Know the path of those who walked before

Friends,

Certainly we know that man has changed very little across human history. We are still tempted by the same desires. We are still committing the same atrocities. We are still falling into the same old snares and stumbles as we did hundreds and thousands of years ago. Along those same lines, Paul instructs the believers in Corinth to study what happened to our ancestors as they navigated through the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land. He admonishes them, and us, to understand that what they did lead them to incur God's wrath. Their stories were recorded so that we would learn from them and not follow their unholy examples:

1 Corinthians 10:9-11
nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. [NKJV]

Sisters and brothers, it is time for us to ask ourselves the tough questions: Are we tempting Christ? Are we complaining about what God has chosen for our lives? Have we failed to learn from what our forefathers experienced?

We have their stories to learn from. Let us do just that ... learn from them. By doing so, we open our hearts to experience the mercy and blessing of our Father, the Great and Almighty God of Heaven and earth.

Be encouraged, Jose

Nowhere else to be

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
Isaiah 24: 3-4 (NKJV)

To be without and operate out of the covering and saving grace and hand of God is to choose a path of folly that leads to nowhere but emptiness and an endless chasing of bubbles. The wisdom of the world in its complexities usually creates problems that overwhelms, confuses man and ultimately exposes the vulnerable nature of man living life without God.... An utter destitute to put it simply. A mind anchored and stayed on the Lord operates in the obedience of God's word and every intent of such heart is to please and perform the heart, mind and plan of God in every situation. Such implies leaving no room for the manipulative devices and schemes of the enemy. Then the peace and strength of God becomes available for use for all of our seasons in life.

Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.
Isaiah 24:2 (NKJV)

Because you have released all to the Chief Architect, Programmer, Creator and Maker of all things, your steps are ordered by Him, things so often fall in perfect places (making you look like a genius) and the gates and windows of heaven are opened up and the righteous goes through, recovering, restoring, claiming, possessing and having dominion over their spheres of influence as commanded by God at creation. Knowing this truth, is there any other place to be?

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

An issue of trust

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.
Nahum 1:7 (NKJV)

So often in our lives we encounter and confront this trust issue. Because no man is an island and being a social being meant to live together and subdue his environment according to God's plan, partnership then becomes critical to foster, achieve, create, etc. With partnership comes the issue of trust, giving ourselves, our mind, our soul to someone we believe has the same good and not evil intentions for us. Man can feign and act like we all want them to be, but in times of trouble, they just fall short, simply because they are not God. But they that have and exercise their faith and trust in their God at all times (not just when things are calm and tranquil) know the below scripture to be true....

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

With the faith comes trust which together forms the basis of a robust, steady and healthy partnership with God our maker. When any of these are absent, we may deny ourselves of His benevolent grace and mercy. As much as the issue of trust remains a challenge with man, God is trustworthy and a sure refuge and stronghold in the day of trouble.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Use your words wisely

Friends,

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him. -- NKJV

We sing songs for a multitude of reasons. To make our beloved feel special. To lament a tragedy. To issue a call for change or justice. To celebrate and memorialize a great victory. To mourn the passing of good truck.

But here, in Psalm 28, King David bestows the greatest of all purposes to his song. He declares that it shall be to praise the LORD -- his strength and shield.

What are you singing for today? What are you using your words to do? To complain? To belittle? To criticize? Or are you using them to edify, to bless and the lift high the Holy Name of Christ Jesus!

Be encouraged, Jose

Necessary for ministry

Friends,

Have you experienced that nudging of the Spirit lately? You know ... the one that calls you to act upon what He has taught you in Scripture. The one that calls you to step into the advancement of His Kingdom?

As you begin your walk in that calling, remember that there is a critical step you must take before taking that first step.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11-12 [NKJV]

Are you leading a ministry ... perhaps a youth group, or a praise team? Do you truly and intimately know the scriptural basis for that ministry? Are you fulfilling its purpose as defined in God's word? Too many men and women find themselves in leadership positions without the deep training in God's word that is necessary to function in that role. And the responsibility is borne by all involved.

So, before you take that bold step, seek out a teacher of the Word. Someone who can and will bring out the deep and hard truths of the Bible. Someone who will equip you to serve faithfully and effectively.

Do this today, that you will be blessed tomorrow.

Be encouraged, Jose

Be Steadfast

And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days.
Job 42:10,16-17 (NKJV)

Job went through some really trying and challenging times. His ordeal by today's standards will evoke the unthinkable. But his faith in his God and Creator was not attached to the material possessions, fruits of his baskets, his personal accomplishments and status in his days. Do we come to him or sing his praise because of what we can get from Him? Whether we abound or lack, can our testimony in Him remain intact and not be compromised?

The trying and challenging seasons of life are a blessing in disguise. It rids us of excess fat in our faith muscle. It detaches us from unprofitable relationships and mindsets, it removes the smokescreen and exposes pretenders and phony elements around us and even in our thoughts as well. At the end of the season, if we faint not, our latter days will be more glorious than our former days.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

How to Move God

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11:6 [KJV]

How quickly can God answer a prayer?  Before you pray it.  He is just waiting for us to get to the right place.  God is looking for us to intervene on someone's behalf.  He knows what we need before we pray. He knows how we need it delivered to us.  He also knows how we will react once we see God move.  I can tell you from past experience that the best way to make God move is to believe that He will move and that He is God.  

Belief and Trust will make God move on our behalf.  Sharing our inner most self with those who will keep us lifted toward God will also make God move. He is looking for us to build each other up and encourage each other to believe. Our trust in God and belief in who He is will always make God move on our behalf.  Let's prove God just as He asked us to in His Word. 

Be Encouraged,

Martin

To Stand

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV)

The dynamics of life are a certainty. Change is certain and sure and in the emerging change we will be confronted, assaulted, attacked, challenged and put on the spot. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance (5Ps) helps illustrate this truth here. The test of time and the seasons will come, hence the need to be clothed with the whole armor of God described in the above scriptures. The end game after our encounters is our ability "TO STAND" and not be crushed by the cares and issues of life.

In all things, let us remain stand steadfast in our calling and be vigilant and persistent in our pursuit of all righteousness, so we may gain the stamina to stand and be victorious.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Seek fellowship

Friends,

Proverbs 18:1
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment. -- [NKJV]

Too many of us have fallen prey to the lure of living life in isolation. We seek it out because, when we're alone, there's no one to examine our actions, question our motives, or to offer correction. Beyond a weekly service and -- maybe -- a weekly "small group", we go about our business; answering to no one but our own selves.

Judges 21:25
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. [NKJV]

You see, this is not a new habit. And so the consequences should not be a surprise ...

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. [NKJV]

Sisters and brothers, when we isolate ourselves from daily fellowship & intimacy with the Body of Christ, we are following a path that leads away from God. Even if we have the best of intentions, we have no shot at living a life that is worthy of our calling.

The answer is to be in the Body every day ... to have as our most important relationships the ones that are bound by the Name and the Word of God. It will not be easy on our flesh. But we will expereicne a strengthening of the Spirit within us that will shine for all to see.

Be encouraged, Jose

It starts with the Word

Friends,

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. You shall put in it the ark of the Testimony, and partition off the ark with the veil."
Exodus 40:1-3 [NKJV]

At this point in the story of Israel's journey through the desert, every element of the tabernacle has been constructed according to God's explicit and specific design. It is now time to bring all the pieces together - and again the LORD is precise in His instructions. He stipulates that the first piece of furniture to take its position shall be the ark of the Testimony.

Why is that?

He is telling His people that His presence starts with His word. You see, the tabernacle was a visible, tangible symbol of the presence of Almighty God. He filled it with Himself. From the tabernacle, He led Israel to the Promised Land. But before He does so, He commands that a visible, tangible symbol of His Word be placed inside ... in the innermost place of the tabernacle.

The Tabernacle is a direct type of Christ Jesus. And it is likewise a direct type of the Body of Christ. That would mean you and me. If want to experience God's presence, then we must ... in the same manner as the Tabernacle ... be sure that His Word is firmly placed in the innermost part of our spirit.

Be encouraged, Jose

Smart walk

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

Our struggles in the flesh will continue as long as we don this earthly vessel. As we ensure to keep our walk and relationship with the Lord, our vulnerable nature manifests itself in our conduct on a daily basis with the adversary drumming up the condemnation song to every believer. But the good news is for those who are in Christ Jesus; this sentence is null and void.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:2 (NKJV)

But to be completely shielded from this condemnation, our walk must be according to the Holy Spirit, not our carnal instincts and desires. How’s your walk today? Are you spirit-led or carnally-driven? Check your life’s priorities and goals. Where do they fall? Walk well and walk smart.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Grace to Serve

Friends,

And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:4 [NKJV]

Given the way he lived his life, few would have expected Aaron to be anointed as the first high priest. It would be surprising if Aaron himself believed that he was qualified for such a role. After all, it was he who presided over the golden calf incident, knowing that what he did was evil in the sight of God. Nevertheless, the LORD names Aaron as the chief high priest, anointing him in front of all the people for the critical work of temple duty.

Do you consider yourself unqualified for Kingdom service? If you are truly saved, then nothing could be further from the truth. Of course, we know that blatant, unrepentant sinfulness can be present & welcome in our lives if we expect to be used by God. But the LORD calls us to repentance. And when we truly repent, the grace of Christ Jesus is sufficient to enable us to serve as He commands.

Be encouraged, Jose

Check the fruit

Friends,

Almighty God does not want anyone to be surprised by what happens when they meet Him face to face. The way to know -- and be absolutely sure -- is to examine the fruit that we bear in our lives.

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
-- Matthew 7:18-21 [NKJV]

The connection between these verses could not be more clear. Saying "Lord, Lord" is not fruit. Obedience is fruit. Waiting upon the Lord, listening for His voice, and doing as He commands is fruit. Generosity, Longsuffering, Love, and Kindness ... these are fruits.

Examine your life today so that you are not surprised tomorrow.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Presence of God

Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
Exodus 33:15 (NKJV)

Joshua took a stand before the children of Israel and declared that if the Lord's presence will not go with them, they are better where they are instead. Joshua knew the vulnerable nature of the human mind and the strong preference of our human instincts to stray and stay out of the presence of the Lord particularly in our minds to pursue our self destructive transient desires. The presence of the Lord is what we must continually seek. The Lord also demands our attention and He will not share our mind with any other thing, issue or creature. To be God-minded is life and to do otherwise is to tow the path of destruction.

The presence of the Lord brings peace and perfect calm even in the midst of chaos. There is reassurance, uncommon confidence, guidance, fullness of joy and an instant self-correcting feature that keeps us from straying and doing dumb and destructive things. In the presence of the Lord, no worries can be a match for the assurance and peace that goes beyond human comprehension.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Way of life

He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.
Psalm 10:17 (NKJV)

In the journey of life, we often find ourselves in the avenue called hope by the intersection of Faith avenue. In these avenues or roads for ease of analysis, we are powerless (physically) in these areas and have little in predetermining our desired outcomes. Having faith and hope are all the intangible tools that we have... A very fragile but yet life changing resource that competes with the loud, ubiquitous, frightful and rampant 'human self will' that we must contend with during these seasons.

To work and walk with a plan at these places and moment spares us of waste, avoidable anguish and restlessness. Receiving and utilizing valuable instruction keeps us in the know, but to reject Godly ways and instruction is to stray and miss out of life. Receive instruction and stay in the way of life to fulfill His purpose in you.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

That was fast

Friends,

Saturday's devotional was focused on the need for elders to come forth. What happened Sunday was unexpected, but it shouldn't have been surprising ...

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14 [NKJV]

We had a fellowship out our home to celebrate some of the birthdays taking place this month within our group of believing friends. Included in those whose presence graced our home was the husband of two of the "birthday girls'" close friends. He is an older man ... quiet, unassuming, and an unapologetic follower of Christ.

We talked and laughed for a few hours. Through it all, I was struck by God's amazing and gracious answer to my prayer. Here was an elder ... a real man who has lived as God has called him to live, who has obeyed God's call to work, to love, and to make time to study His word, and who seemed to take a genuine interest a guy 30 years his junior. It may be Lord's will that we have more opportunities to spend time together; or it may not. Either way, I am grateful for God's divine provision.

Be encouraged, Jose

Where are all the old men?

Friends,

I've been listening to an absolutely remarkable series of podcasts over the last month or so. John Eldredge has recorded these in support of a book his ministry is releasing this spring entitled Fathered by God. His premise is that every man must pass through six stages in his life: Beloved Son, Cowboy, Warrior, Lover, King and Sage. The last stage, that of Sage struck a deep chord for me because I've come to realize that there are no old men of God in my life.

Certainly, I have several male friends in their sixties, but only two who profess to be Christian. And unfortunately, even both have confessed Christ for many years, neither has really grown to be an elder in the Body of Christ.

The role of the Sage is critical to those of us that are "coming up through the ranks," so to speak. It is so necessary to the discipleship of men that the LORD has, throughout history, specifically assigned Godly elders to various figures in Scripture:

And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me."
Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. -- 1 Samuel 3:8-9 [NKJV]

Samuel went on to anoint Saul and David as kings of Israel, counseling, rebuking, mentoring and teaching them for the rest of his days. His preparation for that role came at the feet of Eli, an old priest whose eyes were "growing dim."

The temptation is surely strong for a man, having worked for several decades, to retire to the sunshine and fairways of Florida or Arizona. But we who are in the thick of battle need you. We need you to be grown up in the LORD. We need to you be a conduit for God's word. We need someone to follow.

Wherever you are... come back. We stand ready to listen.

Be encouraged, Jose

Ransomed Heart Ministries Podcasts, click here ... Going Deeper, Podcasts

Blessing to blessing

Friends, consider this song found in the Book of Psalms ...

A Song of Ascents.
Behold, bless the LORD,
All you servants of the LORD,
Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the LORD.
The LORDwho made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!

Psalm 134

The writer of this psalms implores the people to "bless the LORD". And in turn, the LORD declares that He blesses His people from His holy place. It is a beautiful exchange, just as children loves their parents, and as parents lavish love and blessings on their children.

If you are seeking that incomprehensible peace and joy, then begin today by giving unrestrained praise and glory to Almighty God. Do this no matter what your present circumstances may appear to be. And without fail, He will shower blessings upon you.

Be encouraged, Jose