Tag Archives: Christian to Torah
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)
Who may spend time with Yahweh?
Who May?
(#284 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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O Yahweh, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may live on Your holy mountain? The one who walks with integrity, does what is righteous, and speaks the truth within his heart [mind]. The one who does not slander with his tongue, do evil to a friend, or bring disgrace on his neighbor. The one who despises those rejected by Yahweh but honors those who fear Yahweh. The one who makes a promise and does not break it, even though he is hurt by it. The one who does not collect interest on a loan or take a bribe against an innocent person. Whoever does these things will never be shaken. ~Psalm 15
In order to equip you to cross over the Jordan (thoughts that cause decrease and inhibit spiritual increase) into your promised land (firm foundation of Holy mindedness), it would behoove you to ask this question. “Did the Messiah ever teach anything but the doctrine of His Father?” Yahshua responded to them, “What I teach [doctrine] doesn’t come from Me but from the one who sent Me. Those who want to follow the will of My Father will know if what I teach is from Him or if I teach My own thoughts. Those who speak their own thoughts are looking for their own glory. But the man who wants to bring glory to the One who sent him is a true teacher and doesn’t have dishonest motives [unrighteousness in him].” (John 7:16-18)
Do you believe His doctrine or your own thoughts? Is your understanding veiled? Shaul spoke of those of old whose minds were darkened. Their minds became closed. In fact, to this day the same veil is still there when they read the Old Covenant. It isn’t removed, because only the Messiah can remove it. (2 Corinthians 3:14)
Who may abide in the tabernacle (presence) of Yahweh? Who may ascend to His holy mountain (elevated thought)? Who will not be shaken (emotionally disrupted) in times of trouble?
One who:
· Walks with integrity;
· Does what is righteous;
· Speaks the truth within his heart;
· Does not slander;
· Does not do evil;
· Does not bring disgrace on his neighbor;
· Despises those rejected by Yahweh;
· Honors those who fear Yahweh;
· Keeps a promise even though he is hurt by it;
· Does not collect interest on a loan;
· And does not take a bribe.
“The man who wants to bring glory to the One who sent him is a true teacher.” Yahshua said to them, “You don’t believe because you’re not My sheep. My sheep respond to My voice, and I know who they are. They follow Me.” (John 10:26-27) Do you believe? Are you His sheep?
The Messiah has offered to remove the veil from His sheep. Does it still blind you? Hear His voice; follow Him!
Conviction of the Holy Spirit
Soothed
(#283 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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It’s never “just semantics.” Every word that proceeds from your mouth reveals your state of mind, and your state of mind is either completely holy or it isn’t. He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I Am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Can you have wrong thinking and still be holy? Can a house (mindset) be divided and still be whole? Yes, your house is your mindset, the thoughts that permeate your being! But Yahshua knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” (Matthew 12:25) How better can we demonstrate the undivided mind than by the words of Yahshua Himself? “I can of Myself [ego] do nothing. As I hear [the Father], I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” (John 5:30) Unless His will is your will, you are a house divided.
And now you are responsible for this reality. You can make no excuses, allow no room for compromise. As you embrace this truth, your mind will become soothed, calmness will overtake you, and your faith will be reassured. But, let’s go deeper and add an extraordinary nuance to your understanding.
This soothing experience is not taking place in your own mind. It is actually His Spirit in you, His mind in you that you are sensing. It is no longer you, but the Messiah who lives in you! (Galatians 2:20) For “who has known the mind of the Master that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of the Messiah. (1 Corinthians 2:16) He speaks in the Holy of Holies within His temple. You are that temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). And remember, flesh and blood (self) cannot enter this most holy place. Praise Yahweh that “you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of the Almighty dwells in you.” (Romans 8:9)
If you are lazy, you may claim semantics are at work here; but the cost of doing so will be high. Rather than dismiss it, let this prayer marinate in your bones. “Father I know Your Spirit within me is always in a perfect state, complete in every way, lacking nothing. I deeply sense the effects of Your Spirit and how soothing You are. Thank you, and may I always proclaim that it is not I who lives, but You who lives in me. Let my life song sing…’I do not seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.’”
Good News
Good News
(#282 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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When you think of ministry from a Hebraic perspective, think of power, resources and direction. From Noah to Abraham; from Jacob (Israyl) to Moses; from David to Yahshua; to all the early disciples; and then to us, the objective of ministry for Yahweh’s children has never changed. Ultimately, it has a singular purpose with a focused message. For all those who are ruled by and will rule for Yahweh, for all “overcomers” (Israyl), ministry is to preach “The Good News.” For indeed the Good News was preached to us as well as to them [those in the wilderness] … (Hebrews 4:2)
Yahshua and the prophet of old would agree. He [Yahshua] came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isayah [Isaiah]. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of Yahweh is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Good News to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of Yahweh. Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21 from Isayah 61:1-2)
In Yahshua’s day there was no Renewed Covenant (commonly known as “New Testament”) to read from. He taught in the Synagogues from the scrolls of the Torah and Prophets, as was the custom. Yaaqob (James), the early leader of the assembly, as directed by the Holy Spirit at the Jerusalem Council, clearly perpetuated this tradition in his ruling. “For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” (Acts 15:21) Shaul also abided in this! At Iconium Shaul and Barnabas went as usual into the synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. (Acts 14:1) There were Greeks in the Synagogues? Why? Think about it!
And with this fresh understanding you can now appreciate that all of the Good News came from the Law (Torah) and the prophets of the Old Covenant (commonly known as the “Old Testament”). Yes, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of the Almighty and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of Yahweh may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) And by “all Scripture,” Shaul was not referring to the Renewed Covenant (New Testament), as it was not yet written. Nevertheless, “The people of Berea were [considered] more fair-minded than the people of Thessalonica. [Because] They were very willing to receive the Almighty’s message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures [the Old Covenant] to see if what Shaul said was true.” (Acts 17:11) This is deep; the Bereans used the Old Covenant to confirm if what Shaul was saying about Yahshua was true!
You shouldn’t be surprised; Yahshua Himself even proclaimed that, “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.” (John 5:46) So now you must ask yourself, “As a child of the Most High, what is the ministry I am committed to?” In other words, “What is the Good News you are anointed to preach?” To help you discover the richness of the answer, we’ll offer you this as a seed to plant in the, hopefully, fertile soil of your heart. What did you actually confess when you called on the name of the “Lord” in Romans 10:9-13? Hint: study Romans 10:1-8 in detail and reference from where the Good News Shaul was preaching came. “That is the word of faith which we preach.” (Romans 10:8) He was preaching Moses’ words from Deuteronomy 30:11-14 and Leviticus 18:4-5! (Read it!) True ministry has Yahweh’s fingerprint from His Word all over it. If you believe Moses, you can believe Shaul and Yahshua.
Is Yahweh’s fingerprint evident in your ministry? It was in Shaul’s; “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Master Yahshua, to testify to the Good News of the Mighty One’s grace.” (Acts 20:24) This is the Good News derived from the Torah and the prophets. Yahshua answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” (John 7:16) And this is the Ministry Yahshua handed over to us. Tell everyone who listens; “The Spirit of Yahweh is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Good News…”
As we learned yesterday loved one, the Law is not “legalism” but the very Good News that saves our souls!
Justification by faith
Unauthorized Fire
(#281 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Aaron sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before Yahweh, contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of Yahweh and consumed them, and they died before Yahweh.” (Leviticus 10:1-2)
Fire consumed them for choosing their own sacrifice. We think in modern terms you would call that “religion.” Ouch! Does Yahweh delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying Yahweh? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22) You would do well focusing on what has been commanded, rather than doing what you or your denomination has decided is pleasing to “God.”
On an individual level, it could be likened to a former drug addict who has the erroneous idea that one can make up for his past sins by diving into a plethora of self-chosen acts of service, otherwise known as “spiritual activities.” Remember, the Almighty demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, the Messiah died for us. (Romans 5:8) You were redeemed while you were still a slave to your addictions, and all idolatrous behavior for that matter. It is His Spirit alone who gives you the ability to leave your idols behind. No sacrifice on your part was necessary, no acts of service, only His. Your unauthorized fire, your self-assigned sacrificial activities, done with the sense that you must somehow participate in the atonement for your past behaviors, actually reveals your unbelief. It is self-righteousness, not righteousness. Israyl was guilty of such behavior; “they were zealous for the Mighty One, but their zeal was not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of the Mighty One and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to the Mighty One’s righteousness.” (Romans 10:2-3)
Any time you operate in the mindset that you must do something to “atone,” you are telling Him that you reject the offering Yahshua made. That’s right; you are saying that His death and resurrection were not enough to cover all of your maladies. This non-debatable core issue must be dealt from within. He [Yahshua] sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself. (Hebrews 7:27) He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:12) He has won favor for you with your Father in Heaven once and for all. Done! The only thing you must do now is obey. “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
With your eternity secure, turn your focus toward obeying His commands. Your abundant life is found in them. He says, “You must obey My laws and be careful to follow My standards. I Am Yahweh your Almighty. Live by My standards and laws, for the person who obeys them will have life through them. I Am Yahweh.” (Leviticus 18:4-5) He has made it so that following His commandments adds life to your life. They are to bless you child, not to curse you. If you have been chosen, the ability to choose has been gifted to you, and you must now make a choice. “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) He has set before you life and death, choose life! Obedience to His laws is not “legalism” loved one; it is life. Conversely, disobedience is death. Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him. Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15)
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4) No more lawlessness loved one. No more religion. No more self-assigned sacrificial activities. Do it His way; anything else is unauthorized fire!
A Plea for Justice
Crossroads
(#279 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Let my vindication come from Your presence; let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. (Psalm 17:2)
“I hear you son.”
“What part Father?”
“The crossroads you face, the conflict in your heart about vindication.”
“You are always listening; aren’t you Daddy?”
“Of course I Am son; open your heart to Me about it.”
“You’ve brought me so far already Father.”
“You are welcome.”
“Yes. You know that I always thank you.”
“I know son. Go on.”
“Well, I have been crying out for vindication for quite some time now.”
“And?”
“I’m just not sure it matters as much anymore, at least not in the same way.”
“You are at the crossroads son; it’s a new place.”
“I believe so Father. Is asking for vindication just seeking to be exonerated in the sight of man?”
“Let Me ask you son; do you believe you are right with Me?”
“It was done at the stake, but more than ever, it has become so personal. Yes Father, I believe I am righteous in Your eyes.”
“So, if you are vindicated in My sight, then why do you still cry out for vindication in man’s sight?”
“That’s the crossroads Father. Suddenly I’m not so sure I need that anymore.”
“Son?”
“Yes Father?”
“It’s time to choose the gate.”
“You mean…the narrow gate that leads to life? (Matthew 7:13-14)
“Yes. It’s the narrowest of all possible ways. And there are few who find it!” (v14)
“I’m scared Father. What will become of me? I…”
“No son. Fear not, for I Am with you; be not dismayed, for I Am your Mighty One. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“Then you’ve got me Abba?”
“I’ve got you son. Your humility is so beautiful to Me.”
“Will you walk the narrow road with me Abba?”
“Better than that My precious son; I will carry you!”
Even to your old age, I Am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry and will deliver you. (Isaiah 46:4)
Taking Risks for Yahweh
Deep Exploration
(#276 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. (Proverbs 20:5)
Deep waters! This is a powerful metaphor. Have you ever been in the deep of the ocean? Almost all light is absorbed within the upper 200 meters. Only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth. There is barely any measurable light that can reach as far as 1,000 meters, in fact, so little that photosynthesis is not even possible. Below 1,000 meters, sunlight does not penetrate at all. That zone is bathed in total darkness. However, what does change considerably as you go deeper is the pressure. At sea level, the pressure on your body is 14.5 pounds per square inch (psi). For every ten meters you go deeper, the pressure increases by 14.5 psi. So, even though the change in perceptible light is negligible, the pressure change between 200 and 1,000 meters is eighty fold. And in the deepest ocean, the pressure is over 1,100 times that of the surface, or the equivalent 16,000 pounds per square inch on a human body. That would be equal to eight tons sitting on a surface little more than the size of a postage stamp. That’s a lot of pressure!
This magnitude of pressure creates risk, fear, and uncertainty for those daring enough to go there. The metaphor: the deeper you go the fewer men you will find have ever explored there. There are not many treasure hunters in the deepest places. Those who dare to go face all of the pressure and risk involved. But they go to seek the potentially remarkable payoff, “some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:8-9)
What is the increase in store for those who risk going deeper with Yahweh? What hidden treasures await you, if only you are willing to draw them out? I tell you, the treasures are the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Matthew 13:11) You get it, right? To those who do not search, it has not been given. To those who do, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which the Almighty has prepared for those who love Him.” But the Almighty has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of the Mighty One. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
The pressure is always increased when we travel to the depths, and the journey reveals who we really are, who we have been created to be. What too often is our daily alternative to the pressure? We stay on the surface. Staying on the surface only supports the illusion. Remember, it all looks the same from the surface and that is the great deception. We are not who we pretend to be. Better yet, we don’t even realize how much we are pretending. It is far worse than we are willing to admit. Some of us attempt to go to the deep places in order to heal, only to be frightened by the realities we discover in the depths, the pressure. There is so much more beauty below the surface loved one; it is where He makes “known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.” (Ephesians 1:9) If you are willing to go there, you will see things never before seen and experience things never before experienced.
Search the deep things of Yahweh, to attain all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of the Almighty, both of the Father and of the Messiah, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3) Don’t give up. Don’t fear the pressure. Keep going back, little by little. Dive deeper each time, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:13), remembering that the treasure hunters never dive alone. For safety, there is always a companion. And you know who it is; you are not alone. Go deep and find the treasures.
Feel the peace of Yahweh
Microwave
(#274 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Proverbs 29:20)
As I stood at the microwave waiting for my coffee to heat, I realized how the microwave had exemplified my life. In the past, when I needed a minute of the microwave’s effort to heat something, I would have usually opened the door with at least fifteen seconds left on the clock. There was not time to wait the entire minute, even though I knew that one minute was necessary. Because I had to “go,” I settled for lukewarm coffee. I never really enjoyed the lukewarm coffee; yet, I got used to it, used to “not finished, but good enough.” My entire life back then could be summed up by my choices made at the microwave, my inability to wait the full minute. Even though a microwave is already a shortcut, and not even good for you, I still could not invest the nominal time needed to get the best outcome it had to offer. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)
Today I am in prison. Prison has changed me. I laugh as I set the microwave for one minute. I use every last second. Everything will be as it should, once the minute is up. And the universe was just fine without me, for the entire minute. I often used to say, “Men can’t save men.” My lukewarm coffee proved I did not believe my own words. I had to “make it happen.” I had to “be the one.” Why? Was it for Him? No, it was all for my own purposes, all while pretending to be serving Him. I know better now. I still want to “do things” and “be the one.” But now I only want to do what He says and be the one who He wants me to be. Yahweh is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of Yahweh. (Lamentations 3:25-26)
So now I always ask first. I talk to my Father about everything and I hear His voice. “Heat your coffee Michael. Take as long as you need. We have time to discuss what I will require of you today.” The coffee tastes so much better these days. I have new goals, new dreams, and new convictions. In prison we only have a microwave. When I’m home again with my family, I will get rid of the microwave altogether and heat my coffee on the stove. Can you imagine that? Meanwhile, Yahweh and I have coffee every day now. Hot coffee together.
But as for me, I will look to Yahweh; I will wait for the Mighty One of my salvation; and my Mighty One will hear me. (Micah 7:7)
Only by HIS Power!
Feeding Frenzy
(#269 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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He rules forever by His power. His eyes watch the nations, lest the rebels exalt themselves. (Psalm 66:7) Selah [ponder this]
If it is His power alone that rules all things, then you would do well to consider how it is you have reached any level of success or authority? “And Yahshua came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore…'” (Matthew 28:18-19) If you have any authority at all, it is because He has passed the mantle to you. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19) Therefore, if you’ve reached the “top” having never followed His leading to get there, then by what “power” did you arrive? “Not by might nor by [your own] power, but by My Spirit,” Says Yahweh of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)
The author of true power, power which never diminishes, only releases such through His Spirit to the righteous (right thinking). Unfortunately, many of you will convince yourselves that you have been “good enough” to deserve His blessings and power. This personal “goodness” is nothing but a byproduct of “self” deception. “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who does good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10, 12) And more so, what does the desire for, or the reliance on, personal power entail? It necessitates the use of tricks and manipulation. If you have “success” and it did not come through His power, then you have hijacked it. And remember, His eyes watch the nations, lest the rebels exalt themselves.
Conversely, if it is the power of Yahweh that has promoted you, then your success will always be accompanied by fruit in your life that has His signature on it: obedience, humility, repentance, and “self” realization. The latter, of course, meaning the realization that the “self” must die to make room for His true power to manifest in you.
What are you feeding on loved one? What desires do you have? Are they rooted and grounded in the perfect life of Yahshua the Messiah? A good way to know is to ask these questions; “Would He have cared about such things?” And, “Would He have done what I did to get them?” There is only one source of power loved one. Everything else is vanity and will be sifted like chaff from amongst the wheat.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
Love is the answer
The Tree of Life
(#265 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The Tree of Life is …. within you! The soil (heart/mind) must be cultivated in order to remove the flaming sword (Yahweh’s judgment) that keeps the Tree from being accessed or bearing much fruit. Think of the flaming sword as being stuck in hard, cement-like, fallow ground. You must break up the fallow ground; it is uncultivated soil from which the tree will not bring forth abundant fruit. (Read Matthew 13:1-23.) Or you might think of it as a tree you cannot climb to taste its goodness.
You must sow righteousness into a circumcised heart which is fertile soil! Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek Yahweh, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12) Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, and take away the foreskins of your hearts. (Jeremiah 4:3-4)
Your ego which covers your mind like stringy moss or chokes your heart with thorns, keeps the original essence of the garden (hedged in conscience) from being expressed in you. Do not sow among thorns. Circumcise your heart so the tree (firm, fastened conscience) of life (heavenly nourishment) can grow in fertile soil to its full stature (Ephesians 4:13).
It is your “self” desire that keeps the sword (Yahweh’s judgment) in place. This cuts off your mind’s entrance into the fertile garden and keeps the soil untilled, and therefore prohibits your ability to eat (consciously devour) from the Tree. The Tree grows in the “Garden of Love.” The Garden of Love is the perfect imagery for what fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) the Tree of Life will produce once the “self or ego” is sacrificed. Surrender of “self” fertilizes the soil and grants access to the Garden. And that key to access the Garden, that “surrender,” is love itself; and it never fails to open the gates (1 Corinthians 13:8). The foremost reason it cannot fail is because love is solely committed to doing the will of Yahweh. Love is then expressed through the redeemed mind, the mind of the Messiah in man, and perfected through practice as it eventually annihilates the ego entirely.
Love is the standard by which every thought and action is measured. It is manifested altogether as patience, kindness, admiration, trust, modesty, humility, and meekness. It is gracious, polite, altruistic, peaceful, appeasing, virtuous, joyful, righteous, and truthful. It displays fierce loyalty; believes, hopes, and endures all things; and always succeeds and thrives. (The affirmative side of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Soon you will see it loved one. The Tree of Life is no less than the mind of Yahweh available through your obedience. The effort is the climb and soon you shall again eat of its fruit. We say again! The Tree of Life is the Truth of Life!
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34) Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. (1 John 2:7)