Prayer as a Fuel Stop

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6 [KJV]

How many of us use prayer as a necessary fuel stop? Do we go to God to let Him know that we need recharging? Or do we use prayer as a last ditch stop gap before falling deep into a pit? Or do we use prayer as a way to get out of the pit that we have fallen into? I believe that all of us use prayer in some of the ways listed. When we can make prayer an essential part of our lives, we will see that the power of God will show up regularly on our behalf, because we are keeping our fuel tanks filled. Let's devote some time to prayer over the next two weeks to see if we keep our tanks, how much better will our lives run. Let's start today.

Be Encouraged,


Martin

His word, Real Hope

Your word I have hidden in my heart,That I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)

The word spoken by God as promises are a beacon of hope. They bring renewed life to a wearied soul. The words of promise gives a reason to live, a reason to persevere and endure, a reason to confront present difficulties and challenges and to ultimately hang in there for an expected end. This was the singular reason King David had to hide the word in his heart, lest he through his own actions and words work against the promises of God in his life.

Keep the word in your heart, secure hope with His word, hide it like King David if you have to. They are life, they are strength, power and necessary to navigate the smooth and rough terrains of life. They bring Real hope for the hopeless and all in a challenged generation of today.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The Ram in the Bush

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. Genesis 22:13 [KJV]

God will always provide our needs when we have been obedient to Him. Think about Abraham and Isaac. God told Abraham to give up the one thing that he had longed for all his life. The test of faith was for both Abraham and Isaac. Abraham, to see if he truly believed that God could do anything and Isaac, to find if God could get him out of impossible situations. Both of them had to have immense fear in what could happen, but God knew the outcome. He knew that Abraham trusted Him, but He wanted to confirm in Abraham's heart that fact. He also knew that Isaac would go through life with a belief that God could get him out of the most dire straits. God can always have a "Ram caught in the thicket" for us, but we must go far enough in our faith to find the thicket and then the "RAM"

Be Encouraged,


Martin

Life and Death

Friends,

We know that the blood of Christ is powerful beyond imagination. Did you know that it not only has the power of life, but the power of death, as well?

Exodus 7:20
And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. [NKJV]

Just as the Word is life and wisdom to the believer but foolishness and judgment to the non-believer, so is the blood of the Lamb. You see, when the true Christian sees Jesus' blood, he sees life. That is because he knows that Christ's blood was shed for the specific purpose of bringing life.

But the reaction from the non-believer is different. It may be, "What a shame; He was such a good man," or, "He was fool to die like that," or, "If He was a god, He wouldn't have let them do that to Him." The common thread for each of these responses is that they all lead to death. Like the water that turned to blood in Egypt, it is a testimony of judgment, not redemption.

Remember, brothers and sisters, the true purpose of Jesus' redemptive act. He shed real blood so that real men and women may have eternal life. Let us truly live for Christ today.

Be encouraged,
Jose

The Time Is Now

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44 [KJV]

Time waits for no one and time passes faster than we expect. When we are called to do something such as stand up for God, we must be ready to move. We must not delay. God has placed us into a position of carrying out His Work. When we delay, the next person comes in to do the job. I don't know about you, but when I see someone doing what God had initially asked me to do, I feel that I let God down by not being ready or willing to respond. I also try to use that as a reminder that when God is ready, He knows that I am ready. So as Christ shared in this lesson, the time came and those that were ready got to go onto their reward.

Be Encouraged,


Martin

For such a time as this

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14 (NKJV)

Many have found themselves in positions they never thought feasible or possible in the recent past, but God's plans in a believer's life are divine and ordered for His purpose. Esther had gained close proximity to the base of power and influence until the stake of her generation and kindred hung on the balance. Her elevation to a sphere of influence was for such a time as this. She became a destiny changing tool for the Jews of that time. The Esther’s of this generation abounds and you and I know what the calling is on our individual and collective lives.

We have been set apart for a time such as this - A time where there seem to be much hopelessness in the land, a time where the trend of things have been on the downward path. We can bring hope back to a weary and confused generation. In the midst of the entire gloomy picture from the modern day media, we can be the beacon of hope and the light of the world, for we have been preserved for such a time as this. Do not miss your destiny changing opportunity.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Fan the Flames

Friends,

Imagine what it must have been like nearly 2,000 years ago -- celebrating Pentecost in a crowded second floor room in Jerusalem surrounded by true believers. A mighty noise of rushing wind fills the whole building and fire spontaneously appears before you. Your mind rushes back to the stories you heard as a child: when Almighty God led His people through the wilderness as a pillar of fire, when God spoke to His anointed prophet Moses from a fiery bush, and when the fire of the LORD fell upon a watery sacrifice and utterly consumed it along with the saturated dust and stones. The Holy Spirit connects those events with what you see in front of you....

Acts 2:3
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. - NKJV

Brothers and sisters, that same fire dwells within each man and women who is truly called to follow Christ. It is a fire which demands that we speak the truth about God without apology or fear. It is a fire that drives us to acknowledge the "least of these" as Christ's representatives. It is a fire that burns when our thoughts, words and actions dishonor the holy Name of the Lord. It is a fire that burns with passion when we enter God's presence in worship.

Do you have the fire?

Be encouraged to burn bright and hot for Jesus,
Jose

Good counsel

Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it.
Esther 2:10 (NKJV)

Esther had lost her parents at an early age and was nurtured and brought up by her uncle Mordecai. Mordecai trained her according to Proverbs 22:6 - 'Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it'. Because Esther had been brought up to be receptive to good counsel, this accompanied her all the way to the King's palace, attracting favor and mercy to her all the way.

Mordecai, though never had the opportunity to grace or be in the presence of the powers that be, but his assiduous and conscientious pursuit and beqeathing of good counsel propelled his adopted daughter to not only royalty but it also positioned him to influence the fate of his people and generations to come.

Counselors are rarely seen or heard but their influence is huge and far-reaching. What kind of counsel do you give? Like Mordecai, never miss any opportunity to impact your generation and those to come.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Fear of the Lord

The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.
Proverbs 19:23 (NKJV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To fear the Almighty God is to acknowledge Him in all our ways. When we operate in the fear and reverence of the Most High God, our actions and intents are guarded from destruction, our choices are divinely informed and directed and we are enveloped in a divine assurance which gives us peace that goes beyond the reasoning of man.

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children.
Psalm 103:17 (NKJV)

To walk and operate in the fear of the Lord is the smartest move you will ever make. His fear inspires the detesting of sin in our lives and we are motivated to shun all acts of self-righteousness, pride, arrogance and all unrighteousness.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

The Fire Within

Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Jeremiah 20:9 [KJV]

When we are revived with the Word of God, we are excited to let this fire out. But when we are not following God's lead, or trying to keep quiet about what God means to us, or not coming from a great session where the Word of God was shared, we become like Jeremiah. He became weary of telling the people about God and what God could do for them. He wanted to keep quiet and not cause any more public disruptions. But God is planted deep in all of us as The Word was in Jeremiah and when the time comes to speak, we are powerless to hold the Word back. We must take a lesson from Jeremiah and let the fire out. The fire does service to us all in purifying and cleansing. We need the fire within to clean us out.

Be Encouraged


Martin

Intimate Fire

Friends,

One of things about God that is so awesome to me is how completely uncontrollable He is. He does what He does, and no one and no thing can stop Him. Like a wildfire, He cannot be contained. Now don't get me wrong. We like fire when we can keep it managed, like in a fireplace. But when it escapes our control, it consumes everything it touches, melting steeling, turning cement into dust, and leaving nothing behind but dust and ash.

Hebrews 12:9
For our God is a consuming fire. (NKJV)

If the thought of God as fire strikes fear in your heart, then confess to the Lord that you are afraid of Him. God is not going to change, but He will deal with your fear. God is not going diminish Himself nor allow Himself to be managed. And for us that are true believers, this is good news. I don't know about you, but I don't want God to be small enough to be controlled. I want God to be bigger and more powerful than anything found in this life. And Almighty God is just that!

Be encouraged,
Jose

Revival

Friends,

For most of us, the word "revival" inspires images of powerful music, enthusiastic preaching, and that spiritual high that almost always results from those experiences. Remember how you felt after attending one of the many traveling conferences presented by Promise Keepers, Women of Faith, and Joyce Meyer Ministries? That's what is often meant by "Revival."

But the wonderful songs and uplifting prayers are not the source of true revival.

Psalm 119:25 (NKJV)
My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.

Brothers and sisters, the Word is what revives. Songs that reflect the Word can help. Prayers that affirm the Word are wonderful. But the Word is the real thing. It is truly the "pause that refreshes." Go to it and see how your life changes!

Be encouraged,
Jose

What Do I Do Now?

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. Isaiah 6:11-12 [KJV]

When you read the leading verses in this passage, it will be very familiar. Isaiah is recounting his visit with God after King Uzziah died. While in the presence of God, he volunteered for a mission to spread the word. We normally stop reading after that, but what are the follow-on actions?

God instructed Isaiah and He instructs us to continue on His Mission regardless of the popularity or the response. He wants us to finish the course. So after we get the assignment and look at the tasks and even after we start moving, we must plan to push to the end. So, the answer to what do I do now is to keep going until it is finished.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Leave no one behind

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Acts 10:34-35 (NKJV)

We serve a God that isn't a respecter of personalities. He deals with all his creation with grace particularly those who fear Him and works righteousness. Peter like the Jews of the time operated in an aura of superiority never regarding other folks that wasn't from his own. The trance he fell into exposed this arrogance and he was instructed to never call any one common or unclean. In our society today it is easy to slice and dice people based on our own classifications - sinner, adulterer, fornicators, liars, rapist, killers, swindlers, homosexuals, etc.

and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

If any of these will forsake their ways and seek the face of the Lord in reverence, then they become the apple of God's eye as it is His intent and desire that all these come to repentance. In His Kingdom, everyone is welcome. Leave no one behind. Those who are His will heed to the call sooner or later.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Remembrance takes us to gratitude

Friends,

Whenever I remember the cross, it causes me to be express such gratitude for what Christ has done. But it doesn't compare to the feeling I get when I remember that my actions deserved the cross. Before entering the Promised Land, Moses instructed Israel to conduct a special ceremony that illustrates this very point.

Deuteronomy 26:5, 10b-11 (NKJV)
And you shall answer and say before the LORD your God: My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous.

Then you shall set it [your sacrifice] before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God. So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you.

This passage starts with the acknowledgment of sinfulness (my father was a Syrian) and takes us right into sacrifice and then to the party (rejoice in every good thing).

For us to truly appreciate the work of Christ at Calvary, we must appreciate the depth of our depravity. As a result, the sufficiency of grace becomes amazing and awe-inspiring. Bless the Lord, brothers and sisters. For He has forgiven us who so desperately need that forgiveness.

Be encouraged,
Jose

What Should I Ask For?

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. I Kings 4:29-30 [KJV]

As we read yesterday, with God, all things are possible, so as we face today, we wonder, what should we ask for? Solomon was faced with a similar situation prior to becoming king. He was presented with many options and the verses above show the result of his request. If we can deny ourselves and let God direct, then we can ask for and receive the right gifts. Sometimes we get caught up in the desires or concerns of today and forget the downstream affects of our decisions. But, if we trust God first and listen to His Directions, then we can always ask for "the right stuff"

Be Encouraged,


Martin

With God...

Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)

Yes, it is a biblically correct statement for ‘man’ to look at ‘man or God’s’ plan and make the conclusions of impossibility. Our Lord expressed the mindset of man on lifes challenges. But when the “With God” clause is added into all situations, circumstances and conditions, then the predetermined 'impossible' outcome is altered forever. ‘Got any impossibilities being echoed and amplified by the world and folks around you? Just add the “With God” phrase into your life statements and believe the end statement

O Sovereign LORD! You have made the heavens and earth by your great power. Nothing is too hard for you!
Jeremiah 32:17 (NKJV)

With the world, there are limitations and constraints, but with our God, the impossible becomes possible.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Flee from Form without Substance

Friends,
We are in an age of aesthetic excellence. Worship services are crisp, with every song performed beautifully and every movement choreographed with precision. Even the sermons are timed to not interfere with overall schedule.

I don't think this is what God wants from us.

2 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV)
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

We have lowered our standard to the point where we are thrilled when it all runs smoothly, completely overlooking the whole point of the matter... which is to enter into the presence of the Almighty God, with praise, reverence and awe.... and then to hear from Him, to be fed by Him. If this is lacking in your regular time of corporate worship, then you must speak. There is no excuse for starvation when God's word is abundant. The Lord will hear, even if the minister does not. And the Lord will gladly open a way to fill your heart with His voice.

Be Encouraged,
José

Trimming Down to Size

And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Judges 7:2 [KJV]

God called Gideon and confirmed his mission. Gideon, being a typical human, got as many people as possible to help. God stated that there were too many people to win the fight less the credit goes to Israel instead of God. With that fact, God devised a series of test to trim the army down to size so that we would all know that the victory belong to God.

Every now and then in our lives, when we get the direction from God, we try to go and get too much help to accomplish the goal. What we really need is just the right number so that we can truly be tools in the Hand of God accomplishing His Will. When we read the story of Gideon, we always look at him as an extension of God for delivering the Israelites.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

The Real Lion, The roaring lion

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

Elijah had just done a wondrous feat of taking out the false prophets of Baal and launching into the next phase of the move of God in the land of Israel in those days. Then word came to him on the plans of Jezebel. She swore to pursue Elijah and bring his life to an abdrupt end. Just after our moments of victory, we must never shrink back and think that 'self' brought us through the victory. Then will the enemy attempt to or strike, but as long as we continue to depend on the real source of our victory and success, what may look or sound like a life-threatening situation or threat will just be seen for what it is. Elijah unfortunately forgot that the destruction of the enemies was not his doing but the Hosts of Heaven behind him.

The enemy will surely come as a roaring lion - threatening, intimidating and presenting situations that look dreadful and fearful, but really isn't the real thing. We have the Lion of the tribe of Judah, not a roaring one, the rock of our salvation and the strength of our life.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Ceaseless prayers

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
1 Timothy 3:8 (NKJV)

One of the ways we communicate with our God is through prayer. Prayer connects us to the supernatural realm where things get done and issues are resolved. The enemy knows that our easy and most accessible weapon is our prayer, hence he throws all sorts of weight and hindrances like tiredness, slumber, fatigue, distraction, unnecessary focus on our past failures and pain, doubts, unbelief, elevation and over-exaggeration of our present challenges and difficulties, etc. Life will no doubt be a bed of roses,hence we must…

pray without ceasing,
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)

To break the channel of prayer is to break our faith connection and breaking our faith connection is to disconnect from the Creator God. Staying in touch with our Creator is not only a wise thing to do; it is an absolute necessity for every believer.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

It is in within

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Matthew 12:35 (NKJV)

We have all been carefully and wonderfully made by our Creator for the glorification of His works in this world. Many times we seek greener pastures and opportunities of blessings and advancements without first looking within ourselves. The endowment and our giftings make way for us. The words we speak over our lives and circumstances come from within and are endorsed by God when they are spoken out. We only need to speak and live by His word, the living word.

For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.
Luke 6:43-44 (NKJV)

The blessing is within, reach out to it and give the glory to Him who planted it there.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi