Tag Archives: Zachary Bauer

One Author and Finisher

One Author and Finisher

(#311 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“Looking unto Yahshua, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2)

Every word matters loved one. Be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19). Would He waste His own words who has proclaimed, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise?” (Proverbs 10:19) And so as directed by His wise words, we are commanded to “look” to Yahshua as “author” and “finisher.”

What does this looking unto Yahshua mean? It means to: fix our eyes; look only; focus on; look steadfastly; to fix one’s gaze upon; to look away from all else. This is a spiritual matter. The intensity of the “looking” is not just about what you look upon, but what you look away from. It is not seeking what is physical. It is tangible, yes, but not what you can touch with your hands. Soul searching might be a more accurate explanation, a deep search within for what is and what isn’t. How can you tell if you are looking unto Yahshua? It’s obvious; take what your mind is producing in the natural and measure it against the life of He who said, “I am the way!” (John 14:6)

The author of your faith; it means: originator, source, founder, prince, and leader; the person who is the originator or founder of a movement and continues as the leader. As we look unto Him, we are commanded to see (spiritually perceive) Him as author. What does this mean to you? Would it be fair to conclude that if you don’t know what it means, or you have failed to seek out its meaning, that He has not been your top priority? Listen closely loved one; those who are His have their names recorded in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5). If your name is written, it is because you have professed your desire for Him to direct your life (mind activity). His sheep listen to His voice; He knows them, and they follow Him (John 10:27). This is what He is saying; “Look at My life; I’m the way to do it all. I stand ready to take over, but I won’t force Myself on you. And be very careful dear loved one, our Father is long suffering, but He is not timid.” Embrace that your old man has died and that His life in you has replaced him (Galatians 2:20). His life is now writing the book on yours. In other words, He is the author of your life!

The finisher of your faith; it means: perfecter, completer; the consummator who brings a process to its end. His perfection guarantees yours loved one. This crucial function has most to do with personal obedience. You are perfected because there was a death. Yes, His death paved the way. The question remains; must you die also to be perfected? An emphatic “Yes!” but then the critical distinction; die how? Our old self was impaled with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. (Romans 6:6-7) Yes, to attain the promise of perfection the death of your old nature is a requirement; the death of your body—optional.

He was the last sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12, 26; 10:10) necessary for you to achieve the promise. He made a way for you to be perfected before physical death, yet so many will deny such is possible. These are the timid ones, never quite dedicated enough to lose their life for Him (Matthew 16:25). Each man’s work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)

Who do you identify with, the timid who will only escape through the flames, or the one who is willing to lose his life? What do you say when asked of perfection? “It is not possible, not until we are dead (physically); He was the only one who could be perfect?” The finisher of your faith would tell you otherwise; He would say, “I finished it for you. (John 19:30) It is My life in you now!” (Galatians 2:20) So, if He is saying “yes,” why are you saying “no?” If a house [totality of thoughts] is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (Mark 3:25) Come to grips with this most important of realties. “It is finished;” now do your part because of it!

Acquitted

Acquitted

(#310 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“Which is the first [greatest] commandment of all?” Yahshua answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, Yahweh our Mighty One, Yahweh is one. And you shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart [center of intellect], with all your soul [intellectual essence], and with all your strength [intellectual strength].’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31)

When asked, “Which is the first [greatest] of all the commandments?” Yahshua begins with: “Hear, O Israel, Yahweh our Mighty One, Yahweh is one.” Being One with the Father is the foundation of everything. That is why Yahshua prayed, “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) One who shares the mind and therefore the will of Yahweh does only what he sees his Father do. Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19) The love that follows this level of unity encapsulates the rest of the commands. What Yahshua is affirming is that the law is fulfilled in its entirety by love. And the singular defining essence of love is that it never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).

It is, then, only a disobedient mind that requires to be ruled by laws other than what is defined by love. The quintessential example of this disobedience is demonstrated by Israyl’s desire to be judged (ruled over) by a king (carnal laws for a carnal kingdom) instead of Yahweh. “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” And Yahweh said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:5, 7) They rejected Yahweh and He warned them that looking outside to be governed would not turn out well. “You shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” (vv. 9, 19-20)

Do you wish to “be like all the nations?” Or would you rather be One with Yahshua who never had to ask, “What should I do now Father?” Everything hangs on love; everything becomes perfect in love, by love and through love; and love never fails! And be of good cheer because love has been poured out in your heart (Romans 5:5), which we now know from #308, is the “center of intellect.”

Yahweh wants you to be free from mental bondage; and through Yahshua, you have been acquitted. Love has been shed abroad in your heart; it alone makes having any other king over you unnecessary because love is THE law unto itself. When you love like Him, it is the only Law you need.

Mindbreaking

Mindbreaking

(#308 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Now it is the Mighty One who makes both us and you stand firm in the Messiah. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

He put His Spirit in your heart as His seal of ownership. This says so much more than what twelve words can express. Let’s unpack this limitless promise. Shaul DOES NOT mean that the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in that eleven ounce organ in your chest. Both the Greek and Hebrew language identify the heart as your mind, character, inner life, will, emotions, and intention, or in other words, your center of intellect.

Your “center of intellect” is your heart. This is a heartbreaking (mindbreaking) reality to consider. Even times when speaking of your soul, the word heart is used. “As a man thinks in his heart [soul], so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) Said in another way, as a man feeds his desires, passions, appetites, and emotions, so is he. Yahweh is who He thinks He is; and you are who you think you are. With this important distinction you can see that the Holy Spirit, the very essence of our Creator, is actually transferred to your mind as thoughts, not “put in your heart.” By placing Himself in us; into our center of thought, we then experience His essence as “The Messiah in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

He has placed His Spirit right into the center of your mind, specifically to replace your old nature. “I will give you a new heart [inner man, mind, will] and put a new Spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone [mind of man] out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh [mind of the Messiah].” (Ezekiel 36:26) Only the transforming of thought processes could produce this renewed man. Your physical world simply serves as a reflection of what has taken place.

And, if you were made new, then how can the old you survive another day to rear its ugly head (Romans 6:2)? It is only possible because you have been endowed with the same resurrection power Yahweh used to raise His Son from the grave (Ephesians 1:18-20), and you can choose to use that power to accomplish things that would actually be separate from His will. Yes, be careful; you can exercise that new-found freedom and mistakenly use that resurrection power to raise the old you from the grave. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5) Unfortunately, it is far too common for Christians to use their freedom and power to set their minds on the things of the flesh; resurrect their old nature; and entertain mindsets which conflict with the mind of the Messiah. DON’T DO THAT!

Set your mind on things of the Spirit! Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be stubborn no longer! (Deuteronomy 10:16) If you embrace the spiritual surgery that took place, your reality becomes, “He who has waged the battle in my mind cannot lose.” And then, what Yahweh has placed in the center of your intellect becomes your chief desire. This is a mindbreaking, and now we know heartbreaking thought indeed!

Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, and take away the foreskins of your hearts. (Jeremiah 4:3-4)

Our Debt to Yeshua

Every Last Penny

(#306 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

Debt is what one person owes to another, whether money, goods, or services; it is what a person is bound to pay to another, or to perform for his benefit; it is a “thing” owed, an obligation, or a liability. However, on the deepest level, debt is the obligation of a righteous life owed to Yahweh. When you fall short of righteous living you become a debtor to the Almighty.

You can be zealous for Yahweh but not understand the righteousness He requires. You can display ignorance of His righteousness by seeking to establish your own righteousness, instead of submitting to the only true righteousness. The Messiah in you is the only righteousness for everyone who believes (Romans 10:2-4). This is the scriptural pattern of “within and then without.” Anything less than righteous thinking empowered by the Messiah in you is where all debt begins.

Debt has two faces: imposition and neglect. Each of these give us exquisite insight into the metaphysical aspect of what Yahweh truly intended for us to understand about both what was transgressed and what was forgiven. They both begin as mental errors and lead to scarcity thinking, which of course ends in physical poverty.

Imposition is a burden or obligation, oft described as the trespass. It is the heavy weight you carry under the burden of self-righteousness.

Neglect is the duty violated by negligence or carelessness. It is the offspring of the mind which has complete disregard for the truths and commands of Yahweh.

Although the price of “past” debts (mental misgivings and their physical ramifications) is paid through the shed blood of Yahshua the Messiah (redemption), it does not mean that restoration (mental and physical) is not a necessary process (sanctification). Moreover, any continued imposition and neglectfulness, post confession of faith and renewal, speaks volumes to your Redeemer. Why? Because accepting His forgiveness also includes agreeing to be accountable to His standards. Unless, of course, you believe your redeemed state gives you some sort “get out of jail free grace card.” If you habitually minimalize the gravity of your choice to sin, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Romans 5:20),” that’s precisely what you are doing. You are ignoring His commands and the penalty for transgressing them.

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (Romans 6:1-2) It starts with the acknowledgment of personal responsibility for imposition and neglect of the standards of Yahweh. Only the fool looks at the torture stake of the Messiah and reckons that continuing sin has no consequence. Anyone who rejected the law of Mosheh died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of the Mighty One underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the shed blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:28-29)

His death settled your debts, and because of His death every debt must be settled. Tread lightly loved one; how can you who have died to sin live in it any longer?

Things Unsaid (The Narrow View)

Things Unsaid (The Narrow View)

(#302 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“Therefore, let all Israyl be assured of this: Yahweh has made this Yahshua, whom you impaled, both Master and the Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:36-37)

Master and the Messiah; ruler and savior; king and priest; leader and servant; lion and lamb; what shall you do? You will do what you are called to do; that’s what you’ll do. The Messiah in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), that’s who you’ll be; that’s who you are!

Are you eager to see the fruit? If you have allowed the soil of your heart (mind) to be cultivated, the seeds to be planted into fertile ground, then you are very likely sensing the rain coming, the downpour of the Spirit that is necessary for that seed to crack open (die) and the seedling (new creature) to come forth.

Because of this Suffer Well Devotional, and even more so now as we conclude this short series within, your heart must feel pricked (Acts 2:37), no? It is impossible for His word to return void (Isaiah 55:11)! For the word of the Almighty is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart [mind]. (Hebrews 4:12)

You must certainly have some “attitudes of the heart” that lead to questions:

Q: “If I agree and adhere to the patterns expressed in ‘Things Unsaid,’ and I apply them daily as I seek Yahweh’s will, can I be sure my calling will be revealed?”

A: This is exactly what will transpire! Remember that the patterns are meant to first test you, as testing of your faith produces perseverance. And perseverance will finish the work Yahweh intended in you so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:3-4) The fire, the heat, the stirring, and the pressure, are all sources of spiritual energy used to refine your calling once the dross is removed!

Q: “Why is modern-day Christianity lacking the power promised us?”

A: Ephesians 1:19-20 says we were imbued with the same power that Yahweh used to raise Yahshua from the grave, yet we still act like dirty vessels. We pretend to be “ambassadors” of Yahweh, but do not even understand our own Spiritual potential, our true destiny and calling.

Q: “It seems like I cannot just accept ‘Jesus’ into my old life and use Him as if He’s a type of: super-therapist; corporate trouble shooter; mac daddy marriage counselor; money magnet; luck charm to blow on my dice, so I can win the lottery; faith healer who will dissolve this tumor in my colon; Christian guru, can I?”

A: That is 100% correct! You can’t just paint Yahshua on your old dilapidated barn. He’s not a spray can of Rust-Oleum® who will cover over your rust. If that is what you want, I believe He would call you a “whitewashed tomb” (Matthew 23:27). Instead of covering it up, He came to tear the old barn down. Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into the Messiah Yahshua were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as the Messiah was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4) Yes, a new life; a new creature, not some better version of the old creature. Yahshua the Messiah was impaled in order to become the author and perfector of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). Whoever wants to be His disciple must deny themselves and take up their stake daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23).

Q: “It’s a little scary to consider that learning about my true individual calling might disrupt all that I have currently attained to in my physical life, for me and my family. How should I process this?”

A: “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39) Is it freedom to satisfy all your carnal desires if you must exchange you soul for them? Having it all and yet bound by the wounds of your mind, will and emotions is not freedom. “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

Q: “If I am truthful within myself, I have to admit that it’s hard to trust Yahweh for all of this. To think that His Son, His prophets, and His chosen ones truly lived by faith and not by physical sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) is a strength I fail to see in myself. What do I do?”

A: Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes. (Luke 10:4) So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:31-34) When you are weak you are strong loved one! His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). Keep admitting, “Of myself I can do nothing.” (John 5:19, 30). Never stop saying that no matter what, and He will do all within you that He predestined for you!

Q: “So what is the master key to all the keys expressed over the last six days?”

A: Brace yourself; pray this and receive! “Yahweh, I believe that You will give me the love that I need to love You and Your will more than anything else in life, and with that my calling, my purpose, and my destiny will be revealed. For in [You] we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) Can you see it loved one? Can you see the intense beauty of all that He has done, and how He has done it? Make it so for us Yahweh, make it so!

But seek first the Kingdom of Yahweh and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Things Unsaid (Five)

Things Unsaid (Five)

(#301 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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Individual direction for you personally:

After the earthquake came a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper [a still small voice]. (1 Kings 19:12)

This step in discerning Yahweh’s revelation of your calling is, no doubt, the most difficult to ascertain. Even more than the “what to do,” this part requires obedience plus an understanding of timing, timing that is decided by the Father alone. The call on your life is loud and clear; the voice that is calling, as gentle as a whisper. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) Hearing this still small voice reveals what the Most High has had planned for you from the foundations of the world. “My sheep hear [listen to] My voice; I know them and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) When you follow Him, all things are possible for those who believe (Mark 9:23).

It is also necessary to mention another subtle nuance of receiving direction, and how your choices affect how you hear His voice. “They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have Yahweh speak to us or we will die.'” (Exodus 20:19) This account exhibits how, if you are not willing to come boldly before the Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16), your desire to stay one step removed will be granted by the Father. However, we also know that it is Yahweh’s preference that you hear His voice directly. It is the glory of the Most High to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. (Proverbs 25:2) Never forget; you are a royal (kingly) priest (1 Peter 2:9)! Or, like Esther, you are His queen who just may be predestined to play a major role in the deliverance of His people, if you would be so bold!

“My sheep hear [listen to] My voice.” His voice will be heard by the child who is humbly confident that it is the Mighty One’s desire to speak every single direction He has for the day, and who also humbly waits to hear those directions. This is the single most personal aspect of your faith. You can personally commune with the Creator of Heaven and earth and hear His voice. If you embrace this possibility, as unique as it seems, and you build a strong desire for such in your everyday life, your journey to discovery will be more than you can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

There is one final jewel in understanding “Things Unsaid.” This personal revelation, the most unique part of discovering your calling, can only be trusted if, first, you have submitted to obeying all the patterns. In other words, in order for you to trust that you are getting “individual direction straight from the voice of your Creator,” you must acknowledge that:

1. He makes the riches of His glory known to His objects of mercy by using His objects of wrath;

2. You did not choose Him; He chose you;

3. No weapon forged against you will prevail and Yahweh Himself forms the weapon;

4. Personal priorities get in the way of hearing His answers;

5. Revelation of your personal calling is already in you. The Messiah in you guarantees it;

6. You must receive and apply wisdom and wisdom is learned, earned and discerned;

7. To discern the voice of your Creator, you must:

a. Learn the word of the Most High;

b. Reject human wisdom;

c. Love Yahweh and obey His commands;

d. Understand what the Almighty has freely given you;

e. Put on the mind of the Messiah;

8. Wisdom is discerned for specific times and reasons;

9. Wisdom is unique to each person and each situation;

10. Wisdom denies all personal desire and prefers the greater good of others;

11. Wisdom dies on a stake while completely innocent and forgives those who murder her.

Do these and you can be confident you will hear His voice. Then, no longer can you settle for: “I am not sure why I am here, or what my calling is.” The earth cries out for sons and daughters who operate in the fullness of their calling. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of the Almighty to be revealed. (Romans 8:19) As we all step into our personal callings, we then can establish dominion corporately and bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

All things are possible for those who believe!

Things Unsaid (Four)

Things Unsaid (One)

Things Unsaid (One)

(#297 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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It is time to unlock the revelatory calling in your life; it is a supernatural gift. But in order to fine tune your narrow path, we must initially take a broad view. It is essential that you first remember that the totality of Yahweh’s commands apply universally. In other words, the commandments are not for personal interpretation, the entire body (congregating thoughts) is called to obey because the Law expresses the superior will of Yahweh (Romans 2:17-18).

Once you come into alignment with that, it’s then time to get personal; “The commandments do not tell me anything specific about my calling. So, what part of the body am I; and how do I know?” It is a common perplexity faced by those who do not recognize scriptural patterns, those missing some keys to the Kingdom. Let’s call those missing keys “things unsaid.” They unlock doorways to your very personal calling. Scripturally, you might call them the backstory. Let us demonstrate this by encapsulating a well-known scriptural narrative.

The central figure is David, the man after Yahweh’s own heart. The story can be found in 2 Samuel 7, his vision to build a temple made of cedar for Yahweh. It’s a detailed story with countless allusions and lessons, but for our purpose we will keep it pointed. David declares his disdain for the tent that he has placed the Ark of the Covenant in and his subsequent desire to put the Ark in a “house of cedar.” Let us remind you that it was David’s choice to put the Ark in a tent in the courtyard of his palace in Jerusalem, instead of putting it back in the Tabernacle Mosheh built, which was still standing in Gibeon.

This should be your first hint that something is either very wrong or that David knows something we don’t. And that is the key (pattern) we want you to recognize. There is no record anywhere that Yahweh had ever told man that His plan was to move the Ark from a tent of curtains to a house of cedar. Yet, we know from Yahweh’s response that it was the exact vision that He wanted David to capture, and He blessed David and his progeny for his faithfulness. What we don’t see is all the asking, seeking, and knocking (Luke 11:9-10); all the spiritual tenacity of not letting go (Genesis 32:26); and the spiritual violence (Matthew 11:12) it took for David to discern the heart of Yahweh and find the vision He had for him, in order for him to advance His Kingdom. He was after all, a man after Yahweh’s heart. And this is precisely what He has for you, a vision you are supposed to seek after, one that He predestined for you as your contribution in building His Kingdom (Romans 8:28-29).

Over the next four days we will define specific patterns which will lead to the greatest of all earthly pleasures, knowing your Creator better and discovering why you exist for Him:

1. The Father’s supernatural use of His “vessels of wrath” to guide you personally;

2. A simple look at the life, and not just the words, of men like

Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Israyl, Kepha (Peter), Shaul, or Yahshua Himself;

3. Individual wisdom (insight, revelation) for you;

4. Individual direction for you personally.

We will take each of these, one at a time, and you will step into the purpose He predestined for you. For today, we ask that you till (mentally prepare) the soil (ability to receive) of your heart (center of intellect) (Hosea 10:12, Jeremiah 4:3-4), and ask Yahweh, even now, to reveal and overcome any carnally-based perspective that has held you back. Come wanting to listen and hear. Till the soil today and be ready to plant the seeds of His love deep into your consciousness. Up and away loved one, to the highest of heights (the mind of the Messiah).

With Yahweh You are Never Lost

Lost?

(#296 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

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“From one man He made every nation of men, so they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” (Acts 17:26)

Have you ever said, or heard someone say, “I feel lost?” And we don’t mean in regards to longitude and latitude, but in vision, purpose and direction. Today is your day to step into your inheritance, to acknowledge that you have already been released into your destiny. In the Messiah Yahshua, you who once were far off [at a distance, far away, remote, alien] have been brought near by the blood [having been shed] of the Messiah. (Ephesians 2:13) Your destiny has been ordained by Yahweh. Put off the old man (Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22) and never look back, “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Philippians 3:13)

All that awaits those who look back is salt (Genesis 19:26). The “salt” of bitterness, regret, and shame, is all that is available if you do not “forget those things which are behind.” Instead of clear vison, purpose, and direction, you will feel lost. Have you sung, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; I once was lost, but now I’m found,” only to have your life truly sing, “And now I feel lost again?” Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. (James 3:11-12) Found yet lost again? This ought not to be so! (v. 10)

But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22) There are several things you can do to guard against this mental relapse:

Choose Facts over Feelings: First, you must decide to live in what is known and not what is felt. Fact: He determined the times set for you and the exact places where you should live. How you feel about something may not always jive with His truth; in that case your feelings MUST acquiesce to the facts. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares Yahweh, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) How then can you be “lost?” It’s not possible loved one, other than you giving more weight to your feelings than His promises.

Grow up: Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? (Isaiah 28:9) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of the Almighty; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (Hebrews 5:12) It is time to grow up; time for some solid food! For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of mature. (Hebrews 5:13-14a)

Transform Your Mind: Digest this; what the Father says is true for all time! You can, and must bet your life on it. Transforming your mind (heart) is a process that must start now. The mature thinker has their “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14b) and concludes: “I feel lost but I know it is not possible because my life is in His hands.” This type of thinking is an indication of a transformation taking place; it is the “renewing” of your mind. (Romans 12:2) A mind that can digest “solid food” will deny all that opposes His word, no matter how it feels.

The complete transformation of every thought that does not conform to the mind of Yahweh is victoriously within your grasp. It is not as difficult as you might think; it’s as simple as a choosing what He says over what you feel. You are never lost loved one, only choosing to feel that way.

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Children of The Most High

Children of The Most High

(#294 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)

www.sufferwell.org
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says Yahweh. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

A servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. (John 13:16) If a child cannot be greater than his Creator, then how can one who is “lesser” do as Yahshua proclaimed? “The works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do.” (John 14:12) Is it possible for greater works to be done by the created one, the child? Yahshua revealed the secret to doing just that; “I am in the Father and the Father in Me” (John 14:11) In other words, “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, so you may marvel.” (John 5:19-20)

How do you do greater works?

Step one: receive Him and become a child of the Most High (John 1:12);

Step two: believe that you are in the Father and the Father is in you (John 14:11);

Step three: do nothing in your own strength (John 5:19);

Step four: do only what you see the Father (as portrayed through the lifestyle of Yahshua) doing (John 5:19);

Step five: live like it is no longer your life, but the Messiah’s life in you (Galatians 2:20).

Even with these five steps, you will never be greater than the vision you hold in your heart (mind). For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) Fortunately, as a child of the Most High, He has planted His vision in your heart, and you can discover it if you are willing to search it out. Ask, seek and knock (Luke 11:9); “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does.” (John 5:20) Moreover, as you submit your will to His, in other words, delight your “self” in Yahweh, He guarantees you the desires and secret petitions of your heart (Psalm 37:4). You see, He planted His vision in your heart and, therefore, greater works are possible because it is His power being expressed through you, not your own.

As a child of the Most High, you are His house (the place where He releases His wisdom and understanding within His Temple in your conscience) (Hebrews 3:6), and you are being continually shaped and formed to fulfill the Master’s plan. As His vision for you expands, your “house” must mature to contain the increase! There is, however, no need to strive because “Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” (Psalm 127:1) In other words; a submitted child can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do!

Greater works result from His Spirit producing a supernatural transformation in you. You no longer live; instead, He lives in you! You decrease and He increases. His increase then manifests a vision in you, far greater than any you can imagine. He will do exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

“By wisdom a house is built and through understanding, it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” (Proverbs 24:3-4)