Servias Ministries Blog

The Greek word pistos means:

1. trusty, faithful

   1. of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties

   2. one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust

   3. that can be relied on

2. easily persuaded

1. believing, confiding, trusting

2. in the NT one who trusts in God’s promises

1. one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead

2. one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation

Are you faithful to your word?  Can people rely on you in a business transaction?  Can people be confident of you fulfilling your obligations?  We expect FATHER to be faithful to HIS Word yet I have run across so many people who look for ways from keeping their word.  My father-in-law had a carpet cleaning business and he once told me that he hated doing business with attorneys, doctors, and preachers.  They tended to “stiff” him on the payment when the work was completed.  You would think that those who are working in the areas of law, healing, and spreading the Gospel would be the most reliable when it came to paying their obligations.  Not so.

A believer is one who trusts in FATHER’S promises and acts accordingly.  He or she fully relies on FATHER’S Word and is a willing vessel for FATHER to act through.  They have no claim of power themselves but give FATHER the glory for the results.  A believer walks in faith that FATHER will perform HIS Word and doubts not in his heart.  These writings are to encourage people toward the fullness of this reality.

In James chapter 1 it is written:

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

When you respond to HIS Word you are a believer.  Action differentiates a believer from everyone else.  Many people talk about doing something for the Kingdom but only a small percentage take consistent action in response to hearing the Word.  Generally, people are afraid to fail so they steer clear of making a commitment to take action.  They seek out a reason to compromise the Word in order to justify their path.  They tend to be untrustworthy and wonder why people don’t respond to them.

The fear of loss and failure are two of the greatest deterrents to acting on HIS Word.  The loss might be your reputation which tends to be an illusion anyway.  The loss might be financial which means you don’t trust FATHER to replace it if you lose it.  We are told to “fear not” hundreds of times in Scripture and the believer takes that command to heart.  The ego does not want the illusion of success to tainted in any manner.

FATHER’S power is what I believe in, not my own.  It is HIM who parted the Red Sea, not Moses.  It is HIM who defeated the enemies of Israel in each instance.  Jesus encouraged us to be believers in John chapter 5 when He spoke:

24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

30 “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”

Jesus pointed to FATHER’S power to bring forth life, restoration, and healing.  When we are told to lay hands on the sick we should believe the Truth that FATHER is still in the healing business.  If we ourselves are sick, we should believe that HIS Word will heal us.  In order to be HIS witness on earth, we must believe that HE will express HIS power as we respond to HIS Word.

We must quit being deceived by the world’s methods.  We must not be hearers only but doers of the Word.  We must get to the point where we are fully persuaded that HIS Word applies to each and every situation that arises before us.  Paul speaks of Abraham in Romans chapter 4:

19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,

21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Let us also be fully persuaded as Believers in HIS Word so that we too can and will fulfill all aspects of our purpose for being on earth at this time.

Love, faith, and hope are all important in our Spiritual growth and fruitfulness.  The fullness of Love will bring forth the other two for as we become strengthened in Love we have empowered both hope and faith.  Most have focused on faith but we must not forget hope.  Without hope there is no expectation of a desired outcome.  Proverbs chapter 13 states:

12   Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

The Words of Jesus give us hope and direction for our lives and the rest of Scripture confirms our hope and that it be placed in FATHER’S ability to bring forth the perfect desired outcome for our specific situation.  In Jeremiah chapter 7 by THE SPIRIT he speaks:

17  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
And whose hope is the LORD.”

All of us are subjected to situations which appear hopeless on the surface but FATHER is in the miracle-working business.  There is no adverse situation that will last forever and we need to direct our eyes toward Heaven and seek FATHER’S direction at all times.  We must place our hope IN HIM.  As we focus on HIM and HIS Divine unconditional Love, it will stir up hope in us and give us the proper direction to walk in with the expectation of a solution for our situation.  Hope establishes the direction and faith walks it out.  Love provides the peace and joy needed along the way.

When we have a need, let our hope be established in FATHER answering that need for HE is a Loving FATHER and works all things together for our benefit.  Adversity and pressure makes us stronger.  If our muscles never endured pressure we would have no strength and grow.  It is true for our souls as well.

Some would have you believe your current state is predetermined and not subject to change.  When David was tending the sheep out in the field did he consider becoming king of all of Israel?  Consider that you are just one phone call away from something great happening to you, no matter what your current state.  In Psalms chapter 16, David spoke of our hope Jesus Christ as is quoted in Acts chapter 2:

25 For David says concerning Him:

​​‘​I foresaw the LORD always before my face,

​​For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.

26 ​​Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;

​​Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.

27 ​​For You will not leave my soul in Hades,

​​Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

28 ​​You have made known to me the ways of life;

​​You will make me full of joy in Your presence.

Your flesh will scream out when you encounter adversity but you must bring it under subjection and place your hope in FATHER.  Quiet your flesh and begin to ponder on the promises provided for us in Scripture.  In Romans, Paul wrote:

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Don’t look at your current circumstances as being the final outcome for they are only temporary.  The temporary will dissipate into history and be seen as necessary for your path to maturity in Christ.  We must not look at these challenges as perpetual judgments from an unloving GOD.  Know that these adversities provide the needed experience for you to be able to minister hope to others as they endure similar circumstances.  I can truly say that I know what you are going through because I have endured trials and tribulations myself and see that FATHER was able to deliver me from what seemed to be hopeless situations.  If HE will deliver me, HE will also deliver you.

Let us be enlightened to the wisdom and understanding Paul speaks of in Ephesians chapter 1:

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

There is power directed toward us that is ready and able to work on our behalf.  We must have hope to expect this power specifically to operate in our specific situation.  Be assured that the ONE WHO created you will respond to you in the hour of your need.

In 2 Timothy Paul urged us:

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

You can be assured that we will need to operate in “every good work” going forward.  Why?  Because the unrighteous will attempt to use every resource possible to justify their ungodly actions.  Those people will be observed as: lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.  We are to avoid such people for they will be the persecutors of those who are righteous unless FATHER has us minister to them in HIS anointing.

In these days of communications becoming “instant” with the advent of the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, etc. people are bombarded with noise.  This noise can become deafening and move people like a herd of gazelles.  Unrighteous people will target and vilify those who are walking with FATHER in order to convince the masses otherwise.  Paul warns us of the evil intent of the ungodly so we must be vigilant to spend time daily with FATHER in order that we be not moved by the noise and the masses.

We are urged to be steadfast in what FATHER has revealed to us and not allow men to convince us to take another path.  This path HE has placed us on is narrow and will not be popular especially among the masses in the end times.  Jesus told us that He is the Way and warns us in Matthew chapter 7:

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

His statement confirms that many people will miss the Narrow Gate.  However those who consistently focus on aligning themselves with FATHER’S Character of Divine unconditional Love will stay firmly on the path to Spiritual maturity.  By doing so they will be kept from the brunt of the judgment sure to come.

I find it interesting how people will focus only on certain aspects of Scripture that fit their agenda rather than being open to “All” Scripture.  It is similar to looking only at FATHER’S works and spending no time in knowing HIS Character.  If you know HIS Intent, you will understand and appreciate HIS Works. 

In the epistle of James we are warned:

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

As we continue in our study, contemplation, and purification of and by the Word, we will be complete and lacking nothing.  We will be a blessing to all of mankind.

In Luke chapter 6, Jesus spoke:

45  “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

When you intently listen to others, you will ultimately find out what is in their heart.  You can inspect the fruit of their speech and learn much about them.  Do they constantly focus on the negative?  If so, their trust in FATHER is suspect.

Many Christians are double-minded and you are unable to trust their word.  One day they are fully committed and the next day they have taken a new direction.  Which day did they claim to hear FATHER?  FATHER isn’t inconsistent yet some would have you believe that HE is constantly changing HIS Mind.  I think not.  Simply look at the fruit as Jesus directs us to provide what is the current state of a person:

43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.

44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.”

FATHER can and will convert people from vessels of dishonor to vessels of honor for all have fallen short of HIS Glory.  As this happens we should expect to see the words change in their nature and character but we must be careful to allow maturity to come forth as well because fruit isn’t typically found immediately after planting the seed.  Some people will embrace confessions of faith before their maturity level can support their words.  As the saying goes “His mouth writes checks his body can’t cash.”

When I was younger, I pursued many apparent opportunities only to find some to be dead ends.  I simply got ahead of myself and was impatient.  It cost me time and money but fortunately FATHER knew I needed to go through this training.  These days most people are too impatient to wait on THE LORD.  They want to take shortcuts as I did in my youth but even more so.  I needed to mature in my walk and my speech.  The impurities in my heart needed further cleansing and this is done over time.  The cleansing process must complete its work so that our words are truly faith-filled words and not just manipulative words attempting to get someone (including FATHER) to respond under pressure.  Confessing something 100 times does not cause it to manifest.  One command expressed in full faith as a result of you hearing FATHER’S Word will manifest immediately.  Become Spiritually mature and you will confess less but be fully assured that it will come to pass.

Jesus again spoke:

47 “Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:

48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.”

We are to do the sayings of Jesus and we will withstand any and all challenges to our faith-filled words.  If we base our walk and our path on man’s words and traditions we can’t expect our house to stand.  As your words align with the Words of Jesus Who spoke the Words of FATHER, your life will change and so will your confession.  Your health will improve because your vibrational levels will increase in your body and your immune system will be empowered to deal with any sickness or disease attempting to take up residence.  It is not a coincidence that rose oil has one of the highest frequencies among the essential oils and roses are often associated with Love.  My wife often smells the scent of roses when the presence of THE LORD has come.

Jesus warns us:

49 “But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

Are your words lining up with FATHER?  Jesus knew His Words were and instructed us to heed HIS Words.  If your fruit is not a confirmation to the words you speak then be careful.  Trees that don’t produce good fruit go into judgment and the same is true for people who hear the True Word but fail to respond.  Consider your words versus your fruit.  Do they match up?

FATHER’S Power is greater than any issue.  As you align yourself with FATHER’S Will and purpose for your life you are indeed walking in righteousness.  This does not mean that you will walk unchallenged.  There are some people who are envious of you and wish to impede your walk in some manner.  They want you to join them in their calamity.  The adversary would want to keep you from success and prosperity as well but you must not let past failures prevent your from attaining your purpose in life.  Proverbs chapter 24 speaks of this Truth:

16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again,

but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

FATHER formed you in the womb and established your calling before your earthly parents were aware of your existence.  Earthly parents have exhibited much influence over children both good and bad.  Some children grow up and spend much of their adult life overcoming negative words spoken over them when they were young.  This is one reason why we must embrace the fullness of the revelation that Our Heavenly Father is our true FATHER and that our earthly parents were simply the vessels selected to bring us forth.  Let not their Spiritual immaturity as they were raised you prevent your calling from coming into its fullness.

If you are not yet in the fullness of your calling, be at ease.  Your time has not yet come.  Joseph went through years of preparation before he was ready to walk in the fullness of his calling.  Abraham was 99 years old before his purpose was to be fulfilled.  Caleb was 85 and so on.  Yes, we must let patience have its perfect work but FATHER does have set times for certain events to occur as we read in Psalm 102:

12 ​​But You, O LORD, shall endure forever,

​​And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.

13 ​​You will arise and have mercy on Zion;

​​For the time to favor her,

​​Yes, the set time, has come.

Though there are set times for major events to occur, we must live each day as though that day is the day of our set time.  Otherwise we become unfruitful and begin to lose our passion or “spark”.  Let us arise each day in anticipation of what FATHER has in store for us that day.  Look for opportunities to be a blessing and HE will guide your steps toward those blessings awaiting your arrival.  Some days may seem long and without much advancement but be assured all things work together for those who Love Christ.

The next phone call may begin your “set” time.  Expect the unexpected and know that FATHER is working things out for your benefit.  Set aside negative thoughts and embrace each day as a son or daughter of the MOST HIGH GOD.  Be at ease.

I like to take a moment to express our gratitude to those of you who financially support Servias Ministries.  We trust that we are changing peoples’ lives for the better.  Jesus spoke the following in Luke chapter 6:

38  “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

My wife and I have taken this Truth to heart over the years and have been blessed.  We expect to see the same results for those who give with a cheerful heart of Love.  FATHER honors those who support the establishment of HIS Kingdom on earth more so than any earthly father would.

Thanks again!

How do you restore your passion?  Connect with your CREATOR for it is never too late to fulfill your calling.  Within each of us is a Divine Spark that is the source of light which is meant to shine forth unto all the world.

Do not accept an evil report but look to the promises found in FATHER’S Word toward you and trust IN HIM rather than the evil report of men and/or the adversary.  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.  Do not grieve the HOLY SPIRIT for by THE SPIRIT will you fulfill your destiny.  Paul gave us instruction concerning the Holy Spirit which is found in Ephesians chapter 4:

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

27 nor give place to the devil.

28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Paul provides us a list to refer to when assessing our current situation but we must be brutally honest with ourselves.  Am I grieving the Holy Spirit in my daily walk or am I walking in Love.

Our age does not keep us from fulfilling our calling.  Caleb is a perfect example.  When he and Joshua first entered the Promised Land as spies, he was 40 years old.  Yet due to the unbelief of the ten spies and the rest of Israel, Caleb’s inheritance was delayed for 45 years.  Consider the words of Caleb in Joshua chapter 14:

6 Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the LORD said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea.

7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart.

8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’

10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old.

11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.

12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.”

What would you think if an 85 year-old man spoke these words today?  I say let FATHER’S Will be done!  It is never to late to fulfill your calling.  Do not be dismayed for FATHER will sustain you just as HE sustained Caleb until he not only received his inheritance but enjoyed its fruit.  We have a tendency to believe that we have wasted precious time and energy but FATHER uses each and every situation to promote Spiritual maturity in our life.  Let your depression give way to expectation.  Exchange your sadness for gladness and re-fresh yourself in that today is a new day and let the past be the past and do not bring it into the “now”.

Rejoice in THE LORD for HE is your strength.  Seek HIS FACE and HE lovingly will respond and open the doors that will enable you to fulfill your calling.  Let your passion be reignited for FATHER is the ONE WHO established your destiny, not man.

In Galatians chapter 6 Paul wrote:

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

It is your decision whether you walk in the flesh or walk in THE SPIRIT.  If you had no decision, these options would not be placed here to be contemplated.  Those who would say you have no choice are disregarding many Scriptures similar to the one above.  If you had no choice then what would be the point of most of Christ’s teachings?

Your decisions can be permissible but not profitable.  FATHER will not force you to walk in Love but gives you the choice and the ramifications of that choice.  Yes, HE permits you to choose death but urges us all to choose life.   Paul urges us to choose life and walk in THE SPIRIT in chapter 5:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

The last fruit mentioned is self-control: the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.  We each have a decision to “control” self on a daily basis.  As we decide to no longer allow “self” to prevail, we will begin to gain strength in the areas of weakness.  If you have problems in your thought life then say to your self “I am not going to think about this anymore.” and consciously focus on pure thoughts.  This may take more than once to show your flesh you mean business.

The Law of sowing and reaping began when FATHER created the earth and continues to this very day.  If you sow blessing toward others, you reap blessing in your life.  If you are constantly plagued by turmoil, consider your past words and actions for there is probably where you will find the seeds that are now producing fruit.  If you sow fleshly seed you will reap corruption as Paul writes in the above passage.

Become a “long-term” oriented person who understands the need to let patience have its perfect work.  Farmers know this all too well as they plant crops and understand the basics of producing a crop.  Time is a crucial factor.  As you begin walking in Love and being Love you will begin to see other fruit of THE SPIRIT spring forth.  When Love is your focus, joy bursts forth and you walk in peace even though those around you are in turmoil.  Love moves you to become longsuffering with those who have yet to walk in the same manner.  You can see them battling the two “I’s” Paul speaks of in Romans chapter 7.

Kindness and goodness come forth as a result of the Love walk and the seeds sown in this manner.  Faithfulness and trust are direct results of your intimate relationship with FATHER knowing that it is HIS Good Will and pleasure to work in you and through you.  You begin to realize that HE brings forth resources to accomplish those things your calling requires.  You know that HE will deliver you out of any circumstance that may arise.  But it all gets back to your decision on whether you pursue a relationship with HIM or trust in your own faculties and flesh.

FATHER gave the children of Israel this very choice and expressed the consequences in Deuteronomy chapter 30:

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,

16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.

17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them,

18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.

19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

20 that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

In Philippians chapter 3, Paul wrote:

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

How would you like to have lived your life pursuing one direction only to find out you were on the wrong path?  That is what happened to Paul.  He recounts his previous life and understanding in verses 4 through 6.  At the time he believed he was doing the right thing and was aggressively pursuing his career.  Then suddenly Jesus showed up and revealed the Truth and the Way to Paul (who was Saul).  Once Paul received the revelation of Christ, his past experience and training no longer mattered.  He was quick to throw out his previous belief system in order to embrace the revelation of Jesus Christ.  The resurrection of Christ made the difference in his life and he was a changed man.

9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Faith in FATHER’S Word is now the basis by which Paul lives.  It was made manifest in Jesus and its power resurrected Jesus from the dead.  The blessed resurrection is the result of FATHER’S Love and faith thus we should place our emphasis in that same Love and faith which produces life, restoration, and healing.  Paul’s education and previous pursuits were thought to be assets to him but instead they were truly liabilities.  He had to put off the old man and we need to do the same.  We should focus on FATHER’S Character as the source of HIS Ways.

Each day we should wake up expecting to receive something fresh and relevant for the day.  We should expect FATHER to show us something HE deems important to us. IN HIM we have our being and HE is willing to impart Sacred knowledge to us as we are ready, able, and willing to receive such mysteries.  We must set aside the traditions of man and know what Scripture says versus what man tells us.  Some would have you believe that you must be highly intelligent to understand certain mysteries they are expounding.  They use this ploy to exalt themselves above others.  Some would attempt to prophesy in a convincing manner but you must regard and inspect their fruit to determine if they are really called to the prophetic ministry.

Those who exclaim “thus saith THE LORD” are accountable and responsible for their words.  We are to observe and witness the results to see if they are truly prophets.  Paul’s encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus was proof who Jesus was and is.  Once he had that encounter, all of his previous education and doctrine was counted as loss. 

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

What is the upward call?  To be Love as Christ is Love.  This IS the character of FATHER manifested for the benefit of all mankind.  This is the righteousness which is from FATHER and by faith we can walk in the same manner as Jesus Christ for He perfected the Covenant by His Blood.  We are to put on Christ and be a blessing to mankind.  We should bring forth life rather than suck the life out of others.  When you encounter people are you looking for ways to extract resources from them or asking FATHER what it is that HE would want to bring forth as a blessing to them?  Are you devising schemes for personal enrichment or are you looking for opportunities to bless?

Put away those fleshly desire of the old man and put on Christ.  It is time to progress forward and remove anything that would hinder your Love walk.  Remember:

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

In Hebrews chapter 6:

7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

We are called to be useful just as the land is used to produce fruit for consumption.  Everyone wants to receive blessings from FATHER but there are far less whose hearts desire to be a blessing to others.  They “talk the talk” but don’t “walk the walk”.  Babies have no conscious intent to serve anyone for they only focus on being fed, entertained, and have their soiled diapers changed.

Land that produces “bad” fruit is worthless and will go through the fire of cleansing.  It would have been better to produce no fruit than requiring energy to clear the land of bad fruit.  People who cause division, contention, and consume the resources of others are warned of their fate.

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation.

10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.

12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

I too am convinced of better things for those who embrace FATHER’S unfailing Love and become Love themselves.  We must not be lazy and coast for the remainder of our lives but we should reignite the spark FATHER placed in us long ago that we be a blessing to all those we encounter.  We must set aside those issues that arise out of differences of opinion but instead find what we have in common and pursue unity.

Love, faith, and hope in FATHER’S commitment toward us is the primary focus we should embrace.  People are obsessed about other secondary and tertiary issues that in the end don’t really matter.  Get back to the simplicity of the Gospel and be a light unto the world.  Don’t try to manipulate people into aligning with your doctrine but be a blessing to them as they embrace the Way, the Truth, and the Light.  Let not fear of failure hold you back from being fruitful.  Let the water of the Word be absorbed in your “earth” and let it produce good fruit to the point of a 100 fold return.  Purpose to be a blessing to others and look for ways to increase your fruitfulness.

You show FATHER Love as you help others whom HE has created.  You serve HIM by ministering to the needs of others.  It can be done by words of encouragement, by providing needed assistance, and/or meeting financial needs as HE instructs.  The goal is to not only walk in Love, but to be Love and promote life.  That is what good land does.  Just be useful.