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

Month: April 2022

Don’t Sleep On This.

April 30, 2022 /
Kendra Santilli

Live every day as if Jesus can come back right now, but plan as if you still have another hundred years on this earth. –unknown

Certain moments in life mark you. Moments that latch on to your heart, periodically making their way back to memory. One of those moments came to me in a high school Bible class as my teacher gave us the quote mentioned above. As I wrestle with the mystery of the second coming of Christ spoken of in the scriptures, I often remember what he said. Live every day as if Jesus can come back right now…

While it is not gospel, its depth of meaning challenges me each time I think about it. The Bible is clear that Jesus is coming back, but it is also clear that not one person knows the day nor the hour of His return. “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son —except the Father alone”– Matt 24:36. Jesus, Himself doesn’t know when the Father will send Him. What makes anyone think they could make such an arrogant prediction? Some believers blindly believe the false teachers who claim to know one of the very things the Bible says we cannot know. Now, I am not here to berate the person who believes their words; instead, I hope to send out a call to action in this hour of waiting for our Lord’s second coming.

When I think of the coming of Christ, I am reminded of the parable of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25.

“At that time the kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” “No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.” But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us!” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” – Matt 25:1-14

The “virgins” in this passage possibly refer to members of a bridal party waiting to greet the groom as he arrives; these represent followers of Jesus, while the bridegroom represents Jesus. In this parable, Jesus is cautioning people to prepare themselves while they await His coming. Do you identify with the foolish virgins who slept while they should have been preparing for the bridegroom? These are people who know Jesus is coming. They can be believers who say they love Jesus or know of Jesus but do not live righteous lives. The scary thing about this is that they are part of the bridal party – they prepared for this wedding with the bride, who is the church, but in those last hours, they slept instead of preparing their lamps (or hearts) for the coming of the bridegroom. I have heard believers say, “what’s the point of working or being ambitious? Jesus is about to come”. I’m not making this up. I have heard these words fr*om people who are believers. Jesus never called us to be lazy; in fact, the Bible refers to laziness as foolish. These lazy virgins who slept instead of preparing their lamps with oil are referred to as foolish. Instead, it is wise to continue to prepare both in body and spirit. First, you must prepare your heart. Jesus is more concerned about your heart than anything else, but He does not stop there. You must, secondly, continue to be good stewards of what the Lord has given you. Has He given you a home? Care for it. A family? Provide for them and leave them an inheritance. A business? Steward that well and continue to care for it as He blesses the work of your hands.

Continue to put God first, spend time with Him, and care for what He has given you. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” – Matthew 6:33. God created this earth for us to enjoy and to care for as we reside here until the day that He calls us home.

Maybe you identify with the wise virgins instead? Those who were vigilant in filling their lamps with oil before the bridegroom’s arrival. They, too, fell asleep. However, they could rest knowing that they were prepared for the wedding (or the kingdom of Heaven). These are people who prepare themselves by learning God’s word, even when their peers tell them it doesn’t matter. They go against the grain and prepare themselves for the groom’s coming. When He arrives, they can light their lamps with the oil they already have and join the wedding party while the others are locked out because they slept instead of being prepared.

… plan as if you still have another hundred years on this earth.

What are you doing with your time? Have you given up on any ambition? Have you lost hope? Have you given yourself to procrastination, saying you have time to figure it out? Or do you spend time filling your -*lamp with oil? The oil of the Holy Spirit and the Word that gives you that fills you with purpose, hope, and vision. As you fill your lamp with oil, you live with your eyes wide open, searching for the opportunity to obey God’s Word and live rightly. The word of God is hidden in your heart so that you can use it when you need it. Spending time with God in His Word and prayer fills your lamp with oil and gives you the passion for preparing yourself physically and spiritually for His coming.

This message is not one of sadness; this is a call to action!

If you have been following Jesus yet feel that you identify with the foolish virgins, it is not too late. Wake up, get up, and fill your lamps with oil. Seek Jesus with all your heart, and you will find Him. And if you don’t yet know Jesus as Lord, ask Him to come into your heart, to be your Savior. Repent of your sins, and God will lead you in the way you were created to go in. He is faithful and wants to have a relationship with you! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” –Jeremiah 29:11-13.

The Bible is clear that Jesus is coming again, but no one knows when, so I will echo the words I heard over ten years ago…

Live every day like He’s coming now, but plan as if you have another hundred years.

Revealed.

April 23, 2022 /
MaryEllen Montville

“God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth” –Ephesians 1:9-10.

The crowd’s thunderous, “…Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” –silent now. Even the treacherous “…Crucify him! Crucify him!” vomited up from the mouths of the ones He had come to save, dried up. His Bloodstained Cross lay discarded, yesterday’s news. The very agent of their supposed victory abandoned now. His Cross, burned to ashes, perhaps? They didn’t want to leave behind even a trace of His Precious Blood, erase all evidence of Him, lest one of His radical followers claim this Bloodstained wood held power, leading others to believe that even in death, He lives. Has power, still. Not magic. Not some religious relic. Rather, Bloodstained wood that will never be silenced. Truth, some tried desperately to seal up in tomb-like silence, behind some weighty stone they mistakenly thought would shut up His claims of being their long-awaited Messiah—once, for all. The King of the Jews sealed neatly away, silent now, finally. Blood cleaned up. Body wrapped up. Problem solved!

But God had a plan.

Long before the Third Day Resurrection of our Lord, even before the Trinity stood over the dark void and spoke, God had a plan in place to redeem all of His children, Jew, and Gentile alike, one, in Christ Jesus. Child of God, Your Father has loved you with an everlasting love. I know, such a mystery is too great to take in. For me, it’s right up there with Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Wait, what? Even before I was in my mother’s womb? Wouldn’t that imply…

If you didn’t catch how purposefully loved you are after reading Jeremiah 1:5. Hand-chosen, a unique and vibrant thread intricately interwoven into a lavish tapestry far exceeding anything our finite minds and myopic vision can fully take in; all before that tapestry yet existed, then read this. Let it add some other beautiful layer of certainty as to how it is God sees you. “But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

You are His. And, He has redeemed you.

To fully understand the full weight of those two statements, a more than cursory understanding of the ancient Jewish wedding ceremony is helpful here. I won’t get into it now, but I do encourage you to look up a reliable source and read the intricate and detailed process of ancient Jewish weddings. Or back click on the link I’ve provided. Times and customs may have changed, but God’s love and election haven’t.

Ancient Jewish Marriage

It has always been about Jesus—God’s redemptive plan, that is. When Adam and Eve sinned, we catch our first glimpse of “God’s plan” in Genesis. We, God’s children, being covered by the blood of something innocent—a foreshadowing, a sign. God has always given signs to those who have eyes to see. “And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them” –Genesis 3:21. An innocent life had to be taken. Innocent blood was shed. The guilty, covered. That’s you. That’s me. That’s the Gospel Message. The Living proof of John 3:16 foreshadowed in Eden. Sinful man saved by the redeeming Blood of God’s Spotless, Perfect Lamb. His One and only Son, our Lord, Jesus the Christ. The Way. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” –John 14:6.

“God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. – And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus” –Ephesians 1:9-11;3;6.

Easter is over. The Crown of Thorns vanished, His Cross, ashes. But Jesus is still here. Still very much alive and calling “whosoever will” to Himself. And the Power of His Blood, well, that’s forever. The Blood will never lose Its power—or voice. The work of the Cross is finished. Praise God! But the plan God had for the Cross, its true purpose, continues. I know this with certainty because I’m still here, but that’s for another day. God’s plan to redeem all those chosen in Himself since before eternity past is alive and well today. “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence” –Ephesians 3:12.

Consider this your invitation from God. Accept His love for you, the plans He has just for you. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” –Jeremiah 29:11. Be used by Him, not as man uses you, but be used for God’s glory and honor, weaved into His lavish and beautiful tapestry so resplendent in glory you cannot take it in, yet. But in just a moment, if you’ll but believe, you’ll see as Jesus sees, and every thread will make perfect beautiful sense.

Now I hear you saying, but I have no faith; I don’t know your Jesus. Take heart, friend; Jesus knows you; that’s why He sent me. The truth remains Truth even when you don’t believe it to be Truth. That’s the beauty of Truth, of God. He is unchanging. You can rely on Him, His Truth.

So If you are here, you’re here because God’s called you here. There is no coincidence. You are being invited to join Him; you are one of those spoken of in today’s Scripture. You are part of God’s plan. One He chose in Himself, before the foundations of the world. Accept His offer and come on back home. “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” –John 3:3.

The Power of the Blood of Jesus.

April 16, 2022 /
Pastor Samuel Cordeiro

“In fact under the Law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness [neither release from sin and its guilt, nor cancellation of the merited punishment]”–Hebrews 9:22.

Each year millions of people worldwide celebrate Easter or what many refer to as “Resurrection Sunday.” Churches and home groups everywhere come together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christmas has no merit if not for Easter; it wasn’t the birth of Jesus that brought us salvation but Jesus’ death and resurrection. Through these, Jesus conquered sin and death. Some of my favorite worship songs are Easter Worship Songs, beautiful songs about the Blood of the lamb. Songs like: “Thank you, Jesus, for the Blood” by Charity Gayle; or the hymn “There is Power in the Blood”; and “Oh the Blood” by Kari Jobe. Those songs always remind me of the powerful Blood of Jesus.

Growing up in a Portuguese-American church, I remember countless instances when someone would share a prayer request during prayer meetings. Almost instantly, a brother or sister in the church would say “O Sangue de Jesus tem poder,” which translates to “There is power in the Blood of Jesus.” My church knew that the answer to that prayer would be found in the Blood of Jesus. They would plead the Blood of Jesus over a situation as part of their prayer, as a declaration. However, to truly understand the power of the Blood of Jesus, we need to start with the question, WHY BLOOD?

The Bible tells us that sin separates us from God.

However, in the book of Leviticus, we find God’s instructions to the Israelites. He makes plain that their sins would be forgiven after the priest offered the bloody sacrifice of an animal, which was a foreshadowing of the death of the Messiah—Jesus Christ, who would come to defeat sin once and for all. In both the Old Testament and New Testament, there would be no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood.

There are six revelations about the Blood of Jesus God spoke to me over the past couple of months:

  1. There is forgiveness and salvation through the Blood of Jesus.

 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” – Matthew 26:28.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” – Ephesians 1:7.

“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary” – Hebrews 10:10;12-13; 18

The power of Jesus’ Blood is the basic, central message of true Christianity—that God the Father sent His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, down to earth in the flesh to physically die on a Cross to save us and give us total and permanent forgiveness for all of our sins. We are not saved by our good works, by going to church, not by donating to the poor; there is only one way you are guaranteed eternal life, and that is because you have placed your faith in Jesus and the power of His shed Blood on that Cross. In Isaiah 1:18, we see forgiveness described as the Blood of Jesus washing away our sins: “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

I recently heard this quote “If you are looking only at the blood of Jesus for heaven, you are going to miss out on the power of the blood of Jesus here on earth.”

These words really encouraged me to use the Blood of Jesus as a weapon.

They made me realize that the Blood of Jesus is a weapon in our God-given arsenal. There is power, wonder-working, supernatural power when a Christian pleads the Blood of Jesus over their lives, families, and homes.

  1. The Blood of Jesus Redeems:

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” –1 Peter 1:18-19.

The definition of redeemed is: “to buy back” or “to save from captivity by paying a ransom.” In the days of slavery, a slave could be bought back by offering an equivalent or superior slave in their place. God chose to buy us back in this exact way – by offering his Son, Jesus, in exchange for us. When God sent His Jesus to Earth, He could have quickly taken him back; Jesus wouldn’t have had to suffer and shed His Blood on that Cross. Yet God literally exchanged His one and only Son, Jesus, so that mankind (you and me) can be freed from sins, slavery, and bondage. Jesus took our sin debt onto Himself. And God stamped it “paid in full.” So now we can sing: “Sin has lost its grip on me.” So if there is a lifestyle choice, bad habit, or any sin in your life that you need to get rid of – plead the Blood of Jesus. Jesus can set you free.

Through Jesus, we have redemption from sin, and we need to take hold of that freedom.

  • The Blood of Jesus Delivers:

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” – Colossians 1:13-14.

“…That through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” – Hebrews 2:14.

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” –1 John 3:8.

The Bible makes plain that through Jesus’ physical death on the Cross, when His Blood was shed, Satan and his power were defeated.

So if there is something in your life that you need deliverance from, plead the Blood of Jesus over it. If there is a negative voice in your head speaking lies over you – plead the Blood of Jesus for deliverance from those lies. If something is tormenting you with fear – plead the Blood of Jesus for deliverance over that fear.

And if you are reading this and thinking you are too weak, you don’t have the strength, or perhaps your faith is too small, listen to this:

  • The Blood of Jesus Empowers:

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” –Revelation 12:11.

God has given us the power to overcome, not in our own strength, but by the Blood of the Lamb shed on that Cross and by the word of our testimony. We are empowered to overcome by pleading the Blood of Jesus and declaring our God’s goodness. God gives us authority and use of the spiritual weapon of the Blood of Jesus to deliver us once an attack has come. God also gives us the authority to plead the Blood of Jesus over situations before an attack ever happens.

  • The Blood of Jesus Protects:

In Exodus 12, we can read the story of the first Passover. God sent Moses to rescue the people of Israel from their captivity and slavery to the Egyptians. Since Pharaoh refused to set the Israelites free, God sent ten plagues over Egypt to punish them. These plagues included turning water into Blood, an infestation of frogs, lice, flies, locusts, disease on livestock, and so on. The 10th of these plagues was the death of the firstborn. God told Pharaoh He would allow an angel of death to come through their camp to kill all of their firstborn children. However, before God allowed this plague to come, God promised to protect the Israelites from this plague. God told the Israelites to kill a blemish-free lamb. Then, to put its Blood on the sides and tops of the doorframes of their homes. God told His people that when the angel of death passed by, if he saw the blood on their doorposts, the angel of death would “pass over” their houses, sparing the lives of their firstborns. In other words, the blood of this blemish-free lamb was being used as divine protection before an attack would ever touch their land.“The Blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the Blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt” – Exodus 12:13.

Scripture informs us that at midnight, when the angel of death came by, all the firstborn children died except those of the Israelites who obeyed God’s command. So what does this mean for us in 2022?

In simple words – Jesus is our PASSOVER. In John 1:29 – when John the Baptist sees Jesus approaching, he says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” The same way the blood of a lamb was used to protect the Israelite families, the Blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, is our supernatural protection today. We no longer need to sacrifice animal blood to forgive our sins or for our protection.

Jesus’ Blood is the ultimate sacrifice, shed once, for all.

When the Blood of the Lamb forms a wall around you, it is difficult for the enemy to penetrate your life and home. Remember, you can plead the Blood of Jesus over your home, over your journey & your means of transportation; you can plead the Blood of Jesus over your children, and, if you are ever in a place you feel afraid or unsure – plead the Blood of Jesus!

  • There is Healing through the Blood of Jesus:

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” – Isaiah 53:5.

Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the crucifixion of Jesus was given him approximately 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Isaiah declares that by his stripes, the bloody wounds on Jesus’ body, WE ARE HEALED. By faith, I encourage you to plead the Blood of Jesus over your body for healing. May it be done to you according to God’s will. When the doctor gives you a diagnosis, plead the Blood of Jesus—by His stripes, Jesus has the power to make you whole.

I am reminded of the chorus of the Hymn “There is Power in the Blood” that says, “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.”

The lyrics of this song are written in the present tense, not the past; this can only mean one thing: When the Blood of Jesus was shed some 2,000 years ago, Jesus’ Blood’s saving, supernatural power was not a one-time work’s, it is still working today. The Blood of Jesus is for yesterday, today, and forever. God has given us this weapon, this tool for our spiritual life to be used by faith. When we begin to plead the Blood of Jesus for redemption, deliverance, power, protection, and healing, we declare that the struggles and situations we face are no match against the power of the Cross or Jesus’ resurrection.

As we approach Easter, let us be reminded that the Blood of Jesus shed on Calvary’s Cross has the power for salvation and gives us victory over every situation or trial we face today.

If you have not yet experienced the power of the Blood of Jesus, I encourage you to invite Jesus into your heart today. Ask Him to reveal His love to you. Ask God to forgive you of your sins, then receive the free gift of eternal life through Jesus.

Welcome, Pastor Samuel Cordeiro!

April 15, 2022 /
Pastor Samuel Cordeiro

“I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” –1 Corinthians 3:6-8.

As previously mentioned, Sonsofthesea is thrilled to announce we have been led to make room for guest teachers; these “new nets,” fellow fishers of men, will be joining their voices to ours in bringing you a timely Word from the Lord. Their hearts, like ours, sold out to Jesus and in sharing His inerrant Word of Truth with “who so ever will.” Watch for them, family, and be sure to read their bio’s!

That said, it is our honor to introduce our newest guest teacher, Pastor Samuel Cordeiro. We three, Kendra, Stephanie, and I, have the privilege of calling our Associate Pastor, Sam Cordeiro, our friend. Yet he is so much more. Pastor Sam is a mentor and leader both at Highland City Church and within our community. Pastor Sam is also a husband, dad, lover of God’s Word, and an intrical part of the Highland City Church worship team.

So please join us in welcoming Pastor Samuel Cordeiro!

Be on the lookout. Pastor Sam’s first post will go live on Saturday, April 16th, 2022, just in time for Resurrection Sunday.

Until then, head over to our website and check out his bio. And remember, keep watch for upcoming announcements regarding these new “fishers of men” God has called to teach and partner with Sonsofthesea!

And don’t forget to sign up to receive our weekly teachings. Visit our website, Sonsofthesea.org, fill in your preferred email, and hit “subscribe.” Easy! Each Saturday, you will receive a new teaching delivered directly to your inbox.

As always, may God bless you and keep you. And know, we are grateful and humbled that you choose to follow us—as we continue to follow Christ Jesus. We invite anyone searching for sound, Bible-based teaching to join our Sonsofthesea family! We have been a Christ-centered online presence since 2016.

He’ll Make a Warrior Out of You.

April 9, 2022 /
Kendra Santilli

“Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it” – Judges 8:4.

Today, we will follow the story of an unlikely hero in the Old Testament who restored his nation with God’s help. This story can’t just be cherry-picked, one verse and call it a day, so we are going on a bit of a storytelling journey. But trust me, it’s a good one! Judges six introduces us to a timid young man from the least of his tribe. He was also the youngest child in his family.

From the beginning of this story, it is evident that Gideon was far from strong and courageous.

We read many Bible stories of brave, valiant men and women who trusted God with all confidence, yet God’s choice of Gideon highlights someone who may not be a “typical hero.” Gideon was a fearful person, probably a bit anxious if I were to guess. Yet the beauty of his story is that God’s mercy sees past Gideon’s current circumstance and speaks into his destiny. One small blog post is not enough to cover Gideon’s whole story, yet there is much we can learn about what it means to walk in our God-given purpose, nevertheless.

 “The weakest tribe.” “The youngest in his family.”

You and I know these terms of inadequacy; there’s really nothing new under the sun. These terms of inadequacy were the exact words used to describe one of the greatest warriors of old. Often, we know what our end goal needs to be, yet we also have the sense we somehow don’t have what it takes to fill the shoes to make things happen.

Whether it’s our career, ministry, personal, or family-related, everyone knows the feeling of inadequacy. Thankfully, our Creator is not surprised by our self-perceived shortcomings. He anticipates them.

God knows exactly how we see ourselves. He also knows how to extract the absolute best from us—through His Holy Spirit at work in us. The Lord approached Gideon, He said, “the Lord is with you mighty warrior” – v. 12. Gideon’s response to being called a mighty warrior was riddled with fearful doubt, not faith. Gideon failed, initially, to recognize God was trying to inspire him by calling him a mighty warrior. “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” – Judges 6:15. Gideon affirmed two things in questioning God the way he did: his insignificance and lack of faith. He had heard of the God who delivered his people from Egypt years ago, but he didn’t believe the same God was still with them. Gideon felt helpless and abandoned. He didn’t realize that Israel’s Savior had come to lift Israel’s heads—yet again.

Gideon’s response sounded awfully familiar to me. I’ve heard many people respond in this same fashion. “If God is with me, why do I still not have a house?” ‘If God is with me, why am I still sick?’ “If God is with me, why don’t I have my dream job?” “If God is with me, why am I not married yet?”

If-then statements affirm our fears and doubts rather than decree God’s faithfulness.

God was trying to teach Gideon a lesson in steadfastness—and through him, us as well. You have to understand the background of this story to appreciate Gideon’s response to God. Moses had led the Israelites out of being enslaved people in Egypt just a few generations before. They were a free people now, but they had turned away from God, worshipping idols instead. They explicitly broke the command given them by God, to have “no other gods before the one true God- Yahweh”—Exodus 20:3. And because of their spiritual adultery, God allowed the Israelites to fall into the hands of their enemies, yet again. The Bible says the Midianites were like locusts, ravaging the land of the Israelites –Judges 6:5. The Israelites were afraid of Midianites after succumbing to the deception of giving their hearts to the pagan God, Baal. This makes Gideon’s fearful response to God’s sudden appearance make sense.

If Gideon were to re-establish Yahweh as Israel’s one true God, he knew he’d be doing so in opposition to the people around him. He’d be in the minority. The Israelites crafted false gods with their hands; today, many people hold their god in their hands—their phones. Remember, gods can come in the form of family members, significant others, nature, entertainment, possessions, careers—anything can become a god if we allow it. And while it may feel right at that moment, giving our hearts to other gods has long-term, devastating effects on our spirits. We were created to thrive when our heart, mind, soul, and strength are fixed on the one true God. “Jesus declared, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment” –Matthew 22:37-38.

If our hearts are not purposefully committed to serving Jesus only, losing them to another god is easy.

Back to Gideon. He lived in a culture that had given its heart to idols and was oppressed by pagans. Then God shows up and calls Gideon a mighty warrior – Judges 6:12. Gideon could not see his worth because God was calling Gideon by his potential.

God has a way of showing us who He’s created us to be.

When God showed up, Gideon was by no means a mighty warrior; he was the timid, youngest child of his tribe, threshing wheat in a winepress—Judges 6:11. Little did Gideon know, God was about to make him one of His greatest warriors. To help accomplish this, the Lord selects a three-hundred-man army to fight alongside Gideon. Yet, for them to come away victorious from this battle with the Midianites would require a trained army of some tens of thousands! Surely, they were in for an impossible fight. Yet here they were, this unlikely army of just three hundred men hand-picked by the Lord. Their number, part of God’s plan. God jealously wanted the glory in freeing His people from their captors, and He still does.

So, if you feel like you’re in an impossible situation, you are in the prime position for a miraculous victory, which can only happen by the hand of God! Let the Spirit of God remind you who He is and who you are in Him. Even when you’ve walked away from the Lord, He sees you, still. He is still pursuing you, just as He did the Israelites, repeatedly. Jesus never fails to remind us of who He’s been in our lives, even when we didn’t realize it. When the time finally comes to fight for the vision in your heart, it may be scary, but you must remember that the Lord has already been working on your behalf behind the scenes. We see the Truth of this in Gideons’ story.

Gideon had gone through a series of events leading up to this battle, yet he still wasn’t the mighty warrior he would become. But the Lord wasn’t surprised by this. He expected Gideon to be afraid. Moments before this battle, the Lord leaks some intel to Gideon, telling him that he should eavesdrop on what his enemies are saying if he is still afraid. Sure enough, the princes of Midian were discussing a dream.

“This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside. “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.'”… While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords” – Judges 7:14-18; 21-22.

God went ahead of Gideon, weakening the hearts of his enemy. But I want us to pay attention to Gideon’s response to God’s actions. He bowed down and worshiped. Too many today receive their blessing and get up prideful, rather than humble—boastful, instead of praising the Lord, remembering the blessing came by His hand alone. God loves a humble heart and will continue to bless it—Proverbs 3:34.

But the story isn’t over yet. Gideon had one more battle to fight; they couldn’t give up just yet. In the middle of this passage, we read that Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. – Judges 8:4. They were exhausted but continued their pursuit.

I don’t know about you, but I deeply feel this verse. I get so tired of fighting sometimes I just want to stop and relax, taking some time for myself.

But God did not create us to live in comfort; He created us to live in Him, operate in His strength when we feel weak. To be bold and courageous. And our having such courage sometimes requires being uncomfortable. It requires faith and perseverance. “Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon…” –Judges 6:34. Gideon defied the ungodly culture he lived amongst by the power of God’s Spirit at work in him. By his choosing to obey and follow after the one true God.

When culture tells us to do what feels good, the Bible tells us to step out in faith even when it feels uncomfortable.

Like Gideon, I believe the Lord wants to make a mighty warrior out of you. Wherever you are in life, I pray you to have the courage to obey the Lord in everything. God knows what’s going on, whether in your work, family, or personal life. If you are willing to listen, He is ready to lead you. And as He leads you, trust that He is working behind the scenes in ways you could never imagine. You may be afraid and anxious, but Gideon’s story should inspire hope, ensuring that God is not afraid of your shortcomings. He expects them and prepares us, despite them. Keep fighting. Keep trusting the Lord. He moves in ways that you could never think or imagine. And when you see your victory, respond in worship. Not in pride.

If you don’t know the Lord who fights for you, I promise that He is available to you right here and now if you would humble yourself and pray to Him. If you seek Jesus with all your heart, He will meet you exactly where you are. Your need is not too small nor too big. Ask Jesus into your heart today. He will strengthen you to walk through this life in victory!

Run, Don’t Walk.

April 2, 2022 /
MaryEllen Montville

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise against me, spouting malicious accusations” –Psalm 27:10-12.

David knew firsthand the sudden, waspish sting of betrayal. That gut-punch instant when the enemy of your soul lands some unexpected blow straight to your solar plexus, leaving you disoriented, stunned, silent—air-less. As Christians, we expect this from our enemy. After all, Scripture has taught us that he comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). But what about when our “enemy” comes wrapped in the flesh of a friend? Worst yet, a trusted family member. A mother or father, sister, brother, that beloved grandparent?

What do we do in that instant?

How do we respond to such an attack?

As always, God’s Word holds our answer. God’s Word alone the guardrails that prevent us from going over the edge when pain, fear, betrayal, or some other “suddenly” blindsides us.

Recently, I faced this very situation. Satan used the one person I naturally expected to love and comfort me to bring me to my knees—I was left air-less by their vicious verbal assault—stunned, silent. Yet God brought beauty from my ashes. He used this experience—dare I say permitted it (think Job), to refine me, mature me, draw me closer. In this most painful of times, God re-minded me of the most straightforward, most basic Truth; He alone is more than enough. He is all I need. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” –Psalm 46:1.

At that moment, and for some days following, I didn’t want to talk with anyone. Not my beloved pastors, though I know they care for and cover me in prayer. I didn’t need to call my dearest sister or brother in the faith. I just needed my Father. I just needed to be still. In that most painful of times, only God would do. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” –Exodus 14:14. At that moment, I was reminded that there are instances in life where we need specialized help. One doesn’t call 911 when they get a flat; they call 911 when there’s been an accident. When someone is in imminent danger, is injured, or has been harmed. God used the crushing weight of my betrayal to remind me He wants to be my first call. The One I call on in my hour of need—period. He alone upholds me.

Yes, God has grafted me into a loving, supportive Body of brothers and sisters. Yes, God’s blessed me with loving, caring, hands-on shepherds, and I am grateful to Him for these blessings.

But not one of these can take God’s place in my life.

No one can love me as Jesus can. Not one person possesses the precise Words of life I need to hear at that moment I need to hear them. Because what I need, only God can provide. He alone is my Lord; no one knows me as my Father does. “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” –Psalm 18:2.

Ed Jarret says this about God’s abiding presence: God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is with us in a very personal and intimate way. The God of all creation lives within me. He comforts me in challenging times. He teaches me his ways. Ed’s simple words encapsulate the bigger Truth Jesus shared with His disciples on the last night He would dine with them, this side of eternity. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth” –John 14:16-17.

And though that bitter sting of betrayal may last for a season, the Holy Spirit of God is alive within us—always. Empowering us to overcome, forgive and heal, to pray for the very one who betrayed us. Christ alone is eternal and Mighty to save. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock” –Psalm 27:1;5.

And while scholars cannot pinpoint a specific time in David’s life when He may have penned this Psalm, they seemingly agree on this one point: David knew precisely from whom his strength, comfort, and ability to forgive and move forward flowed.

Right now, many of God’s children are standing on the very edge of their breakthrough. Yet fear, or some impending threat from the enemy they see in the natural, that unexpected betrayal, has caused them to lose sight of their true position, that of being smack-dab in the centre of God’s will. Beloved, don’t let this temporary pain, the fear of what you see happening around you, blind you to what God is doing in your midst, regardless its severity.

Child of God, I know how hard it is for you not to run as fast as your legs will take you from the pain of the moment you’re standing in right now, to not fold before the giants staring you down. Yet, amid the pain, while you’re still smarting over that betrayal, allow me to lead you back to Truth. Back to Who it is that will mend your broken heart, restore your troubled peace, speak Life-affirming Words of love over you. “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” –Psalm 27:5

I, too, have experienced that same blindsided stupor you’re experiencing. That “suddenly” when the air was sucked out of the room. When some news or someone’s bitter words, that diagnosis, or that trusted someone’s startling betrayal hits you so deeply, everything inside goes numb. I get it; I do. But please, just breathe for a moment. Because there are times, we need someone else to speak into our situation—our fear or pain. To redirect our focus—we’ve momentarily lost our footing. “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” –Proverbs 27:17.

Dear friend, I’m not suggesting it will all be okay by Tuesday. I have no idea about your situation—the scope of your loss or pain. I was simply sent here today to share God’s promise to bind up your broken places and to encourage you. To remind you of God’s Sovereign timing, His eagle-eyed ability to swoop in at the very second our enemy’s talons are about to inflict some fatal blow, taking him out, causing him to fall. “When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident” –Psalm 27:2-3.

Be encouraged, child of God, and don’t find it strange these trials—this pain or betrayal, have come to visit you. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings so that you may rejoice and be glad also in the revelation of His glory. If you are reproached because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” –1 Peter 4:12-14. Instead, put the full weight of your trust in the God you profess. And know this: for as long as our Spirit is wrapped up in this flesh, there will be moments in each believer’s life when God will allow some adversity to test us—God is maturing us, refining our character.

Answering that prayer, we whispered at midnight, Shape me and mold me, Lord. Make me look more like you. Let Thy perfect will be done in and through my life. “But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” –James 1:4.

Child of God, if you are staggering under the sting of some recent trial, some pain inflicted at the hands of another, some betrayal, I encourage you to run—not walk, to your Lord. Pour out your heart before Jesus. Invite Him into your very raw and wounded place that He might minister healing and restore you—lest some root of bitterness takes root in your heart, poisoning you.

And if this is you, and you’ve yet to ask Jesus into your heart, please, do it today. Let Him into your every wounded place. Ask Him to wash away your every sin, restoring newness of life to you and fresh hope into your dry places.

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” –Psalm 27: 13-14.

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