Servias Ministries Blog

We are doing server maintenance on our unity153 server.  I will post if time allows.

From a dear friend:

From the earliest moments of my being introduced to Jesus as Savior and Redeemer, at the age of 30, I had a ‘knowing’ that this was all about a spiritual redemption of a carnal and soulish being; me.  I couldn’t necessarily communicate that or elucidate it, but the knowing was there.  Don’t ask me why I ‘knew’, because I can’t tell you.  But out of that came the understanding that Yashua was showing to us all that we were dealing with spiritual forces and spiritual realities that were hidden or overshadowed because of the power of our dominant ‘living soul’.  Genesis Chapter One is the story of God, or Elohim, or however one best identifies with their Father in Heaven, communicating the idea and intent of equipping ‘adam’, a living soul, with the ability to hear spirit truth, and then yield his carnal appetites to the authority of Spirit Truth.  The pageant seemed to indicate, and then prove throughout the history of the Old Testament, that until ‘adam’ unites with his Spirit Identity, the only thing ‘adam’ can create or reproduce is chaos. 

Every step of the way of ‘adam’ attempting to yield his appetites to Spirit Truth is contested and tried and complicated by the power of the soul, which is the mind of ‘adam’.  That powerful ‘soulish’ mind of ‘adam’ is synonymous with what the word ‘satan’ communicates to me.  ‘satan’ is simply that which is adversarial, and contradictory, to the Holy Spirit of Truth in Love.  To me, the agenda of ‘the satan’ is to not lose control of the authority of the carnal and soulish mind.  The carnal (soulish) mind simply does not want to have to give up its ‘life’ and appetites.  My own understanding, then, is that the gospel is the God Pageant of bringing the carnal, soulish appetites of ‘adam’ into the benevolent authority of the Holy Spirit of Truth in Love. 

The soul/mind of ‘adam’ is the battleground, and that is the battle.  In that battleground pageant, Yashua manifests on the behalf of us all the extent of the battle, and the extremes to which the battle can be waged.  The word ‘Christ’, from its roots as ‘Messiah’, means to willingly bow the knee in humility and service to the Holy Spirit of Truth in Love.  That is exactly the meaning of the root verb from which we get ‘messiah’; to willingly bow the knee in allegiance to the Holy Spirit of Truth in Love.   Yashua, as the Christ, shows us how the battle unfolds in all of us that set out to bring all of our appetites into willing submission to the Holy Spirit of Truth in Love.

Yashua, Jesus if you prefer, is called the ‘last adam’. [1 Corinthians 15:45-47]  I think that is better understood as ‘the last of adam’.  And the Greek language, and the Hebrew language, support that understanding.  Yashua, as the ‘last of adam’, dies to the satanic demands of soulish carnality, and is resurrected as Christ,The Anointed Servant, a quickening (Life giving) Spirit.  Indeed, I believe all of the New Testament is explanatory of the God Pageant of us being allowed to die to the control of the carnal appetites of ‘adam’, and being resurrected into union with the Life Giving Holy Spirit of Truth in Love.  Yashua demonstrated the unfolding of that pageant on our behalf.  We are allowed to partake of the victory in the pageant by faith; and the on-going satanic struggle of acting out this Truth in our own lives on a daily basis, again by faith in the Truth of the Pageant.

So, did Yashua have a personal encounter with a separate entity known as ‘the devil’ (diabalo; the diabolical one) or was he being tempted, to the ultimate degree, by his own human (carnal/ soulish) nature?  He was ‘son of adam’.  Hebrews Chapter 2 tells me that he was, as ‘adam’, in every way identical to those he came to rescue.  And as ‘Son of Adam’ he also illustrated that he was ‘Son of God’; just like you and me.  Heb. 2:16-18 are specifically important to me; as well as Heb. 5: 5-9.  Also, Philippians 2:8.  These verses all convince me that Yashua had to overcome every soulish and carnal and human temptation that is common to all of us. [Isaiah 7:14-16]  The only ‘devil’ that makes me do evil is my own carnality and soulish appetites.  And our Brother showed us the way out of that satanic carnal control.  ‘Tis the Son of God in me that overcomes the son of adam.  And the Son of God is the Holy Spirit of Truth in Love’’.  And that Son of God is a gift to us received only by faith; a gift from Our Father in Heaven.

FATHER has given us HIS Word so that we can dwell and meditate on the unquestionable facts surrounding HIS Love for us.  The Bible is a book of miracles which are confirmed by a multitude of healings  and hearts being changed.  Otherwise, it would be just another book of history and philosophy.

FATHER’S Love saved us when we did not deserved to be saved for it was a gift of Agape Love.  HE sent HIS Son to insure the permanency of our relationship with HIM.  Jesus’ ministry included healing the sick yet the only ones who did not receive, questioned the facts.  These people relied on past sense knowledge even though there were unquestionable miracles being performed.  Matthew wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 13:

54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?

55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?”

57 So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”

58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Even when confronted with unquestionable facts, some people will hold on to the past and traditions.  We must overcome this obstacle in order to mature as Sons and Daughters.  How do we do this?  By the cleansing of The Word.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 5:

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

The Word has properties which will purify us from wickedness and remove any spot or wrinkle so we should take advantage of those properties on a daily basis.  As we do, we will change, then we will begin to change the world around us.  I treat passages as Truth, far beyond what the world would have us believe.  The world keeps looking for solutions but without success.  They will manipulate the masses into thinking some far out theory only to later find it was flawed from the beginning.  Why even spend time and energy seeking solutions elsewhere when the Creator of the universe has sufficient provision found within HIS Book of Love?

Entertaining the world’s solutions will subtly move us toward unbelief in FATHER’S Word.  This is exactly what happened when Eve made the decision to partake of the fruit.  “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”  The unquestionable fact was challenged and questioned thus the fall of mankind occurred. 

We now have a set of unquestionable facts to live by and were given to us to reverse the curse.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  We need to embrace this unquestionable fact and not allow anything to challenge this Truth.  It is the basis of our maturing as Sons and Daughters.

The Psalmist wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 31:

​23 ​​Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!

​​For the LORD preserves the faithful,

​​And fully repays the proud person.

24 ​​Be of good courage,

​​And He shall strengthen your heart,

​​All you who hope in the LORD.

Dealing with adversity is simply a part of life.  Each of us attempts to minimize adversity whenever possible and we take steps to protect ourselves from events and people who would negatively impact us or our wellbeing.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 15:

13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

Our Heavenly Father is the GOD OF HOPE thus we should walk in hope as well.  In the midst of adversity, we can rely on our hope IN HIM to help us through the challenges, even with joy and peace in our hearts.  When things look bleak, we must not place our focus on the problems at hand but instead the hope and firm expectation that FATHER will provide a way out of the situation.

In 1996, my wife and I were in financial distress and we were running out of cash to pay our bills.  She had a dream that we sold a piece of property we owned in Alabama and at one time it was worth one-third of what we paid for it.  In her dream, she was given the sales price of the property which was about three times what we had originally paid.  I called the realtor on Friday afternoon and she committed to place a “for sale” sign the next morning, even though there was virtually no traffic this time of year.  When we told our asking price, she was taken back and told us that property had not selling at such a high price.  As she was placing the sign the next morning, a man drove by and asked her the price of the land.  She told him and he immediately said he wanted it.  As he was writing the check at closing, he commented “I know I am paying too much for this property but I want it.”  Our financial stress ended and we never missed a payment.

We must trust that FATHER will use whatever means necessary to fulfill HIS Love toward us.  It may be in some unusual manner or HE may move upon someone to provide a solution to our problems.  As we keep our eyes on HIM, HE will strengthen our hearts and sustain us through whatever trials come our way.  Let us abound in hope which is based on the firm expectation that FATHER Loves us and is looking out for our best interest.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 11:

3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity and purity that is in Christ.

Paul shares a reality that most do not want to acknowledge on a personal basis.  Our minds are easily deceived and corrupted by the craftiness of the carnal man.  Just consider how much Scripture you knew when you were saved, virtually none.  Yet your and my salvation came forth as a gift from FATHER.  We did not have to go through certain rituals, traditions, or other manmade processes to receive this gift which was freely given to all.

When did FATHER provide this gift?  About 2,000 years ago at the cross.  Was it only sufficient for a select few?  No, all of mankind has been accounted for at the cross.  How simple!  So every sin that you and I have committed or will commit has the Blood of Jesus Christ to cover them, with no exception.

What about sickness and disease?  Is there any sickness, disease, or symptom left out at the cross 2,000 years ago?  No not one.  Jesus has already provided for our healing and does not have to anything further.  It is up to us to believe in the simplicity and purity that is in Christ.

Was I able to achieve a total purity of thought and action in order to be healed by FATHER?  No.  I look back and see how my understanding was tainted with man’s traditions and teaching yet FATHER’S healing power did not require my performance in any way in order to heal my body.  I simply believed in what Christ did at the cross.

All of our provision awaits only our beliefs to shift from the carnal, sense knowledge to the knowledge in Christ and understand that the biggest hindrance to us receiving the fullness of Christ is our willingness to allow the old man to have a say.  The moment the old man speaks, corruption begins to infiltrate our thinking and we begin to use the world’s logic and understanding to address the problems before us.  This is why it is imperative for us to press in and be led by THE SPIRIT and quit “striving” on our own.  Entering into HIS rest is the sure path to success in overcoming all obstacles set before us.  How Simple!

My friend Alan wrote:

NKJ John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit”.

I was taught early in my spiritual journey that God ‘cut covenants’ with certain individuals, and that was the basis for much of the Bible; God ‘cut’ different covenants with certain men to achieve God’s goals. That never tasted very good to me, though I wasn’t able to say why I could not embrace that idea. As I began to study the verses in the O.T. which address the idea of ‘covenant’, I discovered the real error in that line of thinking; at least for me.

KJV Genesis 6:18 But with thee will I establish (Strong’s # H6965 is the root verb used here) my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

The verb ~wq, pronounced in English as ‘Qoom’ iis Strong’s #6965, and is used many times in the Hebrew scriptures. The first place it appears is in Gen. 4:8: “…Cainrose up (Strong’s #6965) against Abel his brother…”

The impact of ‘’qoom’ is the idea of embracing the thought, or instructions, of ascending to a higher position of authority, and/or of obedient action. The word is generally used to communicate the activity of one who takes instructions from another to do something they weren’t previously doing. Most often it represents when a superior motivates a subordinate to do something: i.e., ‘Arise’; ‘stand up’; ‘rose up’; ‘go forth’; etc. In that context, then, let’s consider this. “But with you I will establish (#6965) my covenant…” [Gen. 6:18]

This is also the first place in the scriptures that the word ‘covenant’ is used; in Hebrew and in English. The literal translation of these Hebrew words into English is as this: “I will cause to stand up (Strong’s #6965), in you and with you, my covenant”. The ‘covenant of God’ is the presence of God. And God is Spirit, on the authority of Yashua. That covenant declaration was not a promise to just Noah, and whatever ‘noah’ represents. This declaration was for all of mankind; humanity; ‘adam’, in all of ‘adam’s’ varied manifestations. For God is no respecter of persons. The idea being introduced here is that when man is obedient to the Spirit of God, the covenant of God stands up in man. And the covenant of God is the Spirit Presence of God.

Many times throughout the O.T. we find this language being used to say that if a certain individual is obedient to the Spiritual instructions he/she is receiving from God, that God will cause to ‘stand up’ in them his presence; His covenant in them. God doesn’t make external covenant conditions with man. When man is obedient to the Spirit of God, the Spirit of God ‘stands up’ in man. And all who embrace the instructions and corrections from the Spirit partake of the benefit of having the Spirit of God ‘stand up’ in them; in their experience and in their actions and in their lives. When one hears something from the Spirit of God that causes them to embrace what they heard, the Spirit of God is being elevated in that individual. And all who embrace and accept, for themselves, that same idea of what was ‘heard’, also accept and endorse the benefit that goes with that level of Spirit obedience. For God is no respecter of persons. This principle works whether or not you understand it.

Throughout the O.T. scriptures the Spirit of God elevates the ‘covenant of God’, in man, through the phases of Noah, Abram/Abraham, Jacob/Israel, Moses, the priests, prophets and kings. I like to refer to it as man on his journey from ‘adam’ to Christ. From the very beginning of the idea of ‘covenant’, beginning in Gen. 6:18, those seeking covenant with God did so by sacrificing animals on their behalf; the shedding of innocent animal blood to appease God for the sinfulness of man. Nowhere in scripture can I find where God introduced this idea, or condoned it or found it acceptable. We do find, however, where YHVH Elohim gives instructions to Moses and others on how this ritual should be performed. But we also find where God, speaking through certain prophets, ridiculed this concept, and told the people to stop this practice, for it was doing nothing to cause a ‘spiritual’ improvement of the people. Indeed, it was doing just the opposite. The more animal life they sacrificed in effort to please God the more corrupt and vulgar they became. We find that situation continuing all the way to the Cross of Calvary.

At the Cross of Calvary Yashua (salvation) is crucified. And the scriptures tell us that when the ‘side’ of Yashua was pierced, blood and water were seen to come forth immediately from the wound in his side. Religion has debated for two millennia what all that represented. Even the medical profession got involved to give their ‘medical explanation’ of what was happening, and why. But I had never heard anyone yet explain the Spirit implication of these explicit details. We are still debating, two thousand years after the fact, what Yashua meant when he cried out “It is finished”! All of this was confusing to me as well, until I realized that the crucifixion of Christ on the Cross was God’s way of shouting to us that there is no covenant life in the shedding of blood. Stop it with the blood sacrifices. They are an abomination to the Spirit of God. God never instituted blood sacrifices. Man ‘created’ that abomination. Yashua, however, showed that it has to stop. There is no covenant life with God acquired by shedding the blood of another. On the Cross Yashua was emptied of blood to illustrate to us that Life with Father has nothing to do with having blood, or not having blood. He gave up his blood to show that the covenant he had with God had nothing to do with blood. His Covenant Life was established by God’s Word to him, and his Covenant Life with Father relied on nothing else than the Word of God that he embraced.

As the blood of Yashua was flowing forth from the wound in his side, water also flowed forth. What does water represent? The Word of God is often represented as water. “Out of your belly shall flow rivers of Living Water”. The water and the Spirit and the Word are all used synonymously as representing the coming forth of the Spirit of God within. As believers, we are encouraged to embrace baptism in water, and baptism in the Spirit. Yashua breathed upon them and said, “Receive you the Holy Spirit”. The word ‘breath’ is most often associated with Spirit. The very breath that sustains us, in this physical dimension, is the gift of God. The Breath of God and the Spirit of God are one and the same. For God is Spirit, and does not need to breathe as man needs to breathe. And if you can breathe, you are a manifestation of Covenant Life with Father. God has elevated His Covenant in ‘adam’ to another level. And in this Third Day experience, the Aquarius sign (which astronomically we have entered into) of the man with the pitcher of water being poured out has taken on a new and higher spiritual importance. The Spirit Words of God flowing forth from us is synonymous with the water being poured out by the man with the pitcher of water. And we must expend breath to speak the Word. Yashua breathed upon them and said these Words: “Receive the Holy Spirit”. [John: 20:22] ‘Tis by the breath of God that we speak the Words of God.

The word clearly tells us, “Tradition makes the word of God to no effect.” If you sense restlessness, ask the Lord why and be careful that your traditions and soul ties do not impede your destiny. Anything growing will change, be open, be flexible, be willing to change. The Spirit of God is moving to and fro upon this earth, setting order and change in the church. He is moving even now to fulfill His great plan. If you sense restlessness and a sense of departure from what has been normal and traditional in your spiritual life, no doubt God is launching something new. As you seek Him with an open heart, His direction for your life will become clear. Many, for the first time in life, are realizing ‘callings’ in non-traditional church settings – business, finance, media, politics, medicine, etc.,

REST – THE ULTIMATE WEAPON

Is much chaos around you? Are you facing one challenge after another? Does hell seem to erupt against you in routine fashion? Do you see the world in greater levels of decay? The systems of men are dying; Babylon is falling and chaos spills over this planet is grand fashion. Could it be the chaos will get worse; the attacks against us more fierce? The answer is “absolutely!” Chaos is the new normal. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds…” Again, chaos is the new normal, but His elect will stand up, stand strong, and stand out as lights in an ever darkening world. Masses will run to the light!!!

On the surface more chaos seems devastating; but as always, the devil overplays his hand. As the chaos increases, so too does our rest (in Him). In fact, we are learning that a divine upgrade is offered; a deeper, more abiding, continuous place of rest; above the fray, beyond the reach of the flames that roar around us. As Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendigo, the furnace is ten times hotter but the heat cannot touch us. How can this be? Hope deferred makes the heart sick, we are weary beyond words, how can we sustain these attacks? The answer is simple – we cannot! Praise God: We can no longer stand on our own two feet!

There is a Master Key to all Kingdom advancement, upgrade, achievement and it is found in Isaiah 46. Those who cling to ‘man dependency’ in any way, most often self, will find this form of idolatry extremely hazardous to health. YOU are not equipped to fight this battle. However, the upgrade is “Resting in the knowledge that He has upheld us since conception, carried us since birth; even to old age and gray hair” (see Isaiah 46). He made us, carries us, rescues us, and sustains us. He and He alone is our righteousness and salvation. As we seek first the Kingdom we are also implored to seek His Righteousness (right standing with God). Verse 13 of Chapter 46 in the Book of Isaiah is a Master Key. “Positional Rest” are words that come to me. Righteousness is a result of “positional rest,” seated with Him in Heavenly places far above all principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. When this position is realized and accepted, REST is the result, proper government is established within us, and restoration (being totally restored) comes.

Read verses 12 & 13 of Isaiah 46 – He is bringing about His righteousness. We are not to just seek first the kingdom of GOD but also “His righteousness, And then all these things shall be added…And his salvation shall not tarry.” We won’t wait long to see the manifestation of His salvation noted in verse 13. ‘His righteousness,’ right standing IS the awareness of being seated with Him in heavenly places – this is the faith of resting in GOD. The Lord is my Shepherd (my friend and companion), and I am seated next to Him with Jesus in a spiritual place (you are watching what is happening below). This awareness is positional rest – the knowledge of ‘where you are.’ REST is knowing where you are. REST is our new weapon: REST is righteousness (seated far above all aspects of earthly activity). Those who learn to live in His Rest will not only survive but thrive in today’s world of collapsing systems. Your rest is your weapon, causing you to soar far above the confusion and chaos of a decaying, dying world. God is preparing a banquet table before you in the presence of your enemies. You are ‘growing and becoming and you don’t even know how’ – it is just happening!

True Rest is the place of arrival (the City not built with human hands), where you no longer strive or try to achieve – you are content that your provider provides what He wants you to have, and whatever that is is enough. He is my defender, protector, healer, and provider – I need nothing else. In this, I REST!

THE POWER IS IN THE REST, being in His Presence, the secret place, the place of deeper encounters with Him. To REST is to soar with Him – the two go hand-in-hand. GREAT BREAKTHROUGH IS COMING TO THOSE WHO ENTER INTO HIS REST. The Captain of the Lord of Host is with you always; He will never leave or forsake you. Rest is the ultimate form of trust, even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – He is with me. In this, I REST!

SELF-LIFE – AN ENEMY TO THE KINGDOM!

As the light of God continues to brighten through an awakening people in this dark world, the forces of darkness, assigned to shut down that awakening are also at work. They exercise, through our flesh, a shutdown of all God intends to do (through us). A powerful center of this attack is focused upon a yet un-surrendered part of our humanity – a part that clings to ‘self.’ The need to look out for ourselves denotes a lack of trust – it is a diabolical enemy of the advancing Kingdom in us. Man dependency (often self) is the old nature and of the world; just as God dependency is of our new nature and a product of Kingdom citizenship. To the extent one depends upon God, to that same extent is he walking in the realm of Kingdom government.

‘Rights’ are an entitlement issue. ‘Responsibility’ is a Kingdom issue – one decidedly wrapped in our old nature, the other in our new nature and Kingdom citizenship. Rights always focus on me, my, I; responsibility always focuses on God (always asking what is my spiritual responsibility is this situation)? When my concern is always ‘rights,’ seldom can I see spiritual responsibility in the same circumstance. A very important truth can be added: The two cannot occupy the same space! Circumstances don’t make us, but do reveal us. As earlier stated, Arthur Burt taught “God allows in His wisdom what He could have prevented in His power.” If indeed “all things are working together for my good,” I must exercise trust and discernment when circumstances arise that seem to work against me…the test is on, my steps are ordered, I MUST PASS THE TEST!

As the ever advancing Kingdom continues to rise and ‘awaken’ us, so too are we called to “shine” in our rise – there is purpose in the rise, even greater in the shine; yet many remain hung in suspension between the ways of the world (self life) and the ways of God (Kingdom). Being ‘hung up’ keeps us from rising up, and able to shine up (demonstrate the gospel through our lives). Our ‘hang-up’ is our inability to let go of self-preservation; clinging to a ‘rights-mindedness,’ virtually erasing our spiritual responsibility and subsequent growth in that very same situation. The spirit of entitlement is now pervading the earth as never seen in world history, yet as the world and many Christians are hung up on entitlements, many Kingdom citizens are learning Kingdom assignments by first accepting Kingdom responsibilities in situations they face – the test is on! How will a man receive the Kingdom of God? Through many, many test and trials – Acts 14:22. The test are many until we quit fighting to self-preserve. Once we die, we can live and walk in the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven – John 12:24. Every seed must first die that it might live and reproduce after its kind.

The word Kingdom and the word government are synonymous terms in most biblical uses, as the Kingdom in us is on full display when we walk in peace, righteousness, and joy in the Holy Spirit. When these three are nowhere to be found, somewhere along the way we strayed from the government of the Kingdom within us. This is costly; this is error but has consequences for our good if we attune our ear every time peace, righteousness, and joy escape us. In other words, the mistake can be our launch pad for growth if we simply recognize ‘why’ the peace, righteousness, and joy left to begin with. Often the culprit is turning to self instead of God. Situation after situation after situation comes UNTIL we finally surrender, and ultimately see God can be trusted in “all things.” When this point comes, we begin to see our spiritual responsibility in “all things;” as we surrender any and all rights in those same situations. The Kingdom arises, we shine through a demonstration of the word made flesh; bringing the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Perseverance is the character of a true Kingdom man, who recognizes opposition goes with the territory: fierce opposition goes with the calling!

Clay Sikes has provided us with another facet of maturing in Christ!

Brother Sikes wrote:

RESTING IN GOD PRODUCES THE DIRECTION OF GOD

We must learn how to work while resting in the Lord (Hebrews 4:10,11). The scripture says, “The servant of the Lord shall not strive” (I Timothy 2:24). How much strife (striving) is in us? Striving is a product of the World’s System. When we leave being led of the Spirit, we automatically arrive at doing our own thing, a form of striving – “Except the Lord build a house, its builders build in vain.” When we cease our communication with the Holy Spirit and escape into what we are doing, not listening to Him, strife (striving) is upon us. Staying in the Spirit keeps us aware of God’s direction and far from striving. Adam went from a flow with God to “toil in the soil” after the fall (Genesis 3:17). What once came easy now comes with a great price. God wishes us to return to the pre fall state, where there is a flow in our lives.

Strife (striving) causes difficult circumstances in both relationships and inefficiencies in accomplishing our task. We easily escape into toil and presumption and soon begin creating Ishmaels. The ramification of this generally affects others, because we will always produce fruit that looks like us. When we touch the World’s System in this way, it releases the same spirit, the Spirit of the World, in those around us.

Our ultimate rest, which is the antidote to strife, is in finding out what God is doing in us, through us, with someone or some situation, and joining in that work (Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28, John 5:17)! Jeremiah 6:16 is essentially saying, find out where God is walking and follow in His footsteps. Jesus said in John 5:17, “I do nothing out of my own initiative.” Whatever Jesus did He did in the rest of God. He did not initiate the process Himself. He found out what God was doing in the situation and joined Him. If you want spiritual hernias all day long, initiate things God isn’t doing. Rest is found in discovering where God is already working and simply joining in.

A sure way to know where God is in any situation is to understand that God pays for what He orders. First and foremost, if He orders us to do something, He will provide us with the grace to do it, the finances to do it, and the people to do it. Ask yourself the question, what is He providing me in the way of relational resources, those individuals that are assigned to work with us on God appointed projects? What is He providing me in terms of financial resources, the monetary means through which to accomplish the task? If the above provisional resources are not in place, spiritually first and physically second, chances are God isn’t in it. Often God may be telling us that step one to accomplishing anything for Him is in appropriating the faith for the resources. My experience has been that the people will always precede the money. Those that come as result of direction from the Holy Spirit are spiritual sons; those that come as a result of the money are hirelings – know the difference!

When the cloud is moving, we must move with it, never nailing our tent pegs so deep in the ground that we are busy trying to get them out of the ground when the cloud and the crowd have left. We must be sensitive at all times when the cloud has moved (Exodus 13: 21,22). We cannot stay where the cloud was yesterday – we must go where it is for us today. The cloud is always, always out in front of us, never behind.

One of the greatest deceptions of the age is to teach Christians about faith without teaching them about strategy – strategy is an integral part of faith working. Strategy is God’s direction and “ordered steps” for us to know our part in His plan. Without strategy, faith is dead. Said differently, “Faith without works is dead.” Works in this scripture means God-appointed strategy. “With wisdom, get understanding” – Wisdom is the direction of God, understanding is the “how to.”

The book of Nehemiah is one of the greatest exposes’ on strategy in the bible. The things that burden us are often the thing God is calling us to do something about (See Nehemiah 1:1-4). Grasp this concept, “Problems guard Power” – the problems or burdens we face are often designed to give us power in that specific area. How is this so? Look at what Nehemiah did (Nehemiah 1:4-11). He prayed and got the strategy of God to overcome the burden/problem. The burden/problem Nehemiah faced was the Jewish remnant and their protection – He knew that rebuilding the wall around the city was vital for their protection. As he prayed he became empowered to accomplish the task by getting the specific strategy to overcome the problem. Did he face opposition? Daily he faced life and death circumstances, delays, deception, and supernatural forces allied against him. Unlike many in Christian circles today, he withstood mountains of opposition to take the mountain of his assignment. Opposition is a confirmation of God’s assignment, not a sign that God is not in it!

Several years ago, I felt a tremendous burden or yearning to develop a piece of software for my real estate organization. Though I knew little of how to accomplish this, I was ultimately successful by getting God’s strategy for the victory. If ever I am led to do another software project, I have now become empowered in that area as a result of my experience. The lion and the bear prepared David for Goliath. Interestingly, God will use our past to prepare us for our future.

When we have been given the strategy or wisdom to solve a problem, it is unlikely that the problem can have power over us again. The word tells us “we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices used to gain advantage over humans.” Christians are often guilty of praying for faith when in fact, they should be praying for strategy, or their specific part in solving the problem. The gift of discernment will clearly tell you when it is time to simply wait upon God or begin to pray for and enact a strategy.

RESTLESSNESS BRINGS CHANGE

While I do not feel that this word is for everyone, I do sense it is for those who have ears to hear it. Several years ago the Lord said, “Ignorance often comes disguised as tradition.” This very profound statement began to awaken me to things in my life keeping me bound and in some cases defeated, and since this writing is not about that particular revelation, I think the mentioning of it is important in embracing an understanding yet another way in which God speaks to his people. It is particularly relevant in this time of upheaval and change taking place within the church worldwide.

For years, I accepted the more traditional ways of God saying or speaking to me in a still-small voice deep within my heart. I would often extend myself past obedience awaiting His comforting voice to direct me. Of late, He has exposed yet another element of communication which I accept as normal, Godly, and accurate. This particular aspect of God’s communication originates from the Holy Spirit and is often aimed at the soul of a man: It comes in the form of restlessness, discomfort, and even anxiety. I have also determined through the direction of the Holy Spirit, that often this method of Godly communication is aimed at us when our soul’s traditions have built walls around us, walls that block the flow of the Holy Spirit to freely communicate with us.

In recent past situations God has used restlessness in specific areas of my life in order to introduce mammoth changes that were about to occur. My religious and often traditional mind-set fought against this, even feeling guilt and condemnation for the way I felt. At another point in my life, God spoke to me and said, “Anything growing will change, be open, be flexible, be willing to change.” As I pondered this, I soon realized that growth requires change and our basic human nature is to resist. There are many in the Body of Christ today who are sensing and feeling this restlessness and discomfort, even the desire for change. They sense that something is wrong but do not know what it is. These thoughts initially bring some degree of guilt but as they search their hearts further, they realize that what they are feeling is not out of order. They find that deep within themselves they are in conflict with the order of the present day church, especially those under a hierarchy absent of the five-fold ministry or freedom to arise to the calling within themselves.

God is a God of order and anything short of His order will not be blessed with His anointing and favor. The saints of God are feeling restlessness and seek destiny and divine purpose. The word of God is clear; the perfecting of the saints will come through the five-fold ministry. Without it, destinies cannot be fulfilled. We have come to an hour and time in which the Holy Spirit has increased His presence in our lives and the cry within us is to fulfill our calling.

The restlessness within each of us is directional. Listen, and you will be guided to the people and places that God has chosen to assist you in fulfilling your destiny. Recognize and remember that soul ties and traditions often impede progress and though we cannot speed up God’s timetable, we can slow it down.

Brother Sikes wrote:

RESTING IN GOD PRODUCES THE DIRECTION OF GOD

We must learn how to work while resting in the Lord (Hebrews 4:10,11). The scripture says, “The servant of the Lord shall not strive” (I Timothy 2:24). How much strife (striving) is in us? Striving is a product of the World’s System. When we leave being led of the Spirit, we automatically arrive at doing our own thing, a form of striving – “Except the Lord build a house, its builders build in vain.” When we cease our communication with the Holy Spirit and escape into what we are doing, not listening to Him, strife (striving) is upon us. Staying in the Spirit keeps us aware of God’s direction and far from striving. Adam went from a flow with God to “toil in the soil” after the fall (Genesis 3:17). What once came easy now comes with a great price. God wishes us to return to the pre fall state, where there is a flow in our lives.

Strife (striving) causes difficult circumstances in both relationships and inefficiencies in accomplishing our task. We easily escape into toil and presumption and soon begin creating Ishmaels. The ramification of this generally affects others, because we will always produce fruit that looks like us. When we touch the World’s System in this way, it releases the same spirit, the Spirit of the World, in those around us.

Our ultimate rest, which is the antidote to strife, is in finding out what God is doing in us, through us, with someone or some situation, and joining in that work (Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28, John 5:17)! Jeremiah 6:16 is essentially saying, find out where God is walking and follow in His footsteps. Jesus said in John 5:17, “I do nothing out of my own initiative.” Whatever Jesus did He did in the rest of God. He did not initiate the process Himself. He found out what God was doing in the situation and joined Him. If you want spiritual hernias all day long, initiate things God isn’t doing. Rest is found in discovering where God is already working and simply joining in.

A sure way to know where God is in any situation is to understand that God pays for what He orders. First and foremost, if He orders us to do something, He will provide us with the grace to do it, the finances to do it, and the people to do it. Ask yourself the question, what is He providing me in the way of relational resources, those individuals that are assigned to work with us on God appointed projects? What is He providing me in terms of financial resources, the monetary means through which to accomplish the task? If the above provisional resources are not in place, spiritually first and physically second, chances are God isn’t in it. Often God may be telling us that step one to accomplishing anything for Him is in appropriating the faith for the resources. My experience has been that the people will always precede the money. Those that come as result of direction from the Holy Spirit are spiritual sons; those that come as a result of the money are hirelings – know the difference!

When the cloud is moving, we must move with it, never nailing our tent pegs so deep in the ground that we are busy trying to get them out of the ground when the cloud and the crowd have left. We must be sensitive at all times when the cloud has moved (Exodus 13: 21,22). We cannot stay where the cloud was yesterday – we must go where it is for us today. The cloud is always, always out in front of us, never behind.

One of the greatest deceptions of the age is to teach Christians about faith without teaching them about strategy – strategy is an integral part of faith working. Strategy is God’s direction and “ordered steps” for us to know our part in His plan. Without strategy, faith is dead. Said differently, “Faith without works is dead.” Works in this scripture means God-appointed strategy. “With wisdom, get understanding” – Wisdom is the direction of God, understanding is the “how to.”

The book of Nehemiah is one of the greatest exposes’ on strategy in the bible. The things that burden us are often the thing God is calling us to do something about (See Nehemiah 1:1-4). Grasp this concept, “Problems guard Power” – the problems or burdens we face are often designed to give us power in that specific area. How is this so? Look at what Nehemiah did (Nehemiah 1:4-11). He prayed and got the strategy of God to overcome the burden/problem. The burden/problem Nehemiah faced was the Jewish remnant and their protection – He knew that rebuilding the wall around the city was vital for their protection. As he prayed he became empowered to accomplish the task by getting the specific strategy to overcome the problem. Did he face opposition? Daily he faced life and death circumstances, delays, deception, and supernatural forces allied against him. Unlike many in Christian circles today, he withstood mountains of opposition to take the mountain of his assignment. Opposition is a confirmation of God’s assignment, not a sign that God is not in it!

Several years ago, I felt a tremendous burden or yearning to develop a piece of software for my real estate organization. Though I knew little of how to accomplish this, I was ultimately successful by getting God’s strategy for the victory. If ever I am led to do another software project, I have now become empowered in that area as a result of my experience. The lion and the bear prepared David for Goliath. Interestingly, God will use our past to prepare us for our future.

When we have been given the strategy or wisdom to solve a problem, it is unlikely that the problem can have power over us again. The word tells us “we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices used to gain advantage over humans.” Christians are often guilty of praying for faith when in fact, they should be praying for strategy, or their specific part in solving the problem. The gift of discernment will clearly tell you when it is time to simply wait upon God or begin to pray for and enact a strategy.

RESTLESSNESS BRINGS CHANGE

While I do not feel that this word is for everyone, I do sense it is for those who have ears to hear it. Several years ago the Lord said, “Ignorance often comes disguised as tradition.” This very profound statement began to awaken me to things in my life keeping me bound and in some cases defeated, and since this writing is not about that particular revelation, I think the mentioning of it is important in embracing an understanding yet another way in which God speaks to his people. It is particularly relevant in this time of upheaval and change taking place within the church worldwide.

For years, I accepted the more traditional ways of God saying or speaking to me in a still-small voice deep within my heart. I would often extend myself past obedience awaiting His comforting voice to direct me. Of late, He has exposed yet another element of communication which I accept as normal, Godly, and accurate. This particular aspect of God’s communication originates from the Holy Spirit and is often aimed at the soul of a man: It comes in the form of restlessness, discomfort, and even anxiety. I have also determined through the direction of the Holy Spirit, that often this method of Godly communication is aimed at us when our soul’s traditions have built walls around us, walls that block the flow of the Holy Spirit to freely communicate with us.

In recent past situations God has used restlessness in specific areas of my life in order to introduce mammoth changes that were about to occur. My religious and often traditional mind-set fought against this, even feeling guilt and condemnation for the way I felt. At another point in my life, God spoke to me and said, “Anything growing will change, be open, be flexible, be willing to change.” As I pondered this, I soon realized that growth requires change and our basic human nature is to resist. There are many in the Body of Christ today who are sensing and feeling this restlessness and discomfort, even the desire for change. They sense that something is wrong but do not know what it is. These thoughts initially bring some degree of guilt but as they search their hearts further, they realize that what they are feeling is not out of order. They find that deep within themselves they are in conflict with the order of the present day church, especially those under a hierarchy absent of the five-fold ministry or freedom to arise to the calling within themselves.

God is a God of order and anything short of His order will not be blessed with His anointing and favor. The saints of God are feeling restlessness and seek destiny and divine purpose. The word of God is clear; the perfecting of the saints will come through the five-fold ministry. Without it, destinies cannot be fulfilled. We have come to an hour and time in which the Holy Spirit has increased His presence in our lives and the cry within us is to fulfill our calling.

The restlessness within each of us is directional. Listen, and you will be guided to the people and places that God has chosen to assist you in fulfilling your destiny. Recognize and remember that soul ties and traditions often impede progress and though we cannot speed up God’s timetable, we can slow it down.

Brother Sikes wrote:

Another major revelation in staying in the rest can be found in I Corinthians 4:4,5 – “Everything hidden will be revealed.” When something in us has been revealed, we must be quick to acknowledge it to God, seek God’s direction, and if so directed make it right with those we may have offended or done wrong. Living transparent is a key to rest. Cover up is key to restlessness. Our Father will correct us if we will allow it because “those He loves He chastens.” A true son, who is led by the Spirit will not only hear the Lord’s correction, but also will be quick to respond to it. God honors transparency; in fact, he rewards it with anointing and favor.

“It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (I Corinthians 4:2). We will be given opportunities to “prove faithful” as everything hidden is revealed. What will we do with it? Will we repent? Will we acknowledge it? Will we make it right with our brothers and sisters? If we “prove faithful,” God will reward us with anointing and favor. A major key to staying in God’s rest, which results in His favor, is staying “transparent.” Cover up will stop God’s favor as sure as transparency will start it. The extent to which we live our lives in transparency, to that extent will God’s mercy, favor and blessing flow into our lives. God rewards faithfulness.

BOWING: ANOTHER KEY TO STAYING IN THE REST

What do you do when opposition comes? Do you bow to it or do you fight it? If most of us were honest our answer would be that we rise, and yet nothing will rob our peace quicker than rising against that which God sends to oppose us. It is here that we must remember Romans 11:36, “All things are of, through, and to God.” Only accurate discernment and a yielded ness to God enable us to recognize opposition as God-sent. Is the broad statement being made here stating that the opposition I face in life could be from God? Arthur Burt, whose revelation of this is deeper than any I have been exposed to, states in his book Surrender, “Every moment of everyday I am either bowing or rising: bowing and glorifying God or rising and glorifying myself…so then, finality is glory, either man’s or God’s. Which shall it be?”

Opposition is designed and ordained of God to reveal to us areas in which our heart is not submitted to God. If we will simply allow God, by bowing to the opposition, He will reveal what is in us and give us the opportunity to “judge it” – repent, so He will not have to. By refusing to see the opposition as from God, we consequently lose what God is trying to reveal as ugliness within, and consequently we lose our peace and place of rest. Again, quoting from Arthur’s book, “If I (can learn to see God) in challenging circumstances, I will bow to the infinite wisdom that permits what the almighty power could prevent.” God can allow or permit anything. If “all things work together for our good,” then we should never doubt the power and vast importance of the words “all things” in our lives. Joseph told his brothers, “It is was not you who through me down that well, but God!

It is such a foreign thought to those of us who naturally fight and contend for what we perceive to be ours, or what we perceive to be right or wrong. We feel instinctively that we must rise up and position ourselves against the wrong we perceive. Again quoting from Surrender, “Man’s attempt to steal God’s glory occurs when his heart functions out of order and instead of bowing, rises in self-exaltation (pride). More damnable than any sin, more vile than any injury a man can inflict on his brother, is this refusal to bow to God, this rebellion of the heart in its uprising as it seeks to unseat God from His throne – to become a god instead of having a God! It is the same response Eve had when satan tempted her to eat of the forbidden fruit, insisting that she and Adam would “be as gods” (Gen. 3:5). When we judge from our limited perspective, we become god, and as inevitable as darkness befalling night, we lose our peace and rest.

I recently saw one of the most powerful examples of what can happen when we choose to rest in God, even in the direst of circumstances. A local Christian family experienced the horror of losing their 24 year old eldest son to drugs. His death shook the core of many young people in this community as evidenced by the vast numbers who attended his funeral. Well in advance of the funeral the family began to sense a divine purpose and began to rest in that purpose and yield to God instead of allowing the normal feelings of anger and guilt. They soon found out that their son had attended church recently, and that the pastor had called him out and prophesied that his life would be used to turn many young people to the Lord.

Bravely, as the service ended, the young man’s father stood before the church, and with one hand on his boy’s casket he said, “Don’t let my son’s death be in vain. There is a reason for everything that happens and this is your wakeup call.” He implored the young people, as a loving father, to examine their lives. The young man’s grandfather, a local minister, came forward and gently asked if those in attendance wanted to get their lives right with God. Many accepted the Lord. As yielded vessels in God’s rest this family turned a community of young people to a loving God, and in the course of doing so set one of the most powerful Godly examples I have ever witnessed. Through rest comes restoration.

Many young people, including my sons, were spiritually affected by the tragic death of their friend, yet by choosing the “rest” of God, a family allowed their tragic lose to produce enormous gain. Through rest comes restoration, and by bowing to the Father instead of fighting and contending with Him, a community will never be the same.