Tag Archives: Zachary Bauer
Let His Mind be in you
Treasure of the Heart
(#237 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Watch over your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the sources of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
Hebrew is a language of action. Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Almighty, Yahweh is One! You shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) The first word of this key verse, quoted by Yahshua Himself in Mark 12:29, is very revealing. “Hear” in Hebrew, shamah, pronounced (shaw-mah’), implies to hear, listen to, and to obey. Moses and Yahshua are not recommending an intellectual exercise; the instruction is to “hear and obey” the command. It involves a response: it requires action to be fulfilled. We are supposed to think about what we hear from Yahweh, and then we are supposed to do something about it.
Heart and mind—these are one and the same in the Scriptures. The heart of a matter is one of thought and it is from the mind that life manifests. The thoughts of a man precede his actions. Hear and do! However, the heart of a man can devise both righteousness and wickedness. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) So, actions literally materialize from the treasure of a man’s heart, or in other words, the thoughts upon which he dwells.
Be warned loved one; the Word of the Mighty One will judge the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). With the tongue we praise our Mighty One, and with it we curse human beings, who have been created in the Mighty One’s image. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10) Therefore, you must guard your heart (mind) with all your strength. How so? Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to the Mighty One; and the peace of the Almighty, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts [center of intellect, intentions] and souls [character in consciousness] through the Messiah Yahshua. (Philippians 4:6-7)
But, that is just the beginning; there is an even higher calling, beyond guarding your center of intellect and character. It is a place where your awareness of impure thoughts is cleansed altogether. How much more, then, will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to Yahweh, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living Mighty One! (Hebrews 9:14) This is a place in which even the thought of sinning is not conceived.
Yahshua is our model; though He was tempted (constantly aware of self desire), He never conceived [thinking “not my will”] and therefore never even entertained evil desires (James 1:15). His mind remained pure through utter self denial and you are promised the same inheritance loved one. For this reason the Messiah is the mediator of a renewed Covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15) You have the mind of the Messiah. (1 Corinthians 2:16) In Him, you have been called to righteousness and have been given the power, through the Spirit, to reach this high calling. He has done His part; the rest is up to you. No one who is born of the Mighty One will continue to sin, because Yahweh’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of the Mighty One. (1 John 3:9)
Life springs forth from the heart (center of intellect) and therefore makes the soul (feelings, entire consciousness) merry.
Trust In Yahweh
Ba’al-perazim
(#236 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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So David went to Ba’al Perazim, and David defeated them [the rolling, deviating thoughts; Philistines] there. And he said, “Yahweh has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water. Therefore he called the name of that place Ba’al Perazim (2 Samuel 5:20)
This is yet another prophetic declaration from the mouth of the man after Yahweh’s own heart. He called that place Ba’al Perazim, the “Master of the breakthrough.” Meditate on that loved one. Yahweh is the Master of the breakthrough. And as it was with King (dominant thoughts) David (praise), so shall it be with his descendants (thoughts that precede praise).
If His word is true, then how long will the congregation sing “The battle belongs to Yahweh,” and still whimper and retreat at the first sign of trouble? A new paradigm in your mind must be established; it is a crossing over to a new place. The new reality to embrace is that you actually become everything you speak. Your words are always the fruit of your thoughts and they have the power of creation. For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) Remember Genesis, “And the Almighty said…” It is the mandate that Yahweh spoke all things into being. Perhaps this is one reason we are warned to measure our words carefully. Do not be hasty with your mouth, and let not your heart hurry to bring forth a word before the Almighty. For the Almighty is in the heavens, and you on earth, therefore let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
Our Creator was well aware of our capacity to sing of His power with one breath, and use the next to run from our enemies at the first sign of trouble. Be of good cheer however; He promises you the same testimony as David. “My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.” (Psalm 92:11) Yahweh is the Master of breakthrough. But in our example we see that the breakthrough came because, in faith, “David went!” Praise went forth loved one, to the place where Yahweh would defeat all enemies (ego driven ideas), no matter what! The righteous [right thinking] shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, My being has no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38)
Go to where you are called, even if that means running toward your enemies (1 Samuel 17:48); don’t draw back. For the eyes of Yahweh diligently search throughout all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9) Yahweh is searching for that perfect heart and this requires a transformation of your mind. On this journey to the mind of the Messiah (1 Corinthians 2:16), you must let your words be few, diligently take each thought captive, and carefully measure everything against the Word of the Almighty and the testimony of our Savior. Do this; don’t draw back; then you will have your breakthrough.
Please Listen
Cling Tight
(#235 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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He put his trust in Yahweh, the Mighty One of Israyl, and after him was none like him among all the sovereigns of Judea, nor who were before him, and he clung to Yahweh. He did not turn away from following Him, but guarded His commands, which Yahweh had commanded Moses. And Yahweh was with him – wherever he went he acted wisely [prospered wherever he went]. And he rebelled against the sovereign of Assyria [the intellect focused on worldly prosperity] and did not serve him. (2 Kings 18:5-7)
Hezekyah (Hezekiah) understood. He embraced the true reality that the most important element in the walk of faith in the Most High was to “cling to Him tightly!” His testimony in 2. Kings itself speaks of Hezekyah’s obedience to the word of Yahweh, his clinging to Yahweh’s commands. It’s as if his life was a living testimony of Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Choose life; love Yahweh; obey His voice; cling to Him! The outcome: He will multiply and prosper you. The alternative: turn away; close your ears; worship self made idols; and “you shall surely perish.”
Hezekyah (the recognition of inner “strength” given by Yahweh), like all good kings, knew that the enemies he would face, the opposition that would come against him, would simply be too powerful for him alone. Hezekyah understood that to be a righteous king, his foremost responsibility was to remove all idol worship (ego driven devotion), and fight to trust in Yahweh Almighty alone. He was walking in the steps of the king after the Almighty’s own heart; “In You, O Yahweh, do I put my trust.” (Psalm 71:1)
What sounds so simple and basic is indeed a paramount task in the life of a king; so many before him had failed. The “pleasures” of the world and the influences of man had torn down many kingdoms of those who came before. Kingdoms that were intended to flourish and take dominion simply vanished at the hand of disobedient kings. Yes indeed, Hezekyah understood that his actions would affect the entire kingdom, and he had a reverent fear because of that reality.
How many of us simply go throughout our days and years, numb to the fact that our actions, as royal priests (1 Peter 2:9), affect the entire body of the Messiah, and that our lives do impact the Kingdom? Please recall; “The Kingdom of the Almighty does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the Kingdom of the Almighty is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
We somehow believe that our “secret sins” aren’t noticed by our Creator, and don’t affect other believers. This is a strong delusion that runs throughout the body and must be done away with. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. (Luke 8:17)
The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, and I shall live. (Psalm 119:144) This is the cry of a heart that clings tightly to the hem of His garment, “taking every thought captive unto obedience (2 Corinthians 10:5),” as did the Messiah. And one who possesses such a heart (center of intellect) then proceeds in that obedience with a reverent and awestruck wonder of Yahweh. This is the life of success. This is the life that is continually guarded and protected from all enemies. This is the heart of the child that knows Daddy will provide. “Daddy is the authority, and I do what Daddy says!” A very wise and obedient thought indeed.
Why Bad Things Happen To God’s People
Acceptance
(#234 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse the Almighty and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Indeed, should we accept only good from Yahweh, and not accept evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:9-10)
“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) My mature ones understand. Job understood. In My desire for your growth, I need to move you from feeding on the milk of babes to a more mature faith. 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 mature, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13-14)
I Am Yahweh; I desire that you are able to “discern both good and evil.” However, it’s not simply that you need to distinguish good from evil; as a mature believer you need also to acknowledge that I Am the author of both good and evil. I can already hear your reflex response; it is common in your discussions and teachings. “God would never allow evil into our lives; that’s the Devil’s domain.” Ponder that for a moment…then consider this; if I Am the One who allows the evil of the adversary to test you, who then is Sovereign over your testing? And you also must decide whether the testing is within you, or from some outside force. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. (Matthew 10:28-29) Fear who? The adversary? Or Me, Yahweh?
Your double-mind wants to tell you that an “All-loving Creator” would not allow such things. Remove the scales; because this is precisely how I operate. Your misperception tells you it’s “bad” when painful things happen. I tell you the opposite is true; trials are meant for your benefit. If this is hard to accept, it’s because you have the wrong perspective, My child. You’ve bought into the man-made theology that “a loving Creator would not do such things.” Rubbish I say, rubbish.
It is because I love you that the tests will continue. You rejoice that I planned My Son’s sacrifice to atone for your sins. Yet, you have difficulty accepting that I orchestrate your testing, your “sacrifice.” Let Me remind you; “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you….” (John 15:20)
Rather you might say, “Yahweh knows what I need in order to be crafted into the image of the Messiah, for He alone is omniscient.” This would be the correct perspective.
It is in My deep love for you, loved one, that I will repeat this pattern over and over again. The goal is perfection, Messiah-likeness. Do you admit that more of “you” still needs to be removed in order to achieve this objective? Or, are you more like a modern-day Pharisee, who reckons himself far more spiritual than he really is, but in your case, by “grace” of course? Which describes you My child?
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil [calamity, woe, trouble, disaster]: I Yahweh do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7) Accept this and be at peace not only with it, but because of it!
The Only Way
Greater Works
(#233 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (John 14:12)
Oh, if they only knew Abba. As they scorn and laugh at my calamity, their teeth set on edge. If they could only perceive the power being unleashed as they whisper in dark corners. They say of the tested ones, “They are losing their faith in God.” Your secret is safe with me Father. “For had they known, they would not have impaled the Master of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8) They could not have predicted that my faith would only get stronger. They don’t understand that faith is a gift. If they could fathom a Creator who “has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3), they would not mock as they do.
To those who scoff I say, “Will it be well when He searches you out? Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?” (Job 13:9) They try so hard to destroy my testimony; they are single minded and determined. Yet, I rejoice Abba that my faith is Your Faith, Your strength, and it serves Your purpose. Though You slay me, yet will I trust You. (Job 13:15) And thus, my faith can never be lost and it can never be lessened. And even if it were as little as a mustard seed, it would move mountains and transform kingdoms (Matthew 17:20).
For Your people, Father, illuminate how faith strengthens. Insults, accusations, and vengeful lies are Your tools. Oh that they might understand these are the “tests” You speak of, the trials meant to draw one closer to You and increase their faith. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4) Pain draws Your chosen people to Your words and Your words increase faith. As it is written, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of the Mighty One.” (Romans 10:17)
Your pattern: testing, increased faith; test again, increase faith. A pattern that of itself condemns the gentile while strengthening the chosen. If your enemies knew that their hatred was transforming mere men into sons of the Most High, they would not have impaled the Master of glory. The wickedness has purpose; it is supernaturally positioned. It is perfect for Your plan. You have made it so Mighty Father. The very things that must be “overcome” are that which increase faith and build the Kingdom within. Towards all those who attempt to offend (within and without), it is said, “Love and Forgive!” The pattern is clear, so take heed to yourself. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, “I repent; shall you forgive?” And the apostles said to the Master, “Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:3-5)
We have the perfect example; “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) We sing of Him every week; we sing to Your beloved Son. How perfect is Your plan; how mysterious and lovely. If they ever found out, the accusers, would the hatred stop? If they knew You fashioned their hate into the tool that would produce perfected saints, would they change? Oh, that we would be transformed by your patterns of faith, Abba. What would the entire body of the Messiah look like who adhered to this beautiful plan of Yours? What could we then do upon the earth? Perhaps greater works!
Is it a sin to eat animals?
Is it a sin to eat animals?
Repent and Believe, Repent and Rejoice
Repent and Believe; Repent and Rejoice
(#232 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“…But we have the mind of the Messiah.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
What do you envision when you think about Jericho? You see a bunch of radical Israylites marching around the walls, and maybe you even hear them shouting as the walls crumble after the seventh day! Now I want you to envision the walls of your mind tumbling down. Yes, My child; it’s all in your head. Sin is birthed in the mind (heart) before it manifests in the flesh. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:14-15)
If you continue to entertain sin, Yahweh will “give you up to uncleanness, in the lusts of your heart [mind].” (Romans 1:24) and “give you over to a debased mind [heart], to do those things which are not fitting (Romans 1:28).” Before this happens, you must allow the strongholds of your mind, the walls that keep you bound, to be torn down. If not, it’s as if “you know the Almighty, but do not glorify Him as the Almighty, nor are you thankful, and so you become futile in your thoughts, and your foolish heart [mind] becomes darkened (Romans 1:21).” You must be transformed by the renewing of your mind [heart] (Romans 12:2). How can you do this? Here are three practical steps:
1. Acknowledge that you don’t believe and obey all that I say. Repent and ask for healing.
2. Take every thought captive, and ask yourself, “Does this thought reflect total trust in Yahweh?”
3. Recognize that the battle is spiritual and that the physical is merely a manifestation of thoughts.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Yahweh for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of the Almighty, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of the Messiah, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
The weapons to tear down the walls of your mind are mighty in Yahweh. You must simply believe it! When your thoughts come into captivity to the obedience of the Messiah, “joy will be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).” Yes, that’s correct; when you need strength, rejoice in Him. Take every thought captive. Filter every activity in your mind through Yahshua’s life and resurrection. His life is a display of Yahweh’s power. And access to that power will come in every situation as you meditate on His resurrection (complete mind renewal through the utter shedding of the “self”). The walls of Jericho (carnal voice within) must come down. Believe it! This is the pattern; it can be no other way.
Enough said; His yoke [mind work] is easy and His burden [right thinking for the fallen] is light (Matthew 11:30). Your only problem is unbelief. Repent and return! Repent and live! Repent and believe! Repent and rejoice!
Be Honest with Yourself
Death of the Upright
(#231 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Balaam understood that even if it required death to partake in the promises of Israyl, it was an inheritance to be coveted.
“Who can count Jacob’s descendants, as numerous as dust?
Who can count even a fourth of Israyl’s people?
Let me die like the upright; let my life end like theirs.” (Numbers 23:10)
Balaam recognized that those who were chosen to become heirs to the name of “Israyl” were inheriting something greater than land; he was seeing the eternal. It was not through the law that Abraham and his descendants received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. (Romans 4:13) For not all who are descended from Israyl are Israyl. Those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of the Almighty; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. (Romans 9:6, 8)
Who are the children of the promise; who then is Israyl? Israyl: one who prevails with or overcomes with the Mighty One. What a legacy! Balaam was seeing with prophetic eyes, not just natural eyes. It was more than worldly protection that inspired him; it was the promise of their everlasting inheritance. Yes, what Balaam saw in the prophetic was the inheritance of those who would walk with Yahweh through the shed blood (life force) of Yahshua. And he claimed that he would gladly die for it. “Let me die like the upright; let my life end like theirs.” Can you imagine? It was as if he could have professed, “For [I] died, and [my] life is now hidden with the Messiah in the Mighty One.” (Colossians 3:3)
Israyl was a protected and supernaturally guided people who had a destiny to be envied. They were blessed coming in and blessed going out (Deuteronomy 28:6). Balaam declared, “There is a people that dwells apart, not reckoned among the nations.” (Numbers 23:9) Yes, they are a people raised so high that they are not to be counted among the gentiles. [They] are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the Almighty’s special possession, that [they] may declare the praises of Him who called [them] out of darkness into His wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) And “they” means “you!”
Is your heart stirred like Balaam’s? Are you as excited about your inheritance as Balaam was desirous of it? Are you walking in the fullness of gratitude that you should when given such a spectacular gift, willing to die for it? Be honest; if you know you have diminished appreciation for what was offered to you by the shed blood of Yahshua, perhaps you might come naked and bare before the Father. Perhaps you might seek forgiveness for living as a pauper, when you really have royal (holy) blood (life force) coursing in your veins (pathways of thought).
Or, perhaps you are in danger of forfeiting your inherited identity because you, like Balaam, only claim a willingness to die for it, yet resist the actual death necessary to attain it. Balaam’s words and the true intent of his heart never merged as one, and this was a curse unto him (Deuteronomy 23:5, Jude 1:11, Revelation 2:14).
The journey to riches begins in the mind. Take some time today to contemplate your inheritance. You must first believe that you are royalty to become royalty. And royalty implies rulership; Yahweh requires much from His rulers. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48)
Rulers must also understand that they are called to worship in the valleys, just as on the mountaintops. Embrace your inheritance, and like Solomon pray, “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10) Then, take your rightful portion and rejoice in it. Rejoice I say, rejoice!
The Scary Truth about Islam from a former muslim
This is a link to Laur’s youtube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfXiGWeUcWZsFjsTdEGduQ
Here is a link to part one of Laur’s story of her conversion from Islam, to Christianity to Torah Observant
https://youtu.be/JZHSkjdzRCA
Don’t Tread on My Suffering
Don’t Tread on My Suffering
(#230 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Are you so predictable that when I expose my suffering you will tell me of all the others who have it worse? Who are you to diminish my capacity to suffer? Did not our Messiah become perfected through His suffering? (Hebrews 5:8-9) If my greatest dream is being a father, could there be a worse suffering than losing a child? If a woman’s deepest desire is to be a faithful wife, is there a suffering for her greater than an adulterous husband? The magnitude of suffering is relative to each individual, and suffering, like blessings are always under the sovereign will of the Almighty (Lamentations 3:37-38). How can you declare that anyone can have it worse, when you have never asked me what suffering means to me?
You expect your words should bring comfort, like some garment you can throw over my suffering. I suspect you do this because you are not comfortable with suffering, and you do not acknowledge that Yahweh created suffering to bring hope. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with the Almighty through our Master Yahshua the Messiah, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of the Mighty One. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:1-4) Don’t you understand that when you take away the substance of my suffering, you take away my joyful reward? Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of the Almighty has been poured out in our hearts [centers of intellect] by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5)
Your words of comfort actually inhibit my joy. You cannot find joy by easing suffering; you can only find joy by embracing it! Stop assigning any meaning to suffering other than what my Creator has intended. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
If Yahweh tells me He will never give me more than I can handle, why do you tempt me to reject His promise? Why would you rescue me from my opportunity to be “perfect and complete, lacking nothing?” No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And the Mighty One is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Whatever pricked your conscience during this devotion needs to be fully explored. The natural man cannot handle Yahweh’s truth about suffering and is quick to flee. Have you ever come face-to-face with these words of Yahshua in your own life loved one; “Do you too desire to leave Me?” (John 6:67) When you attempt to appease or alleviate the suffering of another you are hindering their ability to be perfect and complete, as Yahweh commanded them to be!
I will bear my cup, as it is just that, “mine to bear!” It is mine and it was given to me. Please don’t tread on my suffering; my hope is found in it.