A Response for Trouble

Friends,

As believers, we know that we don't have to go looking for trouble... for trouble is looking for us. And when we are deep in the fight of battle, sometimes we forget that the Lord has given us a variety of responses. One response, of course, is to fight; to take up the sword of the Word of God and wield it in truth. Another response is to take authority over the trouble-makers, just as Jesus did, and command them to cease and desist. These are normal responses that may fit very comfortably with a naturally aggressive personality. But there is another response, expressed by a valiant warrior ...

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
Psalm 6:2 [NKJV]

When the LORD sends trouble to test and refine us, it is entirely appropriate to seek His guidance and His wisdom in our response. And King David, who penned these words, obeyed God and therefore cried out to Him for mercy.

Every situation is different, and therefore we must listen to what the LORD instructs us to do. When He tells us to fight, we must fight. And when He tells us to fall upon His mercy, let neither our pride nor old habits stop us from obeying His voice.

Cry out to Jesus. His mercies endure forever.

Be encouraged, Jose

Is it time to exit?

And I heard another voice from heaven saying,
"Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues."
Revelation 18:4 [NKJV]

Friends,

Take a good look around you. What is your situation? With what are you surrounded? Pay special attention to your worship practices.

• Is the Word of God preached, or is it about self-improvement?
• Are the musicians leading you into the presence of God, or are they just performing Christian songs well?
• Do you experience conviction and and the call to repent, or do you come away believing that you're doing okay?

Be aware, brothers and sisters. The Lord is calling His own to come out of churches that are stuck in old rituals, and have thus forgotten Christ's message. Remember, the Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus is coming, and sooner today than yesterday.

True strength and courage is found in genuine repentance.

Be encouraged, Jose

Wisdom for good success

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:5 (NKJV)

When things go your way and success surrounds your undertaking, rejoice for it delights the Lord that you succeed in your doings. While you bask in the fruit of your labor, be cautious of the numerous attractions of success. Not all praise singers or even toys we have the resources to acquire with the fruits of labor is beneficial or are in line with our interest. We must sift the chaff from the wheat. When your running-over blessings manifest and God's glory exposes you, the hangers-on will come, the praise singers will triple, the stomach-driven folks will create a new friendship or followership in you.

Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and profitable to those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:11 (NKJV)

Wisdom gives life to them that have it. We can manage all the seasons of life with wisdom from above. Do you have it? Ask the one who gives wisdom and understanding.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Worship the Wrong Stuff

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Romans 1:21-23 [KJV]

When we change the focus of things that God created, we start down a long and wrong path. Paul warns us about what happens when we worship the created items. God has patience and love for us and will always keep His Word. He will also punish us when we are doing wrong, but being the Good Father, He will immediately restore us to our place.

As we look around, we see much evidence of the created stuff being worshiped. Let us not forget that when we trust the Holy Spirit, we will focus on the right stuff. Only when we allow the world to sweep in and move us off focus do we get into trouble. We must rely on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and the Love of Christ to keep us on track. If not, then we fall victim to what Paul warns about in Romans, which is missing the mark and doing our own thing instead of God's thing. Let's commit to doing God's things and worship Him. Stuff will come and go, but God will always be there.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Deliver us from evil

Friends,

All around us is evidence of man's depravity. We see murderers set free. Praise and worship is heaped upon pedophiles. Matters of life, death, sickness and health are twisted into instruments of political advantage.

And yet, the LORD, the God of the Covenant, promises ...

Obadiah 1:17a
But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance,
And there shall be holiness; -- [NKJV]

Almighty God keeps His promises. He delivers His people. And there is no deliverance without holiness. We cry out for deliverance, but do we live holy lives?

Pursue what is holy, what is distinct and separate from the world. The day of deliverance will be closer than you can imagine.

Be encouraged, Jose

Catching holiness

Friends,

One of the reasons why my wife and I like to get to know our children's friends is because we want to be sure that they are spending time with people of good character. I'm sure we're not alone in this desire. Our Father wants the same for us ...

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying, “If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?”’”
Then the priests answered and said, “No.”
And Haggai said, “If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?”
So the priests answered and said, “It shall be unclean.”
Haggai 2:11-13 [NKJV]

In this passage, the LORD is showing us what happens when we - His people - mix and mingle with the things of the world. Our presence does not make unholy things holy. Any more than when a sick person is around a healthy one, the sick one gets better.

However, there is a danger. For when the unholy thing touches the holy, it is the holy thing that becomes unclean. In the same way that a contagion spreads from the one who is ill to the one who is healthy.

Sisters and brothers, we are commanded to preach the Gospel to the lost, and that means we must go to where they are. We are constrained to live in the world by our created makeup. But we are also commanded to live spirit-filled life, not a carnally-filled life. To be in the world, but not of the world. So guard yourself. Be mindful of that which is near you. Be sure that you seek to surround yourself with what is holy that you will remain holy and sanctified and presentable to the Father.

Be encouraged, Jose

What's your Strategy?

And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:33-37 (NKJV)

The whole nation of Israel was cornered and intimidated by the giant of Philistine. So huge and gargantuan was the frame of this one man that he sent shivers down the spine of the entire army of Israel. Yet this shepherd boy saw this challenge before his nation as surmountable. He crafted a strategy, a strategy embedded with focus, swiftness, seizing of opportunity, love for country. On top of his strategy was his unwavering faith in the living God that even as huge as this problem confronting him and his nation was, that he (with the power of God in him) was able to overcome the challenge. He was prepared, he recalled previous encounters with the bear and lions in his life. He was not driven or motivated for personal gain, but for the love of his nation and brethren. This Goliath to him will also not be an exception. The strategy is to put the King of kings before your plans, be focused, be swift and be ready to seize on opportunities (because destiny-bound opportunities don't come frequently).

In your approach to life, what's your strategy? Do you have one? Are you only motivated for personal gain? God's will for us is to succeed, but we must play our role as well.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Who is Christ in Our Life?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16 [KJV]

Peter got the right answer because he was blessed by the God the Father. He had been around Christ for the whole of His Ministry, but God had to open his eyes to see what all those things meant. Sometimes we are in the same boat, we see all the evidence of God at work through our lives, but we still believe that it is of our own or we are lucky, or sometimes, we might say that we are blessed. but we must realize that, it is important to realize that Christ is the reason that we are where we are and doing what we are doing in the midst of any troubled times around us.

Do we realized that when we place Christ first in our lives, circumstances change and we are delivered from the normal or what is supposed to happen? I want to let you know that God does what He is best when we recognize that Christ is His Son and died for our sins. As we place Christ in the proper place in our lives, we can make it through all of man's disappointments.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Will you give thanks too?

Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:11-17 (NKJV)

Because He is God, He can call things in our lives into existence instantly. Like many, these sick and challenged men tapped into the power of oneness. On sighting Him, they raised their voices in unison to the one who is ABLE. Like any leprous issue and challenge in our lives, we wish and pray it away but it still persists. It only takes a divine pronouncement to make a turn around in our lives. That situation is meant for a showcase of God's glory in you. So after the mountain and valley are levelled, will God get the attention and glory He truly deserves?

One one of the lepers came back giving thanks, he was even a stranger/Samaritan with little knowledge of the faith. He never took this move and hand of God in his life for granted, he came back and gave thanks to God for His mercies. In what ever situation you may be in, will you give thanks too?

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Pastoral humility

Friends,

Because of our celebrity-driven culture, we are witnessing the emergence of what I call the "supreme pastor." This is a person who has attained an official leadership in a congregation and who has - for one or more of a multitude of reasons - come to expect highly deferential treatment. This could include a reserved parking space out front, a demand to be addressed using a title, or extravagant perq's. In the most horrendous of cases, such men (and sometimes women) will use their position to gain sexual favors from individuals in their congregation.

From the most innocuous of these to the most horrific, these leaders are ignoring the directive that Paul laid out from the Lord:

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another
Romans 12:10 [NKJV] - emphasis added

The Lord demands that we show appropriate respect to the authority He has ordained for each of us. Such authority, however, must be exercised in all humility and meekness. To do otherwise will humiliate and deeply wound any congregation.

But when a leader walks with the Lord, humbly, and with a deep passion to serve (not to be served), the people will be richly blessed.

Be encouraged, Jose

One with Christ

Friends,

Have you been struggling to find righteousness?
Are you driving yourself hard to be sanctified?

And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
John 17:19 [NKJV]

Do not ever forget that only Jesus can sanctify Himself. We do not have the ability, as earthen vessels, to sanctify ourselves. We respond to the Word of God. We seek to obey the Lord and to deny the flesh. But we cannot succeed perfectly.

But because Jesus has prepared Himself perfectly and completely, we are made ready to stand before Almighty God. Believers can make this claim because Christ has made us one with Him. And that makes all the difference.

Be encouraged, Jose

He’s willing, Are you?

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Amos 3:3 (NKJV)

The leper knew quite well that if only he could get the mercy and favor of the Lord, that his leprosy would be cleansed, so not minding or considering the social stigma and shame of his ailment, he took his case to the Lord and the Lord’s response was clear.

And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 8:2-3 (NKJV)

Do you have a leprous-like issue you have been keeping to yourself? You must be willing to boldly lay it bare before the Lord your Maker. No matter how big or small your issue(s) may be, our Lord and Savior is always willing to meet us at the point of our needs. I pray we will find the courage and boldness to take our issues to Him, for when there is a will and an agreement with the Lord our maker, then nothing is impossible. Remember, He's always willing.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Effectual Fervent Prayer

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16[KJV]

Praying can be hard, time consuming and slow..........when we look at it from the human side or we know that God's answer is different from what our personal desires are. If we are on the same side as God, then praying is a wonderful time of affirmation and sharing and being in God's presence. As I read the verse and thought about effectual, I remember from many classes in school and bible study that the word means making a difference on the outcomes. When something is effective, a change in direction happens.

Fervent is intensity. We know what that means in sports or business, how about in spiritual life with Christ. Can we pray so that the intensity of an exciting sporting event is coupled with the belief that our prayer and God's power can come together and change the course of the world. Of course, but we have to belief that God will do His Part and we can do our part.

Now, as we re ready to pray this way, we need to clear the sin away. We need confession and forgiveness. We can get those right with God and make sure that when we are ready to make some changes for Christ in our lives and the lives of others. We must believe that God can and will do what we ask and we must have the intensity to know that our prayers will make the difference because we believe.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Profitable Servant

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
2 Timothy 2:14-16 (NKJV)

Our world continues to show its hostility and open disdain for Godly standards. The media have not played a neutral role in this onslaught to put it mildly, rather the decimation of Kingdom principles continue to wax stronger by the day. As stewards and partakers of His manifest grace, we can't take a 'step aside' approach when we are supposed to influence and light up our world with Godly influence. Resistance and the expected hostility will usually be the response of an anti-God world. While we inhabit this earthly realm, we can't respond like the world would, but we must rather avoid idle babblings, shun all profane and irritable rants that's capable of tainting our testimony and ultimate goal of winning souls of a lost world.

We must never be ashamed of our calling and must continue to uphold Godly standards and principles. Though the carnal and mortal man may fall and come short, but that must never be an excuse to accept the lowering of Godly standards in our lives and world. We must also not alienate ourselves and waste away opportunities in engaging and influencing a hostile and repugnant world. He who calls us desires that we be profitable with that He has given us.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

New!! Bible Study on the web

Friends,

I've always wanted to make recordings of the Bible studies we attend available to the Body of Christ. Today, I'm thrilled to say that the Lord has made a way for this to happen.

Bible Study Audio is a new web site that has studies of two of the books that we went through this year. The Book of Ruth is a six-part study. The Book of Haggai is the first of the minor prophets that we're studying. More will be added over the coming weeks.

I pray you are blessed by this new resource.

Be encouraged, Jose

Up all night

Friends,

There are many occasions when I find myself wide awake in the middle of the night. It is frustrating and, of course, the more I want to fall back to sleep, the harder it is to find that peaceful place that will lead to rest and slumber. Of course, instead of fighting so hard to get some rest, I believe that I should be in prayer, interceding for the Body and lifting up the Name of the LORD.

By doing so, I would putting these words of Psalm 134 into action.

Behold, bless the LORD,
All you servants of the LORD,
Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
Psalm 134:1 [NKJV]

Sisters and brothers, when we are awakened in the dead of night, let us take that special opportunity to go before the Lord. It is the Kingdom way to be at rest.

Be encouraged, Jose

Why work?

Friends,

The economic forecast is starting to brighten. It seems as though we are starting to turn towards a slow recovery, meaning that maybe - just maybe - the worst is behind us. Nevertheless, many are still on the razor's edge of financial stability. And if you've ever spent more than a few weeks in that place, you know just how difficult such a situation can be. Now, then is the time for those of us who are working to remember those who are not.

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
Acts 20:35 [NKJV]

It does, indeed, bring great joy and happiness when we are in a position to give. It is why we give gifts on special days. It is an important way that we show love for one another.

So I ask you, just as I ask myself ...
Have you given today?
Have you stepped out in faith to support a brother or sister?

To do so is to open the door to great and wondrous blessing.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Lord's doing

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water;
Isaiah 35:5-6 (NKJV)

Then the world will come to the glory of God through His works in your life as your life becomes a showcase of His glory and goodness of the Lord. The world may set its standards and define you in its own terms, but your frame of reference is not limited or dictated by men but by God's infinite possibilities in you.

The impossible shall become possible, the foolish things become tools that confound the wise and the forsaken and rejected one becomes the headstone of the corner. When these happens, you know it is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our sight.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

We Don't Have to See the End

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians 3:11 [KJV]

We all want to see the outcome before we make a decision. We want to know that everything will work out for us. We have a desire to look at the overall plan to see where the decisions we make or will make will take us. Sometimes God will provide a vision for us to follow, but many times He is saying "Trust Me".

When the Heavenly Father says "Trust Me", we continue to question Him. However, we will blindly trust many on this realm because they have an honest face, a nice voice, a good story to tell. Why is it with God, that we want to see the end result? God should be the first place that we put all our trust. We know that He is always looking out for us and we should get past our questions.

Remember Thomas the disciple? He wanted to touch and feel the risen Christ to confirm in his own mind the stories of others. Christ told him that you believe because you see and touch, but many will be blessed because they believed from hearing the account of the life of Christ. Let's commit to trusting what God is doing today. His Spirit will be the true guide for us as long as we listen to the instructions.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Keep your focus

Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”
Isaiah 35:3-4 (NKJV)

We all watch ball games and have seen an utterly hopeless situation at the earlier parts of most games. (Does any game come to mind?) Well long before the final whistle is blown, things just turn around, some unexplainable and incomprehensible things happens and the story becomes different. We must never be defined by one season of our lives. Our hopes and heart must be fixated on Him who is able to perfect all that concerns us. Let us continue to press ahead in our calling and mission.

For those weak hands, its time to receive strength, for the wobbly and feeble knees, shake 'em off and stamp your feet firmly on His promises. Arrest fear and put it in its place for our God hasn't gone out of business, He never does and is always on time.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The whole counsel of God

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (The Apostle Paul, speaking to the believers at Ephesus) -- Acts 20:28 [NKJV]

Friends,

Beware of the preacher whose sermons always make you smile. The Holy Word of God is not meant to entertain.

When Paul spoke the words above, he was preparing to depart Ephesus to return to Jerusalem. In essence, it was his farewell party. And throughout Paul's entire stay in that city, he brought forth the true and pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be definition, this means that Paul confronted sinners and their sinfulness, rebuked those who had gone astray, and admonished all of the believers to lead holy lives. He was unafraid to do these things. His God was not all lovey and cuddly and safe. His God is the true God, the Almighty. Who is holy. And just. And faithful. And awesome.

Our flesh doesn't want to be reminded of these facts. We want our preachers to not be too strident or to set goals that are too lofty. Give us a break! we say. Go easy on us ... we're only human!

Brothers and sisters, like Paul, all of us -- not just our preachers -- must have the courage to speak the whole truth. Look around at the world. Can't we see that it desperately needs the real and genuine word of God? Not some watered down version that promises an escape from Hell without a repentance. The world needs to repent. No one will unless they hear Christ -- through you and through me -- say, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!"

Be encouraged, Jose