Obedience is the only response

Friends,

The commandments of God are clear and unambiguous. Man is forever seeking a way to negotiate them, interpret them, and weaken them. But they are the word of God, and they shall stand forever. When faced with this unrelenting fact, the only logical response to obey:

Exodus 19:7-8
So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. [NKJV]

The Israelite people were no different than you and I. They were rebellious, argumentative and inconsistent. And yet, when confronted with the obvious truth of God's power and authority, they humbled themselves and declared their intent to obey.

Everyday, brothers and sisters, we are faced with the truth of Almighty God's power and just authority. Rebellion does not change that. Arguments, negotiations and interpretations do not change that. There is but one response.

Let us humble ourselves and obey the LORD.

Be encouraged, Jose

Inside ... then Outside

Friends,

It is so easy to make a good show of Christianity. But that is not what God commands or desires. The Lord is after your heart. That is what He pursues.

Proverbs 6:21 [NKJV]
Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie them around your neck.

The Word of God must reside ... must live ... in the heart. Then and only then will the outward appearance reflect the true character of the Lord. 

Be encouraged, Jose

The only opinion that matters

Friends,

There is a true word of God. But because it's not always what we want to hear, we might - in a time of weakness - seek out a second opinion. Or a third. We do this when we are looking to justify sin and rationalize evil. Not one of us is immune.

It may seem fairly obvious, but it's worth repeating: God is not amused or pleased by this:

Her heads judge for a bribe,
Her priests teach for pay,
And her prophets divine for money.
Yet they lean on the LORD, and say,

"Is not the LORD among us?
No harm can come upon us."

Therefore because of you
Zion shall be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins,
And the mountain of the temple
Like the bare hills of the forest.
Micah 3:11-12, NKJV

The men and women who bribe their pastors to condone their sin are in for a rude awakening. You ask how a pastor could be bribed? It's easy, and shameful. But a big donation for that new program or building fund. It takes two, of course ... that pastor must be willing to value the contributions (tithes and otherwise) more than obedience to Christ. And of course that pastor is headed for disaster, as well.

And after all of that, everyone involved expects ... even demands ... that the LORD smile and bless and approve of such abominable behavior!

Rather than belabor the point, let's go to the solution.

As true believers, we have an obligation and a freedom to obey Christ Jesus. We are now able to hear His word and know His voice. Do not waste that gift by foolishly and sinfully looking for ways to disobey Him. Do not ask a brother to condone sin. Do not ask a sister to rationalize and justify sin.

Instead, stop the sin. Heed the voice of Christ!

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

Value His words

Friends,

The Lord's words to us demand a response. He speaks to His people ... and His message is one of peace and reconciliation.

I will hear what God the LORD will speak,
For He will speak peace
To His people and to His saints;
But let them not turn back to folly.
Psalm 85:8 (emphasis added) [NKJV]

The great temptation is to go back to our old ways. It is so hard to change the habits formed over a lifetime. It takes energy to speak, to think and to act in a new way. And the old patterns of the flesh are familiar and easy to revert to.

But the LORD calls us to a higher way. It is the way of eternity and of holiness.

What are you doing today that is the way of man, and not of God? What needs to change in your words and deeds and thoughts in order to demonstrate that you are not turning back to your folly?

Answer these difficult questions, brothers and sisters, and be renewed in your transformation into the image of Christ.

Be encouraged, Jose

Faithful in what has been given

Friends,

Have you been given a ministry? Are you diligent to fulfill that ministry, no matter how small or unnoticeable? Do you find yourself frustrated because your small work seems to have no impact?

Consider the legacy of Shamgar:

Judges 3:31
After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel. [NKJV]

This man is not prominent in Israel. It seems he is a simple farmer, tending to the small piece of ground under his stewardship. He is armed with nothing but an ox goad ... what, in our day, might be called a cattle prod.

You may be interested to understand that this tool is actually a 2-edged, sword-like implement. And with this 2-edged sword, Shamgar killed 600 enemy soldiers. In so doing, he delivered the people of God.

What small piece of earth has the LORD given you to tend?
Do you allow the enemy to pass through unmolested?
Do you realize that you have the same armament in your possession as this hero of the Bible?

And now, what are you going to do with it?

Be encouraged, Jose

When it's hard to listen

Friends,

Even those who are seemingly deeply devoted to Christ Jesus will find it difficult to hear a rebuke. No one likes to be told that they are doing something wrong. Few enjoy being corrected. And it is the rare man who seeks out criticism ... constructive or otherwise.

For this reason, it is easy to tune out the one comes as a prophet. It is so tempting to dismiss them when they do not have a credential or a title. It is a simple exercise to ignore the fact that the LORD uses whom He will, regardless of what the world calls them.

Micah 2:7
You who are named the house of Jacob:
Is the Spirit of the LORD restricted?
Are these His doings?
Do not My words do good
To him who walks uprightly?

The prophet is not speaking to non-believers. He is not rebuking the world or Satan. Nor is he addressing his words to false professors and hypocrites.

These words are given to those who are named the house of Jacob ... those whom the LORD has adopted into His family and kingdom. We are the ones who, by Christ's grace, walk uprightly.

The Spirit of the LORD is completely unencumbered. He can speak to and through whom He pleases. And when He does, the words do good. Therefore, we must not ignore those words. We must listen. We must heed them. And only then will be in a position to experience the blessings of Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose

On whose authority

Friends,

When a leader speaks, the weight and authority of his role support his words. Too often, we confuse leadership and celebrity, giving undue influence to those who are famous because of being famous. To often we dismiss the true authority of God's word in favor of the deception and bondage of the world's word.

John 7:16 [NKJV]
Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

Our Lord recognized that His authority came from the Father, the One who sent Him. We would do well to acknowledge that authority in our own lives. And to bring our own actions into submission.

Who do you love?

Friends,

Even the atheists have an object of worship. The proof goes far beyond the cavalier.* The one who decides that there is no moral difference between the uniformed soldier fighting in the open and the man shooting his gun from inside a schoolhouse has come to that conclusion from some moral starting point, some code. Where did that code come from? A romantic might say that looked deep within himself. And that is the problem.

Psalm 18:1-2
I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

There is a massive difference between loving the LORD, between worshiping, trusting and obeying Him and loving, worshiping and trusting only ourselves. God is the same. His Word does not change. His commands never lose their power or their relevance. The same cannot be said for you or me.

Like it or not, we all have a code we live by.
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...
The God of King David and King Solomon...
The One who stepped off the throne in order to redeem His people ...

Jesus calls us to live by His code.

Be encouraged, Jose

* When an atheist flippantly exclaims, "Thank God!" ... just who are they talking to?

Break from the pattern

Friends,

Each moment represents a choice. We can take this opportunity to continue doing good or to allow weariness to have its way. We must make a decision: perpetuate the cycle of sin and disobedience, or change my direction. We must, therefore, examine each moment and all the history that leads up to it. Judge that history not by man's low standards, but by the standards of the Almighty and Perfect God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Return to Me," says the LORD of hosts, "and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. "Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds."'
But they did not hear nor heed Me," says the LORD.
Zechariah 1:3-4 [NKJV] (emphasis added)

Over and over, Zechariah reminds the reader that it is the LORD of Hosts who is speaking. And yet, even with His undisputed authority, the leaders did not hear or heed Him. Are we doing the same as those who went before us? Are we repeating the same mistake and expecting a different result? Have we even taken a single minute to ask ourselves that question?

Today is a new day. A new morning. God's mercies are fresh and new. Do not waste this moment by continuing the deadly pattern of sin and disobedience.

Change direction.

Return to the LORD, and He will return to you.

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

Wisdom's Proof

Friends,

Do you remember the famous line from Forrest Gump ... "Stupid is as stupid does." Have you ever encountered folks who simply cannot restrain themselves from telling you how smart and enlightened they are? Let's face it. If your actions do not demonstrate your brilliance, then your boasting will only betray your ignorance.

James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. [NKJV]

Of course, many modern men confuse meekness with weakness, and they therefore miss the blessings that flow from steadfast obedience to God's instruction.

But you and I do not need to be counted among them. We can let our words be few and our actions be bold. We can demonstrate our courage and our wisdom and our cunning merely by obeying the incomparable and infinite wisdom of Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose

No more argument

Friends,

For seemingly every issue, there is ongoing debate. The most vociferous seem to focus on political and economic issues. But nothing inspires passion, fury and volume like religion. And yet, we have a definitive, final word on the subject.

Psalm 119:89-91
Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it abides.
They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
For all are Your servants.
NKJV

Almighty God's word is settled in heaven and it persists. It has resisted countless attempts to disprove, denigrate and belittle it. It has survived attacks from every discipline known to man. The word of God has been established on earth, as it is on heaven.

Why are we still debating it?

Be encouraged, Jose

Listen to wisdom

Friends,

These days, it seems as though the only people who have any chance of being heard are the most obnoxious, sarcastic and insulting of the lot. One need to simply observe the politics of the last 5 years to see the damage this kind of living can do. Good and honorable people have had their names horribly tarnished by outlandish accusations. Entertainers and athletes seem to have more credibility than our leaders.

Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard
Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.
Ecclesiastes 9:17 [NKJV]

Truly, this is nothing new. Perhaps it seems more prevalent with the plethora of communication channels we now have. And of course, information - truthful and otherwise - now travels at incomprehensible speeds.

Even so, do we not have a responsibility to truly and patiently listen to what is being said? Shouldn't we at least attempt to understand the full consequences of our words, our decisions and our actions? Do we not owe it to ourselves and our children to consider whether we are actually fulfilling God's commands?

The LORD does not shout. He does not hit His people over the head with blunt objects. Yet He speaks. He is speaking to you and to me.

Stop.

Listen.

Be encouraged, Jose

The outcome

Friends,

We hear so many messages each day. Most are fueled by the desire to influence our behavior. Before we heed the advice of our friends, no matter how well-intentioned it may be, it is imperative that we understand the consequences of that suggested course of action.

You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Matthew 7:16-18 [NKJV]

Our friends and family probably do not wish to guide us towards harm. But their words might do just that. Only the voice of Christ can be relied upon to lead. His words will always lead to life, to joy, to peace. Listen for it.

Be encouraged, Jose

A commandment to save

Friends,

Everyone has their own point of view of God's law. While the only one that matters is, of course, God's ... in our frail human imagination, we come up with all kinds of responses to His commandments. Emotional responses. Intellectual responses. Pious responses. Cynical responses. Reverent responses. Angry responses.

But when we see what God says about His commandments, perhaps the response will be one of gratitude ...

Psalm 71:3
Be my strong refuge,
To which I may resort continually;
You have given the commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress. - [NKJV]

The LORD has given "the commandment to save" you and me. Not just any commandment ... but THE commandment. And its purpose is clear and concise: to save.

The Law is not burdensome or troublesome. It is not there to trip us up or to bring on condemnation. It is there to save us.

Study His Law and you will find this to be the truth.

Be encouraged, Jose

The imperative of listening

Friends,

The world believes that God is distant and disengaged. They believe that He has spoken, but that He is done talking. That the Lord has nothing more to say. Nothing could be further from the truth.

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Hebrews 1:1-2 [NKJV]

Notice that these words are translated from the Greek into the present perfect tense. This indicates not only an activity that began in the past, but one that continues into the present and beyond.

And what is that activity? It is the Lord's determination to make Himself heard in every age, including the present one.

The world will mock anyone who claims to have heard from God. They will accuse us of mental illness, or of simply making things up. But we can ignore their ignorance. We know that our Redeemer lives. We know that He speaks still.

Be encouraged, Jose

Who He is

Friends,

Lots of people believe in Jesus. Lots of people believe lots of different things about Jesus. If you've been a regular church goer over the past 10 years or so, you've no doubt seen regular folks say outlandish things about who they believe this Jesus is.

Of course, the born-again believer knows more deeply, and with complete certainty, who Christ Jesus is.

Romans 1:3-4
... concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. [NKJV - emphasis added]

He is our redeemer ... the only One qualified to forgive sins and impute holiness.
He is the only One to accurately and completely fulfill every prophecy concerning the Messiah.

He is worthy of praise. And He is worthy of the respect due the Son of the Living God!

Be encouraged, Jose

Giving Attention

Friends,

What were you paying attention to earlier this morning? As you were preparing for work, what was on your mind?
Was it the list of tasks?
Was it the conversation you had with your spouse last night?
Was it the worry over paying next month's bills?
Was it the ball game that kept you up until late?

1 Timothy 4:13 - Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. [NKJV]

Perhaps, dear brothers and sisters, there is something better for you and I to be thinking about.

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