The root of peace

Friends,

The sons of God have been given a unique gift. We have a blessed assurance that ...

• Our God is sovereign over all things
• Our God is truly good
• Therefore, what is happening around is ultimately and truly good.

This can be hard to see when circumstances are hard, when body and soul is suffering. But is an amazing state of grace ...

Mark 4:37-38a [NKJV]
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.

Christ Jesus lived the life of complete submission to the Father's will. He had no doubts ... none whatsoever ... that LORD God Almighty is in complete control and is perfectly good. Therefore, even though His physical life seemed in jeopardy, Jesus was at peace, knowing that what was happening would be good.

For you and I to live this way is a tremendous challenge. It cannot be done outside of the grace and power of Christ. Seek that power, friends, and live a life of perfect peace.

Be encouraged, Jose

A full reward: Peace

Friends,

There can be no doubt. We are under attack. The world mocks Christianity. Our flesh resists the ways of Jesus. And the enemy seeks to kill, steal and destroy every blessing that comes from the hand of God.

The only place of true refuge and peace is in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ruth 2:12
The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.

Jehovah has made a covenant with His people - us. He will fulfill that covenant, for He is faithful like no other. When we go to Him and take refuge under His wings, we will be satisfied.

Be encouraged, Jose

The quest for peace

Friends,

It is an age-old quest.

Men and women, once they have satisfied their most basic needs, seek something that will bring a sense of fulfillment and completion in their lives. Essentially, they are chasing after one thing: Peace.

Don't believe me? Then why do people say, after some great event or accomplishment, "Now, I can die in peace"? Why does society say to the dead, "Rest in peace"? And why, when some conflict is finally resolved, do we decide that we "are at peace with it"?

Peace is a universal desire. We may disagree on how to achieve peace. We may disagree with what peace looks like. But make no mistake, every single one of us is chasing it.

Psalm 132:3-5
“Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house,
Or go up to the comfort of my bed;
I will not give sleep to my eyes
Or slumber to my eyelids,
Until I find a place for the LORD,
A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
[NKJV]

The LORD reveals to us, in these short verses, something truly remarkable. First, He understands our passionate desire for peace. He has put this desire into each one of us.

Second, He shows us that there is a way to this peace we so desperately want. Once we have given place to the LORD in our hearts, we will be able to rest comfortably and sleep soundly.

What happens when something else has possession of our heart? There is no rest. There is no comfort. There is no peace. We will keep searching and searching, driving harder, working more feverishly. No effort will be spared. But peace will not be found.

Give the Lord your heart. He will possess it. He will live there. And you will have peace.

Be encouraged, Jose

The message in the storm

Friends,

None of us are immune from carrying a secret sin around with us in our daily lives. It could be deep inside, quiet, staying hidden from obvious view, while all around life is spinning out of control.

Jonah 1:15-16 [NKJV]
So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.

Like the other men on the boat, we will have tried everything we know to do in order to calm the chaos that we cannot explain. And then, at some point, we will find the "Jonah" in our hearts and -- finally -- get rid of it.

You see, for you and me, Jonah is not a person ... Jonah is a condition of the heart. Jonah heard from God and decided that he knew better. Jonah had become his own god. And when the idolatry was expelled from their lives, the men on the ship saw that the seas ceased from their raging. They turned to the LORD and found peace and safety.

Turn to the LORD today and find that same peace that eludes you.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Shield of Faith

Friends,

The Word of God is the most potent defense against the attacks of the enemy. Even when those attacks seem more like a barrage, relentless and spiteful, we can find protection in the words the Lord has given us.

Psalm 6:8-9
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
The LORD has heard my supplication;
The LORD will receive my prayer. [NKJV]

Implicit in these words is the fact that affliction will be directed towards the believer.

But more importantly, we see the explicit promise given by Almighty God: The LORD hears us. He heard David thousands of years ago. And He hears you and me today.

Be encouraged, Jose

Ready for Peace

Friends,

Jesus traveled to Jerusalem knowing what lay in store for Him there. Even His grand entrance to the city was ordained, down to the last detail, by Almighty God for us to understand the full meaning of Christ's work.

Matthew 21:7
They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.
[NKJV]

There are two ways that a king enters a city. He either enters mounted upon a horse, or he enters mounted upon a donkey. If he enters riding a horse, he enters to conquer. He is at war and expects to find his enemies awaiting his arrival. When a king enters riding a donkey, however, he expects to find his allies. He is not at war, but is at peace. He enters not to defeat his enemies, but to join together with his friends.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
[NKJV]

Even though we lived our entire lives as an enemy of Christ, He enters our heart as a friend. It makes our salvation all the more remarkable doesn't it? It makes Christ's work of grace all the more amazing. That the Lord of all Heaven and Earth would call you and me His friend.

Be encouraged, Jose

Be Eager for Nothing

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God".
Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

As we embark on another new year, the word here is clear. What are the pressing issues and concerns being contended with? Should we be perturbed and worried like the world? Remember, expending our energies on anxiety and worries will be futile. Such exercises will not increase or expand our stature at all. They will only weaken and assault our faith power. Instead of responding to our concerns the way the world will, let's engage the Creator creatively, making our requests known to Him with thanksgiving and an assurance enveloped in high expectation of His supernatural touch on our situation. Then, our eagerness and anxieties will be replaced by a perfect peace and calm.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi