Vain and Empty

For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 3:19 (NKJV)

The blitz, the bling, the glamor, the pride, the self righteousness, the subtle hatred, the terrorist, the pervert, the extremist, the superstar, even the faithful... One thing levels all at this side of things. They are all one breath away from this world. Why should man now get carried away by the passing pleasures, glamor, hate, joy, pain, success and struggles of this world. Nothing in life has ever been permanent. As the preacher states it, one dies, so dies the other, no one is exempt.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

The saved ought not get caught up in these distractions lest they fall into the trap and scheme of the world. All is vanity.

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Mark 8:36 (NIV)

A life without Christ is what the heading above says. Pray that all souls come to repentance before the final curtain is drawn.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Turn away from the idols

Friends,

Ezekiel 14:6 [NKJV]
"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.' "

The news of the past seven days has been filled ... overwhelmed is probably a better word ... with talk of the death of several celebrities. The question I pose today to believers is this ...

Why do you care?

The death of a famous singer, actress, or other celebrity is, in reality, no more or less important or tragic than the death of your neighbor. No matter what a person accomplishes in this world, unless they have repented and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, then the only real tragedy is that yet another soul is lost to the enemy. Beyond that, our attention to the death of someone with whom we have no relationship is a blatant form of idolatry.

Today, ask yourself this: Do you interrupt your relationship with Christ Jesus because of the actions of a famous person? Do the events surrounding the unsaved celebrities of our world distract you from prayer and fellowship with the Lord?

It's far too easy to be bewitched by the glitz and the glamour that surrounds entertainers. But such things do not compare to the glory revealed in Christ. Search for that true, enduring glory today and for always.

Be encouraged, Jose

He is the Lord

Friends,

Jesus said ...

... that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
-- John 5:23 [NKJV]

We find this passage in the context of Christ's assertion of authority over the traditions and burdensome rituals of man. And at this point, the religious elite are looking for any and every excuse to rid themselves of the Messiah.

And that, dear friends, is the danger that all men flirt with.

The carnal man desperately wants to avoid the reality of Jesus. So the carnal man studies the "historical Jesus" to bring Him down to our level. And the carnal man equates Jesus ... who declared that He is the Way, the Truth and the Light ... with all the other ways to salvation that man has invented. And on and on it goes. But to do these things is to dishonor Christ Jesus. And to dishonor Christ is to dishonor the Father.

Sisters and brothers, beware of any teaching or preaching that portrays our Lord as anything besides who He is ... The One True God. Remember that though He privileges us by calling us friend, He is our Lord, our Savior and our Master.

Be encouraged, Jose

No Hiding

Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:24 (NKJV)

Of all things that men do both in open and in secret, none is hidden from the sight of the Almighty, omnipresent God who sees and knows every thought and action we make. Should men not revere Him and come to terms with the futility of our self mockery in denying the essence of God that we flagrantly and consciously take for granted?

All must get out of their hiding places and comfort zone to be about Kingdom business.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

In the right direction

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.
Psalm 127:3-4 (NKJV)

Thank God for our seed, our children. Indeed they are an heritage from the Lord. We are custodians and partners with God in keeping man here through generations on the face of the earth. Because of this singular reason, He created them man and woman to fulfill His purpose, so that man may dominate, increase and flourish in the planet designed for him. To make His plan sustainable, He rewarded man and woman with the fruit of the womb and man's power and ability to bequeath and sustain Kingdom legacies becomes vivid as the children like arrows in his hands can be shot upwards for greater exploits or downwards for destruction.

Our gifts and blessings should bring increase to the Kingdom of God. Our seed, talents and gifts needs to be pointed in the right direction so we may gain more grounds like a warrior gains more ground with his arrows. Point the arrows you have in the right direction. When the kingdom increases, we gain immensely and God is glorified.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Standing tall

Friends,

Psalm 74:16-17 [NKJV] 
The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; 
	You have prepared the light and the sun. 
You have set all the borders of the earth; 
	You have made summer and winter.  

We have passed from spring into summer. All around us, the land is changing. The early green shoots are growing into plants of full stature. The delicate flowers of spring are giving way to9 fruits and vegetables.

Does your walk mirror these changes? Has your belief and obedience to Christ matured? Are you bearing any fruit? In the field, the hardy plants are able to withstand the heat of the summer sun. The flowery, but fragile, ones wilt. You and I have a responsibility to dig deep into the word of God so that we can endure against the fiery trials that are sure to come.

Be encouraged, Jose

Finding rest

Friends,

We come to the end of another week. It is a normal human condition for us to be tired, and to look forward to the Sabbath. Christ told us that the day of rest was created for man ... as our Father's gift to His children.

Hebrews 12:12-13 [NKJV]
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Sisters and brothers, use tomorrow to heal, to rest and to be renewed. Seek these things not only in a physical and emotional sense, but in a spiritual sense. For our spirit needs to be filled anew with the presence and words of God. Doing so will inevitably bring physical rest -- for we must quiet our bodies in order to hear from the Lord. It will bring emotional rest -- for the voice of the Shepherd is a healing balm for the wounded heart. And it will transform you and me into the image of Christ.

Be encouraged, Jose

One Act

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV)

No sooner have we left our transient challenging season behind, we forget easily how life can deal us with another side of the coin, exposing our vulnerabilities and frailties. The strong is seen as weak and powerless, the wise is made to look like the ignorant. In all these things, the Lord keeps His grace over all. As many continue to confront and face their issues and challenges, it is our duty as members of the same body to continue to lift each other up in any way we can.

Let us continue to exhort, encourage, and consider each other in love and good works. The body is stronger and more effective when we act as one.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

New Beginnings

And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go. Jeremiah 40:4 [KJV]





Sometimes in our new beginnings, we are left to make a choice. God has cleared us from all past grievances and sins and given us a clean slate. Where we go from there is our choice. Like the children of Israel standing at the crossroads, they had a choice to make. Before they made the choice, the consequences of both choices were explained.





God does that for us as well. He gives us the choice and the consequences of our free will. What we do with that information is up to us. We can allow many outside influences to change our minds and influence our direction. We can also change our minds about what we are going to do. We can resist the influence of others and follow the influence of God to make sure that we reap the benefits of making the right choice on our new path. God is always at the ready for us to repent and turn to Him. His Ways are not our ways but His Beginnings can be our new beginnings.





Be Encouraged,





Martin

Got a Shepherd?

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:2-3 (NKJV)

When I gave it all, I gave it all and His hand came over me. Even though this hand may be unseen to many, the omnipresent, caring, guiding, securing and compassionate Hand keeps me in all things. Through it I find uncommon rest for my soul, He loads me with daily benefits, enough for the tasks and needs of the day. While I wait and rest, He gives me restoration, a new perspective, a new idea and a strategy as well.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:29-30 (NKJV)

When you have a Good Shepherd, He makes your burden light and yoke easy, but you have to give it all to Him and not hold back to experience this. He is faithful.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Declare God's Works

Friends,

These hard times have left no one untouched. All of us are feeling it, and know others who are affected by them, as well. For the believer, however, we know that there is nothing done in vain. The LORD has a perfect and holy purpose for everything.

Psalm 118:17-18 [NKJV] 
 I shall not die, but live, 
 	 And declare the works of the LORD. 
 The LORD has chastened me severely, 
 	 But He has not given me over to death. 

We don't often know why we experience what we experience. However, we can be confident that it serves God's purpose, even when we do not fully understand His plans. And because we know that these things serve His perfect will, we can trust that they are good.

We know that all of the works of God work together for our good ... for life. We know this because He said so. And therefore, once we have endured these current hardships, and when we come out on the other side (wherever and whenever that is) we can declare the great and wondrous works of our LORD!

Be encouraged, Jose

Trying to add to God's work

Friends,

Ecclesiastes 3:14 [NKJV]

I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.

Have you ever noticed that whenever a particular event is highly impactful, the first thing everyone wants to do is to replicate it? The conversation often goes something like this ... That was great! Let's do this every year!

Then, somewhere along the line, it becomes an obligation ... and a burden. And this is what happens whenever man tries to add to what God has ordained.

At Calvary, Christ fulfilled all of the annual feasts that the Lord describes in the books Exodus and Leviticus. In doing so, He obliterated the need to slaughter lambs, chickens or any other creature as a sacrifice. The symbolism of the Passover meal is made real in Jesus' life and death and resurrection. By repeating it every Spring, man is trying to add to what Christ Jesus declared (in John 19:30) to be finished.

Sisters and brothers, it is time to take a close look at our traditions, rites and rituals. How many of them claim to lead us to Christ, but instead lead us into stress and into submission to the world's expectations? There is no reason for the true follower of Christ to be distracted away from His voice by these or any man-made traditions. To follow His voice is follow the path to peace and blessing.

Be encouraged, Jose

Produce fruits

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
John 15:5-7 (NKJV)

Except we abide in Him, we can do nothing. How true this is! Ever tried to figure out life on your own terms? The complexity of life usually overwhelms us so much that our fragile and delicate nature is soon exposed. Hence no matter how smart and knowledgeable we get, we must not forget the source. Our eternal attachment to that source is key and critical. Only by ‘being and remaining’ attached to Him can we be able to produce fruit.

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:8 (NKJV)

In our fruit production (Galatians 5:22-23) is the Father glorified. Hence we must get busy and productive with Kingdom business. When we do, we produce what elates and glorify our Maker. Get busy, get productive and

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Prayer Request

 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Psalm 66:18-20 [KJV]

As these times are continually changing, we are always hearing prayer request or asking for our own  prayer request.  How do we react?  Do we pray immediately?  Do we file it away for later?  How would we want them to pray for us?  

I know that when I am in need, I want my help to come soon.  Because I feel that power of prayer when someone lifts my name before the Lord, I want to be able to answer the prayer request quickly.  I also know that it is good to have someone wait for a special prayer time and lift your name before the Lord as well.  

One wrong way to answer a prayer request is not to talk to the Lord at all about the issue.  The other is not to believe that God can intervene.  When we believe that God will, God can. When we believe that God can, God will.  Let us make sure that we take action when we hear prayer requests.  Let us make sure that we believe that God will take action on our request.  Let us make sure that we do not forget to talk to God about everything.  Nothing is too large or too small to seek God's help. As we pray, remember that God will watch over and care for us.  Prayer requests will always make sense when we believe.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Uncommon opportunities

So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?”
And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
1 Samuel 30:8 (NKJV)

King David had recently suffered some devastation, attack and loss in the hands of the Amalekites. The situation then set him up for a 'more than a conqueror' role. When we suffer or experience “temporary setback, losses or failures”, it’s probably an opportunity presenting itself in disguise.

Life will not always present itself as a bed of roses. The seasons and times will change, but we must walk and operate with a different attitude, our response and reaction to life and its challenges thereof must be different from that of the world. Sin may also try to silence and disqualify us for His grace and mercy, yet we must confront them as we do on other issues of life. So in light of the changing times that will come...

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:37 (NKJV)

Taking advantage of these opportunities leads us to exercising total Recovery, total Restoration and total Possession. Never despise your challenging seasons, rather claim the lessons and benefits of the season.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The obedience of humility

Friends,

Mankind is constantly in an intense struggle with submission and humility. It doesn't matter what his background is, or what her personality is like. The struggle is universal. And so is God's answer ...

1 Peter 5:6-7 [NKJV]
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Have you bowed low before the Lord?
Have you truly acknowledged His might and authority?

No man, save for Jesus, has adequately conquered this foe. But by the grace of Christ, we can day-by-day come closer to the standard our Savior has set for us. It is a mark of true obedience. And therefore, it is the mark of true love.

Be encouraged, Jose

For obedience's sake

Friends,

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
-- Philippians 3:18-19 [NKJV]

What is Christianity to you?

I have heard far too many sermons, radio talk shows, and evangelistic calls that focus on the temporal benefits of following Christ. Follow Christ, they say, and all your troubles will go away! Your marriage will be better. Your career will be better. Your children will be better. You'll be happy.

Nowhere in scripture do these promises appear. There is no verse in the Bible where God declares that our earthly happiness is His priority. And still, we hear these promises in churches all across our land.

Now don't get me wrong. An obedient follower of Christ will live a more moral life, which will often lead to tangible improvements in many areas of life. This is not a bad thing. But, frankly, it's not the most important thing. Not by a long shot. We are to obey the Lord for one simple reason: because He is the Lord. Not because we'll live better, or because we'll be healthier, wealthier, wiser or happier. But simply because He is the King, and because His authority grants Him the right to demand and expect our obedience.

Let today be a day marked by obedience. Be different from the world. Focus on the things above.

Be encouraged, Jose

Good intention

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
John 6:38 (NKJV)

My food is to do the will of Him who lives in me. When our obsession and goal is the pursuit of all righteousness and perfection according to God's will, then we move on the path of peace and tranquility never to be shaken by the dynamic and ever changing currents of life. Every day is an opportunity to woo and impress the heart of the Creator. He cherishes our devotion, commitment and attention to His will. Those who diligently seek Him, He will never forsake or cast away.

“Rabbi, when did You come here?”
Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
John 8:25-27 (NKJV)

When we come to Him, we must do so with no specific ulterior motive or with any hidden agenda. God is not mocked, what so ever a man sows, that shall he also reap. When we come, we must come because He's God and not because of what you can get. When we have God in His due place in our hearts and lives, He's able to take care of the rest in our lives.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Moving Forward

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 [KV]

With the financial news, the lost plane, the economic condition, we wonder why we are not all worried sick or having a heart attack.  One main reason is the verse above.  We have God's peace which says to us that we will be OK. God will work out all our issues. He may not step in a resolve the problems to our liking, but He will make sure that we are able to keep moving forward.  That is the most important part.  He will keep us moving for His benefit. 

God is about progress. Not the stuff we read and hear about all the time, but the movement forward of His Kingdom.  Our purpose here is to move God's kingdom forward to cover more people.  We are not just made to get stuff here, but to make sure that God's kingdom grew because of our efforts.  Let us work on doing our part to believe that God will keep us at peace despite all the news around the world that screams  otherwise.

Be Encourage,

Martin 

Stay connected

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 (NKJV)

Part of our mandate is to flourish and show forth the goodness of the Lord in our relationships, families, communities, nation and ultimately our world. Like a light set on a top place, so must we remain and stay connected to human beings to display and fulfill our vast potential and God ordained purpose. To put a light under a hood is to kill, rubbish, and diminish its power of influence. To detach from the vine is to embark on a destructive and perishable mission.

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

When we stay connected to the source and the vine, we become endowed and empowered to do all things and we are able to influence, impact and spice up our world for His kingdom reign. Stay connected and

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Under Christ's feet

Friends,

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
-- Ephesians 1:22-23 [NKJV]

What has "He" done?

Paul, the writer of this letter to the Christians at Ephesus, is telling the believers about one of the most amazing works of Almighty God. Our Lord, our Father, has bestowed great power and authority upon His Son. In these two little verses, we see that Christ has been given complete dominion over all things. That means that every thing we see, and all of the things we do not see, are under the authority and rulership of Christ Jesus. Nothing escapes His sovereignty.

And we, the true church, are His body. We are the fullness of Christ, who fills us with His total presence. And therefore, we have that same authority, under Jesus and in submission to Him.

How are you exercising this authority? Are you using it protect and strengthen your fellow believers? Or are you using it just to make your own life a bit easier?

Use this power wisely, brothers and sisters. It is not to be abused. Nor is it to be hidden away. But it is to be used to advance the Kingdom of God and to defeat the power of hell.

Be encouraged, Jose