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

Page 25 of 44

Suddenly.

August 22, 2020 /
“So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive” –Matthew 25:13.

This teaching is dedicated to Jillian and Hayden. It’s their wedding day! Mazel Tov!

Today we’ll be exploring the marriage supper of the Lamb and, how in many ways, it mirrors a traditional Galilean wedding. Specifically, the suddenly of the Bridegroom’s return for his bride. We’ll do this by exploring the roles of both the bride and groom, as Jesus and His disciples would have understood them. Taking that understanding then, we can contrast it against our expectations for His imminent return for us, His bride, and see how the two line up. If you’re familiar with Scripture, you’ll recognize today’s verse as a final warning given by Jesus at the closing of the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids—fitting considering verses 1-13 address our need to be prepared for His return. To more fully appreciate this suddenly moment described in Matthews’s Gospel, we’ll take a more in-depth look into the Galilean wedding customs. After all, there’s a reason Jesus chose to use this familiar analogy when teaching His disciples more about the Kingdom of God and His future return…

First, comes the betrothal—the promise. It’s a pledge made between the father of the groom and the father of the bride— the “bride price” is settled here. This pledge is meant to recognize the value of the bride and the loss her family will experience once she leaves the familial home. This pledge is a fundamental part of the Galilean wedding custom. A negotiation that clearly outlines the rights and responsibilities of the bridegroom towards his bride—this pledge carries the full-weight and responsibility of his father’s assurance to fulfill it. “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.

Once an agreement for the “bride’s price” had been reached, the prospective couple is then brought together, face to face now, the groom pours a cup of wine. Then, taking the first sip from it, he offers it to his bride. This shared cup of wine symbolizing the new covenant he is choosing to enter into with her. “In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me” –1 Corinthians 11:25; Luke 22:20. If she accepts his cup and drinks from it, she is stating in front of him, and those witnesses gathered around them, that she too wishes to enter into this marriage contract.  Yet it’s here, before accepting his cup, that the bride may refuse the terms of the marriage proposal that’s been offered her—being free after all, to either accept or reject them. If she accepts his cup, she is then recognized by all as “the one who was bought with a price.” “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” –1 Corinthians 6:19-20. She’s an engaged woman now.

The gathering of the two families and their witnesses breaks up here. And immediately the groom returns to his insula—his father’s house. Here he begins preparing the place, the rooms he will eventually bring his bride to after their wedding feast is over. It’s here, in his father’s insula, where these newlyweds will live. Here in this cluster of buildings where his parents and aunts, uncles, and grandparents each live within the rooms, they added on at the time of their betrothals. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” –John 14:2-3.

And while it is the bridegroom’s responsibility to go and prepare the place that he and the bride will live, he is also responsible to ensure she has everything she will need within her future home as well. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him” –Matthew 7:11-12! And since only the father knows the hour, he’ll release his son to go and retrieve his bride, the son is free then to attend to the final preparations, all those finishing touches, for their insula. “But as for that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” –Mark 13:32. The father has spared no expense—no sacrifice to himself too great to ensure that his son’s bride has the absolute best he has to offer her. Remember, she is valuable to him. “This is my blood, and with it God makes his agreement with you. It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven.” –Matthew 26:28.

While the bridegroom’s been away busying himself preparing the place for his future bride, the bride has kept busy as well. She has been diligently focused. Making certain she has been a good steward of all that’s been freely provided her. Ensuring then, she will be impeccably dressed in her pure, white wedding gown. Now, having done all that she can, she is ready—she waits patiently then for the sound of her bridegroom’s arrival. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus” –Philippians 3:12-14. Much time has passed since the bridegroom vowed to return for his bride yet, she holds dear their pledge of fidelity. And while waiting she remembers—takes comfort that they drank from the one shared cup of their new covenant.

Now, suddenly, at long last, the father finally wakes his son, telling him it is time to go and take hold of his bride! Jumping up quickly, the bridegroom is off to gather her to himself! He’s been longing for this moment! The familiar blast of his shofar is heard by all. Those wise guests, the same ones who have been expecting this joyous moment, come running; dressed, and ready to meet the bridegroom on his way to gather his bride…! “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps” –Matthew 25:6-7. And then he sees her—a vision in pure and sparkling white standing before Him. His bride, without spot or wrinkle. She has been dressed and ready to meet him, eagerly expecting his imminent arrival. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” –1 John 3:1-2.

Now friends, having gained a greater understanding of how Jesus and His disciples understood the allegories played out within the Galilean wedding tradition, (remember, it was at just such a wedding in Cana that Jesus performed His first miracle!) is it any wonder He used its example to emphasize the Father’s extravagant love for His children while teaching His disciples—teaching us about our need to be ready for His imminent return? About His willingness to lay down His own life for us—His Bride? Teaching us all then, what we must do to ensure our preparedness for His imminent return. And, the heart-wrenching state those who do not have a relationship with Jesus will find themselves in when He does suddenly return? “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out. ’No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour’” –Matthew 25:7-13.

Friend, some things are true whether you believe them, or not. That Jesus was born a man, was crucified, died, was buried, and rose to life again on the third day is the Truth. So is the fact that His return will happen sooner than most think. The only way to ensure that you are ready to meet Him and spend eternity with Him is to have a relationship with Him. Do you have that? If you don’t, you can. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and be the Lord of your life. He will come to all those who sincerely want Him to. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief” –2 Peter 3:9.

New Gardens…

August 15, 2020 /
Kendra Santilli

Can you imagine never being able to look into a mirror but, instead, relying on the people around you for how you look? I would imagine we would be looking a lot different than we would expect. We might even have things about our appearance that may be ok for others, but not for ourselves. Well, reading the Word of God is a lot like looking into a mirror. When we crack it open, we begin to see ourselves differently. It has the power to expose both the beauty of our hearts and the parts that need adjustment in a way that only His Truth can. God knows parts of us that we didn’t even know were there! If we just give Him the chance, He uproots the weeds and plants new gardens within our hearts.

The great Gardner removes what inhibits flourishing and replaces it with life-giving substance. When the roots go deep, the storms can come but the core of who we are remains planted and rooted in Christ. There is just something about complete trust in Jesus that says, no matter what life looks like, He is still on the throne. He is still desiring to make beauty from ashes.

In Matthew 13, Jesus shares a parable that helps us to understand the impact humbling ourselves has on our being able to truly receive the deep Truths of God’s Word. The keys Jesus shares in this parable are so crucial He made sure to explain them plainly, that we all might understand them. “3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the Word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they can only follow Him so far. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke out the Word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the Word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding thirty, sixty or one-hundred times what was sown.

When anyone hears… Catch that, ANYONE! The message of the gospel is available to ALL. But, without possessing an understanding of what we hear, there will be no lasting transformation…

When I read this, I thought of times when people would share valuable information with me, which I would immediately forget it! I’m sure you can relate. I believe Jesus wants to ensure we all get it! That we don’t immediately forget. Rather, that it takes deep root. Hearing the word will only get you so far. If there is no application, the seeds of the Gospel will be snatched up from your soul instead of being firmly planted within it. Jesus goes on to describe rocky ground, places where seeds cannot form strong roots. Initially, when someone comes to the Lord, they may be excited about getting to know Him, yet may fall away quickly nevertheless, when difficulties arise because they are not truly rooted/ determined enough to endure difficulties for Christ’s sake. Pay close attention here- spending time with the Father is the most important ministry that you can be a part of. It is in the secret place that God is able to care for your soul and refresh your heart. THIS is where your roots grow deep. Desire more of God then. Or desire Him for the first time.

Don’t allow your heart to be a poor environment for growth…

Something occurs within us as we learn to endure. Tarrying with Jesus allows Him to replace our infertile soil with His good soil. When I bought my house, I learned that the soil on my land was not very conducive to growing new anything. The soil had been overtaken with roots of old bushes and weeds. I mean, what I thought was “soil” was a literal clump of old roots. Sure, I could have planted seeds, but I’m not sure if they would have grown. So instead, I got to work and shook out those old roots to release the healthy soil back to the ground. Then it was ready for me to fertilize and plant my flowers in. I believe God does the same for our hearts. Sometimes we find our hearts are like that rocky soil, a place the Truth of God cannot take root. We can be excited about Him and even desire to live rightly, but without roots, it’s easy for us to fall by the wayside. But the more time we spend with the Lord cultivating a relationship with Him, the more He will transform the ground of our hearts into a thriving environment.

Are you anxious? Confused? Filled with worry? Know this: those are seeds are not of God! While God certainly plant seeds in your heart don’t be fooled, so does the enemy. It is essential to your growth to know the difference! The enemy’s seeds are where the thorns come from! Remember, whatever you feed your heart and mind will grow. So, what are you feeding it? Feeding yourself seeds of anxiety, doubt, worry, fear, or confusion, will only reproduce more of the same. As I said, what you feed, grows. And the more you feed those harmful seeds, the less the wholesome seeds from the spirit of God are nourished; conversely, the more you feed the seeds planted by God, the less nourishment the unhealthy seeds will receive.

Spending time in the word of God nourishes your soul with the good things that come from Him alone.

The result: eventually, His seeds mature and produce “the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” –Galatians 5:22-23. Fruit takes time to mature, ask any gardener, but you will eat of this fruit and, it is good!

Friends, God wants to know you and to be deeply known by you. My hope for you is this: that as you get to know Him, your roots will become more firmly grounded in His Life-giving Truth; His Truth will firmly establish your purpose and water your very souls. Spending time with Him in prayer and His Word brings about a greater understanding of God, and that understanding brings transforms. There is no end to our being able to be transformed in Christ; no end to knowing Him; our roots then becoming immovable.

I pray that as you read this, you found yourself in this parable.

If you feel that your heart is just not good, you are in good hands. Surrender to the Lord today and allow Him to transform your heart into a beautiful new garden. Choosing the Gospel shifts us from depending on our feelings and moves us to live by the understanding that Jesus is our joy in suffering. We are, after all, the joy set before Him at calvary. If you are here today and have never asked Jesus into the garden of your heart, ask Him in today and watch what He can create in you…

Picking Up Crosses

August 8, 2020 /
people standing on road close up photography
MaryEllen Montville

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” –Matthew 16:24.

So, what does it look like to pick up your cross? What was Jesus trying to get us to understand? Taking up your cross equates to laying down your life. It means, in part, handing your will, your hopes for how it will turn out over to God, and willingly, lovingly entrusting yourself wholly into His Providential care. It means living a 365 surrendered life. Yielding into His hands whatever it is God may ask of you, unto your very life. It means modeling Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice to a lost and dying world.

Last week I started this two-part teaching on what this Scripture teaches concerning denying ourselves. Today I will conclude by delving into what it is this Scripture teaches, in part, about taking up our crosses. Jesus’ willingness to sacrifice His life in exchange for ours teaches us at least three key Truths. Three essential requirements needed by any disciple who seeks to follow after Him with the “all-in” commitment Peter and John, Andrew, Matthew, and Paul had. Obedience is the first requirement we learn from Christ’s willingness to take up His Cross. Self-sacrifice (denying self) is another. They’re partners—the two inextricable. They are indelibly united—eternally coupled by the third requirement, Love. And some may say this Love is the most enduring requirement needed by far as it is the architect of self-sacrifice and obedience. Jesus’ life and death exemplify—is a Living testament to—what can be accomplished when these three forces unite becoming one in devotion to God. Love for, and obedience to the will of the Father led Jesus to willingly lay down His own life. To set to one side momentarily, His being seated with God in heavenly places so that the Father’s will be accomplished in and through Him. He tells us our love and obedience to the Father then, must also empower us to sacrifice whatever it is God may ask us to take our hands off—entrust into His Providential care as well. If you continue reading Matthew’s Gospel, you’ll hear Jesus confirm this Truth to His disciples—to you. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” –Matthew 16:25.

That was tough for them to hear at first—it’s hard for you and me to hear it as well. Jesus knew this. He knew it because while remaining fully God, He was born fully man (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 9:6). We have a High Priest who knows the weakness of our frame (Hebrews 4:14-16). Yet knowing our frailty, this same High Priest demonstrated obedience and pointed the way for us to follow Him straight back to the Father. Jesus knew man’s fallen nature would not allow for any of us to put aside our wants and feelings, our me-first mentality, our thoughts, and plans about the way it should all go and choose instead to follow His example of forsaking all in obedience to God. He knew that if He did not place His Spirit within us, we would be powerless to deny ourselves, to choose God’s will for our lives over our own. The Apostle Paul testified to this Truth in his letter to the Philippian Church, listen: “For it is God Himself whose power creates within you the desire to do His gracious will and also brings about the accomplishment of the desire” –Philippians 2:13.

Friends, many have professed to follow Jesus. And they did. They walked with Him until the path they were on became far too challenging for them to continue. Until denying themselves became just too high a price to pay to gain Him. It was at this juncture in their walk with Christ that those who had professed knowing Him were set apart from those who truly did. The same is true today. Discipleship demands sacrifice. Following Jesus is guaranteed to bring trials into our life. Jesus prepared us beforehand to expect these trials if we were going to follow the same path He chose—obedience to the will of the Father. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” –John 16:33. We catch a clear glimpse of those who followed only so far in Luke 9:57-62. Within these verses, we witness three separate individuals who claim to want to follow Jesus. Yet they were only willing to go so far before finding some reason to return to what was familiar—comfortable, safe. Return to their stuff. To what they felt was best for their life. The moment Jesus pointed towards the cross they would have to carry, should they decide to follow Him, their lukewarm faith turned cold. The genuineness of that faith, exposed. “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” –Luke 14:27.

Conversely, it’s here then that we witness the final requirement needed by anyone determined to become Jesus’ disciple. A personal relationship with Him. Those we read about in Luke 9 failed to pick up their cross because they were trying to do so in their strength—apart from Him. Remember, Philippians 2:13 taught us that it is God alone who can create within us—through the power of His Holy Spirit—the desire to do His will. And, our having His Spirit within us requires that we have a relationship with Jesus—because picking up crosses on our own is impossible. Their weight too great for our frail, human frame to carry alone. So thank God for the Good News of the Gospel because it assures us we will never have to pick up a single cross by ourselves ever again! Jesus wants to bear their weight with you. Are you willing to let Him? What if it meant losing your friends? Your home? Forfeiting all those plans you have for your life? How about losing your job? What if family members walked away from you? What about losing your reputation or ministry? Would you be willing to pick up your cross and continue to follow Him even then? How about following Him if meant losing______________(you fill in the blank). “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” –Matthew 16:25-26.

Be encouraged my brother, take heart dear sister! Remember, as you walk through your darkest of hours, as you face each new cross on your journey home Jesus promised to never leave you nor forsake you! His promises are personal. They are all yours! You must remind yourself daily that He is nearer to you than your breath. A friend who sticks closer than a brother. Your ever-present help in times of trouble. The One who opens, and no man can close, and who closes, and no man can open. He is both your Alpha and your Omega—your beginning and your appointed end. He has gone before you to prepare a place for you so that where He is, you will be also—eternally. He is the One who will wipe every tear from your eyes—take away every sickness. In Him, all things, you included, are made new.

And friend, are you tired of struggling under the weight simply living day-to-day requires of you? Are you burnt-out from grappling on your own? Ask Jesus to come into your life. Ask His forgiveness for wanting to control your life, hand it over to Him instead. He’s already made the way for you to do this by picking up His Cross. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” –Matthew 11:28-30.

He Wants It All…

August 1, 2020 /
MaryEllen Montville




Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” –Matthew 16:24.

Have you ever felt led to watch something on television? A movie or some television show perhaps? I have too. Last night I felt led to watch The Passion of the Christ. It was during those first opening moments of the movie when Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane with Peter, James, and John that Holy Spirit spoke to me and I began to understand why I was led to watch this particular movie. Knowing I would lead you here tonight, this is why I drew your attention to that Scripture earlier today. I wanted to open-up my Word before you. To show you: This is what it looks like to deny yourself. The standard I had in mind when I inspired Matthew to pen My Words.

Earlier this same day I had been reading Matthew 16. My eyes being repeatedly drawn back to those words “deny themselves.” He also drew my attention back to “take up their cross” too, but that is for another day. I knew Holy Spirit was enlivening His Word as only He can. He was calling us into a greater surrender of ourselves. A greater denial of our wills and wants—into surrendering ourselves to Jesus in these, our final hours. I knew the type of denial He was speaking of was far greater than just giving up coffee for a few days. Greater than sacrificing Netflix or television, sleep, or a meal. Those things a mere training ground for that deeper, more intimate denial.

In part, the Word makes clear we must be willing to give up even our best intentions. Bringing those acts born of love, even our deepest desire of wanting the absolute best for those we love—under the authority of our Father as painful as that may be. We are not God. We do not see all that He sees. Neither do we know a things intended end. And yet, it is so counter to our nature to not simply react without first taking a breath. Not automatically think and feel that we know best. Not defend, block, save from harm those we love. Or at least try to. Just ask Peter. What parent can’t relate to this feeling when left helplessly watching their beloved child headed for a stone wall at full throttle? Making a choice that runs contrary to every fiber of our being. However, this is the exact example of “denying ourselves” Jesus had just taught His beloved Peter, His Rock, a few verses before our own. Don’t take my word. Go and read Matthew 16:21-23 for yourself.

So then, using Jesus’ rebuke of Peter as our guide, we may feel confident in defining this “denying ourselves” to include in part, anything that not only hinders our walk with God, more, as any-thing that stands in the path of God’s perfect will being fully accomplished—period. Regardless of how we may feel about it. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”–Isaiah 55:8-9.

This “denying” Jesus is speaking of is so much bigger than just the temporary giving up of “stuff”—even that stuff we need to live. Jesus Himself confirms this Truth in Matthew 6:31-33. “Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and our heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” And yet, it was not until watching that particular scene unfold in the garden during the movie last night, the scene where Jesus pours Himself out to the point of sweating blood before the Father, that I more fully caught what Holy Spirit was pointing me towards earlier in the day…

If we genuinely want to be His disciple, we must be willing to wring-out at the Father’s feet that very last drop of self-left in us. Lovingly, wholeheartedly, willingly, by the power of His Holy Spirit—just as Jesus did.

Using Jesus as our standard then, and by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us, we must be wholly committed to surrendering every crevice of our lives where self may seek to sneak away and hide. Carving out for itself some little corner in which it may well set up a throne on which to sit, seeking its own will. It is time to let it go. It is time to surrender those habits—those not-so-holy vestiges of ourselves. It is time to “put up or shut up”, as the saying goes. That shaking you have been sensing, that is an inner sifting taking place. A separating of wheat and chaff. Holy Spirit is letting you know you need to dig deeper, ridding yourself, once in for all, of what does not align with God’s will for your life. Complete surrender is the standard our hearts must be willing to reach for. Not perfection. Surrender. Withholding no-thing. This is the mark set before all who will seek to follow Jesus, the will of the Father…

Let me ask you, friend: “What is Satan trying to stop you from laying down? What is he attempting to keep you from fully surrendering to God?” Is it a spirit of religion? Is it drugs? A Savior complex? Are you full of pride? Control perhaps? Is it sex outside of marriage? A homosexual lifestyle maybe? Are you drinking too much? Maybe food has become your god of late? Whatever it is, I encourage you to follow Jesus’ example and pour it out in obedience at the Father’s feet now—don’t sleep on it. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” –Matthew 16: 25-26.

Friends, remember this as you lay in all down before the Lord, Love has won in every garden He has ever entered. Both in Eden and Gethsemane. Allow this to encourage you. Give you the strength you may be lacking in yourself.

If we were paying attention back in Eden, we would have caught our first glimpse of this moment, of this Living definition of denying oneself unfolding now, in Gethsemane. A foreshadowing of what must unfold, be sacrificed, that God’s plan for His children is fulfilled. Our first glimpse of this final sacrifice then, those bloody skins that were thrown over the naked frames of Adam and Eve back in Eden. “And Jehovah Elohim made Adam and his wife coats of skin, and clothed them” –Genesis 3:21. In each garden, Jesus went before us—our Guide, our Good Shepherd demonstrating just what it is this “denying ourselves” must look like. This all or nothing commitment, even unto death. And in each garden, Love won. Give it all to Him today friends. Jesus demonstrated for us that holding back any-thing, even unto the laying down of our very lives, is as withholding back every-thing.

There is no such thing as halfway in…

I encourage you today brothers and sisters; if you are struggling under the weight of denying your flesh, get up! Try again! Cry out to God again and again and again if need be. He is faithful to respond to the cries of His children. The Israelites will testify to this Truth! Do not allow Satan to use that one thing God is asking you to entrust into His care to stop you from fully surrendering all-of-you to God. Even your love for another. Even your “best” thing. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” -2 Corinthians 4:7-9.

And know, new friend, that your being here today is not by accident. God has led you here. He is asking you to deny yourself—those feelings, struggles, and situations that have been ruling over you—and follow Him, instead. Won’t you say yes to Him? If you have never asked this Jesus to be Lord of your life, ask Him now. He wants to help you to surrender into His care every-thing that stands in the way of the two of you being as close as He desires to be with you.

July Sabbatical…

July 1, 2020 /
MaryEllen Montville

Greeting friends!

A quick note to both inform and encourage you. As we have officially reached the midway point of 2020, Sonsofthesea.org will be taking a sabbatical for July. As Overseer, I will be seeking the Lord for the direction He will have us to go in closing out this year. Please keep me in your prayers as I press in to seek God’s will for His ministry. We will return, God willing, August 1st refreshed and ready to continue to share with you all that the Lord shares with us! Kendra and I thank you for faithfully following us as we follow Jesus…

The Lord has had me parked in the Book of Exodus these days. During my time spent drinking in the comfort and reassurance found within its pages, He has revealed many hidden gems. I find myself ever peace-filled and buoyant. The Holy Spirit has infused me with a fresh assurance that, though the world may appear to be falling apart, it is instead falling into place. I encourage you to open your Bible and begin to drink deeply for yourselves. Asking the Holy Spirit for revelation as you read. Even amid plagues and chaos, God was busy blessing His children. As God was with the Israelites then, so too He is with us today. Ever faithful to deliver His children. Never forget, child of God, that you are marked with His Blood. The doorpost of your heart protected, sealed by Him—in Him. So long as it is today, no matter what comes in these last moments of the world as we have known it you will be protected, safe within the Father’s Sovereign hand—John 10:28-30. Keep your eyes fixed than on the Author and the Finisher of your faith—not on what is whirling around you—Hebrews 12:2-3. Secure in the knowledge that He alone is the One who opens, and no man can shut and who shuts, and no man can open—Revelation 3:8. The only One who is Faithful and True—Revelation 19:11.

“The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. In fact, it was on the last day of the 430th year that all the Lord’s forces left the land. On this night the Lord kept his promise to bring his people out of the land of Egypt…” –Exodus 12:40-42.

Blessings to you. May God continue to richly bless you and keep you, friends. Know that you are being covered in our prayers. Until August then, continue to walk in faith your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus…

In His Adventure,

MaryEllen

The Secret Place.

June 27, 2020 /
Kendra Santilli

When I was in nursing school I spent some time in the operating room observing some brilliant surgeons and nurses. I would say it was one of my favorite rotations. I remember one instance where I was sitting in on a knee replacement surgery. The patient had expressed that they were experiencing incredible knee pain and were more than ready to receive their new and improved hardware. They started counting to ten as they were lulled to sleep by anesthesia. Moments after the anesthesia kicked in, the physician got to work. To spare the graphic details, I’ll just say this: I never really understood just how much healing was actually happening in recovering patients. I realized that with surgery, the doctor sometimes has to cause more trauma, knowing full well that the patient is better off in the end, in order to get to the real problem. You see, the patient’s nerve endings, muscles, and skin all have to mend from the trauma they’ve just experienced. That day as I was standing in the OR watching this patient get torn apart to get stitched back together, I heard the quiet voice of God say to my spirit, “This is what I do.” I realized that, in some ways, God is like that physician.

I don’t know about you, but I have come to realize that many times when I feel burdened, it’s simply a symptom of some deeper issue; something that needs replacement or repairing within my heart. In the Bible, there are several passages where God is referred to as Jehovah-Rapha – the God who heals. I’m specifically reminded of Mark 2:17, where Jesus says “… Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” I find it funny that Jesus makes this clear distinction among a self-righteous culture. A distinction that tells the well-versed religious leaders that they clearly already have it all together (and I say this facetiously). He is looking for those who are humble enough to realize that they need some help. Just as sick people need a doctor, sinners need a savior. I love that He chased “sickness” with “calling sinners”. This tells me that sin causes sickness of the heart, and that heart healing is just as important, if not more important than physical healing. These sicknesses of the soul can only be remediated by the One who made a way. Our heart issues are rooted in sin and God knows that! One thing I learned about surgery is that it takes time before one can apply weight to the area which was operated on. 

A few years back, I experienced the deepest loneliness that I could ever even imagine going through. I was surrounded by people but somehow felt completely invisible. I was in the midst of several new transitions in my life: new husband, a new state, new career, new church community. I didn’t realize it then, but it was a lot. In the midst of all of that, I struggled to make new friends. It felt like the more I tried, the lonelier I became. It was weird. I have never had a problem making friends, it’s just the charismatic extrovert in me! Through prayer, I realized that this loneliness was a result of the sin of idolatry. Let me explain. I realized that being accepted by people and loving people’s company had become of more importance to me than God’s approval and desiring His company. This loneliness was my symptom of the root issue: rejection. I wanted so badly to belong, while God was trying to teach me that, in Him, I already belonged! God knew this about me before I ever knew it about myself, and He had some work to do. Over the next couple of years, He brought me through a process of learning what it means to say, “God, you’re enough for me”. It was a good two years of just me and Him in the secret place. It’s in the secret place where He does His deepest work. The kind of work that makes its way from our hearts to our heads to our hands. This work has tangible outcomes and truly changes a person, and it’s a job only the Great Physician can do. When a person is recovering from surgery, there is a lot of pain involved with their nerves, bones, muscles, and skin. They have to go through therapies and rehab before being able to carry their full weight again. I promise you, though the surgery and healing are painful, the outcome is always worth it in the end. For me, this weight looked like having meaningful relationships. Through this season of solitude, I learned how to have relationships without rooting my identity in them. I also discovered a lot of pride and arrogance in my heart. That weight looked like not being able to be in leadership positions until I could be there without arrogance. For some people, they may have to go through the healing of rejection where the weight is that they can’t handle criticism. Over time, healing allows us to carry the weight without being so deeply impacted: we are made strong enough to overcome obstacles that may come our way.

I invite you to pray and ask God to show you what areas of your heart need healing. You may or may not even be aware of what it may be, but He is so kind as to expose the need and lead us through it. He wants to see us whole. He wants to see us thriving while we are here on earth. In moments of adversity, pray for the strength to lean into Him to carry you. To heal you. To restore you. To strengthen you. Adversity is not time to run away, it is time to press in. Will you trust God to do the work that He needs to do to bring you to your purpose? We cannot carry the weight of our purpose until He does His refining work. 

If you don’t know God as a healer, Jehovah-Rapha, the invitation is available to you. He sees your pain, He knows your symptoms, and He knows your “diagnosis”. But until you bring it to Him, you will not see the healing that He needs to do. Surrender to Jesus and invite Him into your space today and watch what He does.

Restoration…

June 20, 2020 /
MaryEllen Montville

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it”–John 21:6.

A consciousness of our powerlessness should cast us upon Him who has all power. Here then is where a vision and view of God’s sovereignty helps, for it reveals His sufficiency and shows us our insufficiency. Arthur W. Pink

This week, as with last, our focus will be on Jesus and Peter. Their relationship. Will we dig a little deeper into what has happened between them—and within Peter, since Jesus last commanded him to “Follow Me.” –Matthew 4:19.

Peter had met Jesus on the shore once before. His nets chock-full that day too, bursting at the seams. His heart had been pierced through and through—he had been driven to his knees in awe of what Jesus had done. Both divine appointments taking place within three short years. Years that felt like a lifetime ago now. Long before this fitful day filled with angst and anticipation—waiting to see if Jesus would show up. “Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing”. They said to him, “We will go with you”. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. –John 21:3.

It was the dawn of Peter’s great fall. That night in the garden, the night of Jesus’ arrest. The night Peter, in his rash attempt at stopping the soldiers from arresting Jesus sliced off Malchus’ ear with his sword. Before Peter had ever denied the One, he loved three times, He declared during their last meal together that he would never deny Jesus. “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same”–Matthew 26:35. And yet he did –deny Christ that is. As mentioned above, not just once—but three times. Yet as soon as Peter’s eyes locked onto Jesus’ in those early hours before dawn, after His mock trial before Caiaphas—in one fateful nanosecond, Peter felt the overwhelming weight of his betrayal crush him. Felt everything within him implode under its treacherous weight. “…Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times”. And he went outside and wept bitterly. –Matthew26:75.

His heart torn asunder. His once grandiose ego, shattered. His duplicity had just crushed him. Peter knew in that instant he was not the Rock. Peter knew instead that he was a sinner who desperately needed the Savior he had just denied. Whatever he had mistakenly believed of himself, died this fateful morning. Now He was exactly where he needed to be. Moldable. Pliable. Humbled. Was it all for naught? Was it too late for Peter? Having your destiny shaped by the hand of God can be an agonizing process. Death to self and pride usually are. Self-reliance and ego struggle to surrender their grip on us all. They certainly did in Peter’s case. But in the end, God’s plan for Peter’s life was accomplished through his suffering and submission both. We serve a merciful God! There are times nevertheless, God must strip us down to our very foundation that he might sure-up the cracks that have formed within it. Cracks that will inevitably cause us to topple over under the weight of the calling He has placed on our lives. His firmly establishing us then, to withstand the weight of the calling He has on us, is paramount to our growth. Paramount to our ongoing relationship with Him and for the sake of those, He has called us to serve.

We expect our leaders to be flaw-less. Not so with Jesus. Jesus calls those He has chosen to lead exactly as they are—then, He begins their reshaping. A pulling out and a putting in. Drawing out of their brokenness—humility, and an obedience to Him, trust too. All the while removing self-reliance, pride, and ego—and all their other grainy bits…

Peter had experienced some profound, life-changing events during his three-plus-year walk with Jesus. He had a front-row seat for the Sermon on the Mount. He drank in the Beatitudes. The lesson on being Salt and Light, about the law and anger, adultery, and divorce, about vows and revenge, and loving your enemy. Peter heard about giving to the needy and he learned how to pray. He learned about money and possessions, judging others, and who Jesus considers true disciples to be. Peter was an eyewitness to a man being healed from leprosy and the faith of one Roman soldier that was so great, Christ Himself was amazed. It was his walking on water, his divine revelation of Jesus’ being the Messiah, the Son of the living God, his witnessing Jesus’ transfiguration. It was all these instances, and so much more—the private conversations and corrections we are not privy to—that had been poured into establishing Peter’s foundation. Each of these above lessons can be read in their entirety in Matthew Chapters 5-7;14-17.

Now, after the worst days of his life, John’s Gospel tells us Peter is fishing once again. Doing what is familiar, using his reasoning. That is until he hears a voice tell him to cast his nets to the other side of his boat. Did Peter wonder to himself, “Why does that sound so familiar…?”

Once again, his nets were suddenly bursting at the seams! It appears from Scripture that it was at that moment John recognized the man standing at the shore as Jesus. And as soon as he shared that news with Peter, Peter jumped off the boat and headed straight to Him. This is not the first time that Peter has seen Jesus since His resurrection. In Luke’s Gospel, we hear of Peter’s encountering Jesus soon after His resurrection. Those disciples who had encountered Jesus on the Emmaus road returned to Jerusalem—to where the disciples were staying. And after sharing their story of meeting Jesus and breaking bread with Him, the disciples confirmed for them that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead! “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon”. –Luke 24: 33-34.

Now, the fish cooked, the nets washed and put away, once again Jesus directs the conversation to where Jesus had intended it to go from before the foundation of the world. To Peter’s mission and calling. But first, restoration needed to happen. Jesus could have easily done this when He showed Himself to Peter that first time, and perhaps He did? Scripture is silent on this matter. Perhaps that is where Peter’s restoration started? Perhaps that is why Peter’s feelings are hurt the third time Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him? Or perhaps it is because we need to be here as a witness too. Perhaps we need to witness Godly restoration that we might one day extend it just as Jesus did? When a leader falls publicly, as Peter did, for any to follow him again—for others to be able to trust that God has chosen to use him in ministry once again, He must be publicly restored. This is in part what Jesus is doing here in John’s Gospel. Publicly reinstating Peter as the Rock on which His Church will be built—in front of the very ones who witnessed Peter’s fall. Christ is far more interested in our character being right before Him then He is with our title or position being restored to us. Remember that whole shoring-up Peter’s foundation I spoke about earlier? Jesus is doing that here. Godly correction brings about healing and restoration to our relationship with God—above all else. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” –Galatians 6:1-2.

In closing, listen to what one writer shares with us concerning Peter’s restoration: After they were finished eating, Jesus addressed Peter with a question he would ask him three times in a row, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:15, 16, 17). Simon was Peter’s name by birth, Peter (which means “Rocky”) was a nickname Jesus gave him. The first time Jesus asked this question, he asked Peter if he loved him “more than these” (John 21:15). What does Jesus mean by this question? Scholars think Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Jesus more than any of the other disciples loved Jesus. Remember, this is what Peter claimed in Mark 14:29 (and in Matthew 26:33). Before the arrest of Jesus, Peter boldly claimed to love Jesus better than anyone else. Peter’s answer demonstrates that he has been chastened and humbled, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” (John 21:15). Jesus repeats the question two more times, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:16-17). Peter was hurt that Jesus kept asking him the same question. Peter admits that Jesus knows his heart better than he does. Peter answers, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you” (John 21:17). Peter has lost his arrogance. He knows that Jesus knows his true heart. Why did Jesus ask him this question three times? The three questions echo the three denials Peter made of knowing Jesus after his arrest (see John 18:15-18, 25-27). Jesus was reinstating Peter and restoring him to public ministry within view of the other disciples.

Friend, if you are here today and do not know this Jesus who knows you better than you know yourself, who loves you beyond what you could ever imagine possible, then I encourage you, please, ask Him to show Himself real to you now. There is nothing you have done that will prevent His coming. But you not asking Him to come may. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” –Acts 4:12.

Radically Reoriented…

June 13, 2020 /
MaryEllen Montville



“Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” 

God often becomes manifest in the ordinary, even seemingly unnecessary events of a person’s life— events which nevertheless are in accord with some purpose that is or is not known. – Arland J. Hultgren

Jesus knew Peter was exhausted. Weary. Done. Knew he had spent a fruitless night pulling in empty nets. Scripture tells us that Jesus was there on that same shore standing among the great crowd that had gathered there to hear more about God—to hear Him preach. He was an eyewitness to Peter’s discouragement. “He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets”—Luke 5:2. If anyone is paying attention, what Jesus is doing on this shore is a nod to the new thing He’s is about to do. A shift. Until now, Jesus had always taught in the Temple (Luke 4:15;4:31).

But I digress…

Jesus was an eyewitness to Peter’s empty nets. And even if He had not been, standing there that is—He alone is Omniscient. Before He stood over the dark void this Triune God knew Peter would be found sitting there. Sitting on the very bank of this sea—discouraged. This experienced fisherman not having caught so much as a minnow. Having nothing but a sore back and some empty, tattered nets to show for his fruitless hours of laboring through the long watches of the night. He was ready to put this night behind him now. To have a bite and hit the bed. But here comes Jesus—doing what Jesus does. Asking that we trust Him. Asking that we push off just one more time. Even though we know it makes no rational sense to do so. Even though we know we just do not have the strength for yet one more “useless” attempt at catching what has eluded us thus far. Still, He is who He is. We know this. Believe it—at least we are beginning to…

What do you do when all that you know, all you have learned and relied on—fails you? Slipping away like water through your clasping fingers. When you are left staring at the needle of your compass as it spins wildly in circles? Your due north momentarily inaccessible. What happens when the systems you have had in place stop yielding up a catch?

Jesus is about to answer that question. He will demonstrate for us—as we read through this account in Luke 5, what will happen to a man—a heart, that, contrary to all it knows, has learned, is willing to leave it all behind for a new way of doing things. He will show us in no uncertain terms that going out into ever deeper water is often what is needed to change us. To fulfill the plans He has for us—contrary to how we may feel about it. We were not created to sit idly on the shore. We are destined to be doers instead. “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish” –Luke 5:4.

Beloved, it is time to let go…

Typically, it is in these moments of hesitancy, of discouragement—some will call them the dark night of the soul. Moments when we are wresting and weary, worn down and feeling a million miles away from God that He, in fact, is the nearest to us. It is usually when we come to the end of ourselves that we find that single thread—the slim hope needed, the crack in the door that leaves in just enough Light to pierce our inner darkness. It is there, in that place, through that sliver of Light, that we emerge—somehow. No, not somehow. Only by God’s grace. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” –Philippians 2:13. This has been my Truth certainly. The very Cornerstone of what sustains me. Christ alone. No-thing else. Certainly, no person. Peter is about to experience this radical reorientation more fully. This new thing that happens in a soul when Jesus passes by and takes possession of all that we know—have come to rely on.

I say more fully because this is not Peter’s first encounter with Jesus. If you will turn back and read Chapter 4:38-39 of Luke’s Gospel, you will witness the first green bud of this nascent relationship—Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law. “Jesus left the synagogue and went to Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was very sick. She had a high fever. They asked Jesus to do something to help her. He stood very close to her and ordered the sickness to go away. The sickness left her, and she got up and began serving them”. Knowing this—that Peter and Jesus had some modicum of a prior relationship, makes understanding why an exhausted and discouraged Peter obeyed Jesus’ request to push out into deep water at all. To throw his now clean nets back out into a sea he was certain would offer up no fish. He was, after all, the experienced fisherman in this boat. Yet in Peter’s eyes, Jesus was not only master—a term used in the Greek to describe a teacher or tutor, He was more. He was kyrosis—meaning Lord. Who but God can heal and restore? The miracle of Peter’s mother-in-law having been healed was a seed just waiting to be cracked open, taking deep root in the belly of this weary fisher-man. Not only were Peter’s nets about to burst, but His tiny mustard seed of faith was also about to miraculously be turned into a mighty faith. A faith that would be used by God to see many healed. More, this fisher of men’s faith would be used to advance the Gospel unto the ends of the earth, via his dogged witness. Luke shares this Truth with us in Acts  1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Peter was one of the “you will…”

Peter obeyed the Lord. Even though he did not feel like it. Have you ever done that? Ashamedly, I know I have. “…Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets” Luke 5:5. You can almost hear the exasperation in his voice. Yet the reward for his obedience—the fulfillment of God’s plan. Remember—it is always about Jesus first. Peter’s nets are suddenly so full of fish—fish that had completely eluded this knowledgeable fisherman just hours before, that he must call his partners over to help bring in this massive catch. “And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking” –Luke 5:6-7.

This was part of God’s plan as well. Soon all three will leave everything behind to follow Jesus. A genuine encounter with Him will do that to you. It will drive you to your knees. It will cause you to forsake all others, cleaving only unto Him. “When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man”. For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed” –Luke 5:8-10. I get verse 8—I do. Many a time in my own walk with the Lord I have had this same moment. Being left dumbstruck by some awe-inspiring revelation of Christ’s Holiness. Of His being the Sovereign God of the universe! The weight of it dropping me to my knees. In an instant, literally, I knew I was standing in the presence of the King of the World. In that same instant too, I knew I was unworthy to be in the presence of Someone so Pure—filthy as I can get. I was humbled too. I had never witnessed such power before…

But now look at Jesus—God incarnate. The One who, leaving the glory and majesty of heaven behind, donned a suit made of flesh that He might be like Peter, you, me, and him, her, them too. In every way save one that is—sin. He wanted to know, firsthand, our fears, and our frailty. What drives us and frightens us, both. What our deepest need is. Just as He knew Peter’s. There is a deep mystery in this. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”, declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” –Isaiah 55:8-9. Jesus knew fishing for creatures that lived beneath the water was just a set-up for what was to come for Peter. A mean-time thing. A placeholder for his true calling. In the matter of a few short hours perhaps, out on a boat doing something Peter did not want to be doing, God radically changed Peter. Not merely his vocation, no. God changed His life! Yet Jesus knows just how frightening it can be for us mere mortals to have our world suddenly upended. Even when it is in the best possible way! To watch the needle on our compass spin wildly. He knows how disorienting having a genuine encounter with Him can be. He knows our frame.

As we close, we will witness Jesus speak lovingly, knowingly to that place deep within us. Patiently allowing us time to gain our footing. Time for our world to stop spinning. Time to settle down that we might step sure-footedly, once again, on somewhat familiar soil. Just as He did with our brother Peter. Remember the whole His being Omniscient thing? He knows exactly what we need in the exact nanosecond we need it. “Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus” –Luke 5:10-11.

New friend, this same Jesus knew you would be here today. It is no accident that you are reading this. Won’t you ask Jesus into your heart today so that He might make you a fisher of men, too? “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” –Romans 10:9-10.

The Kingdom Come…

June 6, 2020 /
Kendra Santilli…

It’s bedtime. My husband is sound asleep next to me, my dog just audibly snoring under the bed. I had coffee after 6:00 pm. I knew better, but I just couldn’t let my mom waste my portion of ‘Joe that she’d prepared for me as I was getting ready to bid my goodbyes at her house earlier that evening. I lay in bed with my eyes closed (as humans do when we need to fall asleep) but inside, my mind does not submit to the stillness that I am trying to outwardly express by closing my eyes and waiting to fall asleep. Thoughts of the past week, the day, and the coming week just race through my mind, replaying scenarios that I could have responded to better, and anticipating future scenarios where I am the better person. Though the room is dark, I can see and hear each part of this locomotive in living color, and there is no stopping this train of thought on my own. Tossing and turning I try to find a comfortable position to finally park this train, until suddenly I remember! I am not of this world. Worrying will NOT add a single day to my life. All of a sudden these doubts and worries are replaced with affirmations from the word of God and I am met with the tender peace that stops the train in its tracks and escorts me to sleep.

I am not of this world. This kind of thought disruption is not a natural response of mine, rather it is a result of cultivating my relationship with God; inviting Him to be part of my life in such a way that is as deep as my thought processes. As I have been revisiting my last blog post and studying what Jesus meant when He was talking about what the will of the Father is, I read back over the couple chapters prior to Matthew 7 where we left off. Here, Jesus gave one of the greatest sermons ever preached. Some may know it as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. A couple verses later we see similar language used again saying, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. As I read over “these words” of Jesus, I began to see one common thread in regards to the will of the Father: the Kingdom of God is His mission for humanity.

Jesus is looking to know us more than He is looking for perfection. Getting to know Him requires spending time with Him in His word and in prayer. To know the word of God is to know Jesus. He desires for us to seek the will of His Father, God and the way to do this is to first invite His Holy Spirit to help us understand what His will is. Second, we must discipline ourselves to redirect our thoughts to be focused on His Kingdom. In Matthew 5-6, Jesus gives us the blueprint to what He intended this life to look like by the economy of the heavenly realm. He shows us what it means to navigate this world by His principles. By our standards, we know not to murder, not to steal, not to cheat on our spouses, to forgive our enemies, etc. Jesus takes it a step further and says that if anyone is angry with a brother or sister they are subject to judgment; if a man even looks at a woman lustfully he has committed adultery; let your yes be yes and your no be no, anything more is from the evil one; love your enemies [paraphrased]. It seems as though He is presenting the impossibility to live rightly. But may I propose that what He is saying is to live humbly and unassuming of others. The common thread in this reading is that we are to place others above ourselves and not just chase after our own ambitions. He is saying to counter culturally examine our hearts and motives: Why am I being generous? Why am I praying? Why do I post certain things on my social media? Is it for the approval of someone else? Or because I’m being true to what God wants me to do? Is His approval enough for me? And I mean, seriously ask yourselves these questions before God. Perhaps He is inviting us to a life of self-examination, so that we remain with a heart posture that is pure before Him. A life that He truly knows. That when we stand before Him our outward acts of kindness came from an inward posture of humility before Him while we were on earth, before we were ever able to behold His presence with our physical eyes. I believe that Jesus is calling you and me to live with an awareness of His heart for others. 

When He shows us how to pray in chapter 6, there is one small blurb of presenting our needs. That’s it. ONE LINE. The rest of this model for prayer is seeking the will of God. Is there a place to ask of the Lord? Of course there is; I would not suggest otherwise. I just find it interesting that the Lord’s prayer is laced with yearning for a Kingdom of which we cannot see. It starts with praising God and giving thanks without even saying “me” or “I”. It goes on to say Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Pause! From this I understand that we can see His Kingdom ON EARTH while we are STILL HERE. Could this mean that His Kingdom is manifested through us, His people, as we submit ourselves to Him? Could this mean that we can actually see peace where we live and work? I think Jesus, praying for the Kingdom of God to come on earth as it is in Heaven, knew that there is so much more than meets the eye, and He is welcoming us into this level of relationship with Him! He goes on to say, Give us today our daily bread… This is the one part of the prayer that focuses on our physical needs after we have praised God and asked for his Kingdom come and His will to be done on earth. The rest of the prayer reads, And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. The rest of this instruction on prayer focuses on the posture of our hearts. It is a position of repentance; turning from sinful ways. Not just once, but to remain in that place our whole lives. This prayer focuses on healing our hearts through the forgiveness of God and realigning ourselves with His will. When I read this, my heart is burdened with the desire to always want to come to the throne room of Heaven with humility and not entitlement. 

The will of God for us is simple. Seek Him. Love Him with your whole heart; the kind of love that can only come from spending time with someone. Second, love others. Put them before yourselves. As you grow in your love for the Lord, He fills you with compassion for others. He gives the ability to love the unlovable. I pray as you know God you grow in confidence that He knows you, and His Kingdom is readily available to you.

I know that for many, this type of relationship with God is beyond comprehension. I want you to know that He made this lifestyle available to ALL MEN when Jesus came to earth and died on the cross. He did it for me and He did it for you. Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus, and He is faithful to forgive you. 

Welcome to the Kingdom!

Parousia. Luke 12:35-38.

May 30, 2020 /
“Be ready for action, and have your lamps burning. Be like servants waiting to open the door at their master’s knock when he returns from a wedding. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I can guarantee this truth: He will change his clothes, make them sit down at the table, and serve them. They will be blessed if he comes in the middle of the night or toward morning and finds them awake.”

The Greek word Parousia (παρουσία) means “presence” or “arrival”. It is used as a technical term to refer to the return of Christ in glory at the end of this world. –Jesse Cragwall.

Words such as union, fusion, and symbiosis hint at the ineffable oneness with Jesus that the apostle Paul experienced: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). No human word is even remotely adequate to convey the mysterious and furious longing of Jesus for you and me to live in His smile and hang on His words. But union comes close, very close; it is a word pregnant with a reality that surpasses understanding, the only reality worth yearning for with love and patience, the only reality before which we should stay very quiet. CEASE STRIVING AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. (PS. 46:10 NASB) ― Brennan Manning.

Just last night I sat staring out of my window. The trees, dark, shadowy figures pressed up against an even darker night. I was calling out to You. “Abba, I’m here”. My face pushed against my window screen (I just wanted to get as close to you as I could) my heart full of longing. My words meant only for Your ears. I poured my heart out, and up to You—like Samuel’s mother did—with yearning. My lips barely moving. Lord, I long for this time with You. These few precious moments when I am not doing anything—nor am I asking you to. When I am not seeking after some-thing. Not asking that you provide this or that or answer this prayer or that one from earlier today. Neither am I bringing my questions—nor my concerns. Rather, I am simply just drinking-in this time of the day when I can just be alone with you. That is it. Just me and you alone in this sacred space. This dent in the screen my forehead made while pressing against it. Pressing into this moment. This deep longing to just be with You. And so, I sit here. Face pressed to the screen, talking to you. The night breeze carrying my every Word to your ears. You smile just to hear them. I can feel Your happiness in my belly. You testifying to Your nearness, Your promise. “…And lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age”. –Matthew 28:20. So, for the moment, I sit here. But not idly my Love. You gave me instructions to follow in your absence. The beginning of that same promise You left me, my charge. “teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you…” –Matthew 28:20. There is much work to do. I must be about Your business while I await Your return…

Even now, remembering that moment, the feeling of longing, of wanting to be where you are—with you. Equally aware too, that the barrier of this flesh of mine—the temporariness of this tent I am sitting in, prohibits that. Being wholly where You are, I mean. At least for a time. Your timing, not mine… 

Yes, new friend, I am offering you a glimpse of the letter I’ve just written my Lover, my God, my Beginning—and my End. Yes, I have unashamedly invited you into this, our private conversation. An exchange that happens between those who are intimate—or those who genuinely want to be. And not just physically intimate—though we are. We are so much more. We are spiritually One. One, even as He and the Father are One. My God and I. Mind-blowing, right? Him knowing the very number of every hair on my head. Him knowing my words before I speak them, my thoughts before I think them. His Word tells me that it was His hands that knit me together in my mother’s womb. He chose to have this intimacy with me even before the foundation of the world. Before He stood over the dark void and said, “Let there be” and there was. While He was yet covering Adam and Eve in the bloody skins of animals sacrificed to clothe them, His thoughts were on me. Were on the Blood of the One that would one day shed that Blood so that He and I might have this intimacy. Ours is so much more than just a physical knowing. And on my end, He has placed Himself in me. His Holy Spirit alive in me. My Teacher and Counselor and Guide. My guarantee of the future I will have with Him, soon and very soon. As He is, so too will I be. His Peace left as a gift for me now. His strength too. And His ways, should I allow them to overtake me, mine too.

This new lesson of Oneness offered me when I was invited to come into my Love’s presence. Only when, as Esther can testify, the King extended His royal scepter in my direction. To, “come up here”. Up to His Throne room. To sit with Him for even a moment, in heavenly places. And because I was made certain of our love, was I bold enough to share my heart with Him. My deep longing for Him—with Him. “When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther rose and stood before the king” –Esther 8:4. There is nothing outside this window now that thrills me nearly as much as His presence does.  I choose then, daily, minute by minute often—to die to myself—that I might live with Him and in Him, more and more every day.

And so, as the servant in our Scripture sits, nose pressed to the glass, alert, watchful, waiting for their Master to return from His time away at the wedding feast. I too am waiting for my Lord. The Lover of my soul. Just as the father of the prodigal went out daily and stood to gaze out over the plains. Anticipating that at any moment he would catch a glimpse of his son there, just over that next crest returning home. I too look with longing at this night sky—hope-filled—that I might catch some glimpse of my God. Maybe in the song of the crickets or the verses the wind whistles as it passes through the trees? Will I catch some glimpse of His sweeping Kingly robe in that bold orange and violent pink of the sunset colors? Or perhaps it will be in the blinding gold of the setting sun? His Crown just might be made visible there, If I am watchful…

Remember, Jesus told us to always be ready. Always be on the lookout for His coming. To always be prepared. Wicks trimmed and lamps lit. Having more than enough oil. Staying alert and watchful. Storing up our treasure in places where the moths of this world cannot get it. Where thieves cannot break in and rob what we have been given. These days, I find myself at this window far more than I used to be—just looking up. Waiting. Expecting. Longing to see the face of my Beloved. It’s as if, from somewhere way over there, I can almost hear His footsteps nearing. And I am up and at the door! His promise now fulfilled. That when He returns, He will do again what He did before. Put on His apron and serve—me this time…

Brothers and sisters allow me to encourage you as you wait through this fourth and final watch of the night. I know your eyes are tired. I know the night has been long. I know it seems as though our Master will never return. I know many are whispering in your ear. Urging you to throw in the towel. Taunting you perhaps? Asking, “where is your God?” Remember the Truth now, weary one. What we know about our God. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it” –Numbers 23:19? Jesus promised that He would only be gone for a moment. He was going to prepare a place for us so that it would be ready when He returns to bring us home. Hold tight, fellow servants. He will be back any second now…

And you, new friend. You have read a part of my letter, read the rest of what is written here, too. Now you know that this same Jesus who came to earth as a man some two-thousand years ago is due back at any moment. It is not too late to get ready for His arrival. Won’t you keep watch with me too? Ask Him into your heart now, while there’s still time. “Of course, you realize that if the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let him break into his house. Be ready because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him”. –Luke 12:39-40.

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