Fruit of the Spirit

Officious People

(#291 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Officious: assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters; intrusively enthusiastic in offering help or advice; interfering; self-important; self-assertive; overbearing; overzealous; opinionated; intrusive; meddlesome

You know the kind, those who have a strong need to be right, rather than to benefit their listeners, or should we say, “Targets.” They will say their zeal is all about “spreading the truth.” But, the fact is that their “strong need” is rooted in insecurity and unworthiness, not truth. There are many people like this. This might even be you. There is transformation waiting for those vulnerable enough to look in the mirror, those willing to go there.

How can the bearer of truth be distinguished from the one trying to compensate for feelings of insecurity and unworthiness? It’s simple; first look for the peace. Truth is always accompanied by peace. In other words, if one is blessed with deep insights about the Kingdom of Yahweh, then joy, gentleness, calmness, composure, and peace that surpasses understanding will prevail in his heart [mind] (Philippians 4:4-7).

Within that peaceful state, the one who stewards the truth recognizes that he is nothing more than a farmer sowing seeds. He recognizes that he plants and the Almighty brings the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6) The response of the “ground” is not up to him. The Messiah was crucified for the seeds He planted; yes, very often truth and rejection go hand-in-hand!

Even so, truth is never accompanied by an overbearing spirit that insists on its own way. Remember, love does not seek its own (1 Corinthians 13:5). Yes, love, as well, is always present with truth. The bearer of truth loves anyway, even when rejection and hostility come as the blowback from proclaiming Yahweh’s reality. How would truth respond to such an attack? “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

As for the roots of insecurity and unworthiness, they will slowly dissolve over time as insistence gives way to humility and as identification with the “old man” gives way to the “new creature in the Messiah” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22-24). Humility is another characteristic that is always present with truth. As you become humble, Yahweh is magnified. He must increase, and you must decrease. (John 3:30) As you become lesser, Yahweh becomes greater in you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Master, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10). When you accept that lesser is greater, the transformation will heal your desire to become everybody’s everything. You will become peaceful, quiet, and content being yourself. How do we know all of this? We’ll let you guess.

Peace, unfailing love, and humility are all integral characteristics of Yahweh’s truth; they bear His signature. But, none have a place in the “gospel” of officious people.

Treasures of Darkness

Treasures of Darkness

(#287 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“I will give to you the treasures of darkness [obscurity] and the hidden riches of secret places, so you may know that I, Yahweh, who calls you by name, Am the Mighty One of Israyl; I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create destruction [adversity]; I, Yahweh, do all these things.” (Isayah 45:3, 7)

Darkness and destruction; obscurity and adversity; do you wish to gain a supernatural perspective? These are created by Yahweh; created as “treasures in hidden places.” They are hidden in plain sight for those who have eyes to see (Luke 10:23-24). For far too long you have missed your treasures, most of you because of some form of denial. You deny that Yahweh would create darkness and adversity for His own purposes. You also refuse to see the “good” in the struggles, the persecution, the injustice, the false accusations, and wrongful harm. Don’t you believe that “all things work together for good to those who love the Mighty One, to those who are the called according to His purpose?” (Romans 8:28)

If you refuse the adversity, defy the obscurity, or erroneously give credit to a “devil” for the work Yahweh is doing, you will abort what He purposed for your suffering and persecution. Can you imagine if Yahseph (Joseph) rebelled after he was sold into slavery by his brothers? Can you comprehend the magnitude of the historical disaster had he chosen to avenge the injustice and eviscerate the progeny of Israyl, instead of taking this Holy perspective? “Do not be distressed nor angry with yourselves for selling me here, for Yahweh sent me ahead of you to preserve life. And the Almighty sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but Yahweh; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and master of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 45:5, 7, 8) Or can you imagine if Yahseph credited a devil for the magnificent work of his Father in Heaven? “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but Yahweh meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)

Had Yahseph rebelled against the darkness, wickedness and obscurity, he would not have been used in Yahweh’s plan to preserve life. And his purpose to be used as the Almighty’s instrument to safeguard the lineage of Israyl would have died right there in Egypt. No doubt, Yahweh would have chosen another, but the opportunity for Yahseph to experience the power of forgiveness and become the preserver of Israyl would have been lost forever. Instead, if we listen to the still small voice, we can almost hear what Yahseph prayed; “You did this Father; You sold me into slavery; You separated me from my mother, father and brothers; You accused me of rape; You placed me in prison; and You transformed my mind as I obeyed. Then You made it so that I could feel only Your love for the ones who abandoned me, and lied about me, and imprisoned me. You used evil to save lives by such a great deliverance! Praise the mighty Name of Yahweh!”

“Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” (1 Chronicles 29:14) In the darkness are the hidden treasures of Yahweh. Find them and you will overcome every fear and learn of His love. They are His treasures. Open your eyes and see! Next time you are faced with darkness all around you, consider this perspective; “Father, I was sent here to preserve life!”

Ever Growing, Ever Knowing

Ever Growing, Ever Knowing

(#285 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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I pray that the glorious Father, the Mighty One of our Master Yahshua the Messiah, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Him [Yahshua] better. Then you will have deeper insight. You will know the confidence that He calls you to have, and the glorious wealth that Yahweh’s people will inherit. (Ephesians 1:17-18)

In order to keep advancing in wisdom and understanding, you will need to know that the power of the “self” or “ego” is the ever present and ever ready power of opposition and resistance to Holiness, which itself is “The Messiah in you; the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27) Never will it be “you in you” that rises to the mind of the Messiah.

It is crucial that you recognize that even after an entire life of sinlessness, Yahshua had a moment of doubt, in other words, a moment of “self.” “Why have you forsaken [abandoned] Me?” (Matthew 27:45-46 from Psalm 22:1) What is so critical for proper understanding is the realization that His doubt manifested after He had done everything the Father asked of Him up until that moment. He was on the stake, already pierced, just on the cusp of obedience unto death; His commanded task would be “finished” (Matthew 27:50; John 19:30) within the next few breaths. And then, a single thought of doubt. Was it sin? Of course not! Was it necessary? Most definitely! Was it a lesson for all ages about the human struggle? Absolutely!

Do you remember we discussed Psalm 22 in Devotion 259? The conclusion of the matter was this:

“It’s all about the mind, the thought processes, how we think about our “self,” and how we redeem those thoughts by the power of the Spirit. It’s all in the mind loved one. Life is in the mind!”

We broke down verses 12 and 13 from a more metaphysical, in a sense, supernatural perspective.

“A growing number of dispersed and stubborn thoughts have invaded my thinking process. These are thoughts that enslave me to an unredeemed material consciousness as opposed to the freedom of spiritual thinking. These fleshly thoughts continually revolve in my mind and keep me entangled. These carnal thought processes create and propagate scattered and fragmented ideas. They pull and pluck at my brain; and they cause a rumbling and moaning within. They roar so loudly that I cannot even think straight.”

And those were David’s thoughts after he had cried out; “My Mighty One, my Mighty One, why have You forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?” (Psalm 22:1) Those too were Yahshua’s words! This is our lesson loved one. Until death, and this means your last breath, the ego will always be lurking. Self-will, which forever stands in opposition to the will of Yahweh, will not be eradicated until your mental resurrection.

With this knowledge we can identify the pattern. When Yahweh increases your power, the ego will always be right there desiring to use that power for self-glorification. Be ever on guard, ever so diligent, to not only understand this, but to daily confess it. “I know that everything about the fallen me would want to misuse Your power and grace Yahweh, but for today I would ask that You give me Your strength and courage to deny myself and take up my stake, and that Your Son would reign and rule within me.” And know this truth loved one; one day, when your mind is resurrected, your ego will never again be present in your thought processes. For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. (Hebrews 10:2) You will, at that point, have the mind of Yahweh. Rejoice we say! Consider this and rejoice!

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his stake daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Why Christians should celebrate the feasts and holy days of the Old Testament

Why Christians should celebrate the feasts and holy days of the Old Testament

Perfect Love Casts

Perfect Love Casts

(#252 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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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)

Fear has a life of its own. It feeds on emotional energy yet it is separate from the human. As an entity, it exists outside the human and enters only when invited. Fear is energized by all who oppose the Kingdom of Yahweh within (Luke 17:20-21). Fear’s greatest ally is guilt, and guilt believes it deserves punishment. And the carnal shame that invites punishment is the very thing in the conscience of man that simultaneously rejects love. Fear, guilt and shame cannot coexist with love. Remember, it has been decreed “A house divided cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)

Wrong thinking is a battlefield and you must know where the frontline is. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (2 Corinthians 10:3) “I feel this guilt, therefore I must be deserving of punishment;” or “I feel this shame, therefore I am punished;” or “I asked for forgiveness, but I still feel like I am being punished.” These enemy mindsets within you, and there are more, are the very foes that perfect love intends to defeat. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in the Almighty for pulling down strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4) The weapons are mighty in Yahweh and perfect love will cast out all the enemies that oppose it. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11)

Even so, everything has an appointed time; in the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3) Yahweh’s plan for rooting out wrong mindsets in your life is no different. But ultimately, Instead of your shame you shall have double honor. (Isaiah 61:7)

That is great news. Instead of shame you shall have double honor! The life of Yahshua the Messiah in you guarantees it. If anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) He is saying, “You are brand new and you are no longer guilty. I took your shame and I removed it forever. You are not being punished; you are being transformed. Fear, guilt and shame are based on lies. It is I who set you free, and if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) Love casts out fear, guilt and shame; and it is I who will cause you to know this at the appointed time.” Hold on loved one; it is a supernatural process. Therefore, do the supernatural and offer praise even when everything seems unknown.

The Perfected Mind

The Perfected Mind

(#249 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3) The mind of Messiah is no less than the knowledge and wisdom of everything pertaining to sinless thinking. And the nuance we want you to grasp now is that the perfected mind itself is a creation of Yahweh for mankind. What an awesome perspective! Perfection in thoughts, and therefore by Holy design, perfection in actions, is a creation of the Almighty? In essence, Yahweh Himself is above perfection, beyond it, if you can imagine. Against such there is no law (Galatians 5:23).

Although perfection is commanded, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”

(Matthew 5:48), how many of you are so emphatic that, “No one can be perfect!”? This equates to no less than a barefaced rejection of your full inheritance for which Messiah died. Don’t believe it?

· Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. (1 John 3:6)

· Whoever has been born of the Mighty One does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of the Mighty One. (1 John 3:9)

· We know that whoever is born of the Mighty One does not sin; but he who has been born of the Mighty One keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (1 John 5:18)

If you continually excuse the lack of effort to reach for perfection, calling it humility, claiming that you are resisting the “self-indulgent” effort to be holy, again you tread dangerously close to trampling the shed blood underfoot. This is not humility loved one, but false humility. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins… Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of the Almighty underfoot, counted the blood of the Covenant by which He was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:26, 29)

A perfect mind is possible only because of Yahshua’s life manifesting in you and that is only available, or more precisely “mandated,” because of the blood He shed. For those who understand this, there are things you will need to remember. On your journey to perfected thinking, one crucial thing to grasp is humility, no, not just humility, vast humility. This is quite different from the false humility we just exposed.

Once you begin, through strict and disciplined obedience, to access the mind of perfection, you will be able to root out any and all deceptive patterns of thinking. You must first do this in yourself before you are free to recognize it in others. This is a penetrating and humbling experience. Part of perfection is the decreasing “need” to correct the errors of others. Like Messiah in you (Colossians 1:27), you will learn to first pray for others rather than being quick to rebuke and correct. Be still and know that He is Yahweh, not you (Psalm 46:10). Part of perfect mindedness is the reality that prayer is the most powerful and effective tool you have. Ah yes, the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)

Another crucial concept to understand is that the perfected mind speaks only after having exhausted every possible remedy and conclusion that fails to meet the Holy standard. In other words, a question like, “Well, did you think about this?” will always be met in the affirmative. How could you be at a perfected level of thinking otherwise? All avenues have been considered, and the perfected mind picks the perfect way every time. This is no less than Yahweh’s fullness in you loved one. With this type of thinking, how could the solution not always be perfect?

But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (1 Corinthians 13:10-12)

It takes vast humility to sit face to face with Messiah! It is what will draw you closer to the perfect mind, and when you arrive it is what will keep you there. And then, it will take you beyond!

Acts 15 The Jerusalem Council

Acts 15 The Jerusalem Council

What Commandments should new Jewish people follow?

Giving up everything you own

A Hard Saying

(#241 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. And anyone who does not carry his own stake and follow Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)

Read it again!

Be still in your soul My child, and listen to Me. If I gave you revelation about whom and what in your life are your greatest priorities, it would be brutally convicting. I Am grace and mercy, but I Am also truth and judgment. If I took everything from you today, whether in a whirlwind, or in what men call an “accident,” it would reveal so much about you. It would show in what and in whom you place your trust. Trust in the flesh (any thought fueled by the personal will) always plants you in parched places; trust in Me and you are like a tree (truth) planted by many waters (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

If I took everything you value in your physical world, who would I be to you then? “Cruel,” is what I often hear. Is that what you would say as well, loved one? Would I still be the “Mighty One” to you? Would I still be “Loving Father?” The truth says so much about your love for Me, about who and what really comes first in your life? In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything [utterly forsake dependency upon your own understanding] cannot be My disciples. (Luke 14:33) It is good that I challenge you to consider such things.

“Who do you say I Am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living Mighty One.” Yahshua replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 16:15-17)

Now read from Luke 14:26 all the way to the end of the chapter, and talk to Me. Let’s really talk about who I Am to you, and in this you will receive your heavenly revelation.

No Excuse for your Sin

“Everyone’s a Sinner!” Ministry or Death Blow?

(#238 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34)

With every statement, a mindset is revealed. What is in you will ultimately “overflow” from you. Whatever is brewing in the heart eventually erupts into words spoken. We explored recently that “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.” (Luke 6:45) Your inner thoughts or mental disposition is always mirrored by your verbal exposition. Yes indeed, your words expose your mind’s intent, for out of the abundance of your heart your mouth speaks. Are you a viper, or do you bring forth good?

If you believe that you are unworthy of forgiveness; that the burden of your personal sin is overwhelming; and that redemption is not possible; to you I say, “All have sinned and fall short!” (Romans 3:23) and, “While you were still a sinner, the Messiah died for you.” (Romans 5:8) This is the spiritual antidote that is meant to soothe the suffering, humbled soul. Humility is the reason these words actually penetrate the conscience of the sinner. The humble soul knows they need a remedy and appreciates that true repentance brings forgiveness. Their heart is ripe to bring forth good.

However, if you continue to sin and justify your actions with excuses and lies like, “Everyone’s a sinner!” “I’m covered by the blood!” and “No one is perfect!” sin has not only crouched at your doorstep (Genesis 4:7), it has made its way into the deep recesses of your conscious and subconscious mind, and taken over. Your sin is literally telling the Messiah, “Listen, if You died for all my sins, then just add this one to the list; it’s covered!” This is an arrogant, irreverent, and boisterous mind indeed. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries [ego-driven thoughts]. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Which mindset dwells within you? How far will you push Yahweh’s grace? “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more…?” (Romans 5:20) Can you push so far that you might not be permitted to turn back? The answer is simple; the answer is Scriptural. “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)

There is only Light and darkness loved one. There is no variation or shadow of turning with the Father of lights (perfect mental illuminations). (James 1:17) There are no gray (compromised) areas (thought plains) in His Kingdom. In the end, in your eternal destiny, you are either Light or darkness. Nothing in the middle exists.

Let His Mind be in you

Treasure of the Heart

(#237 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Watch over your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the sources of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Hebrew is a language of action. Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Almighty, Yahweh is One! You shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) The first word of this key verse, quoted by Yahshua Himself in Mark 12:29, is very revealing. “Hear” in Hebrew, shamah, pronounced (shaw-mah’), implies to hear, listen to, and to obey. Moses and Yahshua are not recommending an intellectual exercise; the instruction is to “hear and obey” the command. It involves a response: it requires action to be fulfilled. We are supposed to think about what we hear from Yahweh, and then we are supposed to do something about it.

Heart and mind—these are one and the same in the Scriptures. The heart of a matter is one of thought and it is from the mind that life manifests. The thoughts of a man precede his actions. Hear and do! However, the heart of a man can devise both righteousness and wickedness. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) So, actions literally materialize from the treasure of a man’s heart, or in other words, the thoughts upon which he dwells.

Be warned loved one; the Word of the Mighty One will judge the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). With the tongue we praise our Mighty One, and with it we curse human beings, who have been created in the Mighty One’s image. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10) Therefore, you must guard your heart (mind) with all your strength. How so? Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to the Mighty One; and the peace of the Almighty, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts [center of intellect, intentions] and souls [character in consciousness] through the Messiah Yahshua. (Philippians 4:6-7)

But, that is just the beginning; there is an even higher calling, beyond guarding your center of intellect and character. It is a place where your awareness of impure thoughts is cleansed altogether. How much more, then, will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to Yahweh, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living Mighty One! (Hebrews 9:14) This is a place in which even the thought of sinning is not conceived.

Yahshua is our model; though He was tempted (constantly aware of self desire), He never conceived [thinking “not my will”] and therefore never even entertained evil desires (James 1:15). His mind remained pure through utter self denial and you are promised the same inheritance loved one. For this reason the Messiah is the mediator of a renewed Covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15) You have the mind of the Messiah. (1 Corinthians 2:16) In Him, you have been called to righteousness and have been given the power, through the Spirit, to reach this high calling. He has done His part; the rest is up to you. No one who is born of the Mighty One will continue to sin, because Yahweh’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of the Mighty One. (1 John 3:9)

Life springs forth from the heart (center of intellect) and therefore makes the soul (feelings, entire consciousness) merry.