Tag: Salvation (Page 16 of 16)

“I’ve Been Where You Are.” 2 Cor.5:11-21

August 6, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

I believe one of the many wonderful gifts God offers us—is diversity. I’m not speaking here of the diversity found within the melting-pot of nationalities, though beautiful. Nor of cultures, though certainly diverse.

I’m speaking directly—specifically of diversity found within experiences— our varied yet collective flawed pasts.

Those universal hurts, mistakes, betrayals, and, tragic-regrets we’ve shared or witnessed. Those life-events survived. The events that didn’t kill us, but rather strengthened us. The experiences we might offer each other as balm to sooth, as encouragement to keep going, as a proof-of-life that helps to build up, that unites rather than divides.

Those very things that shamed us, ripped lives apart. Ours and theirs…

Those things that made us drop to our knees and cry out—in loneliness, desperation, pain, and regret. Like a wounded animal bellowing from places of deep brokenness. From almost-fatal wounds.

Painful scars, cruel slashes, some raw still…staring at us from just over there.

Reminders.

Paul carries them too, these scars. Thorns in our flesh. Dare I say they compel him? Us…?

Listen as he pours himself out in this Fifth Chapter. Read it, Dig into it. See for yourself how he understands—firsthand, what being saved from sin, his sin, truly means… as best one can this side of glory.

He understands that no man’s promised tomorrow— that the light which emanates from a life can, and, often is, snuffed out without warning—zero regard for station.

Beggars and kings, young, old, rich and poor alike—will each will face the Throne of God’s Judgement… ready or not.

Paul knows this like you know water is wet.

And so we witness him defending himself, his knowing, before those who think him arrogant, superior even.

Why?

Because they’ve mistake his heart of compassion, his certain knowledge of God’s mercy, his unmerited, unwarranted internalized forgiveness as arrogance, insolence.

Yet he is trying to persuade men still, to seek salvation in the Lord. Be ye reconciled! And those that do not find him arrogant or superior, those that know him, his sincerity, that know the Truth, will most certainly view him as hypocritical, unreliable, untrustworthy even, should he not boldly speak out, should he back down—from defending this Truth.

Everyone is watching…

Yet despite their fierce scrutiny, he has great love for these Corinthians—so he does all he’s able to remind them, encourage them—of who they are.

Our charge..

There are times in our walk when competing voices will try to put their distracting hands of confusion over others ears. Attempting to block out the deep Truth that lives within us all. But thankfully, mercifully, we serve a God whose will won’t be blocked—His will—will be done in the lives of His children. Those He’s called…

His strength, not ours.

That’s where Paul finds himself today. Convicted. Fiercely. Determined. We’ll all stand in his shoes one day, if we’re truly called as Ambassadors of God…

In his opening verses Paul’s doing his best to say, “Hey, listen to me please. I’m not trying to indoctrinate you into some cult. I’m not bullying or threatening you. I’m not using cheap scare tactics or throwing around disheartening words merely as frightful rhetoric—just because. I’m trying to tell you I’ve been where you are, and by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ I’ve been saved, restored in Him. It’s only now, as a result of His mercy, that I understand just how far my sinned stained soul was from God—please listen, you’re making an eternal choice.”

Paul is telling us that God’s judgement is coming to each of us—to the whole of the world. There is no escaping.

In the closing lines of the previous chapter he states that all men will appear before the Throne of God, judged for the deeds done while in the body.

Paul has tasted the goodness of Jesus, His saving grace. Remember he was once among the greatest of those who not only persecuted Christians—he stood as a witness and championed Stephan’s death… stoned for his witness of Christ—of the Truth.

He, Paul, possibly, threw stones himself. Maybe the fatal blow. He stood among the mob gathered…Stephan’s accusers. The first verse of Acts Eight tells us plainly that Paul stood there, “giving approval to his (Stephan’s) death.”

Stephen, God’s servant, operated in signs and wonders. Unheard of…

Recall that at this time in biblical history only the Apostles had been known to move in signs and wonders…

We never know who we may be standing before. Judge not, least…

Yet Paul hated him—as he did all Christians. He rejected everything and anything that smacked of it—Christianity that is. Paul was relentless in his pursuit and elimination of Christians…Think today. Think Isis. That type of determined righteous erroneous hate.

Deeper, more personal. Have you hated or rejected someone for their faith in Christ?

Acts Eight states that Paul, “began to destroy the church. Going from house to house. He dragged off men and women and put them in prison.”

It becomes plain to see why, at this place in his life Paul is so convicted—so concerned about people being reconciled to Jesus. It’s plain to see how well acquainted he is with the weight of sins, his, theirs and ours—and their eternal reach.

Now freed himself through God’s mercy and grace, that freedom drives him to pour out his life in service to the One He had persecuted. Now he lays down his life so that some would know—be reconciled to—find—his Jesus.

Rejection by the world is an oddly a unifying thread among Christians…

We each own a piece of it…this rejection.

It’s an ever present—however silent—tie that binds us all to Jesus. After all, who more than He knew rejection, persecution, and the need for man’s salvation?

And we, His children are commanded to go out into that world that wants little to do with us, often despises us, and daily, faithfully, in-spite-of, carry-out His directive? Go ye therefore unto all the world…

Paul didn’t care what these Corinthians, or anyone else for that matter, thought of him—how they perceived him—so long as his God was honored.

He stood as naked as one may stand fully clothed…our example. Bold.

Naked—in his removal of self-will.

Naked, because he had stripped off his care for the opinions of the world—standing, he was clothed only in the pure love of Christ. Confident that he might reach those he’d been sent to reap—to bring in to the Kingdom. Listen to his plea in verse 20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

And there it is. The heart-cry of Paul and Peter, of James and John and the remaining Eight. Of every Christian Martyr that shared in their same faith, their same certainty. The point of this message…

It’s the heart-cry of every Pastor, every minister and evangelist. The song of every worshiper and the prayer of every warrior who storms the gates of Heaven— violently, for the sake of salvation of souls.

Be reconciled to Christ Jesus!

We are Ambassadors of Reconciliation. Marked by God. Chosen…

We must wear that mark soberly into each encounter, before each new soul presented in Christ.

Not as one still in bondage, God forbid!

Rather as a Holy fuel!

Being ministers who live in a state of such relentless remembrance of Gods mercy towards us, allowing that to spur us on, to pour out our lives for each other, and the whole world.

We must never forget our past sin-stained state—more, we mustn’t care for the opinions of others towards it, that in that caring we may be deterred—save the opinion of Christ alone. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are.”

We must keep in the forefront of our minds that we, and those that have yet to know our Father, are not promised tomorrow. And while it is today labor tirelessly for the reconciliation of souls.

In closing, listen to our brother Paul’s heart…“If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

Receive this word as a charge. Wrap yourself in it. Arm yourself with it because; “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

I’ve been where you are, dear heart, precious soul, please, hear my plea that you too be reconciled to the Father. Cry out to Jesus for forgiveness of your sins.

Until next time…

“Just A Taste” Mk.9:1-8

July 16, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

In today’s Scripture Jesus opens with a puissant statement of fact. But what is He alluding to specifically?

A clue is given within His word choice. Jesus hints at its deep significance through His word usage. The solemnity of what He is about to say, He uses language which He reserves only for occasions such as this. Pay attention…“Verily I say unto you…”

Is it His death and resurrection to which He is referring in this odd opening verse? Or, maybe it’s the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?

Perhaps He’s speaking to the imminent spread of Christianity or, to Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70?

Mark’s opening verse is ambiguous, oddly placed…hence all the scholarly debate surrounding it.

But if we just look at it, it seems a natural flow, an easy pivot. It serves to transition us into what’s coming next. Linking some of those present to His, Jesus’ own future intent. Jesus gathers us up and points us toward Mt. Hermon—to His Transfiguration. And everything is clear, deep but clear.

While each of the fore-mentioned events are Biblical fact, for a few within the crowd that day, three within earshot of Jesus actually—each of these events will become a reality. Eye-witnessed.

And that is the very heart, the core, of this event, this witnessing. So it’s toward that, toward seeing and tasting for oneself that we’ll look toward today. One delicious spoonful at a time…

What happens to us, each of us, when we’re given a taste of Jesus?

If we are anything like our brothers we’re left wanting more. A taste isn’t nearly enough to sate our longing, our desire for Jesus.

But it is just enough, typically, to leave us wanting. Craving that is, desiring, running after—more of Him.

You noticed no doubt the visual used today is ice cream. Specifically, many tasting spoons standing in many tubs of various flavors of ice cream.

Why?

To demonstrate a point, two actually. The first, as human beings we do enjoy our options, dare I say, demand them!

If you have doubt about the validity of my statement, check out the variety of television stations available to us. The variety of, types of, cars, colors, watches, fashion choices and eateries. How many flavors do we really need—to flavor our coffee?

We are inundated with choices, varieties, types. As a result, we are often left unsatisfied, overstimulated, by what we’ve chosen. Left flat. Yet we’re happy glad that we get to wake up tomorrow and get to choose anew!

We have not yet been satiated.

Neither have our three brothers.

But things are about to change—eternally…

Three have been chosen, hand-picked to follow Jesus up a mountain. And you…come along.

Yet, for these three, this is nothing new, being the first to go, do, and see that is. Somethings aren’t meant for everyone to witness, first, filters are required.

Peter, James, and John—Jesus ’ inner circle. They are those filters through which Jesus pours Truth, His Truth, Kingdom Come Truth—full strength, by the mouthfuls.

These were chosen for their unique abilities. Each eventually would learn both how to consume, ingest and then disperse, speak out, allocate, teach—these unfiltered Truths.

Three prodigious leaders of the future Church. They’ve each been with Jesus from the beginning. Hand-picked. Known by God—Ginṓskō, like a man knows his wife. Intimate like.

For nearly Three years now these have slept beside Him, eaten with Him, been privy to His numerous miraculous healing’s and extraordinary, unparalleled, radical teachings. Yet they are not yet fully firm, not yet set in their knowledge of His divinity…more time is needed.

Things are still a little wobbly…

But wait you say, Peter? Wasn’t it Peter, this same Peter, who said out loud, who answered correctly when all others failed, that Jesus was The Christ—The Son of God?

Yes, you are correct.

It was this same Peter indeed. The one who loved Jesus the most, think John 21. Yes, it was this impulsive, bold, bodacious Apostle—the denier, the reinstated one, the Fisher-of-men, the fisherman, the rock. Simon.

And yes, it was John. The same John who laid his head against Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper, the one Jesus loved. The Beloved. The one who stood at the foot of the Cross and received Mary as his own mother. The very same John that would write a Revelation on an Isle called Patmos. Exiled there after having survived being boiled in oil for his refusal to stop preaching the Gospel when ordered to do so by the Emperor Domitian.

And James, John’s brother. Whose mom asked Jesus that each of her sons sit at His right and left hand in Heaven. James one of two brothers whom Jesus prophesied would in fact drink of the shared cup of suffering that He, Jesus, would Himself drink from. This same James would be the first of the chosen Twelve Apostles to see martyrdom by the sword at the hands of King Herod Agrippa, as witnessed in Acts Chapter Twelve.

We could get heavy here. We could delve into deep Biblical Truths and mysteries— from here on out in fact.

We could get theological. We could enter into the significance of, the meaning behind, these three brothers being allowed to witness Jesus’ Transfiguration. More, we could delve into both the immediate and lasting reasons why Jesus took them, as leaders, along in the first place…

We could look into the significance of, the meaning behind, the Law and the Prophets. Symbolized by Moses and Elijah’s appearance and witnessed by these men. Moses, symbolizing those that have died in Christ, the other, Elijah, one who never tasted death…Wait. Didn’t Jesus say something about not tasting death before His return?

We could examine how neither the prophets nor the law could or can save a man. How it is only through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, only by His Redemptive work done for you and I on Calvary’s Cross, that our salvation may be, can be found. How one such as you and I can’t even enter the place of desiring the new life Jesus’ death and resurrection provides without, outside of, the Fathers call.

We could go into it all. But we won’t…

Rather, I’d have your focus be on what’s to come…

As with our brothers, let’s assume you’ve had a taste of Jesus also. And like our brothers, though wobbly at times, you’re determined, fixed on following after Him. You’re walking up the mountain with Jesus, trusting, curious, excited, yet filled with trepidation’s. But your walking. Heel to toe—your walking.

The Apex is in sight yet you stop because He did. Look! What’s happening to Him? You can’t look anymore, not straightaway, only barely, through squinted eyes. Dazzling bright whiteness. Jesus stands before you—éclat.

And that Voice, that soul-penetrating, commanding Voice. Emanating from within the clouds. That same Voice that said, that you heard say, “This is my Son, listen to Him.” That Voice. The One that changes everything…

And wham…you’re on the ground. Stiff as a dead man with fright. You knew He was different this Jesus, knew He was powerful, believed He was a Prophet, The Son of God even, Messiah—but now. Oh now, sweet undeniable now…

Silent in contemplation, each step a thought, you return to the mundane that awaits you at the end of this journey, the base of this mountain. There’s always a valley. The necessary mundane, the purpose of the journey. Lessons. You’re now a witness to something so immense, so life altering it can only do one thing for you, propel you, prepare you, for what awaits you…The Fullness of Jesus.

There is a song by Jesus Culture entitled, “Holy Spirit”.

Within its second verse these lyrics are found; “I’ve tasted and seen, of the sweetest of loves. Where my heart becomes free and shame is undone. In your presence Lord.”

That dear heart, beloved, that is where I want you to focus today. On that taste. That moment on your personal mountain top, your place of witnessing His Transformative power…

I’m challenging you today to continue to walk in the footsteps of those three brothers who went before you. Trailblazers. The original taste-testers…

Follow their lead, read their stories, listen to their hearts—every time you, like they, get a little wobbly. And you will. We all do. Each time, every time your taste buds need a reminder of that one-of-a-kind, mind-blowing flavor of Jesus Christ. That other-worldly experience only He provides!

Why? Preparation.

Once you’ve tasted His love, mercy, goodness, grace, kindness—the plethora of His unmerited favor, His benevolence. Once you’ve had a taste of Him, His perfection, everything outside of Him becomes lack-luster, bland. Hospital food bland. It becomes ordinary and eventually, prayerfully, completely undesirable…

This is our great goal. Here, now, on earth. Before others—to desire, exude, crave, Him alone.

Like our brothers before us the taste of Jesus should leave us, has left us—ravenous. And it, that taste, should drive us to do anything—anything. Destroy every, any obstacle, every relationship that stands in the way of more—of it. Of Jesus.

Everything must be pushed aside, left. As we stand before all that Jesus has for us, like greedy, unashamed children we should be jumping up-and-down. Shovels, not spoons in our grasping hands, saying, screaming… yes please daddy, I would most definitely like more, and more—and more.

Until the day I stand before you a shirt-stained mess, belly puffed out from the bits hungrily gobbled-up along the way. Now, home with you. Sated. Finally, no further need for my spoon…

“Eyewitnesses” 2Pt.1:19

July 2, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard—God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts” (2 Pt.1:19).

Is Peter double talking?

Or, is he confirming Scripture?

Confirming Scripture I believe. And Scripture bears me out. Listen to what Jesus says: “The eyes that see the things you see are blessed! For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things you see yet didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear yet didn’t hear them” (Luke 10:23-24).

It is on The Word of God alone that we must rely.

Peter is nearing the end of his life, he has finished his race and is awaiting his Crown of life to return home to his Friend. It’s from this mindset that he’s speaking—observation and experience. You see he was privy to be eye-witness to what only burned in the hearts of the prophets to know…to witness for themselves. But it was not for them…

They longed for what Peter and the disciples had experienced. The magnificent privilege of living in the physical presence of Messiah. The Holy One of Israel. To taste of His Divinity, bask in His Holiness. To listen to, be taught and instructed by Him daily. To fellowship and tabernacle with Him at will—and live! Think God speaking to Moses here—listen: “But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live” (Ex.33:20).

Yet here is Peter telling us that not only was he eye-witness to the Messiah, more astonishingly, He was His friend…

In fact it is Peter alone, in the Gospel of Mark, who answered unswervingly the question Jesus posed to His disciples. “Who do people say that I am? And what about you?” Peter answered—via divine revelation: “You are Christ, the Messiah, God’s own Son” (Mk.8:29, Lk.9:20).

For three years Peter walked with, ministered alongside of, ate with, slept near and had been privy to the teachings of Jesus. Couple this with being one of three welcomed into Jesus’ inner circle and certainly, by all accounts, we have evidence of Peter being a fit eyewitness—a worthy and reliable source.

Need more?

Let’s go to Mark 9. Here we see Jesus, Peter, James, and John. The three are witnesses to Jesus’ Transfiguration. This only eight or so days following Peter’s revelation and profession of Jesus being the Son of God. In the blink of an eye Peter went from being the one who had followed Jesus in faith, had believed Him to be the Messiah, to an eyewitness.

There was no room for doubting that Jesus was in fact—the I Am spoken of by the prophets!

Perhaps Peter was in the crowd the day John baptized Jesus and heard God’s voice declaring Him His Son (Mk. 1:10-12)? Perhaps that was the first time Peter heard God’s audible voice? Was that what caused him to drop everything and follow after Jesus? Scripture doesn’t specify. Whatever the case may be, Peter most certainly heard God’s voice loud and clear on the mountain when Jesus was Transfigured. He also saw Moses and Elijah, as well as witnessed the physical realm shift in appearance as they were collectively engulfed within a cloud (Matt.17:1-5; Lk. 9:28-36).

So is Peter in any way questioning, doubting or challenging the veracity of the prophets accounts of Jesus? Absolutely, emphatically—no! What he is in fact doing is laying down, confirming, adding, another layer of truth—an eyewitness account.

Peter is doing what each of us are called to do. Fulfill the Great Commission. He is giving testimony to, lending a voice to what he knows—emphatically. He is saying if you have any doubt that the Old Testament prophets may have gotten it wrong let me set the record straight. He is a lawyer’s dream come true!

And tell us Peter, on the day in question, on that mountain—can’t you just hear it?

Their questions, his sharp, crisp, quick answers! No hesitation, no second-guessing. Just here it is, this is the way it happened.

So now that we’ve established we can rely on Peter’s eyewitness testimony, it follows we should adhere to his instructions to us. We must stay fixed, focused on Jesus—and His Word. Patiently awaiting Jesus’ promised return for us—His eyewitnesses.

But how do we do this? How do we like Peter, James and John, like the prophets of old—become reliable eyewitnesses?

By following after the example of the one who spoke to them—instructed them. By following, via strict adherence, Jesus’ instructions. Just as they did.

To be a credible witness, one must deny himself. That is—deny what you think, feel or imagine to be real and true if it does not align with Scripture—the inerrant Word of God. Jesus did nothing outside of His Father’s will. “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another, showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way” (2Tim.3:16). Obviously I am not referring here to mundane daily tasks like picking out your wardrobe…

As eyewitness for Jesus we must be discerning. We must know, via The Holy Spirit within us, what to pay attention to. What we should allow to influence our thoughts, words and deeds. And what to dismiss, run from, disdain as folly—snares meant to rob our Truth. “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world” (1Jn.4:1)

We must be willing to lose our lives, not popular I know, but necessary. Every belief, possession, personal ideal—everything must be willingly laid at the foot of The Cross. We must be subject to Jesus’ Lordship over us or we are useless. Salt without taste—willful, rebellious. Using eyes that do not see—the blind leading the blind. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matt. 16:25-26)?

Witnesses must be confident, bold in their truth. We must be audacious, uninhibited in our testimony, come what may.

We, unlike the Peter and the Apostles, may not have yet seen Jesus face to face but that doesn’t diminish our knowing Him—our certainty in His existence. He is no less real to His friends today than He was when He stood and spoke to Peter, James and John face to face. To be a credible, trustworthy, reliable eyewitness we must have zero regard for our reputation. We must be singularly focused on speaking the truth—God’s Truth. Solely. Without wavering. Without compromise. “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, divine utterance may be given me, so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should” (Eph.6:19-20).

Beloved, we have yet to see our Lord face to face, yet we do have firsthand knowledge of Him and in fact have seen a shadow of His Magnificence. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people are without excuse” (Rom.1:20).

If we have eyes, we are eyewitnesses…

Even if we were blind our Spirit would testify to His truth!

Go, as eyewitness, into all the world telling anyone—everyone that Jesus Christ is Lord while it is still today. While you here, sojourners in a foreign land, awaiting your Crown…then you will have fulfilled Peter’s instruction—to wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts.

Be a faithful and true eyewitness…

Until next Beloved, Blessings.

“You Were Made For This”… Esther 4:14

June 18, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

atlas-642017_960_720 When God calls us to do a thing—whatever it may be, He prepares us for it. Often, long before we are aware that the thing even needs doing. It’s known as fulfilling your purpose and, as we saw last week, we each have one… (Heb. 13:21).

Some have a greater purpose than others. Purpose that will literally touch multitudes and change the course of generations to come. Each according to the grace given to us. (Rom.12:6).

Esther is a perfect example of what our purpose may look like (4:16).

Service always requires sacrifice…

Yet before we look at how God used Esther to save her people from extinction, allow me to remind you that elms are born from acorns. My purpose for this analogy…we don’t start great. Greatness is birthed through our submission to the will of God. And we’re not all called to be an Esther, Daniel, or a Moses… but we’re each responsible for being the best us we can be…In more relevant terms, not everyone’s called to be a T.D. Jakes, John Hagee or Joyce Myers. But you may be called to serve within their ministry. Take up the tithes or perhaps clean-up when service is over…

That may seem insignificant to you in comparison to what they’re doing. However, no service is insignificant. Everything accomplished within the Body would be incomplete without your purpose bring firmly attached and being use to further God’s purpose…

And what is that purpose?

To accomplish the will of the Father as one Body united under the Headship of Christ Jesus. “But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body” (1 Corinthians 12:18).

Whatever God has purposed you to do, stay in your lane, focus on being the best_________, you can be and never forget that it is God who called you, and it is God alone you serve. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Eph.6-7).

I stress this because as we will see, when we forget who it is we serve, God will always have someone willing to step in and happily take our place…

Remember, we serve an Omniscient God whose purpose will be accomplished, with or without us! “For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back” (Isa.14:27).

Vashti has just learned this lesson. Who is she? She’s King Ahasuerus’s wife, and Esther is about to take her place.

Why?

For reasons the Bible doesn’t specify, Vashti got it into her head to refuse attendance at the Kings grand finale. This finale culminated in a week-long celebration. It commemorated a 180-day celebration designed to showcase King Ahasuerus’s vast wealth, splendor and majesty.

This was huge for the king . And his wife’s refusal to lend her appearance as the proverbial cherry on his sunday made him furious. Why? Vashti was known for her beauty and he command her to put on her royal finery and show herself to his guests. She was yet another proof of his many accomplishments. (1:11-12).

As a result of her refusal a search was made to find the King a new queen. And out of all the beautiful women that were found none rivaled Esther in the Kings eyes. So he placed a crown on her head and made her his queen. (2:2;17)

Wait… what?

Isn’t Esther a Jew, and an orphan? And isn’t Mordecai, her uncle turned step-father, the one that raised her after her parent’s death? And—isn’t he, and she by default, expatriates of Jerusalem? Aren’t they living in Susa because of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, taking their ancestors into captivity? And God has chosen her, positioned her, to receive the king’s favor over all other woman—all those that belong in the land? ( 2:5,7,10).

Yes…

A resounding yes!

Why? The Lord does as He pleases with whomever He pleases. He alone is Lord! “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Absolutely not! For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (Rom. 9:14-15).

Esther has her moments of trepidation in service, particularly when Mordecai reveals to her that a favored member of her husband, the king’s court, Haman, has hatched a plan to kill not only him—but all the Jews. She knew, and made Mordecai aware, that the rules of the king were as follows: “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives” (4:11).

But pay attention to Mordecai’s response to Esther’s attempts to rationalize not speaking to the king…

He corrects and challenges her in love. Realizing that fear had perhaps gripped her heart. Or perhaps she had become a servant who may have gotten too comfortable within the trappings of palace life. Maybe she had simply forgotten that her name meant compassion…

And she was being called upon to muster it… and courage along with it (4:13-14).

Whatever had momentarily overshadowed Esther’s best judgement her uncles direct challenge jolted her back into reality, listen… “Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance]. (4:13).

Again, What? Wait! What did that say?

Something about being given the position of queen coupled with the favor needed to get her there? And for what? Why? To face probable death? All because she would attempt to save her people? Really…wait, her position, doesn’t that exempt her? And what’s this about…if she doesn’t do it she’ll die regardless?

Have you ever felt like Esther? You’re given this amazing opportunity, you’ve overcome many obstacles to get where you are…maybe like Esther your family background is a little sketchy? Maybe you missed out on an education due to poor life choices or lack of resources? Maybe you were abandoned, abused, raped or addicted. And now that you’re hear, now when you feel like you can maybe relax and breath for a minute, adversity comes along just to kick in your door!

Your faced with an impossible decision. One you feel unqualified to make—truth is, outside of God, you’re right. You’re not qualified.

Esther realizes this too so she tells Mordecai to order all the Jews to fast with her and her maids. And as a result of turning to God, she is given not only courage, she is also given more of God’s favor. She boldly approaches the King without being summoned and does not die. (4:16). In fact, she, her uncle, and, their people are saved from extinction. Saved from certain death. Yet Haman, the one that tried kill Mordecai, Esther and all the Jews , was himself killed on the very gallows he had built to see Mordecai hanged from. (7:10)

Friends, in closing, let’s look at the last sentence of verse fourteen. “And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]” (Es. 4:14)?

There you have it…your purpose, Esther’s purpose. Show up and submit. Why? Because the thing with our purpose, we all too often recognize it in hindsight. That’s why, we, like Esther, must put our trust God, not our feelings. And do all He has called us to do.

And, as I stated earlier, if God has called you to a place, gifted you with a specific purpose, then trust Him. You are fully able to complete the work He has ordained for your hands to accomplish, irrespective of what it may look or feel like to you.

No man has been given anything for his own sake. No Christian lives solely for himself. We’ve received a voice to be used for the conversion of the world. We come equip from God specifically for service to others—and as Esther said of that service, “If I perish, I perish” (4:16).

When we, like Esther, give our will to God, lay our fears, doubts, and, insecurities aside then are we able to fulfill the purpose God has ordained specifically for us.

She could have chosen to walk away…but certain death awaited her had she made that choice.

And so it is with you and I…

When faced with our destiny, our purpose, will we gather-up our courage, trust God, and, sacrifice self for the sake of those depending on us?

Or, will another fulfill Gods plan and wear our crown because we wouldn’t step into our purpose?

Remember beloved, you were made for this!

“Don’t End Up in His Shoes” Eph.4:7-8

June 11, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore, He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men” (Eph.4:7-8).

Don’t miss that part—The grace being given to each one of us… That’s huge! Why? Because without it we will never accomplish one-single-thing worthy of Heaven. Huge right?

As with last week’s post, this week also we’re being taught by the Apostle Paul. Additionally, we’re going to drop anchor in the depths of yet another of Paul’s…Therefore pivotal points.

Paul has a fitting and consistent usage of, “Therefore”. It is meant to whittle down the general teaching statements directed at the entire Body, into very specific, deeply personal statements directed specifically to each of Gods children.

More precisely, to you. God is equipping you to walk in your own shoes.

If, and only if, you are a Blood bought believer of Jesus Christ this Scripture applies to you!

If you’re not, I implore you to stop now. Invite Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior. One simple prayer, one plea, from your heart to His will make this happen. I’m talking about salvation. About stepping from death in sin-stained world and nature into forgiveness and righteousness in Christ. A second chance, a new beginning! How can I be sure of this? I know my Father… and, I’m a living example of His Grace.

Also, I can guarantee if you’ve been thinking of Him, thinking of going back to church, reading your Bible, accidentally meeting people or coming across teachings/messages like this one, you are being wooed, pursued by, The Holy Spirit. He wants you as His own and He also wants to give Himself to you. “It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him” (Rom.5-8). Emphasis my own.

Not let’s follow Paul’s pivot and make this personal…

Let’s talk about God’s grace. How it should—and should not be handled by us in conjunction to our gifting/ our purpose.

And you have a purpose, without a doubt. Your purpose is tied to your God-given gifting. And it’s been given you for the explicit use of serving God and His Body. It was fully brought to life in you when you accept Jesus as Lord and His Holy Spirit took up residence inside of you. He alone enabled and empowered you to use this gifting for Kingdom and not self-serving purposes, thereby aiding you in fulfilling your destiny.

For all those who’ve ever questioned whether they have a purpose in life, you should be exhaling in loud sighs of delighted relief right about now! God has gifted you—specifically,intentionally. Yes, you have been chosen by God to serve Him! That should knock your socks off! Of all the people in the world He could have chosen, He chose you… you’re Handpicked! And, if that weren’t enough, He also supplied you with the grace necessary for you to fulfill the purpose He’s placed within you….Listen: “For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift” (Jn.1:16).

With every blessing in life, each God-given position brings responsibility. Regardless the scope of our purpose in Christ. Whether Pastor, author, janitor or front door greeter… do all God has entrusted to you solely for His good pleasure and purpose.

And do it in thanksgiving. Do it with a joy that should arise in you from knowing that you’re serving the same God who put breath in your lungs and who controls every beat of your heart.

And when you get discouraged, and you will, when you feel like quitting, and it might just happen, keep this close to your heart. Let it serve as a warm wrap in a sometimes cold world. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col.3:23-24). Emphasis my own.

Why is this vital? Verse Eight of our Teaching makes that abundantly clear to us.

We not only serve the King who showed Himself mighty in the Old Testament within the Ark of the Covenant with David (2 Sam. 6:1). Nor a God who merely led His people by a Pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night (Ex. 13:21). But more, we serve a Living God, a Warrior God… Our Defender. He led captivity captive; which speaks of Christ’s conquests and triumph over sin, death and the grave. Over satan, and the world and every single spiritual enemy both of His and His people.

Principally, the devil, who leads men captive at his will. Christ has ruined Him. Making of him a crushed foe. Jesus ascended into heaven saving His people, taking captive all the power of the enemy and giving grace upon grace to His chosen.

That is the God who has placed purposed within you to serve Him, to co-labor with Him in accomplishing His will.

And He continues to do so still. In giving gifts to men; the most supreme of which is His Holy Spirit. He empowers each of us for the work set before our hands…His purpose for us, for creating us. “Having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! And having disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col.2:15). Emphasis my own.

In conclusion, let’s go back to our pivot—the role His grace plays in your purpose:

If you’re feeling like your purpose is too small, or worse yet that your somehow…gift-less. If you’re assuming your purpose makes no clear difference because you can’t preach, evangelize, teach or write books. Please, pay attention to a man who thought just as you do. Because doing so might just literally save your life. Don’t throw your service to God under the bus thinking it has little or no value. Don’t take it lightly… or for granted.

By doing so you’re presuming you know more than God and, that like Him, you’re able to see your end from your beginning, like He does.

Turn with me to Matthew 25:24-30. Let’s learn of the outcome of the servant who did not treat that which is Holy as it should be treated. And your Purpose is holy and it given to you to serve a Holy God. And God gives it to you according to your ability.

Are you angry at God because you feel He short-changed you? Fearful and mistrusting His judgement in giving you something you is too big for you and you’ll just mess it up? Do you, like this servant know that God demands your best and your just not sure you can manage that? Please, please trust God…if He gave it to you He’s given you all you need to accomplish the task. Don’t follow this servants example and wind up in his shoes…“He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Celebrate what you have been given. And be the very best_________________, you can be. (fill in the blank with your gift, your purpose.) You’re not responsible for what you don’t have, but you are certainly are responsible for what you do have…great or little.

Walk in your own shoes, you never know where another man’s path may be leading…and remember, fear is a purpose killer and it’s not from God!

Until next week Beloved, Blessings…

“Living Sacrifices?” Rom. 12

June 4, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

hand-1030566_960_720 “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. (Rom. 12: 1)

With one word the Apostle Paul packs a powerful punch! More to the point, a powerful pivot in his Epistle. If we were to back track through Chapter 11 and unpack just some of its contents we would learn these two key lessons.

Firstly, Gods love and plan for Israel. The Apple of His eye. In the opening verses of Chapter 11, Paul stresses Gods foreknowledge of a remnant of Jews that He has “set aside” by His grace for a future time. “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Rom.11:5).

And why does this happen? Gods providence. It allows for the engrafting of the gentiles…” I say then, have they (the Jews) stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy” (Rom. 11:11).

Yet Paul also warns the gentile nations, not to feel superior in attitude because of this, our glorious new gift of salvation. As if we are somehow better than, more holy than, the Jews. He reminds us it is by God’s grace that we are each alive.

That we have even been offered this unfathomable gift of a possible eternity spent with God as heirs…if we choose to accept His free gift. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Eph. 2:8). Emphasis my own.

Now on to Paul’s, Therefore…

How do we respond to a God who makes room for us? Loves us, woos us and pursues us, A God that laid down His very life out of pure love for us? I write this in the present tense because it is still on-going.

Simple. We follow the loving example of Jesus. We serve an unchanging God… “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13:8) Emphasis my own.

And how exactly do we do it?

By emulating Jesus’ sincere sacrifice in our daily walk. We too must be willing to lay aside our wants, needs and desires for those of the Fathers. Just as Jesus did, a student is no greater than His Teacher.

After all, sacrifice is the crux of the Christians walk. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matt.16:24).

What does it look like to carry this out?

Firstly, we can’t do something we don’t know to do. So we must study.

Root ourselves in what is necessary for navigating the dicey waters of the world. We need the Word of God.

It’s our Life-line. Oxygen in our needy lives. The only Guide to navigating our walk with God.

By The Holy Spirit, it’s how we discern Gods will.

For instance, to solidify Paul’s instruction to us in Romans, we only need turn to Galatians for his more explicit discourse on the perils of following after the desires of the flesh.

Paul takes our teaching Scripture a step further leaving no room to question what God wants and doesn’t want from us… listen; “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery (magic and enchantment); hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, (indulging in one’s appetites excessively) and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).

We overcome this list by our sole, tenacious reliance on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s the only way we are able to love God, flee sin, and, love our brother as our-self. In our own strength all of this is impossible. We prove our love and devotion through our actions, our sacrifices.

The Word tells us somewhere that faith without works is a dead faith. We must lovingly, like Jesus, sacrifice our best. We mustn’t approach God with anything less than a heart that is burning to please Him. As with Abraham, so it must be with us.

We must be willing to kill the very promises of the future God has given us, spoken over us. Also, put to death everything in us that stands in the way of our doing nothing less than our absolute best.

That is our reasonable act of worship. If we are not offering that, we’re offering God an imperfect sacrifice, our leftovers. Should a God who gave His all accept second best from a people He died to save?

How do you feel when your aware that a loved one is simply going through the motions with you?

Isn’t invested enough in you to give you their very best…(time, love, attention, thoughtfulness, restraint)?

Worship is… our acts of submission, humility, our intentional willingness to serve God, not-self. It is a paramount first step in cleansing our hearts and hands. It is being humble, teachable, sacrificial in our giving. It’s lovingly placing on Gods altar our willful, selfish desires.

Those carnal qualities that are diametrically opposed to God and His Lordship over us. Those desires that arise in us when we ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit and instead, choose to feed the insatiable beastly appetites of our carnal fleshly nature.This is but a sliver of how we can set ourselves apart as living sacrifices pleasing to God.

When we fail to make room for, to be obedient to, the Holy Spirit’s guidance. It’s then that we’re in jeopardy to falling prey to sin and death. It’s there we fail to head the Words of life laid out for us within Romans 12.

There we miss out on an awesome opportunity to shower God with our love by willingly offering Him all of our—I wants in exchange for—your will be done.

How do we do this?

By surrendering our will, our body, our actions and reactions into His Loving Hands.

By saying, have Your way in me…

This desire, fostered only through the Holy Spirit, must cause us to bring all to at the Altar of the Lord. Everything that is not pleasing to Him, every impure thing, so that God may send down a Holy fire to burn off our spots and wrinkles—our sins. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Ps.139:24).

We must not do as the Israelite’s did. That is, bring less than our best, most pure sacrifice before the Lord. That’s irreverent, it’s treating that which is Holy as common. It’s ignorant and unworthy of a flawless God. Don’t take my word for it, let’s listen to Gods heart on the subject;

“When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty” (Mal.1:8).

If it’s not something we would want for ourselves, wouldn’t giveto another, how much less is it worthy of God?

As Christians, we’re called to live at a higher standard than the world around us. That can feel tricky at times. Like walking a razor-sharp line that feel’s too precarious to walk without getting cut!

And that’s wisdom, because the truth is, it is—if you’re trying to walk it alone!

We need to bind ourselves to the Holy Spirit with an eternal knot. One so obvious and unyielding that it’s visibility alone should speak to the fact that we will not allow anything to loosen our reliance on God. Period.

Regardless the attaches our flesh may attempt to wage against us. Regardless the lures and wiles of a world set on ensnaring us and robbing us of our relationship with God.

How will we know what those storms may look like? Foreseeing them is far easier than you may think…

Ready?

Here’s how…

Stay saturated in the Word of God. It’s your eyes. Use it to see clearly.

Stay anchored to it, like a ship apt to go adrift when left unmanned, it’s your life line, your harbor when the storms of life and the desires of the flesh rage. Doing their utmost to uproot and weaken your hold on what you know to be Truth…. “Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life” (Pro. 4:13).

If this all sounds daunting friend and you’re feeling like you’ll never be able to finish your race, especially in the world in which we live today. One deeply entrenched in an evil.One in which sin and temptation camp-out in waiting to entrap you.

Take heart beloved—I’ll leave you here with the very Words Jesus used to encourage a group of men who felt just as you do…

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18) Emphasis my own.

“Temporary Temples x3” ; 2Chron.2:5-6

May 28, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

divine-486226_960_720 The Word of God states that unless God build the house, whatever that house may be; a ministry, marriage, business venture or the building of an actual Church. Regardless the endeavor, if the Lord is not fully at its center—it is doomed to enviable failure. The Bible hosts a plethora of just such stories of eventual demise. Down to the mighty King Solomon a figure in today’s text.

One thing Solomon knew early on, understood well enough in his early years, was that it was not man who built God a home, but rather God who instructed man to build a Holy Place to gather to pray and to worship Him.

It was God in the desert of Arabia who instructed Moses about how he should go about building a Tabernacle. Every detail, down to the most seemingly insignificant, was birthed from the Omniscient mind of God. And, what may have seemed insignificant to man, was certainly not so with God. A holy and pure God demands nothing short of the same from His people, or there will be a price to pay. Eventually the Tent is erected.

All is accomplished according to the exact specifications of the Lord God and He came and filled it with the Glory of His presence: “Then the cloud covered the Tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Ex.40:34).

We, as those created and set apart for His use, cannot be corrupt vessels and expect to live. Just look to Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu as or examples. “Each took his fire-pan and put fire in it, set incense on it, and presented strange fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them to do” (Lev.10:1) Emphasis my own.

The results, each is struck dead. Consumed by the very fire they had wrongly put in their censers. Why? Willful disobedience.Transgressions that defiled that which is Holy…

They used their own censers and not those utensils set apart in the sanctuary for Holy use.
Only the High-Priests were allowed to burn incense in the Holy censer.
They used common fire. Not that taken from the Holy fire continuously burning at the altar.
They were both Priest.priests, obliged above the people to keep the rituals Holy and pure.

Now the Tent is erected. All is accomplished according to the exact specifications of the Lord God and He came and filled it with the Glory of His presence: “Then the cloud covered the Tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Ex.40:34).

And as it was with Moses and the plans given Him by God, so it is with Solomon and the plans he inherited David. These plans given to David by divine inspiration from the Lord: “All this he made clear to me in writing from the hand of the Lord, all the work to be done according to the plan.” (1Cron.28:19).

We have now witnessed the fulfillment of the Mosaic Covenant and the building of the first Tabernacle of the Lord.

Now through David’s desire to build a dwelling place for God, the Davidic Covenant is born and, through his son Solomon, a man of peace, the Temple of the Lord is built-in Jerusalem.

In addition to the strict building command issued by God for the design of these places of worship, (each measurement, placement and construction material used in their building) we see as equally significant, a direct relationship to the contributions made by the people of God for the acquiring of the materials necessary to guarantee the Temples construction (1Chron.29:1-6), (Ex.35:20-29).

Understand, God did not need the gifts of His people to accomplish His plans then, and He does not need them today.

We are however, graciously invited by the Sovereign God of the universe, Creator of all things seen and unseen, to harmoniously walk along side Him and share in His creation process.

More succinctly, be co-creators with Him. Why? We find our answer in the person of Jesus Christ, our third, greatest earthly Tabernacle.

John’s Gospel introduces Jesus as the Son of God Who Tabernacles among men during His earthly sojourn (Jn.1:4). Thus making Jesus the Living Tabernacle of God dwelling with man. From the time of Jesus’ coming to earth to present, the dwelling place of God among men is no longer witnessed in buildings filled with great clouds of smoke…

The New Testament teaches us that the dwelling place of God is the Church. His Body. Not a building, but in those people called by His Name in the person of The Holy Spirit.

Stephen knew this. At his trial he defended himself, in part, for speaking against the Temple proper. And in so doing educated those listening that it is the Body of Christ, His people—that are the true church (Acts 7:48-50).

Are you, like the Israelite’s mesmerized by a building?

Are you thinking that simply because you are in Gods House He is with you?

That a relationship between you exists?

Think again…

God is not found in buildings made of stone. For the Israelite’s, the Temple had become an idol—a foothold used by satan. A hook into the people’s pride. Certainly for the Pharisees, even for the Apostles. They held both the Temples splendor as well as its mere physical presence as proofs that God both favored and was among them. And as a result mistakenly believed that they were with Him.

The Temple is not necessary for God; He doesn’t need it. Man does.

And as it was with the Israelite’s, so it is with us…

Many folks today who attend a church seem to feel that the act of entering a building and participating in the ensuing service is proof positive they are a Christian. misguided, they’ve looked right past their lack of a relationship with God. Their lack of welcoming His gift of salvation and their need for His Lordship over their lives.

From the beginning God showed Himself relational with man. Just look to Adam and Eve for confirmation. They were created with relationship in mind, to tabernacle with God: (Gen 2:15-25-3:1-19).

Additionally, God knew Blood would need to be shed to maintain relationship with Him. We see evidence of this in the Garden. It’s shedding was witnessed after the fall of Adam and Eve… to cover their sin. “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Gen.3:21). The first shedding of blood.

Next we witness blood shed in The Tent of Meeting by the Priests on behalf of the people for the atonement of their sins. Moses construct, the ephemeral model of Christs Redeeming work yet to come. “Moreover, he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; also in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. 15“Then he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering which is for the people, and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. 16“He shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities.…(Lev.16:14-16). And, “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance” (Heb.9:7).

Now on to Solomon’s Temple: “Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the Lord. King Solomon offered as a sacrifice twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep” (1 Kings 8:62-64).

Lastly, stand with me at the foot of the Cross of Christ. Beholding the Ultimate Earthly Tabernacle. God Himself in the person of His Only Begotten Son. Where the Blood of The Spotless Lamb was shed once, for all…“And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself”(Heb.9:21:26).

Though our Father both initiated and made provision for each of His Earthly Temples He never intend for us, His children, to mistakenly idolize them. Nor are we to assume that simply because they are among us today, that His Spirit inhabits them.

As Stephen said, Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, “Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things” (Acts 7:48-50).

What is church? Better yet, who is Church?

Since Scripture clearly indicates what the Church is not, a building made of stone by human hand. Perhaps the greatest answer to this question resides in the dialogue between Jesus and a Samaritan woman.

An Odd teaching tool this, seeing how Jews and Samaritan’s had no dealings with each other. Unfortunately, much like the world and the church today. Separate, another us and them culture.

Are you still walking into a building today and thinking you’re at church?

Are you, like the Israelite’s mesmerized by the building itself? It’s beauty and opulence?

Do you Think that simply because you are in Gods house He is with you… that relationship between you exists?

Listen to Jesus description of the True Church, the Church as God intended from the beginning…

“Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn.4:21).

Blessing Beloved, until next time…

“When They Finally Have Something To Say”… Mat. 9:32-34

May 21, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

optimism-619018_960_720 Judgement. It happens far too often within our lives. The biting criticism that blindly enlightens you—you’ve failed.

Contrary to your best efforts—what you did, how well you did it, or how well intended your heart was in the doing of the thing, at the end of your best attempts and intentions, others meet you with their pass or fail measuring stick…

Wrong. Sorry, you didn’t do it the right way. Why did you do it that way? How dare you!

Critics. We saw them in last week’s post. Those mourners gathered around the dead girl. They laughed in Jesus’ face when He informed them that the girl they were there wailing over, mourning… wasn’t dead.

Often, when something frightens us, challenges our status quo, our equilibrium, our feelings of safety, our fight or flight instinct kicks in unawares and says, kill it! And, left to our human natures, we will simply seek our own survival. But not Jesus. And if we are called to follow Him it should not be that way with us either; “Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom.8:8-9).

In our text today we see an example of just such people. The very same Jesus had to contend with for the duration of His earthly ministry. Mosquito’s in His ear—always abuzz.

In fact, even as He hung dying on the tree of their construction, the very one they schemed and lied to ensure He be nailed to, even then they accused Him of not dying right! “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God’” …(Mat.27:42-43).

Using the lens of the Synoptic Gospels, it becomes clear that from the onset of Jesus’ earthly ministry the judges and critics made it their business to be about His business. They, the Pharisees, have either personally been amongst the throngs following Jesus, as in today’s Scripture, or they have been kept in-the-know of His every move by someone in the crowd.

Either way, Jesus couldn’t escape their malignant scrutiny. They were simply glass half empty people. If they couldn’t conceive of it, produce it, attain it or somehow profit from it well, it must obviously be evil.

If you have ever been here, if these people sound familiar, then you are in good company! If they did it to Jesus and you’re His follower with your mosquito’s, your Pharisees, those attempting to perpetually dictate what is and is not acceptable for your particularly faith walk, well than as the Scriptures teaches, “Count it all joy!”

However, I do feel led here, so as not to be misconstrued or appear guilty of being aligned with or giving license to living and doing as you feel; to point out that Jesus throughout Scripture, always was about our Fathers business. He was always in prayer seeking the Fathers will and serving and doing all things to those ends. That being clarified, we can now move ahead.

Until this point in Scripture the Pharisees have for the most part been silent though Jesus has healed many of people of their infirmities. Starting in Matthews Eighth Chapter the man with leprosy is healed along with the Centurions daughter, Peter’s mother-in-law and many whom Scripture tell us were demon-possessed.

So our fellow, this mute demon-possessed man found in today’s text, was not the first by far that the people had witnessed being healed and delivered by Jesus. But it’s here in this moment, amongst this crowd that we are called today. To be part of, to witness first-hand the extreme divergence of reactions to Jesus’ faith and works.

The crowd is collectively amazed by Jesus and celebrates, sings the praises of His astonishing works. “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel” (Mat9:33)!

The Pharisees on the other hand, see only evil. Their inner darkness prohibits them from extolling or embracing the works of Pure Light. And that’s what sin does to us—it robs us not only of our sight but also of our pure voice.

How can we possibly acknowledge with praising lips that which we cannot—will not, refuse, to believe in? Impossible!

And so, when these Pharisees finally open their lips it is to accuse the Only Begotten Son of the Father of being in league with the devil listen; But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons” (Mat.9:34).

Scripture teaches us that no student is above his Master, so pay attention. If you are being called by God to do His work but it has yet to manifest or, you are currently about your Fathers business—truly about His business as Jesus was—not playing ministry with a self-given title and a showy business card…then arm yourself with the foreknowledge that if the Pharisees haven’t yet arrived, they’re coming! Their still standing stealth, hidden in the crowd observing you…

The Holy Spirit, our Revelator, illumines lesson after lesson throughout Jesus’ three plus years of earthly ministry. Instructing us that there will always be those that are for us, and there will always be those whom are against. if we are to survive, more, thrive and bear good fruit via our God-given assignments, we must follow Jesus’ example.

That is to have bottomless reserves of compassion for His people, be wise and discerning, and above these, to be in continual communion with the Father. Seeking His will, guidance, voice and approval only. Over every competing voice and emotional pull, particularly our own! “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col.3:2). Emphasis my own. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1Tim.6:12).

Jesus came into this world, His ministry—to offer it salvation, to restoration it back to the Father, foreknowing His outcome, His end. He knew these very ones calling Him Beelzebub, accusing Him of being demonically in league with the devil. These same were awaiting His birth, His life, and, unbeknownst to them, would be used as the catalysts to bring about the fulfillment of His ministry. As well as His inevitable return to The Father.

Just as Jesus knew what was ahead of Him, He too knows what awaits you. Take heart today beloved, and listen to the comforting words spoken to you through the Prophet Jeremiah of the personal love, care, protection and provision The Father has for you. “For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the LORD. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope” (Jer. 29:11).

Walk wisely and with each step know that the God who commands the Heavenly Armies goes before you, clearing the way and making your every crooked path straight. So run your race today beloved in full confidence that the same God that delivered Jesus, the Faithful and True God, is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. And He holds you in the palm of His loving, mighty Hand.

Your steps have been ordained by God. Step strong and insure confidence of not only who you are in Christ Jesus, more, who you are commanded to not distract you. Not alter your focus and purpose in Him.

Do with mosquito’s what you do with all pesky distractions. With those who, when they finally speak, speak only death over your ministry…swat them and keep it moving! Stand firm in the Lord and the power of His might…” Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Phil.4:6).

Blessings Beloved, until next time…

“Do You See What I See?” Matt. 9:23-25

May 14, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at Him (Matt 9:23-24).

Has that ever happened to you? Have you shared what you ‘v seen, your truth, only to be laughed at, belittled?

Dismissed. It’s as if what you have to say can’t possibly have relevance, is of no value. It, your knowing, simply doesn’t line up with everyone else’s knowing, therefore your input is immaterial. Take heart dear one, you’re in good company. That’s exactly what was happening to Jesus when He entered the ruler Jairus’s house and told the mourners there to go—the child is not dead.

These people were in full mourning mode, there was wailing, flutes were playing funeral dirges, and the atmosphere was pregnant with sadness and loss. Surely she was dead! What was He talking about? He thinks He sees something that we don’t!

But Jesus did see differently then, and still… He walked in and where those assembled saw death, He saw life. Where they saw an end, Jesus saw a beginning. For them, the story as they say—was over. But not so with Jesus, in fact in Him, life was just beginning…

I don’t know about you, but I am grateful to know that in a world where others could often care less, are blind in their seeing, Jesus offers a fresh perspective. A newness of sight. A throwing open of windows on warm windy days, allowing sunlight and freshness to pierce and permeate our otherwise fusty, lifeless shells… our dead hope. “And I walked and He who sat on the throne said to me, “Behold, I make all things new.” And he said to me, “Write: ‘These words are trustworthy and true” (Rev. 21:5).

Concerning our text for this week, we witness a physical resurrection. Jesus raising a girl who is factually dead.

But let’ step out beyond that one instance. Let’s broaden our view and look to how it is He meets us where we are, now, today. Single, married, divorced. Addicted, in recovery or still on the streets, He meets us. Right where we are, He meets us. He comes in and speaks to those circumstances that are wailing over our ostensible lack of life—our presumptive deadness and commands them each to leave…

Depression, sexual addiction, drugs, physical bondage—be gone!

Not you? Okay—self-doubt, cutting, childhood abuse, alcoholism, perfect life gone wrong in a snap—be gone!

There is no situation, nothing you can do or have done, regardless it’s hideousness, that has thrown you farther than God will reach to return you to himself. I know this to be true. I am not merely writing story.

The Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian Church, speaks to us about knowing the breadth and depth of the love of God and the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge so that we might be filled with the fullness of God. That’s something to hold tight to if your running on empty today…Gods fullness, it’s complete. No more lack or lacking…

If you’re feeling dead in your soul now, or in your thinking or maybe in your ability to see yourself clear of whatever this is… Hang on, help is coming. If your weariness forbids you to take another step, if the molasses your trying to walk through is just too dense, then resting at the edges of His above knowing is the best place for you to be. Stop a while and allow yourself to be refreshed in Him.

You see when Jesus entered into that rulers house He did it fore-knowing the girl was dead. He’s God. He knows everything. And it’s no different today with you and I. We’re dead in our sin. Laying on our bier waiting…It is impossible to be brought back to life, or health, joy, wholeness or peace outside of Jesus touch.

There will always be those around you who see you as little more than a dead thing. Broken. Damaged. Irreparable. No life, no chance, no way out. Stuck and staying stuck is how they’ll always view you. But take heart dear one, people may see you one way, yet God sees you quite another. Listen… “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1Sam.16:7).

Regardless what the situation you are facing today. No matter how hopeless, hang on… Irrespective of how many times you’ve tried and failed, no matter how unforgivable you may feel, how blaring your sins may seem to you, contrary to how desperate the times may feel… there is One that does not see you see yourself.

Why? It’s all in what you see.

Jesus sees us from His sole vantage point. His exclusive ability to see our end from our beginning. In other words, how it is we are going to finish this race we call life. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’ (Isa. 46:10). And because He this information is His alone, He knows to the utmost that everything truly, will be alright.

He is able to walk with cast-iron confidence into the front door of your life, and speak to the dead things inside you. Dead dreams. No hope…weariness, arise! He Commands them to wake up and be dead no more. The time for your life to begin is today. Someone, somewhere has asked the Lord to come to you, they knew you were ill/weary/broken and in need of help. And if He would but only touch you they thought…without doubt, you will rise up!

Dear one, take heart today. Just outside Jesus is at your door and He has a great plan specifically laid out for you alone, He asking you, “Do you see what I see.” Listen to Him… “ “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11).

Beloved, do you see what He sees when He looks at you? Ask Him to give you a new perspective today. Invite Him into your heart as Lord and Savior and allow Him to make all things new…

“Rest Requires Effort” Heb. 4

May 7, 2016 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

Are you familiar with the saying, “No rest for the weary?” When applied to the world as we know it, sadly this is a stark reality. But not so, or at least it should not be so for the Christian.

Allow me to explain…

We live in a society in which most Biblical principles have been, to put it mildly, throw out the window. Two such principles concern working and resting. People have made not working an art-form! However, if we look to Genesis, to the original plan, Gods plan for work and rest, we see God Himself was not exempt from either.

In fact, He is the originator of both—listen, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work” (Gen. 2:2).

Scripture clearly indicates that God worked six days and rested on the seventh, but Gods work was not a striving to accomplish a thing as it is too often with you and I. God worked in perfect ease, peace, and unity with both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:2; Jn. 1:1) And He expects nothing less of you—all else is prideful and futile. And it brings weariness and separation from Him. As in your work, so in your rest. Deviate, and all is reduced to mere striving and striving leads to separation and weakness.

So to better understand these above two principles, who better to glean from other than the Father and the Son. Each a model for work and rest. Each a teacher of the effort required us, a measure of Faith…

Nothing that exists would exist outside of Gods labor. Nothing. Let that sink in a moment. I would no longer need to be faithful in writing what God has placed on my heart for you, because you would not be here to read it! The world as we know it, would be a blank canvas—a void. “The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep” (Gen.1:1). Look around you right now—go ahead, I’ll wait…not dark or void is it?

You are witnessing the benefits of Gods work model. A model plainly laid out for us to follow. The view outside your window, work. The eyes you are reading this with, work. Nothing you have or are is free, it cost someone something. In the case of God, His Only Son. For Jesus, His life. But, blessed one, you get to have it all, use it all, and you did absolutely nothing to earn it…

No labor on your part, not a single day of work and yet, here you are… receiving.

That’s an inconceivable benefit wouldn’t you agree? And, if you’re reading this—you have it! Now ask yourself, have you ever had or heard tell of, any employer, anywhere in the world, that provides such benefits? No, No you haven’t.

Why? No such creature exists.

There is only One who was willing to work for you, to produce all that you are and have. His name?

Jesus, The Word—listen… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.…” (Gen. 1:1-3). Emphasis added.

His intentions were multifarious. You see, in Gods economy, He does something once, and He does it perfectly. And within His singular effort, within that one “thing”, a seed was placed so He never has to go back and do it again. God works smart, not hard—there’s a lesson in there if you caught it…

Yet notice, that first God worked and then He rested.

Resting…requires effort.

And, providentially for us, God gave us what we need to do the work of resting in Him.

Faith. it is the standard by which we correctly appraise ourselves. (see Rom.12:3)

Rest requires us to use our faith. We must trust in God and His promises to be able to completely rest in Him as Jesus did. And do it now, in this world. Resting in Christ requires us to enter a covenant relationship with Him. You’ll simply never trust a person you don’t know. So it was in the Old Testament with the Israelite’s, and so it is with today with many.

“For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. (Heb.4:2).

How can you trust God with your life if you don’t trust the very One asking for entrance into it? Impossible! You’ll forever wrestle for control over it. Trust requires faith. And faith will result in leading you gradually into Gods rest.

As we see in the above Scripture, many of the Israelite’s missed out on the rest God was trying to lead them into because they would not believe. Their faith in God was wanting, hardened, works orientated, resulting in their missing entrance into Canaan. Their preordained promised place of rest, providence, and the provision God had prepared for them.

Which delivers us to the door of His intentions for our rest…

On the sixth day God rested, and, when Jesus finished His Redemptive work on the Cross, He too rested at the right hand of the Father. These examples were meant to model for us the necessity for resting from our labors. All of our labors. And to come into the welcomed awareness that outside of Christ we can do nothing. But with Him and through His power and providence, we can do all things and never enervate.

Man was not created to live apart from God. We were created in His image, to work and have fellowship—communion and rest in Him. “And God saith, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Gen 1:26).

It is into His Rest God is calling you, now—while it is still today. A rest from your striving, struggling in your flesh, in a useless effort to try to attain godliness. Just read Romans chapter 7 to see how that ends. Rather, Chapter Eight of Romans teaches us that as a Christian you must live in the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised the dead body of Jesus from the grave. By the working of His Spirit in you, you are able, in part, to live a godly life, (see Romans 8:1-17).

This is resting, or abiding in Him (John 15:1-14).

Which leads us into our closing—The rewards of rest.

When you choose to live free, abandoning yourself to receive the redemptive work of Jesus, then and only then, might you enter into salvation’s rest. Freed from your striving and misconceptions, you’ve now come into the knowledge that Jesus took care of all the work that will ever need to be done to make you, “good enough”. You need to stop striving after Gods approval—from always working to gain something you can’t have outside of faith in Jesus.

Because outside of His righteousness and sanctifying work there is no “good enough”. Trying to gain God by being lawful and religious, minus a genuine relationship with, and faith in Jesus, will only end you up like the Israelite’s. Dead in the desert.

You will never be—good enough. Stop it. Stop trying to fix yourself by yourself. You can’t.

But the good news is there is One that worked for you. He made certain that if you wanted Him, if you wanted to taste rest from all the stuff you’ve known in your life; He’s made a way for you to do just that.

Listen, “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). After His death and resurrection, He gave us a Comforter, The Holy Spirit. And in Him we have a deposit in these fleshly vessels, a taste of His rest now. An installment on the payment in full that is to come when we are in the presence of God eternally.

You can have it today, that rest…

Regardless of what anyone has ever told you about you, or worse yet, what you have told yourself about yourself.

But as with Joshua (a forerunner and allusion to Christ) who couldn’t deliver the Israelite’s where their faith wouldn’t take them, so it is with Jesus also. He can’t deliver someone who refuse to be delivered. He will never take you where you do not want to go. Even though in His great love for you, He died to ensure His rest might be yours.

And speaking of His rest, listen… “God again set a certain day, calling it Today. This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Heb.4:7).

God has sent me to tell you that it is “Today.”

Please, don’t follow the example of those that died in the wilderness when the Promised Land is awaiting your arrival…

May God Bless you and guide your steps, In Jesus Matchless name, Amen.

Tag: Salvation (Page 16 of 16)

“I’ve Been Where You Are.” 2 Cor.5:11-21

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“Eyewitnesses” 2Pt.1:19

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“You Were Made For This”… Esther 4:14

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“Living Sacrifices?” Rom. 12

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“Temporary Temples x3” ; 2Chron.2:5-6

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“When They Finally Have Something To Say”… Mat. 9:32-34

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“Do You See What I See?” Matt. 9:23-25

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“Rest Requires Effort” Heb. 4

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