Servias Ministries Blog

We are to prepare our hearts for action!

You and I are to purify our souls and our hearts so that we can enter into the manifested Presence of THE LORD for our daily path to take.

Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Peter chapter 1:

13 So then, prepare your hearts and minds for action! Stay alert and fix your hope firmly on the marvelous grace (enablement) that is coming to you. For when Jesus Christ is unveiled, a greater measure of grace will be released to you.

14 As God’s obedient children, never again shape your lives by the desires that you followed when you didn’t know better.

15 Instead, shape your lives to become like the Holy One Who called you.

16 For Scripture says: “You are to be Holy, because I am Holy.”

17 Since you call on Him as your Heavenly Father, the impartial Judge Who judges according to each one’s works, live each day with Holy Awe and reverence throughout your time on earth.

The word unveiled means to come out of concealment, appear, be made manifest, revealed.  Peter uses the Greek word apokalypsis.  This is the same word used by The Beloved Disciple when he recorded by The Holy Spirit in Revelation chapter 1:

1 This is the unveiling (apokalypsis, i.e. Revelation) of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to share with His Loving servants what must occur swiftly. He signified it by sending His angel to his Loving servant John.

2 I, John, bore witness to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

3 A joyous blessing rests upon the one who reads this message and upon those who hear and embrace the Words of this prophecy, for the appointed time is in your hands.

Peter furth wrote in chapter 1:

20 This was part of God’s plan, for He was chosen and destined for this before the foundation of the earth was laid, but He has been made manifest in these last days for you.

21 It is through Him that you now believe in God, Who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, so that you would fasten your faith and hope in God alone.

22 Now, because of your obedience to the Truth, you have purified your very souls, and this empowers you to be full of Love for your fellow believers. So express this sincere Love toward one another passionately and with a pure heart.

Those with a pure heart and a pure soul will see GOD!

In the past, ministers preached that we have not been given a spirit of fear.  They would use such passages as:

2 Timothy 1:7

For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, Love, and self-control.

This refers to the “fear of man”, not the Fear of GOD.

The Beloved Disciple wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st John chapter 4:

16 We have come into an intimate experience with God’s Love, and we trust in the Love He has for us. God is Love! Those who are living in Love are living in God, and God lives through them.

17 By living in God, Love has been brought to its full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgment, because all that Jesus now is, so are we in this world.

18 Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But Love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached Love’s perfection.

19 Our Love for others is our grateful response to the Love God first demonstrated to us.

Walking in The Fear of THE LORD ensures that we will not walk in fear of punishment.  GODLY Fear is One of reverence and Awe of WHO HE IS.  The person who walks in the Fear of THE LORD has nothing to hide.

King David recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 25:

12 Who are they that live in the Holy Fear of YAHWEH? You will show them the right path to take.

13 Then prosperity and favor will be their portion, and their descendants will inherit the earth.

14 There’s a private place reserved for the devoted Lovers of YAHWEH, where they sit near Him and receive the revelation-secrets of His promises.

The Holy Fear of THE LORD brings forth prosperity, not punishment.  Knowing this Truth, we should prepare our hearts for action in the coming days.

We are to serve GOD in GODLY FEAR!

You and I are the Temple of The Holy Spirit, and we are to serve Him in purity of purpose.

It is written by The Holy Spirit Hebrews chapter 12:

26 The earth was rocked at the sound of His Voice from the mountain, but now He has promised, “Once and for all I will not only shake the systems of the world, but also the unseen powers in the heavenly realm!”

27 Now this phrase “once and for all” clearly indicates the final removal of things that are shaking, that is, the old order, so only what is unshakable will remain.

28 Since we are receiving our rights to an unshakable Kingdom, we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights His Heart as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe (The Fear of THE LORD).

29 For our God is a Holy, devouring Fire!

When we walk in full surrender to HIM, there is no compromise.  Our lives must be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and our works will reveal themselves through HIS Holy Fire in the end.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Corinthians chapter 3:

10 God has given me unique gifts as a skilled master builder who lays a good foundation. Afterward another craftsman comes and builds on it. So builders beware! Let every builder do his work carefully, according to God’s standards.

11 For no one is empowered to lay an alternative foundation other than the good foundation that exists, which is Jesus Christ!

12-13 The quality of materials used by anyone building on this foundation will soon be made apparent, whether it has been built with gold, silver, and costly stones, or wood, hay, and straw. Their work will soon become evident, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by blazing Fire! And the Fire will test and prove the workmanship of each builder.

14 If his work stands the test of Fire, he will be rewarded.

15 If his work is consumed by the Fire, he will suffer great loss. Yet he himself will barely escape destruction, like one being rescued out of a burning house.

This is an ominous warning to each of us.  This is one reason this ministry focuses on explicit instructions by Jesus Christ Himself to minister to those in need, especially the kids.  Such assistance will survive the test of Holy Fire.

Solomon’s Temple was the type and shadow of our Temple.  His Temple was built using gold, silver, and costly stones (1^st Chronicles 29:1-2).  Wisdom will build her house with Divine substance (gold), redemption’s fruit (silver), and transformed lives (costly stones).

Wood, hay, and straw are emblems of the work of the flesh, the building materials of men, not of GOD.  They grow up from the ground, which GOD cursed (Genesis 3:17).  It is both quality and durability that GOD commends.  Fire will cause the better material to glow brighter, but the inferior material will be consumed.  How we built and what we build matters to GOD.  Note that it is possible to build on the True foundation of Christ but with wrong materials.  We need FATHER’S work done in HIS way.

As we walk in GODLY Fear, we will focus only on those works that are superior in nature and will stand the test of Holy, devouring Fire in the end.

We are responsible for cleansing ourselves unto purity!

You and I are the Temple of The Holy Spirit, and we are to serve Him in purity of purpose.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Corinthians chapter 3:

16 Do you not know (realize) that you are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the Temple of God is Holy, which Temple you are.

And in 1^st Corinthians chapter 6:

19 Have you forgotten that your body is now the Sacred Temple of the Spirit of Holiness, Who lives in you? You don’t belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, lives inside your Sanctuary.

For years, I did not understand the brevity of this Truth and how important it is to keep myself cleansed of any and all unrighteousness.

And in 2^nd Corinthians chapter 6:

14 Don’t continue to team up with unbelievers in mismatched alliances, for what partnership is there between righteousness and rebellion? Who could mingle light with darkness?

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and Satan? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

16 What friendship does God’s Temple have with demons? For indeed, we are the Temple of the Living God, just as God has said: I will make My Home in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be My people.

17 For this reason, “Come out from among them and be separate,” says the Lord. “Touch nothing that is unclean, and I will embrace you.

18 I will be a True Father to you, and you will be My Beloved Sons and Daughters,” says the Lord YAHWEH Almighty.

It is one thing to minister to the unbeliever, but it is another thing to have constant fellowship with the unbeliever.  You become like the company you keep!

In chapter 7:

1 Beloved ones, with promises like these, and because of our deepest respect and worship of God, we must remove everything from our lives that contaminates body and spirit, and continue to complete the development of Holiness within us.

We have the responsibility to remove any contaminants from our bodies and our spirits.  We must steer clear of relationships that will divide our loyalty to Christ.  This includes both personal and business relationships.

Paul differentiates fellowship with ministry as he wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Corinthians chapter 5:

9 I wrote you in my previous letter asking you not to associate with those who practice sexual immorality.

10 Yet in no way was I referring to avoiding contact with unbelievers who are immoral, or greedy, or swindlers, or those who worship other gods—for that would mean you’d have to isolate yourself from the world entirely!

11 But now I’m writing to you so that you would exclude from your fellowship anyone who calls himself a fellow believer and practices sexual immorality, or is consumed with greed, or is an idolater, or is verbally abusive or a drunkard or a swindler. Don’t mingle with them or even have a meal with someone like that.

12-13 What right do I have to pronounce judgment on unbelievers? That’s God’s responsibility. But those who are inside the church family are our responsibility to discern and judge. So it’s your duty to remove that wicked one from among you.

How committed are you to cleanse yourself so that you can walk in complete Holiness?  It is our responsibility to keep our Temples clean and Holy unto THE LORD.

We need to protect our hearts!

Wisdom wrote by The Holy Spirit in Proverbs chapter 8:

12 “For I am Wisdom, and I am shrewd and intelligent. I have at my disposal living-understanding to devise a plan for your life.

Who better to devise a plan for your life?

13 Wisdom pours into you when you begin to hate every form of evil in your life, for that’s what worship and fearing God is all about. Then you will discover that your pompous pride and perverse speech are the very ways of wickedness that I hate!”

In other Words, the Fear of the LORD is to hate evil.  HE hates pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

14 “You will find true success when you find Me, for I have insight into Wise plans that are designed just for you. I hold in My Hands living-understanding, courage, and strength.

Many strive for the world’s success which is only temporary in nature. For no sooner do they start counting their wealth than it sprouts wings and flies away like an eagle in the sky—here today, gone tomorrow!

15 I empower kings to reign and rulers to make laws that are just.

16 I empower princes to rise and take dominion, and generous ones to govern the earth.

Who will rule and reign on earth when the Kingdom of GOD comes forth?  The generous ones!

17 I will show My Love to those who passionately Love Me. For they will search and search continually until they find Me.

18 Unending wealth and glory come to those who discover where I dwell. The riches of righteousness and a long, satisfying life will be given to them.

19 What I impart has greater worth than gold and treasure, and the increase I bring benefits more than a windfall of income.

20 I lead you into the ways of righteousness to discover the paths of True justice. 21 Those who Love Me gain great wealth and a glorious inheritance, and I will fill their lives with treasures.”

Holy Fear keeps us connected to FATHER’S Wisdom which in turn keeps the wellspring of Life flowing through us.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 12:

16 Live happily together in a spirit of harmony, and be as mindful of another’s worth as you are your own. Don’t live with a lofty mind-set, thinking you are too important to serve others, but be willing to do menial tasks and identify with those who are humble minded. Don’t be smug or even think for a moment that you know it all.

I have found that my own opinion is limited to the point of being worthless when I consider the Wisdom and understanding associated with being led by The Holy Spirit.  It is vital that we walk in humility and know our soul’s limitations.

Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 2:

12 My Beloved ones, just like you’ve always listened to everything I’ve taught you in the past, I’m asking you now to keep following my instructions as though I were right there with you. Now you must continue to make this new Life fully manifested as you live in the Holy Awe of God—which brings you trembling into His Presence.

What will result?

13 God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases Him.

As we experience the Holy Awe of GOD, we will make pleasing HIM our highest priority.

And he wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 4:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

As we focus on the peace of GOD, we will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We need to protect our hearts!

In 1987, I was on a flight from Kansas City to Chicago when FATHER told me to read the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 5:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

HE suddenly said “Stop!”  HE then told me why HE had to remove me from my last job.  HE said, “You have been in a spiritual battle, and I needed to cleanse your heart.”  I had left that position in June of 1985, two years earlier.  I didn’t understand the ramification of what HE was saying at the time.

In other Words, what bliss you experience when your heart is pure! For then your eyes will open to see more and more of God.

Wisdom wrote by The Holy Spirit in Proverbs chapter 4:

23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it flows the wellspring of Life.

We must not allow the world to contaminate our hearts.

James wrote by The Holy Spirit in James chapter 4:

8 Move your heart closer and closer to God, and HE will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.

We must not allow ourselves to be double-minded.  As we focus on the Word of GOD and reduce our attention elsewhere, we will move toward purity of heart with a singleness of mind.

The Beloved Disciple recorded by The Holy Spirit in 1^st John chapter 3:

1 Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous Love that He has lavished on us! He has called us and made us His very own Beloved Children. The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize Him.

2 Beloved, we are God’s children right now; however, it is not yet apparent what we will become. But we do know that when it is finally made visible, we will be just like Him, for we will see Him as He truly is.

3 And all who focus their hope on Him will always be purifying themselves, just as Jesus is pure.

In order to come into GOD’S manifested Presence, we are to be Holy.  To complete our purity, we must walk in the Fear of THE LORD.  This is vital so that we can walk in full maturity and walk in the same purity as Jesus walked, for He is pure.  As we fully submit to the Fear of THE LORD, HE will show us the path to walking in pureness of heart.

King David recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 25:

12 Who are they that live in the Holy Fear of YAHWEH? You will show them the right path to take.

13 Then prosperity and favor will be their portion, and their descendants will inherit the earth.

14 There’s a private place reserved for the devoted Lovers of YAHWEH, where they sit near Him and receive the revelation-secrets of His promises.

As we walk in the Fear of THE LORD, our hearts will become totally pure, and we will see GOD!

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Colossians chapter 3:

22 Let every employee listen well and follow the instructions of their employer, not just when their employers are watching, and not in pretense, but faithful in all things. For we are to live our lives with pure hearts in the constant awe and wonder of our Lord God.

23 Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord Himself and not merely for others.

24 For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord YAHWEH, the Anointed One!

25 A disciple will be repaid for what he has learned and followed, for God pays no attention to the titles or prestige of men.

Let us do all things with pure hearts and souls in the Fear of THE LORD.  It is vital to protect our hearts on a daily basis.

Because GOD is good, we are able to walk in the impossible!

We are to dream big, take risks, trust GOD, and serve well.  The moment you stop dreaming is the moment you start dying.

Sons and Daughters of GOD dream of their destiny in fulfilling their God-given purpose in bringing forth some aspect of The Kingdom of GOD to the earth.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 16:

23 For here is Eternal Truth: When that time comes you won’t need to ask Me for anything, but instead you will go directly to the Father and ask Him for anything you desire and HE will give it to you, because of your relationship with Me.

24 Until now you’ve not been bold enough to ask the Father for a single thing in My Name, but now you can ask, and keep on asking Him! And you can be sure that you’ll receive what you ask for, and your joy will have no limits!

Our dreams are associated with our desires.  FATHER gave us the ability to dream and to desire.  What is THE FATHER’S dream?  It is that your joy will have no limits, that it be uncontained.  How would you like your joy to be described by extravagant generosity toward others?

It is written by The Holy Spirit in Hebrews chapter 12:

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God.

Joy was the reward for the cross!  Joy is a priceless commodity in Heaven in that it gave Jesus the willingness to endure the most horrible event in the history of the universe.  Joy is that valuable!

Because GOD is good, you are required to dream, and dream big.  Your righteous dreams should have no worldly restrictions attached to them.  It is HIS goodness that set the parameters for your dreams.  You and I are to be expressions of GOD’S goodness on the earth.

How valuable is the dream of the believer?  It is incredibly valuable!

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 3:

20 Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you.

GOD dwells beyond your most unbelievable dreams and your wildest imagination.  Don’t let your mindset restrict HIM in HIS desire to bring forth exceeding joy in your life.

Because nothing is impossible, a huge part of our life is designed to take risk.  Theology without experience is a real disappointment.  THE LORD doesn’t reveal Himself so that we know about Him, He reveals Himself so we know Him and His ways which will enable us to walk in the same manner. 

In looking back, the greatest weakness in my life was the lack of The Fear of THE LORD in my walk.  I believe that lacking this in my walk has been a hindrance to producing the fullness of the dreams and expectations given to me by HIM.  I deeply desire to be an expression of His Nature by my words and actions on the earth. I will press in so that I can see and experience the manifested Glory of THE LORD.

Abiding faith is focused on who you are in Christ.  Active faith is connected to our mission and acting faith stands on the foundation of abiding faith.  Faith doesn’t promote inactivity but rather productivity and fruitfulness.  My comfort is not as important as the Glory of GOD being manifested through me.

We are to place our complete trust in GOD in all areas of our lives.  When HE instructs us to act, our level of trust can be seen by our response, whether it be immediate, delayed, or rejected (or questioned).  Real faith draws attention to the One Who is perfectly Trustworthy.  FATHER doesn’t draw us into failure but instead into success.

Our trust in GOD will support our willingness to serve mankind in whatever capacity supported by our individual callings.  Our dreams and desires start us down the path of serving others that our joy may be full.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 8:

28So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are His lovers who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose.

29 For he knew all about us before we were born and He destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like Him.

30 Having determined our destiny ahead of time, He called us to Himself and transferred His perfect righteousness to everyone He called. And those who possess His perfect righteousness He co-glorified with his Son! Amen!

Because GOD is good, we are able to walk in the impossible!

GOD is good.  All of GOD’S judgements are aimed at whatever interferes with Love.  HIS goodness doesn’t avoid judgement, HIS judgement is against whatever would destroy you.

King David recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 143:

10 I just want to obey all You ask of me. So teach me, Lord, for You are My God. Your gracious Spirit is all I need, so lead me on good paths that are pleasing to you, My One and Only God!

And Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 19:

17 Jesus answered, “Why would you call Me wonderful (good)? God alone is good. And why would you ask what good work you need to do? Keep the commandments and you’ll enter into the Life of God.”

Jesus came to reveal a FATHER to an orphan planet.

Nothing is impossible for those who believe.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 17:

20 Jesus answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

GOD has infinite power, possibility, and potential then gave us access to it by saying nothing is impossible for those who believe.  We are meant to invade the realms of impossibility as we fully surrender to GOD in all areas of our life, nothing excluded.  Total surrender and reliance upon GOD is the doorway into the Kingdom realm where nothing is impossible.

We have been born to see things that have been deemed impossible, to watch them bend their knee at the Name of Jesus through our lips.  Our nature in Christ only finds its expression when impossibilities yield to the power and authority in Jesus Christ’s Name.

Our nature in Christ looks for the expression of the manifest Presence of GOD.  How is this expression brought forth?  It is by walking in The Fear of THE LORD at all times.  Jesus did it and so should we.

Everything that we will ever need was dealt with at the cross.  The Blood of Jesus purchased everything.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 2:

7 Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite riches of His grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ.

8 For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the Love gift from God that brought us to Christ!

9 So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.

10 We have become His poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!

13 Yet look at you now! Everything is new! Although you were once distant and far away from God, now you have been brought delightfully close to Him through the Sacred Blood of Jesus—you have actually been united to Christ!

Holy Communion is not to simply be an occasional ritual but instead, it is meant to always keep the importance of the cross before us.  FATHER led my wife and me to take Holy Communion each morning before breakfast.  We are to glorify GOD in who are and what we do on a daily basis.  This can be accomplished only because of The Blood of Jesus Christ.

FATHER may have us act in situations with perceived risks, but in reality, an action HE directs you to take has no risk associated with it.  We must trust IN HIM in all the directives given to us by The Holy Spirit.

Each of us is significant and must have the willingness to serve. 

There is no part of the Body of Christ that isn’t useful to the whole Body.  My significance is only found in HIS significance.  Apart from HIM, I have no true significance.  Don’t be caught up with your own significance apart from HIM.  It is vanity.  It is IN HIM that we are able to walk in the impossible.

What was the overall and final conclusion of Solomon?

There has been some discussion among scholars about who wrote Ecclesiastes, whether it was Solomon or someone else.  I submit that it was authored by The Holy Spirit so it does not really matter who wrote it.

It is written by The Holy Spirit in Ecclesiastes chapter 1:

1 The Words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].”

The writer expands on futility in chapter 2:

9 So I became great and excelled more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My Wisdom also remained with me.

10 Whatever my eyes looked at with desire I did not refuse them. I did not withhold from my heart any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor; and this was my reward for all my labor.

11 Then I considered all which my hands had done and labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and chasing after the wind and there was no profit (nothing of lasting value) under the sun.

Each of us has a choice to focus on things of temporary value or things of lasting, Eternal value.

Chapter 3:

11 HE has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted Eternity [a sense of Divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live;

13 and also that every man should eat and drink and see and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.

14 I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor can anything be taken from it, for God does it so that men will fear and worship Him [with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is God].

Walking in the Fear of THE LORD it vital for us to understand our Divine purpose.  All is summed up in the final chapter:

Chapter 12:

11 The Words of the wise are like [prodding] goads, and these collected sayings are [firmly fixed in the mind] like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.

12 But beyond this my son, [about going further than the Words given by one Shepherd], be warned: the writing of many books is endless [so do not believe everything you read], and excessive study and devotion to books is wearying to the body.

13 When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is Almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person.

14 For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil.

Wisdom commands us to walk in The Fear of THE ALMIGHTY GOD!

As we pursue our calling, our character will be purged into purity!

The word character means: the essential qualities distinctive to an individual.  Our character can and will be affected by the Word of GOD.

It is written by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 105:

19 God’s promise to Joseph purged his character until it was time for his dreams to come true.

There is a time of testing for each of us as we pursue walking in the purity of Holiness.  Can we expect to be entrusted with the power and authority given to us by Our Lord Jesus Christ before we have been sufficiently tested?

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 2:

12 My beloved ones, just like you’ve always listened to everything I’ve taught you in the past, I’m asking you now to keep following my instructions as though I were right there with you. Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the Holy Awe of God—which brings you trembling into His Presence.

Paul expressed the necessity of walking in the Fear of THE LORD in order to fully manifest Sonship.

13 God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases Him.

Do you have the passion to please HIM?  I can testify that as you pursue Holiness, your passion to please HIM will increase.  Paul provides the expectations associated with Spiritual growth:

14 Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves.

The results:

15 For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure Children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining lights in the universe,

16 holding out the words of Eternal life. I haven’t labored among you for nothing, for your lives are the fruit of my ministry and will be my glorious boast at the unveiling of Christ!

Timothy is such an example of maturing in Christ:

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.

20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the Gospel.

23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.

24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

How many of us would qualify to be sent out by Paul?  Do you have a proven character as identified by the examination of good fruit produced by our walk?  As you and I mature as Sons and Daughters, our fruit will reflect our proven character.

David describes those with proven character as he recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 15:

1 YAHWEH, who dares to dwell with You? Who presumes the privilege of being close to You, living next to You in your shining place of glory?

2 They are passionate and wholehearted, always sincere and always speaking the Truth—for their hearts are trustworthy.

3 They refuse to slander or insult others; they’ll never listen to gossip or rumors, nor would they ever harm a friend with their words.

4 They will despise evil and evil workers while commending the faithful ones who follow after the Truth. They make firm commitments and follow through, even at great cost.

5 They never crush others with exploitation and they would never be bought with a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things will never be shaken; they will stand firm forever.

The tests that you and I are walking through are meant to purify us to the point where we have unshakeable, proven character.  It begins with walking in The Fear of THE LORD.