Tag Archives: Brad Scott
Love’s Attributes
Love’s Attributes (1)
(#155 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Love is Patient!” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love is patient, and therefore, Yahweh is patient!
In its purest understanding, from its Hebraic perspective, patience means to defer, to draw out. And so we conclude that love—waits! This waiting is not only to delay any chastening that may well be due, but also defers blessing that has its perfect time and place.
Love has a total of sixteen attributes, which make up its complete structure. And, with Hebraic understanding, sixteen is seven (16=1+6=7) and seven is “completion.” So, we learn that love’s sixteen attributes reveal love’s total story, love’s completion.
As we seek to perfect this love within, we must lay a foundation that cannot be corrupted, and that is, if we fail at any one of the sixteen attributes we have not succeeded in love. The success itself is a gift of the Spirit placed within. But, what would the “self” do to destroy such an object of beauty and mystique? It would make love “common” by so easily throwing around words like, “I love you,” with such ease, ease and ultimately contempt. It reminds me of Shaul’s words to Timothy, “But they have no understanding either of the words and terms they use or of the subjects about which they make [such] dogmatic assertions.” (1 Timothy 1:7) The wise one, however, knows such things saying, “Though Yahweh is love, and His love has been placed in me, as a gift for me to offer to others, I am yet very aware of my own personal ego that seeks to water down this concept of perfect love.” The humble mind does not fail at any one of the sixteen attributes.
And so today, we set the standard that love is patient. It allows things to happen, and often “covers a multitude of sins” (Proverbs 10:12) in order to bring about the greater good. It trusts Yahweh when He says, “No one will escape making a mockery of Me; I see everything!”
I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]. (John 13:34-35)
I am the Chief of Sinners
The Chief
(#153 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“This is a trustworthy saying, and deserves all acceptance: Yahshua the Messiah came into the world to save sinners, of who I am chief.” (1Timothy 1:15)
Previous to Damascus (Acts 9:3), Shaul hated Yahshua and all that He stood for. It was not until a blazing (mind piercing) light (heavenly illumination) struck him, that Shaul came to understand Yahshua as his own Messiah. With a correct application of the timeline, we must pay very close attention to the timing of Shaul’s words above; “Of who I am chief.” Is Shaul calling himself chief sinner after his redemption? What’s going on here? Those who are sanctified in the Messiah Yahshua are called to be saints (1 Corinthians 1:2), yet Shaul is identifying himself as a sinner? Exactly! Shaul is really identifying the nature of his flesh (sinful nature; Galatians 5:16-21).
Shaul understood salvation in way that is very different than it is presented in today’s church. He would press on towards the goal of salvation, the upward call, (a completely renewed spiritual mind; Philippians 3:14), and in doing so would have never claimed to be “good,” for he believed Yahshua’s own words that not even He, the Messiah, was good, giving all glory to Yahweh alone (Luke 18:19).
“That in me first, Yahshua the Messiah might display all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him [Yahweh] for everlasting life.” (1 Timothy 1:16)
Shaul came to understand that he would be an example to many future generations of chosen ones. An example, which if understood correctly, would always leave you able and ready to say, “I am, in my sinful nature, the chief of sinners.” And this you would understand even after your personal confession that “Yahshua is my Messiah!” Why? Because it is only ever Yahshua “in you” that is your hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Never would Shaul have meditated on some glory due to his own efforts, his own goodness, for it was through him that the Spirit spoke; “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10) Shaul’s righteousness would be found only in the Mighty One through the Messiah (Philippians 3:9). Even after the light of Yahshua had shown on him, he would admit, “My best in my own strength is sin, nothing more.”
It is the “self” life directed by the ego that Yahshua claimed you must lose. As you continually reject any idea of your own goodness, the light of Yahshua, commanded by Yahweh Himself, will begin the takeover. This is a model prayer, which can be uttered by the humbled saints who, by love, have been forced to see this truth;
“Don’t let me be me any longer Father. Don’t let me think for myself. Let only Your Spirit, through the life of Your Son in me, make every decision. Please Father, don’t let my own will succeed.”
Inspiration from Yahweh
Inspiration
(#148 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear Me, so they will never turn away from Me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all My heart and soul. (Jeremiah 32:40-41)
My inspiration takes on many forms My child, so be on guard. It can incite a full spectrum of emotions. Some people obey swiftly and experience holy fear in proper time; others rebel and only slowly adapt. Those who resist require an inspirational nudge if you will. Although My nudging often feels uncomfortable, the fruit that blossoms from it is pleasing.
I Am a Father and I have appointed My Son as your good shepherd. He sits next to Me on His throne and reports to Me daily. We have a unified plan for your life. It is a good plan, specifically for you, My chosen child. Your walls are ever before Me; you are inscribed on the palm of My hand. (Isaiah 49:16) We have access to all you say and do. Nothing is missed. You must appreciate this greatest of gifts; not everyone shares the ability to call Me Abba, and call My Son friend (John 15:15).
I want to remind you of your main focus, your intended purpose. You have been appointed to bring honor and glory to Our Kingdom. Your thoughts and your actions point to Our thrones. How could it be otherwise? You share Our good news out of your zealousness for Us. Do you not expect others to look on and to analyze your witness? Do you not understand that the world desires your failure more than your success? “Why do they,” you ask? They want to believe Our Kingdom has nothing to offer them! Though they err, will you take the responsibility of knowing that this is the way of the world? Your actions cannot thwart Our eternal plans, yet you must behave as if can! Take responsibility for the injustice you bring to Our throne room. You will walk what I talk! I require this of you. Remember, I will inspire you to do so and “nudge” you if necessary.
Yes My loved one; it is as I say. My inspiration, My eternal touch, can be very heavy if needed. Glory is what We are due and glory is what We will have. This is a simple warning in love. If you are struggling with finding your purpose, might We suggest you slowdown in your effort to save the world and first find your place in it? Hint: your place is My call on your life! And remember, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” (Revelation 3:19) Make sure your inspiration is of Us, then perhaps you will inspire many others. Come! Ask! Receive! It is Our delight to guide you.
Consider others with Love
Do you really understand what tenderhearted really means? Please see this video…
The Way of Man II
(#147 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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A man and his wife enter the church. After the worship, the pastor begins to preach. The wife is fully engaged while the husband dozes off. He tries his best to stay awake. She nudges him when the service is over. They rise up and leave. For many weeks, this same pattern continues. The pastor notices the husband’s tendency and labels the man as disinterested in spiritual matters. He wonders why the man even comes. Others in the congregation have noticed and wonder the same.
Several weeks pass since the last time the man and his wife attend when she appears alone at a service. Afterwards, she finds the pastor and asks him if she could speak with him. The pastor willingly agrees and quickly discerns the meeting will be about her “disinterested” husband. He is ready to minister to her heart as needed.
As the meeting begins the pastor says, “I have not seen you in church for quite some time. How have you been?”
The lady, with tears streaming down her eyes says, “It’s my husband.”
“Yes, I figured that,” the pastor replies.
She continues, “You see. He has cancer. He is dying. He takes his medication and it makes him very tired and sleepy. He was embarrassed about coming and falling asleep so we’ve just stopped coming. He does not seem to have much time left and he wanted me to tell you something. He said that it made him so happy to be able to come and see you, to listen to you preach. You are his favorite teacher. He asked me to thank you.”
Never judge loved one. Never think you know what’s going on within someone, just by the external appearance of things. Caring takes time, and if you are willing to ask yourself the tough question, do you struggle with caring for others? Healing comes from a mind, spiritually redeemed, that can admit, “I don’t really care about other people as much as I should; help me Yahshua. Give me a heart (mind) that cares for others more than it cares for myself.”
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:13)
Why would a believer Consider Suicide
Can a Christian commit suicide and still be saved? Would a Christian commit suicide? This is not as easy as people make it seem, let’s learn more.
The Word Of Yahweh Is Living!
The Way of Man
(#146 from Suffer Well Devotional Series
©)
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Scene: Two men stranded on an uninhabited island.
One man says to the other, “We are never going to get rescued from this island.”
The other man replies, “Don’t worry, I tithe.”
“What?” says the first man. “What does tithing have to do with us getting off this island?”
The tither then explains; “I make a hundred thousand dollars a month.”
Perplexed, the first man says, “So since you make a hundred thousand dollars a month, Yahweh is going to rescue us?”
The tither, looking amused, says, “No, my pastor will.”
Think about what perceptions this gives you. What, if anything, is healthy in any of the mindsets portrayed in the above conversation? Pray and seek wisdom about the true way of the Father.
For the word of Yahweh is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Understand Redemption!
Understand Redemption!
(#144 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. (Exodus 13:13)
And in this physical fulfillment, which is a shadow of the heavenly, the metaphysical meaning cries out to us. The donkey is an ignorant and stubborn beast. The lamb is a fearful and docile creature. The redemption, which is necessary, includes protection against a future fall. The players: ignorant, stubborn, fearful, docile, and of course the neck, which represents fall or decline.
I too am ignorant, stubborn, fearful, docile, and in a mental decline, unless redeemed. And with my needed redemption, I also desire the ability to never fall (decline) again. Are these not states of your conscious emotions before its redemption by the Spirit? Isn’t it sad that this remains the state of consciousness for so many, even after they have claimed to be “saved?” And because of each one’s own choice to “fall” from Yahweh, everything must be redeemed over and over again, right?
To the contrary, Yahweh’s redemption means that you actually have the option to never fall (declining thoughts) again. The broken neck actually ends the “decline.” This should be a permanent brokenness in which you are forever broken by a Spiritual redeeming.
Every thought (firstborn) must now be spiritually transformed. Yes, that means your ignorance, stubbornness, fearfulness, docility, and mental decline are forever eradicated. Each thought is now sanctified unto Yahweh as a sign, the first fruit of a redeemed mind if you will. Human “love?” Unacceptable! Yahweh’s love “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13), and is the only acceptable standard of love. Human “goodness?” Impossible! There is none whom are good without His Spirit (Psalm 14:1-3, Romans 3:10). Human “worthiness?” Yahweh says, “filthy rags!” (Isaiah 64:6) Worthiness through His Son is the only absolute. Listen to the Spirit loved one. Sacrifice every thought unto truth, as revealed by Him alone (Romans 12:1-2). If you do, very soon you shall find a completely redeemed mind within you, a saved mind! This is a mind with no consciousness of sin (Hebrews 9:14).
Who Is Blessed?
Break it Down
(#143 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Note from the editors: take a breath; clear your mind; and enjoy the ride!
Psalm 84:5-7
Blessed [favored] are those [the ones who follow the pattern] whose strength [power, provision, purpose] is in You [Abba], who have [without guessing, moving forward] set [like in concrete, steadfast] their hearts [minds] on a pilgrimage [advancing, moving, no rust, no moths]. As they pass [yes, they leave and move on] the Valley [low places] of Baca [weeping], they [the ones operating in Abba’s power] make it [create a new thing] a place of springs [life, abundance, real reality]; the autumn [falling] rains [Spirit outpouring] also [as well as, doubly] cover [sustain] it [the mind in the valley] with pools [abundant blessing, overflow]. They [the blessed ones] go [keep moving] from strength [trust in Yahweh] to strength [more trust in Yahweh, closer to perfection] till each appears [kneels] before the Mighty One [Yahweh] in Zion [un-obstruction, perfection, a pure mind].
Here is a powerful paraphrase for your edification:
Favored are the ones who follow the pattern, whose provision and purpose are in the Father, who move forward without guessing and with steadfast minds advance. They leave the lower place of weeping by operating in Abba’s power and create something new, a place of abundance; the Holy Spirit pouring out in double portion is what sustains their new thinking with abundant overflow and blessings. These blessed children of Yahweh continue to move from trusting in Yahweh to even more trust in Yahweh as they approach perfection, until each kneels before the Mighty One with a perfect, un-obstructed, pure mind.
Self-Sufficiency
Self-Sufficiency
(#135 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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I must become perpetually weak (not reliant on “self”) to become perpetually strong (reliant on Him alone). Weak and meek equals strong! (2 Corinthians 12:10) However, the natural inclination (ego-centered desire) is to say, “I need to be strong!” This is not the proper pattern, however. Look to the One who was spat on, bruised, afflicted, and murdered. And He endured all of these for the “joy set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:2) To redeem men, He became nothing. He did not become strong in the flesh, but mighty in the Spirit!
But, what of my “natural talents?” Aren’t I to use my gifts? The better question to ask yourself is about the motivation of your actions. Is the power you have been given to fulfill your own agendas? Here is the crux of the issue; are your agendas meant to satisfy your “self”? Dare we slowdown to be certain that our agendas line up with our Creator’s? They have always been His talents, His gifts. In the past, quick and decisive actions were taken without considering a question such as this; “Father, what do You want me to do with the abilities that You gave me?”
He took everything from me in order to perpetually sear this question into the center of my intellect. Everything that was not of Him was shaken to the core, removed! It did not need to happen that way. It did not “NEED” to happen that way! Get it? Anything not done of and by Him, fails. It will be removed; it will backfire. “The removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” (Hebrews 12:27)
Judgment begins in His house (the center of your conscience). Yes, that means you; before anyone else is judged, you will be judged. You will be first in line. (1 Peter 4:17) So much was given and so much is expected. Take me seriously. Stop! Slow down! Reconcile! Be repentant! Then, He promises to dine with you in a love feast of perpetual rejoicing (Rev 3:19-21). Turn back now. You will do so either way, forced or willingly. His love promises you will.
I know that everything the Almighty does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. The Mighty One does it so that people will fear Him. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
When We Lift Our Hands
When We Lift Our Hands
(#134 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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When we lift our hands to You Abba, what do we really intend? Are we worshipping? Do we really mean it? Is it possible to be filled with fears and doubt, and yet worship? Do You receive the worship of doubting people? How can we say we worship and adore You, but not trust You?
So very few of Your children live a life filled with power and grace. Is this why they hold up hands to You? Are they trying to pull something down from You, something deeply lacking in themselves? I ask again Abba; how can we worship You, but not truly trust You? Find me the man who says he does. Yes, Your Son is our comparison. How many raise their hands begging for mercy? This seems an appropriate reason to hold up holy hands. Is that worship Father? It seems like desperation. Is desperation power Father? Do we really believe Yahshua died for us? At times, it ironically seems more tangible to believe it was for Abraham, Moses or even Paul. Is it really for us?
Where are the ones who are anointed by Your touch Father, the ones who have lost their lives and found You? There are so few. Why Abba? Why? Your promises are for all of us who say we believe, correct? Forgive us for the mixed message we send, as we raise hands with doubt in our hearts. Help us believe, to believe in Your promises through Your Son and Your Ruach (Spirit). Grant us the faith of a mustard seed Abba (Matthew 13:31-32, 17:20). Birth belief in us Father, true belief. Make it real to us so we can move mountains (Mark 11:23). Prepare our hearts (minds) to suffer well for it. Help us to die to “self” so that we might offer genuine worship, for worship’s sake, and also for those who wonder about the faith of all who claim to believe what they so passionately preach, and seemingly, so strongly affirm.