Deal wisely

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
Matthew 10:15-17 (NKJV)

It is now politically incorrect to even affirm and profess your faith in the modern world media. You make a lot uncomfortable and come across as hostile. You must remember that you are the salt of the world, you are the light of the world, created with a specific purpose for influence. We can not be overcome or dominated by the environment we are supposed to influence and be agents of change for.

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
1 Peter 2:7-9 (NKJV)

The Rock is available for strength, use it to your advantage and Kingdom influence. Engage and deal wisely with your world.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

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

Profitable Servant

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
2 Timothy 2:14-16 (NKJV)

Our world continues to show its hostility and open disdain for Godly standards. The media have not played a neutral role in this onslaught to put it mildly, rather the decimation of Kingdom principles continue to wax stronger by the day. As stewards and partakers of His manifest grace, we can't take a 'step aside' approach when we are supposed to influence and light up our world with Godly influence. Resistance and the expected hostility will usually be the response of an anti-God world. While we inhabit this earthly realm, we can't respond like the world would, but we must rather avoid idle babblings, shun all profane and irritable rants that's capable of tainting our testimony and ultimate goal of winning souls of a lost world.

We must never be ashamed of our calling and must continue to uphold Godly standards and principles. Though the carnal and mortal man may fall and come short, but that must never be an excuse to accept the lowering of Godly standards in our lives and world. We must also not alienate ourselves and waste away opportunities in engaging and influencing a hostile and repugnant world. He who calls us desires that we be profitable with that He has given us.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

All to God

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11 (NKJV)

The time for serious focus and vigil is now for all members of the body of Christ to be about our individual and collective calling rather than the chasing of shadows, the treasures of the world, fame and religiousity. The tasks at hand, the work of sowing, the rigors and joy of harvest for His Kingdom must be our sole goal and driving factors. To a puzzled and confused world, a calm and focused army (not a distracted one) will break down every wall and barrier to the reign of God's kingdom here on earth. We must not be aligned or manipulated by the noise of the gallery neither should we put our trust in anything else but on Him that has supplied us with abilities.

The light and salt of the world must influence the world and not the other way around and our abilities are to ultimately bring forth His glory through us and all our works. In all our all, All must be to God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi