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

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Rescued. Zechariah 3:2

February 8, 2020 /
“The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

You beloved are that burning stick that has been snatched from the fire. A sinner saved by His amazing grace! Like Joshua before you, you have been washed clean—made new by the sacrificial shedding of Blood. The Blood of the Spotless Lamb, Jesus, shed on your behalf. If that is, you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior…

Entering into any meaningful and lasting relationship requires our being intentional; a deep consideration of our willingness to commit. It is a deliberate and highly personal choice born from a wanting to share and grow, exchange and receive, with another. It’s one built on a foundation of sacrifice and service to another or others; come what may. It’s a conscious laying down of one’s life, born out of genuine love for the well-being of the other. In this same sense, entering into a relationship with Jesus is no different. However, it, above all other relationships, must be birthed from a deep desire to connect with this God more intimately than with any other person. Understanding this: once that relationship has been established, you’re then set apart to serve God and His people. And, then, to spend a joy-filled eternity with Him. You, beloved, though your sins demanded it, will not spend an eternity in hell; that place of separation and torment that was neither created nor intended for you or any man. It was created for Satan, and all those fallen angels who followed him in his rebellion against God—Matthew 25:41.

You, my fellow believers, are now ministers of the Most High God. Those chosen to be royal priests. And, yet, even though you are the King’s kid still, His ownership of you stands above your service to Him. Your priesthood—your role in ministering before the Lord exists solely because He alone has bestowed its use and service, its privilege and anointing, upon you.

Ah! I have my filthy garments on. I cannot pray to Him. I cannot praise Him as I would.” I know what it is to come and preach to you sometimes, and to feel such an overwhelming sense of my own unworthiness, that, were it not, “Woe unto me if I do not preach the gospel,” I would not come on this platform again, for it is hard to feel that your garments are defiled even while endeavoring to be God’s mouth to men—Charles Spurgeon.

Friends, we cannot curry the favor of God. There’s not one thing we can do to “earn our spot.” Earn His love for us. His forgiveness. Not-one-single-thing. Without God’s mercy and His election of us, take away His unfathomable love for us; our sins demanded that we spend eternity in the hell created for Satan and his band of fallen angels; separated eternally from God. As all those who deliberately chose to rebel against Him—deny Him, will. Not popular, I know. But it’s the Truth, nonetheless. “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”  —1 Peter 4:17. Now, with that knowledge ever before us, may we be about working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Never forgetting the very heart of the words cried out by our brother, Paul. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death…? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” —Romans 7:24. May this be our cry too, brothers and sisters. May we, like Joshua and Paul, and a remnant of the nation of Israel before us—like every saint that has been or is yet to come, never lose sight of how—by whose power it is, we either stand or fall; least we begin to think too highly of ourselves and risk being humbled by our Lord. My true position, as a Christian, is to be always ministering to God, always standing before His altar. –Charles Spurgeon.

Satan stood at the right hand of the Angel of the Lord accusing Joshua of every sin he and his people had committed. And Satan stands there still, pointing out our sins as well. Accusing all those who dare to believe in The Name above all names! Jesus!

But, here’s the good news, beloved: Jesus Christ has the final Word! He is our great and powerful Intercessor, a priest like Melchizedek. “He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through him, because he always lives to make intercession for them” –Hebrews 7:25. There is nothing that Satan can say or do to change the way God sees you. We stand witness to this Truth not only within our Scripture verse today, but this very same Truth permeates the Word of God. Jesus knows everything Satan will use in His attempt to destroy you—to kill you and, He’s got you covered. He’s covered your every sin with His precious Blood. You are now the righteousness of Christ Jesus! Let that sink in for a moment…

When God spoke to Zechariah concerning the forgiveness of Joshua’s sin, the stain on the priesthood, and the sins of the Israelites—you were right there in the center of His heart also; represented in the person of Joshua. You stood there before the Lord in all your sin, with all of your faults and flaws, and, you too were covered by God’s intentions towards you. Your filthy clothes were also removed, you were washed clean and, the raiment of Christ’s righteousness was placed upon you. Covering your guilt and shame, you were cleansed and redressed from head to toe!

Beloved, now, when God looks at you, it is His Son—The Spotless Lamb slain for your sins that He sees.

The rebuke is forcibly applicable to the case in hand. He says, “Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire.” Satan says, “The man’s garments are filthy…” “Well,” says Jesus, “how do you expect them to be otherwise? When you pull a brand out of the fire, do you expect to find it milk-white or polished?” No, it had begun to crack and burn, and though you have plucked it out of the fire, it is in itself still black and charred. So it is with the child of God. What is he at his best? Till he is taken up to heaven, he is nothing, but a brand plucked out of the fire—Charles Spurgeon.

Can you even fathom so great a love, my friends? Whether or not we can wrap our heads around this great Truth, God’s love stands fixed, nonetheless. It ever remains our firm foundation on which to build. “God loves you and He gave His only begotten Son to die for you that you might be restored into right relationship with Him”—John 3:16.

That is the very heart of the Father’s love towards you, beloved.

The Apostle Paul says it this way: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us so that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit —Galatians 3:13-15.

You have been snatched from the fire to have a relationship with the Father. That you might spend your remaining days running after Him. Seeking Him out. Loving Him and spending time with Him. Desiring Him above all else. Above everyone and every-thing—placing even yourself at the very top of that list of those you are willing to sacrifice up to Jesus. Understanding, somehow, that you are no longer your own. You have been purchased at an exceedingly high price—1 Corinthians 7:23. So, then, be re-minded beloved: Just as Joshua was lovingly and thoroughly cleansed and prepared, so too have you been cleansed. You too are being prepared for something unimaginable beloved; to become the bride of this Christ who came and gave His life in exchange for yours. That’s Good News! The very One who reached into that all-consuming fire and said, “Not this one. This one is my own.” Accordingly, as it was with Joshua and Peter and Noah and Mary, with Paul and John and Father Abraham, brides each, made ready for their wedding day; so too has every detail of your life been, and will forever remain in, the All-Knowing and capable hands of the Father.

He has spared no expense on preparing you for that day that will rival no other. The day you meet Him face to face. That day when your fullness of joy spills out at His feet in loving gratitude, a crown. One of praise and thanksgiving…

I believe each of us needs to stop, from time to time, and reflect on this enormous Truth. To recalibrate, realigning ourselves with our True North. Therefore beloved, if you have forgotten, as we sometimes do, just how deeply you are loved and cherished by God, then please, ask the Holy Spirit to re-mind you. To fill you, once again, with the fullness of His Word concerning His great love for you. May you experience renewal, being re-united with the One it is you belong to; have been betrothed to. The One in whose name you have been called to minister…

 “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end”—Hebrews 3:12-14.

I like that closing sentence, “And the angel of the LORD stood by.” Oh, yes, we want Him always to stand by. When you have your new garments on, when you wear your mitre, you still want His presence. “Abide with us,” must be our daily prayer. We want still His strength, His comfort, His smile, the help of His arm, the light of His countenance—for if we have Him not, we shall soon slip from our steadfastness, and have reason to stand again, like Joshua, with filthy garments on—Charles Spurgeon.

Friend, if you are here today and have not asked Jesus into your heart know this; God Himself has called you here. These words should be little more than a confirmation. A quickening inside of you that says, “I believe this is God. I believe this is Him answering my question: “God, would you truly love someone like me?” He says yes. Yes, I love you. Yes, I led you here. And no, there is nothing that you have ever done that is so filthy that my Sons Spotless Blood will not wash it clean. Just ask me in and let us begin the journey I have planned for you… 

“The Lord said to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Israelites, concerning you and me: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”—Jeremiah 29:11.

The Mystery of The Harvest. Mark 4:26-29.

January 25, 2020 /
Then He said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground; and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know. The earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head [of grain], then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop ripens, he immediately puts in the sickle [to reap], because [the time for] the harvest has come.”

Within this passage of scripture, this parable of the growing seed found only in Mark’s gospel, we witness, catch some watery glimpse of, both the mystery, as well as the manifestation, of a soul’s salvation. We witness too, how, as Christ’s disciples, we have been afforded the great privilege of being able to sow the seeds of the Word of God into every type of soil; the condition of which being far beyond our purview. We are simple, ordinary sowers, fishers of men, after all, touched and enabled solely by the mighty hand of the divine. “And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings. Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. He who has ears, let him hear” –Matthew 13:3-9.

And, when, after we have been faithful in our sowing, trusting in the Holy Spirit of God to have gone before us, according to His will, either to break-up or, as with Pharoah, harden the ground we’ve been sent out to scatter in, entrusted to plant within, we too then, may well share in the great joy of the harvest of which our scripture speaks. “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together…” –John 4:35-36.

I’ve heard it said that: Evangelism is not merely something to be done when we think it’s convenient; waiting until the perfect moment means never getting anything done at all. As those who have been taken from the kingdom of darkness, sin, and death; having been mercifully reborn into this glorious new life in Christ Jesus, we then have a mighty duty to God, a great commission to go into every city street, every neighborhood or town, down every country lane, into war zones and prison cells and hospital rooms, searching out the ‘least of these’ that we might leave in our wake some small handful of hope by way of the Word of God—the very seed that, once firmly planted in a man’s heart, forever changes every-thing. “And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal” –John 12:23-25.

Thus, this sowing and reaping are each, in part, our responsibility, my brothers and sisters. Our portions, our privilege, to walk out daily for as long as God sees fit to use us as co-laborers in ushering in the fulfillment of His plan for all of mankind.

But oh the glorious mystery that stands alone! That Brilliant Beacon in the midst of us! The Mighty One who saves! Our excellent, highest, most glorious Example who illumines the darkest of men’s hearts! That sweet, life-changing unknow mystery born from the womb of the life and death of Christ Jesus. Our most Holy Spirit! Who, in union with the Father and the Son, in some deep unknowable moment, overtakes the heart of every man who has ever heard whispered in his ear, “Come, follow me.” Thus becoming one with the mystery which arises from the deep seat of himself. That same one who, one nanosecond prior, stood shaking his fist at God—insulting Him unashamedly, now, on his knees, is found sobbing and repentant. Made new in God’s divine election of Him. “Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” –John 3:3-5.

The Apostle Paul, that great example of just such a glorious and true conversion—such a sincere and striking rebirth says this concerning both the worker and the mystery of the work: “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” –1 Corinthians 3:5-7.

Beloved, we will never understand so lofty a mystery as to how any man, once born of his mother, can then be born, yet again, of the Spirit of God to start afresh. At least not on this side of eternity. Thankfully, we need neither believe nor understand a thing for it to be nonetheless true. “I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more” –Isaiah 43:25.

What we must understand, however, is that having been so lavishly blessed, we are then commanded to spend the remainder of our natural lives, dear friends, humbly pouring ourselves out in thanksgiving before Him. Singing His praises before all men for counting us among those He has called to share in the work given Him by our Father. We must lovingly, single-mindedly, fulfill our duty to Jesus as diligent sowers; both in planting and in guarding the precious fields we’ve been entrusted with. Exalting and recognizing Jesus all the while, for being God all by Himself. This Lord of the Harvest. The heart of the great mystery of our rebirth. The very First Kernel to have gone into the ground. Our Example. “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” –John 12:24.

Friend, if you are here today and have not yet met this Jesus, this One who is able to change a man completely—giving Him a new life in the blink of an eye, may I urge you to ask Him to come to you today—showing Himself real and True and powerful in your life. Won’t you ask Him for this free gift of—this fruit of eternal life today? “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” –John 11:25-26.

Governed by God. Romans 9:11-12.

January 18, 2020 /
“But before the two sons were born, God told Rebecca, “The older son will serve the younger.” This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this before they were born so that the boy he wanted would be chosen because of God’s own plan. He was chosen because he was the one God wanted to call, not because of anything the boys did.”

“I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite sure that if God had not chosen me I should never have chosen him; and I am sure he chose me before I was born, or else he never would have chosen me afterwards; and he must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why” ~Charles Spurgeon.

According to Strong’s Concordance, one of several meanings or values of the name/title of Israel is, ‘governed by God.’ We see the burgeoning beginnings of what being governed by Him, selected in Him, what His plans and timing might appear as, here in the 9th chapter of the Book of Romans. We hear of Isaac here, again. This child promised Father Abraham, the one in whom the covenant is forever sealed. We learn that he marries Rebekah and from their union, Jacob and Esau are born. Paul uses these two sons to bear out his teaching—confirming for us, God’s freedom of selection. Paul also uses God’s Words to Moses as a statement of surety regarding His fairness in the selection of whom it is He so chooses to enter into a relationship with—reveal the Truth of Himself to…

But what does being selected by God mean? What does this term ‘election’ or being ‘God’s elect’ mean for us today? I’ve heard it defined as, and have come to understand it for myself, as best as my finite mind will allow, this way: Put simply, ‘being one of the elect is the result of an act of God whereby in eternity past He chose those who will be saved.’ Our election is unconditional, an act of God’s pure mercy—meaning there isn’t one thing we can do, no amount of good works we can perform nor foreseen faith we’ll possess that can ever earn election for us. Our election depends on God’s choosing us in Himself.  That said, Paul makes clear to us however, that even though our election is given us freely, that does not free us of our responsibility to obey God. No license to presume upon His mercy and grace. We should never treat our election casually. More, neither should those who have yet to be called by Him say, as if they know God’s mind, His plans for their life, “Well, I don’t believe that I am one of these, God’s elect, so I don’t have to obey His commands! ” One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will? “But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” –Romans 9:19-20.

Saved and unsaved alike have been crafted for His use from the same fallen lump of clay. Election and responsibility exist hand-in-hand in the Word of God. God offers this mercy to everyone; therefore none are free from the knowledge of this mercy, nor the consequence of willfully ignoring it. “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” –Revelation 22:17. And again, “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” –Acts 17:30. That’s pretty plain. He also makes this plain for us in this 9th chapter of Romans “So then, everything depends, not on what we humans want or do, but only on God’s mercy” –9:16.

In fact, the entirety of Romans chapter 9 steadily breaks down what being governed by God means to God—and for us. In this chapter, we witness Paul pivot, breaking away from the time he has spent methodically convincing us, in the previous 8 chapters, of ‘God’s glorious provision in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.’  Here in this 9th chapter, and continuing on through chapter 11, Paul begins both to pose and answer a variety of questions concerning Israel’s relationship with God and what that means for all believers—Jew and gentile alike. He reminds us that Abraham had many children. Being Abraham’s descendant doesn’t mean you are a child of the covenant—one of those God recognizes as His own. (Has Israel missed Jesus altogether? What does God have to say about Israel and His plan for them? And, finally, what does this say to you and me today about our hope and standing in Christ?) Little by little in this chapter, Paul chips away at any doubts we may hold as to the legitimacy and Sovereignty of God’s ‘sure election’ concerning both Israel and us—His elect.

So now, using the foundation of Romans 9 as our springboard, to say nothing of the various additional scriptures which confirm God’s Sovereign election; John 6:44 or John 1:12-13. Eph. 1:4-5 or 2 Thess. 2:13.  And then there is 2 Timothy 1:9; among numerous others, I could choose to spend the remainder of our time together today attempting to delve into the heady, incomprehensible depths of why it is we either have been or soon will be, selected to receive salvation through God’s sovereign choosing of us. A question which, regardless of which way we might twist or turn it, will come away with no greater depth of understanding than that which God has already provided us in His Word, and through the revelation of His Holy Spirit testifying within us. Unless that is, He so chooses to share His heart with us personally. We must never presume to think we know with certainty, all that God might reveal to us. In addition, I could have also sorted through each of the various scholars’ inputs and explanations in an attempt to eke out some hidden bit of knowledge I have failed to offer you. However, truth be told, I would be attempting to swim in waters that, I humbly confess, are far deeper than my shallow understanding of this mystery of God’s decision to reveal Himself to us would allow me to safely venture into.

Instead, if you’ll indulge me, I will share with you how God, once again, pierced my heart that He might re-mind me of just how personal—how individual and intimate, His selection of us is. How precise His timing…

Allow me to preface what I am about to share in the hope that I might encourage you, be an answer to your questioning, and perhaps, confirm God’s voice speaking to you in a new and unique way. I am not a person who believes that there is some hidden meaning—some sign or deep divine mystery in every blowing of the wind. I consider myself to be a relatively grounded believer. Daily, after I have prayed that I don’t miss anything God has for me that day, I go about my day poised, expectant, wholly trusting God to open my eyes and ears to what it is He’ll have me to see and hear. That said, however, I have also been walking with God long enough to know that He is in fact, enmeshed, inseparably intertwined in everything around me. I am not that one who is so firmly planted in this world that I am not able, when He calls, to leave it behind and follow him up into the high places.

As Elizabeth Barrett Browning so aptly wrote: Earth’s crammed with beauty, and every common bush afire with God. But only he who sees takes off his shoes…

I began noticing the numbers 9:11 on the clock with steady regularity. After several months of this, I knew it was not by chance—the regularity of seeing these particular numbers, again and again, meant something. And since I didn’t want to miss out on whatever that something may be, I began to research. I was led to an article on biblical numbers and it was there, months and months after the first sighting of these numbers, that the reason behind their being repeatedly shown to me was finally realized. They were a confirmation. A road map that would eventually lead me to page 911 in the bible. Once there, I read the closing verses of Romans 9 which then drew me instantly to its beginning titled; “God’s Selection of Israel”. The very chapter in which Paul teaches us about election. My heart soon recognized God had, once again, just passed by me. Confirming His great love and divine providence over my life. This was revealed to me at an hour when I was about to walk out of a time of great testing that has lasted well over a year and a half. I could feel the Lord assuring me that just as He had chosen Israel, and has not failed to keep His promise to them—so too it is with me. I too am one of the many children promised Father Abraham thousands of years ago! This was God, yet again, making His election of me so very personal. I have been awed by His most recent revelation since. In addition, within days of this revelation, I received the fulfillment of a promise I had been waiting well over a year and a half for. God’s timing is perfect beloved. Yet I was not shown these numbers, was not led to this chapter, this teaching for myself alone, no. I was led here for you too beloved. To encourage you and re-mind you that “Sometimes we have to let our dreams go in order to allow God to bring them back to us – in his way and his timing.” …

God is perfect in every way and, He will use whatsoever He chooses to communicate His love and plans for our lives—we need only be open to receiving them—however they may come.

Friend, in an age when Christianity is under attack and faith is seen as something superstitious and foolish—something needed only by the weak and desperate; seek God anyway. Put Him first in your life. Invite Him in—make room for the possibility that He really does exist, does love you and wants to spend time with you. Choose to believe He loves you and has a plan for your life, despite what the naysayers might say. And please, don’t turn away from a relationship with God because religion has failed you. God is not a religion; He is a person who loves you. Here is the assurance He gives you dear friend, if you’ll but ask Him into your life and trust Him to do what you’ve been unable to: “For since in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe” –1 Corinthians 1:27. And again Jesus says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” –Revelation 3:20.

And for you, my fellow believers, don’t ignore what very well may be the voice of God calling you to trust Him more completely, follow His leading of you more closely, all because you casually dismiss its un-usual tone as a mere ‘coincidence’. There is no such thing for you and I. God does not randomly waste His time. If it’s showing up in your life repeatedly my brothers’ and sisters, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you whatever the meaning behind ‘it’ is. He is faithful and true and will always confirm His Word. “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” –Isaiah 30:21.

Poor Timing…

January 11, 2020 /

Beloved,

I pray this first week of the New Year has found you positioned—fixed, on following after Jesus as never before. I pray too, that it has infused you with a renewed determination to leave behind any thing that hinders your faithfully following after God, wholeheartedly seeking to draw ever closer, nearer, to the pure desires of His heart. I’m sure the Holy Spirit has allowed you glimpses of His will and calling, both for you personally, as well as for your family and ministry. My prayers go with you as you valiantly take your next step of obedience in full confidence knowing that Jesus is drawing you ever closer to Himself. Refining you. Purging you. Breaking off, along the way, those ‘things’ that no longer serve you or bring God glory. I do hope this New Year will find you, as a dear brother recently wrote, choosing to follow after the cloud and not the crowd…

“The [presence of the] Lord was going before them by day in a pillar (column) of cloud to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they could travel by day and by night. He did not withdraw the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from going before the people” Exodus 13:21-22.

Friends, it saddens me to say that due to a very recent illness, sonsofthesea.org will not post our next full teaching, “Governed by God” until next Saturday, January 18th at noon. I thank you in advance for patient understanding and continued patronage. Know that I do so miss sharing both His Word and my time, with you. I am ever grateful that you continue to follow me as I follow Christ. Until next week beloved, may God bless you and keep you…

In His Adventure,

MaryEllen

Rested and Refreshed…

December 28, 2019 /

“In place of our exhaustion and spiritual fatigue, God will give us rest. All He asks is that we come to Him…that we spend a while thinking about Him, meditating on Him, talking to Him, listening in silence, occupying ourselves with Him – totally and thoroughly lost in the hiding place of His presence” – Chuck Swindoll.

To all who have been following me as I follow Christ, and to those just joining in: I am headed into this very place with God. For the next several weeks, Sonsofthesea will be taking a much-needed sabbatical. I can’t wait to return to you beloved, refreshed, and ready to pour out all that our Father will pour into me during this time set apart to Him. I pray your New Year will be filled with next-level encounters with Jesus! I pray too that you’ll set time apart to meet with Him—just you and God, and press in afresh. Fasting perhaps and asking our Father to fill you to overflowing that you might have more than enough to share with, ‘whosoever will.’ I will rejoin you on January 11th, 2020 with, “Governed by God” Romans 9:11. There is an urgency in the Spirit friends—time as we know it is coming to a close. I encourage you to press into God now while He may be found—seeking Him as never before. Until next time beloved, may God bless you and keep you safely in His loving care…

Kingship. Revelation 22:16.

December 21, 2019 /
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

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

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

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

Jesus was viewed by many in much the same way…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Transformed. Acts 9:3

December 14, 2019 /
“Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.”

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

Suddenly: unexpectedly; happening, coming, made, or done quickly, without warning.

One moment Saul was intent on killing the leaders of The Way and taking anyone who even remotely smacked of Christianity captive. And in the next, he finds himself blinded by the Light of the glory of God. At that moment, Saul experienced the “suddenly” of God. Scripture states it this way: “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem” –Acts 9:1-2. Armed with letters of authority from the high priest to commit these unspeakable atrocities, Saul had set off for Damascus to address the synagogues there. He was asking for their cooperation in the arrest of anyone they suspected maybe following The Way. He wanted them all, every man, woman, and child in chains that he might have them dragged back to Jerusalem.

Religion will do that to us. It will drive us into believing that even our wrongs are right. It will so blind us to the Truth, that we’ll dress up our sins and earnestly offer them up to God as a sign of our love, our loyalty, just as Saul did. Only the Pure Light of God’s Truth is able to remove these scales, this crust of religious ideology from our eyes, enabling us finally to see this Jesus who is standing right in front of us…

Little did Saul know, however, that he was, and would continue to be, an intricate part of God’s plan of salvation for the gentiles. As a result of his ravaging and persecution, these new followers of The Way fled Jerusalem. And, with them went The Truth. This knowledge of Jesus as their Savior. Of Him being The Way—the only way, back into right relationship with the Father. And this Truth spread with their every step. From one to another it passed, this life-changing Truth could not be contained. It passed from one to another, sating the thirst of each one it filled just as surely as if water had been given to one who is parched. In Saul’s attempt to silence the voice of those that now carried the Word of God within themselves, he had unwittingly become one of its greatest catalysts. But, before Saul could accomplish his insidious plan to bring an end to The Way, however, God would stop him in his tracks—literally. Listen to what God has to say about men’s plans: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” –Prov. 16:9. It was God’s plan, not Saul’s, that would prevail. It always has been, and it always will be…

The verse following today’s Scripture says this: “He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” –verse 4.

Saul, in the midst of his sinful, awful tirade, hears the voice of the Resurrected Jesus, and its Truth pierces him to his core. At that same moment, he is blinded by the Pure, All-knowing Light of this same Jesus. He has caught a glimpse behind the veil, been made a witness of the blinding Truth of God. All his misguided zealousness, his religion, must now give way to this Truth that exposes men’s darkest deeds. Saul will forever be undone by this one encounter. And so too, must we…

Saul was blinded, yet, in a very real sense, his eyes had never seen so clearly.

In Saul, we’re able to catch a glimpse of ourselves. Our desperate need for transformation, for reconciliation. In Saul we also witness great hope. The fiercest of sinners can be saved! It is not too late for you, for any of us, to turn to this Jesus and ask His forgiveness. Ask Him to come into our hearts, forever changing them. In Saul, we recognize our deepest need: to meet this Resurrected Jesus face to face. To be transformed, as he was, by this God whose Light is no longer swaddled and lying in a manger, a Christmas babe. Like Saul, we must be willing to leave our religion, our idols, and intellect, our traditions, and pride at the feet of Truth—our love offering, our due. We must come and bow before Him, fall to our knees, face to the ground, in humble adoration, in submission, in awe. Then, stand up, bold, and changed, and willing and wanting to tell anyone and everyone about this Light that pierced the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds.

The Light that is coming again, soon, and very soon…

 “I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” 1 Corinthians 15:50-52.

Jesus came to Saul just as He comes to each one who has, or ever will be, saved: suddenly and without warning. And, just as suddenly, He will one day call us back to Himself—eternally. No man knows that hour. Not even the Son…

Friend, this Advent, ask yourself this one question: If Jesus suddenly showed up today, are you ready to meet Him face to face? Don’t think it can’t happen to you. Paul’s experience alone ought to dispel that lie. Where are you spending your eternity? If you don’t know the answer to this question, please, I implore you, ask this same Jesus into your heart now, don’t delay…

Adventuske. 2 Corinthians 4:7

December 7, 2019 /
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

Friends, over the next several weeks of Advent, these postings will each be centered around Jesus as, “The Light.” It’s been this aspect of Himself that He’s impressing upon my heart, and I believe, wants to remind us of. ” The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” John 1:5. In these dark days, these turbulent and uncertain times in which we live, God is re-minding us: Immanuel is here, still. He is sending His Light forth, in this season of hope, that it might illuminate and refocus our hearts and minds on Him. Exposing their hardness and wayward tendencies, so that, His Truth might be rekindled within them; causing us to repent and return fully to Him. Our remembrance of His solemn promise stirred afresh within us: “He will never leave us, never forsake us.”

My prayer for each of you in this season of hope is this: that you will take the time to allow the Light of the world to dawn in your hearts and be re-freshed, re-awakened, or perhaps, awakened for the first time, to His Truth. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5.

The term Advent finds its roots in the Latin word, adventuske. Which means, “arrival”, “appearance.” In the Christian community, it is that four-week period preceding Christmas. Matthew’s Gospel refers to the dawing of this great Light— this Jesus who appears, dawns suddenly in the human heart, this way: “The people who were sitting (living) in [spiritual] darkness have seen a great Light, And for those who were sitting (living) in the land and shadow of [spiritual and moral] death, Upon them a Light has dawned.” –Matthew 4:16. That’s us. Our heart. Each believer. Each minister of the Gospel message. Each one who has been transformed. Made new. Those washed clean by the shed Blood of this same Light that commanded the darkness to give way to the light of the first day. We are “the people,” upon whom this permeating Light of Christ has dawned; piercing these, our earthly vessels through and through. Exposing us to His blinding Truth. “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one abiding in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit. For apart from Me you are able to do nothing” –John 15:51. Now, ever changed by this Truth; our new hearts are eternally captivated by the One whom we now adore.

This advent of Christ in us laid to rest our old man with all its sins and stains. Darkness must take flight in the presence of Light. Now, made new, His resurrected brilliance shines through us. Our new man beckons to all who will, saying: “Come, see a man who told me all things I ever did. Can it be that this is the Christ?”

His Spirit alive in us—Immanuel. Fully God yet fully man. A deep mystery.

On that first Christmas Eve, Pure Light entered this world in a sullied, fleshly vessel in order that He might be akin to us. Experience every aspect of our frail humanity; in every way save sin. How better to mediate for any man except having experienced, in the truest, the most intimate sense, all that a man has seen and felt and done and lived through: good, or bad? This Light of which Paul is speaking descended from heaven that He might live within each of us, intimately. Making a way back to having a right relationship with the Father possible by the eventual laying down of His life. I saw it written this way: God descended heaven in the form of His Son to prepare the way back to Himself. He came to be Redeemer of a lost and dying world. First, it was God above, God far from us. Then it became, in Christ, God with us. Finally, through His gifting us His Holy Spirit, it is now God in us. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” –2 Corinthians 4:6.

This same Jesus, this Light that shone in the darkness 2000 plus years ago, beckons to you and me now—still. Leaving heaven He came to us as a defenseless babe. For a time, the all-powerful One, Creator of heaven and earth surrendered His power, entrusting Himself into the hands of Mary and Joseph, His creations. He came not to condemn the world, rather, to offer it salvation in Himself. In His death and resurrection, He offers you, me, them, each of us, eternal life. Without Him, outside of His dunamis (the Greek word from which we derive our English word dynamite) power in us: His strength, ability, His moral power, His excellence of soul, His inherent power residing in us, His very nature within His; we can do nothing of eternal value. Starting with saving our own souls. Impossible outside of Jesus. Hence why we have such a deep need of this Light we carry in these our fragile, earthen vessels, His alone.

In this advent season, this season of a million and one shining lights, won’t you ask the One True Light to come into your heart?

I promise, as one who has received His precious Gift, Jesus is, by far, the only Present you will ever need in this, or any season. “For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you” –Ephesians 5:14 (emphasis my own). And what is “this reason?” That you might leave behind every sinful thing, every deed committed under the cover of darkness. And, then, after having surrendered your life into His loving care be filled with His Light that you too will, in turn, shine it into this lost and dying world. Becoming a beacon then for, “whomsoever will…”

Fill the Need. Colossians 4:12-13

November 30, 2019 /

Cast as much reproach as you like on me, ye worldlings; the more honour shall there be to God, who worketh as he pleaseth, and with what instrument he chooseth, irrespective of man. –Charles Spurgeon.

Continuing on in last week’s charge to be “doers of God’s Word”, notice then how one of our brothers who, having had no formal ministry training, did just that…

How he obeyed the call God had placed on his life, despite the hardships it brought with it, and then went out and filled the need he was called to fill. How he faithfully preached the Word, planted a then-obscure, and small-town church, prayed, and interceded for the Body of Christ at all times, and, co-labored with his brothers for the benefit of all. His learning coming by the instruction of the Holy Spirit and his fellow ministers. Pay attention to how Epaphras carried out this great and privileged mandate he’d been entrusted to walk out. Notice too, that though Epaphras was a simple man, much like the disciples before him, he bore evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in Him—in his ministry. And, like them, he was obedient to the will of God. The call on his life—his transformation was evident, it bore much fruit. Finally, in our examining of him, we’ll also catch glimpses of our brother Paul. Timothy too…

Little is known about Epaphras other than in all likelihood, Paul himself was responsible for his conversion. Our brother Epaphras was not a Jew, he was a gentile believer who, it’s believed, hailed from Colossae. He also became a friend, brother, and treasured co-laborer of the Apostle Paul. He holds the distinction of being lauded by Paul for his exhaustive prayer ministry. And, Paul, in the Fourth Chapter of Colossians, makes clear to the church in Colossae, and to us, his thoughts and knowledge of this Epaphras. Of his heart for serving God, and he reminds this nascent church of the command attached to the Word of God Epaphras had shared with them earlier. “Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis” –Colossians 4:12-13.

In the first chapter of Colossians we hear Paul refer to him as, “a faithful minister of Christ,” and in the fourth chapter of this same book, we hear Paul describe Epaphras with these words: “a servant of Jesus Christ”–Col. 1:7; 4:12.

Paul uses the term, “a servant of Christ Jesus” multiple times when referring to Himself. There is one other preacher whom Paul bestows this title upon as well; his son in the faith, young Timothy. “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:” –Philippians 1:1. Paul’s charge to Timothy was to do, in essence, what we’ve witnessed our brother Epaphras do: holding fast to his faith, praying and interceding for all people. Teaching and admonishing those in his charge that they might come to the saving knowledge of the One True God who is able to reconcile man back to God. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…,” –1 Timothy 2:1-5.

In Chapter One of Colossians, the Apostle Paul informs us that it was Epaphras, who first shared the life-changing Good News with those in Colossae. He was responsible for the establishment of the Colossian church. Yet the only thing that qualified this convert for his position, this privilege, was God’s choosing of him, then, secondly, Paul’s confirmation of this calling on his life. “You learned it from [our representative] Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf and he also has told us of your love [well-grounded and nurtured] in the [Holy] Spirit” –Colossians 1:7-8. All three of these men, in fact, share in this calling—this burning in their bones to pray for and to preach, teach, and encourage “whomsoever will” about this Jesus and His great life-changing love for them.  

Now let me ask you, “which area of service have you heard God whispering in your ear to lay hold of?” What fire is burning in your bones? Is God calling you to teach? To preach His Word? To missionary work? Evangelism? Worship? Intercessory Prayer? To leading others perhaps? Does His whispering make you feel as though there’s no way this could be you? That you must somehow have mistaken His voice for your own? That you’re in no way qualified? If so, that’s a great place to be! Why? Because you’re absolutely right!

You and I are not worthy to be called—used by, to serve, such a Holy, pure, and sinless God. And yet He calls us. More, He wants us. Wants to use us as His hands and feet and arms and eyes, His Words. Use us to go and serve and bleed and lift up and out that one He is wooing—calling to Himself; just as surely as He did with Epaphras and Paul and Timothy, with Peter and Moses, Abraham too. Yet, above all, He wants us. Period. He wants to have a relationship with us. To love us and shape us and teach us and change us, filling up, restoring, those empty, barren places within caused by this life we live. By our own sins and failures, by rebellion—and those who’ve sinned against us. By those thoughts that we are too broken, too stupid, too far from Him even.

I know this with certainty because I am one of the broken. The unqualified, the ill-educated, that unrefined, sin-stained one He called to Himself, washed in His Blood, then, clearly whispered, “Feed My sheep.”

Finally, as it was with Epaphras, and Paul and Timothy, so too it is with me. I must fulfill my calling in coming here every week, week after week, to meet with you. Praying for you while we are apart. Loving you, though we’ve never met; simply because I know my Father loves you. And I do it scared and uncertain that I able—am capable, of this awesome privilege of being here with you. And it’s there in my weakness and inability that He reminds me, time and again, that it’s not me who does this, it’s Him in me. It’s all Him. The same One who called and equipped our brothers is here now, inspiring this; calling you. I come here out of obedience to Him—out of love, His love, for you. I come because I too am a bondservant of God. And I was called here to fill a need…

“Therefore give all the glory to his Holy name. Cast as much reproach as you like on me, ye worldlings; the more honour shall there be to God, who worketh as he pleaseth, and with what instrument he chooseth, irrespective of man. Again, dearly-beloved, whatever is your work, whatever God has ordained you to do in this world, you are equally certain to have the assistance of the Holy Spirit in it.” Charles Spurgeon.

Brothers and sisters if you love the Lord and feel some stirring in the depth of you to serve Him, to fill some need, I urge you to fast and pray and seek His confirmation. God will always confirm His Word and His call. Seek out your pastor, or elder, a mature brother or sister, that they might pray with you, intercede for you. And then listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you…

And friend, if you are here today and don’t yet know this Jesus, don’t let another day pass you by without Him by your side. I can guarantee you, you are in no way “living your best life” without Him! Ask Him into your heart today, He’s waiting… “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” –Romans 10:9.

The Voice. Acts 9:7

November 23, 2019 /

Immediately, as I read of Saul’s conversion in Acts 9, I felt my spirit stir. I was being re-mind of the indescribable honor and blessing and privilege, the literal and instant transformation, from death to life, which occurs within us each when we first hear Jesus say, “Follow Me”, and we obey. And I rejoiced! If I close my eyes, or not, I can still see that sacred moment in my own life so clearly. As instantly and surely as light came forth from the darkness when Jesus stood over the void and said, “Let there be light” so too did I go, do we who believe in Him go, from being dead in our sins to fully and eternally alive in Christ Jesus, that very nanosecond He awakens us.  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ –2 Corinthians 4:6.

Paul also describes this “twinkling of an eye” transformation in 1 Corinthians 15:52 when describing our Lord’s return: “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

Instantly, Jesus takes our filthy vessels of clay, our hearts, hard and dried out by chronic sin, and by the Water of His Spirit, transforms—reshapes them, into carriers instead of the image and likeness of His Son. “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” –Ezekiel 36:26-27. The hearts of men are like this dark terraqueous globe, having no light in them; God is as the sun, the fountain of light, which shines upon them and in them; so as to give them a true sight and sense of sin, and of their lost state and condition; so as to cause them to see the fullness and suitableness of Christ as a Saviour; so as to warm their affections, and draw out their desires after Christ, his ways, truths, ordinances, and people –John Gill.

Immediately, we have gone from sinner to saint, from orphan to beloved child. Straightaway, our sins are washed away. So completely removed from us, it’s as if they had never existed. Listen to how God Himself describes this removal of those sins in Isaiah 43:25: “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”  I don’t know about you, but I could easily spend the rest of my days pressing into the enormity of such love, such Truth, and still walk away, at the of those days, not having been able to fully take in the depth and breadth of such love—of such a gift. 

And yet, as I read and delighted and rejoiced in this Truth, I was also awed by the Holy weight of its reminder…

Why Saul and not those men near enough him to have also, “heard the sound of someone’s voice?” Those souls who have yet to hear His Voice for themselves, and our part in their hearing. I was left pondering the flawless Providence of God: This privilege of our election. And the ‘why’ of this man being chosen and not that one? Why was I chosen and he/she/ they/ were not? Why weren’t they, those standing so near to Paul, swept up, instantly transformed too, in Jesus’ Shekinah Glory—His manifested glory, His presence?

This is a question that has been pondered for centuries—discussed, dissected, debated over by minds far greater—far more versed in Scripture and doctrine, than my own. Here, in fact, is Charles Surgeon’s esteemed conclusion as to what the Word of God teaches us concerning this:  I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love. So I am forced to accept that great Biblical doctrine. Said Scripturally: “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” –Titus 3:5.

I humbly agree with my brother’s conclusion, am satisfied to accept this, in part, as the possible reason why these men, standing so near Paul, so near me that wonder-filled day He called my name, were not saved, as Paul and I each were.

I believe in the Sovereignty of God—in His perfect timing. I believe that at the exact right moment, and according to His will and plan for any man’s life, He will come in such a sure and undeniable way that His effectual call will neither be missed nor able to be denied. Once again, I turn to Paul, who, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states this Truth this way: “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” –Philippians 2:13.  And, it is because of this same deep-seated belief, this fire that burns within me, this hunger that will not be denied that I also, though not considering myself their equal in any way, save our common faith and Father, must share with you what God has given me. I deeply believe too, that God’s Sovereignty in salvation no way cancels out His mandate spoken to His friends: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” –Matthew 28:19-20. 

At the time of our Scripture, Paul knew of God certainly, yet He did not know God. Listen to a small part of His testimony: “I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault” – Philippians 3:5-6. By the grace and mercy of God he goes on to say in verse 7: “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.”

Such is the case with many men today. Both their knowledge of Him, but having no intimate relationships with Him, and, once they have come into this knowledge, considering all those things they once valued as worthless, for Jesus’ sake…

Much like Paul, those who were with Paul that day on the Damascus road, may have known of God, may have spent large parts of their youth in the Temple, perhaps even faithfully attended Bible study? The Bible does not make that clear to us. Yet what it does make clear is this: if we who have heard the voice of God, have been chosen in Him, called as ministers of His Word, do not make it our lives work to tell every soul we are able about this loving, patient, kind, merciful, gracious God who gave His only Son that they—that all of us, might be restored to right relationship with Him—be His eternally, then we will be left having to give an account of our failure to God when we meet Him face to face. And, live in the knowledge now, that had we been faithful, as we are mandated by this God we profess to love, then perhaps He would have used our love, our actions or kindness or words, our sharing of His Word, our knowledge of Him through our testimony, so that that one He has been wooing would be washed too, in the saving Blood of His Son, Jesus. If we neglect this sacred charge, pass this opportunity by, deliberately or otherwise, He will bring another along who will be faithful. Mere man cannot thwart the will and plan of God.

Beloved, do the work the Lord gives you, win souls, preach Christ, expound your Bibles, pray men to be reconciled to God, plead with men to come to Christ. This kind of work will stand the fire; and when the last great day shall dawn, this will remain to glory and honour –Charles Spurgeon.  

Brothers and sisters, you have heard His Voice—His effectual call. Now, as a result of that hearing, you are responsible, as a result of knowing Him, to fulfill His mandate. “Beloved, cling to the great truth of electing love and divine sovereignty, but let not these bind you in fetters when, in the power of the Holy Ghost, you become fishers of men” – Charles Spurgeon.

We are not certain whether all those men standing near to Paul, his companions, ever came to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus, but we can, by God’s grace, make it our lives work to ensure that no one walk away from our company without having been told of who our Jesus is, and His great love for them. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” –1 Peter 2:9.

Friend if you are here today and have heard of Jesus, but want to know Him in a deep and personal way, won’t you take a moment, right now to ask Him to come into your life, and make Himself real and alive in you? He’s present with you now—and He’s waiting. “Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled” –Hebrews 3:15.

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