Your readiness check

Friends,

With each successive sunrise, the day of Christ's return draws closer. We come upon the beginning of the Sabbath, and it is appropriate for us to reflect upon what has transpired during the week and examine it. As His return approaches, have we taken any steps to prepare? Are we more ready to face the Lord than we were a week ago?

Jeremiah 1:12 [NKJV]
Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.”

Almighty God is fulfilling His promises and His prophecies on a daily basis. And certainly, we wait eagerly for the ultimate fulfillment of what He describes as the end of days. There are those that claim to have pinpointed the date, as if that should change our ways.

It is clearly more important that we be ready today. Whether Christ returns tomorrow morning, later this month, next year, in the next decade, or in the next millennium, be ready for Him now.

Be encouraged, Jose

No barriers

Friends,

What are the kinds of things that come between and your beloved, especially when there is an opportunity for intimacy? What is distracting you when they want to be the focus of your attention? Is it the list of chores? Is it the stress of work? Is it the pursuit of your ambitions and goals?

Don't you know that these same things that get in the way of being truly intimate with Christ.

Mark 10:23
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” - NKJV

Entering the Kingdom is an act of deep and lasting intimacy. We enter into the Kingdom in order to enter into His presence. And in His presence, nothing else can exist. Nothing of this world is worthy of the holiness that He deserves. Not our achievements, our credentials, our possessions, our sadness, our lack of forgiveness, nor our altruistic works.

Be prepared to leave all of that behind. It's worthless in eternity anyway. Why cling to it? Let it go, and instead take hold of the gift of simply being in the presence of the One True God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Are you prepared?

Friends,

Most people like to live in peace. Most people don't go looking for a fight. As Christians, though, we must realize that a fight is always looking for us.

Proclaim this among the nations:
“Prepare for war!
Wake up the mighty men,
Let all the men of war draw near,
Let them come up.
Beat your plowshares into swords
And your pruning hooks into spears;
Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’”
-- Joel 3:9-10 [NKJV]

Unfortunately, most Christians don't have a clue that evil truly is lurking about, seeking whom it might devour. Most Christians go through life blissfully unaware of the pitched battle that is going on all around us.

Be unaware no longer, brothers and sisters. Prepare yourself for war. Take up the full armor of God. Sharpen your knowledge of God's word. Protect your thoughts by keeping them occupied with Kingdom business. Guard your heart from the desires of the flesh.

Prepare for war!
Victory is at hand!

Be encouraged, Jose

Necessary for ministry

Friends,

Have you experienced that nudging of the Spirit lately? You know ... the one that calls you to act upon what He has taught you in Scripture. The one that calls you to step into the advancement of His Kingdom?

As you begin your walk in that calling, remember that there is a critical step you must take before taking that first step.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11-12 [NKJV]

Are you leading a ministry ... perhaps a youth group, or a praise team? Do you truly and intimately know the scriptural basis for that ministry? Are you fulfilling its purpose as defined in God's word? Too many men and women find themselves in leadership positions without the deep training in God's word that is necessary to function in that role. And the responsibility is borne by all involved.

So, before you take that bold step, seek out a teacher of the Word. Someone who can and will bring out the deep and hard truths of the Bible. Someone who will equip you to serve faithfully and effectively.

Do this today, that you will be blessed tomorrow.

Be encouraged, Jose

Check the fruit

Friends,

Almighty God does not want anyone to be surprised by what happens when they meet Him face to face. The way to know -- and be absolutely sure -- is to examine the fruit that we bear in our lives.

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
-- Matthew 7:18-21 [NKJV]

The connection between these verses could not be more clear. Saying "Lord, Lord" is not fruit. Obedience is fruit. Waiting upon the Lord, listening for His voice, and doing as He commands is fruit. Generosity, Longsuffering, Love, and Kindness ... these are fruits.

Examine your life today so that you are not surprised tomorrow.

Be encouraged, Jose

Where Did That Come From?

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 [KJV]

We reap what we sow is something that my grandmother drilled into my head over and over as a child growing up.  I always took it to mean that what we put out, we would get back.  So, if we were very mean to others, someone would be mean to us.  Conversely if, we were nice to others, then someone would be nice to us.  The lesson was a this for that lesson.  As I have grown up, the lesson takes on a different context.  

I have learned that what you put in the ground is what you get out.  As well as what you put into your mind, you get out.  You read and study the bible, you act out biblical principles. You listen to music and teaching about praise and worship, you act out praise and worship naturally.  I recently talked about coaching and teams executing.  This verse is valuable in reminding us that we execute what we know and we can't fool our ultimate Coach on what we know since He has seen us in practice.  Let's look at what we practice so we can execute.  

Be Encouraged,

Martin