Tag Archives: blood covenant
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.
Repent and Believe, Repent and Rejoice
Repent and Believe; Repent and Rejoice
(#232 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“…But we have the mind of the Messiah.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
What do you envision when you think about Jericho? You see a bunch of radical Israylites marching around the walls, and maybe you even hear them shouting as the walls crumble after the seventh day! Now I want you to envision the walls of your mind tumbling down. Yes, My child; it’s all in your head. Sin is birthed in the mind (heart) before it manifests in the flesh. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:14-15)
If you continue to entertain sin, Yahweh will “give you up to uncleanness, in the lusts of your heart [mind].” (Romans 1:24) and “give you over to a debased mind [heart], to do those things which are not fitting (Romans 1:28).” Before this happens, you must allow the strongholds of your mind, the walls that keep you bound, to be torn down. If not, it’s as if “you know the Almighty, but do not glorify Him as the Almighty, nor are you thankful, and so you become futile in your thoughts, and your foolish heart [mind] becomes darkened (Romans 1:21).” You must be transformed by the renewing of your mind [heart] (Romans 12:2). How can you do this? Here are three practical steps:
1. Acknowledge that you don’t believe and obey all that I say. Repent and ask for healing.
2. Take every thought captive, and ask yourself, “Does this thought reflect total trust in Yahweh?”
3. Recognize that the battle is spiritual and that the physical is merely a manifestation of thoughts.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Yahweh for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of the Almighty, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of the Messiah, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
The weapons to tear down the walls of your mind are mighty in Yahweh. You must simply believe it! When your thoughts come into captivity to the obedience of the Messiah, “joy will be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).” Yes, that’s correct; when you need strength, rejoice in Him. Take every thought captive. Filter every activity in your mind through Yahshua’s life and resurrection. His life is a display of Yahweh’s power. And access to that power will come in every situation as you meditate on His resurrection (complete mind renewal through the utter shedding of the “self”). The walls of Jericho (carnal voice within) must come down. Believe it! This is the pattern; it can be no other way.
Enough said; His yoke [mind work] is easy and His burden [right thinking for the fallen] is light (Matthew 11:30). Your only problem is unbelief. Repent and return! Repent and live! Repent and believe! Repent and rejoice!
Go to the mountaintop
Go to the Mountaintop
(#225 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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It’s all a matter of perspective My child. Perceive with eyes of trust, hope, and understanding. Hear My still small voice. It was on a mountaintop that Yitshaq (Isaac) was to be sacrificed, not a valley, not a slum, not a prison. It was from the place of blessing I asked Abraham to pass the test. And Abraham called the name of the place Yahweh Yireh, as it is said to this day, “On the mountain Yahweh provides.” (Genesis 22:14) The reward was already prepared. Only one thing was needed; faith! And therefore, only one thing needed testing; faith!
Perhaps you feel like you are in a valley. Listen child, it is really a mountaintop in disguise. I have your reward here with Me. You have only one job; believe! Perhaps two; believe and rejoice when you are being tested (1 Peter 1:6). I Am Abba. I will not let you fall (Romans 11:11). Have I not told you that “Weeping might last for the night, but joy comes in the morning?” (Psalm 30:5) Morning signifies a time of Heavenly illuminations. Do you really think I would let you fall into the place of despair, and then leave you there? Did I not say, “Hope deferred makes the heart [mind] sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12) Yes, I Am trying to change you, but only to make you holy (set-apart). If I left you the way you are, you could NOT stand in My presence.
Am I worth it to you? Am I worth the pain? Lay aside everything that keeps you from loving Me and seek first what I ask, My Kingdom and My righteousness. I will take care of everything else (Matthew 6:33). My plans for you are the reason you were created; and this is for goodness, for purity, for joy, and for My honor. I will not be changing My patterns for your life loved one; they are already perfect.
Yes My child, it feels like a valley; but, it is truly a mountaintop in disguise. If you quiet your mind, you will hear My gentle whispers. “Rise up My love, My fair one, and come away.” (Song of Solomon 2:10) Come away with Me; it’s on the mountaintop you will be tested; and it’s on the mountaintop you will be blessed.
Integrity
Integrity
(#221 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Integrity is the courage to stand behind an idea that emanates from the mind of Yahweh. But, you might be thinking, “Who has known the mind of Yahweh…?” [answer] But we have the mind of the Messiah. (1 Corinthians 2:16) Of course, to know His mind, you first must be able to hear His still small voice, and this does not come without effort. Remember, it is a: “still” [only speaking to the quieted mind] “small” [causing you to put forth effort] “voice” [the will of Yahweh within you]. Having integrity in all things is really just saying that you have the mind of Yahweh on all matters. It is recognizing His principles as they repeat over and over in noticeable patterns.
Like love, peace and joy, the idea of integrity is only defined by the Creator of the principle, the Creator of all commanded patterns. If our Father is perfection, then integrity is a portion of the pattern that leads to Him. Integrity must then be an integral part of any idea that emanates from the mind of His created ones. An idea that truly emanates from the eternal “I Am” incorporates every single principle (command) into the idea. Integrity sifts an idea like silver which is purified seven times, only to illuminate any piece of the idea that does not conform to all of the Creator’s principles, or in other words, His mind. Integrity removes all dross and then stands firmly no matter what comes against it.
Integrity understands that it is bound to face vast opposition, and therefore it expects to suffer; but it also expects to stand in the suffering. In a fallen world, any standard that espouses absolute integrity will be attacked from all sides. The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of the Almighty, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
No doubt, integrity will stand as surely as its Creator stands; and it will inspire all of its enemies to wreak havoc on the spiritual idea. Because the carnal mind is enmity against the Mighty One; for it is not subject to the law of the Almighty, nor indeed can be. (Romans 8:7) At the same time, integrity exposes any part of your “self” that is not yet uprooted.
Integrity: the courage to stand behind (endure the suffering of) an idea that emanates from the mind of Yahweh. It is the state of being whole and undivided from Yahweh. Integrity is unity, coherence, cohesion, and togetherness.
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the transgressors will destroy them.” (Proverbs 11:3)