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

Tag: God (Page 6 of 17)

Be Loosed!

August 12, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” –John 11: 38-44.

I intended this week’s teaching to come out of the first chapter of Colossians and be titled “Doing your part.” But as you can see, that is not the case. Holy Spirit always has the final say here. When I picked up my Bible and read the account of Jesus’s resurrection of Lazarus within the margin, I read a long-ago notation I’d noted. It reads: “Jesus will handle the resurrection. You do your part.”

I don’t believe in coincidences. The fact was not lost on me that the exact words I’d intended to use to title this teaching were now staring back at me.

God was trying to get my attention. And He had it now.

“Doing your part” has been an ongoing theme of late. So It made me wonder if you’re also not hearing some rendition of these exact words in your Spirit.

I ask because my experience has been that the Word I receive from the Lord is first meant to minister to me, then flow outward to you. And so I pray that we submit our will, our wants, what may appear ‘right’—sound, to us, to the will and calling of Jesus—putting to death all internal chatter that clamors for answers to the why’s. Allowing God’s Word to mirror our true reflection back to us.

In so doing, may the exhale of our breath genuinely be, “Thy will be done.” Whether we understand God’s will—or not.

As I read today’s Scripture, several points stood out:

First was the opening sentence. It informs us that Jesus was deeply moved—but why? What had touched Him so that Scripture lets us know straightaway that Jesus was moved? I believe in answering this properly; we must go back a bit.

At the beginning of this same chapter, Jesus informs His disciples that Lazarus has died.

Yet, at first, His disciples don’t understand that Lazarus is physically dead because Jesus says Lazarus has fallen asleep.’ Naturally, their minds think of ordinary sleep–rest. This oxymoron is one of many instances found in Scripture. Knowing their confusion, Jesus spells it out for them. He emphatically states that Lazarus is dead. He tells them it’s good that He wasn’t there to intervene.

Jesus was about to perform a miracle in the lives of so many through this one act of obedience.

Yet Jesus commiserated with Mary and Martha’s friends and neighbors’ pain and outpouring of grief. Was this partly because, acting out of obedience to the Father, Jesus had to stay put and not go to Lazarus? Is this why in part, Jesus was so deeply moved? Because He could not intervene, not touch, and heal His friend as He had so many others? Jesus trusted His Father surely. And although Jesus is fully God, He was also fully human and felt the genuine pain we experience in such moments. “For we do not have a Great High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses…” –Hebrews 4:14.

Yet all of this—His pain and theirs, did not stop Jesus from obeying the Father’s will.

There was a greater good that was about to come of this. Jesus knew obedience to the will of the Father was more important than His or their feelings—obedience is always paramount. “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” –John 15:10.

The second point that struck me was the barrier blocking Jesus’ entrance into the place He was sent to bring about the miracle He’d been sent to perform. Remember, Jesus tells us: “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” –John 5:30.

Scripture points out Jesus’s saying, “Take away the stone.” Why?

Could it be that in addition to its natural use, attention is brought to this stone to illustrate that we place proverbial stones across our hearts, denying God unfettered access? Denying Jesus access to give us the same healing and restoration of life and life to the full that we see Him give Lazarus?

Friends, if we belong to Jesus, we have been chosen to partner with God. Our part—my part, your part—is to choose to listen to Jesus’ voice and allow whatever stone impeding His entrance into our dead places to be rolled away—so that fullness of life might come forth.

Jesus tells those present to roll the stone out of His way. (notice the stone can be moved!)

Martha’s response? To tell Jesus no—don’t do that. What are you thinking? He’s been dead for days, and it stinks in there!

Sounds reasonable, right? After all, isn’t that what we do when we hide ‘our flesh’ in places we think no one can see? When we choose to keep our tomb, those—shameful or painful—even prideful parts of ourselves sealed off—safe from view.

After all, Jesus couldn’t possibly love us if He sees all that, right?

Wrong!

Jesus knows that to have True Life; we must let Him into our stinking—rotten fleshly places. We must agree to have any stone moved away that might deny Him full access—to every yucky—stinking part of us! Why? Because the Truth is this: whatever Jesus does to us—in us, through us, is not just for us.

“Lazarus, come out!” And He did. And we will, too—all those called by His name must leave our dead things behind.

We, still wrapped in our grave clothes—still carrying the scent of things long since dead within us—are just waiting, as Lazarus was, to be released into the Fullness of Life. “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Jesus will always have the final Word.

Though salvation is a free gift from God, one based not on our good works that any of us might foolishly think we could earn such a gift, we do have a part to play in working out our salvation. Paul clarifies this in Phil.2:12. “So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

Plainly put: We must do our part, must agree—desire, want, our stone be rolled away.

Do you, friend? I pray you do. Won’t you ask Jesus to roll away everything blocking you from asking Him to come into your heart? To be your Lord and Savior, He’ll roll away anything standing between you and Him if you genuinely want it gone. Jesus says it this way: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” –Revelation 3:20

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.

Fruit On The Tree

July 22, 2023 /

Matthew Bothelo

In Matthew 23:19-20, Jesus gives His disciples marching orders and with them comes a great responsibility for each disciple to follow: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. In the NKJV, Matthew’s “amen” is added after our Lord’s command. It was Apostle’s agreement with Jesus’s command. Like Matthew, we need to come into agreement with this same mindset.

Because in this season, many have been calling out to the Lord, asking, “What is my purpose in You?

What must I do to be seen by You?” Know this, my dear friends, that the work of the Cross is finished, and you do not need to operate in a “works” mentality. Your salvation is the most important thing in the eyes of Jesus, your confession of faith and the repentance of your sins. Believe me, God sees you! “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” –Ephesians 2:8-9.

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, Repent, and believe in the gospel” –Mark 1:14-15. Often, we can get hung up on, “What is my calling, my purpose?” In John 6, Jesus answers this question when the people of Capernaum asked, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”– John 6:28-29.

If you are a child of God, you have a heart for our Lord Jesus. Each of us has a purpose, and God knows the hearts of His children. Jesus knows who His children are and are not. He knew who He was going to call. Each of His disciples played a major role in God’s plan, even Judas Iscariot.

 Judas walked with Jesus, performing miracles and healings in Jesus’ name. But Judas was never His, meaning Judas’ relationship was not that of a true believer. His interest wasn’t in spreading the gospel. It was for his own gain. It wasn’t a love for God that motivated Judas. Still, God used Judas for His glory. Judas had the wrong mindset, and his heart was not in line with the heart of God.

Jesus desires to have a relationship with His creations and bring glory to God. Judas chose his own gain. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him” –John 6:63-64. 

When we are willing to do the work of the ministry, we always need to have our hearts in the right place.

We must ask and pray, “Is this your will, Lord, or my own.” Too often, we can fall into the trap of “self-elevation.” We promote ourselves, get puffed up, and throw ourselves into situations and places we should never be. God may have given you the gift, but if the anointing to operate in it is not there, and the timing isn’t right, moving in your own strength will crush you. Our desire to serve God needs to be out of love for Him, for His glory and not for us to be seen by man. God will elevate you at the proper time, in His time. He does this because He loves us, dear friends, and He does not want to see any harm come to us. “He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly” – Luke 1:51-52.

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?’ But He gives more grace, Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” –James 4:4-6. Judas wanted to be seen as someone important. He served God for what he could get out of it. This mindset brought him before the chief priests, where he asked the question, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Jesus to you?’ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver” –Matthew 26:15.

In Judas’ mind and heart, the things of this world were so much more important than service to the Kingdom of God; still, God was in control. Judas was giving up an inheritance much more valuable than anything silver could buy.

Judas knew Jesus by name only, but not in his heart.

That is what salvation is, dear brothers and sisters. It is a change of heart. It’s God plucking us from this kingdom of darkness and, in an instant, placing us in the Kingdom of Light, transforming our hearts and minds through the work of His Holy Spirit alive in us now. This change happens from within and moves outwardly, producing good fruit. Accepting Jesus as Lord of all is the very first and most important work we will ever do; believing in the One who was sent. This never happened in Judas. For him, it was all show. “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me” –Matthew 15:7-8. 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” In the end, Judas betrayed Jesus, but still, God is glorified. God uses this betrayal to show His love for each of us. Jesus goes to the Cross and dies the death that we all deserve. We were sinners who are washed clean by the Blood of Jesus. By the work of the Cross of Christ Jesus, we are reconciled to the heavenly Father if we accept Him as Lord of our lives.

Along with our brothers, we too can say, as one people of the Kingdom of God, Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one! Unlike Judas, who, suffering from guilt, runs back to the chief priests with the money given to him, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”—Matthew 27:4.

There was no remorse for the death of Jesus in the chief priests or Judas. The flesh will never understand the things of the Spirit. Man will never be made whole by the things of this world. In the end, they bring only death. Judas hangs himself and dies, full of regret and sin. Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree).”

Romans 5:8-9 “But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Rejoice, my dear friends, that Christ died for you, and salvation is the fruit of His death!

By accepting Jesus, you are no longer slaves to your sin. I want to invite you to know Jesus and the finished work of the Cross. He went willingly to it for you and poured Himself out till there was nothing left of Himself. He selflessly gave it all for you so you would never have to hang from a tree of sin, sorrow, and shame. Ask Him to come into your heart today. Amen

Move, Now!

July 8, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”–Acts 8:29-30.

In “The Knowledge of The Holy,” A.W. Tozer said this concerning the Christian: “What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” So, let me ask you, beloved believer—when you think about God, does your being obedient to Him, His Word, Commandments, to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit—spring to the forefront of your mind?

Regarding obedience to God, would you agree that we, the modern-day Church, have lost our sense of urgency in obeying God? Some measure of reverent awe that accompanies the knowledge that a holy, righteous, perfect God deigns to speak to us at all?

Has the “yes, Lord” posture of our hearts been exchanged for, “Well, maybe, God didn’t really mean right now,” when we know He did?

Has our readiness to do whatever, whenever God says, “Move, now,” been usurped by the little g god of self? Have we forgotten the importance of obedience? And the possible danger to ourselves and others when we aren’t obedient?

Not in Philip’s case, certainly not in Father Abraham’s, nor with any of the twelve Apostles. In each instance, God called, and they obeyed.

Today, we’ll examine examples of their obedience—and its fruit.

We’ll look back for a moment, that we might use what we find there to propel us forward. My hope? What you’ll read will prompt you to ask this all-important question regarding obedience to God of yourself.

Let’s start with Father Abraham…

God called Abram, a pagan, to follow Him on an extraordinary, lifelong faith journey away from kin and everything familiar. “Joshua said to the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Long ago your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River, and they worshiped other gods. But I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him into the land of Canaan. I gave him many descendants through his son Isaac.” –Joshua 24:2-3.

Father Abraham’s faith walk was so sincere and steadfast, so steeped in holy reverence to God, that today, many are still experiencing the overflow of his unswerving obedience. “And if you belong to Christ [if you are in Him], then you are Abraham’s descendants, and [spiritual] heirs according to [God’s] promise.” –Galatians 3:29.

Thank you, Father Abraham, for leaving us a legacy of faithful, Godly obedience we might follow. A lasting, multigenerational model. “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” –Romans 4:1-3.

And in Jesus’ Apostles, we see this exact “leave-it-all-behind” obedience.

Peter and Andrew left what they knew and loved to follow Jesus. “Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers. They were Simon (his other name was Peter) and Andrew, his brother. They were putting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Follow Me. I will make you fish for men!” At once they left their nets and followed Him.” –Matthew 4:18-20. So did James and John. “…They were sitting in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus called them. At once they left the boat and their father and followed Jesus.” –Matthew 4:21-22.

Likewise, with Philip and Nathanael. You can read of their obedience in John 1:43-51. And of Matthew, the tax collector turned Apostle’s obedience. “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” –Matthew 9:9.

The Bible doesn’t give us much information on where the Lord found Thomas, Simon, and Jude, aka—Thaddues, James, son-of-Alphaeus, or the rest of His Apostles. According to Scripture, all we know for sure is they were obedient to the call of Jesus on their lives until they were martyred or, as with John, died. All of them, that is, except Judas, the son of perdition. He betrayed the Lord and then hung himself. “And our brothers defeated him by the blood of the Lamb’s death and by the truth they preached. They did not love their lives so much that they were afraid of death.” –Revelation 12:11.

And then there’s Philip. We find him in Samaria, where he’d been about the Lord’s work preaching the Gospel, healing the sick and casting out demons. “Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.” –Acts 8:5-8.

Acts Eight tells us that an angel of the Lord told Philip to leave Samaria and head down a desert road. He obeyed immediately and met “the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia.” –Acts 8:27. The eunuch’s chariot had broken down. So, there he sat, reading aloud from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

Again, the Holy Spirit told Philip what to do, and Philip obeyed. “The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.” –Acts 8: 29-31

I wonder what the eunuch may have missed out on had Philip not obeyed.

Verse thirty-five makes it clear he may have missed out on knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. Maybe the eunuch would have missed out on being baptized as well. And, looking beyond this Divine dessert assignment, who might the eunuch have told of his extraordinary encounter with Philip and God? What seeds may never have been planted had Philip not obeyed the Holy Spirit and ran to the eunuch’s side—sharing the Good News of Jesus with Him?

Will you be obedient, beloved believer, knowing that God desires your obedience over anything you could ever offer Him? Sacrifice for Him?

In closing, beloved, let me ask you again—when you think about God, does your obedience to Him, His Word, Commandments, and the leading of God’s Holy Spirit spring to the forefront of your mind? Or has your obedience been exchanged for a little g god who desires comfort over character?

That same god who whispers, “Well, maybe, God didn’t really mean right now.” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” –John 14:23.

And you, new friend. Perhaps you’re saying, what about me? I want to be obedient, but I don’t Jesus or this Holy Spirit you mentioned earlier.

To you, I say this: Let today be the first in a life-long series of steps of obedience by saying yes to Jesus, asking Him into your life as Lord, repenting of your sins and acknowledging that you need Jesus. If you obey that tugging on your heart, Jesus promises you will be born again today!

As for what happens after that, remain obedient, get connected to a solid Bible-believing Church, read your Bible daily, and do your absolute best to love God and His people. Jesus will do the rest. Only He can! “I know, God, that mere mortals can’t run their own lives, That men and women don’t have what it takes to take charge of life.” –Jeremiah 10:23.

How To Respond to Adversity.

July 1, 2023 /

Kendra Santilli

““There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of complete integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east.” — Job 1:1,3b

Job, who takes up an entire book in the Old Testament, can teach us so much when it comes to maintaining steadfastness in the face of adversity. As I was reading his story, I couldn’t help but think of a question posed by so many: if God is so good and He is sovereign, why do bad things happen to good people?

I don’t know that I have the answer to that difficult question, but I know that I have gleaned some fundamental truths about the nature of who God is and what a healthy human response should be through Job’s wisdom.

Our first impressions about Job are that he was a man of remarkable character, who feared God, was successful, and was wealthy, all of which marked him as the greatest man of his day. If you read his story, you will not just learn that his world fell apart in one moment but also gain insight into what happens in the supernatural realm when devastation originates in the pits of hell.

Before we begin, you must understand that according to the infallible Word of God, Satan is real, there is indeed a heavenly realm, and Satan cannot operate outside of God’s all-knowing nature.

Truth: Satan roams the earth, searching for whom he may devour. The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered him, “and walking around on it.” — Job 1:7. “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” —1 Peter 5:8.

Again, truth: God sets boundaries for what Satan can and cannot do. Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t you placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.” “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. — Job 1:8-12.

God knew Job’s heart. He knew it was not in Job’s nature to curse Him. For whatever reason, God allowed Satan to take everything near and dear to Job, knowing that Job’s integrity was pure down to his core. He knew Job wouldn’t be swayed by circumstances, no matter how severe. I pray we can be a people whose nature is so pure that our natural response is that of Job.

As the story goes, Job lost his children, livestock, and servants in one day. One day was all it took for him to lose his beloved children and so much of what he worked for. But his response is remarkable: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything. — Job 1:21-22.

Job blessed the Lord during his deepest pain.

How often, when one thing doesn’t go our way, are we quick to fall apart and blame God? Imagine what would happen if our response to difficulties was blessing the Lord instead of glorifying the terrible works of our adversary, Satan. The attacks of hell are Satan’s glory. When we choose to focus on the attack rather than the goodness of God, we are choosing to shift our praise away from God in all His beautiful glory to Satan and all his terrible glory.

There is a difference between acknowledging that we are being afflicted and obsessing over the affliction.

For the nonbeliever, there is deliverance, once and for all, from the strongholds of hell: anger, bitterness, lust, addiction, anxiety, depression, malice, greed, and the like. But there is freedom once we begin to walk in who God created us to be and believe in Jesus Christ. Hardships still happen, but we can navigate them in the freedom of Christ. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. — John 8:36.

Too many people, believers, and nonbelievers alike, dwell on the affliction, surrendering to the lie that God is no longer good because their situation is bad.

Instead, I challenge you to humble your heart and declare that God is good even when life is not. An attack from Satan does not mean that God is not good or no longer with you. It simply means that Satan is still evil.

Don’t allow Satan to manipulate you into believing that your situation determines the character of God.

Instead of obsessing over the trial and magnifying the enemy’s works, I challenge you to train your heart and mind like Job’s, blessing the Lord amid your deepest trial and pain. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:4-7.

Today, choose to magnify the Lord.

 Let His goodness and mercy be a mountain compared to the temporary trials that are as grains of sand. While your circumstances will change continuously, one constant in life is that God will never stop being good. Let us learn from Job how to respond to our adversity, whether in hardship or an attack from the enemy. Let our response be that of praise to God rather than addressing Satan. Job never once spoke to the enemy. He simply turned his gaze toward his God, who is far greater than the enemy (1 John 4:4) and allowed Him to fight his battles.

Yes, Job acknowledged his suffering but never cursed the Lord.

If you don’t yet know Jesus in such a way that His peace can supersede your current suffering, humbly ask Him into your heart that He may deliver you, grant you salvation and give you perfect peace.

Walk it Out On The Sea Of Doubt. Part 2.

June 17, 2023 /

Matthew Botelho

As the title implies, doubt can be like a raging sea.

Thoughts can suddenly blow through our minds; waves of fear can crash and swell within them. And like all storms, our thoughts can be dark and foreboding, but God! Oh, hallelujah! Only God can calm those thoughts, those sudden, stormy waves, and winds. Only God can make the sea of our minds like glass, perfectly still. With just a Word from His mouth: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen”. -Ephesians 3:20-21. 

That, my dear friends, what our God can do and does, it’s straight from the Word.

No man can make up the workings of God. The Spirit testifies in each of us that God is who He says He is. Jesus came to give life and make it more abundant. Jesus came to give us peace, His peace. We need to cling to and pray for His peace daily—this “peace that surpasses all understanding.” The world does not understand this peace because it cannot. The kind of peace the world offers is a failed promise of peace, inconsistent, temporary. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

In order to be conformed to something, you must be connected to, faithful, to whatever or whomever you are placing your faith in. If we put our faith in the world, we will reap what the world offers, the fruits of the flesh. You’ll draw your nourishment from the world if it is your source, your vine. And you’ll get its byproduct, an exact replica of what you’ve been drawing from. The world can only produce its own kind.

Instead of what this world has to offer, Jesus wants to be the Vine you draw from daily. He wants to be your Source.

His gift of salvation, His Spirit, will produce lasting fruit that will sustain you in times of trouble. When those waves of doubt crash into you, you can find the strength in Jesus, you never thought you had. The Helper, God’s Holy Spirit, can and desires to dwell within you. My pastor always says, “Transformation starts from the inside, then makes its way outward.” A person our Lord saves will be transformed from the inside, and all the world will see the fruit of their salvation. 

Do you believe that today?                                                                       

Do you believe that God can bring peace to your mind, healing to your body, and above all, salvation to those who cry out for the forgiveness of their sins?

Jesus can, and He will! He is coming back, friends, brothers, and sisters! It’s only a matter of time—I cling to this truth by faith, believing. Now there are moments, my dear friends, that I will have doubt wash over me. Does it make me a non-believer? Of course not! I am human, and there will be those moments when I fall short in faith. But God will prove Himself faithful when I am lacking. So, if my lack of faith is my thorn in the flesh, I will remember and cling to these words spoken to the apostle Paul:

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” –2 Corinthians 12:9.

A thorn in our flesh could be several things, whether it be fear, doubt, anxiety, depression, an actual sickness, as Scholars suggest it was with the Apostle Paul or a divorce; whatever it may be, a thorn in your side will make you feel weak, causing you to lose focus and fall. But in those moments especially, remember, hold tight to what Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for May strength is made perfect in weakness.”

 When you posture yourself in surrender to God, He will take over in whatever situation you may be going through. Submission is about our heart of worship and willingness to lay it all down at His feet; when you are tired, worship. When you cannot take another step, worship; when you have lost your job, worship, whatever the enemy is throwing at you, cast your ALL cares and worries on Jesus, and just worship the Lord!

Praise is one of the greatest weapons we have when we are facing trouble. God’s unmerited favor will get you through life’s storms and trials—God’s favor found in knowing His Son, Jesus, will see you through!

Child of God, you have the favor of the Father living inside you! What can this world do to you? Lift your eyes to heaven and know that God is for you.

He has not left you. The apostle Paul writes, “What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” -Romans 8:31 

I genuinely feel that someone reading this is about to receive their breakthrough.

Doubt is not your portion, dear friend. The keys have been handed to you. Jesus has taken them back from the enemy and now holds all the authority. Move, in the authority you’ve been given, in Jesus’ name!

Friend, if you don’t know Him as Lord, Jesus is waiting for you to take that step and reach out by faith, grab hold of His gift of salvation by repenting your sins and asking Jesus to be Lord of your life. I pray that the Holy Spirit has spoken to you through His inspired teaching and that you will walk out what He’s asking you to do, my friend. Amen

Reflectors…

May 27, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day nor night.” Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence.” –Isaiah 62:6.

A restless Saviour calls upon his people to be restless, and to make the Lord himself restless – to give him no rest till his chosen city is in full splendour, his chosen church complete and glorious. –Charles Spurgeon.

Reflectors are not a light source; they contain no light of their own. Instead, they catch and release light already present, reflecting it outwardly. So, the job of the reflector is singular and simple: to consistently reflect light in the darkness. Thus, in many instances, their presence alone helps to avert potential bodily harm or even death.

Think of their job this way: You’re driving down a poorly lit side street at night, and the only thing standing between your hitting and possibly killing the pedestrian or cyclist on the side of the road with your car is your headlights catching the reflectors on their bicycle or safety vest. Just in the nick of time, you’re able to swerve—crisis averted. At that moment, you’d more fully appreciate and understand the importance of a reflector.

You, dear Christian brother, or sister, are that reflector.

You are called to catch the love of Christ: His mercy, humility, kindness, and generosity, reflecting it outwardly into a dark and dying world. By faithfully staying in your proverbial lane, pedestrian as that may feel or seem at times, God will use you to pierce the darkness surrounding that one who may have otherwise been hurt or killed. “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” –Jude 1:22-23.

In this world’s thick, ever-increasing, thick darkness, God has chosen you, beloved, to first catch and then reflect the Light of His presence to everyone you meet. “Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” –John 12:44-46.

As with the Prophets of old, those who carry the Light of Christ within are called to pray without ceasing—to intercede, then intercede some more. To be a faithful and true witness of God’s Love, Truth, Mercy, and Righteousness that is in Christ Jesus. To faithfully share the Truth of the Gospel while standing in line at the grocery store, sitting in the doctor’s office, the airport, whenever and wherever the opportunity affords. They are to consider others—and their needs, above our own—hard, I know.

In and of ourselves, even the saintliest of us does not possess the ability to live wholly selflessly. And, though Christ lives in us, a mystery too great to grasp, our sinful flesh perpetually prohibits us from fully living and loving as Jesus did—commands us to.

The Apostle Paul knew and grappled with this ugly Truth. His conclusion?

Only by God residing in us, empowering us to do what we, in and of ourselves, never could, is even having the desire to love selflessly possible. Even then, our very best attempt at such love is flawed, anemic, and flaccid. Why? There are two natures at war within us. Christ, alive in us, our Spirit man, our true self wars against our carnal flesh, the body and soul we possess still, while we await the day when we will fully be as Christ is.

“For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. Now if I habitually do what I do not want to do, [that means] I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good (morally excellent). So now [if that is the case, then] it is no longer I who do it [the disobedient thing which I despise], but the sin [nature] which lives in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not. For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I am no longer the one doing it [that is, it is not me that acts], but the sin [nature] which lives in me.” –Romans 7:15-20.

Our carnal man is self-serving. Hence, why we must die daily to this flesh that wants what it wants when it wants it, and instead, pick up our cross, following Christ’s example of Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests] and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].” –Matthew 16:24.

Reflectors warn the world, one soul at a time, of the danger of walking in darkness, of the coming judgment that will soon visit this world and all who reject Jesus and His free gift of salvation.

We demonstrate God’s love, mercy, and great desire that not one person perish.

We share our testimony—making clear that it was in a pit of filth, despair, and depression, in a church pew or the throws of addiction, where Christ may have found us. And how, because of His great love, grace and mercy, Jesus stepped in and pulled us out of that pit, shining His Light into our darkness, on our addictions, saving us from sin and death’s grip on us. Then He stood us firmly and safely in His Kingdom of Light instead. “This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. This is love: it is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the sacrifice that deals with our sins.” –1 John 4:9-10.

And so, fellow reflectors, we must, have been commanded—to bring the Light of God’s Love, a Light we have been freely given, into this “poorly lit side street” of a world. One that is losing hope and faith in ever finding such a Love. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” –Matthew 10:8.

Dear friend, if you’ve never experienced such Love or felt sought after, protected, or cared for, I encourage you to consider this God’s way of ensuring you are Loved and sought after, that Jesus wants to care for you, if you’ll let Him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” –John 3:16.

Won’t you ask Jesus to come into your heart, confess your sins, and begin to reflect His love into the world?

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.

Veritas.

April 29, 2023 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice. “ –John 18:37.

In a world where everyone’s truth is the truth, it should not take us by surprise that not even Jesus’ declaration of His being the Truth would escape questioning, as horrifying as that is for those of us who call Jesus Lord. The unremitting, centuries-old scrutiny of Jesus—the doubtfulness and disparity regarding the Truth concerning The Son of God, of His God’s inerrant Word, is nothing new; today’s scripture verse makes this plain. Solomon was right: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” –Ecclesiastes 1:9.

Since Christ entered this world, men have done their best to defame Jesus’ Holy name, His person and purpose, to deny His very existence. They’ve tried and failed to “bring Him down to size.” To make Jesus ordinary, pass Him off as some nice guy who once walked the earth like many other nice guys before and after Him. Countless people questioned Jesus’ legitimacy in days past, and many still question it today: Who is this Jesus, really? They’ve heard and seen evidence of who God is, yet they refuse to believe.

Still, Christ’s response to such questioning and doubt remains unremitting: “All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”  

So then, it seems the question each man must settle in his heart is that exact question Pilate once posed to Christ: “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. –John 18:38.

Why? Because their eternal soul is inextricably tied to how they answer this very straightforward question.

Did you catch what Jesus made clear to Pilate—to anyone with ears to hear?

He plainly stated that not only is He alone the Truth, equally, one reason He was born into this world was to testify, proclaim, and profess Truth. And if you receive Truth when it’s spoken, putting it into practice as a doer and not a hearer only, if, like Elizabeth, your belly leaps when Truth is near you, you have likely recognized your Master’s voice. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” –John 10:27.

If so, I pray you will remain faithful to the Truth, hunger and thirst for more and more of Jesus. I pray that you will follow God’s leading and guiding all the days of your life, living pure and holy lives before Him. “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!” John 14:15.

Because friends, there is no such thing as your or my truth—only The Truth. So then, how or if we receive said Truth—receive Jesus, will determine how we live our lives now and where we will spend eternity. Jesus has made Himself crystal clear: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” –John 14:6.

In a world where we’re told the truth is anything we say it is, where we play little g god over our lives, acting out and being whoever or whatever we say we are or choose to be. In a world where mere men—creation, not Creator- dare alter God’s original work, I am so grateful that Christ is still our Due North.

Every man needs that fixed point on his moral compass by which his life is governed—aligned… “So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.” –Genesis 1:27.

And so I thank Jesus for keeping all those who believe in Him in our right minds—the mind of Christ, for safeguarding us from falling for the lies of the prince of this world. Lies that tell us if it feels right for you, then it is right for you; lies that would have anyone who heeds their treachery build their house on sand—the shifting sands of opinions, trends, and ever-changing feelings. “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” –Matthew 7:26-27.

God’s Holy Spirit is the only fixed point on life’s compass by which everything must align or realign if it has gone off course. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. –John 14:6.

Everything else you’ve been told, taught, believed, heard on the news or in the court of public opinion is a lie. Yet, to believe this, you must be delivered from the strongholds in your life.

Because behind every stronghold, there is a lie. But behind freedom in Christ, there is Truth. –Pastor Lino Braga, Highland City Church.

And Truth says, if I am a child of God, I am:

“A new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” –2 Corinthians 5:17.

“I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.” –Philippians 4:13.

“In all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].” –Romans 8:37.

“I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.” –Ephesians 1:3-8.

“I am complete in Christ, lacking nothing.” –Colossians 2:9-10.

“In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.” –Epehians 3:12.

Soap and water are great for cleansing yourself, but not if they’re not used! –Pastor Lino Braga.

Sadly, No true and lasting change can be born in you. None of the above Truths will mean anything in your life; they’ll have no effect—if you choose not to believe. Perhaps strongholds have held your thinking captive for most of your life, blocking the Truth of God’s Word—His promises, from penetrating it. Friend, only a life in Christ Jesus—a relationship with Him, His Holy Spirit alive in you, offers you the sure hope and promise of such freedom and knowledge. “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” –John 8:34-36.

It is not enough to hear the Truth—you must grab hold of it for yourself. Clinging, white-knuckled to it, like a drowning man to a life ring! Why? Because Truth is Who God’s Living Word is—Truth is Jesus Christ. “In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.” –John 1:1.

And only through a relationship with Jesus, by placing the full weight of your trust in Him, can any man be restored to a right relationship with Father God. And this is Truth, believe it or not.

So please, don’t let one more day pass you by without knowing Jesus personally or inviting Him into your heart. Just talk to God, ask Him in, and He’ll come and begin a new work in your life. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. God is a Faithful God, He will never start something and not finish it.” –Philippians 1:6.

Yirah

April 1, 2023 /

Kendra Santilli

The English word for fear can carry with it negative connotations. While many unhealthy, paralyzing fears exist, we don’t always realize that fear can often be healthy. Fear of putting your hand on a hot stove is beneficial because it protects you from getting burned. The fear of falling protects you from falling off a building or a cliff to your demise.

Fear is a crucial survival instinct which helps keep us alive.

The Bible frequently speaks of the “fear of the Lord. “When hearing this phrase, there are two ways people initially react. They may retreat to some negative mental space, afraid of the man in the sky who can strike at any moment of weakness. Then there’s the interpretation that the “fear of the Lord” is a literary way of describing reverence.

As we dive deeper into this phrase, I propose that the fear of the Lord is both/ and.

 It is both standing in awe and trembling at His greatness. It is both the desire to remain secure in His love and the hesitation to hurt the heart of God. They go hand in hand. The Hebrew word for fear in this context is Yirah.

While the English language loosely translates Yirahto mean reverence, Yirah carries far more weight to its meaning than our English word for “fear” can bear. Yirah is being overwhelmed by something that is so much greater than yourself. It is to behold something that is far beyond your understanding. This fear causes us to put the Lord first in everything because once we’ve beheld Him, He becomes the most extraordinary thing we’ve ever known. Not that God is a thing, mind you.

The fear of the Lord brings wisdom.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10

Do you find yourself trying to draw near to God but not understanding His Word and ways? Ask yourself this: do I fear the Lord? Our experience with our Creator starts with what the Psalmist describes as the Fear of the Lord. The covenantal language in this verse shows us the natural exchange that happens as our hearts turn toward the Father. Wisdom starts with this reverential awe of God. Wisdom’s foundation is the fear of God. If you don’t understand, keep seeking Him until you find Him; keep reading His Word until it moves you. Knowing God and actively turning away from evil leads you to understand.

He said to mankind, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding. — Job 28:28

While you cannot force yourself to “fear the Lord,” you can develop it through beholding Him.

To behold God in your everyday life, you don’t need some special event. If you’re looking for Him, God can be beheld through prayer, His beautiful works of nature, your family, and the blessings all around you. When you encounter the presence of God, Yirah comes over you as you dwell in His presence. Drawing near to God develops your ear for His voice as He whispers wisdom into your situations.

The fear of the Lord ignites awe and wonder deep within you.

The book of Job exemplifies this kind of awe and wonder. Job is the biblical account of a man who lost everything. Yet the Bible calls him a man who was blameless and upright. Job’s thoughts and affections were pointed towards the Lord in all things. Even when his friends mocked him for still trusting God after losing everything, Job maintained that the Lord is good. There is a moment in this biblical account where Job powerfully encounters God. The Lord speaks to Job while he’s experiencing this deep sorrow and reminds God reminds Job of who He is!

For four chapters, the Lord challenges Job as He lists His remarkable works, reminding Job of who He really is. Job’s response was that of awe and wonder. “I am so insignificant. How can I answer you? I place my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice, but now I can add nothing. I had heard reports about you, but now my eyes have seen you.” — Job 40:4-5; 42:5

Job was left speechless. When we encounter the maker of the universe, our response is none other than awe and wonder, fear, and trembling. He is more than we could ever even begin to fathom in our hearts and minds.

When the fear of God comes over us, our lives are never the same.

The fear of the Lord initiates trembling.

“Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.” — Psalms 2:11

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” — Philippians 2:12

What good is striving to be good or righteous if it’s only done in front of others? It means nothing in the sight of God if our hearts intend to look good to those around us. God desires that our hearts are pure, that we genuinely live rightly before Him, and not just want to look like we live righteously to others. When our motive is to honor God above anything else, our behaviors naturally align in our public and private lives.

Our lives begin to match the Yirah of encountering the God of the universe.

I pray you’ll encounter God in a new way this week. If you have not yet met God in a life-changing way, I invite you to ask Him into your life. Let Him make you a new creation today as you make Jesus your Lord and Saviour. I believe the fear of God will come over you as you surrender to Him, and you will begin to live in the awareness of His awe-inspiring presence.

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