If we have fully surrendered the ministry God has entrusted into our care, it is sure to experience flux. That ebb and flow of gathering in and letting go; tides of reaping, expanding, catching. And, subsequently, of letting go. Tides that draw away, release, demand our letting go of. Tides that require every ounce of our faith. We must trust God, no matter what happens. Releasing back into His Sovereign hands every-thing, everyone, He has so graciously entrusted to us. Making room for the new, we draw in, accept, welcome, and cherish each “new thing” our God is doing in, and through us and the ministry He has entrusted to us. And, equally, thank Him and bless His Holy name for what He requires us to release into His Sovereign care. “For all my father’s house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?”–2 Samuel 19:28.
Sonsofthesea family, our beloved sister and fellow fisher of men, Stephanie Rogers, is taking a sabbatical from full-time teaching. Stephanie will remain connected to Sonsofthesea—to you, as a guest teacher however, until further notice. We know family morphs and moves, and so in love, we shift and move along with them—encouraging, supporting, and uplifting. Stephanie is family. And so, by faith, we release to God what is God’s, and with great anticipation, await her release to return to full-time teaching.
And speaking of guest teaching, we here at Sonsofthesea are thrilled to announce we have been led in this new season to make room for guest teachers. These “new nets,” fellow fishers of men, who will be joining their voices to ours in bringing you a timely Word from the Lord. Their hearts, like ours, sold out to Jesus and in sharing His inerrant Word of Truth with “who so ever will.” Watch for them, family, and be sure to read their bio’s! And so it is our honor to introduce our first guest teacher, Pastor Maria Braga. We three, Kendra, Stephanie, and I, have the distinction of calling Maria Braga our pastor. Yet she is so much more. Pastor Maria is a friend, mentor, mom, lover of God’s Word, and mighty Prayer Warrior. Please join us in welcoming her! Her first post will go live on Saturday, January 29, 2022. But in the meantime, head over to our website and check out her bio. And remember, keep watch for upcoming announcements regarding the “new fishers of men” God is calling to teach, and partner with Sonsofthesea! And don’t forget to sign up to receive our weekly teachings. Visit our website, Sonsofthesea.org, fill in your preferred email, and hit “subscribe.” Easy! Each Saturday, you will receive a new teaching delivered directly to your inbox.
As always, may God bless you and keep you. And please know, all of here at Sonsofthesea are so grateful and humbled that you choose to follow us—as we follow Christ Jesus. We invite anyone searching for sound, Bible-based teaching to join our Sonsofthesea family! We have been a Christ-centered online presence since 2016.
“And after these things Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away his body. And there came also Nicodemus, he who at the first came to him by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds” –John 19:38-39.
As children of God, we are called—chosen in Christ Jesus, to live out loud. To openly, and with unabashed boldness, share the Treasure we have been given with everyone we meet—no matter what happens. They’ll be no hiding our Light under some bushel, no selective sharing for us. No shying away—eyes averted. Instead, we must love our neighbor as ourselves—not because we feel like it, not because it’s safe or comfortable, but because God has commanded us to love them. To take what we have been freely given and, breaking off a piece, share it with everyone we meet—loaves and fishes. Whether they eat it—or not, like us for sharing His Truth—or not, whether they accept or respect us—we do it anyway. Whether we are persecuted or welcomed as brothers, beaten, lose our jobs or homes, lose our place among family, beloved friends, and colleagues. When we don’t understand for ourselves why God is asking us to share His Truth with a particular person or group. As those who profess to have been crucified with Christ, we must live fear-free and brightly—especially as the days grow darker, even unto our death. We must not be hearers of His Word—a mere depository; instead, we must be doers—conduits, streams, basins of His Love being poured out on a lost and dying world. Living out His Truth, our Truth, one sacrificial step at a time.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” –Matthew 5:14-16.
Allow me to pause for a moment to clarify: Are there times when Christians must live incognito, yes. Wisdom dictates they must. Yet in the end, faced with whatever circumstance they may find themselves. Even if it’s their martyrdom, they choose death over denying their Lord—each of the Apostles and countless other brothers and sisters are my witnesses. Living incognito is momentary at best. Living boldly for our God is a choice each Blood bought believer must make for themselves.
And so what is this Treasure we’ve so graciously been afforded? This unfathomable gift?
By no means is it a “some-thing.” Instead, He is the Third Person of the Trinity. God’s most Holy Spirit, living in us. Our Father has chosen to take up residency in His children. Emmanuel, God with us.
Philip, the Evangelist, one of the seven deacons chosen to faithfully serve the church in Jerusalem—Acts 6:5, coveted this Treasure. He chose to live in noonday-like obedience to the Holy One who lived inside of Him. And so he shared his Treasure with many. One of these was an Ethiopian eunuch whose chariot had broken down on the side of a road leading from Jerusalem into Gaza. But he was no palace guard, or one chosen to watch over a king’s harem. This eunuch was the treasurer of Candance, Queen of Ethiopia—a man of pedigree and position. This eunuch had far-reaching influence. Not that God is at all interested in this eunuch’s position or pedigree; after all, a quick scroll through the pedigree of the Fathers of The Faith drives home the point that God appears to care little for such things. And our listening in on a conversation between God and the Prophet Samuel confirms this. It serves to remove all doubt as to what, in part, God does consider essential. And it has little to do with our positions or pedigree—save any access perhaps said position or pedigree may afford us—in this case, having access to a queen, her court, and an entirely new people group. Listen to God’s heart on this matter. To what He describes to the prophet Samuel as being vital: “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the LORD sees, for humans see what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart” –1 Samuel 16:7.
When the Lord saw the heart of this eunuch, a man hungering to know Him, He knew this man could be entrusted to serve His plan and purpose. And what was that plan? Same as it is today— Go into all the world and spread His Truth—further the reach of the Gospel message. Our God does not change. “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” –Mark 16:15. Part of this same plan is to be light and salt to a dark and dying world. To pick up the proverbial ball he’d just been handed and to run, full out, until he had passed it along to “whosoever” was willing to catch it, then, running full out in-kind—hand it off. Rinse, repeat. Rinse, repeat. And God used Phillip’s faithful obedience, allowing his light ” to shine before men,” to lead this eunuch to salvation and baptism. –Acts 8:26-39.
“With the faithful You show Yourself faithful; With the blameless You prove Yourself blameless…” –Psalm 18:25.
Unlike Joseph of Arimathaea or Nicodemus, even Philip, each Jews, Scripture does not clarify this eunuch’s faith—some scholars believe this to be intentional. Had this eunuch been a proselyte Jew? (a newcomer to Israel, a sojourner in the land, or a new convert to Judaism, perhaps)? Or was he a God-fearer? (A gentile who observed certain Jewish customs and rites yet did not convert to Judaism). God-fearer or Proselyte? We’ll never know for sure, at least not this side of eternity. Yet the one clue scripture does afford us is this: this eunuch had come to Jerusalem to worship the One, True, God. What we can say for sure, whether God-fearer or Proselyte, his heart hungered to know more of the Living God. To full out follow God’s Word and ways. How can I say this with such certitude? Because Scripture tells me so. Read for yourself the full of account of this eunuch’s story, of his holy hunger, and passionate pursuit of Godly living in Acts 8:26-40.
“The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”—Acts 8:34-36.
By now I suppose you may be asking yourself, “What do an Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip, an Evangelist, have to do with Joseph of Arimathaea, Nicodemus, or today’s scripture?”
My simple answer: Everything! As believers in Jesus Christ, each of these men’s lives speaks volumes of everyday believers’ choices. Shine our Light, or hide it, live out loud for Christ, or incognito? This decision, as much ours to make as it was each of theirs. Hence, I believe why John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, may have shined His Light on these two men. Object lessons in living with the consequences of our choices. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other” –Revelation 3:15!
To elaborate a bit: Joseph of Arimathea, who knowingly showed his defense of Jesus before the Sanhedrin (a group of pious leaders) who, like Nicodemus, was a secret, “under-the-cover-of-night” follower of Christ did, however, boldly showed His connection to Jesus, Israel’s long-awaited Messiah, His Messiah, yet sadly, only after Jesus had been crucified. –Luke 23:50-51; Matthew 27:57; John 19:38.
And Nicodemus, the “Billy Graham” of first-century Jerusalem. A Pharisee of impeccable pedigree lauded for his scholarly knowledge; he too came to Christ hidden safely under the shielding cloak of night to have his many questions answered. And even though something deep within both these men was straining against their self-imposed control, threatening to erupt. Still, after having their every question answered, their curiosity assuaged. Even after Nicodemus proclaimed that Jesus had to have been sent by God, each man gets up and, cloaked by that same night sky, walks away. Lights each—yet hidden under baskets. Scripture doesn’t tell us what happens to these men once Jesus’ body was entombed. Their story shut up, sealed away, with the One they dared not live flat out for. Dared not lay down their life, family, position, and possessions, their status, and following. They dared not shine too brightly, lest others judge them, finding them wanting, shunning them. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea showed seemingly little desire to flat out follow Jesus, to serve and obey Him, unlike this simple Ethiopian eunuch.
Both the eunuch and Philip were unashamed in their desire not only to obey God but to live out what each knew and had experienced of God—openly, wholeheartedly, joy-fully. These were no incognito Christians. Are you?
Friend If you’ve yet to meet this Jesus I’ve spoken of today; I pray you do not close this teaching without asking Him to show Himself to you. He did it for the Ethiopian eunuch, for me and countless others, won’t you ask Him to come and live in you as well? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” –John 3:16-18.
Jesus is so powerful—yet kind. Just—yet wildly compassionate. Mighty—yet gentle. He has no beginning and no end; He cannot be measured. He is the Originator of all things: time, space, light, earth, you, and me. He is everywhere yet ever near to us, simultaneously. God left Heaven and came to earth, for us. I have experienced a new sense of expectation surrounding celebrating Jesus’ birth this year. I have spent extra time reflecting on what this joyous day, the whole of advent, really, truly means for humanity—for me.
Losing the wonder of Christmas can happen quickly amid the business of the season. So now that the card writing and gift-buying are finished, and Christmas dinner has been enjoyed, I invite you to pause and breathe in the joy and privilege we have been afforded simply to celebrate the birth of Jesus! I invite you to slow down now, and allow the true meaning of Christmas to take its rightful place in your heart. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:1-5
The Gospel of John speaks about the dawn of creation. It tells us that Jesus was with God—in the beginning—before the earth was formed. That He spoke all things into existence- standing over the dark void. And in this same Gospel, we receive the most beautiful revelation; John identifies Jesus as “The Word.” The same Word who spoke time and light into existence. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness”. – Genesis 1:2-4.
The Word was God. He was the very Word that brought the light that we see with our physical eyes into existence. “…all things have been created through Him and for Him.” – Colossians 1:16.
However, when sin entered the world, the light of the soul was quenched, leaving humanity in the darkness. In Genesis 3:23-24, we read of the moment that man was banished from the Garden of Eden. “So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” Adam and Eve sinned. They disobeyed God. And their sin of disobedience disqualified them from walking with, being in direct communion with, a holy God. Holiness and the depravity of man cannot coexist.
And so, after the fall of Adam and Eve, God, for the most part, spoke to mankind through His prophets. No longer was man free to walk with God in the cool of the day—Genesis 3:8. But having been made in His image, created to love, worship, fellowship with, and serve Him, God could not let our story end there—in sin and separation. And so, He sent Jesus into the world. Not as a flashy king or powerful ruler but a humble baby. He sent Jesus to us, as one of us, fully God yet fully man. That He might experience life as we do yet live it without sin. “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.
And being God, Jesus loved us enough to leave the majesty of Heaven, His Throne, to come to us. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). —Matthew 1:23.
Jesus alone is worthy—God’s spotless Lamb restores us into right standing with God.
Sin hovers over the darkness of our hearts, but God loves His creation too much to leave us in this state.
The Word present at creation, the One who spoke everything created into existence, came as God in the flesh. In His great compassion and mercy, God, no longer able to walk with us in the garden of Eden, came instead as a babe wrapped in milk rags, found by shepherds laying in a manger. He came to restore us—to experience life as we knew it and to change life as we would know it. The Word by which light came forth became the Light of Life –John 1:4. No longer must we wander in spiritual darkness, aimless. Jesus came to restore light to our souls, illuminating the dark places that have somehow become all too comfortable for us. Jesus came to save us. To restore us into right relationship with the Father. To our place in His family. Jesus made a way for us to be in God’s presence, the best place to be. And while we can enjoy being ushered into God’s presence in solemn moments set aside for Him, days such as today, let us never forget Jesus is with us in our day-to-day moments as well. He is with us while we work, clean, drive, in our staying and going. We can spend time with Him and worship Him freely every day.
There is constant worship before the Lord in Heaven, we read about it in Luke’s Gospel. Heaven came to earth, and the angels appeared to usher in His presence with worship. The Angels came to Jesus’ birthplace, rejoicing! Jesus, the King of Heaven, the Lord of Angel Armies, the very Word of God made flesh, now dwelt among mere men. – “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” –Luke 2:13-14.
When looking at this scripture, I imagine that while the angel’s rejoicing was primarily due to their announcing God’s royal presence among us, I had to wonder if the angels also rejoiced because the Light of hope now dwelled amongst God’s creations once again?
I wonder if part of the rejoicing were the angels knowing God’s restoration plan for His children would now be fulfilled? Once again, God’s Light might enter the human soul, exposing every wicked instinct to sin against Him. Now, through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has restored a way for us to live our lives in God’s presence once again. I am so grateful that you and I do not have to wait to get to Heaven to talk to God, to thank Him for sending us His Son; we can do it right now, thanks to Christ’s birth—the first advent. And while we wait for his second advent, or coming, we can worship Jesus in spirit and Truth right now, for it is in His presence we find our purpose and the fullness of joy! “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” –John 4:24.
If you do not know Jesus yet, I invite you to receive His free gift of salvation today, for Christmas. Open your heart to Him and make Him the Lord of your life. There is no pain too deep or sin too great that God cannot forgive. May He fill you with abundant joy this Christmas season. And may this next year be one of new life for you as you walk with Him every day. “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” –John 3:3.
Merry Christmas! What an honor it has been to share my heart with you on this beautiful holiday.
In Part One of “Through Love,” I shared a specific prayer request with you. I had asked God for more opportunities to share the Gospel at my workplace. With my colleagues, I shared the Truth of Jesus amid workplace Halloween activities. While I was not necessarily preaching to them, I did uncompromisingly share the truth of how God’s nature conflicts with a holiday that does not point to the love, light, and peace of who God is.
In my workplace environment, I am often reminded of the bible verse found in 1 Peter 3:15-16, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander’.” As a follower of Jesus Christ I must be prepared, suited in the armor of God, ready always, to defend my faith with gentleness and respect. Moreover, I must be bold in sharing the Truth of God’s Word, even if it makes those who yet believe feel uncomfortable. It has become clear that the profession and defense of my faith in Jesus will not always be easy and will be met with challenges more frequently than not. Yet if I fix my gaze on an eternal perspective, however challenging any situation may feel in the moment, the challenge in no way compares to the possibility that God’s Truth may turn someone’s heart, leading them to faith in Jesus Christ.
Another way the Lord responded to my prayer request concerning ministering in my workplace was when He instructed me to connect with others during lunchtime. There are times; frankly, I do not enjoy breaking bread with my colleagues at work because the conversations too often revolve around gossip. The bible states, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” –Ephesians 4:29.
For instance, during lunchtime with a group of work friends, I began listening to one coworker gossip about her dislikes of an executive leader in our company. While everyone jumped in in agreement, I gently challenged them by asking, “Have you considered the possibility that this person may be going through something at home and brought it into work? Or they are making decisions from business pressures we may know nothing about? Before we judge, I think it’s good to know the source.” The conversation certainly shifted because my questions did not come from a place of agreement, rather a position of challenge. Hopefully, one that allowed them to see how a thrilling chat about someone while feeling or seeming harmless carried judgment with it instead. Proverbs 18:13 says, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
In other more positive instances during lunch, just being in contact and available to break bread has led work colleagues to approach me for advice or with their questions about the Bible. In those moments, I think about Jesus Christ and how His contact with so many folks in the Bible led them to receive His life-changing grace. We can preach all the Truth in the Bible; however, it is essential to come in contact and draw close to those who have not learned or experienced the gospel message. We draw near in the hopes that they may be drawn in.
I think about how Jesus encountered Mary Magdalene, a woman possessed by seven demons. In comparison, the Pharisees skipped over those like Mary. But not Jesus. He knew of her situation, who she was, what she had done, yet He was nonetheless compassionate towards Mary. He saw her. Mary Magdalene was not passed over with disgust by Jesus. Jesus proved His love, healing power, and care, which radically changed her. Mary became one of Jesus’ followers. And ` I think about how Jesus, aware of Zacchaeus being a tax-collecting thief, had dinner with him. “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner” –Luke 19: 5-7.
No one wanted to dine with a tax collector, yet before addressing his sin of stealing, Jesus did eat with him. The Bible tells us that after his encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus gave half of his goods to the poor. “And Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much” –Luke 19:8. And I think about the woman at the well. She was a foreign woman, living in sexual sin, yet before addressing her sin, Jesus first offered her His living Water. And immediately after her encounter with Jesus, the Samaritan woman ran back to her community, exclaiming her experience with Jesus. Her faithfulness led others to believe in Jesus.
In each of these biblical accounts, I realized Jesus, being fully aware of their sins, first proved His love and compassion towards them before He addressed their sins. “But God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinner, Christ died for us” –Romans 5:8. And, through these accounts, the Lord has reminded me that the opportunities I so desire to share about His good news at my workplace are often linked to my sitting down and first connecting with people.
Regardless of what I know of the person or how I may feel towards them, only the Holy Spirit is fully aware of their hearts. Yet, our genuine connection with others makes room for the Gospel to enter and be at work in their hearts. Sharing the Gospel is not about insisting on being correct like the Pharisees, not on being theologically right; instead, it is about demonstrating genuine care, compassion, dignity, and a listening ear. It is incredible how the teachings of Jesus were always modeled on love. And how they teach us about the power and effectiveness of how far a gentle, compassionate, and respectful response can go.
Sharing and demonstrating the Good News of Jesus Christ is at times challenging; however, as Christians, we are commanded to tell others about Jesus Christ. And it is His Holy Spirit at work in us who empowers us to do the work with which we have been entrusted. Honestly, the more I share, the more confident I become. “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety” –Proverbs 29:25.
The Lord called me to Himself through someone who showed this compassion when they spoke to me about God’s love. Instead of judging me, they showed compassion, allowing my heart to be receptive to the gospel message. If you are a believer, I pray that you will not hold back from sharing Jesus with others. Be confident, be obedient, be loving. If ever there was a time to speak about the One who is The Light in the ever-increasing darkness, it is now!
If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, ask Him to reveal Himself to you now. Admit and confess that you are a sinner in need of His rescue, guidance, and love in your life. Ask Him to send godly people into your life to support and encourage you. And pray that He opens your ears and heart to be able to understand His Word. God is inviting you to come to Him. Open the door of your heart to the One who loves you and created you in His image. Who died for you—has a purpose and plan for your life. I pray you fully commit your life to Jesus! Trust me; it will be the best decision you will ever make!
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” –Romans 12:2.
This Advent, let us call to mind the true reason for celebrating the Christmas season. As you wrap your gifts in festive, embossed papers, in like fashion, allow your heart and mind to be enveloped in this Truth:
At just the right time, God stepped across time as we understand it and wrapped His Holy Majesty in human flesh—in the person of His Son, our Lord, Jesus; giving this world, giving you, the most precious, costly gift you will ever receive. Then, being wrapped in milk rags, He was laid in a manger, Emmanuel—God with us. Jesus said to him,“Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?” –John 14:9.
And why this gift of Emmanuel—God with us? John 3:16 makes abundantly clear God’s overarching reason for His freely giving us His only Son “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.
Simply put, God loves you.
And because He loves you, today, right now, right where you are in your addiction, in your hotbed of adultery, in your homosexual lifestyle. In the middle of your messed up relationship and dysfunctional family mess. In your inability to decide whether you are male or female, white, brown, or black. Wherever you may find yourself today, regardless of how far removed you may feel from God—He wants you back. He wants to have a loving, committed relationship with you.
You see, sin separates us from actively partaking in a loving relationship with God.
Our sins create a barrier of sorts, a gaping divide separating us from God and prohibiting us from reaching out to the very One who can save us. Only God, being drawn to the one whose heart is crying out in sincere repentance, can break through, closing off such divides—sealing them shut, eternally, with His eternal Love, forgiveness. His healing, cleansing, and restoration. “I will ·forgive them for [be merciful with regard to] ·the wicked things they did [their unrighteousness/wickedness], and I will not remember their sins anymore”—Jer. 31:31–34; Luke 22:20. Accepting Jesus as Lord is the only way for a relationship with the Father to be restored. Jesus’ Life, death, and resurrection are what make this restoration possible. We, sin-full man, must sincerely say yes to God by accepting the free gift of His Son, Jesus. At that moment, an exchange occurs. Jesus’ Righteousness, His Right standing with God, is placed over us, covering our every sin, and we are, our Spirit man, made new—washed clean in Jesus’ Pure Blood. Jesus’ Righteousness covers us, much like the robe the Father wrapped about the shoulders of his prodigal, wayward son.
Now, when God looks at us, He no longer sees our sin; instead, He sees Jesus, the Spotless One sacrificed in our place on Calvary’s Cross. “The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet” –Luke 15:21-22.
So, what does all of this have to do with us, now—today?
Simply put, it means the same thing it has always meant. God is Immutable—unchanging; giving and transforming is part of His character. God’s Living Word assures us of this Truth. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8.
Scripture makes clear that God so loved you and me that He could not stay away from us one second longer. He chose to come, the Bible says, “in the fullness of time,” and give us, provide us with, a clearly marked path back to Himself. How exactly? Through our acceptance of the free gift of His Son—Jesus. “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons”—Galatians 4:4-5.
Hence, why we celebrate Christmas, the day the Lord declared “the fullness of time” had come, and in fulfillment of the Scriptures, a God-man was born to a virgin named Mary and His earthly father, Joseph. That holy night, a host of angels broke through a thick night sky to proclaim the birth of this long-awaited Messiah to lowly shepherds tending their sheep in a town most assumed nothing good could ever come from—Bethlehem. It means “house of bread.” How fitting then that the Bread of Life be born in that place. And a star unlike any other led those lowly shepherds and Three Wise men from afar off, to the very spot this newborn babe lay, in a manger. “This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh” –John 6:50-51.
But what about today’s Scripture verse? How does Jesus’ birth connect to our minds being transformed and renewed and our relationship with God restored?
In part, I will answer the second part of this question; rather, Scripture will, before looping around to answer the first, where I will close out this week’s teaching.
As I touched on earlier, Scripture makes plain that the only way we can be restored into a right relationship with God the Father is by accepting His Son, Jesus, into our hearts. When we recognize we are sinners and are willing to humble ourselves before a holy God, asking His forgiveness. Then, as with the prodigal, God will wash us clean of the filth we have allowed to cling to us. Surrendering our will for His in that instant, we are made new. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants”‘ –Luke 15:17-19.
The moment we accept Jesus, God deposits within us His Holy Spirit—God slips an engagement ring on our finger, in you will.
His unbreakable promise that we are His Bride forevermore. Snatched out of the kingdom of darkness, the kingdom of this world, forever to reside in the Kingdom of our God. This is the heart of the Gospel—The Good News! That we, sinful men, have been afforded the unfathomable privilege to partner with a Holy God, through Jesus’ Life, death, and resurrection, to carry this Truth, a Light in this present darkness, to all men, just as Jesus did. “Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me”—John 14:6.
You just read that the very moment we say yes to Jesus, God deposits His Holy Spirit within us. God takes up residence in us. We are now one with God. His residing in us a mystery far too great for finite understanding to fully take in—but it is, nonetheless, True. “The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him” –Ephesians 1:14.
Since Jesus is The Truth, alternately,there must be a counterfeit.
This leads us to the Bible’s answering just how our minds are renewed. God’s Holy Spirit living within us enables us to test, to challenge, as Romans 12:2 states, every other spirit and voice that attempts to come against us—attempts to speak into our lives, to misdirect us, leading us astray. “…that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” Jesus Himself attests to this Truth. Listen now, in John Chapter 10, Jesus uses sheep to illustrate this powerful Truth to His disciples, how those who are His can hear and discern His voice, that they will know and follow Jesus—only. “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:4-5;27.
Friend, if you celebrate Christmas yet have not asked “the reason for the season”—Jesus, into your heart, I pray you do that right now. I can promise you, as one who has asked Him into my own heart and life, that you will receive the most Life-changing, extraordinary of Gifts –a relationship with Jesus now. His Spirit living in you, and eternity spent in His presence. The Precious Gift of God’s Holy Spirit at work in you is the only gift that truly keeps on giving
This is a reminder to mark your calendar. We will be returning from our sabbatical refreshed and renewed next Saturday, December 4th, at our new posting time of 3 p.m., so don’t forget to check your inbox! And, if you’re new to Sonsofthesea, we welcome you! Please go directly to our website, sonsofthesea.org, and sign up to receive our latest blog posts. Each new teaching will be delivered straight to your inbox every Saturday. Simple, right!
Moving forward, be assured we continue to remain passionately committed to faithfully serving you, sharing with you the uncompromisedWord of the Lord.
Also, friends, in the not-so-distant future, be on the lookout for an exciting announcement concerning our expansion. We can’t wait to share with you all that God is doing in this, His ministry. So, until December 4th, then, may our faithful God continue to watch over you and bless you, keeping you safe as you dwell in the shelter of the Secret Place of the Most High.
How blessed we are brothers and sisters, to be living in the days the prophets, psalmists, and apostles, longed to see—the soon return of our Lord and King, Jesus! “And he said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” Luke24:44.
“Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD” –Psalm 107:43.
God told us—commands us, to give thanks in every circumstance. God’s Word reminds us that this is His will for us in Christ Jesus. We can read this for ourselves in 1 Thessalonians 5, verse eighteen.
When we choose to “thank” God in every circumstance—we are saying, in fact, “God, I trust you, no matter what. Your will, not mine, be done.” And then we’re meant to take our hands off the thing and leave it wholly in His care— we did, after all, just tell God we trust Him. No matter the pain we may feel as a result of said trust. Despite the losses we may suffer because of it—whether we understand what God is doing—or not. As Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: But I will maintain mine own ways before him”–Job 13:15.
Our joy in this life, our ability to offer God thanksgiving, depends not on our fickle feelings or ever-changing circumstances. Instead, our thanksgiving springs forth from the knowledge we possess of God’s character—His Immutability—and, from our ongoing love affair with Him. From His fixed Truth that no matter what happens, He loves us, and will never leave us until He has fulfilled all that He has promised us. “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” –Genesis 28:15.
Our God is a promise keeper; therefore, we can hold fast to every promise He’s ever made. “God can’t break his Word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek” Hebrews 6:18-20 MSG.
Now I don’t know about you, but knowing God loves me, chose me, protects me, fights for me, will never leave me, nor forsake me. That He cannot break the promises He’s made to me—has everything to do with thanks-giving, today, and every day! Friends, there are countless reasons for you and me to thank God. Starting with “we were worth dying for.” If I stopped there, we’d never need another reason to thank Him. And yet, God didn’t stop there. God blesses us still; via the million things He bestows upon us daily—minute by minute, really.
Beloved, don’t let today pass without thanking God, simply for who He is to you…
From our partner, Highland City Church, and each of us at Sonsofthesea, we wish you and your family every blessing and the very Happiest of Thanksgivings! “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” –Psalm 100:4-5.
On behalf of our ministry partner, Highland City Church, and each of us here at Sonsofthesea, we pray you enjoy a peaceful and joy-filled Thanksgiving season! One filled with the company of beloved family and friends, old, and new alike. One centered around lavishing our loving and merciful Lord with the myriad of thanks and praise He so richly deserves. And please note, we will be setting aside the remainder of November to rest and seek the Lord, but as always, we cover you and your family in our prayers. “Thank you” for your faithfulness in continuing to follow us as we follow Christ, our Lord. Remember to check your inbox on December 4th, or, for new followers, go directly to our website, sonsofthesea.org, before December 4th, and signup to receive our weekly teachings automatically. Simple! Beginning in December, our new posting time will be 3 p.m. EST. Until then beloved friends, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” Numbers 6:24-26.
I spent much-needed time in my garden this week. The weeds had taken over so much of my garden; it no longer looked the way it was intended to. Unsure of what I had planted initially, I observed that the garden bed was now covered in green growth. Some of my plants were almost as tall as a small child! I had obviously planted some things there, but other plants had disguised themselves as inhabitants of my garden. As I began cleaning out this overgrown mess, I couldn’t help but see my reflection in it. How many times have I found myself with a chaotic brain? Sometimes my brain gets loud, shouting at me from every which way, causing the inability to think straight. Other times I have found myself in a multiple-day streak of depressive or anxious thoughts that choke me with their cloud of insecurity. Not regularly tending to my mind allows these negative patterns to grow like weeds, overtaking the garden beds of my heart. It’s no surprise that the Bible has quite a bit to say on this matter.
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” — Proverbs 4:23
Your heart has a well that has both the potential to sustain life and to run dry, withering your heartland. I imagine this well, or “spring,” being at the center of our hearts and minds. This verse is not saying for us to ask God to watch over our hearts; it’s telling us to protect our own hearts. It shows us that there is work involved on our end in caring for our hearts! Yes, God cares for us and watches over us, but there’s a partnership when we come to know God that requires us to act as well. “… faith without deeds is useless…” — James 2:20. We have faith that God will move on our behalf, but we must do our part. I am a firm believer that God gave us a mind capable of thinking and planning for a reason. We can make a plan and carry it out, but in Christ, those plans must be submitted to the Father for Him to do with them what He wills. There is a paradigm of allowing God to direct our steps while simultaneously submitting our will and plans to Him, trusting that as we move forward, He is with us, letting us know when our plans are not in line with His (Genesis 28:15; Joshua 1:9). We have a unique partnership with God. As His children, heirs to His Kingdom, and through our submission to His Holy Spirit, God allows us to create, think, and reason—all for His Glory.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, we have a responsibility to take inventory of our thoughts and motives. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 12:1-2.
Renewing our minds must be done regularly. If you let your mind wander without keeping it in check, it’s going to end up like my garden- covered in weeds you didn’t even know existed. I walked by my garden every single day and barely noticed that it was getting overgrown. It wasn’t until I stopped and thought, “I haven’t weeded in a while, let me check,” that I noticed it was so far off from what I had initially planted. And this same thing happens to us!! It happens to me, at least; I don’t know about you? The enemy will plant thoughts in your mind that diminishes your value. He will try to stir discontent, envy, greed, malice, and bitterness. All things that, if not uprooted, will draw from the wellspring in your heart and grow wild. You may not even realize that you’re watering seeds sown from the enemy until they suck the life out of you, drying up the wellspring of your heart. I have had to retrain my brain on Philippians 4:8. “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” This verse is our guide to a healthy mind.
What are you watering with your wellspring?
I remember going through a time where I had to discipline my mind because it was in a very dark, depressing place. I rose from my ashes and began to renew my mind by weeding out the poisonous words I had been allowing to define me. My well was dry, but I was determined to revive it. I began replying to my negative thoughts aloud by saying, “wrong seed, I’m not going to dwell on that, what is something good?” or “that’s not true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable… What is?” I began looking for the seeds that Philippians 4:8 talks about… “What is true? What is right? What is pure? What is lovely? What is admirable?”
Believe me, when I tell you, it was hard. I couldn’t think of anything! I mean, it took a long time for me to find good things to focus on. Sometimes I would call a friend and ask what’s good in their life so that I had something to celebrate. However, the more I tended to my mind and heart, the more the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable seeds flourished. I began to see the beauty again, and not just the negativity that had been choking my spirit.
Ruminate: to go over in your mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly. (Miriam Webster dictionary).
Ruminating, or thinking of the same thing over and over again, is like showering your mind with those thoughts. It is drawing from the well in your heart to water whatever it is that you’re contemplating. Are those thoughts life-giving, or do they choke out the good seed?
I invite you to evaluate your heart and mind today. Begin ruminating over the Word of God and His promises over your life. Read your Bible and get to know the sound of His voice. Use your wellspring to water the words from the one who gives us life, for it is here where we will see good fruit come forth. Stop replaying negative thoughts and situations over and over. Instead, let the Word of God wash your heart and mind. Give your heart to Jesus today and as you tend to it, invite the Holy Spirit to help you see what needs to be uprooted.
And if you haven’t asked God into your heart as Lord of all, please, do it today. Don’t allow those things never meant to be in you to stay in you for one more minute. Instead, invite the Living God into the garden of your heart today and then watch the Master Gardner to do what only He can—cultivate your heart, will, and emotions. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit” –Jeremiah 17:7-8.
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability” –Matthew 25:14-15.
The same God of Springs burgeoning, embryotic buds and the verdant, leafy fullness of summer is the very same God of Fall’s brilliant, swirling colors and their seemingly final, fiery farewell, a showy changing of the guard really. He’s also the same God of the outward barren-ness of winter’s stark, snow-kissed branch, a masterful illusion. And, though diverse certainly, their bond and connection are their similarities—they’re seasons, each.
Each one, God’s gift to us, each bringing with it its own lessons, favor, and challenges; yet, if we’re wise, we will drink deeply from their unique cups—draining them dry across the span of our lifetimes, so as not to miss one precious drop of all God desires to teach us throughout our cyclical seasons, those of our holding on to, and of our letting go.
God entrusts each season with its unique lessons, expecting each to unfold them before us within their allotted time.
I was walking my dog as I do every morning, just drinking in the beauty of the sun playing in the treetops. I was admiring all the trees changing colors, no longer stark-thick green but so many now, red-tipped, others yellow, orange, others still, mixed variants of all the above. It was apparent that the season had changed. Yet behind the continued summer-like warmth of the waning sun on my face, a mask of sorts, laid the noticeable. Actual Fall had arrived. Suddenly, the wind picked up, and I was caught in a shower of falling leaves.
And, just as suddenly, God spoke: “Harvest season is over. It’s no longer time to reap; it’s time to store up, be a good steward over all of your resources.” I recognized my Father’s voice and sensed in my spirit, The good Stewart, that God was referring to managing, investing wisely, all of what’s He’s entrusted to us in this new season, hence our Scripture verse.
This Word is meant to prepare us—forewarn us, if you will, of something yet to come.
Whether that be a lean season on its way? —Think Joseph in Egypt here, some sudden turn in our societal or personal economy. Some collective “pinch” that will be felt across the Body of Christ or the globe? Or, perhaps, it had nothing to do with finances at all. But instead, it concerns the use of our talents and our time? Or, at the risk of sounding too vague, all the above? To tell you, “Thus said the Lord… it’s all about your money….” I’d be lying. Yet, as any watchman must, I’m sharing with you what God clearly said to me. And so, I encourage you to seek the Lord, asking Him how this Word, His Word, applies explicitly to your walk with Him in this season. ‘The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns” –Luke 12:42-43.
I would hate not to obey a Word from God because I’ve foolishly allowed myself to become deluded. Believing, unwisely, that I’ve somehow figured out how it is God will next move—as if a mere formula or His past acts could ever bind, or alter somehow, how God may choose to move, now, in this season!
Satan was once that puffed up, thinking he had God all figured out. But on the third day, when Jesus’ tomb was found empty, Satan discovered he’d been mistaken! So, to those standing outside of Noah’s Ark as the rain began to fall. God forbid, any such delusion be allowed the slightest room to grow within me, within any child of God—like some invasive, poisonous weed. Just because I’ve been walking with Jesus for some years now, I pray I never come close to thinking; pridefully, I have things figured out. More, foolishly believing, God’s “Living Word” has somehow lost its “Living-ness” due to my knowledge of it. That God’s ability to do as He pleases, whenever He so pleases, His being Sovereign, has ceased somehow?
Here’s what I know with fixed certainty, what I’ve been sent here today to tell you, confirm, for many I’m sure: the season has changed.
Our time of “squandering” God’s provisions, be they financial, His gifts, talents, His Gospel message, or the time we’re afforded—these being different for each of us (five bags, two bags, one bag) is well over. Soon and very soon, we will stand before the Master of the house and be asked to give an account of how we invested, nurtured, managed everything and everyone entrusted to us. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them” –Matthew 25:19. The Parable of the Bags of Gold clarifies for us the outcomes of those whom God had entrusted with His possessions. If you’re not familiar with this Parable, I will encourage you to go to Matthew’s Gospel and read Chapter 25 in its entirety.
I know with certainty this Word is a Word in season for me, yet I felt led to share it with you as well. I pray it is a confirming Word. And I pray that you will seek the Lord for His direction and guidance, allowing Him full and unfettered access to every “good thing” He alone has provided you. I pray you to entrust it all back into His Sovereign, capable hands, having used it wisely, invested it well. Who better than the Master of our house, after all, to instruct us in its optimal running? “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” –Matthew 25:26-29.
Friend, if you’ve read this far yet don’t know Jesus personally, you can no longer say that He’s never spoken to your heart. The very fact that you’re reading this now is because Jesus has led you and kept you here. He is talking to you, pursuing you, right now. Jesus loves you with an everlasting love. Won’t you invite Him to come into your heart, that He might share more of Himself with you? “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” – Revelation 3:20.
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