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

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The Ultimate Treasure.

January 27, 2024 /

Kendra Santilli

Reward.

A mechanism so deeply embedded into the fabric of human functioning, reward is what fires off dopamine in our brains to make us move forward. Did you make a good meal? That is the reward for the labor of love that is meal preparation. Did you get a paycheck? That is the reward for the work which you so diligently put your hand to the plow. The relaxation of a clean house is the reward for the effort it took to clean up. A garden’s harvest is the reward for spring sowing. The list can go on, but you get my point. Perhaps this was a psychological system carefully placed within us with great intention by our Creator, God. It is the vehicle that drives us deeper into our pursuit of Him, and this deep dive is only discoverable to those who seek Him.

“… the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them… Blessed are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear.” – Matthew 13:11, 16.

You see, the more you know in Christ, the more you want to know.

The reward is the privilege of going deeper in Him. In fact, according to this verse, understanding the “secrets of the kingdom” is a gift. God has given them for us to know. In verse 13, Jesus says, “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” – Matthew 13:13. On our own, we can neither see nor hear the things of the spirit. We can certainly try, but without God opening the ears and eyes of our hearts, we cannot understand the things of The Spirit. We cannot see the reward of knowing Him without His blessing of understanding.

I believe that God wanted our relationship to be so rich from creation, knowing that He was our delight and reward. The reward is not merely in what He gives. Rather, it is simply in who He is. The Psalmist, David, is described as “a man after God’s own heart.” – 1 Samuel 13:14. If we look to him as an example of what it means to be after God’s heart, then we know that The Lord was David’s delight. He was David’s reward. “Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing” – Psalm 16:5. David knew that the things of this world are easy distractions from the Kingdom of God. He knew that seeking the Lord took diligence and was worth it.

The key to knowing the blessing of seeking the Lord is repentance.

To live in His blessing is to bear a broken and contrite heart before Him (Psalm 51:17). Consider this beautiful promise found in the book of Job: “If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; you will remove iniquity far from your tents. Then you will lay your gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. Yes, the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver; for then you will have your delight in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God.” – Job 22:23-26

If you return to the Almighty…

It is easy to leave all the other parts of this Scripture out and skip to the part where you will be built up. It is clear in Scripture that God works in covenant- contracts of sorts with mankind. Returning to the Almighty requires humility. The condition of the human heart makes it difficult to confess sin. Our pride builds walls between us and God that only humility and the Blood of Jesus can take down. This Scripture makes it clear that redirecting the object of our affection from material wealth to Almighty God moves us into favor with Him.

When we take that step towards returning to the Lord, we begin the journey into discovering more of Him.

The more we seek Him, the more we want to know Him. He simply becomes The Reward. Maturity teaches us that nothing is more satisfying than the joy of knowing Jesus. “My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalms 73:26. Our hearts and minds consistently lead us in the wrong direction without the wisdom of God to guide us, but, with pursuing Jesus comes the wisdom to make our every decision.

While we often search for fulfillment in our families, friends, or occupations (although all good things), we fail to realize He is it. Jesus is the Treasure. The treasure lies in the steadfastness of His character. Jesus is constant- He always provides, always protects, always restores, and always fills every need. Jesus is the treasure not necessarily measurable by what we can see with our physical eyes.

If you don’t know Jesus, I have good news for you. He is alive, and He loves you more than you can fathom. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior and begin to discover the treasure that is knowing Him. “But those who embraced him and took hold of his name he gave authority to become the children of God! He was not born by the joining of human parents or from natural means, or by a man’s desire, but he was born of God.” –John 1:12-13.

Natural vs. Supernatural: Faith, Hope & Love.

January 20, 2024 /

Elda Othello Wrightington

Do you like to journal? I have always kept a yearly journal. My most recent entry reflected on the last three years of my life. Over the previous three years, I’ve had my faith tested in 2021 and experienced hopelessness in 2022. Last year, the sincerity of love was questioned due to hurt and disappointments in 2023. As I journaled and poured out my heart to the Lord about love, the last and greatest of the three things, I realized something. Faith, hope, and love can be seen with either the natural eye or with supernatural eyes. “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” —1 Corinthians 13:13.

Let me explain.

Faith can be portrayed and publicized in the natural world on clothing, bumper stickers, jewelry, etc.; hope is often used loosely and casually.

For example, “I hope I win… (You fill in the blank).”

And, for the most part, in the natural, the word love is also often used by many like any other four-letter word.

“I love my car; I love these shoes; I love this song.”

Love is literally used to describe just about everything and any experience one can think of that brings pleasure. However, God helped me see that faith, hope and love are undeniably different in the supernatural. The Bible’s definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things Hope for and the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith is bold, brave and has substance.

It’s daring to believe in God no matter what, “even if,” because the truth is, in the Spirit, there is nothing too hard for God. Faith makes everything possible when we’re operating in the Spirit! Luke 1:37 says, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” However, trying to walk by faith in your flesh is contradictory and impossible because you’re trying to do something supernatural in your own strength.

You might be going through a season where your faith is being tested, and you’re trying to encourage yourself in your own strength.

Maybe you’re using some method of motivation or positive self-help talk, i.e. “I can do this… this is the plan. Follow it.” And though you might start out with desired goals in mind, even some good ideas, to move forward in these goals, the truth is, in the natural, your perceived notion of having faith really has no substance. It’s just your futile efforts greasing the wheel that will only get you so far. I found that the more I tried to exercise faith in my natural strength and abilities, the more I took my eyes off of God. The more I did that, the more it affected how I thought.

I didn’t know what to believe because my eyes were reaching for everything except God.

However, when I remember faith comes by hearing the Word, everything changes. “Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.” –Galatians 3:2.

And hope sprung up within me when I remembered God’s Word is Truth. “Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.” –John 17:17.

And when I remembered that God is Good, I remembered His love for me. “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His compassion and lovingkindness endure forever!” –Ps. 107.1.

I can depend on God’s Word. His Word is the only sure place to find faith and hope. It’s there I found substance.

Faith and hope really do go together.

God’s Word is dependable. His Word has substance. God’s Word never lies. His Word gives hope and helps cultivate faith. But loving someone or something can honestly try your faith when that love is being tested—when love tests your hope.

I realized loving in the natural, eros-romantic love is very different from agape love, God’s unconditional love.

You may be struggling with a relationship issue with your partner, spouse, brother, or sibling. Maybe it’s with your children or friend (philia love). I have noticed that when we struggle with the natural forms of love, we question God’s Love. That is what happened to me. Sometimes, the enemy will try to use these natural forms of love to taint God’s agape love.

Agape love is constantly demonstrating itself. We see the ultimate evidence of this at the Cross. “For God demonstrated His love towards us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” –Romans 5:8.

“Us” entails everyone. You, me, and even that person who has caused your hurt or pain. It’s so easy to confuse and get hurt by natural love because it’s so easy for us to lose ourselves in it. Carnal love is tangible and attainable; it can be touched and felt, unlike God’s love, which can surely be felt, only differently. So I found myself asking the Lord to forgive me for confusing eros and philia with agape love. For expecting from others what only God can give me.

The truth is, agape love, God’s love, is what remains after Philia and Eros leave. God’s Love is consistent. It doesn’t change. No matter what we have done. God’s love is quick to forgive and longs for reconciliation.

When my eyes were again opened to agape love, when I welcomed and embraced God’s love, only then could I walk in forgiveness. When hurt settles in the heart after experiencing rejection, upset and or trauma, agape love can heal, restore and help you believe in the goodness of God’s love again.

Friends, I encourage and remind you of Romans 8:28: “All things work together for the Good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

There is purpose amid pain. Pain is a natural, tangible feeling that is hard to shake. It requires you to pursue faith, hope and love to help heal it because these three things, when chased after and seen through God’s lens of the supernatural, will bring healing, peace, and so much more! God has a plan and purpose for your pain, but unless you choose to align with His plan by agreeing with the healing power of faith, hope, and love, then the struggle in the natural will continue to be difficult and daunting. Friends, if you have not accepted Christ, today is the day. I invite you to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He will lead you in the ways of Faith, Hope and Love.

Expecting.

January 13, 2024 /

MaryEllen Montville

“For while some are saying, “Finally we have peace and security,” sudden destruction will arrive at their doorstep, like labor pains seizing a pregnant woman—and with no chance of escape!” –1Thessalonians 5:3.

Sonsofthesea Family, please forgive the delay in this teaching being sent out. To err is human. I apologize.

Firstly, to my brothers in Christ, please, don’t let the image or title of this teaching cause you to turn away, thinking, “This is a woman’s message.” It’s not. It’s a message for us all. We are all expecting—regardless our gender. At least, we ought to be.

One of the many things I love about Jesus, His Word, is how He used everyday language. Imagery and references the average man could easily recognize. Old, young, man, woman, rich or poor, there was always something woven into His teachings for everyone—except, of course, for those who had zero interest in hearing it. But that is a message for a different day.

Today, I’ve been assigned the task of sharing with you what  Holy Spirit shared with me.

Words like “expecting, labor, timing, pain, sacrifice, suffering and such will be used.” As you can imagine, there was little surprise for me when Holy Spirit started using the imagery and language of birth to get His point across. God is nothing if not consistent.

So we’ll jump in here, and I’ll share with you what He shared with me:

When a woman is expecting, ready to deliver her child, what initiates her labor?

What thing or things must happen before her labor can begin?

According to an article submitted by Johns Hopkins, science doesn’t really have an exact answer to this question. They can’t articulate precisely why the onset of labor pains happens when they do. They can tell us about statistics, variables, studies, and parameters. They can share their guidelines and methods used in determining when a woman’s labor will likely occur—some window of sorts based on age-old and irrefutable facts. Years and centuries worth of compiled, detailed accounts and studies. This data has enabled science and doctors to narrow a woman’s due date to within a two-week window.

So, somewhere between here and there, things will start progressing quickly, speeding up and bringing the expecting woman’s body to the very brink of birth.

Maybe here is where my brothers say, “I thought you said this wasn’t a woman’s message. So far, it’s been all about what happens to women!” But wait, hang on, please. We’re about to pivot. You’re about to start to see where you fit into this message.

Interestingly, the Bible compares the rapture of the Church to the onset of a woman’s labor pains.

In fact, It’s so specific in its comparison of the two that God’s Word assures us Jesus has no more idea when this blessed event will occur than a woman knows the day or hour her labor will begin. “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” –Matthew 24:36.

Imagine, Jesus, the One who was born, crucified, died, and resurrected on the third day to save us, has no idea the day or hour in which He’ll rapture His Bride. And a woman, though pregnant and able to calculate her approximate due date, has no clue, really, when her actual labor will start.

The reason for them both not knowing? In a word, God. “He answered, “The Father is the one who sets the fixed dates and the times of their fulfillment. You are not permitted to know the timing of all that he has prepared by his own authority.” –Acts 1:7.

No one, not even His Beloved Son, Jesus, can move outside God’s expressed will, plan or Divine time. In the same way, nothing can live, move, or have its being outside of God’s expressed will. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” –John 5:30.

Only God in His Sovereignty, holds all time and times in His hands.

Jesus has no idea the day or hour He’ll first meet the Bride He’s given His Life for, gone and prepared a place for her. This Bride He loves passionately—fed and nurtured, loved and sacrificed and was willing to endure much suffering for. The Bride Jesus gave up His Body to protect all that she might be with Him and the Father always. And yet, not even He knows the day or hour He’ll first be able to hold her in His arms. Those same arms once nailed to His Cross.  

As I pivot here one last time, let me say this:  this teaching, with its comparisons and conclusions, is intended to point us toward God and His Sovereign control over all things.

It’s to land us squarely on the Truth that, contrary to who we are, what we may be seeing happening around us. Whatever imminent brand of darkness is looming ever closer, something more ominous and pervasive than ever before. Despite all that we see—and may feel, as Christians, such things ought not move us. We must rely on God alone. His Word alone. We must keep our eyes fixed on things above, not the swirling chaos at our feet, barking at us like some ratcheted-up junkyard dog hellbent on frightening us.

In closing, Jesus told His disciples it was best for them if He went otherwise; He could not send them the Comforter—one who would come and take up residence within them. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.” –John 14:16-17.

Though neither knows the exact hour, Jesus and the woman know their hour is upon them.

That some gossamer-thin veil of time is about to tear, ending the preparations, anticipation, and expecting, ushering in their reward for having endured the fullness of time. For one, a baby. For the other, a Bride. Each starts as a seed within the other. “For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love.” –Ephesians 1:4.

Jesus, the Ultimate Sacrifice, will soon be made eternally One with His Beloved. “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.” –Mark 13:7.

If you’re a Christian, you’re also expecting. At least, you ought to be waiting, watching, making ready, preparing yourself and those in your family, workplace, classroom, at the market or gas station—for Jesus’ soon arrival. “Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” –Ephesians 5:16.

And you, friend, if you have yet to meet the One who is patiently waiting for you to call out—”Jesus, save me!” Now is the time. These are perilous times. And no man is promised tomorrow. I don’t say this to frighten you; watch the news for confirmation. But, if my telling you moves you to cry out to Jesus, I’ve done what I was sent to do. Point everyone who will listen toward Jesus, the Savior. “For while some are saying, “Finally we have peace and security,” sudden destruction will arrive at their doorstep, like labor pains seizing a pregnant woman—and with no chance of escape!” –1Thessalonians 5:3.

Keep It Simple, Saint.

January 6, 2024 /

Matthew Botelho

“Yes, He loves the people; All His saints are in Your hand; They sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words.” –Deuteronomy 33:3.

Happy 2024, my dear friends. We all look forward to a fresh start, a clean slate for the coming year. Some might even say, “Thank You, God, this year is over!” I am sure there are many reading this with that mindset. However, may I suggest that we reflect on the accomplishments  God led you into in 2023? Remember always to thank God for those victories and to reflect on the lessons they taught us. Maybe these lessons help you in 2024.

One thing is sure: trials build us up in our faith and bring into focus how much we need to rely on God in all parts of our lives.

I am reminded of the Apostle Peter and what he wrote:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” –1 Peter 1:3-5.  

In this Scripture, first and foremost, Peter remembers God, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Then, Peter points us to Jesus, who offers us His abundant mercy and Living hope.

My dear friends, if you have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, you have this incorruptible inheritance. The incorruptible seed of salvation has been placed in you, making you a coheir with Christ, a child of the Most High God. Your inheritance cannot fade away because the Blood of Christ Jesus has sealed you as His own; God’s mercy is over you. Again, Peter focuses first on the Kingdom of God in this Scripture. He is reminding us that God must be first in our lives. Then, without having a relationship with His Son, we should expect no inheritance from God; only children receive a parent’s inheritance.

Peter continues this thought in the following verses: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials; that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found in praise honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” –1 Peter 1:6-7.

Peter is saying we will go through some stuff, maybe like some of the same stuff that made you glad that 2023 is over. But, he’s also telling us that as we go through these trials, we are to rejoice, knowing that our salvation is being worked out in fear and trembling, in awe and wonder of God’s goodness, kindness and mercy towards us.

Friends, as I stated before, if you are God’s child, God’s mercy is on you!

As Peter reminds us, we, as His children, can cast our cares and worries onto Him, who is greater than all of our problems. “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” –1 Peter 5:7.

But how do we do it, you may ask? I am glad you asked that question. The answer is found in verse seven, where Peter says. “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Our worshipping Jesus is the key to our being overcomers, dear friends.

Accepting trials with thanksgiving because we trust God is at work in us, our situations, and our lives. Seeking God first during the trials. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus reminds us, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

When we honor God and praise Him with all our heart, Holy Spirit will, as with gold, refine and strengthen our faith; when gold is smelted, impurities are purged, but only when the gold is put into extreme heat. Only then can its impurities be removed by the smelter.

Your faith, as it gets burning hot for Jesus, will grow and become pure if you allow it to stay in the fire.

Do not let that fire burn out, my friends. In Philippians 1:6, the Apostle Paul writes, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God’s Holy Spirit removes our dross, those things that only hinder our faith, so allow Him to rid you of every impurity still clinging to you from 2023; you no longer need it. 

Keep It Simple, Saints.

Love God and surrender fully to Him. Trust Jesus, sit at His feet, and receive from Him. Let Him who began a good work in you do what only He can as you offer more and more of yourself to Him in worship. “He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –1 Corinthians 1:6.

If you are reading this for the first time and feel a tug on your heart, please know it is the Lord Jesus knocking. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him. And he with Me,” I pray you will receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior today. I pray you will repent of your sins and ask Jesus to come into your life. Today is the day of salvation! Do not let this moment go by. Receiving the Lord’s salvation will be the most incredible way to start your New Year. Amen

The Hands and Feet of Jesus.

December 30, 2023 /

Pastor Samuel Cordeiro

The year 2023 has quickly come and has quickly passed. For many, 2023 was a challenging year; for others, 2023 was a year of victories. 2024 is now upon us, and I have an encouragement, or better yet, a challenge for the global church, the global Body of Christ – that we stand up and be the hands and feet of Jesus! This world is desperate for a touch from God, and God has called every follower and disciple of Jesus Christ to be the conduit of His supernatural, miraculous power.

In the book of Matthew, we read about one of Jesus’ more famous miracles, the feeding of the five thousand men, besides women and children.

” When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” –Matthew 14:13-21

In this passage, we see a large crowd of followers desperate and hungry to hear the words of Jesus. They were in a deserted place, far from any fast food or supermarket. Jesus has been healing the sick and speaking to the crowd for hours. It was getting late, and Jesus’ disciples made a very good “suggestion” to Jesus – (v15): “Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” The disciples were thinking rationally. They were speaking out of sincere care for the crowd, suggesting they leave now before it gets too dark for them to go to the nearest village and buy themselves food.

Jesus’s response was highly fascinating – (v16): “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” I can only imagine what the disciples were thinking: What do you mean to give them something to eat? There are thousands of people here! We didn’t even bring food for ourselves!

In the gospel of Mark, Mark 6:37, we read how the disciples responded to Jesus: “…That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” Again, the disciples were thinking rationally and not with eyes of faith; their giving the crowd something to eat hadn’t even crossed their brains.

We read in John 6:9 that the disciples found a boy in the crowd with five loaves of bread and two small fish and brought it all to Jesus.

The disciples had heard Jesus when He had told them to feed the crowd. Yet, they knew they could not do it with their own strength.

In verse 18, Jesus told them to bring what they had to Him.

There are many times when God calls us to do something, yet we rely on our natural ability and give up and say it is impossible. Yet, with God, all things are possible!

God is asking all of us to bring what we have to the Lord and watch Him multiply and supernaturally take what we have to further His kingdom here on earth. We should not rely on our strength or abilities, talents, gifts, or resources, but put our faith and trust in Him alone!

In verse 19, after the disciples gave what they had to Jesus, He commands the crowd to take a seat on the grass, in a way, telling them to rest, wait and watch patiently. When we surrender or give to the Lord, we often expect a miracle right away, yet there will be times when Jesus tells us to sit, wait and watch Him.

Jesus then took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes (v.19). After Jesus had given thanks and blessed the five loaves and two fish, He didn’t pass the food directly to the crowd, He didn’t call birds to drop the food in the laps of the crowd, He gave it the disciples to pass it out. The disciples became an extension of the hands and feet of Jesus – the conduit of blessing, the conduit of God’s supernatural miraculous power.

As we approach this new year, I pray that we all surrender everything we have and are to the Throne and feet of Jesus. When we do so, we must rest in Him, wait on Him, and watch Him move. However, we must also be vigilant because, yes, there will be times that God will drop mana from heaven or send a wind to blow quail into our camp, but there will also be times when God is calling us to be His conduit of blessing towards others.

And when He does so, we need to be ready to rise up and be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us and beyond our near reach. 

Let’s all be reminded of Jesus’ word in Matthew 25:40-45: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

The very first step in surrendering to God is wholly surrendering our hearts and lives to Him. Above all else, God wants our hearts surrendered to Him. I encourage you today. To open up your hearts and welcome Him in. 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 dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

Appointed Times.

December 23, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there…” –Luke 2:27.

A fine thread is inextricably woven throughout the Old and New Testaments—seemlessly uniting the two into one Living Word. An unbreakable, unfaltering, infallible tenet—resilient and unchanging, from Genesis to Revelation and from generation to generation, it has been witnessed flowing effortlessly from the very fingertips of God. God, whose Words gave birth to whole planets, whose prophets foretold His birth, and whose Spirit overshadowed a virgin. His life having entered her womb—miraculous!

By the power of His Holy Spirit, this same God led Simeon to the Temple on a specific day and time so that Simeon might rejoice as he held the fulfillment of God’s promise in his arms, the eight-day-old King of kings. “At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.” –Luke 2: 25-26.

Meanwhile, on a distant pasture, under the canopy of a clear, starry night, shepherds tended their flocks in Bethlehem. These were no ordinary sheep—nor shepherds. And this was no typical night. These sheep were spotless, having been set apart as sin offerings for use in the Temple by the High Priest. And God Himself had handpicked these lowly shepherds to be messengers of His Good News. Now in the heavens above them, God’s angel, His herald, rent the night sky open, making room for the glory of God to flood this holy night in indescribable splendor while he announced the birth of their long-awaited Messiah!

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” –Luke 2:8-12.

All the while, in a stable not far off, Mary, a newly betrothed, devout Jewish girl, was lying on the hay in a manger. She wasn’t surrounded by her mother and the women of her family. Not even a midwife was present. Only Joseph and the prying eyes of barnyard animals watched her every move as she pushed the God-child out of her body and into the world He was born to save. Mary, too, had also been chosen by God for this appointed hour. “She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” –Luke 2:7.

“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you. The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High.” –Luke 2:27-28; 30-32.

How will you respond when God’s appointed times aren’t wrapped up in the pretty packages you imagined? Dare I say, expected? When the absolute best God offers looks nothing like the Hallmark moments most 21st-century Christians have grown to expect?

Starting in Genesis, with God’s first recorded utterance and before, unquestionably, no single thing, no life, death, circumstance, trial, test, dream fulfilled, or birth, has, or will come before God’s appointed time. In fact, they’ll often come in ways we least expect, through people we least expect and at the most unexpected times.

Then again, since Jesus’s arrival, before, actually, God has been turning the world upside down.

Virgin births. A King, born as a servant, not in a palace, but in a stable. A King who hailed from a town most laughed at when its name was mentioned. “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.” –John 1:46. But that wasn’t the case with Simeon. This devout, righteous man didn’t concern himself with where or how God would fulfill the promise He’d made him. Simeon knew that God would do what He said He would do at the appointed time.

And so, Simeon waited.

How long? Scripture doesn’t tell us.

Was it five years, ten, twenty-five? It’s irrelevant. What is relevant is that God’s Holy Spirit led Simeon to the Temple on the exact day a portal connecting heaven and earth had been opened—an appointed time. When God Most High, El Elyon, showed Himself to be inscrutable. And Jesus, a newborn babe, awaited Simeon’s arrival. Jesus, the Messiah, a promise foretold by the prophets, held now, finally, in an old man’s arms. “That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God…” –Luke 2:27.

But what if Simeon had decided to pass on going to Temple that day? Choose not to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead. Think of the consequences!

God had made Simeon a promise—Mary, too. Yet each waited on God while enduring trials and testing, the taunts of those who said, “God did what?” “Said what!”

Each had no clue just how God’s promise would change their lives, only that in the best way possible—it would.

How did they know this?

They trusted God.

They loved and knew Him experientially.

They understood Jesus as a person of His Word.

Each wholeheartedly believed God would bring to fruition what He had promised them.

Has God given you a Word?

Has He promised you that you would see something? Move somewhere? Marry someone, have a child, start that ministry, that He’d restore a relationship, yet here it is years later, and still, you’re waiting? If this is you, Beloved of God, you’re in good company. Take patient hope from Simeon’s story.

Or take a lesson from Mary’s unwavering faith. Just think of the souls that have been and will be saved because she dared to believe the God of the impossible—and do the same. “For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.” –Habakkuk 2:3.

Friends, Jesus assures us that He will return at a time predestined and known only to the Father. Like Simeon, we don’t know when God will fulfill His promise, only that He will. Today, maybe, or tonight? Five days, weeks, or years from now, twenty-five perhaps—who knows when? Timing is not the point—Truth is. Don’t allow the times to distract you from the Truth. Jesus will return. Are you ready to receive Him? That’s all that matters. “The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” –2 Peter 3:9.

Abound In Generosity.

December 16, 2023 /

Matthew Botelho

“Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” –Luke 6:38.

The season of remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is upon us. During this season of joy and hope, we laugh more, smile more, and give of more of ourselves. We are reminded of the extreme generosity of God the Father—how His loving kindness and mercy surpass anything we could ever give. God’s greatest Gift to us all was bringing His only begotten Son into this sinful world and offering us freedom from its darkness through His Everlasting Light.

John 3:16 describes the Father’s unimaginable love and generosity like this: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Yet, according to this world’s standards, money is the first thing that comes to the minds of many when they think of generosity.

Does your mind wander towards money? Money may be the first place our minds go when considering generosity, but generosity doesn’t always involve money.

What about our time or our talents?

Generosity can most certainly be shown by our sharing either of these.

Generosity involves showing a readiness to give more of something, like money, time or the use of our gifts and talents, than is strictly necessary or expected.

Generosity can also involve showing compassion and kindness towards others. And kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, which God cultivates in us. The Apostle Paul spoke about this in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” My friends, love is the most excellent fruit the Spirit produces in us. It is the first fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, from which every other fruit is born.

Since God’s great love for His creation enables those who receive His Son, Jesus, as Lord and Savior,  shouldn’t we also give our best during this time, or better yet, throughout the year? Jesus is well worth it, my friends!

If you are a follower of our Lord Jesus, then you need to be the one to set the bar high, to be the example to all who know you of this Truth found in John 13:35. “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

My friends, be generous with your gifts, talents, and time. And what better way to show someone how much you love the Lord than by telling those needing to hear the Truth that Jesus loves them!

In your giving, give without thought of receiving, and share with the right motives—not to be seen or praised as generous or extravagant by others. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.” –Matthew 6:2.

Examine your heart, asking yourself: “Does my heart align with how Jesus has commanded us to love?

 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” –John 13:34-35.

When giving or sharing what we have with others, our hearts ought to align with God’s Word.”Love one another as I have loved you.” –John 13:34.

Do everything from a pure heart fixed on blessing others; don’t be self-seeking or looking out for some reward.

I say this because I watched a YouTube video recently where a person gave money to a homeless person. At first, I thought the gesture was beautiful until I saw that same person do it for another, then another, and another, all while being recorded. I asked myself, “Is this person doing this generous because they genuinely love these people and sincerely want to help them, or is he looking out for his interests?” Meaning, the number of followers he might get by publicizing his generosity? Watching this video begs the question, and I am sorry if this hits a nerve in anyone,

“Is it really necessary to video yourself doing good? Isn’t kindness its own reward?” 

To answer this, we’ll go to the Word of God, where Jesus says: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly I say to you they have their reward.” –Matthew 6:1-2.

To paraphrase what Jesus says in these two verses, “Don’t showboat!”

We should never use our generosity to say, “Hey, did you see what I did?” –blowing our own trumpet, just as the hypocrites do. We see that Jesus says there will be no reward in heaven for our doing this. Instead, the reward received is here on earth, the applause of men destined to disappear.

Let’s look at what else Jesus had to say about this matter in verses 3-4: “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

God is always watching—nothing escapes Him. He is omnipresent and omnipotent. Meaning God is everywhere and knows every man’s intentions and actions. There is nothing new for Him and nothing hidden that will not be revealed. 1 Peter 3:12 reminds us: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

In Hebrews 4:13, the Apostle Paul writes, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”  

God knows the heart, my brothers and sisters, and its motives.

If your generosity is indeed genuine, God will honor it and openly reward you—this is God’s promise. And if your generosity is genuinely rooted in love, then the fruit of the Spirit: joy, peace, kindness, and goodness, for example, will spring forth and touch the hearts of those you bless.

This Christmas season, let your heart align with Jesus’, giving thanks to God the Father for the greatest Gift of all, His son. God so loves each of you that His everlasting generosity will come forth yet again this Christmas in the eternal Gift of His Son, Jesus. 

“Heavenly Father, I pray those reading this teaching have felt the stirring of the Holy Spirit. May the one who has yet to meet You receive the greatest Gift of all, Jesus. And in meeting Him, receive their salvation. I pray that every soul encounters Your Son Jesus this Christmas, and I pray they confess, in faith, believing that their sins will be forgiven and washed away by Your shed Blood. May this be a Christmas full of “New beginnings.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Saturation Point.

December 9, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“They will fall by the sword, or be carried off into slavery among all the Gentiles. And Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, till the appointed times of the Gentiles have expired.” –Luke 21:24

Saturation Point. Dictionary.com defines it this way: A point at which some capacity is at its fullest; limit:

As I read today’s Scripture, its last nine words came alive. God’s Logos, His written Word, became Rhema, a Living Word. I couldn’t help but think of everything happening in Israel right now. Let me explain: the Holy Spirit mostly speaks a Rhema Word into our spirit as we read His Written Word. It’s made alive and often applies to a right-now situation in our lives or the world around us. A Rhema Word is the Holy Spirit drawing our attention to or confirming something of importance. In every case, God’s Rhema Word must align with His written Word—His Logos. Holy Spirit is a God of order, not confusion. He will not “share” something with any of His children that does not align with what He has already spoken in His inerrant Scriptures.

“When, Lord? “When will the fullness of the Gentiles be complete?”

“When will You rapture Your Church?”

Those questions were burning in my heart as I read today’s Scripture. Like many brothers and sisters, I, too, am “watching and waiting” for our Lord’s return.

A greater sense of expectation has gripped me lately—an even deeper longing has been awakened.

Today, that growing expectation made me ask: “When will You call us Home, Lord?”

This world is not our home, and it’s undoubtedly nearing its saturation point. How much further will You allow things to deteriorate before You say, “Come on Home?

Abba, I’m not questioning You. I’m asking You a question, putting to words the recurring thoughts in so many of Your children’s hearts, Lord. “Are we one drop, five, ten drops even from this world having reached its absolute ability to contain the sin, hatred, hardheartedness, rebellion and rejection of You and most anything to do with You?

Will my brothers, sisters, and I live to be raptured?”

Mind you, either way, we won’t stand idly by, just watching the sky or the news for signs—concerning the rapture, they’ve been fulfilled. Still, while we watch, wait, trust, and pray to the Lord of the harvest, we’ll fish for men.

Yet I’m hoping that today, no, before this sentence is finished…

“It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” –1 Corinthians 15:52.

Still, I wanted to know more about those nine words Holy Spirit brought to life to answer my question.

I’ll pause here to clarify that Scripture clearly states no man knows the day or hour the rapture will occur, so, straightaway, what this teaching is not, is a false prophetic word concerning the Church being raptured. Given today’s climate, I choose to leave nothing open for interpretation.

As I said, I wanted to know the meaning behind today’s Scripture, so I went digging.

I read more concerning the historical background of Jerusalem and the Jewish people. That led me back to the Bible, to Jesus and today’s verse, then to the Apostle Paul and his teaching on the meaning of the fullness of the Gentiles. “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.” –Romans 11:25-26.

At the end of the day, Jesus and the Apostle Paul confirm that a divinely set number of Gentile believers must first accept Jesus as Lord and Savior before every living Jew will be saved, having finally accepted the Truth that Jesus is the Messiah.

In roughly A.D. 70, Jerusalem received its fatal blow at the hands of Rome, its oppressor, where, it’s said, some 1.1 million Jews had been murdered and where approximately 100,000 others were enslaved, used to feed Rome’s insatiable appetite for dominance. Of this horrific atrocity, Johannes Norval Geldenhuys, a South African minister and Bible Commentator, writes: From the commencement of the history of the Jewish nation, God, through His servants, warned them clearly that if they behaved unfaithfully and wickedly, they would reap disastrous retribution. Especially the striking words of Deuteronomy 28:15-68. There is almost no form of calamity that visited the Jews during the Roman-Jewish war, not mentioned here in Deuteronomy.

I strongly recommend you pick up your Bible and read what the Lord warned would happen to His chosen people should they disobey Him. And then, ask yourself, if God did not allow His firstborn to escape the consequences of their deliberate sin and rebellion, what makes anyone today think that they will escape God’s judgement if they refuse to repent of their intentional, flagrant sins?

I share this Truth in love, not to frighten you but to remind us all, starting with myself, that we serve a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Full of mercy, longsuffering, and whose heart it is certainly, that not one should perish, yet He’s also a just God who will not allow his creations to reject Him forever. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” –2 Peter 3:9.

God’s heart is that no one tastes destruction—that which was created for Satan and his followers.

Some commentators say that when Rome had sated its savage appetite, having devoured Jerusalem and its people, not one Jew was left alive. In addition, no Jew was allowed to enter Jerusalem save one day a year—when they were allowed to enter and mourn the ravaging of their people, Jerusalem’s utter destruction, and its renaming at the hand of its Roman conquerors.

Even then, to ensure nothing of the Jews remained, Rome renamed and rebuilt a city atop Jerusalem’s ruins, calling it Aelia Capitolina.

Antisemitism is nothing new.

Knowing that He had forewarned His people of the inescapable destruction to come upon them and their land should they choose not to obey Him, is it any wonder that as Jesus drew near Jerusalem and, seeing into its near future, the utter pain and destruction yet to come, He wept? “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things [that make] for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. “For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, “and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” –Luke 19:41-44.

In 1948, a Jewish state was established by what can only be described as the Sovereign Hand of God after thousands of years of its people having been scattered, existing in exile. Yet it wasn’t until 1967 that Israel took control of the Old City in the Six-Day War with Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. And yet, even to this very day, Arab Gentiles continue to reign over the most contested site in all of Jerusalem – the Temple Mount.

And so, we wait and watch while we continue to work—knowing that, at least for today, the fullness of the Gentiles has yet to occur.

Unless, suddenly…

Friends, the fullness of the Gentiles is about God not wanting any man—Jew or Gentile, to perish. So, if you have yet to accept Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior, please do it today. Listen to Jesus’ Words concerning the hour we find ourselves: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24: 36-37; 42:44.

A Servant’s Heart

December 2, 2023 /

Matthew Botelho

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” –Mark 10:45.

One of the greatest honors of being a part of the Body of Christ is servanthood. There is no greater love than to lay down your life for another brother or sister. I am not speaking of literally dying or sacrificing yourself for someone, but of taking time out of your life and committing to serve a fellow church member or neighbor.

Each of us plays a unique role in the Kingdom of God.We were not born without purpose. YOU, FRIEND, HAVE PURPOSE!

If we are members of the Body of Christ, then today’s Scripture verse is a model of how we all ought to participate in service to each other. It may be a short Scripture; however, it is weighty.

Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Living Word of God.

Scripture tells us the Word became flesh and dwelt with man for a time. Here on earth, Jesus took on the role of a servant rather than a King. And instead of lording His Majesty over us, He chose to have a relationship with us. Jesus went to the Cross, knowing that all the Father had sent Him to do had been accomplished. He stepped down from heaven and took on the form of a man, knowing what He would endure would result in the salvation of many. Jesus endured the Cross, taking on our punishment. He who knew no sin freely took your sin upon Himself, a divine exchange.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it to be robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the Cross.” –Philippians 6:5-8.

Jesus did not consider Himself equal to God the Father, and He did not act on His own behalf.

Jesus saw Himself as a reflection of the Creator of heaven and earth, and in John 5:19, He says as much: “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.”

Jesus constantly communicated with His Father, demonstrating true communion and relationship. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the Father was always with Him. Scripture tells us Jesus came out of the water of His baptism, and the heavens opened, and in that moment, we get to witness the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17.

We see the love of the Father physically expressed when the heavens opened, and immediately, God stated how pleased He was with his Son.

A genuine relationship with God starts when we say yes to our Lord Jesus and surrender all to Him—denying our flesh daily. Ridding ourselves of a “me first” mindset means looking to God in every circumstance and humbling ourselves as servants. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” –Matthew 16:24-25.

We deny ourselves for the sake of the Kingdom that God may get the glory, not us. I am not sure about you, but that can be a humbling undertaking for me. One I cannot do in my own power or will.

Our shoulders are too small to carry such a load. But with Jesus and the Holy Spirit at work in us, our work gets lighter and is not burdensome. In John 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, for you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Now, some people hear the word yoke and instantly think of the yellow of the egg, but Jesus is talking about a heavy piece of wood or leather placed on an ox team to plow the fields in preparation for seeding. The hard ground must be broken up so that the Sower can sow his seed—so, too, in a man’s heart.

When we go out to do Kingdom work wearing the yoke of “self,” whatever we put our hand to will become an incredible burden. Often, we will end up burning out and eventually giving up. This happens to so many brothers and sisters. They become weary in well-doing, forgetting the true purpose of service. We must focus on Christ when doing anything for our church, community, or brothers and sisters. Our hearts must be aligned with His heart. His yoke, strength, and Spirit at work in us are more than enough to finish whatever good works He had us begin.

Are you at peace when serving where God has planted you, or are you serving to be seen by those in leadership? Remember, dear friend, even those in leadership are accountable to Christ. In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.” Your leaders may possess their roles, yet even they must remember from Whom their authority comes. 

Jesus continues in John 15:6, saying, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he will be cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

Are you feeling a bit dry and withered? My friend, if you continue trying to serve in your own strength, you will get sick in your mind and heart. Your feeling burned out is a red flag. Holy Spirit is saying, “Come back to Me and be filled; you are tired and dry.”

Run to the Word of God, sit at Jesus’ feet, and be replenished.

As for me, I do not want to serve as dry as a stick, and I pray that you do not either. 

My friends, I pray this has edified and stirred up something inside you. Know that Jesus can bring you the peace and strength you need to endure in every storm and every circumstance. Know that you are made for a purpose. To serve with joy!

Heavenly Father, I believe anyone reading this who has yet to know You as Savior feels You tugging on their heart and enters into a relationship with You. I pray they invite Jesus into their hearts and confess their sins before You. I pray that Your Holy Spirit brings peace to their minds as they confess Jesus as Lord over their lives because the Blood of Jesus is enough to wash away their sins. In Jesus’ mighty name, I pray, Amen.

Let’s Talk About Faith.

November 25, 2023 /

Pastor Maria Braga

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” –Hebrews 11:16.

Sometimes, as horrible as it sounds, cancer can be a gift from God to change us from the inside out and teach us how to relate to others who will come after us and need our encouragement.

Back in February, I received horrible news about my health.

I heard those words people are terrified to hear: “You have breast cancer.”

When we hear these words, our hearts can sink, our hope can fade, and our flesh quickly kicks in to create discouragement. And with all the terms thrown around in the world’s culture—words like odds, chemo, radiation, and only a percentage of those…

When bad things happen, we are to trust that the God I spoke of in my last teaching, The One True God Jeremiah followed and obeyed, is working all the “bad things” together for our good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” –Romans 8:28.

How can we obtain such faith?

We ask for faith, and God gives it as a free gift. “For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.” —Romans 12:3.

Faith to know that the Dunamis power of the Holy Spirit, which lives inside us, strengthens us to live powerful lives of faith, just as Jeremiah and the great cloud of witnesses which have gone before us did – We must believe this is true! “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” –Hebrews 11:1.

As I said back in October. It’s incredible to me how we can have this same faith to obey today as Jeremiah did back then. We are not Jeremiah or Paul, David or Esther. We don’t have the same call as Jeremiah or any of those before us, but we can learn how to walk out our calling by paying attention to their testimonies. We can look at Jeremiah’s testimony and how he did it and be inspired and encouraged to follow God as he followed God.

Our faith stands tall when we are on top of the mountain, and everything is going well, yet our confidence must remain when we are at the bottom of the valley and things are falling apart.

We must know that our identity is in Christ, and our culture is based on Christ’s Word so we might not give into fear and be overcomers. Yes, regardless of our deep faith, we can still shake a little when bad news strikes, but we know the promises God makes to us, and we must hold onto them, knowing that: “Not one hair will fall off my head. He is unaware of.” –Luke 21:18.

If God is aware of just one hair falling off my head, how much more aware is He of my entire being?

Those moments of suffering that follow the bad news are excruciating at times, but we call on Jesus through it all, and, like Jeremiah, Paul, and those who have suffered bad news before us, something inside us, something bigger than us, knows that somehow God is at work! I remember calling out to Him in agony all night and day. His answer to me was: “I AM.” He was not specific, but something deep inside me knew “I AM” was at work. I didn’t see or feel anything, but I knew My Daddy was working something out for me in the Spirit, and sure enough, He was.

That faith carried me through the moments after the chemotherapy and the injections I had to take. Later, my oncologist noted that my painful experience was a good sign; my body responded well to the treatment. As I reminded us last time I was with you, we are unique and are called to experience God and His purpose and calling on our lives differently. So, my experience was not precisely like Jeremiah’s experience or any of those who have gone before me. Still, it certainly was a stern test to endure, a test that is becoming a testimony in this season of my life.

Regardless of what happens in time, we live for eternity in heaven with our Creator King.

Jeremiah teaches us in chapter 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

This Scripture speaks to us individually. Our calling can look different than everyone else’s, but we must embrace it, knowing that God specifically and strategically designed it according to our makeup and mission here and now. Only He who holds tomorrow knows what tomorrow holds, and He is already in tomorrow and waiting to say to us: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I pray every person reading this word is encouraged and renewed in their faith. Bless each one. Bless their calling, and launch them into the next level in their faith, amen! And those that have yet to know You as I do, I believe You’ve called them here today that they might. If this is you, please, like all those who have gone before you and me, obey God’s calling you into a relationship with Himself. Just say yes and mean it, like we all did. Then trust God to do what He can—free you from the world’s grip. “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” –2 Corinthians 6:18.

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