Archive for February, 2017

He Healed Them All

Sunday, February 19th, 2017

In Matthew chapter 8 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all who were sick,

17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

​​​“He Himself took our infirmities

​​And bore our sicknesses.”

Jesus cast out the spirits with His Word.  No matter how you look at this passage, you must acknowledge that “spirits” are connected with infirmities and sicknesses. The spiritual operates, affects, and overcomes the physical.  The answer to sickness and disease does not lie with a pharmaceutical.  Instead, the answer in the end is dealing with the spiritual.  In the U.S, there are more commercials promoting the use of pharmaceuticals than just about any other product or industry.  Why?  We are urged to treat the symptoms and not the underlying problem.  We are consistently exposed to alternatives to FATHER’S Divine Intent in the area of healing and restoration.

Were there any exceptions found in the above passage?  No, “all” means all.  Are there demon-possessed people in our midst today?   No doubt.  Believers cannot be demon-possessed but their physical bodies can be oppressed and affected by spiritual forces.  In Luke chapter 4, Jesus proclaimed:

17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

​18 ​​“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,

​​Because He has anointed Me

​​To preach the gospel to the poor;

​​He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

​​To proclaim liberty to the captives

​​And recovery of sight to the blind,

​​To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

19 ​​To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

​20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Who was doing the “oppressing”?  The enemy.  We are to be the ones to set at liberty those who are oppressed.  The word oppressed means: the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, or anxiety.  Doesn’t this definition describe the chronic conditions associated with sickness and infirmities?

If you discount or disregard this aspect of ministry, then you will be hindered in your walk with FATHER.  No, there is not a devil behind every tree… but there are demons to deal with in the spiritual realm and we need to operate in the gift of the Holy Spirit- discerning of spirits.  Jesus operated in this manner as He healed all who were sick.

Are you being plagued by an unexpected infirmity?  We must consider the possibility of being spiritually attacked in order to direct our focus away from our calling.  This may require much prayer and fasting as we deal with such spiritual matters.  Let us be persistent in addressing any obstruction that would prevent us from being fully led by THE SPIRIT and ministering to those brought before us.  Jesus declared that we would do greater things and He did not omit healing those oppressed by the spirits.  Let us also expect to heal them all.

Being Anointed With Power To Do Good

Saturday, February 18th, 2017

By THE SPIRIT it is written what Peter preached at the house of Cornelius in Acts chapter 10:

36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

No Believer questions the Truth and facts stated above about Jesus and His anointing for He is the Son of Our Heavenly Father.  The Entire Scripture centers around His coming, His ministry, and His current position at the right hand of FATHER.  The challenge we face is to fully accept our role as Sons and Daughters IN HIM and be led by THE HOLY SPIRIT rather than led by our mind of logic and reasoning.  We must overcome the trust we have placed in our own reasoning and embrace FATHER’S Word above all in our individual lives.  Let us embrace HIS Truth which Jesus spoke in Acts chapter 1:

“You have heard from Me;

5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

We received Spiritual power when we received The Holy Spirit yet for most this power lies dormant.  Our adversary, the devil, would like us to remain in that state so that the world would be left unaffected and in his dominion.  Many have discounted the impact of the devil as though he and his demons no longer matter in the affairs of mankind.  You only have to step back and look at the big picture to see the works of the devil around the world.  If Jesus had to deal with the devil be assured that we will also.  The good news is that Jesus defeated the devil and his authority but we must exercise the same power and authority as we minister to mankind.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 15:

17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.

18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,

19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Paul fully understood the anointing of power through The Holy Spirit.  Knowing this power, we too will overcome all obstacles lifted up and set before us in our walk.  If we are to be Overcomers, we must overcome.  Paul wrote in Romans chapter 12:

​21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Beloved Disciple John also understood and embraced the power of the anointing to overcome the devil as he wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 2:

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Doing good is constructive and restorative in nature.  Doing bad is destructive.  Let us be strong in The Word and overcome the evil one by the power and anointing given to us by FATHER.  We must acknowledge that the evil one is still around and attempting to keep us in the dark concerning his devices and schemes.  He uses people and resources in an attempt to bring forth destruction.  He oppresses people with sickness and disease.  FATHER has revealed the enemy so that we can and will by HIS power overcome the enemy and bring forth the Kingdom.

PS:  In order to be strong in The Word, you must read and study The Word.  This is why FATHER has me include Scriptures in every writing.  Meditate on these writings throughout the day and you will increase in strength.

Articulating Truth In Simplicity

Friday, February 17th, 2017

FATHER’S Love heals and restores.

Hurting people have come to feel uncomfortable among “believers” since they are made to feel defeated or embarrassed by their current condition.  We must not deny the reality of our hurts, weaknesses, or infirmities but bring them to the altar and lay them before Our High Priest Jesus Christ.  FATHER is not some distant God Who is unmoved by our circumstances.  HIS Nature is to heal and restore for HE is the Originator of Unconditional Love.

Those who teach the Word without Love being at the forefront insinuate and imply that they are superior to those who “don’t get it”.  They can analyze and interweave Scripture and present a multitude of supporting facts but without Love they are simply clanging cymbals.  Jesus had compassion on those in need.  He still does and let us walk in that same compassion for those who are hurting.

We do not need lengthy formulas to “work” the Word in our lives.  We need Truth in its simplest form.  Men have created and knitted formulas together intending FATHER to be placed in a box and abide by their formulas for success.  Man creates laws whereas FATHER’S Law can be summarized by two Commandments centered around Love.  In Matthew chapter 22, Jesus spoke and summed it up:

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.

35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Jesus came to deliver us from our burdens, not add more heavy burdens, whether spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical.  Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 11:

28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

If you are hurting and not at peace, seek Jesus Christ in His gentleness and  simplicity of Truth and Love.  His message is applicable to all ages, all levels of maturity, and all situations in which we find ourselves.  We must not let our pursuit of deeper understanding and fruitfulness be hindered by moving away from revelation and into man’s logic and reasoning.  If we wait until we have full knowledge of a Truth from FATHER, we will be still waiting when we die for HIS Truth is greater than our ability to fully comprehend it.  Let us walk in the revelation we have and seek FATHER’S Voice on a day-to-day basis and minister to others accordingly.  How simple it that!

There are many who are paralyzed in their walk because they continue to seek out some mystery thinking it is the key to their life as reality is simply passing them by.  That is called “paralysis by analysis”.  We must quit overthinking and simplify our walk by adhering to HIS Truth in simplicity.  Once we do then we can articulate HIS Love and Truth to others which in turn will change their lives.

Love Offerings

Thursday, February 16th, 2017

We are helping out a young lady who is working on becoming a Portuguese/English translator.  Brazil has a population of over 207 million and she wants to translate our message of Love into their native language.  Those who wish to join my wife and me on a monthly basis may do so by:

1.  Check payable to Servias Ministries

PO Box 1471

Bethany, OK 73008

2.  By credit card at:  https://www.unity153.net/CGI-BIN/lansaweb?wam=KGU0800A&webrtn=Donate&ml=LANSA:XHTML&part=UNT&lang=ENG

 

3.  You may also set up an automatic monthly credit card payment by signing into www.unity153.net , clicking the button which should display the authorization form.  Print the PDF form, fill it out and send it to our PO Box.  We prefer to have a signed document authorizing us to set up autopay.  You may also use this method to give offerings into the general fund to support our ongoing ministry expenses.  Simply make a notation on the form.

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No assistance is too small and if many of those who read our daily blogs will participate, we will be a greater blessing to the Brazilian people.  This is another opportunity to plant good seed into the Kingdom.  Let us not overlook those beyond our borders for the message of Love is their only hope as well.

Do You Trust In The Internal Or External?

Thursday, February 16th, 2017

Faith is the result of The Word dwelling in us by living It, practicing It, and declaring It.  We meditate in The Word, we think deeply and ponder It until The Word becomes greater than anything else in our lives.  It become first nature within us.  The result is confidence and assurance in FATHER’S willingness, ability, and expectation to impart whatever is required for our particular situation.  Sense knowledge will challenge and fight every step of the way while our faith is being built up.  When this battle heats up, are we going to succumb to our senses or are we going to “conquer” our land by faith in HIS Word.  Persistence is the key to building strong faith.

FATHER can Love us but not be well pleased.  In John chapter 3 by THE SPIRIT it is written:

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

FATHER Loved us while we were still in sin and walking in lawlessness.  Our acts were not pleasing but they did not prevent FATHER from Loving us and providing HIS first begotten Son as a sacrifice.  Before He started His ministry, Jesus was tempted of the devil.  He was required to spend 40 days in the wilderness yet many of us become disheartened if our situation isn’t corrected immediately.  We must let patience have its perfect work and let our faith be unwavering while patience is being fulfilled.  Jesus had faith in FATHER’S Word as much on day 40 as He did when He was directed into the wilderness on day 1.  By THE SPIRIT James wrote in chapter 1:

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

It takes time for seeds to germinate and grow once they are put in fertile soil.  We must remain steadfast in our quest to ascend to full maturity on all fronts.  Our foundation of Love promotes and empowers faith, then faith promotes hope with the expectation of future increase in fruitfulness.

By THE SPIRIT the Beloved Disciple recorded in John chapter 20:

24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”  So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”

27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus differentiated sense knowledge from faith.  Thomas relied on sense knowledge of “seeing, then believing” whereas Jesus declared those who believe without seeing first are the ones who are blessed.  Faith brings forth blessings.  Thomas only trusted in the external and required proof provided through the senses to assure him of the truth.  Many believers rely on this same method in order to have faith.  Their reassurance only comes by repeated confirmations through the senses.  Jesus instructed Thomas to get  two confirmations, one by His hands and the other by touching His side.

Faith expects outward signs to follow as confirmation whereas sense knowledge expects signs to come first in order to point toward a truth and believe a philosophy expanding on the apparent truth.  If the Word truly resides in us then we should expect it to manifest in the internal first.  Once It becomes alive inside, the physical result will come forth in due time.

Many trust in technology more than they trust The Word.  Science and technology are but an accumulation of fragments of knowledge which preexisted as hidden truths in the universe.  These fragments cannot produce Love, faith, or a new creation.  Technology is only a tool, not a solution within itself although many are preoccupied with technology at the expense of their spiritual health.  They have become slaves to manmade idols.  Be assured that Jesus is not walking around texting, tweeting, or using some other electronic means of substitution for interpersonal relationships.  We must not let the external enslave us any longer.  Let us be led by THE SPIRIT which is internal and effect change in the external by walking in great faith.

Developing Great Faith

Wednesday, February 15th, 2017

“Mental assent” means intellectually accepting or knowing the Word of GOD to be fact but not receiving and fully embracing it as Truth as the greater reality in one’s life versus the current condition or situation one is in.  This person admires The Word and agrees with it but has not received the revelatory element of The Word yet.  The current adversity or situation seems more real than the Promise of deliverance and restoration.  There is a disconnect with the Spiritual state which is superior than the mental, emotional, and physical states of being.  Even though the truthfulness is recognized, the person does not act upon it.

Those who join me on a daily basis are in the midst of moving away from mental assent into a walk of Love and faith.  As each of us dwells and meditates daily on these Words FATHER is providing for our growth and maturity, we will increase in faith and unity.  Both aspects will increase as our foundation of Love is fully established and solidified.

Hope believes in receiving something in the future whereas faith says “I have it now”.  In Matthew chapter 8, Jesus is approached by the centurion:

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,

6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.

9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one,‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Are we going to be satisfied with anything less than great faith ourselves?  Will this generation we are now in be known for little or no faith?  Will we be thrown into the same classification as “the sons of the kingdom” who grew up “in the faith” but in reality had no faith?  Not in my household!  Let us be determined to ascend to a higher Spiritual state at all costs.  We must keep The Word before us day and night, not out of duty, but out of Love.  As we move our focus to the eternal, we begin detaching ourselves from the temporal.  The Bride of Christ no longer focuses on her current house but now focuses on her Bridegroom’s residence where He prepares a place for her.

Sense knowledge faith says “When I see it, I know I will have it.”  True faith sees it in the Spirit before the physical evidence arrives, doubting not.  We will have the personal, intimate assurance that Our Loving FATHER is providing and fulfilling our need without reservation.  Hope is in the future, faith is now.  True faith stands on the reality that if FATHER says it is true, then it is… no matter what the current circumstances declare.  Those circumstances are temporary and subject to change.

The physical realm is subject to the Spiritual realm for it was derived by FATHER’S Divine Intent.  We must not let the physical rule us but it should become subject to us as we walk according to FATHER’S Word and Intent.  Great faith will be developed and reside with those who have a firm foundation of unconditional Love.  In the passage above, the centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die (Luke 7:2).  It is clear the centurion was motivated by his Love for his servant.  He walked in Love and faith which resulted in the servant’s healing and restoration.

In order for each of us to fully mature, The Word must gain supremacy over all else in our life.  In the beginning was The Word and in the end is The Word.  Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  Let our faith become great so that we will be fully capable in dealing with all that is in between.  My prayer for you and me:

“For this reason I bow my knees to the FATHER of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant us, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.”  Amen!

Celebrating The Day Love Healed

Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

One of the popular accounts of the original meaning of Valentine’s Day:  Saint Valentine of Rome  was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire.  According to legend, during his imprisonment, Saint Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius.  Saint Valentine restored sight to the little blind daughter of Asterius, who thereupon was converted with all his family and suffered martyrdom with the saint.  Before Saint Valentine’s execution, he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.

His act of unconditional Love toward the girl even though his death was imminent should be an excellent example for us to remember as we boldly minister Love on this day.  This miracle accounts for the whole family being converted because Saint Valentine knew FATHER’S Word and acted upon it.  We should do the same.

In Acts chapter 14 by THE SPIRIT It is written:

1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

It is time to give up the “secret agent” status and no longer attempt to fit in to the expectations of the world.  This path only serves to compromise our belief in Jesus Christ and our walk down the straight and narrow path.  It should be clear by now that the world has no lasting answers to their problems.  If it is time to find new friends for fellowship then ask FATHER to bring them to you.  Our friends of 42 years prayed that very prayer and shortly after we met.  The rest is history.  The Love among the four of us has been the binding agent keeping us together even though our friendship has been challenged at times in the past.  Love overcomes all, even our individual imperfections.

The women in Scripture were also bold in their passion for The Way.  By THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 18:

24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.

26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Priscilla was not silent but instead was bold.  She and her husband Aquila expanded the revelation of Apollos even though he was “eloquent and mighty” in the Scriptures.  His education and ability did not intimidate Priscilla in any way for she knew the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Her Love for Jesus Christ gave her the boldness to correct Apollos in his understanding.  She and her husband had been traveling with Paul so she surely had the revelation of Love to speak from.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 6:

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Valentine’s Day is a day of revealing your Love to others.  Every day should become a day like Valentine’s Day.  Let us boldly proclaim what is in our hearts and let it be done in Love, not condemnation, criticism, or judgment.  No one ever sent a bottle of vinegar to the loved one on Valentine’s Day (and lived to tell about it).

Setting The Right Expectation

Monday, February 13th, 2017

By THE SPIRIT, It is written in Psalm 65:

9 ​​YOU visit the earth and water it, ​​YOU greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water;

​​YOU provide their grain, for so YOU have prepared it.

10 ​​YOU water its ridges abundantly, ​​YOU settle its furrows;

​​YOU make it soft with showers, ​​YOU bless its growth.

​11 ​​YOU crown the year with YOUR goodness, and YOUR paths drip with abundance.

12 ​​They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side.

13 ​​The pastures are clothed with flocks; ​​The valleys also are covered with grain;

​​They shout for joy, they also sing.

Our Heavenly Father is THE PROVIDER of goodness and abundance for IN HIM there is no lack or scarcity.  HE is the Source of all increase, addition, and multiplication.  The adversary only promotes scarcity, subtraction, and division.  What is prevailing in your life?  In whom are you in agreement?  Are you finances failing?  Is your health an issue?  Is life simply “picking” on you?  The issue isn’t with Our Heavenly Father, the issue is found in the mirror and we must repent if we are persistently in lack.  I can always tell when I have been lulled away from FATHER’S provision.  During these times I stop, reassess, and focus on HIS Word in the area where I am missing it.  Yes, it has happened more than once.

We need to be in agreement with The Word of Our Heavenly Father rather than those around us who are living in a faithless manner.  Is the news media getting you down?  Quit listening and watching their evil report.  Each of us is responsible for what we see and hear.  Man will try to sway our opinion to line up with their bias rather than simply reporting the Truth.  FATHER is the Author of all Truth so let us focus our attention on His Word and HIS Voice.  As a result, we will set the right expectation for our life.

How many of us have simply accepted the failure, sickness, or lack in our life?  How can we be in unity with FATHER if we don’t develop our faith in the area of need?  Healing is one of HIS promises.  Blessing and prosperity come by HIM and though HIM.  Yes, I know the prosperity message has been wrongly taught in the past but does that make FATHER’S Word of none effect?  It does if you disregard those promises meant to build up your faith in the area of prosperity.  When you seek those blessings with a foundation of Love, there is no issue.  If you seek the same blessings only to promote “self”, there is a major issue.  Intent is the determining factor.  We must not rationalize our lack by past misuse and abuse of HIS Word.

Paul spoke by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 4:

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

How can each of us fulfill our individual calling if we lack the resources needed?  Would FATHER expect us to succeed if we lack those resources required for our success?  We must get over the mindset of being subject to our circumstances and expect FATHER to bring forth anything we need to fulfill what HE has ordained us to do in this life.  I have written in the past concerning the Law of seedtime and harvest.  If you have yet to planted any seed then you probably don’t believe the Word in this area.  Your faith has not been increased because you are afraid of failure.  We have all been there.  Act on The Word and exercise your faith in HIS Word and doubt not in your heart.  In order to succeed we must set the right expectation and should base our expectation knowing that FATHER is watching over HIS Word to perform it.

FATHER spoke to Abraham (at the age of 75) in Genesis chapter 12:

1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:

​​​“Get out of your country, from your family

​​And from your father’s house, ​​To a land that I will show you.

2 ​​I will make you a great nation; ​​I will bless you and make your name great; ​​And you shall be a blessing.

3 ​​I will bless those who bless you, ​​And I will curse him who curses you; ​​And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Blessing is the nature of FATHER.  Is FATHER’S willingness to bless any less today than it was back then?  Does age matter to HIM?  We must set ourselves in agreement with FATHER and expect HIM to supply all our need according to HIS riches, not our current circumstances.  Let us this day begin setting the right expectation and be in agreement with FATHER’S Divine Intent toward us… be determined!

You Are Not Alone

Sunday, February 12th, 2017

FATHER spoke in Isaiah chapter 53:

11 ​​He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.

​​By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, ​​For He shall bear their iniquities.

12 ​​Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,

​​And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,

​​Because He poured out His soul unto death,

​​And He was numbered with the transgressors,

​​And He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Jesus is Our High Priest Who continually intercedes for us and we must never think we are alone in our challenges and adversities.  Men may depart your presence as they seek their selfish desires but rest assured that Jesus Christ is always interceding and advocating on your behalf.  His unconditional Love does not require some level of performance in order for Him to intercede for His Love is His motivation to take the burdens on our behalf.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 8:

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

There are times when each of us feels overwhelmed by the challenges of life in these physical bodies.  We are confronted with issues from all directions and there seems to be no end in sight.  During these times we must encourage ourselves that Our High Priest has not forsaken us and we must find peace in HIS Word.  If you can’t sleep then get up and meditate on HIS Word, pray, and seek HIS Face until peace comes.  During an eighteen month period in 1995-1996 my family’s finances shriveled up.  Each morning I awoke with fear trying to get a foothold in my life.  I prayed in THE SPIRIT sometimes for hours until peace arrived.  FATHER in HIS great grace and mercy restored us at the end in a greater manner than before.  I was required to walk this time out having faith in HIS Word and the promises contained therein.  I was not alone and held fast that my High Priest was interceding and sustaining me through this time.

By THE SPIRIT it is written in Hebrews chapter 7:

20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath

21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

​​​“The LORD has sworn and will not relent,

​‘​You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’ ” ),

​22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.

24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

A “surety” is a person who takes responsibility for another’s performance of an undertaking, for example their appearing in court or the payment of a debt.  This is what Jesus has taken on for each of us.  Jesus is our Advocate for in 1 John chapter 1:

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And in chapter 2:

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

We are truly never alone to deal with the issues confronting us so let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace in our time of need.  If we lack peace, let FATHER minister peace to our hearts as we navigate through the issues at hand.  If God is for us, who can be against us?  Let us declare Psalm 23 in such times:

1 The LORD is my shepherd; ​​I shall not want.

2 ​​He makes me to lie down in green pastures; ​​He leads me beside the still waters.

3 ​​He restores my soul; ​​He leads me in the paths of righteousness f​For His name’s sake.

4 ​​Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

​​I will fear no evil; ​​For You are with me;  ​​Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 ​​You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

​​You anoint my head with oil; ​​My cup runs over.

6 ​​Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

​​And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Amen!

“The Way” Is The Only Way

Saturday, February 11th, 2017

In John 14 Jesus spoke:

6 Jesus said to him, “I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Jesus openly and succinctly stated He is “The Way”.  He is the manifested Word and Divine Intent of FATHER and no other paths will lead us to FATHER’S Throne in righteousness.  There are a multitude of religions and philosophies claiming a way into FATHER’S presence but none have the good fruit produced by Jesus and His followers.  Pharaoh’s wise men and the sorcerers, the magicians of Egypt, spoke  enchantments and every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.  Their power was of no effect for FATHER’S Way will ultimately consume all other ways.  Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess Jesus Christ is Lord.

In Acts chapter 4:

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,

10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’

12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

In the Book of Acts, “The Way” became widespread and known by all.  The man named Saul, an enemy of Believers” was responding to “The Way”.  He had full authority by those in charge to track down Believers and deal with them in a harsh manner, even unto death as in the case of Stephen.  There are religions whose members are zealous to attack “The Way” today yet FATHER continues to protect us and deliver us from their devices and strategies.  Throughout the Book of Acts the believers were delivered from the hands of the enemy.  Deliverance from Saul was no different.  Suddenly in chapter 9:

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”  Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”  Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

This is perhaps one of the greatest conversions for us to consider.  An outspoken enemy of The Way is converted and becomes the outspoken minister of The Way.  Paul’s conversion took him away from the path of destruction and placed him on the path of Truth and eternal life.  Paul’s blindness in the spirit manifested in the physical when he met Jesus for it was necessary to have the Word confirmed with signs following so that he would be fully convinced of the reality of The Way.  Now in Acts chapter 19 Paul is ministering The Way:

4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

7 Now the men were about twelve in all.

8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.

9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

In Acts chapter 24, Paul defends himself in response to his accusers.  This is not unlike it is today.  Anyone who challenges the popular beliefs held by the various denominations is subject to character assassination.  They are willing to deny the good fruit being produced because of their blindness and they will often be the last ones converted to The Way.  Some will die a physical death without accepting Jesus Christ yet as has been testified by many on their death bed, Jesus arrives on the scene to usher them into their life beyond death.  By THE SPIRIT Paul spoke:

14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

We must not let ourselves be coerced into taking another path for there is only one path known to be The Way.  As we stay on this straight and narrow path, we will receive greater revelation of Love and Truth which is what all men truly desire at their core.  The Holy Spirit draws men to the light thus we must prepare ourselves to minister The Way to them as they arrive.  Rest assured that we will be challenged by adversity and it will come from many directions.  Take heart for that is a sign that we are on the right path.  Let us not be denied victory over the adversary but let our testimony be pure and true.  The Truth will stand up against all accusations and attacks just as it did for Jesus and the disciples.  Many people today want to simply coast through life without challenges or adversity but those who are of The Remnant will be of good courage and overcome all as they proceed in The Way.

in Isaiah Chapter 30, FATHER commanded us to walk in The Way:

21 ​​Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

​​“This is the way, walk in it,”

​​Whenever you turn to the right hand

​​Or whenever you turn to the left.

Take heed for it is FATHER’S Divine Intent for us to walk in The Way.