On behalf of each of us here at Sonsofthesea, we pray blessings over your New Year. The very blessings the Apostle Paul speaks of in Ephesians 3. We thank God that He has drawn you here. And we pray that you continue to follow us into this New Year as we continue to follow after all that Jesus has for those of us who love Him and diligently seek after more of Him—Psalm. 42:1. Know that we are praying God’s best over you, your family, and your ministry. Part of that “best” is a greater understanding, a ginṓskō understanding—one that is intimate, experiential, and ever-deepening. That first-hand knowledge of the multidimensional love of God of which Paul speaks in Ephesians 3:17-19, listen: “And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].”
This is our Prayer for you on this first day of this New Year—and beyond. That you are ever-growing, ever-deepening in your intimate knowledge of our God. All that you might continue to bear more and more fruit for His glory! The fields are white friends; pray to Lord of the harvest…
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” Isaiah 43:18-19.
Christmas Greetings, Sonsofthesea family! Kendra, Stephanie, and I wish you and your family abundant blessings today—and the whole week through. Soon the New Year will be upon us with its offerings of renewed hope, growth, and the opportunity to walk more closely with our Lord. With that, we’re praying even now; you begin to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting as to what it is He desires from you in this new season. What is God asking you to release, making room then to receive the “new thing” He’s chosen to bring into your life? Will you allow the Good Gardner to prune away those areas in your life that drain your focus and strength, making your branches healthier, more fruitful? We here at Sonsofthesea are locking arms with you, believing for God’s very best to manifest in and through you in this new season. But for today, from our hearts and homes to yours, “O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!”
Yes, you, dear friend—faithful follower of Jesus. We here at Sonsofthesea wish you and your family a blessed, healthy, and joy-filled Thanksgiving Day! We are so thankful to each of you who continues to follow us, as we continue following after more of Jesus. Reminding you then, as we are reminded, to continue giving thanks to our God long after this one Thanksgiving Day has passed. “Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” –1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.
I pause here to acknowledge, give thanks for, our loyal shepherds at Highland City Church: Pastors Lino & Maria Braga. With grateful hearts, Kendra, Stephanie, and Ithank God for your faith-filled, Godly leadership. For exemplifying too, humility, great love, and tender care for those God has entrusted to you—of which we count ourselves blessed.
And to all of you who may be walking through the valleys so many are facing today; being alone this holiday, knowing a friend or loved one who is dealing with sickness or COVID-19, facing lost jobs and wages. More, loss of a cherished life—we pray your strength and the peace of God that carries us all across those fiery coals of adversity. We join our prayers with yours then, that God’s favor overtakes you. We call into fruition every seed you have sowed into good soil, in faith believing. We say, in the name of Jesus, ‘spring forth’!
And, lastly friends, we encourage you to hold tight to your faith.
Remembering daily, minute by minute if need be, that God loves you fiercely. He has chosen you for Himself—in Himself! With gentle love and the deepest respect then, if He gives you nothing else, friend, your salvation alone should be the only fuel your perpetual thanksgiving ought to require. Let Peter’s words wash away your fears and anxiety. Allowing a heart filled with thanks, to ease the biting sting of your very real sufferings. Remembering always—as difficult as it may be in this moment—to be thankful in all circumstances. Always making room for the mysterious transactions of God; offering up your thankful heart—despite how you may be feeling, in exchange for His inexplicable joy—regardless of your current circumstances.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials” –1 Peter 1:3-6.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and perseveres” –1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Loving anyone according to God’s pattern of love can be challenging. God’s command to “love our neighbor as we love ourselves” categorically challenges how many in this world understand love.
Assuredly, friends, 2020 has been a year of unprecedented changes. A season of ground-breaking exposures and truths revealed. Of a virus that forced us all behind masks—literally changing the face of everything. So, in a world that is so plainly and rapidly changing culturally, a world that claims inclusion while often unashamedly offering up selective pockets of exclusion, is it any wonder we hear this term “cancel-culture” used? Cancel culture by definition says: withdraw public support from public figures, companies, even from friends, colleagues, and family members who allegedly perpetuate or engage in what it deems as problematic behaviors. A hot topic for sure but please, hear me out. While at first glance this system of beliefs may sound reasonable, offering a measure of accountability to others even, it also sows seeds of deliberate division in our country. Claiming in part that anyone who holds a perspective or to ideals or beliefs contrary to those this voice of counter-cultural deems acceptable is often mocked, ridiculed—no longer welcomed at their table. Other factors dividing our nation today have been our idolizing political parties or their candidates, our collective pride, and overall unfriendliness –among believers and unbelievers alike.
It remains a challenge for many Christians today to not become distracted by the world’s constantly clanging cymbals of current events, and its 24-hour news cycles. Yet despite all the clamoring, as believers, we must hold tight to the very bedrock of what is fixed and unchanging – the inerrant Truth found in God’s Word. Even amid what feels like a never-ending cultural storm. The bedrock of God’s Word is where our firm foundation lays—so, if we have drifted from that place, we must repent and return. Returning our attention and devotion to God, to our bibles, rather than blankly fixing our gaze on our television set. Rededicating our attention and time back to sitting at the Lord’s feet, not mindlessly scrolling through social media. We must be willing to ask ourselves, and each other, the challenging questions:
“How is Jesus Christ being glorified in my every conversation?”
“How are we as Christians demonstrating our faith to a world that is both watching and listening to most everything we say and do?”
“What is God revealing to us in this season? What is our role as believers in what He is revealing? And how can we best be His hands and feet—partnering with Him to bring healing to another?”
“What areas of our lives, my life specifically, require sincere repentance, humility, and prayer?”
Saying all of this then, how do we as Christians respond to the many contentious voices of counterculture? To being shut down, or shut out when our voice or beliefs, our morals, those things we hold dear can’t possibly subscribe to this “new norm” this culture’s agenda?
Our response as Christians must be love—always love. The driving force behind Jesus’s every action was love, not loathing—never just canceling another out. Loving our neighbor as ourselves is part of what sets us apart as followers of Jesus. “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”–Matthew 22: 37-40. Scripture assures me that it is only God’s incredible love that can heal hearts of stone, turning them then into hearts of flesh! Scripture also reminds me that, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” –1 John 4:18. And, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” –1 Peter 4:8.
One of my loudest and most challenging prayer points this season has been, Jesus, teach me, show me how to love like you, even if I don’t feel like it. That’s my raw and honest prayer. I realized my need to pray this way after a few disagreements with loved ones over the issue of counterculture. If I’m being transparent here, I realized I was not modeling the love of Christ with my words nor my actions. Amid intense arguments, I would say hurtful things to the other person out of spite, for fear of losing the argument. I engaged in conversations crossly, not with the intent of being understood, rather, to be right. I remember times when I held on to a grudge to the point where forgiveness felt impossible—times I did not want to persevere in a difficult relationship. Then I was “drop to my knees” humbled. When I expected God’s anger—instead, I received mercy and grace. I received forgiveness, the very forgiveness I needed to extend to others. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” – Matthew 6:14. God’s love is kind, it does not dishonor others, it is not easily angered, and it isn’t proud. It is not self-seeking; it perseveres and rejoices with the truth.
So, what does the pure love of God look like within a culture that is often hostile towards God—His commands? That often lends its nod of approval towards the spirit of division or fear or exclusion?
As Christians, we must always be Light in the world. We must be imitators of Jesus. Period. Offering respect—even when we differ. This is the culture we need to foster, encouraging and welcoming “whosoever will” to join in. Remember friends, Jesus welcomed Judas to the table being fully aware of his impending betrayal—who are we to not be willing to extend this same love to those who simply disagree with us? Our conversations then must be laced with understanding, yet we must never compromise biblical accuracy for the sake of cultural relevancy. We as Christians ought not to participate, nor endorse, anything that cancels out another—God alone is every man’s just Judge. He alone determines another’s fate, not us. Remember, it is by God’s Sovereign grace and His election of you alone that you have a relationship with Jesus—and I for one praise God for that! “If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world” -John 15:19.
So, in these unprecedented and trying times, as believers, let’s work to bring about unity by sharing God’s love—knowing fully His love heals, redeems, and casts out all fear. Fear and anxiety of the future are at an all-time high, yet as followers of Jesus Christ, we have the blessed assurance, the peace that comes from knowing that the Lord is living in us. What a perfect reason to encourage peace and hope through our sharing and modeling the gospel of Jesus Christ for, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” –Galatians 3:28.
Brothers and sisters, we hold good news for the world— a world that so desperately needs God’s love. My prayer is that you fix your heart, mind, and soul on Jesus—not on those clanging cymbals of ever-changing cultural norms. Leave them to God. That you, Christian, if you have strayed, return to the feet of Jesus with repentance, a pure heart, and a desire to obtain Christ’s perspective on all that is happening around us. And, most importantly, if you don’t yet know Jesus Christ – I pray that you seek Him today. Asking Him to come into your heart—into your life. He loves you unconditionally, and He is the only remedy needed to heal your hurting heart.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” –1 Peter 2:9.
The header to this passage is titled: “The Living Stone and a Chosen People” and something to single out, purely from fascination, is that the author of this epistle, Peter (Greek) or Cephas (Aramaic), was renamed by Jesus Christ—his name both meaning “stone” or “rock” (John 1:42). Right out the gate, Peter points to his intended audience, to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout (1 Peter 1). For background and setting, under the governance of Emperor Nero, a great fire broke out in Rome destroying much of the city. The fire’s rage lasted approximately three days destroying homes, many of Rome’s religious elements, and ultimately devastating the Roman culture. Many died and those that survived the fire were left homeless, resentful, and hopeless. Emperor Nero’s scapegoat to blame for the fire were the Christians, who were already hated for their association with Jews, their growing influence, and their hostility towards the Roman culture. As Nero spread the word of this, with the pretext that Christians were the cause of the fire, vicious Christian persecution escalated, causing many to spread throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1). The apostle Peter penned this epistle to his intended audience, suffering Christians, to provide them with spiritual strengthening. Throughout Peter’s letter, he outlines several things.
To scattered, persecuted Christians, Peter exhorts steadfastness in the face of persecution and holy, virtuous conduct before unbelievers. He gives special importance to the body of believers in that they’ve been purified through acceptance of God’s truth and that they are God’s chosen or elect people, a comforting reminder to persecuted Christians. In this letter, Peter is reminding Christians that there is purpose in suffering for righteousness with the knowledge of their future victory and heavenly inheritance. Moreover, perseverance and unremoved joy, amid trials, is what God expects from His people and is the revealer of the genuineness of a believer’s faith. Christians have Jesus Christ as the model for how to respond when the world rejects and persecutes them. Peter’s counsel to the body of Christ then, remains applicable for Christians today and we ought to be refreshed by the revelation of what it means to be “God’s elect” as Peter penned in this opening letter.
It is a wonderful, astonishing revelation to be called God’s special possession, royal, chosen and consecrated for God’s unique purpose(s) – in that we “may declare the praises of our God who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light” –1 Peter 2:10. Peter calls out the distinguishing marks of God’s people that separate us from the world (1 Peter 2:9-12).
Believers are a Chosen People:
Peter calls believers a chosen people. In the King James Version, the term peculiar is used instead—a “peculiar people” and, in 1 Peter 2:9, the original Greek meaning for peculiar describes someone or something as being private property. It can also mean exclusivity, belonging solely to a particular person. Today, one can interpret Peter’s verse to mean that believers are odd, peculiar people, however, we should consider this verse as referring to believers as those belonging to God; we are His special possessions. In the Old Testament, Israel was mentioned and described as a nation chosen by God (see Exodus 19:5-6, Isaiah 43:20-21, Deuteronomy 4:20; 7:6; 14:2). I love that Peter uses Old Testament terminology to describe the people of Israel and then applies that same connection to all believers. Just as Israel is God’s chosen people, the church stands as God’s chosen people too, a new branch grafted in. We must consider that we are chosen not because we are elevated higher in comparison to others, rather we are considered chosen solely because of God’s unmerited favor: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” –Ephesians 1:4-6. God does not choose people based on their giftedness, talents, or intelligence even. That said, regardless of our giftings, what unites all those chosen by God is that awesome responsibility of adhering to His instructions, being a light in this world, holding steadfast to God’s promises, and modeling to this world the fruitfulness that comes from following God (Exodus 19:5-6). To be chosen by God is not only a privilege given us via His incredible grace, but it’s also a blessing to be used when partnered with His Holy Spirit to help convey His glory. It remains astonishing to me that God chooses to partner with us!
As believers, we are connected to the cornerstone, Christ—chosen by God to receive his salvation. When Peter wrote this, Christians were being persecuted. Peter reminds them that they are a chosen people. In today’s climate, persecution (hostility, ill-treatment, violence) towards Christians exists in various forms too, and so what Peter reminded the persecuted Christians in AD 60-67 should serve as both a refresher and reminder to all Christians today as well. Just as Jesus Christ was “rejected by humans but chosen by God” (1 Peter 2:4), you also have to bear in mind that when man rejects you, it’s God who’s chosen you! We are in this world, but not of this world. History has proven that suffering is not new to the Christian who chooses God’s kingdom over culture – but take heart! God has already overcome the world and your citizenship is in heaven! And another marker that distinguishes the people of God is that they are a royal priesthood—a holy nation.
Believers are a Royal Priesthood and a Holy Nation…
Peter calls believers a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Once again, Peter uses Old Testament terminology to describe Israel’s priests, applying it now to all believers. In the Old Testament, the priesthood had the sole privilege of offering the sacrifice and approaching God in the temple. The priests were the only ones that could enter the Holy of Holies (a special room where God’s sacred presence dwelled) but thanks be to God, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we no longer have that blockade—that veil that separated us from God, removed now in Jesus’s obedience to the Father. Instead, we can go boldly now before the Father. We have accessibility to His presence, and, as royal priests, we are united with Christ! Romans 8:17 states that “we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” – we are therefore set apart for Christ in this world. As a royal priesthood, we have been entrusted with the same authority as Christ gave his disciples (Matthew 28:18). As priests, we can intercede in prayer on behalf of others and we fight spiritually, armored, to trample against the strongholds of the enemy (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 6). Also, Peter refers to us Christians as a holy nation, “holy” meaning set apart – as God’s special possessions! “…that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” –1 Peter 2:9.
Friends, whatever difficulties you may face in carrying out your faith in Jesus Christ, hold fast to Peter’s encouragement that we are a chosen people, we are God’s special possession and are called royalty. And while the world may reject us, God has elected us to play a vital role on earth for His kingdom and to declare His praises! You may ask yourself, “why was I chosen?” God chose you because of His great love for you because He desires to have a relationship with you, and, He chooses to reveal to you God’s unique purpose(s) designed specifically for you. While we co-exist with others that may not have a relationship with the Lord, we must remind ourselves that we are called to be set apart in that we’ve died to ourselves and have chosen Kingdom over culture, even if persecution, mockery, political outlaw or humiliation awaits us. God’s love is profound in part, in that it allows us, His creation, to either obey His commandments or to follow our fleshly desires and human reasoning. I love that God gives us this choice more, I hope and pray that you’ll use it to choose Him—your affirmative response then, your yes to Jesus, ensuring you too will be a part of His royal priesthood, the chosen that will share in the first resurrection and reign with Christ in God’s holy kingdom (Revelation 17:14, 20:4-6).
Sonsofthesea, in conjunction with our spiritual covering & partner Highland City Church, wishes to welcome Ms. Stephanie Montilla as our newest “Fisher of men.” Stephanie is a multifaceted minister, called by God into this, His ministry, to share His uncompromising Word with, “whomsoever will” boldly, yet with humility. Stephanie is also a cherished member of, and dynamic voice on, our worship team. She will be joining us beginning this October, look for her maiden post to go live on Saturday, October 10th. Stephanie brings her “still-waters-run-deep” teaching style, her unique voice, and talents, along with the highest standard of sharing the uncompromising Truth of God, to all the Lord places on her heart to share with us. Whether its during worship or in sharing His Word. Please, join Kendra and me in welcoming Stephanie to Sonsofthesea ministry!
In her own words:
My name is Stephanie Montilla, a Dominican-American born and raised in New York City until the age of 13. My family and I relocated to Rhode Island and have resided here ever since – a place I truly call home. In total confidence of my vocation, I declared Political Science as my undergrad major only to be drawn and deeply enamored to Christian theology. Attending a Catholic liberal arts college, I was required to take a historical studies course and God orchestrated enrollment to have “Introduction to the New Testament” the only available course for registration. Unaware in that specific moment into how this course was the genesis to the catalyst of my surrender and declaration to Jesus Christ, 7 years later I can fully comprehend how an undesired, Christian course led to my salvation. It was then and there I learned about the bible, Jesus’ ministry, His miracles, and His redemption. Ultimately, my passion for politics grew dim and was replaced with a major in Theology. While I enjoyed the cerebral, intellectual side of Christianity, what I lacked was a relationship to my creator, whom I so loved to study and learn about. Years later, I was invited to a friend’s baptism, and witnessing her love for Jesus softened my heart. The classic Hillsong, “What a Beautiful Name” song tuned in the background, and my soul immediately recognized the reality of Jesus Christ. I remember exiting the church doors and converting, wholeheartedly, to Christianity. Radically shifted from my unbelief, I no longer desired to live for myself but for Jesus – praise God that I never looked back! Today, I still walk hand in hand with Jesus. I love to exercise, read the bible, share with others about the Lord, and worship through song. As long as I can remember, I’ve always loved to journal, so to embark on this writing journey here is so exciting! I cannot wait to see what the Holy Spirit downloads into my heart to share with you all. I pray it blesses you and draws you closer to Jesus!
And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you” –1 Samuel 17:37.
We ought not to be unmindful of the way by which the Lord our God has led us, for if we are, we shall lose much. Some saints have very short memories. It has been well said that we write our benefits in dust and our injuries in marble, and it is equally true that we generally inscribe our afflictions upon brass, while the records of the deliverances of God are written in water. It ought not so to be. If our memories were more tenacious of the merciful visitations of our God, our faith would often be strengthened in times of trial. –Charles Spurgeon.
David was well accustomed to slaying giants. Scripture tells us long before he stood and faced Goliath, young David had slain lions and bears with only a club and his own two hands, saving his father’s precious lambs and goats from certain death. I’ll remind you here that not all giants go down this same way, however. Some can be taken out in an instant, while others, as we’ll soon find out, may take years to defeat. I heard a man of God speak about this recently, and it stuck to me.
But David said to Saul, ‘“Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose against me, I seized him by his beard [jaw] and struck him and killed him” –1 Samuel 17:34-36.
After King Saul heard all that David had said, he granted young David permission to slay that giant Goliath—even though David was not a soldier, had no combat experience, no weapons of warfare to call his own. So Saul attempted to arm David for the battle himself, dressing him in his tunic, placing a coat of armor on him, a helmet of bronze on his head, and a sword David might fasten to his side. But David removed it all. He could not slay this giant wearing someone else’s armor. Let the one who has ears hear what the Spirit is saying here. As it was with Moses, so it was with David and will be for you and me as well. We must use what’s in our hands to slay the giants standing before us.
“…I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine” –1 Samuel 17:39-40.
When David, clothed in the Spirit of God, armed with His power and favor, walked out to face Goliath, it took him all of five minutes, and one stone flung with surgical precision, to slay him. Some giants in your life will go down that easily. God, your willingness, and courage will make a quick work of them. David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground” –1 Samuel 17:45; 48-49.
From actual lions and bears to a very real giant from Gath—to say nothing of those ever-present giants of rejection, slander, and slight that lived and lurked under his father’s roof, David, thus far, had seemingly slain them all. See David’s own father, for reasons the Bible doesn’t specify, had to be pressed into producing David so that the prophet Samuel might see him and know that He was the one the Lord had chosen to replace Saul as King. “Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives” –1 Samuel 16:10-11. Also, one can’t help but hear the caustic disdain in Eliab’s derisive rebuke of his brother. “When Eliab, David’s eldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” –2 Samuel 17: 28-29.
These giants, a test. Preparations for the greater betrayal yet to come.
I’ll pause here for a moment to say this—repeat it actually: All trials have a purpose. And what is that purpose? To fortify you and to build a deep sense of perseverance. And what is perseverance? Perseverance is faith when facing difficulties and delays. And any true child of God will face both difficulties and delays—as well as unexpected things that come up out of seemingly nowhere! –Bishop Jonathon Ziegler. The Apostle Peter says it this way in 2 Peter 1:5-8: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As David was bringing the severed head of Goliath back to Jerusalem, Saul asked Abner, his commander, who this ruddy boy was that was hoisting up this giant’s head in victory? Whose son, is he? So, with the giant’s head still in-hand, Abner brought David before King Saul, (to whom it is said, David felt loyal respect). “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem” –1Samuel 17:58. And our chapter ends here, yet David has miles to go to before he’ll defeat—rather, the Lord will deliver him from, the giant that stands before him now. I’ll insert an aside here. If you’ve ever read 1 Samuel 16:17-23, you might be a bit confused by Saul’s questioning of who David is? After all, David had been playing his lyre to ease the headaches that would trouble Saul whenever the evil spirit came over him. David had also been Saul’s armor-bearer. Yet Saul had taken no notice of David prior to this moment. That all changed in chapter 17 because of the promises Saul had made to whoever would kill Goliath. Now, Saul saw David.
And in Chapter Eighteen, Saul tells David he will not be going back to his father, Jesse. Instead, Saul keeps David as his armor-bearer. In this chapter, we learn that no matter what tasks Saul gives David, he excels at them all. We also learn that David and Saul’s son, Jonathan, become like brothers—their bond that close. And It’s in this chapter too that we first witness another giant rear its ugly head. Jealously. On their way back to Jerusalem, probably at or near its gates, Saul becomes enraged when he hears his people singing greater praises about David then himself. Saul knew the Lord had removed His hand from him. He also knew that the Lord was with David. Fear and jealously had seized Saul’s hear, murderous seeds took root in it. “Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David” –1 Samuel 18: 8-9.
This Eighteenth Chapter is laden with verses of Saul’s treachery, betrayal, and his plot to murder David, but time doesn’t permit I cover all of that. I will say this, however, it took some 15 years for David to finally be free of the murderous rage, fear, and jealously that had once gripped Saul’s heart. Yet David mourned greatly when Saul finally fell. Read the First Chapter of 2 Samuel and you’ll witness the depth of David’s grief. I can relate to that. Anyone who has been betrayed by a friend, a brother or sister, a husband or wife, can. Yet there is no rejoicing when we see them fall.
As I said at the start, some giants go down in an instant, others may take years to fall. Some we rejoice over, others, oddly, we mourn at their falling. Through each trial David had faced, each giant he had defeated, he kept his eyes fixed firmly on the Lord. Whether emblematic or literally giants—his emotional giants too, David took his battles, his sins, and failures as well—to God in prayer. David’s trust and confidence weren’t in Himself, in his giftedness or abilities, it was in the Lord—always. David knew without question all that he was, was able to do and accomplish, was from God. Our opening Scripture, proof positive. “And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine…” 1 Samuel 17:37. David was a mighty, wise, warrior king who carried within him the heart of a humble shepherd boy. He was a man after God’s own heart. We would do well to follow David’s lead the next time we are called upon by God to slay a giant. Because as anyone who has been walking with the Lord for a season will attest—it’s only a matter of when—not if, a giant will show up in the land. “Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’ From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised…” –Acts 13:21-23.
Friend, if you don’t know this God who is faithful to help His children in their hour of need, who sent a Savior to for us all, won’t you ask Him into your life, your heart, now? Won’t you admit you have need of Him to defeat the giants that you’re facing?
As the Overseer of Sonsofthesea, I have the great honor of introducing to you our newest staff member, Mrs. Kendra Santilli. An anointed woman of God and gifted worship leader. Kendra uses her fresh, dynamic voice, whether in song or through the written word, to usher us into the presence of our God. Be on the lookout for her first post, “Never Alone”, coming April 4, 2020. You won’t want to miss it! Her fire, devotion, and passion all easily evident in her pure, yet powerful voice. God has chosen Kendra, in this season of her walk with Him, to co-labor with me in this ministry. And we here at Sonsofthesea and our partner, Highland City Church, are ever grateful to Him for her voice! We pray you are blessed by what the Lord will share with you, through her ministry. I trust you’ll join us in welcoming Kendra as God’s latest, ‘Fisher of Men!’ I know you will be both blessed and well-fed as she shares with you all that the Lord has placed on her heart, for such a time as this. And now, in her own words, Kendra…
My name is Kendra and I was born and raised in
Southeastern Massachusetts. I was raised in a Christian home, which gave me the
foundation to grow into a confident child of God. I have been a part of worship teams for many years. Recently, I have
become the worship director at my local church and have the honor of leading
worship regularly there. God called me into nursing when I was 19 years old and
said I would be a missionary nurse. Although I am still discovering the depths
of that calling, I have learned that the nursing profession is, in itself, a
mission field. I believe as a Christian I can bring hope into any situation I
come into. Writing is a new adventure for me, and I pray that you will be
blessed as I share what the Lord shows me.
Then He said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground; and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know. The earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head [of grain], then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop ripens, he immediately puts in the sickle [to reap], because [the time for] the harvest has come.”
Within this passage of scripture, this parable of the
growing seed found only in Mark’s gospel, we witness, catch some watery glimpse
of, both the mystery, as well as the manifestation, of a soul’s salvation. We
witness too, how, as Christ’s disciples, we have been afforded the great
privilege of being able to sow the seeds of the Word of God into every type of
soil; the condition of which being far beyond our purview. We are simple,
ordinary sowers, fishers of men, after all, touched and enabled solely by the
mighty hand of the divine. “And He told them many things in parables,
saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed
fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Some fell on rocky
ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil
was shallow. But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they
withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up
and choked the seedlings. Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a
crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. He who has ears, let him hear”
–Matthew 13:3-9.
And, when, after we have been faithful in our sowing, trusting in the Holy Spirit of God to have gone before us, according to His will, either to break-up or, as with Pharoah, harden the ground we’ve been sent out to scatter in, entrusted to plant within, we too then, may well share in the great joy of the harvest of which our scripture speaks. “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together…” –John 4:35-36.
I’ve heard it said that: Evangelism is not merely something to be done when we think it’s convenient; waiting until the perfect moment means never getting anything done at all. As those who have been taken from the kingdom of darkness, sin, and death; having been mercifully reborn into this glorious new life in Christ Jesus, we then have a mighty duty to God, a great commission to go into every city street, every neighborhood or town, down every country lane, into war zones and prison cells and hospital rooms, searching out the ‘least of these’ that we might leave in our wake some small handful of hope by way of the Word of God—the very seed that, once firmly planted in a man’s heart, forever changes every-thing. “And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal” –John 12:23-25.
Thus, this sowing and reaping are each, in part, our responsibility, my brothers and sisters. Our portions, our privilege, to walk out daily for as long as God sees fit to use us as co-laborers in ushering in the fulfillment of His plan for all of mankind.
But oh the glorious mystery that stands alone! That Brilliant Beacon in the midst of us! The Mighty One who saves! Our excellent, highest, most glorious Example who illumines the darkest of men’s hearts! That sweet, life-changing unknow mystery born from the womb of the life and death of Christ Jesus. Our most Holy Spirit! Who, in union with the Father and the Son, in some deep unknowable moment, overtakes the heart of every man who has ever heard whispered in his ear, “Come, follow me.” Thus becoming one with the mystery which arises from the deep seat of himself. That same one who, one nanosecond prior, stood shaking his fist at God—insulting Him unashamedly, now, on his knees, is found sobbing and repentant. Made new in God’s divine election of Him. “Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” –John 3:3-5.
The Apostle Paul, that great example of just such a glorious
and true conversion—such a sincere and striking rebirth says this concerning
both the worker and the mystery of the work: “What, after all, is
Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as
the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it,
but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who
waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” –1 Corinthians
3:5-7.
Beloved, we will never understand so lofty a mystery as to how any man, once born of his mother, can then be born, yet again, of the Spirit of God to start afresh. At least not on this side of eternity. Thankfully, we need neither believe nor understand a thing for it to be nonetheless true. “I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more” –Isaiah 43:25.
What we must understand, however, is that having been so lavishly blessed, we are then commanded to spend the remainder of our natural lives, dear friends, humbly pouring ourselves out in thanksgiving before Him. Singing His praises before all men for counting us among those He has called to share in the work given Him by our Father. We must lovingly, single-mindedly, fulfill our duty to Jesus as diligent sowers; both in planting and in guarding the precious fields we’ve been entrusted with. Exalting and recognizing Jesus all the while, for being God all by Himself. This Lord of the Harvest. The heart of the great mystery of our rebirth. The very First Kernel to have gone into the ground. Our Example. “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” –John 12:24.
Friend, if you are here today and have not yet met this Jesus, this One who is able to change a man completely—giving Him a new life in the blink of an eye, may I urge you to ask Him to come to you today—showing Himself real and True and powerful in your life. Won’t you ask Him for this free gift of—this fruit of eternal life today?“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” –John 11:25-26.
“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.”
It is beyond most of us, oftentimes, to fully understand why God would ask them to give something up. Especially when they can’t understand the reason why. When they don’t see the benefit or purpose in letting go. Of taking their hands off of that—intimate relationship, beloved friend, that job or home, city, or state they’ve loved living in. Deeper still, in giving up some part of themselves; a child or spouse, a beloved mentor, some long-standing belief. Things they’ve come to love, rely upon, trust in, or appreciate about ourselves. 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” 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 profession or home or those relationships we’ve been blessed to have invested our love and time and care into.
As I read and studied in preparation for this teaching, it became clear to me that we must be willing to posture ourselves, our hearts, before God. To make room for, ready ourselves for, more intense refining to begin; to take place within us. To have all—any of those things that sully us, still, removed from us—put away; that we might look more like the image of Him that has called us to Himself. After all, isn’t that a great part of, “the why” God takes things from our lives? Allows them 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 our love for Him—our deep-seated, abiding need for Him—in trust, we 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 and saying, “Trust me on this, this person, this ministry, this home, job, relationship, this thought process, heart posture, way of living, this expression, belief or ideal has outgrown its season—it must go.” Left unattended, it will become a distraction that will blind you to whom, and to where God is leading you to.
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.
It was this lesson, in part, that Jesus was imparting to His disciples—to us, in today’s scripture…
They had eaten with Him, walked, and talked, laughed, and cried with Him—slept by the fire beside Him. They were fed by His every Word, refreshed in His love and compassion and mercy. They were emboldened by His justice! They had witnessed miracles in His presence. The dead had come back to life, the blind were 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 in Words spoken so plainly, so frankly, even the least within their earshot was able to understand them—and marvel. This band of brothers, these disciples, had each felt Jesus calling them with such clarity and certainty, that, at this His behest, they left everyone and everything behind, and followed after Him. Yet now, these years later, after having done that, after having experienced all that they had by His side, after having become entwined with this Jesus in this most precious of relationships—this most indescribable bond of oneness, this deepest mystery of love and loyalty this true, “until death us do part” commitment; Jesus says He’s leaving them. Stop and feel that for a minute before you read on.
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!
If you listen, you can almost hear their dazed, gutted cries. I can only imagine that all of these thoughts, and more, had been swirling around in their minds—perhaps even spilling out of their mouths. Scripture doesn’t make that clear to us. Yet, 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; you qualify, surely, as having some small idea, some slight glimpse into what these men felt hearing this news fall from the very lips of God Himself. The same lips that had smiled at them and called them His friends—His beloved.
They had no idea, at that moment, of His unfathomable reason for having to go. The profound love behind His needing to leave—of removing Himself from their physical presence; all they felt was their deep grief. They didn’t know Golgatha’s Cross lay just around the bend. All they understood was 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—someplace or station in life, our health or husband or wife or child—our parents or home. They had no idea of who it was they had been doing life with these past three-plus years—not really. This unfathomable enormity of God. And neither do we. God is so much more, so much bigger and finer and far more Holy and Righteous and far-seeing than a mere man can ever take in.
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 of 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 so. How does a spirit encased in its limited flesh fully take in the unplumed love of God? One who offered Himself in our place all 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. We are expanded by His giving of these most precious gifts—stretched that we might receive more from one so Holy. Yet, in order for this to happen, room must be made. A surrendering of ourselves in exchange for Him, a hollowing out must occur; a new and clean replicable must be created, made ready deep within to catch, and store, His life-giving gifts. 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. Trusting Him when He asks you to return—let go of, your understanding of what’s best in exchange for His. “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 gain God, then know this. He has led you here today that you
might know His 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 and by asking Him into your
heart right now, as your Lord and Savior? You’re not here by chance…
We are a team of Christian Authors and Teachers dedicated to sharing the Innerant Word of God with those hungry to receive Biblical Truth. Follow us as we follow Christ at Sonsofthesea.org
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