Release your grip on temptation

Friends,

Christ Jesus instructed us to enlist the Father's aid daily in keeping us away from temptation. An old country song reminds that we don't need anyone's help in being lead to temptation, because we'll find it all by ourselves. Our generations are certainly not the first to have this problem ...

Numbers 31:15-16
And Moses said to them: "Have you kept all the women alive? Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD." [NKJV]

In this episode, the warriors appointed to defeat the Midianites had forgotten that the beautiful women they carried back to camp were the very ones who had very recently tempted their brethren and enticed them to sin. In other words, the victorious soldiers in the LORD's army took hold of temptation and brought it back home!

Are we doing the same today?

It is time to stop holding tight to that which tempts us. You know what those things and thoughts are... so stop pursuing them (and then wondering why you stumble). Return to your pursuit of that which is Godly, and you won't have time to pursue that which is not!

Be encouraged, Jose

Return now

Friends,

For too long, God's people have wandered about listlessly. We have ignored the clear and consistent voice of our God and King.

Come, and let us return to the LORD;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
Hosea 6:1 [NKJV]

Are His chastisements in vain?
Must His rebukes continue to fall on deaf ears?

Sisters and brothers, the Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy. He is also holy and completely righteous. If we are who we claim to be, then we must obey His call that we repent from worldliness.

Let today be the day that we walk according to the Spirit of God.

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

The Reward of Repentance

Friends,

Repentance is hard. It means giving up that with which we have grown comfortable. It means turning away from the familiar and moving into something new and untried. And yet, the reward of repentance is remarkable...

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]

Jesus proclaims that all of heaven rejoices over your repentance and mine. He is both describing this and commanding it.

Imagine all of God's Kingdom rising as one to cheer and celebrate each act of repentance that takes place. Having this vision should give you and me the encouragement and strength to overcome any obstacle that the enemy places in our path.

Be encouraged, Jose

Is it time to exit?

And I heard another voice from heaven saying,
"Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues."
Revelation 18:4 [NKJV]

Friends,

Take a good look around you. What is your situation? With what are you surrounded? Pay special attention to your worship practices.

• Is the Word of God preached, or is it about self-improvement?
• Are the musicians leading you into the presence of God, or are they just performing Christian songs well?
• Do you experience conviction and and the call to repent, or do you come away believing that you're doing okay?

Be aware, brothers and sisters. The Lord is calling His own to come out of churches that are stuck in old rituals, and have thus forgotten Christ's message. Remember, the Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus is coming, and sooner today than yesterday.

True strength and courage is found in genuine repentance.

Be encouraged, Jose

The whole counsel of God

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (The Apostle Paul, speaking to the believers at Ephesus) -- Acts 20:28 [NKJV]

Friends,

Beware of the preacher whose sermons always make you smile. The Holy Word of God is not meant to entertain.

When Paul spoke the words above, he was preparing to depart Ephesus to return to Jerusalem. In essence, it was his farewell party. And throughout Paul's entire stay in that city, he brought forth the true and pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be definition, this means that Paul confronted sinners and their sinfulness, rebuked those who had gone astray, and admonished all of the believers to lead holy lives. He was unafraid to do these things. His God was not all lovey and cuddly and safe. His God is the true God, the Almighty. Who is holy. And just. And faithful. And awesome.

Our flesh doesn't want to be reminded of these facts. We want our preachers to not be too strident or to set goals that are too lofty. Give us a break! we say. Go easy on us ... we're only human!

Brothers and sisters, like Paul, all of us -- not just our preachers -- must have the courage to speak the whole truth. Look around at the world. Can't we see that it desperately needs the real and genuine word of God? Not some watered down version that promises an escape from Hell without a repentance. The world needs to repent. No one will unless they hear Christ -- through you and through me -- say, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!"

Be encouraged, Jose

Power's Purpose

Friends,

When a brother or sisters receives a fresh anointing from the Lord, it is an awe-inspiring event. Indeed, the person often gains prestige and notoriety in the church; the Body recognizes that there is something truly special about that individual. Unfortunately, in our celebrity-driven culture, this recognition quickly goes too far. In an instant, it degrades into treating that man or woman as an idol; all while rationalizing it with a veil of Christianity.

American Christianity has forgotten the real reason for the anointed power of the Holy Spirit:

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8 [NKJV]

The Lord sends His Spirit upon us for one reason, and one reason only: to empower us to be His witnesses. First to the Body of Believers (Jerusalem), and then to the world (Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth). Instead, we have fallen -- far too easily -- into the enemy's trap of using the power of the Spirit to bear witness to ourselves. We exalt our own talents and charisma. We revel in the crowd's adulation. We embrace the power, prestige, and possessions that flow our way. And then we're shocked -- shocked!! -- when we find ourselves the object of the Father's righteous indignation and severe chastisement.

Brothers and sisters, is your life a witness to Christ? Do celebrities (even Christian celebrities -- like preachers or singers) receive special attention in your heart? Are your conversations reflecting an interest in what God has done in your life? Turn away from what the world is chasing. Focus your heart, your mind, your ambitions and your dreams on what the Lord is chasing. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Are you ready for it?

Be encouraged, Jose

Vain and Empty

For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 3:19 (NKJV)

The blitz, the bling, the glamor, the pride, the self righteousness, the subtle hatred, the terrorist, the pervert, the extremist, the superstar, even the faithful... One thing levels all at this side of things. They are all one breath away from this world. Why should man now get carried away by the passing pleasures, glamor, hate, joy, pain, success and struggles of this world. Nothing in life has ever been permanent. As the preacher states it, one dies, so dies the other, no one is exempt.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

The saved ought not get caught up in these distractions lest they fall into the trap and scheme of the world. All is vanity.

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Mark 8:36 (NIV)

A life without Christ is what the heading above says. Pray that all souls come to repentance before the final curtain is drawn.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Turn away from the idols

Friends,

Ezekiel 14:6 [NKJV]
"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.' "

The news of the past seven days has been filled ... overwhelmed is probably a better word ... with talk of the death of several celebrities. The question I pose today to believers is this ...

Why do you care?

The death of a famous singer, actress, or other celebrity is, in reality, no more or less important or tragic than the death of your neighbor. No matter what a person accomplishes in this world, unless they have repented and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, then the only real tragedy is that yet another soul is lost to the enemy. Beyond that, our attention to the death of someone with whom we have no relationship is a blatant form of idolatry.

Today, ask yourself this: Do you interrupt your relationship with Christ Jesus because of the actions of a famous person? Do the events surrounding the unsaved celebrities of our world distract you from prayer and fellowship with the Lord?

It's far too easy to be bewitched by the glitz and the glamour that surrounds entertainers. But such things do not compare to the glory revealed in Christ. Search for that true, enduring glory today and for always.

Be encouraged, Jose

Grace to Serve

Friends,

And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:4 [NKJV]

Given the way he lived his life, few would have expected Aaron to be anointed as the first high priest. It would be surprising if Aaron himself believed that he was qualified for such a role. After all, it was he who presided over the golden calf incident, knowing that what he did was evil in the sight of God. Nevertheless, the LORD names Aaron as the chief high priest, anointing him in front of all the people for the critical work of temple duty.

Do you consider yourself unqualified for Kingdom service? If you are truly saved, then nothing could be further from the truth. Of course, we know that blatant, unrepentant sinfulness can be present & welcome in our lives if we expect to be used by God. But the LORD calls us to repentance. And when we truly repent, the grace of Christ Jesus is sufficient to enable us to serve as He commands.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Shining Path

Friends,

With every step, we have to choose a path. One path appears to be logical and appropriate. It conforms to conventional wisdom and to the traditions of our fathers. But although it appears to be well-lit, its light is an illusion. The path that is lit by the wisdom of man is made to appear bright by our enemy. He does this to distract us. However, when we turn away (that is ... when we repent) from that deadly path, and instead shift our gaze to the path of the just, we finally see just how dark that way is.

Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
   That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. ... NKJV

You see, in order to understand how dark the world path is, we need to see the bright shining path of righteousness. The natural man's path will grow suddenly dim, just as the light of a flashlight is imperceptible when compared to a halogen aircraft landing light.

The path of the just, brothers and sisters, is the one we must follow. But in order to see it, we must take action. We must seek it. Christ promises that it will be found, that it will be hard, and yet that it will bring us into the presence of the Most Holy God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Repentance is from God

Friends,

Each of us has a loved one who, based on our discernment, is not saved. The temptation is is to attempt to persuade them, using every means at our disposal. We make emotional pleas. We appeal to logic or even to their instinct for self-preservation. And yet, there is no repentance.

It can be quite frustrating until we realize that repentance is a gift. It is not achieved by human effort. Nor is it arrived at by logical deduction. It has only one source, and it is bestowed by God according to His good pleasure.

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
Acts 11:18

In this verse, the word "they" refers to the Apostles, who were being reminded of God's grace by Peter. These were men who walked and talked with Christ, who may have had first-hand encounters with the risen Lord. And who, quite understandably, have thought of themselves as being a bit special... maybe even a bit better than the rest of us.

Yet, "they heard these things" and realized that Almighty God had granted repentance to those who were not of their lineage. To these men, the Gentiles had no claim to God's favor. They had no history with God, no prior revelation. And yet, God granted repentance to them.

Our Lord granted repentance to you and me. We had no legitimate claim to it. We had nothing to earn it or deserve it. Yet He saw fit to grant it to us nonetheless. If He so chooses, He will grant it to our loved ones, as well. And we must continue to intercede in that regard. But don't be frustrated when our own words seem to fall on deaf ears. Instead, be hopeful because He can open their ears like He did ours.

Be encouraged, Jose

What do you smell like?

Friends,

It's interesting what the Lord uses to remind us of Himself. For instance, the other day, my wife met several sisters in the Lord for breakfast. When she returned, she smelled of pancakes and waffles... (eventually she got tired of me following her around the house) ... but she couldn't wait to put on fresh clothes.

In His word, God declares that the prayers and praise of His people rise like a sweet smoke to His throne. He goes even further to state ...

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.
2 Corinthians 2:15-16a [NKJV]

We who are saved carry the scent of life, salvation and grace. We are surrounded by those who spiritually smell different... they smell of death and bondage. And just as a mare can pick out her foal from all other colts in the herd, our Father distinguishes His children from those who have not been adopted into His family.

Each day, we must examine the condition of our spirit. Does it smell like the death... soiled by this dying world? Or does it have that fresh smell of something that has been washed clean by Christ's blood?

Be encouraged, Jose