Tag Archives: Zachary Bauer
The Woman I would Never Date
The Woman I would Never Date
Lie to Who?
Lie to Who?
(#226 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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When I tell you that your unredeemed heart is wicked and deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9), it is because I know your thoughts. “I Am He who searches the kidneys [emotions] and hearts [intellect, intentions].” (Revelation 2:23) Yes, I created your brain and your ability to develop both temporal and spiritual perception. However, its vast capabilities can work against you as, oftentimes, you convince yourselves that anything bad (the revelation of a wickedness) to your conscience is about someone else. “Wicked and deceitful?” It may still refer to you loved one, if you do not step into your fullness and, on your journey, remain honest about your propensity to live with one foot in this world and one foot in My Kingdom.
Your brain’s ability to perceive My deep things (1 Corinthians 2:10) is rivaled only by its ability to rationalize unrighteousness. Here is a spiritual equation for you to ponder: to rationalize unrighteousness equals hypocrisy. Your denial of this tendency also pertains to your lack of humility. Yes, I know all things about you so, “Humble yourselves in My sight and I will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
Hypocrisy is prevalent because you dream of eternal things and raise hands in worship, yet if you are honest with yourself, contemplating eternity with Me in the future does not fill your soul today with overflowing joy. It’s as if you have given up on the now, and placed all of your hope in what one day “might” be. And then you assuage your lack of daily joy with religious services. How is it that I Am the Mighty One of your eternal life and not the Mighty One of your daily life?
Have I not spoken to you about double-mindedness? “Subject yourselves to the Almighty. Resist the adversary [the carnality within that seeks to “choose” rather than obey] and he shall flee from you. Draw near to the Mighty One, and He shall draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners. And cleanse your hearts, you double-minded!” (James 4:7-8) I have called you to live in joy, peace, and righteousness today, not just in eternity. Stop lying to yourself; if you cannot find joy today in faith, how are you so certain it is there for your eternity? Can you quit before the race is over, yet expect the eternal prize?
What am I saying to you? First, I would ask you to stop demanding My eternal prize with your daily dirge. Anger, anxiety, fear, bitterness, selfishness, and greed; all of these have part in your daily life, yet you expect and discuss with others the wonders of the life to come. Stop it loved one! Stop it or I will do it for you. Yes, I would rather you be honest and confess your lack of faith that I will supply all your daily needs (Philippians 4:19). Do this before you discuss My eternal glory; honesty demands it!
Talk to Me; stop lying to yourself; face your fears with Me. I, alone, can conquer what hinders you today, all that keeps you from today’s hopes and joys. Today is My day; rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) This is why I have asked you to number your days (Psalm 90:12). Ask of Me and I shall reveal more of the eternal things, but first rejoice while it is still called “today” (Hebrews 3:12-15).
Go to the mountaintop
Go to the Mountaintop
(#225 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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It’s all a matter of perspective My child. Perceive with eyes of trust, hope, and understanding. Hear My still small voice. It was on a mountaintop that Yitshaq (Isaac) was to be sacrificed, not a valley, not a slum, not a prison. It was from the place of blessing I asked Abraham to pass the test. And Abraham called the name of the place Yahweh Yireh, as it is said to this day, “On the mountain Yahweh provides.” (Genesis 22:14) The reward was already prepared. Only one thing was needed; faith! And therefore, only one thing needed testing; faith!
Perhaps you feel like you are in a valley. Listen child, it is really a mountaintop in disguise. I have your reward here with Me. You have only one job; believe! Perhaps two; believe and rejoice when you are being tested (1 Peter 1:6). I Am Abba. I will not let you fall (Romans 11:11). Have I not told you that “Weeping might last for the night, but joy comes in the morning?” (Psalm 30:5) Morning signifies a time of Heavenly illuminations. Do you really think I would let you fall into the place of despair, and then leave you there? Did I not say, “Hope deferred makes the heart [mind] sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12) Yes, I Am trying to change you, but only to make you holy (set-apart). If I left you the way you are, you could NOT stand in My presence.
Am I worth it to you? Am I worth the pain? Lay aside everything that keeps you from loving Me and seek first what I ask, My Kingdom and My righteousness. I will take care of everything else (Matthew 6:33). My plans for you are the reason you were created; and this is for goodness, for purity, for joy, and for My honor. I will not be changing My patterns for your life loved one; they are already perfect.
Yes My child, it feels like a valley; but, it is truly a mountaintop in disguise. If you quiet your mind, you will hear My gentle whispers. “Rise up My love, My fair one, and come away.” (Song of Solomon 2:10) Come away with Me; it’s on the mountaintop you will be tested; and it’s on the mountaintop you will be blessed.
Justice by The True Judge
His Gates of Authority
(#224 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His Name. For Yahweh is good [consciously right]; His kindness is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100:4-5)
Yes My child, the gates symbolize entrance into the knowledge of the truth that I Am the sole authority in consciousness, and the courts represent My justice and reverence. Don’t think for a moment I do not see the imbalance of your earthly scales; I call this brand of “justice” double mindedness.
Dishonest scales are an abomination to Me (Proverbs 11:1). But, the day is coming, the day I reserved for the wicked, the day set aside for those who will serve the sentences for the unjust yoke (mental bondage) they hung on the necks of the righteous (Psalm 149:5-9).
Yes, the gates of authority shall be restored to My people. And, know this My child; only those who understand righteous judgment shall sit in the seats of authority. Be still and know; be still and hear My quiet whispers. Listen to My still small voice. It is a remnant I Am making ready now. I have been setting the table. The remnant who dines at this table will have no fear of earthly kings. Know this loved one; My Kingdom suffers violence, and I need violent (consciously aggressive for righteousness) men who can take it by force (Matthew 11:12), men prepared to suffer violence and willing to be “spiritually violent” in return.
Why fear the courts of men (fleshly orders and rulings)? Have I not told you that I will go before you? Read My words: “The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait on Yahweh, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.” (Psalm 37:32-34)
I always do as I say? Only your inability to trust, and therefore receive My promise, is what leaves you subject to men. Oftentimes, your desire to be “justified” in the eyes of men leaves you at the mercy of the very same men you’ve appealed to. Shaul chose to appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:10-12). What would’ve been the outcome had he not done so? Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been [literal translation: had the power to be] set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:32) Trusting in man’s justice is a desperate thing indeed; and the outcome is never good. (Read of Shaul’s entire trial in Acts 21:30-26:32)
Take the hits, bare the wounds, and trust Me to restore. Cease in your search for self-justification and self-preservation. I Am the only true Gate Keeper and I have the final say. Leave it to Me to judge for you and soon I will teach you to judge for yourself. Your hired counselors cannot overcome the beast systems that prevail. Only those taught by My Spirit can do so. Justice is Mine, and justice is here!
Today 4 Years Divorced, My Feelings and Message
Today 4 Years Divorced, My Feelings and Message
Peace and faith
Hold Tight Till I Bless You
(#223 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Yahweh will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. (Exodus 14:14)
Whose battle do you think will be most difficult? Will I have trouble defeating your foes? Is My Right Arm not long enough to protect you? When My servant Mosheh (Moses) told you to, “hold your peace,” did you understand the magnitude of his words?
You see My loved one, holding your peace oftentimes means fighting to keep it. My battle is already won, but your fight is to keep your peace by trusting that My word will be fulfilled in your life. You can only lose your peace if you lose sight of Me. You cry out to Me for more faith, but you must follow the pattern I’ve put in place to build your faith. What pattern? Have I not written that, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by My word?” (Romans 10:17) You need to focus on what is required of you and leave the rest to Me. If you want the faith to believe all I say, then go into My word and get all the faith you need. Would you prefer it another way? Do you believe that your way is better than Mine?
Listen to Me My precious one. Listen to My still small voice. When I tell you something, you can bet your life on it. You can bet your eternity on the idea that My word is your vehicle to a greater faith because I have made it so. All you need to do to hold your peace is to stay rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17). And love is perfected in those who keep My word (1 John 2:5). I Am love! My Son is love! My Spirit is love!
So, you can hold your peace by increasing your faith by knowing My word, and I will handle all of your battles; I promise. Now, will you make Me a promise? Will you promise to hold your peace? Will you increase your faith by searching My word? In addition to peace, your great reward will include closer communion with Me, the Creator of peace in your conscience.
To our loved readers: Yahweh’s words are a gift; take from them freely and grow. Hold your peace by fighting to keep it as did Ya’aqob (Jacob) when he wrestled with the Almighty (Genesis 32:24-30). Exercise spiritual tenacity like he did when he held on like a pit bull till he was blessed. “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (Genesis 32:26) Yes,”The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12) The Kingdom is only established with such dogged vehemence.
Ya’aqob gripped tight with a “spiritual violence” and would not let go till all was accomplished. And for persevering he was rewarded with his new identity, the one who prevails with the Almighty. “Your name shall no longer be called Ya’aqob [the supplanted conscience], but Israyl [the conscience that strives with and for Yahweh]; for you have struggled with the Mighty One and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28)
Fight to keep the peace and embrace your new identity; you are one who prevails with the Mighty One!
Shine Brightly for Christ
How will I know?
(#222 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Abba?”
Yes child?
“How will I know when righteousness has rooted itself within me?”
Did you speak what was pleasant and edifying today? (Ephesians 4:29)
“Yes Father.”
Have you turned away from the thoughts that bribe you, and the trickery that would have once compelled you? (Exodus 23:8)
“Yes Father.”
Have you continued to reject profitable things which come from compromising your beliefs? (Proverbs 16:8)
“Yes Father.”
Have you closed your mouth to slander and your ears to gossip? (Proverbs 20:19)
“Yes Father.”
Did you covenant that your eyes would turn from looking upon that which is evil? (Habakkuk 1:13)
“Yes Father.”
Have you reminded yourself that I alone fill your soul? (John 6:35)
“Yes Father.”
If you have truly done these things, then there is evidence that righteousness has been rooted in you. You shall surely dwell in lofty security and have inaccessible cliffs as your stronghold. Your food shall be supplied and your drink assured. These are the things I have in store for My righteous ones (Matthew 6:33).
Remember your strong desire for My righteousness today and hold onto it with all your might; even unto death. If you just do this one thing, I shall do the rest.
To our loved readers: In your search for righteousness, we wanted to remind you that the most important thing is to know Yahweh (an intimate, scriptural knowing). The righteousness that draws Him near is a righteousness that is only achieved through the life of Yahshua the Messiah in you (Galatians 2:20). It was never, nor will it ever be your own righteousness (Romans 10:1-4; Philippians 3:9), but a righteousness imputed to you (Romans 3:21-22). It is a gift loved one.
Of course, as Shaul taught us, there is also a type of righteousness that you are responsible to achieve. “Therefore, my loved one, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation [mental well-being] with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) Your righteousness (the non-imputed type) is a righteousness of obedience. But, this righteousness does not create intimacy with Yahweh or draw Him any closer to you; it is a byproduct of the intimacy established with Yahweh through the life of His Son. In other words, you are not redeemed by good works, as if the “self” could accomplish anything good, but for good works, those prompted and empowered by the Spirit alone (Ephesians 2:8-10).
“So you mean to tell me that the very thing that brings Him near to me today, and thus fulfills my every desire, is a righteousness that He gifted to me through His son?” This is exactly what we want you to acknowledge. And as you contemplate this, never settle with your own vetting of an internal issue. Never lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Look for the truth within. Meditate on this day and night (Psalm 1:2). And then cry out for it so you may be sure it is His truth. After that, listen for His still small voice!
Integrity
Integrity
(#221 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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Integrity is the courage to stand behind an idea that emanates from the mind of Yahweh. But, you might be thinking, “Who has known the mind of Yahweh…?” [answer] But we have the mind of the Messiah. (1 Corinthians 2:16) Of course, to know His mind, you first must be able to hear His still small voice, and this does not come without effort. Remember, it is a: “still” [only speaking to the quieted mind] “small” [causing you to put forth effort] “voice” [the will of Yahweh within you]. Having integrity in all things is really just saying that you have the mind of Yahweh on all matters. It is recognizing His principles as they repeat over and over in noticeable patterns.
Like love, peace and joy, the idea of integrity is only defined by the Creator of the principle, the Creator of all commanded patterns. If our Father is perfection, then integrity is a portion of the pattern that leads to Him. Integrity must then be an integral part of any idea that emanates from the mind of His created ones. An idea that truly emanates from the eternal “I Am” incorporates every single principle (command) into the idea. Integrity sifts an idea like silver which is purified seven times, only to illuminate any piece of the idea that does not conform to all of the Creator’s principles, or in other words, His mind. Integrity removes all dross and then stands firmly no matter what comes against it.
Integrity understands that it is bound to face vast opposition, and therefore it expects to suffer; but it also expects to stand in the suffering. In a fallen world, any standard that espouses absolute integrity will be attacked from all sides. The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of the Almighty, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
No doubt, integrity will stand as surely as its Creator stands; and it will inspire all of its enemies to wreak havoc on the spiritual idea. Because the carnal mind is enmity against the Mighty One; for it is not subject to the law of the Almighty, nor indeed can be. (Romans 8:7) At the same time, integrity exposes any part of your “self” that is not yet uprooted.
Integrity: the courage to stand behind (endure the suffering of) an idea that emanates from the mind of Yahweh. It is the state of being whole and undivided from Yahweh. Integrity is unity, coherence, cohesion, and togetherness.
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the transgressors will destroy them.” (Proverbs 11:3)
Yahweh First
Which Way is Up?
(#220 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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We offer these devotions as a guide, and as always, the mind is what needs to be guided first. These writings are inspired by the Spirit, and contained within them are biblical patterns or blueprints that must be consistent with Yahweh’s character and must always bring glory to Him. Otherwise, they are just personal vainglory with no lasting power.
Two distinct patterns are important to emphasize in this season; one has just now been unfolding; it is the idea of hearing “the still small voice.” The other, which upholds the first, is that you do not need man to teach you. We will unwrap the latter first, and then unpack the revelation of the former.
Who is your teacher?
“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” (1 John 2:27)
There is a fine line between doctrines of men and scriptural truth. The fine line is truth itself! And this we say of the entirety of this body of work as well. If it is not from the Spirit of truth (John 16:13), then it amounts to the doctrines and commandments of men (Mark 7:7). “You do not need that anyone teach you!” If truth is spiritually discerned, then it stands to reason that truth can only be revealed by the Spirit, not man! Although man might point out the truth, only the Spirit in you can filter spiritual information; and only the Spirit in you can validate the authenticity of it.
“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of the Almighty, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:13-14)
Many problems arise when you are “seeking,” and if you’re willing to receive it, it’s because you have been spiritually lazy, and would rather have other men tell you their version of truth, rather than discern it for yourself by listening for the whispers of the Holy Spirit. It is up to you to hear what the Spirit is saying to you. Only the Spirit is needed to learn of the truth and only the Spirit in you can speak truth.
How does Yahweh Speak?
But Yahweh was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)
We have embarked upon a new season in our time together. The Spirit (Ammah-Ruach-woman) has led us to this place. We will continue to dance the heavenly dance; maybe some of you will learn of a new rhythm, a new choreography, and receive new revelation.
Break away from anything in your life that is causing you to rely on the words of men in order to hear the voice of Yahweh. It’s time to move past “feelings” to “knowing!” Yes, even if it requires more time away from devotions, you need to hear for yourself. It’s time to learn to cultivate that voice within, the still small voice, and to follow His guidance through the Spirit manifesting in your life. We know you hear His voice in these devotions, but you need to go beyond. You must discover which specific part of the body you represent!
Speak these words to Him and then listen:
“You and I, Yahweh, with Your Son, my perfector, and Your Spirit, my guide. I need to know who I am in You, and who You are in me. I need to know You, so I might find my true self.”
Won’t you pray this prayer? Won’t you do more than just pray it; won’t you be still and listen for the still small voice? The “still” [only speaking to the quieted mind] “small” [causing you to put forth effort] “voice” [the will of Yahweh within you]. Then, after that, obey what He tells you and show Him that what He commands matters!
Receive, Cry out, and Search!
“If, then!”
(#219 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
If you commune with My still small voice… (1 Kings 19:12)
Proverbs 2
· You will understand the fear of Yahweh;
· You will understand what is right and just;
· Wisdom will enter your heart;
· Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
· Discretion will guard you;
· Understanding will save you from the ways of the wicked;
· Understanding will save you from the immoral woman;
· You will walk in the ways of righteousness and goodness;
· You will live in the land and remain in it;
· The wicked will be cut off from the earth;
· The treacherous will be uprooted from the earth.
Yes loved one, all of these things are promises; they are absolute guarantees. They are already done. Do you perceive? Do you want what is freely yours? I said these things are already done. So then, what is the key that opens the door so you can walk through to these promises? “If!”
1) If you receive My words and treasure My commands, and turn your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding;
2) If you cry out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding;
3) If you search for wisdom and understanding as if silver, and search for them as hidden treasures.
I ask these three things of you; and then all I have promised is yours. Receive, cry out, and search! My patterns will not change and their beauty is in their simplicity. It is an if—then pattern loved one. If you do what is commanded, then all that is promised is already yours. Test Me child; know Me.
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) If you, then I loved one. The “then” is a guarantee; the only question is, “If?”