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Same Oil, Different Jar.

February 28, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Maria Braga

“Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” –John 12:1-8

Jesus had performed this amazing miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead; now Lazarus sits down to dinner with Jesus. His two sisters, Mary and Martha, are also present. Martha is busy serving, as she always is, while her sister, Mary, anoints Jesus’ feet with an extremely expensive perfume. Martha always strives to be the best, while Mary gives her best. This story is one of worship and inspiration…

Mary flows with the moment, careful never to miss an opportunity to be with her Jesus.

In biblical times, when a young woman reached marriageable age, families who could afford it would purchase an alabaster box and fill it with expensive, precious oil to be used on her wedding night, the young woman would demonstrate her devotion to her husband by breaking the alabaster box and pouring out the precious oil on his feet, as a sign of honor, purity, and her total commitment to him.

Whether male or female, we all have an alabaster box filled with precious oil. It is the oil of our suffering, produced by the crushing we endure in life. We ought to value and protect our oil. Sadly, too often, we break open our alabaster box way too soon, pouring it at the feet of someone or something without God’s direction.

God’s plan for something so precious is that we never waste our oil senselessly, breaking our jar open before one undeserving of it, what it cost us, then try to put it back together with gorilla glue.

Our oil is extremely valuable and necessary.

The oil from our alabaster boxes is to be poured at Jesus’ feet, the Lover of our souls, not some stranger’s feet. Your alabaster box carries your essence; it tells the story of who you are, your trials and victories.

God knew and deeply valued Mary’s heart; Mary understood what it was like to give her all to her Master.

My alabaster box is personal to me. In it, I carry forgiveness, love, joy, reconciliation, restoration, my worship, my time with Jesus; the essence of the new creation God has made me. God transformed the old me into a new person. Unforgiveness, bitterness, sorrow, and pain were exchanged for this fragrant, new oil I now carry.

My perfume fills my surroundings, my fragrance is powerful, and my fragrance in God’s hands will encourage, heal, bless, and instruct others.

Only you, God, and I know the cost of our oil.

Breaking open your box at Jesus’ feet symbolizes pouring your all into Him; He, in turn, turns your mess into a message of love. God desires that you surrender your trials and tests into His care so that He can turn them and your life into an amazing testimony of devotion and love.

Each of us carries a unique fragrance, God alone knows. Our unique spiritual DNA fragrance is the result of our crushing. It is our unique essence, a fragrance God will use to reach another, drawing them to Himself. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God’s plan for your life is precious; you must therefore recognize the value of your oil and guard it, releasing it only in obedience and humility, according to God’s plans. Carefully guard your oil so it doesn’t break recklessly.

Judas was concerned with Mary’s gesture. All he saw was dollar signs. Judas didn’t understand the principle of worship and submission, like many of us don’t. He was looking at Mary and her sacrifice through natural eyes, eyes of greed, so he missed entirely the spiritual lesson being carried out right in front of him. Judas was only interested in the “one year’s salary” he saw being poured over Jesus’ feet. But Jesus was interested in Mary’s heart, a heart filled with humility, benevolence, and generosity. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Jesus said, “Judas cared less about the poor.” He had no interest in helping anyone; he just wanted to acquire more money. Judas had a greed issue.

The alabaster box is a test for each of us. What kind of test? A test to reveal the nature of your heart. A test of trust. When we can break our Alabaster box at the feet of Jesus, as Mary did, it indicates we trust Him as Mary did.

How do we do this?

Remember that the box is not physical; it is a spiritual precept.

 You break open your alabaster box when you come before Jesus as you are, and lay your burdens at His feet. When you pray with expectancy, when you cry out to Him, knowing and believing that He’s the only help you have. When you call His name, knowing He is the God who sees you, “El Roi.” Exchanging your will for His and surrendering all you carry at His feet, and leaving it there. And by trusting Him to direct your ways, by reading His Word, knowing that when you do this, you can experience true freedom Jesus promised!

Matt 22:37: Jesus replied,” ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” This is how we break our alabaster box at His feet. A person can be wonderful and well-intentioned, like Martha, yet not fully surrendered. But being fully surrendered is what Jesus desires; surrender pleases God; it holds greater spiritual value.

You must understand that there is a significant difference, spiritually speaking, between being well-intended and fully surrendered.

I pray that, like Mary, you desire to be fully surrendered. If so, pray this short prayer with me: Father, come into my heart today and make me new. Help me let go of my old ways so I can have new oil and become a new creation in You. Today, I open my heart to you and pray in the name of Jesus that you help me guard my alabaster box, my life, and heart. Amen.

Broken Open. Part 2 of a series…

February 14, 2026 / / 0 Comments

MaryEllen Montville

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure Nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” –John 12:1-3

Last week, I shared the first of a three-part series titled “Why God breaks us before using us.” Today, we’ll spend our time together diving into Broken Open, part two in this series: I’ll wrap things up next Saturday, February 21st.

To recap: Part One shone a light on snippets of Prophet Elijah’s life. I encourage you to go back and read it if you haven’t already; the Holy Spirit shared some deep Truths—He revealed the first reason God breaks us before using us: Preparation.

Next week, part 3 will find Jesus and His disciples at a table where bread was broken—so that Life-everlasting might be shared.

But for today, we’ll follow the thread connecting Mary, the sister of Lazarus, Jesus, and the significance of their being together on Passover. We’ll witness what’s released when something—or Someone—is broken open.

The Passover table is set, everyone is present and seated—Jesus, in the seat of honor, then, in walks Mary. What is she carrying? It looks like a vase, no, it’s a jar. She bypasses the only vacant seat at the table and kneels, jar in hand, at Jesus’ feet. Breaking it open—the unmistakable scent of pure Nard instantly saturated every molecule of air in that room. All eyes were glued on Mary as she upended her vase, emptying the entirety of its contents onto Jesus’s feet. They watched, in stunned silence, as tears spilled from eyes locked on His, eyes that overflowed with love, and undeniable devotion—and something else, knowing, maybe? But what?

Whatever her knowing, it had driven her to this heaven-met-earth moment.

Yet how could Mary, an unmarried woman, afford such a superluxe purchase as pure Nard? I pose the following for your consideration: Mary used either her dowry to purchase the Nard, or the costly bottle of perfume was her dowry. Either way, Mary quite literally poured out her future security—a potential husband and children to care for her in her old age—onto Jesus’ feet. “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].” –Matthew 26:13

According to Jewish Scholar and teacher Hayyim Schauss, “As far back as early biblical times, it was customary for a good father to give the whole of the mohar (bride price or dowry) or at least a large part of it to his daughter.”A father who appropriated the whole mohar for himself was considered unkind and harsh. A rich father sometimes gave his daughter a field, or other landed property, as well as female slaves.

Any public knowledge of a woman of Mary’s time making such an uncharacteristic, audacious move as Mary did would have surely cost her far more than her dowry; it would have cost her reputation as well. Yet seemingly, Mary didn’t care. She had determined to pour out everything she had on the One she loved—Jesus. The One whom, in a display of unabashed love, Mary, had literally laid down her life. “But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.’ –Philippians 3:7-8

Mary couldn’t have known she’d laid down her life before feet that would soon be nailed to His Cross. That His Blood, priceless and eternal, would be poured out with a kind of love only a handful, like herself, understand. “I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.” –Philippians 3:10-11.

At Passover, the blood of goats or lambs was sacrificed; we see their blood first shed, then smeared on the doorposts and lintels of the Israelites’ homes that very first Passover night. This foreshadowed the day when Jesus’ Blood would be shed for the whole world. “While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the Lord gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: “From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects. They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. –Exodus 12:1-3;5;7.

Concerning Jesus’ sacrifice, the Apostle Paul reminds us: “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood.” –Hebrews 9:12.

There is nothing random with God. Nothing unplanned, unknown, or accidental.

His timing and ways are perfect—indisputable. So it was no accident that Jesus had to be sacrificed at Passover, nor was it an accident that Mary would break open her jar of costly Nard to unknowingly anoint Jesus for His burial. And concerning Mary’s actions, as if to defend and exalt her, Jesus said: “She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial. And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” –Mark 14:8-9.

Again, there are no accidents with God.

Jesus’s sinless body was broken open for you.

His Blood, shed in accordance with the will and Law of God. “Even the first plan required a death to set it in motion. After Moses had read out all the terms of the plan of the law—God’s “will”—he took the blood of sacrificed animals and, in a solemn ritual, sprinkled the document and the people who were its beneficiaries. And then he attested its validity with the words, “This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God.” He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture. Moses said to the people, “This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you.” Practically everything in a will hinges on a death. That’s why blood, the evidence of death, is used so much in our tradition, especially regarding forgiveness of sins.” –Hebrews 9:22

Lambs and goats were prepared in advance to be Passover sacrifices; ultimately, their blood was spilled to atone for the people’s sins. So too, God’s spotless Lamb had been prepared to spill His Sin-less Blood. Mary saw to that when she anointed Him. God’s Perfect Lamb would be broken open, quite literally. Once, for all.

Mary’s jar, broken open. Jesus’ being anointed, His Body broken open by a Roman spear— was part of God’s plan—all of it. In His Providence, God will break or allow something or someone to be broken open, so that its precious content can be released for use: blessing those it touches by healing them, saving them, anointing them for future use, or whatever else God sees fit to do. In His Sovereignty, God ensures that what needs to be broken open will be, releasing what’s within to accomplish His predestined purpose fully.

Has God allowed you to be broken open?

If so, rejoice, beloved! God is releasing what He placed in you, precious and costly, to bless, help heal, save, or anoint His own—or those who will be. You being broken open released what God knew they needed. See, that’s the thing about being broken open, it’s seldom about us; it’s about what’s in us waiting on God’s perfect timing to be released, like with Mary’s jar of costly Nard broken open at the exact moment it needed to be used to anoint God’s Spotless Lamb for His death.

Crazy, right! To rejoice in your pain. Yet isn’t that what our Lord did? “…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. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” –Hebrews 12:2-3

Do you know this Jesus who allowed Himself to be broken open for you? You can if you want to. Ask Jesus into your life, and mean it, if you will, and do—Jesus will do the rest. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” –Romans 10:9-10

Creeks Before Crowns. Part 1 of a series.

February 7, 2026 / / 0 Comments

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.

When God Says No…

January 24, 2026 /

MaryEllen Montville

“The king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” –2 Samuel 7:2–3

If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you’ve likely read or heard that King David was known as a man after God’s own heart. For those new to the faith or those who have not read a Bible, this truth can be found in 1 Samuel 13:14. Here, too,  in Acts 13:22, where the Apostle Paul quotes God: “But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.”

I want us to focus on the last five words of this Scripture as they are central, the heart really, of this teaching: “I want him to do.” The idea being what God has determined versus our hearts’ plans and desires…

Though David was a man after God’s own heart, he belonged to God. He was God’s. Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, as Scripture reminds us, as surely as every other Blood-bought believer. “For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.” –Ephesians 1:4

But wait, didn’t King David live and die long before Jesus stepped foot on the earth?

Then how can it be that he was chosen in Christ?

Indeed, David lived roughly 1000 years before Jesus. It had been longer still since Moses, Abraham, and Noah, chosen vessels all, went on to glory, again, long before Jesus’ finished work on the Cross; yet each of them is with Jesus this day.

How can this be?

Faith.

Salvation requires faith.

One must believe God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” –Ephesians 2:8-9

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Hebrews 11:6-7

Each of these men believed God is who He claims to be.

Each trusted in God, His promises, and Person, as King David did, and Christ’s Righteousness was credited to them. “For the Scriptures tell us, ‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” “When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.” –Romans 4:3-8

Now that we’ve established how David and the others belong to Jesus, how it is every Blood-bought believer belongs to Him, let’s get back to those five Words spoken by God at the beginning of this teaching: “I want him to do.”

David, having had this extraordinary relationship with God, was, above all, God’s own. Meaning, God, not David, determined which doors would open in David’s life, and which doors would not. In 2 Samuel 7, you’ll discover that out of a deep and abiding love for God, David had determined in his own heart that he’d be the one to build God a house—a place of worship, and that the Prophet Nathan sanctioned it as a “good plan,” but it was not God’s plan for David.

Before I go further, beloved, a word of caution:

Use wisdom by taking every “thus says the Lord” spoken over you by any man, prophet, so-called, any intercessor, or beloved brother or sister in Christ, captive, bringing it before the Lord. God alone owns the final Word over your life, and if that Word was from Him, He’ll confirm it; otherwise, spit it out before it causes a bitter root to spring up within you because what was spoken over you has not come to pass.

With this in mind, read and discover how God responded both to His Prophet Nathan and His beloved David for their well-intended yet erroneous ways, listen to what God says about them thinking they were free to do or speak what was in their heart’s to do or say: “Nathan replied to the king, ‘Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” But that same night the Lord said to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in?

“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’” So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.” –2 Samuel 7:3-5;11-17.

Though David loved the Lord and earnestly desired to do nothing more than build God the best, most beautiful home, fit for the God he adored and served with his whole heart and life, the Lord made it plain that it was not what “I want him to do.”

What do you do, child of God, when God says no?

No, to the position, the pulpit you seek, that missionary position, job, marriage, or ministry your heart is set on.

Do you trust that God’s plans are far greater than your own?

Greater still than you could even imagine—eternal in scope and purpose.

My prayer for you, for me, for everyone of God’s own, is that we are not so blinded by the manifest blessings our gracious, merciful, loving God lavishes upon us, that we lose sight of the fact, though Jesus calls us friend, He is no less God! El Elohim, Supreme over all. Creator of our very breath and bones—our whole lives—with all their wants and hopes are subject to Him; Jesus “gets to” direct our dreams of serving and blessing Him and others. I pray we remain humble, pliable vessels worthy of continued use to our Master. Surrendered to the will and shaping of our Sovereign, Majestic King, Jesus, out of love and reverent fear—just as David was.

The works David desired to do were destined for another to accomplish.

I encourage you to read 2 Samuel 7 for yourself. And as you do, pay attention to the importance God places on humility and submission to His will.

Discover there too, the undeserved blessings God poured out on David’s obedience; this servant whose whole heart sought to love, serve, and obey His Lord. And, lastly, trust, beloved, that as you surrender your hopes to God, that dream and desire that’s been bubbling in your belly since you can remember, that God has a far better plan for you than you could ever dream or desire for yourself.

In the midst of your heartache or struggle today, be encouraged.

Take a fresh grip on God’s promise and never let go of it. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” –Jeremiah 29:11

Do you know Jesus, Who, as Scripture tells us, opens doors no man can close and closes doors no man can open?

If not, won’t you receive His personal promise to you: “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” –John 6:37

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

He Didn’t Stay In The Manger.

December 27, 2025 /

MaryEllen Montville

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” –Revelation 5:5

In The Chronicles of Narnia, a brief conversation between Mr. Beaver and Susan concerns Aslan. Mr. Beaver states quite matter-of-factly, “Aslan is a lion: the Lion, the great Lion.’ Ooh,’ said Susan. ‘I’d thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.’ ‘Safe?’ said Mr. Beaver, ‘Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

Like Susan, many today don’t know King Jesus; they’re confused as to who He truly is. A fictional character who traversed the made-up land of Narnia, Susan questioned who Aslan is; she is not unlike those very real people in our so-called real world who still question Jesus.

Now, I don’t mean those like Susan, whose questions were sincere. Those searching for Truth, to know Jesus more intimately, learn more about Him, His character. All who follow Him have done that, and, hopefully, continue to do so.

No, by “questioning” I mean those who flat-out resist Truth.

Those who question anything and everything even remotely related to Jesus. Those whose motives are to call Jesus and anything associated with Him into question that they might disparage, cast a shadow over, or besmirch His holy name. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new [fermenting] wine will [expand and] burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is fine.’” –Luke 5:37-39

Those who literally shake their fist in His face both hurt my heart and anger me.

That’s my Husband!

Still, I pray God sends someone, uses anything, perhaps even this teaching, to soften their hearts towards Him, that they may, soon and very soon, proclaim Him as their Lord and Savior. “Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” –Romans 12:19-21

Do they rail against Him because they can’t see past Him as the newborn babe, wrapped up and helpless—a baby like all the other babies they’ve seen in countless manger scenes? “How could such a wee, helpless thing possibly harm or ever save me?” they think.

Some of these same souls point out that Mouhammad was a baby once, as well, as were Buddha and Krishna—and that each of them grew up and claimed to offer the same path to eternal life as Jesus. “They have never harmed me. Maybe one of them will save me. Why not?”

No, blind soul! They cannot! They were counterfeits—all of them—mere men, dead and buried now. There is but One true and living King, the God-man whose miraculous birth we just celebrated, Jesus, the Christ.

He alone is the eternal One.

He alone is the only Way to the Father. “Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” –John 14:6

Across the globe, many have heard of Jesus. In fact, some use His name daily and rather loosely, perhaps after stubbing their toe or experiencing a sudden fright. It’s not Mouhammad’s name they’re crying out…

Heartbreaking, really, that so holy a name is used so often in the most unholy of ways.

But I digress…

Even those who act deaf, who deny Jesus’ existence, have heard of Him; God made sure of this. Those who run from Him out of fear, maybe, of letting go of the sins that so easily beset them, are left without excuse. Creation itself testifies of Jesus day after day, His Majesty, Intelligence, Power, of His nature. Even the blind are without excuse. They can hear the wind, sounds made by ocean waves, birds, and a baby’s cry, His creations, all.“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” –Romans 1:20

Aside from hearing of Jesus, most have heard stories about Him, especially at Christmastime.

Stories of the baby born in a manger to a young virgin girl named Mary.

They’ve heard the story about the angel announcing His birth to the shepherds in a field.

They’ve heard of His star and the three wise men.

Some have even heard the Gospel preached, accounts of Jesus’ miracles, His healings, that He came to earth as God in the flesh, and that He raised a man named Lazarus from the dead. That He, too, was raised from the dead on the third day.

So maybe these same souls who cannot reconcile Jesus within themselves have only heard Jesus’ tiny cry—spiritually speaking. A babe’s voice only, making no demand on their lives, they turn a deaf ear. Still, having heard at all, they are without excuse. Jesus let loose a cry from His untried lungs into the night sky, proclaiming what can never be unheard: “The Savior of the world has been born.” 

And soI pray, somewhere in the depths of those fleshly hearts who deny Him still, Jesus’ cry will not go unheeded. Open their ears, Lord, to hear the roar of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah calling out to them, “I have called you by name, You are Mine!” “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” –Isaiah 43:1-2

There have always been voices.

Announcing. Proclaiming! Whispering. Rebuking. Judging.

Roaring voices that spoke and speak still, of the failures of God’s people, yet of hope and restoration, too.

Jesus’ voice created our world; our Triune God spoke Words unheard by men over the face of the deep, and life came forth—and it comes forth still. And God will have the final Word, and His Word will not return to Him void. It cannot. “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.” –Revelation 1:7

Do you know Jesus? Or, like Susan in Lewis’ story, are you unsure exactly of who Jesus really is to you?

Maybe you wonder, “Is He who He claims to be?

Should you ever read “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” you’ll find Susan not only comes to know Aslan for herself, but she serves Him all the days of her life. Spoiler alert: In Lewis’s books, Aslan represents Jesus.

How wise Susan was. How I pray in all your wondering you’ll follow her example, all the days of your life.

There will always be voices, dear friend.

The decision you’re faced with today is one all men have faced since that night in Bethlehem when Jesus let loose a cry from His untried lungs into the night sky, proclaiming what can never be unheard: “The Savior of the world has been born.” 

Do you believe Him?

In Him? Will you heed His voice and follow Him? “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.” –John 1:2.

Having lived, died, and been resurrected, Jesus will return. But this time, it won’t be as a wee babe. “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes (nations) of the earth will mourn over Him [realizing their sin and guilt, and anticipating the coming wrath]. So it is to be. Amen.” –Revelation 1:7.

Jesus didn’t stay in that manger…

Humblest Of Beginnings.

December 20, 2025 /

Matthew Botelho

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” –Luke 2:14

As we approach Christmas, we are reminded of what makes us a Christian: We are sinners who have been saved by grace, washed clean, made new in Christ Jesus. We believe Christ is who He says He is, the only begotten Son of the Father, God in the flesh. That He was born of a virgin, was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again on the third day, defeating sin, death, and the grave. All of this goes far beyond our being associated with Him in name alone. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” –Ephesians 2:8-9

 Without our having this relationship with Jesus, who is the only Way to the Father, we cannot rightfully call ourselves anything but His sinful and lawless creations.

Jesus Christ is not only the reason for the season—He is so much more. Jesus is our salvation. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” –Acts 4:12

So we give glory and praise to God for the amazing Gift He has bestowed on men.

All of humanity was plunged into sin and darkness after the fall of man. Sin had entered the world, and death reigned over all creation. But God, in His mercy, made a way for all humanity to escape sin and death by bringing His Son, Jesus, the Savior, into the world. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we behold His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14.

When it seemed there was no hope, God brought Light into this world, pushing back the darkness that overshadowed it. Jesus said, “I have come as a light unto the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” –John 12:46-47

This babe grew into a man who wore the mantle of a King. A King who would defeat death and sin forever, and the prophet Isaiah foretold of Jesus’ Lordship: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” –Isaiah 9:6

Seven hundred years after Isaiah prophesied, God set His plan in motion by sending the angel Gabriel to Mary in a little backwater town called Nazareth. Was there anything special about Nazareth? No. Was Mary a special girl? No. Yet God has a way of using the unlikeliest of persons and places to accomplish His will and plan.

Gabriel tells Mary, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” –John 2:28. The Bible tells us that Mary had found favor with God. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” –Luke 1:31-33

God’s perfect timing for the soon arrival of His only begotten Son was falling into place. Mary, betrothed to Joseph and pregnant with Jesus, journeyed toward Bethlehem.

Scripture reminds us that a decree from Caesar Augustus had gone out, requiring everyone to return to their hometowns to be registered. While in Bethlehem, Joseph’s hometown, the time came for Mary to give birth. “And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city. So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child. While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth, and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.” –Luke 2:3-7

The fullness of God’s Divine timing had come; Jesus, the Light of the world, was born.

Right about this time, the Bible tells us of an encounter another group of people had. Those seen as nobody, the lowly shepherds, tending their flocks in the field.

Shepherds were considered the lowest of the low. Still, God intended them to be the first to witness this amazing miracle. “In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah)” –Luke 2:8-11.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, you may be seen as insignificant by the world, but not by God. He loves you deeply.

You may feel like no one sees you, but God does.

You are a masterpiece in His eyes, and He has a purpose for you, just as He did for those shepherds who could hardly believe what they had just witnessed.

Yet how incredible it must have been for them to be witnesses of God’s heralds as they announced the Saviour had come into the world. There may be times when God extends us an invitation that seems unreal, too big, too impossible, as He did to those lowly shepherds. The Bible tells us, “When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them.” –Luke 2:15-18

It brings God joy when we tell others about Jesus. How can we keep this amazing gift of salvation to ourselves?

You may feel unnoticed, unqualified to share such an invitation. Still, you became a witness to God’s mercy the day Jesus came into your heart. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” –John 1:12

God’s invitation to salvation through Jesus is real. In fact, it is the most real thing anyone will ever receive, and it’s been extended to anyone who will call on Jesus. If you sense Jesus is calling you, do not walk away; instead, accept His invitation, His free gift of salvation. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” –Revelation 3:20

I pray your Christmas season be filled with the same joy and peace the angels proclaimed that night in Bethlehem. I pray that as you look at the lights on your tree, you remember the Light of the world who hung on the cross and took all your sins upon Himself. I pray you will share the invitation to know Jesus, and be a witness to all men; not every gift given this season will come wrapped and tied with a bow.

All of us at SonsoftheSea pray you experience the True gift of Christmas, the Joy of the Lord, and His salvation. Amen.

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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