Tag Archives: Blessings vs. Curses
The Potter’s Hand
The Potter’s Hand
(#039 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Why must you continuously kick against the goads? It never works (Acts 9:5) because you are never alone. As you struggle and strain to fulfill what you believe is His will, you automatically presume that because what you are engaged in is “for Him” that He will be with you and will favor your outcome. Yes, it is true that Yahweh is always with His chosen ones. However, you must not get caught in the trap that blinds you from seeing that not everything you claim to do “for Him” is actually for Him. In many instances is really for yourself and others. Perhaps, then, what it means that “you are never alone” actually refers to an even much bigger role He plays in your life than you formerly imagined, one which, until now, you’ve refused to see. Here it is; He is not always with you to favor your outcome, but He is constantly crafting and molding His chosen vessels for honor (Romans 9:21).
The Potter is always fulfilling His plans for His Body, plans that are far more complex than you may be thinking. Your failures and successes are being supernaturally crafted at the Potter’s wheel to affect the entire unified Body; the commonwealth of Israyl (Ephesians 2:11-13). As you yield to the effects of His hands, your pliable heart (a mind once bound only to carnal desire: Ezekiel 36:26) will soon acknowledge that the Potter is always molding His creation into a beautifully crafted temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), His Son being the chief cornerstone (Psalm 118:22). As the water (Spirit precipitation) softens you (the clay being molded) in the hands of the Master, allow the process (the spinning wheel) to perfectly shape you into a vessel of honor created for His purpose. Yield voluntarily; obey to the point of death, or the yielding will be mandated by His Spirit (Philippians 2:5-11). Knowing that Yahweh will ultimately have His way every time, isn’t it so much better to wait and hear His voice, rather than to presume and do it your way?
Ultimately, if you have decreed to be doing something “for Him”, and in the end it turns out it was not so, do not despair. The final outcome can be shifted at a moment’s notice to teach you a lesson even greater than the blessing you might have expected from doing what you had originally presumed was for Him. Even if the lesson is painful to learn, it is not a failure! Embrace it with the same joy and gratitude as if what you had set out to do came to pass. He is Sovereign over both the things He reveals and those things He alone knows will take place. Never try to control situations. Take strides but never strive. Let Yahweh be Yahweh; all is well!
Do not be unequally yoked
You may believe the people you hang out with are good friends and trust worthy but we cannot trust our feelings. Rather, we must rely only on the Word of God taken by faith. God’s rewards for us are directly related to obeying His Word, not to how we feel or think about it.
Too many people today are unequally yoked with unbelievers. Partnering with unbelievers is like inviting a thief into your life to ravish your soul.
Before you comment or judge what I am saying please see this video…
Do Not; There are Snakes in Your Midst
(#038 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)
What do you make of this beloved? It certainly seems harsh. Nevertheless, do My commands come with options? Do you have flexibility when I say, “Do not?” Does My “do not” mean: “Only once in a while, do not? Only on weekends, do not? Only on Sabbaths and Holy days, do not? Only if you feel like it, do not?”
My will is to protect you and to ensure your increase (Psalm 115:14). My promise is that if you abide in My words you will bear much fruit, which is the only way My disciples can be recognized (John 15:7-9). The harmony I desire for your life will yield an abundance of real fruit, the type filled with sweet juice, which can only be found in Me (Hosea 14:8). What you will harvest if you follow your own plans will be like hollow plastic, a cheap imitation fruit.
The risk you face when you fellowship with darkness, if you partner with one who does not bear My seal, is that My light in you becomes dimmed. Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) There are realms other than the one you are accustomed to that make up the true reality; and you can be easily deceived because you have become comfortable discerning only what you can see. If you had a glimpse of the principalities that war for your soul, then you would better understand why I Am adamant when I say “Do not!” For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.(Ephesians 6:12)
Trust Me My child; it is not open for discussion. The path to life is very narrow (Matthew 7:14). Partnering with unbelievers is like inviting a thief into your life to ravish your soul. And “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
It needs to be made perfectly clear to you that My Son was always able to differentiate between the souls who were redeemed to hear His voice, and the ones He would need to expose as snakes in your midst; light and darkness beloved. Cultivate His wisdom and you too shall know!
The Kingdom of Yahweh, a First Look
The Kingdom of Yahweh, a First Look
(#036 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“All of creation eagerly waits for the manifestation of the sons of the Mighty One [Yahweh].” (Romans 8:19)
Throughout the years we have asked many individuals and groups this vital question; “What is the Kingdom of Yahweh?” We have heard every answer imaginable, yet none seem to be unified as a whole. This simple disagreement among the Body of the Messiah is enough to prove we need to have an earnest expectation, as it is what the Spirit in us requires for completion, unity if you will.
If there was ever a Word that held the blueprint to fulfill all of your personal dreams, while at the same time satisfies the righteous requirements necessary to bring honor to the King, then this is it: “Seek first [only] the Kingdom of the Mighty One [Yahweh] and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) This command encompasses the entirety of what the Spirit in us longs to do, “Seek only!” And it promises the King’s provision of “All these things!” for humans who demonstrate they know and trust Yahweh, by seeking only Him.
Can you fathom the idea that if you actually spent your time seeking Yahweh, to know Him and adore Him alone, then far beyond the capabilities of any earthly father (provider), He will provide everything that has been appointed to you? “Appointed?” That’s correct; He has predetermined blessings and provision for those who actually follow the pattern of seeking and asking. And if even an ordinary earthly father knows how to give good gifts to his children, how much more does your Father in Heaven? (Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13)
To know Him and to love Him and His will more than anything else in existence is the way, the truth, and the life for those brave enough to live it. To know His mind is to know the Kingdom within you. And to accept also that it is by His power alone, and not by your own strength that you can come to this place of “seeking first,” furthers the beauty even more. Meditate on the majesty of Yahweh; “I seek Him by His power, and then I am blessed for doing what only He and His Son could enable me to do.” Stop and think loved one; consider that magnitude of His Sovereignty! Only then will you start to understand His Kingdom, the Kingdom within.
And this Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness unto all nations; and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)
Giving up your life to pray and read your bible
Here is the full report about the Martyrs’s widow https://youtu.be/OD16TqLaZe0
Here is the full video about this man risking his life for the bible https://youtu.be/9zRUVtlcdUs
Here is the video for Pastor Richard Wurmbrand for 14 years. https://youtu.be/9zRUVtlcdUs
Please see all the videos and support Voice of the Martys ministry This is their youtube page https://www.youtube.com/user/VoiceOfT…
Here is the movie trailer for Tourtured for Christ https://youtu.be/IIeKSrVdET0
Do You Follow and Obey God?
What?
(#035 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Congregation member 1: We shouldn’t argue!
Congregation member 2: Of course not and we won’t; let’s be like the Bereans in Acts 17 and figure out the truth.
Congregation member 1: Well, I feel like it’s an argument.
Congregation member 2: Not at all. What can I do to make sure you don’t feel that way and still continue this discussion? You know there can only be one answer, so we can’t both be right, and perhaps we are both wrong. But, let’s find out so we can both honor Yahweh, in all we say, do and believe. Does that sound okay?
Congregation member 1: Nope! I’m not going to fight with you about this.
Congregation member 2: I agree! So how can I assure you that a fight is the furthest thing from my mind, and that I have nothing but love and admiration for you?
Congregation member 1: Jesus is love and that’s all that matters.
Congregation member 2: I agree, Yahweh is love, and therefore His Son Yahshua is love, and obedience to Them is what proves our love. And that’s why we, if we are brothers, should be able talk about such things. I would like us to make sure we are following His ways as commanded. If one or both of us is incorrect, then we can change by seeking His word and making sure, together, that we are on the right path. Doesn’t Proverbs 27 encourage us to sharpen one another? It says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (v. 17)
Congregation member 1: Yes it does; but I’m still not going to debate this with you. Jesus is love and that’s all that matters. That’s what my pastor preaches all the time.
Congregation member 2: Hmmm, so much for being a Berean.
“Then the brethren immediately sent Shaul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Yehudim. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:10-11)
Brothers and sisters in the faith are called to inspire each other to search the Scriptures daily to find out if what they are being taught is true. Do you?
Deny Yourself – Today – Suffer Well
Today
(#034 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
Today
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“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15)
This will help you beloved. Yahweh has already told you that the unredeemed “carnal mind” will always be at enmity with His Divine mind (Romans 8:7). “So, if the carnal mind will never perceive His mind, how can I rejoice?” you might ask. Within this brilliant question, which can only be generated from a renewed mind, is the key to understanding the answer. It is not by your own intellectual understanding, nor by human might that you can rejoice. The carnal mind can’t ever rejoice. However, as the redeemed of Yahweh, you do not have to identify with the carnal mind any longer.
How do you get there? The way is to decrease! Your “self” will always be at enmity with Yahweh as it (the unredeemed mind) always desires to increase its influence and domain. “Father, allow me to decrease and may it be Your Spirit that praises and rejoices in and through me.” This is the mindset that dominates the conscience of the truly redeemed.
A predominant blueprint throughout the scriptures from “In the beginning,” in Genesis 1:1, to, “So be it,” in Revelation 22:21, is the recognizable pattern within the repeated warning to “lose” oneself. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life [carnal mind] for My sake will find it [the Divine mind]. (Matthew 10:39) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world [carnal pleasure], and is himself [Divine mind potential] destroyed or lost? (Luke 9:25) Yet, for many, their proclamation that “I believe and therefore I rejoice,” comes across with a smug pride, as if there was anything good enough in them to inspire such a declaration. The arrogance simply screams “I.” To the contrary, it is only “Messiah in you” that can rejoice and be glad; any claim otherwise resounds of “self.”
Why then can the mind on its way to expressing its full redemption praise and rejoice? Because once the indwelling of the Spirit (Ruach) has commenced, the consciousness of sin (Hebrews 9:14) comes face-to-face with a competitor; it no longer has “unobstructed” rights to itself. This idea is further elaborated on in Romans 8:5-9; “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against the Mighty One; for it is not subject to the law of the Mighty One, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please the Mighty One. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of the Mighty One dwells in you.”
This is the day Yahweh has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) In other words, this is the day Yahweh has made; and only the redeemed can be glad in it.
The Spiritual Battle
The highest calling we have in life from our Creator is to learn what love is and then to love the people who don’t deserve to be loved. In this video I explain why and how to do that.
Ephesians 6:12 We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Revelation 2:10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
Handed Over
(#032 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is Yahweh. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Master comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from the Mighty One.” (1 Corinthians 4:3-5)
How quickly you handed me over,
Not even one question asked.
Turn your back; write him off; trust deception;
Thinking otherwise is too much a task.
“If they have him, he must’ve done something,”
Your words like a noose on my heart.
My captors, they thrive on their scandal,
His blood drips, but they have no part.
They bank on my “brothers” to abandon,
Wicked whispers plead, “Please don’t defend.”
But, no greater love is this,
Than to “lay down one’s life for a friend.”
How quickly you handed me over,
I pray now with new eyes you will see.
They devise to seek, kill and destroy,
I refused to believe you’d agree.
Don’t accept, “He must’ve done something,”
Instead, seek all truth from the start.
There is no truth in my captors,
His blood drips, but they have no part.
I warned you to trust no man (Jeremiah 17:5). They even abandoned the Son of the Most High. And if man would persecute and abandon Him, they will do likewise to you (John 15:20). I, therefore, give you this key to the Kingdom; love them anyway (Matthew 5:43-44). How did My Son forgive His murderers, you and the others? It is simple, I and My Son are One (John 10:30), and I Am love (1 John 4:8)! This love requires nothing in return you see; in other words, it does not seek its own (1 Corinthians 13:5). It is My plan, to love the loveless. Who can resist that? And so you must also forgive those who persecute and abandon you, for you too have betrayed your brothers in this. You also have fallen short of the Divine standard, to love the loveless.
Because your love is possible only because I first loved you (1 John 4:19), there is an expectation that comes with this gift. I demand that My children to understand it. Here is My expectation; because it was a gift to you, you are expected to give it as a gift to others. Do not consider it from the perspective that you owe Me something; instead, consider it from the position of what you were made capable of. I merely want you to understand your own new heart, the heart that has been transformed. You see, your carnal heart, the heart that rejected and despised love, was removed.
My child, I took out your heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26). All I ask in return is that you appreciate your new heart and use it as directed. Love the loveless; this is a key to My Kingdom. Someone might be willing to die for a righteous man, but for an enemy, only the King of Righteousness (Romans 5:7). And now that you have His heart, won’t you join Him?
What Our Father Would Say
What Our Father Would Say
(#030 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Without faith it is impossible to please [Me]. (Hebrews 11:6)
Your only true concern in life should be whether or not you are pleasing to Me. And to do so you must live by faith. However, you consistently demonstrate a lack of faith by letting other concerns dominate your priorities. You do this in few key areas.
The first would be your concern for maintaining your rigid schedule, in other words, YOUR plan for your life. You fix your schedule in advance as if I am not interested in guiding the details of your day. In this, you leave no room for Me to lead you to My highest and best. Are you more beholden to your schedule than the prompting of My Spirit? Are you willing to be flexible, open to shifting what you thought were the day’s priorities? Will you interrupt your plans, both short and long term, at a moment’s notice from Me, even if it’s inconvenient, even if it’s hard?
The second would be your consideration for others. And by this I’m not referring to “Christian charity.” I’m speaking about your concerns regarding My plan for those you care about. In other words, your fear that I will disappoint them or not provide for them, as if your worries can supersede My providence. It masquerades as genuine concern, but is really anxiety fostered by a lack of faith that My plan is for their best. Do you trust Me to provide for you? Are My ways higher than your ways? Is My plan better than yours for your life? If I won’t fail you, will I fail them? Can you then trust Me for others? Won’t I protect and provide for those you commit into My hands, even if you cannot?
Once you value instruction over comfort, you will be better able to see all circumstances through spiritual eyes. With this type of vision, you can then experience instruction and still remain comfortable (resting all in My hands), regardless of the challenges you face, or see others facing. Self-preservation and striving to protect others always rejects suffering. Yet, suffering is an instrument of grace, allowing My Spirit to minister in painful situations. It is all to bring to fruition My Sovereign plan for you and those you care about.
So, let go of your frozen schedule and trust Me; and while you are at it, take down your mask. Once you faithfully hand over your life to Me, it will become much easier to trust that I have your and your loved ones best interests in mind.
“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)
True Love Is Choice Not An Emotion
I’ve done thousands of videos. Many lessons learned. Figuring out what love is, makes this message one that I would put at the top of my list as one of my most important videos ever made. The understanding in this video will truly set you free.
Heel Marks in the Sand
(#027 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.Sufferwell.org
“It was then that I dragged you My child!”
Stop trying to see or feel your way into My Kingdom, for it is not a Kingdom that comes by way of sight or sensations, but rather, a Kingdom of knowing, knowing the My mind deep within. The Kingdom of the Mighty One does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the Kingdom of the Mighty One is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) My Kingdom is Hebraic, not Greek. It is truth, not philosophical theory. And it is of the mind (the Hebraic heart), not the emotional heart (the Greek heart).
When your faith is built on emotions, you set yourself up for failure loved one. Emotional faith is built on a shaky foundation; sinking sand if you need a more picturesque description (Matthew 7:26). It wavers depending on what you feel in your “heart,” as if your heart remains uncircumcised (Greek). The uncircumcised heart is “wicked above all things!” (Jeremiah 17:9) It is subjected to human thoughts and emotions, as opposed to the circumcised heart, which loves and obeys Me no matter what it feels like (Deuteronomy 30:1-6).
In the original Garden I gave only commands, yet you, as they did, continue to live as if My intention was to give you “free will.” When did I give you a choice about which trees were “yes” and which tree was specifically “no”? Where did I imply that they, and now you, should choose “what you think is best?”
Your redemption, that which sealed your place in eternity, was My Sovereign decision. It was not a walk along the beach during which I carried you when things were rough and you walked on your own when all was good. Before your redemption, NOTHING was good. But, once that was finished, you were required to learn how to pick up your own torture stake and prove that you love Me (Luke 9:23). How? Those who love Me “Keep My commands?” (John 14:15) It is not a choice to do so, however; that is where the deception remains. You cannot declare that you love Me and disobey My commands? Tell Me if you think otherwise.
Listen to Me loved one; if all of your choices apart from My supernatural intervention brought death prior to your redemption, then how can you believe My purpose was to give you “freedom” to choose now? Are you starting to see it? If you choose anything apart from My will, you are not free; that is bondage. True freedom is having no choices. When My way is the only way, then you are truly free.
If you attempt to “choose” otherwise, then I must drag you.
Who Made These Things?
Who Made These Things?
(#023 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
Love, peace, joy, contentment, patience, goodness, faithfulness, humility, wisdom, integrity, tenderness, and all other good things come down from Me, the Father of lights. You might be tempted to apprehend these things through your own selfish desires (James 1:14), but do not be deceived (v. 15); do not be enticed to believe they come from anywhere but Me.
What exactly are these things that your soul longs for? Yes My child, ask yourself. And in a sober moment you will realize that they all belong to Me. Each one was created to entice My children to enter My domain, to be as I Am. In other words, to search for the Kingdom of Heaven that is in you. (Luke 17:21) It is very risky to think you can gain access to any of these apart from Me? If you could, if anyone could partake apart from Me, then what did My Son die for, and how are your desires different from the pagans? No My child! These things are only for My children and obedience is the key that releases access to them within you.
Can a wicked man enjoy peace? Never! I will not allow that man to experience real peace (Isaiah 48:22). Can an adulterer have love? Never! I will not allow that perversion to stain My love. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with [Me]? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of [Mine]. (James 4:4) Can a greedy man know contentment? How could he when greed takes the life of its owners (Proverbs 1:19)? Only the one who prospers in Me will know true contentment. Can a contentious woman know tenderness? It can never be, as she is like a continuous dripping that cannot be contained (Proverbs 27:15-16). My tenderness is for the contrite, which is a blessing reserved for My obedient children.
All things were made through [My Son], and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3) And He has become the open door that you might attain them. Those who do not know Him, and therefore Me, will never experience these spiritual blessings. They are reserved for My children only. But you cannot stand at the doorway; you must walk through it.
Do you need help? Ask and you shall receive. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Luke 11:10)