will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of Yahweh your Mighty One that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. (Deuteronomy 28:13) Obey the Almighty and do not let fear of worldly turmoil rule your life. The end of your days is already set; nothing can change that. So, instead of fear and crisis, you should find great joy in Yahweh’s providence.
It is all predestined loved one (Ephesians 1:4). Every aspect of the life you live, as well as the end of that life, has been planned from eternity past; all under the supernatural Providence of Yahweh. Is there any wonder that Yahshua taught us that “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love?” (1 John 4:18) This type of fear (paralyzing fear, dread) exposes a blatant lack of faith in Yahweh’s Sovereignty.
Therefore, with Yahweh there is nothing to fear. If you are afraid, confess it and let Yahweh’s love wash it away. “How can His love cast away my fears?” you might be thinking. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Yahweh is love (1 John 4:8) and love never fails. And if love never fails, then there is simply nothing to fear.
The entirety of man’s kingdoms on earth is structured to replicate and reproduce fear, and all to one end, to inspire you to believe the lie. “We will take care of you; we will keep you safe: we will tell you the truth; just trust us.” Trusting in man is a curse loved one (Jeremiah 17:5). It’s time to wake up, not to become more concerned about what is happening in the kingdoms of earth, but how you are responding to the Kingdom within you (Luke 17:21). It’s time to place your trust in the dominion of Yahweh. His Kingdom should dominate your center of intellect. From now on, tune into the news reports from the Government of Heaven and let the things of this world pass away. Death (removal of self) is gain! You must die to the kingdoms of this world; for to live is the Messiah and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
Is it okay to celebrate Christmas?
Here is the video to watch The Insanity of God https://www.revelationmedia.com/watchinsanityofgod/?_thankyou=Y
No other Name
No Other Name
(#357 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Who has ascended into Heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name, and what is His Son’s Name, if you know? (Proverbs 30:4)
“I Am Yahweh, your Mighty One, the Holy One of Israyl, your Savior.” (Isayah 43:3) Many claim to know Me, to worship Me, to serve Me, and to love Me, yet they do not know My Name. This is a grave deception which must come to an end. “Thus you shall say to the children of Israyl: Yahweh the Mighty One of your fathers, the Mighty One of Abraham, the Mighty One of Isaac, and the Mighty One of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My Name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.” (Exodus 3:15)
Yet, those who call themselves My children do not know, or fail to use, My Name. I Am exposing your negligence, not to condemn you (Romans 8:1), but to chasten you, because I discipline the one I love, and I chasten everyone I accept as My son [the son I delight in] (Hebrews 12:6 from Proverbs 3:12). I do this to begin the healing, which comes by knowing My Name. For I Am Yahweh who heals you (Exodus 15:26); and for you who revere My Name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. (Malachi 4:2)
You cannot revere and reverence My Name without knowing and using My Name!
o Then men began to call on [worship] Yahweh by Name. (Genesis 4:26)
o And Moses built an altar and called its Name, Yahweh-Is-My-Banner. (Exodus 17:15)
o And those who know Your Name will put their trust in You; for You, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:10)
o That they may know that You, whose Name alone is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:18)
o I Am Yahweh, that is My Name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images. (Isaiah 42:8)
o In His days Judah will be saved, and Israyl will dwell safely; now this is His Name by which He will be called: Yahweh our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6)
o For “whoever calls on the Name of Yahweh shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13 and Acts 2:21 from Joel 2:32)
To our loved brothers and sisters in the faith, it is time to put aside your generic pagan titles: “Lord, God, Adonai, and Elohim”. Research on the origins of such titles will clearly reveal the worship of Baal and the history of Canaanite and Phoenician idols. Would the Holy One of Israyl ever refer to Himself in such ways? Of course not; it is man who does such things and He will not endure this forever!
o Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My Name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My Name for the worship of Baal. (Jeremiah 23:26-27)
o And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If Yahweh is the Mighty One, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21)
o For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals, and they shall be remembered by their name no more. (Hosea 2:17)
How often you have called out to such! These titles have always been for idols alone and have no power, so why have you adopted them? There is, however, power in My name! (1 Kings 18) Is it, therefore, not wisdom to call Me by My name if you desire to access My power? I Am Yahweh and My Son, Yahshua, also bears My Name. Yahshua means “Yahweh saves”, or “Yahweh is salvation”. And whatever you ask in His Name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in His Name, I will do it (John 14:13-14). What is My name, and what is My Son’s Name, if you know? There is no other Name on earth by which your mind can be saved (Acts 4:12)! For “whoever calls on the Name of Yahweh shall be saved.”
Listen very closely to the words of our Messiah loved one. Listen to what He declares about the Name: “I have come in my Father’s Name [Yahweh is salvation], and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name [pagan titles], him you will receive.” (John 5:43)
Now that you know, speak My Name as you seek Me. Change your ways and bring Me honor. I Am Yahweh, your Mighty One, the Holy One of Israyl, your Savior.
The Best Within
The Best Within
(#356 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
It’s a Spiritual Kingdom not a physical kingdom.
Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)
I must preach the Kingdom of the Mighty One, because for this purpose I have been sent. (Luke 4:43)
The Kingdom does not come with observation… For indeed the Kingdom of the Mighty One is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)
My Kingdom is not of this world… My Kingdom is not from here. (John 18:36)
And so it is fitting that we consider that the scriptures speak of this Spiritual Kingdom and Spiritual matters first, the physical merely being an effect or manifestation of the Spiritual reality. With this in focus, let’s take a look at some ideas with our Kingdom glasses on:
Goliath the Gittite vs. David
1. Goliath (from the root galah): A Philistine giant; (to exile; go into captivity)
2. Gittite (a man belonging to the city of Gath): of a wine-press; (treading out; pressing)
3. David (from the root dode): loving; loved one; (to boil)
The Hebraic meaning or root of each word gives us insight into the Spiritual Kingdom; the eternal Kingdom of Light. Goliath is the darkness within you that has been banished due to the renewed spiritual influence of Yahshua the Messiah. Although old ways of thinking continue to press on your mind, desiring to return and destroy that which has been renewed, love that has reached its fullest potential (boiling over) will put to death (behead) the ever-pressing ego (self).
And so when your “self” entertains thoughts such as, “Am I a dog, that you come against me with sticks” (1 Samuel 17:43), you must quickly recognize that this is only your ego attempting to defy the Light which shines within you through faith in Yahshua the Messiah. Of course the old you is a dog! It is a dog ever ready and willing to return to its vomit (2 Peter 2:22). This can be avoided as the David (love) within you overcomes the darkness. It’s all within; life is all in the mind loved one, and the mind is Yahweh’s Sanctuary, if you are willing to receive it.
After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up. (Acts 15:16 from Amos 9:11)
There you are
There You Are
(#354 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
The Messiah in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
When you meet a man and you inspect his every word, it should not take long before a determination can be made. Every loose word reduces the possibility; every untamed utterance lessens the likelihood that his tree (“truth”) produces good fruit. What are you listening for? Every word must align with the word of Yahweh (that vernacular we recently spoke of in #351). Mosheh said, and Yahshua agreed; “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Almighty.” (Deuteronomy 8:3 and Matthew 4:4) When men are living, or not living, by the words of Yahweh, “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16)
You can easily distinguish the quality of fruit because it is determined by the words oft spoken. Sadly, most of the time it takes only a few words, perhaps no more than a sentence or two, to discern that the quality of the fruit is poor. Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit… (Matthew 7:17-20)
And so you listen with spiritual ears. You filter the words of men through the Father’s voice and by knowing His Word, by knowing Yahshua and the scriptures. With each new person you contact, you look and you listen; “Can they sense my desire to know if You are in them Father? Can they hear You? So many presume to speak for You Abba; I long to meet the ones who do.” Each new opportunity is like a quest for the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46). I listen to their voices, but it’s the source of the words that I am most interested in. And with each word I hear, I am reminded of His promise; “Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.” (Matthew 7:20)
Longings burn within me; “Where are they Father; where are the others like me, the ones who have seen and heard You, the ones who know You?” I plead and rejoice with the Father in these moments. In my aloneness I cry out, “The trees speak for You; and the wind whispers about You. As the sun rises and sets, the brilliant colors shout through the clouds; ‘Does not our beauty praise the Most High?’” I too cannot stay silent; if I did, the rocks would cry out. (Luke 19:40)
I dream of finding Him in another, in their words. I dream of the day when even one soul would speak, and as I listen, the words expressed and sentences formed would prick my conscience. Thoughts would pour forth from my soul; “There You are Father. There You are.” And I would embrace You in my brothers and sisters.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)