Servias Ministries Blog

Brother George also wrote:

The testimony of Jesus was the clear counsel of God that Jesus brought to the world — the word that He spoke, and the Word that He was. But it was the Light of God — which brought fear and confrontation. When Jesus landed on the shores of Gadara — He didn’t go about arranging a meeting. But a demon possessed man came running to Him, out from the tombs which were his home, and said to Jesus "Torment me not". Jesus, a Tormentor? That’s the view they have in realms of Satanic darkness, for that’s the kind of torment they feel when the Prince of Light and Life begins to invade their territory. Yet the man of Gadara came to the Light, for Light is always more powerful than darkness. God drew the man to Himself, in spite of the power of the Legion of devils that bound him. And that is how it was in the church at Philadelphia. Here was a church that walked in the Light, and Jesus told them that He would cause the people to leave the Synagogues of Satan and come to them, and worship at their feet. The church was not attempting to open the doors of the synagogues, but the Light that shone forth drew them to the open door of salvation, and closed the door to the spirits of evil. I fear we are spending too much time and effort attempting to break down the walls of the Synagogues of Satan, instead of seeking God for the return of the Testimony of Jesus — the holy Ark of His Presence, the Light of the Seven Spirits that shine from the Seven Eyes of the Lamb.

What was the result of this mission in Gadara? And do you think Jesus was a little disappointed with the results? With only one man finding salvation? O how God desires to go before us and arrange our pathway. He will do that, if we are moving in His Spirit. Jesus spoke .. and the demons were terrified .. no screaming and yelling trying to get them to ‘come out’. The Legion of demons was terrified, thinking their time had come to be cast into the abyss, and asked if they might go into the swine instead. Jesus gave them permission, and the herd of swine stampeded down the hill and into the lake. The man was freed from his chains, and the people saw him sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.

Then what? Did the crowds come to Him, hoping He would stay around, and have a big deliverance meeting? Not quite that way. "They were sore afraid". As the news spread, the crowds certainly gathered around — but they "besought Him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear". Jesus started back to the ship, and gave the man that was healed a good word of counsel. He was to go tell his friends and loved ones "how great things God hath done unto thee" (See Lk. 8:26-39).

How will this corporate people of power and anointing deal with the inherent desire in the hearts of men to idolize God’s man of power and might? Here is your answer. The Testimony of Jesus will not make one popular — if he does not go along with man’s systems. When fearful miracles begin to happen that will cause the pigs of our resources to drown in the sea, the pigs that keep our economy alive and well — this man of God will not be popular. No matter how great his miracles, he will not be honored and respected if he is associated with this clear and powerful Testimony of Jesus. They will tell the man — "Will you please get out of here.."

Or like it was in Ephesus, they will try to drive him out. When the business men and the craftsmen in Ephesus suddenly discovered why there was no longer a hot market for the silver shrines of Diana — they had an investigation and they traced it down to a few people who had turned the hearts of the Ephesians away from their idols, and unto the Lord Jesus who redeemed them. Suddenly there was a great uproar by the capitalists as well as the craftsmen. They were very much together on this: "They were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians" (Acts 19:28). Diana was a Roman goddess, and Artemis her Greek counterpart — supposedly the goddess of childbirth, and of hunting, and of wild animals, and of nature.

Ephesus had become a great city of commerce, and very prosperous — and the center for the worship of Artemis. Can you imagine the people idolizing a miracle worker when the Gospel of Christ goes forth in such great power that people stop buying all the demonic junk that is spewing out of the mouths of men, from books and magazines, from the web, from the musical world, from the world of fashion, from the world of sports and entertainment? Many Christians imagine it is because we are a democracy that we have freedom to worship God, and freedom to send forth the Gospel. Let us prepare our hearts now for the day when the Gospel will go forth in such a brilliant Light — that the wild beasts in Ephesus will once again rise up and persecute those who love the Truth that is in Christ Jesus.

I will be gone for a few days and will return next weekend October 13th.  You may want to reread the recent blogs on Love and allow FATHER to provide deeper insights.

Brother George Warnock wrote on his perspective of the church:

Counsel .. and Might. These are twin brothers also. And our Lord Jesus whose name is called "Counselor .. the Mighty God" is our example. But we are only capable of following His example, as we abide in Him and walk with Him in His yoke. Then the counsel we give will carry weight .. even the strength and might of the Spirit of the LORD. You cannot get this kind of wisdom and counsel from books. Then why do I write books? Not because I have the answer to the horrendous problems that are in the church or in the world. But because I feel the Lord wants me to encourage God’s people to press toward a still higher plateau than where we are now. Generally we sense no urgency in the ministries in the church to move any higher. We must go higher. We must come to Him who is the Source and Fountainhead of all gift and ministry.

He places all these ministries in the church, to urge us to come higher .. where Apostle, and Prophet, and Evangelist, and Pastor, and Teacher — have served their purpose, and God’s people have come to the full stature of Christ. The ministry is here in the church till we come to that .. and to encourage us to come to that. Then like Moses and Elijah on the Mount — they must be hidden away in the Cloud, till all we see .. all we hear .. is Jesus only. A true prophet .. a true ministry of any kind .. must decrease, that He might increase.

We think of counsel as good advice, something to toss around in our minds and consider, but not in any way binding. If the counselor gives advice that seems good and reasonable .. we may go along. But the counsel of the Lord is an effectual word from God, that is accompanied with Might. This matter of counseling has, in too many cases, been committed into the hands of professionals who study the philosophies of men to equip them for their task.

The Spirit of Counsel and Might is greatly needed in the church. We have become overwhelmed with situations that are so tangled and complicated, that not even a man of Solomon’s stature could sort it all out. Where is the power and might of the Spirit of the LORD to make our counsel effectual? We must continue to seek and knock and look for the open door that will bring us higher into the realm of the Spirit, where the Spirit of Counsel and Might will rest upon God’s people.

The Church of Christ is intended to be God’s answer to a world in confusion, perplexity, and distress. But rather than being the answer, we ourselves have become part of the problem. And the reason we are part of the problem is because we have forsaken the fountain of living waters, and hewn for ourselves cisterns — broken cisterns that can hold no water (see Jer. 2:13). Instead of looking to the Source of all true wisdom and counsel, we turn it over to those who are schooled in the wisdom of man, to our own confusion. Only the Anointing can break the yoke of bondage that lies heavy upon the church. Only the counsel that proceeds from the heart of God by His Spirit, will carry with it the power that is needed to break the bands, and set the captive free.

We are called to be in unity. We are to become one in Christ and each other:

Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (NKJV)

One of the problems of Christians today is that their entire focus is on the vertical relationship with Our Heavenly Father. The cross symbolizes two relationships: vertical and horizontal. The vertical relationship is the only focus of the immature. They need to be assured of their salvation and be reassured of their future destination of making it to Heaven. Until that reassurance is firmly planted in them, the horizontal relationship will be secondary at best. The Heavenly flow of anointing by Our Heavenly Father is to proceed from Above (the vertical) to each of us, and then flow out to our brothers and sisters (the horizontal).

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (NKJV)

Here, Paul speaks of the "vertical." We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Love. Now what? Paul expresses pleasure in their fruit (the horizontal):

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

Later, in chapter 4, Paul beseeches us:

2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (NKJV)

Unity is critical to expanding the Kingdom. How can the Kingdom come to earth except by unity! By two or three witnesses everything on earth is established. Those witnesses must be in unity. The Holy Trinity is in unity; there is no division. Jesus told us that a house divided cannot stand. How many denominations are there in the world today? Each denomination creates a wall of division to be separate from outsiders. Jesus never ordained that walls should keep the people out. After all, the veil was torn in two when He fulfilled the cross. He removed the barrier from the Holy of Holies so that each of us could come into intimate unity with Our Heavenly Father. However, that was not the end of the matter. Moreover, we are to promote unity among the brethren. We should look at what we have in common rather than exalt any differences and create alienation, resulting in division. In fact, there is only one Lord, one faith one baptism and one GOD and Father of all!

Unity is different from uniformity. We need not conform to the priorities and perspectives of others. We all have a unique and special calling by which we view life. Peter’s ministry focused on a different group of people versus Paul who was called to preach to the Gentiles. A bricklayer has a different set of priorities when compared to a salesman. However, both can and should be in unity as members of the Body of Christ.

Horizontal unity starts in the home. How can you promote unity among the rest of the world if you cannot achieve it in your household? In chapter 5 of Ephesians, Paul is promoting unity in Love:

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (NKJV)

Our Heavenly Father provides us with an excellent and primary example of how to interact with others: walk in Love. To give and to sacrifice are key ingredients to walking in Love toward others. Jesus did it, why can’t you? Can’t you give and sacrifice your "self" for others even though they may be unlovely? Jesus died for the ungodly and that included you and me. We were His "enemies" and were separated from Him. He made the ultimate sacrifice allowing us to achieve unity with Our Heavenly Father. At a minimum, we should do the same for our brothers and sisters… and enemies.

As Jesus declared in Matthew 5:

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (NKJV)

Okay, Love your brothers, sisters, enemies… who else is there? It sounds to me like we are to Love ALL! We are to bless ALL! What is our reward? It is that we may be sons of Our Heavenly Father. Love promotes unity among all of mankind, not just 5%, with the rest burning in hell forever.

Men, Love your wives:

Ephesians 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,

:27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

:28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself (NKJV)

Paul was adamant about unity in the home. Christ gave Himself for the church, His bride, so shouldn’t we give ourselves for our wives as well? Isn’t our testimony as husbands fulfilled when we present our wives as holy and without blemish! As you men Love your wife, your Love shows maturity in your life. Until then, you have work to do.

: 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (NKJV)

Men, if you want your wife to respect you, Love her. As a result, she should and will respect you and reverence your walk. Women, did Jesus demand His rights? Didn’t He submit Himself to service? Demanding rights comes from the ego. It would have you believe that Our Heavenly Father cannot take care of your situation. If you would place the same energy and focus on your relationship with Our Heavenly Father as you do with your rights and privileges as a woman, you would not be in a position to demand anything; Our Heavenly Father would be your provision.

Greed is an enemy of unity. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of this issue:

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (NKJV)

When a person walks in greed, he is willing to sacrifice the wellbeing of the other person in whatever transaction he is participating in. Each of us should pursue value, but not at the expense of the other person. We should not pay too much, but yet we should make sure that we don’t pay too little for some product or service. We should conduct business with Love as the basis. This attitude will promote unity in our financial transactions and be a witness to all who observe our daily affairs.

The story of the rich young ruler provides us the most poignant perspective of greed. Jesus was approached by this young man in Matthew 19:

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is ,God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (NKJV)

Do you want to be perfected as well? What are you willing to give up to attain that perfection? In this case, Jesus told him to get rid of his "stuff." What was more important to the young man: unity with Our Heavenly Father or his worldly trappings? The young man had great possessions and was unwilling to part with them. He left full of sorrow. Unity demands a decision that requires us to prove what is most important to us: Love or "self." This is unique to each individual. Don’t think by simply selling your possessions that you will achieve eternal life. Each of us has a unique sacrifice to give up. For one it may be a reputation. For another, it may be a car. Whatever is an idol in your heart, it must be removed so that the separation created by it can be dealt with accordingly. Unity is only achieved once the idols are removed. In Mark’s account of the encounter with the young man, he included the fact that Jesus Loved the young man:

10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” (NKJV)

Do you think Jesus would punish the young man by having him sell his possessions as proof of his allegiance? No, He Loved him and wanted him to move his citizenship from the world to Heaven. He was to trade one treasure for another. One where moth and dust doth corrupt is replaced by the incorruptible.

Unity must begin with our relationship toward Our Heavenly Father. Who else better to trust than HIM! The first Commandment is one of unity:

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ (NKJV)

Isn’t that the ultimate bond of unity? Your Love connects your heart, soul, and mind to the Divine Intent of Our Heavenly Father. That first commandment precedes all others. Once you become aligned with Our Heavenly Father, you can then align yourself in unity with others. Most Christians never fully commit to this first commandment. They don’t have a reverential fear for Our Heavenly Father. They trust "self" more than The Creator, and that is the ultimate deception.

Do you think you have satisfied the unity required by Our Heavenly Father? Let’s look at the second Commandment that completes the Law:

:39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

How many ways must Jesus describe the requirements of unity? All the Law and all the Prophets are based on the Divine intent of Love and unity. Unity cannot be achieved without Love. Love comes first, then unity. You cannot operate fully in the gifts of the Spirit without unity from Above. How and when would you know to operate in the proper gifts properly? You don’t know the source or root of the other person’s problems. You don’t know his or her heart, only Our Heavenly Father does. HE knows exactly what is required to resolve any and all issues of the person needing ministry. As we walk in unity with HIM, we can minister just as Jesus did, knowing when to deal with sin, or simply to minister healing. As you fully connect with HIS Divine intent, you will be fully fruitful in serving mankind. This is the intent of having the bond of perfection: Love.

FATHER is full of love and full of grace, compassion, mercy, and redemption.  HIS Divine Plan is not intended to hurt anybody, for HE loves all men and desires all men to come into union with Him.  Should we be afraid of Our Heavenly Father?  Men’s teachings and doctrines have given us a wrong view of Our Heavenly Father. Scripture tells us “God is Love (agape).”

Agape is pure, Divine, unconditional love flowing from a nature which expresses itself in terms of care, concern, and endearment toward another, also known as my neighbor. FATHER Loves all of mankind thus he intends to instruct all mankind in some form or fashion. HIS Love does not work against HIS other attributes such as HIS judgment. HIS mercy does not oppose HIS justice, but both are intended to bring forth restoration and redemption.

              When FATHER judges it is Love that judges, just as the love of a Father corrects his erring and sometimes rebellious child.  FATHER did not condemn man to destroy him in hell; HE condemned him to save him! Paul wrote in Romans chapter 11:

32 For God has committed (imprisoned) them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

There lies the revelation: Love acts as a Judge!  Only FATHER’S justice demands His mercy, for He knows and fully understands what is in man and why he acts as he does.  He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins as the Beloved Disciple wrote in 1 John chapter 1:

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

HIS forgiveness associates itself with justice thus justice is not opposed to forgiveness. Who better to judge us that ONE WHO is motivated by Love. In fact, forgiveness leads to justice when done in a heartfelt manner. Man wants to invoke an "eye for an eye" whereas Love is always moving us toward restoration. What do we deserve?  What is there about justice that would compel FATHER to forgive us!  We need to embrace the reality the Love of Our Heavenly Father was demonstrated toward us in that while we were yet ungodly sinners, Christ died for us.

Love sent Christ to die for us though we didn’t deserve it!  Love sent the Son into the world.  Love died for us, paid our debt, and canceled our responsibility.  Since Love has done this for us, it is only just — that is, right, lawful, proper, appropriate, legitimate, reasonable, and legally binding for FATHER to forgive us all our sins.  He would, in fact, be unjust NOT to release us! 

If FATHER required us to pay our penalty when Jesus has already fully satisfied the penalty, it would be a gross injustice. FATHER has no attributes in conflict with each other. all are in unity. Any inconsistency we perceive is due to our lack of revelation of HIS character of Love.

Since GOD is Love and HE is omnipresent, all of creation is ultimately subject to HIS Love. This Love is the basis of our existence and is interested in and involved with each of us. It sees to the welfare of every one of His creatures.

While FATHER allows evil for His wise purpose, for our training and development into overcoming sons of God, HIS creation will never be surrendered to the evil plans of the ungodly!  The GOD of Love will ultimately prevail — not simply for us, or on our behalf, but in us as HE reconciles all unto HIMSELF and raises up every man and woman by the power of Christ.  That is the plan of love!  And Love never fails!  This sacred knowledge and understanding bring stability to our lives at a time when the outer world appears to be heading toward despair and destruction.

            However, as the Love of Our Heavenly Father does not cancel out His wrath, nor does HIS wrath cancel out His love!  Every parent who has ever punished a child understands this Truth!  Wrath and love work together to correct what is wrong and make it right.  Strictly speaking the wrath of Our Heavenly Father and His Love are not equal eternal attributes of HIM.  GOD IS Love, but nowhere do the scriptures infer that GOD IS wrath!

You do not see in any Biblical reference of FATHER’S attributes where wrath has been included.  Paul wrote of the fruit of THE SPIRIT in Galatians chapter 5:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Where is wrath found in this list? It is not named as one of the fruits of the Spirit.  When sin has been eliminated in FATHER’S universe, HIS wrath will end, but His Love will abide eternally upon all His creatures and all the works of His hands. Love is the one thing that will never pass away.

Our Heavenly Father reacts to sin by wrath, that is to say, stern measures of punishment and correction.  The wrath, in reality, is the Love of God responding against our rebellious path of death and destruction.

When we believe HIM, obey HIM and begin to walk with HIM, we experience HIS Love in salvation, goodness, and blessing.  When we walk in unbelief, disobey HIM, and turn from HIS ways, HIS Love turns on us in judgment, punishment, and correction.  It cannot be otherwise!  According to the word of GOD HIS wrath is but for a moment — but His Love is unending!  In wrath, God remembers mercy — because GOD IS LOVE!

Everyone wants an inheritance. When you want to see the real character of family members, wait until a loved one dies and leaves assets to be distributed. The real character of potential inheritors is exposed. Greed surfaces from those who have successfully hidden it from public view.

To inherit means to come into possession of or receive especially as a right or divine portion: and every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters … for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life — Matthew 19:29

Often when a previous generation dies, there is an inheritance for those who remain to receive. When Jesus died on the cross, we became His inheritors, and His resources are of much greater value than anyone can fathom for it is not limited by scarcity but comes from the creative power of Our Heavenly Father. HIS only condition is that we are lawful and have the proper intent for the use of those resources. FATHER challenges us to believe in HIS provision by declaring “Prove Me” in Malachi chapter 3:

10 ​​Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, ​​That there may be food in My house,

​​And prove Me now in this,” ​​Says the LORD of hosts,

​​“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing

​​That there will not be room enough to receive it.

​

11 ​​“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, ​​Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”

​​Says the LORD of hosts;

12 ​​And all nations will call you blessed, ​​For you will be a delightful land,”

​​Says the LORD of hosts.

Would you rather have the inheritance of a family member or the inheritance given to us by FATHER? Greed, selfishness, and scarcity all play a role when a family member passes away and leave the heirs an inheritance. Over the years, many of us have seen families split apart due to the unexpected wishes found in the last will. When Agape Love prevails in our hearts, we no longer are moved by the temporal windfalls which may surface on our behalf nor are we moved by the absence of an inheritance. In Luke chapter 16, Jesus spoke:

13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

There are those who expect an earthly inheritance coming their way soon, and thus they set their focus to serving the one who is expected to pass away soon. Their intent is easily revealed to others as they try to gain favor with the soon to be deceased. Love is consistent and does not depend on the inheritance in determining actions or intent. When THE SPIRIT leads us we will minister to each person according to FATHER’S perfect plan, will, and purpose, no matter what transpires in the future,

As we become Sons and Daughters, FATHER will cause you to violate your current belief system just as HE did with Abraham and Isaac for Abraham did not believe in human sacrifice. Isaac was to be the inheritor and promotor of the Blessing spoken by FATHER to Abraham yet he was placed on the altar as a sacrifice. FATHER provided an alternate sacrifice at the last minutes and honored Abraham’s willingness to cut off the promised inheritance. We too must trust FATHER for our inheritance by walking in faith and Love.

Does FATHER need your money and/or resources to keep the Kingdom funded? HE never has and never will. THE SPIRIT instructs us in Psalm 89:

11 ​​The heavens are Yours; the earth also is Yours;

​​The world and all its fullness, You have founded them

FATHER knows where all the wealth of the world is hidden and can access it at any time when needed to fulfill HIS Will.

We are told, “Do not withhold the tithe.” The word “tithe” is found in 16 verses of Scripture thus it must be about Love.

Abraham tithed before the Law was given:

Gen 14:20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all.

The Law clearly stated that the tithe is HOLY to THE LORD:

Lev 27:30, 32 ‘And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD’s. It [is] holy to the LORD. … ‘And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD.

Has FATHER changed HIS Divine Intent from the Old Testament to the New Testament? Men would have us believe HE has but it is due to their unwillingness to trust HIM to meet their needs. They know it in their minds, but they have yet to embrace tithing in their hearts.

Even those in the ministry are instructed to tithe part of their inheritance:

Num 18:26 "Speak thus to the Levites, and say to them: ‘When you take from the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you shall offer up a heave offering of it to the LORD, a tenth of the tithe.

FATHER instructed us never to neglect those who are called out to minister to HIM:

Deu 12: 19 Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.

Jesus did not negate the importance of the tithe. Instead, He dealt with the intent of the heart versus the outward perception being promoted by those who failed to walk in Love, justice, and mercy:

Mat 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier [matters] of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Luke 11:42 "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.

44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

Jesus could have taken this opportunity to do away with tithing, yet He did not. You can argue legalistic details about what makes up the tithe, but in the end, it is a matter of the heart.

Those receiving the tithe have a responsibility as well. We all know of ministries who have used tithes and offerings to build their own little kingdoms while many who sit in their pews are suffering. These ministries are at risk of having the same type of rebuke by Our Lord Jesus Christ as the Pharisees received. These minsters do not negate the fruitfulness of our tithing if we do so with the proper intent.

FATHER responds to the intent in our hearts, not the amount of our giving. Neither does HE respond to any attempts to force HIM to act IF we give with the wrong intent. As we give in Love HE is willing and able to bless us abundantly.

By THE SPIRIT Paul goes into great detail concerning our giving in 2 Corinthians chapter 9:

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

9 As it is written:

​​​“He has dispersed abroad, ​​He has given to the poor;

​​His righteousness endures forever.”

​

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God.

Those who wish to be led by THE SPIRIT must be willing to embrace the above passage in its fullest else they will live a life of compromise in their finances and wonder why they are always struggling to some degree in multiple areas.

By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in Romans chapter 9 concerning Jacob, the inheritor of the Blessing:

11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),

12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”

13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

Many would claim FATHER had an issue with Esau, the person. I believe the issue centered around Esau’s orientation and intent in his willingness to trade his father’s blessing to meet his physical hunger. Jacob wanted the blessing even though he obtained by deception. The older son represents the physical whereas the younger son represents the Spiritual. The physical will always be subservient to the Spiritual.

In 2 Timothy chapter 4, Paul reveals a precious aspect of the inheritance of Love:

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

How do we compare the crown of righteousness to any worldly inheritance? We don’t. Money as well as other resources come and go for they have wings and can depart in a moment. I have witnessed such a departure more than once. Let us remove any priority we once assigned to worldly wealth and lay up riches in Heaven where it really counts.

In James chapter 2, by THE SPIRIT it is written:

5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?

We are provided with a stark contrast of those who are led by the Holy Spirit and those led by this world’s wealth. The world will oppress and resist you to gain an advantage over you. As we know, success in the world’s courts is often determined by the best attorney who knows best how to manipulate the system rather than seek the Truth. Those who are inheritors of the Kingdom and rich in their faith walk according to FATHER’S Word. They are the ones in whom HE is well pleased thus their inheritance is assured.

Jesus spent more time healing people than ministering salvation. The Greek word sōzō means to heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole. Salvation not only includes the saving of one’s soul but the healing of one’s body as well. We should embrace all aspects of salvation rather than minimizing the power resident in HIS Word and accepting only the initial impact of salvation upon our souls.

In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus provides us an example of how to spread the good news of the Gospel:

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria, and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

25 Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

In the ministry of Jesus, there were no incurable diseases, and He did not rely on advanced medical research to assist Him in curing people. He was not moved by requirements to be politically correct nor did He concern Himself with statutes issued by the government concerning His statements with respect to healing the sick. There was no sickness or disease that could not be cured, and Jesus was not intimidated by the history or chronic state of the person’s disease.

Epilepsy and paralysis were no match for the Love of FATHER towards mankind. The ONE Who created you can surely restore you to health no matter what the ailment. Jesus was not moved by what He saw when it came to the chronic state some were in. In Luke chapter 8, there was a woman with an "issue" of blood:

43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,

44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”

When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”

47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Can you imagine the state of the woman before hearing the good news proclaimed by Jesus? She was desperate to be healed of what her physicians surely called an incurable disease. She depleted her life savings in her quest to be restored to health but to no avail. The doctors of the day were restricted to man’s methods of healing and relied on society’s acceptable level of healthcare.

Suddenly Jesus arrived on the scene, and in a simple act of faith, she was healed. She heard the Word of salvation which within it contains the power of healing. She doubted not but was convinced that this power was available to heal her once and for all. A touch of His garment provided inflection point where her faith manifested the result of healing. The power flowing from Above in and through Jesus was received into the body of the woman. The result was immediate healing of a chronic disease. Oh, what a blessing that awaits those who dare to believe!

FATHER’S willingness to heal the multitudes did not begin the ministry of Jesus Christ, and indeed it was not reliant on Jesus going to the cross. One of the most notable examples occurred during the time of the first Passover. The children of Israel were an estimated three million souls when they were departing Egypt after centuries of bondage. They were entering a place unknown to them called the wilderness. Moses was directed by Our Heavenly Father to lead them to the Promised Land, and this required them to spend at least eighteen months in an area without permanent dwellings and crops. With this many people of various ages to manage, health must have been a major concern, but FATHER was watching over the people. Psalm 105 reveals HIS Love for the people by keeping them healthy:

37 ​​He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes.

All were healthy and were protected by HIM, and this was not confined to their departure. On the third day after the crossing of the Red Sea, they were thirsting for water and only found bitter water at the springs of Marah. In Exodus chapter 15, the people complained in their unbelief, but once again FATHER confirmed HIS Love for the people as Moses petitioned HIM:

25 So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.

There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them,

26 and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD, who heals you.”

FATHER reveals one of HIS Holy Names: Jehovah Rapha, The Lord That Heals. Each name specifically reveals an enduring characteristic of Our Heavenly Father. HE doesn’t heal one day and put sickness and disease on you the next day. HE is consistent and trustworthy to stand by HIS Word. Jesus was the physical expression of Our Heavenly Father and the writer of Hebrews in chapter 13 proclaimed HIS unwavering consistency:

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

There have been some preachers who have taught the GOD puts sickness and disease on you to teach or correct you. Wrong! There is no verse in Scripture that supports that tradition. Psalms 34 plainly tell us HIS nature and Divine Intent:

19 ​​Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

​​But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

FATHER has revealed HIS character by providing us with the various names HE is known by depending on the needed revelation:

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)

El Elyon (The Most High God)

Adonai (Lord, Master)

Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)

Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)

Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)

Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)

Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)

Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)

El Olam (The Everlasting God)

Elohim (God)

Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)

Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)

Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)

The church plays a very important part in FATHER’S Plan as does the five-fold ministry. In Ephesians chapter 4 Paul writes about the training infrastructure to bring forth the Kingdom:

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

8 Therefore He says:

​​​“When He ascended on high,

​​He led captivity captive,

​​And gave gifts to men.”

​

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

It is important that we neither add nor subtract from FATHER’S Divine Intent and plan. The purpose of the church is to teach and train people in preparation for them to establish the Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. Our educational system in the United States was designed and built with a similar mandate- to prepare the youth to become productive citizens by equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and understanding in the area of their interest.

Everybody needs a foundation of Truth to build from, and that is one of the primary mandates of the church. To be an instrument of growth for the immature should be a primary goal of every pastor. The church should be a unifying factor in people’s lives rather than promoting division and isolationism. The pastor is not the "covering" of the body of Christ, Jesus Himself is. None should attempt to displace or substitute that covering.

A prophet is only to speak what FATHER instructs without adding his or her soulish view and opinion. The prophet’s fruit must be examined for authenticity. FATHER doesn’t "miss it," but many who claim to be prophets give words with a different motivation, and thus their words fall by the wayside.

Each of the fivefold ministry must be motivated by Love else some aspects of their ministry are subject to FATHER’S judgment. Their hidden sins will be revealed, and we should no longer be surprised when that event happens. The ministries should have a motivation to serve rather than exalt themselves as though no one else has the capacity to hear FATHER personally. Those who have a heart to serve will see their ministry expand.

Some of the most underutilized assets in the world are church buildings. Many buildings in the past reflected the ego of the church leaders rather than the need of the community. Millions of dollars were poured into structures as the widows and orphans continued to suffer in the immediate vicinity. I expect that to change soon.

My parents’ desire for me was to progress beyond grade school, junior high school, and high school. If I never went beyond grade school, everyone would question my intelligence and ability to become a productive part of society yet nobody finds an issue with someone warming a pew for forty years. Pastors of churches who have a monetary consideration welcome members who perpetually go nowhere as long as the contributions continue to flow in. If the Gospel never leaves the four walls of the church building how can we ever expect to experience the Kingdom throughout the earth?

Never before have those who are called to teach had a better platform than what is provided by technology today. If you are anointed to teach, and you have FATHER’S Love for people, expect doors to open up as you prepare yourself accordingly. With the advent of social media, there has never been a greater opportunity to reach out to an audience unrestrained by geographical location. The cost of spreading the Gospel has become negligible versus what it took for the last generation to reach the lost.

Apostles are "sent ones" by FATHER, not man. Your education doesn’t qualify you to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher but your calling does. FATHER anoints those whom HE calls, and they will produce good fruit in the area of their calling. The mistake is made when you attempt to walk out another’s calling. Yes, you may have some results since the Word has the power within itself to cause itself to come to pass but the delivery mechanism isn’t the deciding factor. Acts chapter 13 provides us an excellent example of being sent to minister:

2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

When men and women align themselves with FATHER, HIS SPIRIT will instruct them according to the need at the time. FATHER and HIS Love are inseparable so you cannot align yourself with HIM if you are not walking in Love and forgiveness toward others.

An evangelist is a bringer of good tidings so I suppose that makes me an evangelist to some degree. The fact is we should all be evangelists to those crossing our paths but there are some who have a greater anointing which means they are to serve as an evangelist in a greater capacity. If they have FATHER’S Love for the lost, doors will open for them to evangelize towns, cities, states, provinces, and nations. In the past, some evangelists focused on building a personal empire rather FATHER’S Kingdom and in many cases their hearts were exposed. Their bad publicity did not hurt or change FATHER’S plan for it is greater than any adversary.

Many believers have been hurt by the church in some manner whether it be the leadership or its members. When FATHER tells you to depart from a congregation, we should not focus on any shortcomings or weaknesses, but instead, you should be thankful of the training and lessons you received. If you develop bitterness because you received the "left foot of fellowship" then you must repent and forgive them. FATHER may want you to minister to the same ones you left at some point in the future. Keep your eyes focused ahead of you don’t look back at the past and let it define your future.

FATHER is big enough to fix all the issues with the church. HE will remove those who produce no fruit or bad fruit, as the case may be. HE will resurrect the purpose of the church in its original purity. If a severe judgment comes upon a nation, you can be assured that those empty church sanctuaries will come alive once again. As soon as man realizes he has no control in a time of judgment, he tends to repent or suffer to a greater degree. Lawlessness and perversity will cease to be tolerated as the cleansing process begins. There is plenty of infrastructure in many of the nations who were once known as "Christian" nations to handle a dramatic influx of sinners seeking to repent of their evil ways. Adversity tends to expose men’s hearts and forces them to deal with their actions.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ reveals the issue with seven different churches as types and shadows. Many have focused only on the external churches of today. Others have assigned the meaning to church history as the primary revelation being given to the Beloved disciple John. Yet a smaller group look at these seven churches at a personal level applicable to each of us to some degree. I believe there is Truth at all three levels and I am unwilling to restrict the mysteries being revealed to just these three views.

If there is anything I have learned over the past 45 years of studying Scripture and related doctrines it is this- Never assume you have the full and complete revelation of any passage in the Bible for FATHER will bust your doctrine into pieces if you get too opinionated about HIS Word. Men have built church doctrine on obscure words in the Bible as though they are the only ones FATHER could possibly share HIS Heart. The do a disservice to the immature and impressionable who are simply looking for fellowship and a sense of belonging.

Many churches have become marketing organizations since they have not tapped into HIS anointing. We must return to the basics of ministering to those in need. Jesus did not need a marketing plan to get people to listen. He spoke and acted upon FATHER’S Word applicable to those in front of Him. When His healing power was made known, people responded. When Peter was sent to the house of Cornelius in Acts chapter he shared what he had seen:

36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Jesus is the embodiment of the fivefold ministry, and thus His example applies to the proper growth of each ministry. We must go about "doing good." We must not omit the need of healing all who are oppressed by the devil.

What is the best way for a ministry to grow in demand? By word of mouth. People respond to good fruit, and the word spreads quickly. In Mark chapter 1, we can see how FATHER’S anointing will bring forth an increase:

21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.

22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,

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

25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”

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

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

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

When we align ourselves with FATHER’S Plan, HE will provide the increase. We must prune away the worldly method of success and earnestly pray and fast as is necessary to hear HIS Voice. The purpose of the church has not changed, and those who repent and place their focus on the first and foremost Love will be allowed to flourish in the time before us.

Good fruit is the determining factor of success, and the church should be producing good fruit for the rest of the world to eat and be nourished by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Love of Our Heavenly Father. Love will bring peace on earth, not war and the church should be a prime source of preparing those to go forth in Love. Their doors should not be intended for new arriving members only. Instead, they should become a base of operations for Love to be spread outward into the community and beyond.

Many oppose the pursuit of Love because they are afraid to give up control. They resist any attempt to expose this insecurity by using any means possible to discount the revelation. They may betray you in an attempt to uncover a weakness in your belief or they may use some past failure to compromise you. As you mature in your Love walk, expect opposition and resistance for it comes with the territory.

An offense is any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, (a stumbling block, occasion of stumbling), i.e., a rock which is a cause of stumbling. Resistance is the refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument. One who resists the Divine Intent of FATHER is an offense.

Jesus is our pattern to follow, and He dealt with much resistance from the Pharisees and Sadducees who were primarily interested in retaining control and status. Jesus had just completed His Sermon on the Mount and made it quite clear that all men needed to walk in mercy and forgiveness. He told the multitudes that murder and adultery were issues with the heart, not just externally keeping the Law. He urged the multitudes to love their enemies, bless those who curse them, do good to those who hate them, and pray for those who spitefully use them and persecute them.

The Pharisees could not hear the Truth and instead wanted to maintain the traditions of man as they looked for reasons to criticize Jesus and His disciples:

Matthew 9:10-11 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, “He (Jesus) casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Matthew 12:1-2 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”

The Pharisees had no interest in the content or intent of His words; they were only interest in maintaining the status quo. They posed questions to Jesus and the disciples in an attempt to cast a shadow on the message of Love and restoration. Do you do the same to people with a different understanding than your own? Do you try to protect a revelation you received years ago without considering that it no longer applies to you in your current state?

The Jewish leaders were at one time the bridge between FATHER and the tribes of Israel but their time had passed long ago. FATHER’S plan of redemption progressed from the external acts to the internal change of heart. The leaders were afraid of this new teaching and opposed it out of fear and ignorance. Love evokes and promotes change, but people tend to resist change.

While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they were warned about building permanent dwellings. FATHER wanted them to follow HIS Presence wherever it took them. In like manner, we should always be prepared to challenge our own doctrine when presented with a potentially greater revelation and be prepared to move away from the doctrine that may have simply become a tradition without power.

Jesus’ own disciples opposed Love’s intent. Jesus knew the path FATHER had Him on, and it was necessary for Him to suffer yet when He spoke of what was about to happen, Peter opposed Him. In Mathew chapter 16:

21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

It is important for us to understand that we can be an offense to FATHER’S plan and Will. We must focus on keeping on the narrow path of Love and be sensitive to FATHER’S Voice. HE may tell us to do something contrary to our current doctrine and we must not oppose or resist HIS instructions. As we open ourselves up to correction and change, HE can share deeper Truths for us to embrace and walk in.

In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus gave us a stern warning:

6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!"

8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.

9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire."

This is a rather ominous warning for all of us to take seriously. We must be careful and make sure that our actions do not facilitate lawlessness in others. When we argue and debate with others concerning some view of the Scripture that isn’t a matter of salvation, we can impair their walk. This is especially true for those who are in positions of authority and responsibility. When the immature look to you for instruction, you must be careful to qualify your position and understanding thus allowing them to hear FATHER for themselves. We must always direct those who are less mature to seek FATHER’S Voice rather than functioning as an intermediary between them and FATHER. Their tutoring should not become a perpetual task, but at some point, they need to graduate to hearing HIS Voice directly. Let us not be an offense to a "little" one.

In Acts chapter 6, Stephen was walking out his calling and producing good fruit:

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

You would think that everyone observing Stephen’s fruit would be excited and supportive of his calling. Not so. They not only opposed him but they incited others to become false witnesses:

9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

It is obvious that the church leaders rationalized away the wonders and sign among the people. They were focused on Moses and the Law rather than the blessings at hand. When men attempt to compel everyone to align themselves with the leadership rather than FATHER, opposition and resistance will result. Love came to restore and heal not perpetuate the customs and traditions of the Law. Throughout church history we find that a revelation from FATHER created dominations and later after the revelation was diluted by men’s opinions and interpretation, a tradition replaced it. No wonder the churches can’t seem to agree to the point of being in unity.

Stephen was empowered to challenge the leadership of the day and all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. The glory inside of him overflowed to the external. He then began to give the leadership a Bible lesson they would never forget and ended it with the following found in chapter 7:

51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,

53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

Stephen was speaking under the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit. His boldness came from Above, and the leadership was now being exposed. I can attest that when THE SPIRIT moves upon me, there is a boldness to speak without reservation, knowing FATHER wants something exposed and/or resolved. The Truth does not apologize to those in error but seeks to correct, cleanse, and restore if possible. Otherwise, judgment will arrive at the door.

We don’t need to defend Love and FATHER will take care of any corrective interviews which need to take place. If we will speak those words, HE gives us to speak and neither add nor subtract, the opposition and resistance will become a non-issue. On the other hand, if we see no opposition or resistance from the world, we may need to assess where we stand. In the 3rd chapter of the Gospel of John:

19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Your walk motivated by the Divine Intent of Love is a light unto the world, but those who practice evil hate the light so they will hate you. As an enemy, they become the focus of your Love which in turn will cause their deeds to be exposed by FATHER. This begins the cleansing process unto repentance. The Truth in Love you walk in brightens the surroundings, and both the opposition and resistance will dissipate before your eyes. Hallelujah!