Getting Ready to Move

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.  Mark 13:35-36 [KJV]

Let's make sure that we are ready to move on.  As people, we get stuck in a rut (a hole that a wheel continues to ride in and wear down).  We think that things will never change and we can just do this same thing over and over and over again.  This feeling of complacency brings on that feeling that we will never do anything different.  But we all know that when God is in our lives, He can break us out of the rut.  He can create a new path for us to follow.  

Let's get ready to move.  We can make the changes necessary by trusting in God and His Plan for our lives.  His Son came down to die for us so that we can have life more abundantly.  Let us get ready to move forward in life and trust that Christ will lead us out of our current rut into a new path with new events and give us new reasons to worship and praise him.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Seek knowledge

Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet.
Proverbs 19:2 (NKJV)

The pursuit of knowledge is a noble task. It equips us for dealing with and navigating the sharp bends and potholes of life. It also enables us to make the best of our lives. Seeking knowledge in itself imbibes in us traits such as patience, gentleness, a listening ear and heart, and an open heart.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.
Proverbs 19:20 (NKJV)

When we are able to listen to counsel and receive instruction, we are easily quick and swift with listening, taking in and gaining insights in the process and surely slow in speaking, bringing forth effective words that build and not tear down.

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

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

No apology necessary

Friends,

Too many preachers and pastors have tried to over-explain and apologize for Almighty God. They do this for many reasons, of course. Some may do this in order to gain acceptance by the world. Others do this in order to attract new followers. But Christ Jesus never watered down the Gospel in order to build a following. He never "marketed" His ministry. He simply laid out the plain, simple truth:

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.

-- 1 Timothy 3:16 [NKJV]

Some men may find this difficult to believe. And some men will be greatly offended by such a simplistic explanation. But such eventualities do not change the truth of God's word.

Therefore, we have the duty and the freedom to present Christ as He truly is.
Holy
Righteous
Just

Without apology and without fear.

Be encouraged, Jose

Think on these things

Friends,

Millions upon millions of dollars have been spent by the lost and weary as they search for the secrets of joy and happiness. If they'd only turn to God's Word. If we ... the ones who claim Christ as our King ... would only heed the voice of our God.

Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
-- Psalm 34:11-14 [NKJV]

In His grace and mercy, the LORD has made it basic and simple for His children. But we must do more than simply hear the voice. We must obey it.

Be encouraged, Jose

Getting Ready to Wait

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.  Psalm 27:14-15 [KJV]

In this time of instant gratification and immediate feedback, the economy has put all of us in an interesting position.  We have to wait on God for some results.  Whether we are waiting on Him for a new job or opportunity, a upcoming layoff from a job that we have worked on for a while, a result from some testing concerning our health or that of a loved one, we have no choice but to hold on until the results come our way.  The waiting can seemingly take forever, but in reality, it only takes as long as God needs to work things out for His Good.  

Our getting ready can be done two ways.  We can just sit on the couch in front of the TV and wait for God to respond, or we can be active in doing things that we would not normally have a chance to do.  We could have answer a ministry calling or use the quiet time to read and study more about God.  We can be proactive and wait or we can just sulk about everything taking so long.  As I am writing this, I realize that God will allow things to happen in their appointed time. I am hopeful that you will realize that too.  Once the timing is confirmed, then we can focus on God and his righteousness.  As we change our focus from our circumstances to His Work, we are able to be ready for our waiting period.  The time will pass the same, but we will accomplish more for God than we would have ever realized. 

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Creative energy

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NKJV)

We serve a creative and energetic God. A God whose creative and dexterous abilities is matchless and incomprehensible. In His image were we created, and in His image and likeness must we operate, excel, and flourish. In each and every child of God are hidden treasures, meant to engage, inspire, encourage and empower our world for the Kingdom of God. These treasures are not usually discovered without fierce adversity and challenges. They are usually birth through such trying and challenging seasons.

Never conceal the treasures of the Kingdom in you, let them come forth, release them, touch your world, with boldness and power, demonstrate the creative power and energies embedded in you like our heavenly Father did. The energy is within, put it to use for the glory of God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Yet will I trust Him

Friends,

The degree to which we trust the LORD cannot truly be known during the good times. It is only when we fully acknowledge His complete and total sovereignty ... even during times of hardship and tribulation ... that we can know whether really trust in God or not.

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
Job 13:15 [NKJV]

Recall that Job was declared righteous before God. He is never told why he must endure the affliction that he experienced ... and neither are we. Indeed, he cries out to the LORD for a reason, and receives none.

And yet, Job trusts in the LORD.

And so must you and I.
We must trust in His goodness, in His perfect judgment and will, and in His completely unconditional love for us. Then we can accept all that comes from His hand as good, and perfect, and overflowing with love.

Be encouraged, Jose

Serve the brethren

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:3-8 (NKJV)

The above scripture sums it up simply and nicely. Our talents and abilities are for a greater purpose. A purpose to edify, minister, teach, exhort, lead and cheer our fellow brothers and sisters in love and all righteousness. In this divine call is the root ingredient of love that must be without hypocrisy but sincere and genuine with a heart that is selfless and not selfish.

We are not created equal, but in love let us lift each other up for this is the will of God for us all.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Hope justified

Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
1 Corinthians 15:12-14 (NKJV)

The Savior's Resurrection was remembered and celebrated all around the world this past weekend. The event and day is a constant reminder of the greatest gift yet given to mankind. One which if without would have assigned all creature to doom, destruction and lost forever. But the Lord's Resurrection from the dead proved the Lord's power of death and sin. What looked like an eternal loss. But through perseverance, endurance and patience through the wilderness and trial season, the Lord demonstrated our ability to overcome all with the Holy Spirit as our guide and helper. The trials and grief seasons of life are not meant for us too lose our mind, but to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. For when its all said and done, the glory will revealed.

As Christs' resurrection is remembered and celebrated, is there anything in our lives that won't yield to the Resurrection power made available to us? Our hope in Him is justified, we have a dependable and trustworthy Savior.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

God's view of man's rituals

Friends,

Many people have made the mistake of accepting as fact that, as long we truly believe that we're worshiping God, then it really doesn't matter how we worship. Thank back to the many rites and rituals that congregations have incorporated into worship services. You may have seen them as recently this past weekend. And with that in mind, consider this passage.

He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood;
He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.
Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,
So will I choose their delusions,
And bring their fears on them;
Because, when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight.
Isaiah 66:3-4 [NKJV]

The LORD expects true worship, in spirit and in truth. It is not about dramas, good music, loud preaching, fancy robes, or expensive suits.

It is about coming before the God of Heaven and Earth with reverence, boldness, awe and praise. It is about hearing U>His voice, seeking U>His righteousness, and being transformed into His image. The LORD delights in this.

Be encouraged, Jose

A really good day

Friends,

A few years back, a gentleman with whom I was working was moping about the office. I asked him what was wrong, and he told how sad it was that Jesus was killed on this day. He went on to explain how unfortunate it was that such a brave and compassionate man was killed just for standing up for his beliefs. He couldn't understand why people call it "Good Friday."

John 12:24 [NKJV]
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

Christ had several opportunities to turn off the path that led Him to Calvary. His life and work had been accepted by the Father, who declared that He was well pleased with His Beloved Son. He could have called down legions of angels to remove Him from the cross and transport Him back to His Father. Christ fulfilled the complete law, and is the only man to have earned a place in Heaven. He could have returned to His place of glory, but He would have gone alone.

But that is not what He wants.

He wants you and me to be with Him for all eternity. And to accomplish that, He accepted the full wrath of Almighty God. He endured it all.

And because He did, we will not. And that is very good.

Be encouraged, Jose

On things above

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2 (NKJV)

To be spiritually minded is life, while to be carnally minded is death. When we dissipate energy and attention to things of the earth, they may excite and bubble for a while but will eventually vanish into thin air. Stories of folks with huge home equities, nest egg savings, 401K, etc are all common. There's nothing wrong owning these things, but to base one's life on these solely is unwise. We build castles in the air with no structures that can hold them forth. When we invest in the Kingdom, we invest in ourselves and our future and the benefits transcend the present life we live.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 (NKJV)

Keep your mind and passion engaged on things of great value.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

A Smart Plan

For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall.
Psalm 18:28-29 (NKJV)

To do battle or just confront a challenge, you must have a plan to ensure success in that endeavor. To be without a plan is to play lottery and gamble away. King David understood the importance of guidance, divine direction in the clumsy, complex and dark path of life. Divine illumination becomes critical to the effective use of our limited human resources. When our square pegs are plugged into square holes, we do great exploits. We can confidently run against a troop when others shrink out of fear.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

No mountain is too high, nor any depth to deep for us to overcome when we have an aligned plan with our Maker and are in His purpose. Like Paul pronounced, I can do 'ALL' things through my Creator's power.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Ready for Peace

Friends,

Jesus traveled to Jerusalem knowing what lay in store for Him there. Even His grand entrance to the city was ordained, down to the last detail, by Almighty God for us to understand the full meaning of Christ's work.

Matthew 21:7
They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.
[NKJV]

There are two ways that a king enters a city. He either enters mounted upon a horse, or he enters mounted upon a donkey. If he enters riding a horse, he enters to conquer. He is at war and expects to find his enemies awaiting his arrival. When a king enters riding a donkey, however, he expects to find his allies. He is not at war, but is at peace. He enters not to defeat his enemies, but to join together with his friends.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
[NKJV]

Even though we lived our entire lives as an enemy of Christ, He enters our heart as a friend. It makes our salvation all the more remarkable doesn't it? It makes Christ's work of grace all the more amazing. That the Lord of all Heaven and Earth would call you and me His friend.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Glory of God is God

Friends,

And he said, "Please, show me Your glory."
Exodus 33:18

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the LORD, interceding for the people of Israel after they had worshiped the golden calf. The LORD instructs Moses to hide in a cleft in while He passes by, and a few verses later, the LORD grants Moses' request:

And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
Exodus 34:6-7 [NKJV]

While Moses was hid in the rock, He experienced the glory of God passing before him. And what was that experience? It was the hearing of the LORD's voice, proclaiming Himself and His goodness.

Brothers and sisters, we are privileged to have this experience every day!
We are in hid in the Rock ... Christ Jesus.
We are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace and hear directly from Almighty God. Since we have been granted holiness by Christ, there is no sin ... no thing ... to stop us. All we need to do is ask:

Almighty and Everlasting Father, please show me Your glory!
Amen and amen!

Be encouraged, Jose