Servias Ministries Blog

In Jeremiah chapter 23 FATHER spoke:

5 ​​“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,

​​“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;

​​A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

6 ​​In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely;

​​Now this is His name by which He will be called:

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Yĕhovah tsidqenuw)

There is no way in the world that I could be in right standing before the Throne of THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY based on HIS 613 commandments and statutes except by The Blood of Jesus Christ My Lord.  We have all fallen short in this area and require an advocate Who is righteous and can stand before FATHER continually on our behalf.  Without His eternal state of righteousness we would be destined to death and destruction.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 5:

17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I am forever grateful of Jesus Christ’s obedience to the cross and FATHER’S expressed Love in raising Him from the dead to be our Example and our Advocate.  One only has to look around to see the results of one man’s offense.  The moral fiber of nations continues to spiral downward where a vacuum of believers exists.  Schools were once a safe haven for children but no longer.  Social media has replaced the family structure in many cases as defining morality or lack thereof.  It is only by FATHER’S grace will a person’s life be turned around from the current state of lawlessness and humanistic thinking that has infiltrated society.

As we focus on righteousness and our Advocate, our priorities are established in walking according to “The Way” and we produce good fruit of righteousness.  Jesus is the Branch of righteousness spoken of in Jeremiah.  The purpose of a branch is to produce good fruit to be consumed thus promoting life.  We are to likewise be a branch in the same manner as our Elder Brother Jesus Christ.  In areas where we are lacking we must allow FATHER to prune away the dead, unproductive stems protruding out from our individual branch.  As this pruning occurs, resources are redirected to life-giving stems which in turn produce the desired fruit of righteousness.

Who but FATHER could determine what righteousness is?  HIS Law of Love is the ultimate determinant of righteousness so as we comprehend what HIS Love is and isn’t, we are able to correct our ways toward others.  Jesus’ words and actions are the perfect examples of how to measure our own words and conduct.  Our thought life must be scrutinized as well since our actions originate from our thoughts.  As we dwell on HIS Word our thoughts become established in a righteous manner.  What we dwell on will eventually manifest in our actions… good or bad.

FATHER knows the challenges facing us and has provided the means to redeem us from the wrong path and it starts at the cross.  HIS redemptive nature is expressed so eloquently by HIS Son’s willingness to bear the cross on our behalf.  What greater Love can be express than Jesus’ willingness to die on the cross and FATHER’S willingness to allow HIS Son to suffer in this manner.  We must never allow ourselves to forget the importance of this act of Love.

In Exodus chapter 17 FATHER spoke:

14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.”

15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner [or Victory] (Jehovah nissi)

Why would FATHER instruct Moses to write this victory for a memorial in the book?  We are to never forget the revelation that FATHER is The Source of our victory.  Moses went further and built an altar for all the Israelites to see and be reminded of this day when FATHER revealed another aspect of HIS Character.  Though we do not have altars reminding us, we are in a position to keep this Truth before us by placing it in our hearts and minds.

The name Amalek means "dweller in a valley" where we find the shadow of death.  FATHER has given us victory over death which was consummated at the cross.  Little did the Roman soldiers realize this Truth when they placed the inscription on the cross as a banner in Luke chapter 23:

38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Though the soldiers’ intent was to mock Our Lord Jesus Christ, in fact they described what was about to manifest on the cross- the power of the Name Jehovah-nissi, THE LORD is My Victory.  Paul understood this revelation as he wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 15:

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us be ever mindful of the victory at the cross for that victory applies to you and me in every aspect of our life.  This victory is attained by faith in FATHER’S Word given to us by HIS Love.  The Beloved Disciple expressed it by THE SPIRIT in John chapter 1:

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”

16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

If we want to make a declaration, let us declare “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have beheld the glory of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior”.  His victory at the cross assured our victory over our enemies, sickness and disease, depression, anxiety, worry, and death.  We need not hide from those who would try to do us harm but walk in faith expecting FATHER to disperse them and remove them from our midst. 

When we truly know in our heart that FATHER is our victory, we will be in complete peace as the adversary attempts to convince us otherwise.  Just as Jesus was not moved by the mockery of others, neither will we.  HIS Victory is our testimony of HIS power so let our faith grow and mature so that our walk and testimony reflect the reality in FATHER’s redemptive name- THE LORD-Is-My-Banner [or Victory].

The fourth of the redemptive Names is found in Genesis chapter 22:

1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Abraham heard the voice of his Great Shepherd and responded.  He took his beloved son up the mountain to offer him up as a sacrifice with the expectation FATHER would raise Isaac from the dead.  His willingness to offer up Isaac was counted as righteous in FATHER’S eyes.  By now Abraham had great faith in FATHER and HIS Divine Intent of Love.  Isaac did not resist his father because he knew of his deep Love for him so both were expecting some form of deliverance to take place but neither knew the details of this deliverance:

6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.

7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”

And he said, “Here I am, my son.”

Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.

Each step up the mountain was an act of faith for both father and son.  The details of what lied ahead were unknown but they both trusted in FATHER and expected a positive outcome.  As Abraham raised his knife to sacrifice his son, the angel of THE LORD stopped him:

12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.

14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide (Yĕhovah yireh); as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be seen (Yĕhovah ra’ah).”

This act of faith by Abraham and Isaac provides a clear picture of FATHER’S provision to those who walk in faith when confronted with the unknown.  Whatever provision is required will be made available by FATHER in the applicable manner.  The fullness of our provision occurred at the cross when FATHER sacrificed HIS unblemished Lamb for our sole benefit.  Jesus did not need to be redeemed but the rest of us did.  We must always be mindful of Jesus’ act of being a willing sacrifice for our provision.  Jesus spoke of this provision In John chapter 10:

17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

FATHER spoke to HIS Son about the provision of the power of life to be given as Jesus laid down His life at the cross.  Jesus associated this act of laying down His life with the unconditional Love FATHER had for Him.  As we lay down our lives for our brethren FATHER will provide for us as well.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Psalm 23:

1 The LORD is my shepherd (Yĕhovah ra`ah); ​​I shall not want.

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

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

Jesus affirmed this redemptive nature of FATHER as He spoke in John 10:

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

15 “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

The Shepherd is fully trusted by His sheep and they know and hear His voice.  He leads them to safety in all aspects of their life.  The thief on the other hand, does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  Jesus came as the Good Shepherd that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly.

FATHER has given us the ability to hear in THE SPIRIT or else HE would not reveal HIMSELF as a Shepherd.  We have the ability to not only recognize HIS Voice but to comprehend HIS Word to us.  This is one of the seven major benefits we received when Our Good Shepherd gave His life for us at the cross.  It is one thing to mentally acknowledge this Truth but it is another thing to embrace this Truth in our hearts.  We must let this act of Love become alive in us so that we can truly embrace the fullness of the cross in our lives.  It is only when we become truly grateful for His act on the cross can we comprehend the depth of FATHER’S peace in our lives.

Paul wrote by revelation in THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 1:

7  To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul clearly had the revelation of the Source of our peace- FATHER and Our Lord Jesus Christ.  In Romans chapter 15 Paul further states:

13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our Good Shepherd is the One who restores our soul and has provided “The Way” to righteousness.  There is no other One we should follow and listen to in order to walk in complete righteousness so it is imperative to our well being that we seek to hear HIS Voice to determine our every move.  Still waters are quiet thus we should purpose to move to a quiet state of peace so that we hear that still small voice when all around us is enraged.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Hebrews chapter 13:

20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The above passage provides us the intent of our Great Shepherd:  It is to make us complete in every good work by doing His will by working in us what is well pleasing in His sight.  Anything that contradicts His intent should be removed from our midst.  Knowing His intent should guide us in all matters which no longer requires us to memorize 613 statutes of the Law.  By knowing HIS Voice, HE will lead us to peace and safety.

The Midianites (meaning strife, contention) were oppressing the Israelites as it is recorded by THE SPIRIT in Judges chapter 6:

1 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,

2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains.

Gideon was chosen by FATHER to deliver the Israelites but he definitely needed some reassurance.  They had been under judgment because of their acts and their oppression appeared to have no end in sight.  Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.  However Gideon was minding his own business and had become accustom to dwelling in the mountains but this was about to change:

11 Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.

12 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you (Jehovah shammah), you mighty man of valor!”

13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us (Jehovah shammah), why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”

14 Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”

Gideon knew of his calling or he would not have been reminded of it with the question “Have I not sent you?” but he lived in fear of the power of the enemy.  His fear had become greater than his faith in the calling FATHER had given him.  This fear had effectively paralyzed him and he became content living a life in desperation.  Gideon also had known FATHER as Jehovah shammah but it appeared that because of their evil actions, FATHER must have left them.  HE was never far off but found it necessary for them to experience righteous judgment for their actions.  The time of judgment was now over and FATHER would reveal another redemptive characteristic of HIS nature:

23 Then the LORD said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”

24 So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace (Jehovah shalom).

The word “Shalom” means completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, safety, soundness in body, health, prosperity, tranquility, contentment.  The Israelites were not experiencing shalom but FATHER was going to empower Gideon to bring forth this peace to Israel by delivering them from the Midianites.  The enemy had instilled fear in the Israelites and Gideon was no exception thus in order to build up his faith, the fear had to first be replaced with the revelation of the peace of Jehovah being present. Gideon experienced this peace and in response built an altar denoting this reality.  He was now being prepared to deliver his people.

Faith comes by hearing FATHER’S Word and the angel spoke the faith-filled Word when he spoke to Gideon  “you mighty man of valor!” and “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die”.  After requesting a couple of confirmations, Gideon’s faith grew as his fear subsided.  In the end, Gideon and his three hundred men were used by FATHER to defeat the enemy and peace was restored to the land.  In Judges chapter 8 it is recorded:

28 Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.

Luke wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 24:

36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”

37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.

38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?

39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

Jesus spoke peace over the disciples who had become fearful after His death and they needed reassurance of their callings.  Jesus confirmed His presence by allowing them to handle His Body.  However they still needed assurance so He ate with them:

40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”

42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.

43 And He took it and ate in their presence.

44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

FATHER’S redemptive nature of peace is necessary to gain clarity of our calling and to fully receive the revelation of HIS Word.  Fear will impair us from the reality of HIS Peace so we should dwell and meditate on the realization of HIS Presence in our lives.  Fear will depart and peace will come forth.  Jesus affirmed this Truth in John chapter 14:

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Let us embrace these Words Jesus spoke to us as we fully mature as Sons and Daughters.  Let HIS Peace rule in our daily activities.

FATHER spoke in Exodus chapter 6:

2 And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the LORD.

3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as JEHOVAH (God Almighty), but by My name LORD I was not known to them.

4 I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers.

5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant.

6 Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.

7 I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

FATHER’S Name to those who don’t know HIM is GOD ALMIGHTY but to those who are HIS HE becomes known as LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.  Those who have received the revelation of HIS Love and realize they are “sons” know HIM as FATHER.  HIS proper name to those who are servants such as the angels in Heaven address HIM as LORD GOD ALMIGHTY as it is written in Revelation chapter 4:

8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

​​​“Holy, holy, holy,

​​Lord God Almighty,

​​Who was and is and is to come!”

FATHER’S Name JEHOVAH means “The Self Existent One WHO reveals HIMSELF”.  Further, when HE reveals HIMSELF with an adjective included there is an associated redemptive power to benefit those who know HIM.  There are seven redemptive names which will meet every need of mankind.  As we hear and accept these names as revelations meant to minister to us at an individual relationship level, we will begin to exercise faith in FATHER’S ability to redeem us in each of these seven areas.  Each of these names point to Jesus Christ’s work on the cross.

Yĕhovah shammah  THE LORD IS THERE.  In Ezekiel chapter 48:

35 All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.

FATHER is present among us and not some distant god who is unreachable.  FATHER is ever present to hear our petitions.  Jesus affirmed this reality in Matthew chapter 28:

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 2:

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

First and foremost we must fully realize the reality that FATHER is here for us and to be known by us.  HIS Love for us is expressed by HIS desire to be in our midst as we come to know HIM.  Before the fall, Adam walked and fellowshipped with HIM and we are invited to have the same relationship having been redeemed from the curse.  The first thing each morning I greet FATHER, Lord Jesus, and The Most Holy Spirit acknowledging THEIR presence in my life.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Luke chapter 1:

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”  (For no word from God shall be void of power. ASV)

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Never before has it been recorded that a woman has given birth in this manner but with FATHER, The Creator of Heaven and earth, nothing is impossible.  HE will do whatever is necessary and appropriate to bring forth HIS Will and plan for the benefit of mankind.  HE has absolute faith in the power and authority backing HIS Word and there is none who can or are able to challenge this reality.  Indeed HIS Love motivates HIM to give us access to this same power and authority to  supply all our needs in all areas of our life.  When the disciples posed the question of salvation to Jesus in Luke chapter 18, Jesus responded:

27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with GOD.”

In Hebrews chapter 11 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

FATHER expects us to walk in faith to the point we are walking in great faith.  What rewards should we expect as we diligently seek HIM?  We have already received salvation by faith or we would not be at the point of “diligently” seeking HIM thus our seeking occurs after our day of salvation.  In our seeking we should be exercising our faith to a greater degree than we did when we received Jesus Christ in our heart.  We should pursue greater revelation with the intent of walking in Love toward others which is becoming Christ-like.  In order to produce good fruit we must take FATHER at HIS Word and walk in faith according to HIS Word.  We are foolish when we fail to exercise our faith as it is written by James in chapter 2:

20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead (useless)?

We are not to simply receive our salvation and then become closet Christians and do no works for FATHER.  We are to become a light unto the world and without confirming works our light will grow dimmer until there is no light present.  FATHER expects us to stand on HIS Word in all areas of our life and make our requests made known to HIM when there is a righteous need in our life.  As a result, HE expects us to walk in faith as we patiently expect the manifestation of our request to occur.  James further wrote by THE SPIRIT:

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Abraham is noted for his faith in FATHER’S ability to be his Provider.  Why would Abraham give Melchizedek a tenth of all he had if he did not believe it would result in a blessing?  The one desire Abraham had was to have a son by Sarah.  By faith in FATHER Abraham had Isaac. By faith in FATHER Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac knowing that FATHER could and would raise Isaac from the dead.  James refers to Abraham’s faith:

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Abraham knew the impossible was possible with FATHER so he had no reservation in his willingness to sacrifice his son.  We too must be willing to walk in faith concerning what the world calls impossible.  The world would try to convince us that we must conform to their logic and reasoning yet it is simply foolishness in FATHER’S Eyes.  We must overcome the world by walking and exercising our faith.  The Beloved disciple wrote in 1 John chapter 5:

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Let our faith be a testimony that the impossible is truly possible as we exercise our faith in FATHER’S Word toward us.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 14:

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

Jesus makes an emphatic statement of how we are to petition and make our requests made known to FATHER.  We are to make those requests In Jesus’ Name.  Why?  We are only acceptable through His sacrifice on the cross.  Any prayer, declaration, proclamation, or prophetic word outside the expressed authority and proper use of His Name effectively relies on a lesser, temporary sacrifice and is under the Law.  It is only by Jesus Christ Who became the perfect and acceptable sacrifice are we able to receive from FATHER through HIS unmerited favor.  Jesus is our legal sacrifice and substitution allowing us to boldly approach FATHER’S Throne in a fully acceptable manner.

Any word or act which diminishes Jesus’ preeminence in our lives will impair our walk IN HIM.  Jesus spoke in John chapter 16:

23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Jesus revealed the proper way to ask FATHER once He was sitting at FATHER’S Right Hand and there would be no complex ritual required to having our prayers answered.  Our Intermediary is now sitting next to FATHER and all of our requests in His Name are answered according to the acceptance by FATHER of Jesus’ intervention on our behalf.  What better Advocate to have other than Jesus Christ?

Our Heavenly FATHER is glorified in the Son as FATHER fulfills our petitions in Jesus’ Name.  FATHER will not promote anything which does not glorify Jesus.  FATHER will not answer prayers promoting greed or selfishness thus it is important that we know HIS Word when we pray.  FATHER is not obligated to fulfill any request outside of HIS stated Will in Scripture.  Jesus expressed in John chapter 15:

16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

17 These things I command you, that you love one another.”

Love should be the basis for all our requests and good fruit should be the result of those requests.  Jesus is not glorified when we are hungry, sick, or in desperate need so let us pull down the strongholds keeping us from receiving from FATHER when petitioning in Jesus’ Name.  If good fruit is not resulting when we pray, there is something amiss in our lives and we must change in some manner.  I know it is true for me in certain areas where I have become slack.  Surely I am not the only one who needs to change in order to produce greater fruit which glorifies The Son.

These writings are intended to encourage change among those who seek a deeper relationship with FATHER through HIS Son Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ Name must not be diminished in our walk for it is by His Name we received salvation.  It is by His Name I have been healed multiple times.  It is by His Name I have been delivered from destruction.  Let us exalt His Name in our hearts and our minds for He is our High Priest before FATHER.  None of us can stand acceptable before FATHER without Our Advocate at HIS right hand so we should always be mindful of that reality when we make our request known to FATHER.

The Beloved Disciple appropriately summarized this writing when he wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 5:

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

And I say AMEN!

Where is our spiritual battle fought?  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 10:

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

5 casting down arguments (logismos) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

The battle is fought in our thought life, not at some external place.  Peter spoke by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 3:

19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord

The word “repent” means to change your mind.  As we hear FATHER’S Word our mind is changed from futile thoughts to thoughts promoting life, healing, and restoration.  As we change our minds from worldly thoughts to FATHER’S higher thoughts  HIS Ways become our ways.  FATHER’S Thoughts have the power to take our thoughts into captivity and remove worry and fear from our thought life.  Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Do you seek the Kingdom by traveling to some “Sacred place”?  No, the Kingdom is within us but we must cast down those vain imaginations and anything exalting itself above FATHER’S Word in our thought life.  The result will be peace no matter what is happening in the external environment around us.  Jesus did not find it necessary to find the highest peak to overcome the devil but the devil tried to externalize the battle by doing so.  The devil could not infiltrate and change Jesus’ thought life.

We must cast down logismos which is translated as logic, a reckoning, computation, a reasoning, a judgment, or decision.  Often FATHER’S Word does not seem logical because we are unable to see the bigger picture.  Those who are highly schooled have a tendency to challenge FATHER’S Word because they think they know it all thus they attempt to apply their narrow logic and challenge the Scripture.  They simply cannot see in the Spiritual realm because they count on their five physical senses for information.  FATHER says their thoughts are futile because they do not have access to the Knowledge of FATHER thus they are simply blinded to HIS higher revelation.

What is “the obedience of Christ”?  Jesus was obedient to FATHER’S Word His entire life on earth and FATHER responded before Jesus began His ministry by saying “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  FATHER never spoke this to anyone else before that day.  Jesus was obedient to the cross and we should be obedient to placing our fleshly nature on the cross as well.  As we exalt Christ in our lives we become obedient to Christ.  As we take Holy Communion in the proper context we exalt Christ to be preeminent in our lives and we become obedient to His preeminence.  In Romans chapter 5 Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:

19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Adam’s sin was so powerful it made us all sinners, but Jesus’ obedience was even greater than all aspects of Adam’s sin thus we are able to be restored to FATHER fully and completely.  When we have fully changed we will be refreshed by being in the presence of THE LORD as Peter spoke in Acts 3:19.  If we are not being refreshed then there is need for further change to be accomplished in us.  There is still one or more strongholds needing to be pulled down in our thought life. 

Any situation, thought, or action keeping us from that refreshing Peter spoke of needs to be dealt with by applying FATHER’S Word.  Once we have perceived the anointing of being in HIS Presence, its absence becomes apparent.  Let us overcome and pull down every stronghold so that we become fully submitted to the obedience of Christ.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Psalm 94:

7 They have said, “The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob pay heed.”

8 Pay heed, you senseless among the people; And when will you understand, stupid ones?

9 He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see?

10 He who chastens the nations, will He not rebuke, Even He who teaches man knowledge?

11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are a mere breath (futile).

Even though we think we have a private thought life, FATHER knows our thoughts.  These thoughts will either help us or hinders us as we seek to walk in Love, faith, and hope.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 10:

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

How do I bring my thoughts captive?  Whenever I have a though contrary to The Word, I dispute that thought and cast it down.  I will apply an applicable Scripture to the thought if it attempts to return.  If a fearful thought rises up in me then I will speak forth the Truth about FATHER being my Deliverer or Healer… because HE IS.  FATHER is speaking to us in Isaiah chapter 55:

8 ​​“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

​​Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.

9 ​​“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

​​So are My ways higher than your ways,

​​And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

FATHER’S Thoughts expressed in HIS Words are higher than our thoughts thus we should apply HIS preeminent Word to our thought life.  In turn, HIS Thoughts are as seeds planted in us and will produce good fruit in our lives.  Consider Mary, the mother of Jesus.  In Luke chapter 1 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

The angel’s mandate is to carry out FATHER’S Word in the earth and this angel spoke The Word to Mary.  Initially Mary was troubled but the angel assured her of The Word:

29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

The angel imparted FATHER’S Thoughts and Mary replaced her thoughts with HIS.  She did not refuse to receive The Word but instead fully embraced it in her life.  But first she needed understanding of how this event would take place:

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary fully accepted FATHER’S Word spirit, soul, and body.  Though I have never heard it taught in the past, did Mary have a glorified body for nine months until the birth of Jesus?  Moses’ face was glorified for forty days as He was in the presence of FATHER.  Just a thought my wife recently posed to me.  When we fully accept FATHER’S Word and It manifests in our spirit, soul, and body similar to Mary, HIS Glory will permeate every aspect of our being.  Then as John spoke by THE SPIRIT in 1 John 4:17 “As He is so are we.”

Let us replace our lower, futile thoughts with FATHER’S preeminent Thoughts.  As we do, we take on HIS Character of Love and become mature Sons and Daughters.  As a result people will be drawn to us in the same manner they were drawn to Jesus, Our Elder Brother.