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"Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Getting UnStuck.

November 16, 2024 / / 0 Comments

MaryEllen Montville

“That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, ‘I have made you the father of many nations.’ This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” –Romans 4:17.

Today, I felt led to share this word of encouragement: We serve a God who brings dead things to life. Who creates new things out of nothing—out of those who feel like nothing.

If you are stuck, wanting to believe for more, question whether your life and faith will ever change and grow. Will God really do all He’s promised to do? Then I pray this encourages and gives you direction. The hope needed to keep believing in Jesus. I pray it reminds you of the power of the Living God you serve and how even the Fathers of the faith experienced feelings of being stuck. So don’t panic—Jesus does not condemn you for feeling stuck—even Father Abraham wondered if his situation could change. Still, God had a plan for Abraham, and He has one for your life.

 “God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” –Genesis 17:15-17.

Remember, beloved, God alone has the power to change your life and circumstances.

God caused two dried-out old bodies to bring forth new life. He allows us, desires for us—sent His One and Only Son to us so that we might one day be partakers of every promise He made to and through Abraham—that dried-up old man. Who, by the way, felt stuck himself at times—as did his wife, Sarai. In Genesis Chapter Fifteen, we read about a conversation between God and Abraham. God promises this old, childless man he’ll be the Father of nations and have his own child with Sarai. But Abraham is stuck. To his thinking, their combined old age can’t add up to them having their own child.

But God said it would be so… and so it was.

So what do you think He, who is no respecter of persons, will do with your dead hope—your feeling stuck, that nothing—that you, dear Christian—will never change? I’ll remind you your feelings are just that, feelings; they’re fluid, changeable, and fickle, regardless of their weightiness. If you let them, they’ll sink you—robbing you of life, trust, and hope. Robbing you of your Isacc. They have attempted to hijack your mind, exalting themselves over Christ’s Sovereignty in your life, and now they must bow before Him—relinquishing their temporary grip over your heart. Instead, you must remind them of the Truth—it’s the only sure way to conquer them—taking them captive rather than allowing yourself to be held captive by them.

Something not easy to do when they’re screaming in your ear, doing their level best to extinguish all hope and belief—faith that anything in life can or will get better than it is right now—yourself included. Just give up. You’ll never be more than your past—or present because you’re inextricably locked in their grip.

But Truth says: “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.” –Romans 8:11. You, child of God, possess so great a Power within you that, if you ever truly grab hold of this Living Truth—you’d never be the same. Though this verse speaks of our resurrected bodies, as written in a previous chapter, Paul doesn’t want you to miss this same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave affords you unimaginable spiritual power right now.

It’s likely why Holy Spirit had Paul remind us of these following Truths:

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” –2 Corinthians 10:5. To become unstuck, we must partner with God’s Holy Spirit, remembering He will not force Himself upon us; we must open ourselves to Him, giving Him and the Truth of His Word our undivided attention.

We must remember our lives are no longer our own; they belong to Christ now.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” –2 Corinthians 5:17. Knowing we are weak creatures—sheep He calls us, God’s Holy Spirit, coupled with His Inerrant, Living Word, reminds us of who we truly are now—a new creation. Christ in us—His will, His plans, His timing, and Sovereignty in all things, His Truth ruling the throne of our lives, choices, and will. We must repent of allowing ourselves to believe we’re somehow entitled to some thing we feel is missing in our lives.

“Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you.” –Luke 10:19. We must consciously turn away from every feeling that frightens and paralyzes us by intentionally and actively aiming our thoughts at Truth, God’s Living Word, our Source. Christ alone offers the Christian—life, hope, joy, and complete satisfaction.

Our fickle feelings don’t stand a chance against such Sovereign Power.

We are not God and have no idea what is best for us. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” –Philippians 4:6-8.

So, how does God’s Word get us unstuck?

“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.” –Colossians 3:2-3.

Choose to take God at His Word by believing the Truth, not the lie. Trusting in the power of His Holy Spirit alive in you—that same power that raised Jesus from the dead who can and will free you if you allow Him. Because perhaps, just perhaps, your feeling stuck is, in fact, God’s way of lovingly enabling you to come face to face with your own fleshly dissatisfactions so that He might once and for all rid you of them because, at their core, your dissatisfactions are you playing god. You’re telling Him you know better than He what you need right now—what is best for you. That your current state of life is, in fact, not good. It is you forgetting you are no longer your own and have said, claimed, and professed to trust Jesus—at all times.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” –Isaiah 55:8-9. You’re feeling stuck has not taken God by surprise—He saw this coming even if you didn’t. Dare I say God allowed it. To bring good from it. To restore and bless you somehow. God is being God. Using feelings, He permitted you to experience (being stuck, powerless to change, questioning if you can really change—is it really possible, or are you too old? Too far gone. Is it too late? Can it really happen still?) To redirect you, bring about hope and His perfect plan for you. To rid you of fleshly feelings and desires that in no way reflect His Son to this lost and dying world. The answer is a resounding yes, by the way, to each of the above questions.

“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” –Romans 8:28. Beloved, trust that God is at work in you now, amid your feelings. He has a good plan for you—for your life. Trust His timing. Trust that your Good Father knows best what’s best for you.

And dear friend, if you are feeling stuck in this world, longing to be finally free of its hold on you, there is a way out. It starts with you asking Jesus into the life you so desperately want to be changed. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. –Romans 10:9-10.

Passports and Privledges.

November 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

MaryEllen Montville

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” –1 Peter 2:9.

Citizens must possess a passport, visa, or valid national identity card to travel to a country outside their country of origin. A legal document backed up by other documents proves, amongst other things, that they are who they claim to be. Otherwise, entrance into said country will be denied. By default, possessing said proof of citizenship implies these proofs have been accepted as valid by the authorities and are legal. The one presenting them is, in fact, who they claim to be. Such scrutiny is paramount. It aids countries in protecting their citizens from interlopers who would harm their land or fellow citizens.

But what if the one attempting to enter the said country cannot supply the proofs needed for entry?

Access is denied—they are turned away. They will also likely suffer some long-term penalty for their illicit attempt to sneak into somewhere they did not have permission to be.

If the kingdoms of this world have in place such stringent standards of entry into their countries—and strictly implement them. How much more will a Holy God, who gave His very life for everyone protect and require an even more excellent entry standard be met by the one attempting to gain access into His Kingdom? “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” –Matthew 22:11-14.

So what proof must one possess—not merely claim to have—to enter the Kingdom of our God?

Our understanding of the distinct differences in these proofs involves our ability to recognize, practically and, more importantly, Biblically, the great distinction between our claiming to have a thing and our possessing it.

Why?

Because, both biblically and naturally speaking, an uncrossable chasm separates the heart of these two claims.

Let’s take a look:

Having: can be defined as: to hold in one’s use, service, regard, or at one’s disposal.

Having implies one may use something minus ownership—perhaps borrowing it for a time.

We can have a great many things. A pen in our hand, for instance. However, having a pen in our hand does not mean we possess it—it may not be our pen. Maybe we picked it up off a counter or a colleague’s desk? The same can be said for a car. We may have a car—yet it is not our possession—we may have borrowed or rented it temporarily. The same goes for the flats we live in. We pay rent to stay in them, but they are not ours. We may momentarily have use of things like the pen in our hand and the borrowed or rented car or apartment, yet none of them are our possessions.

Possession: indicates the legal right to use, possess, and give away a thing.

Possession implies ownership, unlike having implied temporary use.

Knowing this, let us examine the entry standard God requires into His Kingdom.

Must we keep all of God’s laws to enter His Kingdom? Impossible! No, entry into His Kingdom isn’t based on whether we can prove we have kept God’s laws—because not one of us is capable of such a feat. Break one, you’ve broken them all! “For the one who attempts to keep all of the law of Moses but fails in just one point has become guilty of breaking the law in every respect! For the same One who tells us, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you don’t commit adultery but do commit murder, you are still guilty as a law-breaker.” –James 2:10-11.

Instead, entry into the Kingdom of God is granted based on righteousness—Christ’s Righteousness.

Jesus Himself made this clear: no righteousness, no relationship—no entry into His Kingdom. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” –Matthew 7:21.

It doesn’t matter how “good” a person you are or how many rules you attempt to keep. Righteousness is the only acceptable proof positive required to enter the Kingdom of God. You must be in possession of said proof. But how? How do we, sin-full men, come to possess such righteousness and gain access to such proof?

Jesus Himself answers this question for us.

In John 3:1-6, while talking with the Pharisee, Nicodemus, Jesus made it plain to him, and through this saying to us, not just anyone can enter the Kingdom of God. Being a priest or professed follower of Jesus won’t cut it. Neither will you touting your parents’ professed religion of choice as your own or the cross hanging around your neck or above your bed gain you access to His Kingdom. As with a natural Kingdom or country, one cannot simply stroll into God’s Kingdom to merely assuage one’s curiosity, to “check it out” and see if it suits them before committing to live there.

Listen to what Jesus told Nicodemus regarding possessing the proof needed to gain access into His Kingdom: “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”

And yet, scripture makes plain that not one of us is righteous. “As it is written and forever remains written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS [none that meets God’s standard], NOT EVEN ONE.” –Romans 3:10.

So, how do we obtain the righteousness necessary to enter God’s Kingdom?

That’s where proof of our righteousness comes in: No righteousness, no entry into this Kingdom.

Righteousness is afforded us via our relationship with Jesus Christ. As Jesus told Nicodemus, we must be born again; this free, unplumbable privilege is only afforded us in Jesus Christ. His life, death, and defeat of the grave—His resurrection, a relationship with Him, makes having His Righteousness possible. “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” –1Corinthians 1:30-31.

Amazingly, God’s Holy Spirit is alive and at work in us now—if we are His. Jesus’ sinless Righteousness covers our sins. When God looks at us, He sees His Son—Pure. Holy. Without spot or wrinkle.

Jesus alone is the One living person—the only Person, who has ever possessed such righteousness and, equally, retains the right to bestow it on whosoever He chooses. “Just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love.” –Ephesians 1:4.

Beloved of God, you, who possess said proof God demands, will be granted legal entry into His Kingdom. Hallelujah! “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].” –2 Corinthians 5:21.

What about you, friend? Should Christ come today, do you possess the proof necessary to enter the Kingdom of God?

Have you been born again?

If not, let today be the day salvation comes to you.

Jesus made accepting Him into your life as your Lord and Savior as simple as this: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10.

Cousins & The Cornerstone.

November 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

MaryEllen Montville

“When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?” The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.” Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.” –Matthew 12:40-43.

Scattered amongst a crowd, you’d be hard-pressed to distinguish one from the other. Stand them side by side; you’ll catch glimpses of familial similitudes. Vague, yet undeniably present. Inverse likenesses. Cousins, maybe? “When I look at you, I see my father’s eyes.” “And when I look at you, I see my father’s smile.”

Family. Often, its dynamics are complicated. Too often, families are fraught with some misgiving or another about a member or members that can quickly turn volatile when trying to unite divided factions—and when they do finally come together, they mostly disagree. It may be because one side incites the other by reminding them they’re the family favorites and that “your side” has only been invited because “well, family is family.”

Sounds harsh, right?

Even eerily familiar to some of you who’ve experienced firsthand the incisive sting of familial rejection?

And yet, there is sugar hidden within this severe, bitter truth. Sweet morsels of grace wrapped in inclusion, redemption, privilege, and forgiveness, making even this most sharp rejection palpable. Thus, at least, that’s the way it’s been between Jews and Christians for millennia. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” –Romans 1:16.

Yet soon and very soon, one family, invited by One Host, will sit at one table where there’ll be no favorites. “There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority].” –Galatians 3:28.

Meet the Cousins: The Jews and the Christians, and the Host: Cornerstone, Jesus.

Cousin One, the Jews: You’ve already met him—who he represents. Jesus was talking to them and their side of the family in today’s verses. They’re the ones Cornerstone first came to—He unveiled His plan and identity to them. They would be the first to receive an invitation to a future family gathering. But Cousin One had an issue with Cornerstone telling them and their side of the family that their blatant misuse of their God-given authority coupled with their disobedience and blindness would now result in the gift God had given them being handed over, for a time, to the other side of the family.

“Jesus said to them, “If you were blind [to spiritual things], you would have no sin [and would not be blamed for your unbelief]; but since you claim to have [spiritual] sight, [you have no excuse so] your sin and guilt remain.” John 9:41.

When the Apostle Paul explained to Cousin Two, the Christians, the reasons why Cornerstone had made this decision to remove, for a time, the gift He’d first given Cousin One, the Jews,  Paul explained Cornerstons decision using these very words: “So I say, have they stumbled so as to fall [to spiritual ruin]? Certainly not! But by their transgression [their rejection of the Messiah] salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous [when they realize what they have forfeited]. Now if Israel’s transgression means riches for the world [at large] and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment and reinstatement be!” –Romans 11:11-12.

Cousin Two, to whom it’d been made clear that they’d only been invited to the family gathering because, “as family,” they had to be, now understood the whole Truth about why they’d been invited. They now understood that the invitation extended to them had a two-fold purpose uniquely their own. Using Olive trees as a metaphor, more specifically, the grafting of branches into the primary root system feeding the Olive tree, Paul makes clear to Cousin Two, the Christians, not to think more highly of themselves than they ought, that in fact, what Cousin One had been telling them all along, biting as it was, was the Truth.

“If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble.” –Romans 11:17-20.

Nevertheless, said Truth did not negate the weight of the ultralaborious responsibility momentarily placed on the newly grafted in shoulders of Cousin Two; yet as He had with Cousin One, the Jews, Cornerstone would give Cousin Two the same Helper who would enable them to fulfill this ultralaborious—impossible without God’s help, task. One Cornerstone—One Helper. “But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” –Acts 1:8.

A rife in this family had occurred—a family divided by unbelief and pride. Yet Cornerstone was—is, immovable in His desire—plan, really, for His family to be One.

He’d extended an invitation to both sides, wanting both to celebrate as one, and He would not, will not, allow His invitation to be thwarted by division.

Cornerstone had a plan and it was good—is good.

It brings into crystalline focus what He’s always had planned for His family—everyone in His family—Jew and Gentile alike. “This Jesus is the stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief Cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].” –Acts 4:11-12.

Whether you’re a Jew or a Gentile, the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus, has made His plan known today; He wants you to join Him. He gave His life for you so you could join Him, know Him, and accept His invitation to be part of the family gathering that will take place soon and very soon. Mindblowing, right? That The God who flung the stars in the sky and knows them by name, who created whole galaxies—and you—would even give you a choice. That’s Love! Your only response to such love? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” –Matthew 3:2.

“You have been saved by God’s love and kindness because you believed. It was not because of anything you did, but it was a gift from God. You were not saved by trying to do what the law says. So no one can be proud about it. God has made us. In Jesus Christ God made us so that we can do good things. He planned that we should live that way.” –Ephesians 2:8-10.

A New Order.

October 26, 2024 / / 0 Comments

MaryEllen Montville

“The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship.” –Hebrews 10:1.

The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God. –C.S. Lewis.

The prophets foretold of His coming—this King like no other— a foreshadowing. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” –Micah 5:2.

Year after year, the people had brought their lambs, rams, and doves, each one’s throat formulaically slit by the high priest. He spilled its lifeblood to atone for their sins. According to what God had told Moses, blood would always be required for the remission of sin. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” —Leviticus 17:11.

“Rid me of my sin! “Accept this animal’s blood as my atonement!”

It worked—for a time. But only for a time.

New blood would need to be spilled next year and the next.

The spilling of innocent blood was a stopgap only. A foreshadowing, pointing straight to the One spoken of by the Prophets of old—evident to those whose eyes would be opened—yet missed by those who, despite the myriads of detailed pieces of evidence painstakingly laid out for them by the Prophet Isaiah alone, refused to see entirely. “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.” –Hebrews 9:7-10.

Read for yourselves just a few sentences of Isaiah’s words concerning the One foretold of. He who would come to do what no amount of blood shed from even a herd of animals ever could. “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” –Isaiah 53:2-3.

Friends, it was God Himself who stepped down from heaven.

God took on flesh: helpless, dependent, human flesh, all that He might fully experience our weaknesses, helplessness, and dependence firsthand, in all its forms and fashions—yet even in His taking on our flesh, He sinned not. This sin-less Jesus would die in your place and mine—we who were born in sin—so that we might “get to” experience His eternal life within us. Should we accept His offer of salvation, that is. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” –Hebrews 4:15.

This unfathomable, Divine exchange—Jesus’ innocence swallowing up our guilt. Father God willingly offered up His only Begotten Son, who then freely laid down His Life so that we might gain eternal life. “Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.” –Galatians 1:4-5.

His Revelation declares He is named Faithful and True.

He’ll come again wearing a robe dipped in blood, and His title is the Word of God.

This King’s name? Jesus, Son of God—our Savior. King of kings and Lord of lords. “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.” –Revelation 19:11-13.

He alone, the Perfect atoning sacrifice. His Spotless Blood alone is able to wash the filthiest of sinners white as snow. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” –Isaiah 1:18.

“But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings  you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” –Hebrews 10: 3-10.

This same Jesus foreshadowed in the Old Testament, spoken of there as self-existent, eternal—having no beginning nor end, is confirmed to be God in the flesh in the New Testament by the Apostle John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 1 John 1:1.

Soon and very soon, this same Jesus will come again.

Jesus, speaking through the Apostle John, assures of this.

Jesus came to John when he was exiled on the isle of Patmos and revealed to him all of what was yet to come in such startling detail that if you’ve read news headlines this week, you’d swear the Apostle John got his information from that same news source. In Truth, He did.

Jesus, Omniscient God He is, shared with John all that is to come.

By default, that would mean this one statement made by Jesus must be Truth as well: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –John 14:1-6.

Jesus is coming back; that is a fact, believe it or not.

But here’s the thing: that “place” Jesus has gone to prepare is for those who believe in Him, those He knows intimately, those He calls friends. Those who have a relationship with Him. Is that you, friend? If not, it can be

Jesus certainly wants it to be.

Jesus gave His life solely for you to ensure that it might be. “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” –John 3:16.

You need only ask Him into your life as Lord. His Holy Spirit will take care of the rest of what needs to happen. Please, don’t allow men to complicate what Jesus made so simple; even a child can receive Him. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10.

Living Counter To The World’s Culture.

October 19, 2024 /

Matthew Botelho

“The gentle are blessed, for they will inherit the earth. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.” –Matthew 5:5-6.

Scripture does not say that the aggressive will inherit the earth, but the gentle will inherit the earth. God uses the meek things of the world to confuse those who are in offices of authority and power. “Brothers, consider your calling: not many are wise from human perspective, not many powerful, not many noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”– 1 Corinthians 1:26-27

According to most world standards, people are to step over one another and do whatever it takes to reach the front of the line.

I like to call this a “me first mentality.”

“Worry only about yourself,” the world says. Some people have told me that it’s always been around and that there is nothing new under the sun. I say yes to that; however, it is more apparent now than it was four years ago.

We encounter it daily out in the world.

When we are in traffic or even walking in the grocery store. This “me first mentality” has taken over in the world. Lawlessness, people celebrating the sin of selfishness, is now considered a normal thing, and it’s the Word of God that says considering others as more important than ourselves, they say, is backward.

What was once considered evil is now good, and what was considered good is now evil. “Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.” – Matthew 24:12-13.

Here is Biblical Truth, my friends. Jesus tells us that we will be delivered if we continue to endure these hard times. How? By abiding in Him. “Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.” –John 15:4

My friends, Jesus is not addressing the people of the world in this scripture. He is addressing us—all who believe in Him.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we need to be aware and have our spiritual eyes opened to what is going on in our jobs, our children’s schools, within our families, and other matters that are going on in the world.

In Matthew 10, before Jesus sent out His disciples, He tells them this:

“Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.” –Matthew 10:16.

Just as sheep are gentle, we must be gentle as well.

Being shrewd like a serpent means being wise in our decisions, not doormats, so we must speak the Truth in love instead of remaining silent. In a world of ravaging wolves, we must go boldly into our jobs and schools, declaring that Jesus is Lord and that salvation is found no other!

Some we will encounter there are the very ones who once believed in Jesus Christ, yet somehow, Satan got a hold of them, and now they are out there wandering, living like the world. They have been blinded to the Truth. The sad part is that when they had heard the truth, they did not receive it in their hearts!

In 1 John 2:19, the Apostle John writes: “They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belong to us.”

Still, there is time for those who have turned away my brothers and sisters—unless they have committed the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against God’s Holy Spirit—continually rejecting His calling them to repentance and into a relationship with Himself.“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven” –Matthew 12:31.

So it’s the repentant heart, fully surrendered, having come back to God, asking Him to forgive their sins who are those who, having turned away, might be restored. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” –Luke 15:21-24.

It is not God’s will for anyone to miss out on His free gift of salvation, found only in His Son, Jesus. “The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” –2 Peter 3:9.

My friends, we have been made righteous through Jesus Christ.

This means we can now stand in the presence of  God. The world may look dark and dry, but stay focused on the prize ahead: our eternal salvation with our Father in heaven. And if you have strayed from Him, return now. Don’t harden your heart; be gentle and submit to Him instead.

Believe in your heart, this day, that Jesus is the Son of God. Repent of your sins and be washed clean by Jesus’ Blood. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10.

Do you, brother or sister, thirst for more of Jesus?

In John 7:37,  Jesus reminds you, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.”

Come and be filled afresh with the love of our Lord Jesus Christ!

We are truly a blessed people. Amen.

True Protection Is In Christ Alone.

October 12, 2024 /

MaryEllen Montville

“But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” –2 Corinthians 11:14.

A recent online communication from a well-recognized U.S. bank warned their customers of a significant increase in phishing scams in the banking industry; this, they say, is due to the rise in both online and bank app usage. They said that in 2023 alone, a staggering $10 billion of Americans’ money was lost to phishing scams and online fraud. That’s an increase of 13.6% over 2022. Many of you, or someone you know, have either heard or fallen victim to one of these insidious schemes perpetrated at the hands of those on the dark web—who hide in the shadows. Their sole objective? To rob and deceive you.

Sound familiar?

I am not making light of these insidious schemes or their devastating monetary losses.

Still, it would be negligent of me not to point out that these dubious schemes are mere child’s play compared to the plans of a far more lethal, stealthy, and insidious foe—Satan.

The Father of lies himself, whose sole intent it is to rob us, saved and unsaved alike—here and now and, if possible, from an eternity worshipping God.

Much like the increase in these banking scams made possible by widespread online and app usage, so too is the level of spiritual deception being perpetrated on so many today by those who freely use their pulpits, social media, YouTube, and any other platform available to them to spread false doctrine—deceiving many. “Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.” –Romans 16:18.

Christ Himself reveals Satan’s sole purpose, nature, and intentions toward us in using such people; We’d be wise to pay attention.

While speaking to the Jews and Pharisees in John 8:44, Jesus said this of Satan: “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the Father of lies.”

In John 10:10, speaking of this insidious foe, Christ Himself makes Satan’s intentions so plain that even a child can understand them: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Period.

Friends don’t skip over “only” in the above verse.

This one-word packs a powerful punch.

Webster’s Dictionary defines ” only ” as exclusively, solely, or alone in a category.

If you are a child of God, Satan’s only delight comes from robbing your lives of joy, happiness, rest, peace, and communion with God. And if you are not, he desires to kill any possibility you may have of having a relationship with Jesus by keeping you bound and blind—by any means necessary.

He’ll use chains of religion, deception, false doctrine, fear, and anxiety as tools to keep you so distracted, so blinded to true Light. You’ll continually spin your tractionless wheels, chasing after anything that shines.

And he’ll use anyone he can to accomplish his sinister plan—those in the pulpits or that well-meaning brother or sister sitting next to you in Church—even your mom or dad. There’s a reason Jesus said: “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” –Matthew 10:37.

Is it any wonder, then, when asked by His disciples what would be the sign of the times and the end of the age, knowing how insidious, cunning, and manipulative, what a copycat and contortionist Satan is, how much he loathes God and God’s people, one of the very first things Jesus told His disciples weren’t words of comfort, he offered them no reassuring come back.

 Instead, Jesus warned them, and through them, us, to be mindful and not be deceived. “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.'” –Matthew 24:3-4.

And after Jesus, in writing to his beloved brothers and sisters at the Church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul cautions them of deception as well: “I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of Gospel than the one you believed.” –2Corinthians 11:2-4.

Deception enters the individual or Church in numerous ways:

  1. It is tolerated. “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” –Romans 6:15-16.
  2. It will go unrecognized: As with Jesus’ own family or that brother sitting beside you or even yourself, those who have seen and been with Jesus can, at times, be spiritually blinded by deception. They fail to accept the Truth by faith, the Truth of His Gospel message, making it almost impossible to believe what they cannot see until Christ’s Spirit alone opens their eyes—removing their blindness.
  3. It enters in via false religion/beliefs:  What better example of this Truth than the Apostle Paul himself?

Known as Saul then, the Apostle Paul once was deceived—spiritually blinded by a powerful false religious view. But thanks be to God, there is no spirit more powerful than God’s own Spirit. The Spirit of Truth. Saul had plenty of head knowledge but he did not have a genuine relationship with Jesus. Until that is, Christ caused this brother to see clearly. “So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” –Acts 9:17.

Within the email from the well-recognized U.S. bank I referenced earlier was a list of recommended steps their customers take to help safeguard themselves against becoming victims of phishing scams.

We will do all we can to safeguard our finances.

How much more should we do to safeguard our relationship with Jesus by ensuring we are both hearers and doers of the Gospel message? By measuring everything we think we know, hear, and see, all we claim to believe is truth, against the Truth of God’s Word. Safeguarding then our most valuable treasure, our relationship with Jesus. “I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 619-23.

Are you safeguarding your heart and faith against those who will do their best to rob you of Truth?

Friends, your only protection from spiritual deception is found in Christ alone.

God’s Word tells us there is only one way to the Father: through His Son, Jesus. Don’t be deceived. Don’t let those who use darkness and perpetuate lies rob you of the Truth and a real relationship with Jesus. “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” –Matthew 24:42-44.

Unwavering Faith: Trusting God’s Perfect Timing.

October 5, 2024 /

One of the greatest challenges in our spiritual journey is learning to trust God’s timing. We live in a world that celebrates speed. From instant communication to same-day deliveries, we’ve been conditioned to expect immediate results. Waiting has become something we dread, whether it’s waiting in line at a store or waiting for God to answer our prayers. But here’s the truth: God’s timing is never late. It’s always perfect—and that’s what we need to learn and hold on to as we walk by faith.

Today, let’s explore what it means to trust in God’s timing. How can we grow in patience, surrender, and strengthen our faith when it feels like nothing is moving? And what can we learn from the Bible about how God uses time to shape us and reveal His plans?

1. God’s Timing Is Not Our Timing

In Isaiah 55:8-9, God tells us plainly: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God operates on a completely different level than we do.

We often live day-to-day, focused on immediate circumstances, but God sees the complete picture—from the beginning of time to eternity. While we might experience frustration in our current season, God knows exactly what needs to happen and when it needs to happen. What may seem like a delay to us is often God working behind the scenes, orchestrating something greater than we could ever imagine.

Think about the life of Abraham. In Genesis 12:1-3, God called Abraham (then Abram) to leave his home and go to a land He would show him. “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

God promised to make Abraham the father of a great nation and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. But here’s the catch: Abraham was already 75 years old. Can you imagine how impossible that must have seemed? Yet, Abraham obeyed and trusted God. As the years passed and no child was born, Abraham’s faith wavered at times, but he continued to believe in God’s promise.

In Genesis 15, Abraham is now in his mid-80s, still without a child. He asks God, “What can you give me since I remain childless?” God reaffirms His promise to Abraham, telling him that his offspring will come from his own body and that his descendants will be as countless as the stars in the sky. Despite the delay, Abraham believed, and his faith was credited to him as righteousness.

Here’s a question: What promises are you holding onto today that seem impossible?

Are you waiting for healing, a financial breakthrough, a restored relationship, or the fulfillment of a dream God placed in your heart? Like Abraham, you might be tempted to doubt. You might wonder if God has forgotten. But just as God was faithful to Abraham, He will be faithful to you. His timing may not be yours, but His promises are sure.

2. Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands

Sometimes, when God’s timing doesn’t match our own, we’re tempted to take matters into our own hands. We think we can speed things up or force outcomes, but this usually leads to more problems than solutions.

In Genesis 16, Abraham’s wife, Sarah, grows tired of waiting. She’s now well past childbearing age, and the promise of a child seems more distant than ever. So, she decides to take control of the situation. She tells Abraham to have a child with her maidservant, Hagar. Abraham agrees, and Hagar gives birth to Ishmael. But this wasn’t part of God’s plan. Ishmael’s birth leads to conflict and tension within the family, and it creates a situation that still impacts the world today.

How many times have we acted out of impatience, thinking we knew better than God?

Maybe we’ve rushed into decisions because we felt like God wasn’t moving fast enough. Perhaps we’ve taken shortcuts in our careers, relationships, or personal lives because we were tired of waiting.

Taking control when we should trust God can lead to regret, unnecessary pain, and lasting consequences. Just as Sarah and Abraham’s impatience led to complications, we, too, experience consequences when we step outside of God’s will.

This is not to say we should sit passively, but there’s a difference between proactive obedience and forcing outcomes God hasn’t ordained.

God is not asking us to figure everything out on our own. He’s asking us to trust Him in the process. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

3. God’s Timing Requires Patience and Faith

Patience is not passive waiting—it’s active trust in God’s faithfulness. In Romans 8:24-25, Paul tells us: “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

Waiting on God requires a posture of faith and trust, even when we don’t understand why things aren’t happening on our timeline. Patience isn’t easy, especially when facing difficult situations or seeing others around us receive the answers we’ve been praying for. But faith teaches us to trust God, knowing His timing is perfect.

In fact, patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” –Galatians 5:22-23.

It’s a characteristic that God develops in us as we grow in maturity. Patience is not something we can manufacture on our own; it comes from a deep place of trust in God’s goodness. The more we learn to rely on Him, the more we can wait with hope and expectation.

James 1:2-4 encourages us to “consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

God uses seasons of waiting to refine us, to develop our character, and to draw us closer to Him.

The delays we experience are not wasted time; they are growth opportunities. We may not see what God is doing behind the scenes, but we can trust that He is working all things for our good. We need to remind ourselves of Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

4. God’s Timing Brings Glory to His Name

Another key aspect of trusting God’s timing is recognizing that He often uses delays to set the stage for a greater demonstration of His power and glory.

Look at the story of Lazarus in John 11. Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, falls gravely ill. His sisters, Mary, and Martha, send word to Jesus, expecting Him to come immediately to heal their brother. But what does Jesus do? He waits. By the time He arrives, Lazarus has already been dead for four days. Mary and Martha are heartbroken, saying, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” –John 11:21.

What they didn’t realize was that Jesus had a greater miracle in store.

 Instead of simply healing Lazarus, Jesus calls him out of the tomb, raising him from the dead. This miracle was far more significant than a simple healing—it displayed Jesus’ power over life and death. Sometimes, God delays things because He is preparing to do something far greater than we could imagine. His timing not only fulfills His promises but also reveals His glory. What may seem like a setback is often a setup for a greater miracle that will point others to the power of God.

When God comes through in ways that defy human logic, it’s a testimony to His greatness.

It shows that His ways are higher than ours and that His power is limitless.

5. Surrendering to God’s Perfect Timing

Finally, trusting God’s timing requires surrender. Proverbs 19:21 tells us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” We often have our own timelines and expectations, but we must recognize that God’s plan is always better.

Surrendering doesn’t mean giving up on what we’re believing for—it means trusting that God knows best and that He is in control. It means letting go of our need to control every detail and allowing God to lead the way.

We can have control, or we can have peace, but we can’t have both.

Peace comes when we relinquish control to our Sovereign God. As we surrender our desires, plans, and timelines to God, we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Surrendering to God’s timing frees us from anxiety. It allows us to live in the present, trusting that God is working for our good.

We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.

Conclusion: Trust, Wait, Surrender

So, where does this leave us? It leaves us in a place of trust, waiting, and surrender.

We trust that God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. We wait with patience and faith, knowing that He is working all things for our good.

We surrender our plans and our need for control.

When we align our hearts with His will, we find strength and courage, as Isaiah 40:31 reminds us: “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

Remain In Me.

September 28, 2024 /

MaryEllen Montville

“So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.” –1 John 2:24.

In his first Epistle, John the Apostle admonishes us four times within four verses to “remain” both faithful and in fellowship with Christ Jesus, and he adds our doing this is a sure sign of our love and obedience to God and His Word. “And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.” –1John 2:3-5.

Perhaps, as John was writing this portion of his Epistle, he was reflecting on earlier times.

Those days when he and his brothers spent drinking in every Word that fell from Jesus’ lips as they walked, talked, worked, ministered, debated with, and questioned Him so as to know and learn everything Jesus had to teach them. I pose this question because, upon reflection, the heart of John’s words in his Epistles concerning remaining connected to Christ—obeying Him, abiding in Him, could easily be interchanged with those spoken directly to him by Jesus in his Gospel. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” –John 15:5;8.

At their core, each verse points to how crucial staying connected to Christ truly is.

This cardinal precept of “remaining,” of spiritual intimacy with God, was a point Jesus emphasized the importance of repeatedly with His friends—and through them, to us. This precept of abiding is repeated throughout the Gospels—particularly in John’s.

Yet how? How do we “remain” faithful to what we’ve been taught from the beginning when nearly every day we hear of some new theory, new doctrine, some new “Word from the Lord” splashed across YouTube or social media, from the pulpit or whispered in our ear from a “well-meaning” yet albeit naïve believer. How do we “abide” in Christ when we’re being pulled this way or that by family members who demand, we choose between being with them or following after “this Jesus of yours.” When that addiction we thought was long behind us, the habit that had all but destroyed us, seems to be calling to us. A vague yet familiar siren song emanating up from our memory.

When your marriage is in crisis and, no matter of counseling, prayer, or late-night raging at the pain of disappointment and betrayal seems to heal it. How? When your wayward child is drifting further and further away, duped by a culture filling their heads with lies and confusion. When that stinging church hurt, or the betrayal of a life-long friend threatens to grow roots of bitterness in your heart. When the boss says that you must work on Sunday or participate in some office practice, that goes against your faith and principles, or it’s your job.

Thankfully, as believers, the answer to these questions isn’t complicated.

The process of our overcoming may be muddy and challenging, but the answer itself is straightforward. “…remain in my love.” –John 15:9. Jesus assures us, the solace and strength we need to overcome any trial is not only readily available to us, but found only in Him.

Equally, a prolific seed of Truth is found inside this simple verse: our unequivocal need for absolute Oneness with God. “Without me, you see, you can’t do anything. –John 15:5.

Sounds simplistic, I know. Maybe even trite to some.

However, absolute Oneness with God is what our relationship with Jesus must be built upon for us to flourish—to overcome and thrive spiritually.

We must have a resolute, watertight bond with our God. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” –Matthew 7:24-25.

And yet beloved, when we’re the ones facing the mountain before us, the death, terrifying diagnosis, betrayal, break-up, or loss, this simple Truth of abiding in Jesus, clinging to Him, placing a measure of faith we didn’t even know we possessed in Him, can feel not only daunting, but down-right impossible for some of us to swallow. And yet, swallow we must. Staying connected to Truth—to Jesus, we must.

Our feelings will fail us, so will our hearts, courage, and minds—our friends, too, as well intended as they may be. In times of trials, only Jesus can help us. Save, heal, deliver, strengthen, enable, make a way through or restore us.

Only Jesus.

Actually, this is true every day. For most of us, unfortunately, we only become aware of this when the winds and waves are threatening to take us out.

Each verse in today’s teaching is intended to harken us back to Jesus. To Remind us we can do nothing apart from Him—not even those things we so readily take for granted, like drawing our next breath.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly states that He came not to exercise His own will but to do the will of the Father who sent Him. To say what He’d heard the Father say only. “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does…” –John 5: 19-20.

At the core of all Jesus did was an ever-present determination to obey God and His Word to the utmost, even unto His death on the Cross.

It was this burning love for the Father, this fixed determination that was such a part of who Jesus is that nothing and no one could lure Him away from oneness with the Father. This absolute oneness caused and enabled Jesus to do what the “fully man” in Him momentarily stumbled over. “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” –Mark 14:35-36.

We would do well to imatate Jesus by remaining in, trusting in, the love of the Father for His children.

Beloved, you have a Great High Priest who knows how hard it is for you right now. He not only sees you but that all but unbearable weight of pain you’re carrying—He’s been there. It’s why, in part, He sent me to remind you to stay connected to Him—your True and Only Source of Strength. Abide in Him. Trusting that the strength, healing, rescue, answers, or freedom you need—have been praying for— is found only in Jesus—that He has you.

Your trial, the “hour” that has come upon you, is safe in God’s Hands.

No matter what things look like, regardless of how dark it may get, trust God, beloved, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.  The Father and I are one.” –John 10: 28-30.

Friend, Jesus made connecting with Him simple. Here’s how: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10. I encourage you to call out to Jesus as your Lord and Savior today, become one with Him—abide in Him.

How the Poor Man Became Rich and Mourned No More.

September 21, 2024 /

Matthew Botelho

“The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted.” –Matthew 5:3-4.

If we are saved, we have a testimony of where we were when we met Jesus. That very place of despair, trapped. We were feeling like we were in a cage. Pacing back and forth, unable to set ourselves free. Our very souls were crying out, “Is there any hope for my suffering, my lust, my addiction!”

Think about this for a moment: The moment you said, “My suffering” or “My addiction,” you claimed something that is no longer your portion in this life. Because when you became Christ’s own, you were born again, washed clean of the sins that once held you captive and led you into states of depression and self-loathing. “Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it’s fruit.” –Proverbs 18:21

Everything changed when we received revelation, and the Light of Christ pierced our hearts. Only then could we truly see.

Many of us did not see or understand what we were speaking over ourselves before we accepted Jesus because we were blind, walking in darkness. “There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” –Luke 12:2-3

Friends, we will not see the Kingdom of God as long as we stay in our sins. “Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Do not be deceived; No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s Kingdom.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Reading the above scripture made me wonder how anyone can live a “carefree life.”

Have you ever heard someone say, “Oh, they are such a free spirit?” But they’re not really a free spirit if that freedom will cost them their soul. If any of the sins listed above are present in their “carefree” lifestyle, then I assure you they’re not living so carefree. Jesus is the only one who can bring life, not some “carefree” counterfeit spirit. “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”- John 14:6

The person’s life may look good from the outside, but looks are deceiving.

Such people are living a lie—just as we all once did before Christ. We all tried to fill a space within ourselves that made us feel good. That eased our pain or loneliness. But it was just a placebo. Something that made us think we felt better, at least for a while. The truth is, we were still sick.

In my last teaching, “Cleansing A Leprous Heart,” I said sin was a sickness. And I likened sin to leprosy. Sin is a spiritual sickness that starts on the inside and works its way out. “Summoning the crowd, He told them, “Listen and understand: It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”– Matthew 15:10-11

Though only God knows a man’s heart, you can see how a person thinks, what they live by, and their morals and beliefs by observing their life. Be still and listen to them talk. You will know them by their words and how they speak to others. Watch their walk. Scripture says: “You will know them by their fruits…” –Matthew 7:16.

We all carried the sickness of unrepentant sin with us at one point.

Jesus is the great physician who cured our sickness by separating our sins from us as far as the East is from the West, never to remember it again. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” –Psalm 103:12.

Listen to how Jesus explained why He’d come to the Pharisees. “When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was sitting with sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, He told them, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Mark 2:16-17

Jesus used the word “righteous” to make evident to the Scribes that their “righteousness” came only by knowing the law and then pointing out what other people cannot or should not do. The Scribes couldn’t see that these people were lost in their sins with no one to help them. They couldn’t understand that these people were the very reason Jesus came.

My friends, don’t fall into a place where you claim yourself to be so righteous you won’t help out a brother or sister when they are having a tough time, afraid you’ll dirty yourself. Instead, remember Who showed you mercy and love when you were at your lowest. Lest we forget what the apostle Paul wrote: “Carry one anothers burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” – Galatians 6:2-3

Jesus told the Pharisees, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.” –Matthew 23:23.

Jesus came for sinners. The “Whosoever’s.”  “And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.” –Acts 2:21. He dined with them that night because He was about His Father’s business, to meet the poor in spirit and to show them the way into the Kingdom of heaven.

Friends, we no longer need to mourn our sins, but we can rejoice because Christ Jesus’ has clothed us in His Righteousness. He has comforted us in our time of need. “And when you were dead in trespasses and in uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespass. He erased the certificate of debt, with it’s obligations that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross.” –Colossians 2:13-14

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

 We were once poor in spirit, but God made us rich. We were prisoners of our sins, but God set us free. We mourned in our trespasses, but God filled our hearts with joy. Jesus died so that you and I will live for all eternity and be coheirs in the Kingdom of God. Jesus loves you so much.

We at the SonsoftheSea ministry are continually praying for every one of you. I invite all who feel the stirring of the Holy Spirit to open their heart and come to Jesus in complete repentance. Repent and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” – Romans 10:9-10.

I pray you receive Him and His gift of salvation that cost Jesus His life. Be washed by His precious Blood, and your every sin will be washed away in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

A New Thing.

September 14, 2024 /

Pastor Maria Braga

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” –Isiah 43:19.

The Bible is filled with countless examples of God’s incredible changes in His people’s lives as He led them. He continues to change us and lead us today. The “new thing “the prophet Isaiah talks about in today’s Scripture is not a one-time event. It’s a continuous work of God in each generation. A work that is impossible for man to do—but not for God. This evidence of God’s ongoing work should reassure and fill us with hope.

The prophet Isaiah received this Word from the Lord and passed it onto us, believers, so we would know that Abba Father is creative and Omnipresent in every season of our lives and every generation. God Himself points to this Truth in Isaiah 43:19: “Behold, I will do a new thing.” 

All God does in the life of the believer is for growth.

To bring His child closer to Him and to build His child up in the Spirit.

God, in His Omnipotence, knows what His plan is for each of us.

And He knows exactly how to execute the individual plan He created for each of His children.

Often, in our humanity, we can’t comprehend God’s plan because of our spiritual limitations, but in His Omniscience, God’s plan is so perfect. All we need to do is trust that the new thing He is doing is awesome! Because God is more than awesome! He is Powerfully All-Knowing, and He is always present. God is Spirit, and the things of the Spirit are not always clear to us. For the believer, we must accept spiritual Truths by faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” –Hebrews 11:1.

God is in control.

In our humanity, we get thrown off because our timing does not align with God’s timing; we want it when we want it, and we want it now! But Abba Father teaches us to trust Him with all things. In His Omnipresence, He is always beside us, and things come to our understanding in His perfect timing! “God will provide your need at the right time. At the right time, God will deliver you. At the right time, God will rescue you.” –Psalm 31:15.

We must understand that the right time is God’s time, not ours.

“Now it springs up (forth); do you not perceive it? (Recognize it?)” –Isaiah 43:19.

God’smaking a way through the desert and providing water out of nowhere for the Israelites to drink is a miracle that transcends their passage through the Red Sea and many other miracles we see throughout Exodus; it lands at God’s faithfulness to His people today. God is still doing a “new thing” for and in His people. Maybe in the prophet’s mind, this may have been the “new thing” he saw—a symbol of Israel’s deliverance.  

Today, God continues doing this new thing in our personal lives, church community, and within the hearts of all those who call on Him.

God never stops working.

 In Numbers Ten, we learn that the people of Israel only moved when the Lord moved. They followed His lead and rested whenever the cloud rested. But today’s culture encourages us to move on our own, independent from the Lord.

God knows our weaknesses like He knew the weakness of His people then. He knows how far we can go without Him, so God gently realigns us when we persist on going it alone. God is always right and always knows what is best for us. We must train ourselves to obey Him quickly when He speaks, especially through His written Word.

” Do you not perceive it?”

God calls our attention to what is happening and what is passing us by, similar to how He called Isaiah’s attention to what was about to happen, yet we sometimes don’t see it. We may pay attention to natural things and quickly understand them, but not so much with spiritual matters. At times, our miracle is in God answering our prayer.

We cry out, ask, call intercessors, plead, and even lose hope in difficulties.

Then, suddenly, God answers our prayers and cries, yet when we receive them—receive our healing, we sometimes act as though we are entitled. We don’t even take the time to say, “Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayer. For healing my body.” This ungrateful attitude must hurt God’s heart! Things are well now; I am all set. Just like the Israelites, we quickly forget what God has done and does for us.

Let’s be attentive and grateful for all God does for us. Our gratitude for His answering our prayers should make us feel appreciative and humble before the One who helps us. There’s a story in the Bible about ten lepers that Jesus healed, but only one returned to say thank you. “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.” –Luke 17:15-17.

We must not forget to bless God for healing us and answering our prayers. Our thanksgiving is giving God the glory He deserves!

Since 2022, I have been crying out to God to heal me of breast cancer. I have my church praying, my family, friends, and others. I could be in heaven today, but God did heal me and is allowing me an extended life. I am so joyful and thankful for all He’s done for me through answered prayer.

I look forward to the “new thing” He is about to do in the seasons that lay before me. I believe the best is yet to come because God always does what He says He’ll do.

Look at the last part of this verse in Isaiah 43:19: “I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

I never want to forget the wilderness that Abba has brought me through, as He’s taking me to the “new thing” He has for me. From now on, I choose to worship Him with greater devotion and a more thankful attitude. And I will wait for His lead. Going when He says go and stopping when He says stop. After all, He is opening streams in the deserts I know not of. It is His work, and I will follow Jesus to these streams to serve and bless His name.

Today, Father, we come before Your Throne with a grateful heart. We ask for faith to believe every Word You say. Forgive us for going our own way at times, and teach us to listen to Your voice as You lead us into the “new thing” You have for our futures. We are ready to receive Your salvation, healing, and the power needed to live for You and bring glory to You alone. We love You and praise You, Jesus. Amen.

If you are looking for a “new thing” to happen in your life, start by asking Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior. The Word of God promises, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10.

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