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

Category: Choice (Page 3 of 8)

Choosing Sides.

November 18, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” –Philippians 4:4.

While in prison, Paul wrote to the church in Phillipi. Within His letter, he reminds them—and us—to rejoice. Did you catch that? While in prison himself, Paul reminds his brothers and sisters to rejoice.While in prison? Yes.

While going through our own trials? Yes. Every Blood-bought believer will one day face having to choose sides. Faith or fear?

Even at the bedside of your ailing child? When you lose your job, husband, wife, or home? When the doctor’s report is less than favorable? Yes, yes, emphatically, yes! As Christians, we can rejoice always, and, like Paul, we can do it despite the circumstances we find ourselves.

How?

Let’s start with the Truth—it’s not easy. We must be determined. But it is possible because God’s Holy Spirit at work in us affords us the ability to choose rejoicing over sadness or despair, allowing God to dress us in garments of praise rather than our walking alone, clothed in rags of sorrow. Contrary to how we may feel, choosing to rejoice at all times, in every circumstance, will anchor us to God and bolster our trust in Him as we walk by faith. “For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].” –1 John 5:4.

1 John 5:4 and Philippians 4:4, along with countless other scriptures found throughout the Bible, point us to the Source of our ability to “rejoice in the Lord always.” As with anything of eternal value, Jesus, by the power of His Holy Spirit at work in us, gives us the ability we do not possess apart from Him to overcome, to choose to rise above our trials.

Like love and forgiveness—right and wrong, following the narrow or wide paths, character over comfort—we must intentionally choose to rejoice. Each of the above is a by-product of our will, forged by our obedience to God, His will, and Word.

Do you remember pick-up? When you and your friends would choose teams to play some schoolyard game? Two captains would be selected while everyone else lined up and waited for their names to be called. “I choose John.” “I choose Sarah.” On and on it went until everyone had been picked. Regardless of the game, those chosen to play knew there’d only be one winner, yet that knowledge never stopped them from hoping they’d win and giving it their all.

Friends, we are both team captains and those waiting to be chosen. Each is afforded the free will to choose who and what we will serve daily. Fear or faith? The Spirit or the flesh? Like those waiting to be picked, we who stand in line know that one day, perhaps two, our names will be called. Eventually, we’ll hear:

“I’m so sorry to inform you that your mom, dad, husband, wife, childhood friend has just passed away.”

“I’m going to have to let you go. I’m so sorry this comes at such a bad time.”

“Your test results didn’t come back quite as we’d hoped.”

Jesus never promised our lives would be easy—free from heartache, loss, pain, or difficult choices—quite the opposite. He assures us that if we are His, if we smell like sheep, then, like our Shephard, our name will eventually be called to come pick up some cross whose weight we’d fall under, if not for the One helping us to shoulder it—the One, in Truth, who carries its weighty load for us. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” –2 Corinthians 12:9.

Notice how the above Scripture assures us of God’s help “each time” He chooses us to carry such a cross.

It reminds us, too, that we have a choice to make. We’re free to go it alone—kicking the dirt, head down, focusing on everything that’s gone awry—or we can look up! At any moment, we can decide to accept God’s Truth and the sure hope that weeping over our loss of anyone or anything—any circumstance or “suddenly” allowed to touch us, may endure for a night, but joy will come again.

In this knowledge, we take comfort in and are kept afloat by the fact that nothing can touch our lives without first having passed through the hand of our Sovereign God. “Then he broke through and transformed all my wailing into a whirling dance of ecstatic praise! He has torn the veil and lifted from me the sad heaviness of mourning. He wrapped me in the glory-garments of gladness.” –Psalm 30:11. This knowing—coupled with our understanding that our God is good, loving, kind, merciful, ever-present and will always bring good from even the darkest, most difficult of days, weeks, months, out of every trail, whose intended end is to refine us—causing us to look more like Jesus.

Still, Jesus will not allow evil, injustice, or any trial we might face—those He sends or allows to strengthen and refine us—to overcome us. “As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” –Ezekiel 34:13;16-17.

As captains, or those waiting to be chosen, we must decide how we’ll respond one day when our “suddenly” shows up. Will we walk in the flesh—kicking the dirt, looking ever downward? Or look up by faith, daring to believe God. Daring to be transparent and with a trembling humble, voice cry aloud, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief,”

So here it is, friends, the how-to and the why of it. “Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Dear friend, if you’re here today, doing your best to keep your head above water without Jesus, I would encourage you to invite Him into your heart and circumstances. Even if you need to be sure He’s listening or cares. He is, and He does. Jesus is big enough to handle your doubts and fears. Just pray, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” If you sincerely seek Him, I assure you He will answer you. “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.” –Matthew 7:7.

Will You Follow Me?

August 19, 2023 /

Matthew Botelho

Sometimes situations at the workplace, within our family, school, or some “shift’ in our walk with Jesus will bring us to that next level in our faith walk. During these times, will you follow Christ? I entitled this teaching “Will you follow me” because God asks this question of all believers. He has a way of getting our attention regarding our walk with His son Jesus. He will use His Holy Spirit to guide us and direct our steps. That is why during such times, we must remember, dear brothers and sisters, that our walk with Jesus is by faith and not by sight. Many of us would stop dead in our tracks if it were by sight! “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” –Hebrews 11:1.

When I said “shift,” I meant things in your life may change suddenly. How will you operate your faith when a shift happens?

For example, driving a car. When driving down your local streets, you’re usually in a lower gear, basically a steady pace (I will assume I’m sharing with aw-abiding drivers here.) But when we are about to go on a highway, we must shift our car into high gear to go faster. Depending on where God wants you to go, you will need that measure of faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6.

“Will you follow Me” when things start looking rough?

“Will you follow Me” when I take you out of your comfort zone?

“Will you follow Me?” Period.

Let’s look at Luke 5:1-11. Jesus meets Simon, who would soon be called Peter. Jesus is teaching a multitude of people, and He sees Simon and asks to use his boat. Jesus then asks Peter if he would put out a little from the land so he could teach and be heard (Luke 5:3). After Jesus is done speaking, He looks at Simon again and says, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” –Luke 5:4.

In the first instance, Simon seemed ok with allowing Jesus to use his boat to teach. It’s not like he had to do any work. It was a simple enough task to do. But then Jesus asks Simon to go out into the deep parts of the sea and let down his net for a catch. Well, have you ever been tired after a long day of work? Especially one when nothing went according to plan. Ever feel like “all I want to do is go home and plop on the couch and eat a whole bunch of cookies (Don’t judge me) and forget all that happened.” We can all relate to situations that make us feel like this.

Then, “Will you follow Me?” is the still, small voice rising in our hearts. How should we respond When God asks us to do something we don’t feel like doing? Should we react in our flesh? If so, we will likely miss the breakthrough or blessing God has for us. “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” –1 Corinthians 2:14.

Listen to how Simon answers: “Simon then answers Jesus, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” –Luke 5:5. Simon answered in a natural voice, the voice of a man who was tired and looking for an excuse not to do what was being asked of him; yet he changes his mind and obeys Jesus.

Simon did not know who Jesus truly was. All he knew of Him was that a multitude of people listened to His every word. The scripture doesn’t say why Peter changed his mind, only that Simon dropped his net. “Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”  “And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.” –Luke 5:6-7.

Simon acted out of faith and let down the net. And what happened next was something not even Simon could explain.

By following Jesus’ instructions, he was blessed with an abundance of fish. So many fish another boat was needed to haul them all in.

When we go out deep for the things of God, we can expect His blessings.

Yet even if you have little faith, it matters to God. When you cast your net of” little faith” out into deep waters, expect God to be faithful. “So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief, for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” –Matthew 17:20-21.

As I end this teaching, I want us to head to John, Chapter 21.

After Jesus’ resurrection, He and Peter are walking together. And after restoring Peter, letting him know that he was forgiven and loved by Him (John 21:15-19), Jesus also shares insight with Peter concerning his future: specifically, how Peter would die. Just then, Peter turns around and sees John following them: “Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” –John 21:20-21.

My dear brothers and sisters, remember that your walk is unique.

Not everyone’s walk with Christ will look the same. The fact that you’ve been called to walk with Him that’s what matters. Our Christian walk may share some similarities but know that you are who God created you to be; your calling is all your own. Specific to you. I love how Jesus answers Peter in the following verse:  Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you. You follow Me.” –John 21:22.

It does not matter what Jesus does in the lives of others. You are not their Master. God is. All Jesus is asking you is, “Will you follow Me?”

Do not worry about your friend who got promoted when you didn’t. Instead, rejoice for them. Do not be jealous of the friend about to walk into their calling. Celebrate with them. Do not slander those that walk with Christ—nor anyone. You are brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus. And if we are brothers and sisters, we are not each other’s enemy. There is only one enemy, the devil. And Christ has defeated him and has given you the power to stomp your heel on his neck. Walk victorious in Christ Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and Life.

“Will you follow Me into the deep things I must show you? Will you Follow Me when the waters look unsure and you feel tired and drained? With the little you have, I will bless you with abundance, and your nets will not break. “Will you follow Me?”   

And if you hear Jesus calling today. Will you follow Him? “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” –Revelation 3:20.

Who Will Save Me?

August 5, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” –Romans 7:18; 24-25.

The Apostle Paul answers this pivotal question of how men are saved from their corrupt, weak flesh with unassailable clarity; only Jesus can save us from sin and its enticing, wicked grip on our flesh. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –John 14:6.

All the distress, bitterness, heartache, shame, and tragedy can be summed up in the three-letter word: Sin. Its meaning—to fall short of God’s standard and to do contrary to God’s Law—has an impact on every soul and overflows the boundaries of the human heart. –Reverand Billy Graham.

There is no other person, no amount of “good works” we can do, no amount of trying harder that can or will save us from our sinful nature. Only Jesus can save us.

The truth is, not even the most sin-stained of us have not strayed too far or committed any sin so atrocious or filthy that Jesus’ Blood, His great love, and mercy cannot redeem. Man cannot save himself; all paths do not lead to God—the only Source of eternal life. “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.

“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.

Yet because we are created in God’s image, man is capable, to some extent, of reflecting God’s goodness. Hence, many have gotten it twisted that their good works must be proof, evidence that they have a relationship with God—why else would they do such good?

Sure, even that one with the most hardened of hearts can do good, but simply acting “good” will never afford us the strength nor ability to overcome our sinful nature.

Apart from God, we don’t have it in us to choose life. “For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the (desire of the) Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these two, (the sinful nature and the Spirit) are in direct opposition to each other (continually in conflict), so that you (as believers) do not (always) do whatever (good things) you want to do.” –Galatians 5:17.

Notice the clause The Apostle Paul has attached to this Truth. For the above Biblical Truth to apply to any man, he must first acknowledge that Jesus is Lord; God’s Holy Spirit must reside within Him. –” so that you (as believers) do not (always) do whatever (good things) you want to do.”

Once Jesus has been invited into a man’s heart to take His rightful place as Lord over every fiber of their being, every aspect and circumstance in which they might find themselves, only then, in total surrender to His will, not desperately clinging to their own, does man afford God’s Holy Spirit complete control of their heart, will and emotions. “The Spirit of truth will come and guide you in all truth. He will not speak His own words to you; He will speak what He hears, revealing to you the things to come and bringing glory to Me. The Spirit has unlimited access to Me, to all that I possess and know, just as everything the Father has is Mine. That is the reason I am confident He will care for My own and reveal the path to you.” –John 16:13.

The same Apostle Paul, who opens our eyes to the fact that nothing good lives in our flesh and how the answer to everything in life is Jesus, under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, condensed the “how to” of this ability to walk in victory over our flesh into this one sentence: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16.

Yes, incredibly, all men have been afforded the unfathomable privilege to wholly give ourselves over to Holy Spirit’s control, placing the total weight of our trust in Him.

Conversely, like fellow believers Ananias and his wife, Saphira, we can choose to hold back some corner of ourselves from God—never a good idea! You can read all about them and the outcome of their choices in Acts 5: 1-11. This couple held back material possessions. But truth be told, it was their heart and trust in God they indeed held back.

Scripture makes clear that where a man’s treasure is, that’s where you’ll find his heart.

We must allow God’s Holy Spirit unfettered access to everything we call our own. Again, God has afforded us everything we have or will experience in our lifetimes. “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” –James 1:17.

So, by hedging their proverbial bet, Ananias and Saphira demonstrated their trust in self-reliance, not God. And so do we the moment we choose to deny God’s Holy Spirit access to any corner of our lives; be it material; physical, emotional, or financial.

I’ll pause here to say: Don’t get it twisted. God is Sovereign, All-Powerful.

Jesus can do whatever He chooses with our lives, whenever He chooses. He is our Creator; we are His creations. God need never ask our permission to do anything He pleases. Yet He does choose to partner with us. And the byproduct of this partnership with God is victory, our ability to overcome anything.

Victory over our flesh, ever-shifting feelings, moods, wants, and desires; the ability to overcome any adversity, circumstance, sin or battle we may face. Victory over selfishness, fear, and anxiety. Over every emotion that does not align with God’s will and Word. Victory over addiction, pornography, gambling, lying, adultery, and stealing.

Victory that promises to bring restoration according to God’s will for our lives.

Restoration of broken relationships and marriages, dreams, hopes and desires you thought you’d missed—or missed out on. Yet above all these, placing the total weight of our faith in Jesus—your accepting Him as your personal Lord and Savior brings with it both instant and eternal restoration of your relationship with God. A relationship severed by sin in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve’s sin separated us all from our Perfect, Pure, and sinless Father. “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” –Romans 5:12;18.

Beloved of God, if you have sinned, or wandered away from the Lord, consider this your clarion call. Run home to your Father, just as your brother, the Prodigal son, once did. Your Father has been watching and waiting for your return. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” –Luke 15:20.

And be encouraged, dear friend, if you are weary and tired of trying to “get right” on your own steam—exhausted from carrying the weight of the world on your back day after day. Today, you can hand that heavy load to Jesus, and He will take it from you if you invite Him into your heart and life as Lord and Savior. “Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart you have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” –Romans 10:9.

Listen to Jesus’ own Words, His heart and promise towards His children, toward you, if you accept Him: “I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will feel my presence in your time of trouble. I will deliver you and bring you honor.” –Psalm 91:15.

Are You A Crowd Pleaser?

July 15, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, set Barabbas free for them; and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over [to his soldiers] to be crucified” –Mark 15:15.

You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it. –Paul Coelho.

As I listened to another vessel sharing what God had laid on his heart, Holy Spirit grabbed hold the wheel when I read Mark 15:15. What you’ll read today is the result of where He led me. Thank you, Pastor Mike Padgett, for being the vessel Holy Spirit used to get my attention. I trust He’ll use the Word He’s pulled out of our bellies to accomplish His good purpose.

Now at Shechem, Joshua had assembled all the tribes of Israel, then, standing before them, he ran through the litany of how the Lord had delivered them. How God had blessed, provided for, and protected them. Then, Joshua presented the people with the inescapable choice God set before them. “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.” –Joshua 24:14-15.

Those gathered before  Joshua had a choice to make. So do we.

We must choose between serving Jesus unashamedly, being so firmly planted in Christ that the fiercest winds of change may plummet us, but they’ll never uproot our faith in Him. Joshua made his choice. Pontus Pilot certainly made his. So did the high priests and their hastily assembled crowd who shouted, “Crucify Him!”

Give us Barabbas and put an end to this supposed king of the Jews!

A day is coming when no man will be allowed to play the “I didn’t know” card.

Scripture is clear: “When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. –Philippians 2:7-11.

Why wait until it’s too late, friend? Repent your sins and confess Jesus as Lord of your life today!

Now I understand how difficult that is to hear—and for some even to believe. But I love God and you too much not to obey Him and tell you the Truth—regardless.

For much of my adult life, I, too, wrestled with God—I knew of Him, that He was God. Still, I continued living life as usual despite that fact. I was a crowd pleaser—just like Pilot. But today, with a grateful heart surrendered to Jesus, I thank God, He pursued me until He won! God always wins, and I also thank Him for that. God’s plans for my life are so much bigger and better than mine could ever be.

But back to Pilot.

We’re focusing on him today because his choice, or lack thereof, is the mirror through which we might glimpse our own choice: choose Jesus or please the crowd. “So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands [to ceremonially cleanse himself of guilt] in the presence of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this [righteous] Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” –Matthew 27:24.

God’s Word is clear: we can’t have it both ways. Our not choosing Jesus is, in fact, our choice. Just as it was for Pilot, no amount of hand washing will ever change this fact. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].” –Matthew 6:24-26.

If left unguarded, friends, your ears will be accosted by the shouts of those clanging voices who would have you bow down to the gods of this world—as they did Pilot. He knew what these religious leaders and their motley mob were up to.

Scream loud enough to threaten a man’s livelihood, his position, pockets, or peace, and you might cause him to fall.

In Pilot’s case, this strategy worked. Pilot’s wife, even Jesus Himself, had told Pilot who it was that stood before him. His conscience bore witness to this man being different—and innocent.

So why did he cave? What made Pilot give in to the voices that bayed for Jesus’ Blood—denying His deity?

Likely for the same reason, many today cave and deny Jesus.

Most people don’t want to stand out—create a fuss, be ostracized, risk losing friends, family members or popularity—maybe even their jobs or business. They don’t want to be labeled a Jesus freak—one of those sold-out Bible believers. They’re afraid of going against the prevailing opinions of the world in which they live. Against a legion of voices telling them their children’s sex is not fixed, as God created it, but fluid.

A girl today, a boy tomorrow, and; if they don’t support these twisted lies, they are hateful, unsupportive, bigoted parents damaging their child’s self-esteem. These same voices will assail the ear of anyone who will listen. Falsely instructing them that a woman has the right to murder the unborn child in her womb—after all, it’s her body, they say, and that so-called child is nothing more than a blob of tissue. Don’t allow that to ruin the rest of your life.

Hear me, friend. These are lies from the pit of hell, bent on twisting and destroying what God Himself created. “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.

Some of these same twisted voices shouted for Lot to send out the Angels God had sent to carry out His judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah so they might have sex with them. There truly is nothing new under the sun. Satan has always tried to pervert God’s Word, causing man to question His Truth and laws. It started in the most perfect place on earth, Eden, and continues still. “Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘You shall not eat from it nor touch it, otherwise you will die.'” But the serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die!” –Genesis 3:1-4.

Governor Pilot fell sway of the legion of voices demanding He betray Jesus—go against what He knew to be little more than petty jealousy and manipulation—a power play, politics—not much different than today, is it?

So here’s my question to you, friend. “If Jesus were to stand before you as he did Pilot, whom would you choose? Jesus, or those who deny Him.”

I pray you choose Jesus. He loves you. God hates sin, all sin. Not just sin committed by the gay community or the woman who had the abortion. God hates adultery, lying, stealing, greed. He wants us all to love and choose Him, despite our sins. God can more than cleanse us of our sins if we choose Him.“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God.” –Joshua 24:15-18.

How To Respond to Adversity.

July 1, 2023 /

Kendra Santilli

““There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of complete integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east.” — Job 1:1,3b

Job, who takes up an entire book in the Old Testament, can teach us so much when it comes to maintaining steadfastness in the face of adversity. As I was reading his story, I couldn’t help but think of a question posed by so many: if God is so good and He is sovereign, why do bad things happen to good people?

I don’t know that I have the answer to that difficult question, but I know that I have gleaned some fundamental truths about the nature of who God is and what a healthy human response should be through Job’s wisdom.

Our first impressions about Job are that he was a man of remarkable character, who feared God, was successful, and was wealthy, all of which marked him as the greatest man of his day. If you read his story, you will not just learn that his world fell apart in one moment but also gain insight into what happens in the supernatural realm when devastation originates in the pits of hell.

Before we begin, you must understand that according to the infallible Word of God, Satan is real, there is indeed a heavenly realm, and Satan cannot operate outside of God’s all-knowing nature.

Truth: Satan roams the earth, searching for whom he may devour. The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered him, “and walking around on it.” — Job 1:7. “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” —1 Peter 5:8.

Again, truth: God sets boundaries for what Satan can and cannot do. Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t you placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.” “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. — Job 1:8-12.

God knew Job’s heart. He knew it was not in Job’s nature to curse Him. For whatever reason, God allowed Satan to take everything near and dear to Job, knowing that Job’s integrity was pure down to his core. He knew Job wouldn’t be swayed by circumstances, no matter how severe. I pray we can be a people whose nature is so pure that our natural response is that of Job.

As the story goes, Job lost his children, livestock, and servants in one day. One day was all it took for him to lose his beloved children and so much of what he worked for. But his response is remarkable: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything. — Job 1:21-22.

Job blessed the Lord during his deepest pain.

How often, when one thing doesn’t go our way, are we quick to fall apart and blame God? Imagine what would happen if our response to difficulties was blessing the Lord instead of glorifying the terrible works of our adversary, Satan. The attacks of hell are Satan’s glory. When we choose to focus on the attack rather than the goodness of God, we are choosing to shift our praise away from God in all His beautiful glory to Satan and all his terrible glory.

There is a difference between acknowledging that we are being afflicted and obsessing over the affliction.

For the nonbeliever, there is deliverance, once and for all, from the strongholds of hell: anger, bitterness, lust, addiction, anxiety, depression, malice, greed, and the like. But there is freedom once we begin to walk in who God created us to be and believe in Jesus Christ. Hardships still happen, but we can navigate them in the freedom of Christ. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. — John 8:36.

Too many people, believers, and nonbelievers alike, dwell on the affliction, surrendering to the lie that God is no longer good because their situation is bad.

Instead, I challenge you to humble your heart and declare that God is good even when life is not. An attack from Satan does not mean that God is not good or no longer with you. It simply means that Satan is still evil.

Don’t allow Satan to manipulate you into believing that your situation determines the character of God.

Instead of obsessing over the trial and magnifying the enemy’s works, I challenge you to train your heart and mind like Job’s, blessing the Lord amid your deepest trial and pain. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:4-7.

Today, choose to magnify the Lord.

 Let His goodness and mercy be a mountain compared to the temporary trials that are as grains of sand. While your circumstances will change continuously, one constant in life is that God will never stop being good. Let us learn from Job how to respond to our adversity, whether in hardship or an attack from the enemy. Let our response be that of praise to God rather than addressing Satan. Job never once spoke to the enemy. He simply turned his gaze toward his God, who is far greater than the enemy (1 John 4:4) and allowed Him to fight his battles.

Yes, Job acknowledged his suffering but never cursed the Lord.

If you don’t yet know Jesus in such a way that His peace can supersede your current suffering, humbly ask Him into your heart that He may deliver you, grant you salvation and give you perfect peace.

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

“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.

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.

Do You Believe?

April 8, 2023 /
MaryEllen Montville

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age.” –Titus 2:11-12.

Many of us will celebrate Resurrection Sunday tomorrow morning. Yet what Christ did—defeating death, sin and the grave, making it possible for “whosoever will” to be restored to right relationship with the Father, coming not to judge, but save, indeed supersedes a day, any day, on man’s calendar.

Because, somewhere in eternity past, in obedience to the Father’s will, Jesus deigned to leave God’s side temporarily, to step away from the Perfect and Holy Majesty on High. God’s saving grace wrapped Himself instead in humility and flesh. Born into obscurity, Jesus was laid in an animal trough. He tasted our temptations while remaining God’s only sin-less, sacrificial Lamb. “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” –1 Peter 1:20.

Jesus, who wrote the Book on self-sacrifice, God’s Living Word, died that you and I might live. “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” –Hebrews 2:14.

Christ, the King of Kings, was born not to the royal, the high and mighty—though they are welcome at His table, in His heart.

No. Jesus chose to live amongst, be born to, poor people, according to the world’s standards, that is. Jesus came to serve, not to be served, to extend His Royal Scepter of grace and mercy to all those who only deserve death. To lay down His life for the least of us—the trainwreck, the sin-soaked addict and homosexual. The prostitute, the wife abuser, liar, the child killer, and the murderer.

And, dear Christian, since we have tasted so great a Love, been set free from the certain death sentence, that automatic guilty verdict rendered when we succumb to sins allure, as our Scripture instructs then, ought we not live sensibly? Choosing to deny our flesh, clinging instead to every Word that comes from the mouth of God? Denying ungodliness and worldly desires, living righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age.”

 You and I, dear believers in the Lord Jesus, have been called to a life counter to the world we live in—always remembering this world is not our home. Like Jesus, the Firstfruit of the resurrection to come, our heart’s desire, our earthly mission ought to be to do the will of the Father. To join Jesus in the death of our wills, wants, and fleshly desires that we might also join Him in the joyful celebration awaiting all those who, through Christ’s victory over sin and death, will soon, and very soon, live with Him forever and ever, amen!

And for anyone who thinks this is impossible, I will remind you that this is Ressurection season! A season of “suddenly” and of the unexpected!

Undoubtedly, many in Christ’s day, even some closest to Him, never expected to truly see Jesus rise from the grave on the third day—even though He had told them He would. And as it was then, so it is now, today. Many will not believe Jesus’ Word. Moreover, they refuse to believe Jesus is who He says He is and will do all He says He would do—was born, lived and died to do! And that includes His soon return to judge the living and the dead.

How I pray you will not be counted among those who refuse to believe.

Instead, you’d call out to Jesus today, taking Him at His Word on this Ressurection eve. That you’ll choose to accept, He is Mighty to save even the one who sinned so greatly that they’ve bought into their enemies lie hook, line, and sinker. The lie telling them Jesus couldn’t possibly want them, save them. The lie that says you’re too far gone, their sin too great for Jesus to remove.

Yet tomorrow’s celebration of our Lord’s victory over death and the grave truly is a new beginning—a next and not an end.

Let tomorrow’s dawn find you, find us all, those waiting on the return of our Lord, with eyes fixed on the horizon. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” –Hebrews 12:2-3.

Because for every Blood-bought believer, tomorrow marks the rolling away of the stone; Life, not death. Revealing the next chapter of that abundant life Christ came to give all those who would believe in Him. His here-and-now life. And, His eternal life.

Tomorrow marks the season of revisiting, of resurrection if you will, of hopes and dreams deferred. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a time and times of new strength and vigor—a fresh grip on our sleepy faith. And, Oh, Beloved, how our “weary from well-doing hands “would benefit from a new grip.” So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” –Hebrews 12:12-13.

So I am not at all surprised that Holy Spirit led me to Titus Two for today’s teaching. For some, the end of a thing. For others, new beginnings. If you doubt me, the one who’ll be saved tomorrow will be sharing their testimony of how they felt hopeless this week, yesterday, last night, wanting to end their life. They’ll tell you how in desperation, not even sure if they genuinely believed God cared, they cried out to Jesus in despair nevertheless. And they’ll testify how, in His mercy, Jesus showed Himself real to them—alive. And because He did, they are still.

If I were you, I wouldn’t miss church tomorrow. More, starting today, I’d choose to take God at His Word because it is our choice. “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

“The grace that has appeared,” the One Paul refers to in today’s Scripture, is, indeed, King Jesus!

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” –John 11:25-26. Jesus was talking to Martha, Lazarus’ sister, beside Lazarus’s grave. Then this happened a few minutes after asking Martha if she believed Him: “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” –John 11:39-43.

If I were you, I wouldn’t miss church tomorrow. More, starting today, I’d choose to take God at His Word.

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