Tag: Truth (Page 5 of 6)

Get Good Friends.

June 19, 2021 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” –Proverbs 27:17.

Our friendships are some of the most important relationships we have in this life. And a good friend knows the best and worst versions of us…

They know what makes our eyes light up and what makes our blood boil. Our friends have seen our tears, both happy and sad. They’ve celebrated our victories and shared comforting or encouraging words when we most needed them. Often, those we call friends can have great sway over us. So, depending on the type of friends you’re surrounding yourself with, your opinions are apt to change. I would dare to say that most people are not the resolved, independent thinkers they may credit themselves to be. Think about it: When you spend time with one group of friends, you may think what they have to say makes sense, rendering you agreeable to their opinions. Get around a different group of friends, those who offer differing or opposing information on the same subject, and suddenly, your opinion may change yet again. One of the many powers of friendship is its potential to sway us, one way or another. So, the question then is not if you are growing within your friendships; instead, how are we growing within them?

Are your friendships nudging you toward God, or are they moving you away from Him?

Thankfully, the Bible has so much to say about friendship. Proverbs 27:17 reads, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” So, who is sharpening you?

As I was considering this verse the other day, I had this profound realization regarding Iron sharpening iron. I have never heard of an iron blade sharpened by wood or pure gold. Why? I believe the answer is evident. Iron is denser than both materials. Knife blades carve wood, and hand files are used in shaping gold, but neither gold nor wood would have any tangible impact on shaping iron. It takes a compound of equal or greater strength to sharpen an object made of iron. So too, our Christian friends, like iron blades, keep us sharp when it comes to our friendships.

Suppose we don’t refresh ourselves through Godly relationships. In that case, our faith gets weaker and our spirits duller as we allow ourselves to be inundated with secular ideologies—“Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy.” –Proverbs 27:9. Yes, we can read our Bibles, go to church, listen to podcasts, watch sermons, and read books. Each of these is a necessary thing in our Christian walk; I believe that. But suppose our “friendship time” is filled with ungodly relationships? In that case, we become people then filled with a bunch of head knowledge minus the Godly accountability that undergirds the Truth we’ve found in God’s Word. As I think about what’s happening around the world, I sometimes get overwhelmed, trying not to get caught up in the fear and uncertainty running rampant through the earth. I must remind myself that there is hope, and I believe that hope can be found in the Church of Jesus Christ because God’s Spirit is alive in His people. “… it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” Galatians 2:20.

Over this past year, it became far too easy for people to get comfortable watching church from home; then going on about their everyday lives through the rest of their week. From the couch, they watch a sermon on Sunday in solitude, moving on then to their jobs and families, forgetting somehow that there is, needs to be, a gathering of the believers. As I reflected on this new reality of how many have been “doing Church,” I gained a new appreciation for the weight of the Truth found in Hebrews 10:25. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” I now possess a greater understanding of the importance of gathering with other like-minded people. Why? Because being around our Christian community challenges us to uphold God’s standard to the best of our ability. Rather than being swayed by the eloquent words of the world, being in church receiving solid teaching and submitting ourselves to the ministry regularly reminds us of what the Bible teaches us.

And while it’s comfortable to stay home on Sunday morning, the danger lies in getting caught up in the undertow of the world, drifting further and further away from the Godly influences His righteous people have in our lives. Suddenly, secular ideologies don’t sound so bad now. Why? Because the people you’ve surrounded yourself with have given you ample reasons to believe what it is they believe. And all the while, without you even realizing it, your flame is growing dimmer and dimmer. Although you’ve been given the power to influence the world, drawing them to Christ, instead, you’ve allowed your blade to become dull, unused.

Those who don’t know the Word of God will never be able to sharpen you in the things of God.

Conversely, establishing relationships with other believers sharpens your blade, enabling you then to inscribe an imprint on the world around you. From the above passages, we learn that Godly friendships will encourage you and move you towards loving as God loves and doing good according to God’s standard of good. They will refresh your soul and make you strong. I have a newfound appreciation for my Christian friendships. I love my neighbors and coworkers, mind you, but there is just something special about the encouragement that comes from my brothers and sisters in Christ.

When I consider the constant barrage of shifting opinions and ideas that come at me from others, whether via social media, the news, or just from those I encounter daily, I remind myself of my need for the consistency of God’s Word. In a world swirling with confusion and ever-changing opinions, the Word of God is the one thing that always remains constant; it is our solid rock. “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built” –Luke 6:47-48.

Putting God’s Word into practice builds that strong foundation in your life.

And having Godly friends and community around you is vital to your living a Godly life. If you don’t yet have a community of Christian friends, I strongly encourage you to find a church where you can form solid Christian friendships that will sharpen you and encourage you to live according to God’s will and Word.

If you haven’t yet accepted Jesus into your heart, consider this your invitation to become a part of the family of God. The Bible says in 1 John 1:9 that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” When you humble yourself and repent before the Lord, He will cleanse your heart and give you a new identity in Him.

Welcome to the family!

Tag, Your It.

May 29, 2021 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” –Acts 10:34-35.

Everything was about to be upended for Peter—yet again. By this point in his walk with the Lord, I have to wonder if Peter had begun to figure out that the only thing that will ever remain the same for as long as he walks with the Lord, the only thing guaranteed to stay the same, is the Lord, Himself?

If biblical chronology is correct, some seven or eight months had passed since the Lord ascended back to the Father. Six or seven months since the Holy Spirit had been poured out on those gathered together in the Upper Room and since Peter had preached his first sermon and Christ’s Church was born. We can read all about these things in the Book of Acts, Chapters One through Five.

By this point in Peter’s walk, by the time Peter meets Cornelius in Acts Chapter 10 that is, God has already commissioned Peter as a leader over his brothers and sisters and His Church. He’s also been told to elect another to fill Judas Iscariot’s place among them. God has used Peter to heal a man who’d been lame since birth; and along with the Apostle John, Peter has also been taken into custody and forbidden by the Sadducees to teach using the name of Jesus. And, Peter has confronted Ananias and Saphira about their lying to the Holy Spirit, which resulted in their deaths. He and John were sent to Samaria to spread and teach God’s Word. Additionally, in Acts nine, Peter visits fellow believers in Lydda. The Lord uses him there to heal Aeneas, who’d been bedridden for eight years due to paralysis, and raise a young girl named Dorcas; some say, Tabitha, from the dead. You can read each of these accounts in the following Scriptures: Acts 1:16-26; 2:14-36; 3:6-8; 4:3-18; 5:3-9;8:14;9:32-40.

We catch up with Peter in Acts 10. We’ll find him in Joppa, a seaport town about 40 some miles south of Caesarea, at the home of Simon, the tanner. Being a devout Jew, I found it noteworthy that Peter would have chosen to stay with someone who would have been considered unclean, due to his chosen profession. After all, in a minute, we’ll read how Peter decries God’s instruction to kill and eat what the law teaches is unclean. A law Peter had painstakingly followed his entire life! “Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” –Acts 10:9-15.

So to find Peter staying in the home of someone who handles dead animal carcasses, a person another devout Jew would shun Peter for even associating with, is nothing short of unconscionable for this out-front, chosen leader of the Way. “The carcass of any animal which divides the foot, but is not cloven-hoofed or does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches it shall be unclean. And whatever goes on its paws, among all kinds of animals that go on all fours, those are unclean to you. Whoever touches any such carcass shall be unclean until evening. Whoever carries any such carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. It is unclean to you” –Leviticus 11:26-28. But God was on the move. And everything was about to change—forever.

As I said earlier, everything in Peter’s life was about to be upended, yet again. Very soon, Peter would face having to choose to place the full weight of the knowledge, faith, and trust he had on his Lord’s leading, regardless of it being unconventional, controversial, and undoubtedly unorthodox. Or, he’d have to turn away from His Master’s prompting, clinging instead to the law and teachings that had guided him since his youth. Because in a short twenty-four hours, all those traditions and rules, the religious rites and rituals that Peter had clung to so fiercely would all be upended.

Peter’s unraveling had begun on the rooftop of a tanner in Joppa, and it would reach its climax inside the home of yet another unlikely soul in Caesarea. Now, as Peter was in prayer on the rooftop of Simon’s house, the Lord, as only He can, broke through time and space with a message that challenged Peter to his very core. God needed Peter to shift, to move with Him and His plan for the future of His Church and all His people. There are times God will use the unorthodox, the unconventional, the new, and different to shake up the religiosity that has taken hold of us. All the “familiar” that we’ve allowed to enshroud us, blind us, stunting our growth. Stopping us from remembering that we can not, must not ever, put God in a box or attach some succinct, precise formula to how He will or does move or decide to show up. Jesus Himself is our most perfect example of this Truth.

“The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth” –Acts 10:9-11. On this great sheet was every kind of unclean animal. Peter saw all those repugnant animals that the law forbade and was instantly repelled by them. So when the Lord commands him to kill and eat, Peter barks back and tells God no. “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean” –Acts10:14.

Saying no to God is never a good idea. He is God, and we are not. And, as we’ll see, God had His way with Peter in the end.

Scripture indeed points towards Peter’s staying in the house of an unclean, gentile tanner to be no mere accident; more, it appears to be a herald, a preparation of sorts for Peter. Because soon, three men would appear and ask him to follow them. One commentary sums things up this way: The Jews already considered gentiles to be unclean. By drawing Peter into the home of a gentile tanner – the dirtiest of the dirty – God was breaking down barriers and preparing Peter as a vessel to pour out His blessing onto the gentiles.

Enter Cornelious.

While Peter was still atop Simon’s roof trying to sort out what he was to glean from God’s dropping that sheet before him, three men sent by a Roman Centurion named Cornelius to locate Peter show up to escort him to Caesarea. They’d been dispatched to accompany him to the home of yet another gentile. “Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate” –Acts 10:17.

Skipping ahead for time’s sake, these men tell Peter who they are and why they’ve come. “And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him” –Acts 10:22-23. Yet their news was only confirmation for Peter as the Holy Spirit had already revealed to him that He wanted Peter to go with these men when they arrived. “While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” –Acts 10:19-20.

Again, skipping ahead, Cornelius has assembled his close friends and family in anticipation of Peter’s arrival. Before leaving Joppa, the men sent to accompany him tell Peter that an angel had visited Cornelius and told him to send for him. Upon arriving in Caesarea, Peter goes into Cornelius’ house, but not before making him aware that it is against the law for a Jew to be doing what he is doing. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” –Acts 10:28-29.

One last skip, I promise, and we’ll arrive at our destination:

In answer to Peter’s question, Cornelius outlines all that the angel had shared with him: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us” Acts 10:30-33.

And in that nanosecond, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, Peter gets it. The Light has shone inside of him, illuminating Truth and God’s glorious plan for His Church. A Truth and plan Peter never would have been able to grasp, outside of God doing something so unconventional. “Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” –Acts 10:34.

Tag. Your It! And just like that, we, each gentile believer, from Cornelius and those gathered in his household, were grafted into the Body of Christ. Jew and Gentile now, one in Messiah. As Peter shared the Gospel message with this group of gentiles, salvation became there’s! Yet this plan for the grafting in of the gentiles isn’t new, however. We caught our first glimpse of it back in the garden. It’s just now being unfolded, revealed afresh to Peter that he might ensure that God’s intended plan for His Church be carried out to the letter. But more on that next week. Remember, friends; God has set precise times and seasons for all things.

The Apostle Paul’s teaching on why this has occurred ought to lead us towards living our lives with great humility and boldness for the Lord. And for the things of the Lord, yet tenderly and with reverence for the grace and mercy shown us by such a loving Father. “Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you” –Romans 11:13-18.

Brothers and sisters, I encourage you in the Lord to seek Him afresh in this season, to purify your hearts. Shaking off any spiritual slumber that has hampered you, all fear, and any confusion that has troubled the Body of Christ over this past year, instead, seek the Lord for what it is He’ll have you do now, while it is still day. “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” –Isaiah 55:6-9.

And dear friend, if you have yet to meet our unconventional and Loving Lord, Jesus the Christ, I hope that you’ll pause wherever you are right now and ask Him to make Himself as real and tangible to you as He did for Peter as he prayed on Simons rooftop.

Be sure to return next week for the conclusion of “Tag. You’re It…”

Loving Others like God Does…

November 21, 2020 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and perseveres” –1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Loving anyone according to God’s pattern of love can be challenging. God’s command to “love our neighbor as we love ourselves” categorically challenges how many in this world understand love.

Assuredly, friends, 2020 has been a year of unprecedented changes. A season of ground-breaking exposures and truths revealed. Of a virus that forced us all behind masks—literally changing the face of everything. So, in a world that is so plainly and rapidly changing culturally, a world that claims inclusion while often unashamedly offering up selective pockets of exclusion, is it any wonder we hear this term “cancel-culture” used? Cancel culture by definition says: withdraw public support from public figures, companies, even from friends, colleagues, and family members who allegedly perpetuate or engage in what it deems as problematic behaviors. A hot topic for sure but please, hear me out. While at first glance this system of beliefs may sound reasonable, offering a measure of accountability to others even, it also sows seeds of deliberate division in our country. Claiming in part that anyone who holds a perspective or to ideals or beliefs contrary to those this voice of counter-cultural deems acceptable is often mocked, ridiculed—no longer welcomed at their table. Other factors dividing our nation today have been our idolizing political parties or their candidates, our collective pride, and overall unfriendliness –among believers and unbelievers alike.

It remains a challenge for many Christians today to not become distracted by the world’s constantly clanging cymbals of current events, and its 24-hour news cycles. Yet despite all the clamoring, as believers, we must hold tight to the very bedrock of what is fixed and unchanging – the inerrant Truth found in God’s Word. Even amid what feels like a never-ending cultural storm. The bedrock of God’s Word is where our firm foundation lays—so, if we have drifted from that place, we must repent and return. Returning our attention and devotion to God, to our bibles, rather than blankly fixing our gaze on our television set. Rededicating our attention and time back to sitting at the Lord’s feet, not mindlessly scrolling through social media. We must be willing to ask ourselves, and each other, the challenging questions:

“How is Jesus Christ being glorified in my every conversation?”

“How are we as Christians demonstrating our faith to a world that is both watching and listening to most everything we say and do?”

“What is God revealing to us in this season? What is our role as believers in what He is revealing? And how can we best be His hands and feet—partnering with Him to bring healing to another?”

“What areas of our lives, my life specifically, require sincere repentance, humility, and prayer?”

Saying all of this then, how do we as Christians respond to the many contentious voices of counterculture? To being shut down, or shut out when our voice or beliefs, our morals, those things we hold dear can’t possibly subscribe to this “new norm” this culture’s agenda?

Our response as Christians must be love—always love. The driving force behind Jesus’s every action was love, not loathing—never just canceling another out. Loving our neighbor as ourselves is part of what sets us apart as followers of Jesus. “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”–Matthew 22: 37-40. Scripture assures me that it is only God’s incredible love that can heal hearts of stone, turning them then into hearts of flesh! Scripture also reminds me that, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” –1 John 4:18. And, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” –1 Peter 4:8.

One of my loudest and most challenging prayer points this season has been, Jesus, teach me, show me how to love like you, even if I don’t feel like it. That’s my raw and honest prayer. I realized my need to pray this way after a few disagreements with loved ones over the issue of counterculture. If I’m being transparent here, I realized I was not modeling the love of Christ with my words nor my actions. Amid intense arguments, I would say hurtful things to the other person out of spite, for fear of losing the argument. I engaged in conversations crossly, not with the intent of being understood, rather, to be right. I remember times when I held on to a grudge to the point where forgiveness felt impossible—times I did not want to persevere in a difficult relationship. Then I was “drop to my knees” humbled. When I expected God’s anger—instead, I received mercy and grace. I received forgiveness, the very forgiveness I needed to extend to others. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” – Matthew 6:14. God’s love is kind, it does not dishonor others, it is not easily angered, and it isn’t proud. It is not self-seeking; it perseveres and rejoices with the truth.

So, what does the pure love of God look like within a culture that is often hostile towards God—His commands? That often lends its nod of approval towards the spirit of division or fear or exclusion?

As Christians, we must always be Light in the world. We must be imitators of Jesus. Period. Offering respect—even when we differ. This is the culture we need to foster, encouraging and welcoming “whosoever will” to join in. Remember friends, Jesus welcomed Judas to the table being fully aware of his impending betrayal—who are we to not be willing to extend this same love to those who simply disagree with us? Our conversations then must be laced with understanding, yet we must never compromise biblical accuracy for the sake of cultural relevancy. We as Christians ought not to participate, nor endorse, anything that cancels out another—God alone is every man’s just Judge. He alone determines another’s fate, not us. Remember, it is by God’s Sovereign grace and His election of you alone that you have a relationship with Jesus—and I for one praise God for that! “If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world” -John 15:19.

So, in these unprecedented and trying times, as believers, let’s work to bring about unity by sharing God’s love—knowing fully His love heals, redeems, and casts out all fear. Fear and anxiety of the future are at an all-time high, yet as followers of Jesus Christ, we have the blessed assurance, the peace that comes from knowing that the Lord is living in us. What a perfect reason to encourage peace and hope through our sharing and modeling the gospel of Jesus Christ for, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” –Galatians 3:28.

Brothers and sisters, we hold good news for the world— a world that so desperately needs God’s love. My prayer is that you fix your heart, mind, and soul on Jesus—not on those clanging cymbals of ever-changing cultural norms. Leave them to God. That you, Christian, if you have strayed, return to the feet of Jesus with repentance, a pure heart, and a desire to obtain Christ’s perspective on all that is happening around us. And, most importantly, if you don’t yet know Jesus Christ – I pray that you seek Him today. Asking Him to come into your heart—into your life. He loves you unconditionally, and He is the only remedy needed to heal your hurting heart.

Higher Than Our Own. Isaiah 55:8-9

September 21, 2019 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours.
    Your ways are not like mine.
Just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways,
    and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.”

In preparation for this week’s teaching, I went to sit beside the ocean to get alone with the Lord. I parked the car close to a popular local inlet where the small craft anchor. A particular dingy caught my eye…

Staring at it I thought, “that little guy looks as though it could sink at any moment.” Compared that is, to some of the sturdier-looking, larger boats anchored nearby. Looking away, I continued on in prayer. But once again this little boat caught my eye. This time, however, it appeared to be listing. Signaling the beginning of an inescapable watery demise. “I had a feeling that little boat would eventually go down. It didn’t appear at all seaworthy.” As I continued to watch what I saw instead caused me to literally shout, ‘no way!”’ The waves had caused it to shift directions and I saw it was fully righted! Not only had that little boat not gone under, it was effortlessly bobbing along being piloted by the tides that had it safely hemmed in. What I was certain I had seen had been little more than an optical illusion. My eyes playing tricks on me. A complete misread on my part…

And then God spoke. Impressing on my heart that: I wasn’t to always trust what I saw in front of me rather, to steadfastly rely solely upon what I know to be True of Him. Trusting in His Sovereignty, mercy, grace, and, power. He reminded me to always have my faith securely anchored in Him; my mind and thoughts captive to His will alone. There are many illusions in this world…

Satan is a master of illusion and deception. And, He is busier now than ever knowing his time is at hand. God’s elect must be even more vigilant. Leaving no opening in our armor through which he might gain entrance. “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible” –Mark 13:22.

God had convicted me of the cracks in my own armor; as quickly as I had judged this little boat of being unseaworthy, so too had I judged myself unworthy to serve Him by comparing myself to those I felt were far more gifted—more qualified than myself. I’d allowed temporary feelings of unworthiness to serve God and His people to supersede what I know He alone has called and equip me to do. Serve! Whenever and wherever He leads me. I was instantly humbled by the realization that not only had I been allowing myself to entertain lies, questioning my very election, entertaining my fears, doubts, and insecurities as one entertains friends; allowing them access into places mere acquaintances are not permitted, I had, unawares, projected my feelings of inadequacy onto that little boat! Thus, falsely judging us both as unseaworthy…

That’s when God convicted my heart! Who was I to judge the gifts He’s given me? His grace? Who was I to question His reasoning for choosing me for Himself?

And so, if I don’t make it my business to stay close to Christ daily, standing firm and fixed, minute-by-minute on who He says I am, I will, according to my own estimation, find myself sorely wanting. Unworthy to serve such a Holy God—or His people. Knowing my own sin and shortcomings I will judge myself as a vessel of dishonor, rather than one of gold or silver having been made pure, not by my own works or worth, rather by His. In this Truth, I was allowed a far deeper, more personal revelation of meaning behind Paul’s words: “But to me it is a very small thing to be judged by you, or by man’s day; but neither do I judge my own self”–1 Corinthians 4:3.

Our self-worth, my self-worth friends, should not be grounded in the esteem or opinion nor in the rejection of others—man’s flesh is far too fickle, untrustworthy, and ever-changing to ever take fully to heart. First, it blows this way and then that. One minute calling out Hosanna and with its next breath, crucify Him! Neither should we fully put our trust in self-assessments, least we think either too highly or too lowly of ourselves. Yet if our conscious pricks us, we must be certain to examine it. But it is to God alone that we must look to for every good thing in our lives. Starting with the foundational Truth of who we are and who He is in our lives, ministry, work, and worth. Only His Truth is irrefutable. Our sure standard.

His Word clearly tells us: “All else is sinking sand…” –Matthew 7:24-27.

Now, before I move on, allow me to clarify a point: By no means do I mean to suggest that we should not examine ourselves, our lives, and hearts, our consciences. Quite the contrary, as Christians, we must keep a close eye on the condition of our hearts and thoughts, our words, and actions. Through prayer and the reading of the Scriptures, through our daily communion with the Holy Spirit, we must ask the Lord, day by day, to search out anything in us that is not of Him. And, should our conscience convict us of sin, we must, by His power, rid our lives of its corrupt root; least our hearts become hardened by its unchecked presence. We must repent, quickly.

Our Scripture verse today harkens back to the days of King David who, at the time of this writing has been dead some 250 years. Thus signifying that our Scripture verses are directed not at unbelievers since they are directed at David and Israel, but rather at believers. And, though applicable in Isaiah’s day surely, they are also prophetic; reaching their hand into the pocket of today’s Church, speaking directly to you and me. God’s Truth is eternal and unchanging. Our verses declare, in part, just who God is and who we are in comparison. There is no room in His declaration for neither question nor doubt. God’s Sovereignty is on clear display in these verses. Therefore, as believers living in times fraught with illusions, lies, and false accusation, we must be convinced, resolute in the fact that we are who God says we are and not fall prey to those feelings that swing us this way one moment and that another, tossing us first here, then there…

Beloved, if this has hit your heart if you’ve been judging yourself as I’ve judged myself of late, may I suggest you steal away and spend some quiet time alone with the Lord. Ask Him to reveal afresh the Truth of who you are in Him and to make clear to you once again, your purpose and calling in Him. The field is white my brothers and sisters, we must be steadfastly about our Father’s business throwing off, as our brother Paul instructs us, every weight that hinders us.

And friend, if you find yourself here today saying, I’ve felt like this too! Know this, God has led you here as surely as He led me to that little dingy. If you’ve yet to ask Jesus to come into your life as Lord and Savior, please do it now. He’s led you here and He loves you. But He won’t force Himself on you…

I Want You, but You Must Decide…

March 31, 2019 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

What do we do then when Jesus shows up—the Light of His presence exposing us? Our sins laid bare before us both. Indisputable. Catching us, not Him, unawares…

Reading through the account of “The Rich Young Ruler” I caught a glimpse of my heart. Well, at least I saw one idol that was sitting quite smugly upon it —one that I had allowed to reign where only God alone belongs. Must always remain. Money is its name, this idol of mine. More specifically, the discomfits and sacrifices its lack may cause me. And as of this moment it is only a “may”. Some possible future thing yet to have happened; nothing has changed. Financially speaking that is. Nonetheless, it was in this “just catching a glimpse that something may change moment” that my idol was exposed. In a nano-second I lost the sure footing I’d felt just that one second before. I was suddenly off-balance, falling, unexpectedly tugged, the solid ground beneath me failing me now….

Because isn’t that the point of this young man’s story? The ground beneath him, and I, had been unexpectedly shaken in Jesus’ pointing out of the idols that have clutched our hearts? The death grip of these things that have been allowed to exalt themselves above God? Isn’t that what a loving God comes and does for us; unsteadies our ground, forcing us to reevaluate our footing? Doesn’t He show up, at just the right time, in love, to show us a better way? The way of life, not of stuff. The prosperity preachers seem to pass that over most times. But that’s for a different day…

In that instant we feel as naked before Him as the day we were born. With nowhere to hide He exposes our sin and reveals that—for as long as we continue to live in this body, in this world, we will repeatedly be exposed to experiencing these pebbles of painful revelation found in our proverbial shoes that we might grow. These uncomfortable choices that will force us to stop and remove them least our journey be somehow permanently hindered, or worse. These sins in our camp that must be exposed, dealt with, and, removed. There will always be these moments when we will be made to feel off-balance. These “suddenly” moments when the Light of His Love will shine into the darkness of some tucked away sin, some stronghold or idol that must, for our betterment, must be destroyed. God is far more interested in our characters than in our comfort. Thus, as with the young man in Marks Gospel, we too will be faced with making the choice Jesus has offered Him. It, your idol, or Me?

The choice afforded him, us too, is to follow Jesus. To willingly leave behind our idols, our false sense of security, our creature comforts, perhaps—those “things” we feel we must have in order for our world to run smoothly. In order for us to feel sure-footed, of having everything in order, under control. Not because God does not want us to have things mind you, that’s not it. More to the point, God doesn’t want things to have us. To rule and reign over us—in our hearts, above Him; becoming the god that keeps our world running smoothly and, our things the proof of our accomplishments and abilities. All the while pushing the One True God off of His rightful place—the very center of our lives and hearts. Dismissing Him as being our All-in All. Our more than enough. The One who is so much more than we deserve. The Giver of life. The only true Source of every good thing. The One that valued our lives so dearly He laid down His own to ransom them.

Rather, whether intentionally—as with this rich young ruler, or in continued conscious rebellion, as with most of us ( we are often far too aware of those sins we chose to continue to push back under the table of deniability each time they threaten to pop their heads out from beneath like the a dog lacking discipline groveling.) we must choose, over and over and over again, for as long a we live, just who it is that truly reigns Sovereign in our lives? Us, with our willful wants and needs and have-to-haves, or Jesus?

At the end of the day do we really mean what we say: Thy will be done in my life Lord?

And I do believe, that if we love Jesus, truly, if we’ve surrendered our lives to Him—rather, been chosen by Him, in Him, then yes, we do want His perfect will to be the standard for our lives. Because it is His will, alive and burning and leading and guiding us within that causes this desire to surrender into His loving hands any-thing He might ask of us. Unto our very lives. We hunger for Him to be our True North. The One we follow—come what may; no matter the terrain, contrary to anything that may be required of us to give up—or over to, to be surrendered, knocked down, destroyed, or abandoned altogether.

In closing, our idol never sits alone. Typically, it is always accompanied by its cohort, its devotee, its banker and backer, pride. Pride always wants the best seat. The front row. It will always attempt to set our paltry idols up on a Kings throne. Anemic. It was pride coupled with a false sense of security and identity that caused our rich young friend to turn away from Jesus’ humble offer to follow Him rather than chasing after the short-term pleasures of this world.

False identity that will one day rot and be eaten up by moth and flame—leaving its reward in its wake…

Once again, this day, so many years after He first came and called me to Himself, asked if I would leave it all behind for His name sake; the Light of God’s saving love has shone brightly, yet again, exposing some thing I have allowed to sit, however briefly, upon a Throne reserved for Christ alone. And, though it is my true desire to upend this imposter from Gods rightful place in my heart, I acknowledge that without Him, willing it alone, I have no permanent power to topple them. My willpower is insufficient. Had it been enough, they’d never gained access into me in the first place. Therefore, I take the greatest comfort that even in this, even though I allowed the imposter in, He has assured me, promised even “Everything is possible with God.” It is defeated in Jesus name! I am thankful that with God and, in His strength, pride and every idol it dares to back will be defeated—because of who He is and what He alone has done…

So then, what do we do then when Jesus shows up—the Light of His presence exposing us? Our sin laid bare before us both, indisputable. Catching us, not Him, unawares? Firstly, we thank Him for such a gift. Then, we must make the only real and lasting choice there is. Trust God. Irrespective of our fears, contrary to whatever may come—we must, we must always and in all of our ways choose God, first.

My brothers and sisters be encouraged today remembering this, our Father only chastens those He loves. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” –Hebrews 12:5-7

Dearest friend, if you are questioning “is there a God who truly loves me” the answer in an unequivocal and eternal, yes! He is the reason you’re here right now, reading this. He wants to help answer the questions of your heart. To demonstrate that though you may be faced with difficult decisions, He fully understands. He met you here today specifically to ask, “won’t you follow me?” So then, won’t you please say yes to Him today? 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! For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! –Romans 5:8-10

Doubts. Luke 7:19

November 18, 2018 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One (the Messiah), or should we look for someone else?”

Nothing was turning out as John the Baptist had hoped. He had some questions…

He has been imprisoned by Herod Antipas. Roman reign is still as exacting as August’s humidity despite all the good that this Jesus was doing. And, more, Jesus—his relative, the one he once pointed towards and declared to be, “the Lamb of God” has yet to deliver their people from their enemies. How could this mild man who instructs all those who follow him to, “love their enemies” be their long-awaited Messiah? He is no David. No mighty warrior. And where is his army? How does he plan on crushing Rome and freeing his people?

John’s discouragement has blinded him to the Truth he’s recognized since he was in his mother’s womb. A Truth that had wooed him into the Judean wilderness then, inescapably, to the banks of the murky waters of the Jordan where he’d baptize his people—and Jesus.

He has done everything he knows to do and yet nothing has changed…

Have you ever felt like that?

Have you ever waited and waited for Jesus to move in a specific way in your life; all-the-while nothing is happening the way you expected it would? You place check mark after check mark on your proverbial calendar—marking the passing of days so similar that if not for the big red checks next to each—you wouldn’t be able to distinguish one from the other. Vanilla days that run into vanilla nights—day after day after day. Rather than moving forward, you feel as though you’ve gone backward! Your feelings of discouragement—disillusionment, and frustration are as near to you as the air of your next breath. Take heart beloved, you’re in good company…

This man John was exactly that—a mere man. Fragile. Sinful. One minute on fire the next wrestling with his doubts. We forget that. After all, he was John the Baptist. Yet, his deep questioning, his wresting with his faith reveals a certain fragile humanity to us. This same one who would later humbly confess that he wasn’t even worthy to untie the straps of Jesus’ sandals though a prophet, and Jesus’ forerunner, was nonetheless a man like you and me. Though he avowed that he must decrease that Jesus may increase—nevertheless, he was a man. Bold in his doubt. He too had the same sinful predispositions as you and I. He faced the same temptations. He too lost patience, and he, like us, acted inappropriately at times also. Yet, this reverential mere-man is the one to whom the honor of recognizing Jesus as Messiah was given!

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” 1 Corinthians 1:27-29.

Yet despite all of this, John had momentarily lost sight of who this Jesus truly is. Something that’s easier to do than we’d care to admit. It is for me at least. If I take my eyes off Him for too long, wham, I’m underwater! We who follow and serve our Lord often have the propensity to take ourselves a bit too seriously…

In reading Luke’s biblical account, it’s obvious Johns disciples had told him all about Jesus having healed a Roman Centurions valued slave, saving him from near death. And, then, how He did in fact raise a widow’s dead son back to life in the village of Nain. Add this knowledge—these miracles, to everything else John had seen and heard tell of Jesus and one must wonder if Johns question wasn’t meant to force Jesus into declaring publicly what John himself believed, yet wanted assurance of; is Jesus Israel’s Messiah? John appears to have lost sight momentary, of this sure knowledge, a fixed Truth he had openly professed not so long ago… “Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One” –John 1:32-34.

John had openly testified that this Jesus he’d baptized—this same one he’d declared to be the Lamb of God is in fact, God’s Chosen One. Israel’s Messiah. Yet, even in his knowing, disillusionment had momentarily stolen this truth from him. Sound familiar? Have you, like John, become so disillusioned with how Jesus has chosen to move in your life or circumstances, or, in the events of the world in which we live, that you’re trying to force Jesus’ hand? Are you trying to spur Jesus along too, challenging Him to “show Himself? Are you trying to force Him to move as you think He should? Expected He would?

Johns provocative question concerning Jesus’ being Israels Messiah is in essence saying, “if you don’t do things the way I believe they should be done, then I think I may have to start looking toward someone else, following after another.” Things just weren’t lining up for John. Jesus was not acting anything like what John anticipated a warring deliver should. From the onset of his ministry he’d been proclaiming Jesus would come in judgement of the world—bringing fire with Him. Yet this Jesus spoke mostly of forgiveness and love. John didn’t realize that this judgement would in fact come later on–at Jesus’ Second Coming. For now, Jesus was here to offer the world salvation. John had quickly forgotten the prophecies of the Old Testament. He’d forgotten Jesus couldn’t announce Himself as their Messiah. Only the Spirit of God could make that pronouncement —not flesh and blood. Jesus’ works and Words would do the testifying as to who He was. These would be His proofs… “If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father” — John 10:37-38.

We must remember that, as it was with John so too it is with you and I…

The most devout among us is a mere man. And, at any moment we will fall to our fears and doubts if we aren’t watchful. We mustn’t allow ourselves to become blinded by what we know to be right or true. Rather, we must keep our eyes fixed on the One with whom God declared He was well pleased. Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith. When we, like John, allow ourselves to become disillusioned and disappointed, blinded to the Truth of who Jesus is—and who we are in Him, when we confuse feelings, and opinions with faith, and, it will happen somewhere in our walk with Him, then we too will question His Truth living inside of us. On that day may He have the same great mercy and compassion He showed towards John on us—on me. May God always send us a messenger, One who will re-mind us of all that He has done in our lives. “So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor” –Luke 7:22.

In plain speak, “Johns been momentarily blinded. Go, remind him of what He already knows. And, remind Him too of the blessing that comes to those who are faithful until the end—despite their challenges, disappointments, and set-backs.”

“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me” –Luke 7:23.

I have been sent today to remind you beloved brothers and sisters of what it is you already know. Trust Gods ways and His timing. They don’t have to make sense to you. You are Gods chosen. He has not forgotten you. He sees you and is on His way. Hang on just a little longer. You’re not forgotten. Gods got you! Look up, look up, your time is at hand…

And friend, if you’re here today and have yet to ask Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior, then I’m believing that today is day God has ordained for that to happen! Won’t you ask Jesus to come into your life as Lord and Savior? Confess your need for Him; your sins to him. He is faithful and waiting for you…

Exposed. Genesis 2:25

October 28, 2018 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed or embarrassed.”

So why do we lie? Cover-up? What makes us so afraid of being truthful? It’s not the way we were created—so what happened to us? Why the need for the fig leaves…?

The deepest of all mysteries is the origin of evil. Explain sin, and you explain everything. –MacLaren

Today’s teaching was inspired after reading an article on transparency within our primary relationships. At its core, the article asked this pointed question: Is it ever OK to hide anything from those we love? Principally, is it okay to lie? It pointed out that even the most pious among us have lied or still do. It went on to address the often-irrevocable damage that we do to our relationships when we lie. When complete transparency is not our fixed default, our knee-jerk reaction is to lie. We’ll hide what we’ve said or done in the hopes of escaping the consequences we know will surely follow our actions—or lack thereof. Ask any husband or wife that’s missed their anniversary or their spouse’s birthday, they’ll confirm this.

This article addressed the stress experienced—the amount of energy spent in “hiding” our deceptions…

From not wanting our significant other to have access to our cellphones or computers because of the unacceptable content or conversations found within them, to some secret from our past we’re ashamed to show, or, it’s something we’ve done more recently and are afraid to own up to it. Afraid of the consequence owning it may bring to our doorstep. Our lie is born when we say one thing, feasibly with the best of intentions, yet we do another. Over time our inconsistent behavior erodes others ability to trust us. The article concluded that whatever our hiding might look like, deceit of any kind, in any relationship, will at best test the relationships permanency and, at its worst—will end it. Broken trust often leads to feelings of betrayal, anger, hurt, fear, and, confusion. This article pointed the reader towards a variety of reasons about why peoples lie: these reasons ranged from fear of rejection, to insecurity, anger, and entitlement issues, to narcissism, inferiority, right on down to unresolved early childhood trauma.

That’s how the world chooses to frame our lies…

It leaves us an out—a reason or reasons why we do what we do. And, sometimes, those reasons appear valid, sometimes, even kind. Yet, the article wasn’t asking if each of the potential “whys” it offered were valid. The article was forcing me to answer a fundamental question, “is it ever okay to lie?”

Conversely, as I pondered this question, it led me to think about my relationship with God. Have I ever lied to God? Sadly, my answer was yes. I’ve treated God’s trust in me as casually as I’ve treated that of others. How grateful I am for His Blood!

Adam and Eve understand how I feel. Of this I’m certain…

We’re told in His Word that God is all-knowing. We hear this attribute referred to as His being Omniscient. Psalm 44:21 informs us that God knows, “the secrets of our hearts”. So much for our hiding anything from God. From men maybe, never from God. He knows what we’re going to think before we ever think it—never mind before we do the thing! He knows the intentions of our hearts. So why would we want to? Hide anything from God I mean. What deludes us into thinking that we can? I have to wonder if Adam and Eve knew this about God? About His being Omniscient? After all, they shared a loving relationship with Him. Walked and talked with Him daily in the garden. So, you’d think they knew this about Him. And, if they did—why lie to Him? Why hide themselves? Why play the blame game? Why use something He had created and called good to cover-up those lies—their shame? Why tell God, “You’re not allowed to check our cellphones. Look through our pics— laptops, into our bank accounts? Why tell God, I trust you but. I give you my life except. Whatever label the world may attach to our rationale for lying—for blaming others or trying to cover-up our stuff—the Word of God calls it what it is, sin. Plain and simple. We can try to dress it up—but at its core it’s sin that causes us to lie.

We choose to lie—we’re not forced to…

“Did God really say?” That one question seemingly changed our destiny. Yet, God used the enemies lie, in part, that His Truth might be revealed to the world. God is Sovereign. He can use anyone or anything He so chooses to carry out His will. Does that mean it is right or good to lie? Emphatically, no. Does it then mean that God is a liar or capable of lying? Again, emphatically, no. It’s not in God’s character to lie. God is Immutable; therefore, He has never, nor will He ever be able to lie. However, being Omniscient, God knew that our first parents would not only lie about their sin—He also knew that they’d try to cover them up. That they’d avoid taking responsibility for what they’d done by playing the blame game. And, ultimately, that they’d try to pin their sin not only on each other but more, on God Himself! “The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” Genesis 3: 11-13.

Among the various “reasons” listed in the article about why peoples lie, pride never made the list. Wanting to be like God never made the list. Wanting to be the captain of our own ship never made the list. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it” –Genesis 3:5-6. Only a brief time before this both the man and his wife were naked together in the garden and they were unashamed—untainted. The moment they chose to disobey what God had commanded them and listen instead to what the crafty serpent had to say, they recognized they were standing bare before each other. In an instant, their nakedness was no longer a natural state for them and they ran to stitch leaves together to cover themselves up. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves” –Genesis 3:7.

Isn’t this what we do when we’re aware of our wrong doing being exposed? We try to avoid taking responsibility for our lies too…

Unless we decide in our hearts to follow God, His Laws and precepts—regardless the cost, we, like those mentioned in the article I read, will always run towards the “reasons” why we did a thing. We’ll forever run towards our justifications for betraying a loved one—breaking a heart, destroying a friendship—a marriage, ruining a partnership, obliterating trust, rather than learning to simply run towards the Truth; to just plain own up. We’ll never get to the place in ourselves—with God, where we’ll place greater worth on valuing other over self, on integrity, transparency, or building relationship, over self-preservation, momentary gain, and lying. We who claim to be followers of Christ are responsible for following Jesus’s lead in obeying Gods Laws. Did we forget that He didn’t come to destroy one iota of the Law, rather to fulfill it?

Adam and Eve walked with God and had no idea they were naked until the moment a lie was told. They were innocent. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, as was their awareness that they needed to cover-up. Deceit will always open our eyes to everything but the Truth. And guilt will send us running for fig leaves—quick fixes to help escape consequence. Only God covers us with what is lasting and pure, with Jesus, He that was intended from the foundation of the world to be the only acceptable place one should hide… “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” Genesis 3:21.

Friend, if you are here today the Holy Spirit of God called you here. He loves you and wants to open your eyes to His Truth. Only He can do this for you. You’ve come this far—please, ask Jesus into your heart now, while it’s still today. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life” –Ephesians 2:8-10.

Three Crosses: The Conclusion. Matthew 6:33

August 12, 2018 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”

It has always been and will forever be, all about Jesus…

We preach Christ crucified. This is the focal point of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a picture of blood flowing from Christ’s veins as He hung on the cross. The message of shed blood is repugnant to many, and they turn from such a gory sight, feeling that their delicate sensibilities have been outraged. Many people will accept Christ’s character, but they reject His crucifixion. –Billy Graham

“It is finished.” The three most powerful Words ever spoken. In them the “amen” to every promise God ever made for those who believe in Him…

Those three Words were sitting inside Jesus’s mouth waiting to be released over a world He had yet to speak into existence. As He said, “Let there be light”, “It is finished” was holding its breath, back straight, ready—waiting its turn. As the Light of the world literally spoke light into existence—a way had been made too for that same Light to pierce the darkness of sin-stained hearts…

… “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” –John 19:30. The cross of Jesus Christ is elemental to the Christian faith. The cross unveils the character of God. The Cross is where God’s love for sinners and His perfect justice converge. It’s where Jesus said a visible yes to the will of God. “Yes, I’ll lay down my life for them Father.” “Yes, though it means leaving heaven to take on their every sin, I’ll go. Though it means wrapping up the Light of my glory, concealing it in flesh, though it means betrayal and heartbreak and hunger and pain, though it means rejection and ridicule, being momentarily forsaken by You, I’ll go. Though it meant that the One who knew no sin would take into Himself every sin that every person ever created had ever committed—past, present, and future, still, before any one of us had broken through our mother’s womb—drew our first breath in, He had already said yes, “I’ll die for her, for him, for all of them”.

If God had to send His only Son to the cross in order to pay for sin, than sin must be dark indeed in the sight of God.–Billy Graham

In the Cross we see two inseparable Truths:

The greatest proof of Love known to man was ordained before one living-soul stepped foot on the earth. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” “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.” And, besides this evidence of such great a love, we see evidence too of God’s intense hatred of sin. Both attributes are inextricably linked, foundational Truths standing side-by-side, indivisible. “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them” (John 3:16; Romans 5:7-8; Ezekiel 18:20).

And, though we have His love and can also know His Love; to fully rest in its promises, we must first come to the Cross He stepped down across time and space to lay Himself upon. And we must answer His call of Love. We must first confess our guilt and ask forgiveness for it. We, like Peter, must answer this one question: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God” –Matthew 16:15-16.

In so doing, in answering this one life-changing question, what we’re professing is this:

Jesus I know, I admit, You are God. I know I deserve to be hanging there—not You. I know it should be my blood spilled and not yours. I’m the sinner, not You. I’m sorry, terribly sorry, I repent of my sins and I thank you that You’ve made a place at the foot of Your Cross for me to come and acknowledge openly that You are God and I am not, and that I need you. Thank you for taking my place Jesus. And thank you that I’m now able to serve you, to be with you eternally…

This final teaching on the Cross of Christ may make some a bit uncomfortable. I make no apologies for that. Truth can often makes us squirm a bit. And that’s okay. Rather, I boldly offer you the Truth His Cross offers the world—the Life it affords us all. Instead of offering an apology for the Cross, I’ll ask that you think of—conjure up, the most unimaginable, most vile, hate-filled, perverse, twisted sin you can scarcely image, have ever heard tell of.

Got it? Now, understand this: As much as God hates that sin, hates all sin—He loves us, the sinners, infinitely more…

That same Cross that offends so many, that shed Blood of Jesus Christ—the Sinless Son of God, the One who left heaven for you and me, took that unimaginable sin, no, more, He willingly died, to take upon Himself all the unimaginable sins. And, with them, every other sin ever committed—and to be committed, so that the ones who confess those sins and truly repent of them will not have to die for having committed them. He did that for us—died in our place that is. That is the power, the humility, the forgiveness, and the unfathomable pure Love of our final and greatest Cross. The Cross of Jesus Christ. Sit with that thought for a second…

This Jesus came and in His coming, is the incarnate New Covenant. Covering laws, we could not keep with His Blood, once for all, so that we might be afforded life eternal. “For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second” –Hebrews 8:7.

All are welcomed at Jesus’ Cross. It doesn’t matter who you are, Jew or gentile, black, white, brown, tan or “other”. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, or who you’ve done it with. It doesn’t matter who you identify as—not even that “scarcely unimaginable sin” you’d heard of earlier is any match for the Love God has for you. For the Power of Jesus’ shed Blood to scrub it so white, only you will ever know it was ever there. “And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” –1 John 4:10.

So, to recap: At our first cross, the Law, we saw God lay down an exacting, yet life-giving path that leads us towards the knowledge of who He is—of His standards. At our second Cross, we witnessed Jesus teaching us—transitioning us, readying us for a more intimate, a more “Parent-child” relationship with Himself. Teaching us the “how to’s” of presenting ourselves, our prayers and petitions, before Him. How to carry on a conversation with our Father. And here, now, at our third and final Cross—The Cross of Christ, we witness the price God our Father was willing to pay that we might be restored into relationship with Him. A relationship destroyed by sin. A relationship only the Cross of Christ; faith in Truth of His life, death, and resurrection could afford us… “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” –2 Corinthians 5:21.

The cross of Christ is not only the basis of our peace and hope–but it is the means of our eternal salvation. The goal of the cross is not only a full and free pardon, but a changed life lived in fellowship with God. No wonder Paul said 2,000 years ago, “We preach Christ crucified.” The world needs this message today. This is the message of hope, peace, and brotherhood. This is what the world calls “foolishness” but what God has been pleased to call “wisdom.” What do you call it? –Billy Graham

Friend, if you haven’t yet come to His Cross, I implore you to come today. Christ died for you. Confess your sins to Him, ask Him into your life, and let your life truly begin anew… “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]” –2 Corinthians 5:17.

The Dynamic Duo. John 6: 68-69

January 14, 2018 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You [alone] have the words of eternal life [you are our only hope]. We have believed and confidently trusted, and [even more] we have come to know [by personal observation and experience] that You are the Holy One of God [the Christ, the Son of the living God].”

They, unlike all those who’d walked away, had faith in this man, this Jesus. They believed Him when He told them that He was their long-awaited Messiah—even though some of His claims were extraordinary. His Flesh as bread to eat? His Blood, wine to drink? The power to grant eternal life! Ascending into the clouds of heaven from where He came? Yes! They believed. —John 6:1–71

But what is faith? And where did their faith—their ability to believe where others couldn’t, come from?

First, faith: In the New Testament the English word faith is used to translate the Greek word pistis. The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Word says, “Pistis is used of belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same. ‘Faith’ means trust, confidence, assurance, and belief”

Hebrews 11: 1 says it this way: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

We get a clue about why some of these had faith others didn’t possess in verse 70.

Election… God had chosen them to believe in His Son—and, for so much more.

They would be the collective womb through which His Church would be birthed and flourish. Each possessing his own unique gifting’s and contributions. Jesus said as much about these 12 a few verses back after chiding some other disciples concerning their grumbling—their speculating, over His lineage. “Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve…?

So, their faith was a gift then—an undeserved, unearned, non-repayable gift from God? Yes. Yes, it was. As all faith is.

But what of this ‘election’?

Listen to how John MacArthur, Bible scholar and Author defines this term: “…the doctrine of election simply means that God, uninfluenced and before creation, predetermined certain people to be saved.

And in Scripture, The Apostle Paul speaks of election this way in 2 Thessalonians 2:13: “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” (Emphasis my own)

Just as an unborn child cannot choose to give itself life, and a dead man cannot will himself to get up and live once again, neither can we as sinful man, dead in our sins, choose to have faith—outside of the Sovereign will of God… “Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.” Ephesians 5:14.

Scripture abounds with references of election, those chosen by God: (Matt. 22:14; 24:22, 24, 31; Luke 18:7; Acts 9:15; 11:18; Rom. 8:29, 30, 33; Eph. 1:4, 5, 11; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:10. See, also, Luke 10:21-22; John 6:37, 44, 65; 10:26; 15:16; 17:2, 6, 9; Acts 5:31; 13:48; Rom. 9:11, 15, 16; 18 11:5, 7, 28; 1 Cor. 1:27, 28, 30; Gal. 1:15; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; 2:8, 9; Rev. 5:9; 7:10-12).

Which leads me to introduce you to our second Superhero, Knowledge. In our Scripture verse Peter states that not only did He and the others have faith, but they also possessed knowledge of Jesus. Certainly, being Jewish and growing up hearing God’s Word taught in the Temple and spoken of at home, they’d be familiar with the Torah. They’d have been aware of hearing tell of the Scriptures that foretold of Messiah. We see evidence of that knowledge when Andrew, a fisherman, calls his brother Peter, beckoning Him to come and follow the man he believes is the Messiah. “He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is translated Christ). Yet, I believe, and Scripture lends to this fact, that Peter was referring not only to his knowledge of Scripture, more, to experiential knowledge in this instance. He and the others had lived with, ministered, ate, slept, talked, and, listened to every Word that Jesus spoke…

To say nothing of being present as He performed His many miracles.

Strong’s Greek Concordance defines this type of knowledge in the following way: functional (“working”) knowledge gleaned from first-hand (personal) experience, connecting theory to application; “application-knowledge,” gained in (by) a direct relationship.

Connecting theory to application. Said differently, the marriage of faith to knowledge (experiential). Their faith was solidified—reinforced, by what they knew of the Man. Their experiencing Him.

As it is with all who share in this faith…

It was this gnosis enlivened by the Ruach Breath of the Holy Spirit that enabled these ill-informed, unschooled, common men to write the beloved Word of God—The Holy Scriptures, those coveted Words each that feeds, comforts, teaches, corrects, and sustains all believers. “But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.” —Job 32:8

This dynamic duo of faith and knowledge lived so deeply within them that from its very roots grew a love so strong—a bond so indestructible, that even when faced with deprivation, beatings, and death—often a cruel and violent death, each of Jesus’s Apostles, save John, faced their violent end having firm faith that when their end was met here, their eyes would open to see His glorious face yet again!

And they did… Even John, who died at a ripe old age exiled on Isle of Pathos.

If faith and knowledge of the Living God could create in an unlearned, but believing few, a force that brought about a world change—a change in how life and living are still defined; just think of what could happen in your life, church, family, ministry, marriage, community, corner of the globe—if you, like our brothers before us, joined forces with the dynamic duo of faith and knowledge!

If you invited the Holy Spirit to do all within you that aligned with God’s perfect will for your life…

But to extend this invitation to the Holy Spirit—you first must know Him—have a relationship with Him. So, won’t you do that know—ask Him into you, please? He’s waiting. He wants to introduce you to the dynamic duo of faith and knowledge of Him. More, He wants to spend every minute of your life loving you, and blessing you, and, teaching you. “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]” John 16:12-13.

“Rabbit Chasers” Pro. 4:11-12

May 7, 2017 / ministermaryellen@gmail.com

“I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness. When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.”

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to: “Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Two of the many tricks of his trade—his schemes, is distraction and busyness.

He, the enemy of your soul, will do everything in his power to distract you. Firstly, from your main reason for being alive—to worship God. To enjoy an intimate, loving, nurturing, trust-filled relationship with Him.

And secondly, is to keep you busy—even, if it is serving God…

What’s wrong with that you may ask? And the true answer is, nothing. That is, if it is God alone who is the One calling you into a particular form of service or ministry…

I am not a hunter, but I had an uncle who was. I heard a story once that the dogs they used to hunt birds eventually, out of instinct, ended up chasing rabbits. The term, “chasing after a red-herring”, was used. Red- herring is a general figure of speech used to describe a false trail that leads nowhere, rather, it draws attention away from the main thing…

In the case of these dogs, away from the scent of the birds. And, when it comes to you and I, the devil uses red-herrings to draw us away from what God intends for us to do and into busyness and distractions.

And, though I have a personal issue with the thought of killing animals for pure sport, I supposed, if one were a hunter, that chasing game was just that—chasing game, right?

Wrong!

Why? Because allowing the dogs to chase after something other than the specific prey they were taken out to hunt communicates to them that it is acceptable to do as they please. That it’s okay to go astray and not follow the scent they were given to track when there’s a lull in their activity. The urge to track and chase prey is ingrained in the canine psyche. So, they will, if not course corrected, chase Thumper and not the pheasant that they were brought out into the field to scare from the brush.

Let me pause here for a two-fold purpose. Firstly, to apologize to anyone who is reading this and understands my glaring ignorance of both dog ‘speak’, as well as, my apparent hunting/tracking ignorance. And secondly, to point out my allusion. That we, like these dogs, were created with a specific purpose—we weren’t created to just run about all willy-nilly, doing whatever feels right to us.

Because whatever distracts us from God’s best— might be good, but it isn’t what’s best for us…

Yes, we too, have a visceral nature—a God given desire to serve has been placed within us. After all, we are made in the likeness of Our Father. Who, donning a suit of flesh, left heaven and came to earth, both to serve and to save us. So, our desire to serve isn’t a bad thing…

However, like the above-mentioned example with the dogs, we aren’t meant, were not created to, serve just anywhere—or, at any time. He—Jesus, and our relationship with Him, is—and always must remain, our top priority. Over our service to Him—and, to others.

My point is simply this. Distractions. Our going after anything other than what God has called us to do—in the name of service to Him, is, a red-herring. We’re chasing rabbits—not birds. “God did not create you to live a distracted life. God created you to live a Jesus-infused life.” -Margaret Feinberg.

Proverbs 4:25 says it this way: “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.”

Jesus has called you to Himself that you might have right-relationship with The Father, be filled with The Holy Spirit, and, be led by Him alone. To remain focused on what He has called you to do with the life, time, and, talents He has given you. You were created with a purpose, and no one other than you, can fulfill that purpose! “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” (Proverbs 20:5).

One great example of how we miss what God has for us—is calling us to, is the busyness we witness in the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus and His disciples are coming to dinner and the women are hard at it preparing their home, and the meal, for their expected guests. The time is at hand and the guests arrive. Mary ceases all her activity and sits at the feet of Jesus—drinking in His every Word. Martha, still busy running about in service-mode, admonishes Jesus for not telling Mary to get up and help her. Cheeky on Martha’s part.

And, though Jesus had every right to scold her impertinence, His Words were not cross, but were spoken to course-correct her, and us—they were used to re-calibrate. “But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but [a]a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Scripture doesn’t inform us if Martha ever followed the Words Jesus spoke to her and ceased from her ‘busy service’. How about you? Did you hear His Words? Will you cease from your ‘busy service?’

And then there’s Peter. Who, along with the other Apostles, thought they were seeing a ghost walking on the water—actually, it was more like a stormy, tumultuous sea. Jesus bids Peter to get out of the boat and come walk on this turbulent sea with him. And Peter does. Until that old devil did what he does best. He saw an opening and used it to cause a distraction…

Mind you, the sea was no less turbulent, the winds no less violent and gusting, then when Jesus said, “come”. So, what, if not the current conditions—the circumstances surrounding Peter, would the enemy use to distract Peter away from a beckoning Jesus?

People. He used Peter’s brothers calling out to him. Screaming out that he was a mad man, that he was going to die. He, satan, used them, along with the frightening natural occurrences that surrounded Peter, to cause him to take his focus, his eyes, off of Jesus… (Matthew 14:28-31).

Busyness, and distraction. Not keeping our eyes, ears, and, hearts fixed on Jesus. These are just two of the schemes used by the enemy of our souls— two ploys He will use to keep us from spending quality time at Jesus’s feet; allowing Him—within that time, to revel to us what is our reasonable service to Him—and to others…

Beloved, don’t allow the enemy of your soul to turn you into a rabbit chaser. Stay on course, run after Jesus alone.

“You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary. But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first” (Rev. 2:3-4).

Tag: Truth (Page 5 of 6)

Get Good Friends.

Like this:

Tag, Your It.

Like this:

Loving Others like God Does…

Like this:

Higher Than Our Own. Isaiah 55:8-9

Like this:

I Want You, but You Must Decide…

Like this:

Doubts. Luke 7:19

Like this:

Exposed. Genesis 2:25

Like this:

Three Crosses: The Conclusion. Matthew 6:33

Like this:

The Dynamic Duo. John 6: 68-69

Like this:

“Rabbit Chasers” Pro. 4:11-12

Like this:

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Sonsofthesea.org

Verified Services

Recent Posts

Search for posts here

New Teachings Every Saturday!

Meta

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Verified Services

Recent Posts

Search for posts here

New Teachings Every Saturday!

Meta