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Category: Choice (Page 1 of 10)

Can I Die Twice?

August 29, 2026 / / 0 Comments

MaryEllen Montville

“And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.”

Today’s title posits a twofold assurance, which begs the question: Can a man die twice? The short answer is yes; he can. And yet, this same man may live twice. The choice for each rest in his hands—life now, and eternally, or death now—and eternally.

Each man must choose one or the other.

To not choose is, by default, that man’s choice.

In today’s verse, Jesus is refuting Jewish leaders who, being willfully blind, would not recognize Who stood before them—nor would they acquiesce to the miracle they’d witnessed nor to Jesus’ claim of Sonship with the Father—and so they did what they knew to do: rise up in unbelief and verbally assail Jesus. “So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.” –John 5:16-18

The miracle they refused to acknowledge. The healing of a man bound for thirty-eight years. Instead, they called it a complete disregard for a law they themselves had stretched far beyond God’s intended purpose. “One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” –John 5-10.

No one knows how old this man was, or at what age he first lay down beside this pool—Scripture doesn’t tell us. It’s likely, however, that in his mind, this place was his last hope, having exhausted all other options available to him. If he could get into these waters he’d heard had curative powers when stirred up—he’d be healed; his hope was all he had left. Had he been in his 20s, 30s, 40s, even when he’d come to this point of desperation?

Had this man who’d spent thirty-eight years of his life languishing beside a pool of water, due to his own spiritual blindness, convinced himself his healing would come through them only, or not at all? Scripture seems to nod in that direction; we just read his reply to Jesus when asked if he’d like to get well: “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

How many today have been languishing beside some pool for years upon years, as well?

Not due to a physical malady, perhaps, as with this man; rather, they’ve been bound by drugs, alcohol, porn, a lying tongue, fornication, or idol worship or witchcraft. Maybe their malady is rebellion and unbelief? “For rebellion is as [serious as] the sin of divination (fortune-telling), and disobedience is as [serious as] false religion and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you as king.” –1 Samuel 15:23

They’re bound by self-reliance or reliance on “other.” Parents, a spouse, some statue or medal, their own child, even—some “pool” that carries their answer; if they could get in when the waters are turning.

But alas, that never seems to pan out…

So they languish, then, having decided this “pool” is their only hope, and if it can’t help them, then neither can anyone else. They stay bound to it, day after day for years, growing more and more hopeless as they watch others get what they themselves so desperately need—healing, hope, restoration, a new beginning.

Failing to accept the Truth that hope and healing can be theirs, if they’d simply say yes and receive it…

This is the first death: spiritual death. It happens when men decide not to listen to or believe God’s Word, which can save them…

Instead, they make the choice, and it is their own to make, to put their faith in anyone or anything other than the One who gave them life through their natural birth, and Who offers them new life, life eternal, when they acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior. “Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” –John 3:3

Jesus is man’s only hope—not some “pool” or person, not a priest or a religion—but the Person of Jesus Christ. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].” –Acts 4:12.

Having seen the picture attached to today’s teaching, you may have noticed it’s of a branch snapped in two.

The result of its being broken is that this branch will not live; so too with every man. Sin snaps us in half, separating us from our Life Source, Jesus…

All men have been severed from Christ Jesus because of one man’s sin, so too have all men been afforded the Way to restoration and forgiveness of their sins. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” –Romans 5:12;17

Notice I didn’t say sin stopped anyone from knowing Jesus’ name, from going to church, from owning a Bible, or from knowing what Jesus has done for others…

But I am saying plainly that if you are not grafted into what gives your Life eternal, this will result in the second death, which Jesus makes plain a few verses later. Listen: “The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man. Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.” –John 5:26-29

When Jesus sought out the man who’d been sitting by his “pool” for thirty-eight years, He did so to give him life now, in the form of hope, renewal, healing, and restoration, sure, but Jesus gave him so much more.

When that man jumped up after Jesus healed him, he didn’t do it in his own power. He did it by the power He’d just been given, the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead. The power of God’s Holy Spirit had entered him, giving him the start of a new life then and the promise of Life eternal in the age to come.

Jesus had sought him out to give him life and life abundant…

Today’s title poses a dual question: Can a man die twice? The short answer is yes; he can. And yet, this same man can also live twice. The choice for each rest in his hands—life now, and eternally, or death now—and eternally.

Being the same yesterday, today, and forever, Jesus has come today, now, as you read this, to ask you, friend, the same question He once asked that man by the pool; a question each man must answer for himself: “Would you like to get well?”  

I’m praying you’ll answer with a decisive, “Yes, Jesus, I do!” “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” —John 5:19

Light Up The Darkness!

August 1, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” –Matthew 5:14

Jesus did not spill His precious Blood, paying the ultimate ransom—His life—for you to live small, hidden, or fearful of the judgment of mere men, beloved. To blend into a world that is not your home. To “hide” your Light, Christ alive in you, out of fear of what men may say or think about you. I can almost hear the Apostle Paul shouting to you across the ages even now, “God forbid!” He is reminding you, through his writings, doing all he could to save you from committing such a sin. “As far as the Law is concerned I may consider that I died on the cross with Christ. And my present life is not that of the old “I,” but the living Christ within me.” –Galatians 2:20.

Christ in you is your identity now; in case you’ve momentarily forgotten…

You are no longer your own, beloved. You no longer “get to” live hidden away; if indeed you belong to Jesus, that’s impossible. “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.” –Matthew 7:16-17

Hear me now: I haven’t come to condemn you, rather to remind you, and myself, of who we are and of the unfathomable cost our Lord and Savior paid, that we be afforded such a privilege as to be His Light-bearers in this ever-darkening world. “He alone possesses immortality [absolute exemption from death] and lives in unapproachable Light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal power and dominion! Amen.” –1 Timothy 6:16

Being offshoots of Jesus’ unapproachable Light, we “get to” shine for all to see, directing men then toward our Father; by following Jesus’ example, who lived His life on earth to draw all men to the Father. “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” –Matthew 5:16

Those who belong to this world, are and will continue to, demand you dim your Light, Christ in you, insisting even that a single Source of Light doesn’t exist, instead, that, there are multiple light sources at work in the world; they do their level best to extinguish the One True Light of Christ altogether—as if they held such power—not wanting their sin or rebellion against the One True God revealed. Like their father, they prefer to hide in the shadows, far from the Light of Christ. “You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths.” –John 8:44

But you, child of God, and you whose heart God is tugging on even now, you are, or are being called to carry a Light so Pure, so Holy and alive, it cannot be hidden; you cannot stay hidden.

I believe the Lord sent me to you today to remind you to Whom you belong—and that’s not yourself. You belong to Jesus, and He expects you to do what you were created, in part, to do. And that is to shine His Light into the utter darkness so that in seeing your Light, those in the world will be without excuse, having witnessed its Source. “For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification].” –Romans 1:20

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.” –2 Corinthians 4:6-7

Whatever has been holding you back from letting the Light of Christ in you burn ablaze, or from carrying the Light of Christ within you, I came to encourage you today to turn to, or return to, Christ.

Ask Jesus for the strength to push past the voices of those who call you a Jesus freak.

Those who reject you or who have abandoned you completely because of your devotion to Jesus. That husband, wife, or child, mother or father who has grown cold towards you. The boss who says he’ll fire you if you don’t stop talking to your coworkers about this Jesus, enough already! Stop it! We don’t want to hear about Jesus any more! Don’t you get it! Just go away already…

Take heart, beloved, keep pressing into Christ. He will strengthen you to finish the good works He has called you to do. “We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” –2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Weary soldier, fearful new friend, ask God’s Holy Spirit to fill you, or fill you afresh, if you’ve never asked, with the same fiery Light and power He freely gave those who first prayed in faith believing He would. “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” –Acts 2: 1-3

Then, let Jesus’ Light, this same Magnificent, Pure, Holy Light that has been piercing the darkness of men’s hearts for millennia, burst forth out of you, like a bridegroom from his bedchamber, unashamed and undeniable. You are God’s messenger: A Light carrier for the King of Kings. You are partnering with heaven when your Light burns brightly and unashamedly before all men—especially those who reject you for His name’s sake. “I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God. / But whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” –Luke 12:8-9

Blaze on, beloved! In the power of His Might! “Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.” –Daniel 12:3

Friends, you can carry this Magnificent, saving Light of Christ Jesus in you, but first, you must ask Jesus to be Lord and Savior of your life. Won’t you do that right now? Be freed from the darkness and walk in Pure Light… “because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.” –Romans 10:9-10

What’s In Your Heart?

July 25, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

‘But Moses objected. “What will the Egyptians think when they hear about it?” he asked the Lord. “They know full well the power you displayed in rescuing your people from Egypt.’ –Numbers 14:13

The world asks, “What’s in your wallet?” But the Lord asks, “What’s in your heart?”

Character isn’t revealed in times of comfort and ease; instead, it’s revealed in times of trials, testing, persecution, or betrayal. “Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his conduct is pure and right.” –Proverbs 20:11

Once again, the people of God have rebelled against Moses. They’ve hardened their hearts against God’s chosen leader; worse, they’d hardened their hearts against God Himself—even after having been warned by Moses and Aaron not to commit such a sin against the Lord. “That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt. Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes.” –Numbers 14:1-6.

We could talk about the people’s hardheartedness and rebellion today—they’ve given us much to talk about. We could also talk about how these same people God had entrusted to Moses’ care turned on him multiple times—including those of his own household. But we won’t be looking at any of that today because the Lord caused something else to stand out instead, as I read Numbers 14. “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.” –Numbers 12:1-2

It wasn’t other people’s actions God was highlighting, however; instead, it was the posture of Moses’ heart.

How Moses had responded to accusations and betrayal, and to the Lord telling him of His intent to destroy these unbelieving, contemptuous people and start afresh, building a new nation through Moses. “The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.” –Numbers 14:11-12

If you listen closely to Moses’ plea, you can hear the far-off cry of Jesus’ own heart, interceding before the Father for the forgiveness of those who took part in His betrayal and crucifixion: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” –Luke 23:34

And later, still, as He intercedes for those who will yet repent and believe in Him. “I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me through their message. “ –John17:20

Moses was, after all, created in God’s image and, like Jesus, had, among his other gifts, a shepherd’s heart. Hear the heart of this humble, committed servant of God in Moses’ response to His Lord’s demand for atonement. Listen as he pleads for mercy and forgiveness, not punishment, revenge, or even vindication. Moses cares more for His Lord’s reputation and the lives of those who have betrayed him than he cares for his own.

So he pleads for God to stay His hand of judgment against them, asking instead for mercy for these guilty, rebellious, sinful, lost people entrusted to his care. “If you put all these people to death, leaving none alive, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, ‘The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’” –Numbers 14:15

Like Moses, every Blood-bought believer is charged by our Lord to have this same heart of reverence for His Holy Name; and mercy, intercession, and forgiveness toward all those who have rebelled against, hurt, defamed, discouraged, lied about, or falsely accused us.

How can I say this with all certainty?

Because God’s Word gives me, gives us, that authority when addressing those who have professed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” –Philippians 2:5-8

Moses valued those who persecuted, spitefully spoke against, and betrayed him as having no less value than himself, despite their cruel actions and intentions towards him. So did the Apostle Paul. And so must you and I, if we call Jesus not only Savior, but Lord. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” –Mark 10:45

Still, neither Moses nor Paul nor John, nor any Old or New Testament servant ever accomplished such a Divine feat in their own strength. Impossible! “Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” –1 John 3:16.

So how did these believers accomplish such a seemingly impossible feat? The very same Way you and I, and every other Blood-bought believer, will. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” –Zechariah 4:6

In closing, friends, the Lord saw Moses’ heart, John’s, and Paul’s as well. What’s in your heart? “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” –Psalm 139:23-24

I pray Jesus finds a heart sold-out to Him when He looks into your heart.

A heart willing to love as He loves—valuing others, their needs, before your own. “No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.” –John 15:13

No man, save Jesus, was, is, or ever will be, perfect, friend. Nor does Jesus expect you to be. Moses wasn’t. Neither was Paul nor John. But one thing Jesus saw in each of them was a heart fully surrendered to Him: willing to go anywhere, to do anything He asked of them—including to lay down their very lives, for Him.

I pray Jesus finds this heart in you and me. “Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility.” –Philippians 2:5

Are you willing to humble yourself before Him? Put others before self? Serve Jesus, whenever and wherever He calls you?

Are you willing to forgive more, plead for the forgiveness of those who have betrayed, despised, slandered, hurt, or tried to harm you?

Moses did. John did. Paul did.

How about you, friend? What’s in your heart?

So I pray that you do know Jesus, new friend, prodigal son; the same Jesus who gave His life in exchange for yours. The Innocent in place of the guilty—His heart is Love incomprehensible. I too pray, as Moses did: that God demonstrate this Love, forgiveness, and power in your life this very day. “Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said, ‘The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing Love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty.” –Numbers 14:17-18

The Courage To Walk Away.

May 23, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

“How much better it is to get skillful and godly Wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” –Proverbs 16:16

Wisdom will instruct us when to walk away, and from whom—if we avail ourselves of her wise counsel; we will flee, leaving behind us everything that is not God’s best. Even those “good things” we in fact know were God-given in seasons past. Those people, places, and abilities that served us well then. Still, they’re not God’s best for us now. They’re familiar, sure. Comfortable, you bet.

They’ve become so comfortable, in fact, that you’ve settled into them—moved in, lock, stock, and barrel, if you will, to a thing God intended to be temporary, a time of refreshing only. Or maybe it was intended as a time and place meant to build you up; that person or relationship meant only to bless you, then move on. The place you’re in now was hand-picked by God to settle you in for a season while you healed from the cutting away of those things He needed to remove from you. “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” –2 Timothy 2:21-22

So here’s the question: are you willing to walk away from whatever God is asking of you?

Will you freely let go of everything—anything, God is putting His finger on in this hour, or will you white-knuckle your way through, grabbing onto the familiar like a drowning man to a life -ring?  

Have you fallen for the enemy’s lie, beloved?

His deceptive whispers telling you what God has promised you —that seemingly impossible vision He’s given you, that dream or desire He’s placed in your heart and continues to confirm time and again, no matter how many fleece you keep throwing out—really isn’t possible, so how can it possibly be His right-now will for you?

Has what God promised you become just too impossible for you to hope for?

Did you fall for the lie of the enemy with his annihilative whispers, those same lies meant to challenge and thwart God’s Word, His promises? As if! Satan has been recycling his same trickery since his days in the Garden. “If you let go of what’s right in front of you now, you’ll surely risk going home empty-handed?

Hear me, friends: Those things, whatever they be: the best of people, that home, the city or State, that relationship, friendship or partnership may indeed have been God’s will for you in seasons past, but are no longer His Perfect will for you now. Recall Solomon’s sage words: “There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1;5

Don’t mistake your right now for your forever, friends.

Seek God for His plan and purpose for your life, for how He would best use the gifts He has bestowed upon you for His glory—according to His will and plan for your life. “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” –Romans 12:2

How do you do that?

You do it by surrendering and by remembering this crucial Truth: You are no longer your own—you’ve been bought at an exceedingly high price.

If you belong to Jesus, then Christ now has the only say that matters in your life.

You choosing to white-knuckle it in an attempt to hang on to your will over Jesus’ Perfect will for you is to kick against God’s Perfect plan and Divine purpose. That’s not only foolish but selfish. Not everything that glitters is gold, beloved of God; fool’s gold still exists, and fools continue to mistake it for the real thing by choosing their own will over God’s.

Being the loving Father God is, wanting only to give His absolute best to His children, is it any wonder that Abba forewarned us to be on the lookout for said fool’s gold? “There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, But its end is the way of death.” –Proverbs 14:12

Friends, apart from my own, I don’t know whose heart God is knocking on today.

Who needed this Word of confirmation: it’s time to let go, finally; whose fear God wants to wash away—patient Father that He is, by Him using this one more reminder that: “the season is over. The time has passed. You’ve gleaned from it all I have willed. “It’s now time to move on, my child.”

I’m praying God gives you the courage and wisdom you need today to walk away when you hear Him say, “Go.”

Friend, if you don’t yet know this Loving, Kind, Patient, All-Knowing, Sovereign Jesus who, out of a love too big to wrap our heads around, gave His life for us, won’t you invite Him into your life today? “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” –Acts 4:12

This same Jesus wants nothing more than to love you and show you what He, the One who created you and knows you better than you know yourself, has for you—right now. “Cry out to me and I will answer you. I will reveal to you great things, guarded secrets that you never could have known.” –Jeremiah 33:3

Yesterday is done.

Tomorrow isn’t promised to us.

Jesus wants to do a new thing in you—a “right-now” renewing in your heart and life. Washing away completely all that was so that He’ll lead you into all that is and can be—if you’ll let Him. Hear Jesus’ heart and intentions toward you. Friend: “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” –Jeremiah 29:11

Don’t Buy The Lie; It Is Not Too Late.

May 2, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? ‘ ” Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” –Luke 23:39-43

The world had sentenced him to death. According to them, his life was over, irredeemable.

But God had a different plan for the one the world had written off as used up. Why did God choose the last moments of his life to reveal Himself to this all but dead man and not years before, when his life may have made a difference? When he could have been used to help save others, or had time to preach the Gospel that turns hearts back to God? Only God knows. Why does God save any of us when He does? “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! —a worthless piece of broken pottery among other pieces equally worthless [and yet presuming to strive with his Maker]! Shall the clay say to him who fashions it, What do you think you are making? or, Your work has no handles?” –Isaiah 45:9

Had this man been guilty of being imprudent with the precious commodity of time God had afforded him, spending it on foolishness, sin, and selfishness? One doesn’t end up hanging on a cross because they made all the right choices in life.

And though Scripture doesn’t tell us this man’s name, age, or past offenses—only what he’d done to end up hanging beside Jesus on a cross —historical writings do; they suggest he was a man of a certain age, and his name was Dismas. And even with all Dismas may have gotten wrong in his less-than-illustrious life because God chose him to be His child before the foundation of the world, we’re still talking about him today. “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” –Ephesians 1:4

No, you will not find Dismas’s name written in Hebrews 11— “Hall of Faith” — but because of one predestined and eternal stroke of God’s celestial pen, you will find it written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. “But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” –Isaiah 43:1-4

So why am I talking about Dismas today?

What does a thief on a cross have to do with you and me and our lives?

Nothing—if you’re of a certain age and can look back over your life with no regrets. But can you?

If you’re anything like me, you can’t.

Looking back at my life, it resembled Dismas’s far more than I’d care to admit. Like him, I too was guilty of a lifetime of sin, of foolishly spending the precious commodity of the time God had afforded me, my youth and beyond, on sin and selfishness. I, too, was written off on more than one occasion by others and myself, as irredeemable: too stained, too far gone.

Was that your story, too?

Can you relate to Dismas?

Friend, brothers, I thank God there’s no such thing as too late.

If there is breath in our lungs—or in the lungs of the one the world has written off, God still has a plan and purpose for our lives—or theirs.

Like Dismas, there’s a purpose for which you and I were created. No. We don’t all end up in the Hall of Faith, but I’m praying your name is found in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

There’s no sin or even a lifetime of sin so heinous that God cannot redeem it, save it, making it clean, holy, made ready to use as a living testimony to save another. “For this reason he also called you through our gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –2 Thessalonians 2:14

Dismas is a perfect example of this Truth.

God is still using Dismas’s life to call others to Himself by reminding them, through His Word, that it’s never too late to ask God for forgiveness—to save them. After all, part of why God chooses us is to use us to reach whoever He will, however He will, whenever He will—just as He did Dismas or through this teaching…

It’s not too late.

You’re not too old—too far gone—been through too much, smoked, drank, or had sex with too many, to be saved—washed clean, made new in Christ.

It’s what’s hidden in your heart, friend, buried beneath all that hardcore, gangsta exterior —what does only God see and know of you? Are you sorry, truly, for all that you’ve wasted—stolen from God?

Time, after all, belongs to Him.

Are you humble enough to admit you got it all wrong for so long that now your only hope is redemption? Forgiveness and a second chance to serve Jesus and others.

Are you willing to use whatever breath God may leave in your lungs to ask His forgiveness for all that you’ve done? That is what God desires for you—just like it was for Dismas. God has a plan for your life—and what if God will use these last minutes He’s afforded us all to do something so life-changing in you and through you that another soul is won to Him?

Nothing is impossible with God, friend.

He specializes in using those the world wrote off as irredeemable—useless, common. I know this to be true because I was one of “them”—until that moment, He looked at me and said, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you [from captivity]; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”

 So, for as long as there is breath in my lungs, as long as I have use of every faculty God has afforded me, by His grace, I will use them to point you and anyone else I can toward Jesus. In His mercy, Jesus saved me, not only from the wages of my sins, death, but for Himself—Jesus wants me, just as He wants you.

Jesus saw me—called me by name, just as He’s doing to you right now, and for that alone, I am His, eternally.

That is my choice.

You must make your own.

Perhaps rereading today’s Scripture again will help you decide?

As you do, notice, there’s no altar call at the foot of the cross. Dismas didn’t recite a sinner’s prayer—he was simply and truly remorseful for his sins, all of them.

God saw his repentant heart and forgave Dismas.

He’ll do the same for you whether you ask him in church, driving down the road, in the shower, wherever. It’s all about your heart—and your sincerity.

It’s not about where you cry out to God—only that you mean it when you do.

We never hear anything more about that other criminal who hung alongside Jesus—only what Jesus says to Dismas, who recognized that Jesus was the only One who could save him. Through this, we learn how God will use anyone He so chooses to point others to Himself—notice, too, how God rewarded Dismas.

No, Dismas didn’t make it into Hebrews 11, “Hall of Faith,” yet God is still using Dismas today to point us toward Jesus.

If there is breath in your lungs, friend, it’s not too late for you and for God to use you to save another…

 “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I Have Decided.

April 25, 2026 /

Maria Braga

Have you ever sung the following song? We sing it weekly at Highland City Church; it is sung not only as an anthem but also as a declaration, reminding us that our lives here on earth are very short, while eternity is forever. John 10:28-30 reminds us of this Truth. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. My Father and I are one.”

I have decided to follow Jesus,

I have decided to follow Jesus,

I have decided to follow Jesus,

I won’t turn back, I won’t turn back!

Though none go with me, still I will follow,

Though none go with me, still I will follow,

Though none go with me, still I will follow,

I won’t turn back, I won’t turn back!

The Cross before me, the world behind me,

The Cross before me, the world behind me,

The Cross before me, the world behind me,

I won’t turn back, I won’t turn back!

“I have decided to follow Jesus.” –The formation of the martyr’s words into a hymn has been attributed to the Indian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh. An alternative tradition attributes the hymn to Pastor Simon K. Marak of Jorhat, Assam. Timeless Truths Free Online Library. Retrieved 2011-10-09.

The true and powerful story behind this song is a sad, deeply moving one that convicts us, makes us look into our own souls, and ask: “Where is my faith?”

This hymn was inspired by and lived out in the life of Nokseng, a Garo tribesman from Meghalaya, India, in the nineteenth century. Nokseng and his family were killed after converting to Christianity when he refused his village chief’s demand to deny Jesus.

Such an honorable story of true love and a dedicated, sold-out life to Christ!

When we “decide” to follow Jesus truly and genuinely, exchange our old, sinful life for His Agape Love, our lives are transformed in such a powerful way that no one can persuade us to turn back.

Uncovering the power of love in this well-known song brings tears to my eyes. Each time I listen to this song, it reminds me of my ongoing need to build my house/faith on the Rock, Jesus. Jesus said that to build our lives on him is to build our lives on the Rock. Because Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the Rock. He is the only foundation of a well-built faith. Luke 6:47-49. “Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the Rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, it immediately fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

The power of establishing our lives on “the Rock,” Jesus, is crucial to our temporal journey; we must decide to follow Jesus, and not turn back to our old way of life.

The Bible speaks of two builders in Luke’s Gospel: the wise and the foolish.

  1. The Rock represents Jesus’ teachings and a life built on obeying His Words and trusting in Him, leading a person to a strong, unshakable life in Christ, even in the face of trials and tribulations. Jeremiah 17:7-8 says: “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green”. Jeremiah beautifully describes this trust and obedience as like a tree planted by the water. He talks of a specific stream, representing spiritual stability and resilience; a person who thrives without living in fear and sees the fruit of their faith even though they may be experiencing a dry desert season.

We must keep this promise before us!

  • The sand represents a life built without a foundation, a shallow life. This type of person hears Jesus’ Words but ignores them and puts no value on them. This type of building collapses when hardships or temptations arise.

This Scripture is a metaphor for how we choose to build our lives.

Our lives are built either on something solid, which is faith, trust, and obedience to Jesus Christ, or something unstable, the things of this world, going our own way, and neglecting God’s Word. Through this Scripture, we see that a house built on the sand will soon sink. Building on sand is building shallowly, on the surface, with no substance or foundation to hold it up. One foot in the world and another hoping to go to heaven.

Individuals who attempt to build their faith on the sand have no security, no deliverance, no healing, and no promise to hold on to. The first windstorm to come through their lives will sweep through it. They are a building that is shaky, doubtful, and uncertain about the future.

Here are some questions for each of us to answer:

1-How am I building my spiritual life as a follower of Jesus?

 2-What am I building my spiritual life upon?

3-When no one comes with me, will I still follow my Jesus?

4-If I am not following Jesus, why not?

I pray our answers are full of assurance and in line with God’s Word.

The Cross must forever be before those who believe.

We must produce the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. If we are not bearing fruit, we need to check for cracks in our foundation.

Nokseng was so convinced of his faith that facing death didn’t move him.

He was so assured of his destiny, so strong in his belief, he refused to deny Jesus right up to the end, regardless of the horrific cost before him in the way of anguish and agony as he watched his entire family be killed, one by one.

What an example of faith this individual left for us.

His 19th-century life story of martyrdom in Northeast India is still very much alive today, inspiring us to live with spiritual vitality, fervency, and a sold-out love for Jesus.

Father, in the Mighty and powerful name of your Son Jesus Christ, I lift to you every person reading these words. I pray blessings over them. I pray they are encouraged. I pray it strengthens their faith or brings them to saving faith, Jesus. If anyone reading these words does not know you as Lord and Savior, my prayer is that they surrender their life to you and begin their walk of faith in the power of the Holy Spirit, eternally, never to turn back. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Narrow Road

April 18, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” –Matthew 7:13-14

I recently read an online article that stated, “If you keep choosing easy, don’t complain when life gets hard. This is a truth most people don’t want to hear, because easy feels good in the moment. But here’s the cost no one talks about. Easy choices build weak habits. And weak habits quietly shape a hard life.”

To this, I would add, choosing to serve self rather than Jesus may give the impression of being “easier”; having no god but self to serve leaves your ability to choose wide open; to “blaze our own trail,” if you will. But here’s the thing about ways being left wide open before us; we can just as easily lose our way as choose our way when we take them. “There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but its end is the way of death.” –Proverbs 14:12

Unlike many other of God’s creations, we were not created to roam free—contrary to those beautiful, enticing travel posters and vaca ads inviting us to do so.

You and I, dear friend, were created to live within the parameters of relationship—with God first and above all, with family, and within a community; that is God’s biblical plan. How He intends us to live, and designed the model He’s given us for forming communities.

In today’s scripture, we learn work is required of us—a concrete choice must be made if we’re to enter through the narrow gate, a metaphor for heaven. We’ve been afforded the unfathomable privilege of “getting to” choose which gate we’ll use—wide or narrow? Whom we’ll serve—or not serve, with our brief time on this earth. But know this: every man alive is serving something or someone—no man lives free of that choice; even your not choosing is, in fact, your choice.

Now, before I move on, I’ll stop here to clarify a foundational, biblical Truth: contrary to what you may have heard or been taught, God’s infallible Word assures us that salvation will never be achieved through our works.

Salvation is a free gift given to us by God alone, through Jesus alone, via God’s Holy Spirit, period. “For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].” –Ephesians 2:8-9

If we could do anything to earn salvation/the forgiveness of our sins, there would have been no reason for Jesus to have ever been born. “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” –Romans 5:17

The point of the story I read online and the point Jesus made in today’s Scripture verse run paralell: Choosing to take the easy way out, the path of least resistance, the “I’m a good person, I follow the rules so why shouldn’t I get into heaven, too,” road, will, in the end, only lead to a man’s ultimate destruction—eternal separation from Jesus. Taking the easy way out now might look good from the outside, but it offers no eternal value within.

Jesus once addressed the heart behind such deceptive life choices as He spoke to the religious leaders of His day. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” –Matthew 23:27-28

These men chose what was easiest for them: to stick to what they knew and believed to be true, rather than open their hearts to the possibility that Jesus was, in fact, who He claimed to be—their Savior. Man’s choice to serve any god but Jesus, the One True God, or no god at all, is really just rebellion disguised as freedom. “Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” —John 14:6

It’s man’s rebellious flesh determining for itself what it will or will not do, is willing to sacrifice, or not, in this life: time, energy, money, love, service, or anything else that may interfere with attaining its end goal—gain, relaxation, and pleasure now—because he’s earned it. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”–Matthew 6:24

Yet it’s here, in man’s insatiable pursuit of self-gratification—with its unquenchable thirst for freedom and more, where mere moral limits will ultimately betray such men in the end. “They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party.” –Philippians 3:19

Concerning the choices you make today, “Weak habits quietly shape a hard life,” said the author of the article I spoke of at the beginning of this teaching. Speaking of life now and eternal, Jesus cautions you to: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Why?

Because soon, and very soon, every man will lose his ability to choose the narrow way, having chosen not to follow it himself, he will, by default, have chosen the broad way instead, which leads to hell. “The authority of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this name—in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm. And every tongue will proclaim in every language: “Jesus Christ is Lord YAHWEH,” bringing glory and honor to God, his Father!” –Philippians 2:10-11

Friends, Christ has afforded all of us the unfathomable freedom to choose freely for ourselves life or death—the narrow way, with its sacrifices, trials, and demands in this life, certainly—or the broad way. A life of seeming ease now, but which comes with an inestimable price tag in the end—eternal separation from God.

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.” –Luke 19-25

Every man must choose for himself, friend—and remember, not choosing is, in fact, your choice.

I pray you choose wisely, because Jesus loves you and hell was never meant for you, but for Satan and his minions. Friend, regardless of the choices you’ve made in life thus far, if you have breath in your lungs, it’s not too late for you to ask Jesus for His forgiveness. People send themselves to hell, this place of eternal torment and separation, not God. I share this with you in love, hoping to spare you from taking the seemingly easy path now and, instead, choosing the narrow Way that leads to Life. “Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.” –Hebrews 12:14

Holy Spirit Boldness.

April 11, 2026 /

Wesley Mendes

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.” –Acts 4:13-22

As you read this scripture, you might just think, “Wow, these guys were really courageous and so bold to go out in front of the Sanhedrin, who hated them and opposed Jesus,” which is true. That’s what really stood out to me, too. The disciples’ boldness and courage led me to think about some things I’d like to share with you.

Acts 4 begins by saying the Sanhedrin saw the disciples’ courage and noted that these men had been with Jesus. Notice, that’s where their courage came from; where their boldness came from, too, from Jesus.

These men, bold in that moment, were once seen cowering in an upper room, fearful that what had happened to Jesus would also happen to them. But then, all of a sudden, scripture says, the Holy Spirit came over them. “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” —Acts 2:1-4

God’s Holy Spirit empowered them with such boldness that they no longer cared what happened to them. That is why they were so bold when they stood before the Sanhedrin. Are you bold? Will you stand and face those who oppose Jesus?

Then, the same Peter who had denied Jesus three times, the one who had been named the rock among his brothers, who had said he’d die for Jesus, and who had walked alongside him, was filled with boldness by the Holy Spirit’s power and began telling others about Jesus. “Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel.” –Acts 2:14-16.

There are going to be threats.

There will be risky situations in your life.

You might be warned of the consequences and repercussions you’ll face if you keep on about Jesus. “The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.” –Acts 4:1-2

Family or friends may already be asking you to stop with all this Jesus talk. That happened to the disciples, too. But it didn’t stop them. “Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” –Acts 4:18

Like these brothers, like Peter, you have to be bold and lean on God, regardless of what people say; boldness says, “I hear you, but I obey God.”

“But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” –Acts 4”19-20

Be bold, be faithful, but not in your strength, which will never work. Be bold in the power that is from God’s Holy Spirit. People need to hear about Jesus.

Will you use what God has put in your hand to tell others about Jesus?

“ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” –Acts 4:29-31

You can have the same power of Jesus’ Holy Spirit in you as the disciples did, but not on your own; you must belong to Jesus. Do you want to? Here’s how you can: Surrender your heart to Jesus. He’ll give you the grace to do it if you really want to. I encourage you to be bold, ask Jesus to save you. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10

I Am, Life.

April 4, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” –John 11:25-26

There are times Martha gets a bad rap.

But not today!

Martha has become known for her busyness—always doing something while her sister, Mary, was commended by Jesus, for choosing what is best—stillness at His feet; drinking in every Word that spills from His lips.“But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” –Luke 10:41-43

Today, Jesus makes clear, however, despite Martha’s busy schedule and diligent attention to her everyday chores, she has not neglected to hold fast to what He has shared with her.

I pray Jesus’ acknowledgment of Martha’s heart, love, and belief in Him, in the midst of her busy life, despite all that still needed to get done, encourages that busy mom or pastor’s wife, Jesus knows your heart as well. He sees that sister, brother, mother, or daughter who stretches themself daily in service to others, desiring to meet their needs, all the while praying silently to their Lord for just five minutes of quiet so they too might pour their full attention at Jesus’ feet.

Now, before running to get her sister, Mary, Martha ended her conversation with Jesus by assuring Him of her faith in Him. That she knew—despite her pain, even in the midst of her chore-filled, others need me, every day life—that she could never forget Jesus is who He claimed to be, and that He could and would do all He had promised. “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” –John 11:27

So on this Resurrection Eve, I felt led to spotlight what Martha knew rather than her busyness. Martha knew her Lord. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Dear ones, you may be in the midst of a “Martha” season, still, hold tight to your “Mary” heart…

It’s Resurrection Sunday, tomorrow! Hallelujah!

For the Christian, it’s a day like no other; not even Christmas, as glorious, celebratory, and meaningful to us as it is. Why? Resurrection Sunday reminds Christians of the living hope we possess because Jesus defeated death and the grave—once, for all. And that all who believe on God’s Son, have life eternal in Him. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” –1 Peter 1:3.

No other god, so-called, has defeated death and the grave, having been raised from the dead. Buddha, Muhammad, even Krishna, to name but three; their remains, still in their graves—but not Jesus’! Jesus’ resurrection from the grave assures the believer that where He is, we will be—He has promised us: “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” –John 14:3.

 With this eternal Truth in mind, please pause here a moment to ask and answer that same question Jesus once asked of Martha: “Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?

 Everyone alive must answer, friend.

If not now, a day is coming, soon and very soon, when each man will.

God’s Word assures of this—believe it, or not.

“For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.” –Philippians 2:9-11

Now I didn’t ask you to answer Jesus’ question to scare or intimidate you, quite the opposite. I asked it out of love. Hopeful that Jesus is your Lord and Savior—that you do have a loving, intimate, Life-giving relationship with Him, and have, with a pure heart, said, as Martha did, “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” –John 11:27

I ask those also, who have yet to decide their answer, to search their hearts now and ask themselves, “Who is Jesus to me?” As you do, please use God’s beautiful Truth below to help guide your decision. Understanding what Jesus did for you, specifically, is deeply personal, and your answer will inevitably determine your eternal destiny.

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” –Romans 5:6-11

Because Jesus was Martha’s Lord and Savior, she had a deeply personal relationship with Him and understood this Truth.

I pray you do, or will, before this day draws to a close…

God sent Jesus into this world to pay your sin debt—and mine—a debt we could never pay—Jesus didn’t come to condemn you, friend, but to save you! The guiltless sacrificed in place of the guilty. Jesus took your place on that Cross He was savagely nailed to and died on. All that you might have eternal life. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” –John 3:17.

Put simply, Jesus came into this world to ensure you be given the opportunity—along with every man—to answer for yourself the question He once posed to Martha. “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?

Martha believed, and she is with Jesus today, where she’ll be for eternity.

How about you?

Do you believe?

You must choose, friends, because not choosing is a choice.

Heaven or hell—that’s all there is.

I’m praying you choose heaven.

God’s Word promises you can and will have eternal life with Christ if, like Martha, you genuinely believe that Jesus is who He has claimed to be and will do all He promised to do. Read His promise for yourself. “If you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.” —Romans 10:9-10

It’s Resurrection Sunday, tomorrow, Hallelujah!

I pray you experience a true Resurrection miracle: being set free from the grip from the kingdom of darkness, sin, and death; being born again into new Life with Jesus; and getting to meet Martha!

No Greater Assurance.

March 14, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

“And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.” –John 5:25

Assurance, as defined by the world, in this case, by Oxford Languages: a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise; confidence or certainty in one’s own abilities.

Assurance, as defined in Acts 17:31, by the Living God: “He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Let me ask you, is a declaration of assurance given by a man, a mayor, president, king, or statesman, even the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, actual assurance?

Does such a promise made by any of these alleviate your fears?

Do you rest at night trusting that a man can fulfill, to the utmost, every promise he’s made regarding your safety and well-being?

Before you answer, stop and think about the current state of this world, I mean globally, not just your little corner of it.

Take a moment now and call to mind, if you can, all the promises you’ve heard recently from presidents, statesmen, and kings of countries; mere men, each one, educated men, certainly. Experienced, we certainly hope so. Well-intended? Call me naïve, but yes, I do believe that most men who seek to lead others start out well-intentioned, wanting the best for those who have put their trust in them and aiming to do their best for them.

Yet, at the end of the day, I have learned that the best of men are, at best, just men, and being created beings, will always fall short of their highest and best intentions; I know I am most certainly guilty of this.

But there is One who has never broken a promise—not a single one. “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” –Numbers 23:19

One who assures us, present tense, that He will do all and everything He has spoken, fulfilling every promise He’s made from the beginning of time, before time, more accurately, to this very day. “For no word from God will ever fail.” –Luke 1:37

Jesus has never failed—not once, because what He says He has heard from His Father, El Elyon, God Most High, Creator of us all and of things seen and unseen. “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” –John 12:49

And everything He does is in perfect alignment with the Father’s will. “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” –John 6:38.

This same Jesus, Christ the Lord, who can do all things but fail, says this. “There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” –John 12:48-50

At any time, any man can assure you of anything, friends, this much we know; it’s the way of the world. The question, then, is not whether someone can assure you, but whether they can put legs under their assurance. Which brings up a thought: do you trust men in the same way you trust the chairs you sit on? An action, like other actions, people do without much thought. You sit automatically, yet seldom, if ever, do you question or give thought to the stability of the chair you’re quite literally placing the full weight of your trust on—

Here’s my point, friends. If you watch the news, even briefly, or glance at the headlines of most newspapers, or follow online threads, you can’t have missed that this world is changing 2 fast and 2 furious, for all you action movie buffs, except this is no movie, it’s real life. Your life.

I’m curious: who are you trusting to keep you, your family, your children, and loved ones safe from harm?

Now, before you answer or say that what you see happening elsewhere in the world will never happen to you, not here in good ole’ US of A, think again, because it can.

Hear me now. I pray earnestly that such hardships and fear never touch you. I pray God keep you and all those you love safe, in the palm of His Sovereign Right Hand. But above this, because Jesus has assured us, again, present tense, both saved and yet saved alike, that in this world, even with all the assurances we’re handed by each other or those well-intended officials, the president and all the good fighting men willing to lay down life and limb to protect us, we will, nonetheless, have troubles.

I’m not trying to be a Debbie-downer, friends, I’m simply sharing with you what Jesus assured us of, read it here for yourself: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” –John 16:33

What things is Jesus referring to?

To read the full account of all that Jesus assures us will happen, read the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 24. Here’s a snippet to get you started. “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” –Matthew 5-13.

Sound familiar?

Scholars tell us that Jesus’s birth fulfilled some 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning Him. Probability studies conducted by the mathematician Peter Stoner suggest that the odds of Jesus fulfilling just “eight” of the over 300 Messianic prophecies found in the Old Testament are 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. For those of us who are not mathematicians, that’s 1 in 100 quadrillion. (These calculations were published in “Science Speaks” by Peter Stoner.)

And whether mathematically correct or not, the Bible makes plain that Jesus has fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy concerning Him. From His birth in Bethlehem and being born of a virgin: Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14, to His ministry: Isaiah 61:1-2, to His betrayal and death: Zechariah 11:12; Ps. 22:7-8,16, culminating in Jesus’ burial and Resurrection: Isaiah 53:9; His being buried with the rich: Isaiah 53:9 and His resurrection: Psalm 16:10, Jesus has fulfilled every single one of these.

So, why would anyone think that Jesus won’t fulfill those yet-to-be-fulfilled?

Since none of us are equipped nor were we created to go it alone, my hope and prayer for you in these turbulent, trying times, is that you have or will this day, put the full weight of your trust in Jesus, who can help you navigate the turbulent waters of our times, steadying you, and leading you through what looks like the thing sent to take you out. No mere man, any man, from any political party, whether He be a president, king, or statesman, nor a Declaration written by mere men, regardless of their well-intentionedness, can do this.

So I pray the full weight of your trust will rest squarely and immutably on Jesus, the only one who can. He faithfully saved twelve others who put their trust in Him while in a storm. How? He commanded what was threatening them to be still. “When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” –Mark 4:38;41.

God has afforded you the privilege of making many choices in this life, friend, yet He has given you only One sure hope: His Son, Jesus. Will you put the full weight of your trust in Him?

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