Servias Ministries Blog

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 8:

1 Now Saul was consenting to his (Stephen’s) death.  At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Saul gained notoriety for being an enemy of the believers, especially those who were vocal about their faith in Christ.  He imprisoned both men and women for their faith and trust in Christ thus he was ruining the lives of families throughout the region.  He was zealous in his mission to eliminate the message of Love preached among the believers yet Jesus was not move by Saul’s actions and current path when He appeared to him on the road to Damascus in chapter 9:

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”  Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”  Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

If there was anyone who needed to release the past, it was Saul.  His malicious intent and acts were to the extreme yet Jesus appeared to him anyway.  He was easily classified as a vessel of dishonor but later was to become a vessel of honor.

We must not allow our past determine our present focus and our future.  As we are cleansed by The Word, our carnal man will bring up the past in order to dissuade us from moving forward toward fully purifying us and bringing us to a state of being classified as vessels of honor.  By the fact that the Holy Spirit filled Paul (who was Saul) and enabled him to write what we know as 2/3 of the New Testament Epistles is a confirmation to us that no matter what our past would suggest, The Word can and will cleanse us so that we may be used for FATHER’S purpose.  This cleansing caused a nature change in Saul who became Paul, from dishonor to honor.

We must not allow the old man to win the battle in our mind by bringing up the past as though our past would define our future.  Let us see ourselves as FATHER sees us and move forward in boldness.  Let us not be discouraged as we persist in cleansing every aspect of our being even though past thoughts and events are brought into our consciousness.  Just consider that to be the dross or impurities being removed from us as the cleansing takes place, never to return to that state.

Why was Saul’s name changed to Paul?

Why was Jacob’s name changed to Israel?

Why was Ben-Oni’s name changed to Benjamin?

Why did the angel specifically tell Mary to name her Son Jesus?

Why have I been consistently writing about the requirement for us to change?

Isn’t it about our nature changing from self interest to Agape Love?

These are questions to ponder, especially if you are going to be joining our online meetings: http://www.servias.org/?p=6568

Isaiah recorded by THE SPIRIT in chapter 7:

1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to make war against it, but could not prevail against it.

2 And it was told to the house of David, saying, “Syria’s forces are deployed in Ephraim.” So his heart and the heart of his people were moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind.

3 Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-Jashub your son, at the end of the aqueduct from the upper pool, on the highway to the Fuller’s Field,

4 and say to him: ‘Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be fainthearted for these two stubs of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and the son of Remaliah.

5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah have plotted evil against you, saying,

6 “Let us go up against Judah and trouble it, and let us make a gap in its wall for ourselves, and set a king over them, the son of Tabel”—

Many of us came to understand the importance of names in both the Old and the New Testament as we continued pursuing the deeper aspects of The Word.  This realization added breadth to what we have been pursuing in order to gain a greater understanding of what FATHER is conveying to those who have ears to hear and eyes to see.  The name Ahaz means "he has grasped".  The name Rezin comes from a root word meaning will, desire, pleasure, self-will, i.e. self interest.  The name Pekah means “to open the eyes”.  Additionally, Remaliah means "protected by Jehovah".  This story was given to us in order to prepare us for the ministry of Jesus Christ and to open our eyes to the calling of the Sons and Daughters of Our Heavenly Father.

Trees often refer to men in Scripture (see Mark 8:24 “I see men like trees, walking.”).  Isaiah spoke to Ahaz and told him to “fear not” nor be fainthearted.  Rezin and Pekah had agreed to set a king over Jerusalem- the son of Tabel which means “ GOD is good”.  On the surface, their intent would be to replace Ahaz with one who professes “GOD IS good” yet we see by the events that this was not the intent of FATHER but rather the intent of man as we read on:

7 thus says the Lord GOD: ​​​“It shall not stand, ​​Nor shall it come to pass.

8 ​​For the head of Syria is Damascus, ​​And the head of Damascus is Rezin. ​​Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be broken, ​​So that it will not be a people.

9 ​​The head of Ephraim is Samaria, ​​And the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. ​​If you will not believe, ​​Surely you shall not be established.” ’ ”

10 Moreover the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying,

11 “Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!”

13 Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

The above prophecy given to Isaiah to communicate to Ahaz to express FATHER’S plan which would manifest centuries later in 2 B.C.  FATHER has expressed three progressive aspects of HIS Will: good, acceptable, and perfect.  Men were wanting to move the kingdom backwards to “good” rather than forward to “perfect” and this story is exposing what the self interest intends for mankind today yet FATHER was prophesying that “perfect” would be revealed to us and manifest Himself as “Immanuel”.  The Sons and Daughters are given this message in order that we move forward to “perfect” out of the realm of “acceptable” rather than backward to “good” and become lukewarm.  This story and prophecy is tied to the term “transformed” by the renewing of our mind.  Paul expressed this Truth 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.

The Amplified Version expresses in a more detailed manner:

1 Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

2  And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

It is critical to ponder this Truth as we move forward.

My friend Alan wrote:

The historical value of the Hebrew language of the Old Testament contains the progression, in parable/metaphor/proverb format, from ‘adam’ to Christ. Contained in this historical progressive narrative are many ‘type and shadow’ analogies that reveal to us the natural and spiritual ascensions from our basic natural beginnings as ‘adam’, or mankind, a living soul, to our intended destination in Spirit Life, which is Christ. Each one of us can recognize and/or identify with many, or maybe even most, of these progressions in our own personal stories or ‘His-Stories’. The story of the progression of ‘Jacob’, as he ascends to his identity as ‘Israel’, is familiar to most who seriously study the Bible. And the spiritual messages available to us in the appearing of the sons of Jacob are of particular importance. This writing is to attempt to highlight and illuminate the names of the eleven sons of Jacob, and the one son of Israel. After the birth of Joseph to Rachel, Jacob experienced life changing events that led to the changing of his own name; from Jacob to Israel. His nature change, indicated in the name ‘Israel’, would have to come later.

The name ‘Jacob’ or, bq[y ((pronounced ‘yah-qove’, Strong’s # H3290) in Hebrew, has been greatly misunderstood, and maligned by religion for eons. The most common error in understanding the meaning of this name comes from trying to define, or describe, the name ‘Jacob’ by explaining the interpreted history of ‘Jacob’, son of Isaac. And there have been many ‘interpretations’ about ‘Jacob’ that are greatly distorted, and misunderstood. The name ‘Jacob’ has been loosely described as ‘supplant’; or ‘supplanter’. The story of Jacob is actually the story of each of us, in our own unique details. For Christ, in each of us, must ‘supplant’ ‘adam’ in us.

All names in the Hebrew language of the Old Testament come from three-letter action verbs.  ‘Yah-qove’ is no exception. ‘Yah-qove’, or Jacob, is derived from the verb ‘ah-qav’, Strong’s # H6119. The last letter in this word ‘ah-qav’ is the ‘beyt’ and is normally pronounced as our English ‘b’. But in this word the ‘beyt’ is pronounced with a softened ‘v’ sound, which is a common characteristic in many Hebrew pronunciations. This is why the English pronunciation of this word/name is ‘jacob’, but in Hebrew is pronounced as ‘yah-qove’, which can be confusing to many.  This verb is not used rolifically in the scriptures, but certainly enough times to get an idea of what this verb is communicating. The first use of this three-letter word is as a noun in Gen. 3:15 where it is translated as ‘heel’; hence the association with heel, or heel catcher. But there is so much going on in this very complex verse that relegating the understanding of this word ‘ah-qav’ to simply ‘heel’ is a disservice to the entirety of the scriptures, and to eons of seekers.

One of the prevalent uses of this word ‘ah-qav’ (Strong’s # H6119), when used as an adverb, is translated as ‘because’. This in itself can be confusing if not further clarified. Ultimately, this word ‘ah-qav’ is used to explain, or justify, actions resulting from specific consequences; or more simply put, of reaping what is sown. From this understanding, the word ‘ah-qav’ is translated in Psalm 19:11, 40:15 and 70:3 as ‘reward’; i.e., the ‘reward’ received as a consequence of actions taken. The ‘reward’ involved may be a positive, or a negative, in just the same way that we ‘reap from what we have sown’. From this same understanding of ‘ah-qav’ as the results of consequential actions, this word is translated numerous times as ‘heel’, ‘steps’ and/or ‘footsteps’. The verb expresses, in several different types of circumstances, the results or responses elicited because of specific actions; again, simply the result of reaping what is sown.

2 Samuel 12:10, as well as Gen. 26:5, are very clear examples of why this word is sometimes translated as ‘because’.  While considering this ‘explanation’ of the word ‘ah-qav’, let us return to Gen. 3:15 with the hopes of revealing and exposing some understanding that has been hidden in plain view.
KJV Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

When considering this verse, the word translated as ‘bruise’ has been difficult to properly discern. The context of this verse makes the word ‘bruise’ indicate the activity of physically accosting or impacting another. While this may make sense in some contexts, the use of the word translated as ‘bruise’ in this verse is not describing physically impacting any one; or anything. The word translated as ‘bruise’ in this verse is the Hebrew ‘shooph’, Strong’s # H7779, which comes from the unused root ‘shah-phaph’. Words that are formed from this particular unused root ‘shah-phaph’ are words describing the condition of being ‘exposed; conspicuous; revealed’, etc. Strong’s # H7779, translated here as ‘bruise’, literally means to expose and reveal a specific characteristic or condition.

The prophecy told us that the ‘seed of the woman’ would ‘bruise’ (conspicuously expose) the head of the serpent, and the serpent would ‘bruise’ (conspicuously expose) the heel of the ‘seed of the woman’. Hopefully this is becoming more readily understandable as we proceed. For the ‘heel’ that gets conspicuously exposed is actually referring to the ‘rewards’, or the consequential responses to those that reap what they have sown. Therefore, we can just as accurately translate Gen. 3:15 as follows: “…the seed of the woman will expose (reveal; make conspicuous) the head of the serpent, and the serpent shall expose (reveal; make conspicuous) the consequence of reaping what is sown by the seed of the woman”.

How then does all of this revealing, and exposing and making conspicuous, pertain to the ‘heel’ that is translated from the Hebrew verb ‘ah-qav’ (Strong’s # H6119), from which we also get the word/name ‘jacob’ (Strong’s # H3290)? That is a great question. Jacob, the second-born twin son of Isaac, was observed to have grabbed the ‘heel’ of the first-born twin son, Esau. In the verse describing this event [Gen. 25:26], the Hebrew word translated as ‘took hold on’ is from Strong’s # H0270, and literally means to “…take possession of”. As coming forth from the womb, the second born twin son was actually illustrating that he, the second born, would supplant, or overtake and replace, his first born twin brother.

The activity/actions of the first born, Esau, would eventually expose/reveal/make conspicuous the reality that the first born twin had no desire or appetite or assignment to manifest and produce the fruits expected and sought for from the first born. The recognition of ‘first born’ is not privilege, as many have thought, but is instead a serious responsibility. As ‘yah-qove’ (Jacob; supplanter), the second born twin would supplant the first born, and therefore inherit the blessing/responsibility of the birthright which is afforded to the son that illustrated the qualities and characteristics
expected of the first born. Jacob stole nothing from Esau. He did lust after the birthright, but he did not steal it. Jacob did deceive his father, Isaac, but he dutifully and quite lawfully ‘took possession of’ the heel of Esau, which had been ‘bruised’ by the serpent, just as the scripture prophesied. Esau, we are told, ‘despised the birthright’, and sold it to Jacob. [Gen. 25:33-34]

By supplanting the ‘bruised’ heel of Esau, Jacob illustrated and manifested the fruitful maturity expected of the first born. By and through this series of events Jacob (yah-qove) was illustrating the pageant progression revealed in receiving a ‘name’ change, to be followed by a nature change, from ‘yah-qove’ to ‘Israel’. ‘Yah’qove’ could not possibly have stolen the birth right from Esau. He only took possession, as supplanter, of that to which he was destined. And as Jacob, the supplanter and receiver of the birth right from Isaac, he too would illustrate in his own life the prophecy of ‘bruising of the head’, and ‘bruising of the heel’. Jacob later had two wives, and two ‘concubines’ through which he ‘begat’ (sired) eleven sons. And as the revealer of the birth right, he ‘begat’ his twelfth son, ‘Ben-yamin’ (Benjamin), “…the right to be the son”.
…to be continued.

Mark recorded by THE SPIRIT in chapter 1:

6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7  And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John the Baptist clearly differentiated the two baptisms: water versus The Holy Spirit.
One would be done by man but the other would be through Jesus and done by way of
The Holy Spirit.

After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Mark also recorded in chapter 16:
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17  And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18  they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

What baptism is Jesus referring to? Isn’t He speaking of being baptized in The Holy Spirit as John prophesied in Mark 1?

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Jesus made it clear that He would confirm their preaching with signs including: cast out demons, speak with new tongues, take up serpents without fear of being bitten, drink anything without fear of being hurt by the content, and heal the sick Why was the important to Jesus to confirm The Word? Wasn’t it enough for the Disciples to simply testify of being a witness to Jesus’ ministry? The unsaved would require indisputable evidence that The Word was from The Lord God Almighty and not from men’s philosophies, traditions, or ideas. Has mankind changed one iota in their requirement for such confirmation today?

What part of the Great Commission is generally missing from the preaching today? The confirming signs. The church has embraced water baptism on a widespread basis but Jesus was focusing on being baptized in The Holy Spirit thus He directed the disciples to go to Jerusalem and tarry. On the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 souls were saved as it recorded by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 2:
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

Has Jesus changed His mind in His message to us who are maturing as Sons and Daughters?

There are major religions, customs, and beliefs which all claim to be “the way” that man should go.  What makes our path different?  A miracle-working GOD!  Even the most well-educated people and heads of state will seek out a simple, uneducated man of GOD if his ministry has the miraculous occurring.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 4:

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

This Truth and reality separates The Way from all other paths created by man’s own philosophies, traditions, and customs.  The GOD of Love has shown us the difference maker when a mature Son or Daughter is ready to establish the Kingdom on earth, walking in boldness, power, and authority.  We should not settle for anything less but FATHER’S perfect will.  There is no technology, methodology, diet, essential oil protocol, procedure, or medicine that can come close to FATHER’S perfect Will of healing and restoration.  Sure, these may be classified in HIS acceptable will, but shouldn’t we be praying for HIS perfect Will to manifest in our lives and ministry to a dying world?  Any other method of healing entrenches mankind into remaining in HIS acceptable will until they pass away.

What caused Pharaoh to let the children of Israel go?  Superior miracles to those which had been performed by Pharaoh’s sorcerers and magicians.  These men had tapped into the supernatural in a lawless manner but their miracles were no match and were consumed by FATHER’S miracles.  Once an indisputable miracle has occurred, men will pay attention to the message of The Gospel no matter how the messenger looks or speaks, it is that simple.

We need not ask for FATHER to rain down hailstones and wipe out the heathen.  Instead, we need to do the same thing the disciples did: be in unity, pray for boldness, power, and authority, then expect FATHER to respond to our prayer by His Holy Spirit confirming our commission.  This is how we spread the Truth and gain an audience who are desperate for answers.  It is that simple. 

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 4:

23 And being let go, they (Peter and John)  went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,

25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

​​‘​Why did the nations rage,

​​And the people plot vain things?

26 ​​The kings of the earth took their stand,

​​And the rulers were gathered together

​​Against the LORD and against His Christ.’ (Psalm 2:1-2)

27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together

28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Isn’t it time we start praying in unity in like fashion to those who were gathered together with Peter and John?  We now have the means to come together in unity without traveling from afar.  If you sense “now is the time” to come together in unity and want to be a part of a group who are committed to pray in a manner similar to those who gathered with Peter and John for a Spiritual awakening to take place, then email me at: unity153@gmail.com with a subject line of “Count me in”. 

This is not for the timid or unprepared but for those who have the deepest desire to fully walk according to THE SPIRIT.  We must have a singular eye toward bringing forth unconditional Love to a dying world like never before.  Some of us are called to pray and intercede.  Some of us are called to speak forth the Gospel and yet others are called to financially support the spreading of The Word.  In order for us to be fitly joined together, we must forsake not the “fellowshipping of the saints”.  Step 1 is to identify those who sense that this is the time and want to be a part of this gathering.  I don’t expect everyone who reads this to respond.  I could be wrong in what I am sensing, we will see.

You will need a computer with at least the audio is working, preferably one with a camera as well.  We now have the ability to gather together online and live from our own locale without the cost of traveling for frequent meetings.  Even if we find that no one is led to come together in the unity of Love, we will simply continue to teach the message given by The Holy Spirit on a daily basis until such time as this awakening occurs.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Colossians chapter 1:

19  For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son),

20  and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.  AMPL

And Matthew recorded by THE SPIRIT in Matthew chapter 3:

15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Are we satisfied to walk in just the acceptable Will of FATHER or should we expect to walk in the perfect Will of FATHER?  When we are to the point of being fully led by THE SPIRIT, we will be walking in HIS perfect Will thus we will be well pleasing unto FATHER.  This walk is only for those whose desire to be well pleasing has priority over all other aspects of their life.  They seek not the world’s solutions and ways but have discovered FATHER’S Wisdom and plan through HIS Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is truly the road less followed for it does not allow for the carnal man to be fed or exalted in any manner.  We are called to die to the flesh and allow the impact of Jesus’ work on the cross to permeate our souls.  We are no longer moved by the riches or accolades of the world but seek out the riches in Heaven which are the only enduring riches where there is no rust or corruption.

Agape Love guides us on a daily basis to seek no reward of self interest but instead we look for ways to be well pleasing to FATHER toward mankind, even those who have no current interest in HIS goodness.  We look forward to each day to see how The Holy Spirit would guide us and minister FATHER’S Love in the various situations we find ourselves in.  How else should we expect HIM to reconcile all men unto HIM unless The Holy Spirit draw them through those who are well pleasing unto HIM?

The ministry of The Holy Spirit is critical to those who are called to walk in the perfect Will of Our Heavenly Father.  Being baptized in The Holy Spirit will facilitate us walking in boldness and power as we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Consider what happened when the disciples received the baptism of The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2:

40 And with many other words he (Peter) testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,

45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

When is the last time you heard of 3,000 souls being added in response to a single message in a meeting?  When we walk in FATHER’S perfect Will, we should expect similar results.  Let us pursue the fullness of the ministry of The Holy Spirit so that we become well pleasing to FATHER.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 3:

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;

How many of us lose hope when we are dealing with a sickness, disease, or a malfunction in our body for an extended period of time?  Do we settle in to the notion that we must simply  suffer and get by for the rest of our life with the physical issue?  This lame man was well known for his physical deformity because he grew up being lame and had to be carried around all his life.  It became a custom for him to be taken to the gate of the temple to ask for alms so that he could live off the willingness of others to support him.  What better place to ask for help than at the entrance to the temple at the hour of prayer.  Would you be able to pray in good conscience if you had disregarded this man’s need?

Both Peter and John were in unity with those who had been baptized in the Holy Spirit, continuing daily with one accord in the temple.  Many signs and wonders were wrought by the disciples and those who received the baptism continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  This unity prepared the disciples for the next recorded event at the temple- confronting the lame man:

3 who (the lame man), seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.

4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”

5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Notice that the lame man immediately received healing for his deformity from birth and the necessary strength and ability to walk and leap.  There was no delay in learning to walk or leap for he was given the necessary means to physically act without going through the normal learning stage as babies and toddlers do.  His sense of balance was miraculously given to him in order for there to be no delay.  It is no wonder he was praising GOD. 

This miracle could not be rationalized away by alternative ideas and theories of the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees.  They could not deny the miracle of what just happened in their midst.  The veracity of what Peter and John were preaching was confirmed among the people so they knew their message was not just another idea or theory, it was the exact Truth and they had to deal with the reality of this Truth.

How long had the lame man had his condition?  In Acts chapter 4:

22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

We must not give up hope if we are currently suffering with a chronic condition, even if it is from birth.  FATHER’S Agape Love isn’t restricted by elapsed time and we should prepare ourselves with the hope and expectation of a miraculous restoration.  FATHER can and will remove any “spot or wrinkle” for those who Love HIM and there will be no exceptions, not even if we have suffered four decades or longer.

In Acts chapter 3, Peter healed the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the temple.  Everyone knew this lame man and when he was healed, he began walking, leaping, and praising God.  This miracle drew everyone’s attention and all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  It also drew the attention of the rulers, elders, and scribes.  Peter then preached the Gospel to those who gathered after witnessing and hearing of the miracle.  Many of those who heard The Word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.  When was the last time you heard of 5,000 men being saved in one meeting?

The excitement mounted as the word spread about this one miracle.  In Acts chapter 4, it is written by THE SPIRIT:

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,

6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,

10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’

12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Rest assured that those who are carnally minded will challenge us who are spiritually minded for we will challenge their current system in place which serves their selfish motives and livelihood.  Our message is Christ and being led by The Holy Spirit, we will speak only the exact Truth given to us by FATHER according to HIS perfect Will.  Isn’t this what Peter did after he had been filled with The Holy Spirit and had been breathed upon by Jesus?  The Beloved Disciple wrote in by THE  SPIRIT in John chapter 20:

21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Jesus took a very specific action to prepare the disciples for what lied ahead.  They received a boldness which had not been there prior to that point.  They were being prepared for a public ministry that would continue the ministry and message of Christ.  The fruit included miracles, signs, and wonders which drew the masses and confirmed The Word.  Those in positions of authority were amazed by the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Shouldn’t we expect Our Lord Jesus Christ to do the same in our midst?  Are we willing to be commissioned for the public ministry in like manner, not by some religious organization but Christ Himself?  Have we made a full commitment to Christ to follow Him and accept our part in establishing The Kingdom?

Speaking of five thousand men, the following video provides perspective when a large number of men come together in unity:  https://youtu.be/9nFE3VSBWG0