Tag Archives: Christianity
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.
If you want your Prayers Heard, Give Reverence to Yahweh
If you want your Prayers Heard, Give Reverence to Yahweh
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
No other Name
No Other Name
(#357 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Who has ascended into Heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name, and what is His Son’s Name, if you know? (Proverbs 30:4)
“I Am Yahweh, your Mighty One, the Holy One of Israyl, your Savior.” (Isayah 43:3) Many claim to know Me, to worship Me, to serve Me, and to love Me, yet they do not know My Name. This is a grave deception which must come to an end. “Thus you shall say to the children of Israyl: Yahweh the Mighty One of your fathers, the Mighty One of Abraham, the Mighty One of Isaac, and the Mighty One of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My Name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.” (Exodus 3:15)
Yet, those who call themselves My children do not know, or fail to use, My Name. I Am exposing your negligence, not to condemn you (Romans 8:1), but to chasten you, because I discipline the one I love, and I chasten everyone I accept as My son [the son I delight in] (Hebrews 12:6 from Proverbs 3:12). I do this to begin the healing, which comes by knowing My Name. For I Am Yahweh who heals you (Exodus 15:26); and for you who revere My Name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. (Malachi 4:2)
You cannot revere and reverence My Name without knowing and using My Name!
o Then men began to call on [worship] Yahweh by Name. (Genesis 4:26)
o And Moses built an altar and called its Name, Yahweh-Is-My-Banner. (Exodus 17:15)
o And those who know Your Name will put their trust in You; for You, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:10)
o That they may know that You, whose Name alone is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:18)
o I Am Yahweh, that is My Name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images. (Isaiah 42:8)
o In His days Judah will be saved, and Israyl will dwell safely; now this is His Name by which He will be called: Yahweh our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6)
o For “whoever calls on the Name of Yahweh shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13 and Acts 2:21 from Joel 2:32)
To our loved brothers and sisters in the faith, it is time to put aside your generic pagan titles: “Lord, God, Adonai, and Elohim”. Research on the origins of such titles will clearly reveal the worship of Baal and the history of Canaanite and Phoenician idols. Would the Holy One of Israyl ever refer to Himself in such ways? Of course not; it is man who does such things and He will not endure this forever!
o Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My Name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My Name for the worship of Baal. (Jeremiah 23:26-27)
o And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If Yahweh is the Mighty One, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21)
o For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals, and they shall be remembered by their name no more. (Hosea 2:17)
How often you have called out to such! These titles have always been for idols alone and have no power, so why have you adopted them? There is, however, power in My name! (1 Kings 18) Is it, therefore, not wisdom to call Me by My name if you desire to access My power? I Am Yahweh and My Son, Yahshua, also bears My Name. Yahshua means “Yahweh saves”, or “Yahweh is salvation”. And whatever you ask in His Name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in His Name, I will do it (John 14:13-14). What is My name, and what is My Son’s Name, if you know? There is no other Name on earth by which your mind can be saved (Acts 4:12)! For “whoever calls on the Name of Yahweh shall be saved.”
Listen very closely to the words of our Messiah loved one. Listen to what He declares about the Name: “I have come in my Father’s Name [Yahweh is salvation], and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name [pagan titles], him you will receive.” (John 5:43)
Now that you know, speak My Name as you seek Me. Change your ways and bring Me honor. I Am Yahweh, your Mighty One, the Holy One of Israyl, your Savior.
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)
Not One Step More
Not One Step More
(#350 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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From that time Yahshua began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. (Matthew 16:21) As it was with Yahshua the Messiah, so it is with you. The Father has determined the number of a man’s days; He has decreed the number of his months and has set limits to his life that he cannot exceed (Job 14:5).
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-30)
Yahweh has dominion over every life. This is an unchangeable pattern. It is not just that He has determined your beginning and your end, but He has orchestrated all the in-betweens. It takes serious spiritual meditation to even consider, let alone grasp, the reality that every single aspect of your life was pre-approved before you were physically created. You might readily declare your great appreciation for the Father’s sovereignty in Yahshua’s life, “that He must go to Jerusalem to suffer…” Or, even your appreciation that not even a “tiny bird could fall to the ground apart from the Father’s will.” But, is there still a disconnect, a glazed over denial that the same is true when it comes to Yahweh’s sovereignty in your own life? He created you for a distinct purpose and when that purpose is complete, you will be “finished.” Yahshua knew of such intimacy.
Can you imagine a life so intimately connected to the Father, that when His purpose in your life is fulfilled, you would declare, “It is finished [fulfilled, completed]!” (John 19:30) Yes, Yahshua knew of such intimacy. This intimacy was born from His continual meditation; “Not My will! Not My will! Not My will.” This guaranteed that only His Father’s will (Yahweh’s thoughts and ideas) would have status within His mind, and on these alone would He act. “I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19) “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:49)
And finally, there is a powerful tool that Yahshua depended on often. He would withdraw to desolate [solitary] places to pray (Luke 5:16). And what He would do there is wait; He never acted on His own. He would wait until He heard the Father’s voice; and He would walk as the Father spoke, and if the Father was silent He would not take one step more. The Son can do nothing of Himself. Can you?
Our soul waits for Yahweh;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart [center of intellect] shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy Name.
Let Your mercy, O Yahweh, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
(Psalm 33:20-22)
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?
Prophets Don’t Know
Prophets Don’t Know
(#345 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The prophets of old share a common distinction. They were all spokesmen of Yahweh, called for specific works. Yahweh, who knows the end from the beginning, inspired the prophets to speak specific words, the words of His heart. Some prophets were inside, calling the people to go out with them; some were already outside, calling the people to come out. The common distinction was that they all had a word from Yahweh with specific intent; it was to take the chosen people away from where they were to where they were supposed to be. Very often they were words of warning, exhorting the people to repentance. In other words, they called the people to move away from sin and toward righteousness, to go back to Yahweh. Prophets warn the people and later remind the people that they were warned. This leaves no room for excuses!
The personification of the exemplary prophetic calling is found in the life of Yahshua the Messiah. He was perfected through suffering (Hebrews 5:8) and became obedient unto death (Philippians 2:8). He stayed in perfect alignment with the will of the Father by always forsaking His own. He would only do what He saw His Father do (John 5:19) and only speak what He heard His Father say (John 12:49). This brought perfect clarity to every word and absolute reassurance that every word He spoke would produce exactly what His Father desired.
“Do you think I cannot call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of Malakim? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:53-54) This would have certainly been easier for Yahshua. However, the perfect prophet’s call is the antithesis of self-actualization, the opposite of the desire for self-fulfillment. He did not call down protection because He would not speak or do anything but the will of His Father. This is the recipe for sinlessness, the perfect prophet!
Today, a key is handed to you. Yahshua the Messiah is the model of a prophet in His completeness. All others have something in common; they were incomplete. And they would never claim to be prophets loved one. They would be extremely nervous about the task, always measured, and never self-assured. They would never feel adequate unto themselves, oh so very humble. A quiet, humble spirit in them would prevail. “How could I possibly be capable of delivering His words?” Humility is the key. It activates the power of Yahweh. Never let it go.
What prophets do we have with us today? Are you a prophet? How many self-proclaimed prophets actually lead the sheep away from the Father’s will, teach against His commandments? How many would prefer you hear their voices over His? A word of Yahweh to these false prophets; “They shall be put out of your midst.” (Deuteronomy 13:1-5)
But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (Matthew 13:16-17)
Listen closely loved one. We are in the last season of earth as we know it. Rest assured that the very ones who fall under the title “false prophet” will be loud, boisterous, and certainly “self” assured. They will have no problem declaring, “I am a prophet of God!” This, itself, is your internal red flag, and your inner assurance that they are not to be heeded. True prophets never need to declare that they are prophets. Be blessed, for your eyes see and your ears hear.