Let us each do a work

Friends,

Is predictability the hallmark of your gatherings? Do the same people contribute in all of the important ways?

1 Corinthians 14:26 [NKJV]
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

The Lord has gifted His people in many ways. And all are called ... even commanded ... to use and develop those gifts. So, when the Spirit calls you to bring forth a word, bring it forth. When you are lead to praise Him, then praise Him. Do not leave the whole burden of the work of the Kingdom to a weary few.

Be encouraged, Jose

A load of benefits

Friends,

What have you experienced today?
The Lord has directed every one of your steps. He has done so specifically for you.
His generosity and unending love has been demonstrated to you.

Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah
Psalm 68:19 [NKJV]

Regardless of how our finite minds have judged, valued or interpreted the events of today, we must remind ourselves of the perfect goodness and kindness of our Heavenly Father.

Be encouraged, Jose

Gladness in our heart

Friends,

Consider all the LORD has done for you. Consider His kind admonishment and chastising. Consider His boundless generosity and overwhelming love...

Psalm 4:7-8 [NKJV]
You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Lift up your voices, O people of God. Praise the King of kings!

Be encouraged, Jose

Break forth!

Friends,

We have every reason to praise Almighty God. Simply for who He is. There is none like the Lord.

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Psalm 98:4 [NKJV]

The circumstances of life are not the reasons why we do or do not rejoice in the unending love and generosity of our Father.

Be encouraged, Jose

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

He will not forget

8 The LORD has sworn by His right hand
And by the arm of His strength:
“ Surely I will no longer give your grain
As food for your enemies;
And the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine,
For which you have labored.
9 But those who have gathered it shall eat it,
And praise the LORD;
Those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts.”
Isaiah 62:8-9 (NKJV)


We serve a faithful and just God who will not nullify and forget our labor of love. As we labor and partake in Kingdom endeavors, we must not draw back or grow slack in our walk and work, but know for sure that according to God's word, seed and harvest time shall not cease. As you have partaken in seed time and labored through the nuturing season, your harvest season shall surely come and your grain and wine shall not be the portion of your enemies or the seed of foreigners.

Stay focused on Kingdom mission, for our God is just and faithful. He is the one who rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Never ending praise

Friends,

Almighty God is worthy of praise at every moment, in every situation, and from every man, woman and child. We are human and don't live up to that call. Fortunately, God's word tells us that part of His creation is making sure that the Lord is receiving the praise that He so richly deserves!

Revelation 4:8 [NKJV]
The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”

Take time today - even right now - to join in that unending hymn of praise!

Be encouraged, Jose

Why praise is important

Friends,

When you pray, do you regularly praise the LORD for who He is? No doubt you thank Him for all He has done and is doing in your life. And of course you bring intercession for yourself and others before Him. All of this appropriate... even critical.

But, my dear brothers and sisters, consider the following:

Psalm 22:3 [NKJV]
But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

Almighty God makes His throne - where He chooses to exercise His authority and judgments - within the praises of His people. In a sense, then, if we want to witness the power and majesty of the LORD, then we are well-advised to bring forth praise.

Praise Him in the morning and in the evening.
Praise Him no matter the circumstances.
Praise Him for His goodness and wonder.

Be encouraged, Jose

Be Magnified

Friends,

What is the proper response to the Lord's actions?

In everything He does, His will and His glory is evident. His will is perfect and good. The outcome will bring Him glory. And nothing is better or more important than that!

So again, I ask you ... how should the men and women of God respond to what the Lord does?

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified!”
-- Psalm 70:4 [NKJV]

We who seek the LORD are a unique people. We recognize that the sovereignty of God is absolute and complete. His hand touches and directs all things. So we see the events of history unfold and proclaim that the LORD is good and worthy to be praised! Let us magnify His Name!

Be encouraged, Jose

From the heart to the hands

Friends,

1 Corinthians 5:8 [NKJV]
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

For many reasons, the modern church continues with a wide variety of old rituals and habits. The Lord understands the comfort that men find in old rites and ceremonies.

The biggest danger, though, is that we persist in these habits without any change in the heart. If our hearts are still full of resentment, unforgiveness, and bitterness, then the rituals are simply an acted out lie.

But if there has been a change, then we will be keeping the feast simply by the course of our words and deeds. There will be no real need for the rituals (though they may be useful for remembrance). For our every breath will be a proclamation of the amazing work that our Lord has done.

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

The great celebration

Friends,

The Lord is gracious and generous, isn't He?

He has no obligation to make things easier in this life. He is under no contract to make us wealthy, or happy, or healthy. His promise is for eternal life in His presence.

And yet, He delights in displaying His generosity and compassion to His people. He celebrates with us when we exercise the power He has granted us. And even in that celebration, He reminds us that this is but a taste of what is to come.

Luke 10:20 [NKJV]
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

We join together in praise for the prayers answered, the sicknesses healed, and the demons cast out. But we reserve our greatest gratitude and celebration for the salvation our Lord has earned for us. Without that, nothing else matters.

Be encouraged, Jose

Let's get serious

22 “Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver: 23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:22-23 (NKJV)

It is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Almighty God, yet men take Him for granted because He is infinite in mercies and kindness. When the Lord comes against one... who will deliver? who?

Better release your praise, life, substance and all to Him, and get your walk right with Him so that His grace and salvation may not be an illusion but a reality to you.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

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

Praise Forevermore

Friends,

As we wrap up the week, and slow down for Sabbath rest, let these words be on our hearts, minds, and lips ...

I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2 [NKJV]

Be encouraged, Jose

Celebration Time

Friends,

For too long, far too many of God's people have lived in a state of sadness. They do not find joy in their lives ... in their family, in their work, even in their relationship with the Lord. They have allowed the opinions and the pressures of the world steal that joy. At those times, a person likely feels as though the Lord is far away. But He isn't.

And Jesus said to them,
Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
Mark 2:19 [NKJV]

In scripture, fasting is often associated with mourning, sadness and grief. If Jesus was indeed absent from his life, then a man would certainly have very good reason to be sad and grief-stricken.

But the believer is never without Christ. He arose from the dead. He lives inside each one of us. He makes His home in our hearts and in our praises. He will never leave us. He is not only the of life, He is our breath of life.

As long as we have Jesus with us, we have reason to live a life of celebration and joy.

Be encouraged, Jose

Worth writing about

Friends,

Your life and times are being recorded. The record may be explicit in a journal, or captured in a news story. Or it may be implicit, stored in the hearts and minds of loved ones, associates, acquaintances and passers-by. In both forms, it is your story.

Psalm 102:18 [NKJV]
This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

What will be the response of those who read your story? Will it cause people to celebrate the achievement of great expectations, or will it cause them to mourn the loss of unfulfilled potential? Will they see what the LORD has done and sing praises, or will they wonder why you never gave glory to the One who gave you everything?

Today, make your story one that will give a generation that hasn't yet lived an amazing gift ... a reason to praise the King of kings!

Be encouraged, Jose

He made Himself ready

Friends,

You have no doubt heard the expression, "Take the bull its horns." I wonder ... has any really tried to do so? I can't imagine that the bull would stand idly while a man takes hold of his horns. I can't imagine that such an action would end well for the man foolish enough to actually try it.

Genesis 22:13
Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. [NKJV]

Picture this scene in your mind. Under natural circumstances, would a wild ram stand still while his horns were tangled in a little bush? Of course a ram is not as powerful as a bull, but a desert shrub is certainly no match for a ram being held "against his will."

But then, we are not talking about natural circumstances are we? Rather we are looking at a sacrifice, sent by Almighty God, perfectly obedient, and completely prepared to lay down and die for the sake of one who is far from innocent.

Sound familiar?

Christ Jesus was not murdered.
He was not forced to stay on the cross by any man.
Even those nails were no match for His sovereign power and might.

He went ... willing and obediently ... to the cross. He did so out of love for His Father. He did so out of love for you and for me. He spent His whole life making Himself ready to be the One who redeemed us with His blood.

Our gratitude and ceaseless praise is the very least we can offer. Why not start right now!

Be encouraged, Jose

Praise for His handiwork

Friends,

One of the fallacies of the church is that a person is saved because the Lord "knew" that he or she would ... fill in the blank. The person would eventually ... become a responsible parent; shake loose from the chains of addiction; become a dedicated philanthropist; devote their talents and gifts to the service of the Church. Take your pick. This idea has been repeated, in various forms, for centuries.

But even though Christians have picked up on this idea and promulgated it throughout the world, it is still untrue; it still contradicts the Word of God:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 [NKJV]

If our salvation is dependent upon something that we do -- either in our past, our present or our future -- then we have nullified the effect and power of grace. It's simply not possible to adequately describe how wrong, dangerous and blasphemous such a notion truly is.

A man is saved only because of the work of Christ.
Without His saving grace, we are able to do nothing of eternal value. Nothing that is good and pleasing to the Lord.

Altruistic works are fine, but if they lack the power and authority of Christ (which ALL non-believers lack), then they lack any eternal value.

The humility of recognizing that nothing you or I have done or will do changes our election Christ will have a natural and wondrous result: We will acknowledge the amazing work that Jesus has done for us and in us. And we will join with all the angels in praise to the Glorious King of kings!

Be encouraged, Jose

With Understanding

Friends,

There are so many activities we undertake somewhat mindlessly. We don't usually think about breathing, or walking, or chewing. We just breathe, walk and chew. Sometimes we don't even think about our driving. When we're off to work, we get there on some sort of auto-pilot, perhaps not even remembering any details of our commute. This kind of automatic activity is quite useful in many ways. But not in all ways ...

For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.
Psalm 47:7 [NKJV]

In this verse, the word "understanding" comes from the Hebrew word sakal. It means, according to Strong's Concordance, to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper. So then, to praise God with understanding is to be purposeful in our praises, to be fully aware of our words and thoughts. It means that we are most certainly not to recite words and sing songs mindlessly.

This weekend, brothers and sisters, you may have an opportunity to join others in corporate prayer and worship and praise of Almighty God. When you do so, be fully present and aware of what you are doing. You are preparing a place for God to abide, for He abides in the praises of His people. Do so with sincerity and great joy. Do so with great reverence and joy. Do so ... with understanding.

Be encouraged, Jose