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

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The Living Bridge.

March 9, 2024 /

“And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” –Ezekiel 36:27.

Not all of us are called to be engineers, to build bridges, footbridges, or skywalks, structures that connect two fixed points and enable us to move freely between them. And because this isn’t our calling, we may not fully understand the purpose and intrinsic necessity of each component used in their construction. Not, certainly, to the same level of understanding as the engineer. For instance, do you know the purpose behind an engineer’s use of a cap or girder? What they are? How about a pile, arch, cantilever, or cutwater? What about tensile strength? Neither do I. But what you and I likely have in common with the one who does know the answers to these questions is this: we have driven across a bridge, walked across a footbridge, or skywalk—structures they’ve built to connect one fixed part of something to its other.

The Holy Spirit also pointed out how He uses visible, relatable examples, like bridges, to connect one fixed part of a thing to its other, first to get our attention and then connect it to some spiritual Truth. Much like Jesus did when using parables. He used what people were familiar with to help teach them greater spiritual Truths. “The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.” –Matthew 13:10-12.

Holy Spirit spoke about how no tonnage of adverse pressure heaped upon God’s Living Word has or will ever change or weaken it, causing it to buckle or lose strength. How nothing, no man’s opinion, no commentary or culture, no theologian’s best-intended musings, has, nor can negate the seamless, indestructible connection between the Old Testament and the New.

This made perfect sense to me as pointing to Jesus, God’s Living Word, is Holy Spirit’s primary purpose.

From Genesis to Revelation, Jesus is the Immutable Living Bridge, the Master Engineer who connects the two seamlessly. “Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever.” –Hebrews 13:8. And He is the only way for any of us to get back into right relationship with the Father. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” –John 14:6.

According to Great River Greenway, an abatement’s purpose is to connect the deck of a bridge (what we travel across) to the ground beneath it, helping support its weight horizontally and vertically. There’s so much theology lodged in these two simple sentences that it would take a whole other teaching on the Cross or the only way we get to the Father, salvation, and so much more.

But that will have to wait for another day. Right now, I’ll stay focused on today’s assignment instead.

In keeping with the engineering lingo, Jesus is the abutment seen in both the Old and New Testaments—starting in Eden, with the bloody skins God used to cover Adam and Eve, and ending in the Book of Revelation with His assuring the world of His return—He is both Alpha and Omega.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” –1 Corinthians 3:11. Jesus is the Immutable God who connects all happenings outside of time as we understand them to our earthly lives, then loops them and eventually us back into eternity again, completing the circle.

As I started typing, I began to understand where Holy Spirit was leading us today, straight to the seamless joining of the tenable Truth connecting today’s Old Testament Word to its New Testament other, Jesus. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” – Philippians 2:13.

Within two verses, we witness one seamless connection—a unifying footbridge affording us a panoramic view encompassing both perspectives. From Zechariah, found in the Old Testament, to Philippians, seen in the New, we witness the masterful merging of the whole counsel of God—just one of the many unifying connections spanning God’s Inerrant Word. From beginning to end, everything directs us towards Jesus.

Everything as we understand it, from our world to our faith, is found and held together in Him and by Him. “And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.]” –Colossians 1:17.

As witnessed in today’s verse, Holy Spirit allowed the prophet a hint of His power and authority, an innate knowing that something more was yet to come. Unbeknownst to Zechariah, God was constructing a massive bridge that would begin with Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and then reach the ends of the world, wherever that is.

How? By the same power that enabled twelve ordinary men to take all Jesus shared with them and use it to continue to build a bridge that would allow countless many back to Him all that they too may have new life. “But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” –Acts 1:8.

These men were the first to receive and carry the full weight of what the Trinity had conceived and agreed upon somewhere outside of time as we understand it. Dead men being given new Life. “But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” –Matthew 13:16-17.

And, thanks be to God because He ensured they would be bastions of strength and tenable ability. Countless people still today are using the foundation they, following the example of their Master, laid down their lives to afford us—the ability to choose life in Christ Jesus. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.” –Ephesians 1:4.

Friend, if you have yet to cross the bridge that leads to Life—Jesus, I urge you to do it today. He is the only Way to the Father and life eternal. “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –John 14:6.

One Thing…

February 24, 2024 /

Matthew Botelho

“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, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” –Matthew 11:28-30.

In today’s world, my dear friends, we all need rest. I mean a deep rest. We need to shut out the world around us and focus instead on seeking God. For a long while now, I have felt in my spirit that many of us are battle-worn, tired, and needing replenishment. After all, a vessel cannot pour out if it is empty. Something must fill it first. Then, it can be used to pour out. And from what I see, many today are poured out, dry vessels needing a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. Needing to cry out to Jesus and pray for His fresh wine, His blessings, and His fullness to come in and fill us—quenching and replenishing our thirsty souls—me included.

And yet, as I am sure you know, shutting down the world around us long enough to hear from God can be difficult.

Why? Because it surrounds us. We walk out our doors, and it is our faces. We turn on our television, tablet, or computer, pick up our phones, and multimedia tries to tell us what to believe or listen to. Some of us have jobs that are void of the Light of Christ. We are the only ones working there who may know or share the Gospel of Christ. All this can be tiring and discouraging. But, my dear brothers and sisters, I have come to remind and encourage you today that despite how you may be feeling, you are the Light of Christ Jesus—a glory carrier.

There is so much noise and distraction in our world and minds that it can often make it nearly impossible to remember this Truth. So, I will remind you instead of what Paul writes: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” –Ephesians 6:12.

At our church, we are being reminded and encouraged by Psalm 24:7 by our pastors and elders. “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.”

Friends, you are the gates when you worship the King of Glory!

His Holy Spirit will open wide the gates of your heart to receive the fulness of what Jesus has for you as you worship. Worship is the posture of our hearts as we praise Jesus alone. When you are dry and tired, seek Him. When you need wisdom, seek Him! Come expecting God’s fullness to overtake you, filling you to overflowing whenever you realign your vision and reposition your heart to His—receiving from Him instead of pouring out into others.

In Luke 10, Jesus is at the home of Mary and Martha.

As Jesus is reclining at the table, Martha is preparing and running around getting things organized for dinner. All she wants to be is a good host for her company, which is good, but Martha is very distracted. Her heart is that of a “deliverer.” Being a deliverer means serving with everything in you—giving it your all, but Martha is not taking the time to be replenished. What ends up happening? She gets discouraged.

Her sister Mary, however, is found sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him teach, taking in His every Word. She is having an intimate moment with Jesus. Her heart is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world around her. All she wants is to be with Jesus. Mary’s heart has taken the posture of a “receiver,” taking in the fullness of what Jesus was teaching and speaking to her, being filled up and readied to pour out.

Friends, if we just stopped and listened, as Mary did, and let God be God. If we would stop and take a knee, I assure you the posture of our hearts will truly change, just as Luke 10 reminds us: “But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone therefore tell her to help me. And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” –Luke 10:40-42.

Jesus says: “But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen the best part.” Did you catch that?

Jesus requires just one thing from us during our time with Him: To listen and receive. To be intimate and intentional in our time with Him.

Martha got so busy that she may have forgotten who she was serving. Yes, we are to serve in our churches and communities, but we must never forget the One who gave us the gift of servanthood and salvation. Jesus first served us, so we need to follow His example. But we must never forget what Jesus commanded us: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” –Matthew 6:33.

Mary realized that she was in the presence of God and showed humility by placing herself in a posture of worship as she gazed upon the King of Glory. I can only imagine what He must have been teaching at that moment and what it must have felt like to see, hear, and feel the fullness of God. 

My dear friends, as I close, do not harden your heart to what was shared here today, to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. Your heart is what Jesus requires—service will naturally follow. When you are tired and need to be refreshed, seek Jesus first. When you seek Him, you also receive the fullness of His Kingdom. In Him alone, you will find rest.

Father God, I pray those reading this who have yet to call You Lord will today declare Your son Jesus as Lord over their lives by repenting their sins and asking for their lives to be washed clean by the Blood of our Lord Jesus. Let today be the day of salvation, and heaven rejoice over this one who has come in. Amen. In Jesus, you will find forgiveness and salvation for your souls, and His sinless Blood will wash away your every sin.

Scripture promises this: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” –Romans 10:9-10.

And Romans 10:13 makes clear: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

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.

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.

Mountain View

October 7, 2023 /

Matthew Botelho

“Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation. These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites. “–Exodus 19:5-6.

I love visiting the White Mountains in New Hampshire. There is something so inspiring about gazing upon God’s majestic creation. Even as a child, I felt a draw to it. I still do today. That same feeling of awe continues to come over me. As I grew, I noticed the mountain scenes changed as the seasons changed. I saw that the mountain would be bright green due to its abundance of trees in summer, while in Autumn, these same trees changed color—bright yellow, orange and red as if the mountain itself was on fire. Then, when winter came, and the trees were bare, brown bark and white snowfall became the color of the day. Still, each season is as beautiful as the next.

And though the appearance of my beloved mountain changes with the seasons, my steadfast God never will. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” –Hebrews 13:8.

Our God never changes. His word is and always will be eternal: “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you. Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed, Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” –Isaiah 54:10

Some may reject this Truth—reject God, while others, like you and me, have received the eternal gift of salvation that gave birth to our relationship with His son, Christ Jesus.

The God of the Old Testament is the same as in the New Testament. Jesus is the bridge connecting one to the other. It is His grace afforded us by His shed Blood having laid down His sinless Life, a Living sacrifice, on the Cross at Calvery.

If you have given your life to Jesus, you have been ransomed, washed clean of your sins. “The council of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.” –Psalm 33:11.

God of the Old Testament is loving, but punishment came when His people failed to listen and follow His instructions. Remember, though merciful and kind, God is also Holy and a Just Judge. God cannot dwell where sin exists. The Scriptures remind us that the wages of sin are death—eternal separation from God. And since His Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever, the same is true today.

So, if you choose not to live for God and instead live outside His will, your actions will have consequences. Maybe not in this life, but indeed in the life to come. 

Today’s Scripture verse is just one of the promises God made to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai.

God spoke to Moses in the wilderness and gave him charge over the Israelites. He instructed Moses on what His people needed to do to prepare to meet Him on Sanai. “And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” So Moses told the words of the people to the Lord. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes.” – Exodus 19:9-10.   

Without being washed by His Word, outside of God’s covering, you and I are unclean in God’s sight—just as the Israelites were.

God told Moses His people needed to consecrate themselves.

Consecrate means to set apart, make holy, and dedicate to God. So Moses told the people to wash their clothes and clean themselves.

It had been a long journey from Egypt to the Sinai. Maybe the people were still covered in the dirt of Egypt, an unholy place. And perhaps that made these people God loved a stench in His nostrils. Remember, we serve a Holy God. There is no sin in Him. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” –1 John 1:5.

Being Holy, God has set impassable bounds for us. “You shall set bounds for the people all around saying, “Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.” –Exodus 19:12.

God has chosen the Israelites to be His chosen people, but He still sees sin in them.

And God sees the sin in our lives. We, too, must be washed in the Water of His Word, made clean by His shed Blood. Water alone is no substitute. It will not wash away our sins. It may clean our outer garments, but our souls will still be stainted. Only Jesus can rid us of our sins. Our merits or any good deed we might do cannot accomplish it.

Psalm 25:3-4 makes this clear: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.”

At first glance, there seems to be no way a man could ever approach such a Holy God.

The view up this mountain appears distorted. God has set boundaries. Without the washing away of our sins, we cannot have fellowship with Him. We will never be in right standing with God, yet He has set eternity before us.

God has made a way where there was no way. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” –Ecclesiastes 3:11.

The path ascending to Sinai was blocked, but God made a way for all men to follow Him. He made the Way long before Moses was ever born. God knew that only someone holy like Him could stand in His presence. Someone who knew Him and shared His heart and Blood. Someone who would go down to the earth and bring all men to Himself. “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.” –John 3:16.

In Matthew 4:23-25, Jesus starts His ministry in Galilee. He is healing every kind of sickness and disease.

He is preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Great multitudes of people follow Him across Galilee, from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. God is healing the people He loves. He is walking with them and teaching them. This unobstructed access to Himself was what was missing at Sinai. God is Holy, indeed, and His Word is Holy, yet this did not stop a Holy God from coming into a sinful world in the likeness of men. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we behold His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14.

Just as Moses did once, Jesus, the Son of God, walked up a mountain and sat with His disciples.

Jesus did not place barriers between Him and them. He did not tell the people they could not follow Him because they were unclean. Jesus is 100 percent man and 100 percent God. Yet He sat with whosoever would draw near to Him and blessed them in hearing the most excellent sermon ever shared—the Sermon on the Mount.

What a beautiful, unobstructed view of God’s love and compassion for all of us who proclaim Jesus as Lord. 

Which mountain view do you want? I pray it is the one that allows you to ascend the mountain with Jesus and sit at His feet.

You are not too far gone, my friend. No one is. All it takes to become a child of God is one sincere confession of faith—asking Jesus to be Lord over your life. Draw close to Him and receive His salvation by repenting of your sins. If you have done this, get ready to catch some incredible views. Amen. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10.

Jehovah Sabaoth: The God of Host and His POSSIBLE POWER

July 29, 2023 /

Elda Othello-Wrightington

Recently, while on vacation visiting my sister in Florida, I received a phone call about things happening back home that were absolutely out of my control. It appeared that the outcome of our situation would be impossible to redeem. At that moment, I had two choices: to believe things were impossible or that all things are possible with God.

Now I can’t get into the legality of it, but I can say it was a life-or-death situation for my marriage. At that moment, I chose to cry out for help and spent that morning praying and fasting. And if you’re in the middle of a storm right now and do not know the Lord Jesus Christ, I want to invite you to accept Him in your heart.

In doing so, you will find that even in whatever testing or trial you face, God is the God of the impossible!

Not only that, but if you call on His name, you will be saved. “for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” –Romans 10:13.

You will be saved eternally and perhaps from whatever trail, storm or testing you may be facing.

You might be wondering what the outcome of that morning I spoke of earlier was. Well, it was a victory. God stepped in and fought the battle. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble” –Psalms. 46:1. It wasn’t until I was led to share the testimony of what transpired that I learned that He is Jehovah Sabaoth, one of the names of God, which signifies God’s Power and authority over all the forces of heaven and earth. This name is often associated with spiritual warfare. It reminds us that God is our Protector and Deliverer in times of trouble.

God stepped into my situation when first, I chose to believe He could do what I was asking of Him, and secondly, when I invited Him in.

In the bible, David fixed his eyes on the Lord when he stood before a giant no one could defeat. He remembered who his God was. David remembered who it was that had helped him fight his battle with the lion and the bear, and that is why he declared to King Saul, “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” –1 Samuel 17:37.

Most of us know the story, Goliath was covered with armor from head to toe, and it seemed that no one could defeat him, but David remembered who his God was and all that He’d already done, so David invited the God of Host to step in and fight for him. “David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!” –1 Samuel 17:45-47.

And God defied gravity. Instead of Goliath falling backward when David’s stone hit its mark, he fell forward. The presence of God was truly in that battle. And Goliath’s being flat on his face at the end of the battle was proof!

Friends, can I tell you what I have experienced firsthand? If you invite Him, God will and can step into your battle or situation. In my recent valley experience, I learned that the God of Host means God fights and inhabits that particular situation for His Glory.

I don’t know what giant you’re facing, but David called on the God of Host, and God and His army stepped in. David learned to fix his eyes on God, and I encourage you to do the same. Friends, keep your eyes fixed on God, not others. Not the situation, yourself, or even what you may be struggling with. I encourage you to fix your eyes on God. Psalm 121: 1-2 says, “I will lift my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Friends, I leave you with this. The battle belongs to the Lord. “Be still, and know that I am God I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. ” The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” –Psalm 46:10-11.

Identity Shift

May 6, 2023 /

Kendra Santilli

“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

Who have you decided to let give you an identity? Perhaps your parents helped shape you in a certain way. Maybe society has led you into a certain worldview. Maybe authors and books have caused you to think differently about yourself and the world around you. But have you ever considered God, the Creator of all things, created you with an intended identity that He alone can reveal to you?

We can search high and low, but only God can reveal our true identity to us and show us meaning.

In Galatians, Paul was writing to the church of Galatia (present-day Turkey), a mix of established followers of Jesus and new converts. Now, of course, these new converts were likely largely non-Jewish. Therefore, they brought with them the ideologies and philosophies they knew and identified with before knowing Christ. The Holy Spirit, living inside humanity, was a totally new concept for these people, a reality they had yet to experience. They began to blend their ways with the gospel of Jesus being presented to them. They were mixing salvation through faith with salvation through works, but that is not the gospel of Jesus. “If salvation could be obtained by works then Jesus didn’t need to die. … if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.” – Galatians 2:21.

The premise of Jesus’ sacrifice is that there’s nothing we can do to enter God‘s presence on our own. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can access Heaven and receive a new identity.

When we come to Jesus, the identity we’ve always known is history.

It doesn’t matter who we were before; what matters is the work Jesus is doing in us right now and into eternity. “Now from those recognized as important (what they once were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism…” – Galatians 2:6.

While Paul recognized the authority of those already prominent voices of the faith, their opinions of him carried no weight for Paul because He was convinced of who He was in Jesus. His identity was rooted firstly in God.

Galatians 1-2 have powerful lessons on finding peace in our God-given identities, and I encourage you to read each chapter for context. But there are two major keys to avoiding self-sabotaging disappointment. 1) We must rediscover our identity in Jesus, and 2) we must let go of the fear of man and exchange it for the fear of God. That is not to say these two keys are the way to avoid disappointment altogether, but they are two common mistakes many make when trying to pursue their purpose.

In Christ, our identity first is that we are children of God.

When we give our lives to Jesus, we surrender who we are and allow Him to shape us into who He created us to be. This one identity shift would be more than enough if God did nothing else.

Everybody wants to be “somebody.” It can become easy then to get so lost in striving to become that, that our true identity of being God’s child begins to vanish as we acquire the essence of whatever we’re striving after. It could be a new title at work, a certain status among friends, or even a certain position in ministry. Still, if our identity becomes your position instead of your being a child of God, we’ll be setting ourselves up for disappointment. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” –James 1:17.

When we don’t let God lead our lives, we will try to force our way instead of surrendering to His.

What looked to be a good thing, or the right thing can end up hurting us because we didn’t have the discernment to see that it wasn’t what God intended in the first place. As a child of God, you have been placed in a perfect position to do His work wherever you are. Using caution with what you attach “I am“ to is paramount. “I am sad.” “I am depressed.” ” I am anxious.” “I am lonely.” No, you are not those things. You may feel those things, but you are not those things. You are capable. You are joyful and filled with peace because you are made in the likeness of the one who is peace. You are a child of God.

Maybe your prayer needs to be, God, show me how you want to use me in my position. I don’t necessarily want to be here, but you have me here for a reason. Show me the reason and how to be joyful wherever you place me.

As children of God, the only opinion that matters is God’s.

Let me remind you of Galatians 1:10. “For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Striving for human approval is another misstep that brings incredible disappointment because we were meant to live in communion with our heavenly Father first and mankind second. Being secure in Christ puts us in a different frame of mind, leading us to be Heaven-focused. When we stand before God, the people we tried to impress won’t be there at the end of our lives. We are accountable to God alone for what we have done with whatever He gave us, including the opportunities right in front of us. Fear of man will not stand up in the presence of God. However, the steps of faith you took, afraid, nervous, and unsure, will stand because they were steps taken in obedience to God. God does not always place us where we want to be. Rather, where He wants us, it’s our job to pursue His purpose in every season of life.

If you have not yet received Jesus into your heart and want to rediscover your identity in Him, I invite you to ask Him into your heart. I was once so broken, and He made me whole when I received my identity as a child of God. If God can do it for me, He can do it for you! Ask Jesus into your heart today, and let Him begin His good work in you.

The Invite.

January 21, 2023 /
Matthew Botelho

“Come to the banquet!” dropped in my spirit Sunday during corporate worship. As the worship team played, a stillness came over the congregation when the Word came forth through a dear sister, “Be filled with His Word. Be hungry for the Word!” As those words were spoken with authority, I heard the Spirit say, “Come to the banquet! The invitations have been sent!”

It is so amazing how our Lord will speak in part through one person. Then another will say the same Truth, confirmation that the same spirit is flowing through both. For we each know in part, and we prophesy in part. But God is the God of order, and we are one Body.

My dear brothers and sisters, new friends, I pray this teaching speaks to you.

God is calling you, calling us all—deeper in this season. There are settings at His banquet table not yet seen and foods not yet tasted. Heavenly delicacies of favor and blessings. For His word is rich and filling. Crave the daily bread that is placed on the altar! The invitations have been sent out. The question is, will you accept it?

As the Lord spoke this to me, He led me to Matthew 22, The Parable of The Wedding Feast. Jesus is teaching the people what the kingdom of God is like. Now, if you don’t know what a parable is, that’s ok. Neither did I at the beginning of my walk. We are all at various stages in our walk with Jesus. A parable is a simple story that illustrates a moral or spiritual lesson. The people Jesus was teaching were babes in the faith, exactly how you and I started. Yet He met them where they were.

In Matthew 22: 1-3, Jesus teaches, “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding, and they were not willing to come.”

God has arranged a marriage for His Son. The people of Israel are His chosen people. The nation is the bride, and Jesus is the Groom.

Jesus’ disciples delivered the invitations, proclaiming that the kingdom of God had come! Some accepted and received the Good News. However, other people didn’t want to accept the Truth, even though miracles were being performed before their eyes! Many that were sick and possessed by demons were being healed and delivered! How could they not see this as Truth? That Jesus is the Christ, our Savior! Jesus gives us the answer in Matthew 13:15, ‘For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.”

You are invited to this amazing, glorious wedding feast. A seat has been set for you at the table, yet you decide to remain where you are. Why friend?! What is taking such priority in your life that if the King, and I am talking about King Jesus, has personally invited you to come and sit with Him and enjoy the wedding banquet, where you will receive salvation, righteousness, peace, unspeakable joy. Why would you even think of saying no to that?! Still, God, who is rich in mercy, gives us a second chance by inviting us again.

As we read in the following few scriptures, we will see that man has not changed in the past 2,000 years.

God is calling His church back to Him. The Church is His Bride, and His Son, Jesus, is the Bride Groom. He has given humanity a second chance through repentance and salvation. Do you know that God will keep calling you until you answer and that not answering is an answer? God is calling you right now! Oh, how I pray that your answer is “yes, Lord. I receive you.”

Jesus says in John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to Him and make Our home with him.” My brothers and sisters, friends, Jesus wants to be in a relationship with you. And a relationship requires love.

Matthew 22:4 “Again, he sent out other servants, saying, “Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”

It is a big deal when God repeats something within the same chapter of scripture. Notice that He sent His servants out not once but twice. All things are ready! The menu has been prepared, and it looks like a giant BBQ is being served. God has spared no expense. All you need to do is accept the invitation and say yes. It sounds so simple, and yet we complicate things. “Sorry I cannot attend, I must………” (insert your reason here). “But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.”—Matthew 22:5.

We make time in our daily lives for what’s important to us, our priorities, whether our jobs or hobbies. But is Jesus Lord over our priorities—not one of them, but Lord over them? Do we set aside time out of our day for Jesus? Let us ask this question: how often are we picking up our Bibles? What about Facebook? Are you being fed by what is happening in the world, in friends’ and strangers’ lives? Or are you being fed by the Word of God?

My brothers and sisters, friends, I am guilty of this too. Holy Spirit has convicted me. I am no better than those I’m posing these questions to. We all fall short. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”—Romans 3:23.

My point, my friends, is that we need to refocus and realign ourselves to God’s will and His Word. Allow Holy Spirit to minister to you. And do not harden your hearts if you hear His voice. And as we end our time together this week, I pray that this teaching, more God’s inerrant Word, has stirred something deep within you. God willing, I will be back again soon to continue the next part of this teaching.

Dear friends, the things of this world are failing, and the days grow darker.

But God has invited you to come to His wedding feast. Jesus has come into the world as a Redeeming Light. He is both the invitation and the only way to salvation. Come to the banquet and be satisfied. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and repent of your sins. He is faithful to forgive. Amen. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10.

But That’s Impossible.

December 31, 2022 /
MaryEllen Montville

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin. –Luke 1:35.

Christmas has passed. And as we prepare to walk into 2023, many of us will do so with expectations, doubts, with wondering. “What will this year bring? Will I have peace? Will my faith grow stronger, my service to God more steadfast? Will I lay aside, even for a season, what I know God is telling me to step away from, that I might pick up, make room for, what He’s calling me to take up? My obedience in exchange for my comfort—the familiar, the rote. The good even.

Many of us will come face to face with the seemingly impossible in this new season.

We’ll find ourselves asking the same question Mary asked. “How, Lord?” You know God is leading you in a new direction, asking something of you He’s not yet fully disclosed—and may never. And you know that only by faith and reliance on Jesus, trusting the leading and guidance of His Holy Spirit, will what God is asking of you be accomplished. So turn away from rebellion, put on discipline, and allow God to cut away the fat from around your heart—hardening it. Whatever the state you find yourself in these final hours of 2022, Beloved, repent if sin is present. Refocus, and follow hard after Jesus. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” –Isaiah 30:21.

The Holy Spirit has already brought some of you face-to-face with your Mary moment, whether good or seemingly bad. Your reading this is confirmation. As with Mary, the only question remaining is how you’ll respond to what you’ve been told. Will it be with a simple, humble, heartfelt, “Thy Will be done,” or will you proffer a litany of reasons why whatever God has or will ask of you is impossible? “How can this be, Lord? I don’t have the education, know-how, resources, the connections. I’m not gifted in that area. I haven’t the intelligence. I’m single, financially challenged, I can’t have children.”

Take heart, Beloved. You are not alone in your questioning. Others have also questioned how it is God accomplishes the seemingly impossible.

And as only God could arrange it, their question was directly connected to a seemingly impossible birth, the re-birth of man. His salvation. Being born again. That instantaneous regeneration occurring the very second Holy Spirit comes and makes His home in the life of the one God has called out of darkness into His glorious Light. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” –Mark 10:27.

Brother, sister, as surely as God unconcealed His will and plan to Mary and His disciple, He’ll do the same with you—in His own time and timing. Still, as it was with them, so too with us; God does not need to comply with our desire to know the ABCs of a thing before He brings it about. We must trust Him. Exercise faith in Him—in His Word—just as Mary and the disciples did. We must believe and have faith that whatever it is, God is birthing, salvation, a new ministry, marriage, a move, a book, or business, you having a child. However seemingly impossible, the thing may appear. If it is truly from God, He will bring it about. Hebrews 11:6 says this: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

So how will you respond to the Holy Spirit when He presents you with your “how will I ever take on such an undertaking” moment?

Mary asked, “How can this be” because she’d never known a man. Yet, for many of us, this same question will be asked in moments steeped in a lack of faith or fear of man, from coming face-to-face with our finite limitations or paralyzing unbelief. We will forget that the One who has overshadowed us, just as He did Mary—is calling into being that which has been in our belly from eternity past. Like so many before us, we’ll temporarily forget that the Sovereign Creator of this world is Omnipotent—He spoke, and it was finished. The world in a seed—perpetual. An orchard inside an apple—complete. We’ll fail to realize God is doing little more than manifesting an already-finished piece of His plan for our lives, some seed. That life-giving piece of the puzzle needed to make us complete in Christ Jesus is being birthed—bringing God glory. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. –John1:3.

How will you respond in your Mary moment, Beloved? Will you display belief and humility, knowing anything is possible with God, or question the same plans and purposes God Himself implanted within you, seed-like, in eternity past? In essence, saying there’s no way. Just look at me! That’s impossible!

We’re in a new season of, no, a new era of birthing.

Holy Spirit is about to overshadow many who are reading this—and some who are not—pulling from their depths the seemingly impossible. Those seeds, gifts, talents, ministries, marriages, a new level of boldness, and hunger for the things of God. It’s already begun. If you still yourself before the Lord, you may already feel the tiny flutters, the shifting of sorts that has already taken place within you—making room for the new—stretching you, making you Holy uncomfortable. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ –Isaiah 46:10.

You innately know this thing that’s about to happen—is happening, is going to cause you great discomfort, disrupting your status quo Christian walk in ways you would not have imagined just one short month ago. Welcome to the Mary club. The Apostles Peter, James, John, Paul, and even Gideon were members of the Mary club. The question walking into 2023 is, are you? Then Mary said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” –Luke 1:38.

Friend, I can think of no more perfect way to ensure that you, like Mary, are open and welcoming of all that God has for you in 2023 and beyond than by asking God’s Son, Jesus, into your heart as your Lord and Savior. God has done His part. John 3:16 assures us of that. For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. And Mary did her part in partnering with God, scary as it may have been, by saying yes to God’s plan for her life. Won’t you ask Jesus into your heart today, now? Won’t you partner with God, allowing Him to birth all He has for you beginning in 2023?

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