Servias Ministries Blog

Jesus Christ is our Standard by which everything else is measured against.  Compromise is acceptance of anything less.  We are constantly tried and tested to see if we will give into the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things.  We are tempted just as Jesus was to compromise our belief system.  The devil attempted to exploit a need or weakness after Jesus had fasted 40 days by attempting to get Him to command the stones to become bread.  Jesus responded with the Word of  OUR FATHER:

Matthew 4:4  But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”

Seeing that Jesus used the Word as His standard or code of conduct, the devil then attempted to use the Word to tempt Him a second time:

5 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,  6 and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,

‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’;

and

‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,

SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”

The devil misused the Scripture (Psalm 91:12) to fit his own agenda.  Jesus saw through this as He responded:

7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”

Jesus understood the intent behind the devil’s temptation.  Quoting Scripture to suit one’s intent does not validate the intent but serves to convince the other person into responding to the manipulation.  In the end, it is all about intent.

The devil’s third temptation dealt with fame and fortune, to exalt one’s ego:

8 Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”

I learned a valuable lesson in 1992 when FATHER directed me to buy the current house we are in.  HE told me what to pay for the house which was less than the current asking price.  I thought that I would offer even less, expecting to arrive at FATHER’S price.  HE corrected me.  HE said, “When you negotiate, you manipulate, and manipulation is not of ME”.   Oops!  I started out thinking I would help out the situation only to find that I needed correction instead.  We paid the exact price we offered and not a penny more… without any negotiation.

It is critical that we know the WORD OF GOD.  Moreover, we must focus on the intent behind THE WORD or we will be manipulated by those who would use it to further their own agenda.  Many can quote Scripture but does it ring true in the situation at hand.  When in doubt, do nothing.  Don’t be move by the convincing arguments sprinkled with Scripture.  As we focus on the Divine Intent of FATHER, we will understand HIS ways.  As we become confident in knowing HIS Character, we will be able to discern the path we should take, especially if it is unpopular.  Jesus did not give into pressure by the devil, His disciples, Pharisees, or anyone else.  The WORD and SPIRIT established His standard.  Let us walk by the same standard.  Be assured that this standard has Love at its base.

Over the years, I have posted many economic blogs concerning what I see as the path of the current economic system.  As some of you may have noted, I reduced those blogs and increased the writing on Spiritual topics.  Why?  If I only wrote on the path of the current system without writing on what I believe is the personal solution to deal with what appears to be coming, I would be doing you a disservice.  Focusing on problems without corresponding solutions simply produces fear.  Fear does not promote Spiritual maturity but keeps you in bondage.

1 John 4:18  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 love.

This particular verse will be critically important in the future, given the current path we are on.  Central planners are trying to evoke a global war.  The ebola virus is being touted as an out of control situation.  The banking system is in worse shape than it was in 2008 when it nearly shut down.  All indications point to perilous times ahead.

As a brother in Christ, what can I do to prepare those who are willing to hear?  First and foremost, each of us must mature in our individual relationship with Our Heavenly Father.  We must get our Spiritual house in order.  Since none of us know just how all of this will play out, why not be prepared as best you can?  There will be restoration on the other side of chaos.  As we each de-clutter and remove anything that would hinder us, we will be better prepared.  This doesn’t mean to get rid of any tools or resources required for your calling.  I’m speaking of the other “stuff”.

I believe Our Heavenly Father is preparing us for what lies ahead.  HIS plan will come to pass.  We will either align with HIS plan or be adversaries to HIM.  HIS plan and intent are always from a perspective of Love thus I am persuaded that those who focus on Love will be most prepared.

Focusing on man’s devices and plans will have little benefit in the end.  I trust Our Heavenly Father has all of that aspect taken into account.  Any apparent delays in the chaos simply allow us to grow in maturity if we seize the opportunity.  The apparent delays are accounted for in HIS plan as well.  Embrace this time with HIM.

Luke 4:18 

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

The end of the time of bondage is at hand.

In Luke Chapter 9, Jesus was headed to Jerusalem and would be passing through a Samaritan village:

51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him.

Three disciples (Peter, James, and John) had just witnessed the transfiguration on the Mount where Jesus had appeared with Moses and Elijah.  They must have been pretty excited about their leader and His abilities by now.  It had become obvious to them that they were among the elite of the day.  They had been selected by the Messiah and were anticipating overtaking the existing government of the day.  They had first hand knowledge of Jesus’ power and authority.  They were yet to fully understand the plan of the Cross.  The villagers did not share the same excitement:

53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

Notice the response of the “Beloved” disciple- burn ‘em up!  John did not yet have the revelation of Love.  If anything, he was bloodthirsty.  Since they did not embrace the Messiah, they must be enemies and need to be taken out of the picture.  Jesus never promoted any form of elitism because His ministry was to serve all mankind.  He found it necessary to rebuke and warn those who were on the wrong path.  There were also times He remained silent so as to fulfill the Scriptures concerning His death.  Further, His ministry on earth included the necessary correction of the interpretation of the Law.  Jesus found it necessary in this situation to rebuke both James and John:

55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.  56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”  And they went to another village.

This must have had a great impact on John.  He could see this great example of the plan of salvation.  Jesus did not come for but a few, He came for all of us.  His message was not restricted to few, but intended for the whole world.

We must be cautious that we don’t try to restrict the Gospel but instead look at all men and women as being a part of the plan of salvation.  Yes they may currently reject certain aspects of the Gospel, but in the end, all mankind is to be restored.  This is truly a doctrine of Good News.

In the epistle of Titus, Paul urges us to be zealous of good deeds and warns against pursuing the wrong path:

3:8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 3:10 Reject a factious man (follower of false doctrine) after a first and second warning, 3:11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Both Jesus and Paul admonished us to pursue the Truth in Love.  Yes, we must be corrected if we veer away from the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  When we receive this correction, we show signs of maturity and we know what manner of spirit we are.

As most of you know, Servias Ministries promotes unity among the brethren hence the website we set up www.unity153.net .  The premise we operate under is that our fellow saints desire to serve mankind with their gifts and callings.  For true unity to take place, it must have a foundation of Love.  Anything less will cause a temporary unity among the brethren.  Why?  The egos of some will take control and lead those who submit themselves to an alternative agenda from Love, usually to exalt some other focus thus causing division.

In Ephesians Chapters 2 and 3, Paul speaks of a mystery hidden for ages from mankind.  The mystery reveals the Love Our Heavenly Father has for all of mankind, not just Israel.  Paul states this:

2:4   But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)

HIS great Love was the Divine Intent to reconcile us, to bring us into unity with HIM.  This Love cemented our relationship with HIM so how much more must Love be the foundation of unity among the brethren.  Without the same Love, unity among the brethren will either not be achieved or will begin to wane once tested by the trials that will surely come.  Paul understood this as he was revealing the mystery of reconciliation.

Reconciliation means to restore a relationship and coexist in harmony.  How can that be achieved except it have at is foundation- Love.  Love reconciled man to Our Heavenly Father and Love will reconcile man to man.

Paul likened this unity to dwelling place, house, or temple.  This dwelling place has as its initial construction point the cornerstone: Jesus Christ.  The cornerstone is the point from which the rest of the house is built from.  All other stones in the house are placed relative to this primary cornerstone.   This was placed from an intent of Love for all of mankind.

In this cornerstone is a mystery and unsearchable riches.  Here is where we can tap into the manifold wisdom of Our Heavenly Father.  Some wisdom will be available as individuals while other aspects of HIS wisdom will come available as we move into unity.

There will be some who will resist unity in order to carry out their own agenda.  They will continue to justify their hurtful actions according to the idols in their hearts.  They may attempt to achieve some type of “legal” restoration of harmony, but their heart will be far from the intent of Love.

Those who truly seek to be rooted and grounded in Love will set aside differences and pursue what is in common.  As this occurs the treasury of unsearchable riches will be opened up and accessed for distribution to all of mankind.  Those who are fully committed will be found worthy to bring forth the Kingdom in the fullness of time.  In order to do this, the foundation must be solid.  Only Love can accomplish this.

In our Bible study yesterday, we covered the topic of envy and coveting.  Love does not covet.  This is such a critical issue in today’s society and the advertising industry is counting on your old man’s desire to covet.  We are bombarded with ads that would convince us to be someone we are not.  Nike reportedly inked an endorsement deal with Kevin Durant of the OKC Thunder basketball team that is reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars over the next 10 years.  Why would they pay him so much?  Because young men think that if they buy Nike shoes with KD’s endorsement, somehow they will attain similar fame and fortune.  They will be one of the elite.  Yet Paul of worldly achievements and says:

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Many promises and blessings are given in Scripture.  Those pertain to the citizens of Heaven, not the world system.

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Paul’s past as an expert in the Law was but rubbish in comparison to being a citizen of Heaven.  Jesus provided the reconciliation with Our Heavenly Father restoring each of us to the Creator of the universe.  How can any achievement be compared to the majesty of this connection?

9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

People want to know and have this power found in the resurrection but the ego wants to bypass any fellowship of His sufferings.  As we die to the old man we are conforming to HIs death and we too will realize this power of the resurrection as well.  As we become like Him in His death, likewise we will become like Him in His resurrection.  It is the true reward of everlasting life.

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me

Paul’s instruction is meant to encourage us to press on.  Even as he comprehended and wrote these instructions and warnings, he too was yet to be fully perfected.  I certainly relate with his position.  These blogs I write are to instruct me as much as others who read them.  I trust the Holy Spirit to impart a Word for us each day.  As I honor HIM with the firstfruits of the day, HE responds with what is on HIS Mind for me to share.  I too press on to the high calling:

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

We must live in the “now”, not in the past.  We must forget the past and move on.  Let us focus our eyes on the upward call.  The things of the past cannot be changed.  Forgive and be forgiven.  Quit defending your past actions.  If you have wronged somebody, ask to be forgiven in a heartfelt manner and move on.  However, it must be heartfelt and not simply done in a “legal” manner.  If you don’t really mean it, you really haven’t sought forgiveness.  It’s all about intent.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Paul urges us who are maturing to be of the same mind, to be in unity.  There will be those who will resist the path to full maturity.  They will rely on past revelation and will remain there.  They don’t want to change and they don’t want to release the past, including those revelations that were relevant only for that level of maturity.  We must shed any weight that would hinder us from pressing toward the goal.  Yes there will be some relationships that will be disconnected as you pursue  the full maturity in Christ.  Each of us will be reconciled in our own timing.  Until that occurs, those relationships will be placed on hold and await restoration, even if it is done in Heaven.

Joshua and Caleb surely had many relationships with those who perished in the wilderness.  I’m sure there was sadness as those with unbelief died without realizing the goal of entering the Promised Land.  Be of good cheer, we all will ultimately be reconciled.  Those of us who press on to the high calling and enter through the narrow gate will lead the way for others to follow.  Someone is going to complete the race, it might as well be you and me.

In Philippians Chapter 3, Paul writes:

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

Paul speaks of his responsibility to safeguard those whom he is called to minister to.  Each of us is accountable and responsible for our teaching in regard to Spiritual matters.  Each time we minister, are we exalting Christ or focusing on other topics of little consequence to our salvation or wellbeing?   Our goal must be to safeguard the flock as a shepherd would.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!

Paul appears to reference Psalm 22:16.  Dogs unjustly accuse, spread lies, and attack the righteous.  The evil workers focus on tearing down and attacking whereas Paul places his ministry on worshipping GOD in the Spirit and rejoicing in Christ Jesus:

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

He acknowledges his credentials but then places them in perspective:

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.

Our education and status must not be viewed as a basis for being credible teachers.  Paul counts them “rubbish” in light of the revealing of Christ in his life:

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Our desire at Servias Ministries is to promote Christ and bring forth the revelation of Love into men and women’s hearts.  Our goal is to build up the body of Christ in all areas.  Our message is directed to all of mankind and view ourselves as servants  ministering on the behalf of all.  The trappings of this world are counted loss for Christ.  False righteousness focuses the attention on the men speaking to the flock, not Christ.  There have been many who have exalted themselves as experts and have moved the focus away from Christ.  Paul himself admits this when he spoke of his credentials.  He repented for this path of unrighteousness and warns those at Philippi to beware.  He spoke from his own experience.

The ego wants to be lifted up above Christ.  Its confidence is in the flesh and we must discern when we hear or read messages to determine who is being exalted.  We must be ready to repent if we too are guilty of exalting ourselves.  Jesus Christ is the pattern Son and we must test all teaching in regard to this standard.  Paul is quite clear about this reality.  There is unity among those who count everything else loss for Christ.  However at the same time there is a division from those who continue to promote themselves for personal gain.  Paul speaks of this division.  Let Christ be exalted in word and deed!