A Little Leaven Suffer Well

A Little Leaven

(#021 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed the Messiah, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. (1. Corinthians 5:6-7)

A Little Leaven…

Mom and dad fight and use angry words

The Lump

The children hear the fight and fear enters their hearts.

The fear turns to anger and then bitterness.

The children act out with rude behaviors toward friends.

Friends feel unloved and insecurity enters their hearts.

Friends tell their parents how they were treated badly.

They don’t want to play together anymore.

Even the friend’s parents build unhealthy mindsets towards the children.

Offenses destroy friendships!

The Lump

Mom shows impatience with store clerk due to anger at dad.

Store clerk gets upset, as she is tired of being treated badly by customers.

Store clerk yells at mom in frustration.

Boss hears of the account and fires store clerk on the spot.

Store clerk was a single mom who can no longer support her family.

She develops unhealthy fear, self-condemnation, and regret.

Fear destroys future opportunity!

The Lump

Dad neglects to show up at a vital business meeting due to frustration with mom.

Dad’s business partner takes over the meeting in a pinch.

The business partner is not prepared for meeting and loses a big account.

The partner becomes angry and bitter because the dad missed the key meeting.

The dad becomes angry and bitter because the partner is ill-prepared.

They have a huge blowout.

The future of the company and income for partners and all employees are in jeopardy.
Bitterness destroys lives and futures!

…leavens the whole lump!

It only takes a little leaven to leaven the whole lump (Galatians 5:9). That is a very dangerous thing if you use the leaven of the Pharisees: bad doctrine (Matthew 16:11), and hypocrisy (Luke 12:1). Therefore, purge out that old leaven. Instead of the leaven of the Pharisees, sprinkle the “leaven of the Kingdom” on your lump (Matthew 13:33). The Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Kingdom leaven will restore and preserve friendships; it will eliminate all doubt and fear; and it will neutralize bitterness with the sweet Fruit of the Spirit. Purge out that old leaven and hope is restored!

Two of You. Take Action!

Two of You

(#020 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:21-25)

It is in love that I come to both of you. Yes, although you are one person, your heart is certainly divided; you often forget what you look like in the mirror.  I do not; I see both faces!  And it might come as a surprise, but My mature children can see both faces as well. They can spot you through the mask and cannot be preyed upon like My younger sheep.  Know this; I Am a fierce Shepherd and will not excuse the fleecing of My flock, especially My young defenseless ones.

Woe to you who praise Me before the multitudes and then steal from My people.  And I don’t just mean money, but even more insidiously, the theft of truth. Woe to you “desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what you say nor the things which you strongly affirm.” (1 Timothy 1:7) Woe to you who use Me to market your goods and increase the scales in your favor. Woe to you who use your “righteousness” to ravish My elect.

Who told you My punishment would be immediate? Who told you that My rod only manifests in ways you can perceive?  Did you not believe Me when I warned, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, and again, Yahweh will judge His people. It is a fearful thing, to fall into the hands of the living Mighty One?”  (Hebrews 10:30-31)

Yes, I do desire mercy over sacrifice; however, I judge every wrong, as this is what I promised My Son I would do. And I will not shame His sacrifice as if I were a man and as if He were an animal.  Let it never be said that I did not warn you that His shed blood only guarantees your eternity. That’s right, His blood has secured your eternity; but your daily choices secure My favor while you live.  As it is written, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)  If you insist on living in sin, being a hearer and not a doer, My chastening is perfect and well deserved. When My right arm moves against you, it will correct your wrongs. Will you not repent and return to Me before then?

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of the Almighty rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)  Yes, mercy over sacrifice is pleasant to your ears; of that I Am certain.  It is your acknowledgement of all that I Am that is in question.  If you had, you would be doers and not just hearers.

Broken Cisterns Equal a Broken Life

What fills us? What drives us? What helps us? The only answer we should have it, it’s not about what we want but what Yahweh wants. We must learn to deny ourself and follow Him. 

Broken Cisterns

(#019 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“My people have committed two sins [evils]. They have forsaken Me, the fountain of Living Waters, and they have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)

Am I not I Am who points out transgressions in order to save you? Am I not I Am who sent My Son so that you would return to Me in repentance? Consider this before you readily entangle yourself with the world’s delicacies. My Son was sent to manifest My desire and to redeem a people unto Myself. This could only be done through a demonstration of My power (Ephesians 1:19-20). And, it is only by that power that you can overcome your disobedient choices to continually eat from My forbidden tree, the carnal desire for “free will.”

Stop! Listen! Think! Remember! It is I who draws you back to Me (John 12:32). It is I who chose you (John 15:16). Are you really so dull of mind to think you can fill your own cisterns and be satisfied? The abundance you long for, what will truly fulfill your soul’s desires, can never be “self” generated. I will ultimately dismantle anything that does not align with My will. The vessels I fill have no leak and no lack, and do not desire more than I freely give.

Loved one, I cannot be housed in unclean vessels. Dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) will be your reward apart from Me, nothing but whitewashed tombs (Matthew 23:27). How joyful you were the day I found you. Now, you must count the cost of every thought and action (Luke 14:25-33); this is what I require from My children.

I call Heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19) Stop trying to fill your own cisterns; they can never hold Living Water. Instead, choose life.

Who’s Judging Who

Who’s Judging Who?

(#012 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Oh My children, if you would only judge yourselves honestly as did Shaul (Paul), your contentions would not exist. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Master who judges me. (1 Corinthians 4:3-4) You see, he was not saying he did not judge himself, as evidenced by his very next words; “My conscience is clear.” He was simply stating that the outcome of his self-assessment left nothing to be judged. I call you to rightly judge yourself, or you will be judged by Me and others. “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.” (1 Corinthians 11:31)

If it becomes necessary that you be judge by others, it is the weak child who misrepresents a rebuke done in love. Have I not given you permission to tend to one another? What business is it of mine to judge those outside the congregation? Are you not to judge those inside? The Almighty will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13) Have I not allowed for the removal of one who calls himself a brother, yet disavows rebuke and good counsel? If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the congregation; and if they refuse to listen even to the congregation, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:17) Such a man is to be removed from the presence of My body.

Yet, it remains important to differentiate between a rebuke done in love and fleshly judgment. A rebuke, My child, is always intended to be done in love, and is to benefit not only the one being rebuked, but the one bringing the rebuke, as well as the entire congregation. It is for Divine correction and all of My people need it. Fleshly judgment involves condemnation which is never from or inspired by Me (Romans 8:1).

Many of My sheep tend to call open rebukes, judgments. This is especially common from the one receiving the rebuke. I will not let you get away with it. A wise man heeds rebukes and it brings life to his soul. A fool scoffs at a proper rebuke, calling it judgment. (Read all of Proverbs 13) I will discipline such folly. Also, when you claim someone is judging you and they have not done so or intended to do so, it is a sin unto yourself. Take the rebuke My child; humility is My way. It is how I shall prosper you. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. (Proverbs 15:31)

And finally, beware beloved, for if you judge someone else, you have no excuse for it. When you judge another person, you are judging yourself [saying you have already determined your conscience is clear- 1 Corinthians 4:4]. You do the same things you blame others for doing. We know that when the Almighty judges those who do evil things, he judges fairly. Though you are only a human being, you judge others. But you yourself do the same things. So how do you think you will escape when the Almighty judges you? (Romans 2:1-3)

False Peace: A Heavenly Perspective

False Peace: A Heavenly Perspective

(#009 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

www.sufferwell.org

Your little carnal comforts,

They seem to make you smile.

“Check it out, smell the leather,

I’ll drive it for a while.”

Manicured yard, three-car garage,

Your square feet under air!

“Pop the bottle, twist the cap,

I haven’t got a care.”

Your little carnal comforts,

They seem to give you peace.

“Check it out, feel the paint,

I got it on a lease!”

Dare you attempt to find peace in another, peace in objects? I know what you dream about. I know what brings you “peace.” I have asked you to deny yourself (Luke 9:23). Yet, you continue to indulge. How long do you think your objects of desire can compete with My infectious touch? Yes, My love is infectious, but so is My heavenly chastening.

I see how concerned you are about your bank account. I see you check the numbers often. I too do accounting. My Son paid a hefty price with His shed blood, and He has debtors. Do not misunderstand loved one, it is not your redemption that I Am talking about here; that cost Him everything and you nothing. It is the life you live because of it, your discipleship, which I speak of today (Luke 14:25-33). Consider this; do your desires manifest from fear and trembling, in other words reverence and righteous awe (Philippians 2:12; Psalm 2:11), or is that which is carnal still causing your dis–ease, your tendency to search outside of Me for your pleasure and comfort? Did you forget that I Am the One who gives and takes away (Job 1:21)?

May I ask you how much My Son’s death is worth to you? He is here at My right hand, seated high above all things, and He is watching (Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 8:1). He says, “I see everything that gives your heart more pleasure than what you derive from our Father’s presence. I see all things that please you more than the life I gave for you. I see all of your objects of worship. And I weep for you.”

There are many things for you to enjoy loved one. But I demand the proper order of your worship. Your false peace will be revealed to you with or without your consent. Do you have the courage to join this heavenly dance before being forced (Philippians 2:10)? The work I have started in you will be completed. I gave you My word (Philippians 1:6). Listen and obey My Son’s words as recorded by My servant Matthew (Mattityahu in Hebrew – the gift of Yahweh). But, seek first the Kingdom of the Mighty One and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) This is the only way. It will not change. Walk in it!

Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (Psalm 2:11)

When I am week HE is Strong

My Little Ones

(#002 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

www.Sufferwell.org

Protect their little hearts,

that innocence remain.

All that have betrayed us,

that they not feel the pain.

Infusions of love and peace,

their hearts feel no strain.

These are my little ones,

My hope. My daughters. My sons.

Fiercely I protect them,

with prayers and supplication.

I set them in Your palm,

their ministers stand nearby.

Not one hair missing, no tears in their eyes.

Protect there little hearts,

that innocence remain.

All those that have betrayed us,

that they not feel the pain.

It is in the weakness you are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). You must, however, give praise in this. Giving in is not an option; rejoicing is commanded. Fall into His hands if you must fall, but know it is into His hands, and in this rejoice. It’s surrendering to Him that brings joy in the morning (Psalm 30:5). He does not need you to set the direction. He does not want you to set the direction. Fall into His hands; rest in His hands, as He takes you where you are going. Sing a song of praise as He carries you to His destiny. You are strong when you are weak; the weakness nurtures humility and a contrite heart. This He Divinely inspires and requires. This is His way; walk in it.

My sacrifice, O Mighty One, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, Almighty, will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

Take Me There

As we get by in life we have to understand one of the greatest blessings our Creator gives is Shalom, peace. We need to ask him to Take Us There

Suffer Well Devotional Series
www.Sufferwell.org Father,
please take me there.

Take Me There

(#005 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

Father, please take me there.

Will I always just be hanging on Father, like a man gritting his teeth, waiting for a final decision? If I am victorious in Yahshua the Messiah, why do I feel as if I am falling? My only hope is that You will be there to catch me. If You left Your peace with me (John 14:27), then why am I still searching for it? Abba, what is this peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)?

I have given my will over to You and continuously press hard to never take it back. I desire only Your presence in the broken places. Father, will I always have to fight like this? Your promise is clear; “Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” (Psalm 37:7) Why, then, do I struggle to find this rest? How can I claim the victory before the battle has begun? Let me hear Your voice; “Go, for I have given them into your hands?” (Joshua 10:8)

Even as the death of everything I have ever known stares me in the face, may I see what You see for me? I surrender all to You, even the unwilling parts. Take them anyway. I need Your peace and joy instead Father. May I move past constantly crying out for peace into the peace itself? You tell me it’s mine, please show me how to turn the key and walk through the doorway into peace. As I acknowledge my depravity, let the Spiritual abundance come! If I must fall, let me fall into the arms of the author and perfector of my faith (Hebrews 12:2).

O my Mighty One, my soul is cast down within me;

Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,

And from the heights of Hermon,

From the Hill Mizar.

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;

All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

Yahweh will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,

And in the night His song shall be with me—

A prayer to the Mighty One of my life.

(Psalm 42:6-8)

Father, please take me there.

Merciful One

Merciful One from the Suffer Well Devotional Series) Here is the link to the video on Mercy by Carols Perdomo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLxlN… Yet He was merciful; He forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time, He restrained His anger and did not stir up His full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return. (Psalm 78:38) It is because of My love for you that I grieve over you. You see, your anger manifests from selfish desire, whereas Mine rises in desiring for you. Have I not said all that I have done is good? (Genesis 1:31; Romans 8:28) Every time you walk away from My Garden of love, My only choice is to watch, as My children walk into pain. My anger is kindled as you walk away from all of the blessings I have for you. Do I raise cursed children? Oh how you need to long to know Me better. My ways, unlike yours, are always directed towards goodness. How many times would you watch a young child slam her head into a wall, after explaining to her why it will only hurt her? What bothers you most about a scenario as this? Of course, it is the pain you see the young girl putting herself through. After a bit, it causes you to stop her against her will. Yes My child, this is what burdens Me about My children. The constant desire to add pain to the life I have provided for you. Yes, now you see. Obedience to Me is mandatory, however, only so I can bless you more. I am Abba Father, and I know better than you.

Esther 1

Esther 1

The King’s Banquet

1 These events happened in the days of King Xerxes,^[a] who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia.^[b] 2 At that time Xerxes ruled his empire from his royal throne at the fortress of Susa. ³ In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. He invited all the military officers of Persia and Media as well as the princes and nobles of the provinces. ⁴ The celebration lasted 180 days—a tremendous display of the opulent wealth of his empire and the pomp and splendor of his majesty.

⁵ When it was all over, the king gave a banquet for all the people, from the greatest to the least, who were in the fortress of Susa. It lasted for seven days and was held in the courtyard of the palace garden. ⁶ The courtyard was beautifully decorated with white cotton curtains and blue hangings, which were fastened with white linen cords and purple ribbons to silver rings embedded in marble pillars. Gold and silver couches stood on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.

⁷ Drinks were served in gold goblets of many designs, and there was an abundance of royal wine, reflecting the king’s generosity. ⁸ By edict of the king, no limits were placed on the drinking, for the king had instructed all his palace officials to serve each man as much as he wanted.

⁹ At the same time, Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

Queen Vashti Deposed

¹⁰ On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine, he told the seven eunuchs who attended him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas— ¹¹ to bring Queen Vashti to him with the royal crown on her head. He wanted the nobles and all the other men to gaze on her beauty, for she was a very beautiful woman. ¹² But when they conveyed the king’s order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger.

¹³ He immediately consulted with his wise advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs, for he always asked their advice. ¹⁴ The names of these men were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan—seven nobles of Persia and Media. They met with the king regularly and held the highest positions in the empire.

¹⁵ “What must be done to Queen Vashti?” the king demanded. “What penalty does the law provide for a queen who refuses to obey the king’s orders, properly sent through his eunuchs?”

¹⁶ Memucan answered the king and his nobles, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also every noble and citizen throughout your empire. ¹⁷ Women everywhere will begin to despise their husbands when they learn that Queen Vashti has refused to appear before the king. ¹⁸ Before this day is out, the wives of all the king’s nobles throughout Persia and Media will hear what the queen did and will start treating their husbands the same way. There will be no end to their contempt and anger.

¹⁹ “So if it please the king, we suggest that you issue a written decree, a law of the Persians and Medes that cannot be revoked. It should order that Queen Vashti be forever banished from the presence of King Xerxes, and that the king should choose another queen more worthy than she. ²⁰ When this decree is published throughout the king’s vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!”

²¹ The king and his nobles thought this made good sense, so he followed Memucan’s counsel. ²² He sent letters to all parts of the empire, to each province in its own script and language, proclaiming that every man should be the ruler of his own home and should say whatever he pleases.^[c]

Song of Songs 7

Song of Solomon 7

Young Woman