Coming glory

Friends,

What we encounter here is not a preview. This world is filled with hate and rage that is intentionally directed at Christ and His followers. We see more and more evidence of what has been the case since the moment the enemy stood ready to devour the Child of God (Rev 12:4).

Jesus knew that we might question the point of all this suffering and persecution. And, because He is a wise leader, He answers this fundamental question ...

Matthew 19:27-28 [NKJV]
Then Peter answered and said to Him, See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?
So Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

What we encounter in this world will not last. It is passing. It is difficult, painful, and frustrating. But it is not eternal.

Our place, seated in the throne of Christ, is eternal. It has no end. And it is glorious.

Be encouraged, Jose

When your friends are suffering

Friends,

The Lord uses many arms to comfort us when we are struggling. He comes to us, of course, in prayer. He speaks to us through His word. And, at times, He sends one of His children to be the bearer of strength and the provider of edification.

Unfortunately, when we are sent to represent the strong arms of Christ, our thoughts and words are vulnerable to being infiltrated by the enemy. And instead of being a source of comfort in times of trouble, we turn into the foot that kicks a brother when he's down. Our brother Job experienced this firsthand.

Job 6:15 [NKJV]
But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,
as the streams that overflow

Now, the "brothers" he was describing weren't really brothers -- or even friends -- at all ... and they certainly weren't there to represent God. They accused Job relentlessly, peppering him with insult after bitter insult. Nevertheless they serve as a cautionary example for those of us who are God's ambassadors on this earth.

Ephesians 5:19 [NKJV]
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord

These words from Paul should be at the forefront of our heart when we go to offer comfort to one who is suffering and struggling. Instead of harsh accusations, we are to bring the word of God. That is truly the only genuine source of peace, strength and joy for the heart that is hurting.

Be encouraged, Jose

Just to Know Him

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Phillipians 3:8-11 (NKJV)

Apostle Paul put this so eloquently. To gain the world is to lose out on Christ, but to lose out on things of this world for the excellence of the the knowledge of Christ is great gain. What else could be greater than operating in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His Resurrection? To be a follower of Christ and a believer without this knowledge and power of resurrection is to miss out completely,

May the Power of His Resurrection come alive in every facet and aspect of our lives that every dead, idle, weak, feeble, inactive and lifeless part of us may come to life to the glory of Him who paid our sin, debt in full. If any thing at all, just come to His knowledge and the revelation will make a way.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Temporarily

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV)

To be a recipient of God’s blessings in life and for eternity, we may often encounter pain, persecution, discomfort, inconvenience, sufferings, rejection and tough/hard times. Tough and difficult enough to make us want to quit. But our Lord Jesus Christ gave us a divine example to emulate in His ultimate sacrifice for us at the Cross of Calvary. The eternal prize is bigger than the passing challenges of the present all put together.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

It is my fervent prayer that may we find the strength to always overcome the heat of the moment, while not missing the lessons and insights from every situation.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi