Servias Ministries Blog

By THE SPIRIT, Mark wrote in chapter 6:

53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.

54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him (Jesus),

55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.

56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

This is a passage worthy of much contemplation so let us visualize the scene here.  The people of the area had already heard of Jesus’ ministry, especially His ability to heal the sick.  The impact of His deserved reputation was so great, people acted immediately by seeking out all those who were sick and placing them in the expected path of Jesus.  Can you imagine how many sick were at the marketplace vying for a position in close proximity to the path of Jesus?  The people were desperate for a complete solution to their health issues.  Jesus’ anointing was fully adequate to flow out through just the hem of His garment and completely heal those who touched Him in faith.

There has been commentary in the past as to the significance of His hem.  It is said that the hem of the outer garment is where the Law was written.  I suggest that the “Law” of Love is what the people touched.  Love flowed out of Jesus and healed the sick.  The people of Gennesaret heard of Jesus’ ministry of healing the sick and then they saw the ministry in action.  How many who touched His garment were healed?  All!

Was this anointing restricted to Jesus?  Not at all.  In Acts chapter 5:

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.

16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Once again, people heard of the anointing to heal but this time it was through the apostles.  An apostle is simply “one who is sent”.  To be sent, one must be a committed believer and mature in Christ.  Today, as we mature in Christ, shouldn’t we expect the same anointing to operate as well?  Isn’t Jesus Christ the same today as He was then?  Was this level of anointing restricted to just His and Peter’s ministry?  Not at all.  We must raise our expectations and prayer life so that we can truly expect this level of anointing as well.  It takes full commitment along with the expectation that FATHER will confirm HIS Word with signs following.  It takes both Love and faith to be operating in our lives.  Let us no longer expect anything less.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 3:

3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

FATHER’S Love is unconditional thus HIS faithfulness to HIS Word is unconditional.  The Jews were given the oracles of GOD yet many did not believe when they were in the wilderness and their unbelief kept them from entering the Promised Land.  However, Joshua and Caleb kept HIS Word in their hearts and led the next generation into The land of milk and honey.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Hebrews chapter 10:

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

These writings are meant to exhort you to good works by stirring up Agape Love in you.  This applies to me as well.  As FATHER provides me HIS daily topic, I am exhorted to walk according to the Word HE has given.  HE has imparted not only HIS Word in a broad sense, but has provided us with time-sensitive details for us to grow by and walk in on a daily basis.

“So much the more” indicates greater intensity as the Day approaches of Christ’s return.  What will He see in us when He returns?  Will He see and acknowledge great Love and great faith when we stand before Him?  Will our priorities align with His or have we grown cold?  Let us not waver in our daily walk of starting the day with HIS Word in us and then let us go forth minister Love and express the Life of Christ for all to see.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians chapter 5:

20  So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.

21  He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]. (AMPL)

An ambassador is a person who acts as a credible representative on behalf of the Kingdom.  We have been directed to express FATHER’S desire for all men to be reconciled to HIM.  As representatives of the Kingdom, we are to act accordingly and be ready to minister at all times.  Only those who are mature in Christ are selected for this position as a representative.  Let us immerse ourselves in the nature of Our Lord Jesus Christ by meditating on His sayings so that we will properly represent Him to the world.  Let us rely on the faithfulness of FATHER’S Word to transform us by the renewing of our minds.  What can be a more important use of our time?

Love takes care of those who are unable to take care of themselves.  Love also directs us to support those who are called to serve The Body of Christ by ministering The Word.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Timothy chapter 5:

9  A widow is to be put on the list [to receive regular assistance] only if she is over sixty years of age, [having been] the wife of one man,

10  and has a reputation for good deeds; [she is eligible] if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints (God’s people), if she has assisted the distressed, and has devoted herself to doing good in every way.

In order to fulfill the directive to financially support the widow in this case, there must be infrastructure to do so.  There also must be a willingness for the believers to support those on “the list”.  We at Servias Ministries have maintained the infrastructure to act as a treasury for the Body of Christ and continue in our willingness to act in this manner but it takes cheerful givers to fill the treasury.  We stand ready to function both as a depository and and agent for disbursement to those who qualify to be on the list.  Obviously the giving must occur before distribution can happen so it is up to those who have a heart for giving to take action first.

I admit that I have to overcome a certain reluctance in writing on this topic since I know how sensitive people get about giving.  Over the years I have heard virtually every excuse of why people would not give.  Sorrowfully, each excuse fails to consider Love and faith in FATHER’S willingness to supply all  of one’s needs.  People forget that you leave all those temporary assets behind when you physically die.  Others use the excuse of leaving an inheritance for family members which often means the children do not have to develop their own faith and trust in FATHER.

Paul further wrote:

17  The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ].

It does take time and resources for those who minister to the believers to seek FATHER and deliver a message to the Body.  Should they be less important in the overall scheme of things?  FATHER intends there to be a dynamic flow of resources to all members of the Body of Christ in order for all members to function according to their purpose.  It is similar to blood flow in the physical body.  If blood is restricted to an area of the body, that area begins to die and becomes of no use to the body.  The rest of the body will ultimately suffer and be impaired.  The same is true in the Spiritual.

I don’t choose the topics I write on, FATHER does.  I suppose HE is giving notice to those who have ears to hear.  It is up to each member of the Body of Christ to hear and act in response.  We are truly grateful to those who have given in the past.  Some give on a monthly basis which encourages us.  However, the need is great and we should not allow the burden to be carried by a few faithful givers.  Those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly and Paul had no problem in bringing this issue to the forefront.  Neither does FATHER.

PS: Don’t shoot the messenger.

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated, He preached to the people.  He began with the Beatitudes and covered several topics.  We have a tendency to compartmentalize the Scripture but we should look at all the topics He covered in this one sermon on the mountain:

We are the salt of the earth

Christ Fulfills the Law

Murder Begins in the Heart

Adultery in the Heart

Marriage Is Sacred and Binding

Jesus Forbids Oaths

Go the Second Mile

Love Your Enemies

Do Good to Please God

The Model Prayer (The LORD’S Prayer)

Fasting to Be Seen Only by God

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

The Lamp of the Body (is the eye)

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

Do Not Worry

Do Not Judge

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

The Narrow Way

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

I Never Knew You (who practice lawlessness)

Jesus ended His message on the mountain in Matthew chapter 7:

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”

Trials and tribulation will come our way for the adversary goes about seeking whom he may devour.  However as we become doers of The Word, we will be able to withstand all the challenges which are set before us.  Our foundation of Love will overcome all obstacles, challenges, and trials.  Jesus intends for us to be well-rounded in our walk and thus He covered many topics in just one sitting.  If we will contemplate those topics He covered and walk accordingly, our foundation will remain strong.  He clearly stated the key to success: we must be doers of The Word.

Jesus shared the reality of those who are hearers only:

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

If we fail to heed His Word, then He warns us of the consequences.  We will suffer in some manner, possibly on many fronts.  Jesus set many detailed expectations in this sermon on the mount but they can all be accomplished if we will walk in unconditional Love.  Our motivation of Love will guide us in our daily walk and we will fulfill each of these areas with a joyful heart.  How did the people respond?

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,

29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Love says: Be a Doer of The Word.

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

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right, power, and authority to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

When you and I received Jesus Christ in our hearts, we were immediately given the right, power, and authority to becomes Sons and Daughters of Our Heavenly Father.  Our initial state was that of a baby and thus we needed to go through a maturing process.  This process is not based on time as it is in the physical world but is based on our decision to pursue a growing relationship with FATHER.  This takes commitment and focus on our part.  We are required to make decisions because FATHER in HIS unfathomable Love and wisdom, has given us the choice to walk according to HIS ways or continue walking in the ways of the world.

When we walk according to the world, we walk away from the light and into outer darkness which promotes blindness.  The further you are from light, the less intensity you are able to observe.  If you are a great distance, the light will become dim.  However, if you walk toward the light, it will become bright and remove the darkness surrounding you.  This is true in the Spiritual.

FATHER has given us rights, power, and authority if we will only walk according to HIS precepts.  As we dwell and meditate on HIS Word daily, we will realize and embrace our rights.  As we embrace HIS Love, we will be given power because HE can trust us to not abuse the power.  In this mature state, we will walk in authority in a similar manner to our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ.  We will have achieved the level of faith that embraces all three aspects of being Sons and Daughters: our rights, power, and authority.  This is exactly what the world needs today.  We are not waiting on FATHER, HE is waiting for us to fully embrace The Way.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Philippians chapter 4:

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We all have challenges of varying degrees.  There are times when everything seems to be going as planned, and other times when nothing is working out as expected.  As we trust and rely on Our Heavenly Father to provide for us in all circumstances, we will be able to walk in peace no matter what we face on a day to day basis.

Our circumstances are temporary by nature thus they are always subject to change.  This is why we should place our trust on the Rock of our salvation for He is unwavering in His Love for us.  Paul further wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 15:

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Dealing with obstacles is part of our walk and calling, so let us be steadfast and immovable just like Our Heavenly Father.  We trust in HIM and as the world sees us as being fully trustworthy and walking in unwavering faith, they will begin to trust us in the same manner.  As we are proven to be steadfast and immovable, people will be drawn to us as their world falls apart before their eyes.  We have become long-term in our perspective in a world where short-term thinking is predominant.  Having decades of experience in my walk with FATHER, I know first hand what Paul refers to when he mentions the highs and lows.  I can tell you that the lows will test your faith so it is wise to build your faith when things are going well so you won’t be moved when the world seems to fall apart.

How many of us are willing to rejoice in our sufferings?  Paul also wrote by THE SPIRIT in Colossians chapter 1:

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

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

Let’s face it, all of us will suffer at some point in our lives as we walk out our calling.  People who promote the world’s way will attempt to belittle us and attack our calling.  This is no different  than when Jesus walked out His ministry.  He was not moved by their criticisms so let us be immovable as well.  We should maintain the same attitude as Paul and “rejoice” in our sufferings for Christ.  In the end, we will receive our reward from FATHER.

By THE SPIRIT, Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 3:

20  Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us (Amplified Version)

I suspect many of us need to be refreshed in FATHER’S promises to us.  Our prayer life may not be at the level it ought to be and may have become more of a tradition than a true conversation with Our Heavenly Father.  Some may have gone days, weeks, or months without direct communication with FATHER.  Others may have reestablished communication because of some disastrous event beyond their control and are now desperate for a solution to their problem.  Our Heavenly Father is patiently waiting for our desire to commune with HIM on a daily basis.

The greatest power in the universe resides on the inside of us waiting for us to properly access HIS power motivated by Love.  When you love someone, you want to constantly be around that person on a daily basis.  FATHER Loves us beyond our greatest expectation and seeks to do good in our lives.  HIS capabilities are without question and HE seeks to intervene in our daily affairs just as HE did in His Most Holy Son.  HE also wants us to have the same heart for others as HE does for us.  We must look beyond their weaknesses and error in order to see what FATHER sees in them.  Many are led by fear and selfishness because they don’t realized FATHER wants to look out for their best interest.  They lack peace and try to compensate for it in a worldly way.

James wrote in chapter 5:

16b The heartfelt and persistent (fervent) prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

Isn’t this indicative of how Jesus prayed during His earthly ministry?  He understood FATHER’S power and accessed this power in every situation thus He provided us the perfect example of what we should expect when we come before FATHER.  Only our lack of full maturity will keep us from operating in the same manner so let us not grow weary but press on to the high mark set before us.  The early church understood FATHER’s power and operated accordingly.  In Acts chapter 5, it is recorded by THE SPIRIT:

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.

16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Was the ministry of the disciples after their empowerment any different than Jesus’ earthly ministry?  The people observed that being in close proximity to Peter’s shadow was sufficient for being healed.  Peter received the revelation Paul referred to in Ephesians 3:20.  This power continues to be accessible to us today if we will continue pressing in as did the disciples in their day.  FATHER is not willing that any should perish or be sick so let us pursue HIS power through our unwavering faith in HIM but with a motivation of Love for mankind.

Trust is the firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.  Trust is often determine by the motivation of a person and once you have been around the person, you begin to sense his or her motivation by corresponding actions.  At the highest level, one who is fully motivated by Agape Love is the one you can completely trust in all areas.  You can trust that person with the keys to your house as well as your welfare in all circumstances.  That person will not exploit your relationship for his or her benefit.  In Luke chapter 16, Jesus spoke:

1 He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.

2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

If you or I are called to give account of our stewardship as aspiring overcomers in Christ, what would Our Heavenly Father say?  Are we becoming more trustworthy or less?  Are we walking in a greater level of Agape Love or have we grown cold toward others?  Is our household enjoying greater peace or less?  Would Our Heavenly Father be pleased?  It is important that we be honest with ourselves concerning our walk and this is best done by looking at our actions rather than just our words of intent.  What would others say about us, would they praise us or accuse us?

The unjust steward was required to give an account of his stewardship to the Owner of the assets and the steward was found to be untrustworthy while the Owner was away.  Aren’t we all stewards of the life FATHER has given us?  HE formed us in the womb and breathed life into us so that we could walk this earth.  In addition, HE sent HIS Word (Jesus Christ) to dwell among us and show us the Way to become fully trustworthy.  Once we were given the revelation of Jesus Christ and became believers, we were expected to develop into trustworthy stewards of that revelation.  We were warned to flee from evil and guard our hearts against the attempts of the adversary to steer us away from righteousness.  In this parable, greed or love of money was the primary issue.

9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [that is, your earthly possessions or anything else you trust in and rely on instead of God].”

As we grow in maturity in Christ, our faith in FATHER becomes greater than our faith in man’s resources.  Didn’t we trust our souls to FATHER when we received salvation?  How much more should we trust our daily affairs to HIM by expecting HIM to lead and guide us as we navigate our walk on this earth.  As our faith grows, our trust IN HIM grows for faith and trust are intertwined together.

Has any of us ever been untrustworthy?  Absolutely, for we were all sinners and had to deal with the old man.  As we allow Love to become our motivation, our trustworthiness increases.  Since GOD is Love, HE is totally trustworthy and HIS Word is sure!

As unrighteousness in man is revealed, we must not let our peace be taken from us.  Our current world systems contain much unrighteousness and it is likely to be revealed sooner than later.  Let us place our trust in FATHER’S Word toward us so that when the revealing occurs, we are found to be trustworthy and are qualified to be stewards for The Kingdom.

People thrive on a mystery which often involves a conspiracy.  People buy millions of mystery books each year to satisfy their desire to have mysteries revealed to them.  There are always twists and turns and we find the unexpected at the end of the book.  The most important mystery of the ages occurred in Paul’s time- the mystery of Christ.  Paul speaks of this mystery in Ephesians chapter 3:

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—

2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,

3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,

4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),

5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel

Paul in essence was also a mystery writer after having the revelation of the mystery be made known to him.  We too can become “mystery writers” by walking in the revelation of Our Lord Jesus Christ toward others.  As we become immersed in the writings of Paul and others in the New Testament, we will become fully equipped to share the mystery of exceeding, great riches of FATHER and how others can have access to those riches which have been hidden before their very eyes.  Paul further wrote:

8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him

We now have full access to the manifold Wisdom of Our Heavenly Father.  By Love, HE has opened up our eyes of understanding so that we can deal with the principalities and powers thus we are no longer subjected to their devices if we will only walk according to the mystery revealed to us.  It is imperative that we study and dwell on all aspects of this mystery so that we can walk according to the revelation given to us by HIS Love.

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—

19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us

The mystery centers around Agape Love and if we will seek to comprehend all facets of this Love, we will be filled with the fullness of FATHER.  There is a “mysterious” power associated with Agape Love which enables us to operate in a power which gives us the ability to receive what is beyond the greatest of our expectations.  If you like to solve mysteries, this is the ultimate mystery.  Let us continue our pursuit.