by | Mar 8, 2016 | Devotional
(#068 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
In REPENTANCE and REST is your salvation; in QUIETNESS and TRUST is your strength, but you would HAVE NONE OF IT [v.15]… Yet Yahweh v to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For Yahweh is the Mighty One of justice. Blessed are those who wait for Him [v. 18]. (Read Isaiah 30:15-18)
HAVE NONE OF WHAT?
1. REPENTANCE: Repent and ask forgiveness for doubting His provision in all things, and for trusting yourself and man.
2. REST: Rest and believe that the battle is always Yahweh’s, and do not strive, but rest in Him through faith.
3. QUIETNESS: If it is Yahweh who saves, then your boasting of self or anything other than Him is in vain. Humility and a quieted soul should be the fruit you offer Him. So, hush.
4. TRUST: Trust by putting your faith into action. This would be demonstrated by doing nothing out of fear of or faith in man.
Yes, the child who walks in repentance, rest, quietness, and trust may wait for Him in eager expectation. Surely goodness and mercy will follow the one who does these things (Psalm 23:6). Certainly you will be able to remind the Father that your faithfulness warrants your blessings to come. “Blessed are those who wait for Him.”
David said it best Abba, and today I long to mimic his words to You; “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Psalm 131:2)
Pray about this and listen. Do it over and over. Never cease.
#FullStature #SufferWell
by | Mar 7, 2016 | Devotional
(#067 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
Father, when a word I give helps another, I need that.
When I dream of how Your blessings are coming and someone confirms it, I need that.
When I pray to You and sense Your strong presence, I need that.
When friends and loved ones pray for me, I need that.
When my children can still find joy in You even while I suffer, I need that.
When my children desire to stay intimate with me, I need that.
When I pray and You answer, I need that.
When I ask You to show me the way and You do, I need that.
The faith to trust what I cannot see, I need that.
Daily hope, I need that.
Whispers from Your Spirit, I need that.
Words of affirmation, I need that.
Favor, I need that.
Forgiveness, I need that.
Wisdom and knowledge, I need that.
Humility and meekness, I need that.
The ability to sing no matter the circumstance, I need that.
The heart to continually worship, I need that.
Courage, I need that.
Strength to stand before my Goliath, I need that.
Peace and prosperity, I need that.
Father, you provide all we need because You promise that we shall not want (Psalm 23). You promise that through the knowledge and understanding of You we will have all we need for life. Please fill our hearts so completely that we would no longer be aware of what we need.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of the Almighty and the Master Yahshua Messiah, as His Spiritual power has given to us all things that pertain to life and being conformed to His Mighty image, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the spiritual nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:2-4)
#FullStature #SufferWell
by chaim | Mar 6, 2016 | Devotional
(#066 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
You shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. (Excerpts from Matthew 23: 13, 15, 23-29)
Woe to obstinate children:
* Those who will not listen to or trust in Yahweh alone;
* Those who carry out their own plans;
* Those who operate in fear instead of being directed by His mind within;
* Those who trust in the wisdom and strength of men and form alliances not led by the Spirit. Alliances can be good, but only if Yahweh forms them; and so often the ones you form are not His desire;
* Those who go down to Egypt without consulting Yahweh;
* Those who walk right into the enemy’s camp without permission and favor from Yahweh;
* Those who fear earthly kings, look for help from “Pharaoh,” and trust in material prosperity;
* Those who seek the shade of Egypt and desire a covering from earthly things which only satisfy the ego.
Everyone who trusts in people to be their help will be put to shame; Father, we will make no provision for the flesh on our own. Teach us to do as You say and grant us release from the fear of man. We desire alliances, but only the ones that you ordain. The battle is Yours Abba; we rest in You alone.
My help comes from Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)
#FullStature #SufferWell
by | Mar 5, 2016 | Devotional
(#065 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
Father, Your ways are far superior to ours; we will trust You, even when Your power frightens us. We will not place our trust in another. We won’t even concern ourselves with how You will deliver us. All we need is to hear Your voice say, “I Am the Almighty; walk before Me faithfully and blameless.” (Genesis 17:1) Speak and we will follow.
You have taught us many things Abba and these are what come to mind, these are what permeate our consciousness:
1. You will not stand for Your children living in fear of man;
2. Fear of man is sin in Your eyes. It says, “I don’t trust You Father;”
3. Throughout Your word you teach Your children that they will never be dismayed, condemned, shamed, or humiliated;
4. You instill in us that shame and condemnation wreak havoc in the minds of Your children because Your children disobey. Though Your love can restore it all, lack of faith only supports the shame within;
5. We do not need to defend ourselves and the only battle that matters is the battle to believe You;
6. You demonstrate Your consuming love and jealousy for Your children;
7. You remind us about Your Son’s death and how the shedding of His blood brings the fullness of Your power into our lives. Life is in His shed blood;
8. You command us to worship and praise in what seems like our darkest hours and that by obedience to this You will cause the sun to shine again. Joy and prosperity will come.
So Father, we don’t care what others may say. We will radically do as You say. If man is to align with us in our efforts, You will show us. Otherwise, we are sold out to You alone. We need to see Your word come true for us. We need You to forever remove any fear of man in us, and any irrational fear we might have of You, and replace it with awe and a mesmerizing addiction to You. So be it!
#FullStature #SufferWell
by | Mar 4, 2016 | Devotional
(#064 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
Yahweh is exalted, for He dwells on high; He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of Yahweh is the key to this treasure. (Isaiah 33:5-6) Fear of Yahweh makes Him your solid foundation! When you reverence Him, He becomes a vast storehouse of wellbeing for your soul. And He lavishes you with insight and understanding of His deep mysteries.
“If I called it treasure, then you would do well to pay attention,” says Yahweh. “Has there ever been a greater treasure than what is found in Me? Treasures are, of course, hidden and valuable mysteries. Yes, they take time and effort to find, but what is revealed will be well worth your search. Yes, it is deep revelation. As you sketch the map that leads to My treasure, “X” marks the spot. And the X is fear, holy reverence of Me My child. Where proper fear exists, there is a multitude of treasures. The bounty is yours for the taking.
What am I asking of you? What is a fuller understanding of proper fear of Me? It is many things My loved one, as every area of your life needs a specific application of fear. May I give you a few definitions?
Awe and wonder: a state of amazement.
Reverence: recognizing My holiness and Supreme authority.
To be afraid: dread of standing on My holy ground in an unclean state.
Yes My child, all of these apply, and all of these must be applied to every area of your thought life. What you think, and therefore, what you do, incorporates all of these applications of fear. It’s time to remind you that this is the path to the treasure you desire. It is the sure foundation for your salvation (soul wellbeing), wisdom (deep insight), and knowledge (spiritual understanding), and all of these you can have in abundance when you fear Me.
Be practical about this. Have this mind in you. ‘I have to make a decision Father. You are the magnanimous One, and I will not consider anything man has to say, nor will I be influenced by man, until I hear from You first. Though I may get counsel from many, I will wait upon You for the final answer. If I don’t directly hear from You and my peace remains, I will move forward in faith of good counsel. If I need to change course, please allow me to hear Your voice. It is You alone I follow Father.’
Yes My child. This incorporates all aspects of properly fearing Me. I can work mightily in you when you have this mindset. I desire to hand you the key to My treasures. Please allow Me the joy of doing so. It is what I Am due.”
#FullStature #SufferWell
by | Mar 3, 2016 | Devotional
(#063 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
Have I not told you, you are not to have friendship with this world (James 4:4)? If so, why do you choose to live like those who are strangers and foreigners to My family? Look at your life! Is this why I created you? Why is your life so—typical? In other words, why is it not set-apart from the world? My Kingdom suffers violence, and the violent [My hungry children] take it by force. (Matthew 11:12) Politics? What do I care about Caesar’s agenda? Economics? The gold and silver are mine! Society and life? Read Exodus! What do you think I meant when I said, “Come out of her My people”? (Revelation 18:4) Answer Me! What does this mean to you?
Listen to Me child. Babylon will always “babble-on.” Consider this; I planned the existence of evil so that good would have to overcome. It’s the battle the makes life what it is. How could righteousness be proven unless evil existed? How long will you play with what is not intended for you? I am fiercely protective of My culture and My boundaries. I may have a melting pot of children, but My culture is never to be changed or watered down to appease man’s disdainful compromises. Why else would I tell you that the same law applies to both the native-born [thoughts birthed in righteousness] and the foreigner [thoughts opposed to cleanliness] (Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 15:16; Exodus 12:49)? As such, the “foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:34)
My most basic commands mandate separation (set-apartness, holiness)! Have I not called you My treasured possession? (Exodus 19:5) You are not of this world, you are citizens of Heaven [exalted conscience] (Philippians 3:20). Stop trying to blend into cultures that are not of Me. Mine is a culture of priests and prophets! Do something about your faith! If it is glory I seek, will I not help you do glorious things? Open your eyes! The light is right in front of you. Sojourners do not settle in; they know they are not staying and keep a loose grip on anything that will not remain when My Kingdom comes. That is the way it should be for you NOW! On earth as it is in My Kingdom (Matthew 6:10). Do not let Caesar entice you any longer. Come out I say; Come out! Your life, the entirety of your conscious and subconscious existence, depends on it.
#FullStature #SufferWell
