Category: Transformation (Page 7 of 9)

Biblical Submission…

February 27, 2021 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the Church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:22-23).

For the past few weeks, the overarching theme in my alone time with God has been His reveling that practically everything Jesus said, did, and how He commands us to live is counter-cultural. It often opposes and contradicts what society says is good or right. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not only compelling and transformative –it’s also confrontational. God’s Word confronts almost every societal norm and challenges the upside-down beliefs that spring up from them. Its fluid standards regarding love, success, modesty, femininity, sexuality, and marriage. It should be no surprise then that Lord commands believers’ standards to be different from those of the world. In the Book of Ephesians, we read that the Apostle Paul insisted on this: “I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking” –Ephesians 4:17.

And if anyone struggles to understand what Paul is saying, John makes this same message crystal clear listen: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” –1 John 2:15-17.

It is becoming more and more evident that sin is celebrated in our society. In contrast, hostility towards God, His people, and the things of God is on the rise. The world calls sin freedom and thus, celebrates it. Is it any wonder that those who follow Jesus Christ in this anti-Christian climate face so much resistance, hostility, and rejection? We live in a time where the majority rule holds sway over ever-changing societal norms of what is deemed right, and what is wrong. Where subjective feelings and opinions all too often superseded God’s Truth.

In my alone time with Jesus, I thought about the cost of both following and submitting to Him. The many ways in which His narrow path is vastly different from the wide-open road of the world. And it was during this reflective time that the Lord dropped the word “submission” in my spirit. And I began to question Him, “aside from submitting out of reverence for You, where else is submission commanded? Oh, yes – marriage!” At that moment, I didn’t understand why the Lord was speaking to me about submission within the bonds of marriage as I’m currently single.

But what eventually became clear to me was this: The place where we exercise biblical, counter-cultural behaviors is in our homes, specifically within our marriages. As a single, woman I’d never thought about submission in light of marriage. Then I visited the scriptures and found this passage in Ephesians 5:21-33 which states: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, his body, of which he is the Savior. As the Church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the Church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the Church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Talk about counter-cultural! In today’s climate, just the term “submission” alone invokes negative reactions and imaginings. And yet, we witness people submitting to one another daily. CFO’s submit to CEO’s. A child to its parents (Ephesians 6:1). And as citizens, we each must submit to law enforcement and governmental authorities. Jesus, the Son of God, submitted to God His Father (1 Cor. 15:28). The universe submits to Christ (1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22), and even demons submitted to the disciples (Luke 10:17).

Each of us must submit to someone or something in some capacity at some time in our lives.

The Lord showed me how it would be useful for me to come into a deeper understanding of biblical submission now, especially since I desire to become a wife someday. Serving my husband will be a form of submission, a way in which I will exercise honor and obedience towards Him. As I read and prayed, God opened my mind, enabling me to understand that the world’s practices and ideas concerning submission in marriage contradict those practiced in a genuine God-glorifying, traditional, biblical marriage. Before I had a relationship with Jesus, culturally speaking, submission meant a man having control over a woman. For me, the word submission was rooted in toxic, controlling, misogynistic, and outdated ideals. However, God and Scripture have taught me otherwise. And while it breaks my heart to imagine anyone in an unhealthy, controlling marriage – please know this: that was never God’s design for marriage.

The Lord intends marriage to be a loving, intimate, intentional, and God-honoring covenant.

And any marriage that genuinely glorifies God will require obedience to His authority. It also requires that a wife be willing to submit to her husband as he lovingly exercises authority over her. (In this, we witness the Bride, the Body of Christ, willingly offering herself to God; Christ, Head over His Body.) The woman’s submission to her husband and her husband’s loving-kindness towards her honors the Lord, and it serves as a model of service one to another. “Male and female he created them…” –Genesis 5:2. Each of the partners having a unique yet complementary role. “And the LORD God said, ‘it is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him’ –Genesis 2:18 From the very beginning, the Lord’s design for creation involved order and separation (heaven and earth, light and dark, morning and evening, male and female, etc.)

In an article on the “Focus on The Family” website, author Jeff Johnston sums-up this concept of biblical marriage beautifully:”

It is out of the diversity and distinctive separateness of male and female that we humans are called to not only reflect the image and likeness of God, but we also represent God in the stewardship of His good and wonderful creation (Genesis 1:28-29). Male and female also reflect God as they come together in unity in marriage and are joined as “one flesh” (see Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19: 3-6; Mark 10: 6-9; Ephesians 5:28-32). This coming together as one flesh is unique in that the sexual union brings forth new life that will also somehow look like God and bear the imago Dei. As we are “fruitful and multiply and fill the earth,” we spread God’s image around the world (Genesis 1:28).

Friends, biblical submission is not about control nor oppression. Biblical submission within marriage is rooted in God’s beautiful, divine, and unique order. It is the unifying picture of the Lord and His bride –the Church. While the heavens display God’s greatness, God chose humankind to bear His image; we each created in His image and likeness. And within the bonds of the covenant of marriage, we find the biblical model of divine order: love, servanthood, and leadership. God’s marriage order (God 🡪 male 🡪female 🡪 children) does not imply inequality or inferiority rather divine order –Ephesians 5:21-33. In biblical marriage, the Lord Jesus is its center. He alone reigns over each partner, and not one partner ruling over the other. Each then submits to Him, and each other, out of reverence and love for Jesus. “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” –Ephesians 5:21.

Men are called to love their wives just as Christ loved the Church. Jesus gave His life for us, pursued us when we denied Him, loved us when we were unlovable; men are called to love their wives with this same kind of love! “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the Church— for we are members of his body” (Ephesians 5:25 – 28).

I don’t know about you, but that sounds to me like a remarkably high calling to me! Love is at the very core of this unique calling. Husbands are called to cleanse their wives, washing them in the Word, loving their wives as they love their own bodies. We are to love the Lord Jesus Christ with all our hearts, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37). We are to love our enemies (Matthew 43:48). We are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39) – and for a husband, his closest neighbor is his wife. Both a wife and her husband are called to die to their flesh, their “me first” predilections – that doesn’t come naturally. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit at work in both partners. Submission is counter-cultural. Trusting your husband’s lead is counter-cultural. Loving your wife as God loves His Church is sacrificial; it too is counter-cultural—because biblical love in and of itself is, counter-cultural.

While the world may view biblical marriage as a woman yielding or giving up her individual liberties, it is instead embracing and submitting to the divine order God has established for her with the bonds of marriage. The obedient wife does not wait for orders. Instead, she tries to discern her husband’s needs and feelings and responds in love. When she sees her husband is weary, she encourages him to rest; when she sees him agitated, she soothes him; when he is ill, she nurses and comforts him; while he is happy and elated, she shares his joy. Yet such obedience should not be confined to his wife; the husband should be obedient in the same way. When she is weary, he should relieve her of her work; when she is sad, he should cherish her, holding her gently in his arms; when she is filled with good cheer, he should also share her good cheer. – St John Chrysostom, 4th Century AD

Friend, if you are single now, yet desire to be married one day, it’s never too early to learn God’s design for the covenant of marriage. And, if you’re married, re-membering His plan can serve as a refresher. A reminder that we need to die to ourselves daily. To be intentional within the bonds of marriage. And to submit one to another lovingly. As Christians, we have not been called to live as the world does. As Christians, we are called to follow and abide in Christ. To follow His will and ways, even if it makes us look upside down in the eyes of the world.

However, challenging it may be to follow the narrow path while living in this world—your soul will undoubtedly be filled to overflowing with joy and your heart at rest and satisfied when you do. As a former atheist, I can attest to this: the world will not satisfy the deepest longings of your soul–only Jesus Christ alone can do that. I’ve counted the cost and continuously find Jesus to be worthy. However counter-cultural it may be, are you willing to courageously accept Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior?

Calm my Anxious Heart …

January 23, 2021 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:33-34 ESV

At the turn of each New Year, I dedicate 21 days in January to prayer and fasting. I was excited and eager to purchase a new notebook to detail my New Year’s desires with joyful expectancy. All in the hopes that the Lord would bless those desires, making them fruitful, and that He would deliver me from those things I have struggled to release to Him completely.

One of the many things I wrote down in said notebook was my desire to become a first-time homebuyer. The thought of owning a home of my own has been a long-time desire. For the past two years, however, the Lord has continued to show me my desire to purchase a home, and His timing for me to have it haven’t come into alignment just yet. So, since receiving this confirmation, I’ve dedicated these last two years instead to become more disciplined in my finances. And, praise God, my commitment paid off, literally! I have successfully paid off many of my debts while simultaneously accruing money in my savings account. In retrospect, I firmly believe that while these past two years have been valuable in teaching me financial discipline, they were also invaluable in teaching me how to be patient and trust God’s perfect timing for my life. Fast forwarding. It’s now 2021, and as I am standing on this new ground of financial freedom, I am more prepared, more confident, positioned to now become a first-time homebuyer. So, in the first week of January, I decided to seek a loan officer and a real estate agent to begin my purchasing journey. Within a few hours, I was approved for a generous home loan and had booked multiple home tours.

On the morning of my first home viewing, I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me and confirm if any of the houses I’d visit that day were for me. As excited as I was, I was equally as nervous. When I stepped foot into the first home, the Holy Spirit confirmed that this house was someone else’s; it wasn’t for me. I finished the home tour out of consideration for the realtor’s time and having scheduled this appointment for me. My optimism assured me that if I continued browsing, I would see and feel something different at the next house and not what the Holy Spirit had just confirmed for me inside of this one. I applied this same approach to every home I visited that day. Yet to my disappointment, after seeing so many potential homes, my heart never quite felt settled on any of them.

Soon I was noticing that I was losing sleep. I started obsessing over searching for new homes every hour and soon began experiencing spiritual exhaustion. Full of grievances, I came before God: “Lord, I am tired of waiting, tired of fasting. I am plain tired of waiting on your promises and for my breakthrough! I am so tired of hearing other folks’ prophetic words, words that have yet come to pass. You’ve prepared me and then made me wait for two whole years! Now what?” Honestly, this was one of the sincerest expressions of emotion and frustration I’ve ever brought before God. And then, clear as day, I heard the Lord say, “You have forsaken time with me chasing after this dream, and that is why you are lost.” The Lord always speaks to me with just a few simple words, yet they are always profound, nevertheless.

I’ve shared all of this with you to lead you into the heart of my message: I began thinking how tragic it is that out of our heart’s unchecked determined carnal eagerness to have what it wants when it wants it, we sometimes actively ignore or silence the Holy Spirit’s confirmations. Bypassing them entirely at times, all to get what we want instead of what He says is best for us.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Paul tells the church, “Do not quench the Spirit.” In other words, imagine the Holy Spirit as a fire, a flame; we ought not to dampen this flame; instead, we ought to fan it as the gift from God that it is! We ought not to push the Holy Spirit down or away but instead fan His flame that it may grow brighter. When we quench the Spirit, we are essentially overriding God’s principles with our own fleshly, worldly desires. In essence, we are actively ignoring what is right, to chase after what is so wrong instead, and, then, later down the road, end up wondering why we are struggling to hear or experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit. (Typically, it’s because we’ve ignored His guidance for so long.)

God’s response to my complaint made me realize that in being consumed with the bustle of life, the search for what I wanted, I was distancing myself from Him.

In Ephesians 4:30-32, Paul tells the church, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption….” I was doing precisely that. I was quenching and grieving the Holy Spirit by forsaking my intimacy with God all that I might pursue my desires instead, chasing after my dreams. Truth is, it is typically our fault when we feel distant from the Holy Spirit, not His. We’ve moved away from Him, distancing ourselves. He is ever-present and ever-faithful to direct us; that’s part of His purpose in our lives, in us. So, if He is ever near and ever ready to guide us into God’s best for us, the natural conclusion must be, if we’re not hearing Him, that we’ve shut Him out—choosing our way instead.

So once again, I came before the Lord, only this time in deep repentance, saying, “Forgive me, Lord, for actively disregarding your guidance because I wanted things to go my way. Calm my anxious heart.” It is a contradiction to say you have faith while simultaneously having an anxious heart. These two things cannot occupy the same space within us. An anxious heart is not fixed on eternity, while one that is trusting God’s ways is. An anxious heart dwells or focuses on tomorrow; a trusting heart remembers that tomorrow is God’s, not ours. An anxious heart grabs for their tomorrows with today’s hands, while a heart that trusts the Lord entrusts their tomorrows to God hand’s. An anxious heart lives full of worry for an unpredictable, not promised tomorrow.

In contrast, a trusting heart knows how to live freely today. “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: 6-7. During my season of allowing this anxious heart to rise-up in me, I meditated on the following verses for consolation and to help settle my anxiousness: Each of these unique verses makes one common point: that our delighting in, abiding in, and seeking the Lord to direct us, align us to His will; will bring about our delight; creating the atmosphere through which He may, in His timing, grant us the desires of our hearts.

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”

Psalm 37:4: “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 94:19: “When anxiety overwhelms me, Your consolation delights my soul.”

Friends, an anxious heart may desire to trust in the Lord while simultaneously believing God is operating too slowly, deciding then to step in and “help God out,” as if God needs our help! An anxious heart usually stems from us stepping in to force our will to be done; assuming control then, we fix our eyes on our circumstances and desires and not on the One who is Sovereign and in control of them. The Scriptures refer to this as being double-minded and warns us against living in this way, listen: “But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” –James 1:6-8.

The effectiveness of the Holy Spirit in us is hindered when we refuse to submit to Him—He has given us this choice after all. Yet when we refuse to yield, we restrict not only the Spirit’s ministry in our lives but also our potential usefulness to God in the life of another. More than anything else, we ought to desire that the Holy Spirit have free reign within us so that we may live under His complete control. How can we understand the will of the Lord if we’re always trying to supersede it rather than yield to it, choosing to carry out the flesh’s desire instead of walking by the Spirit? “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” –Galatians 5:16-17; 19-21.

The prescription to an anxious heart is our yielding and walking in His Spirit so that our heart’s desires will increasingly align with His will, seeking not only the blessings that flow from His hand but so much more, a closer relationship with Him. It is His heart alone, after all, that truly satisfies us.

God has confirmed for me that while I am walking in financial freedom, owning my own home will require more waiting. But this time, rather than complaining, I responded with a gentle heart, “Yes Lord, not my will but yours be done!” I wholly trust that the One who formed my heart, that knows my end from my beginning, knows what I need and when I need it, far better than I. It is no surprise to God when we worry. That is why His word speaks about worrying. “Fear not” is stated nearly 365 times throughout Scripture. It’s also not a surprise to God when we pre-plan our future and become disappointed when we don’t receive what we planned on receiving. Proverbs 16:9 says it this way: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

We become less disappointed as we become more trusting in the Lord. It can be challenging, indeed, but it’s certainly possible! “For nothing will be impossible with God” –Luke 1:37.

Friends know that our joy and contentment ought to abide in fulfilling the will of the Father and increasingly trusting more fully in God’s heart for us. Be assured, our joy and contentment will never be fully realized, chasing after the things of this world. Great is the Lord’s faithfulness. He is not slow in keeping His promises. “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” –2 Peter 3:8-9.

I encourage you to allow the following verses to guide you. Memorize them so that you might apply to them whenever you feel your heart becoming anxious: Psalm 16:5: “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is an appointed time, an appropriate time for every activity on earth.”

Lamentations: 3:25-26: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

Friends continue seeking and focusing on the Almighty always and in all circumstances – even in those dry, waiting seasons; remembering to encourage yourself in the fact that God is aware of your needs and desires and that tomorrow belongs to Him. In His perfect timing, you will understand, often in hindsight, just why patience was in order that you might have your heart’s desires. I pray that you cling to God and the verses I have shared if you too are experiencing an anxious heart. I also pray that you will follow my example of chasing after Christ’s will in your desire to draw closer to God. And that you might more fully understand His will for your life. I pray that you ask Him with absolute sincerity to lead and guide you and help you know His perfect will and timing for your unique situation—trusting that He will respond. And, if you’ve not yet come to know this Jesus who calms our fears and holds our future in the palm of His hand, I encourage you to ask Him into your heart as Lord and Savior this day. I can promise you; you’ll never regret that you did! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” –Philippians 4:6-7.

His Star & His Ambassadors…

December 19, 2020 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” –2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

Paul is referencing the Prophet Isaiah here. More accurately, Isaiah is sharing with us what God has shared with Him directly concerning a future time and Ruler that will be born to His people, to Israel. Isaiah 49:8 is a love note from God, to us. It’s God pointing us towards the coming of His Son, Jesus, towards salvation and grace. Some say God is talking through Jesus, to Isaiah, pointing Him towards His acceptable time, His season of good-will, toward His virgin birth that will usher in God’s New Covenant. One that will be sealed by the Spotless Blood of this same One written about but yet to be born. “Thus said the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you: and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;” –Isaiah 49:8.

This Ruler and time would first be announced to the lowly, to a virgin village girl who would soon be overshadowed by His Holy Spirit. Followed then, by those lowly shepherds guarding the Temple flock the very night that same girl gives birth to God’s Son, Jesus. Had there never been a cradle, there would never have been The Cross. Jesus was born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem to one day die in our place. But before that, before He dies, He will grow up and challenge the status quo. He will touch and change and revolutionize our understanding of what it means to love God absolutely—and our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus was born, in part, to be our errorless guide, our unswerving Teacher—flawlessly demonstrating what it means to be a genuine co-laborer with the Father. To be the only man born of a woman worthy of taking upon Himself the sins of the whole world. This Godman. That tiny Babe wrapped in swaddling milk rags man’s only way back into right relationship with the Father. An unorthodox telling of the Christmas story for sure, yet True, nonetheless.

Long before the angel appeared to Mary, God had conferred upon man the unfathomable privilege of co-laboring with Him—of being His emissary. “And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and He brought them to the man to see what he would name each one. And whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name” –Genesis 2:19. Even before God’s Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary or that moment, a specific one of His stars pierced the clear night sky while certain shepherds tended their flocks or wise men in a distant land poured over their charts and maps in search of Him. God had chosen us, you and me, Paul, Isaiah, and Mary and Joseph, each to be His. The recipients of His magnificent gift of salvation, of His utterly amazing grace. Paul is admonishing the Church in Corinth never to forget this. We would be wise to take heed as well! To not receive God’s grace in vain. Be it our undeserved saving grace or the daily graces afforded us moment-by-moment that enable us to “live and move and have our being.” Instead, Paul is encouraging us all to follow his example of wringing out the very last drop of this grace afforded him, afforded us daily, in service to His God. He is also reminding us that we are, after all, God’s ambassadors here on earth. Our loyal service the King’s rightful due then. Those shepherds tending their prized Temple sheep, sheep having been set aside solely to be sacrificed for Israel, for its atonement, did precisely that. They lavishly spent every cent of the grace afforded them in service to their newly born Messiah.

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel’” –Matthew 2: 6.

Scripture tells us that no sooner than this preternatural star-emblazoned their otherwise ordinary night sky, an angel appears to them and, “the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them,” informing them that their long-awaited Messiah had just been born. Scripture goes on to tell us that they were terrified! Yet, despite their fear—their awe-struck-ness, they were off to find this Holy Babe. And, once they had seen Him, Scripture tells us they told everyone they came across about Him—about the extra-ordinary events of this very holy night. “And those who heard were astonished.” Grace had been afforded these shepherds. And they spent it all in service to the Babe they found lying in a manger. These were wise servants, indeed. We would do well to model our faith-walk after theirs. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” –Luke 2:10-12.

It is said that on the evening of December 21, 2020, centuries since the last time what is being hailed as the “Christmas Star,” in 1226, to be precise, the observable conjuncture of the planets Jupiter and Saturn will, some say, light up the night sky. Whether this same conjuncture of planets or a similar one is what the shepherds saw, I’m not qualified to comment on. Yet this I am confident in saying: whatever this celestial event may be, whatever it may end up being labeled as, one thing is sure, this celestial event is no mere coincidence. Those like myself, patiently waiting for our Redeemer to return, have our eyes locked on the horizon, always looking up. We are eagerly awaiting the return of the One born in that manger some 2000 plus years ago. And, yet, while we look and while we wait—we work. Just as Paul instructs us, more, like Jesus commanded us. And we share, too.

We tell of His coming and of the wonders of knowing Him—of serving Him. We speak of His great Love. He is Love personified, after all. We tell of His amazing grace and mercy, of His sweetness, His tenderness. We speak of His correction and reshaping. His great love for us will not allow us to remain wherever He may have found us. We share that He will soon return and how no one can see Him—go with Him unless they are His unless they have a relationship with Him. Like those shepherds before us, those first evangelists, as my dear friend Sam Cordeiro just referred to them in His most recent sermon, we speak as they did, of what we know—have tasted for ourselves. This Christmas season ought to be about more than presents and lights and spending. It ought to be about receiving His great love for you, into your heart, new or newly. Receiving this One, we see asleep in the manger, Christ the Lord. The Savior of mankind. God’s New Covenant.

If you know Him, brothers, and sisters, then please, don’t squander the grace He’s afforded you. And friend, if you have yet to meet Mary’s Son, our Jesus, I encourage you, no, I plead with you to ask Him to show Himself to you this day. I would so look forward to meeting you one day and hearing our Father tell you, “well done, good and faithful servant!“ “Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom” –Matthew 26:27-28.

Create in Me A Pure Heart, O God.

December 12, 2020 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” –Psalm 51:10.

The posture of David’s heart in this Psalm, his simple plea before God for a clean heart is a beautiful, Godly example for us all. A humble, bold example to follow when we go before our God, who is full of grace, recognizing our sins.

That said, have you ever felt morally dirty after having sinned? Have you ever felt increasingly burdened by the shame, guilt, the regret sinning creates within you? Have you ever felt entangled, snared by a habitual sin? Have you ever distanced yourself from God because inflicting yourself with a mental flogging just felt safer than confessing your transgressions to your Holy, heavenly Father?

Being the deeply flawed and imperfect beings that we are, our natural man is bound to sin. Each of us was born with a sinful nature; inheriting the sinful fruit of our corrupt human nature from Adam – “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned” –Romans 5:12. Scripture also states that even seemingly innocent children are born with this same sinful nature: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child” –Proverbs 22:15. And David confirms this as well, listen: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” –Psalm 51:5.

In our natural state then, in our flesh, we cannot please God. Hence our desperate need for Him, for His mercy, grace, forgiveness—for His love!

2 Samuel 11:2 tells us, “One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful.” David’s lust for this woman drove him to send his messenger to go and bring this woman to him. “She came to him, and he slept with her” –2 Samuel 11: 4. David’s lust (a mental and physical sexual appetite for a person) was the initial seed that moved him to sin. Then, after getting the woman pregnant, (11:5), that seed bloomed when David attempted to cover his original sin by ordering the woman’s husband to return from war—all with the hope that he might sleep with his wife. Making it appear then, that her husband, and not David, had gotten her pregnant. Unfortunately, David’s scheme did not work. So, David then proceeded to have the woman’s husband sent into the thick of a raging battle. Then, while standing on the frontlines of said battle, her husband was killed (11:15). What started as a seed of lust, led to the murder of an honest man. All this to cover-up David’s sin of having had an affair with another man’s wife!

And what happened with David, choosing sin over God, continues to this day. Our sinning begins with a thought—the seed. That thought then flourishes, spreading deeper into the appetites of our flesh. And, if not taken captive immediately, we will ultimately give sin a life of its own by operating outside of the fruit of self-control.

Mastery over our flesh requires mastery over our thought life.

“…What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness” –Mark 7:20-22. There is a reason the Lord reminds us in His word that the heart is deceitful. Also, that we ought to think on those things which are honorable, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy so that we may gratify the Spirit, and not the desires of our flesh (Paraphrased Philippians 4:8).

Like David, I remember giving into the sin of sexual immorality, and, while feeding the flesh provides temporary satisfaction, that same satisfaction has lasting consequences. We must, therefore, put to death those fleshly desires within us, how we used to live; this is a requirement for the born-again believer.

As we learn later on in David’s story, the Lord forgave Him. Yet, because of what he did, his sin, David lost the child born to that adulterous affair –2 Samuel 12:15. In Galatians 5:16-26, the Lord instructs us to walk by the Spirit, avoiding then, keeping far from, the sins of the flesh: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions…” –Galatians 5:16-26.

David penned Psalm 51 aware of his rebellion, of the wickedness in his heart. Then, he did what most would consider being counterintuitive – he knelt humbly before God in prayer with a sincere and contrite heart. At one of the lowest points of David’s life, he pleaded with God to renew a right spirit within him—creating in him a clean heart. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” –Psalm 51: 10-12. I love that within David’s prayer He asks God for newness, for a clean heart—not just for God forgiveness! In other words, David is saying “change my heart, God! Create in me a clean, pure heart because I do desire to live differently. I want to be made new because I want to change and love as you do, Lord!” David’s approach to flat-out run to the very God who he offended appears incongruous. Our initial human response oftentimes is to disconnect and hide from God, much like Adam and Eve did. We come to Jesus with the barest understanding that his grace is greater than any of our sins—yet with the greatest of hope that His forgiveness is transforming.

The enemy wants to keep you burdened, entangled, entrenched in the shame, guilt, and regret of your sin—in the lie of it, that you may keep your sin to yourself—hiding it, supposedly, from an Omniscient God. When the truth is, you cannot hide anything from God. And, in keeping sin to yourself, the burden of carrying it becomes heavier and heavier, and the root of glorifying self-hatred and the shame of your sin, deeper. While it may appear to make more sense to us to hide our sins from God, ultimate freedom and spiritual rest will only come from running toward God instead. Yes, the very same God who you’ve offended is the very same God you need to run to for freedom, in repentance, for newness. I encourage you – don’t allow your mind to get trapped in the perpetual cycle of guilt and shame. Like David, humbly, and wholeheartedly confess your sins before God. Make running towards God your disciplined, default cycle instead.

Oftentimes, we experience our greatest disconnect from God when our sins are left unconfessed.

A strong relationship with the Lord requires that we repent and confess our sins regularly. As Christians, we are being sanctified, made holy even as He is Holy, daily. So then Christian, don’t let your sins stop you from boldly approaching the Throne of God! When you confess and truly repent of your sins, God will give your weary spirit rest. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” –Matthew 11:28-30. A “sacrifice of the heart” is precious in the sight of God.

God delights in a surrendered, broken, and contrite heart—one that desires to be pure.

Brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus Christ wants our hearts! I encourage you to neither wallow nor allow yourself to remain entrenched in your sins. Instead, go before The Throne of God, confess, repent, and ask Him for a pure heart, a renewed spirit. What does our confession do? It humbles us. It reminds us of our need for God’s grace, it sustains and renews our faith. Wherever you are, be honest, talk to God. Open Psalm 51, praying it out loud. Might the Holy Spirit expose the ugliness inside your heart? Yes – but only because God loves you, He wants to work on that area within you. His grace is so beautiful. It forgives, renews, transforms, and, further still, it promises this: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” –2 Corinthians 3:12.

Don’t let your sins keep you away from God. Don’t allow them to keep you from knowing or accepting Jesus into your life. The Lord already knows your heart, nothing you’ve ever done—will ever confess can surprise Him. God is, after all, Omniscient; nothing takes Him by surprise. Pray sincerely from your heart then, confess it all, lay it all at his feet. I guarantee you that your Creator will meet there, renewing a right Spirit in you.

Victory, in Pursuit…

November 7, 2020 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

Here we are in November 2020, suspended in thin air hoping for release, at any moment. The joy of freely gathering with our beloved friends and family, the privilege of returning to work, the gift of peace of mind. It appears time has decided to just stop without a care in the world about its effects on our human experience. Yet as I sit here asking God how I can share a spark of hope, I am reminded of all the times that God has met me with supernatural strength to fight my way through the muddy seasons of life. I’m not talking about physically, but more so mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It feels reminiscent of the story of Gideon. It’s one of great courage and redemption which seems like a timely message for this moment.

God tends to catch us off guard by finding us right in the place of obscurity where we thought we were invisible. Let me give you a tiny snippet of Gideon’s situation before we dive into the good stuff.

When we find Gideon in Judges 6, Israel (God’s chosen people) had been under the oppression of Midian for 7 years after they had “done evil in the sight of God”. At this point, much of Israel had adopted the pagan gods of their oppressors. In this case that god was Baal. Now, let’s meet the man of the hour. While Gideon is thought to be one of the greatest judges of the Old Testament, his valor did not come naturally. At our introduction to Gideon, we find that he was timid (although I’d say timid is an understatement). He was NOT the kind of guy I’d pick to lead me into battle. We meet him while he was threshing wheat in secret. Threshing is the process by which the edible portion of wheat (the kernel) is separated from the stalk, a laborious task that I can’t imagine was very subtle. But in this case, he was literally preparing his food in secret out of fear of his oppressors. He feared they would steal the bounty of his demanding work. Yet it is in this secret place that the Bible tells us, “When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” —Judges 6:12.

The Lord is with you, mighty warrior?

Those words echo so loudly in the caverns of my soul. Perhaps that’s because I’ve found myself in a fearful place where hearing the words “mighty warrior” would have been too overwhelming to bear. I don’t know that I would have believed anyone who would call me a “mighty warrior”. Honestly, I’m not 100% convinced that Gideon bought it either. But I don’t think the angel of the Lord cared whether Gideon believed it, because the angel was speaking to who he knew Gideon was created to be, not to who Gideon thought he was. See, our perceptions of ourselves don’t always reflect God’s intentions for our purpose. He sees the warrior in you long before you can ever even think you’re capable of being strong.

The first thing we learn in this story is that although he was insecure and filled with doubt, God STILL chose Gideon. Instead of being confident in this identity, he came back with skepticism, listing reasons the angel was wrong according to what Gideon could see, God wasn’t doing signs and wonders anymore; God had abandoned them—and his clan was the weakest of all the clans, and, he’s the weakest in his family. These are all declarations devoid of hope. Yet, when hope is all but gone, God can restore your purpose in a moment! The response was remarkable. The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6: 14;16. God’s responses are always brilliant. He speaks to the root of the problem and not just the symptoms. Gideon is giving all these excuses as to 1) why God is absent and 2) why he’s not qualified, but it’s almost as if the Lord said, “yeah, and?” In a lot of ways, He does the same with us. Just stick with Him and He will lead you out of the hands of your oppressor! Whether that oppressor is someone, something, or even anxiety, depression, or insecurity. He is faithful to lead you into victory.

The next thing we see about Gideon is how fearful he was. This angel had just given him a divine revelation of who he was, but Gideon was skeptical; he needed proof. So, the angel gave him a sign that he was from the Lord, and then Gideon was *kind of* comfortable following his lead. The first thing the Lord commands Gideon to do is to tear down the altar to Baal. Now, instead of making a scene in broad daylight, Gideon is terrified. He agreed, but he did it at night when no one could see. Let’s stop here and observe something. How often do we get caught up trying to make ourselves good enough to live for God or even do something as simple as going to church? Right here, in this humble story, we learn something about God the Father, He’s not afraid of your fear. Gideon was afraid, but he obeyed while afraid. God knows our fear, but he’s looking for our obedience. He alone will give us the courage to obey His Word in the face of our greatest fears!

Are you getting the gist of Gideon’s personality yet? I hope so!

Let’s fast forward a bit. Now, Gideon is getting used to fearful obedience (which ultimately turns him into that mighty warrior God knew he was). God leads Gideon to fight a battle with Midian (remember, these were the oppressors). Now, the Midianites were a large army; the Israelites were not. But that’s JUST how God wanted it. In fact, as small as the Israelite army was, God wanted it smaller still. God’s power shines brightest in the face of the impossible. So, Gideon chose 300 of the most unlikely men to be in his army, and off they went to war.

Now, if you’ve made it this far, here’s where I REALLY want you to pay attention!

Gideon and his three hundred men exhausted, yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. –Judges 8:4. The text makes it clear these warriors were exhausted. But they KEPT. ON. FIGHTING. How many times have you been so exhausted and wanted to throw in the towel? I for one have oft found myself too tired to keep moving forward, maintaining joy amid crisis, keeping faith when I felt incredibly let down, finding hope when it felt like I was drowning. I’m sure you can relate in some way? But be of good courage, because if you walk with God, He promises to be with you! He will give you strength. He’ll give you what it takes to keep up the pursuit! Victory is often just around the bend, yet how often we miss it because we quit too soon. Keep fighting. Keep moving. God is on your side!

You may find yourself in the same place Gideon was—just living your life when bam! your all of a sudden moment comes, and you get that sense that there must be more to life than this. We can be doing the most normal thing when God moves us to action, and it’s up to us whether to respond with obedience or complacency. As we think about this time we are living in, may I remind you that God has created you and me for such a time as this, to surrender to Him, be His righteous ones, live with the kind of obedience that “does it afraid”, and fight until the battle your in is won. I know these are trying times, but remember, God’s power shines brightest in the face of the impossible. “His power is made perfect in your weakness” 2 Cor 12:9.

Are you afraid, tired, hopeless, doubtful, lonely, anxious? God sees you. He knows your short-comings, yet He still calls you by name- the name HE gave you. It’s up to you to respond. With God by your side, victory is yours! I invite you to turn to Jesus, repent of anything in your life that may not be pleasing to Him, and ask Him to walk with you, giving you courage and strength to live to your fullest potential.

The Best Thing?

October 31, 2020 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” –John 16:7.

It is beyond most of us to understand fully why God would ask us to give something up. Especially when we don’t understand the reason why. When we don’t see the benefit or purpose in letting it go—of taking our hands off that—relationship, beloved friend, that job or home, city, or state we love. Deeper still, in being asked to give up some part of ourselves—a child or spouse, a beloved mentor, some long-standing belief, things we’ve come to love, rely upon, trust in, or appreciate about ourselves or others. Now, if you have any knowledge of who God is, His character, you may have already picked up on what is amiss with some of what I’ve just said? Go ahead, go back and reread it. Did you catch it? The “things we have come to love, rely upon, trust in, appreciate about ourselves or others” part?

Allow me to clarify.

In no way am I saying that we should not love people—that would be a deliberate contradiction to the great commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” –Matthew 22:37-40.

Neither am I saying that we should not enjoy our professions or homes, those relationships we have been blessed with, invested our love, time, and care into. Rather, what I am saying is this: Nothing, no thing, no one, must ever take primacy over God. Ever. Not even the best of things—the greatest of His gifts. Not our spouses, not our children or parents, job, or ministry, not where we live nor any-thing we have been allowed to have or use. Truth be told, most of us are still learning how to apply this Truth to our lives—I know I am. I’m much better at holding on than I am at letting go. And because of this, I am so very thankful that God is patient and merciful with me. He knows the weakness of my frame yet loves me still. I am thankful that He lends me His strength for the heavy lifting!

As I read and studied in preparation for this teaching, it became even more clear to me that we must be willing to continually position our hearts before God. Making room for, readying ourselves, for the ongoing refinement that takes place within them. Allowing all, any of those things that sully us still, to be removed, put away—that we might reflect more purely the One that has called us to Himself. After all, isn’t that a great part of the “why” God allows things to be taken? To refine us. I believe we are being asked to say yes to God, now, more than ever—before we even know or understand just what it is we are saying yes to. Out of love for Him—our deep-seated, abiding need for Him—in trust, we must say yes. Out of a profound desire to rid ourselves, our lives, of anything and anyone that we know God is putting His finger on, saying: Trust me on this, this person, this ministry, this home, job, relationship, this thought process, heart posture, this way your living, this expression, belief or ideal has outgrown its season—you must let go of it now. Left unattended, it will become a distraction that will blind you to where God is leading you next—and, possibly, to who. More, it is rebellion against God. It is saying you know better than He what’s best for you. “What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’” –Isaiah 45:9.

On our journey with the Lord, we must come to understand those things given to us by God must remain fluid in our hands. Seldom, outside of Christ Himself and the sure promises found in Him are His greatest gifts ever unchanging. This lesson, in part, is what Jesus was imparting to His disciples—to us, in today’s scripture.

They had eaten with Him, walked, talked, laughed, and cried with Him—slept by the fire beside Him. They were fed by His every Word, refreshed in His abiding love and compassion, His mercy. They were emboldened by His justice! They had witnessed miracles in His presence. The dead brought back to life, the blind given their sight, thousands were fed with 5 loaves and 2 small fish. Treacherous storms had been stilled, and the deepest of Truths were revealed with Words spoken so plainly, so frankly, that even the least of them within earshot were able to understand—and marvel. This band of brothers, these disciples, each heard Jesus calling them with such clarity and certainty, that, at His slightest behest, they left everyone and everything behind—and followed Him. Yet now, these few years later, after having done that, after having experienced all that they had by His side, after having become enmeshed with this Jesus in this most indescribable bond of oneness, this deepest mystery of love and loyalty this true “until death we do part” commitment—Jesus says He’s leaving them.

Stop and feel that for a minute before you read on.

Wait, what! Why? Why would you do this to us!! What have we done to deserve this betrayal? No way… No, you simply can’t leave us, not now! NO! NO! You simply can’t go. Not now! Things are just getting started! How will you restore the Kingdom if you leave us now? Why Jesus!

If you’re listening with your heart, you can hear their dazed, gutted cries. I can only imagine the thoughts whipping around in their heads—perhaps even spilling out of their mouths? For anyone who has ever suffered such a soul-crushing loss, who has ever stood in frozen disbelief, in utter powerlessness as you watched the center of your world go away, surely you have some small idea, some slight glimpse into what these men felt after hearing this news fall flat from the very lips of God Himself? These same lips that had smiled at them and called them His friends—His beloved. At that moment they had no idea of the profound love and purpose behind His leaving, His removing Himself from their physical presence—all they knew was this thick, deep grief. They didn’t know Golgotha’s Cross lay just around the bend—the birth of His Church either, they couldn’t get past the fact that He was leaving them. He was taking something they loved away from them.

And it’s no different from us, is it? When we’re told we must let go—give up something or someone—some-place or station in life, our health or husband, wife, or child—our parents or home.

Even after all the time they’d spent with Him, they still had no idea of who it was they had been doing life with these past three-plus years—not really. Truth is, neither do we. The enormity of God is unfathomable. He is so much more, so much bigger, and finer and far more Holy, Righteous, and far-seeing than a mere man can ever take in. Psalm 145:3 says it this way: “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” His friends weren’t thinking about the fact that He stood over the dark void—seeing their beginning from their end. Seeing His plan unfolding from its end to its beginning. Knowing what is needed—and what isn’t, each step of the way. In each season and individual life—all at once. For as much as we believe we have come to know Him, there are whole worlds, universes chuck full of these deep mysteries pointing us towards just how much we don’t yet know, can’t know—at least not now, about this God we love. How can a spirit encased in this limited flesh fully take in the unplumed, boundless love of God? One who willingly offered Himself in our place that we might be afforded a way back to Him. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” –John 3:16.

We were not created to hang onto anything given us by God, save Jesus, and His Holy Spirit. God takes away what we perceive to be good that we may grow in our dependence in Him, and in the realization that He alone is good. —Barnes. Beloved, nothing. No—thing, no one, must ever take primacy over God. Ever. Not even the best of things—the greatest of His gifts. Won’t you posture your heart today—your very life, that He might refine you? Purify you as precious gold. Won’t you trust in Him when He asks you to return—let go of your understanding of what you think is best, in exchange for more of Him and His will for your life? “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete” –Luke 6: 46-49.

Friend, if you do not know this Jesus who died to ensure that you might be restored into a right relationship with God, then know this. This same God has led you here today that you might know His great love for you and accept the absolute best He has to offer me and you–His Only Son, Jesus. Won’t you accept His best by asking Him into your heart right now as your Lord and Savior? You’re not here by chance…

Inextricable. Ephesians 2:10

May 23, 2020 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

**“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”**

Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair. ~ G.K. Chesterton

Merriam Webster defines Inextricable this way: incapable of being disentangled or untied; not capable of being solved. We beloved, our life in Christ and the gifts born from it, a grand, vibrant, eternal visual of this very definition…

I recently read a quote by Charles Spurgeon that said this concerning Christians and what links us—past, present, and future. There are many chosen ones who have not yet believed in Christ, and the Church cannot be one till these are saved. These chosen ones are to believe — that is a work of grace, but they are to believe through our word. If you would promote the unity of Christ’s Church, look after His lost sheep. If you ask what is to be your word, the answer is in the text — it is to be concerning Christ. They are to believe in Him. Every soul that believes in Christ is built into the great gospel unity in its measure.

This is how I hear Jesus saying this in the Book of Revelation—His Revelation to us. “But they have gained the victory over him because of the blood of the Lamb and of the testimony which they have borne, and because they held their lives cheap and did not shrink even from death” –Revelation 12:11. Recognizing fully they would have no testimony—I wouldn’t either, neither, my Christian brother or sister, would you, except through our being chosen in Christ Jesus! Our testimony a direct result of our relationship. No Jesus—no salvation—no testimony! That is exactly what Paul is telling us in his two preceding verses, listen: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” –Ephesians 2:8-9. Equally then, we cannot boast of the “good things” we do as a result of this salvation—the two as inextricably linked as the mystical bond that exists between the Trinity from which they were born. One bible commentator had this to say concerning what Paul is telling us in these verses: It is here (in these verses) that we see the glorious power in the faith that He has given to us. Paul’s argument is straightforward. If we are saved, then we are saved to live out good works such as Christ would do. Paul is expanding the notion of what it means to be raised up together with Christ. Christ lives through our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit.

We have become, in Him—God’s poiēma, His artwork…

Today’s Scripture verse refers to us as God’s masterpiece—this is Truth, we are. Yet, it is only when we see ourselves through the eyes of Scripture, through the eyes of God’s Truth, that we’re able to see ourselves clearly. When we allow the Truth of who and what God says we are to overtake and fully silence our fleshly voice, that of the lying, life-stealing voice of the enemy of our soul, too—only then may we begin to see ourselves as that masterpiece our God sees each time He looks at us. Unless that is, we choose to continue seeing ourselves instead, as one of Picasso’s cubist portraits. A disjoined—distorted version of that which is beautifully and wonderfully made, in God’s eyes.“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” –Psalm 139:14-15. Since the Word, which cannot lie, tells us that we know this “very well”, our continuing to believe anything else makes Christ a liar…

“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar…” Romans 3:3-4

Beloved, we are quite literally connected. You and me and him and her and them way over there on the opposite end of the globe. On the opposite end of the pew—in Christ Jesus. Both in our salvation and our common predestination to do these good works God has for us to do. Each of us chosen by God—saved in Christ—specifically for this purpose. In light of this, I lift you up today. I pray you will finish your course well.“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:11-12.

If we share the same Father beloved than you are my brother. Period. Each of us using what we have been freely given, our testimony, gifts, and talents. Spending our energy, the entirety of the gift of time, to be used by God. These good works given us by God, no more our own than our salvation is. Neither can be accomplished simply because we will it or wish them to be. Paul makes this abundantly clear throughout this second chapter of Ephesians.“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us. “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward” –Mark 9:38-41.

Nothing of Kingdom value will be gained by our being envious of each other’s giftings either. Rather, God’s will is accomplished through our gifts as we support, uphold each other, encouraging and rejoicing over them as the incredibly unique and essential treasures they are. Blessings each to His Universal Body. These seeds, placed in our belly, your belly—before the foundation of the world. That at just the right moment—God might have His Holy Spirit hover over them as surely as He hovered over Mary. Calling forth life He alone intended to birth through us. “Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.… Genesis 1:1-3. Let Him who has ears hear what the Spirit is saying here…

This free, incomprehensible gift of salvation was not given us to keep to ourselves—God forbid! Some bag of treasure we bury so as not to lose track of it. Having been entrusted with it at all, it empowers us to be the very hands and feet of Jesus, thus aiding in its multiplication. Affording us then, the divine privilege of investing every ounce of what we’ve been given, in another. Listen to how Jesus says it in the Parable of the Talents. “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away” –Matthew 25:29.

Beloved, as God’s masterpieces, we are called to imitate Him. To love this world as our great TeacherJesus did. As God did. Both willing to lay down their absolute best for, “whosoever will.” Since we carry some spark of this Divine within us, let us then lay down our best. hat which Jesus died to give us and that which God weaved into us for such a time as this. Pouring the very last drop of them both out—in love, for the sake of our God, and those He has called us to reach. “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” –2 Timothy 4:1-2.

Friend, if you have read this far and do not know this Jesus personally, know this: There are no coincidences. You are not here by accident—God is holding His hand out to you. Take it, please… “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” John 1:12.

Abandon. Philippians 3:7-9.

February 15, 2020 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith”.

Oh happy state! to be perfectly acquiescent, to lie passive in His hand, and know no will but His” –Spurgeon.

Paul realized he would never achieve perfection in his lifetime. Neither will we. Nor will that greatest of saints we’re able to call to mind. That state of perfection, Paul knew, had recently spoken of, would come in that glorious moment when he, once for all, would leave his earthen vessel in the very dust from which it was created, and return, at last, to our Father’s house. Having attained, only then, the fullness of all that Christ had for him. Standing, finally, in his heavenly body in the presence of the King he had longed to see face to face.

Perhaps it was this realization, in part, which drove Paul to live his life then, resigned to press, ever forward, in continuous surrender to this God he lived for. Since knowing he would not reach that perfect state this side of heaven, he determined in his heart than, to become more Christlikeduring his time here on earth. We would do well to follow after his example. Paul understood his own wretchedness, outside of Christ. He was as aware (through the revelation of the Holy Spirit) of his natural, unchecked inclinations, as any man true to himself is, and, of just how easy it can be to follow after those desires of the flesh. Yet he did not try to hide his sin nor the once blind, dogmatic, beliefs he’d held. Rather he exposed his weakness. Confessing them before God and man, allowing us an unabashed view of his humanity.

The thorn of searing regret ever stuck in his flesh; stayed only by the grace of God from hindering his work and overpowering his mind. “though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” Philippians 3:4-9.

And, it’s not only in this Third Chapter of Philippians but also in Romans 7, that we witness this same forthrightness. Where we hear Paul’s confession, his angst. Where we bear witness to this very real, very human realization; one felt by us each, at some point in our walk with our Lord. “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. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway” Romans 7: 18-19. Paul has so aptly put into words for us all what it like to live in this awareness of the ongoing war waging within every child of God. Listen to what he writes in Galatians 5:17 concerning this same battle: “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.” Paul’s transparency allows us—aides us, in acknowledging that this same battle raging within him, wages within our own hearts as well. It rages, recognized, or not. Acknowledged, or not. Alive within the murky depth of, or the shame-filled, fear-filled, fractured surface of, every heart in whom He has placed His Spirit.

Yet, thankfully, Paul, via the illumination of the Holy Spirit, does not leave us there to figure out how best to fight, to gain ground, claim new territory, to have victory over, this ongoing battle he’s so freely spoken of—our base-ness. Rather, he points us towards Christ, towards the most advantageous, power-full battle stance any Christian can assume. Paul lets us know that any victory we may attain, any ground we’ll ever claim for the Kingdom, any success in ministry or relationship (think John Mark here) will only be found, attained, experienced, known, realized only in complete abandon to the will of God. Such abandon that, though ready to wage war on any foe at a moment’s notice, we recognize the battle we’re engaged in is not ours, it’s God’s. And, though, we are called to stand and fight, our victory has been assured by the finished work of the Cross. We never fight alone. We are incapable, in any real sense, of fighting in our own strength; without that is, doing more harm than good.

Beloved, for as long as we continue to reside this side of heaven, the Godliest of us will sin, falling ever short of God’s perfect standard. Paul knew this. I pray each of us, as God’s children, will come to truly know it as well. And, that, from such knowledge, our striving will cease. A total surrender takes place, and a complete abandon of our will be offered; freely, lovingly, whole-heartedly to our Lord. That whosoever will are released, as Paul was, I was, you were, he, she, and they were, each, freed from the bonds of religion, from the onerous striving to measure up to a standard only One could ever meet, Jesus. That perfect Lamb in whom all our striving after righteousness finds its rest. Just as one straightaway trusts water beneath them as a surety on which to surrender themselves, to float, be held up, may we with greater abandon yet, surrender our will with even greater surety to God. I pray our surrender to be so complete, we will only recognize its absence in that very hour we are safely home with Him….

Friend, how incredibly grateful I am to know, be certain of the fact, that when God sees me today, He sees Jesus. That because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, now, because of what He has done, I am covered, as with a royal robe, in Jesus’ perfect Righteousness. And I so want that knowing, that certainty, that peace to be yours as well. If you have come this far with me and find yourself asking, “what’s next?” “Where now?” I strongly encourage you to ask this Jesus into your own life, as Lord and Savior, you did not come this far by chance…

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” –Galatians 2:20.

Kingship. Revelation 22:16.

December 21, 2019 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

**“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”**

Friends, for this, our last week together during Advent, I will again be writing this post centered around Jesus as the “Light.” It is this aspect of Himself that He has been impressing upon my heart, and I believe, wants to re-mind us of. In these dark days, these turbulent and uncertain times in which we live be remind dear friends: Immanuel is here, still! He is sending His Word out afresh in this season of hope that we might refocus our hearts and minds on Him. To rekindle our remembrance of His promise to “never leave us, never forsake us.” My prayer for each of you in this season of hope is that you will look up and be refreshed, reawakened, or, perhaps, awakened for the first time to His Truth. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5.

Isaiah speaks to us about this tender Shoot, this Root. This babe who’ll be born to us in Bethlehem. This Morning Star who comes and humbly takes on His servant’s frame. “He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him”—Isaiah 53:2.

I’ve heard of these offspring’s before, these mere shoots; “suckers” they’re called. They’re described as follows: A shout which grows out of the root of a tree, at some little distance from it, of which no notice or care is taken, nor anything hoped for from it. Like that of the springing up of a low and insignificant plant or shrub out of the earth.

Jesus was viewed by many in much the same way…

As insignificant. A nuisance. Wild. Untamable. Of having little value to them. Being deemed as unworthy of sharing in their precious time. A heretic! Most could not recognize the hope He offered this lost and dying world. Offers, still. Jesus was looked upon by most of those He came to give His life a ransom for as an imposter. Yet He is greater than any of those mere men from whose bloodline He hailed. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” –Micah 5:2.

Listen closely to how He describes Himself when speaking to John. He leaves no room, in any man’s heart, to doubt the authenticity of both the speaker or His Words. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” –Revelation 22:16. Long before His lone star shone brightly in the heavens, a beacon, drawing the poor and royal both towards a manger, Isaiah had written of the seemingly lowly status of this New Born King who would come cloaked as Bethlehem’s Babe. “And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger” –Luke 2:12.

Is it any wonder that His arrival would be accompanied by this sign? This Guiding Light? Be heralded by an angel? The birth of the Kings of Kings, God’s only begotten Son made flesh, warranted an extra-ordinary celestial announcement. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” Psalm 19:1-4.

Would any of those below have otherwise believed that the King of Kings had just been born in such a lowly place? Or that He is, in fact, their long-awaited Messiah? Is the King of Glory? Jaded as humanity was—is, still, it requires signs, proofs. Why was it only the Magi who seemingly knew whose star this was? To Whom it was pointing them towards? Didn’t all of Jerusalem, and the surrounding areas have access to the same Scriptures they did? More even? “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth” Numbers 24:17.

No one expected Him to come as He did when He did, that first time around. And, as it was then, so too will it be when He comes again.

“The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing – until the flood hit and swept everything away” –Matthew24:37-38.

Most missed out on the free gift of Jesus’ lavish, sacrificial, healing love. They missed His purpose, the heart behind His ministry: restoration—clearing the way back to a right relationship with the Father. They missed out on His healings, the freedom, liberty, and, new-Life that was being offered them; that might have been theirs, but, they missed out. Missed Him. Their hearts too firmly set against any possibility that He was, in fact, who He claimed to be. They failed—some refused, to acknowledge the humble majesty of this Bright and Morning Star, this New Dawn, this Light that annihilates the darkness, because they were too busy looking for a stately, warrior king, a militaristic deliver—another David. Though through His mother and father both, His lineage is linked to that of Kings, of warriors, this once-renowned kingly line had, by the time of Jesus’ birth, been reduced to little more than the embers of a once-prominent name. Perfect! No mere coincidence here! Such a thing doesn’t exist with God. He is perfect, so is His timing. Hence the exact moment of this Babe’s birth. This Shoot spoke of in Isaiah.

Just when all appeared hopeless, dried up, like some long-dead tree stump, this Offspring of David, this Shoot would suddenly burst forth; forever turning this world upside down. Making all things new…

From the moment He arrived—before really, His Kingship has always been hidden in plain sight; starting with His conception. Kings aren’t typically born to unwed teenage moms and dads who are carpenters. They’re not born in a lowly manger rather, in stately mansions. Kings are not born outwardly poor, don’t willingly take on the form of their humble servant, washing the feet of their friends. Most kings do not renounce their titles, nor the glory and perks that often accompany it. Yet the King of Kings did. He was pleased to give all glory and honor to His Father—claiming none as His own. This Jesus, a babe who was bathed in the Light of heaven, came as a Living Sacrifice the first time. Meek, lowly, yet no less The King. No less God wrapped in flesh.

Soon, He will come again. This time, however, He’ll come as our Judge. Yet before He does, before this Light who sees all, comes; He, out of His store of unfathomable love, offers us one last opportunity to cry out to Him now, in repentance of our sins—for His mercy and forgiveness, acknowledging that we are sinners in desperate need of Him, our Savior. “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds” –Revelation 22:12.

What better Christmas gift could any man ask than to have His name written in The Lamb’s Book of Life? “For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…” –2 Peter 1: 17-19.

Friend, in this season of renewed hope, my prayer for you is this: that you will receive this Gift God freely gives to anyone, anywhere, who will wholeheartedly accept it. Won’t you ask Him to give you this Jesus as your Lord and Savior now, as your own Christmas Gift? How I would love to spend eternity celebrating Him with you! “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” –Revelation 22:17.

Are You Willing to Climb? Luke 19:1-10

January 20, 2019 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. “‘

Exactly when did Jesus know that this man would run through the thick of the crowd that had gathered and climb up into a tree—simply to get a look at Him? Zacchaeus, this chief tax collector, this marginalized, ostracized son of Abraham…

Was it while Jesus was teaching yet another crowd on another day in some other little village; concerning the Parable of the lost? The lost Sheep, coin, and son that is. Was it during His time of teaching His disciples about forgiveness and faith? Maybe It was after He had entered a small village somewhere between Galilee and Samaria and ten men covered in leprosy cried out to Him for healing? Or, perhaps it was in a Nanosecond of time somewhere in eternity? Was Jesus standing over the dark void perhaps when the plan to meet Zacchaeus under the Sycamore-fig came to be?

The Bible doesn’t fill in that particular blank for us…

Suffice it to say however, God knew the exact second this man of small moral and physical stature both would quite literally be found, “up a tree!” More, it had always been God working just below the surface of Zacchaeus’s knowing. Across the span of his lifetime; unnoticed by him, unrecognized, yet ever-present in every-thing that had ever-happened to him, or in him, or through him! God had used every-thing. Every joy, each smile, every pain, hurt, disappointment. Every rejection, each harsh word spoken, every bright ray of sun that had ever pierced the darkness of Zacchaeus isolation—and loneliness. God had used them all to pave the path that would eventually lead Zacchaeus to this exact tree, at this precise time.

The Holy Spirit is stealth—and intentional. There are no accidents with God. No almost…

God had a plan for Zacchaeus’s life. Just as surely as He had for Father Abraham’s. Different certainly. Each of ours are—different that is; those plans God has for you, and you, and me. Yet similar because we are One Body in Christ Jesus, if we believe. God has a plan for our salvation; if we are found in Him. He has a plan for our transformation. Just as He had a plan that would empower Zacchaeus to do what he had not done, probably, since boyhood. Climb a tree. God will drive us towards the most peculiar of tasks and, He’ll do it at the most inopportune of times. Our time that is, not His. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” –Jeremiah 29:11.

There is no reason given us in Scripture as to why Zacchaeus wanted to “see” Jesus.

He, unlike the blind beggar that shouted out to Jesus from the roadside entrance of this same Jericho village had his sight; physically speaking that is. But in fact, it was the blind man who had 20/20 vision when compared not only to Zacchaeus, but to many others gathered together that day! He saw Jesus for who He was. But that’s best left for us to explore another day. The blind beggar knew he wanted to receive healing from Jesus. He stated it plainly. “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied –Luke 18:41.

Yet we never hear Zacchaeus crying out to Jesus for healing or forgiveness. Verse six plainly says that when Jesus called him down out of the tree that they might share lunch together, “Zacchaeus climbed down quickly and with great joy and took Jesus into his house.” Where’s the shame? The downcast eyes, heart, and spirit? Where’s the wailing and tearing of garments that might evidence Zacchaeus’ feeling the weight of his sins? Where is the sackcloth and ashes? Where’s the remorse? Thank God that He sees what mere men cannot! But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” –1 Samuel 16:7.

In this account of Zacchaeus, I was reminded of yet another wayward son of Abraham—a son separated from his family and community as a result of his sins and selfish choices. We’re never told what drove Zacchaeus to become a chief tax collector—perhaps the vilest of jobs a Jew could have. Maybe we should ask the Apostle Matthew? Remember, he too was a tax collector up until the moment Jesus “just happened” to walk by him that day in the Temple.

In spite of their both being men and tax collectors I saw myself in Zacchaeus and Matthew. Broken and dead in sin. Separated from family and friends due to poor choices. Having lusted after the things of this world. Sullied by the sin of countless offences. More, I too was separated from God. Thankfully for each of us, God, unbeknownst to us, was never far from us. Plus, unlike blind Bartimaeus, it had never occurred to me to call out to Jesus! Sure, I knew of Him. Believed in Him even—at least I believed that He was. But I never opened my mouth. Never asked for what I needed most. How fortunate (such a pale expression of such an incomprehensible blessing!) I was that Jesus determined to walk past me—just as He did Abraham, Zacchaeus and Matthew, Paul too. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” –Romans 5:8.

For whatever His reason God chose each of us in Himself long before we had a clue!

While Zacchaeus and Matthew were swindling and cheating people out of their hard-earned money and goods and while Paul’s heart was burning with murderous intentions to kill those that believed in this Jesus, God had sealed each of them in Himself—as His own. Me too. Scripture is clear that Zacchaeus never cried out to Jesus. Never shouted out to get Gods attention. Matthew either. In each of their cases—Paul’s also, it was God who made certain He had gotten their attention. It was God who came to them. It’s always God. God whom presented Himself to each of them in such a way that to not follow after Him—not leave it all behind, not change their ways—not repent, was not an option. Me too. “Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them” –Romans 4:10-11.

I don’t profess to understand the depths of God—or fully understand His ways for that matter. I see and understand in part. I’m no biblical scholar. Just a simple sheep following after a God that is far too big—to marvelous—too brilliant, creative, deep, Holy, and pure for me to ever comprehend in full this side of eternity. Nor would I want to. I am incredibly happy being me and knowing that I serve a God who is far too big for me to get my mind, knowing—and heart around. What I am capable of doing, by His grace, is climbing whatever tree necessary to get a better look at—a more intimate understanding of—a deeper revelation of, the One I love. The One who stood over the void and said to himself, “This world will not be complete without my daughter in it.” The One who left the Fathers side that He might walk before me. Making certain that I don’t forget my way back home.

And I know that my brothers Abraham, Zacchaeus and Matthew and Paul, and all in that great cloud of witnesses, felt much the same as I do now.

How about you?

Are you willing to climb?

Beloved, I encouraged you today to keep climbing! let nothing or no one stop your running after or seeking out our Lord. Especially not those lies the enemy of your soul whispers incessantly. Telling you you’re not saved, or good enough, smart enough, or that God could never love someone who has made the mistakes you’ve made. Sinned as grossly as you have. It’s a lie! God has chosen you. And He’ll never let go of you! See, even now, He’s passing you by…

And friend, if you’ve yet to ask Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior, let today be your day. Look! Just there. He’s coming your way. Won’t you ask Him to come in and dine with you? HE will if you will…

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” Romans 10:9-10.

Category: Transformation (Page 7 of 9)

Biblical Submission…

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Calm my Anxious Heart …

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His Star & His Ambassadors…

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Create in Me A Pure Heart, O God.

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Victory, in Pursuit…

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The Best Thing?

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Inextricable. Ephesians 2:10

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Abandon. Philippians 3:7-9.

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Kingship. Revelation 22:16.

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Are You Willing to Climb? Luke 19:1-10

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