Servias Ministries Blog

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 1:

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

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

Our maturity depends on us receiving wisdom and revelation from Above.  Paul encourages us to expect both by the fact that he included them in his prayers on our behalf.  If both were not available in greater portions there would be no need to pray for them.  Paul was praying that our eyes be opened or enlightened so that we could comprehend our inheritance.

The essence of the prayer is as follows: “Since you are enlightened by FATHER’S Spirit, I pray that you may comprehend the hope to which HE has called you, the spiritual riches that await the saints in glory, and the spiritual power that is available to the saints now.” Thus, the prayer focuses on all three aspects of our salvation – the past (calling), the future (inheritance), and the present (power toward us who believe).

As we are able to comprehend this prayer then we should expect greater wisdom and revelation to come forth in our lives.  This will encourage us to continue in our maturing process knowing that it is FATHER’S desire to show us the deeper things of HIS Plan in order that we are equipped to deal with all the situations confronting us today.

We need to understand the exceeding greatness of HIS power directed toward us for it is this power:

20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Mankind cannot raise the dead nor seat anybody in heavenly places for only FATHER can accomplish that reality.  We should expect to be enlightened in our understanding in order that we will be able to minister to those in darkness.  Each person we encounter will have a unique set of questions specific to his or her history and we must trust in FATHER’S ability and willingness to convey by HIS SPIRIT the appropriate wisdom for the situation.

Just as Jesus constantly separated Himself to pray and communed with FATHER, so should we do the same.  The noise these days is exceedingly loud and it can become a challenge to separate yourself from this environment.  The demands on people’s time and attention seem to be ever increasing yet we must not forget the importance of receiving daily instruction from Our Heavenly Father.  Is there anything more important than seeking and hearing FATHER?  Let me encourage you to seek HIS Face so that you can receive wisdom and revelation applicable to your calling.  I do not cease to give thanks for you in my prayers thus I pray today:

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

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

Nancy wrote:

Today my heart is telling me those who are overcomers will be strengthened in the revelations and insights given to them by Father GOD.
Life will come into action as we witness the awesome power of the Lord.  Some will stand still and witness the words of the Lord coming from deep within them the very mysteries of this hour.  Others will hear the command of the Lord so clearly they will not hesitate to act.

The power that will come forth cannot be stopped, and no man will dare to claim the glory.  We have entered the time of witnessing the might of the Lord’s army.  Are you ready to march in unity, surrender to a higher call than we have ever heard.

There is a love greater than any of us can attain on our own, available to us for this day.  This love comes from above, a love so complete that we can exchange our concept of love for HIS.  Then we will have stepped into the dimension that can only be known by the overcomers.  A place of rest, a place of victory, a place of might, an authority where we see out of HIS EYES, WITNESSING ALL OF WHO HE IS, YET AT THE SAME TIME WE OURSELVES WILL NEVER FEEL SO COMPLETE.  This is our home.

This dimension is what Adam & Eve lost, where time exists around them but it cannot touch them.  This place has no death, it is cloaked in the glory of the Lord’s refuge.  All that is required is we do as Jesus did, ONLY WHAT THE FATHER SAYS.

In Luke chapter 17 Jesus spoke:

20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation;

21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’  For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

And He further spoke:

28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;

29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

31 “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back.

32 Remember Lot’s wife.

33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Today’s headlines and media are effectively painting a similar picture to Sodom and Gomorrah on the dark side.  The values over the last sixty years have plummeted and have promoted confusion among the young, school-aged children.  The family structure has been perverted from FATHER’S Divine intent yet Lot’s wife craved this worldly lifestyle.  These two cities were about to be destroyed and because of FATHER’S mercy, Lot and his family were to be spared from the fire and brimstone of judgment.  In Genesis chapter 19:

12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place!

13 For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”

14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.

Even though the sons-in-law were warned, they failed to take Lot serious.  Is it any different today?  People rely on their limited history to project and predict into the future which is a serious error in judgment.  Their decision to remain in their current lifestyle assured them of destruction along with the rest who lived in these cities.  Only FATHER knows the future and thus we should look to HIM for our daily direction even when it appears that there is nothing on the horizon we can see.  Over the years HE has had me take various actions that at the time made no sense yet in obedience to HIS Word I complied.  After a period of time I looked back to see the wisdom of HIS directives and marveled at HIS Love for me in protecting me from getting involved in various situations and schemes.  I choose to live in submission to FATHER’S SPIRIT knowing that HIS Love will sustain me and my loved ones no matter what transpires around us.

Lot and his family were warned:

17 So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”

It was a simple warning that required full compliance but no details of the consequences were provided.  We too must be obedient to FATHER’S Word whether we have the full revelation or not for HIS ways are higher than our ways.  We must trust in FATHER’S grace and mercy in our everyday lives for we do not know what lies ahead.  Lot’s wife clearly thought differently:

23 The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar.

24 Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.

25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.

26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Lot’s wife was drawn to the perverted lifestyle of the world and her cravings were greater than her willingness to submit and be obedient to the warning given to the family.  As Jesus said “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it”.  We are living in a world where everything is temporal in nature.  Those of us who have been around awhile can see how quick things change.  FATHER’S Word is unchanging by its very nature thus we must place our trust in HIS Word, whether spoken or written, in order to preserve our life.  We must rid ourselves of the worldliness promoted all around us and guard our hearts from the temptations of the world’s ways.  If FATHER tells us not to look back, don’t look back for any reason!  Strict obedience to HIS Word will save us when judgment arrives.

One of the challenges we all face is maintaining the right perspective when preparing ourselves for FATHER’S use.  In December of 2006 FATHER directed me to focus on the revelation of Love above all else for HE said this is the key.  From 1996 to 2006 I spent much time and money going around the U.S. and to a lesser degree Europe with Stephen Jones Ministry doing prophetic work.  My focus was on the “outward” rather than the “inward”.  I don’t discount any of that work for I believe it was all needed as part of my preparation.

In 1990 FATHER directed me to pray in isolation at least an hour each weekday morning according to what the Holy Spirit was showing me at the time.  In 2000, HE released me of this directive.  I share all of this to bring up the point that FATHER’S timing is fully independent of ours.  How many of us would get discouraged if we thought our training was going to take decades rather than months or years?  Was it any different for Joshua and Caleb who waited forty years to enter into the Promised Land?

In the recent interview with Mark Taylor (https://usawatchdog.com/globalism-vs-patriotism-evil-vs-good-mark-taylor/) I listened carefully to his timeline.  He had the vision of Donald Trump becoming president n 2006, the same year FATHER changed my focus.  If you read his other prophetic words you will find the specific phrase “Now is the time” which I was directed to proclaim multiple times in blogs over the years.  His prophetic vision needed to occur way before Trump’s election in order to show the unbeliever that FATHER chose Donald Trump for this time.  HIS choosing is confirmed in the Book of Daniel by THE SPIRIT it is written in chapter 2:

20 Daniel answered and said:

​​​“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, ​​For wisdom and might are His.

21 ​​And He changes the times and the seasons; ​​He removes kings and raises up kings;

​​He gives wisdom to the wise ​​And knowledge to those who have understanding.

22 ​​He reveals deep and secret things; ​​He knows what is in the darkness, ​​And light dwells with Him.

And in Romans chapter 13 Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

You and I submit to FATHER’S Divine Plan which includes those HE places in authority over HIS children.  Pharaoh was ordained by FATHER to be used during the years the children of Israel were to be in bondage.  A different Pharaoh was placed in power during the time of Joseph so that he would ascend to power in preparation of the famine to come.  Donald Trump will do FATHER’S bidding whether he realizes it or not during his tenure as president.

On the topic of Israel, I have heard much teaching on both sides of the doctrine that the Jews in the country of Israel today are not among the prophetic tribes referred to in the New Testament.  In the 1980’s FATHER had me contribute to a housing project in Israel through the Lester Sumrall Ministries.  It was not my idea but the Spirit of GOD directed me to give.  Therefore I believe that FATHER holds a special place in HIS Heart for those people and I am unwilling to challenge that.

In another section of Mark Taylor’s prophetic words he emphasizes “unity, unity, unity” which as most of you know that topic has been one of our main themes at Servias Ministries.  Much of what Mark is saying and writing lines up with what FATHER has had me write on for the last 10 years so I must pay attention to those areas which I have had no word on yet.  You may want to do the same.

Our preparation continues as we focus on preparing the “internal” so that we are not moved by the “external”.  When the chaos erupts, our souls must not be moved by what we see but instead we must let our lights glow brightly so that those who are moved by the chaos can be drawn to the light.  In Matthew chapter 25 Jesus taught the parable of the ten virgins.  The deciding factor of being grouped with the wise virgins was their oil or lack thereof.  The oil provides light and revelation thus we must be vigilant each day to keep our lamps trimmed with the light and revelation of FATHER’S Word whether it be in our prayer/communion time or study time.  Let us not grow cold due to the apparent delay in HIS coming.  Those who continue in their time of preparation will be among the remnant FATHER uses.

The Beloved Disciple wrote by the SPIRIT in John chapter 18:

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.

2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.

3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

The word σπεῖραν (speiran) is a technical term for a Roman cohort, normally a force of 600 men (one tenth of a legion). It was under the command of a χιλίαρχος (ciliarco", v. 12). Because of the improbability of an entire cohort being sent to arrest a single man, some have suggested that σπεῖραν here refers only to a maniple, a force of 200. But the use of the word here does not necessarily mean the entire cohort was present on this mission, but only that it was the cohort which performed the task.

When Jesus spoke the words “I am He”  which in Hebrew expresses the name “Yahweh” all the soldiers fell to the ground.  This name has more power contained within than the strength of all the soldiers combined and none are able to resist the power of Yahweh!  At the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He had the power to overcome any and all attempts to challenge His ministry and purpose thus everything He said and did was ordered by FATHER and nothing could prevent His calling from being fulfilled.  Let us acknowledge that FATHER will exercise that same power on our behalf as we fully submit to HIS Divine plan.

Our words have power when we speak but when we speak what FATHER has instructed us to speak our words have superior power.  When being tempted by the devil Jesus stated in Luke chapter 4:

4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ “

FATHER’S Words created Heaven and earth and all that is contained therein and so when we study HIS Word we should keep this in mind.  HIS Word is pure and powerful.  As we become pure in our hearts HIS Word spoken by us will increase in potency.  We will walk in “great faith” and we will totally trust HIS Word to manifest without delay.  Men will be unable to resist the power and authority of HIS Word as they are confronted with the Love, light, and life expressed by the mature Sons and Daughters of FATHER.

We should expect resistance as the Kingdom of Heaven comes to the earth.  Evil men with hard hearts will resist us but they will not be able to stop our mission for the power of THE CREATOR is greater than the power of the created.  We must not be intimidated by their words or threats as we cross paths with them for we know that FATHER is directing our footsteps and will be with us as the confrontations occur.  Jesus simply spoke the words “I am He” and all the resistance fell to the ground in submission.  We should not expect anything less.

FATHER’S superior power includes the ministry and intervention of angels as well.  In Acts chapter 12:

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.

8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”

9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

There is no prison or any other means able to resist FATHER’S Divine plan.  Whether it be prison doors or the latest technology, nothing can keep HIS plan from being fulfilled.  We should maintain this perspective as we study HIS Word so that when the time comes for supernatural deliverance, we will have sufficient confidence that FATHER will intervene on our behalf just as HE did with Peter.

Spiritual Treason

The Spirit of God says, "Why are My people attacking one another? Why are My people engaging in friendly fire? Friendly fire will not be tolerated! Just because you disagree with that person doesn’t give you the right to murder that person with your words. "Thou shall not murder!" Repent! You will be held accountable for every word you speak. The religious, legalistic and critical spirits that are on My people are creating division and chaos. Can you not see that you are being used by the Kingdom of Darkness? You are aiding the enemy! How can you take on an enemy that you are a part of? You are using My written word as an intellectual weapon against My people. You Brood of Vipers! My written word was meant to be wielded against the enemy not the people of God.

Repent, you who commit Spiritual Treason! You think because you know my written word that you know Me, but your hearts are far from Me. Your intellect, your so called knowledge, has created a spiritual arrogance, and your pride is separating you from Me. lf the written word was alive in you, you would not use it to attack My people. Repent!" The Spirit of God says, ‘Where is the sound of unity? Where is the mercy and grace that I have shown you? Why are you not showing it to others? Why has your love grown cold? Put your petty differences aside.

My love is unconditional. Love each other deeply. Love covers a multitude of sins and My mercy endures forever. The love, mercy, grace, and unity that I am looking for will be what it takes in these days ahead to push back the forces of darkness so My gospel can go forth. These attributes are what’s needed to be a part of my Army. I am looking for men and women of God to put their differences aside, come together in unity, for this common cause in forwarding My Kingdom. My Army is making great strides against the Kingdom of Darkness! Taking ground! Holding ground! They will be an unstoppable force in the days ahead. Unify, unify, unify! I am calling on My troops to unify now!

My comment:  Love and unity is what we continue to preach at Servias.  I urge those who read these blogs to focus on these areas as well.

There is no question that Our Lord Jesus Christ has had the greatest impact on mankind than any other individual who walked the earth.  In just 3 1/2 years He changed the world and that change continues to this very day.  However, roughly 90% of His time on earth was spent in relative seclusion and preparation for the last 10% of public ministry and very little has been recorded concerning those 30 years of being “hidden”.  This time of preparation enabled Him to successfully deal with the temptations of the devil because He knew the Word and FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love.

Jesus trusted FATHER’S timing and was patient while He was being prepared for His public ministry.  The devil wanted to challenge FATHER’S plan by enticing Jesus to compromise in areas demanding attention.  Luke wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 4:

1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”

The devil tempted Jesus’ appetite but Jesus trusted FATHER’S Word concerning when and what to eat.  Jesus did not succumb to the cravings and the body’s desire for immediate gratification but instead relied on FATHER to deal with the hunger once the temptation was over.  Today, instant gratification is being promoted all over the world whether it be fast food restaurants or cell phone applications which demand our immediate attention and response.

5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

Jesus did not challenge the authority given to the devil but He was not going to compromise His relationship with FATHER in order to gain the kingdoms of the world.  Those kingdoms were to be dealt with according to FATHER’S timing rather than pursuing some premature opportunity.  Jesus would not rely on “self”, independent of FATHER’S plan, thus He exhibited self-control developed during His years of preparation.  This lines up with the fruit of THE SPIRIT of Galatians 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.  Satan attempted to entice Jesus with power and authority if He would only compromise FATHER’S plan.  The end result of Jesus having authority over the kingdoms as described in Revelation 11:15 … “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” would be achieved but at a cost of treating Satan as GOD.  Jesus knew that this path was not to be taken and trusted FATHER’S plan to bring forth a superior result… at the right time.

9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.

10 For it is written: ​​‘​He shall give His angels charge over you, ​​To keep you,’

​11 and,​ ​‘​In their hands they shall bear you up, ​​Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

​12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ”

13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

The purpose of a test is to show us what is in our hearts and to see if we will keep FATHER’S commands and embrace HIS timing.  Satan wanted Jesus to perform a miracle outside FATHER’S plan.  The promise of this miracle would bring fame and notoriety to Jesus’ ministry independent of FATHER’S timing.  The accolades would have flowed immediately toward Jesus yet He chose to stay “hidden” until FATHER saw fit to raise the awareness of His ministry toward the masses.  Doing the right thing at the wrong time can have severe consequences as well as doing the wrong thing at the right time.

As we continue our preparation as Sons and Daughters, look at this time of being “hidden” as our opportunity to hear FATHER just as Jesus was able to hear and respond to the temptations in an appropriate manner.  Once we are fully activated there will be little or no time to focus on fine tuning our hearing ability.  It is critical that we operate according to FATHER’S timing even when opportunities arise which appear to conform to our calling.  If the timing is off then we know FATHER did not initiate them and we should not be tempted to take matters into our own hands.  We are here to serve according to FATHER’S Plan and be fully dependent on HIM to bring forth each phase of our calling in HIS timing, not ours.

It is written for our benefit in Psalm 18:

2 ​​The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

​​My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;

​​My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Who is most reliable and worthy for us to place our trust?  Our Heavenly Father is.  Men are subject to pride, lust, pressure, and worldly reasoning which may affect their ability to be trustworthy so ultimately they may be disqualified from being 100% trustworthy.  Only someone who walks in total unconditional Love is fully worthy of being trusted.

It is written for our benefit in Proverbs chapter 3:

5 ​​Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

​​And lean not on your own understanding;

6 ​​In all your ways acknowledge Him,

​​And He shall direct your paths.

FATHER takes an active role in our lives as we place our trust IN HIM.  Our trust must go beyond our circumstances because there are times when we find ourselves in trials and tests which in the end are for our benefit but we cannot fully comprehend their relevance.  This is when we must lean not on our understanding but place our trust in FATHER to guide us through the trial.  After all, HE has full and complete knowledge of the ramifications of the trial.  This includes all aspects of our lives.

We must trust HIS timing and intensity of the test or trial.  FATHER allowed Jesus to be tested at the beginning of His ministry.  Jesus spent 30 years in preparation for His public ministry so that when He was tested by the devil, He was prepared to respond according to FATHER’S Plan.  Jesus passed the test because He had embraced those years of training and preparation.  He studied the Word and responded to the devil with the Word.  He was anchored in His relationship with FATHER so when the devil tempted Him, He passed the test.

There will be times when our limited understanding will question FATHER but we must acknowledge that HIS ways are higher than our ways.  We must trust HIS wisdom in allowing us to go through tests and trials which don’t make sense to us at the time.  I have found that FATHER usually provides me with understanding after the trial is over so that I can understand and appreciate the experience.  My flesh would have preferred to bypass the test and remain in a passive and safe state but that does not promote growth and maturity.

When we place our trust in FATHER then we can embrace the affliction we find ourselves in and this encourages us to not be moved by the affliction.  Our human instinct is to avoid pain and suffering but we must experience it at some level in order to have greater compassion for those who are afflicted.  If we have never been afflicted then how can we relate to those who are living in an afflicted state?  We know that our afflictions are temporary and that the eternal glory far outweighs anything we are currently suffering.

Each of us has a “customized” path toward Spiritual maturity thus there is no formula to discover as we walk out our destiny.  We must simply place our trust in FATHER WHO alone is worthy of such trust and rely on HIS Wisdom and understanding to guide us through our tests and trials.  Since we know there will be trials, let us embrace them rather than expend energy to avoid them.  This will make it easier to gain understanding of the trial’s purpose and may indeed shorten the time of the trial.  We can be assured that Our Loving FATHER will make the most effective use of a trial for our maturing process and HE takes no pleasure in unnecessary pain and suffering.  We must place our trust in HIS primary character trait of Love which only wants the best for HIS children.

Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 6:

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.

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.

What happens in the Spiritual realm ultimately manifests in the physical realm and Jesus directs us to become “fruit inspectors”.  We cannot judge another person’s heart but we can inspect their fruit.  If they are producing little or no fruit in an area then there is something amiss.  Moreover we should inspect our own fruit in areas where we believe we have revelation and we must be brutally honest with ourselves as we do the inspection.  If our fruit is missing then we must seek FATHER’S input on what is causing the problem.  Have I done something to cause a breach in a relationship?  If so, with whom?  Division and unforgiveness are often the reasons our fruit comes up short and lacking.  Pride is a major cause of a person’s unwillingness to repent of past acts.

People will justify their actions by looking at the other person’s past acts which tells us that there are “conditions” to be met before they are willing to heal the breach.  Unconditional Love does not wait for a set of conditions to be met but instead takes action even if the other person never changes.  We must not let the other person’s issues hold us back in our growth.

There are some people who believe that they are never wrong in their words or actions yet their fruit tells us a different story.  Jesus addressed this person in the following parable:

39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?

40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?

42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Life is too short for us to defend our past acts and words.  As we mature in Christ we realize how immature we have been in the past and we should take steps to heal any breach we have initiated.  If we ask FATHER to show us those past issues, HE will oblige and thus we should be prepared for a long list to be revealed.  HE will provide enough detail sufficient for us to seek HIS forgiveness as well as other actions to take in order to resolve the breach.  Every one of us has been guilty in this regard.  Each of us has been a victim as well so we should be as quick to forgive as we want to be forgiven.

When we defer to FATHER in order to determine if we have created division, then we remove the potential for pride to blind us in this area.  There are times when we need to be pruned in order for the zoe life of FATHER to be directed to fruitful areas of our calling.  Dead branches simply take up resource without any fruit production.  If we are not being fruitful then let us seek FATHER and find out why.  Don’t be surprised when HE brings up our past acts and words that have had a negative impact on others.  We should let nothing keep us from growing IN HIM for if we have a bountiful fruit harvest then we are able to “feed” those in need.  They will be drawn to us because of our fruit and so let us pay close attention to the state of our fruit production.