Tag Archives: christian
Lean on It!
Lean on It!
(#307 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the longing [desire] is fulfilled it is a Tree of Life.” (Proverbs 13:12)
In your quest to comprehend the mind of the Messiah in you, discerning the truth of this proverb is pivotal. You must build your hope on a foundation of solid rock. If your hope is built on loose soil, when the rain comes and the water rises, your faith will be uprooted like a weed that clings to dust (Matthew 7:27).
Listen closely loved one; it is mandated that much of what you hope for (righteously desire) involves a time of supernatural testing. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings [mental tribulations and physical hardships], because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope [expectation]. And hope does not disappoint us, because the love of the Mighty One has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5) Tribulations will make you perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4). Knowing this sets your hope on solid ground.
If your ultimate desire is to identify with Yahshua’s words, “Not My will but Your will be done (Luke 22:42),” then you can be certain that all of your hopes are protected by His promises and come with His appointed times for manifestation. Hope will not disappoint. He who makes good promises will also comfort you even when hope seems deferred. “I won’t be long. I won’t cause you to hope and then crush your dreams,” His voice speaks to you. “Simply make sure that your desires are found in Me and your hopes will never be uprooted.”
He won’t crush your hope; He will not disappoint you. The delay is not denial, but merely a further pruning of any unnecessary branches that remain. The Tree of Life is the truth of His Life within you. When He fulfills that which you hope for, your entire being will be like a tree planted by many waters, whose leaf does not wither, nor will it cease from yielding fruit (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8). You will be like an olive tree flourishing amidst His Holy Garden of Love. Wait for it with praise and thanksgiving. When things seem dreary, remind yourself that Abba will not push hope past His empowerment for you to believe. Lean on this truth and thrive, even while the physical world around you may crumble.
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him!” (Job 13:15)
Our Debt to Yeshua
Every Last Penny
(#306 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)
Debt is what one person owes to another, whether money, goods, or services; it is what a person is bound to pay to another, or to perform for his benefit; it is a “thing” owed, an obligation, or a liability. However, on the deepest level, debt is the obligation of a righteous life owed to Yahweh. When you fall short of righteous living you become a debtor to the Almighty.
You can be zealous for Yahweh but not understand the righteousness He requires. You can display ignorance of His righteousness by seeking to establish your own righteousness, instead of submitting to the only true righteousness. The Messiah in you is the only righteousness for everyone who believes (Romans 10:2-4). This is the scriptural pattern of “within and then without.” Anything less than righteous thinking empowered by the Messiah in you is where all debt begins.
Debt has two faces: imposition and neglect. Each of these give us exquisite insight into the metaphysical aspect of what Yahweh truly intended for us to understand about both what was transgressed and what was forgiven. They both begin as mental errors and lead to scarcity thinking, which of course ends in physical poverty.
Imposition is a burden or obligation, oft described as the trespass. It is the heavy weight you carry under the burden of self-righteousness.
Neglect is the duty violated by negligence or carelessness. It is the offspring of the mind which has complete disregard for the truths and commands of Yahweh.
Although the price of “past” debts (mental misgivings and their physical ramifications) is paid through the shed blood of Yahshua the Messiah (redemption), it does not mean that restoration (mental and physical) is not a necessary process (sanctification). Moreover, any continued imposition and neglectfulness, post confession of faith and renewal, speaks volumes to your Redeemer. Why? Because accepting His forgiveness also includes agreeing to be accountable to His standards. Unless, of course, you believe your redeemed state gives you some sort “get out of jail free grace card.” If you habitually minimalize the gravity of your choice to sin, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Romans 5:20),” that’s precisely what you are doing. You are ignoring His commands and the penalty for transgressing them.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (Romans 6:1-2) It starts with the acknowledgment of personal responsibility for imposition and neglect of the standards of Yahweh. Only the fool looks at the torture stake of the Messiah and reckons that continuing sin has no consequence. Anyone who rejected the law of Mosheh died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of the Mighty One underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the shed blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:28-29)
His death settled your debts, and because of His death every debt must be settled. Tread lightly loved one; how can you who have died to sin live in it any longer?
Common Sense
“Common” Sense
(#304 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Common: widely or generally known; found or done often; prevalent; usual; ordinary; familiar; regular; frequent; recurrent; everyday; belonging equally to; or shared alike by, two or more or all in question.
Have you ever had someone tell you to “use common sense?” Perhaps you might inquire of such; “Please, show me how to apply common sense when I am interacting with the Creator of the universe, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine [think] (Ephesians 3:20), a Sovereign whose desire it is to reveal deep mysteries.”
But, on the contrary [to human wisdom], as the Scripture says, “What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart [mind] of man, [all that] the Almighty has prepared [made and keeps ready] for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed].” Yet to us Yahweh has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even unpacking the profound and bottomless things of Yahweh [the heavenly counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny]. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
Do you understand; do you see the depth beyond “common” that awaits you? How does one apply common sense to things beyond asking, beyond imagining, beyond man’s ability to scrutinize? It is the glory of the Almighty to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. (Proverbs 25:2) If you are sons and daughters, the blood of royalty flows in your veins!
Do not misunderstand loved one; common sense is not evil. Practicality it can be as scriptural as prophecy, dreams, and visions. When Yahshua asked His disciples to feed the five thousand, it was for a very common necessity. His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” (Matthew 14:15) And as earthly citizens, their response to Yahshua’s direction was rooted and grounded in common sense. “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” (v. 17) John’s account, however, gives us a glimpse into what Yahshua was teaching about the Kingdom. Speaking about Philip he said, “But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.” (John 6:6) Yahshua knew He was about to show His followers what it meant to bring the common into the Kingdom, in other words, what happens when the Kingdom invades the common.
The problem is that far too often the brand of “common sense” among disciples leaves little room for revelation about the Kingdom. Oswald Chambers taught, “Nothing that Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, but is revelation sense, and is complete, whereas common sense falls short.” We would add to clarify, “Common sense falls short in its usefulness for revelation about things which are beyond asking, imagining, and man’s ability to scrutinize.” That is where the privilege of being royalty grants you the rights to search out the deep things of Yahweh, things beyond common sense. “Who has known the mind of Yahweh so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of the Messiah.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
What is common for the spirit man? These are the ideas that need to be scrutinized. What should be common for His people who are only sojourners on earth (Psalm 39:12), whose actual citizenship is Heaven (Philippians 3:20)? Exodus 23:2 warns that we are not to follow the crowd (the majority). The majority certainly have mindsets that will subject the “beyond” to common sense. Your assignment; search out what should be common for you, a Kingdom citizen. A good start would be to find out what is generally accepted among men, and run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.
Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their own evil heart. (Jeremiah 11:8)
Things Unsaid (The Narrow View)
Things Unsaid (The Narrow View)
(#302 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Therefore, let all Israyl be assured of this: Yahweh has made this Yahshua, whom you impaled, both Master and the Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:36-37)
Master and the Messiah; ruler and savior; king and priest; leader and servant; lion and lamb; what shall you do? You will do what you are called to do; that’s what you’ll do. The Messiah in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), that’s who you’ll be; that’s who you are!
Are you eager to see the fruit? If you have allowed the soil of your heart (mind) to be cultivated, the seeds to be planted into fertile ground, then you are very likely sensing the rain coming, the downpour of the Spirit that is necessary for that seed to crack open (die) and the seedling (new creature) to come forth.
Because of this Suffer Well Devotional, and even more so now as we conclude this short series within, your heart must feel pricked (Acts 2:37), no? It is impossible for His word to return void (Isaiah 55:11)! For the word of the Almighty is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart [mind]. (Hebrews 4:12)
You must certainly have some “attitudes of the heart” that lead to questions:
Q: “If I agree and adhere to the patterns expressed in ‘Things Unsaid,’ and I apply them daily as I seek Yahweh’s will, can I be sure my calling will be revealed?”
A: This is exactly what will transpire! Remember that the patterns are meant to first test you, as testing of your faith produces perseverance. And perseverance will finish the work Yahweh intended in you so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:3-4) The fire, the heat, the stirring, and the pressure, are all sources of spiritual energy used to refine your calling once the dross is removed!
Q: “Why is modern-day Christianity lacking the power promised us?”
A: Ephesians 1:19-20 says we were imbued with the same power that Yahweh used to raise Yahshua from the grave, yet we still act like dirty vessels. We pretend to be “ambassadors” of Yahweh, but do not even understand our own Spiritual potential, our true destiny and calling.
Q: “It seems like I cannot just accept ‘Jesus’ into my old life and use Him as if He’s a type of: super-therapist; corporate trouble shooter; mac daddy marriage counselor; money magnet; luck charm to blow on my dice, so I can win the lottery; faith healer who will dissolve this tumor in my colon; Christian guru, can I?”
A: That is 100% correct! You can’t just paint Yahshua on your old dilapidated barn. He’s not a spray can of Rust-Oleum® who will cover over your rust. If that is what you want, I believe He would call you a “whitewashed tomb” (Matthew 23:27). Instead of covering it up, He came to tear the old barn down. 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. (Romans 6:3-4) Yes, a new life; a new creature, not some better version of the old creature. Yahshua the Messiah was impaled in order to become the author and perfector of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). Whoever wants to be His disciple must deny themselves and take up their stake daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23).
Q: “It’s a little scary to consider that learning about my true individual calling might disrupt all that I have currently attained to in my physical life, for me and my family. How should I process this?”
A: “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39) Is it freedom to satisfy all your carnal desires if you must exchange you soul for them? Having it all and yet bound by the wounds of your mind, will and emotions is not freedom. “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
Q: “If I am truthful within myself, I have to admit that it’s hard to trust Yahweh for all of this. To think that His Son, His prophets, and His chosen ones truly lived by faith and not by physical sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) is a strength I fail to see in myself. What do I do?”
A: Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes. (Luke 10:4) So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:31-34) When you are weak you are strong loved one! His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). Keep admitting, “Of myself I can do nothing.” (John 5:19, 30). Never stop saying that no matter what, and He will do all within you that He predestined for you!
Q: “So what is the master key to all the keys expressed over the last six days?”
A: Brace yourself; pray this and receive! “Yahweh, I believe that You will give me the love that I need to love You and Your will more than anything else in life, and with that my calling, my purpose, and my destiny will be revealed. For in [You] we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) Can you see it loved one? Can you see the intense beauty of all that He has done, and how He has done it? Make it so for us Yahweh, make it so!
But seek first the Kingdom of Yahweh and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Things Unsaid (Five)
Things Unsaid (Five)
(#301 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Individual direction for you personally:
After the earthquake came a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper [a still small voice]. (1 Kings 19:12)
This step in discerning Yahweh’s revelation of your calling is, no doubt, the most difficult to ascertain. Even more than the “what to do,” this part requires obedience plus an understanding of timing, timing that is decided by the Father alone. The call on your life is loud and clear; the voice that is calling, as gentle as a whisper. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) Hearing this still small voice reveals what the Most High has had planned for you from the foundations of the world. “My sheep hear [listen to] My voice; I know them and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) When you follow Him, all things are possible for those who believe (Mark 9:23).
It is also necessary to mention another subtle nuance of receiving direction, and how your choices affect how you hear His voice. “They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have Yahweh speak to us or we will die.'” (Exodus 20:19) This account exhibits how, if you are not willing to come boldly before the Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16), your desire to stay one step removed will be granted by the Father. However, we also know that it is Yahweh’s preference that you hear His voice directly. It is the glory of the Most High to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. (Proverbs 25:2) Never forget; you are a royal (kingly) priest (1 Peter 2:9)! Or, like Esther, you are His queen who just may be predestined to play a major role in the deliverance of His people, if you would be so bold!
“My sheep hear [listen to] My voice.” His voice will be heard by the child who is humbly confident that it is the Mighty One’s desire to speak every single direction He has for the day, and who also humbly waits to hear those directions. This is the single most personal aspect of your faith. You can personally commune with the Creator of Heaven and earth and hear His voice. If you embrace this possibility, as unique as it seems, and you build a strong desire for such in your everyday life, your journey to discovery will be more than you can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
There is one final jewel in understanding “Things Unsaid.” This personal revelation, the most unique part of discovering your calling, can only be trusted if, first, you have submitted to obeying all the patterns. In other words, in order for you to trust that you are getting “individual direction straight from the voice of your Creator,” you must acknowledge that:
1. He makes the riches of His glory known to His objects of mercy by using His objects of wrath;
2. You did not choose Him; He chose you;
3. No weapon forged against you will prevail and Yahweh Himself forms the weapon;
4. Personal priorities get in the way of hearing His answers;
5. Revelation of your personal calling is already in you. The Messiah in you guarantees it;
6. You must receive and apply wisdom and wisdom is learned, earned and discerned;
7. To discern the voice of your Creator, you must:
a. Learn the word of the Most High;
b. Reject human wisdom;
c. Love Yahweh and obey His commands;
d. Understand what the Almighty has freely given you;
e. Put on the mind of the Messiah;
8. Wisdom is discerned for specific times and reasons;
9. Wisdom is unique to each person and each situation;
10. Wisdom denies all personal desire and prefers the greater good of others;
11. Wisdom dies on a stake while completely innocent and forgives those who murder her.
Do these and you can be confident you will hear His voice. Then, no longer can you settle for: “I am not sure why I am here, or what my calling is.” The earth cries out for sons and daughters who operate in the fullness of their calling. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of the Almighty to be revealed. (Romans 8:19) As we all step into our personal callings, we then can establish dominion corporately and bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.
All things are possible for those who believe!
Things Unsaid (Two)
Things Unsaid (Two)
(#298 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The Father’s supernatural use of His “vessels of wrath” to guide you personally:
Yahweh said to Mosheh, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you power to do. But I will harden his heart [mind] so that he will not let My people go.” (Exodus 4:21)
Yahweh called Mosheh for a specific reason, to free His people, and granted him the power to do so. We will call this Yahweh’s wisdom and direction for Mosheh to fulfill his purpose (calling). He tells Mosheh to deliver a message to Pharaoh and then Yahweh hardens Pharaoh’s heart so that he WOULD NOT let the people go. Knowing that this appears absurd to the unredeemed mind, Shaul writes: “What if the Almighty, choosing to show His wrath and make known His power, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath prepared for destruction? What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory…?” (Romans 9:22-23)
The vessel of wrath, in this case Pharaoh, who would ultimately be destroyed, was created to make things difficult for Mosheh. Yahweh’s intention was to make Mosheh (His object of mercy) aware of His glorious calling, and at the same time, to reveal His own glory. In other words, Yahweh used a vessel of wrath to guide Mosheh to his destiny. The pattern is this; the Father inserts objects of wrath into the path of His people to effect a fuller understanding of their calling. The purpose is to alter their course, leading them to discover the vision He has for them.
One of the keys to understanding the process of discovering your personal calling is to recognize how the tests force you to practice rest in the midst of “wrath.” Testing teaches you to fully trust Yahweh’s guidance when unforeseen events take place, even if those events are initiated by those destined for destruction. Once this is affirmed in you, you can testify, “I am always right where I am supposed to be. He will make sure of it. His sovereignty guarantees it.”
Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 18:3) The Kingdom is meant to be understood by children. The reality that Yahweh is sovereign over all is more easily accepted by a child. That He is sovereign over both the chosen and the unchosen is ONLY accepted by a child! You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you. (John 15:16)
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of Yahweh, and this is their vindication from Me, declares Yahweh.” (Isayah 54:17) The weapon will not prevail; you will overcome it. Nevertheless, this does not negate the fact that it is Yahweh Himself who formed it. “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc.” (Isayah 54:16)
The vessel of wrath is His tool to test His chosen ones; it is His way of making the riches of His glory known.
So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isayah 55:11)
The vessel of wrath is His tool to test His chosen ones; it is His way of making the riches of His glory known. Listen very closely loved one. If you reject and resist the oppressive force of the weapon that was meant to test and refine you, then you are rejecting the sovereignty of Yahweh and the predetermined plan that He chose for you specifically, in order to bring you into your personal calling. If the weapon brings suffering, then suffer well, endure, and step in to your calling!
Things Unsaid (One)
Things Unsaid (One)
(#297 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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It is time to unlock the revelatory calling in your life; it is a supernatural gift. But in order to fine tune your narrow path, we must initially take a broad view. It is essential that you first remember that the totality of Yahweh’s commands apply universally. In other words, the commandments are not for personal interpretation, the entire body (congregating thoughts) is called to obey because the Law expresses the superior will of Yahweh (Romans 2:17-18).
Once you come into alignment with that, it’s then time to get personal; “The commandments do not tell me anything specific about my calling. So, what part of the body am I; and how do I know?” It is a common perplexity faced by those who do not recognize scriptural patterns, those missing some keys to the Kingdom. Let’s call those missing keys “things unsaid.” They unlock doorways to your very personal calling. Scripturally, you might call them the backstory. Let us demonstrate this by encapsulating a well-known scriptural narrative.
The central figure is David, the man after Yahweh’s own heart. The story can be found in 2 Samuel 7, his vision to build a temple made of cedar for Yahweh. It’s a detailed story with countless allusions and lessons, but for our purpose we will keep it pointed. David declares his disdain for the tent that he has placed the Ark of the Covenant in and his subsequent desire to put the Ark in a “house of cedar.” Let us remind you that it was David’s choice to put the Ark in a tent in the courtyard of his palace in Jerusalem, instead of putting it back in the Tabernacle Mosheh built, which was still standing in Gibeon.
This should be your first hint that something is either very wrong or that David knows something we don’t. And that is the key (pattern) we want you to recognize. There is no record anywhere that Yahweh had ever told man that His plan was to move the Ark from a tent of curtains to a house of cedar. Yet, we know from Yahweh’s response that it was the exact vision that He wanted David to capture, and He blessed David and his progeny for his faithfulness. What we don’t see is all the asking, seeking, and knocking (Luke 11:9-10); all the spiritual tenacity of not letting go (Genesis 32:26); and the spiritual violence (Matthew 11:12) it took for David to discern the heart of Yahweh and find the vision He had for him, in order for him to advance His Kingdom. He was after all, a man after Yahweh’s heart. And this is precisely what He has for you, a vision you are supposed to seek after, one that He predestined for you as your contribution in building His Kingdom (Romans 8:28-29).
Over the next four days we will define specific patterns which will lead to the greatest of all earthly pleasures, knowing your Creator better and discovering why you exist for Him:
1. The Father’s supernatural use of His “vessels of wrath” to guide you personally;
2. A simple look at the life, and not just the words, of men like
Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Israyl, Kepha (Peter), Shaul, or Yahshua Himself;
3. Individual wisdom (insight, revelation) for you;
4. Individual direction for you personally.
We will take each of these, one at a time, and you will step into the purpose He predestined for you. For today, we ask that you till (mentally prepare) the soil (ability to receive) of your heart (center of intellect) (Hosea 10:12, Jeremiah 4:3-4), and ask Yahweh, even now, to reveal and overcome any carnally-based perspective that has held you back. Come wanting to listen and hear. Till the soil today and be ready to plant the seeds of His love deep into your consciousness. Up and away loved one, to the highest of heights (the mind of the Messiah).
With Yahweh You are Never Lost
Lost?
(#296 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“From one man He made every nation of men, so they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” (Acts 17:26)
Have you ever said, or heard someone say, “I feel lost?” And we don’t mean in regards to longitude and latitude, but in vision, purpose and direction. Today is your day to step into your inheritance, to acknowledge that you have already been released into your destiny. In the Messiah Yahshua, you who once were far off [at a distance, far away, remote, alien] have been brought near by the blood [having been shed] of the Messiah. (Ephesians 2:13) Your destiny has been ordained by Yahweh. Put off the old man (Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22) and never look back, “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Philippians 3:13)
All that awaits those who look back is salt (Genesis 19:26). The “salt” of bitterness, regret, and shame, is all that is available if you do not “forget those things which are behind.” Instead of clear vison, purpose, and direction, you will feel lost. Have you sung, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; I once was lost, but now I’m found,” only to have your life truly sing, “And now I feel lost again?” Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. (James 3:11-12) Found yet lost again? This ought not to be so! (v. 10)
But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22) There are several things you can do to guard against this mental relapse:
Choose Facts over Feelings: First, you must decide to live in what is known and not what is felt. Fact: He determined the times set for you and the exact places where you should live. How you feel about something may not always jive with His truth; in that case your feelings MUST acquiesce to the facts. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares Yahweh, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) How then can you be “lost?” It’s not possible loved one, other than you giving more weight to your feelings than His promises.
Grow up: Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? (Isaiah 28:9) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of the Almighty; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (Hebrews 5:12) It is time to grow up; time for some solid food! For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of mature. (Hebrews 5:13-14a)
Transform Your Mind: Digest this; what the Father says is true for all time! You can, and must bet your life on it. Transforming your mind (heart) is a process that must start now. The mature thinker has their “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14b) and concludes: “I feel lost but I know it is not possible because my life is in His hands.” This type of thinking is an indication of a transformation taking place; it is the “renewing” of your mind. (Romans 12:2) A mind that can digest “solid food” will deny all that opposes His word, no matter how it feels.
The complete transformation of every thought that does not conform to the mind of Yahweh is victoriously within your grasp. It is not as difficult as you might think; it’s as simple as a choosing what He says over what you feel. You are never lost loved one, only choosing to feel that way.
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
Unoffendable
Unoffendable
(#295 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Great peace have they who love Your Law, and nothing will offend them [cause them to stumble; trap them].” (Psalm 119:165)
Imagine this offer for a moment. It is yet another supernatural exchange that comes through the obedient mindset. Love His Law and nothing will offend you! Love His precepts, instructions, commands, and testimonies. (Read all 176 verses of Psalm 119). Love His word and your mind will never stumble; obey His ways and you will always have poise and balance.
Yahshua said to His disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses [things that challenge people to stumble] should come… (Luke 17:1) Offenses will come! Those irritations that entice you to blow your witness; those annoyances that lure you to stagger are a certainty; it’s your reaction that is optional. Offense is best described by the imagery used in the original language. It is a snare or the trigger of a trap; the mechanism closing a trap down on the unsuspecting victim. Wait a minute! When you are offended it is you who are trapped? Precisely!
You need not be an unsuspecting victim. Lay claim to this promise; “For Yahweh Almighty will help me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.” (Isaiah 50:7). Of course it sounds wonderful, but many times it seems impossible for those who might have actually pondered this heavenly offer. And so what about this “exchange” that has been offered? Under what circumstance can you make such a bold claim; “He will help me; I will not be ashamed?” Profoundly, it is quite simple. “Yahweh Almighty has opened my ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away.” (v. 5) He speaks and you obey; it’s that simple!
Here are several steps you can practice. Repeat these over and over to become unoffendable. And then teach them to others:
Step one: Remember the goal; it is wise to recognize the fruit you are plucking. The fruit of the Spirit is…Peace. (Galatians 5:22) “Great peace have they who…” and then nothing will offend;
Step two: Love His Law; “Great peace have they who…love His Law.” This is the key that unlocks the fruit. The Law is the blueprint of the mind of Yahweh; it is the key that opens the door to the mind that cannot be offended. Oh, how I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day; I hate the double-minded, but I love Your law. (Psalm 119: 97, 113);
Step three: Obey His Law; it reveals the will of Yahweh. “You rest on the Law, and make your boast in the Almighty, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent [superior], being instructed out of the Law.” (Romans 2:17-18) Desiring His will changes what you ask of Him; He alone becomes your fulfillment. “Yahweh, help me to love You more than anything. I delight to do Your will, O my Mighty One; yes, Your Law is within my heart,” (Psalm 40:8) becomes your prayer. This cry that pours forth from the obedient heart is the culmination of a surrendered will. As Yahweh becomes your everything, everything becomes yours. Loved one, when you own everything, what could possibly offend you?
Step four: Love like Him; Love is the fruit of an obedient mind, which is no longer “double-minded” but “double-edged;” no longer capable of simultaneously producing thoughts of blessings and curses (holding offense). Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? (James 3:11) The fruit of the Spirit is…Love. (Galatians 5:22)
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my Mighty One, in whom I trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers. And under His wings you shall take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and fortress. (Psalm 91:1-4)
When He is all you need, you fulfill the command “I shall not want,” and no snare will ever trap you again!
Fruit of the Spirit
Officious People
(#291 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Officious: assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters; intrusively enthusiastic in offering help or advice; interfering; self-important; self-assertive; overbearing; overzealous; opinionated; intrusive; meddlesome
You know the kind, those who have a strong need to be right, rather than to benefit their listeners, or should we say, “Targets.” They will say their zeal is all about “spreading the truth.” But, the fact is that their “strong need” is rooted in insecurity and unworthiness, not truth. There are many people like this. This might even be you. There is transformation waiting for those vulnerable enough to look in the mirror, those willing to go there.
How can the bearer of truth be distinguished from the one trying to compensate for feelings of insecurity and unworthiness? It’s simple; first look for the peace. Truth is always accompanied by peace. In other words, if one is blessed with deep insights about the Kingdom of Yahweh, then joy, gentleness, calmness, composure, and peace that surpasses understanding will prevail in his heart [mind] (Philippians 4:4-7).
Within that peaceful state, the one who stewards the truth recognizes that he is nothing more than a farmer sowing seeds. He recognizes that he plants and the Almighty brings the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6) The response of the “ground” is not up to him. The Messiah was crucified for the seeds He planted; yes, very often truth and rejection go hand-in-hand!
Even so, truth is never accompanied by an overbearing spirit that insists on its own way. Remember, love does not seek its own (1 Corinthians 13:5). Yes, love, as well, is always present with truth. The bearer of truth loves anyway, even when rejection and hostility come as the blowback from proclaiming Yahweh’s reality. How would truth respond to such an attack? “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
As for the roots of insecurity and unworthiness, they will slowly dissolve over time as insistence gives way to humility and as identification with the “old man” gives way to the “new creature in the Messiah” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22-24). Humility is another characteristic that is always present with truth. As you become humble, Yahweh is magnified. He must increase, and you must decrease. (John 3:30) As you become lesser, Yahweh becomes greater in you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Master, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10). When you accept that lesser is greater, the transformation will heal your desire to become everybody’s everything. You will become peaceful, quiet, and content being yourself. How do we know all of this? We’ll let you guess.
Peace, unfailing love, and humility are all integral characteristics of Yahweh’s truth; they bear His signature. But, none have a place in the “gospel” of officious people.