Tag Archives: blood covenant
Life to Death to True Life
Life to Death to True Life
(#213 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Let this mind be in you which was also in the Messiah Yahshua, who, being in the form [spiritual likeness] of the Mighty One did not regard equality with the Mighty One a matter to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and came to be in the likeness of men. And having been found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of a stake. (Philippians 2:5-8)
Obedience: following orders, commands, and instructions.
My Son Yahshua was obedient. He obeyed Me when I told Him to, “Go die.” I marvel at your limited perception of this act of obedience. Was the only price He paid His life, His physical life? Was that the great sacrifice which became the propitiation of your sins? No loved one. It was that He would be forever different, His position altered; and He knew it! He stepped out of Heaven knowing He could never again return the same, never! Yet, His reply was poetically simple; “Yes Father.”
I watch you daily in your praise of His act. I hear you in your weekly gatherings. Such wonder and awe you ascribe to Him. When He whispers in My right ear about you, may I tell you what He says? “How come so many of them miss it Father? They sing about Me; they worship Me; yet they don’t really know Me or the full price I paid. They know ‘things’ about Me, but they do not really know Me.” My answer to Him, “They have yet to escape their fear, anxiety, and pride; in one word, their idolatry.”
Idolatry: preferring your own beliefs over what Yahweh says about anything and everything.
Have I not spoken the very same words to you? “Go die My son, My daughter, My bride.” The hour has come; the pattern will be fulfilled. I ordered His death so that you would die as well. The religious love to proclaim how they are “new creations” without explaining why. The purpose and pattern are all right here: Romans 6:1-13. [And this is for you to read right now!]
From life: life to see your destructive ways, to see your transgressions.
To death: death to everything you have been made alive to see (your destructive ways and transgressions).
To true life: the new creation, the Spirit being which is both male and female. You were made alive to die and then to live. This is the pattern and there is no way around it.
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into the Messiah Yahshua were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as the Messiah was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. (Romans 6:3-7)
Reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to Yahweh! Yes, life to death to true life.
Faith and Hope
Mere Men
(#205 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
What is it with mortals? Yes, I could mean you! This question is not an exercise in futility or for My amusement; I ask questions because I seek answers. Men are but a mere breath, mortals, illusions, that if placed on a scale, all together would weigh less than air. How does this make you feel; how might this fact affect your actions? Ponder this My child; scrutinize those words; “Men are but a mere breath…” Am I not the rewarder of those who diligently seek Me? (Hebrews 11:6) Won’t I “reward” all deeds, both good and bad? I see everything and I reckon all things, beginning with your thoughts. Remember, mindsets precede actions!
The complication, My child, is that you simply don’t believe My words; this is the crux of your pain. Your discomfort and your dis-ease are fruits of unbelief, your choice of unbelief. The irony is that so many of your choices require effort to not trust Me. They encompass decisions, yes decisions which are riddled with fear and pride, all because you choose not to trust Me. You expend more effort to not believe, when all I require is faith. The battle in your mind: To be or not to be, and this about Me! Simple faith–this will answer every question, solve every mystery, conquer every fear, and open new revelation.
Repent! Without faith it is impossible to please Me (Hebrews 11:6). Has not My Son set the stage for a direct line of communication between us? Listen to Me; My longsuffering allows you to continue in unbelief, yet My love empowers change. Repent of your unbelief and step over. What other creation of Mine has the opportunity to change their existence? Mortal, only you can become immortal. I give you the chance to be eternal. Repent of your unbelief; take Me at My word. It is not simply that you can bet your life (consciousness) on it; it’s that you must!
My Glory My Way
My Glory, My Way
(#204 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.Sufferwell.org
Is My glory best revealed in your strength; is it manifest mostly on the mountaintop? Of the many prayers I hear throughout the day, the preponderance of them are words of gratitude and thankfulness when times are “good.” Yes, I certainly receive praise when all is well in your world. However, let Me remind you of how My Kingdom operates. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) When you are weak, then you are strong, because only in your weakness can My strength manifest in you (v. 10). And “Whoever seeks to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:33)
Will you leave it up to Me to decide how I will be glorified? Would it surprise you that My glory is revealed (increases) when you become less (decrease)? (John 3:30) Yes child, I want you to rejoice when things go well in life, but My glory comes when you trust Me and rejoice in the valleys (Job 13:15). If I told you the valleys are really the mountaintops, would it help? My prophets have said to “rejoice always,” and specifically when you can’t see your way clearly. I, who created all things, receive joy when I reveal My strong arm on your behalf. Loved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that is coming upon you, to try you, as though some unusual matter has befallen you, but as you share in the Messiah’s sufferings, rejoice, in order that you might rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His glory. (1 Peter 4:12-13) I allow “fiery trials” so that I can do miraculous things on your behalf, for My glory.
You are My greatest creation, and I delight in doing the “impossible” for you. Remember, you are more than conquerors; yes, you are more! (Romans 8:37) Know that I exist in everything and everything will bow to Me in time. Please enjoy the daily things I offer you as part of life on earth, but don’t forget My glory comes in ways that you do not have the ability to perceive, until I release My revelation. It is then that you will have your moment of awe and wonder.
We will get a new body
Behind the Veil
(#191 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
The Scriptural patterns or blueprints are all hidden from the simpleton, the proud, and the spiritually lazy. If you have come this far in our time together, then you have certainly shown yourself to be of spiritual fortitude. One overarching pattern we have shown time and time again is that it takes a great commitment to will your “self” to die. Another is that it takes time to realize that there is no power but Yahweh’s, and just as paramount, that your inner rebellion, or “self-power,” will always be resistant lest He crushes it. The Scripture that comes to mind which speaks of this is from John 12:24-25: Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He who loves his life will lose it; but he who hates his life in this world will protect it for eternal life.
You are the kernel loved one. But even more significant is that you are learning to accept that you are the kernel. That’s why we are here together. We are those who have been given permission to enter behind the veil. We have been found worthy, not of our own strength of course, but because we have accepted the requirements which grant that permission. “The permission?” This Word should be like an old friend by now: “It is no longer I who live, but the Messiah who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14) Few understand; however, the masses claim to be “of Him,” while really just following an idol of their own vain imaginings. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the WILL of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord [Baal], Lord [Baal], have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)
The crushed ones, the kernels planted in fertile soil, have broken open and will bear much fruit (Matthew 13:8). They are quieter than others, quicker to listen, and more apt to lend a hand. These qualities reflect the glorious life of Yahshua the Messiah within. Everything illuminates one grand idea; it is the premier pattern of being crushed, crucified with Messiah, and becoming unoffendable (Psalm 119:165).
The kernels “found worthy” quickly say, “Unless I had been crucified with Messiah (Galatians 2:20), I would have been ruined forever by my “self.”” Others only allow so much crushing until they shrink back. They refuse to embrace, “To die is to gain.” (Philippians 1:21) We know the price, and we realize that many will turn cold (Matthew 24:12). But, we also must admit we would have done the same, had Yahweh not done within us that which we would have never desired. “If not for Your mercy, I too would shrink back.” When we embrace this we become un-offendable. We experience a supernatural joy as we recognize, “that would have been me.”
This is your true rebirth, your mental resurrection. So few have been behind the veil loved one. Remember, the road is narrow (Matthew 7:14)! With every thought that enters into your conscience, remember that!
Give Thanks to Yahweh
Thanks
(#188 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.net
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name. (Psalm 100:4)
O Yahweh, let my words of thanksgiving settle in Your ears like the dew. Let my praise form like manna on the earth. May my worship be as sweet as honey cakes. I know that it is Your joy that my words of thanksgiving actually become provision for me, blessings and the bread of life.
You knew me before You formed me in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5). I dreamed of You then. I felt Your love before I was born. Then, as an innocent child, my dreams remained from You, nothing clouding my intention. They were good, pure, and hopeful. They were thoughts of what good I could do for others.
Thank You Father; the fire of affliction has returned me to this place. Thank You for Your love which has forged the hot iron of my will to conform to Yours. Thank You that You did not leave me to myself. Thank You for Your pruning which exposed my heart, and for Your power that comes with Your revelation. Thank You for skimming the dross so that what is pure in me remains. Thank You for not letting me stay the same.
I became a child again and You removed my abilities in this season. And You did it to reconstruct my temple. Thank You that during this rebirth You sustained only those things that I truly love most, the things of You. My spirit thanks You. Wonderful are Your ways; magnanimous are Your deeds.
Note to the reader: No matter what you are going through right now, even if it seems like no one cares, we care. We want to tell you to hold on, not with gritting teeth, but with a mind that says “He won’t lie to me. He won’t let my life become worthless. My day is coming; I will rise again, and I will be better than ever.” We know what it feels like to wonder if life is worth it, and we have come to a new place, a Promised Land. And we want to tell you that all your pain will soon be something glorious. You will look back at it and you will truly understand that without it, you could have never known what pure joy is. You will realize that grief and the feeling of despair are actually holy emotions used to allow you to experience how joyful joy is. Hold on: we are with you.
I Am is with you.
Redemption vs. Salvation
Bad Doctrine; Bad Mind!
(#185 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Everything matters; nothing is meaningless. Even those things you might think are meaningless have a purpose. With that, the purpose of all things must be exposed by His Ruach (Spirit-breath-mind). For this reason you are instructed [commanded] to: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)
And so what is your doctrine on “being saved?” What about your life and doctrine should you watch closely? What is salvation?
Salvation is a mind saved unto absolute holiness, worked out in the temporal world, not to be, but most often confused with redemption (the free gift you do NOTHING to earn). If your life and doctrine are pure, then your thoughts will tell you that salvation is yet to be achieved, and thus it must be “worked out [practiced in every thought] with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)
Bad doctrine will cause you to say things like, “I got saved on….,” and you will convince yourself it is so. Saved means you have achieved One mind with Yahweh, His Son, and Spirit. If you claim to be “saved,” then you are claiming to walk with the mind of the Almighty.
Yes, a perfect mind is commanded, and therefore promised and available to the sons and daughters of Yahweh, as it is said, “Be perfect [holy minded] as I Am perfect!” (Matthew 5:48) This means having no more consciousness of sin (Hebrews 9:14); it means no longer possessing the ability to consciously obey the old “self,” while at the same time, fully recognizing that the old self once ruled every thought.
The mature ones have no problem acknowledging that they are not yet saved, but rather are redeemed to be saved. And so it goes that the immature will claim that “salvation” is completed in them, even while their minds, and therefore their actions, are still steeped in carnality. Let it not be said of you loved one; that you continue in sin (imperfect thoughts) and yet claim to be saved.
“He who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
Manage Your Flock
Torn
(#182 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Woe to you shepherds who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? (Ezekiel 34:2)
Have I not told you that your disobedience will mean your removal? (Jeremiah 23:3-4) You preach and teach of saving the lost; meanwhile your fold, whether many or few, has scattered and wanders aimlessly (Jeremiah 23:1-2). Your heart identifies weak and misguided “sheep,” yet your only sacrifice for them is words. You make no time or personal effort to prove that the words are true. All of your effort ceases because of conflicts in your schedule. Who told you I wanted mouthpieces for the masses? Salvation is Mine, and if you paid attention, you would forego your altar calls and replace them with think-tanks. Imagine many of my chosen people, each with unique gifts and talents, all working together to bring unity. Today’s shepherds will not be tomorrow’s and tomorrow’s shepherds will not be lauded by the masses.
Instead, I raise up murderers, adulterers, prostitutes and tax collectors, while you seek out credentials. More specifically, you seek those who comply with your mindsets. You cry of the freedom found in My Son, while you burden My people with man-made doctrine. You overextend the gifts that I have placed in you, beyond their intended purpose, and take on self-imposed burdens in hopes that they appear holy. You use your church attendance, number of ministries, or “number of spiritual activities” that you make available, as indicators of your commitment to Me. And then you expect My blessings to follow. The more people you impact with your “busyness” the greater you feel is your anointing. I’m not impressed. Seek first the Kingdom was My Son’s admonition! (Matthew 6:33)
Foolishness, I say! Many men want their ears tickled (2 Timothy 4:3) by your emotional speeches. I Am the one who saves; and I don’t need you for that. Stop trying so hard to save the other lost ones when the truly lost one stares at you in the mirror daily. All who have ears to hear—comply or it shall be torn from you.
A good assessment of your shepherding skills can always be determined using powerful questions. Rather than telling someone you love them, ask them if they feel loved by you. And then do the unthinkable; ask them if ever that love has failed them.
When?
When?
(#181 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
In moments of victory the songs come so freely. The ability to rejoice seems so natural. Yes, an overflow of the heart (Hebraically, the “center of intellect”) is what causes me to sing. At the times when the pain seems to overtake me, like a wave I cannot get on top of, the songs become forced. These are the times when I cry out to you Abba. I am expecting a “crossing over”. Is it not what You promise? Am I amiss to believe a place exists wherein my heart would never drown in sorrow?
You tell me of the eternal things and I try to comprehend. The thought of the wife once mine, and the children that now wonder what happened, hinders my ability to see the glorious Promised Land. While I sit in prison, they grow. They grow without me; their bodies take on a new shape; their words become more intelligent. I am missing so much time that can never be recaptured. I do blame myself as I accept the responsibility for why the chastening rod has fallen. But I have changed. Will I be allotted Your mercy like so many others in the past?
These feelings are mixed with a heart that understands that complete surrender to You is what we all must face. This reality won’t change; it only causes me to speak much less. Full surrender of one’s life means it is not one’s life anymore: no complaining, no relenting, no challenging. In fact, You have decreed that it, instead, looks like silence.
He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
(Isaiah 53:7)
You have called for me to rejoice, praise, and have gratitude no matter what. I believe Your way is right. I believe any other pursuit is vanity. How can one long for the love of his earthly family and yet desire the things of His heavenly Spirit placed within? My heart just does not know how to cross over. I don’t know what it looks like, in a permanent sense, to give into You COMPLETELY Abba. So in my weakness, when I cry out for Your help, I feel I am doing exactly as You are requesting.
I realize it is a journey of the heart. You said, “trust, endure, believe.” Help my unbelief Abba. Help me settle the unknown within, as I confess that I must give it all to You. Help me remember that today is “when” because today is all I have. It’s about believing Your immense love for me. And today Your love for me and for them is perfectly complete. Not believing this is where my joy lies persecuted. Help me know how deep that love is.
Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
We Humans
We Humans
(#180 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Is it only the humble who take great pleasure in Your Sovereignty? It is the wise among us who freely surrenders his will back to You, oh Yahweh. Was it ever his to give? Is it only the contrite who hand everything over to You to do as You wish? Was it ever his to hand back? Who are those that understand fully what You intended for Your children Israyl? We fail to discern our own steps, though we try so hard. We humans can only hope for what lies ahead. However, You Yahweh have full knowledge of the end of all things. Will the plans we establish in our own hearts (intellect) ever be exactly as we hoped? Do only the little ones leave the end results up to You? Who are those that won’t even plan without Your permission? Are these the ones You seek out? Are all paths Yours, even those that bring pain, even those littered with sin? Is it only the devout who consider Your will? How could a Sovereign One have multiple wills toward mankind? Who understands that all things fall under One will? Because this is so, even when the foolish speak, moments of truth can be detected. Who ponders realities not yet disclosed? But we [the mature] speak the wisdom of Yahweh in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which Yahweh ordained before the ages for our glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7)
Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess Yahshua, and all for Your glory Yahweh (Philippians 2:10). Only the obedient understand that all things are useless apart from Your glory? How can we attain more than what has already been given? How can we not partake of the milk and honey when Your Son sealed it for us?
Here we are, we humans. We are placed on Your path. Some of us know the answers to all the questions here. How much do the answers matter? Here is what I’ve learned from the vanity I’ve experienced; these two things I often consider. As I am walking either the road less traveled, or the busy highways of man, Yahweh has taught me to give thanks and rejoice. Could this answer EVERY question? Could it be? If I do these two things, could I then choose my own path? It is only the prudent who acknowledge that, even then, the decisions were Yours all along!
Think it twice
Think it twice
(#175 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
“For look, I Am beginning to bring evil upon the city which is called by My Name, and should you be entirely unpunished? You are not going unpunished, for I Am calling for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” declares Yahweh of hosts. (Jeremiah 25:29)
Woe to you who call Me “The Lord of Hosts,” in place of Yahweh of hosts, you who cry for help from your enemies. Do I need to remind you of My patterns before you heap judgment upon yourselves, before its time? Have I not told you that judgment begins in My house? Judgment begins with My people, My people named Israyl. Sit silent and consider your ways before you act. Are you not calling judgment upon yourself by scorning your enemy? Have I not told you to pray for those who persecute you? (Matthew 5:44) I need to remind you that when you call down for My wrath, My wrath will come. Yes loved one, it will come right to your doorstep and reveal all that is in your heart (mind). Why must you provoke My long suffering? Why do I perceive a broken child in you, yet you stand in firm defiance towards all whom might oppress you?
Humility child! Think before you pray. Think while you pray. How can the Spirit I placed in you defy My patterns? It is not possible. It cannot be. Are you so pure in your own mind that you use such harsh measures? Can you no longer relate to a consciousness that would consider sin? It is you child who will be corrected while you call down vengeance upon another.
Oh, loved one, do not misunderstand, sinlessness is the call for My perfected ones. I do strongly desire that you arrive at this place. A thought for you to consider: can one who possesses all power have any enemies who can do any harm to them? Though one may deem himself an enemy, can they have any effect on the perfected one? Think child, and ponder. Humble yourself. Many times, a man’s only enemy comes from within. Yes, judgment begins with My people. Perhaps you might offer the mercy that you will soon long for?
“For the time has come when judgment [sifting using Yahweh’s standards] must begin in the House [Temple in your conscience] of the Almighty [Yahweh], and if first with us [the redeemed minds], what will be the end of those [unredeemed minds] who do not obey the good message [perfected mind patterns] of the Mighty One [Yahweh]?” (1 Peter 4:17)