Tag Archives: christian
Blade of Grief
Blade of Grief
(#360 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“That I may know Him [become like Him] and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death [by dying to self], if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected [the Messiah being fully formed in me (Gal. 4:19); attained the Mind of the Messiah]; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which the Messiah Yahshua has also laid hold of me [to be perfected; to attain His mind].
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended [attained the mind of the Messiah yet]; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind [old mindsets] and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call [His mind in me] of the Mighty One in the Messiah Yahshua. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind [belief that the upward call is to attain the mind of the Messiah]; and if in anything you think otherwise [believe it is not possible or that it is not even the upward call], the Mighty One will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained [come into agreement], let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind [that it is possible].” (Philippians 3:10-16)
Yes, becoming like Him is the ultimate calling. It is the Kingdom of Heaven manifesting in you (Luke 17:21). But we are citizens of Heaven, where the Master Yahshua the Messiah lives [mind of the Messiah]. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies [mindsets] and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control. (Philippians 3:20-21) You are a citizen of Heaven who will inherit a glorified body just as the one now occupied by the Messiah Himself. Ah yes, He is our brother and we are joint heirs with Him (Romans 8:17)! With that Kingdom reality in focus, ask yourself this important question. “How much of your eternity will you spend satisfying your earthly flesh?”
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart [mind] will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Do you live carnally, as if your earthly existence is all there is? Do you believe that the fish sticker on your bumper and your weekly visits to church buildings suffice as Kingdom living? It is for these errors in thinking that grief exists! It is an emotion only felt on earth and it was given to guide you. Is it not true that all of your striving brings only grief? What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23)
The ego-driven life is lived only for physical pleasure. However, when you realize how you will actually exist in eternity, without “treasures on earth,” you will reconsider the priorities of your short lifespan. You will rethink your life’s purpose.
Grief is a sign that you are not living by Yahweh’s design for your life. It is intended to warn you that you have lost eternal focus and are bound to things of the flesh. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:14; 2:11) Meaningless toil and chasing the wind, all grief!
And as with every weapon, grief is used to shift your consciousness; grief is meant to teach you something. Yahweh says, “It is My weapon, my warning within you, even though it will not prevail to destroy you (Isaiah 54:16-17).” You are redeemed to live as a Spirit being who is in the process of shaking off the remnants of the flesh. Live eternally minded; live like you are a Kingdom citizen, and the blade of grief, as with all earth bound emotions, will perish.
Secure Your Relationship
Is it okay to celebrate Christmas?
Here is the video to watch The Insanity of God https://www.revelationmedia.com/watchinsanityofgod/?_thankyou=Y
The Best Within
The Best Within
(#356 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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It’s a Spiritual Kingdom not a physical kingdom.
Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)
I must preach the Kingdom of the Mighty One, because for this purpose I have been sent. (Luke 4:43)
The Kingdom does not come with observation… For indeed the Kingdom of the Mighty One is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)
My Kingdom is not of this world… My Kingdom is not from here. (John 18:36)
And so it is fitting that we consider that the scriptures speak of this Spiritual Kingdom and Spiritual matters first, the physical merely being an effect or manifestation of the Spiritual reality. With this in focus, let’s take a look at some ideas with our Kingdom glasses on:
Goliath the Gittite vs. David
1. Goliath (from the root galah): A Philistine giant; (to exile; go into captivity)
2. Gittite (a man belonging to the city of Gath): of a wine-press; (treading out; pressing)
3. David (from the root dode): loving; loved one; (to boil)
The Hebraic meaning or root of each word gives us insight into the Spiritual Kingdom; the eternal Kingdom of Light. Goliath is the darkness within you that has been banished due to the renewed spiritual influence of Yahshua the Messiah. Although old ways of thinking continue to press on your mind, desiring to return and destroy that which has been renewed, love that has reached its fullest potential (boiling over) will put to death (behead) the ever-pressing ego (self).
And so when your “self” entertains thoughts such as, “Am I a dog, that you come against me with sticks” (1 Samuel 17:43), you must quickly recognize that this is only your ego attempting to defy the Light which shines within you through faith in Yahshua the Messiah. Of course the old you is a dog! It is a dog ever ready and willing to return to its vomit (2 Peter 2:22). This can be avoided as the David (love) within you overcomes the darkness. It’s all within; life is all in the mind loved one, and the mind is Yahweh’s Sanctuary, if you are willing to receive it.
After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up. (Acts 15:16 from Amos 9:11)
Every Woman at the Well
Every Woman at the Well
(#353 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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She brings to life another characteristic of Eve that personifies the longing within every woman. Born in Samaria (the root which means to keep watch, preserve, or guard; to protect or believe in human intellect or self); in the habit of retrieving from Jacob’s well (depending on earthly existence or provision); yet seeking for her true husband.
She represents the deep longing within every female soul; “I know the Messiah will come, and when He comes, He will tell us all things.” (John 4:25) She yearns for inner completion, for peace in her soul. She has hope that one day the desires within will no longer need to be fed by what is tangible, by what satisfies the physical senses. “For you have had five husbands; but the one whom you now have is not your husband.” (John 4:18) Her five husbands each represent her primitive attempts to satisfy her thirst, to fulfill herself with what the world (kosmos) offers.
Touch, taste, sound, sight, and aroma, all five (husbands) are sensual connections to earthly provisions. They provide input and feedback, but only as shadows of the heavenly (Hebrews 8:5). She is searching for who will tell her all things; she is looking for what is real and not weightless vapors (James 4:14). Yes, she has engaged with yet another imposter, but this time she has not bound herself in marriage; she has not committed and is therefore open to finding the One. When she finds Him she will be truly fulfilled; “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29)
“In that day seven women will take hold of one man, saying, “We will eat our own food [keep the Feasts] and wear our own apparel [provide our holy garments]. Let us be called by your name so our shame is taken away from our reproach [from being unmarried].” (Isaiah 4:1)
Yes, she is unmarried because she recognizes that she will no longer be satisfied by the counterfeit. She is longing for Living Water, to be identified in marriage to Him. Yahshua answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” (John 4:13-15) She no longer desires to be fulfilled by what the well [the world] offers.
She is also longing for a man who can represent this Living Water on earth. She is every woman, and every woman is longing to see the Messiah in you, men. But woman, you will need to look past the flesh. The decree to men: “Husbands love your wives as the Messiah does.” “How?” you ask. “He gave His life for her.” (Ephesians 5:25) She will continue to look until she finds him. “The one I am with now is NOT my husband; come see the man who might be!” In order to find Him, the Living Water, both man and woman must surrender the need to be satisfied by sensual desires (the five senses). Whoever drinks of that water will thirst again.
Within every one of us is that woman at the well. “Come and see the Man.” Know that in Him alone is the answer to every question, the fulfilment of every longing. To find Him, look within each other, not at each other. Whosoever drinks of the water you find there will never thirst again.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of the Mighty One and of Yahshua our Master, as His supernatural power has given to us all things that pertain to life and holy reverence, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the holy nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust [sensual desires]. (2 Peter 1:2-4)
Kingdom Not Cosmos
Kingdom Not Cosmos
(#348 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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And you shall be to Me a Kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words [Laws] you shall speak to My children Israyl. (Exodus19:6)
What Kingdom is Yahweh describing here? Yahshua said, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36) Yes, His Kingdom is not of this world. His Kingdom is not a kingdom of politicians, but a Kingdom of priests, royal priests for that matter. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
How do you become a Royal Priest?
Royal: Yahshua is the blessed and only Potentate (Ruler), the King of kings and Master of masters. (1 Timothy 6:15) And the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of the Almighty, and if children, then heirs—heirs of the Mighty One and joint heirs with the Messiah, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:16-17) He is the King and you are His joint heirs; that gives you royal blood.
Priest: Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, the Messiah Yahshua. (Hebrews 3:1) He is the High priest of our confession. You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to the Most High through Yahshua the Messiah. (1 Peter 2:5) He is the High Priest and you also are being made into a holy priesthood, a Ruling Priest.
Therefore, His Kingdom, and by inheritance as royal priests your Kingdom, is not of this world. This world, the “kosmos” in Greek, means: system or ordered system; adorning or adornment; worldly affairs; or ungodly multitude. The English term “cosmetic” is derived from kosmos (cosmos). It is the ordered system or ensemble used for treating the whole face. It paints the picture of an outer adornment that is used to cover or mask the true face. This world is a masked counterfeit and it has an imitation prince. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. (John 12:31) Yahweh’s Kingdom is not of this… “kosmos”.
His Kingdom needs no re-elections; it has no politics; there is no democracy, and even no republic. His is a Kingdom for purified priests who rule over the politicians of the kosmos.
The “god” of this age [the worship of the might of “self”] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the good news that displays the glory of the Messiah, who is the image of the Most High. (2 Corinthians 4:4) We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. (1 Corinthians 2:6) The rulers of this kosmos are coming to nothing; don’t try to become one of them.
Instead, why don’t you learn what it means to put on the garment of a Royal Priest, and prepare to step into the office of the Ruling Priesthood. Oh yes, many are called loved one, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:11-14).
The Cost and His Grace
The Cost and His Grace
(#347 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Nineteen devotions including this one; that is how many remain. We didn’t even know this body of work would end at three sixty-five, not until recently. It’s been the most sublime partnership between the three of us, the prisoner (Michael), me (Jeffrey), and the Holy Spirit (Ruach). And as we race toward completion there is yet another supernatural pattern unfolding. It is the recognizable dance between the cost of discipleship and His grace to hide something from us long enough that we won’t pull back.
What do we mean? Ten years ago (2004) Yahweh called me (Jeffrey) to write a book, “The Heart of David.” I took to the task immediately out of obedience, but had I known what the eighteen month journey would have entailed ahead of time, I would have “politely declined.” One year ago (the end of 2013), Yahweh again spoke to me clearly and told me to compile and edit these devotions in unity with my brother; and again I eagerly complied. But, if I could have predicted the time and effort involved, I would have run like Jonah! You see, His grace covered what I did not need to know long enough to allow me to step in so deeply that there was no way out. But, oh how good He is. The fruit of paying the cost has been more than we can ask, think, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
But, be not mistaken loved one; you will pay the cost of discipleship; there is always a price for radical faith-based obedience. Yes, come just as you are; but, if you wish to follow Him, be prepared to lose all you are after you come. Pick up your own torture stake, deny your flesh and follow Yahshua. It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. (John 6:63) Imagine knowing from the very beginning of your faith walk that it was going to cost you your life to become like Him, and knowing this you still run to Him. That is exactly what Peter experienced when he cried out, “Master, where else can we go?” (John 6:68)
And now, as this season approaches its completion, Yahweh is again faithful to direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9). The next work will be to unfold the majesty of His Kingdom Courtroom. It will be a season of new highs and new challenges, and most costly, new temptations to quit. Nevertheless, His grace is sufficient to veil, from our imagination, the ultimate cost of obedience. This He will do just long enough to draw us nigh, at which time we too will exclaim, “Master, where else can we go?”
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his stake and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you who plans to build a tower does not sit down first and count the cost, to see if he has enough to finish? So in the same way, whoever it is of you who does not forsake all that he has, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26-28, 33)
It is by His grace that, at times, He hides the cost of discipleship. You would do well to acknowledge when He does, and thank Him. It brings Him glory. Besides, where else can you go?
Heavenly Measurement
Heavenly Measurement
(#343 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent men take it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly Kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion within]. (Matthew 11:12)
We must continually climb higher. Yesterday’s thoughts should always stand under the scrutiny of today’s new heights of revealed wisdom and understanding. Yes loved one, every day should be a day of advancement, stretching vision and intertwining new realities. There is a magnificent supernatural web that connects everything, and acknowledging it brings glory to the Father.
What does it mean to know Yahweh? May we suggest that a strong indicator is that you have an understanding and appreciation for how He operates His Heavenly Court? May we also suggest that the opposite true? A lack of understanding and appreciation for His Heavenly Court limits your knowledge of the Most High.
And so as we advance, the new standards become the next highest branch on the Tree of Life. With each new revelation, yesterday’s mishaps are no longer excusable, yesterday’s ignorance is no longer tolerable, and yesterday’s increase is no longer the utmost. We climb each successive branch toward the top of the Tree of Life to the throne room of the King (the highest branch, “Keter” which means the “crown” or “I Am” branch), where His Son sits at His right hand and the Holy Spirit at His left in His Heavenly Courtroom.
And of the longest branch heading towards Keter, we find that which represents the body (totality of thoughts) that Yahweh decrees for His chosen children, and goes by the name “Tifereth.” It means “beauty; glory; or glorious.” It inspires thoughts that will cause you to proclaim the very essence of its meaning; “That is so beautiful.” Yahweh’s truth is beautiful. It is the expression of the wisdom, vision, and the new reality that you are now capable of perceiving.
In that beauty you are taken to an even higher place and deeper revelation. New doors open and you receive more clarity from the voice within, from the mind of the Messiah. “Take the next step,” it whispers. “There is another branch waiting.” Then everything changes loved one, everything changes.
Your Chance
Your Chance
(#342 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Looking back on my life and pouring out my soul, I thought, “I want it to be better for my children. I want them to have opportunities I never had.” And then my mind was overtaken by thoughts from the one who restores my soul (Psalm 23:4), thoughts circumcised by the mind of the Messiah within. “How about you; what about your second chance; what about the life you still have in front of you?” It was so simple in that instant; yet an entire lifetime of prejudiced mindsets leading up to that moment had prevented me from embracing the simplicity of His words. “Because of Yahweh’s great mercy we are not consumed. His compassions fail not, as they are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Do you entertain thoughts like, “My time is up?” Have you surrendered to the idea that your “golden years” have passed you by? It’s a sinful mindset loved one. It’s a way of thinking that not only denies the power of Yahweh in your life today, but also rejects that your yesterday was under His Sovereign control. Long before your physical existence, Yahweh set in motion the beginning and end of every aspect of your life. And it was only after having written the script of it all, He would at some point say of you; live!
Broken childhood? Failed business? Shattered marriage? Heartache? Sickness? These are as much under His Sovereign control as His Son’s nail-scarred wrists. Your brokenness was just as necessary. Each failure a display of what your best effort awards you without Him.
You cannot succeed without Him. Your failures afford you the opportunity to grasp this monumental truth. And once truly grasped, do you think it will not have all been worth it? We have spoken about this to you before, but He sees fit to remind you today. The broken ones; the meek ones; the ones who have been humbled, all have one common theme that runs throughout their thought world daily. “He is saving me from myself!” This radical truth, impressed upon you because of your past, should give you great hope and joy for what the future holds. In front of you there exists a new chance loved one; His mercies are new every day.
A man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. (Job 14:5)
A High Calling Indeed
A High Calling Indeed
(#339 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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It is so crucial that the mental picture to imagine is best described as “imminently catastrophic.” It is the idea that any burden you experience first affects you personally, your mind and your loss of peace and joy, rather than how it affects your obedience to Yahweh’s commands. Meditate for a moment on that concept. Now consider this; the very fact that you experience a burden is disobedience itself. And the impending disaster is that you do not see it. It is critical you receive this.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) He has taken your burdens; any you maintain on your own is disobedience. Whether you feel burdened for someone else or yourself, any yoke you attempt to carry is not of Him.
Now consider offenses. Do you experience offense due to your utmost desire to see Yahweh alone magnified, or is it personal? For instance: if your spouse is in an adulterous relationship, who are you burdened for? Is it a personal affront; is it about your spouse; or is it about the righteousness of Yahweh? To settle this matter is detrimental for you to begin developing a steadfast, immovable mind, an unoffendable mind! (Review “Unoffendable”: Suffer Well Devotion #295)
You would do well to consider, and you might just be astounded, how little concern you have that all sinful offences are first a rejection of Yahweh. Instead, if you receive the rejection or offense, it means that you fathom yourself “more worthy” than the offender. Yet, there is only One who is worthy to receive the offense for the Father. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 5:12)! Next time you are tempted to be offended, ask yourself, “Am I offended by this for You Father, or for me?” This is a critical determination to make with every offense. “Is it my personal and self perceived ‘right,’ or is Yahweh alone right?”
And so what happens when you begin this reprogramming process, the shifting of your conscious behaviors? When you consider that He alone has first rights to ALL offenses, and you submit to this hierarchy in stature, you will find that your reward is soothing, peaceful, connected, reverent, silent, and beautiful beyond anything you have ever experienced. No offense loved one. Become unoffendable.
Offenses will come (Matthew 18:7), but you do not have to receive them. I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward the Almighty and men. (Acts 24:16) A high calling indeed loved one, a high calling indeed.