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

Category: Obedience (Page 3 of 9)

The Hands and Feet of Jesus.

December 30, 2023 /

Pastor Samuel Cordeiro

The year 2023 has quickly come and has quickly passed. For many, 2023 was a challenging year; for others, 2023 was a year of victories. 2024 is now upon us, and I have an encouragement, or better yet, a challenge for the global church, the global Body of Christ – that we stand up and be the hands and feet of Jesus! This world is desperate for a touch from God, and God has called every follower and disciple of Jesus Christ to be the conduit of His supernatural, miraculous power.

In the book of Matthew, we read about one of Jesus’ more famous miracles, the feeding of the five thousand men, besides women and children.

” When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” –Matthew 14:13-21

In this passage, we see a large crowd of followers desperate and hungry to hear the words of Jesus. They were in a deserted place, far from any fast food or supermarket. Jesus has been healing the sick and speaking to the crowd for hours. It was getting late, and Jesus’ disciples made a very good “suggestion” to Jesus – (v15): “Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” The disciples were thinking rationally. They were speaking out of sincere care for the crowd, suggesting they leave now before it gets too dark for them to go to the nearest village and buy themselves food.

Jesus’s response was highly fascinating – (v16): “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” I can only imagine what the disciples were thinking: What do you mean to give them something to eat? There are thousands of people here! We didn’t even bring food for ourselves!

In the gospel of Mark, Mark 6:37, we read how the disciples responded to Jesus: “…That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” Again, the disciples were thinking rationally and not with eyes of faith; their giving the crowd something to eat hadn’t even crossed their brains.

We read in John 6:9 that the disciples found a boy in the crowd with five loaves of bread and two small fish and brought it all to Jesus.

The disciples had heard Jesus when He had told them to feed the crowd. Yet, they knew they could not do it with their own strength.

In verse 18, Jesus told them to bring what they had to Him.

There are many times when God calls us to do something, yet we rely on our natural ability and give up and say it is impossible. Yet, with God, all things are possible!

God is asking all of us to bring what we have to the Lord and watch Him multiply and supernaturally take what we have to further His kingdom here on earth. We should not rely on our strength or abilities, talents, gifts, or resources, but put our faith and trust in Him alone!

In verse 19, after the disciples gave what they had to Jesus, He commands the crowd to take a seat on the grass, in a way, telling them to rest, wait and watch patiently. When we surrender or give to the Lord, we often expect a miracle right away, yet there will be times when Jesus tells us to sit, wait and watch Him.

Jesus then took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes (v.19). After Jesus had given thanks and blessed the five loaves and two fish, He didn’t pass the food directly to the crowd, He didn’t call birds to drop the food in the laps of the crowd, He gave it the disciples to pass it out. The disciples became an extension of the hands and feet of Jesus – the conduit of blessing, the conduit of God’s supernatural miraculous power.

As we approach this new year, I pray that we all surrender everything we have and are to the Throne and feet of Jesus. When we do so, we must rest in Him, wait on Him, and watch Him move. However, we must also be vigilant because, yes, there will be times that God will drop mana from heaven or send a wind to blow quail into our camp, but there will also be times when God is calling us to be His conduit of blessing towards others.

And when He does so, we need to be ready to rise up and be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us and beyond our near reach. 

Let’s all be reminded of Jesus’ word in Matthew 25:40-45: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

The very first step in surrendering to God is wholly surrendering our hearts and lives to Him. Above all else, God wants our hearts surrendered to Him. I encourage you today. To open up your hearts and welcome Him in. Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

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.

Child of God

October 28, 2023 /

Pastor Maria Braga

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11.

Jeremiah is a man who suffered profoundly and who speaks from his own experience. He is a man who had a calling from God to reach a rebellious people, his own people. He was ridiculed by the people he was assigned to lead and encouraged to return to their God. Jeremiah’s heart was broken over and over again by his own people. Sometimes, he wished he had never been born; Jeremiah wanted to escape, isolate himself in the desert, and, at times, he even questioned God and himself. In Jeremiah 2: 13:1-2, He speaks of two specific evils done. “They have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and They dug cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.”

The big question Jeremiah asked then is the same one many ask today: “Why is bad stuff happening to me?”

Naturally speaking, this question makes sense and has value. However, looking at it from a biblical/spiritual perspective, we understand it differently as a child of God. Every Blood-bought believer is a child of God, carrying God’s very nature in them, so it is up to each child “how” they’ll answer the question: “Why did God allow bad things happen to such a good man of God?”

Every person has moments of questioning, but from Jeremiah’s perspective, we see that he stood firm on the path God had called him, while these moments appeared eager to steal his calling.

Jerimiah’s example of steadfastness shows us, centuries later, how to handle tough times of discouragement and testing!

Jeremiah felt passionately about Jerusalem’s destruction and his people’s affliction.

In those moments, what do we see him do?

Jeremiah chose to seek God and pray for the people of Judah that they might turn back to their God. Deep in Jeremiah’s being was a knowledge far greater than his own. It spoke to him of God’s heart. What He wanted, what God was like—his Character.

After years of preaching and suffering, even his family turned against him and plotted to kill him. “I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.” Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. I will rescue you from their cruel hands.” –Jeremiah 15:21. Over the years, Jeremiah was whipped and put in the stocks. He was attacked by mobs and threatened by the king. He was ridiculed in many ways, even thrown into cisterns where he sunk into the mud – yet regardless of what tried to come against him, Jeremiah stood firm!

Jeremiah knew deep within himself that God equipped him for these difficult situations, and he didn’t give up or stop whenever he was faced with one. He remained steadfast. Such deep knowledge of who God is, this supernatural knowing, fortifies the soul and body amidst the most difficult of trials a person can encounter.

 In His Sovereignty, our never-changing God is still calling us today—counting on us to stay steadfast to our calling! The question is, will we?

Jeremiah is just one example of how to walk out our faith and walk in the calling God has assigned each of His children.

Looking at Jeremiah’s life, we could reason and say that we don’t measure up or possess what he had, but the Truth is we do. It’s different, yet the same.

God puts inside each of us the calling He wants us to fulfill through us, just like He did with Jeremiah. Our calling is unique and personal. Spend time with the One who prepared your calling before you were born. Hear what He is saying to you specifically through His Word. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” –Jeremiah 1:5.

Jeremiah understood the weight of his call, and we must also understand the weightiness of our own. God Himself prepares us for our calling; we’re simply vessels in His Hands. Yet, we tend to shrink back and give up when things get tough. Yet God expects us to persevere daily, even when that call isn’t exactly how “we” want it to be or how we planned.

We must surrender to the Truth that our calling is being executed God’s Way, according to His plan. We must align with His strategy, not Him with ours.

Our faulty expectations often produce disappointment because we expect things in the natural, but we are Spirit beings and should handle our calling in the Spirit. We are to know that He is God, and we are not. We must accept whichever way God works in and through us to complete this calling; His will not ours be done, just like He did with Jeremiah.

God will also do with us; we must trust Him as Jeremiah did. In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus reminds us: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.”

This steadfastness is how Jerimiah demonstrated his faithfulness to God. Let’s be wise and follow Jeremiah’s steadfast obedience to the Lord in our unique callings and faith walk. Just like the men and women of God before us. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” –1 Corinthians 11:1.

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I pray every person reading this word is encouraged and renewed of their faith. Bless each, bless their calling, and launch them to the next level in their faith, amen! And those that have yet to know You as we do, I believe You’re calling them here, now. If this is you, please, like Jeremiah, obey God’s calling you into a relationship with Himself. Just say yes and mean it, like Jeremiah did. Then trust God to do what only He can. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” –Psalm 51:10.

Kingdom Builder.

September 16, 2023 /

Matthew Botelho

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.” –1Corinthians 3:9-10.

One thing I love about our Lord Jesus is that first, He loves me and forgives me of all my sins! Secondly, I love how He speaks to one person in His Body and will confirm that Word through another within His Body.

A “rebuilding of hearts” and “reconciliation” is happening within the Body of Christ. Jesus is so powerful and awesome! Still, He does not favor one over the other. God looks at you in the pew with the same love as He looks at your pastor. The roles you each serve are different. Your assignment may not match what other brothers and sisters have been given, but God no less loves you. 

I pray that you will know how much our Lord Jesus loves you.

And I pray you know this also: God will not stop loving you when you fall. Because His Love enables us to pick up the broken pieces of our hearts and say, “Lord help me! Fix this heart that I am laying before You.” The Apostle Paul writes: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8:37-39.

If you are Christ’s, then you are a conqueror in Christ Jesus. You are a coheir to the Kingdom of God and a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As ministers of His Word, we build on good ground—a sure foundation.

Building upon God’s Word assures us that as we build, so long as our works align with His Word, His Word will support our good works. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11.

Every building needs a strong foundation. Without it, the structure will fall. Our sure foundation is built upon our faith in Christ and our time spent worshiping Christ Jesus. We will never be able to support the things of God and the works He has assigned us without first knowing and obeying Him and keeping Him first in all things. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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 4: 12-14.

Everything man builds starts as a vision and is brought into existence.

As God spoke His vision, plan, and purpose for creation, they became manifest. God said, “Let there be,” and everything came into being. God creates. It is just one of His many Characteristics. He has also placed this ability to create—to partner with His will and plan into His children.

If you belong to Jesus, you have been given faith to speak life into that circumstance or over a family member. You can speak life into something you thought was dead, such as a dream or goal, mending relationships, and new beginnings. Whatever it is you declare, it will be done if it is according to the will of God within Christ Jesus. He is God. You are not. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. If you love me, keep my commands.” –John 14:13-15.

The Holy Spirit that lives in you, child of God, will tell you how to pray when you are unsure what to speak. Romans 8:26 tells us this: “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses, For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

When we lay the groundwork of worship and praise in Jesus Christ alone, we will see the vision of what God has for us come into focus.

Jesus is the Cornerstone the builders rejected. “Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” –Mark 12:10-11.

Yet, without a cornerstone, a structure will collapse. So, too, what we attempt to build without God.

The importance of a cornerstone is that it bears much of the weight of the building’s outer structure, and it connects and unites two of the walls. As a builder for God’s Kingdom, you need Jesus to be the Cornerstone of everything you build concerning life and ministry.

In other words, “Do not try to do what God must do first.” Put Jesus in the front of it. His name carries Authority. His Blood washes away our sins, and He sets the captive free!

Jesus teaches us about rock and sand, two very different types of foundations: It would be foolish on our part to dismiss God’s instructions for our lives.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that that house; and it did not fail, for it was founded on the rock.” –Matthew 7:24-25.

As we read and declare the words of Jesus, we must also apply them to our daily lives. Jesus says in the Scripture, “Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, AND DOES THEM, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Proverbs 1:7 reminds us: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Now, fear of the Lord is not fear, as we understand it, being terrified or scared of something or someone; instead, fear of the Lord is a reverence for a deep and abiding love, respect, and awe of God.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell, And great was its fall.”

Jesus gave us the blueprint on how to walk out our faith, but if we choose not to adhere to the Word of God, the collapse, the storms of doubt and fear will rain on us and crush us just as they did the house built on sand. We who believe can and must rely on Truth: The Word of God is consistent and always will be. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” –Revelation 1:8.

As I close, dear friends, I pray the Holy Spirit speaks to anyone needing a firm foundation to stand on. Assuring you that to receive salvation, you need only confess and wholeheartedly repent your sins to the Lord Jesus, asking that He come into your heart.” for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” –Romans 10:9-10.

Walk It Out On The Sea of Doubt, Pt.3

August 26, 2023 /

Matthew Botelho

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” –Isaiah 30:21.

The last teaching God gave me is still registering in my spirit, and if you have not read it, the teaching’s title is “Will You Follow Me?” I believe Jesus is speaking that so clearly to the body of Christ in this season. Hearing the words “Follow Me” still excites me as I pray it does you. My pastor read from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 during a time of edifying the church this past Sunday, and he touched on the timing of God and how all things work in His time.

There are seasons of life God places us to grow, prune, strengthen, and give us rest. To me, the Word the pastor shared was confirming. Be at peace, dear brothers and sisters, and walk in what God has specifically given you.

Because sometimes, in our walk with the Lord, we can get sidetracked by everyday life. The hustle and bustle of work and family can take us to a place where we lose sight. We can lose our focus on Jesus and try to follow Him in our own strength and time, And what comes as a result of trying to follow in our own strength can be a raging sea of doubt, anxiety, and disappointment.

You can say,” Oh, this would never happen to me. I would never walk it out on my own. Jesus is always my first and for most.” To that, I pray a season of doubt never overtakes you. As for me, I have fallen short; I will fall flat on my face if I rely on myself. I need Jesus to be my guiding light. I need Jesus in the hard times, I need Him in the good times, I need Him in my family, in my marriage, with my children, I need Jesus!

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” –Romans 3:23-24.

I want us to remember when the disciples were out on the sea of Galilee after feeding the five thousand. In Matthew 14:22-24 the disciples of Jesus are rowing to the other side, but a massive storm comes upon them. The waves are crashing, the wind is blowing, and fear and chaos surround them. They cannot see the other side but see something or someone approaching them in the distance. “Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” and they cried in fear.” –Matthew 14:25-26.

As part 2 of “Walk It Out On The Sea of Doubt” states, fear can take so much from you. It is a thief of joy and of peace in you. It can cause you to do things you would never usually do. It distorts your vision to see clearly both physically and spiritually. But know this: fear is not your portion in life.

Fear is a weapon your enemy uses as a distraction to stop you from reaching the other side. He will not only use fear but, with it, the lying voice of condemnation to tell you God is not for you, that He has left you in this mess you created. Know now that voice is not God’s. God comes for you in the middle of your mess or the middle of the storm. “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” –Matthew 14:27.

Notice when Jesus spoke to them.

It was immediately after they saw Him. God does not waste time in leaving you in doubt of whether it is Him or not. We are His sheep, and we hear the voice of the One who calls us. Jesus is that Shepard that will come for you in the middle of the storm you are going through. He knew where His disciples would be and precisely where you are now dearly beloved. Jesus says, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Though fear may have gripped you, Jesus sets you free from what holds you captive.

“And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” –Matthew 14:28-29.

I may give Peter more credit than he deserves, but he does something unique here!

Yes, he walks on the water, but he says to the Lord, “If it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Is Peter testing God here? Peter knows the voice of his Lord, and he knows if that is Him, then nothing will go wrong. But stepping out onto the water will take a giant leap of faith if it’s not.

Peter places all of his faith in Jesus and then waits for Jesus’ next command. “Command me to come to You on the water.”

Tell me to step out in faith, step out with my family, ask me to start this ministry, and speak to that person about You. Just tell me what to do, Lord. You know Jesus spoke to you. You know it was His Word. You know it is Him saying, “Come, follow Me”. So, what stops you from jumping out of the boat you’re in?

Whose voice will you listen to?

You can almost hear the voices of the other disciples yelling at Peter. And their voices are no different than those you are hearing now. “Are you crazy!”, “This will never work!”, “Mark my words, Peter, you are going to drown!” You have heard these words before, these voices of doubt. But you have also heard God say, “Follow Me.” “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” and immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.” –Matthew 14:30-32

When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he started sinking. He became so focused on what was going on around him that he forgot all about what had gotten him out of the boat in the first place: his faith, entrusted entirely to Jesus. When Peter put his complete faith in Jesus, he was able to walk on the water. When Jesus told him to come, Peter could jump out of that boat. Scripture does not say Peter was hesitant about stepping out onto the water, only that he stepped out once Jesus bid him to come.

We cannot be hearers of the Word of God only. We must be doers, pliable enough to go when it is time to go.

At times, you will fall short. We all will. When you call on Jesus during those raging storms, He will immediately stretch out His hand and catch you. Will may get a rebuke as Peter did, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” But when you fix your eyes on Jesus again and allow Him to guide your steps, you will get to walk on that water again. Scripture says that they got into the boat. The boat did not come to them. They walked to it together. Hallelujah!

I pray this teaching blessed you because I know it truly blessed me.

So to anyone who feels like they are in the storm alone, I encourage you to focus instead on the One that brings calm to every storm. Jesus can and will be that Savior you have been searching for. He will deliver you. Cry out to Him and proclaim Him Lord of your life this day! Then watch as His outstretched hand saves you. Amen. “…May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!” –Psalm 20:1.

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.

Be Loosed!

August 12, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” –John 11: 38-44.

I intended this week’s teaching to come out of the first chapter of Colossians and be titled “Doing your part.” But as you can see, that is not the case. Holy Spirit always has the final say here. When I picked up my Bible and read the account of Jesus’s resurrection of Lazarus within the margin, I read a long-ago notation I’d noted. It reads: “Jesus will handle the resurrection. You do your part.”

I don’t believe in coincidences. The fact was not lost on me that the exact words I’d intended to use to title this teaching were now staring back at me.

God was trying to get my attention. And He had it now.

“Doing your part” has been an ongoing theme of late. So It made me wonder if you’re also not hearing some rendition of these exact words in your Spirit.

I ask because my experience has been that the Word I receive from the Lord is first meant to minister to me, then flow outward to you. And so I pray that we submit our will, our wants, what may appear ‘right’—sound, to us, to the will and calling of Jesus—putting to death all internal chatter that clamors for answers to the why’s. Allowing God’s Word to mirror our true reflection back to us.

In so doing, may the exhale of our breath genuinely be, “Thy will be done.” Whether we understand God’s will—or not.

As I read today’s Scripture, several points stood out:

First was the opening sentence. It informs us that Jesus was deeply moved—but why? What had touched Him so that Scripture lets us know straightaway that Jesus was moved? I believe in answering this properly; we must go back a bit.

At the beginning of this same chapter, Jesus informs His disciples that Lazarus has died.

Yet, at first, His disciples don’t understand that Lazarus is physically dead because Jesus says Lazarus has fallen asleep.’ Naturally, their minds think of ordinary sleep–rest. This oxymoron is one of many instances found in Scripture. Knowing their confusion, Jesus spells it out for them. He emphatically states that Lazarus is dead. He tells them it’s good that He wasn’t there to intervene.

Jesus was about to perform a miracle in the lives of so many through this one act of obedience.

Yet Jesus commiserated with Mary and Martha’s friends and neighbors’ pain and outpouring of grief. Was this partly because, acting out of obedience to the Father, Jesus had to stay put and not go to Lazarus? Is this why in part, Jesus was so deeply moved? Because He could not intervene, not touch, and heal His friend as He had so many others? Jesus trusted His Father surely. And although Jesus is fully God, He was also fully human and felt the genuine pain we experience in such moments. “For we do not have a Great High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses…” –Hebrews 4:14.

Yet all of this—His pain and theirs, did not stop Jesus from obeying the Father’s will.

There was a greater good that was about to come of this. Jesus knew obedience to the will of the Father was more important than His or their feelings—obedience is always paramount. “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” –John 15:10.

The second point that struck me was the barrier blocking Jesus’ entrance into the place He was sent to bring about the miracle He’d been sent to perform. Remember, Jesus tells us: “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” –John 5:30.

Scripture points out Jesus’s saying, “Take away the stone.” Why?

Could it be that in addition to its natural use, attention is brought to this stone to illustrate that we place proverbial stones across our hearts, denying God unfettered access? Denying Jesus access to give us the same healing and restoration of life and life to the full that we see Him give Lazarus?

Friends, if we belong to Jesus, we have been chosen to partner with God. Our part—my part, your part—is to choose to listen to Jesus’ voice and allow whatever stone impeding His entrance into our dead places to be rolled away—so that fullness of life might come forth.

Jesus tells those present to roll the stone out of His way. (notice the stone can be moved!)

Martha’s response? To tell Jesus no—don’t do that. What are you thinking? He’s been dead for days, and it stinks in there!

Sounds reasonable, right? After all, isn’t that what we do when we hide ‘our flesh’ in places we think no one can see? When we choose to keep our tomb, those—shameful or painful—even prideful parts of ourselves sealed off—safe from view.

After all, Jesus couldn’t possibly love us if He sees all that, right?

Wrong!

Jesus knows that to have True Life; we must let Him into our stinking—rotten fleshly places. We must agree to have any stone moved away that might deny Him full access—to every yucky—stinking part of us! Why? Because the Truth is this: whatever Jesus does to us—in us, through us, is not just for us.

“Lazarus, come out!” And He did. And we will, too—all those called by His name must leave our dead things behind.

We, still wrapped in our grave clothes—still carrying the scent of things long since dead within us—are just waiting, as Lazarus was, to be released into the Fullness of Life. “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Jesus will always have the final Word.

Though salvation is a free gift from God, one based not on our good works that any of us might foolishly think we could earn such a gift, we do have a part to play in working out our salvation. Paul clarifies this in Phil.2:12. “So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

Plainly put: We must do our part, must agree—desire, want, our stone be rolled away.

Do you, friend? I pray you do. Won’t you ask Jesus to roll away everything blocking you from asking Him to come into your heart? To be your Lord and Savior, He’ll roll away anything standing between you and Him if you genuinely want it gone. Jesus says it this way: “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.

Fruit On The Tree

July 22, 2023 /

Matthew Bothelo

In Matthew 23:19-20, Jesus gives His disciples marching orders and with them comes a great responsibility for each disciple to follow: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. In the NKJV, Matthew’s “amen” is added after our Lord’s command. It was Apostle’s agreement with Jesus’s command. Like Matthew, we need to come into agreement with this same mindset.

Because in this season, many have been calling out to the Lord, asking, “What is my purpose in You?

What must I do to be seen by You?” Know this, my dear friends, that the work of the Cross is finished, and you do not need to operate in a “works” mentality. Your salvation is the most important thing in the eyes of Jesus, your confession of faith and the repentance of your sins. Believe me, God sees you! “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” –Ephesians 2:8-9.

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, Repent, and believe in the gospel” –Mark 1:14-15. Often, we can get hung up on, “What is my calling, my purpose?” In John 6, Jesus answers this question when the people of Capernaum asked, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”– John 6:28-29.

If you are a child of God, you have a heart for our Lord Jesus. Each of us has a purpose, and God knows the hearts of His children. Jesus knows who His children are and are not. He knew who He was going to call. Each of His disciples played a major role in God’s plan, even Judas Iscariot.

 Judas walked with Jesus, performing miracles and healings in Jesus’ name. But Judas was never His, meaning Judas’ relationship was not that of a true believer. His interest wasn’t in spreading the gospel. It was for his own gain. It wasn’t a love for God that motivated Judas. Still, God used Judas for His glory. Judas had the wrong mindset, and his heart was not in line with the heart of God.

Jesus desires to have a relationship with His creations and bring glory to God. Judas chose his own gain. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him” –John 6:63-64. 

When we are willing to do the work of the ministry, we always need to have our hearts in the right place.

We must ask and pray, “Is this your will, Lord, or my own.” Too often, we can fall into the trap of “self-elevation.” We promote ourselves, get puffed up, and throw ourselves into situations and places we should never be. God may have given you the gift, but if the anointing to operate in it is not there, and the timing isn’t right, moving in your own strength will crush you. Our desire to serve God needs to be out of love for Him, for His glory and not for us to be seen by man. God will elevate you at the proper time, in His time. He does this because He loves us, dear friends, and He does not want to see any harm come to us. “He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly” – Luke 1:51-52.

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?’ But He gives more grace, Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” –James 4:4-6. Judas wanted to be seen as someone important. He served God for what he could get out of it. This mindset brought him before the chief priests, where he asked the question, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Jesus to you?’ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver” –Matthew 26:15.

In Judas’ mind and heart, the things of this world were so much more important than service to the Kingdom of God; still, God was in control. Judas was giving up an inheritance much more valuable than anything silver could buy.

Judas knew Jesus by name only, but not in his heart.

That is what salvation is, dear brothers and sisters. It is a change of heart. It’s God plucking us from this kingdom of darkness and, in an instant, placing us in the Kingdom of Light, transforming our hearts and minds through the work of His Holy Spirit alive in us now. This change happens from within and moves outwardly, producing good fruit. Accepting Jesus as Lord of all is the very first and most important work we will ever do; believing in the One who was sent. This never happened in Judas. For him, it was all show. “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me” –Matthew 15:7-8. 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” In the end, Judas betrayed Jesus, but still, God is glorified. God uses this betrayal to show His love for each of us. Jesus goes to the Cross and dies the death that we all deserve. We were sinners who are washed clean by the Blood of Jesus. By the work of the Cross of Christ Jesus, we are reconciled to the heavenly Father if we accept Him as Lord of our lives.

Along with our brothers, we too can say, as one people of the Kingdom of God, Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one! Unlike Judas, who, suffering from guilt, runs back to the chief priests with the money given to him, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”—Matthew 27:4.

There was no remorse for the death of Jesus in the chief priests or Judas. The flesh will never understand the things of the Spirit. Man will never be made whole by the things of this world. In the end, they bring only death. Judas hangs himself and dies, full of regret and sin. Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree).”

Romans 5:8-9 “But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Rejoice, my dear friends, that Christ died for you, and salvation is the fruit of His death!

By accepting Jesus, you are no longer slaves to your sin. I want to invite you to know Jesus and the finished work of the Cross. He went willingly to it for you and poured Himself out till there was nothing left of Himself. He selflessly gave it all for you so you would never have to hang from a tree of sin, sorrow, and shame. Ask Him to come into your heart today. Amen

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.

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