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Tag: Holy Spirit (Page 1 of 15)

Holy Spirit Boldness.

April 11, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Wesley Mendes

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.” –Acts 4:13-22

As you read this scripture, you might just think, “Wow, these guys were really courageous and so bold to go out in front of the Sanhedrin, who hated them and opposed Jesus,” which is true. That’s what really stood out to me, too. The disciples’ boldness and courage led me to think about some things I’d like to share with you.

Acts 4 begins by saying the Sanhedrin saw the disciples’ courage and noted that these men had been with Jesus. Notice, that’s where their courage came from; where their boldness came from, too, from Jesus.

These men, bold in that moment, were once seen cowering in an upper room, fearful that what had happened to Jesus would also happen to them. But then, all of a sudden, scripture says, the Holy Spirit came over them. “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” —Acts 2:1-4

God’s Holy Spirit empowered them with such boldness that they no longer cared what happened to them. That is why they were so bold when they stood before the Sanhedrin. Are you bold? Will you stand and face those who oppose Jesus?

Then, the same Peter who had denied Jesus three times, the one who had been named the rock among his brothers, who had said he’d die for Jesus, and who had walked alongside him, was filled with boldness by the Holy Spirit’s power and began telling others about Jesus. “Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel.” –Acts 2:14-16.

There are going to be threats.

There will be risky situations in your life.

You might be warned of the consequences and repercussions you’ll face if you keep on about Jesus. “The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.” –Acts 4:1-2

Family or friends may already be asking you to stop with all this Jesus talk. That happened to the disciples, too. But it didn’t stop them. “Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” –Acts 4:18

Like these brothers, like Peter, you have to be bold and lean on God, regardless of what people say; boldness says, “I hear you, but I obey God.”

“But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” –Acts 4”19-20

Be bold, be faithful, but not in your strength, which will never work. Be bold in the power that is from God’s Holy Spirit. People need to hear about Jesus.

Will you use what God has put in your hand to tell others about Jesus?

“ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” –Acts 4:29-31

You can have the same power of Jesus’ Holy Spirit in you as the disciples did, but not on your own; you must belong to Jesus. Do you want to? Here’s how you can: Surrender your heart to Jesus. He’ll give you the grace to do it if you really want to. I encourage you to be bold, ask Jesus to save you. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10

I Am, Life.

April 4, 2026 / / 0 Comments

MaryEllen Montville

“Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” –John 11:25-26

There are times Martha gets a bad rap.

But not today!

Martha has become known for her busyness—always doing something while her sister, Mary, was commended by Jesus, for choosing what is best—stillness at His feet; drinking in every Word that spills from His lips.“But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” –Luke 10:41-43

Today, Jesus makes clear, however, despite Martha’s busy schedule and diligent attention to her everyday chores, she has not neglected to hold fast to what He has shared with her.

I pray Jesus’ acknowledgment of Martha’s heart, love, and belief in Him, in the midst of her busy life, despite all that still needed to get done, encourages that busy mom or pastor’s wife, Jesus knows your heart as well. He sees that sister, brother, mother, or daughter who stretches themself daily in service to others, desiring to meet their needs, all the while praying silently to their Lord for just five minutes of quiet so they too might pour their full attention at Jesus’ feet.

Now, before running to get her sister, Mary, Martha ended her conversation with Jesus by assuring Him of her faith in Him. That she knew—despite her pain, even in the midst of her chore-filled, others need me, every day life—that she could never forget Jesus is who He claimed to be, and that He could and would do all He had promised. “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” –John 11:27

So on this Resurrection Eve, I felt led to spotlight what Martha knew rather than her busyness. Martha knew her Lord. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Dear ones, you may be in the midst of a “Martha” season, still, hold tight to your “Mary” heart…

It’s Resurrection Sunday, tomorrow! Hallelujah!

For the Christian, it’s a day like no other; not even Christmas, as glorious, celebratory, and meaningful to us as it is. Why? Resurrection Sunday reminds Christians of the living hope we possess because Jesus defeated death and the grave—once, for all. And that all who believe on God’s Son, have life eternal in Him. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” –1 Peter 1:3.

No other god, so-called, has defeated death and the grave, having been raised from the dead. Buddha, Muhammad, even Krishna, to name but three; their remains, still in their graves—but not Jesus’! Jesus’ resurrection from the grave assures the believer that where He is, we will be—He has promised us: “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” –John 14:3.

 With this eternal Truth in mind, please pause here a moment to ask and answer that same question Jesus once asked of Martha: “Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?

 Everyone alive must answer, friend.

If not now, a day is coming, soon and very soon, when each man will.

God’s Word assures of this—believe it, or not.

“For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.” –Philippians 2:9-11

Now I didn’t ask you to answer Jesus’ question to scare or intimidate you, quite the opposite. I asked it out of love. Hopeful that Jesus is your Lord and Savior—that you do have a loving, intimate, Life-giving relationship with Him, and have, with a pure heart, said, as Martha did, “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” –John 11:27

I ask those also, who have yet to decide their answer, to search their hearts now and ask themselves, “Who is Jesus to me?” As you do, please use God’s beautiful Truth below to help guide your decision. Understanding what Jesus did for you, specifically, is deeply personal, and your answer will inevitably determine your eternal destiny.

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” –Romans 5:6-11

Because Jesus was Martha’s Lord and Savior, she had a deeply personal relationship with Him and understood this Truth.

I pray you do, or will, before this day draws to a close…

God sent Jesus into this world to pay your sin debt—and mine—a debt we could never pay—Jesus didn’t come to condemn you, friend, but to save you! The guiltless sacrificed in place of the guilty. Jesus took your place on that Cross He was savagely nailed to and died on. All that you might have eternal life. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” –John 3:17.

Put simply, Jesus came into this world to ensure you be given the opportunity—along with every man—to answer for yourself the question He once posed to Martha. “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?

Martha believed, and she is with Jesus today, where she’ll be for eternity.

How about you?

Do you believe?

You must choose, friends, because not choosing is a choice.

Heaven or hell—that’s all there is.

I’m praying you choose heaven.

God’s Word promises you can and will have eternal life with Christ if, like Martha, you genuinely believe that Jesus is who He has claimed to be and will do all He promised to do. Read His promise for yourself. “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. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.” —Romans 10:9-10

It’s Resurrection Sunday, tomorrow, Hallelujah!

I pray you experience a true Resurrection miracle: being set free from the grip from the kingdom of darkness, sin, and death; being born again into new Life with Jesus; and getting to meet Martha!

Take A Stand.

March 21, 2026 /

Elda Othello-Wrightington

Life can feel like we are in the midst of a war—sometimes a battlefield—and we often don’t even know what we are fighting or how to fight it. Sometimes the fight is within us; other times, it’s outside ourselves. Outside of our control. I find that war from within can be one of the hardest to fight at times. Especially the war that happens in the mind. But the bible tells us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, it reads, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

In this season, the word “stronghold” has stood out as I navigate life and pray for others.

So, what are strongholds? This AI definition struck me. It reads: “In the Bible, a stronghold refers to deeply ingrained, deceptive thought patterns, lies, or sinful habits that hold a person captive and oppose God’s truth, often built from past experiences like trauma or rejection, acting as mental fortresses that block spiritual growth and obedience to Christ.”

When something is ingrained, it has deep roots.

And guess what: a person is held captive by these roots and sometimes doesn’t even realize it. I’ve learned over the years that only God’s Truth can untangle the lies one finds themselves in. As a counselor, the bigger question I find myself asking God is, “Then how do I help others break free from strongholds if they can’t see them and are so entangled in them?”

Wrestling with this question has been such a challenge for me, as one of my own loved ones is stuck in their own mental fortress as a result of past traumas and feelings of rejection. Dealing with that can feel debilitating at times because I all I want to do is help them, but I know I am not God (neither do I want to be God), and I know that they also must want to be helped!

They have to submit themselves, wanting to be free, via surrender to God, but what if they can’t see?

So I went back to the bible…

How do we help them break such strongholds?

Well, because they’re supernatural, helping break them must be done through the Holy Spirit.

You cannot fight supernatural strongholds in the flesh.

As Ephesians 6 says, we do not war according to the flesh, but through the weapons the Lord has given us. Those supernatural weapons are found in Ephesians 6:10-18: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

We need to STAND for that person via intercession.

I recently learned that intercession is likened to travail or labor. It has a feminine bent in that women push during labor, not that men can’t or don’t experience such; they do.

During labor, women push not just with their own strength, but with some form of supernatural strength. I have no children, but I do know what it means to labor. It’s hard work standing in the gap for someone else’s breakthrough. What is essential to stand is how the Word of God tells us to do it: But Stand in “His strength” and not in your own. Stand with God’s armor, and His armor entails: TRUTH, knowing what God says, it’s His Truth that will set the person free, and you too, in whatever situation you are in.

Standing in Truth means declaring the Word of God in prayer.

Stand in righteousness, which means being in right standing with God; possessing Godly character, not perfection, but His character, because feeling frustrated is a very real thing, and those feelings of frustration will try to bubble up.

But the next verse tells us to stand in peace, knowing the Lord will fight this battle. And that He’s ready to pour out His peace on the one struggling with the stronghold, even when it feels hard for them to receive it.

“We walk by faith and not by sight” – 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Standing in faith can be hard sometimes, especially when it’s so much easier to see things with natural eyes than with supernatural eyes. Scripture encourages us, “I will lift my eyes to the Hills from where comes my help, my help comes from the lord” –Psalm 121:1-2.

We have to keep our eyes focused on God, not on how the person is presenting.

We have to keep our eyes on the Lord to “Stand still, and know that we will see His Salvation” – Exodus 14:13 – and that is often the hardest part. But stand, with the Sword of the Spirit in hand, which is the word of God. Hold on to His Word and His promises as you do.

And lastly, stand by praying always, whether you fully understand what’s happening or not.

Don’t give up on praying. God hears the cries of his saints. The Word of God says, “the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous shall avail; it shall come forth.” –James 5:16. The Lord is fighting your battle; you are not fighting alone.

All you need to do is take a STAND.

You may have read this teaching through, yet may never have given your heart to the Lord. Today is your day! John 3:16 says: “God so loved the world that whoever shall believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Friend, make the decision today and by faith, take a stand; know and be assured that the Lord is in your midst. He will fight your battles.

Creeks Before Crowns. Part 1 of a series.

February 7, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

“Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” –1 Kings 17:2-4

In the greatness of our troubles, there may often be space for the greater display of the goodness of God! –Charles H. Spurgeon

Seemingly, out of nowhere, no introduction or explanation for his explosive appearance on the scene, we meet Elijah, the Tishbite. No reason is given for Elijah’s blurting out a rather odd proclamation to King Ahab. We only get: “Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, ‘As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word.

That’s it.

Next thing we know, God tells Elijah to head to a brook to drink its water and be fed there by ravens.

What is happening here!

To explain this fully would take more time than we have. For the sake of time, then, I’ll share just two snippets of Elijah’s story—God’s calling on Elijah’s life and God’s hiding of this unusual character by a brook.

Spoiler alert: Today’s teaching is part one in a three-part series titled “Why God breaks us before using us.”

I’ll wrap up this series on Saturday, February 21st.

For today, parts of Elijah’s story will make up the crux of this teaching—a way for me to get us going in the direction God is calling us: into His “next,” but first—preparation.

In the following weeks, as we move through parts 2 and 3 of this series, we’ll meet others who share similar bits of Elijah’s story: a woman with an alabaster jar. Through her, we’ll learn our being broken is, at times, God’s best for us. Part 3 will bring us before Jesus, His disciples, and a King-sized crowd, which will teach us that there will be times when breaking is necessary to see multiplication, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Back to Elijah.

Elijah was audacious. A bold prophet, used by God to gather a nation back to Himself—much like God uses you and me, daily. Okay, maybe He doesn’t use us daily to draw a whole nation to Himself, we can only pray for such a privilege. Still, Jesus will use us to draw one soul to Himself, which, to God, is of extraordinary value.

Really? Just one soul, why? As my pastor so aptly put it: “Jesus paid for that one soul with His very life.”

Read Elijah’s full story for yourself in 1 Kings, chapters 17–19 & 21, and 2 Kings, chapters 1–2. These scriptures remind us that, though mighty indeed, hand-picked by God, Elijah, like you and me, was just a man, possessing a measure of faith given to him by God to accomplish His will. “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” –James 5:17.

Elijah was a man who, on occasion, had a propensity for self-aggrandizement—a pitfall for some of God’s chosen vessels, for sure—this, taking oneself too seriously. Still, that didn’t prevent God from using Elijah to face off against and defeat 450 false prophets of Baal. Thankfully, our character flaws don’t prevent Jesus from using us.

Know this, however: as surely as God dealt with the unbecoming character flaws in Elijah, He’ll deal with us (1 Kings 19:10, 14). God has no problem putting those He loves, who are being shaped for greater use, into the smelter’s fire—it’s there where He removes our dross; the “yuck” of self that looks nothing like Jesus. “Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.” –Revelation 3:19

“So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. And you call upon the name of your God, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” –1 Kings 18:20-24.

What’s my point in all of this?

To use snippets of Elijah’s life to help us gain insight into the necessity of God preparing us for future use.

Elijah means: “My God is Yahweh.” Elijah knew God. He trusted God.

Both His words and deeds affirm this, for the most part.

Remember, I said earlier that Elijah was a man just like us? Even the strongest of us — those with great faith, deeply rooted in a loving, intimate relationship with God — have these human moments of abject failure — Elijah was no different. I find this very comforting.

Seemingly, little time passed between Elijah’s bold proclamation to King Ahab and the Lord’s command for Elijah to go holed up beside the brook. What’s that all about?

Answer: preparation! A seeming anomaly, right? Why would a man with faith enough to make such a bold proclamation to a King on God’s behest need further preparation? This is a great enigma of our Christian faith: the more God entrusts to us, the deeper our relationship with God’s Holy Spirit becomes, the more preparation we’ll need—deeper pruning, greater obedience, ongoing refining, death to self/self-will—aka, preparation. Elijah was no different.

Some notable examples of the working of this mysterious Truth are the Twelve Disciples of Jesus: men hand-chosen by God who, like Elijah, needed refining and preparation both to continue and complete the work assigned to them—to build His Church. So if you say, as they did, as Samuel did: “Here I am, Lord, use me, send me,” then get ready. At some point, you too will be destined to enter the fiery furnace of affliction—and that, friend, is your safest place to be—yet another great, mysterious Truth! “Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hands of man.” –2 Samuel 24:14

Preparing Elijah for greater use was only one reason God had him make such a bold statement to King Ahab; God’s desire to restore His people to Himself was the other. Thus, God hid Elijah in a place of isolation beside the Kerith brook, where he would have to rely solely on God for everything—preparation.

By the way, Kerith means “cutting,” “separation.”

At Kerith, God would remove what no longer served Elijah; for his own good, there were things God had to deal with in Elijah before He’d release him to step into his greatest assignment—Mount Carmel. Out of a deep love for Elijah, God would burn away vestiges of his independence and self-will, reshaping Elijah into a more God-reliant, faithful vessel, fit for future use. Fitting, right? Since “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” –Galatians 5:9

Has God led you to Kerith?

If so, rejoice and be glad!

Creeks always precede crowns.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, be still and trust God in your season of preparation—of His breaking to remake you ready for your next. Receive with glad expectation the water and bread God will provide you—supernatural nourishment you’ll need to mount up renewed, refreshed, made ready to fulfill your next assignment. “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” –Isaiah 40:31

Friends, you, too, can experience renewal and refreshment—being made ready for all God has destined for you to do—by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you humble yourself before Him, He will raise you up a new creation! Jesus Himself said: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” –John 5:24

It Is Well, When We Dwell.

January 31, 2026 /

Elda Othello-Wrightington

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say it is well, it is well, with my soul” –Horatio G. Spafford.

I’m reminded of this song as I share this word of encouragement with someone who may be in a season where things aren’t well. Or things haven’t been well for an exceptionally long time. The author of this song wrote it after losing just about everything in the span of 4 years! He lost his son to scarlet fever, and all of his real estate holdings went up in flames during the Chicago fire in 1871. To make matters worse, his 4 daughters died during a shipwreck in 1873.

It is essential I share this bit of Horatio’s story because, for some of you reading this, loss may be your current story as well.

Life can feel uncertain after tragedy.

You may not have experienced physical loss, maybe it’s other things you might be grieving: a relationship ending, strife with a loved one, or you may just be navigating a new season in life where feelings of loneliness present themselves. When feelings of loss, sorrow, or sadness arise, I encourage you to dwell in Him; Jesus is the secret place where peace, comfort, and healing can be found all at once! The psalmist writes, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” –Psalm 91:1.

The Hebrew word for ‘dwell’ is Yashab.

Translated, it means to sit, remain, abide, or inhabit.

Friends, Yashab is an invitation to dwell/abide/ in Jesus’ Presence.

Sitting with Him and simply being.

The Bible says in Psalms 16:11, “In His presence is the fullness of Joy,” even when sorrow presents itself.

Sitting is hard when your mind is racing. When you feel stuck and everything is out of your control. But Jesus invites us to do it anyway. Sit and Remain in Him. Throughout the Bible, we see the word “dwell.”

We see it as a promise. As a place where God’s people can come. In Exodus 25:8, God tells Moses, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” God longed to be with them then, and He longs to be with us now.

Jesus longs for us to dwell with Him.

Then, to dwell with God meant going to a specific location—the tent of meeting, then the Tabernacle. Today, we get to meet Jesus anywhere because He resides in us. “Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” –1 Corinthians 3:16. That means, as long as you are willing to engage with His Presence, you can meet God anywhere, at any time of day or night, when you pause and invite Him in.

Let’s pause for a moment… I encourage you to accept Jesus into your heart today if you have not already. Invite Him into your heart, your challenges, and your situation by acknowledging Him as Lord and confessing you need Him. “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. 10 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

Choose to stay and abide with Jesus all of your days and watch the Lord Almighty overshadow you with hope, love, peace, and rest in even the most daunting situations and moments in your life. John 15:4-9 says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Jesus makes it clear we need to stay connected to Him.

One Sunday morning, I heard one of our pastors from Highland City Church share this illustration: a branch is just part of a tree. He said that if a branch is cut off, it may look healthy for a while, but eventually it withers and dies because it loses its source of water and nutrients. That’s like us: when we are going through something, if we don’t draw near to God and abide in Him, the pain we feel can become so unbearable that we feel like we are dying.

Our hearts may grow cold and hard because they are not connected to our Source, Jesus Christ.

However, when we do choose to call on Him, to dwell with Him in our difficulties, hardships, or loss, we find our souls find rest. We, too, can utter what our dear brother Horatio wrote: “It is well,” simply because we choose to dwell.

But Fear Not…

January 17, 2026 /

Matthew Botelho & MaryEllen Montville

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all evil against you falsely for My sake.” –Matthew 5:11-12.

Jesus assured us that in this life, we will have trouble. “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

 How we respond to that persecution is up to us.

We can let it hit us so hard that we fall and stay down, or we can persevere in the face of persecution and press forward, as King David and so many other brave soldiers in the faith have. Read Hebrews 11 for a full account of their faithfulness.

Jesus warned that there would come a time when His people would face intense persecution for their faith in Him. “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you”. –John 15:20

Even as this is being written, God placed those facing such persecution right now on our hearts. Brothers and sisters in countries like Egypt, Iraq, Somalia, China, and N. Korea. Countries where people are thrown into jail, beaten, or even killed for demonstrating their faith. As Americans, we have no real idea how truly blessed we are to have the freedom to express our faith and to worship Jesus openly. 

Ecclesiastes reminds us, “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun” –Ecclesiastes 1:9

Life has always and always will bring with it issues beyond your control.

Whether it be war, famine, or the enemy stirring up chaos, hatred, or confusion, as we see happening today. The Good News is, God is with us through it all. David reminds us of this Truth in his Psalm, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth” –Psalm 34:15-16. And talk about persecution: David wrote this Psalm as King Saul pursued him, a brother and man of God he loved and had served faithfully, who turned on him suddenly, wanting David dead. So David went into hiding in Gath, enemy territory.

If we read 1 Samuel 21:10-15, we’ll see why.

David hid because he feared for his life, and it showed. He was worried and fearful to the point that he literally started to act as if he were a madman to fake out those around him who sought to kill him, and he succeeded. The Bible says those who knew David said this of him: “And the servants of Achish said to him, ‘Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?” Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.” –1 Samuel 21:11-12

Yet David was indeed fearful and saddened because he had served King Saul faithfully, with love and loyalty, and now, that same man he once served was hunting him down to kill him, and all because God’s hand of favor was upon David. See, God had told the Prophet Samuel to go and anoint David as Israel’s new King, replacing Saul. “The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” –1 Samuel 16:1

The apostle Peter reminds us: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which to try you, as though some strange things happened.” –1 Peter 4:12

Don’t be surprised when people recognize the call on your life, then try to kill your character by speaking against you. Sadly, a good portion of the time, it will come at the hands of someone close to you, someone you love, serve, or work with. “It is not an enemy who taunts me— I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me— I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.” –Psalm 55:12-14.

Don’t let jealousy or envy stop you from pressing forward.

Regardless of his circumstances, and yours, brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s anointing remained on David. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”—Romans 11:29

God called David for a purpose.

God did not leave him to face any trial or persecution alone; the same is true for you, friend.

If you belong to Jesus, God will never leave you nor forsake you, “even if” you face persecution for His name’s sake. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” –John 15:16

God will, however, allow you to experience things that feel uncomfortable to build our trust in Him and strengthen our faith, just as gold placed in fire melts, and its impurities float to the top. Be reminded, though, that your inheritance in the Kingdom of God outweighs any trouble or persecution you may face in this life.

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

As Jesus said, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” –Matthew 6:1

Worry will never grow your faith, friends.

Worry is the total opposite of faith. Worry is the impure dross that gets burned off us by Holy Spirit in the fire of affliction and persecution—in all our “fiery” trials, so that our faith in Jesus can remain and be made pure.

God wants you to grow in your faith, not carry the worries of the world. Jesus reminds us that when we seek Him, we are seeking the fullness of the Kingdom of heaven. And that He, being the Mediator between man and God, has already filled us with everything we need to overcome whatever will come. “For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” –2 Peter 1:3

When persecution comes, in any of its forms, I pray this single Truth rise in you and sustain you: “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.

Hey friends, Brother Matt speaking: I have dealt with fear and worry, as everyone has. But let me remind you, as I remind myself, to declare this Truth over worry: “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” –Psalm 118:6

I pray this teaching stirred something in you, as it did me.

Take heart, child of God. Jesus has overcome this world, and because He did, so will you!

Friends, if you do not know Jesus, call on Him right now, and repent of your sins today. Be washed by His redeeming blood that takes away your every sin. He is so faithful to forgive. “For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” –2 Corinthians 6:2

Amen

Tetelestai.

January 10, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

“And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand.”—John 10:28

Do you believe this Scripture verse experientially? I mean, do you have personal knowledge of its Truth in the very bones of you?

Christmas is behind us; with it, everything that happened in 2025, the good and not-so-good. 2026 stretches out before us now, God’s “next.” We wonder what lies ahead, beyond this new door. Joy? Relief? Hope? Answers, finally, to our heartfelt, yet unanswered prayers? A new relationship, maybe, a new ministry? A move, or a baby? Marriage?

Will we even live to see the end of this New Year?

Not everyone will. What does 2026 hold for us?

And though I ask myself some of these same questions, of late I’ve felt led to ask this provocative question: “As you walk into 2026, are you truly confident in your relationship with Jesus, or can it be shaken?”

Do you even have a relationship with Him?

And if not, why not?

What’s holding you back?

It’s time!

Ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10. Ask Jesus to lead you to the Bible-believing Church He’s chosen for you to attend. Get a Bible and start reading it. Ask God to teach you—to open His Word to you. Go after God with all you have in you…

Make Jesus your Everything.

Your beginning, and your end.

Your Lord and Savior.

Let His Blood, shed once for all, holy and acceptable to God the Father, payment in full for the sins of the whole world, cleanse you of your sins. Jesus has cleared your account, friend. His Blood, stamped across your sin debt, paid in full; Tetelestai.

Still, the heartbreaking reality is that some falsely believe they or their loved ones will somehow achieve salvation, see the Father, and attain heaven without ever accepting Jesus as Savior. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

What about you? Do you believe Jesus is the only way to the Father?

I ask because it’s a question each must answer in his own heart before his eyes close to this world for the final time; not answering it is your answer.

My last teaching was titled: “He Didn’t Stay In The Manger…”

And how I thank God He didn’t!

I thank Jesus, He left the manger and went to His Cross.

My heart breaks when I think it was my sin that led Him there, but I am thankful beyond all known words for His Sinless, Powerful Blood that washes away my guilt and shame. Jesus opened the Way for me to run back to my Father, to be with Him, today, and for eternity, through His perfect sacrifice.

His sinless Life, freely given in exchange for my sin-filled life.

So, this question of the surety of your confidence in Jesus, that you’re safe and sealed in Him for the day of salvation, is it truly settled in your heart?

Here’s why I ask: Your eternal life depends on your answer.

You’re standing at the threshold of a New Year. A year whose door of new beginnings has cracked open before you, not everyone was given this gift. Just beyond, Light. Some quick glimpse of hope, promise, and uncertainty stretches before you. God is allowing you yet another opportunity to choose life or death today, now.

At the same time, you’ve left behind a year that shook and challenged countless people to their core—maybe you were one of them? Perhaps you witnessed someone you were certain, or certainly hoped, was unshakable, fall away. Maybe it was you who fell away? Are you one who once professed their love, so-called, for Jesus, but walked away? “As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” –2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Have you outright refused to acknowledge Jesus as Lord? Repent, turn around!

As difficult as this is for you to hear, and for me to say, I assure you, sadly, regardless of your outward appearance, church polished or not, you belong to this world. To the old covenant, to those who “can be shaken,” not having been made new, eternal, sealed with the Blood of the new covenant. “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” –Matthew 26:28

Paul speaks of such men, of their falling away, when he harkens back to the Words God gave the Prophet Haggai, then, does an about face, pointing them, and us, toward some yet future day: “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken — that is, things that have been made — in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.” –Hebrews 12:26-27

Yet there is hope!

While there is still breath in your lungs, there is hope.

Please, hear me: I  say this in love and with all hope that you will turn back or to, Jesus: unless you repent of your sin, your end is an eternity away from the Light, peace, and safety found only in Jesus’ Presence; as was my own, and so many of my brothers and sisters, until we said yes to Him. 

So I am praying for you that God, in His mercy, might turn back and remember you —remember anyone who sincerely repents—starting with His church. “Change your Life, not just your clothes. Come back to GOD, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot. This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now, maybe he’ll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all’s said and done, there’ll be blessings full and robust for your GOD!” —Joel 213-14 MSG.

In closing, confidence in your salvation is profoundly personal. Because it’s your intimate, exclusive relationship with Jesus, likened to that of a husband and wife.

The “no one can take this away from me” Spirit of God Himself at work in you, anchoring you immovably to Jesus. “Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” –Hebrews 6:18-20

Dear friend, as you take steps into this New Year, search your heart: be confident of your salvation.

And, if you are His, beloved of God, go all in!

Stake your Life on what you profess to believe.

“Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).” –Philippians 2:12.

This sure knowledge that you belong to Jesus, and are eternally saved, can be the greatest gift you receive in 2026 if you ask for it with all sincerity.

Tetelestai; It Is Finished! Your debt has been paid in full.

I pray you believe this.

“Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.” –2 Peter 3:8-10

The New Year of Promise.

January 3, 2026 /

Matthew Botelho

“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.” –Psalm 47:1-2

After reflecting on everything that happened in 2025, no matter the issue, the truth is that God was in it all. I cannot stop praising Him for the amazing Father He is. When there was any negative thought, God was there. When the doctor’s report came in saying my dad had cancer, and as he went through chemo, God was there. When there was an injury to my ankle with a torn tendon that kept me out of work for 6 months as my amazing wife worked and took care of our family and me, God was there!

Men of God who are reading this, I encourage you to lead your families in holiness and in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am reminded in scripture of when Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, and having no water, they were thirsty. The people started to complain, yet God provided for them. Moses followed God’s instructions, and they were refreshed with fresh water from a rock. Scripture reads: “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock of Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink. “And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” –Exodus 17:6-7

If you have been walking with the Lord for any length of time, then you’ve likely had a “God was there moment.” A time or times when things looked miserable and bleak, but God! When you and your family felt dry and parched. Moments where you didn’t pray, didn’t seek God because you were, well, plain exhausted.

My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, I am here today to remind you that God is in it with you, for 2026. In what? In everything you do! So when He tells you to walk forward, follow Him in faith, knowing that He has your life in His hands. Obedience brings the blessing of God. The prophet Samuel said to Saul after he was disobedient to God, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.” –1 Samuel 15:22

Jesus wants you to follow and trust in Him in greater measure than ever before.

He wants to remind you that He will always be there for you.

Praise You Jesus!

In 2 Timothy 2:11-13, Paul writes, “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” Take your faith by the hand with an unyielding grip and run into 2026 knowing that if you serve Jesus, you have a great and Mighty God who will never fail you, even when you fail Him.

Be reminded too, that because you are in Christ, you are commanded to deny the desires of your flesh. Yes, you will get tempted, but that temptation does not have a hold on you. Why? Because God has given you a way out of such temptations.

We, believers in Christ Jesus, need only to cry out, “Jesus, help!” and our Mighty God who saved us will make a way out! Paul writes, “No temptation has overtaken you except such is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” –1 Corinthians 10:13

Many have been plagued with adultery or porn addiction, men and women.

The book of Proverbs tells us, “Can a man take fire to his blossom and not get burned? Can one walk on hot coals And his feet not be seared? So is he who goes into His neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.” –Proverbs 6:28-29.

Women, you are not exempt from this. Just because it says “man” does not mean you are in the clear. These same temptations come for you as well, and you bear the penalty of sin equally with men. Because no one is exempt, brothers and sisters in Christ, give what has been tempting you, plaguing you this past year, over to Jesus. Why would you want to revisit what Jesus has delivered you from? Remember in Proverbs it says, “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” –Proverbs 26:11

There is no greater love than the love God has for all His children. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” –John 15:13

If you belong to Him, Jesus calls you friend, chosen, and heir to the kingdom of God.

In that same chapter of John 15, Jesus says, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I have chosen you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” –John 15:15-16

Jesus laid His life down for you to restore you to right standing with the Father. This divine exchange, His death in exchange for your new Life in Him, that took place 2000 years ago, has saved you from ever experiencing the pit of hell. The apostle Peter writes, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” –2 Peter 3:9

God is a God of love, but He is also holy and righteous, and so sin separates us from Him.

Our sin has separated us from going boldly into His presence. So praise Jesus because He, the innocent, died in our place, the guilty ones; we now have redemption and life eternal, and because of Jesus, life with the Father has been restored to us. As scripture says, “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 7:22-23

People choose their own final judgement. If Jesus life, death, and resurrection have afforded you such a precious gift as eternal life with Him and the Father, why then would you toss it back at Him like you don’t need it?

This world needs an awakening. The days, hours, and minutes keep ticking past as we grow closer and closer to the glorious day of Christ Jesus’ return! The greatest gift humanity has ever received is the Son of God. So I pray that if you have not said yes to Jesus but have been stirred by God as you read this, you will say yes to Jesus today, right now.

Jesus said, “Repent and believe in the gospel” –Mark 1:15

I pray that as you walk boldly into 2026, you will “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” – Matthew 6:33.

Seek Jesus in your everyday life.

Walk in obedience, serving others in humility.

Be stirred up and be available.

And welcome, new brother or sister, to this New Year of promise! Amen

New Year’s Eve Blessings!

December 31, 2025 /

From: All Of Us!

Greetings, Sonsofthesea family

On the Eve of this New Year, before you take that first-fruits step into God’s next, have you prayed? Have you asked His Holy Spirit to show you what ought not go with you into the “new thing” He’s doing? What must be left at the altar, far behind you, so that you might have the strength, peace, courage, clean hands, heart, and constancy you will need to face whatever is ahead boldly, fiercely, bravely, with fresh determination?

To help us succeed in doing this, I pray, above all, that God’s Holy Spirit strengthen, uphold, lead, and guide us. And I also encourage you, and all of us, to heed Paul’s instructions, all of them, using them as our tried-and-true guide. “…throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

How can we continue to hold out hope for what may feel impossible and daunting, hope that our yet-unanswered prayer, our heartfelt plea, will be answered by God? You know the one. That prayer you’ve been praying for years now for true and lasting change: of heart, habits, thought patterns, or lifestyle choices, for more of God, so much more, and far less of you. “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

As the days grow darker and the love of many grows cold, we must trust God now more than ever before, beloved, remembering that apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value.

Paul also reminds us that, tired as we may be, as weary and worn out as we may feel at times, we’re not there yet; we must press on, beloved! We are still in this spiritual fight, yet we do not fight alone, ever! Remember that the next time you feel as though you’re standing toe to toe, just you and the enemy of your soul.

Remember, the God of Heaven’s Armies fights for you! Jesus stands with you, always! Hold tight to His promise, wrap it tightly around yourself, shelter and strength, whenever you feel weak or afraid: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” and “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

And so you must, we must, take a fresh grip with hands made weak maybe and weary by the challenges we faced and fought throughout 2025 and press forward in the strength Christ affords those who belong to Him, encouraged and determined never to turn back or away, but to fight, taking new ground in this New Year, for the Kingdom of our God: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.”

We are linking arms with you in the Spirit, joining our prayers to yours for the coming New Year.

Praying for your strength, courage, boldness, and constancy. For greater levels of humility, submission, surrender, and holiness. We pray, too, that the favor and blessings of God rest heavily upon you and your family.

Above all, we pray if you don’t know Jesus, personally, intimately, as Lord, Savior, Friend, the greatest miracle of all will be yours in 2026—your name will be found written in the Lamb’s book of Life! “Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.”

New Year’s Blessings from everyone here at Sonsofthesea!

We thank you for following us and pray you’ll continue to do so as we follow Jesus into 2026…

Rest, For A Weary Soul.

December 6, 2025 /

Matthew Botelho

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”—Psalm 121:1-2

There are times when I get weary, I admit it. After working long hours at a physically demanding job, I am surprised I have enough left in the tank some days to keep pushing forward when I come home.

Ever have those days or even weeks where all you want to do is just shut the world off and stay in?

If the answer is yes, you are not alone, my friend; we have all experienced that type of fatigue in one way or another.

So when I thought about the verse in the above Psalm, I imagined how the writer must have felt. How his eyes must have been focused elsewhere, on the problem burdening him, maybe, rather than focusing on the solution. How his spirit seems heavy, burdened by sadness. It reads like he was questioning what, if anything, could be done. Yet, instead of continuing to focus on what was bringing him down, he eventually decided to look up and see the solution. But God!

Let’s reread it:

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”

You might be weary, exhausted, physically and spiritually, but don’t give up.

There may be days when you don’t want to leave your house, but keep pushing forward, despite that feeling. We need to be looking up,  my brothers and sisters. Whatever problem we’re facing may “feel” big, but God Almighty is bigger.

Be reminded today that the One true God, who created heaven and earth, also made you in His image. There is no mistake why you are here, now. God has a purpose for you, and what God started in you, He will finish, rest assured. “Being confident of this that He who begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” –Philippians 1:6

We all go through those valley seasons; they’re where God is refining and pruning us—discipling us even.

God loves you so much that He will not leave you where you are right now, no matter your condition.

Maybe it’s the habits or the people in your life that need to be removed for you to grow.

Some habits need to die, and some “friends” need to be cut away. Pruning is a requirement in the life of the one who has put their faith in Jesus. One scripture that God keeps hammering at in this season is John 15:1. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Relationships need maintenance and building upon, especially your relationship with Jesus.

If you are feeling tired and distant from God, ask yourself this question: “What have I been doing that is draining me? Am I attached to the Vine or have I allowed myself to become attached to something else?”

Many times, throughout this season, I’ve heard the Holy Spirit say, “It is time for my children to wake up.”

It could be your job keeping you up at night, or social media posts and reels that have no purpose except to lure you away from time with God. If you have those things at the forefront of your life, you will indeed burn out. Instead, decide to turn away from them and back toward God. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” –1 Peter 5:6-7

It is a choice only you can make.

You may be surprised when the Holy Spirit hits you with the truth, so prepare yourself for what He might reveal. Jesus said, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come. He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” –John 16:13

What is it that has been robbing you of your time with Jesus?

Truth hurts, especially when it comes from our loving God. But when you are in Christ, remember you are His child, and He loves you. “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” –Hebrews 12:7

It takes more effort to walk up a rushing river than to walk with its flow.

Don’t walk against God’s leading, walk with Him, in whatever Way He is guiding you. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.” –Psalm 37:23-24

You may fall down a few times in your Christian walk, but remember: this is a marathon, not a sprint.

When you keep an even pace with Christ, you will feel less winded when troubles come. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it “ –1 Corinthians 9:24

Your prize is eternal life, genuine salvation from God through His Son, Jesus.

Run this race with the strength God has given you and do not rely on yourself. The Holy Spirit has been freely given to you to empower you; He is your Helper, and He is with you always. You are sealed in Him. “In Him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also; having believed, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” –Ephesians 1:13-14

Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” –Matthew 28:20

Jesus said that, and I believe it!

Trust God to help you walk when you are feeling tired and unsure. Stay as close to Jesus as you can during moments of weariness. Stop focusing on the problem, or anything else that robs you of your time with Jesus. Run from what steals your time and run to Jesus!

He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.” –John 15:5

I pray that as you read this teaching, you have a stirring in your heart to know Jesus more intimately. I invite you today to receive the true gift of salvation that is found only in Jesus Christ. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” –Acts 16:31

If you are His and are weary, weighed down by your sins, ask for Jesus’ forgiveness and repent.

Do not let this moment pass you by. I’ll leave you with this reminder: Many times throughout this season, I’ve heard the Holy Spirit say, “It is time for my children to wake up.”

Amen.

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