The mission of Christ

Friends,

We rejoice in the new day that the LORD has made. We do so because He commands it, and because it is an opportunity for us to glorify our God in so many ways. Yet, there are disappointments, hurts and slip-ups. Our Father knows this, understands this, and is there to respond ... perfectly.

Isaiah 61:1 [NKJV]
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

This is the mission of Christ. He quotes this very prophecy when declaring His presence to the Israelites. And daily He reminds you and me that we are no longer in bondage to bitterness, unforgiveness, deception, and sadness. We have been set free.

Be encouraged, Jose

In our heart

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (NKJV)

We encounter daily shifts in the world system. It is become increasingly popular for ungodly ways to take the center stage in day to day living and become acceptable as the norm. Standing up for one's belief makes you politically incorrect and attract all sorts of hostility from a world whose mission is to minimize and obliterate Kingdom standards. That should not come to the believer as a surprise, it is to be expected and we must overcome this onslaught with love, patience and understanding. Such a feat isn't conceivable and possible with flesh and blood but only the Spirit can empower the mortal man to carry this out.

What ever policies, laws, orders, edicts, rules, etc is enacted by the world and its bodies, the timeless truths etched in our heart must remain unchanged. In our heart, the truth that sets free will and must forever reign. The truth is the power of God that perfects all things.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Once far off

Friends,

It may be difficult for us, with our limited imaginations and comprehension, to understand. But it is nonetheless true. The most devastating consequence of our fall from grace is the insurmountable distance it put between us and our Creator. The Great and Awesome God of all things once communed with man, just as easily as a husband and wife might sit down for a chat after supper. He strolled through the garden in the cool of the day, seeking out the ones made in His own likeness. But they could not be found. And, having failed the one test they were given, could no longer be in His presence... and neither could their descendants.

But Christ changed all of that.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 3:13 [NKJV]

It cost our Lord dearly. He paid the price with His own shed blood. But the privilege He bought for His people is to eliminate the distance that our sin created. We now have the great gift of intimacy with the Almighty. We can once again walk with Him, talk with Him and take great joy in the knowledge that we are His own.

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

Give your heart

I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.
Psalm 50:9-14 (NKKJV)

How else can one impress the giver of all gifts and things... life, health, riches, family, world, etc. The life and breath we breath He gave, the resources we own and produce with, He gave, the Shine, provision, health, peace, joy, talents, and just anything we can think of or imagine, He freely gave. Like King David said here, will we feel cool by just bringing 'a fraction' of one of our bountiful blessings thinking we have done Him a favor? Certainly not.

For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 51:16-17 (NKJV)

Nothing we bring to Him will touch God but giving our hearts to Him. Our whole heart is what He desires not a fraction of our gifts, talents, toys, resources and sacrifices.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi