Training for the Real Race

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. I Corinthians 9:24 [KJV]

A friend of mine once asked, why do we expect that when we only go to the gym only once a month, to have the same shape, stamina and mindset of someone who goes daily to train and exercise. So, let's move that example to our spiritual life. We expect to get a better understanding by only going to church once a month, maybe and praying only over meals and never picking up the bible. My simple question to everyone including me is How?

In order to run this race, we must prepare to run. In preparing to run, we must train our spiritual bodies. We must study the Word, pray and commune with God, and fellowship with other saints for strengthening. For the fellowship, not just church, but other places where the social interaction of saints can truly edify (I like that word) the spirits of both. Think about how much better we feel when we have spent time with others who believe like we do and are able to share their experiences with us. To run the real race, we must do those things that will prepare us for the marathon and not the sprint.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Plenty, but not too much for God

Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
Luke 8:26-33 (NKJV)

This man had been possessed, tossed, manipulated, tormented and under a free-fall use by demons and the adversary. They even seized him and made him out of touch with life and made his place tombs in the wilderness. Some today continue to be hounded by unrelenting attacks of the adversary causing them to unconsciously give in under the constant pressure, stress and numbers of their attackers and challenges. The Lord saw this man of Gadarenes and asked what his name was, instead the tormentors and demons responded... Legion (plenty).

As soon as they hear of me they obey me; The foreigners submit to me. The foreigners fade away, and come frightened from their hideouts.
Psalm 18:44-46 (NKJV)

Their numbers couldn't stand before the King of kings. They quivered, trembled and came out of their hiding places and strongholds from which they tormented and dominated. They faded away at the presence of the son of God. As long as we continue to operate in the Lord's presence, strangers, cultures, influences, etc with any evil agenda will not have a way around us. They may be many, but one with God will always be in the majority and overcome.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Once and for all

Friends,

Modern Jews are observing Yom Kippur today, marking their remembrance of the day of atonement. In the desert, the LORD told His people that, when they crossed into their land, they would follow this ritual to remind them that only God is capable of fulfilling all of the precepts of the Law.

And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.
Exodus 30:10 [NKJV]

The death of this animal foreshadows the death of the Messiah. Christ's death made atonement for our sins.

There is a difference, however. Christ died once and conquered death for all time. Since He conquered it, death can never again be used against Him. This turns His death into a triumphant event. For by it, the sins of His people are atoned for ... once and for all time.

Be encouraged, Jose

To those who follow

Friends,

As born-again Christians, we have a remarkable story to tell. We should consider what our Lord has done. We are commanded to do so by God's word. He exhorts you and me to truly understand His provision and protection so that we can teach those who come after us that He is the One who can be trusted:

Psalm 48:12-14 [NKJV]

Walk about Zion,
   And go all around her.
   Count her towers;
Mark well her bulwarks;
    Consider her palaces;
    That you may tell it to the generation following.
For this is God,
    Our God forever and ever;
    He will be our guide
    Even to death.

These verses require us to live in the city; which is to say... among His people. And as we live out our lives in fellowship with true believers, we will clearly see that we are in a refuge, a place of peace and safety. Our brothers and sisters are our towers, our bulwarks, our walls and our watchmen.

Be encouraged, Jose

What are you looking at?

Friends,

Each and every day, the Lord calls us to step out in faith and bring forth the Kingdom of God. Jesus told us that the Kingdom is at hand! Why then, do we behave as frightened as the Hebrew spies of old when faced with enemies that Almighty God has already vanquished:

Then they told him, and said: "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there."
Numbers 13:27-28 [NKJV]

The Lord had already told Israel that there were enemies in the land, and that He would drive them out before His people. He even sent them through Hebron, a city that Abraham had purchased and that was home to Abraham's final resting place (and from which we get the designation "Hebrews"). But instead of seeing the future that God had promised, and instead of recognizing their legitimate claim to the land, these 10 men only saw large people, large cities, and large walls.

Are we falling into the same trap?

The Lord has promised us great blessings, as well as great trials and tribulation. Are we focused only on the trials and tribulations, giving them power to stop our advance into the promises of God? Or will we instead follow in the footsteps of Caleb and Joshua, who declared in faith:

Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.
Numbers 13:30b [NKJV]

Brothers and sisters, the enemy is determined to frighten us into paralysis. He wants us to believe that he has the power to defeat the faithfulness of Almighty God. If we are to believe that God is indeed Almighty, then we must stand firm and step forward, knowing that no force of hell can stop us.

Be encouraged, Jose

Important Things

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:41-42 [KJV]

With the summer ending and the fall beginning, we have become busy like the squirrels. Many tasks to complete before the winter comes and we are all focused on preparing. In all of our focus, are we forgetting to keep in touch with God. He is always standing by waiting for us to remember that He is why we are doing as well as we are despite our ability to forget that He is still God and our personal God.

He looks after each one of us as we are His Own Children, which we are. We treat Him like pre-teens treat their parents. We love Him when we need Him or want Him to intervene on our behalf, but otherwise, if He would just let us do what we wanted everything would be OK. We know that if He did really let us go, we would be far, far, far from OK, but we still think that way. Only after a time of drifting aimlessly do we remember how our ships got direction and purpose. We listened to what Christ told Martha. We know that there is work to be done and if we focus on the good part, then we can accomplish a lot more than we ever would alone. Focus on the good part this week and next and let Christ lead through the Holy Spirit.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Why are you dirty?

Friends,

Although we have been cleansed of our sin by the blood of Christ, our journey through this world gets us dirty. And the enemy will be close by to remind us -- and God -- of our stumbles.

Zechariah 3:1-3 [NKJV]
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

The "brand plucked from the fire" refers specifically to a tool that is used to stoke and stir up a fire. As you use the tool, it gets charred and blackened by the burning wood. The Father sees this and rebukes Satan for using it to slander the saints.

But I found myself convicted by this verse. Does the mud and muck that soils my heavenly garments come as a result of serving the Kingdom or from serving me? And can't we all ask ourselves the same question?

Brothers and sisters, let us resolve to serve the Kingdom and not ourselves. Let the dirt and filth be the result of striving to serve the Lord Almighty.

Be encouraged, Jose

Walking in joy

Friends,

Each day brings its own challenges. There aren't enough words to describe the ways that the prince of this world pokes at God's people. And yet, because of the presence of Almighty God in our hearts, we can not only survive those attacks, we walk victoriously right through the midst of them ...

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.
In Your name they rejoice all day long,
And in Your righteousness they are exalted. -- Psalm 89:15-16 [NKJV]

No matter what daily circumstances bring, those of us that walk in the light of the Father's face have no long-term worry. Therefore, we can rejoice all day long. We have the name of Jesus in which we take shelter. We have His protection and provision.

Brothers and sisters, we have the promise of the joy of eternal life.

Be encouraged, Jose

Avert their eyes

Friends,

Our Lord performs miracles through you and me everyday. Sometimes, we recognize them, sometimes not. Sometimes, others recognize those miracles, too. And on those occasions, we might be tempted to downplay the importance of what has happened. By doing so, we are subtly taking credit for that miracle. We would do better to follow the example of our brother Peter ...

Acts 3:11-13
Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people:
"Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go." [NKJV]

Peter, filled with the power and insight of God, did not shy away from the attention of the people, nor did he dismiss the healing of lame man with an, "Aw shucks, it was nothing, man." He was humble, but not falsely so. He was blunt, direct, and absolutely truthful. By his words, Peter redirected every eye that was upon Him upward, to the Almighty God who healed that unnamed man.

Brothers and sisters, you and I are walking, talking, living miracles. Because Christ has chosen to live in us, we will be His instruments for remarkable things... even if some of them may even seem rather ordinary. But to those who would give us credit, we must respond as Peter did. Tell your would-be admirers about the true source of the miracle.

Be encouraged, Jose

How Would You Like That?

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Luke 6:31 [KJV]

Over the past two weeks, we have had many people act out in public in a rude way. One reason must be because they did not ask themselves the question above. My son asked me why and I told him that people were forgetting the "Golden Rule", which was do unto others as you would have them do unto you". (Childhood memory not withstanding, I actually did look up the verse for the devotional.) When we put ourselves on the other side of our actions, they seem very different. Our passion for having to speak out, yell out, interrupt or make a scene seems completely justified in our minds, but when seen from the other side, the behaviour seems rude and self motivated.

The "Golden Rule" has been around for a long time and with good reason. We should all treat others like we want to be treated first. Once we complete that, then we can truly help our fellow man. Because in the end, we all live here together and once we go home to be with the Lord, we will all be together there as well.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Eyes on the prize

Friends,

Each day takes us deeper into these last days. Make no mistake, as difficult as circumstances appear now, they can - and likely will - get much worse. But throughout history, the LORD has been telling His people that there is day coming that will surpass the greatest of all days ...

Joel 3:16
The LORD also will roar from Zion,
And utter His voice from Jerusalem;
The heavens and earth will shake;
But the LORD will be a shelter for His people,
And the strength of the children of Israel. [NKJV]

For God's people, the shaking of heaven and earth will not be a time of dread. It will be a time of joy and anticipation. It will signal the return of our King. We will take refuge in Him.

Keep looking ahead, sisters and brothers. Live through these present circumstances, but do not dwell upon them. They are not the end of the story. Our Savior's return is closer now than ever.

Be encouraged, Jose

The one thing lacking

Friends,

Christ Jesus responded to a young man who asked Him what he needed to inherit eternal life. And after a few questions and answers, here is our Lord's response:

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.
Mark 10:21 [NKJV] - emphasis added

I've taken the liberty to call your attention to two distinct phrases in this verse. The first is that Jesus loved this young man. This means that Christ knew him, even better than he knew himself. Jesus knew him so well that He knew exactly what the young man needed; He knew precisely what the man lacked.

Though this man had conducted himself according to the highest standards of religious law, the Lord could see that his heart was attached to things of this world. Could he let them go? Could he set these perishable things aside for that which is eternal?

The important question today is ... can you?

Jesus calls some to poverty for His sake, and others to a less difficult circumstance. Yet all of us are called to let nothing hold us back from following Him. Whatever is keeping you from fully devoting your life - heart, mind, soul, spirit, body - to Jesus, set it aside today. Truly, you lose nothing and gain everything.

Be encouraged, Jose

Ready for Trumpets?

Friends,

Throughout scripture, the LORD has used trumpets to symbolize His voice. In these last days, our thoughts are easily drawn to the book of Revelation where the sound of trumpets announce the return of Christ. But, the trumpets are much more than this.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.
Numbers 10:1-2 [NKJV]

Every day, we must listen for the sound of trumpets. We must be ready to hear His voice calling us to gather, to move, to rest, and to act. Those trumpets could be in the form of your what you learned in Bible study. Or they can be heard in the voice you her in your heart during moments of prayer. The LORD's trumpets might even be heard in the changing of a traffic light from green to red.

Sisters and brothers, listen closely for the trumpets. The LORD is always speaking ... He neither sleeps nor slumbers. And He neither leaves us nor forsakes us. So, it is for us, His sheep, to listen for His voice and heed it.

Be encouraged, Jose

New Bible studies posted

Friends,

As some of you may have already learned, we have launched a new companion web site called Bible Studio Audio. You can find it at this link: Bible Studio Audio.

There are nearly 20 studies on the site thus far, and more will be added as time goes on. I'll try to remember to post an announcement here when I update the site. But be sure to check back for updates every week or so.

I pray you are blessed by these teachings of God's Word.

Be encouraged, Jose

True Authority

Friends,

The world has a warped vision of authority. To many, it is reduced to the ability to command and control others on behalf of the authority. We see this in business, politics, law enforcement, and education. We see it in dysfunctional families. But most concerning is that we see it in the church. We hear it from preachers to justify their own behavior and to encourage arrogance on the part of their congregation. And they use this scripture to back up their words ...

And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.
Deuteronomy 28:13 [NKJV]

Those who abuse others under the authority of this verse have ignored the second half. The LORD demands obedience to His word ... and His word requires humility. He declares that the last shall be first!

When we demonstrate humility, being willing to die to ourselves for the sake of our sisters and brothers, then -- and only then -- will the LORD grant us true and Godly authority.

Be encouraged, Jose

The joyful path

Friends,

Every man, woman and child struggles with emotions from time to time. It is part of our fallen, human nature. We who are believers have a means to overcome this struggle; to ensure that emotions cannot become our master:

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 43:5 [NKJV]

This short verse expresses a dramatic change in the heart of the child of God. It does not negate the current circumstances, nor does it diminish their importance. Yet, the inevitable result is a changed perspective.

As imposing or daunting as a situation may appear, it cannot compare to the majesty and glory of Almighty God. When we look to the Lord, it changes how we view everything in our lives - whether physical, emotional, intellectual, or even spiritual. Our perspective changes, and therefore our heart and soul are lifted.

And we praise Him!

Be encouraged, Jose

Choose the Benefactor

And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. Luke 23:37 [KJV]

As a verse, it seems kind of benign, especially out of context. But when we look at the potential result, we can see that this is very important. Christ had to make a choice on the cross. He could have benefited Himself and just came down to dispense with all the suffering. He could have had a great ministry on earth and healed many people. But if He took road leading to less suffering, we would really be in a fix. We would not be able to have access to more abundant life or to live beyond our circumstances.

However, Christ put the physical man aside and let the Spiritual Man rule the day. With that decision, God left Him alone on the cross as He took all our sins. As we begin to realize the amazing sacrifice that Christ made for us, we realize that He chose us as benefactors. He wanted us to know that He loved us enough to give His Life for us. Let us use the benefit wisely.

Be Encouraged,

Martin