Who’s Judging Who

Who’s Judging Who?

(#012 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Oh My children, if you would only judge yourselves honestly as did Shaul (Paul), your contentions would not exist. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Master who judges me. (1 Corinthians 4:3-4) You see, he was not saying he did not judge himself, as evidenced by his very next words; “My conscience is clear.” He was simply stating that the outcome of his self-assessment left nothing to be judged. I call you to rightly judge yourself, or you will be judged by Me and others. “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.” (1 Corinthians 11:31)

If it becomes necessary that you be judge by others, it is the weak child who misrepresents a rebuke done in love. Have I not given you permission to tend to one another? What business is it of mine to judge those outside the congregation? Are you not to judge those inside? The Almighty will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13) Have I not allowed for the removal of one who calls himself a brother, yet disavows rebuke and good counsel? If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the congregation; and if they refuse to listen even to the congregation, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:17) Such a man is to be removed from the presence of My body.

Yet, it remains important to differentiate between a rebuke done in love and fleshly judgment. A rebuke, My child, is always intended to be done in love, and is to benefit not only the one being rebuked, but the one bringing the rebuke, as well as the entire congregation. It is for Divine correction and all of My people need it. Fleshly judgment involves condemnation which is never from or inspired by Me (Romans 8:1).

Many of My sheep tend to call open rebukes, judgments. This is especially common from the one receiving the rebuke. I will not let you get away with it. A wise man heeds rebukes and it brings life to his soul. A fool scoffs at a proper rebuke, calling it judgment. (Read all of Proverbs 13) I will discipline such folly. Also, when you claim someone is judging you and they have not done so or intended to do so, it is a sin unto yourself. Take the rebuke My child; humility is My way. It is how I shall prosper you. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. (Proverbs 15:31)

And finally, beware beloved, for if you judge someone else, you have no excuse for it. When you judge another person, you are judging yourself [saying you have already determined your conscience is clear- 1 Corinthians 4:4]. You do the same things you blame others for doing. We know that when the Almighty judges those who do evil things, he judges fairly. Though you are only a human being, you judge others. But you yourself do the same things. So how do you think you will escape when the Almighty judges you? (Romans 2:1-3)

False Peace: A Heavenly Perspective

False Peace: A Heavenly Perspective

(#009 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Your little carnal comforts,

They seem to make you smile.

“Check it out, smell the leather,

I’ll drive it for a while.”

Manicured yard, three-car garage,

Your square feet under air!

“Pop the bottle, twist the cap,

I haven’t got a care.”

Your little carnal comforts,

They seem to give you peace.

“Check it out, feel the paint,

I got it on a lease!”

Dare you attempt to find peace in another, peace in objects? I know what you dream about. I know what brings you “peace.” I have asked you to deny yourself (Luke 9:23). Yet, you continue to indulge. How long do you think your objects of desire can compete with My infectious touch? Yes, My love is infectious, but so is My heavenly chastening.

I see how concerned you are about your bank account. I see you check the numbers often. I too do accounting. My Son paid a hefty price with His shed blood, and He has debtors. Do not misunderstand loved one, it is not your redemption that I Am talking about here; that cost Him everything and you nothing. It is the life you live because of it, your discipleship, which I speak of today (Luke 14:25-33). Consider this; do your desires manifest from fear and trembling, in other words reverence and righteous awe (Philippians 2:12; Psalm 2:11), or is that which is carnal still causing your dis–ease, your tendency to search outside of Me for your pleasure and comfort? Did you forget that I Am the One who gives and takes away (Job 1:21)?

May I ask you how much My Son’s death is worth to you? He is here at My right hand, seated high above all things, and He is watching (Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 8:1). He says, “I see everything that gives your heart more pleasure than what you derive from our Father’s presence. I see all things that please you more than the life I gave for you. I see all of your objects of worship. And I weep for you.”

There are many things for you to enjoy loved one. But I demand the proper order of your worship. Your false peace will be revealed to you with or without your consent. Do you have the courage to join this heavenly dance before being forced (Philippians 2:10)? The work I have started in you will be completed. I gave you My word (Philippians 1:6). Listen and obey My Son’s words as recorded by My servant Matthew (Mattityahu in Hebrew – the gift of Yahweh). But, seek first the Kingdom of the Mighty One and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) This is the only way. It will not change. Walk in it!

Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (Psalm 2:11)

Faith by Hearing; A Heavenly Perspective

Faith by Hearing; A Heavenly Perspective

(#008 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“So then faith comes by hearing, and by hearing I mean hearing My word.” (Romans 10:17)

How can you trust if you don’t know what I have said? How can you rely on promises when you have not heard them? Faith comes by hearing My word. I speak to you as My own child because My children hear my voice (John 10:27); they understand My principles, which are always repeated in patterns.

Your heart (center of intellect) wants only to receive My promises, My blessings. If you liken My commands to a list of chores, then My promises are the rewards for doing those chores. In order to receive the rewards from doing the chores, it stands to reason that you must first know what the chores are. Can you recognize the principle here and pattern in which it repeats?

The principle: The principle is knowing My living and active word; My word is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) I have magnified My word even above My Name. (Psalm 138:2)

The Pattern: When you magnify My word, make it supreme in your life, you will be inspired to obey Me; and obedience always brings blessings. “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey My voice, to observe carefully all My commandments which I command you today, I will set you high above all nations of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 28:1) You obey Me; I bless you!

When you become a child of the Most High, it is My heart (mind) that is placed in you (Ezekiel 36:26). And I have many revelations waiting for you loved one, but they will only be revealed to your heart in proportion to your effort.

Effort: Your purposeful intent to know My word and to follow it. No worries if you feel inadequate, My grace is sufficient and in your weakness I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). It is the thoughts and intents of the heart that I am discerning.

And finally, “My word is living” therefore, do not think it will reveal the same things to you next month or next year as it does today. You are being transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). You will grow in My word precept upon precept and line upon line (Isaiah 28:13). If you are My child, I will take the lead in raising you; however you are still responsible to make the effort. If you need help simply ask.

My word builds faith. There is no other way. Do what you must, for the days are short. I know this will help. I love you. I want you to know Me. I want you to increase your faith and therefore increase your blessing. Come to Me child; not because I have the answer to everything, but because I Am the answer to everything. Faith by hearing, this is My Heavenly Perspective.

Forget the former things. Stop Dwelling.

Dwelling

(#007 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I Am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

He opens up new paths in the wilderness; even in a desolate place you will find streams of living water. This is because; even in His chastisement He is tender. He does not destroy His children (Psalm 78:38).

Yahweh was well aware of the things that would bind you. Look carefully lest you fall short of the grace of the Mighty One; lest any root of bitterness springing up in you and cause trouble, and by this even many others become defiled. (Hebrews 12:15) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. It only causes trouble. Dwelling on the past forms shackles that bind you; looking back nourishes roots that will grow the fruit of guilt, shame, unworthiness, greed, pride, and arrogance; anything but streams of living water.

“Behold, I Am doing a new thing!” says Yahweh. Not believing Me is what waters the bitter root. May I encounter you? May I take away the shackles in your mind? May I give you the mind of the Messiah (1 Corinthians 2:16)? Put aside emotion and listen to My voice. If I tell you I Am doing something new, I Am. I use all of your pain, all of your mistakes, and all of your disobedience to advance My Kingdom. If I wished not to use those fleshly things, I would have made you a spirit being entirely, like My mighty malachim (angels). Instead, I left you in the flesh so you would learn to fight for spiritual territory; My Kingdom suffers violence and violent men take it by force (Matthew11:12). It is My plan that you battle for righteousness.

Forget the former things; My mercies are new every day. (Lamentations 3:23) Even now, as you dwell on painful memories, release them into My care. My Son’s shed blood covers them all. I don’t mind your regret; reverent sorrow brings repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). But go no further than that; the rest is up to Me! Behold, I Am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?

No Enemies

The greatest thing man has ever done is being beaten and put to death but at the same time being at peace with the situation. Yeshua express true love for his enemies when he asked the father to forgive them for beating and killing him. This devotional today is a very helpful reminder of the importance of following Yahweh’s Torah and the shalom it brings.

No Enemies

(#006 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

“When a man’s ways please Yahweh, He will make even his enemies at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)

If you have children, ask them to read this scripture. Then, ask them this question. How will you know if your ways are pleasing to Yahweh? The beauty here is that you actually don’t need a child to answer the question. You simply need to change and become like a child to grasp this Kingdom principle. (Matthew 18:3)

Yes, this is a good litmus test indeed. It is also a noble pursuit. Living at peace with all men will result from a life that is pleasing to Yahweh. And if you take delight in Him (Psalms 37:4), the desire of your heart will be to have your enemies at peace with you. Think about it. Yahshua taught, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:44-45) It even pleases Yahweh to be at peace with His enemies.

His command is to love your enemy. Woe to any man who convinces himself otherwise. Your strength cannot make an enemy flee; only your obedience can. You love them; He guards you. You praise Him; He removes them from your midst. You endure; He gives you strength. You submit to Him; He lifts you up. These are immutable patterns. Sing aloud; “The battle belongs to Yahweh.” (1 Samuel 17:47) Make your ways pleasing to Yahweh and even your enemies will be at peace with you!

As we progressively unfold the patterns of the perfected mind, you will begin to recognize them and even seek them. As you adhere to them, you will find that they produce good fruit every time. You do what He says; you reap the blessings He promises. At last, you will testify, “It was so easy once I applied His ways to every situation.” Enjoy His instructions; they were created just for you. Obey them and even your enemies will be at peace with you. You have His word.

When I am week HE is Strong

My Little Ones

(#002 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Protect their little hearts,

that innocence remain.

All that have betrayed us,

that they not feel the pain.

Infusions of love and peace,

their hearts feel no strain.

These are my little ones,

My hope. My daughters. My sons.

Fiercely I protect them,

with prayers and supplication.

I set them in Your palm,

their ministers stand nearby.

Not one hair missing, no tears in their eyes.

Protect there little hearts,

that innocence remain.

All those that have betrayed us,

that they not feel the pain.

It is in the weakness you are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). You must, however, give praise in this. Giving in is not an option; rejoicing is commanded. Fall into His hands if you must fall, but know it is into His hands, and in this rejoice. It’s surrendering to Him that brings joy in the morning (Psalm 30:5). He does not need you to set the direction. He does not want you to set the direction. Fall into His hands; rest in His hands, as He takes you where you are going. Sing a song of praise as He carries you to His destiny. You are strong when you are weak; the weakness nurtures humility and a contrite heart. This He Divinely inspires and requires. This is His way; walk in it.

My sacrifice, O Mighty One, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, Almighty, will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

Take Me There

As we get by in life we have to understand one of the greatest blessings our Creator gives is Shalom, peace. We need to ask him to Take Us There

Suffer Well Devotional Series
www.Sufferwell.org Father,
please take me there.

Take Me There

(#005 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

Father, please take me there.

Will I always just be hanging on Father, like a man gritting his teeth, waiting for a final decision? If I am victorious in Yahshua the Messiah, why do I feel as if I am falling? My only hope is that You will be there to catch me. If You left Your peace with me (John 14:27), then why am I still searching for it? Abba, what is this peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)?

I have given my will over to You and continuously press hard to never take it back. I desire only Your presence in the broken places. Father, will I always have to fight like this? Your promise is clear; “Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” (Psalm 37:7) Why, then, do I struggle to find this rest? How can I claim the victory before the battle has begun? Let me hear Your voice; “Go, for I have given them into your hands?” (Joshua 10:8)

Even as the death of everything I have ever known stares me in the face, may I see what You see for me? I surrender all to You, even the unwilling parts. Take them anyway. I need Your peace and joy instead Father. May I move past constantly crying out for peace into the peace itself? You tell me it’s mine, please show me how to turn the key and walk through the doorway into peace. As I acknowledge my depravity, let the Spiritual abundance come! If I must fall, let me fall into the arms of the author and perfector of my faith (Hebrews 12:2).

O my Mighty One, my soul is cast down within me;

Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,

And from the heights of Hermon,

From the Hill Mizar.

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;

All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

Yahweh will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,

And in the night His song shall be with me—

A prayer to the Mighty One of my life.

(Psalm 42:6-8)

Father, please take me there.

Hearing The Voice of Our True God Yahweh

Merciful One

Merciful One from the Suffer Well Devotional Series) Here is the link to the video on Mercy by Carols Perdomo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLxlN… Yet He was merciful; He forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time, He restrained His anger and did not stir up His full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return. (Psalm 78:38) It is because of My love for you that I grieve over you. You see, your anger manifests from selfish desire, whereas Mine rises in desiring for you. Have I not said all that I have done is good? (Genesis 1:31; Romans 8:28) Every time you walk away from My Garden of love, My only choice is to watch, as My children walk into pain. My anger is kindled as you walk away from all of the blessings I have for you. Do I raise cursed children? Oh how you need to long to know Me better. My ways, unlike yours, are always directed towards goodness. How many times would you watch a young child slam her head into a wall, after explaining to her why it will only hurt her? What bothers you most about a scenario as this? Of course, it is the pain you see the young girl putting herself through. After a bit, it causes you to stop her against her will. Yes My child, this is what burdens Me about My children. The constant desire to add pain to the life I have provided for you. Yes, now you see. Obedience to Me is mandatory, however, only so I can bless you more. I am Abba Father, and I know better than you.

Esther 2

Esther 2

Esther Becomes Queen

1 But after Xerxes’ anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made. ² So his personal attendants suggested, “Let us search the empire to find beautiful young virgins for the king. ³ Let the king appoint agents in each province to bring these beautiful young women into the royal harem at the fortress of Susa. Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, will see that they are all given beauty treatments. ⁴ After that, the young woman who most pleases the king will be made queen instead of Vashti.” This advice was very appealing to the king, so he put the plan into effect.

⁵ At that time there was a Jewish man in the fortress of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair. He was from the tribe of Benjamin and was a descendant of Kish and Shimei. ⁶ His family^[a] had been among those who, with King Jehoiachin^[b] of Judah, had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. ⁷ This man had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter.

⁸ As a result of the king’s decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the king’s harem at the fortress of Susa and placed in Hegai’s care. ⁹ Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments. He also assigned her seven maids specially chosen from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.

¹⁰ Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had directed her not to do so. ¹¹ Every day Mordecai would take a walk near the courtyard of the harem to find out about Esther and what was happening to her.

¹² Before each young woman was taken to the king’s bed, she was given the prescribed twelve months of beauty treatments—six months with oil of myrrh, followed by six months with special perfumes and ointments. ¹³ When it was time for her to go to the king’s palace, she was given her choice of whatever clothing or jewelry she wanted to take from the harem. ¹⁴ That evening she was taken to the king’s private rooms, and the next morning she was brought to the second harem,^[c] where the king’s wives lived. There she would be under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would never go to the king again unless he had especially enjoyed her and requested her by name.

¹⁵ Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who was Mordecai’s uncle. (Mordecai had adopted his younger cousin Esther.) When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her.

¹⁶ Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter^[d] of the seventh year of his reign. ¹⁷ And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. ¹⁸ To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.

¹⁹ Even after all the young women had been transferred to the second harem^[e] and Mordecai had become a palace official,^[f] 20 Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home.

Mordecai’s Loyalty to the King

²¹ One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthana^[g] and Teresh—who were guards at the door of the king’s private quarters—became angry at King Xerxes and plotted to assassinate him. ²² But Mordecai heard about the plot and gave the information to Queen Esther. She then told the king about it and gave Mordecai credit for the report. ²³ When an investigation was made and Mordecai’s story was found to be true, the two men were impaled on a sharpened pole. This was all recorded in The Book of the History of King Xerxes’ Reign.