Tag Archives: for christians
Suffer with Joy for YESHUA!
The Father’s Best
(#049 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
Read chart first!
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And prayerfully, this is ultimately you! “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of the Almighty and have the testimony of Yahshua the Messiah.” (Revelation 12:17)
And, so it is with those called to acknowledge that suffering is the key element in their quest for perfection (Hebrews 2:10; 5:8). From the scriptural pattern of being persecuted (sentenced) for righteousness sake (Matthew 5:10), you can easily presume that a lack of suffering is attributed to a lack of spiritual growth, maybe even the failure to risk stepping into the greatness of your heavenly calling. Why would you avoid the risk? “Self” preservation is the reason; and quite frankly, it is a sin.
And imprisonment does not only exist as physical incarceration loved one; it starts in the mind. So ask your-self, “Am I in prison? And is it making me more Holy?” If not, then perhaps a shift in perspective is warranted. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36) But, how can you be set free lest you had first known the utter depths of your bondage? It is from that valley we rise!
Apple of Whose Eye
Apple of Whose Eye
(#048 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. Yahweh does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart [center of intellect].” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Shaul (Paul) taught that we must take every thought captive and make it obedient unto the Messiah (2 Corinthians 10:5). He was revealing the Messianic allusion of the words of the great prophet. He says, “You judge by appearances;” (v. 7) you are looking at the outside, the physical, but it is the mind that truly matters (v. 5). Yes, the mind, and the command to take every thought captive, is magnificently congruous with the prophet’s Hebrew understanding of the heart, the center of intellect. People look at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart! Yahweh is looking for the mind of the Messiah in you. Oh yes loved one, [His] ways are higher than your ways and [His] thoughts [higher] than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)
King David was a man after Yahweh’s heart; “the apple of His eye” (Psalm 17:8). Who was David? He was a murderer, an adulterer! Let there be no doubt; there are many “Davids” in the church today, who are lost in their iniquity, and yet who are madly devoted to the things of the Father. The church itself would deem these modern-day “Davids” as sinners, guilty, unclean, and even not fit for salvation. And they would accuse those sinners in their hearts, while at the same time singing praises to the “Lord” at weekly services, using words from the very Psalms written by David, the murder and adulterer.
The truth about David’s courage and lineage is preached, which of course leads to the Messiah. But, the preaching commences with fervor as does the condemnation of these modern-day Davids. And all of this is shielded under the umbrella of self-proclaimed righteousness. This disconnect is not because so much time has passed since King David walked the earth, as if time would heal the constructs of the ego. Time does not change the heart of man. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of the Almighty. (Romans 3:23)
This disconnect is due to the denial that the brand of “church” or practice of “Christianity” they preach does not coincide with the true intent of their thoughts, the wickedness in their hearts. Unforgiveness and condemnation is the manifest evidence. We love to acknowledge the Messiah’s greatness as He “forgives us even though we do not know what we are doing. (Luke 23:34).” And yet, it is a rarity indeed to witness a modern-day believer lay down his life for another, especially one who is “unworthy.”
Yahweh is looking for those who realize that if He only used “good” people to do His work on the earth, then there would be no one to use. Stop wrongly judging your living brother by appearances, while at the same time glorifying the dead heroes of the faith who were just like them. This, indeed, is a reality check for us all!
Indebted To Who?
Indebted To Who?
(#047 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Is it not the very thing that comforts you to the core of your soul? Is it not in our model prayer; “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive the debts of our debtors?” (Matthew 6:12) The forgiveness of debt is the removal of pain, remorse, guilt and shame; the torture stake covered all obligations. It is the very thing that brought your soul back to life; real life, a redeemed life.
And yet Caesar has placed trillions of dollars, and counting, of debt burden in your minds and, therefore, on your shoulders. It is there with every credit card bill, with every loan, with every tax, with every levy, with every price jump of “goods and services,” and with every news report that mentions the “state of the economy.” It is literally there with every purchase. Yet, the words of Yahweh are meant to bring clarity where there is confusion. They are meant to make your yoke easy and your burden light (Matthew 11:30). And with that in mind, let’s take a fresh look at what it means to “Give Caesar what is Caesar’s.” (Matthew 22:21)
It became “Americanized!” That is what happened to your mind when you acquiesced to the idea that anyone who identifies themselves as “leaders” must therefore be God-appointed “governing authorities.” If a house divided cannot stand (Luke 11:17), then how is it possible that the One who predestined you to be set free from all debts, would then raise up authorities who place trillions of “dollars” of debt upon you? Is there any variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17) in the One who you call “Lord?”
Listen to the voice of Yahweh loved one: “If I proclaim that anyone holding debt against you is wicked (Matt 18: 32-33), then would I choose leaders who place an insurmountable debt on the shoulders of you and your children’s children to countless generations?” Yet how easily you fell into Caesar’s trap believing that “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s!” meant that you were beholden to him. To the contrary, the burden you feel in your mind from Caesar-created obligations is Caesar’s burden. So, in obedience to His command, give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s!
Note: US Dollars are actually “Federal Reserve Notes.” A “Note” is not real money; it is an I.O.U. debt instrument. Are you carrying debt in your wallet?
Who is your king?
Give to Caesar
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(#045 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
(4) “Then all the elders gathered and approached Samuel, saying, ‘Appoint us a king to judge us; just like other nations.’ But these things displeased Samuel… Samuel prayed to Yahweh… Yahweh said, ‘…they have not rejected you [Samuel], they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them… to this very day… forsaking Me in order to serve gods [men]… listen to them and let them know how a king will reign over them and will behave toward them.’
(10) …Samuel said, ‘This is how the king you desire to reign over you will behave… he will take your sons and appoint some to serve his chariots… some will drive his horses… others will run before his chariots… you will plow his ground… bring in his harvest… manufacture his weapons of war… he will take your daughters… seize your best fields… demand a tenth of your sheep… you, yourselves, will become his servants. You will cry out, but Yahweh will NOT listen to you.’
(19) The people REFUSED to listen to Samuel. ‘No, we want a king over us. Then we will be like other nations with a king who will fight our battles.’ …So Yahweh instructed Samuel… “Appoint them a king…’” (Highlights from 1 Samuel 8:4-22)
Ask and You Shall Receive
Come one, come all; step right up,
And give your tribute gladly.
There are walls to build and roads to pave,
You want a king so badly.
Your priests and leaders all agree,
Over time their plans revealed.
“Better to pay… than to fight me,
Your best will plow my fields.”
For if the masses all agree,
Do not fret or be dismayed,
Our faces alone, your currency,
Your part, it must be played.
The entitlements offered will tempt to sway,
The most oppressed of you at heart.
“All must protect the kingdom’s way,
Each must do their part!”
Pay no attention to those foolish ones,
“Come out of her…,” they cry.
“We’ve read THE book; we understand.
But, give fear of man a try!”
Come one, come all; step right up,
And give your tribute gladly.
There are walls to build and roads to pave,
You’ve got your king so sadly.
“Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then He said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to the Almighty what is the Almighty’s.” (Matthew 22:20-21)
That The World May Know with Ray Vander Laan
Give Us A King
You may have learned somewhere that God did not want Israel to have a king. Most Christian churches teach this to youngsters early in Sunday school. But it is wrong. God did want Israel to have a king; he just had a certain kind of king in mind. In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, long before the time of Saul, God said, “Be sure to appoint over you the king the LORD your God chooses” (emphasis added). God’s choice for king: that is what Israel ignored.
God’s Qualifications For Israel’s King
In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, God gave the qualifications for a king. First, the king was to be an Israelite (17:15). This meant the king would belong to the people who recognized the authority of God.
Second, the king must not acquire many horses (17:16a). The Bible explains that horses came from Egypt, and horse-trading would tempt the Israelites to interact with the pagan people from whom they had been delivered.
Third, the king must not take many wives (17:17a). It was normal in ancient times to seal treaties between kings by intermarriage. Foreign women would influence the Israelites to abandon the unique lifestyle to which God had called them. Later in Israel’s history, Ahab (who married Jezebel) and Jehoram (who married Athaliah) learned the hard consequences of ignoring this proscription.
Fourth, the king must not accumulate large amounts of gold and silver (17:17b). Perhaps God wanted to make sure Israel’s king remained dependent upon him for success; or perhaps he wanted to keep his people from interacting with the pagan nations that would be supplying the gold and silver.
Fifth, the king must keep a copy of God’s Torah with him to be read throughout his life, so he would rule according to God’s principles (17:18-20).
This was God’s king: faithful, separate from the pagans, guiding God’s people to righteous living as a shepherd leads his sheep.
A King Such As Other Nations Have
Facing a Philistine threat at the time of Samuel the prophet, Israel requested a king. Samuel was angry because he knew they were rejecting God’s rule. The key to God’s displeasure was the request itself, to “appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have” (1 Sam. 8, emphasis added). The Israelites did not ask for a king that God would choose, but one that the world would choose.
Jewish scholars maintain that the story of David and Saul makes this contrast clear. When the people asked for a ruler such as other nations had, God gave them Saul, “a man who couldn’t keep track of donkeys in his care,” to show them what their kind of king would be: a self-absorbed failure. Throughout his life, Saul did things to satisfy his own desires and not God’s.
By contrast, David, a shepherd like God, was God’s choice for king, a man after his own heart. David lived by the words of the Torah, keeping the Lord always before him. When he sinned with Bathsheba, he was beside himself with sorrow, because he knew he had turned from God.
Who Do You Want As Your King?
Today, we face the same decision the Israelites did. Who (or what) do we want as our king (master)? The fascinating stories of 1 Samuel provide us with some insight and perspective.
Solomon was the wisest king of all. Yet the Bible judges Solomon by God’s standards: “Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horses” (compare 2 Chron. 9:25 with Deut. 17:16a). “The king [Solomon] made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones” (compare 2 Chron. 9:27 with Deut. 17:17b). “The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents” (compare 2 Chron. 9:13 with Deut.17:17b). “He [Solomon] had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines [mistresses]” (compare 1 Kings 11:3 with Deut. 17:17a).
What a shock! The wisest human ruler who ever lived broke almost every command God gave for a king.
We are left wanting something better. Matthew, the Jewish writer, voiced our need: “If this is the best the human race can provide, there must be someone else.” Then he remembered the words of Jesus: “… one greater than Solomon is here” (Matt. 12:42).
That is God’s final choice for the ideal king: Jesus the Messiah. He must be our choice as well.
The Price of Sin
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Messiah Yeshua our Lord.
-Romans 6:23
But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Messiah Yeshua.
-Romans 5:15
For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is Yahweh’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Yeshua our Messiah
-Romans 7:17
But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses Yahweh’s good commands for its own evil purposes.
-Roman 7:13
Adam or You?
(#042 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Adam: Why would anyone possibly blame me for the sinful desires of their own heart?
Eve: Well Adam, you know that you are the first man to have sinned.
Adam: Gee, thanks honey. I did have help if you remember. I am serious though; I don’t like the idea one bit, being blamed for the sin of another. It’s simply preposterous, unconscionable really.
Eve: Well, one day I am sure people will create their own doctrines and portray the beliefs they had conjured up in their own hearts as if they actually came from our Father.
Adam: You mean people will actually believe the doctrine that Yahweh will hold me accountable for their own lawlessness?
Eve: It’s bound to happen.
Adam: Yahweh has forgiven me and, although my consequence for rebellion was grave, His forgiveness made me into a new creation. Abba says that all men have this same opportunity to repent and become brand new.
Eve: So, it would seem that even their sin of changing the words of Abba will be forgiven as well?
Adam: Yes honey, but it still bothers me. If they are made into new creations, why would they sin again even after such grace is bestowed on them? And even worse, why would they sin and blame it on me?
Eve: I am quite sure both will happen. It seems that humans have a propensity to do just that.
Adam: Well there you have it then!
Eve: Have what Adam?
Adam: All men will be just like me, all on their own; they won’t need my help to sin. I just happened to be the first.
Eve: Please elaborate Adam.
Adam: Sin once, okay, blame me! But, sin again after you have been renewed, now who’s to blame?
Eve: Oh, I see. Now let’s pray that they will see it as well.
So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to the Almighty. (Romans 14:12)
Woman wearing a bikini was arrested in the Maldives
Woman wearing a bikini was arrested in the Maldives
Are You Worthy of Yeshua?
Worthy of Me
(#037 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his torture stake and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:34-39)
Why do My children so often only emphasize the scriptures that seem to say that My grace is for everyone? Why do you choose to ignore the reality that My torture stake is the line in the sand between those who are Mine and those not worthy of Me? Why do you insist on imposing your desire for others over My will for them? Doesn’t it take the loss of your life to find the life I have for you? Why do you continue to reason and hope that I would ever do anything other than what I said I would do? Will I change My very own words (Malachi 3:6); am I double minded in some way (Numbers 23:19)? He who I say is worthy is; and he who I claim is dishonorable is! So, what of the one who does not pick up his torture stake and lose his own life for Me?
You see My child, I Am not concerned, as you are, that all men are at peace with Me. I remain at peace regardless of what others think. I must, however, insist that you stop limiting My Words to only those that make you feel good, the ones that fit neatly into your comfort zone. It is the sum of My word that is truth, loved one (John 17:17). My peace I leave with My children (John 14:27); My sword, that I reserve for My adversaries (Psalm 37:14-15).
I will not bear the haughty soul,
Who amends My holy Word.
To add to it or take away (Deut. 12:32),
Is the height of the absurd.
Your cups, and bracelets, and bumper stickers,
To the masses you market Me.
Yet no one comes unless I call (Jn. 6:44),
For them only was the tree.
Precept upon precept and line upon line, (Is. 28:13),
My verses never lie.
If I meant for “all” to be saved,
Then how could some deny (John 18:9)?
I will not excuse your ultimatum,
That My Word must fit your style.
If you are My sheep you’ll hear My voice,
What all others hear is vile (1 Cor. 1:18).
I know it seems like this is cruel,
How could this ever be?
But you are the sheep whom I’ve redeemed,
So leave the wolves to Me.
Giving up your life to pray and read your bible
Here is the full report about the Martyrs’s widow https://youtu.be/OD16TqLaZe0
Here is the full video about this man risking his life for the bible https://youtu.be/9zRUVtlcdUs
Here is the video for Pastor Richard Wurmbrand for 14 years. https://youtu.be/9zRUVtlcdUs
Please see all the videos and support Voice of the Martys ministry This is their youtube page https://www.youtube.com/user/VoiceOfT…
Here is the movie trailer for Tourtured for Christ https://youtu.be/IIeKSrVdET0
Know your enemy to defeat him
If you want to be part of Yahweh’s Army. To be on His side, you must choose HIM to be your leader. We make this choice by being obedient to His commands. When we are not following Him, we allow the devil to dwell inside it.
27 for anger give the devil a place. -Ephesians 4:27
The word “place” in Greek means a right or a room. If they have a right to indwell someone, they will refuse to leave. Sin justifies their right to refuse to leave.
Make the right choice, learn and follow Yahweh! In this video I explain more about this.
I See Grapes
(#033 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Read Deuteronomy 1:19-46: Israyl’s refusal to enter the land and the penalty for their rebellion! And now, a Divine mind perspective.
The land (thought plain) I promised you is good; but, you must go in and possess it (the gift of Divine consciousness). I know the Amorites (the propensity to exalt your “self”) and Anakites (the temptation to exalt the material world) in your life. And it is I (the Divine mind) who will defeat them both.
Fear not, and do not be so easily persuaded to be disobedient to what I have called you to do. Do not hesitate one more moment, for My anger is a consuming fire. Have I not already revealed that your weapons of warfare are not carnal but mighty in Me for pulling down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4)? Did I not demonstrate that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in My power (1 Corinthians 2:5)? If I tell you to go, you must go immediately! I have prepared a place for you, a land flowing with milk (spiritual substance in thoughts) and honey (sweet thoughts).
I travel by the clouds of internal mystique and by the fire of Divine judgment, and I promise to protect you on your journey. No one can touch you apart from My will, as you are children of the Covenant (Divine mind offering), and My word is My faithfulness. I will not fail you; now do your part, and reveal Me to the world (fallen mind of man).
From Prison to Praise – Sing In Darkness
The End from the Beginning: a Journey into Faith
(#026 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that the Almighty does from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
I worship nonstop and I endure. It’s all about His will for me and yes, the unknown of that is mysterious and sometimes it can even seem overwhelming. I am learning to trust more in the process every day and am comforted by that fact. Yahweh knows the truth of all this you know. Do you know? He has declared the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:10)
“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; 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. (Isaiah 54:16-17)
I am comforted by the reality that the weapon that now wounds me so very deeply is formed by His hand. Its intent is to heal, and yet, it profoundly does so through loss. My experience has made me know what it means to fix my gaze upon Him. Because Sovereign Yahweh helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. (Isaiah 50:7) Yes indeed, I set my face like a flint, and I determine to suffer well, for my life, my true life, my spirit life, is found in the suffering.
As for blessing those who harm me and praising Yahweh in the process, they are keys to effective Kingdom living. Yes, blessing others and worshipping through pain; that’s what He’s looking for, I am quite sure.
But I say to you, 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. (Matthew 5:44)
