Tag Archives: Yeshua Said
There you are
There You Are
(#354 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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The Messiah in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
When you meet a man and you inspect his every word, it should not take long before a determination can be made. Every loose word reduces the possibility; every untamed utterance lessens the likelihood that his tree (“truth”) produces good fruit. What are you listening for? Every word must align with the word of Yahweh (that vernacular we recently spoke of in #351). Mosheh said, and Yahshua agreed; “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Almighty.” (Deuteronomy 8:3 and Matthew 4:4) When men are living, or not living, by the words of Yahweh, “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16)
You can easily distinguish the quality of fruit because it is determined by the words oft spoken. Sadly, most of the time it takes only a few words, perhaps no more than a sentence or two, to discern that the quality of the fruit is poor. Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit… (Matthew 7:17-20)
And so you listen with spiritual ears. You filter the words of men through the Father’s voice and by knowing His Word, by knowing Yahshua and the scriptures. With each new person you contact, you look and you listen; “Can they sense my desire to know if You are in them Father? Can they hear You? So many presume to speak for You Abba; I long to meet the ones who do.” Each new opportunity is like a quest for the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46). I listen to their voices, but it’s the source of the words that I am most interested in. And with each word I hear, I am reminded of His promise; “Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.” (Matthew 7:20)
Longings burn within me; “Where are they Father; where are the others like me, the ones who have seen and heard You, the ones who know You?” I plead and rejoice with the Father in these moments. In my aloneness I cry out, “The trees speak for You; and the wind whispers about You. As the sun rises and sets, the brilliant colors shout through the clouds; ‘Does not our beauty praise the Most High?’” I too cannot stay silent; if I did, the rocks would cry out. (Luke 19:40)
I dream of finding Him in another, in their words. I dream of the day when even one soul would speak, and as I listen, the words expressed and sentences formed would prick my conscience. Thoughts would pour forth from my soul; “There You are Father. There You are.” And I would embrace You in my brothers and sisters.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
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)
What’s Your Vertical
What’s Your Vertical?
(#352 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Progression or stagnation, transformation or deterioration; it’s up to you. Don’t be fooled loved one; it is in your subconscious thought realm even if you tend to suppress it consciously. What is in your subconscious? It is the need for confession in order to change. Confession has everything to do with whether you will progress and transform or stagnate and deteriorate.
The Spirit (Ruach) of Yahweh is the great mind stimulator who will inspire you to bring forth your confession, which first must happen to your “self.” Let’s call it complete transparency during which you no longer hide things from yourself. Consider David; “I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” (Psalm 51:3) Of course, you cannot hide anything from the Mighty One, but it is not possible to “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed,” (James 5:16) if you are lying to yourself. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
It is your attitude about confession that will either hinder you (cause your mind to stumble), or set you free (unleash your Spiritual imagination). If you consider confession as a prompting of the Holy Spirit, designated to cause you to leave behind old ways of thinking, then confession becomes a thing of beauty. It allows progression and transformation. With each confession inspired by the Spirit, a new level of understanding (open doors to the mind) is available. It brings healing to the soul! Again, hear David; “Yahweh, be merciful to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.” (Psalm 41:4) The opposite of this, energized by the hidden ego deep within your subconscious, brings stagnation and deterioration. “I’m not that bad. I do good things. No one’s perfect!” This is a recipe for death, a death of the conscious and subconscious mind, which is a thought life completely void of the Spirit of Yahweh! If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, Yahweh would not have listened. (Psalm 66:18)
Make no mistake about it; as you near the mind of the Messiah, the awareness of sin and your confessions become more heart (mind) wrenching in every possible way. “I am as good as I can be,” or “I am as holy as possible,” are finally recognized for the lies that they are. They are renounced as compromise that draws you away from the spiritual perfection commanded by Yahweh. “Be holy because I Am holy!” (1 Peter 1:16 from Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7) This holiness can only result from uninhibited confession. Keep confessing love one. Keep progressing. Keep transforming.
“Master, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16) It’s your vertical!
Varnacular
Vernacular
(#351 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Its origin is profound to say the least. Vernacular comes from the root word which means “a slave born in the master’s house, rather than abroad.” Keeping this root meaning in mind will then bring greater illumination and spiritual significance to the definition of vernacular. It describes the normal, common, or native language spoken in a province. It’s the vocabulary of the national or domestic language, as opposed to foreign words. In the world of architecture, vernacular refers to buildings that have domestic functions. Now let’s blend these high concepts together so we can extract the spiritual significance. Even if born a slave, it is completely natural to learn and adopt the language of the master or the culture; it is the functional choice. For what master would have his servant learn any language other than that which fosters perfect understanding of all that the master requires? Consider who your Master is, and then ask yourself: “What language am I speaking?”
You were born-again into the Yahweh’s house. Before that time you were separate from the Messiah, excluded from citizenship of Israyl and foreigners to the covenants of the promise. You were far removed until the shed blood of the Messiah made you a citizen. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens of Israyl and also members of Yahweh’s household (Ephesians 2:12-13, 19). You were once bound to a different master and spoke a different language. Your new Master uses Kingdom vocabulary and speaks the language of Heaven when He communicates with you. Your redemption requires that you learn this new language, the native tongue that the Master uses to rule His domain (province). When you become a citizen who speaks the native tongue, foreigners will struggle to understand you. You will appear to them to be very peculiar (Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Peter 2:9).
Be not dismayed that you all-of-a-sudden seem strange to these aliens. You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israyl. (Ezekiel 3:5) You are being sent to those who speak the same vernacular, slaves born again into the Master’s house who now speak the King’s language. Was this not precisely Yahweh’s instruction to Yahshua? But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israyl. (Matthew 15:24) The sheep being sought after have a name; it is Israyl! Whether born in the house and separated at birth, or a slave grafted in (read Romans 11), the language of Heaven is for those the Father calls Israyl!
The vernacular of the Kingdom of Heaven was never meant to be understood by the masses loved one; it was, however, meant to rule the masses. Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. (Isayah 32:1) Come out from among the nations; leave Babylon (differing tongues leading to inner confusion) behind (Revelation 18:1-4). Learn the language of Heaven. And if you are destined to rule, it is your work to perfect the vernacular. Perhaps then, “Thy Kingdom come” will be “Thy Kingdom has come!”
What language are you speaking?
Abundant Life
Abundant Life
(#349 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
The thief comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
Through recognition and obedience to scriptural patterns (blueprints), we are uncovering the face of Yahweh. This renewal happens with every re-formed thought, and it brings about the abundant life. And so we ask ourselves, “What is this ‘have life more abundantly’ Yahshua spoke of?” A rich young ruler asked and was told to “sell it all” if he wanted to “perfect” his life (Matthew 19:21). The perfected life is the life given as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1); it is the “hatred” of one’s own life (Luke 14:26). This is what it means to “sell it all.” And what is gained by doing so? You will be perfected, fully grown, mature, and complete in character; you will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4). Does this appeal to you, or will you walk away from this high calling, sorrowful because you have great possessions in this world? (Matthew 19:22)
Certainly riches are not forbidden, although idols are. Yet, His Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). And you are not of this world, for whoever loves this world is not of His Kingdom (John 15:19). We are, however, capable of enjoying the fruits of our efforts in this world. How so? You can experience the abundant life promised you when you realize and accept how it manifested in Yahshua’s life. It took place first in His mind, His thought world. “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the stake.” (Hebrews 12:2) No matter what His physical circumstance was, He served with joy because He lived in the finished work. He experienced Himself sitting at the right hand of His Father at the throne of grace, even while suffering in this world (also Hebrews 12:2). Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. (Job 13:15) This is the key to the “abundant life.”
It’s time to stop pretending it could be any other way. Obedience to this pattern is what released the conscience of the Father into Yahshua. He received Yahweh’s mind and was one with His Father; when you look at Yahshua you see only the Father. (John 10:30; 14:7) We are also called to be One. That they all may be One, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be One in Us. (John 17:21)
Let us extract the marrow out of this, for it is the key to life. It is precisely what the entirety of this devotional journey has been training you for. The mind (temple) of Yahweh within you overcomes your “self” desires, which transforms your mental existence and defines your destiny (eternity). You, like Messiah, walk as a man, but now with a holy mind. In this state, nothing in the physical world could affect your heavenly citizenship (thought world). If you have Yahweh’s mind in you, could it ever be fearful, guilty, arrogant, or lacking joy? Life is in your mind loved one, and the mind lives forever. Let’s now clarify the above verse:
The thief [ego based thoughts of man’s “self”] comes [derives thoughts] only to steal [take Yahweh’s goodness and call it your own], to kill [destroy all holy thinking], and to destroy [“self” destruct all things pure]. I [Yahshua = Yahweh saves = Yahweh saves your mind] have come [entered your consciousness] that they [transformed minds] might have life [the mind of Yahweh], and that they might have it more [increased spiritual thoughts] abundantly [overflowing by His grace].
The abundant life is found in the mind of Yahweh. For “who has known the mind of Yahweh that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of the Messiah.” (1 Corinthians 2:16) Yahshua has Yahweh’s mind and we have Yahshua’s mind. Therefore, we have Abundant Life!
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?
The River
The River
(#346 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
The Contemporary Christian band “Delirious?” sings of it so perfectly. “Find Me in the River” is the song’s title. Perhaps you will listen before you read?
https://www.youtube.com/watch…
“Find me in the river; Find me on my knees; I’ve walked against the water; Now I’m waiting if you please.
We’ve longed to see the roses; But never felt the thorns; And bought our pretty crowns; But never paid the price.”
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38). Stand in the river of living water. It is cool, clear, and refreshing. Let the vitalizing Spirit’s flow in your mind. Drink of this living water and never thirst again (John 4:13-14).
“Find me in the river; Find me there; Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare; Even though you’re gone and I’m cracked and dry; Find me in the river, I’m waiting here.”
The wilderness is that cracked and dry place within your thoughts that causes so much inner longing. So much is unknown; it is parched, dry, and you are desperately thirsty. The wilderness is meant to reveal all stubbornness, all defiance, all depravity, and all barrenness. “Water, I need water!” Is this not the cry in the wilderness? It is the one place that can take the hardness of your mind (the rock) and break it (humble you), until you desire only your most basic need; living water.
“We didn’t count on suffering. We didn’t count on pain. But if the blessing’s in the valley, then in the river I will wait.”
The valley is in the wilderness. It is in the dry and parched places where your needs can only be satisfied supernaturally. The testing is in the valley but so is the blessing.
This song is so beautiful; we needed to share it with you. We wanted to dive into the river with you and perhaps go deeper than ever before? It’s about the renewed mind loved one. It’s always about the renewed mind.
“He opened a rock and water gushed out; like a river it flowed into the wilderness.” (Psalm 105:41).
Lyrics: Find Me in the River
Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I’ve walked against the water
Now I’m waiting if you please
We’ve longed to see the roses
But never felt the thorns
And bought our pretty crowns
But never paid the price
Find me in the river
Find me there
Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare
Even though you’re gone and I’m cracked and dry
Find me in the river, I’m waiting here
Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I’ve walked against the water
Now I’m waiting if you please
We didn’t count on suffering
We didn’t count on pain
But if the blessing’s in the valley
Then in the river I will wait
Find me in the river
Find me there
Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare
Even though you’re gone and I’m cracked and dry
Find me in the river, I’m waiting here
Find me in the river
Find me there
Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare
Even though you’re gone and I’m cracked and dry
Find me in the river, I’m waiting here for you
“Find Me in the River” by Delirious? Written by Martin Smith
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.
These “Minor” Things
These “Minor” Things
(#344 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Let no corrupt communication [foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk] [ever] proceed out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress [edification] of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace [Yahweh’s favor] to those who hear it. (Ephesians 4:29)
Corrupt, as in corrupt communication, is in this case a modifier (an adjective) describing the thing, as in the “type” of language or speech. These are dirty, foul, unkind, rotten, useless, unfit, poor quality, putrid, and worthless words. And yes, this is certainly an accurate depiction of the command. But, let us take a slightly different perspective and instead of modifying the thing, “the communication,” let us speak to the action of what is happening. We are reminded of James 2:18 where we are taught that simply describing faith is not where the power is, but the power is in the action, the doing. The Hebraic perspective is always in the doing. “Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Mighty One, Yahweh is one! You shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart [mind, will, intentions, emotions], and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) The Hebrew “Hear” means to listen and obey, to hear the words and then show oneself obedient to them. The action is where the power is!
Let’s, therefore, take another look at the idea of “corrupt”, this time from a Hebraic action perspective. What is the power in the corrupt words, not just the juicy description of what corrupt words are? The words are not simply foul and useless; they possess power that triggers decay, rotting, festering, wasting away, melting, dwindling, and dissolving; they cause a fall. It is not simply that these poor quality words emanate from the lips; it is that they create death! Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. (Proverbs 18:21) Again we are reminded of James. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell… It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:5-6, 8)
Corrupt words caused the fall! “Did the Most High really say not to eat? You will surely not die! The woman you gave me! The serpent deceived me!” (Genesis 3:1, 4, 12, 13) The Adam in us knows that it takes only one wrong thought for the entire cascade to begin. Fallen thoughts are followed by fallen words, which precede fallen actions. They trigger decay, rotting, festering, wasting away, melting, dwindling, and dissolving of everything around them. Corrupt words start an avalanche of destruction. What the mind thinks, the tongue professes, and the physical world obeys. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].
This is a never-ending pattern that must be understood and dealt with. With acceptance of this Holy standard comes the inexcusable reality that there are no idle thoughts, no minor words, and no insignificant proclamations. It is only the corrupt “self” that allows you to think that thoughts and words are minor things. “If I don’t murder or commit adultery, I’m good.” Yet, if you hate your brother in your heart (mind) or call him a fool you have already murdered him. If you undress that woman with your eyes or make lustful comments, you have already committed adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:21-30). There are no idle thoughts, minor words, or insignificant proclamations.
A great price was paid to save your mind. There is nothing worse than minimizing what that sacrifice meant to Yahweh. Giving yourself room to have a sloppy tongue is like trampling His Son underfoot and counting His shed blood as common (Hebrews 10:29). It would be better that you had not been born than to live like your thoughts and words don’t matter to Him.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Most High. (Matthew 4:4) Your words, like His, have the power of life and death. Why not choose life? Ezekiyl prophesied to the dry bones, “Hear the word of Yahweh!” And they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army (Ezekiyl 37:4-10). Every thought matters loved one, and now it should be obvious that every word that emanates from those thoughts also matters, every word. So, think life and then speak life!