Servias Ministries Blog

Whose agenda are you focused on?

As I wrote yesterday, there are two sides to the baptism of The Holy Spirit.  The first is that you possess The Holy Spirit.  The second is that The Holy Spirit possesses you.  There are lukewarm believers who have their own agenda and there are flames of fire who follow the agenda of The Holy Spirit and that agenda comes directly from the Throne Room of GOD.

When you possess THE SPIRIT, you have the means to reach to the highest level, the Holiest position, that is possible for human nature to reach by Divine power.  Do you have any idea of how important this Truth is?

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 13:

44 “Heaven’s Kingdom realm can be illustrated like this: “A person discovered that there was hidden treasure in a field. Upon finding it, he hid it again. Because of uncovering such treasure, he was overjoyed and sold all that he possessed to buy the entire field just so he could have the treasure.

45 “Heaven’s Kingdom realm is also like a jewel merchant in search of rare pearls. 46 When he discovered one very precious and exquisite pearl, he immediately gave up all he had in exchange for it.”

Jesus illustrated the extreme value of operating in the Kingdom of Heaven.  What would give up to acquire the pearl of great price?

The Beloved disciple recorded by The Holy Spirit in Revelation chapter 21:

21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the City was pure gold, like transparent glass.

The pearl is associated with entering through the gate into The Kingdom in Heaven.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Colossians chapter 2:

9 For Jesus is the complete fullness of Deity living in human form.

10 And our own completeness is now found in Him. We are completely filled with God as Christ’s fullness overflows within us. He is the Head of every kingdom and authority in the universe!

Jesus is our Perfect Example of how to live on earth, without exception.  Our spirit man has Christ’s fullness overflowing within us.  That Truth is being openly revealed at this time so that we can and should embrace this reality.

11 Through our union with Him we have experienced circumcision of heart. All of the guilt and power of sin has been cut away and is now extinct because of what Christ, the Anointed One, has accomplished for us.

12 For we’ve been buried with Him into his death. Our “baptism into death” also means we were raised with Him when we believed in God’s resurrection power, the power that raised Him from death’s realm.

13 This “realm of death” describes our former state, for we were held in sin’s grasp. But now, we’ve been resurrected out of that “realm of death” never to return, for we are forever alive and forgiven of all our sins!

14 Jesus canceled out every legal violation we had on our record and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict us. He erased it all—our sins, our stained soul—He deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved! Everything we once were in Adam has been placed onto his cross and nailed permanently there as a public display of cancellation.

We are meant to proclaim the cancellation of all legal violations in the Heavenly Courtroom specifically by The Blood of Jesus!  You are no longer a sinner saved by grace.  Instead, you are a new creation where the adversary (aka, the accuser of the brethren) has no right to enslave you any longer.

As our focus shifts from the temporary to the Eternal, our priorities will align with Heaven.

What is your relationship with The Holy Spirit?

There are two sides to the baptism of The Holy Spirit.  The first is that you possess The Holy Spirit.  The second is that The Holy Spirit possesses you.  There are lukewarm believers and there are flames of fire.

When you possess THE SPIRIT, you have power available to you.  When THE SPIRIT possesses you, there is no limit to the possibilities of your life because you have GOD behind it, in the midst of it, and flowing through it!

When humanity is filled with Divine power, when humanity yields completely and allows itself to be possessed by The Holy Spirit, there is no such thing as failure.  Jesus did nothing apart from The Holy Spirit in His earthly ministry.  He never failed!  He walked in full power and authority of THE FATHER.

Consider Paul.  As Saul, he was the most noted enemy of Christ and the believers.  Once he had his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, everything changed.

Paul later wrote by The Holy Spirit in Galatians chapter 2:

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who Loved me and gave Himself for me.

In other Words, my old identity has been co-crucified with Christ and no longer lives. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives His Life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God Who Loves me so much that He gave Himself for me, dispensing His Life into mine!

Paul was not just baptized in THE SPIRIT; he was possessed by THE SPIRIT.

Luke records by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 9:

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your Name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer (persecution) for My Name’s sake.”

What blessings can you expect when you are persecuted for righteousness’ sake? 

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 5:

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

It was worth it to Paul; is it worth it to you?  We have an enemy on this earth who would like to intimidate us into silence and passivity.  The devil and his evil spirits have one mission, to keep us from spreading the Kingdom of GOD on the earth.

Most Christians want the power without the price.  They want the anointing without the yielding.  They want to possess THE SPIRIT without being possessed by THE SPIRIT. 

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 20:

7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. [8] There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.

9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.

10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”

11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.

12 Filled with enormous joy, they took the boy home alive and everyone was encouraged.

How many services have you attended that lasted all night until daybreak?  The Holy Spirit determined that it was necessary for the disciples at Troas to receive such an important message.  What does this tell you about the state of the current church services?  How many messages last more than 30 minutes?

What would happen today if someone died during a church service?  With few exceptions, the service would be over.  It didn’t stop Paul from finishing the message needed at Troas.

The name Eutychus means “fortunate”.  Yes, he was fortunate that Paul was there to raise him from the dead.  Afterward, Paul continued his message.

Who would you want to pray for you, one who possesses The Holy Spirit, or one who is possessed by The Holy Spirit?

Jesus is our Perfect Example of ministry today!

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, what struck people the most was His way of dealing with evil spirits.  This was one miracle of Jesus which had never previously been recorded in the Old Testament. 

His other miracles, healing, provision of food, control of nature, had already been recorded in the Old Testament.  But there is no Old Testament record of driving out evil spirits.  The people who witnessed it were immediately gripped by it and became excited about it.

Mark recorded by The Holy Spirit in Mark chapter 1:

23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he (the spirit, not the man) cried out,

24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know Who You are-the Holy One of God!”

25 But Jesus rebuked him (the spirit), saying, “Be quiet (muzzled), and come out of him!”

26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.

27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

The first miracle of Jesus’ ministry recorded in Mark was the expulsion of the unclean spirit from the demonized man.  It took the disciples more than a year to begin to realize Who He really was.  The unclean spirit knew immediately and feared Him.  Notice the combination of “we” and “I’ which is very typical and characteristic of demons.

There are three phrases used interchangeably: demons, evil spirits, and unclean spirits.  There are specific types of spirits such as the spirit of infirmity or a spirit of fear.

There were very dramatic and physical manifestations: the man’s body shook violently in spasms, and the demon hurled him to the floor and shrieked in a loud voice.  It was not the kind of behavior that was normal in the synagogue.  How many people in church services today could process this event without fear?  Instead of delivering the man, most churches would have ushered the man out of the church; but Jesus put the demon out of the man and left the man in the synagogue. 

If you begin to get manifestations of evil spirits and deal with them as Jesus did, your reputation will go all around immediately.  Jesus did not deal with the man; He dealt with the spirit in the man… another person in that man.

There is no indication that the man had behaved but normally before.  Before confronting Jesus, no one had a clue that the man was being demonized.  It was the Presence of Jesus with the anointing of The Holy Spirit upon Him, that brought out the unseen presence of the demon in the man.

As I recently wrote, this same event was recorded in Luke chapter 4.

Back to Mark, chapter 1, we read a further development in His ministry:

32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demonized.

33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and expelled many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

Note, a true Christian cannot be possessed by the devil, he is possessed by Jesus.  However, he can be demonized.  They can be afflicted and affected by demons; areas in their lives and character where they are not themselves fully in control.  They can be demonized but not possessed by satan.

Invariably, Jesus dealt with the sick and the demonized in one overall operation.  Does He expect us to do the same?

Jesus clearly states in Mark chapter 16:

15 And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new Tongues;

18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Interesting, Jesus mentions casting out demons before He mentions healing the sick!

Heaven opens to us as we become pure in our intent!

FATHER will open Heaven, whether it be a door, a window, or a tear, to those who are willing to co-labor with HIM to establish HIS Covenant on the earth and extend the territory for The Kingdom.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 1:

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”

48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see Heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Jesus saw Nathanael in THE SPIRIT prior to the physical encounter.  What was Nathaniel’s qualification to experience an open Heaven?  He had no deceit or hidden motive in his heart.

A fig tree is a metaphor of GOD’S purpose and destiny coming to fruitfulness, especially as it relates to establishing GOD’S Kingdom on the earth.

It is written by The Holy Spirit concerning the future glory of Zion in Micah chapter 4:

1 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it.

2 Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the House of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

3 He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. 4 But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.

Are you interested in experiencing the Open Heaven in your life?  We must deal with any deceit that still exists among us.  We must remove any and all obstacles that would prevent us from being blameless before THE LORD.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Thessalonians chapter 5:

23-Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 He Who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

You and I are designed to live in an Open Heaven!

HE would like to build an awareness in us of the unseen realities of GOD.

Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2^nd Corinthians chapter 4:

18 because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is Eternal.

Once you realize that what you see is temporary, you will have a different perspective of what really matters.  As an example, those who try to hold onto wealth and continually focus on it, have no idea of the impact of such a distraction.  The more Heavenly-minded you are, the more earthly-good you will be.

The natural is the shadow of the Spiritual.  The natural lacks substance whereas the Eternal is forever.  Being aware of an Open Heaven is cultivated by a true worshiper when nobody is watching.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2:

1 On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled, all the disciples were gathered in one place.

2 Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the Heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear!

3 Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them.

4 They were all filled and equipped with the Holy Spirit and were inspired to speak in Tongues—empowered by the Spirit to speak in languages they had never learned!

Power came from one world, Open Heaven, and filled another world, the earth.

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

7 And about his angels he says, “I make My angels swift winds, and My ministers fiery flames.”

Quoting Psalm 104:4 You make Your messengers into winds of the Spirit, and all Your ministers become flames of fire.

At Pentecost, the angels descended and ascended between two worlds through an opening known as a gate of Heaven.  Open Heaven is here whether you realize it or not.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 5:

8 “What bliss you experience when your heart is pure! For then your eyes will open to see more and more of God.

In the coming days, we will focus on becoming blameless, spirit, soul, and body, so that we can fully experience Open Heaven.