Servias Ministries Blog

We are to pursue Wisdom, and our perceived restrictions will be removed!

Divine Wisdom sees beyond the obvious and sees the structure that keeps all things in place, both large and small.  Divine Wisdom is the Mind of Christ.

Faith is either a gift or fruit.  Fruit grows and gifts are given suddenly.  You can grow one and you can prepare yourself to receive the other.

Paul lists the fruit as he wrote by The Holy Spirit in Galatians chapter 5:

22 But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is Divine Love in all Its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.

Paul lists the gifts as he wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Corinthians chapter 12:

4 There are different kinds of Spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the Source of them all.

5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.

6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God Who does the work in all of us.

7 A Spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give Wise advice (Wisdom); to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.

9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.

10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

Jesus operated in all nine gifts, and we should not limit ourselves in what gifts are available for us to operate in.  The gifts are given based on the need before us as we minister to those in need.  Our mindsets should not promote restrictions in ministry to others. 

If the devil attacks us, we get stronger.  If he distracts us, we get weaker!  Much of the attack has to do with the mindset.  He wants us to become passive in our thoughts and actions.  How is this done?  By polluting and compromising our minds with worldly thoughts and opinions.  We are to embrace thinking and meditating on the thoughts that GOD thinks about us.

The enemy is only effective where we agree with Him, as did Adam and Eve.

Faith doesn’t come from the mind; however, it works in conjunction with the renewed mind.  Understanding in the renewed mind creates the context for faith.  The more we see as Jesus thinks and sees, the more we have occasion to see faith operate and demonstrated in our lives. 

The attempt to exercises faith in and of itself without the renewed mind, makes it difficult to sustain what GOD is doing in you.  You sustain faith with understanding and Wisdom.  Wisdom provides the opportunity for understanding.

There has been never a time where Wisdom is more needed than now!  Wisdom can see the core problem that needs to be dealt with and will provide us with an understanding of how to deal with the issues plaguing us today.

An excellent example of gaining understanding is what Jesus said to us as believers.

Jesus spoke to us in Matthew chapter 5:

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.

We already have the light the world needs to see.  Wisdom and understanding will bring for that which is already resident within us to shine outward.  Considering this Truth stated by Jesus, it is written by The Holy Spirit in Isaiah chapter 60:

1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

In other Words, “Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned, and YAHWEH’s glory now streams from you!”

2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.

5 Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

HIS Wisdom is prophetic and will guide us into the reality of arising and shining.

We are to pursue Wisdom and walk in Its fullness!

Divine Wisdom sees beyond the obvious and sees the structure that keeps all things in place, both large and small.  Divine Wisdom is the Mind of Christ.

Wisdom instructs us in Proverbs 1:

1 Here are Kingdom revelations, Words to live by, and Words of Wisdom given to empower you to reign in Life, written as proverbs by Israel’s King Solomon, David’s son.

2 Within these sayings will be found the revelation of Wisdom and the impartation of Spiritual Understanding. Use them as keys to unlock the Treasures of True knowledge.

3 Those who cling to these Words will receive discipline to demonstrate Wisdom in every relationship and to choose what is right and just and fair.

4 These proverbs will give you great skill to teach the immature and make them wise, to give youth the understanding of their design and destiny.

5 For the wise, these proverbs will make you even wiser, and for those with discernment, you will be able to acquire brilliant strategies for leadership.

It is written by The Holy Spirit in Isaiah chapter 55:

3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live (in prosperity); And I will make an everlasting covenant with you- The sure mercies of David.

Our soul should prosper as we pursue and walk in Wisdom and, it should have measurable effects of both emotional health as well as our mind being renewed!

You know your mind is renewed when the impossible looks logical, it actually takes on the ability to display the wonders of the impossible.  Our faith comes from surrendering to the super-natural.  Faith doesn’t come from us striving or working hard… it is the product of surrender and is yielding to something FATHER has already created.  We are to yield to The Holy Spirit!

You and I are in Christ, and we are designed to step in and to live in His nature as sons of GOD.  His nature is a nature of faith.  You don’t build faith by putting “self-will” or personal efforts at the center.  There is no sweat involved in producing faith hence the priest could not wear wool when he entered the Holy of Holies.

Moses recorded as instructed by The Holy Spirit in Leviticus chapter 16:

4 He (Aaron) must put on his linen tunic and the linen undergarments worn next to his body. He must tie the linen sash around his waist and put the linen turban on his head. These are Sacred garments, so he must bathe himself in water before he puts them on.

The Beloved Disciple recorded what he heard and saw by The Holy Spirit in Revelation chapter 19:

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the thunderous voice of a great multitude, like the sound of a massive waterfall and mighty peals of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!

7 Let us rejoice and exalt Him and give Him glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come. And His bride has made herself ready.

8 Fine linen, shining bright and clear, has been given to her to wear, and the fine linen represents the righteous deeds of his Holy believers.”

Those righteous deeds were not due to the sweat of the brow, they originated from the power and authority granted by Jesus Christ and carried out by the gifts of The Holy Spirit.  The Holy believers take no credit for those gifts in operation, and they point to the singular Lordship of Jesus Christ.

James wrote by The Holy Spirit in James chapter 2:

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have (resulting) works, is dead.

In other Words, “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”

Jesus had faith in the what the world calls “impossible” and healed the masses.  He brought Heaven to earth, the supernatural to the natural.  He is THE example of how a renewed mind is expressed on earth.  He proved to the world what is the good, acceptable, and perfect Will of God. 

Wisdom will show us how to walk above and beyond the natural world.  This is why

Peter summed it up as he wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Peter chapter 1:

13 So then, prepare your hearts and minds for action! Stay alert and fix your hope firmly on the marvelous grace that is coming to you. For when Jesus Christ is unveiled (revealed and understood), a greater measure of grace (enablement) will be released to you.

14 As God’s obedient children, never again shape your lives by the desires that you followed when you didn’t know better.

15 Instead, shape your lives to become like the Holy One Who called you.

16 For Scripture says: “You are to be Holy, because I am Holy.”

17 Since you call on Him as your heavenly Father, the impartial Judge Who judges according to each one’s works, live each day with Holy awe and reverence throughout your time on earth.

When we walk with a fully renewed mind, we will walk in His Wisdom and Holiness.

Are you double-minded?

As I wrote yesterday, the vast majority of Christians struggle to hear GOD’S Voice.  In order to be led by The Holy Spirit, you must be able to hear. 

James wrote by The Holy Spirit in James chapter 1:

2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!

3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance.

4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.

5 And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for Wisdom and HE will give it! HE won’t see your lack of Wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but HE will overwhelm your failures with HIS generous grace (enablement).

6 Just make sure you ask empowered by confident faith without doubting that you will receive. For the ambivalent person believes one minute and doubts the next. Being undecided makes you become like the rough seas driven and tossed by the wind. You’re up one minute and tossed down the next.

7-8 When you are double-minded and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?

Double-mindedness is a major impediment to hearing GOD’S Voice.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

What does a “single” eye represent?  There is no divided focus.  The Passion Translation provide a more complete explanation of what Jesus spoke:

Matthew 6:

19 “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value.

20 Instead, stockpile Heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value.

21 For your heart will always pursue what you esteem as your treasure.

22 “The eyes of your spirit allow revelation-light to enter into your being. If your heart is unclouded, the light floods in!

23 But if your eyes are focused on money, the light cannot penetrate and darkness takes its place. How profound will be the darkness within you if the light of Truth cannot enter!

24 “How could you worship two gods at the same time? You will have to hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t worship the true God while enslaved to the god of money!”

Jesus warned us against what the world wants us to focus on: the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in.

Worldly treasures are emphasized by Jesus Himself as being a major source of having a divided mind (eye).  We must heed such a warning.

Jesus spoke to His disciples (and us) in John chapter 16:

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

The disciples had just spent a full 3 ½ years with Jesus, listening to countless teachings, seeing great miracles and a vast number of healings, yet they could not bear additional revelation to be given by Jesus.  They had not fully developed a single eye yet.  There was still a lack of stability in their ways.

Each of us needs to focus on hearing The Holy Spirit and rejecting the noise of the world.  Until we do, we will be unable to bear greater revelation due to our unstable minds.

Are you struggling to hear GOD’S Voice?

A vast majority of Christians struggle to hear GOD’S Voice.  In order to be led by The Holy Spirit, you must be able to hear.  To the degree that you hear and respond accordingly, determines your level of maturity.  I have both heard with clarity and have been unable to hear.  It not that The Holy Spirit wasn’t speaking, I simply wasn’t listening.  I had become lazy and focused elsewhere.

Jesus addressed the problem that I was experiencing in the parable of the Sower as He explained in Luke chapter 8:

11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God.

12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the Word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the Word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Verse 14 applies to believers, including me.  Anxious cares, riches of this world, and fleeting pleasures of life, have drawn us away from our focus on The Word, whether written or spoken.  This group does not have a hard heart (the hard soil), it was dealt with in verse 12.

Notice that there was fruit, but it didn’t mature.  The lack of discipline and commitment are two reasons for lack of maturity of fruit.  I have been guilty in both areas. 

Why didn’t the fruit mature?  The soil received many seeds that competed for the nutrients contained in the soil.  Thorns grow fast and require those nutrients. 

As a result, they choke out the Word.

Jesus described the thorns as anxious cares, riches of this world, and fleeting pleasures of life.  Each of us must make a critical assessment of where we are in our mindset.  What are we consistently focused on?  What are we feeding our minds?

In this case, I receive what FATHER has planted in my heart, but I also receive other appealing thoughts, perspectives, and ideas from the world.  I didn’t have an issue with hearing GOD’S Voice, but I also received this another idea, a backup idea, in case GOD’S idea doesn’t work.  My mind would reason that when I saw others who had the same promise and GOD didn’t fulfill the promise in their lives, I need a backup a backup plan as well, the essence of compromise.

Our problem is that we give ourselves to other things that are not the result of GOD’S Word, HIS Voice to us.  What happens is that we entertain ideas and thoughts that become planted in us that rob from the soil the nutrients needed by The Word of GOD to bring forth good fruit.

The potential was there to produce the likeness and nature of GOD through that seed which was spoken.  We have the responsibility to protect our hearts from the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life.  Once I entertain an alternative, the choking begins, and failure is at hand.

Maintaining the proper focus is the issue!

Matthew recorded by The Holy Spirit in Matthew chapter 14:

23 And when Jesus had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

24 But the boat with the disciples was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Peter responded to The Word but then considered the wind and waves.  His focus changed from responding to The Word, to considering and focusing on the boisterous wind.

Thorns are rapidly growing seeds of doubt and will choke The Word if given the chance. 

The word cares means divided mind or distraction.  If we are being distracted from hearing the Voice of GOD, we must remove what is distracting us!

We are to walk with the Mind of Christ and produce Its creative results!

You and I have a Resource available to us that the unsaved don’t possess.  The Mind of Christ contains unfathomable riches and wealth.  You and I have solutions to problems that the world has no answer for in its quest for answers.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Corinthians chapter 2:

16 For “who has known the Mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the Mind of Christ.

And in chapter 4:

1 So then you must perceive us—not as leaders of factions, but as servants of the Anointed One, those who have been entrusted with God’s mysteries.

2 The most important quality of one entrusted with such secrets is that they are faithful and trustworthy.

If you and I are found faithful and trustworthy, we will be given revelation to HIS mysteries for the purpose of furthering the Kingdom of GOD.  The best investments I have made were where I knew nothing about them but The Holy Spirit directed me to invest.  So-called experts would not have made the investment. 

Wisdom recorded by THE SPIRIT in Proverbs chapter 25:

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

FATHER conceals mysteries from the crooked and perverse generation.  Those who are raised up as kings are able to search out the solutions to problems.  You and I are both kings and priests thus we are qualified to search out mysteries.

And in Proverbs chapter 8:

12 I Wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

In other Words, “For I am Wisdom, and I am shrewd and intelligent. I have at my disposal living-understanding to devise a plan for your life to discover clever inventions”.

THE LORD has hidden answers and solutions specifically FOR those who seek HIS Face.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 19:

14 Jesus overheard them and said, “I want little children to come to Me, so never interfere with them when they want to come, for Heaven’s Kingdom realm is composed of Beloved ones like these! Listen to this Truth: No one will enter the Kingdom realm of Heaven unless he becomes like one of these!”

Children are naturally curious and inventive.  They do not understand restrictions and they are teachable.  They are not reluctant to believe.

When FATHER instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, it was to be of the highest quality.  FATHER puts specific talents in each one of us to develop in our life.  It is HIS Divine Intent for us to develop those talents to glorify HIS Kingdom.

Moses recorded by The Holy Spirit in Exodus chapter 35:

30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;

31 And HE hath filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

33 And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

34 And HE hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.

[35 Them hath HE filled with Wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

When we are in survival mode, it is difficult to hear.  We are focused on the immediate problem at hand.  When we are able to quiet our souls, we are better able to hear The Holy Spirit.  This is why the adversary tries to keep our focus on the noise of the world.

Anxiety reveals what measure the inferior world has in our thinking.  Anxiety reveals that we have no answer or solutions to our problem, and this reveals that we do not have Christ at the center of our thinking.

Grace enables us to live like Jesus, to think like Jesus, and to act like Jesus.  When we are confronted with problems and have the Mind of Christ, creative solutions will come forth and effective solve those problems at hand.

Our daily ongoing encounter with The Holy Spirit is to train us how to think and see beyond the natural, which is inferior to the supernatural!

The renewed mind is the “sensible” with Christ.  It is imperative for you and me to understand what it takes to renew our minds and walk with a transformed mind.  If we don’t focus on this Truth, how can we expect to reach full maturity in Christ?  Our fruitfulness will testify to our level of understanding and actions whether it be zero, thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.  We are to be a doer of The Word, not a hearer only.  This is why there has been such emphasis in the latest writings.

Have you ever experienced or observed a supernatural miracle from GOD?  If so, why do you reason with what you don’t have?  Our Heavenly Father is a Creator.  Within HIS Words are creative and restorative power.

Moses recorded GOD’S creative miracles by The Holy Spirit in Genesis chapter 1:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”

9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.

11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;

20 Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” 24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so.

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Jesus spoke the bread and fishes into being to feed the multitudes.  These were creative miracles.  He intends for us to walk in the supernatural as well.  Recall what Jesus said to the disciples in Mark chapter 8 for it holds the key to walking in the supernatural:

17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?

18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.”

20 “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.”

21 So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”

Jesus wants us to focus on the supernatural rather than the natural.  The supernatural should not be the exception to the rule… it should be the rule!

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 13:

16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;

23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears The Word and understands It (by fully embracing It), who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

To the degree that we see and hear, will determine our creative fruitfulness.

Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in John chapter 3:

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

The prerequisite to seeing the Supernatural is our conversion.  Every believer meets this fundamental requirement, which is the precursor to walking in the Supernatural.  You and I have the capacity to see and hear for the purpose of changing our mindset to perceive what is sensible IN CHRIST.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Corinthians chapter 2:

16  For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the Mind of Christ.

This same Mind that we now possess, created, healed, multiplied, and restored.  Let us not restrict ourselves by focusing on the inferior.

Christmas is the day we celebrate GOD’S Will for this earth!

What is GOD’S Will for this earth?

Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 11:

1 Now it came to pass, as Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your Name.

Your Kingdom come.

Your Will be done

On earth as it is in Heaven.

3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.”

We celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Christ-mas day.  This was the beginning point of GOD’S Kingdom coming to the earth.  After Jesus’ earthly ministry, He sent The Holy Spirit to continue GOD’S Will for the earth and HIS Kingdom continues to expand daily.

FATHER intends for us to be directly involved in bringing forth HIS Kingdom as we mature and prove the Will of GOD to the unsaved.  How do we proceed?

Paul wrote by The Holy 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.

How did Jesus prove what the Will of GOD was?

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 11:

1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

Jesus proved the Will of GOD in His response:

4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.

We are also called to “prove” the Will of GOD.  The ultimate celebration of Christ is to fulfill His Great Commission.  Let us light up the world!

Sensible without Christ is completely different than sensible with Christ!

The renewed mind is the “sensible” with Christ.

Have you ever experienced or observed a supernatural miracle from GOD?  If so, you have a history to draw from.  Did you change your mindset afterward?  If not, why?  It is because your heart was hardened.

In the 6^th chapter of Mark, it is recorded that Jesus fed the five thousand families.  There was nothing for the multitudes to eat however Jesus would reveal how Heaven works for all to see.

Mark wrote:

37 But Jesus answered and said to His disciples, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”

39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.

40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.

41 Then Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, gazed into Heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread and the two fish and distributed them to His disciples to serve the people—and the food was multiplied in front of their eyes!

42 So they all ate and were filled.

43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.

44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.

When did the bread and fishes multiply?  It happened as the disciples distributed them to the people.  The miracle occurred when the disciples acted, not before.  They obeyed The Word Who was made flesh.  They experienced supernatural provision firsthand.

What happened next?

45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.

46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.

48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.

49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;

50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.

52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

Jesus made two boat trips in the Book of Mark where He revealed the hardness of the disciples’ hearts.  They did not embrace the supernatural even though they experienced multiple events that should have changed their mindsets.  Their doubting hearts had not grasped His authority and power over all things despite just having witnessed the miraculous feeding.

Jesus was teaching them how to see and think beyond the natural.  You and I are in a relational journey with Jesus Whose intent is to bring us into full maturity as sons and daughters of GOD.  We are meant to walk in a daily encounter with THE SPIRIT of GOD Who lives in us.  The Holy Spirit is training us on how to think and see beyond the natural.

There is subtlety in demonic wisdom promoted by cleverness!

Cleverness is self-promoting and is very subtle.  The business world promotes the idea of self-promoting to get ahead.

James wrote by The Holy Spirit in James chapter 3:

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of Wisdom.

In other Words, if you consider yourself to be wise and one who understands the Ways of God, advertise it with a beautiful, fruitful life guided by Wisdom’s gentleness. Never brag or boast about what you’ve done and you’ll prove that you’re truly wise.

I have had to repent countless times about bragging or boasting of my past achievements.  How sad!  Thankfully, FATHER has more grace and mercy than my failures.

14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking (competition) in your hearts, do not compensate by boasting and lying against the Truth.

15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the Wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield in Love, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James notes the fact that there is a wisdom from the father of lies.  It is bitter envy,  self-seeking, and it is demonic.  It comes from the one who was the most sensible, reasonable, reasoning without Christ, as the defining thought or value.  It will take you into a resistance to the things of GOD.

Reasonings without Christ at the center will always take you to unbelief!  Why do you think there has been a notable lack of supernatural healings and miracles in most churches today?

Let us return to what Jesus said to His disciples in Mark chapter 8:

13 And Jesus left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat.

15 Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”

The disciples were missing the point about having the wrong mindset.  Their reasoning was based on the physical senses… insufficient bread.

17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?

18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.”

20 “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.”

These men are His close disciples and saw a multitude of miracles.  They remembered the physical details but had no clue about how those miracles occurred.  They had head knowledge but no understanding.

21 So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”

In other Words, “Then how is it that you still don’t get it?”

James finally “got it” and he wrote by The Holy Spirit in James chapter 1:

22 Don’t just listen to the Word of Truth and not respond to It, for that is the essence of self-deception. So always let his Word become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life!

23 If you listen to the Word and don’t live out the message you hear, you become like the person who looks in the mirror of the Word to discover the reflection of his face in the beginning.

24 You perceive how God sees you in the mirror of the Word, but then you go out and forget your Divine origin.

25 But those who set their gaze deeply into the perfecting Law of liberty are fascinated by and respond to the Truth they hear and are strengthened by it—they experience God’s blessing in all that they do!

Cleverness and worldly wisdom cannot replace walking with a transformed mind renewed by The Word of GOD.  Don’t be deceived!

The power of Heaven is with the transformed mind!

To be carnally minded is death and it began in The Garden.  Paul understood the problem and addressed it.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 12:

1 Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be His Sacred, living sacrifices. And live in Holiness, experiencing all that delights His Heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.

2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His Eyes.

Transforming our mind is vital to becoming mature in Christ and ministering Life to others.  We need to understand the origin of the carnal mind and it began in Genesis chapter 3.

Moses recorded by The Holy Spirit in Genesis chapter 3:

1 Now the serpent was more cunning (H6175 ʿārûm) than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

The word ʿārûm means: subtle, shrewd, crafty, sly, prudent, clever, sensible.  It would be most appropriate to translate the above passage using “sensible”.

This same word is used in:

Proverbs 15:5 NKJV

A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent (H6175 ʿārûm).

Proverbs 15:5 TPT

You’re stupid to mock the instruction of a father, but welcoming correction will make you brilliant (H6175 ʿārûm).

The enemy will convince you with what is sensible in your eyes, without regard to The Word of GOD.  He was and is clever.  The word “clever” means: showing intelligence or skill; ingenious.  When one is clever, he can easily deceive those who are naïve and innocent.  Back to Genesis 3:

2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;

3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’“

She was given the Word of God and was able to quote It.

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

The adversary altered The Word in his cleverness and pointed to the woman’s senses which would support being sens-ible.

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Adam and Eve chose their senses over GOD’S Word.

8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

10 So he said, “I heard Your Voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

There was no question that Adam could hear GOD’S Voice and now responded in fear rather than being at peace.

11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

GOD did not ask the question because of the lack of information.

12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

13 And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

We cannot rely on what appears to be sensible to our limited understanding apart from The Word of GOD, whether written or spoken.  We must beware of what appears sensible because those who are clever and crafty, will take advantage of us every time.  Their goal is to extract our resources from us.

If you want to walk in the power of Heaven and be successful, you must transform your mind to the Truth from Heaven.  A transformed mind will guard you against those who are subtle, shrewd, crafty, sly, prudent, clever, and/or sensible.