Sonsofthesea.org

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

Author: ministermaryellen@gmail.com (Page 10 of 45)

Greetings!
I am thankful that you have taken the time to come and here,
What I share here is not my opinion, nor will you find it wrapped in new age theology.
You will find however, the uncompromising Word of God that leads to Salvation and New life!
I am a licensed Minister and founder of Son of the Sea Ministry.
I attended Bible College and have served in several active inner-city ministerial internships.
For part of 2014 and most of 2015 I preached several times weekly for Morning Manna Ministry.
And it was through New Bethel Baptist Church that I was subsequently licensed.
Sons of the sea is an on-line ministry dedicated to sharing Gods Word faithfully, with unyielding truth spoken in love.
This Blog is dedicated to those who are searching for more, birthed from a call of God to utilize the gifts and talents He has given me.
Perhaps you recognize that call on your own life? We each are called to be good stewards with our resources, time, and talents. God will use a willing vessel to accomplish His purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:27 tells us that,” God uses both the foolish and weak things of this world to confound the wise and the strong.” (paraphrased)
I personally thank Him for this daily!

Repent, The Kingdom Of God Is At Hand!

June 24, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Seek the Lord [search diligently for Him and regard Him as the foremost necessity of your life], All you humble of the land Who have practiced His ordinances and have kept His commandments; Seek righteousness, seek humility [regard them as vital]. Perhaps you will be hidden [and pardoned and rescued] In the day of the Lord’s anger.” –Zephaniah 2:3 AMP.

When my eyes hit verse 3 of Zephaniah, Chapter 2 this morning, I knew what I was being led to share this week. It’s definitely not a feel-good, popular message. It never has been. But it is needed. So thank God I care little about popularity…

Smack dab in the middle of foretelling of God’s impending judgement—Zephaniah reminds Israel that Love and mercy have always been the Father’s heart towards them—towards all His children. One of the most quoted and recognized Bible verses makes this Truth abundantly clear. “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 AMP.

As I read Zephaniah’s third verse, almost instantly, my mind went to the Words Jesus spoke in the beginning of His earthly ministry. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” –Matthew 4:17 AMP. And these nearly verbatim Words echo back to John the Baptist, Jesus’s forerunner. Jesus and repentance are synonymous, after all. We can trace this foundational Truth all the back to Eden.

So if God has been tugging on your heart, beloved friend, it is likely for salvation. God is offering you a relationship with Himself. “Today [while there is still opportunity] if you hear His voice, Do not harden your heart, as when they provoked Me [in the rebellion in the desert at Meribah].” –Hebrews 3:15 AMP. If you will humble yourself, repent of your sins, and tell God you’re genuinely sorry for even the vilest sins you may have committed. Then by His Word, God is faithful to forgive, cleanse, and restore you to Himself. “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises] and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].” –1 John 1:9.

And to you, dear brother, beloved sister. Since you have tasted salvation freely given you, the goodness of God, I admonish you never to lose sight of your desire for your first Love. “But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me].” –Revelation 2:4 AMP. As I hope you would me, I encourage you to do whatever you must to ensure God remains first in every aspect of your life, and, if your love has grown cold, your flame of love flickering, stoke that fire right now!

Humble yourself before your Lord, repent, and run back to the feet of your Lord. Take to heart what God’s Word has to say about your salvation: “So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].” –Philippians 2:12 AMP.

The Holy Spirit had led Jesus into the wilderness to be tested. There, Jesus had fasted and prayed for forty days and forty nights. During that time, Satan came to Him on multiple occasions to do what He does best—kill, steal, destroy—and lie. But God always has a plan! Because through this same Jesus, the Father made possible the only Way for you and me to be restored to right relationship with Him. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” –Acts 4:12.

This Truth, God’s intent to provide the Way back to Himself, has lived in the heart of our Father from the beginning—as we understand it.

How can I confidently state this without sounding as though I, His creation, would dare presume to know the mind of God, my Creator? Because of His Word, I trust the infallibility of God’s Word. In addition, I know my Father’s heart—experientially. I hear it beating loud and clear across every page of the Bible—God’s infallible, life-changing, Living heartbeat. “He humbled you and allowed you to be hungry and fed you with manna, [a substance] which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, so that He might make you understand [by personal experience] that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.” –Deuteronomy 8:3 AMP.

God’s fierce and resounding “I love you” is the very Lifeblood and Bread of the Bible’s every syllable.

And so, it is towards Jesus’ finished work, towards salvation—that Zephaniah is pointing us. Light and Hope amid great darkness and sin.

It’s toward the Cross, the foreshadowing of Jesus’ finished work, the shedding of His Blood, that sinless, blameless sacrifice first witnessed in Eden. Where God put to death innocent animals to cover Adam and Eve’s sinful, fallen nakedness—sin separates us from God—yet another point Zephaniah makes clear for those with ears to hear. “…Seek righteousness, seek humility [regard them as vital]. Perhaps you will be hidden [and pardoned and rescued] In the day of the Lord’s anger.” –Zephaniah 2:3.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul said it this way concerning those who have come to know the Lord: “How will we escape [the penalty] if we ignore such a great salvation [the gospel, the new covenant]? For it was spoken at first by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us and proved authentic by those who personally heard [Him speak].” –Hebrews 2:3.

In Christ Jesus, eternal Life and hope are offered in place of death and judgment.

Again, it is towards this Truth that Zephaniah points us. Most in Israel had abandoned God—His commandments and ways. Great apostasy had saturated the people’s hearts (the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief—Oxford Dictionary) indeed, in part, that had much to do with their time in Babylon in exile. Zephaniah reminds Israel—and through them you and me, to humble ourselves before God, remembering to live by His Word—His commands, to seek His heart and to enthrone Him on ours—it is His rightful place, after all. And do not delay!

Zephaniah calls us to repent our sins before God’s righteous judgement begins and the window of God’s grace closes. Remember, Beloved, God will not tarry with man forever. “But understand this: If the head of the house had known what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” –Matthew 24:43 AMP.

In these last days, I pray you’ll chase after Jesus with all that is in you, friends. “The Lord bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you]; The Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor], And be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness]; The Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval], And give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].’ –Numbers 6:24-26

Walk it Out On The Sea Of Doubt. Part 2.

June 17, 2023 /

Matthew Botelho

As the title implies, doubt can be like a raging sea.

Thoughts can suddenly blow through our minds; waves of fear can crash and swell within them. And like all storms, our thoughts can be dark and foreboding, but God! Oh, hallelujah! Only God can calm those thoughts, those sudden, stormy waves, and winds. Only God can make the sea of our minds like glass, perfectly still. With just a Word from His mouth: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen”. -Ephesians 3:20-21. 

That, my dear friends, what our God can do and does, it’s straight from the Word.

No man can make up the workings of God. The Spirit testifies in each of us that God is who He says He is. Jesus came to give life and make it more abundant. Jesus came to give us peace, His peace. We need to cling to and pray for His peace daily—this “peace that surpasses all understanding.” The world does not understand this peace because it cannot. The kind of peace the world offers is a failed promise of peace, inconsistent, temporary. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

In order to be conformed to something, you must be connected to, faithful, to whatever or whomever you are placing your faith in. If we put our faith in the world, we will reap what the world offers, the fruits of the flesh. You’ll draw your nourishment from the world if it is your source, your vine. And you’ll get its byproduct, an exact replica of what you’ve been drawing from. The world can only produce its own kind.

Instead of what this world has to offer, Jesus wants to be the Vine you draw from daily. He wants to be your Source.

His gift of salvation, His Spirit, will produce lasting fruit that will sustain you in times of trouble. When those waves of doubt crash into you, you can find the strength in Jesus, you never thought you had. The Helper, God’s Holy Spirit, can and desires to dwell within you. My pastor always says, “Transformation starts from the inside, then makes its way outward.” A person our Lord saves will be transformed from the inside, and all the world will see the fruit of their salvation. 

Do you believe that today?                                                                       

Do you believe that God can bring peace to your mind, healing to your body, and above all, salvation to those who cry out for the forgiveness of their sins?

Jesus can, and He will! He is coming back, friends, brothers, and sisters! It’s only a matter of time—I cling to this truth by faith, believing. Now there are moments, my dear friends, that I will have doubt wash over me. Does it make me a non-believer? Of course not! I am human, and there will be those moments when I fall short in faith. But God will prove Himself faithful when I am lacking. So, if my lack of faith is my thorn in the flesh, I will remember and cling to these words spoken to the apostle Paul:

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” –2 Corinthians 12:9.

A thorn in our flesh could be several things, whether it be fear, doubt, anxiety, depression, an actual sickness, as Scholars suggest it was with the Apostle Paul or a divorce; whatever it may be, a thorn in your side will make you feel weak, causing you to lose focus and fall. But in those moments especially, remember, hold tight to what Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for May strength is made perfect in weakness.”

 When you posture yourself in surrender to God, He will take over in whatever situation you may be going through. Submission is about our heart of worship and willingness to lay it all down at His feet; when you are tired, worship. When you cannot take another step, worship; when you have lost your job, worship, whatever the enemy is throwing at you, cast your ALL cares and worries on Jesus, and just worship the Lord!

Praise is one of the greatest weapons we have when we are facing trouble. God’s unmerited favor will get you through life’s storms and trials—God’s favor found in knowing His Son, Jesus, will see you through!

Child of God, you have the favor of the Father living inside you! What can this world do to you? Lift your eyes to heaven and know that God is for you.

He has not left you. The apostle Paul writes, “What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” -Romans 8:31 

I genuinely feel that someone reading this is about to receive their breakthrough.

Doubt is not your portion, dear friend. The keys have been handed to you. Jesus has taken them back from the enemy and now holds all the authority. Move, in the authority you’ve been given, in Jesus’ name!

Friend, if you don’t know Him as Lord, Jesus is waiting for you to take that step and reach out by faith, grab hold of His gift of salvation by repenting your sins and asking Jesus to be Lord of your life. I pray that the Holy Spirit has spoken to you through His inspired teaching and that you will walk out what He’s asking you to do, my friend. Amen

Down To The Last Detail.

June 10, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville…

“The Sea stood on twelve bulls, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south and three facing east. The Sea rested on top of them, and their hindquarters were toward the center. It was a handbreadth in thickness, and its rim was like the rim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It held three thousand baths. He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north. In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed, but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing. He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north.” –2 Chronicles 4: 4-7.

Why such lengthy Scripture verses today? Firstly, faith comes by hearing and receiving the good news.

My hope? Someone read today’s Scriptures and be inspired or made curious, left wanting more of God’s Word. And by this, be saved. Without one audible word having ever been exchanged! This, because only God’s Word, not my own, can ultimately—and with lasting effect, minister His Truth to any man’s heart—believe it or not. “But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” –Romans 10:16-17.

Secondly, these verses embody the crux of today’s teaching. We serve a God with a meticulous plan and purpose for everything He has created.

One look at nature confirms that everything God called “good” is patently interdependent and somehow inextricably linked. The tree to the soil, its roots to the much-needed moisture found within, and its leaves or tops mingle and mix with the air we breathe. It is a known fact: humans breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, while trees breathe in carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. –Criswell Davis.

Today’s teaching, however, will focus mainly on God’s attention to detail—his far-reaching plans and our connection to them, not on creation.

For most of 2 Chronicles 4, we witness Solomon adhering to the plans for furnishing God’s temple, just as he did in its construction: plans given him by his late father David, plans given to David by God Himself. “Then David gave to his son Solomon the plan for the porch of the temple, its buildings, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner rooms, and for the place for the [ark and its] mercy seat. All this,” said David, “the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the work and details [to be done] according to this plan.” –1 Chronicles 28: 11;19.

Our God is a God of precise order and detail. Such things matter to God. Why?

In part, God has a plan, and, He’s made a promise to His children. In speaking to the prophet Jeremiah concerning this Promise, God assured him: “Thus says the Lord, ‘If My covenant for day and night stand not, and the fixed patterns of heaven and earth I have not established then my covenant with David my servant—and my covenant with the Levites who are priests ministering before me—can be broken and David will no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne” –Jeremiah 33:25-26.

We know God’s promise was not broken because Solomon did build God’s temple. More, Messiah, King Jesus, would be born through King David’s earthly bloodline.

God’s plan for all things existed in Him long before He stood over the dark void and spoke things—our world, stars, sun, moon and galaxies, seas, land and every living creature, plant and seed, as it existed only in His will—until He called each out—into existence. And, just as surely, God’s plan for building and furnishing His Temple was part of His will—down to the last detail.

Being the wisest man who ever lived, I wonder if God allowed Solomon to understand why He’d chosen to use him to help bring the Temple, this shadowy image and likeness of Jesus, to life.

This foreshadowing of God’s only Son—foretold in its furnishings.

Did Solomon know his hand was being used to bring forth types and shadows of the very God who, when His temple was completed, would appear in such a real and powerful way that all worship of Him had to stop? “… They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.” –2 Chronicles 5:13-14.

Regardless, I thank my loving Father for having such a far-reaching plan whose every detail was conceived in Pure Love. A precise plan which included you and me if you belong to Christ. A plan conceived somewhere outside of time as we understand it, where Father, Son and Holy Spirit exist, and where God foreknew man would fall—also, knowing they’d need a way to be restored to a right relationship with Him due to their sinful nature. So, in His Sovereignty and perfect Holiness, God alone provided the acceptable, Sinless sacrifice needed to make such restoration possible.

Hence, God’s foretelling of Messiah, our Savior, God’s Perfect Lamb, is made plain in the shadowy images of the temple furnishings:

The Altar: With its four horns, one at each corner, used to hold the blood sacrifice in place, symbolically, these horns represent the need for sacrificial atonement to cover the sins of God’s people; they are a foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ, and the perfect sacrifice that would one day be offered upon it, once for all. “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.” –Hebrews 10:4-6.

The Laver: According to the Law, priests must use this wash basin to cleanse themselves before offering their sacrifice to God. Purity is of the utmost importance to our God. This perfect washing away—this complete cleansing, is fulfilled only in Christ’s shed Blood, which thoroughly cleanses His children of their every sin once, for all. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” –2 Corinthians 5:21.

Table of Showbread: 12 fresh loaves of bread were placed here weekly; they signified God’s provision—that He alone provides for His children’s every need; these loaves, a foreshadowing of Jesus, the Bread of Life, who, after tasting, no man will hunger ever again. “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” –John 6:35.

Lampstand: Made of pure gold (remember, our God loves and desires purity from His children). The Lampstand was to be placed opposite the Table of Showbread. Thus, its pure light drew the eye to itself. In like fashion, it foreshadowed Jesus, True Light of the world. “This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection].” –1 John 1:5.

Altar of incense: Was placed in front of the curtain separating the outer Tabernacle from the Holy of Holies. The incense used here represented the prayers of God’s people being offered up to Him, an act of mediation made by the priest on behalf of the people. In this, we see Jesus foreshadowed. A Pure and Holy God who intercedes to the Father on our behalf. “Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?” –Romans 8:34.

Ark of the Covenant: Contained inside the Ark are three articles representing the heart of our loving Father; Ten Commandments—God’s laws-point us to His Holiness, His Holy standard. Aaron’s Staff, God made a dead stick, bud and come to life. Lastly, a jar of Manna, food God provided His people in the wilderness. Each of these foreshadows the character, power, and All-Sufficiency of Jesus.

The Ten Commandments: “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” –Matthew 5:17.

Aarons’ Staff: (Bringing life from death): “The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.” –John 10:17-18.

 Manna: “I am the Living Bread that came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior], he will live forever. And the Bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh (body).” —John 6:51.

The Mercy Seat: The mercy seat of God was placed over the law. God’s mercy has always stood between God’s exacting standards. We first glimpse this truth in the garden when God sheds the blood of innocent animals (Jesus shed Blood, foreshadowed) to cover—make atonement for—the sin committed by Adam and Eve. “Yahweh God made garments of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.” –Genesis 3:21. Again, we see Jesus here; His completed work of the Cross, Jesus’ single, Perfect Sacrifice made once for all men, that their sins might be forgiven. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” –1 John 2:2.

Dear friends, it has always been the heart of God—His perfect plan that no one perishes but has eternal life. And that now, while on earth, we enjoy the fruit of a righteous, loving relationship with Jesus—not a perfect life, but one submitted and surrendered to the will of God. Such a relationship can be yours starting now if you ask Jesus into your heart and life as Lord and Savior. “God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.” –Hebrews 2:10.

“Jesus, the Way”

June 3, 2023 /

Kendra Santilli

Have you ever introduced yourself with an identity other than your name?

Throughout my childhood and into my teenage years, I looked up to my brother immensely. He always took to everything he did so easily. He could draw, did well in school, learned any instrument he picked up quickly, hit home runs in baseball and built whatever his mind could imagine with Legos. I really thought my brother was the pinnacle of what I could become.

His teachers loved him, and our mutual music teachers would rave about his abilities.

Before letting anyone know my name, I would introduce myself as “Aaron’s sister.” I didn’t even realize how much of my identity was attached to being his sister until someone replied, “ok, that’s nice. What’s your name?” It was almost as if they didn’t care who my brother was; they wanted to know me.

All of a sudden, my brother’s shadow was gone, and I realized that I had so tightly interwoven my identity with being Aaron’s sister that I lost a little bit of myself. Don’t get me wrong, I still think my brother is a remarkable human being, but my point rests in the example of an alternate introduction.

In John 14, Jesus introduces Himself through an alternate identity.

Jesus introduces Himself to His disciples as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He doesn’t say that He knows the way and the truth and the life. Jesus says that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus is not referring to the ideology of these terms. Rather, He’s identifying who He is. More than just adjectives, these are nouns that denote His character.

For context, Jesus was describing Heaven to His disciples as He was preparing them for His imminent death.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; 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. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:1-7

One thing I love about Jesus is that He is so intentional with all His words.

His communication style invites inquiry, leading His listeners to seek understanding rather than being ok with the status quo. Instead of Jesus’ telling His disciples they knew where He was going, he said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Being One with God and the very One who came from heaven to earth, Jesus is undoubtedly a reliable source for discovering the way to heaven. He didn’t say He was “a Way” or “one way,” He said he is “THE Way,” and unbeknownst to them, His disciples supposedly know this way!

Thomas’ inquiry into Jesus’ comment led to the revelation that knowing Jesus is knowing the way! Although Jesus referred to heaven in this passage, He also prayed, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10.

If Jesus’ kingdom can come and His will can be done on earth as it is in heaven, then perhaps for the believer, The Way is also for the here and now…

The Way to joy; the Way to freedom; the Way to new life; the Way to forgiveness; the Way to hope. Ultimately the reward is eternity with Jesus, but even here and now, God is so good that He gives us life in abundance. “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” –John 10:10

To take it a step further, knowing Jesus is also knowing the Truth and the Life. “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32. If Jesus is the Truth, and He is, then He holds the power to set you free through a relationship with Him and by meditating on His Word.

Today you have the opportunity to know The Way. As you navigate this life, allow yourself to meet Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life who came out of love for you. So that you, too, may have Life in abundance.

Reflectors…

May 27, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day nor night.” Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence.” –Isaiah 62:6.

A restless Saviour calls upon his people to be restless, and to make the Lord himself restless – to give him no rest till his chosen city is in full splendour, his chosen church complete and glorious. –Charles Spurgeon.

Reflectors are not a light source; they contain no light of their own. Instead, they catch and release light already present, reflecting it outwardly. So, the job of the reflector is singular and simple: to consistently reflect light in the darkness. Thus, in many instances, their presence alone helps to avert potential bodily harm or even death.

Think of their job this way: You’re driving down a poorly lit side street at night, and the only thing standing between your hitting and possibly killing the pedestrian or cyclist on the side of the road with your car is your headlights catching the reflectors on their bicycle or safety vest. Just in the nick of time, you’re able to swerve—crisis averted. At that moment, you’d more fully appreciate and understand the importance of a reflector.

You, dear Christian brother, or sister, are that reflector.

You are called to catch the love of Christ: His mercy, humility, kindness, and generosity, reflecting it outwardly into a dark and dying world. By faithfully staying in your proverbial lane, pedestrian as that may feel or seem at times, God will use you to pierce the darkness surrounding that one who may have otherwise been hurt or killed. “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” –Jude 1:22-23.

In this world’s thick, ever-increasing, thick darkness, God has chosen you, beloved, to first catch and then reflect the Light of His presence to everyone you meet. “Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” –John 12:44-46.

As with the Prophets of old, those who carry the Light of Christ within are called to pray without ceasing—to intercede, then intercede some more. To be a faithful and true witness of God’s Love, Truth, Mercy, and Righteousness that is in Christ Jesus. To faithfully share the Truth of the Gospel while standing in line at the grocery store, sitting in the doctor’s office, the airport, whenever and wherever the opportunity affords. They are to consider others—and their needs, above our own—hard, I know.

In and of ourselves, even the saintliest of us does not possess the ability to live wholly selflessly. And, though Christ lives in us, a mystery too great to grasp, our sinful flesh perpetually prohibits us from fully living and loving as Jesus did—commands us to.

The Apostle Paul knew and grappled with this ugly Truth. His conclusion?

Only by God residing in us, empowering us to do what we, in and of ourselves, never could, is even having the desire to love selflessly possible. Even then, our very best attempt at such love is flawed, anemic, and flaccid. Why? There are two natures at war within us. Christ, alive in us, our Spirit man, our true self wars against our carnal flesh, the body and soul we possess still, while we await the day when we will fully be as Christ is.

“For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. Now if I habitually do what I do not want to do, [that means] I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good (morally excellent). So now [if that is the case, then] it is no longer I who do it [the disobedient thing which I despise], but the sin [nature] which lives in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not. For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I am no longer the one doing it [that is, it is not me that acts], but the sin [nature] which lives in me.” –Romans 7:15-20.

Our carnal man is self-serving. Hence, why we must die daily to this flesh that wants what it wants when it wants it, and instead, pick up our cross, following Christ’s example of Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests] and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].” –Matthew 16:24.

Reflectors warn the world, one soul at a time, of the danger of walking in darkness, of the coming judgment that will soon visit this world and all who reject Jesus and His free gift of salvation.

We demonstrate God’s love, mercy, and great desire that not one person perish.

We share our testimony—making clear that it was in a pit of filth, despair, and depression, in a church pew or the throws of addiction, where Christ may have found us. And how, because of His great love, grace and mercy, Jesus stepped in and pulled us out of that pit, shining His Light into our darkness, on our addictions, saving us from sin and death’s grip on us. Then He stood us firmly and safely in His Kingdom of Light instead. “This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. This is love: it is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the sacrifice that deals with our sins.” –1 John 4:9-10.

And so, fellow reflectors, we must, have been commanded—to bring the Light of God’s Love, a Light we have been freely given, into this “poorly lit side street” of a world. One that is losing hope and faith in ever finding such a Love. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” –Matthew 10:8.

Dear friend, if you’ve never experienced such Love or felt sought after, protected, or cared for, I encourage you to consider this God’s way of ensuring you are Loved and sought after, that Jesus wants to care for you, if you’ll let Him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” –John 3:16.

Won’t you ask Jesus to come into your heart, confess your sins, and begin to reflect His love into the world?

Walk It Out On The Sea Of Doubt.

May 20, 2023 /

Matthew Botelho

 “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen, Even so, come Lord Jesus!—Revelation 22:20.

I was awakened to the above words early this morning, and what a wake-up call it is, my dear friends. My response to this Truth was precisely what the Apostle John had said after our Lord spoke this promise to him. I, too, found myself uttering these exact words with the most sincere amen. Knowing soon, they will come to pass. I do not know the hour, but soon our Lord Jesus is coming.

So, to my dear brothers and sisters who are taking the time to read this teaching, rest assured that soon and very soon, Jesus is coming back. Rest in the assurance that God finishes what He has started. He has finished the work of the Cross by paying our sin debt in full. We are washed clean by the Blood of Jesus of our past, present, and future sins. God is faithful to forgive us when we come to Him in repentance. Jesus said, “It is finished,” and His work, the finished work of the Cross, was done. As believers, what more assurance do we need to believe that Jesus never has and will never forget that promise? By faith, I know Jesus will come again!

As Christians, our lifestyle must be one of faith and obedience; of taking that first step of faith, the next, and then a third; until we walk in a way that is not common to what the world perceives as normal.

When all hell has broken loose, and people are searching for answers, be assured that God is still in control.

He is the one that controls the wind and the waves. Nothing is too difficult for our God! Jeremiah 32:17 confirms this. “‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” 

One of my favorite Scriptures is found in Matthew 14:22-33. It is a Scripture that has helped me during those times of doubt and not knowing which way to turn. After feeding the five thousand, which I highly recommend reading Matthew 14:13-21, Jesus tells the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side while He sent the multitudes away. And after sending them away, Jesus went up to a mountain to pray. “Now the evening came, and He was alone there.” –Matthew 14:22-23

The disciples did not question why Jesus was not coming with them. They just got in the boat and did what they were told.

 Now think about that for a moment. When God asks us to do something, are we often obedient to do the first thing he asks of us? Or do our little minds start racing and asking, “Why, Lord? Or,  “You want me to do what, Jesus?!”

Brothers and sisters, how will we make it to that second step if we get stuck on the first step—our being obedient?

Next is the word “immediately”—a strong word to put in there. There is an urgency attached to it. Some reason why Jesus is telling them to go at that very moment. Are we sensitive to the urgency in God’s promptings or Word? When He says, “Move’ or ‘Go now’?

God has a purpose in it. He wants to show you or bring you to what is next.

In verse 24, we read that the waves in the middle of the sea were tossing the boat the disciples were in. For the wind was contrary, and all hell was breaking loose. Do you think they had any doubts at that point? Scripture does not say anything to the contrary, but by human standards, I am sure they did. Now let’s be honest here. We all have had our doubts, my dear friends.

If you haven’t experienced one yet, live long enough, and you will.

We are frail, sinful humans, not perfect by any means. And yet, when we walk in obedience and do what God asks us to do, we will experience God stilling the waves of doubt and the negative thoughts blowing around us. How can we be sure? In verse 23, Jesus told His disciples to go before Him to the other side. That assures us we will get to the other side of our storm. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT!

Numbers 23:19 assures us, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

And in Hebrews 6:13: “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself.”

Going back to Jesus and His disciples verses 25-26 tell us this: “Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled saying, “it is a ghost!’ and they cried out for fear.”

So, in verse 24, we hear nothing about fear until they get into the middle of the sea. It is here where fear starts to grip them. There is nothing in sight due to the low visibility of the storm. Equally, fear can blind you and distort your vision. Example: The disciples saw Jesus and yelled, “It is a ghost!” they were so gripped with fear that they could not see it was Jesus. Yet it is so reassuring that God will make His presence known even in the middle of such chaos. For some of us, our issue, at one time or another, will be our need to see Jesus through the eyes of faith and not by what we see in front of us.

Hebrews 11:1 says about faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

And in Romans 8:24-25  we read: “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”

Many of us have asked, “How will I get through this?”

Do not abandon ship when your flesh and impulses lead you, making it feel like there is no way out. Remember that God is for you! Remember why Jesus came; you have purpose. There is a reason why you are reading this right now. I do not know who this is for, but I believe someone is about to give up their walk as I write this. You have been praying and waiting for the answer, but it has not happened yet. You have repeatedly heard the same thing, “Be still and know I am God.”

Know that our Lord does not turn a deaf ear towards His children. Jesus is the mediator between us and the Father. Please, do not give up, my friend; you are so close to the other side! Philippians 1:6 promises you this: “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Use The Front Door.

May 13, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” –John 10:9-10.

I sat on the grass in my dad’s backyard and cried out to my heavenly Father. I was distraught and brokenhearted. Truth be told, I was desperate—I just had to get inside my dad’s house one last time.

I had been trying to break into the house for an hour or more by climbing through the den window. But the sill of that window was just too high, and the height of the bulkhead I was standing on was too low.

You see, my stepmother had died the year prior, and since then, my dad’s house had been closed-up. And try as I might to jump up high enough for my hips to clear the windowsill so my torso could slide inside; it just wasn’t happening. Even after stacking bricks and anything else, I could get my hands on anything remotely safe to stand on. Repeatedly, I tried, but I couldn’t clear that sill. Sobbing and frustrated, I remember crying out, “Abba, please! I’m desperate! I have to get inside! I have to walk through my dad’s house one last time. Please, Lord! Please, help me!”

I honestly couldn’t say how much time had passed. I know it wasn’t long before I heard a car door close.

Moving now from the back of the house, I started walking toward the front, and that’s when I saw them. The realtor and some couple following close behind her. I was both excited and anxious all at the same time. So, again, I began to pray. “Abba, I believe you sent this woman. That she is the answer to my prayer, please, give me favor with her. I don’t want her to think I’m some random person who doesn’t belong here.” I gave them a few minutes to get inside before I walked up the steps and knocked on the front door. She answered the door, and I explained who I was and why I was there.

“This was my dad’s house, and I’ve recently relocated from Hawaii and heard of my stepmother’s passing. I want to walk through the house one last time before it’s sold if that’s okay?”

Between her furrowed brow and what felt like a forever hesitation, finally, she said, “What can you tell me about the person who owned this house? I gave her everything I could think of shy of my dad’s shoe size and eye color, and it must have satisfied her because she said, “the buyers are upstairs at the moment, you can walk through the main floor.”

“Perfect,” I thought. Thank you, Lord! That’s all I had wanted.

It wasn’t until I left the house and got back into my car that I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “Children don’t have to break into their Father’s house. They walk in through the front door.”  

I can’t even describe what washed over me at that moment. Joy? Freedom? Peace? All of these, all at once? I know that the tears began to fall and that God healed some deep, festering wound I wasn’t even aware existed until I heard His Words and felt His healing within—warm and comforting.

That was roughly four years ago now, but it still feels like yesterday.

And if I close my eyes, I can still see the front door of my dad’s house, see him standing there waiting as I arrived and waving as I left. And I can still hear what the Holy Spirit whispered to me as clearly today as I did then.

Beloved of God, I felt led to share this with you today because some of you may be struggling with your identity in Christ Jesus—not knowing who you are as a child of God. I know there was a time I did.

Perhaps you feel you aren’t worthy to, as God’s Word promises, “… [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” –Hebrews 4:16.

Maybe you, too, have felt or are feeling unworthy—doubting you have the right or privilege to walk right through the front door of our Father’s house. You’re not alone, Beloved of God. Many of God’s children are still working through an identity crisis, still carrying the baggage they were set free from the very moment Jesus made His Home in their hearts. “he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” –Titus 3:5. So unworthiness, insecurity, shame, and doubt are no longer our portion.

Keep in mind that your sanctification is ongoing. Remembering this: You have been changed, whether you feel it or not. You’ve been set free from the kingdom of darkness and live now in the Kingdom of Light—the Kingdom of our God. And remember also: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.….” –Romans 8:1-2.

No. You will never be 100% free of the worldly residue that clings to even the most saintly of men until you are face to face with Jesus, still, Christ does not condemn you for this, so please, stop condemning yourself! Hold fast instead to God’s Truth.

That the very moment you genuinely believed you are who God says you are and that He is who He says He is to you—in you, everything about you, who you have been right up to that very instant, whether you’ve been walking with Him ten minutes or twenty years, changed in an instant. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” –2 Corinthians 5:17. Read that again.

How? Because your relationship with God becomes personal and intimate in that glorious instant. And, as with every relationship, as you invest in it, through reading God’s Word, prayer and time spent with the Lord, your relationship with Him deepens. It becomes full and sustaining. Love grows, and trust is built and sustained.

No longer are you an outsider feeling like you must push your way into a place you’ve not been invited to. Instead, as God’s disciple—His son or daughter, you know your heavenly Father has set a place at His table just for you. “You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones….” –Luke 22:28-30.

You are Christ’s. His child—His heir. As such, if you remain in Him, faithful to Him, are entitled, have been promised, to receive all God has set aside for you from the foundation of the world. Why? How is this possible?

Your Father has always loved you.

Jesus has always wanted you to know how precious, loved, and cared-for you are. So much so that He agreed—no, willingly came forth in the fullness of time declaring to the Father that He’d die in your place that you might have Life in the Father, now and forevermore. “While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly” –Romans 5:6.

As God’s child, please, receive, no, cling to the promise of the Holy Spirit for dear life. Like a drowning man to a life ring. “But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.” –Hebrews 4:16.

Yes, cling! Press to your chest that Rhema Word of Surety and Truth Holy Spirit shared with me as I cried out to Him in desperation and great need: “Children don’t have to break into their Father’s house. They walk in through the front door.”

And if you have yet to meet this Jesus—this Loving Father I’ve spoken of today, you can. See, that’s the thing with our God. So long as there is breath in your lungs, there is always hope. Still, remember, no man is promised tomorrow. And no one, not even the vilest of sinners, will ever be rejected by God if they come to Him sincerely repentant and with a heart desperate to hear from Him. “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” –Hebrews 13:6.

Identity Shift

May 6, 2023 /

Kendra Santilli

“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

Who have you decided to let give you an identity? Perhaps your parents helped shape you in a certain way. Maybe society has led you into a certain worldview. Maybe authors and books have caused you to think differently about yourself and the world around you. But have you ever considered God, the Creator of all things, created you with an intended identity that He alone can reveal to you?

We can search high and low, but only God can reveal our true identity to us and show us meaning.

In Galatians, Paul was writing to the church of Galatia (present-day Turkey), a mix of established followers of Jesus and new converts. Now, of course, these new converts were likely largely non-Jewish. Therefore, they brought with them the ideologies and philosophies they knew and identified with before knowing Christ. The Holy Spirit, living inside humanity, was a totally new concept for these people, a reality they had yet to experience. They began to blend their ways with the gospel of Jesus being presented to them. They were mixing salvation through faith with salvation through works, but that is not the gospel of Jesus. “If salvation could be obtained by works then Jesus didn’t need to die. … if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.” – Galatians 2:21.

The premise of Jesus’ sacrifice is that there’s nothing we can do to enter God‘s presence on our own. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can access Heaven and receive a new identity.

When we come to Jesus, the identity we’ve always known is history.

It doesn’t matter who we were before; what matters is the work Jesus is doing in us right now and into eternity. “Now from those recognized as important (what they once were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism…” – Galatians 2:6.

While Paul recognized the authority of those already prominent voices of the faith, their opinions of him carried no weight for Paul because He was convinced of who He was in Jesus. His identity was rooted firstly in God.

Galatians 1-2 have powerful lessons on finding peace in our God-given identities, and I encourage you to read each chapter for context. But there are two major keys to avoiding self-sabotaging disappointment. 1) We must rediscover our identity in Jesus, and 2) we must let go of the fear of man and exchange it for the fear of God. That is not to say these two keys are the way to avoid disappointment altogether, but they are two common mistakes many make when trying to pursue their purpose.

In Christ, our identity first is that we are children of God.

When we give our lives to Jesus, we surrender who we are and allow Him to shape us into who He created us to be. This one identity shift would be more than enough if God did nothing else.

Everybody wants to be “somebody.” It can become easy then to get so lost in striving to become that, that our true identity of being God’s child begins to vanish as we acquire the essence of whatever we’re striving after. It could be a new title at work, a certain status among friends, or even a certain position in ministry. Still, if our identity becomes your position instead of your being a child of God, we’ll be setting ourselves up for disappointment. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” –James 1:17.

When we don’t let God lead our lives, we will try to force our way instead of surrendering to His.

What looked to be a good thing, or the right thing can end up hurting us because we didn’t have the discernment to see that it wasn’t what God intended in the first place. As a child of God, you have been placed in a perfect position to do His work wherever you are. Using caution with what you attach “I am“ to is paramount. “I am sad.” “I am depressed.” ” I am anxious.” “I am lonely.” No, you are not those things. You may feel those things, but you are not those things. You are capable. You are joyful and filled with peace because you are made in the likeness of the one who is peace. You are a child of God.

Maybe your prayer needs to be, God, show me how you want to use me in my position. I don’t necessarily want to be here, but you have me here for a reason. Show me the reason and how to be joyful wherever you place me.

As children of God, the only opinion that matters is God’s.

Let me remind you of Galatians 1:10. “For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Striving for human approval is another misstep that brings incredible disappointment because we were meant to live in communion with our heavenly Father first and mankind second. Being secure in Christ puts us in a different frame of mind, leading us to be Heaven-focused. When we stand before God, the people we tried to impress won’t be there at the end of our lives. We are accountable to God alone for what we have done with whatever He gave us, including the opportunities right in front of us. Fear of man will not stand up in the presence of God. However, the steps of faith you took, afraid, nervous, and unsure, will stand because they were steps taken in obedience to God. God does not always place us where we want to be. Rather, where He wants us, it’s our job to pursue His purpose in every season of life.

If you have not yet received Jesus into your heart and want to rediscover your identity in Him, I invite you to ask Him into your heart. I was once so broken, and He made me whole when I received my identity as a child of God. If God can do it for me, He can do it for you! Ask Jesus into your heart today, and let Him begin His good work in you.

Veritas.

April 29, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice. “ –John 18:37.

In a world where everyone’s truth is the truth, it should not take us by surprise that not even Jesus’ declaration of His being the Truth would escape questioning, as horrifying as that is for those of us who call Jesus Lord. The unremitting, centuries-old scrutiny of Jesus—the doubtfulness and disparity regarding the Truth concerning The Son of God, of His God’s inerrant Word, is nothing new; today’s scripture verse makes this plain. Solomon was right: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” –Ecclesiastes 1:9.

Since Christ entered this world, men have done their best to defame Jesus’ Holy name, His person and purpose, to deny His very existence. They’ve tried and failed to “bring Him down to size.” To make Jesus ordinary, pass Him off as some nice guy who once walked the earth like many other nice guys before and after Him. Countless people questioned Jesus’ legitimacy in days past, and many still question it today: Who is this Jesus, really? They’ve heard and seen evidence of who God is, yet they refuse to believe.

Still, Christ’s response to such questioning and doubt remains unremitting: “All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”  

So then, it seems the question each man must settle in his heart is that exact question Pilate once posed to Christ: “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. –John 18:38.

Why? Because their eternal soul is inextricably tied to how they answer this very straightforward question.

Did you catch what Jesus made clear to Pilate—to anyone with ears to hear?

He plainly stated that not only is He alone the Truth, equally, one reason He was born into this world was to testify, proclaim, and profess Truth. And if you receive Truth when it’s spoken, putting it into practice as a doer and not a hearer only, if, like Elizabeth, your belly leaps when Truth is near you, you have likely recognized your Master’s voice. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” –John 10:27.

If so, I pray you will remain faithful to the Truth, hunger and thirst for more and more of Jesus. I pray that you will follow God’s leading and guiding all the days of your life, living pure and holy lives before Him. “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!” John 14:15.

Because friends, there is no such thing as your or my truth—only The Truth. So then, how or if we receive said Truth—receive Jesus, will determine how we live our lives now and where we will spend eternity. Jesus has made Himself crystal clear: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” –John 14:6.

In a world where we’re told the truth is anything we say it is, where we play little g god over our lives, acting out and being whoever or whatever we say we are or choose to be. In a world where mere men—creation, not Creator- dare alter God’s original work, I am so grateful that Christ is still our Due North.

Every man needs that fixed point on his moral compass by which his life is governed—aligned… “So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.” –Genesis 1:27.

And so I thank Jesus for keeping all those who believe in Him in our right minds—the mind of Christ, for safeguarding us from falling for the lies of the prince of this world. Lies that tell us if it feels right for you, then it is right for you; lies that would have anyone who heeds their treachery build their house on sand—the shifting sands of opinions, trends, and ever-changing feelings. “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” –Matthew 7:26-27.

God’s Holy Spirit is the only fixed point on life’s compass by which everything must align or realign if it has gone off course. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. –John 14:6.

Everything else you’ve been told, taught, believed, heard on the news or in the court of public opinion is a lie. Yet, to believe this, you must be delivered from the strongholds in your life.

Because behind every stronghold, there is a lie. But behind freedom in Christ, there is Truth. –Pastor Lino Braga, Highland City Church.

And Truth says, if I am a child of God, I am:

“A new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” –2 Corinthians 5:17.

“I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.” –Philippians 4:13.

“In all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].” –Romans 8:37.

“I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.” –Ephesians 1:3-8.

“I am complete in Christ, lacking nothing.” –Colossians 2:9-10.

“In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.” –Epehians 3:12.

Soap and water are great for cleansing yourself, but not if they’re not used! –Pastor Lino Braga.

Sadly, No true and lasting change can be born in you. None of the above Truths will mean anything in your life; they’ll have no effect—if you choose not to believe. Perhaps strongholds have held your thinking captive for most of your life, blocking the Truth of God’s Word—His promises, from penetrating it. Friend, only a life in Christ Jesus—a relationship with Him, His Holy Spirit alive in you, offers you the sure hope and promise of such freedom and knowledge. “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” –John 8:34-36.

It is not enough to hear the Truth—you must grab hold of it for yourself. Clinging, white-knuckled to it, like a drowning man to a life ring! Why? Because Truth is Who God’s Living Word is—Truth is Jesus Christ. “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.” –John 1:1.

And only through a relationship with Jesus, by placing the full weight of your trust in Him, can any man be restored to a right relationship with Father God. And this is Truth, believe it or not.

So please, don’t let one more day pass you by without knowing Jesus personally or inviting Him into your heart. Just talk to God, ask Him in, and He’ll come and begin a new work in your life. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. God is a Faithful God, He will never start something and not finish it.” –Philippians 1:6.

Serving God Out Of Pain Or Passion.

April 22, 2023 /

Elda Othello-Wrightington

Are you serving God out of your pain or out of passion?

Is it possible to do both? Friends, I believe the answer is Yes. The Cross is a combination of both pain and passion. Jesus suffered much pain for us, yet His passion was that we would be reconciled to the Father. For everyone who believes, John 3:16 makes that so clear. We will not perish but have eternal life. If you are reading this and have yet to accept the Lord Jesus into your heart, today is the day! I encourage you to do so.

The beautiful thing about Christ’s pain and passion was and is still; we witness how God longs to communion with us through it. And get this. He really wants to share secrets with us.

Recently, I was standing in line at a fast-food joint and out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed two little girls whispering and giggling freely with one another while what seemed to be their mother placed an order for happy meals. As I stood there, I could not help but wonder, what were these little girls talking about? What secrets could they possibly be sharing with one another? And then it occurred to me: God has secrets. God has secrets that He longs to share and reveal to us. The Bible says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” –Deuteronomy 29:29.

As I have been reading through the book of Deuteronomy, this passage stroked my heart so. “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all of your heart and with all of your soul and live.” –Deuteronomy 30:6.

Now, I’ve never been circumcised; however, removing the foreskin sounds painful. Its original purpose was to set the Jew apart from others and, more importantly, to solidify their commitment to God’s Convent—that being their heart was indeed for the Lord. Throughout my reading of Deuteronomy, the theme I found the Lord speaking most of was that He wants our hearts. He wants us to live in His rest, in His will. He desires us to be truly free despite pain and adversity—living above whatever circumstance we might face. And the beauty of all this is that God wants that we LIVE free even when we are in pain!

Did you catch that part in the above passage? Because I sure did!

Sometimes that pain can come through life challenges, disappointments, and setbacks. Over the years, I’ve found the purpose of God allowing such pain is often tied to the condition of our hearts. And if we are intentionally mindful of what’s happening within them, we might see those painful moments are actually heart “check-ins”—or circumcisions. God nudging us to examine some part of our lives, walk, our attitude—or His removing something from us entirely because it does not reflect His own heart.

Friends, it is possible to be passionate in the midst of your pain.

It is possible to allow your heart to wonder, linger and desire more from the Lord. Keep hoping and believing for more! What pain has touched your life, making it seem too hard to worship or praise Him? To serve God? What pains and transitions keep you distracted from Him? Because as painful as the process of circumcision sounds, there are rewards to the process. Being set apart comes with rewards and blessings!  

For instance, have you ever wondered, “What in the world is the lord doing in my life?”

Are you in that place in life where there are so many transitions and decisions to make that you’re just not sure which one to choose? Or opportunities that were once before you seem to be ending, and you’re not sure what your next move should be.

Friends, can I say once more that God Has secrets to share, and He has answers for your questioning heart? 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 says: “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except for their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.”

Friends, God longs to reveal secrets to us freely. I hope you caught that! So, stay passionate about pursuing Him even in the midst of your pain. The circumcision process is definitely painful, but it also has its purpose and its rewards. And one of its best rewards is our being in constant fellowship with God—the Reveler of all Truths.

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