Coming glory

Friends,

What we encounter here is not a preview. This world is filled with hate and rage that is intentionally directed at Christ and His followers. We see more and more evidence of what has been the case since the moment the enemy stood ready to devour the Child of God (Rev 12:4).

Jesus knew that we might question the point of all this suffering and persecution. And, because He is a wise leader, He answers this fundamental question ...

Matthew 19:27-28 [NKJV]
Then Peter answered and said to Him, See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?
So Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

What we encounter in this world will not last. It is passing. It is difficult, painful, and frustrating. But it is not eternal.

Our place, seated in the throne of Christ, is eternal. It has no end. And it is glorious.

Be encouraged, Jose

Its Time

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

John 9:2-4 (KJV)

With the revelation of the son of man comes the manifestation. The seed is sown in corruption and it goes through transformation with the vine coming forth as the source and the branches taking shape in the space of time. Out of the branches comes the manifestation and appearance of the fruits. Many good to the eyes and for edification of the body.

Once we have been revealed by the Lord our Maker, it is time for manifestation, the display of good works and administration of His Kingdom here on earth. In your walk and ways, in your vocation, in your plans, in your home, in all ways, you must manifest to the glory of God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

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

Remain resolute

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 (NKJV)

The Lord demands that we put our whole hope and trust in Him and nothing else. Knowing fully well the fierce and subtle onslaught of the adversary on our claim to salvation in the segment of time, we are to stand firm and hold steadfastly on not the traditions of man, but on the word that has been revealed to us by His Spirit and the scriptures. In casting our burden upon Him, we set ourselves up for peace, which must precede any divine increase and growth in our lives.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NKJV)

Having done all things, let us remain resolute, stand firm and see the goodness of the Lord as we continue to abound in every good word and work to His glory.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

A glimpse of eternity

Friends,

We know what unrighteousness looks like. We can see it every night on the news. We see it everyday in the tabloids. We see examples large and small, dramatic and mundane.

But what will righteousness look like? How will we know it?

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation 19:8 [NKJV]

We might only catch glimpses of it here in this life. And even then, we must remember that in a fallen world, nothing can be truly and completely righteous.

Yet in the glorious return of Christ, when time loses its meaning and its grip, we will behold what He has done through His people. And it will be more beautiful than we can imagine.

Be encouraged, Jose

The greatest temple

Friends,

If you've ever studied the Tabernacle as it is described in the book of Exodus, you were likely struck by the beauty and splendor of it. Not on the outside ... note that it was covered in badger skins (Exodus 26:14). But on the inside, it was resplendent with gilded furniture, a solid gold lamp, garments of linen, silver sockets, and so much more. There have been recreations built of this structure in our country and they never fail to impress.

But, that is not the end of the story. It was never the Father's goal to have a great building for Himself.

‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
Haggai 2:9 [NKJV]

The temple, of course, is the dwelling place of the Most High God. And where does He dwell?

In the hearts of His people.

The Body of Christ is that latter temple. And it is more glorious than any building ever created. Are you part of that temple? Are you walking in a manner that does not defile it? Are you watching out for the other parts of the temple? Your brothers and sisters?

When Christ returns, may He find a dwelling place worthy of His holiness!

Be encouraged, Jose

Like one alive!

Friends,

We who have been born again in Christ Jesus have a special privilege ... the privilege of the dead.

If you were dead, no one would expect you to pour your heart and soul into your career. Nor would anyone expect you to give up your Sabbath rest for a work function. And there would be no demand that you forsake the body of believers for a family reunion (where we get to relive the dysfunctions of our childhood).

The dead do not praise the LORD,
Nor any who go down into silence.
But we will bless the LORD
From this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 115:17-18, NKJV

Our new life in Christ means that we are dead to this world. Our life as mere mortals has ended, and with it the need to appease the world with our silence.

Brothers and sisters, we are alive in Christ. So let's end the silence of the dead, and walk and talk like one who has breathe. Let us use our voice to bring forth the praise and good news of Jesus!

Be encouraged, Jose

Assured Victory

Friends,

The enemy is counting on our surrender. He expects us to be weak and fearful. He assumes that our confidence in the LORD is easily shaken.

But you and I need not live under the assumptions and presumptions of the enemy.

Exodus 15:6
Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces. [NKJV]

Almighty God is glorified in victory over His enemy. His enemy is our enemy. And therefore, the Great and Wondrous Lord is glorified and exalted in victory over your enemy and my enemy.

We have nothing to fear, brothers and sisters. The enemy that wants to harm you and me is shattered pieces under our feet. Walk in victory!

Be encouraged, Jose

A shout of praise

Friends,

The week is behind us. It was likely filled with a variety of emotions, and its fair share of setbacks and successes. As we enter into Sabbath rest this evening, let us lift up our voice to the great and mighty King of kings ...

O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Psalm 8:1 [NKJV]

Yes, His name is excellent and His glory fills the heavens.

Be encouraged, Jose

A showcase

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27 (NKJV)

The world becomes so much into itself that the simple things of the spirit becomes a challenge to get and understand, but to them that has been set aside, they become divine instruments of glory through which a clueless world is able to make sense and gain understanding of the Son of God. Every day presents divine opportunities to us showcase Christ our Savior to the world.

We must not miss out on this, as the world may lose out on hope if we fail to showcase the Christ in us, the hope of glory. It becomes critical to the body to know how to separate how we feel (our carnal instincts and physical interpretations of issues) from the 'truth and mind of Christ' on all we do, so we won't lose out on the opportunities to make a difference to a clueless world and be a true showcase of love (God).

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Hope of glory

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV)

Hope as it is described here in the scriptures is not a get rich scheme or a believe now or receive today and your cares and worries will just disappear into thin air tomorrow like some preachers do to con unsuspecting believers and non-believers. Our faith gives us access to peace which defies the common thinking of men even when things don't look normal to the outside world, yet when we experience peace, they just don't get it and it makes no sense to the world because through our faith we have access to divine grace, which keeps and propel us to that hope of glory.

The process is deep and not a superficial one. Daily challenges exerts perseverance in us which through grace we are able to overcome all odds with an outcome of a character that enables us sail through the tortuous moments of life without drowning and losing out on the battles and rigors of life. Our hope is not predicated on the material but on the divine promise and covenant of glory.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Listen up

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)

Everyday we face daily challenges and struggles and we seek the way forward on these. To the informed and believer, we just let go and let God. However, our capabilities and exigencies and realities of the moment may prompt us to thinking self can handle all. How wrong!!! Coupled with that, the influences of global media and culture can come across as intense noise and distraction to our soul, most times drowning that knock on the door of our heart, that beckon and call for continuous eternal partnership. Unless we listen up and respond by letting the King of Glory to come in, there can't be any lifting up, nor can there be the opening of doors.

In your heart, He knocks everyday, open up to the King of glory as He's able to navigate the course of your life for good. With Him, you are always in good hands.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

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

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

The Glory of God is God

Friends,

And he said, "Please, show me Your glory."
Exodus 33:18

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the LORD, interceding for the people of Israel after they had worshiped the golden calf. The LORD instructs Moses to hide in a cleft in while He passes by, and a few verses later, the LORD grants Moses' request:

And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
Exodus 34:6-7 [NKJV]

While Moses was hid in the rock, He experienced the glory of God passing before him. And what was that experience? It was the hearing of the LORD's voice, proclaiming Himself and His goodness.

Brothers and sisters, we are privileged to have this experience every day!
We are in hid in the Rock ... Christ Jesus.
We are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace and hear directly from Almighty God. Since we have been granted holiness by Christ, there is no sin ... no thing ... to stop us. All we need to do is ask:

Almighty and Everlasting Father, please show me Your glory!
Amen and amen!

Be encouraged, Jose