Tag Archives: Christianity
Daily Morning Prayer by Torah Life Ministries
Download a copy of this prayer at this link:
http://torahlifeministries.org/daily-prayers/
Here is the prayer I do daily every morning
narrated by Gerry Conway
www.gerryconway.com
Flattering God Vs Praising God
Oh Shepherds
(#203 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill. And My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them. (Ezekiel 34:6)
You build and build, seeking to expand. You have convinced yourself that the number of people (How many fill the building?) is indicative of My blessing. When did I ask you to do a census? My work is done in the wilderness; you desire plush carpets and air conditioning. Oh that I could get you to willingly focus on the power and not the position. The power I speak of is not what humans perceive. Shaul understood: “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of the Mighty One.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)
My power births forth from the valley (the place of the broken ego). “[Shaul] was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” (1 Corinthians 2:3) You seek to impress; I seek to restore. Is it you who saves? Do any of your efforts lead to salvation? No I say! You merely point to My Son, My salvation. I don’t need your agendas, your timelines, your festivals, or your traditions. I look and seek out the broken hearts (minds) (Psalm 34:18). My ministry is done in the valleys; yet you desire plush accommodation. Those I seek are in captivity, while yours dress for pomp and position.
You profess to search for the lost. Where is your prison ministry? Where are your homeless shelters? Oh Yes, I know, “I tithe to those ministries,” you tell others. Where is your pure religion, shepherds? (James 1:27)
When the buildings decay and agendas are disrupted, what is left of you? You were meant to build leaders, yet you have nothing but followers. Sheep guiding sheep; have you forgotten My decree that blind men lead blind men into pits? (Luke 6:39) Where are the real shepherds? Where are the ones who truly consider others better than themselves? Who will mimic My Son? Who will die for the benefit of others? You can barely handle doctrinal disagreements; how will you love your betrayers? How will you love those who spit upon you?
I Am looking for the shepherds, true shepherds for the Exodus to come. Who will join Me? Therefore, if there is any encouragement in the Messiah, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, one in being and of purpose, doing none at all through selfishness or self-conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each one should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-4)
Oh that these words would pierce you!
Help others with humility and meekness
Mind Load 1
(#201 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Brothers, if a man is indeed overtaken in some sin, you who are spiritual restore him in a spirit of humility [gentleness], considering yourself [your own shortcomings] lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s trials and burdens and so fulfill the Laws of [Yahweh] through the Messiah. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each person examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Each man shall bear his own load.” (Galatians 6:1-5)
Of course, the fruit of obedience to your individual calling has personal, and at times even private implications. Yet, many still fail to understand how to measure the fruit. This is because bearing fruit was never contingent upon, or measured by how others might react to your obedience. This is a crucial distinction to comprehend!
Actually, bearing fruit is often contrary to the opinions of others. He who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17) In essence, it rarely matters what others think or how they respond. Therefore, if you assess your fruit by the reaction of others to your obedience, you have neglected this scriptural blueprint. Consider Yahshua for instance; His disciples denied His call to obey His “personal” crucifixion (death of self), and so would have you. Yet, what magnificent fruit His obedience yielded, despite the opposition! Is it therefore too difficult for you to comprehend that no one is going to support you in yours (obedience unto death of self)?
As you fulfill your obligations to the Almighty Father, you would do well to seek your rewards within (mental poise, balance, peace, and joy), and not from outside (physical and verbal affirmation from other people or things). Why again is this so crucial? Because, if you are indeed a “messenger” of Yahweh, then like the Messiah, a great portion of your work of obedience will be to correct the errors of those you call brothers and sisters. In this appointed work, great humility and meekness is necessary.
Now, here is a notice and a warning! The notice is found on the surface in Galatians 6; “Let each person examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” But, to find the warning, we must go deeper. If your exhortations and corrections towards others sound like this, “How dare you!” rather than, “I love you; and no matter what, I would never forsake you,” then you are not fully prepared for the work of a messenger. There is still internal work to be done, before you can offer correction with the power of a lion and with the meekness of a lamb.
The messenger of Yahweh is one who has been sifted, purged, plucked, pruned, and quite frankly, stomped on by Yahweh Himself, just as He promised to do, and then did, to His only Begotten Son. There is no “self” righteousness among these, the messengers. Their work is a reverent one and their reward is very personal. It is private; it is singular; and it is quite often unseen by others.
Remember the pattern of the messenger loved one. It cannot be forced, only earned.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God
Perfect Pitch
(#200 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.orgImagine, if you will, a tuning fork. Its purpose, when struck, is to bring everything around it in tune with itself. Energy or vibration can be measured by what is known as frequency. The human spirit has a frequency as well and, although every one of us is gifted with a unique frequency, those of us who are born again, born of the Spirit of the Mighty Creator, are called to come into unison with Him. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:4)
He is the perfect Source, the Supernatural pitch. When we align with His power (Spirit, frequency), we then live in a perfect place and are perfectly positioned to do His will. Has it not been said that “in His presence is peace and joy?” (Psalm 16:11) It is in His presence that we are perfectly in tune and can hear the voice (Spirit, frequency, power) of our Heavenly Father.
As we are told, “He is in us and we are in Him because He has given us His Spirit.” (1 John 4:13) It is for this reason we can be in perfect pitch with Him and, furthermore, we can never truly stay away from the perfect source of our strength. Yes, though we may stray, we are never fully separated from that which makes perfect music together. Should I stumble that I should fall? Certainly not! (Romans 11:11) Nothing can separate us from the love of Yahweh which is in the Messiah Yahshua our Master (Romans 8:39).
We are called to be one unified energy (spirit people) all working together in a unified manner. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Master, one faith, one baptism; one Mighty One and Father of all [whom have been chosen], who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
All of this pitch, energy, vibration, and frequency talk is true, and yet you need to be careful about getting lost in the science of the many “new age” movements. We enlightened ones do this by acknowledging the shed (removed) blood (carnal life force) of Yahshua. It is His shed blood alone that gave us the right to shed our own, and therefore align with the only pure source of energy–the Holy Spirit. And it is through worship that we acknowledge our redemption. Listen for the will of your Father and daily tune your instrument (mind) to receive. It is then, and only then, that you can truly give the words of life to a dying world.
Your Heart Speaks
Private Eyes
(#199 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing before You, O Yahweh, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
I have made it so that the spoken words of a man reveal the heart (mind) of a man. Words, in fact, are the vessel upon which the heart sails. What comes out of your mouth is simply the exact representation of what is in your heart (mind and therefore soul). For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)
Why do I tell you all of this? It is simple child. You act as if you can keep things from Me. My servant David understood, hence his words; “May the meditation of my heart be pleasing before You.” Yes indeed, David knew that I could see his heart, the words, really only being a secondary effect of the heart. How could it be otherwise? Let Me remind you that it is I who put a new heart in you after removing the heart of stone. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26) I know what I have done, but what is more fascinating is that you also know, yet you continue with your self-deception.
How? You would call them “secrets.” You even pretend they don’t exist between us, but you know they do. Child, when I chose to love you, it was for eternity. I declared that My love for you was offered while you continued to sin against Me. I [Yahweh] demonstrate [My] own love toward [you], in that while [you] were still sinners, the Messiah died for [you]. (Romans 5:8) You need not play games with Me, for potential damnation is no game loved one! Take some time today to read My words in Deuteronomy 28. I ask you to do this to reveal My heart to you. My heart is to bless you. When you pretend to hide from Me, it is only you who loses the blessings–only you. I see you. I made you. Get wisdom child; use wisdom and perceive.
Faith and Hope
Saige’s Rainbow
(#198 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The heart of a child is pure, devoted, and altogether radical. My daughter says: “Daddy, I prayed to Yahweh and asked Him to show me a rainbow if you are coming home from jail this year. I’m giving Him one week.” As I hung up with her, it hit me like a flood.
“I need that rainbow, Father. Not just for Saige, but for me.” I thought of how He is not required to meet all of the signs we place before Him, but, “She’s so young, Father. She needs to see Your power,” is what I kept thinking. I fell asleep and I woke and began writing this. As I sit here, I again realize how much I want the rainbow. I want it for my entire family, and believe it or not, I want it for you, the one who also wants to be able to say with no doubts, “He’s real. He’s alive and He is really real.” I considered drawing a rainbow for her and sending it home. I also thought of having a poster of a rainbow sent to her.
I am challenged with all of the wonderful promises and the direct words He has given me this year. What is His intention with the rainbow? Why am I so quick to believe I need to send Saige something with a rainbow on it? “I’m giving Him a week,” she said. I find myself transfixed on this. My devotion time brought Proverbs 10 this morning. Verse 24 says, “What the righteous (right thinking) desire will be granted.” Can you guess what I desire today? I hope for life, joy, peace, prosperity, and yes, a rainbow for Saige, for me, and for you.
Before Casting Pearls
Reality Check 1
(#195 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“When you see a man casting pearls without getting a pork chop in return – it is not against the swine that you feel indignation. It is against the man who valued his pearls so little that he was willing to throw them into the muck and let them become the occasion for a whole concert of grunting…”
-Ayn Rand, “The Fountainhead”.
Do not give what is set-apart to the dogs, nor throw your pearls before the pigs, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matthew 7:6)
Dogs? Pigs? Pearls? Literally? What is “set-apart” that I have commanded not to be spread abroad so liberally? You assume that I would have My treasures flagrantly passed around like a sample platter in a supermarket. Listen child; if I tell you there are dogs and swine, and yes, I mean men, then is it not made clear that My treasures are not for everyone? So many of your desires are specifically that; your desires.
My words are for My people, My people Israyl (ruled by and for Yahweh)! Perhaps you might stop to consider that there are those who are Mine and those who are not. I know who will be redeemed. My Son knew who He would die for, and though He specifically pointed out one who He would not be dying for, My words tell you there are many more. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your Name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)
You see My loved one, when you understand Me and learn to obey Me, you won’t be so caught up in the idea that My love is to be handed out like a coupon. So many of you try so hard to spread My love, only to spread the rumor that you led someone to Me. It is I who woos a man! I alone draw a man towards spiritual things! Why is this important to Me? Because My redemption is not in word, but power! Redemption by grace is My gift to those whom I deem “children” of Mine.
Some of you call this gift “unmerited favor,” and yet you pretend that everyone has merits. You are too quick to try to spread My love when in fact your life does not prove My love has changed you. A secret for those who long to be wise: focus on the internal race (conquering your “self”) that I have commanded you to run, and I will make sure your life speaks to the lost. I will love them through My actions in you.
Slow down child. All of Mine will be in My Kingdom. Do you really believe that I would allow for a single drop of My Son’s blood to be wasted? Do you really think that man’s decision to deny Him was man’s and not Mine? I pity the man who serves a “god” who lets the man decide, and then acts. I Am far more than you know loved one. I Am the beginning (Aleph) and the end (Tau)!
The Bible shows us how to deal with oppression
Rescue Me
(#194 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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I sat and pondered the wickedness of this world, and the hatred that one man could have towards another. I watched the oppressors; they have no love or compassion in their hearts. It was not enough to see people in pain; these kind desire to increase their pain. The wounded and hurting were their prey; they actually sought out the lame with the intent to disable further. How could it be? From where does this wickedness in the heart come? From where does this cruelty originate?
I set out to do something about it. I talked with my eternal Father. I questioned Him on this way of man, this way that it seems man has chosen. He answered me; “The heart [center of intellect] is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
Many nights I pondered the wickedness of the heart of man. I read the Psalms of David and was able to relate to all that he felt about those who oppressed men. I often prayed like he did; “Rescue me, O Yahweh, from evildoers, from treacherous, dishonest, and violent man.”
It was then that the Spirit spoke to me. “I Am doing exactly as you had hoped. I Am rescuing you. You simply did not perceive that the one I was rescuing you from was yourself. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3) When I Am done cleansing you, then we can look towards your oppressors.” What can I say to you about this type of revelation? Only confession and repentance can flow from this place.
Have mercy upon me, O Mighty One, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
(Psalm 51:1-2)
Cleanse me; purify me; help me!
We will get a new body
Behind the Veil
(#191 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The Scriptural patterns or blueprints are all hidden from the simpleton, the proud, and the spiritually lazy. If you have come this far in our time together, then you have certainly shown yourself to be of spiritual fortitude. One overarching pattern we have shown time and time again is that it takes a great commitment to will your “self” to die. Another is that it takes time to realize that there is no power but Yahweh’s, and just as paramount, that your inner rebellion, or “self-power,” will always be resistant lest He crushes it. The Scripture that comes to mind which speaks of this is from John 12:24-25: Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He who loves his life will lose it; but he who hates his life in this world will protect it for eternal life.
You are the kernel loved one. But even more significant is that you are learning to accept that you are the kernel. That’s why we are here together. We are those who have been given permission to enter behind the veil. We have been found worthy, not of our own strength of course, but because we have accepted the requirements which grant that permission. “The permission?” This Word should be like an old friend by now: “It is no longer I who live, but the Messiah who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14) Few understand; however, the masses claim to be “of Him,” while really just following an idol of their own vain imaginings. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the WILL of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord [Baal], Lord [Baal], have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)
The crushed ones, the kernels planted in fertile soil, have broken open and will bear much fruit (Matthew 13:8). They are quieter than others, quicker to listen, and more apt to lend a hand. These qualities reflect the glorious life of Yahshua the Messiah within. Everything illuminates one grand idea; it is the premier pattern of being crushed, crucified with Messiah, and becoming unoffendable (Psalm 119:165).
The kernels “found worthy” quickly say, “Unless I had been crucified with Messiah (Galatians 2:20), I would have been ruined forever by my “self.”” Others only allow so much crushing until they shrink back. They refuse to embrace, “To die is to gain.” (Philippians 1:21) We know the price, and we realize that many will turn cold (Matthew 24:12). But, we also must admit we would have done the same, had Yahweh not done within us that which we would have never desired. “If not for Your mercy, I too would shrink back.” When we embrace this we become un-offendable. We experience a supernatural joy as we recognize, “that would have been me.”
This is your true rebirth, your mental resurrection. So few have been behind the veil loved one. Remember, the road is narrow (Matthew 7:14)! With every thought that enters into your conscience, remember that!
Subjected
Subjected
(#190 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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For the creation was subjected to futility, not from choice, but because of Him who subjected it, in anticipation, that the creation itself shall also be delivered from the bondage to corruption into the esteemed freedom of the children of the Mighty One. (Romans 8:20-21)
Was creation subjected to futility apart from you? Are you not responsible? Quite the contrary, it was because of you. Even though you are bound to your futility, you are inexcusable. Your fall caused the fall of all things. And that is why, “all of creation waits in eager expectation for the revealing of the sons of the Mighty One.” (Romans 8:19)
Without My Son, you are bound by your own choices. In other words, you are bound to make particular choices, not free to make any choice. My Son, therefore, came as the gift which stops you from attempting to choose. As My sons and daughters, your freedom comes from having no choices. True freedom is having no choice but to obey Me. This concept should pierce and humble each of You as you kneel before Me, your Almighty Father.
When I bring pain, suffering, and loss, it is to free My people. Therefore, rejoice, no matter what your circumstances. Like your flesh, your choices apart from Me will rot over time. What seems so wonderful to you now is only leading to death. When I told you My Son is your example, did you not understand this would mean “you” had to be removed? How much of you must be removed so that My Son is formed in you? (Galatians 4:19) How much of you must become lesser, so He might be greater? (John 3:30) The suffering I bring only remains until the branch bears fruit. For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16)
You would not naturally choose the path that leads to righteousness. But, I will finish My work in you, with or without your cooperation (Philippians 1:6). A perfect bride is what I promised My Son and a perfect bride He will have. My ways and thoughts are above yours (Isaiah 55:9), yet you behave as if you must understand everything I Am doing in you. Yes, I Am the Almighty and all good things come from Me. Would it be so difficult for you to understand that even the parts that frustrate you are perfectly part of My plan for your life?
We have been here before loved one, and we will come back again until the glory of My Son is perfected in you. I have told you the truth; I expect rejoicing while the suffering commences. Faith is what pleases Me and faith is what is required to sacrifice your mind (personal feelings), even during your struggles.
Your sacrifice speaks in such a way; “My suffering is my responsibility, for I suffer from self desire alone. I owe Yahweh everything. He deserves and will have His praise, no matter what my situation.”
Again, loved one, without faith, you cannot please Me (Hebrews 11:6).