Servias Ministries Blog

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 1:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself

Jesus Christ is The Word manifested for our behalf.

The Word recreated us and we are a new creation, old things passed away.

The Word heals us.  Sickness is spiritual and is manifested in our physical bodies as disease.  We need not be ruled by sickness and disease any longer for we are a new creation in Christ Jesus.

The Word produces faith.

The Word unveils to us who we really are in Christ.

The Word is the manifestation of FATHER’S Love toward us.

The fact that you are reading this is a confirmation HE chose you!  Let there be no question.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 6:

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Most of us have yet to fully comprehend the extent of our ability to walk in the newness of life.  Our minds have placed a perceived limit on our ability to walk by THE SPIRIT in the newness of life.  Should we dare to press on to a higher standard of living?  Should we accept our current status quo of perceived limitation?  Our past should not determine our future.  We must accept The Word to be true and have sufficient power and authority to overcome any obstacle we encounter which would prevent of us from fully walking in the newness of life.

In order to rise above any perceived limitation, we must not be moved by the world’s rhetoric and understanding of the issues you and I face on a daily basis.  The Holy Spirit has perfect and complete knowledge of our individual situations and will guide us by FATHER’S Love into the fulfillment of our individual purposes.  We will have sufficiency to carry out our purpose and our hearts will be filled with joy and gratitude for these are attributes of walking in the newness of life.  Fear of the unknown will dissipate as our trust in FATHER’S Love and directives overtake our emotions.  Opportunities consistent with our purpose will surface and we will come to expect them as we walk in the newness of life.

The devil deceived Adam and Eve by redirecting their focus away from FATHER’S Word and redirecting it on the “external”.  As I look back on that last twenty years, I spent too much time looking at the external events and related prophecies.  By and large, the prophecies did not come to pass even though the “prophets” would in hindsight attempt to assign some subtle event as the fulfillment to their predictions.  Didn’t Jesus identify them as wolves in sheep’s clothing?  When we erase our ignorance by reading, studying, and fully embracing The Word, The Holy Spirit will guide us into all Truth.  As this occurs, we will walk in the newness of life.

5  For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection.

6  We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.

7  For the person who has died [with Christ] has been freed from [the power of] sin.

Let us not minimize the work of The Holy Spirit in our lives.  Jesus clearly stated the importance of The Holy Spirit in John chapter 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.

What a promise!  As we submit ourselves to The Holy Spirit, He will teach us all things we need to know in order to walk in the newness and fullness of life.  We will be fully led by THE SPIRIT just as Jesus was led by THE SPIRIT.  We will no longer be moved by the old man and the cares of the world.  Each of us will fulfill our purpose FATHER ordained when HE formed us in the womb.  Our joy will be full no matter what situation confronts us.  Our perceived limitations will fall away as scales from the eyes.  We will no longer see ourselves as unworthy but instead we will embrace FATHER’S Divine Intent of being fully matured Sons and Daughters.  We will then walk in the Glory of FATHER.

Most people rely on some physical means such as medicine, chemicals, radiation therapy, diet,  herbs, and/or supplements to deal with their sicknesses and diseases.  As my friend Dr. Speckhart used to say, “The body is designed to live forever and the body is designed to heal itself.”  Why aren’t we staying healthy?

By THE SPIRIT, Job wrote in chapter 2:

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

In Acts chapter 10, Peter spoke by THE SPIRIT:

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

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

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

The Scripture clearly states the source of sickness and disease- the devil.  Man has become skilled in treating the symptoms but there are typically complications of the treatment requiring the body to overcome the treatment’s side effects.  People have placed their trust in a lesser solution than the one that FATHER provides.  Thankfully, HE designed the body to be resilient thus giving us the opportunity to receive complete healing.  Who better to heal us than the ONE WHO designed us and formed us in the womb!

Why don’t people get healed by The Word?  The issue lies with fear, uncertainty, and doubt arising from the soul of man.  We are taught to have faith, to believe, and to be assured of FATHER’S Word concerning our healing.  We are told over and over to “fear not” and have faith in GOD.  We are responsible to build up our faith in the area of healing and restoration and remain “built up” so that we never lose the revelation of healing for us and others.  Our faith can become weak if we fail to keep our strength up in this area.  When the world is constantly offering its alternatives to healing, our minds begin to passively accept the world’s solutions unless we stay strong in The Word in the area of healing and restoration. 

Our focus can be misdirected into looking at the outward issues of the world resulting in us sacrificing the inward development, revelation, and retention of The Word in our lives.  I know first hand of what I am writing about.  I failed in this area twice which nearly cost me my life.  Both times, 33 years apart, FATHER spoke to me and reminded me of why I was severely afflicted by the devil.  I repented and corrected my priorities.  I reset my priorities and began planting healing Scriptures (aka seed) in my heart which started restoring my body to normal.  I am surely not alone in this area.

People have diluted their understanding of the devil and have subtly challenge the devil’s existence as a separate entity.  FATHER has clearly revealed the devil and his demons as separate forces we must deal with and overcome.  The Holy Spirit will differentiate the source of our problems whether they come from the devil or our soulish nature.  The devil is not omnipresent so we must not assume every issue we face is from him.  However, sickness and disease are clearly sourced from the devil else the above Scriptures would not have been written.

The world will continue to offer its solutions of healing for money whereas  FATHER freely offers the true solution.  There are many in the medical field who have virtuous motives and are helping people by relieving their suffering.  in the big picture, they are sustaining them in order that the patients have the opportunity to be restored by Christ’s sacrifice.  Only Christ can make us whole and be fully cured of disease when our bodies are unable to repair, restore, and return to normal.  One of FATHER’S seven primary characteristics is to be our Healer.  Let us embrace that revelation and be fully restored so that we will be able to mature and fulfill what Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 4:

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

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 1:

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written:

​​​“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

​​And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

It is amusing to look back at the “wisdom of the wise” of this world in just about any category of history.  First of all, they are all dead and their wisdom did not defy physical death.  Secondly, those who accumulated wealth did not take any of it with them.  What was the point to their excessive focus on wealth?  None.  Thirdly, most doctors did not outlive many of their patients so their training did not extend their lives.  So much for the wisdom of the world.

FATHER’S Wisdom surpasses man’s ability to fully understand HIS ways.  After all, man was created to be lower than GOD, not equal, thus his capacity to bring the earth into full subjection without GOD just won’t happen. 

FATHER established a set of laws governing all aspects of HIS creation and left nothing to chance.  Each law complements the other laws in some order and fashion.  Is it better to seek to discover, know, and use all the laws FATHER established or know the ONE WHO established the laws and be led by HIS SPIRIT and HIS Wisdom in all matters?  What a simple answer yet man continues to select and be guided by the wrong answer and finds himself perpetually in bondage under the law of scarcity.

Men go to war because of their scarcity orientation and their quest for power which is always short-lived.  What foolishness!  Men and women try to change their gender because of their confused emotional state.  Did FATHER get it wrong in the womb?  I think not.  HIS Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill were all fully activate when HE formed each of us in the womb.  Sorry, HE did not make a mistake so the solution to the confusion isn’t resolved by surgery and drugs, it is found elsewhere.

Jesus consistently defied man’s wisdom as He preached and healed the people.  The brightest doctors of the time were unable to heal the people yet Jesus healed them all.  To this day, modern medicine cannot restore a leper but Jesus did and still can.  To this day, the brightest minds cannot multiply loaves and fishes to feed the hungry.  Jesus revealed the foolishness of man during His earthly ministry.  Man’s stubbornness is centered around his ego.  How wise is it to live a life of scarcity while you are trying to disprove the power of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Doesn’t wisdom simply tell us to look at the history of the earth and man to see those who were blessed and those who were cursed?  Why should any of us spend one more day pursuing man’s solution to the problems persistently plaguing the world when we have a solution to our problems staring us in the eye?  Quit listening to your ego’s attempt to call anything foolish which you don’t understand.  Simply be led by The Holy Spirit and fellowship with FATHER for HE will instruct us in Truth and lead us into all understanding.  The simplicity of HIS directives will defy the wisdom of the world and they will stand in bewilderment at our success.  Who are truly the foolish ones?

To those who are financially supporting Servias Ministries, we thank you!  May this be good and fertile soil for you to plant your financial seeds of Love offerings!

Have you prayed in the past and never received the answer or resolution to your petition?  It wasn’t that FATHER was unavailable or too busy, the problem revolves around our lack of knowledge, understanding, or faith.  We are given an example of unanswered prayer when we come down with sickness or disease.  James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 5:

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

The above passage deals with several issues associated with prayer.  If we are suffering, we should pray.  In order to receive an answer to prayer, we must know what Jesus died for when He went to the cross.  He clearly died for the restoration of our souls and our bodies so we should not hesitate to pray concerning afflictions in either area.  Our prayer must be accompanied by faith and faith comes by hearing and receiving the Word.  If we don’t know the Word, then how can we be assured that we are praying according to FATHER’S Will?  James accounts for those who are weak in this area by having the “elders” pray.  The elders are those who are fully equipped to pray for others because they have the revelation in regard to praying for the sick… they have faith.  The elders have a history of fruitfulness and know FATHER hears them because they know HIS promises and have had success in this area.  These writings are intended to mature the reader and achieve the same success experienced by the elders mentioned above.

We must let go of the unanswered prayers of the past and focus on the “now”.  Repent and move on.  People get into analysis paralysis and keep themselves from focusing on today.  If we are unfruitful in an area, the problem lies with us, not FATHER.  We need to focus on HIS promises and immerse ourselves in the Word applicable to our situation.  We must admit our past mistakes and any unrighteousness FATHER shows us concerning our past.  Let all the wood, hay, and stubble be removed from our midst so that our prayers will become effective and we no longer ask amiss.  Let us pray in a fervent, sincere manner.

Some people pray for things that are contrary to their purpose.  They are often drawn away by lust and pursue another path which is not meant for them.  James wrote in chapter 4:

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?

2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

​​​“God resists the proud,

​​But gives grace to the humble.”

When we pray for things that move us away from our relationship with FATHER, HE will not respond to our request.  Soulish pleasures which promote lawlessness will certainly cause a break in fellowship with FATHER.  HE is not against us having nice things as long as we are not moved by our possessions.  HIS Tabernacle in the wilderness was exquisite but it did not impact HIS Character or change HIS Divine Will.  If we ask for something that will negatively impact our purpose and negatively affect our path, we are asking amiss.

Let us bury the past and repent of those unanswered prayers that have become hindrances to our current prayer life.  Let our prayers conform to the promises in Scripture we know to be HIS Word applicable to our situation.  If we don’t know HIS Word in an area, let us study to show ourselves approved.  Let the Word dwell richly in our hearts so that we can be effective when we pray.

In Genesis chapter 2, FATHER spoke:

15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;

17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

This is the first instance of FATHER speaking a commandment (a Divine rule) to man.  FATHER fully intended for man to trust HIM and abide by the rule set forth.  Adam knew FATHER and also knew that HE created Heaven and earth, yet in his own soul, he had the ability to distrust as well.  This commandment had not been challenged or distrusted so man had not yet seen the consequences of breaking this rule.  Adam was to soon find out the ramifications of distrusting FATHER when he and Eve were removed from the garden and direct fellowship with FATHER.

In Genesis chapter 3:

1 Now the serpent was more cunning 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’?”

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.’ ”

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 serpent appealed to man’s logic.  After all, there was no evidence of the ramification of breaking the commandment; nothing written, no history to assess, only FATHER’S Word.  Trust focuses on expected acts and events of the future.  It is closely tied to faith and belief.  FATHER has given us HIS Word to trust so that we will not die, but have everlasting life.  Is there anyone else with the ability or capacity to make such a statement?  Can the created supersede the Creator’s Word?  Who is more trustworthy than Jesus Christ, the manifested Word of GOD?  Who has a more pure motive for out best interest than the One Who created us?

There are many who claim or insinuate they are prophets, but can we trust their prophecies?  If their prophecies do not come to pass, they are false prophets and those who have closely followed them have generally received some form of damage in their lives.  We must be careful who we place our trust in even though they appear to be well educated or well informed.  They may have been somewhat successful in their predictions of past events but that does not make them a prophet.  After all, you have a 50% chance of picking a winner in any game.  We must place our trust and focus on FATHER’S Word and the Words given to us by The Holy Spirit.  I have been duped many times in the past by so-called prophets myself.  Some may prophesy and steer clear of saying anything that would directly challenge the written Word.  This is when we must rely on The Holy Spirit to be our witness, not our logic or flesh.

Jesus warned us of false prophets in Matthew chapter 7:

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Each of us has a responsibility to observe the fruit of those who lead us to believe they are prophets.  We must be fruit inspectors.  If the “prophet’s” word does not come true, or if he promotes a course of action as though FATHER directed it and it does not produce good fruit, then we must steer clear of them.  Jesus said to beware of them for there are negative consequences of following them.  I trust the Words of Jesus and you should too.

Many believers are content to focus only on prophecy because they want to rely on some future date for the miraculous power from On High to come down and suddenly anoint them to minister.  In the meantime, people are suffering and dying around them on a daily basis.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 6:

1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

2 For He says:

​​​“In an acceptable time I have heard you,

​​And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

​Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Each day you and I should walk in the sensitivity of The Holy Spirit.  Now is the time to minister Love to those around us, not on some future date.  We don’t need a sign or wait until some feast day to minister life to those who are in desperate need.  Did Jesus wait until Sunday to heal the sick and preach the Gospel?  Did He say “I am conducting revivals only on Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.”?  Does FATHER only answer prayers certain times of the year and leave us to our own devices during off days?  I can assure you that every one of these writings which are posted virtually every day are given to me by HIS SPIRIT else I would only write a few times each year.  I thank FATHER that HE is a now GOD, not a future GOD or a past GOD.  HE is “I AM”, not I WAS or I WILL BE.

Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 12:

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.

17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’

18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’

20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

People often lift wealthy people up on a pedestal because they think they have some type of special “anointing” on them.  I have seen this sad reality many times over the years.  People want to be closely associated with a wealthy person as though some of their wealth will transfer to them  and impact their future ability to gain wealth.  Their words and actions simply feed the ego of the wealthy person as well as their own.  In the meantime, they pass up many opportunities to minister to those in need.  The above parable provides the reality of the temporary nature of wealth and the sadness connected to its hold on people.  The rich man was found lacking in his relationship with GOD.  The rich man was a short-term thinker and lacked true wisdom.  We must realize that as we fulfill our purpose and fellowship with FATHER, HE will bless the work of our hands and we will have sufficiency.  As Jesus said, “Watch out and guard yourselves against every form of greed; for not even when one has an overflowing abundance does his life consist of nor is it derived from his possessions.”

We don’t have to wait until we have achieved some milestone in our life in order to serve FATHER in some capacity.  We can and should be walking now according to HIS SPIRIT.  Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation!  Quit waiting.

Peter wrote by THE SPIRIT in his 2 epistle chapter 3:

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,

6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Are you ready for a major societal change on the earth?  I know I am.  Nations continue on the precipice of war, economies are teetering toward collapse, and lawlessness is abounding.  However, FATHER is not slack in HIS judgment nor HIS longsuffering:

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

It is critical for us to focus on our individual purposes rather than world events.  FATHER will administer change on this earth according to HIS timing, not ours.  HE continues to mature HIS remnant so at the appropriate time, the remnant will be lifted up as a worldwide standard and expose the sin and lawlessness which has crept into society.  HE will express HIS power and authority through those who have maintained pure hearts and minds in the midst of all this lawlessness.  Those who continue in HIS Word and implicitly trust It will be rewarded accordingly.  It is not how you start the race that counts, it is how you end it.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 2:

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We must hold onto this revelation no matter what challenge comes our way.  Let us not be discouraged by what we see and hear but let us rest in the Truth that we are HIS workmanship and placed on this earth at this time to fulfill HIS Will.  When we truly grasp this particular verse, we will rest though chaos is all around us.  We will not be moved by world events or the rhetoric of those who are in power… temporarily.  FATHER will lift up men and women who HE determines to be vessels of honor to be a light unto the world.  The vessels will be fully empowered to express HIS Divine Intent moment by moment.  Signs and wonders will follow this ministry so that there will be no question left in anyone’s mind.  The harvest will truly be great and the focus of men will turn back to the Kingdom.  Heaven will come to earth and spread like wildfire.  The fiery Word will come forth from the mouths of the remnant and will burn away the wood, hay, and stubble of the doctrines of men.

Are you feeling a little discouraged?  If so, stir up your mind with HIS promises for HE is not slack concerning them!

One year ago, I was within days of death.  For the fifth time, FATHER delivered me from the adversary and certain death.  Some of you may have come close to death as well and have a greater appreciation for the following Psalm.  Once you have had an experience of this nature, it changes your priorities and your boldness for THE LORD increases.  Your interest in worldly things decreases and you understand that relationships and fellowship is what life is all about.  It seems as those your capacity to Love increases as well even though it was there all the time but you didn’t realize it.  Dwell and meditate on this Psalm today and you will be blessed with peace and rest:

Psalm 116:

1  I love the Lord, because He hears [and continues to hear]
My voice and my supplications (my pleas, my cries, my specific needs).

2  Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.

3  The cords and sorrows of death encompassed me,
And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;
I found distress and sorrow.

4  Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, please save my life!”

5  Gracious is the Lord, and [consistently] righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.

6  The Lord protects the simple (childlike);
I was brought low [humbled and discouraged], and He saved me.

7  Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

8  For You have rescued my life from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from stumbling and falling.

9  I will walk [in submissive wonder] before the Lord
In the land of the living.

10  I believed [and clung to my God] when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted.”

11  I said in my alarm,
“All men are liars.”

12  What will I give to the Lord [in return]
For all His benefits toward me?
[How can I repay Him for His precious blessings?]

13  I will lift up the cup of salvation
And call on the name of the Lord.

14  I will pay my vows to the Lord,
Yes, in the presence of all His people.

15  Precious [and of great consequence] in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His godly ones [so He watches over them].

16  O Lord, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid;
You have unfastened my chains.

17  I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call on the name of the Lord.

18  I will pay my vows to the Lord,
Yes, in the presence of all His people,

19  In the courts of the Lord’s house (temple)—
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)  (AMPL)