Servias Ministries Blog

In Matthew chapter 15, Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman:

21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”

23 But He answered her not a word.

In these three verses, the woman effectively makes three statements:

I know who you are.

I know who I am.

Let’s get this thing done.

This woman knew that Jesus could heal AND she knew that He was a royal descendent of King David  thus He had the power and authority to deal with her demon-possessed daughter.  What did Jesus say in response?  Nothing!  However, she already knew that He could resolve her issue and did not depart being rejected and disheartened.  Instead she persisted and the disciples interjected:

And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”

24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Seemingly Jesus agrees with the disciples but yet He is actually testing the woman and at the same time teaching the disciples a lesson.  The disciples are focused only on their own people and are not interested in ministering to strangers of another nation.  The woman continues to press Him:

25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”

Many would have stopped just before this point and assume that it is not FATHER’S will to heal.  I say to you that healing and health is one of HIS character traits (Jehovah Rapha: Exodus 15:26) and that we must not take no for an answer when we are confronted with a situation contrary to HIS will.  Jesus posed the situation where He is called to focus on the children of Israel but she would not be denied:

26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

She knew Jesus had enough power and authority to heal her daughter and that it was not only designated and restricted to the children of Israel.  Rather than accept the fact that He was called to Israel, she challenged His response.  How many of us would do the same?  This woman was tenacious and desperate to see her daughter made whole.  How desperate and determined are you for the fullness of FATHER to come your way?  Can’t you imagine that the disciples were getting irritated with this woman?  She was messing up their church doctrine and needed to leave and quit bothering their Master.  Now, Jesus brings forth the punch line:

28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Jesus answered her request and healed the daughter without even being there, similar to the encounter with the centurion.  He specifically acknowledged the reality that one can have “great” faith versus little or no faith.  At the same time He made the point that your faith would be tested and your request may not come immediately without strong resolve.  How convinced are you that healing is for today?  How convinced are you that FATHER has resources ready to deploy on your behalf?  Press in my friend!

Yes, people can be demon-possessed.  Jesus did not dispute the issue with the daughter but instead He healed her.  You don’t have to physically be in the same room for the power and authority to operate.  Healing is for all of mankind, not just the few.  Jesus did not even know the daughter but was willing to answer her need thus He expressed Love for the stranger.

29 Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there.

FATHER had specifically sent Jesus to heal the daughter and demonstrate HIS Love for ALL of mankind by showing the disciples that the Gentiles were to receive the Gospel as well.  This is what the trip was all about.  If FATHER sends you on a mission under one assumption and when you get there, HE has you do something else, don’t be surprised.  If HE had divulged the underlying mission, you may have resisted because of your current understanding.  When HE says go, GO!  This is what great faith does and this is how Love responds.

How many times have people failed you?  It is a challenge for people to keep their word and be consistent with their actions but FATHER does not change.  HE is totally consistent and reliable or else the planets would have fallen out of their orbits long ago.

Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”

Our faith must be based on this Truth- FATHER does not change.  HIS Divine Intent is manifested both in actions and HIS Word.  The effect of HIS Intent is seen in the planets, stars, and all life on this planet.  Nothing is here by chance, not even you.

Once we have built our foundation of Love, we are finally ready to grow in faith that is pure.  The past age focused on faith without the complete foundation of Love and many stumbled in their attempt to “name it and claim it”.

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please HIM, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

We must activate our faith in order to be pleasing to FATHER and we must not just sit around and do nothing.  I doubt if your calling has no activity associated with it.  There is work to be done but it should be according to the purpose HE placed in each of us.  We must be led by THE SPIRIT as we walk out our calling.  We should not be dragged like a rebellious child who has dug his heels in resisting his parent.  We should embrace the work for which we have been called .  In James chapter 2 we read:

18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Faith produces, talk is cheap.  Are you sitting around watching TV or burning up hours surfing the Internet or are you make a difference by the working of your faith?  There are degrees of faith- no faith, little faith, and great faith.  Which describes you?

I would suggest that as your trust increases in the consistency of FATHER’S Word, your faith will increase.  I would also say as you rely on HIS Voice and see the result, your faith will increase.  Additionally, if you would recall all the interventions by FATHER in your life and dwell on them, your faith would increase.

How many people have relied on others and have ended up on the wrong path?  The number is countless.  Man should not be the source of your faith, FATHER is the ONE WHO rewards them that diligently seek HIM.  There will be times of mundane work and it may seem like you are called to watch paint dry.  Consider that all of this is to mold you into a man or woman of great faith.  Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1:

3  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Faith, hope, and Love are all necessary, the greatest being Love.  But the work of faith should not be forgotten.  Jesus walked in faith as He went about preaching the Gospel and healing the sick.  He acted out what He heard FATHER instruct Him.  There are those who would claim they have only heard “Be still” as Psalm 46 notes:

10  Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

Yet the NASB version says:

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

We must quit looking for the easy way out by doing nothing.  There is a time to be still in order to hear FATHER’S Voice.  But after HE gives you a directive, just do it.  There is a tendency for those with greater revelation to isolate themselves from the populous as though they would negatively impact their beliefs.  I say to you that Jesus had no problem being among tax collectors, harlots, and others who society looked down upon.  FATHER created all men.

As you continue to take on FATHER’S character, you should expect to walk in great faith, become consistent, and change not.

In Ephesians chapter 3 under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote:

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,

There is power in you whether you know it or not.  In the fall of the year, our oak trees drop literally thousands of acorns.  Each acorn has the power to become a majestic oak tree and only needs the right conditions to cause it to become what it was designed to be.  If the conditions are right, it will be productive and start growing.  Our inner man contains the blueprint or design for our individual calling.  The power is there and is waiting to be activated.

Faith is required for the manifestation of HIS plan to occur in your life.  If you simply sit on the couch day in and day out waiting for some supernatural event to take place, you will be sorely disappointed.  Jesus Himself told Joseph and Mary that He must be about His FATHER’S business.  He didn’t just sit in the corner of His room with his legs crossed waiting to be empowered.  He listened and He responded for that is what faith does.  Each time you hear and respond, your faith grows.

In order for the acorn to grow, it must be placed in nutrient-rich soil and watered.  In order for our faith to properly grow we must be rooted and grounded in Love.  You must not attempt to bypass this Truth or you will fall into the ditch as many have done in the past when they solely focused on faith without Love.  When faith operates without Love, greed enters in and you ultimately are led astray.

When you have the foundation of Love you will be able to comprehend deeper Truths that surpass the understanding of natural man.  You will be shown mysteries reserved for the initiated and you will be filled with the fullness of FATHER.  HE will activate and authenticate your calling to minister to a world in need.  Your age, race, sex, or education matters not for your calling isn’t conditional and based on your past performance or failure.  HIS grace and mercy are sufficient in all cases.

What does “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” mean to you?  Are you going to limit FATHER’S work in your life?  HE gives you the choice to live in the manner you desire.  You are not destined to be “poor folk” just getting by until you die.  Your destiny is only restricted by your willingness to allow HIM to flow through you… you are the problem, not HIM.  FATHER’S life-giving power is in each of us and we must accept and embrace who we are before HE formed us in the womb.  We must be willing to overcome the challenges before us and rise above them and be filled with all the fullness set aside for us by HIM.

Your excuses are running out for you are shown the path that many will not take.  You can continue to disregard the importance of Love but only to your demise.  Faith requires a foundation of Love to properly access the resources of Heaven.  Hope is based on the Love Jesus expressed at the cross on our behalf.  Do you want the full package or are you satisfied with scratching out a living until the day of your final breath?  Walk in Love, activate your faith, and walk in the power that is reserved specifically for you so that you can be a blessing to mankind and fulfill the calling placed in you before you were formed in the womb.

In 2nd Corinthians Paul wrote:

11   Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Paul tells us to be perfect and this word means:

to render, i.e. to fit, sound, complete

1. to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair

   1. to complete

2. to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust

   1. to fit or frame for one’s self, prepare

3. ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be

I trust that these recent writings are moving you toward comfort in knowing that FATHER is specifically interested and involved with each of us and that HE is not some Creator in some distant galaxy unaware of our every need.  HE knows every hair on your head and every thought in your heart and Loves you for who you really are.  HE also knows who you can and ought to become.  Everyone has a calling.

We are to be of one mind, in unity.  How are we to accomplish that, given the diversity among us?  By walking in Love and being led by THE SPIRIT.  We must quit looking for the flaws and weaknesses in others and seek out what we have in common.  Quit judging others and attempting to walk and act superior because of some revelation given to you or one of your cohorts.  Quit allowing your insecurities dictate your aloofness.  We’re all in this together and we must move into unity in order to perfectly function.  When we do this we will live in peace that surpasses all understanding.

What is the result?  The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY of Love and peace shall be with you.  What a promise!  When HE is with you, solutions to your problems arrive.  When HE is with you, fear departs.  In 1 John chapter 4, the beloved disciple tells us:

18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We are entering into a time being described as a period of major social. political, and economic upheaval.  In the last 30 years, greed has been at the root of policies designed to enrich the few at the expense of many.  The day of judgment is at hand and FATHER will evoke HIS justice in the earth.  When this has fully arrived, great fear and dread will come upon people.  How can you be fully prepared?  By embracing Love and great faith.  Perfect Love casts out fear thus our foundation must be Love in order to overcome the circumstances in whatever severity they may present themselves.

17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

With a foundation of Love, we will have a boldness which will allow us to minister to those in great fear.  We will walk in perfect Love.  Next month completes my 10th year of focusing on the revelation of Love.  Yes, I may be slow but I am tenacious.  Why would FATHER have me spend 10 years in this area?  It is not just to keep me busy and predisposed.  It is for the purpose of doing my part in building up the Body of Christ and providing words of encouragement and instruction for the perfecting of the saints.  We do need to be all we can be and not give up because our emotions scream at us to take the easier path.

As we enter into HIS fullness, we will be activated and authenticated by HIM.  Finally, we will be who we are called to be and do what we ought to do.

Jesus expressed Our Heavenly Father’s Divine Nature and Intent not only by His words but also by His actions.  Do you?  Jesus boldly told the disciples in John 14:

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

There is no getting around this reality and unless you fully embrace the Words of Jesus you are in for a challenging time ahead.  Many Christians look for issues among other brethren in order to separate themselves and ultimately isolate their lives from others.  If there is anything that I have learned over the last 44 years, it is that my doctrines are subject to change but FATHER’S Love isn’t.  By trusting HIM to open my eyes to deeper truths, I have been able to accept people where they are at rather than expecting them to perform to some expectation.  Love is the connection to others and if you want to connect and maintain a relationship, Love is the key.  In the 13th chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus commands us to Love:

34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

A commandment is a beneficial rule, edict, charge, with expectation of compliance.  Every commandment given to us by FATHER is for our own good and benefit yet many believers sidestep this particular commandment.  They place conditions on others while they expect none in return.  They are “conditional” in their love for others yet they expect FATHER to overlook their frailty.

If you don’t embrace this commandment, it is because you do not have the revelation of Love yet.  Love gives, the soulish man takes and consumes.  If you operate in this “new” commandment all men will know that you are a disciple of Jesus and a mature son of FATHER.

How much time and resource are you consuming on yourself versus others?  Are you looking for opportunities to bless others?  Spiritual Truths tend to be counterintuitive to man’s thinking, reasoning, and analyzing.  You must die to live.  You must sow to reap.  Jesus emphasized this reality in Luke chapter 6:

37  “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

38  Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Love does not judge or condemn but instead it forgives.  When you truly embrace this in your heart, you then should expect FATHER to bless you in order for you to become a greater blessing to those you encounter.  If you sow very little, you will reap in the same manner.

You may ask yourself why I keep focusing on this topic of giving.  Could it be that this is the one area that prevents believers from entering into the full presence of FATHER?  What was Jesus’ last act before coming into the HIS Presence?  He gave His life on the cross, the ultimate act of Love.  Until you overcome the subtleness of greed, selfishness, and self preservation, you will have difficulty in clearly hearing FATHER’S Voice.

Some will say that they do give by giving to their loved ones and friends.  Jesus did not limit His giving to those whom He knew but included strangers as well.  If you only help out friends and family, you are a conditional giver.  Jesus made it quite clear in Matthew 25:

33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?

38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’

40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Which side are you on?

This video reinforces several of the recent blogs we have posted.  Enjoy!

http://www.life.church/watch/punchline

None of us should take life for granted.  Any of us can be removed from this physical life in a moment so we should awaken each day with a heart of gratitude and reverence for Our Heavenly Father.  As my close friend Dr. Vincent Speckhart would say,  “The body is designed to heal itself and the body is designed to live forever.”  What causes decay and decline? Impurities of various types.

It is my belief that as we walk in true reverence of FATHER, HE will lead us to the pure and away from the impure.  As we become more and more sensitive to HIM, our bodies will respond accordingly.  It will not change the day of our appointed departure, but it will improve our days or quality of life until then.  Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 4:

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

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

How would you like to walk in peace 100% of the time?  It is possible as you move closer to FATHER on a daily basis.  When your focus is on FATHER and HIS Character, you will experience fear and trembling as some point as an outward response to reverence.  The more you think on these things, the true, the noble, the just, the pure, you will begin to experience changes within yourself.  There will be a change in priorities and you will suddenly need less to live a blessed life.  You will begin to see others in a pure manner and have compassion on their circumstances and become sensitive to their needs.  You will look for ways to be a blessing in their life rather than exploit any weakness you encounter.

There are many who are looking for a title or status to hide or mask their insecurity.  If they can only be acknowledged as someone important then maybe they will internally live up to that which they present themselves to be.  Compared to FATHER, none of us can claim any title or position other than being one of HIS children.  We should simply be grateful that HE saw fit to reveal that fact to us.  As we mature IN HIM, the need for facades simply vanishes away.  We now look forward to serving HIS Divine Intent of Love rather than our own individual agendas.  Can you imagine an earth filled with those who desire to serve in Love?

There has been a theme of late of “judgment and justice” swirling around in the SPIRIT.  Those who would attempt to exploit HIS Called Out Ones or interfere with HIS mandate will find out what fear and trembling is all about.  When the day of visitation has arrived, the allowance of sin and lawlessness is no longer tolerated.  When HIS Presence is at hand, the ground becomes Holy and we must remove our shoes.  When we remove our shoes, we yield our rights and any perceived authority and submit to FATHER’S full and complete power and authority.

As we experience true reverence of being in the presence of FATHER, we will change.  That continues to be the theme of these writings.  As Romans chapter 12 states:

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.

I expect that many will soon experience reverence in their lives and when that happens, the outer shell will dissolve and the Truth will only remain.

Loren Matzke made the transition out of his physical body at 3:20 PM on October 31st and we will all miss him.  Loren was an organic farmer in Good Thunder, Minnesota, and Loved FATHER with all his heart.  He ministered to the Dakota Indians to right the wrong done to them by the white settlers and was recently honored for his ministry to to them.  His beloved wife Margaret is the classic example of Love and they both brightened our day simply by their presence.

If FATHER moves upon you to assist Margaret, please mark your donation to Servias Ministries and we will send her a Love gift.  If you should decide to give by credit card on the www.unity153.net site, we will assume all credit card donations over the next two weeks are meant for Margaret.

In Acts chapter 5, the disciples were now operating in the Holy Spirit and signs were following them.   Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.  The people were in unity and knew that their visitation was at hand.  What had been important to them just days before was no longer of any consequence for everything had shifted.  The Day of Pentecost had arrived and their time was now at hand.  They had fully embraced FATHER’S Plan except for a particular couple named Ananias and his wife Sapphira:

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.

2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?

4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

It is my expectation that great fear may be coming soon and most people will experience great fear.  On a recent trip to Washington, D.C., one of our members experienced a vision of a great earthquake (8.3 or 8.4) while standing in the lobby of a Fairfax hotel.  I don’t know how this will play out whether it be an earthquake in the natural, economic, or spiritual… or all the above.  It was reconfirmed this last Friday in Charlotte.

Are you prepared to be “all in” or will you attempt to hold out?  Will you try to withhold from the Holy Spirit thinking that no one will know?  Many talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.  There are many signs pointing to an epic shift ahead and none will be spared the effects or impact of this shift.  How will you react and respond when this occurs?  For years FATHER had me write to alert the reader of the economic tremors at hand and even today they are more pronounced than ever before.  There has been no change in the direction of the current system and the warnings are out there.  Those who heeded the warnings have put their house in order and I am grateful for the apparent delay of the inevitable.

FATHER had me shift my focus to the spiritual preparation of the brethren at a personal level for those who have ears to hear.  Rather than focusing on observation of events, we must focus on our personal relationship with FATHER.  We must ready ourselves for what is coming by aligning ourselves with FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love.  Why?  As the Beloved Disciples tell us in 1 John chapter 4:

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

19 We love Him because He first loved us.

If we walk in perfect Love we will not fear when the day of judgment is fully manifested.  By directing your focus to the critical point being made by John, I am doing my part in preparing those who have ears to hear.  Yes, great fear will arrive on the scene soon but perfect Love will be the only answer and men will seek out those who have this great Love.  Their lights will shine brightly as the day of judgment approaches.

My Beloved Wife and I will be traveling to express our Love and show our support to a loving couple whom we have known for many years.  This couple is the full expression of walking in Love.  There are times of ministry as well there are simply times of fellowship and support.  We must embrace both with gratitude.  Sometimes a heartfelt hug can communicate more than words possibly can and it is difficult to hug someone through the phone, Skype, or Facetime.  It’s time for a road trip and I will not post any writings for a couple of days.