Servias Ministries Blog

Hope is the expectation of good in our lives.  Without revelation, hope would not exist for the revealing sets the expectation of a positive result.  When FATHER speaks, HE initiates hope first then faith continues to rest on the expectation of what hope established.  Love assures us of the intent which initiated hope in the first place.  FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love provides us a firm foundation of hope and faith.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 13:

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

When FATHER has spoken to me in the past, HE initiated hope in my expectation of the future.  Three different times I was faced with death and HE assured me that I would live and not die.  Immediately, peace came over me and there was no fear to be found.  My faith rose up and I rested in HIS Word.  This is why it is so important to spend time with FATHER and study HIS Word, especially the Words of Jesus, for in them is hope to deal with every situation we face.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 5:

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

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

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

4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

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

FATHER did not promise a life without trials and challenges but HE did provide a means of overcoming those challenges.  If we never read and study HIS Word, our hope diminishes because we forget those promises given specifically to us.  We must not allow ourselves to become void of HIS Word of promise but let us keep His Word before us day and night.  Many people wake up in the morning and run to their computer to check the latest social media output.  Why not run to HIS Word and allow hope to be refreshed in our minds?  Let not the work of The Holy Spirit remain dormant for we will surely be facing trials and challenges as the day wears on.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Colossians chapter 1:

24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Christ is in each of us so we should walk according to this revelation.  We should protect our vessels with this in mind.  As we remain conscious of this mystery being revealed in us, our faith will bring us to full fruition of the manifestation of His nature being expressed in us toward others.  It is truly and honor and a privilege to have this mystery revealed so that we can walk accordingly.  Let this hope guide us into the fullness of His Glory coming forth in our lives.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 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.’

38 This is the first and great commandment.

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.”

Every thought and every action we take should have Love as its primary motivation.  It is up to each of us to assess our own thoughts and actions lest FATHER  find it necessary to allow us to be substantially corrected to open our eyes to our error.  As we mature in Love, the trappings of the world become of no interest and we no longer seek our way at the expense of others.

The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 2:

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

There are many who are followers of Christ but the Sons and Daughters are called to be one with Christ.  When we fully grasp the revelation of Agape Love, we will abide in Christ and then we will walk just as He walked and we will see others as He sees them.  Effectively, we metaphorically become His Bride.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 11:

2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

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

4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

We must not allow men’s writings to move us away from the simplicity of being a pure, chaste bride betrothed to Christ.  The mind has a tendency to question and complicate matters by looking beyond the simplicity of Love as though one would find some notable mystery exalting oneself above others.  The true mystery is the simplicity of walking in Agape Love and it is right there before us if we have eyes to see.  A bride in Love is singularly focused on the bridegroom and looks for opportunities to express her Love.  Her eyes are not wandering but are fixed on the Bridegroom.  The bride does not seek to question the motives of her Lover, she only wishes to keep herself pure in His eyes.  Her desire is to be in full unity with Him, one with Him, and likewise our desire should be the same.

Let us not be deceived by the craftiness of the adversary and allow minds to be corrupted by the complexities of the world.  Let us keep our eyes fixed on being one with Christ and walk in Agape Love.

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, purity, and singleness that is in Christ.

4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

We are the bride of Christ which means we are to be in full unity with Christ.  As we are led by THE SPIRIT in a consistent fashion, our unity is perfected and we have a singleness with Him.  This unity expresses the fullness of Love and produces the fruit of THE SPIRIT for others to receive.  Eve represents the soul of man which can be beguiled or deceived by the serpent.  The ego was lifted up and challenged the Word of Our Heavenly Father thus division was created.  Self interest always promotes division whereas submitting to THE SPIRIT promotes unity.  We must not allow ourselves to be corrupted in our minds or in our souls (Eve) and give up the unity found in Christ.  Any teaching that clearly omits the singleness of being in Christ or promotes division will corrupt our minds at some point.  We must not entertain the opinions of even well-meaning teachers who have strayed away from the simplicity, purity, and singleness that is in Christ.  We must guard ourselves from being deceived, even in the most subtle manner.

The following words from Joyce Morris give precious insight into God’s great purpose in our union with the Lamb.

She writes, “The Father has shown me in glimpses that He has an order in which the marriage of the Lamb must take place.  He also spoke very clearly and said, ‘My sons must become the Lamb.’  To become the Lamb, you must first marry and have a union with the Lamb!  As God swallows up your soul to where all that is left is Him, you become the Lamb because you are one.  In order for you to become the Lamb, you must also eat ALL the parts of the Lamb.  Just as with Israel before leaving Egypt, they had to consume the whole lamb and nothing could remain uneaten.  You have to eat the hind parts.  You have to eat the head.  You have to eat the inward parts.  You have to eat all the uncomely parts of the Lamb.  In  other words, you have to eat the Word, and the Word is the Lamb!

             “John 1:14 says, ‘And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us…’  Then in chapter six we read, ‘Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.  Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by my Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  This is the bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever…it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE.’

            “‘These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth…’ (Rev. 14:4).  In other words, THEY LIVE BY THE WORD!  But there are many parts of the Word that your flesh doesn’t want to eat — so your self-will pops up its head and says, ‘Well, that part is not for me.  I don’t need to walk that out.  That part isn’t for me, it’s for that person over there — look at what they’re doing.  I don’t have to eat that.  I can do what I want, say what I want, and think what I want.  Nobody is going to tell me what I can or can’t do.  I don’t want to love that person.  I don’t want to forgive that person.  God, I’ll give you this part of my life, but I want to keep that part for myself.’  The reason so many parts of the Word are uncomely and displeasing to the flesh, is because if you eat and digest those parts of the Word, then your soul will have to change and die out to its self-will!  The more you eat of the Lamb, the more your soul will be swallowed up.  And when God has swallowed up everything in you that is not like Him, you will have become the Lamb.  You will be totally one!  You will have entered into a place in Him where you will go out no more, and He will be all-in-all in every area of your life.  There will be no more temple within, because God will have filled the whole house, ‘…for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.’

            “The marriage of the Lamb is all about God’s sons (and eventually all creation) becoming the Lamb, or taking on the nature of the Lamb through union with Christ.  It is all about two becoming one, and as you continue to go deeper and deeper in your relationship with Christ — your union is producing a Son.  As you walk in oneness with the Lamb, He is causing you to BECOME THE LAMB.  In Isaiah 4:2 we read, ‘In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious.’  Why shall the branch be beautiful and glorious?  Because the branch abides in the vine and from their union they bear the nature of God!  The branch has been thoroughly purged, or pruned, and now yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.   In this way the bride of the Lamb has been clothed in the glory of the Son.  She has been arrayed in fine linen, clean and white.  She has put on the new man which is Christ and has come into the nature of the Lamb!  This is the way it is when you are married to the Lord!  When you keep your relationship with Him first, and take time each day to go within and commune with Him, people actually see the glory of the Lord upon you!”   — end quote.

A mature Son and Daughter will be in unity and become one with Christ!

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in his 2 Timothy chapter 2:

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,

18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

In these days where television and social media spew out a multitude of opinions about every topic under the sun, we are to avoid profane and idle babblings (godless chatter).  This chatter does nothing but stimulates man’s ego to get even and promotes bloodthirsty responses.  Additionally, divisions grow worse by the day.

We are to be diligent in presenting ourselves approved to FATHER.  As we become attuned to hearing HIM to a greater degree, we will know of HIS approval.  Distancing ourselves from the godless chatter will help in our ability to hear as well as bringing our flesh into subjection.  It is becoming even more critical to present ourselves approved as society becomes more volatile.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

It is up to each of us to assess our status as vessels for HIS use.  You cannot place blame on anyone else if you are not being used as a vessel of honor.  If you doubt your status, become diligent to present yourself approved to FATHER and separate yourself unto HIM.  Some type of fast may be necessary to clear up whatever issues which are causing you problems.  Some people have become addicted to social media or other such areas that tweak the old man’s ego.  Paul continues:

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

The youth tend to argue as they discover their ability to think for themselves.  However, their limited exposure to life’s issues often causes them to be foolish in their assumptions and conclusions.  As I mature in Christ, I find that having an independent opinion outside of what FATHER shows me is of little or no value.  Many are being ensnared by the devil today and we must not promote their ensnarement by partaking of disputes.  Let us always pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with all those we personally encounter.  Let us refrain from emotionally responding to social media posts.  It is up to us to promote Truth in Love at all times!

There is great division in the U.S. between the two major political parties and the animosity between the two is increasing daily.  Each group cites examples of wrongdoing by the leadership of the opposition as the basis for their disgust with the system.  It has been two years since the leadership change in the White House yet there is no interest in unifying the country.  The U.S. is awash in crime and corruption by those who are classified in the “elite” with the latest scandal of college admission bribery and cheating coming to the forefront.  What is the solution to America’s problems?

I submit that according to Biblical history, a judgment of the country by Our Heavenly Father would be appropriate.  We must not fear a corporate judgment by FATHER because HE will protect HIS people as HE has in the past.  There will be suffering and pain but those who are led by THE SPIRIT will be lights to guide those in darkness when the chaos associated with judgment begins.

There have been many who follow the anonymous postings of “Q” and have been made aware of the severity of the corruption at the highest levels in government.  According to those postings, we are on the cusp of full exposure of the nefarious acts promoted by those individuals.  If true, this exposure will anger and further divide the country.  What will be required to heal the land?

Man has no solutions to the complexity of America’s woes.  The current economic system has been teetering on collapse for eleven years due to the excessive debt load instigated by government officials and large banks.  Who among us is smart enough to navigate the country through an economic reset?

Only Our Heavenly Father has the answers to the multitude of problems we face today.  The current system will work until it doesn’t!  What will trigger the reset?   What should I do to prepare for the major changes ahead?

The key to our future lies with hearing FATHER’S Voice.  You can spend all day searching Scripture for some formula for surviving but why not seek the SOURCE of the Scripture and receive a specific, relevant directive from HIM.  What should I be doing on a daily basis in preparation of what lies ahead?

First and foremost, we need to walk in Agape Love toward all.  We must not promote division among those with whom we come in contact.  Secondly, we must place a high priority in hearing FATHER’S Voice.  If you have difficulty in hearing HIS Voice, you might consider fasting and prayer.  Jesus endorsed fasting as a means in dealing with the more challenging Spiritual issues.  He found it necessary to fast before confronting the major challenges that would confront Him in His earthly ministry.  It pleased FATHER to lead Him into His fast.

It appears that every country will be affected by the current macroeconomic errors which have been made by central banks around the world so it would behoove us to be prepared for whatever happens.  The only sure way to be prepared is to seek FATHER’S Face and listen intently to HIS instructions.  This post is not intended to promote fear but instead to promote peace by being led by THE SPIRIT.  The remnant of Sons and Daughters has been placed here for a reason.  These are the ones FATHER will use to spread HIS Word when man’s systems fail.

When will all this take place?  FATHER has not told me but I am determined to keep my lamp trimmed with the oil of The Holy Spirit.  Each day I purpose to walk in Love and be led by THE SPIRIT.  I suggest you do the same!

My friend Alan recently wrote the following:

KJV Genesis 30:1 And when Rachel saw that she bare not to Jacob, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me sons, and if not I die.

When Laban gave his daughter Leah to Jacob for wife, he also gave to Leah a handmaid; Zilpah. When Laban gave his daughter Rachel to Jacob for wife, he also gave to Rachel a handmaid; Bilhah. These two, Zilpah and Bilhah, were ‘handmaids’ to Laban before he gave them to his daughters. The complete job description of ‘handmaid’ to Laban is not discussed here, and so we won’t speculate.

The story of the sons of Jacob/Israel begins to change dramatically after the birth of Judah. The competition of the two sisters, Leah and Rachel, becomes more complicated and entangled with the introduction of the two handmaids, Bilhah and Zilpah. There is so much going on in this pageant that one could spend countless hours of study to investigate all that is hidden here in plain view. This soap opera is about to take on a new dimension of chaos and stress.

Rachel was beginning to feel like she was being squeezed out of the picture, and the inheritance. Women in this culture had no real opportunity for self-sustainment. A woman was dependent upon her husband and her children for daily provision, and her family was her only security blanket. Rachel was in a pickle. Her husband had another wife that was producing heirs for sustaining the family, and her position as wife #2 was precarious, at best. At least this is what seemed to be going through Rachel’s mind; and remember, she had not yet read the end of the book to see how all of this plays out. Being told that she was Jacob’s true love was becoming less comforting as she saw her older sister producing all of the substance of the family lineage. Where was her contribution to this family circus? In her rationale, Rachel had to come up with a workable plan or she could see herself being dropped off at the waste recycle center on a journey to take the flocks to pasture. There wasn’t a great demand for used and recycled wives in this culture. Imagine the plight of very poor women in India today and you will get a fairly good idea of what Rachel might have been imagining. I don’t think that is a too farfetched scenario.

The name ‘Bilhah’ (Strong’s # 1090) is a manifestation of the verb ‘bah-lah’ (Strong’s # H1087). The basic concept of the verb ‘bah-lah’ (Strong’s # 1087) is that of being worn out; spent; used up. The idea is really more of being exhausted and consumed because of constant or continual ‘confusion’. Confusion is the basic definition of the word ‘bah-lal’ (Strong’s # 1101), and these two words, ‘bil-hah’ and ‘bah-lah’, are both derived from the verb ‘bah-lal’. Also, ‘bah-lal’ is the same root verb from which we get ‘babylon’. The literal definition of the word ‘babylon’ is “…in confusion”, and so all words derived from this verb ‘bah-lal’ are representative of the symptoms and/or results of continuous confusion.

The most prevalent use of this verb ‘bah-lal’ (Strong’s # H1087) is when describing the mixing of oil with flour for a ‘meat/meal/grain’ offering to YHVH in the sacrificial offerings of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. King James Version translates this verb ‘bah-lal’ most often as ‘mingled’; to ‘mingle’, or mix, oil with flour. Num. 6:15 is a good description of the various oil/flour mixture offerings, and each one is representative of a type of people, or a mindset of people. In this context, oil is most often associated with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, while flour is most often associated with the barley/wheat of carnal humanity. Therefore, the ‘mingling’ (bah-lal) of oil and flour is indicative of the mixture that leads to the exhaustion of confusion; worn out. Hopefully that gives a useful background, though not exhaustive, of the name ‘Bilhah’.

KJV Gen. 30:3 And she said, “Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.” 30:5 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. KJV Gen. 30:6 And Rachel said, “God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore she called his name Dan.”

The name ‘Dan’ has been long associated with the concept of judgement, and/or judging, and rightly so. The primary root verb from which we derive the word/name ‘dan’ is ‘dah-nan’ , or ‘dnn’. However, this primary root form of ‘dnn’ is never used in the Old Testament Hebrew. The basic meaning of this primary root ‘dnn’ is that of being “…low; to be low in value, potential, influence or authority”. The idea that this primary root conveys is of being in a position of oppression, or suppression, and having need of a higher authority to rescue, and deliver from the situation of helplessness. This root verb is describing one that needs a deliverer to ‘judge’ their plight, and consequently give relief. This description is probably a fair assessment of the emotional state of Rachel.

KJV 30:6 “God hath judged [‘dyn’, pronounced ‘deen’; Strong’s # 1777] me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore she called his name Dan [‘dn’, Strong’s # 1835]”.

In calling this ‘son’ ‘Dan’, Rachel is declaring that God had ‘judged’ her situation, found her guiltless, and provided for her a ‘son’ to present to her husband. This very language reveals that Rachel was feeling guilty, or incomplete, for not having provided sons for Jacob. The very word used in this verse, and translated as ‘judged’ (dyn), indicates her declaring that God had investigated her plight, and vindicated her. Psalm 68:5 is a good representation of how this word ‘dyn’ is better understood. This word ‘dyn’ [Strong’s #1777] is better recognized as ‘discerned’. To ‘discern’ is to evaluate a matter through Spiritual insight. The word ‘discern’ reveals much more understanding of a situation than the more simple word of ‘judge’. A ‘judge’, or ‘judgement’, infers the activity of making an authoritative decision, based on facts that are provided to the ‘judge’. ‘Discern’, however, indicates being able to see much more than what is revealed simply by facts. Facts are facts, but they are rarely the whole story. There is always more story behind the story, and to ‘discern’ the truth often requires more than just the presented facts.

NKJ Psalm 72:2 “He will judge (dyn, #1777) Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice”. The ‘judge’ (dan) may make a judgement, based solely on the facts. But to ‘discern’ (dyn, Strong’s #1777) requires a deeper understanding; a Spiritual understanding. Such was the case with Rachel.

KJV Genesis 49:16 Dan (Strong’s #1835) shall judge (Strong’s #1777) his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Ah, the Goodness of God, in that God is not limited or handcuffed by the confusing mingling of the heart/mind of man. Dan, as the fifth son born to Jacob, was not born of the accepted wives of Jacob. And yet Dan has a major role to play as a tribe of Israel; not Jacob, but Israel. For God discerns (dyn) the heart.

KJV 30:6 “God hath judged [dyn, Strong’s # 1777] me, and hath also heard my voice,”

Rachel was also emphasizing that Leah wasn’t the only one that was being ‘heard’ (Simeon).

Rachel was declaring that God had heard the sound of her plea, discerned in her favor, and allowed her to provide a son for Jacob. Rachel was laying claim to her role in the fruitful productivity of this family pageant. However, she apparently was indifferent to her own ‘confusion’. She was also laying claim to a ‘son’ born of the confusion of a mingling, and a mixture; and that of her own making. And, she wasn’t through; not yet.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 13:

1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

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.

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Paul’s anointing and calling was fully initiated by prayer and fasting.  Fasting in the New Testament emphasized being led by The Holy Spirit rather than physical deliverance from enemies as was generally the case in the Old Testament.  Now Paul and Barnabas have set out on their trip ordained by The Holy Spirit and in Acts chapter 14:

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Both Paul and Barnabas found it critical to pray with fasting in their assignment given to them by The Holy Spirit.  When Paul was instructing the Corinthians concerning marriage, he wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 7:

5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul speaks of his sufferings for Christ:

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.

23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.

24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

Paul’s ministry clearly embraced fasting as a necessary aspect of staying fully sensitive to the leading of The Holy Spirit for He knew the importance of keeping the body fully subjected to the spirit.  He embraced fasting and understood its value to those who want to be led by THE SPIRIT in like manner.  Not once did Paul or any other disciple discourage us from fasting and thus we must not attempt to rationalized why it should be omitted in today’s environment where many of us are on “information overload” caused by technology in its various forms.

Those who are serious about being counted among the mature Sons and Daughters will at some point, find the lure of technology to be no longer interesting.  The priorities will shift away from our interest in technology’s attraction and we will direct our focus and priority to pursuing the sensitivity in communion with FATHER WHO is the Author of all Truth.

Jesus spoke about fasting in Mark chapter 2:

18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”

19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.

20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.

21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.

22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

Jesus’ disciples did not need to fast as long as Jesus was with them for He had fasted and brought for the power from Above.  When we obey Our Heavenly  Father, we can expect HIS promises and rewards in our lives.  Jesus was in constant communion with FATHER during His 3 1/2 year ministry thus His disciples did not need to fast during this period.  After His ascension, they fasted as recorded in Scripture but their fasts were in response to the New Covenant.

Jesus differentiated fasting based on the Old Covenant (old garment, old wineskin) versus the New Covenant (new garment, new wineskins).  The Old Covenant focused on the physical, external, and often deliverance whereas the New Testament fasting is based on selfless seeking of FATHER’S perfect Will.  John Wesley wrote concerning the intent of fasting:

First, let it be done unto the Lord, with our eye singly fixed on Him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven; to express our sorrow and shame for our manifold transgressions of His holy law; to wait for an increase of purifying grace, drawing our affections to things above; to add seriousness and to obtain all the great and precious promises which He hath made to us in Jesus Christ…Let us beware of fancying we merit anything of God by our fasting. We cannot be too often warned of this; inasmuch as a desire to “establish our own righteousness,” to procure salvation of debt and not of grace, is so deeply rooted in all our hearts. Fasting is only a way which God hath ordained, wherein we wait for His unmerited mercy; and wherein, without any desert of ours, He hath promised freely to give us His blessing. God’s chosen fast, then, is that which He has appointed; that which is set apart for Him, to minister to Him, to honor and glorify Him; that which is designed to accomplish His sovereign will. Then we shall find, as though it were heaven’s afterthought, that the fast unto God rebounds in blessing on our heads, and the God who sees in secret is graciously pleased to reward us openly. In this way we are preserved from ever permitting the blessings to mean more to us than the Blesser, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory for ever. Amen”

Our intent to fast should not be based on a motive of self-interest where we are trying to get FATHER’S attention.  Instead, as we are led by THE SPIRIT, FATHER may call upon us to fast for HIS Purposes.  In this respect, our fasting is intended to specifically respond to FATHER’S Divine Intent to prepare us for a specific empowerment so that we are fully equipped to handle the coming events specific to our individual callings.  Let us fast in response to THE SPIRIT rather than fasting based on our performance-based self interest.

FATHER may call the Sons and Daughters to a corporate fast and it is important to understand the need to fast now and be prepared for such a time.

FATHER revealed the issues with Israel as HE spoke in Isaiah chapter 58:

1 “Cry aloud, spare not; ​​Lift up your voice like a trumpet; ​​Tell My people their transgression, ​​And the house of Jacob their sins.

2 ​​Yet they seek Me daily, ​​And delight to know My ways, ​​As a nation that did righteousness, ​​And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.  ​​They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; ​​They take delight in approaching God.

The people had sinned and rebelled against Our Heavenly Father and yet they acted as though they were walking in righteousness.  They asked why their fast seemed fruitless and FATHER answered them:

3 ​‘​Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?

​​Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’

​​​“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,

​​And exploit all your laborers.

4 ​​Indeed you fast for strife and debate,

​​And to strike with the fist of wickedness.

Wasn’t Israel’s issue centered around lack of unity?  Devotion is defined as love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person which would promote total unity with that person.  In essence, a corporate fast promotes unity among the people for a singular purpose to hear from FATHER.  In the Book of Esther, it is written by THE SPIRIT:

11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.”

Esther was unsure on whether she would be accepted by the king and was reluctant to go before him unannounced.  She was faced with the potential of her demise on behalf of her people but she must have understood the value of a corporate fast in life or death situation such as this.

13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.

14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai:

16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.

Esther needed Divine intervention as she prepared to go before the king and it was critical for her people to be in complete unity with their focus on FATHER’S intervention on their behalf.  FATHER is moved by our willingness to set everything else aside to commune with HIM and listen for HIS instruction.  There is a great reward in aligning ourselves with Our Heavenly Father and HE will deliver us out of each situation we face.  Esther placed her trust and her life in FATHER’S hands for she knew no other way to deliver her people.  The fast she proclaimed produced the results she hoped for and overcame Haman and his plot against her people.

The intent of a fast is to dedicate our time to FATHER.  FATHER spoke in Isaiah chapter 58:

1 “Cry aloud, spare not; ​​Lift up your voice like a trumpet; ​​Tell My people their transgression, ​​And the house of Jacob their sins.

2 ​​Yet they seek Me daily, ​​And delight to know My ways, ​​As a nation that did righteousness, ​​And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.  ​​They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; ​​They take delight in approaching God.

The people had sinned and rebelled against Our Heavenly Father and yet they acted as though they were walking in righteousness.  They asked why their fast seemed fruitless and FATHER answered them:

3 ​‘​Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?

​​Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’

​​​“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,

​​And exploit all your laborers.

4 ​​Indeed you fast for strife and debate,

​​And to strike with the fist of wickedness.

​​You will not fast as you do this day,

​​To make your voice heard on high.”

The people satisfied their selfish desires, they continued to work, they quarreled among themselves, even turning into fistfights.  In essence, their flesh guided their actions instead of them bringing their flesh into submission.  If you fast to exalt yourself above others, then FATHER will not “take notice”.

Jesus spoke in Mark 1:17  Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”  In effect He said, “Do what I do and you will become like Me.”

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Notice that Jesus did not use the phrase “if you fast” therefore He did not consider fasting as an optional activity.  Additionally, we should not bring any attention to our fasting else our ego will rise up rather than coming into full subjection.  Jesus affirms to us that fasting has a reward from FATHER and that in itself ought to encourage each of us to fast!