Unity to succeed

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NKJV)

We must not be naive about the end game of our common adversary. A relentless campaign to change mindsets of a generation, one person at a time. They bombard our individual minds and our environments and spheres of influence to alter how we respond and interpret God's truth and how we are guided by them in the world. The truth cannot and must not be compromised. We must be our brothers keeper. We need each other to succeed and establish God's kingdom here on earth.

10 For “He who would love life And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
1 Peter 3:10-12 (NKJV)

Our mission is aligned with bringing more into God's kingdom. Our pursuit of love, peace and righteousness must be relentless. For this reason He came and the goal is clear, we must not deviate from it.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Why he raised us

Friends,

The Lord does nothing in vain. Everything He does has a purpose.

So why, then, did He raise us up to eternal life?
Why bestow such an incomprehensible gift on creatures who have betrayed and disobeyed Him?

The answers, brothers and sisters, is found here:

... and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
-- Ephesians 2:6-7 (emphasis added), NKJV

The simplistic answer is that Almighty God has done a wondrous work. He wants all of creation to know it.

You and I are His prized possession ... His trophy. He chose us and wants there to be no mistake about it. And He wants all to know that this gift's value is beyond measure.

Be encouraged, Jose

The purpose of learning

Friends,

For many young people across our land, today marks the start of the new school year. There are new friends to meet and old friendships to renew. There are new teachers, new subjects, new schedules, and plenty of other exciting things to look forward to. And - of course - many are already looking forward to a particular day of the school year ... the last day!

Let's take a moment, though, and focus on the ultimate purpose for learning.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20
Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel. [NKJV]

The LORD specifically commanded rulers to transcribe His Law in their own hand as a learning tool. God's desire was for them to really know His thoughts, plans and decrees.

But this desire is not limited to kings of old. You and I are members of a Royal Priesthood. You and I are, therefore, kings. As such, we are under the same command. We are to learn what God wants of us, His people. We do this so that His kingdom - which is our Kingdom, by virtue of salvation - will be made manifest in glory and power.

Be encouraged, Jose

Standing up

Friends,

Every so often, we hear of the blatant persecution of our brothers and sisters around the world. We in the US are blessed with the freedom to come together and worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, without interference from government.

But how often do we go to the King with a prayer similar to this ...

For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?
Esther 8:6 [NKJV]

When the Lord called us into His Kingdom, we became citizens of a new, eternal nation. Our countrymen live on every continent, now. We are bound together by the same King, the same Law, the same Redeemer, the same Father. As such, can we possibly ignore their circumstances?

Today, lift them up before the Lord, that they be delivered from persecution and affliction, according to His will.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Good Purpose

Friends,

Almighty God is calling you and me to serve Him. He does not call us to serve a religion, a profession, a cause or even a country. He calls us to be available and obedient to His voice. When we hear it, we may wonder how it could be possible that we could fulfill what He has called us to do. But take comfort knowing that you and I are not the first to have such a question.

Exodus 3:11-12 [NKJV]
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Of course, the LORD used Moses, flawed as he was, in many a mighty way. He can do the same for you and for me. It may not be as dramatic as parting a sea or defeating armies of giants. But He will use us for no less glorious a purpose ...
Advancing the Kingdom of God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Sleeping on the mission

All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
Jonah 1:5 (NKJV)

When we take a back seat and go on vacation on Kingdom work, we not only do ourselves a great disservice, but we also put folks around us in jeopardy,unnecessary hardship and confusion. The called cannot and must not act like the 'uncalled'. The mission for everyone is different likewise we must come head-on with our purpose mission for every call in life has a timing dimension to it.

Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonian 5:6 (NKJV)

Let us awake from scheduling kingdom work and mission according to our timing. We will spare innocent souls around us pain and anguish if we get about our mission in Him. Our life is a life redeemed for dedication to God’s work and glory; let’s pray for strength to fulfill our calling and mission. Sleeping on the mission is dangerous, the stakes for our lives are high, let’s awake to His righteousness and be about kingdom business.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The goal of faith

Friends,

What is the goal of your faith?

Is it to live a better, more moral life?
Is it ease your conscience?
Is it part of your search for peace and tranquility?
Is it your antidote to despair and hopelessness?

In and of themselves, these are wonderful outcomes of genuine and authentic faith in Christ Jesus. But they are not the ultimate aim of His quickening.

receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:9 [NKJV]

Salvation.

This is the high-note of the Gospel. It is the only goal worth pursuing. With salvation, everything has meaning; every day has hope; every word can edify and transform. With salvation, we have confidence in eternal life. Without salvation, though, everything is dead, worthless and subject to the inevitability of time and death.

On this day, pray that the Lord make this your compelling vision. Pursue the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. For these are the greatest gifts.

Be encouraged, Jose

More than mere gifts

Friends,

It occurred to me the other day that I have been diligently praying for God's gifts. That doesn't sound like a bad thing to pray for, does it? We know that every good gift comes from our Lord, and He certainly desires to bless His people.

Nevertheless, I came to conviction after reading a passage from Matthew Henry's commentary regarding inheritance. He referred to this verse from Paul's letter to the church at Rome:

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8:17 [NKJV]

Almighty God gives provision and gifts to all creation. He makes the rain to fall on the believers and the unbelievers. Generally speaking, Christians and heathen enjoy health, wealth and prosperity to largely the same degree across the world. Of course, there are exceptions, but to focus on God's gifts misses a larger and more important issue.

The Father reserves His inheritance for His children. When we die, my wife and I will leave our modest estate to our children and grandchildren, not to our friends, our co-workers or the next-door neighbor. In the same way, the great blessing of His Kingdom is left not to the world to inherit, but to the family of God. And that is my new prayer.

Heavenly Father, cause Your people to desire the inheritance which You have ordained for us. Grant to us the vision of Your Kingdom, that it will advance across this world and be established according to Your perfect will.
Amen and amen.

Be encouraged, Jose

Responding to Repentance

Friends,

Every act of true and genuine repentance is a great victory. It means that the Spirit has overcome the flesh, that Kingdom of God is advancing against the forces of Hell. No wonder Christ describes the scene in Heaven as a great celebration ...

Luke 15:10
Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. [NKJV]

As we discussed earlier, Jesus is both describing Heaven's response and commanding it. And this command applies to you and me in the here and now.

When we are saved, we are given a specific place in the heavenlies. We are seated there, wrapped in Christ. We are no longer citizens of the kingdom of darkness. We are now made citizens of the Kingdom of God.

So, when Christ says, "There is joy in the presence of angesls", He is commanding you and me to rejoice in the repentance of those around us. This may be difficult, since our flesh will remind us of that person's imperfections and mistakes. But we know that the enemy is a liar. And we know that the old things have passed away; and that the Lord has created a new heart in that person ... just as He has in you and me.

Let us rejoice on this day. Someone has come to repentance. And even more, let us seek true repentance on this day for our own sins and stumbles. And then let us rejoice again.

Be encouraged, Jose

To the place of Peace

They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit;They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Isaiah 65:21-22 (NKJV)

How cool is it to pursue the place of peace. The place where things just work, things fall in place by divine arrangement and it all looks like we are so perfect and effective. Brothers and Sisters that is the idea of dominion over our environment. When Kingdom principles rule over our land, families, communities, hearts and nation at large, then the labors of our hands never goes to waste. Our generation is not decimated, our present is preserved for His glory and as a showcase to all nations. The place of peace starts from our hearts where God daily resides, from there love comes forth to our world and spreads to every corners of our neighborhood and God's Kingdom takes root.

When our ways are pleasing to Him and we make Him the center of our attraction and pursuits, we succeed in all we do even in the face of the fiercest challenges of life. With little effort, our gain is immense. Waste, vanity and destruction is far from us because we make our place, the place of peace which is in Him.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

All to God

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11 (NKJV)

The time for serious focus and vigil is now for all members of the body of Christ to be about our individual and collective calling rather than the chasing of shadows, the treasures of the world, fame and religiousity. The tasks at hand, the work of sowing, the rigors and joy of harvest for His Kingdom must be our sole goal and driving factors. To a puzzled and confused world, a calm and focused army (not a distracted one) will break down every wall and barrier to the reign of God's kingdom here on earth. We must not be aligned or manipulated by the noise of the gallery neither should we put our trust in anything else but on Him that has supplied us with abilities.

The light and salt of the world must influence the world and not the other way around and our abilities are to ultimately bring forth His glory through us and all our works. In all our all, All must be to God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi