Servias Ministries Blog

Jesus said “when”, not “if”!

Matthew recorded by The Holy Spirit in Matthew chapter 6:

1 “Examine your motives to make sure you’re not showing off when you do your good deeds, only to be admired by others; otherwise, you will lose the reward of Your Heavenly Father.

2 So when you give to the poor, don’t announce it and make a show of it just to be seen by people, like the hypocrites in the streets and in the marketplace. They’ve already received their reward!

3 But when you demonstrate generosity, do it with pure motives and without drawing attention to yourself.

4 Give secretly and Your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”

Jesus expects us to give to the poor without drawing attention to ourselves.  This is what Servias Ministries does with your charitable giving.  We make it clear to the teachers, counselors, and administration that we do not want to draw attention to ourselves.  It is all about the kids in need.

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to Your Father Who is in the secret place; and Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Jesus also expects us to pray often.  I suggest you begin every day in prayer and let the peace of GOD overtake you as you prepare for the day ahead.

16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to Your Father who is in the secret place; and Your Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Jesus expects us to fast in secret.  The disciples were well aware of fasting for it was practiced throughout the Old Testament.  On the Day of Atonement, every Jew fasts.

Moses recorded by THE SPIRIT in Leviticus chapter 23:

26 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

27 “Also the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble yourselves [by fasting] and present an offering by fire to the LORD.

28 You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God.

29 If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people [excluding him from the atonement made for them].

To atone means to: to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:—appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).

When we fast, we bring our soul and flesh into submission so that we can focus our attention on hearing in the spirit.  Our spiritual sensitivity improves as well as the power of The Holy Spirit operating in our lives.

In the last of the last days, the chosen of GOD will humble themselves just as the early church did!

Before Jesus began His ministry, He fasted and prayed.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Luke chapter 4:

1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

Even though Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, He found it necessary to fast.  He had the authority, but the power was yet to be displayed.  He had to empty His body and bring it under full submission to His Spirit man.  Then He was tested first with satisfying His physical body’s needs, lust of the flesh:

3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.'”

Secondly, His soulish man was tested, the lust of the eyes:

5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ “

Thirdly, the pride of life:

9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.

10 For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’

11 and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'”

12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ “

13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

Jesus overcame the flesh and soul, He humbled Himself successfully so that He would be empowered to fulfill His ministry.

14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.

It is one thing to have the authority of The Holy Spirit, but it is another to have the power of The Holy Spirit operating in our lives.  Jesus found it necessary to fast and pray, shouldn’t we do the same?  How do you humble your flesh?  By fasting!

How do you humble your soul?  By denying it!  By spending forty days in the wilderness, Jesus denied both.

Fasting and prayer bridged the gap between authority and power.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 17:

14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Jesus, kneeling down to Him and saying,

15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.

16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”

The issue was not authority, it was power over the demon.

17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”

18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

It is vital that we understand the difference when we pray for those who are afflicted.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Jesus provides us the key to walking in the power of The Holy Spirit.  Additionally, He implies that unbelief will depart when we pray and fast.  Are you willing to fast?

In the last of the last days, the chosen of GOD will only give glory to GOD!

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

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

In other Words, brothers and sisters, consider who you were when God called you to salvation. Not many of you were wise scholars by human standards, nor were many of you in positions of power. Not many of you were considered the elite when you answered God’s call.

It is clear that FATHER did not choose us based on our unique human, soulish qualities.

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

When men are exalted by the world, their pride becomes so puffed up, they think they are endowed with superior qualities.  This causes them to think that their ways are better than anyone else’s.  As Proverbs 16:18 states: pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

In other Words, He chose the lowly, the laughable in the world’s eyes—nobodies—so that He would shame the somebodies. For He chose what is regarded as insignificant in order to supersede what is regarded as prominent.

I am a nobody even though when I was young and immature, I wanted to be a “somebody” causing me to be “self-promoting”.  My pride was clearly an issue that I had to overcome, very painful at times.  Have I totally overcome pride in my life?  No, not totally.  However, I can better identify it when it raises its ugly head.  I now repent and go on.  I find that it is better to keep my mouth shut rather than direct attention to me.  I have found that FATHER uses me in spite of me.

29 that no flesh should glory in His Presence.

Why do you think that everyone who comes into the Presence of HIS Glory, drops to the ground?  His Glory exposes the reality of who we really are and our full and complete weakness in HIS Presence.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit such an event in Acts chapter 9:

3 As Saul (who is Paul) 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.

Saul had the ultimate corrective interview with Jesus.  Later Paul would write by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 3:

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;

6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

In other words, he said “Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I’ve now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord!”

Our past accomplishments are worthless when we truly experience Jesus Christ as Our Lord.  Let us jettison our past, the good and bad, and focus on our relationship with Christ.  No one else deserves to be exalted in any way shape or form.  I had to repent of my numerous, past prideful acts.  Now, I focus on only exalting Christ in my words and conduct.

As Paul wrote in 1^st Corinthians chapter 1:

30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us Wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-

31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

No one else deserves such glory!

In the last of the last days, follow Wisdom!

Wisdom wrote in Proverbs chapter 29:

1 Stubborn people who repeatedly refuse to accept correction will suddenly be broken and never recover.

2 Everyone rejoices when the Lovers of God flourish, but the people groan when the wicked rise to power.

There is now much groaning occurring among the righteous.  The lovers of self, greed, and pleasure are impacting society as never before.  The government is redefining terms associated with Truth to fit their narrative.  They are promoting unrighteousness by allowing such redefinitions to occur.  If you need to figure out what your sex is, simply have your doctor examine you.  Chromosomes don’t lie.  Operations and pharmaceutical cannot redefine Truth.

3 When you Love Wisdom, your father is overjoyed. But when you associate with prostitutes, you waste your wealth in exchange for disgrace.

Prostitutes are in the business to provide self-gratification for a price.  In the highest levels of government, there is a network of influencers who lure officials into compromising situations in order to use bribery and/or extortion to achieve unrighteous goals.

4 A Godly leader who values justice is a great strength and example to the people. But the one who sells his influence for money tears down what is right.

Have you ever wondered how politicians’ wealth has dramatically increased after they leave office versus before they entered?  There is plenty of evidence to point out that they sold votes, etc.

5 Flattery can often be used as a trap to hide ulterior motives and take advantage of you.

Flattery means to be smooth, slippery, and deceitful.  It strokes a person’s pride in order to influence him or her.  If someone seeks to flatter you, be careful of the intent behind it.

6 The wicked always have a trap laid for others, but the Lovers of God escape as they sing and shout in joyous triumph!

7 God’s righteous people will pour themselves out for the poor, but the ungodly make no attempt to understand or help the needy.

The poor don’t have a chance in the current legal system.  Generally, the wealthy can buy their way out of a legal issue whereas the poor cannot afford appropriate legal counsel.  They simply go to jail.

FATHER has a special place in HIS Heart for the poor for they suffer more than the rest of the population.  This is why Jesus spoke about their plight when declaring the final judgment in Matthew chapter 25:

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by 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 welcomed me,

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 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

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

Wisdom instructs us in many ways that affect our daily lives.  We are instructed to walk in Holiness even though we see lawlessness all around us.  We must not forget the poor.  This is the major focus of Servias Ministries.  Your contributions meet the expectations of Our Lord Jesus Christ in verse 35.

Behind all deception is pride!

Pride is what opens us up to deception.  When you become proud of your God-given talents, you open yourself up to pride.  Humility cancels out pride.

Wisdom recorded in Proverbs chapter 18:

12 Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance (pride), But humility comes before honor.

And in Proverbs chapter 15:

33 The source of revelation-knowledge is found as you fall down in surrender before the Lord. Don’t expect to see Shekinah glory until the Lord sees your sincere humility.

Those of us who are humble will open up the treasury of revelation knowledge given to us through The Holy Spirit to benefit us in our daily walk.

Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Peter chapter 5:

5 Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], BUT HE GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

True elders have focused on removing pride from their personal lives.  They are not out to prove themselves to the world.  They walk humbly before THE LORD.

They embraced Wisdom when It recorded in Proverbs chapter 22:

4 The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the LORD Is riches, honor, and life.

Would you rather have Heavenly Treasures or earthy treasures?  The world would have us focus on earthly treasures which in turn will puff you up and draw attention to yourself.  Heavenly Treasures, on the other hand, exalts Jesus Christ Who is the only One Who deserves our praise and worship.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Colossians chapter 3:

12 You are always and dearly Loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been Divinely chosen to be Holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.

13 Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.

14 For Love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.

As we become spiritually mature, we will become humble and walk in Love and patience toward those who are weak in their walk.

One of the attractions of many cults is that if you join them, you will be a member of a supergroup, superior to all others.  They promote the idea that they have some special revelation unknown to most men.  In some cases, they subscribe to replacement theology that redefines what FATHER’S Divine Intent expresses in the Bible.  Their incomplete understanding of Scripture is hidden from those who are not being fully led by The Holy Spirit.  Pride is the root of the problem with such leaders.  They exalt themselves as some special person endowed with superior knowledge.  They infer that if you join them in their elite walk, you too will become special.  Flee from such people who promote a false religion!

Jesus warned us in Matthew chapter 24:

11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray from the Truth.

We are to test the spirits who promote their agenda.  The Beloved Disciple issued this warning when he wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st John chapter 4:

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He Who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.

6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.

When we listen to The Holy Spirit Who is in us, we will discern if Truth is being spoken.  Being led by The Holy Spirit will defend us against pride and walking in error.

Be vigilant!

To be vigilant means: to be carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger.

Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Peter chapter 5:

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

In other Words, take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure.

If you are not vigilant, you can be deceived.  You must know the Truth and you can test whether or not you have the Truth by three means.  Is what you are being exposed to, true to Jesus?  Is it true to the Bible?  Does it have the witness of The Holy Spirit?

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2^nd Corinthians chapter 11:

3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-you may well put up with it!

Paul is writing to the church known to be baptized in The Holy Spirit with the gifts of The Holy Spirit operating in their midst.  However, they were not exempt from being deceived by the serpent, the devil.

We cannot be tolerant of imposters!

We must be careful of the New Age movement.  This movement will utilize various means to replicate promises given to us in Scripture.  Healing and prosperity are a couple of the areas they use to entice unsuspecting believers of following a different gospel.  Muscle testing, pendulums, etc. are used to validate their “Ouija medicine” which is tied to the occult.  Do not be deceived.

People who constantly look for signs can be easily deceived.  I have known many who were led by signs rather than being led by The Holy Spirit.  The adversary will gladly provide you with a sign to lead you astray.  Yes, there are some signs that FATHER will use as confirmation to The Word HE gave you.  However, the signs are only for confirmation.  Not all signs are relevant to your situation.

Some say that all religions are different roads to the same GOD.  Wrong!  Jesus Christ is the only Way to The Lord God Almighty.

Pride is the door that leads to deception.  Behind all deception is pride and it started with Lucifer.  It was pride that caused his fall.

It is recorded by THE SPIRIT in Isaiah chapter 14:

12 “How you are fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!

13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’

15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

The pride found in his heart caused his full and complete rejection from Heaven.  Pride is not and will not be tolerated in Heaven.

When our eyes are opened, we will be amazed as it is recorded by Isaiah:

16 “Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms,

17 Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, Who did not open the house of his prisoners?’

The adversary has used pride to deceive nations and kingdoms throughout history.  It is critical that we not allow pride to deceive us in any way, shape, or form.  Pride is the most subtle sin to be dealt with.  I have had to repent of pride substantially in my walk.  When I look back, I see how the adversary has used willing vessels to deceive me and lead me astray.  Only by the conviction of The Holy Spirit was I spared from destruction in various areas of my life.  FATHER’S great Love for both you and me will always overcome the consequences of pride as we repent.  We must remain vigilant on a daily basis else we could be led astray by the subtle devices of the adversary.