Put your faith in a Faithful Man

Friends,

We live in an age of self-promotion, don't we? It is a gross understatement to say that self-aggrandizement is encouraged. An entire industry has formed around man's desire to talk about himself. Politicians & celebrities have reached the pinnacles of their professions with no accomplishments except for the ability to take credit for the work of others. It's nothing new.

Proverbs 20:6 [NKJV]
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?

Indeed.
Are there no faithful men?

There is one. We have found Him, for He promises to reveal Himself to those who truly seek Him. Put your faith in Him.

Be encouraged, Jose

Most? or Faithful

Friends,

Let's face it ... humble-ness is not man's greatest strength. The world idolizes those who excel at bringing attention to themselves. Too many are famous simply because they are famous.

Proverbs 20:6 [NKJV]
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?

It is easy to find someone who makes sure that all have heard about his most useful qualities. Go to the house of government. Turn on the television. You will see them everywhere.
You may have even seen one in the mirror this morning.

But seek a faithful man, and you will search long and hard before encountering one. Indeed, there is but One who is truly faithful. We are most wise when we put our faith in Him.

Be encouraged, Jose

Never stop learning

Friends,

We know that no man, but for Jesus, is perfect. We know that all of us make mistakes, falling short of the glorious and perfect standard set forth for us by a Wise and Omniscient God. These are the facts of the fall. But they are no excuse. We are commanded to learn and grow in the knowledge of the LORD.

Proverbs 1:5
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel [NKJV]

In our world, it seems that the arrogant and conceited are gaining power and authority. But in their arrogance, the intellectual elites have decided that they have all the answers. That they no longer need to humble themselves before the LORD.

We who obey, and who continually seek a deeper intimacy with Christ, will ultimately prevail. We rely on Almighty God for our victory. And when He returns, we who have been humble shall be exalted. And we will throw our crowns at His feet in joyful adoration!

Be encouraged, Jose

The antidote for hate

Friends,

It seems that hatred and accusations of hatred are everywhere. If two disagree, each accuses the other of hate. If a man stands up for his beliefs and refuses to compromise his faith, then he is accused of hatred.

It boils down to the discomfort some feel when their sinful behavior is called what it is: sin. The sinful ones react harshly, angrily, and sometimes violently. Fortunately, we have a defender:

Psalm 9:13
Have mercy on me, O LORD!
Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death, [NKJV]

Praying for justice is neither hateful nor sinful. Seeking the wisdom of the One who is truly in a position to render a judgment? This is a loving and humble act. We who truly follow Christ do not usurp His authority. We call upon it and depend on it. And we rejoice in the judgments of a perfectly good and sovereign King.

Be encouraged, Jose

Be a blessing

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV)

We live in an overly materialistic world, a world where the pursuit of personal ambition and interests is so strong that we are caught up in the unending pursuits cycle while relegating the call to serve the Lord (serve here meaning, reaching out to our brothers and sisters that may not be as fortunate as we are). The Lord Jesus Christ poured Himself for us an offering (and as an example), He emptied Himself in His entirety that we may be filled and satisfied. There must then be something about service, no matter the mode, magnitude and form.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…
Philippians 2:5 (NKJV)

Our pursuits must bring edification to the body of Christ. In humility and lowliness let us reach out to someone today; as we pour ourselves as an offering, His grace which is above all will continue to abound with us.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Where ambition leads

Friends,

We see them everyday. We work with some. We marvel at their accomplishments and at the energy they devote to achieving their goals. They throw everything they have into everything they do. Why? Because they are driven to be at the top.

We don't often consider the price that the world's top performers, athletes, and politicians have paid to get to and stay where they are. We hear stories of how they devoted hours every afternoon to perfecting that jump shot, but we don't equate that to a lost childhood. We see politicians working hard, day and night, to get elected; but we don't connect that with the strains on their family or with the lost relationships that once meant so much. And then, when they have seemingly reached that pinnacle, they find that every mistake is magnified and every stumble is put on display for all the world to see and mock.

And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
Mark 10:44, NKJV

This is - admittedly - taken out of context. But bear with me a moment, for we would be wise to consider the true consequences of our ambitions. Our obsession with the accumulation of stuff - aided and abetted by the horrendous "Prosperity" them voiced by too many preachers - only leads to our enslavement. We no longer own our stuff ... it owns us. The same is true for positions of power and prestige.

To lay them aside is to experience true freedom. And by unburdening ourselves of these entrapments, we can fully enter in to a place of great intimacy in Christ Jesus.

Be encouraged, Jose

Losing religion

Friends,

Are you caught up in the routine and ritual of a religious life? Do you seek the comfort of fancy robes, fancy clothes, and predictable format for worship? Are the traditions of some institution never challenged? Do titles and credentials of certain men impress you?

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
Hebrews 9:11, NKJV

Sisters and brothers, Christ's actions at Calvary ended all of the sacrifices and rituals described in the Torah. They were meant as reminders for God's people that they had not been perfectly holy - as God is holy; that the wages of sin is death - and those wages must be paid; and that God always provides for His people - as He has from the days of Abraham through the present day.

But we no longer need the reminder. We have no requirement for something that represents what God will do. For the LORD has actually done it. So those traditions should have passed away ... along with the fancy "tabernacles," the fancy robes, the fancy clothes and formulaic and mechanical worship.

We should not demand those things from ourselves. Pastors and other leaders should absolutely not demand them from the congregations.

The perfect time, place and way of worship is simple.

It is now.
It is where you are.
It is in spirit and truth.

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

He fights for us

Friends,

When you pray, how often do you explicitly ask the LORD for victory over our enemies? Do you ask Almighty God to wage war upon those that persecute His people? Consider an excerpt from a prayer of David, a man after God's own heart.

Flash forth lightning and scatter them;
Shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.
-- Psalm 144:6 [NKJV]

Throughout the Bible, we hear people of God crying out to God for mercy, for help and for deliverance. And we also see them beseeching the LORD to destroy their enemies... to wipe them out... to blot them from the face of the earth.

It is critical that you and I see the great humility in these pleas. The people are not taking matters into their own hands. Rather, they are relying wholly upon the might and power of the LORD. And the LORD does not look upon their situation passively or from a distance.

The man and woman of God looks to the LORD to be deeply and intimately involved in every aspect of their life. When there is persecution, he humbles himself before God, crying out for Him to show Himself mighty and powerful.

Be encouraged, Jose

The one thing lacking

Friends,

Christ Jesus responded to a young man who asked Him what he needed to inherit eternal life. And after a few questions and answers, here is our Lord's response:

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.
Mark 10:21 [NKJV] - emphasis added

I've taken the liberty to call your attention to two distinct phrases in this verse. The first is that Jesus loved this young man. This means that Christ knew him, even better than he knew himself. Jesus knew him so well that He knew exactly what the young man needed; He knew precisely what the man lacked.

Though this man had conducted himself according to the highest standards of religious law, the Lord could see that his heart was attached to things of this world. Could he let them go? Could he set these perishable things aside for that which is eternal?

The important question today is ... can you?

Jesus calls some to poverty for His sake, and others to a less difficult circumstance. Yet all of us are called to let nothing hold us back from following Him. Whatever is keeping you from fully devoting your life - heart, mind, soul, spirit, body - to Jesus, set it aside today. Truly, you lose nothing and gain everything.

Be encouraged, Jose

True Authority

Friends,

The world has a warped vision of authority. To many, it is reduced to the ability to command and control others on behalf of the authority. We see this in business, politics, law enforcement, and education. We see it in dysfunctional families. But most concerning is that we see it in the church. We hear it from preachers to justify their own behavior and to encourage arrogance on the part of their congregation. And they use this scripture to back up their words ...

And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.
Deuteronomy 28:13 [NKJV]

Those who abuse others under the authority of this verse have ignored the second half. The LORD demands obedience to His word ... and His word requires humility. He declares that the last shall be first!

When we demonstrate humility, being willing to die to ourselves for the sake of our sisters and brothers, then -- and only then -- will the LORD grant us true and Godly authority.

Be encouraged, Jose

Pastoral humility

Friends,

Because of our celebrity-driven culture, we are witnessing the emergence of what I call the "supreme pastor." This is a person who has attained an official leadership in a congregation and who has - for one or more of a multitude of reasons - come to expect highly deferential treatment. This could include a reserved parking space out front, a demand to be addressed using a title, or extravagant perq's. In the most horrendous of cases, such men (and sometimes women) will use their position to gain sexual favors from individuals in their congregation.

From the most innocuous of these to the most horrific, these leaders are ignoring the directive that Paul laid out from the Lord:

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another
Romans 12:10 [NKJV] - emphasis added

The Lord demands that we show appropriate respect to the authority He has ordained for each of us. Such authority, however, must be exercised in all humility and meekness. To do otherwise will humiliate and deeply wound any congregation.

But when a leader walks with the Lord, humbly, and with a deep passion to serve (not to be served), the people will be richly blessed.

Be encouraged, Jose

Whose ways?

Friends,

Psalm 128:1
Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways. -- NKJV

It's a small detail, but it's critically important. Look closely at the second line of this verse. Notice the fourth word. See that it is capitalized.

You know what that means, of course. It means that "His" refers to the LORD, not to the "every one" that appears in the first line.

"Every one" means you and me. If we fear the LORD, but walk in our own ways, then we will not be blessed. In fact, if we walk in our own ways, we will be following a path that surely leads to death. And, if the truth be told, it means that we really don't fear the LORD, do we.

If we truly fear the LORD, then we will inevitably walk in His ways. And when that happens, we will experience - in a very real and tangible way - the mighty blessings of Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose

He is the Lord

Friends,

Jesus said ...

... that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
-- John 5:23 [NKJV]

We find this passage in the context of Christ's assertion of authority over the traditions and burdensome rituals of man. And at this point, the religious elite are looking for any and every excuse to rid themselves of the Messiah.

And that, dear friends, is the danger that all men flirt with.

The carnal man desperately wants to avoid the reality of Jesus. So the carnal man studies the "historical Jesus" to bring Him down to our level. And the carnal man equates Jesus ... who declared that He is the Way, the Truth and the Light ... with all the other ways to salvation that man has invented. And on and on it goes. But to do these things is to dishonor Christ Jesus. And to dishonor Christ is to dishonor the Father.

Sisters and brothers, beware of any teaching or preaching that portrays our Lord as anything besides who He is ... The One True God. Remember that though He privileges us by calling us friend, He is our Lord, our Savior and our Master.

Be encouraged, Jose

The obedience of humility

Friends,

Mankind is constantly in an intense struggle with submission and humility. It doesn't matter what his background is, or what her personality is like. The struggle is universal. And so is God's answer ...

1 Peter 5:6-7 [NKJV]
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Have you bowed low before the Lord?
Have you truly acknowledged His might and authority?

No man, save for Jesus, has adequately conquered this foe. But by the grace of Christ, we can day-by-day come closer to the standard our Savior has set for us. It is a mark of true obedience. And therefore, it is the mark of true love.

Be encouraged, Jose

God's view of man's rituals

Friends,

Many people have made the mistake of accepting as fact that, as long we truly believe that we're worshiping God, then it really doesn't matter how we worship. Thank back to the many rites and rituals that congregations have incorporated into worship services. You may have seen them as recently this past weekend. And with that in mind, consider this passage.

He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood;
He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.
Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,
So will I choose their delusions,
And bring their fears on them;
Because, when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight.
Isaiah 66:3-4 [NKJV]

The LORD expects true worship, in spirit and in truth. It is not about dramas, good music, loud preaching, fancy robes, or expensive suits.

It is about coming before the God of Heaven and Earth with reverence, boldness, awe and praise. It is about hearing U>His voice, seeking U>His righteousness, and being transformed into His image. The LORD delights in this.

Be encouraged, Jose

Prayers for truth

Friends,

Perhaps you've been questioning recently whether prayer really works. maybe that situation, that you've targeted with your prayers, hasn't improved. For me, I've been praying for a job. Maybe you are, too. Or maybe you've been praying for health, or for strength in resisting one sin or another. Maybe it's time to take a hard look at the truth of our prayers ...

Hear a just cause, O LORD,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
Psalm 17:1 [NKJV]

There is a brother in the Lord who ministers to men in my hometown. At the root of the problem for most of the guys is an inability to be (in his words), "Who we really are before who God really is." That simple phrase aligns beautifully with what David is writing in the opening of Psalm 17. He is declaring before God that his prayers are honest and true... that they do not come from "deceitful lips."

Sisters and brothers, this is the first and most important condition for the praying believer. Our prayers must not be manipulated to sound holy, or to be what we think God wants to hear. Our prayers must be honest and true. There is no room for lies or deception before the Lord ... who sees right through them, anyway. There is no need for eloquence or rhymes or soaring rhetoric.

All that is needed is for you and I to be who we really are before who God really is. Admit to being scared, worried, exhausted, or just plain ticked off. Admit to being joyful, relieved, or full of energy. Be authentic. Be real. And from that authenticity, our amazing and generous Lord will bring blessing and strength.

He will answer our prayers.

Be encouraged, Jose

Time and the way of humility

Everything Has Its Time To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

To everything in life, there is a season, a season which will not tarry or delay at its appointed time. The world today witnessed a smooth handover of power here in the United States of America. The event evokes different stories and meanings to different people, yet it reveals the trappings of a divine setup and execution. The son of an African immigrant rising up to lead the most powerful nation on the planet and ability to dine with kings and rulers. A Joseph-like story and a David-like episode which showcases the workings of God lifting sons and daughters from obscurity to prominence for the glory of God. Every human being is a container of possibilities - because they are an image of Jehovah God. He the Lord created both men and women and declared it was good. Every human being is God's creation and destined for a purpose. Every creation of God must be humble, driven by agape, God's true love. Loving our fellow human being as ourselves, patient and Christ-like towards a hostile world, merciful and gracious like the one who paid our price free of charge.

The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.
Psalm 25:9 (NKJV)

We must redeem the times and the way of humility, we must embrace. In this will our way and path be guided to good success and fulfillment.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi