Servias Ministries Blog

I asked my friend Alan to provide us his perspective on Babylon.  Much is said about Mystery Babylon these days.  A mystery is anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown.  We often assign a very simple explanation to a term used in Scripture but the following provides a deeper understanding to this mystery:

Babylon is confusion; and it’s almost just that simple.  The consistent idea that runs through the subject of ‘babylon’ is that of ‘negation of unity’; to negate ‘oneness’.  And now, let me try to make sense of that.

Babylon, as a historical place, has been greatly misunderstood by not recognizing that the word ‘babel’ [lbb]  (Gen. 11:9), which Strong’s designates as  # H894 comes directly from the action verb #H1101 [llb], and llb is translated in Gen. 11:7 & 9  as ‘confound’.   Let’s consider Gen. 11:6 for clarification:

KJV Genesis 11:6 “And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do”.

This verse is emphasizing that when in unity, there is nothing that a people cannot accomplish.  A unified (one) people can accomplish greatness, or they can manifest chaos and degradation.  Unity is the key.  Hence, verse 7:  KJV Genesis 11:7 “Go to, let us go down, and there confound (bll) their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech”.

KJV Genesis 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel (lbb) Strong’s # H894

[literally, ‘in confusion’; mixed up; no purity of purpose;]

because the LORD did there confound  ( llb ) Strong’s # H1101, literally [ “…to mix; to mingle; to confuse and confound;”] the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth:”

The verb ‘balal’, Strong’s #1101, literally means to ‘mix’ by way of negating the singularity, or unity, of a people or place or thing.  To ‘mix’ a thing is to corrupt its purposeful unity, and thereby negating that thing’s ability to perform to its maximum potential.  Consequently the verb ‘balal’ gets used numerous ways in scripture that tend to hide the basic meaning of its use.

For instance, the verb ‘balal’ is translated in Ex. 29:2 as ‘tempered’; “…cakes unleavened, tempered (mixed) with oil,”   In Numbers 28:5 it is translated as ‘mingled’.  And in Hosea 7:8 ‘balal’ gets translated as “…mixed himself” in reference to what caused Ephraim to weaken, and lose his ability to unite with the purposes of God.

Many times the two-letter version of this verb concept of ‘negation through mixing’, recognized simply as ‘bl’ [lb], is translated as ‘not’; or more accurately, ‘negated from being able to accomplish its purpose’.  This is why I say that the word ‘babel’, also recognized as ‘babylon’, should be understood quite simply as “…in confusion”; it is ‘in confusion’ because it has a mixture of understanding and purpose to which it is focused, and/or dedicated.  Babylon is confusion because of mixing carnal and soulish appetites and ideas with the singularly Spiritual Oneness of the Heart of Our Father.  Babylon has a dual eye, rather than “…let your eye be single”.  “Babylon is fallen”: [Rev. 18:2]. This verse is not a prophecy, in my opinion, but rather a declaration of Spiritual fact.  Babylon is a fallen condition; fallen because of the mixture of the mind of adam with the Mind of Christ.

The problem with my ‘definition’ of Babylon is that many believers in Christ are looking forward to God overthrowing Babylon someday, and the world becoming a better place.  However, my understanding is that in Christ Babylon is already overthrown, and must be superseded by focusing on the singularity of Our Christ Identity.  Babylon will continue to exist as long as ‘adam’ has a mixture of understanding and purpose in his agenda.  Only by focusing on the singularity of our Christ Identity can we supersede the chaos and confusion of this world.  Ps:  the word ‘world’ is also based on this verb ‘balal’.  The ‘world’ is always referring to ‘confusion’.

In the 1600’s John Everard wrote the following:

      “My beloved, now that you are here gathered together in this place, I beseech you hearken diligently to what shall now be spoken. I will use no other preface than a word or two from that saying of our Saviour in the parallel place to this, Luke 14:35, from which He makes this conclusion: he that has ears to hear, let him hear! Let him now hear the word of Him by whom he shall be judged in that great day. Let him now hearken to that word which shall certainly one day, either sooner or later, rise up in judgment against him. Let him hearken to the word of Him who spoke as never man spoke; for His words are like the wine He made at Cana — there are no words like His words — for the best words that ever man spoke had somewhat of self and carnal ends in them. But in His words there is no tincture, no concourse of the creature, no allays of human weakness, but they are all words of grace, and peace, the words of spirit and life; insomuch that all who heard Him wondered at the gracious words that proceeded from His lips; who, in all His words never sought Himself, nor His own glory (as men do), but the glory of Him that sent Him.

      “No, hearken I pray you, to His word that could have spoken far beyond all that ever He has spoken, had He but had auditors fit to have heard and understood Him. I beseech you therefore, silence yourselves for a while, I mean your own wit and reason, and your own blind religious understandings, and let there be silence in heaven for half an hour, that all things may be still and quiet within you, that you may learn to know what it is to have salt in yourselves, that you may have salt in you, that you be not spit out of God’s mouth as unsavory and loathsome to His stomach. It were far better you never heard, than that those words should be unprofitable to you.

      “‘And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: for it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith shall ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another’” (Mk. 9:47-50)

      “The things that I intend to open to you and answer, are these three questions: (1) What is salt? (2) What is it to have salt? (3) What is it to have salt in ourselves?

      “What is salt? Christ says in my text, that everyone shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. We must first find out what fire is, and then we shall know what salt is. This fire without any doubt is Christ Himself and that very properly, as you may see He is so called, ‘The light of Israel shall be for a fire, and His holy one for a flame: and it shall burn and devour His thorns and His briars in one day’ (Isa. 10:17). In these words He, the holy one of Israel, is fire in three regards: (1) of burning (2) of heat (3) of light

      “First, the nature of fire is to burn. Fire cannot burn itself — take note of that — fire cannot burn fire, but all things else it will burn and consume. So does Christ! He is that fire that burns up all our works, all whatsoever that is of man’s building, and whatsoever is not of Himself and His own work in us. All else He consumes and annihilates. ‘The light of Israel shall be for a fire, and His holy one for a flame: and it shall burn and devour His thorns and His briars in one day.’ Know this, the more sin and carnality, the more fire, the greater the burning; the more sin and carnality the more fuel, the more matter for this fire; the more sin and carnality the more treasuring up of wrath against that day, when the wrath of God shall be revealed by fire. ‘Who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap’ (Mal. 3:2). Then Christ is this fire! And let me tell you, this burning and consuming is for your good; it is, that out of the ashes of the old man, which must be burnt up, you may have a new life, a divine resurrection!

      “Examine yourself, has this fire burnt up all your works, not only gross and external wickedness, but has it burnt up all your secret sins, all your beloved and darling desires? Has it cut off your hands and feet, and plucked out your eye? Has it consumed your young men, your own strength and zeal, as the prophet speaks? Ah, has it burnt up the old heavens and the old earth, so that you may enjoy a new heaven and a new earth? (II Pet. 3:10-13). Nay, further, let me ask you, have you thrown out all your gods into the fire? Has it burnt up all your idols? If it has, I tell you, this burning is not unto death, but unto life. But be sure, that as the Lord Jesus Christ burns up and destroys, so He remakes and raises up again; and as He wounds, so He heals and makes alive again!

      “Secondly, the work of fire is to heat. So Christ, after he has destroyed and burnt up all our actions, as they are ours and not His, then He breathes into us a gentle warmth and heat of His own Spirit to cherish and revive us again, so that we may no longer live our own lives, or live to ourselves, but live the life of Christ, to raise up His grace and glory in us.

      “Thirdly, the nature of fire is to give light. When that day once dawns to us, that Christ comes into the soul, we shall find that He brings light with Him, and this in scripture is called Christ’s Day, and this is a wonderful day indeed, a day of rejoicing even unto eternity. Our first day is our own day, man’s day, and when Christ comes to burn up our day it seems to us as a day of darkness, a day of gloominess and thick clouds (Joel 2:11). Indeed to flesh and blood the Day of the Lord is a terrible day, our flesh trembles for fear of Him; for who shall abide the day of His coming, or stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire! When Christ comes into the soul, He comes not only with light to discover, but like fire to burn up all that building that we have made to ourselves, that which we have raised by our own power, and then breathes warmly and gently by His Spirit His own life, until by degrees He brings a glorious light into the soul. He then turns us from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:10).

       “Yes, He shines such a light of grace and glory, as makes ‘the light of the moon as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven times brighter’ (Isa. 30:26). As our own lives extinguish, so Christ’s life increases, just as the prophet Elisha did when he raised the Shunammite’s child. ‘He lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm…and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes…’ (II Kings 4:34-35). In the same manner we receive warmth from Christ, and are raised to life again, and are made partakers of His divine nature, even as a graft in a crab tree stock changes the whole nature of the old tree, both sap, leaves, bark, and fruit; so does Christ in union with our soul change our nature — He changes them into His own!

      “And thus you see in brief what fire is! ‘Our God is a consuming fire’ (Heb. 12:29). Christ is the fire! But now, what is the salt? I know it is taken and expounded in divers ways. Some take it be wisdom and discretion in speech, and for proof they cite that place of the apostle where he says, ‘Let your speech be always seasoned with salt’ (Col. 4:6). For so Solomon says, ‘A wise man may hold up his head before princes’ (Prov. 16:13; Eccl. 8:1). They give this reason, as salt preserves and keeps things from stinking, so does wisdom so salt, and season a man’s words, that they may not be unsavory to wise men, so that he is not laughed to scorn. We cannot deny that.

      “Others take salt to mean holiness and sincerity in life as our Saviour says, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth’ (Mat. 5:13). That is, they say, when by their living, and their speaking the truth in their words, and dealing justly and uprightly with men, and expressing holiness in all their actions towards God, this seasons their lives, this makes them savory before God and men, the salt of the earth seasoning all. So they interpret the words of our Saviour, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men’ (Mat. 5:13). When men live not as they profess, they are unsavory, and men tread and trample such men’s profession as dirty and loathsome. To make a show of that which is not, is hateful to God and men, but sincerity and integrity are savory to both; and therefore, say they, He admonishes them to strive for sound doctrine, integrity of life, constancy in suffering; for these things honor their profession, and this seasons them with salt, and makes them savory to God and men. Their interpretation is good, I reject it not.

      “But to be short, that we may come to the matter at hand, the fire and the salt are both one, ‘…for everyone shall be SALTED WITH FIRE.’ Christ Himself is the fire, as we have shown already, so therefore He is also the salt. Since every man shall be salted with fire Christ has to be both the salt and the fire! So Jesus Christ is the fire that salts every man; yea, HE IS BOTH!

      “Yet I confess that the apostles were also called salt, as Christ also said, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth.’ Not that they were salt within themselves or the salt indeed, but were those who lived the Christ-life, the life of Him who is salt. They were those which uttered the salt and lived the salt, which is Christ. Therefore they were not themselves the salt, but they were the instruments or ministers which Christ used to convey and impart to us the true salt which is Christ, and in no other regard were they the salt of the earth.

      “And again, Christ says (in the same sense), ‘Ye are the light of the world’ (Mat. 5:14). Yet John tells us plainly that ‘HE is the true light, which lightens every man that cometh into the world,’ and Jesus Himself says, ‘I am the light of the world’ (Jn. 8:12). So we are the light of the world only because He is the one who has lighted us and now shines through us as our light. So it is with Christ and us, we are only what He is in us and through us! He it was also who was typified in all the oblations and sacrifices under the law, and by all the relations, histories, and representations throughout the Old Testament; ‘tis HE that is set forth and intended, that He might be made known unto the sons of men. He was the true Paschal Lamb, He was the true sacrifice, He was that fire that always burned upon the altar (Lev. 6:13). He also was that salt commanded for the sacrifice, for the salt was never to be wanting just as the fire must always burn upon the altar of sacrifice. And so our Lord says, ‘For everyone shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.’ HE was that salt which must never be wanting; HE seasons every oblation (Lev. 2:13). HE is the salt of the everlasting covenant unto you and your seed for ever’ (Num. 18:19). HE was that salt that Elisha threw into the waters; and those many waters are many people, as it is expressed in the book of Revelation. In sum, HE is the substance, the mind, and the meaning of the whole scriptures!

      “As He is the fire, by reason of burning, and because of heat and light; so also He is the salt that sweetens and savors everything. As He is the light that enlightens, so He is the salt that salts every man. So when His fire purifies you and His salt sweetens and savors you, your sacrifice is salted with fire and salted with salt. So apart from Christ men’s lives are unsavory, the Adamic man is unsavory as Job says, ‘Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt?’ (Job 6:6). It is not your salt, not the best duties you can perform will make you savory, except they be salted and seasoned by the Christ within” — end quote.

Those of us who walk in Agape Love are the salt of the earth!

Our mindset is our mental inclination or disposition, or frame of mind. Our mindset is our collection of thoughts and beliefs that shape our thought habits. And our thought habits affect how we think, what we feel, and what we do.

People who have a world view, fall into a multitude of “belief” categories whereas those who follow Jesus Christ, fall into Heaven’s category called The Way in Scripture.  The adversary’s primary strategy is to use separation and division to promote his kingdom.  He used this strategy in the Garden of Eden and continues to use it today.  This kingdom is known as Mystery Babylon.

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ chapter 18, The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT:

4 I then heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her (Mystery Babylon), my people, so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues.

Brother Eby expressed the “Coming out” of the Babylonian system in the following:

Coming out of Babylon does not make you the church.  All of God’s people are the church by virtue of their union with Christ in their spirit — including those in Babylon!  When God calls you out of Babylon you are His “called out” on a different or higher level than those in Babylon who have been “called out” of sin and alienation from God.  But both are “called out” and all are “the church.”  The people are the church, the system is not the church.  The truth becomes very clear when we consider the seven churches of Asia!  Most of them were already living in some form of religious Babylon, yet they were the Lord’s church whom He both praised and rebuked!  I thank God for the church, the seven golden candlesticks!  It will greatly aid our understanding to see how the Lord Jesus, the Son of man clothed in the garment of His priesthood, with eyes of discernment like flames of fire, with burning feet of judgment like unto brass heated red-hot in a furnace, and the two-edged sword of His living word flashing out of His mouth, walks IN THE MIDST OF EACH OF US AND ALL OF US whom He has redeemed by His precious blood!  Isn’t it true that nearly all of us were in the church systems when we first heard the Voice?  Was not the Lord walking in our midst even then, even in the midst of all the wretchedness of that harlot system and of our very own immaturity, ignorance, and carnality?

Our mindset must change and this is done by the renewing of our mind and being led by The Holy Spirit given to us by Our Lord Jesus Christ.  John, The Beloved Disciple, whose ministry was focused specifically on Agape Love, recorded the following:

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me

As we allow our mindset to change and seek to walk fully in Agape Love, we will be led by The Holy Spirit in a greater manner and become fully mature Sons and Daughters.  We will then be fully equipped to bring forth the Kingdom as vessels of honor.  We will have heeded the call to come out of Mystery Babylon into the Kingdom of HIS Dear Son.  We have left the church system and have become a member of the glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:25-27).

As our mindset changes, we will embrace the teaching of The Holy Spirit in all matters pertaining to our day-to-day lives as He will teach us “all things”.  Do you need revelation concerning a problem or situation?  The Holy Spirit will give you the revelation you need, just be still and quiet until you receive the needed Word.  When in doubt, do nothing!

Do you need to know the Truth of a matter?  The SPIRIT of Truth which proceeds from FATHER will reveal the Truth… be patient.  There have been situations where I have been given the Truth years after the event but was protected from the adverse consequences associated with the event.  FATHER knows best.

John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 4:1).  Often, The Holy Spirit will direct us to do or say something which challenges our current mindset.  How many of us would consider that we need to be led into a wilderness to be tested?  A testing reveals the state of our mindset once we reflect on the thought and actions we take as a result of the test.  It confirms our level of spiritual maturity.  We must embrace changes to our mindset if we are to function in the fullness of FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love.

How do we die to the flesh?

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 8:

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

And in 1 Corinthians chapter 15:

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

​55 ​​“O Death, where is your sting?

​​O Hades, where is your victory?”

We don’t have to die in order to live, we are to live by THE SPIRIT in order for us to die to the flesh!  As we embrace the Life of THE SPIRIT, our flesh dies and death is swallowed up in victory.  As we put on incorruption, the corruption of the flesh is removed, eliminated, and nowhere to be found.  What a blessing FATHER has bestowed on us!  HIS life in us is greater than death and destruction, for the spirit man is greater than the flesh.

The law of THE SPIRIT of life makes me free from the law of sin and death!  Life makes me free from death, not the other way around.  It is not getting rid of death that enables me to live. 

Only life can get rid of death!  You don’t destroy the death in order to become alive, you take on life to eliminate death.  It is Christ in me that causes Adam to be brought to death, yet I live.  It is not victory that gives you power, it is power that gives you victory.  As we take on life, all the death in us will be taken care of in our members.  An increase in life causes us to decrease in death.  This is a Divine Law of the Kingdom of Our Heavenly Father.  

He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.  This should be our focus each and every day: walk in THE SPIRIT of Life!

Paul further wrote by THE SPIRIT in Colossians chapter 3:

20 But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior,

21 Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself.   AMPL

Christ will transform our body to be like His body of  glory and majesty because His Life is greater than death thus we should no longer focus on death but instead focus on walking according to THE SPIRIT.  If we were unable to do so, FATHER would not have revealed this precious promise of HIS Divine Intent.

In Romans chapter 5:

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Jesus’ death reconciled us once and for all, but in addition, we are saved by His life.  The death of Christ, which is the atonement, reconciles us to FATHER; but only the life of Christ can come against the power of sin and death and deliver our life from destruction.  This is the victory over death and destruction.  In Romans chapter 8, we are given the explicit difference of the two paths presented before us:

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

The Sons and Daughters of GOD are set apart by our desire and focus to be fully led by THE SPIRIT.  We need not focus on dying to the flesh, we are simply focusing on the positive aspect of life in THE SPIRIT.  As we do, we put to death the deeds of the body and those deeds will no longer plague us as we move forward on the path known as The Way.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Timothy chapter 1:

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

FATHER has given us The Holy Spirit Who has the inherent life-giving, healing power to deal with every situation we find ourselves in.  The Holy Spirit has the fullness of Agape Love and expresses that fullness as we walk according to THE SPIRIT within us.

As we become accustomed to walking according the leading of The Holy Spirit, our minds become transformed and our thinking changes.  Paul also wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 12:

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

As for me, one of the best things to do when confronted with adversity is to keep my mouth shut until The Holy Spirit instructs me what to say.  Otherwise, I might give a soulish reply out of emotion.  FATHER does not remove or eliminate our emotions but wants us to manage those emotions and not allow them to rule over us.  Our mind must be renewed so that it becomes a servant to our spirit rather than the taskmaster over our spirit and our body.

The good and acceptable and perfect will of God is accessible to all for HE has provided not only HIS written Word but also The Holy Spirit WHO communicates FATHER’S perfect Will.  We must not stop at the level of FATHER’S acceptable Will but should move on to walk according to HIS perfect Will.

THE SPIRIT revealed in 2 Corinthians chapter 3:

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

It is critical that each of us acknowledges the need to change.  This is what transformation is all about.  We are all at a lower level of glory and FATHER wants us to proceed to a higher level of glory.  This is done by submitting ourselves to The Holy Spirit WHO contains all the potential for us walking according to FATHER’S Divine Intent.

Until we tap into the potential of The Holy Spirit Who resides in our “temple”, we will not ascend to a higher level of HIS glory.  FATHER is not withholding HIS glory from us, but our unrenewed minds are the issue.  We are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

FATHER tells us to keep HIS Word at the center of our hearts and this is done by meditating on HIS Word daily.  Part-time believers will never become mature Sons of GOD.  They will only be observers of what FATHER is doing.  I choose not to be in that group.

What is the key to unlocking the power and authority of The Holy Spirit Who resides on the inside of us?  I am fully convinced that we must mature in Agape Love thus our intent aligns with FATHER’S Divine Intent and HE will release the flow of power and the authority to walk in HIS power without exception.  Self interest has place in operating with such power and authority.  FATHER will not allow the enemy any place by giving power to those who are manipulated and soulish in their intent.

John spoke by THE SPIRIT in 3 John:

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Our souls can only prosper if we are being led by THE SPIRIT of Truth in Love.  When our souls are prospering, we are not moved by the circumstances surrounding us and neither are we moved by the afflictions we are enduring.  We know FATHER will deliver us out of all our afflictions so we must let patience have its perfect work.  In the meantime, let us focus on the continual renewing of our mind and be led by The Holy Spirit.  Let our walk be a testimony to all those who come in contact with us.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Genesis chapter 39:

21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.

23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.

And it is also written by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 10:

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.

With whom have you aligned yourself?  FATHER is the only ONE WHO has the power to prosper whatever we set our hands to as we walk out our lives.  HE has the power to produce fruit from seed thus life is in HIS Hands.  Men can come to false conclusions that they are especially gifted to be productive but none of them prosper without FATHER’S intervention and Laws of prosperity.

The wealth of the wicked are laid up for the just.  FATHER will use vessels of dishonor to store up resources for HIS vessels of honor thus we are not to align ourselves with the wicked in any fashion.  Joseph suffered much affliction but THE LORD was with Joseph every step of The Way.  Joseph had to get the “world” out of his heart and FATHER’S training plan was quite successful in achieving that result.

Man’s problem is being short-term oriented.  FATHER had no issue in allowing Joseph to endure affliction over the course of a decade in preparing his heart to rise up to his purpose.

Luke recorded by THE SPIRIT in Luke chapter 13:

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.

11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.

12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”

13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?

16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”

Was it worth waiting eighteen years for the woman to be fully healed?  Absolutely!  In Luke chapter 8:

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.”

This woman spent twelve years and all her money attempting to be healed.  Can you imagine living with a chronic disease for twelve years?  In our short-term thinking, it would be a life time of struggle.  Her faith in the teaching of Jesus and His power was all it took to finally get results for THE LORD was with Him.  She aligned her trust and faith In Him.  The physicians proved that they had no healing power… they only sustained her until she encountered Jesus.

As we fully align ourselves with Our Lord Jesus Christ, we will begin to walk “with Him” instead of walking according to our self interest.  The blessings are found by those who have fully committed to walk according to The Way.  Both women received their cure because of their alignment.  There is no such thing as an incurable disease.  FATHER is not moved by any circumstance that hinders us from fulfilling our purpose.  We simply need to align ourselves WITH HIM, not man.

FATHER spoke in Jeremiah chapter 33:

1 Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

2 “Thus says the LORD who made it (the earth), the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name):

3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

6 Behold, [in the future restored Jerusalem] I will lay upon it health and healing, and I will cure them and will reveal to them the abundance of peace (prosperity, security, stability) and truth.

7 And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to be reversed and will rebuild them as they were at first.

8 And I will cleanse them from all the guilt and iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will forgive all their guilt and iniquities by which they have sinned and rebelled against Me.

9 And [Jerusalem] shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth that hear of all the good I do for it, and they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace, prosperity, security, and stability I provide for it.

FATHER speaks according to HIS Nature and Divine Intent.  You don’t have to wonder what is in FATHER’S heart for HE expresses HIS Divine Intent of Agape Love in the Words HE speaks in Scripture.

FATHER’S Intent toward us who make up the “New Jerusalem” is health and healing in every aspect of our being, nothing to be left out.  Moreover HE promises us an abundance of prosperity, security, stability, and Truth.  Isn’t that environment we all wish to live in?

What is especially missing today is the abundance of Truth in our current system.  In the political, economic, and religious systems, lies and manipulation rule the day.  The darkness has been increasing for some time but FATHER promises us an abundance of Truth is coming.  The light will soon expose the lies which have been perpetrated by those who are sons of the devil.  All three systems will have the light directed to their nefarious plans and actions and the nations will be shaken to the core.

It is well known among those who follow the financial markets that they are totally manipulated and misrepresented to the public.  The sons of the devil have kept the perception of fair and equitable markets up while they fleece the public of its hard earned money.  FATHER knows who they are and will judge them with a righteous scale.  We must not be moved when the Truth is fully revealed for it will shake the foundations of the current system like a major earthquake.

The political system has a multitude of puppets who have compromised themselves through greed and the quest for power.  Their puppet masters have operated in the darkness for decades but will be unable to escape the abundance of Truth soon to be revealed.

The religious system is equally guilty of promoting man’s agendas while presenting themselves as GOD’S spokesmen.  They promote men’s doctrines and currently enjoy the power and status associated with their positions but once again, the abundance of Truth will prevail and expose the hearts of those who have misled the flock.

You might ask yourself the question: How do I prepare for the coming shaking?  I continue to urge those with ears to hear, we must focus on being led by THE SPIRIT and do whatever The Holy Spirit directs us to do.  Over the years, I have found this to be the only path which assures total success in dealing with coming events. 

FATHER is not willing that any should perish because of HIS Agape Love.  HE is not reluctant to lead and guide us through any judgments coming to the earth.  HE is the protector of HIS people and will be no different this time.  When Egypt was being judged, FATHER protected HIS flock and HE will do the same for HIS Sons and Daughters now.  Let us not fear the coming earthquake in whatever form it takes but let us trust in HIS Agape Love as the abundance of Truth is revealed.

Balaam was a prophet and is mentioned three times in the New Testament.  Peter wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Peter chapter 2:

12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,

13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,

14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever

Although a prophet, Balaam prophesied for money and he departed from the perfect Will and plan of FATHER to accommodate people from whom he could profit by pleasing them.  In their ministry, there is always a price on everything and there is always a plea for money for their various projects.  Their need of your money is the object of every meeting they hold, every magazine they publish, and every letter they write.  They will send you books, tapes, etc. for your money. They know the way of faith, but instead rely on carnal methods when it comes to raising finances.  There is always a gimmick to entice you to send your hard-earned money to fulfill their grandiose schemes to save the world or bring in the kingdom!  Every Son of GOD is responsible for knowing what he/she is supporting!

Jude wrote by THE SPIRIT:

10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.

11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

The error of Balaam was in deviating from the will of the LORD.  Balaam represents a ministry or relationship with the LORD that brings a word from GOD.  Balaam was a prophet, a true prophet of the true GOD bringing a true word from the Lord but Balaam was also a teacher and his student was Balak.  Each of us is a “teaching” before we are a teacher.  We teach what we are.  Balaam prophesied out of the Spirit of the LORD, but Balaam taught out of who he was.  What we are is much more powerful and expressive than what we say.  Balaam taught Balak not only by his words, but out of his character and state of being.  The word of the LORD was in his mouth, but carnality, deceptiveness, greed, and rebellion were in his heart, and that is the error of Balaam.

The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in The Revelation of Jesus Christ, chapter 2:

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:

13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

  The doctrine of Balaam was the doctrine and method to corrupt a people who couldn’t be cursed.  They were corrupted by tempting them to be joined to the women of Moab, defile their separation unto the Lord, and abandon their holy character — union with the mind, ways, methods, and spirit of the world — which is spiritual fornication.  The doctrine of Balaam is union with the world, union with the fleshly ways of the carnal mind instead of a pure walk in THE SPIRIT and by THE SPIRIT. Do you know that God’s elect people have never been hurt from without?  FATHER’s called and chosen people can only be corrupted from within. 

The richest years of the early church were during its persecution for they loved not their life unto death as it is written in chapter 12:

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

While the early overcomers were being imprisoned, beheaded, fed to lions, burned at the stake, boiled in oil, their property confiscated, and all the rest, there was great boldness, glory, and power upon the people of GOD.  Believers increased by the millions, shook kingdoms, and turned the world upside-down.  Do you think it will be any different today?  Jesus’ death ushered in the ministry of the anointed disciples.  Stephen’s death in Acts chapter 7 ushered in Paul’s anointed ministry.  As we die to the flesh in whatever form it takes, there will be a greater release of the anointing.

The church is made ineffective by corruption and that is the doctrine of Balaam!  All who follow in Balaam’s way, who have erred from the pure walk in the Spirit OF GOD, and yet make a profession of serving and doing the work of Christ with their tantalizing words of vanity, and yet run greedily after the error of Balaam for rewards, and seek money for their preaching, prophesying, programs, books, and electronic media; and that admire men’s persons, flattering the people for gain, and take titles to themselves of “Reverend,” “Doctor,” and others of this world’s recognition — are not these they of whom the Lord spoke when He said, “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”

The way, the error, and the doctrine of Balaam are all based on self interest and greed whereas THE WAY of Jesus Christ is based solely on Agape Love.  If you listen intently to those who proclaim to be prophets, teachers, etc., you will be able to detect if they have self interest or attempting to exalt themselves above the ministry of Christ.  They will lead you to believe that the Kingdom cannot be established without them or their ministry thus they will subtly convince you to be a part, usually in the financial area. 

Agape Love will flourish without subtle attempts to extract your hard-earned money.  THE SPIRIT will make sure that funds will come forth to support what those with a pure heart are called to do.  This is why I constantly encourage the readers to be led by THE SPIRIT in their giving.  Otherwise, contribute nothing until you hear from THE SPIRIT.  I have been sucked in to giving substantial funds in the past due to my lack of understanding of the Balaam doctrine.  FATHER knew my heart and intent thus HIS great grace and mercy prevailed in our family’s finances.  I certainly learned my lesson!

Paul wrote by 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.

24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

What is joy?  One definition is: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise Our Heavenly Father in every situation.”  Given that joy is listed immediately after Agape Love, this definition is appropriate.  When we understand FATHER’S unconditional Love for us, we have the quiet confidence HE is ordering our steps in all situations we encounter, no matter what challenges we face.

James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 1:

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

As we are led by THE SPIRIT, we are no longer moved by the circumstances around us for those circumstances are testing our faith and producing patience.  When we are in the midst of various trials, we should only speak and respond according to FATHER’S Wisdom rather than out of our own understanding else we will suffer regret. 

Words will either be a blessing to others or they will sting causing hurt to the recipient.  Words of kindness are life-giving.  Our words will reflect double-mindedness if our heart has any doubt.  When we critically assess our words, actions, and responses to others, we will know what level of faith we are operating in.

If we are feeling sorry for ourselves then we are missing joy in our hearts and should return to FATHER’S Word and get that settled assurance that HE is in control of every situation we encounter.  I know there are times when it seems that I have been stretched beyond my capabilities but FATHER is building my faith and showing me that I am stronger than previously thought.  As Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 12:

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Let no person or event steal your joy.  Walk in that quiet confidence knowing Our Heavenly Father will provide the necessary resources and strength to overcome.  Simply smile in the face of adversity for in the end, we will prevail through Agape Love.

Yesterday, I posted an explanation of the word “fear” by our beloved brother Alan.  To recap, he wrote:

God empowered creation with the Spirit of Truth in Love, which is the nature of God, and that empowerment was to perpetuate Good continually.  That action describes a God of Love, and not a God to be feared.  ‘Man’, in separation from the Love of God, began to distrust God, and promote that distrust and fear to others.  

Gal. 4:5  Only with the appearing of Yashua (Jesus if you prefer) did mankind have the opportunity to cease ‘seeing’ God through the eyes of fear, and begin to See God as the Father of Love.  “If you have seen me, you have seen The Father”.  And even till this very day does man continue to ‘see’ God through the eyes of fear (yara) rather than to See (Ra-ah) God as our loving Heavenly Father.   Also, the word ‘yara’, which is most often translated as ‘fear’, is numerous times translated as “…to see”.  When you ‘see’ correctly, and properly discern what you are ‘seeing’, it produces no fear.  Fear not.

How do we correct our misperception of what has been taught over the years?  We must meditate on the pure Word, not man’s teachings filled with their bias.  The term “fear” promotes a constant requirement of performance which few can obtain.  The rest of us would fall short in our quest to become acceptable thus we could never achieve full maturity.  Isn’t this the essence of “conditional” love?  We must overcome this view which is full of conditions and understand Agape Love.  To overcome this performance issue, we should fully embrace what FATHER’S Word says and set aside all the incorrect teachings of the past.  Let us allow The Holy Spirit to show us the fullness of Agape Love expressed to us by FATHER.  This will remove the deep-seated anxiety associated with never measuring up.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Philippians chapter 4:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

How do we eliminate anxiety?  Meditate on The Word and peace will guard our hearts and minds.  As we focus on The Word, FATHER’S peace will begin to overtake all of our anxieties and cause them to dissipate.  We are to renew our minds daily so that the issues of life will not overtake us and steal our peace.

FATHER’S peace surpasses our understanding so we must not allow our minds to restrict this peace simply because we do not know how it works.  Man’s reasoning would have us believe that we can’t have peace unless we fully understand how it works in us.  We must trust Our Heavenly Father and rely on HIS Word in order to receive HIS peace which surpasses our understanding.  Have faith!

FATHER formed us in a manner where we become what we meditate on.  This is why we must guard our hearts and our minds in what we allow to enter in.  We reap what we sow.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The verses in Philippians chapter 4 are excellent reminders which should be referenced daily until we have sufficiently trained our minds to pursue only those things mentioned in verse 8.

I choose to meditate on The Word every morning first thing.  It prepares me for the day and FATHER’S peace permeates my soul.  The issues of life become less important as I begin the day with a grateful heart.  Wisdom wrote in Proverbs chapter 8:

17   I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.