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

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Nikoa: Continously…

July 19, 2025 /

MaryEllen Montville

“For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].” –1 John 5:4.

What’s with the title of this teaching, MaryEllen? What is Nikoa, and what does it mean? Glad you asked. Nikoa is a present-tense Greek Word that John was led to use in today’s verse. It denotes continuous, ongoing action rather than a one-off event. Now, if you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll have figured out that I’m no English major. I’m sure some of you may have even cringed from time to time while reading some of my blatant linguistic blunders; thank you for your grace and for continuing to follow us despite my glaring grammatical deficiencies.

So, since I have not yet mastered basic English, what’s with my stab at Greek all about?

That’s a question only the Holy Spirit can answer, as it is He who caused today’s Scripture to jump off the page and Him who caused me to ask: “How does this Scripture apply to believers today, Lord. Help me understand better so that I might share your heart.”  

Then, in true Holy Spirit fashion, He used what I do know—to do research—to then lead me to what I did not know: tense usage in the Greek language; hence, Nikoa; the epitome of 1 Corinthians 1:27 on unabashed display, “God uses the foolish things to confound the wise.”

But it wasn’t for a lesson in Greek tense usage that the Holy Spirit chose today’s verse; no, He chose it to encourage you specifically with its life-giving promise and real-time Truth—a solid foundation on which you personally can stand, unmovable. Holy Spirit picked it because He knew that with all the uncertainty swirling around you like some ominous, doom-soaked, dark cloud, you need (present-tense) to be re-minded that God is continually empowering you to overcome this world; re-minding you that you’re in, not of it. “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” –John 15:19.

All that you might overcome your enemy, by taking your God-given authority over every dark, demonic thing that is trying to distract, derail, and discourage you, via God’s Holy Spirit at work in you, right now. Equally, the Holy Spirit lets you know that He’ll do the same again tomorrow and the next day, Nikoa, continually. Jesus will empower you to overcome this world until He returns or takes you home. The rest of today’s verse assures you of this, child of God, listen: “and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].”

You can and will be victorious, but not because you are a super-Christian. Not because you’re sinless or perfect or because you’ve gotten it all right; you never could. That’s why God sent Jesus into the world—and why Jesus came willingly. He alone is Perfect, and He alone is victorious over sin, death, and the grave. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” –1 Corinthians 15:57.

Your victory over whatever may be trying to overtake you, rob, distract, or cause you to give up—is assured, beloved—it is yours, now, Nokia, because of Jesus. Because Jesus has secured it for you—has promised it to you. And God cannot lie. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” –Numbers 23:19.

The same powerful Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave now lives within you if you are God’s child. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” –Romans 8:11.

Satan knows if you truly belong to God, have confessed and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and Savior; he cannot rob you of your salvation. “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.

Satan also knows that if he can get in your head and cause you to believe, somehow, that God’s Word isn’t True, that your receiving salvation couldn’t possibly be as straightforward as believing God—taking Him at His Word—that He is who He says He is and that He can and will do all that He has promised—then Satan has succeeded in the greatest heist known to mankind, to rob you of salvation; the eternal security and safety Jesus gave His very life to afford you. Jesus paid the ultimate price to ensure your victory over your enemy, beloved.

Your faith in Jesus is a personal, precious, and costly gift.

So don’t you dare give up. Don’t you dare say that you can’t walk this Christian Walk any longer. Don’t you dare be deceived by Satan—that liar and thief who is making one last massive attempt to break into your house, and mine—into the home of any believer he can, with only one thing in mind. To rob us.

You are never alone, never unprotected, beloved. God is always with you, whatever your circumstances. Whether you’re standing beneath swirling, doom-soaked clouds or under the brightest rays of mountain-top sunlight, you are assured victory in every circumstance in this life because of Jesus. Because He has overcome the world (completed action). “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” –John 16:33.

That doesn’t mean you should leave your doors unlocked; this world is still under Satan’s influence, so be wise. Partner with God, regardless of the season you’re in, doing your part to protect this mind-blowing victory Jesus has afforded you. “But understand this: If the head of the house had known what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” –Matthew 24:43.

Your victory is assured because of Jesus, beloved. But your hope, your joy, the peace you have as a believer, those things Satan can and will rob you of—if you allow him. How? By leaving your house unguarded. “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.” –1 Peter 5:8-11.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” –Mark 1:15

Wake Up Call.

February 15, 2025 /

Matthew Botelho

Every morning at 5:30, my very annoying alarm clock goes off, letting me know it’s time to get up! Now, if you’re anything like me, you hit that snooze button and go back to sleep for another 10 minutes. Yet it feels like no sooner I close my eyes, the alarm is going off again. “Seriously, I say to myself as I stumble over to turn off the alarm. 10 minutes, already!?”

Now I have no choice but to get up because my wife will see to it; there’s trouble ahead if I wake her up again! And to all the men reading this, remember this proverb: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.” –Proverbs 18:22.

Still, it’s good that my alarm clock goes off every morning because if it didn’t, I might miss out on what the day would bring. I could always go back to bed and ignore it, but that would mean my kids and I getting a late start—them to school, me to work—not to mention my wife being unhappy with me. My day would quickly unravel before it fully began, leaving us all a bit frayed—and all because I chose to ignore the alarm!

I don’t think anyone wants to start their day that way, yet it happens daily.

Like with life, for instance. It’s easy to hit the snooze button on life. To become complacent and drift off, thinking all is well and that we have time, even when it comes to our salvation and relationship with God. (And for those who are not followers of Jesus, there’s eternal danger involved in their being complacent, drifting back off).

Yet we are not called to serve God or each other half asleep but fully awake and engaged.  

Like that blessed alarm I was talking about, it’s time for us to wake up, friends, to stop hitting the proverbial snooze button on life and allow the Light of Christ to shine on us, waking us from our slumber! Jesus did not call His disciples or us so we might lay around; He called us all laborers; to rise up and take action. “Then Jesus went about the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” –Matthew 9:35-38.

Though Jesus’ disciples were few in number, they were called to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the ends of the earth. And so are we. People were waiting for Truth and in need of hope and a purpose. If we lie around, assuming we have all the time in the world, then the work we’ve been assigned will not get accomplished.

Our work lives starts with us getting out of bed to answer the alarm clock.

Our Kingdom work starts with our first step of faith and obedience.

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”  â€“Romans 10:14-15.

If Jesu has called you, you are His chosen. Called to carry the Light of Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit, into this dark world. “You are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:14-16.

Sticking with the alarm clock metaphor, when the Light of Christ, His Holy Spirit, fills you up, it’s time for you to get up and go! “But all things are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” –Ephesians 5:13-14.

If we are abiding in Jesus, we ought to be fully awake, not living in some half-asleep darkness. ”I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” –John 12:46.

We are getting closer and closer to the time of Jesus’ soon return, my brothers and sisters.

As He promised, Jesus is coming back.

No one knows when except the Father in Heaven. And so I pray all of us are awake, alert, and paying attention to what is happening in the world around us. In Peter’s Second Epistle, he writes, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” –2 Peter 3:9.

Let’s shake off our slumbering, roll up our sleeves, and run headlong into the harvest.

The alarm is sounding! It’s time to wake up, plant your feet on the floor, and know the salvation of God, which is found only in Jesus Christ. Come, repent, and ask for Jesus to be Lord over your life, then watch how the Lord of the harvest changes your heart so that you can be used to help change others. The alarm is sounding. Will you get up and start after Christ, or will you be the one who hits the snooze button? The choice is yours. Amen. “For He says, “At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you, And I helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation” –2 Corinthians 6:2.

Don’t Look Back!

November 30, 2024 /

Pastor Maria Braga

“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” –Gen 19:26.

The Lord often gets our attention through difficult situations. He uses them, usually, to deliver us from stuff we have yet to learn. Once out of trouble, we quickly need to remember what He’s delivered us from. God knows our nature and how quickly we forget. He instructed us in many parts of Scripture to remember what He has done for his people then and us now!

The Bible mentions 170 women by name, but there is only one Jesus tells us to remember. We find her in Luke 17:32. She’s Lot’s wife. Amidst a speech about the end times, Jesus tells us: “Remember Lot’s wife.” Remember what she did. She looked back, disobeying God’s instructions, and turned into a pillar of salt. Just as the angel of the Lord told her not to look back to what was burning behind her, God also reminds us not to look back to where we’ve come from and what is burning behind us.

God wants us to let go! He doesn’t want us to look back to the things He is freeing us from.

Look ahead because Lot’s wife disobediently looked back and she turned into a pillar of salt in the place where she was only supposed to be passing by, not get stuck in, never going ahead. Looking back implies missing something behind us and the desire /longing to return to it. Our connection to the past must be healed through the Blood of Jesus, the only Blood that covers us—the Blood of the One who sets us free.

When God calls us out of any thing, we must leave it behind without hesitation; if we don’t, our hearts will desire the familiar. We will long for what we know. Even the good moments in Sodom were not worth looking back to. They are often only suitable for that season rather than the seasons ahead. God’s plan for our lives may change just as seasons change, and we must be willing to change with them, not holding tightly onto what is behind us.

Today’s Scripture clearly shows us how important it is to obey such a calling and to not look back.

Genesis 19:27-29 depicts Abraham’s attitude towards what he saw happening as He stood looking out over Sodom and Gomorrah. As he witnessed the smoke of that furnace going up! God had remembered Abraham and saved Lot for Abraham’s sake. “Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the Lord. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.”

These exemplary stories are a profound lesson in trusting God with all our hearts and leaning not on our understanding. Proverbs 3:5 advises us wisely to acknowledge God in all our ways. When we do this, we live in obedience, and we open ourselves to God’s divine guidance, direction, and longevity in the promise of our lives. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Genesis 19 is a powerful chapter that serves as a cautionary story, urging us not to follow in the footsteps of Lot’s wife. It vividly illustrates how disobedience can lead to severe consequences. Despite the angel’s warning not to look back, her longing for the past outweighed God’s command. She was given the chance to abandon everything and save her life, to leave and never return. Her refusal to let go of her past is her legacy. A fitting memorial to a rebellious unbeliever for coming generations to sadly witness.

Looking at Jesus’s New Testament stories, we find times when He expresses similar sentiments.

In Luke 9:62, Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”  What is Jesus talking about?

Many people want to follow Jesus but are hindered by their concern for what they must leave behind. Not only looking back but also having divided loyalties, like Lot’s wife.

In various verses throughout the Gospels, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to save his life shall lose it.” (Matt 10:39, 16:25; Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, 17:33.) Although the contexts may vary, one thing remains the same. Following Jesus requires turning our backs on the “life” this world offers, the life we once knew, and fully embracing our new life in Christ. Our attempts at keeping our old life are the same as our “looking back.”

Lot’s wife is an illustration and example that we must remember. In Luke 17:32, Jesus Himself commands us to remember. “Remember Lot’s wife.”

But why?

For the believer, our new life now rules over our old one, and we must remember to obey what Christ tells us. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” –John 8:36. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” —2 Corinthians 5:17.

Jesus came to set you free. To make His children free indeed. To live in this freedom, we must detach from old memories, emotions, feelings, etc., and we must soar into the future fully sold out. Entirely believing in the commands of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Father, in Jesus’ name, I pray for freedom over anyone reading these words. I pray your Holy Spirit loses, binds, and delivers every soul longing to get closer to you. Touch and heal the soul, body, and spirit. Enter in and make this person a new creation in Jesus’ name. “If you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” –Romans 10:9.

Choosing Sides.

November 18, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” –Philippians 4:4.

While in prison, Paul wrote to the church in Phillipi. Within His letter, he reminds them—and us—to rejoice. Did you catch that? While in prison himself, Paul reminds his brothers and sisters to rejoice.While in prison? Yes.

While going through our own trials? Yes. Every Blood-bought believer will one day face having to choose sides. Faith or fear?

Even at the bedside of your ailing child? When you lose your job, husband, wife, or home? When the doctor’s report is less than favorable? Yes, yes, emphatically, yes! As Christians, we can rejoice always, and, like Paul, we can do it despite the circumstances we find ourselves.

How?

Let’s start with the Truth—it’s not easy. We must be determined. But it is possible because God’s Holy Spirit at work in us affords us the ability to choose rejoicing over sadness or despair, allowing God to dress us in garments of praise rather than our walking alone, clothed in rags of sorrow. Contrary to how we may feel, choosing to rejoice at all times, in every circumstance, will anchor us to God and bolster our trust in Him as we walk by faith. “For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].” –1 John 5:4.

1 John 5:4 and Philippians 4:4, along with countless other scriptures found throughout the Bible, point us to the Source of our ability to “rejoice in the Lord always.” As with anything of eternal value, Jesus, by the power of His Holy Spirit at work in us, gives us the ability we do not possess apart from Him to overcome, to choose to rise above our trials.

Like love and forgiveness—right and wrong, following the narrow or wide paths, character over comfort—we must intentionally choose to rejoice. Each of the above is a by-product of our will, forged by our obedience to God, His will, and Word.

Do you remember pick-up? When you and your friends would choose teams to play some schoolyard game? Two captains would be selected while everyone else lined up and waited for their names to be called. “I choose John.” “I choose Sarah.” On and on it went until everyone had been picked. Regardless of the game, those chosen to play knew there’d only be one winner, yet that knowledge never stopped them from hoping they’d win and giving it their all.

Friends, we are both team captains and those waiting to be chosen. Each is afforded the free will to choose who and what we will serve daily. Fear or faith? The Spirit or the flesh? Like those waiting to be picked, we who stand in line know that one day, perhaps two, our names will be called. Eventually, we’ll hear:

“I’m so sorry to inform you that your mom, dad, husband, wife, childhood friend has just passed away.”

“I’m going to have to let you go. I’m so sorry this comes at such a bad time.”

“Your test results didn’t come back quite as we’d hoped.”

Jesus never promised our lives would be easy—free from heartache, loss, pain, or difficult choices—quite the opposite. He assures us that if we are His, if we smell like sheep, then, like our Shephard, our name will eventually be called to come pick up some cross whose weight we’d fall under, if not for the One helping us to shoulder it—the One, in Truth, who carries its weighty load for us. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” –2 Corinthians 12:9.

Notice how the above Scripture assures us of God’s help “each time” He chooses us to carry such a cross.

It reminds us, too, that we have a choice to make. We’re free to go it alone—kicking the dirt, head down, focusing on everything that’s gone awry—or we can look up! At any moment, we can decide to accept God’s Truth and the sure hope that weeping over our loss of anyone or anything—any circumstance or “suddenly” allowed to touch us, may endure for a night, but joy will come again.

In this knowledge, we take comfort in and are kept afloat by the fact that nothing can touch our lives without first having passed through the hand of our Sovereign God. “Then he broke through and transformed all my wailing into a whirling dance of ecstatic praise! He has torn the veil and lifted from me the sad heaviness of mourning. He wrapped me in the glory-garments of gladness.” –Psalm 30:11. This knowing—coupled with our understanding that our God is good, loving, kind, merciful, ever-present and will always bring good from even the darkest, most difficult of days, weeks, months, out of every trail, whose intended end is to refine us—causing us to look more like Jesus.

Still, Jesus will not allow evil, injustice, or any trial we might face—those He sends or allows to strengthen and refine us—to overcome us. “As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” –Ezekiel 34:13;16-17.

As captains, or those waiting to be chosen, we must decide how we’ll respond one day when our “suddenly” shows up. Will we walk in the flesh—kicking the dirt, looking ever downward? Or look up by faith, daring to believe God. Daring to be transparent and with a trembling humble, voice cry aloud, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief,”

So here it is, friends, the how-to and the why of it. “Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Dear friend, if you’re here today, doing your best to keep your head above water without Jesus, I would encourage you to invite Him into your heart and circumstances. Even if you need to be sure He’s listening or cares. He is, and He does. Jesus is big enough to handle your doubts and fears. Just pray, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” If you sincerely seek Him, I assure you He will answer you. “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.” –Matthew 7:7.

“Jesus, the Way”

June 3, 2023 /

Kendra Santilli

Have you ever introduced yourself with an identity other than your name?

Throughout my childhood and into my teenage years, I looked up to my brother immensely. He always took to everything he did so easily. He could draw, did well in school, learned any instrument he picked up quickly, hit home runs in baseball and built whatever his mind could imagine with Legos. I really thought my brother was the pinnacle of what I could become.

His teachers loved him, and our mutual music teachers would rave about his abilities.

Before letting anyone know my name, I would introduce myself as “Aaron’s sister.” I didn’t even realize how much of my identity was attached to being his sister until someone replied, “ok, that’s nice. What’s your name?” It was almost as if they didn’t care who my brother was; they wanted to know me.

All of a sudden, my brother’s shadow was gone, and I realized that I had so tightly interwoven my identity with being Aaron’s sister that I lost a little bit of myself. Don’t get me wrong, I still think my brother is a remarkable human being, but my point rests in the example of an alternate introduction.

In John 14, Jesus introduces Himself through an alternate identity.

Jesus introduces Himself to His disciples as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He doesn’t say that He knows the way and the truth and the life. Jesus says that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus is not referring to the ideology of these terms. Rather, He’s identifying who He is. More than just adjectives, these are nouns that denote His character.

For context, Jesus was describing Heaven to His disciples as He was preparing them for His imminent death.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:1-7

One thing I love about Jesus is that He is so intentional with all His words.

His communication style invites inquiry, leading His listeners to seek understanding rather than being ok with the status quo. Instead of Jesus’ telling His disciples they knew where He was going, he said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Being One with God and the very One who came from heaven to earth, Jesus is undoubtedly a reliable source for discovering the way to heaven. He didn’t say He was “a Way” or “one way,” He said he is “THE Way,” and unbeknownst to them, His disciples supposedly know this way!

Thomas’ inquiry into Jesus’ comment led to the revelation that knowing Jesus is knowing the way! Although Jesus referred to heaven in this passage, He also prayed, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10.

If Jesus’ kingdom can come and His will can be done on earth as it is in heaven, then perhaps for the believer, The Way is also for the here and now…

The Way to joy; the Way to freedom; the Way to new life; the Way to forgiveness; the Way to hope. Ultimately the reward is eternity with Jesus, but even here and now, God is so good that He gives us life in abundance. “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” –John 10:10

To take it a step further, knowing Jesus is also knowing the Truth and the Life. “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32. If Jesus is the Truth, and He is, then He holds the power to set you free through a relationship with Him and by meditating on His Word.

Today you have the opportunity to know The Way. As you navigate this life, allow yourself to meet Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life who came out of love for you. So that you, too, may have Life in abundance.

The Meditation of Your Heart.

February 11, 2023 /
Kendra Santilli

God is still speaking.

The daytime often proves itself a cluttered space for our souls. Identifying the voice of God in the midst of our mess becomes a challenge the busier our schedules get.

It was about three o’clock in the morning when a thought awoke me. I say “thought” because I am wary of labeling my ideas and thoughts as “the voice of God.” Our own thoughts and perceptions can often lead us to believe that they are the voice of God if we’re not cautious. This thought that woke me up was, “read Joshua 1:8.” In my tired haze, I said, “I already know what that verse says. I don’t need to read that right now; at three am. What I need now is sleep.” Although getting up at that moment was the last thing I wanted to do, it was as if that thought had awoken me with a megaphone.

No matter how hard I tried, I could not fall back asleep until I read Joshua 1:8. So, I got up and read the verse that I thought said, “be strong and courageous.”  My own arrogance had caught me. I realized right then that it wasn’t a mere thought that woke me up. It really was God trying to teach me something. He gently woke me up in the still of the night when I was void of distraction to tell me something that I otherwise would not have heard through the noise of a busy day.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. –Joshua 1:8

You see, I already knew what the surrounding verse said, “be strong and courageous,” but God was showing me the “how-to.” It was right there in the adjacent verse! It’s easy to declare, “do not fear,” “be brave,” and “be strong and courageous.” These phrases are much easier said than done and are not helpful in and of themselves. But thankfully, God is so gracious to give us direction and answers, the “how to’s” found in His Word.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips.

As the Lord of Armies (Isaiah 47:4), courage is in God’s nature. Studying and knowing His Word often bring with it the spirit of courage. We are confident in God’s abilities when we are secure in what He says. Surely we can all say that the more we study and become proficient in something, whether our jobs or roles at home, the more confidence we gain in that particular area. As a nurse, I become more confident in my practice as I study and learn about the human body and its healing processes. The same goes for the things of the spirit. When we are well acquainted with what Jesus says in His Word, we can live courageously and confidently, knowing that we abide by His instructions.

Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

What do you meditate on? In the middle of the night, are you kept awake by anxiety? Or do you choose to fix your thoughts on God’s goodness? The promises He has set in His Word?

Because what you meditate on will eventually lead to your actions. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he….” –Proverbs 23:7. Simply put, if you meditate on worldly thoughts, and are guided by them, then you will begin to live as the world tells you. But, if you meditate on the Lord’s instructions, you will start to live as His Word teaches. Meditating on God’s Word will lead you to be obedient.

God wants our hearts. Jesus said, “if you love me, you’ll keep my commandments.” –John 14:15.

When our hearts delight in Jesus, obeying Him, His Word brings us joy. Although it may not always be easy, the believer knows that the reward is living with clean hands and a pure heart, and ultimately, the greatest reward is communion with God. His Word branded on our lips cultivates wisdom to live rightly before God. Living in obedience brings a far greater reward than surrendering to fear repeatedly. There is, after all, nothing to fear when we are living for the Lord because His perfect love casts out all fear. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. –1 John 4:18.

As we strive to do everything in love, there is no room for fear, only courage. Have faith. God will pave the way before you.

And this type of courage comes from abiding in Jesus. Obedience to God brings with it the blessing of prosperity and success, according to God’s will. Be it spiritual, physical, financial, or in our interpersonal goals. God will go before you, strengthening and guiding you as you prioritize His statutes.

So if you don’t know God, I invite you to ask Him to show Himself to you in a real way. Ask Him into your life today. He will make your crooked paths straight when you surrender your ways to Him. Start by first praying and asking God for understanding. Then, read the Bible and meditate on the Words written on the pages. Remember them and ask Jesus to help you apply them to your life. As you open your heart to Him, He will become faithful to you. He will prove Himself real in your life. The True and faithful God! Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. –John 14:6.

Don’t Blame The Seed!

December 3, 2022 /
MaryEllen Montville

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants” –Matthew 13:3-7.

Three distinct conditions. Three types of soil. Let’s start today’s teaching on the same foot by taking a closer look at three conditions described in the “Parable of the Sower.”

Question? Is it the fault of the seed (God’s inerrant Word) these three soils (various conditions of the heart) don’t produce fruit? Answer. Absolutely not! How can I say this with such authority? Easy, I’m quoting God. It’s by His authority that I speak so boldly. Hear the Word of the Lord: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” –Isaiah 55:11.

Our inability to produce good fruit can’t be blamed on God.

He has equipped us with the best of everything we’ll ever need to do the work He’s called us to do. To grow deep and sure roots, bearing much fruit—if we stay connected to Him, The Vine, our Source, and strength. Suppose, with humility; we persevere under any condition. In that case, we’ll find ourselves trusting the God we serve, that this “Sower of Good Seed” has a purpose and plan for every state we find ourselves in. “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” –Hebrews 13:20-21.

Our first step in today’s journey starts with examining the condition of the path. “…some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.” _Matthew 13:3. Anyone who’s walked on a well-worn footpath through the woods knows its hardened earth can often be as planate as blacktop—made solid by years of wear and the pressure exerted by many sets of feet. Thus, anything falling atop it stays exposed—making it easy pickings for some bird of prey to swoop down and take it away. So too, with the sin-hardened hearts of men who hear the Word of God and reject it. It “falls” on them but does not penetrate their sin-hardened hearts, made so by lack of interest and unbelief—impervious.

Next, we have the rocky place. “Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” –Matthew 13:5-6. Some fertile soil is found here, but not much; thus, whatever roots manage to sprout and take hold quickly give way at the first good gust of wind or slashing rain. The soul this seed represents shows interest in the Gospel, they believe—but only so long as conditions are right. At the first sign of pushback, what had begun to take root in their hearts quickly shrivels and dies. Its roots are far too shallow to endure such pressure.

And the last, thorns, these prickly things. Somehow most everything gets snagged on their barbed spikes—distracting, harmful. “Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.” –Matthew 13:7. These looping spiny tangles cause this tender seed to become smothered. Thorns are exacting. Their suffocating, spiny maze chokes the life out of anything attempting to make its way to the Light. “And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit.” –Matthew 13:22.

Which are you? Are you the path? Sin-hardened and unbelieving. Trusting no one but yourself? Not able to receive correction. Set on doing things your way? If so, I understand. I, too, was once knee-deep in my sin, my life a trainwreck, my thoughts void of God—or my need for Him. But, thankfully, his mercy and choice of us are not based on our behavior, worthiness, or belief in Him. Being Sovereign and our Creator, God gets to enter any life He so chooses, whenever He so chooses, changing it eternally. I pray that you find this out for yourself sooner than later.

Maybe you’re the rocky path instead. You go to church most Sundays, and at least a few days a week, you find yourself reading your Bible. While driving back and forth from work, sometimes in the shower, you pray. You believe there’s a God who hears prayer and answers. Well, He answers most prayers anyway. You’re still not wholly convinced He’s not holding back on you. Perhaps angry over that thing you did, so He’s withholding, not answering all your prayers. If this is you, I can confidently say that many Christians were in your shoes at one time or another. They, too, misbelieved God was mad at them for that thing they had done.

But God is not mad at you. He loves you—unconditionally, madly, deeply, enough to die for you! And here’s a news flash. He loved you while you were doing that thing. Did He like it? Heck no! God can’t abide sin. Never! But you, He loves. So how do you resolve this tension within, this sin issue standing between you and God? You repent. Tell God you’re sorry and really mean it. Press into Him wholeheartedly so that your tiny hair-like roots might grow strong, deep, sustaining you. Lest the first good wind or slashing rain that comes your way take you out, causing you to turn away from God in fear.

And you, child of God, what are you doing among the thorns!? “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants” –Matthew 13:7. The cares of this world are choking out your faith. Your misdirected, divided attention and loyalty cause you to stray from the narrow path—the straight way. Desiring what you don’t have, you lack contentment with what God has given you. Allowing yourself to be pulled in too many directions, you attempt to please everyone but your audience of One, misguidedly pushing God to the back burner, the last “to do” on today’s list. God comes after everyone else has gotten a piece of you. Scraps are what you offer Him these days, leftovers.

When did you become so consumed with more? How quickly you’ve forgotten that what you currently have was once the very thing you hoped and prayed for. How will you ever grow, thrive, and reach your God-given potential, living choked out? Closed off from seeking God unmolested. How will you get to that green open place beside still waters where the two of you can meet? Where the Vinedresser will cut away everything that has done its best to choke out the Light of His presence.

 But fear not! Take heart, friends. With Jesus, there is always hope! “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear” Matthew 13:9. I pray the Lord finds us all walking, with determination and passion, along this, His most excellent path. As this teaching makes clear, we have choices. Will we choose to accept Jesus into our hearts or reject Him? This is our great and eternal choice; saying yes to Jesus. Accepting, believing in, receiving salvation from sin, He died to afford us—more the relationship He desires to enter into with us.

So, if you don’t have this relationship, haven’t asked Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior. There’s no better time than the present. And there’s no set formula, no right or wrong way to do it. Jesus is drawn to the sincere cry of those who’ll acknowledge their need and desire for Him. Just be real with Him. Ask Jesus into your life as Lord and mean it. Admit that you need Him, that you’ve sinned and are genuinely sorry. Then trust what the Scriptures promise you. “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.

Crossroads

August 27, 2022 /
Matthew Botelho

Crossroads- A point at which a crucial decision must be made, having far-reaching consequences.

Think of all the faith heroes who lived ordinary lives. Many were farmers, shepherds, and fishermen. Every day people like you and me. Many had families to provide for, and most of them faced the same problems we face today. In Ecclesiastes, the teacher says there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 3:5 “Whatever is has already been, and whatever will be, already is, God repeats what has passed.”

Same problems. Same issues of righteousness and unrighteousness; the only difference being the sets of eyes seeing these same problems—they were from a different generation. As we all stand closer and closer to the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, I cannot help but think about what was going through their minds and hearts when God called them and spoke the words, “Follow Me?”

For example, take Moses. Exodus 2:11-15 says, “One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.”

At one time, Moses was a prince of Egypt. Then a severe circumstance occurred in his life, forcing him to ignore his station and act upon who he truly was. When his crossroads moment came, Moses chose to act. And as a result of that choice, Moses was exiled to the land of Midian. Yet all was not lost. God brought Moses to Jethro’s family. He was the priest of Midian. There, Moses ends up marrying Jethro’s daughter, Zipporah. “Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage” –Exodus 2:21.

Now, during his years in the wilderness, Moses cared for his father-in-law’s sheep; he was pretty content with the life he was living. Moses also had a family, a son named Gershom; Moses considered his life to be in order. Until the appointed day, God called him, setting him on a path that took him away from order and comfort and towards the extraordinary.

Instead of caring for sheep, God will now have Moses care for a different flock, His chosen people.

God was ready to deliver His people from 4oo years of oppression. And He’d chosen Moses for the job. “Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. “I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.” Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” –Exodus 3:7-10.

God had now led Moses to yet another crossroads moment. Moses had two paths before him. That’s part of the beauty and love of God; He’s given us free will. Yet, God knew the path Moses would take. Yes, Moses had doubts and fear. We see that in Exodus 3:11. “But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” And we read more about those doubts and fears in Exodus 4:10. “But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

How quickly we disqualify ourselves, focusing on our bad qualities, what disqualifies us, instead of seeing what God has already given us—sees in us. God sees the heart. And God knew Moses’s heart.

In one way or another, every child of God has experienced their own crossroads moment in life—or soon will. These moments of decision will not stop until we see Jesus face to face.

Now, I could have mentioned many others in the Bible who’d also faced their crossroads, but we’ll save some of them for the next time we meet, so don’t forget to look for part two of this teaching on Saturday, September 17!

But for now, how you face your crossroads moments in life is what determines how things will work out in your life. As I stated earlier, God loves us and gave us free will. So, it all comes down to what you will or will not do when you stand at your own crossroads. Jesus said in John 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I have chosen you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask in My name, He will give you.” God already knew your heart, just like He knew Moses’ heart. And He knew which way you’d go when faced with such a choice. Ecclesiastes 3:14 says, “He made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from the beginning to the end.”

My prayer is this: when you come to those crossroad moments, may God give you, His wisdom. May He speak clearly to your hearts and minds. May you walk in the patience and the love of Jesus Christ. May He reveal all these deep things you are searching for. And, when you hear Him, you do not harden your heart but be pliable, trusting God has appointed a specific time to meet with you. Amen.

2 Corinthians 6:2 “For He says: I heard you in an acceptable time, and I helped you in the day of salvation. Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.” I pray you felt the tug of our Lord Jesus as you were reading this. If you are at that crossroad moment, I pray that you heed His call over you. He is ready to lead you to that defining moment that will bring you out of the wilderness and into the promise. Call out to Him and declare that Jesus is Lord in your heart and every circumstance. Ask Him to wash you clean of your every sin by the precious Blood of our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

His Perfect Will

March 26, 2022 /
Kendra Santilli

Talk is cheap. It doesn’t cost anyone to say something that makes them feel right. We often hear people saying things that perhaps they don’t mean, but it sounds great at the moment. They make their feel-good comments and carry about their day, probably forgetting what they said. We’ve all been there. Surely, you’ve heard the phrase, “Follow your heart?” How about “Do you?”

In Christian culture, we do this same thing sometimes! We have become fluent in “Christianese.” Verbiage that sounds theologically correct, good to our listener, making us feel like we’ve said a good thing. We become so well versed in Scripture that we learn how to hide behind it, masking our wicked intentions with what we know to be Biblical. We say things like, “love God, love people,” but then turn around and act in an unloving way towards our brother when we exit the church doors. We say things like, “I’m not worried, God is in control,” but get lost when we don’t get what we want or when life doesn’t go as planned. And while each of the above statements holds much Truth, it is easy for us to speak them without conveying the full weight of their meaning.

I’m suggesting this: There are times when God will allow us to go through troubles so that He can deepen our understanding of these seemingly basic principles.

When we say, “God is in control,” what do we mean? I have been revisiting the concept of the Sovereignty of God lately, and if I’m being honest, there are times I’ve let that principle get away from me. Instead of walking by faith as the Bible instructs (2 Corinthians 5:7), I walked instead by sight.

As believers, we must live on a level of trust in God that sets us apart from the world around us.

We witness a clear cycle with the Israelites in the Old Testament, God’s chosen people. They start out trusting God; yet, over time, when God no longer meets their expectations, they begin to murmur and complain. They disobey God’s instructions. Remember, God is concerned with our heart and character. And so, God is pleased when our intentions are pure, and our heart desires righteousness (Psalm 51:17). We can make statements like, “God is in control,” but if our hearts don’t honestly believe what we’re professing, what good is our declaration?

When we talk about God’s Sovereignty, we may hear it referred to as “the will of God.” Others may point to His sovereignty by saying that He is in complete control. Sovereignty is God’s supreme power and authority being exercised over all things. In the Bible, we see several references to “God’s will” used in different contexts.

First, we have God’s perfect will. “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2.

The perfect will of God is the way which God intended for us to live since creation. His perfect will goes beyond what our eyes can see; it targets our hearts, lives, thoughts, and choices. God’s perfect will for us is found in His Word. He instructs us in the type of spouse we should choose what it looks like to be a Godly man/woman, our family dynamics, and what love truly means. God didn’t set these parameters to frustrate us; Instead, He designed us to work optimally within a particular environment. God’s perfect will is not found in manufactured philosophies or our careers. His perfect will is found in our knowing and trusting His Word so completely, so deeply, it forms the very foundation of how we make decisions concerning every aspect of life.

Knowing God’s Word sharpens our discernment as we begin to recognize His voice. His perfect will is found in our obedience; God leads us through life as we respond to His gentle prompting.

 We see yet another example of God’s perfect will right before Jesus was arrested. Jesus was in such distress, knowing that the burden of His death was before Him. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” – Matthew 26:39. I imagine that in His humanity, Jesus could have chosen to disobey God, yet He didn’t. Even when Jesus’ despair was so great, He began to sweat blood; even then, Jesus chose to lay His human desires down to fulfill God’s perfect will. Jesus was not meant to escape this fate. Jesus was sent into this world to pass through Gethsemane, taking the sins of the whole world upon Himself, then, finally, stand victorious on the far side of Golgatha.

How many times do we quit before we see our victory?

Jesus is our perfect example, enduring pain and suffering in the face of death. For most of us, our struggles are unpleasant at best; they do not compare to what Jesus endured. If God uses death to bring about victory, I know He can turn your situation around for good. Stay faithful to Him in your circumstance, asking Him to lead you in His good and perfect will, even when what you see doesn’t make sense. He will work it out for your good!

Second, the Bible shows us examples of the provisional will of God. God’s provisional will may also be called the “permissive will of God.” In God’s permissive will, we begin to understand why bad things happen to good people. While I do not believe that God causes harm or pain to His people, Scripture makes clear He does allow it. Jesus’ life exemplifies this Truth.

We read about the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years in the Book of Numbers. They were supposed to take possession of the land called Canaan, the land God had promised them, yet because of their disobedience, God did not allow them to enter it. His plan was for them to have a home in this new land, so He instructed them to go in at a specific time, but fear caused the Israelites not to enter it in God’s appointed time. Numbers 14 describes the Israelites getting stressed out about entering Canaan because of the strong men and a fortified city the spies sent to check it out had found there.

They let what they could see with their eyes stop them from trusting what God had promised them.

Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, trusted God and tried to urge the people to invade and take the land. They alone trusted more in the power and favor of God than in what their eyes could see or in what their minds told them was impossible. They said the land they had explored was ” an extremely good land.” They went on to say, “If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. Only don’t rebel against the Lord and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” – Numbers 14:7-9.

There are two conditions found in this passage: have faith and not rebel against God’s will. But instead, the Israelites were fearful, so they missed God’s best for them. While God still loved and favored the Israelites, providing for their every need (Deuteronomy 2:36), God allowed them to wander in the wilderness instead of walking into their promise, because of their unbelief.

As you go about your week, I want to remind you to let God be in control, one day at a time. I challenge you to try and understand the principles of God’s Word more deeply, that you might live in His perfect will. As He walks with you, He will lead you—but it’s up to you to obey. I challenge you to look beyond what your eyes can see, and, as you do, may God continue to grow your faith. If you don’t yet know Jesus, or you can’t understand how living with this kind of faith is possible, I invite you to accept Him into your heart today. Ask God to forgive your sins and help you live blameless before him. The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9.

Welcome to the family of God! I pray you to begin to see the fruit walking in His will produce in your life!

No More Excuses.

October 2, 2021 /
Kendra Santilli

I have found it challenging to rest over the last couple of months if I’m honest. One only needs to open their eyes and look around to see that the world is not okay right now. I mean, maybe it never was, but as days go by, I see the reality of it more and more clearly. While I have personal issues that I am working through, it seems as though the aches and pains of this world overshadow those trivial things that I consider problems. Yet, in all the chaos, I must remind myself to turn my eyes towards Heaven, asking God for His perspective. His vantage point. As I consider all the uncertainty in the world, I am reminded of Romans 8:22. It reads, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” The Apostle Paul, the writer of Romans, was referring to this present hour when he wrote this book.

This tells me that the earth has been groaning for a long time, in fact, for thousands and thousands of years. Long before I became aware of the rapidly decaying state of our world, the earth has been groaning in preparation for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet this passage is oozing with hope when we read it through today’s lens.

God is not surprised by anything. He has been managing crises since the beginning of time. Since the dawn of creation, He has been working things out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We have hope in Jesus that, although the earth is groaning, He is still preparing a place for us in our eternal home, in Heaven. While this hope exists for the believer, my heart aches thinking of the people in the world who choose to reject Christ. I’m sure that’s why my heart has been heavy as I’ve been preparing to share a word with you this week; I have not been able to shake the finality of Romans 1:26 from my mind. “God gave them over to shameful lusts…”

As I tried to digest just this sliver of Romans 1, I asked God what He’d have me to say concerning it. And, as uncomfortable as it may be, I believe the answer is this: It is a warning for mankind.

I feel such a sense of urgency as I sit to write about this. Here is the full context of the passage above: “The wrath of God is being revealed from Heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened [they] exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over to the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator who is forever praised. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another.”

This Book of the Bible was written thousands of years ago, which tells me that the world wasn’t a wonderful place back then either.

When God throws His hands up and says, “have it your way. I’ll give you over to your sinful desires”, that’s never a good thing. The standards set forth in God’s law, the 10 Commandments, exist for a reason. They’re given to us as a safeguard- much like a guard rail on the side of a road. I also see them this way: dietary recommendations that exist to keep us healthy. If we load ourselves with saturated fats, poorly digestible carbohydrates, sugar, processed foods, and the like, we may feel great while we’re indulging, and we certainly satisfy our cravings. However, as a result of our indulgences now, years down the road, we will experience diseases that poorly impact the quality of our lives. Diseases that may have been prevented had we kept to the dietary standards recommended by doctors.

In like fashion, Biblical standards act like spiritual guardrails or like diets for our souls. The Bible gives us crystal clear directions from our Maker on what is required to make us function optimally. Sin is cancer to our souls. It eats away at our very being. And though often unrecognizable at first, in time, it will ultimately kill us. I’m sure when the above passage in Romans was written, it was intended to address what God calls “wickedness.” And, since God doesn’t change, the same wickedness that existed in that day is still considered wickedness in our day.

As I read these verses, I saw patterns emerge throughout history—patterns of evil days, and then times of revival. And where there was a revival, prosperity followed quickly behind. Look at the first Great Awakening; shortly after the Great Awakening of the 1700s came the Industrial Revolution. The Second Great Awakening was in the 1830s, then, in the 1850s, we saw the gold rush followed by a great economy in the US. I believe that where the Spirit of God is alive and well, people prosper. Not just in riches but also spirit.

We look around our world right now, and we see economies are failing. People are desperate for hope. Depression and anxiety are rampant as fear grips the heart of man, a byproduct of Covid-19. This world needs Jesus! We need to repent and turn from godlessness. The answer to our aching world is Jesus. We need revival; where the souls of man wake up from mediocrity’s stupor and turn towards the fear of God once again. Most people worldwide are so removed from the God of the Bible, Elohim, that they are merely existing. My friends, we were not created to merely exist. We were created to live in the family of God: in a state of belonging, fulfillment, and purpose.

So I urge you, now, to turn from godlessness and run to the Father. These verses are not past tense; instead, they accurately describe God’s heart towards wickedness. Yes, God is good, and yes, He is kind and merciful and loving and a gracious provider for His children. The Bible tells us that He does love the world! You’ve heard this verse I’m sure, it’s John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

And, “That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” — Romans 5:8. God still sees the world He created, and He loves every person in it. He will forgive the sins of anyone who sincerely repents, but, His greatest blessings are reserved for those who obey Him.

Here’s the hope we have in Jesus: God will not expose us without providing a remedy.

Living in sin does not have to be your story. If you feel you can identify with the wickedness mentioned in the verses above, I beg you not to fall into the trap of “oh well! I guess I’m just going to hell then” and wrongly accept that lie. You do not have to go to hell! I repeat, you DO NOT have to go to hell. Repent of your sin, ask Jesus into your heart, and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in the way of His salvation. I promise there is more joy and peace in living for Jesus than in the life you’re currently living. In Romans 2:7, the Bible says, “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.” And Ezekiel 18:21 reads, “But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”

This verse isn’t just talking about our last breath on earth. “He shall not die” refers to eternity. You shall not spend eternity in hell; if you repent and accept Jesus as Lord of your life, you shall spend eternity alive and well with the Father. The hour is now, no more excuses. I pray that this heavy word spoke to you, pushed you even, towards accepting Jesus and living for Him. You’ll have an eternity to not regret that it did.

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