The presence of God

Friends,

No matter how strong your faith is, there will be times when the LORD seems far, far away. Prayers seem to either bounce off the ceiling or just fade into thin air. It can be a frustrating time. Those kinds of times can make a person feel lonely, hopeless or even terrified.

And it is in those moments that lifting up songs and shouts of praise just may be the most important action you can take:

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 [NKJV]
Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying:

“For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever,”

that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

These verses close a passage describing the re-entry of the Ark of the Covenant into the temple that Solomon built. The Ark passed in front of the whole of Israel. There were sacrifices being made amid great and solemn procession. But it was the praise that brought forth the presence of Almighty God.

All kinds of things may have been thrown at you this week. The enemy seeks to keep you focused on his attacks rather than on staying close to the Father. In response, brothers and sisters, lift your voice and SING!
Sing praises to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Sing Hallelujah to the One who delivered us from Egypt.
Give glory to the Mighty Redeemer who has freed you and me from the slavery of this world.

Be encouraged, Jose

Don't leave

Friends,

Many of us are familiar with the story of the demon-possessed man who lived among the graves of the Gadarene countryside. Jesus commanded a multitude of demons ... known collectively as Legion ... to enter into a nearby herd of pigs, which then immediately drowned themselves in the sea. The reaction of the people is telling:

Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.
Mark 5:17 [NKJV]

The sight of 2,000 pigs hurtling down a steep hill and into the sea must have been shocking. But here was one of their own, a man who had been tormented for years ... to the point that he tried to tear himself apart ... sitting peacefully and filled with joy. No longer would he terrorize passers-by. No more would scream in agony and rage. No longer would he be forced to live among the dead, far away from his mother, father, wife and children. He was restored to life!

One sees all of this happen and must make a choice:
Rejoice, for the man one who was dead is again alive.
or ...
Worry about what other animals might end up swimming with the fishes.

The Gadarenes decided that their livelihoods were more important than a man's life. And therefore told the Messiah... the One who would be their eternal salvation... to get out.

Sisters and brothers, when Christ moves in your life, there will be times when it seems as though something has been lost. But be assured that what is gained by this move is far, far more valuable. The Lord brings us that which is eternal. Giving up that which will not last is no price to pay for such a possession. When it happens, do not plead with Jesus to leave you alone. Instead, understand what is really happening and rejoice.

Be encouraged, Jose

From affliction into seeking

Friends,

I will return again to My place
Till they acknowledge their offense.
Then they will seek My face;
In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.
Hosea 5:15 [NKJV]

Are you afflicted today?
Will you then seek the LORD?

Perhaps you have been fervently following a seemingly holy doctrine, but it is not of God.
Perhaps you have been cultivating a secret, comforting sin that remains yet unconfessed.

The LORD will use any and every means to bring His children back to Himself. Remain stubborn no longer and, instead, listen and obey the voice of the Great Shepherd. In that obedience, you shall find deliverance.

Be encouraged, Jose

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

Help Me!

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Matthew 14:30 [KJV]

In the last two writings, we were talking about addictions and fallout results.  Now for the people involved, there is an opportunity to break free.  How do we all do that?  Good question and for the answer, we will look to Peter and his request to Christ when he was walking on the water.  

Peter's prayer was a call for help.  Sometimes we have to lose our pride and just ask God for help.  We can keep our pride and drown in it or we can resolve today to just reach out to Christ and ask Him to help us in any situation that we are in.  Our faith tells us that Christ can deliver us from any situation according to His Grace and Mercy.  Our part is to believe that the prayer is true and that He will save us and deliver us.  Peter's faith was that he truly believed that Christ could save and deliver.  Do you?  Do I?  The answer to that question lies within.

Be Encouraged,

Martin