Jessica Simpson – TRAGIC LIFE – Family Shepherds

Father’s need to lead their family with their God-given responsibilities to be a shepherds. We cannot overestimate the importance of the family and that of fathers in particular.

Jessica Simpson – TRAGIC LIFE – Family Shepherds

What Our Father Would Say

What Our Father Would Say

(#030 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Without faith it is impossible to please [Me]. (Hebrews 11:6)

Your only true concern in life should be whether or not you are pleasing to Me. And to do so you must live by faith. However, you consistently demonstrate a lack of faith by letting other concerns dominate your priorities. You do this in few key areas.

The first would be your concern for maintaining your rigid schedule, in other words, YOUR plan for your life. You fix your schedule in advance as if I am not interested in guiding the details of your day. In this, you leave no room for Me to lead you to My highest and best. Are you more beholden to your schedule than the prompting of My Spirit? Are you willing to be flexible, open to shifting what you thought were the day’s priorities? Will you interrupt your plans, both short and long term, at a moment’s notice from Me, even if it’s inconvenient, even if it’s hard?

The second would be your consideration for others. And by this I’m not referring to “Christian charity.” I’m speaking about your concerns regarding My plan for those you care about. In other words, your fear that I will disappoint them or not provide for them, as if your worries can supersede My providence. It masquerades as genuine concern, but is really anxiety fostered by a lack of faith that My plan is for their best. Do you trust Me to provide for you? Are My ways higher than your ways? Is My plan better than yours for your life? If I won’t fail you, will I fail them? Can you then trust Me for others? Won’t I protect and provide for those you commit into My hands, even if you cannot?

Once you value instruction over comfort, you will be better able to see all circumstances through spiritual eyes. With this type of vision, you can then experience instruction and still remain comfortable (resting all in My hands), regardless of the challenges you face, or see others facing. Self-preservation and striving to protect others always rejects suffering. Yet, suffering is an instrument of grace, allowing My Spirit to minister in painful situations. It is all to bring to fruition My Sovereign plan for you and those you care about.

So, let go of your frozen schedule and trust Me; and while you are at it, take down your mask. Once you faithfully hand over your life to Me, it will become much easier to trust that I have your and your loved ones best interests in mind.

“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)

Love Defines You

It Defines You

(#029 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“For You formed my inward parts [innermost being]; You covered me [knit me together] in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)

Yes, My child, I Am love (1 John 4:8) and I designed you as a vessel to both create and receive love. It is precisely because you were created in My image (Genesis 1:27) that love is the very thing that defines you. You were literally created for love. I know this because I formed your innermost being. And, I orchestrated everything in your life that would bring you to love’s full expression, and I did so before the foundations of the earth. I saw the pleasure and the joy; and I knew the pain and the disappointment you would experience. It was all My plan. In light of this, you should meditate again on this reality. “I Am love and you were created in My image.”

And so you would be without excuse, I have defined love for you (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). I need, or rather, demand that you grasp that you have since created your own definition of love. Nevertheless, My definition remains the only true definition. Love is My emotion; I intimately crafted it to define Me and I do not give anyone permission to alter its attributes. Have I not told you that “love never fails” and that “love keeps no record of wrongs?” The pain you choose to carry is simply because you have all failed one another and likewise have kept records of such. You fail to love like Me because you fail to forgive like Me. First, forgive yourself for defining love by your own perverted standards, and then forgive others for doing the same. It is in this place that I will heal you.

Lastly, don’t be discouraged by your failure to love as I intended, My child. It will happen, for I have given you a new heart [mind] (Ezekiel 36:26) and the capacity to love as I love. Yes, the work has been completed (John 19:30; Hebrews 12:2), the veil torn in two (Mark 15:38). You have been granted full access to My Kingdom of love. Remember, I love you and I have created you to love like Me, for My glory. I will use your pain and redeem you as a choice vessel for My honor. Give in to Me, and let love reign.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

True Love Is Choice Not An Emotion

I’ve done thousands of videos. Many lessons learned. Figuring out what love is, makes this message one that I would put at the top of my list as one of my most important videos ever made. The understanding in this video will truly set you free.

Heel Marks in the Sand

(#027 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“It was then that I dragged you My child!”

Stop trying to see or feel your way into My Kingdom, for it is not a Kingdom that comes by way of sight or sensations, but rather, a Kingdom of knowing, knowing the My mind deep within. The Kingdom of the Mighty One does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the Kingdom of the Mighty One is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) My Kingdom is Hebraic, not Greek. It is truth, not philosophical theory. And it is of the mind (the Hebraic heart), not the emotional heart (the Greek heart).

When your faith is built on emotions, you set yourself up for failure loved one. Emotional faith is built on a shaky foundation; sinking sand if you need a more picturesque description (Matthew 7:26). It wavers depending on what you feel in your “heart,” as if your heart remains uncircumcised (Greek). The uncircumcised heart is “wicked above all things!” (Jeremiah 17:9) It is subjected to human thoughts and emotions, as opposed to the circumcised heart, which loves and obeys Me no matter what it feels like (Deuteronomy 30:1-6).

In the original Garden I gave only commands, yet you, as they did, continue to live as if My intention was to give you “free will.” When did I give you a choice about which trees were “yes” and which tree was specifically “no”? Where did I imply that they, and now you, should choose “what you think is best?”

Your redemption, that which sealed your place in eternity, was My Sovereign decision. It was not a walk along the beach during which I carried you when things were rough and you walked on your own when all was good. Before your redemption, NOTHING was good. But, once that was finished, you were required to learn how to pick up your own torture stake and prove that you love Me (Luke 9:23). How? Those who love Me “Keep My commands?” (John 14:15) It is not a choice to do so, however; that is where the deception remains. You cannot declare that you love Me and disobey My commands? Tell Me if you think otherwise.

Listen to Me loved one; if all of your choices apart from My supernatural intervention brought death prior to your redemption, then how can you believe My purpose was to give you “freedom” to choose now? Are you starting to see it? If you choose anything apart from My will, you are not free; that is bondage. True freedom is having no choices. When My way is the only way, then you are truly free.

If you attempt to “choose” otherwise, then I must drag you.

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)

Burdened with Blessings

I am Jewish – Provoke Me

I’m a Jew

(#024 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke THEM to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! (Romans 11:11-12)

Your testament that causes you to become most zealous,

Your goal of which it testifies is to make Jews so jealous.

You tell me you have the scriptural truth;

And yet, you rename our Messiah “Hey Zeus!”

If that’s not enough, let’s look at your Sabbath,

Pick a day, any day; is that what you have for us?

Have you not studied your feasts and celebrations?

They’re filled with traditions from demons and pagans.

Some of us sense what’s missing; it’s sad;

That you sell your savior like a marketable fad.

I am a Jew; and I wait for the Hebrew Messiah;

How can I trust that to Him you will guide us?

Perhaps you’ll consider and listen to me;

I have things to offer, a rich history.

Does your own book teach you were sent the man Saul;

Who was transformed by Jesus who He then renamed Paul?

If the Jewish Messiah was sent to your people,

Did He teach in the synagogues, or churches with steeples?

I’m a Jew and my temple and my sacrifices ceased;

So I’ve watched some of you, and I covet your peace.

I could believe based on just what I’ve seen,

The one you call Messiah is true savior and King.

Perhaps I’ll look past you and back to His days;

To make Him my savior and keep Jewish ways.

I’m “them” from your testament and I’m looking at you,

To provoke me to jealousy, but to do so…be true!

Who Made These Things?

Who Made These Things?

(#023 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

Love, peace, joy, contentment, patience, goodness, faithfulness, humility, wisdom, integrity, tenderness, and all other good things come down from Me, the Father of lights.  You might be tempted to apprehend these things through your own selfish desires (James 1:14), but do not be deceived (v. 15); do not be enticed to believe they come from anywhere but Me.

What exactly are these things that your soul longs for?  Yes My child, ask yourself.  And in a sober moment you will realize that they all belong to Me. Each one was created to entice My children to enter My domain, to be as I Am. In other words, to search for the Kingdom of Heaven that is in you. (Luke 17:21)  It is very risky to think you can gain access to any of these apart from Me?  If you could, if anyone could partake apart from Me, then what did My Son die for, and how are your desires different from the pagans?  No My child! These things are only for My children and obedience is the key that releases access to them within you.

Can a wicked man enjoy peace? Never! I will not allow that man to experience real peace (Isaiah 48:22).  Can an adulterer have love? Never! I will not allow that perversion to stain My love.  Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with [Me]? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of [Mine]. (James 4:4) Can a greedy man know contentment? How could he when greed takes the life of its owners (Proverbs 1:19)?  Only the one who prospers in Me will know true contentment.  Can a contentious woman know tenderness? It can never be, as she is like a continuous dripping that cannot be contained (Proverbs 27:15-16).  My tenderness is for the contrite, which is a blessing reserved for My obedient children.

All things were made through [My Son], and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3)  And He has become the open door that you might attain them. Those who do not know Him, and therefore Me, will never experience these spiritual blessings.  They are reserved for My children only.  But you cannot stand at the doorway; you must walk through it.

 Do you need help?  Ask and you shall receive. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Luke 11:10)

A Little Leaven Suffer Well

A Little Leaven

(#021 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed the Messiah, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. (1. Corinthians 5:6-7)

A Little Leaven…

Mom and dad fight and use angry words

The Lump

The children hear the fight and fear enters their hearts.

The fear turns to anger and then bitterness.

The children act out with rude behaviors toward friends.

Friends feel unloved and insecurity enters their hearts.

Friends tell their parents how they were treated badly.

They don’t want to play together anymore.

Even the friend’s parents build unhealthy mindsets towards the children.

Offenses destroy friendships!

The Lump

Mom shows impatience with store clerk due to anger at dad.

Store clerk gets upset, as she is tired of being treated badly by customers.

Store clerk yells at mom in frustration.

Boss hears of the account and fires store clerk on the spot.

Store clerk was a single mom who can no longer support her family.

She develops unhealthy fear, self-condemnation, and regret.

Fear destroys future opportunity!

The Lump

Dad neglects to show up at a vital business meeting due to frustration with mom.

Dad’s business partner takes over the meeting in a pinch.

The business partner is not prepared for meeting and loses a big account.

The partner becomes angry and bitter because the dad missed the key meeting.

The dad becomes angry and bitter because the partner is ill-prepared.

They have a huge blowout.

The future of the company and income for partners and all employees are in jeopardy.
Bitterness destroys lives and futures!

…leavens the whole lump!

It only takes a little leaven to leaven the whole lump (Galatians 5:9). That is a very dangerous thing if you use the leaven of the Pharisees: bad doctrine (Matthew 16:11), and hypocrisy (Luke 12:1). Therefore, purge out that old leaven. Instead of the leaven of the Pharisees, sprinkle the “leaven of the Kingdom” on your lump (Matthew 13:33). The Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Kingdom leaven will restore and preserve friendships; it will eliminate all doubt and fear; and it will neutralize bitterness with the sweet Fruit of the Spirit. Purge out that old leaven and hope is restored!

Broken Cisterns Equal a Broken Life

What fills us? What drives us? What helps us? The only answer we should have it, it’s not about what we want but what Yahweh wants. We must learn to deny ourself and follow Him. 

Broken Cisterns

(#019 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“My people have committed two sins [evils]. They have forsaken Me, the fountain of Living Waters, and they have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)

Am I not I Am who points out transgressions in order to save you? Am I not I Am who sent My Son so that you would return to Me in repentance? Consider this before you readily entangle yourself with the world’s delicacies. My Son was sent to manifest My desire and to redeem a people unto Myself. This could only be done through a demonstration of My power (Ephesians 1:19-20). And, it is only by that power that you can overcome your disobedient choices to continually eat from My forbidden tree, the carnal desire for “free will.”

Stop! Listen! Think! Remember! It is I who draws you back to Me (John 12:32). It is I who chose you (John 15:16). Are you really so dull of mind to think you can fill your own cisterns and be satisfied? The abundance you long for, what will truly fulfill your soul’s desires, can never be “self” generated. I will ultimately dismantle anything that does not align with My will. The vessels I fill have no leak and no lack, and do not desire more than I freely give.

Loved one, I cannot be housed in unclean vessels. Dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) will be your reward apart from Me, nothing but whitewashed tombs (Matthew 23:27). How joyful you were the day I found you. Now, you must count the cost of every thought and action (Luke 14:25-33); this is what I require from My children.

I call Heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19) Stop trying to fill your own cisterns; they can never hold Living Water. Instead, choose life.