The deception of the wicked

Friends,

The mature believer has a firm understanding that our walk on this side of eternity will have great challenges and unexpected hardships. Our source for this is God's word.

Matthew 7:24-25 (NKJV)
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Notice that Jesus does not preface His comment with the word "if"... as in: "and if the rain descended." The believer hears this and understands that Christ is telling us that the hard times will come and make their presence felt.

The non-believer, on the other hand, does not hear nor understand this. Rather, he sees that his life is pretty cushy and scoffs at the notion that events could possible turn against him.

Psalm 10:6 (NKJV)
He [the wicked man] has said in his heart, "I shall not be moved;
I shall never be in adversity."

The wicked looks at life through the fog of self-delusion. That is because He has no relationship with the Truth, or with the Giver of Truth. But as followers of Christ, we have His promise that He will speak to us, and that what He says is the truth. And because He is completely truthful with us at all times, we can count on Him no matter what the circumstance.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Beware of the Rejected

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Psalm 118:22 (NKJV)

We have seen the numerous episodes in the history of mankind where the least likely, the rejected, the forsaken through some turn of events becomes the cynosure and center of attraction. The rejected also become the subject matter and a conduit and testimony of God's faithfulness and grace in the affairs of men. King David was neglected, ignored and discounted amongst his brothers. Joseph was treated as an outcast even amongst his own brothers. But the rejected that continue to lift their face up, raise their shoulders and continue to believe in the God in them, sooner or later become the subject matter and point of reference to the glory of God. The Lord our Savior was rejected overwhelming by His own people, yet the Father in heaven glorified Him. When the world took Him for granted, the same stone that was rejected later became the chief cornerstone.

The rejected have a way of passionately seeking and reaching the heart of God. The world ignores them to their peril. When life brings rejection, let us not lose our confidence in Him which has great reward.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Tricks of the Trade

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:5 [KJV]

Satan has a plan for getting us off track. That plan usually centers around our desire to be greater than we are. We want the fame, the fortune, the ability to know the future. We want to see for ourselves how things will turn out. God already knows that and the devil appeals to our desire to be "in the know".

As we see at the beginning of the bible, people have not changed over many thousands of years. Just as Eve was tricked by the devil, we are tricked by the same actions and promises. God knows that if we just trust Him, everything will work out. Here is a hint that will help all of us. The enemy knows that as well which is why he is always trying to lure us from the safe haven that God provides. These tricks are not new, nor different.

Remember to read the history book and use the Spirit to aid our understanding. With those two actions, we will be able to recognize the "tricks of the trade".

Be Encouraged,

Martin A. Rayner

Worthy is the Lord

the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.
Revelation 4:10-11 (NKJV)

The scripture tells of the magnificence and glory of our Lord. The One who is worthy of all glory. Elders of old glory in Him and worship Him with all their being and even with their individual majesties casting their symbol of royalty and everything that defines them in awe and worship of the worthy Lord. By His wisdom have all things being created and existed. If we live, we live not just for us or self, it is by the glory of the gracious and merciful King that we exist. Taking the worthy King for granted is what we must never condone. To whom honor, glory and majesty is due, we say Everlasting Father, Ancient of Days , Rock of Ages, we worship and Bless your name forever and ever, Amen.

The glory belongs to Him at all times, do not hold it back. Our Lord is worthy.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The holy boast

Friends,

Man’s natural tendency is to take credit for all of his accomplishments. Those achievements may be great or small, but men are adamant in their intent to be the reason and the force behind them. But how does this glorify the Lord?

1 Corinthians 9:16 [NKJV]
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

Brothers and sisters, it is the Lord - and Him alone - who completes every good work. He choose to use us as His instruments, but He can just as easily choose another. It is His strength, and His wisdom, that underpins all things. And when we finally realize this, we will finally give Almighty God the glory He is due.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Ignorant bliss

Friends,

There is a difference between joy and bliss. The old saying promises that ignorance will lead to bliss. And in my view, wisdom leads to joy. Long ago, a prophet of the LORD rebuked the people for their bliss. They were not joyful, because they were blinded by ignorance. But they were in a pretty good mood. They were partying, carousing, and having an all-round good time. Unfortunately, it was, as I said, rooted in ignorance.

Isaiah 22:12-13 [NKJV]
And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts
Called for weeping and for mourning,
For baldness and for girding with sackcloth.
But instead, joy and gladness,
Slaying oxen and killing sheep,
Eating meat and drinking wine:
"Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"

I truly wonder if this isn't the prevailing attitude in today's church. Preachers get the people all revved up with talk of new cars and bigger houses. People buy books meant to help them live a life according to God's purpose, but the words are no different than the self-help psychobabble peddled by the world's celebrities. The music on Christian radio stations sounds like second-rate country, and the words all but ignore the very God they are purporting to worship.

Wisdom is the direct result of having the appropriate fear and awe of God so that we listen for His voice, hear His words, and obey His commands. And when we think, speak and act out of true Godly wisdom, we absolutely will have joy in our lives. Ignoring the word might serve to fool the flesh into believing that it can live as it pleases. But when God calls for repentance, and His people heed that call, the spirit will have joy that lasts beyond the end of time.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Eternal Connections

Friends,

God's people share a unique bond in the Holy Spirit. It is unlike anything possible in the natural realm. It exists only in the spiritual. While I'm taking some liberty with the context, I believe that the apostle Paul has this bond on his heart when he writes:

1 Corinthians 10:4 [NKJV]
and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

We experience this connection in any number of ways. When you hear a sermon that seems to have been written just for you. When the Lord puts a brother on your heart for intercessory prayer. When you share a revelation with a sister and her jaw drops because she heard the Lord tell her the same thing.

This bond is a wondrous and amazing thing. It is a way that He demonstrates His strength to us. And it is an awesome responsibility. For such a connection means that now we must see each other in a different light. It means that our thoughts, words and actions have an impact far beyond our self and immediate circle. When we sin, it is felt by all of God's people. When we pray, it can reach around the world to touch someone who needs a special experience of God's love. And when we praise the Lord, it lifts up the entire body.

Doesn't that change your perspective today?
Wouldn't this give you one more reason to be really, really sure that what is said, done and even thought is in obedience to the LORD?
Doesn't knowing this make you grateful that no burden is borne alone?

Be encouraged,
Jose

The steps of the Obedient

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psalm 37:23 (NKJV)

When our heart and soul resonates with the Holy Spirit, which is our direct link to the throne of grace, our every step in life will be in accordance and response to God’s divine plan. When we are engrossed and consumed in His word, our ears are attentive to the gentle whispers that reach and touches our spirit. Then we are able to discern and respond appropriately to divine direction and our obedience to Him (irrespective of the strong influences around us) though doesn't take away our challenges but makes us stronger and better through them.

He keeps the feet of His godly ones…
1 Samuel 2:9 (NASB)

The breakthrough of men and women of God in the scriptures were preceded by their obedience and whole dependence for directions in their life's situations. When God placed them on a path, they followed when it even made no sense and such moves seemed unrealistic. Abraham , Moses , Joshua , Gideon , David , Jehoshaphat , Esther all followed the leadings and directions of the Lord and today, their lives are testimonies of how the Lord works through the lives of men. Have the Lord put something in your spirit lately? Do not wait any longer, get at it, begin the pursuit, get down to business and He that has directed you will give you direction to fulfillment, for the steps of the obedient and God-dependent person will be directed by the King Himself and they will never be put to shame.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Stay in the Plan

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Romans 13:7-8 [KJV]

As we read chapter 13 in Romans, we understand that God has an overall plan. Even when we don't like the results, we have an obligation to stick with the plan. We know that all things work together for good for them that love God. Sometimes it seems to take the long way around from our viewpoint. We are waiting for the breakthrough and the time seems to drag on and on and on.

Today, I am asking each of us to stay within the plan. As stated above, let's meet our obligations under the blood of Christ. As we go through our daily duties, we must remind ourselves that we are aligned with the One who holds the future. We can't see clearly how things will turn out, but we can know that as long as God is in the midst, we will turn out fine.

Be Encouraged,


Martin A. Rayner

His Word as Daily Guide

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Mathew 10:16 (NKJV)

Survival in a subtly hostile and vicious environment may not always require confronting force with force, it will require a gentle and patient strategy to wear out every attack and intentions of the opponent. The Lord Himself gave this advice to set our expectations on what is to come. Unfortunately, the same truth is most times shielded or just not shared by most Ministers of the word. Because our common adversary and his agents are determined and consistent, their approach and strategy are sleek, sly and calculated, camouflaging as sheep to hide their decimating and destructive tendencies from an unsuspecting flock.

We must be sober and diligent in our daily walk, watching who is in our entourage and being conscious of our environment and all influences. Remember we are dealing with a committed adversary who is relentless and 24x7. Flesh and blood is no match, but a way out is available in His word.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

No longer a slave

Friends,

An amazing consequence of Christ's work is our freedom. Some might question this notion, since our unique relationship with God can cause our consciences to be more sensitive than the non-believer. But the same laws of holiness that apply to believers are in effect for the unsaved, as well. The liberty that we experience is that we are now able to obey the Lord in a way that was not possible before.

John 8:36 [NKJV]
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Without the work of redemption, we belong to this world, and therefore subject to its ruler's desire to rebel against God. But with redemption, we are no longer limited to rebellious acts. Instead, brothers and sisters, we are transported from unholiness to holiness, from rebellion to obedience, from slavery into freedom. Christ demolished the chains that bound us to sin, releasing us to demonstrate our love for Him.

Isn't that worth celebrating today?
Can you lift your voice today in praise and joy for the love our Lord has proven?

Be encouraged,
Jose

Salvation is for the kingdom

Friends,

I was reading a recent article on website called Shamah-Elim about the purpose and scope of preaching. The Lord used it remind me that, as much as salvation is to our benefit, its true purpose is for His benefit. All that He does draws our attention to His glory. All that He does is for His pleasure and to serve His will.

You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O LORD, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.
Exodus 15:17 [NKJV]

When we miss this critical truth, we end up evangelizing in error; we end up preaching a half-gospel. If we encourage people to answer the call of Christ just so that they will be able to live a better life, we have completely missed the point. In the worst case, some will mistakenly believe that they have been reconciled to God. Their heart was not for the Kingdom, but for themselves... and it remains that way today. Tragically, some will come to the end of their days never having been taught to truly give up their lives, to truly die to self, and to genuinely live for Christ.

Sisters and brothers, this is an urgent time. The days are no doubt growing short. The Lord has redeemed us so that we would become His dwelling place. Make Christ the one and only desire of your heart, that He might find that heart an acceptable and welcoming dwelling place.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Those micro trends

Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NKJV)

The above scripture exposes and reveals wisdom at its very core. In Apostle Paul's admonition of the Church of the emergence of killer trends in the Church (or what we will call 'micro' trends today), i.e. sexual perversion and immorality and its embrace and permission even in the body of Christ. The little thoughts are likened to the leaven which has real potential of leavening the whole lump. Any thought, micro trend, lifestyle, or anything capable of detaching and defiling our relationship with the Holy Spirit and is not taken captive to the obedience of Christ can decimate and ultimately destroy our soul. But we must keep the faith not with malice and wickedness, but playing our part in our faith walk with sincerity and truth. As the world continues to evolve, these trends evolve too, creatively devised with the goal of stunting Kingdom influence in the world.

Now we know better. Be conscious of the destructive leaven, trends, influence, etc. Just because the world embraces it doesn't make it permissible and/or beneficial for our soul and eternity. Applying the truth you know and have will always set you free.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Got Too Much Stuff In The Way

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:35-37 [KJV]

When we try to hold onto the stuff that God has provided for us instead of God, He gets jealous. If we are seen trying to keep stuff instead of Him, He will remove the stuff that is in the way of our relationship. God is first in line, in our hearts, in our minds and in our spirits. He does not want to wait for us to finish something else. He wants our full attention. In the gospels, the above verses are repeated in Luke and Matthew. We are reminded that we can put our trust in the things that God provides or in God who provides the things.

In our society today, the focus is on the things. If you have cool stuff, you are deemed successful. However, God measures success in our relationship with Him, His Son and His Spirit. Are we driven by those or by our ability to gather? If we lost all our stuff, would we still love God. Can we pass the Job test? Let's ask this question, If Christ came to us and said, "Give up your job, car, hobby, wife/husband, children . . . (you fill in the blank) so that we can be closer, would you and could you? We are all in the same boat, we just have to think what stuff is in the way of our relationship with God. Let's work on the answer and get closer to God. Remember, as we "Draw nigh unto God, He will draw nigh unto you".

Be Encouraged,


Martin

Watch out now!!!

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Acts 20:27-31 (NKJV)

Apostle Paul laid it all out to the ministers, clergies, disciples and all custodians of the Lord's gospel about the impending challenges of ministry. This is a responsibility we have to ourselves and the flock around us, i.e. our churches, ministries, families and indeed and our unique spheres of influence. We have been entrusted with the Lord's priced possessions which He purchased with His own blood. We must not lose sight of the antics and gimmicks of the adversary and his agents. They speak like the one sent, they deliver messages that sound like from Him, but watch their actions and match them up with God's words.

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)

Heads-up brothers and sisters, let's be watchful and conscious lest we fall a prey to the lies and deceits of a determined adversary.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Completed Work

Friends,

Christ went to that cross and laid down His life. No man took it from Him. He was not murdered, nor executed nor killed. He freely and willingly paid the price for our sins.

But that was not enough, it turns out. If it was, the story would have ended right then and there.

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
1 Corinthians 15:17-19 [NKJV]

These three short sentences are a bedrock of our faith. They rely on the unchangeable and undeniable fact of Jesus' resurrection. If His grave was full - like the self-anointed heads of other religions then we would be placing our hope in a collection of dried-up skin and bones. But because His grave is empty, we know that our faith is in a living and Almighty God.

He has power over even death. And nothing is impossible for Him or those who believe in Him.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Written on the heart of man

Friends,

When the LORD brought His people out of Egypt, He made sure they had food to eat. And God wanted them to enjoy what He has given in accordance with His law. So, through His servant Moses, God instructed His people...

Exodus 16:23,27-28 [NKJV]
Then he (Moses) said to them, "This is what the LORD has said: 'Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.'"

Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. And the LORD said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?"

Chronologically, this event took place before the Israelites specifically received the Ten Commandments. Yet, they knew -- because Moses relayed God's directive to them - that keeping the Sabbath is holy and required activity.

You and I also know that setting this day apart is an important act of obedience. It is the day the LORD named as His day. And like every one of God's laws, it is written upon our hearts.

Brothers and sisters, let no man convince you to compromise on this. Enjoy the day of rest. Enjoy His gift.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Understanding

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV)

Our daily walk is punctuated with many issues and events. Some demand a response; others attempt to shape our self-perceptions, our standards and our personal view of the world. In a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to Godly standards, getting divine understanding is a necessary requirement that will enable us avert conforming to the world and any action that is capable of jeopardizing our eternity.

Understanding is an imperative for every believer. It enables our walk of faith by separating truth from fiction. It reduces our vulnerability to the lies and pranks of the adversary.

Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
1 Corinthians 14:20 (NKJV)

In all your ways, get understanding.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Are You Scared Too?

For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Psalm 31:13-15 (KJV)

David was afraid and was being talked about negatively and knew that people were planning for his demise. He put his trust in God to make it through. We should take the same advice. We should trust God no matter what circumstances are surrounding us. We know that He will always deliver us from our enemies and from them that try to bring us down. We must admit that we cannot make this journey alone.

God will be with us even when Satan seems to have gotten us to forget that God is with us, meaning that God will always be there for us and we must believe that. He will never, never forsake us. He will never leave us. God will always be there for us. Satan will try to convince us otherwise, but there is always proof that God is by our side. If we are scared as well, then we should lean totally on Christ our Saviour.

Be Encouraged,


Martin A. Rayner

Use your Shout

But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken Him;... Now look, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with sounding trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper!”
2 Chronicles 13:10,12 (NKJV)

The battle of life is not to the swift, agile, intelligent, powerful or equipped one, but victory is the portion of them that forsake not their Creator. He continually gives those that remain connected to Him signals and alarms on as needed basis lest they fall into the hands of the adversary. The priests and Holy Spirit sounds the trumpets and the men of Judah gives a shout... a shout that reigns terror and confusion in the camp of the adversary. A shout of victory, a shout of praise, a shout that the host of Heaven responds to. This is the heritage of them that believe, trust and never forsake their God even in the midst of tough and challenging seasons.

Don't lose an ear for the priestly and trumpet sounds of the spirit. When it prompts you for the shout, don't hold back, its your heritage in Him. Give a shout of praise and victory to Him who lives forevermore.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Praise the Exalted God!

Friends,

It is an unnatural act to praise God. The world, instead, finds reasons to doubt Him, blame Him and ignore Him. But into His people, the Lord places His Spirit, which overcomes the flesh's desire to be its own God.

Psalm 97:8-9 [NKJV]
Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O LORD.

For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.

Notice that the second stanza (verse 9) starts with, "For You, LORD." It explains why Zion (God's chosen people... in other words, believers) rejoice: because the LORD is exalted. The worldly man never celebrates because someone is exalted above him; he may accept the fact of such a situation, but he won't be overjoyed by it.

The man filled with the Holy Spirit, however, is thankful beyond measure for God's sovereignty. So let us take time today to remember who it is that we worship, yielding to the Spirit's fervent desire to sing and shout praises to the Almighty LORD, the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Be encouraged,
Jose

Heaven's Honey

Friends,

The word of God comes down to us every day. There are so many ways that He illustrates this in scripture that we can barely scratch the surface in one message. Here are just three:

Exodus 16:31
And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.

For God's people, His word is life-giving, sweet-tasting nourishment. Do not let a single day go by without feasting on those tasty treats!

Be encouraged,
Jose