The Marvelous Message

Of all the ways the devil will tempt a person, catering to one's vanity is his favorite means to get them to fall. After all, before the inception of time, he also succumbed to pride. He believed he had an inward right to the heavenly throne, and through promulgating the potential of self exaltation to other angelic beings, he led a massive insurrection against the Almighty. There was absolutely no chance of a “successful rebellion”, but reason often dissipates when one is steeped in prideful bitterness. Simply put, the devil began to hate God, for being, God. This attitude of entitlement parades itself in every heart. We may be able to mask it for a while, but given enough hardships and displeasure, we often become the corrupted clay, vilifying the ways of God and distrusting the commands of His word (Isaiah 29:16). The apostle Paul's warning to believers at Ephesus was,  “Don't give the devil any opportunity to work  (Ephesians 4:27).” Yet, in the garden of Eden, we ...

There are times when we try to complicate the simple call of following Christ. Rather than faithfully heeding to His Word in humble obedience, we are like Naaman who just couldn't believe that to be healed from his leprosy meant only to exercise trust in God's command and wash in the Jordan river seven times. He sought to question why it was such a little demand and he wanted to be the object of some grand spectacle. It is so imperative as believers in Christ to remember that it is not about us! Oh how often we either try to add “how-to-get-spiritual-quick formulas” to our faith, or we attempt to throw in sneaky loopholes to whole heart commitment, so we can appear to be chest deep in the fruits of the Spirit, when all the while we're just grazing the surface of the Christian walk. This is what Saul did in 1 Samuel 15. Rather than stay focused on carrying out God's command to entirely wipe out the Amalekites, he started to come up with his own assumptions of what seeme...

My most Despicable Marah, I heard that that enemy has already found him a prized pupil within the congregation. This cannot be overlooked. This scrupulous creature has been trying to keep their spirits afloat and encourage them to stay focused on their real enemy. He dares try to unmask and expose us! You cannot avoid him any longer. You must make him believe that his efforts are futile, falling on deaf ears. Get him to see that to try to uplift those mindless grungies would only drag himself down. He must think that he is too good for such fools and can certainly be used elsewhere. I know you, Marah, and you are most certainly focusing your efforts too much on that fool who declared himself as leader of the pack. Let him be. You would be surprised at how long pride can impact and influence a grungy. To them, it is an insatiable leech that assuredly consumes peace and contentment. I cannot stress it enough. Do not allow light to be shared among the congregati...

My most despicable Marah, The abyss of my heart has grown beyond measure! Everything your sister has told me about your efforts - how undeniably successful they are - is just another reminder as to why I always saw myself in you. So, that foolish grungy has finally declared himself as bishop. Naturally, during their meeting, there was tremendous conflict and a choosing of sides. Classic. It reminds me of the struggle at Corinth, when so many fought over who was on Paul's side and who was on Apollos' side. Of course, you are much too young to know what I am referring to! Now, I must remind you that there is still much work to be done. Divide and conquer. The ecclessia is split, therefore, waste no time instilling pride and hatred. I know you are enticing our self exalted puppet to start his own assembly, which is good, but before he does, through slander and lies, he must cripple those who withstood him. Make him feel betrayed. As if he were a great captain who ...

Dear Marah, You have proved to be quite the clever temptress. Naturally, this is because you have followed through with all that I have told you to do. I heard how tensions rise during their meetings and that the grungy who prided himself in being vital to the health of the ecclessia is now planning to present himself as the bishop. It is to be expected that there will be some resistance, but this is good. Conflict always yields the most rottenness of fruit. As I mentioned before in the previous letter, this useful tool must be toyed with the idea that everything he is doing is for the ecclessia. Have him feel a slight pride in the way he abases himself. If you need an example, just look to that enemy's own scripture! Did not Simon the Magician feel like it was his moral obligation and humble duty to pursue a higher power? Who do you think planted that notion in him? I have been dancing in the world's ballad for a long time. I know what I am talking about. Fo...

           I hate cliques. In no way do I mean the individuals, but more along the lines of the ideology. As the old adage goes, “It's us four and no more.” Yes, that's the attitude I'm referring to. You may wonder, does my disdain for such “grouping” branch out of a righteous zeal or a compassion for the ones left out? I wish these  were the reasons. No, my grounds for contempt is completely selfish for it comes from self pity.           You see, my older brother and I were home-schooled. Trust me, I consider it a blessing in so many ways, but in enhancing popularity and instilling a gregarious attitude, it was a curse. Our rides on the church bus and church youth activities were our main outlets to social connection. Yet, many times it was as if we were simply flies on a wall. We were just there, peering at the different groups, while they gave quick glances our way, wondering when ...