The work that must be done

Friends,

Each man has a job and a calling. And each man is called upon, at times, to do work outside of that calling.

Nehemiah 3:32
And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs. [NKJV]

Have you been asked to do something for your fellowship that is outside of your "official capacity" ... whatever that might be? Have you resisted the work simply because you believe that it does not fall within your designated role?

The goldsmiths and the merchants (and in other verses, the priests and the nobles) were all called upon to make repairs to the walls of Jerusalem. It did not matter what their job was or what their title was. The work needed to be done. Those that heard and obeyed were blessed to participate in what God was doing.

We have the same opportunities today. The work often lacks prestige. But it does not lack the blessing of Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Get going

4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Ecclesiastes 9:4,10 (NKJV)

The preacher clearly stated the benefit accruable to the living. To have hope is better than to be hopeless, a life with a goal and direction is better than an aimless wandering generality. For we have all been called to a purpose under the sun. We must find this out and pursue it diligently to the end.

Our lifetime here on planet earth is not infinite. There is a time dimension to it, we must apply ourselves, our talents, our gifts, our resources, our time, our lives to that which has eternal benefits and returns. When the breadth of life temporarily ceases, there won't be any work to do any further here. So get going, do something positive for the Kingdom.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Forgetting is hazardous

Friends,

The past week has been full of reminders to be thankful for the blessings we enjoy. This is good thing for anyone to do. Yet, we must be mindful of the danger that comes with focusing on the blessings. We can too easily fall into the trap of neglecting to focus on the One who blesses.

Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation,
And have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold,
Therefore you will plant pleasant plants
And set out foreign seedlings;
In the day you will make your plant to grow,
And in the morning you will make your seed to flourish;
But the harvest will be a heap of ruins
In the day of grief and desperate sorrow.
Isaiah 17:10-11 [NKJV]

God is warning you and I that all of our hard work is a vanity when we cease being mindful of our Lord and Master. Consider this truth, brothers and sisters.

Be encouraged, Jose

A shout of praise

Friends,

The week is behind us. It was likely filled with a variety of emotions, and its fair share of setbacks and successes. As we enter into Sabbath rest this evening, let us lift up our voice to the great and mighty King of kings ...

O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Psalm 8:1 [NKJV]

Yes, His name is excellent and His glory fills the heavens.

Be encouraged, Jose

Giving Attention

Friends,

What were you paying attention to earlier this morning? As you were preparing for work, what was on your mind?
Was it the list of tasks?
Was it the conversation you had with your spouse last night?
Was it the worry over paying next month's bills?
Was it the ball game that kept you up until late?

1 Timothy 4:13 - Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. [NKJV]

Perhaps, dear brothers and sisters, there is something better for you and I to be thinking about.

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

The joyful path

Friends,

Every man, woman and child struggles with emotions from time to time. It is part of our fallen, human nature. We who are believers have a means to overcome this struggle; to ensure that emotions cannot become our master:

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 43:5 [NKJV]

This short verse expresses a dramatic change in the heart of the child of God. It does not negate the current circumstances, nor does it diminish their importance. Yet, the inevitable result is a changed perspective.

As imposing or daunting as a situation may appear, it cannot compare to the majesty and glory of Almighty God. When we look to the Lord, it changes how we view everything in our lives - whether physical, emotional, intellectual, or even spiritual. Our perspective changes, and therefore our heart and soul are lifted.

And we praise Him!

Be encouraged, Jose

Why work?

Friends,

The economic forecast is starting to brighten. It seems as though we are starting to turn towards a slow recovery, meaning that maybe - just maybe - the worst is behind us. Nevertheless, many are still on the razor's edge of financial stability. And if you've ever spent more than a few weeks in that place, you know just how difficult such a situation can be. Now, then is the time for those of us who are working to remember those who are not.

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
Acts 20:35 [NKJV]

It does, indeed, bring great joy and happiness when we are in a position to give. It is why we give gifts on special days. It is an important way that we show love for one another.

So I ask you, just as I ask myself ...
Have you given today?
Have you stepped out in faith to support a brother or sister?

To do so is to open the door to great and wondrous blessing.

Be encouraged, Jose

The promise will be fulfilled

Friends,

We are a people at war. It is a war that seeks to destroy the only thing that really matters ... our relationship with Christ. Our enemy wages this war using a multitude of weapons: financial struggles, health issues, relationship crises, inner turmoil and torment. These weapons are targeted at the peace and confidence we have in the Lord. They are aimed squarely at our faith.

Although these weapons seem to cause great damage, we must remember that that they have no power of our souls. And we must not lose heart... because we know what is really going on.

The LORD is known by the judgment He executes;
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.
Psalm 9:16 [NKJV]

When we see Jehovah exercise judgment, we know that it is Him. Such events remind God's people of His total sovereignty over all creation. They are a stumbling block for non-believers, but they are an encouragement to followers of Christ. And in the end, all of the afflictions, the persecution, and burdens that the world has thrown at us will be laying there... waiting to trap the enemy and be the instrument of God's righteousness.

So do not be afraid, brothers and sisters. And do not get distracted. What is happening today merely sets the stage for the promised event of tomorrow ...

He who testifies to these things says,
Surely I am coming quickly.
Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20 [NKJV]

Be encouraged,
Jose

All Things Working Together

Yesterday, I read about the comely parts of the body being necessary. That really struck a major cord with me. I am currently suffering through a physical issue where all my comely parts are not working properly. At the end of the day, I have a massive headache and am very tired. I realize that my body has to work much harder to care for the parts that are not functioning properly. We have all had some condition in our life where we have had to carry the weight of someone else not doing their job. It can be tiring and frustrating while we hope that everyone will eventually pull their weight.

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. I Corinthians 12:23-25 [KJV]

When the body of Christ, which we are all a part, has non-working members, we all who are working have to work harder to compensate. We may have to work out of our zone in order to get the goals that Christ has accomplished. We need to remember that "many hands make light work". While that is not biblical, it does mean that if we all do the jobs (walking worthy in our vocation) that we are assigned, the Kingdom of God has a much larger reach than if we rely on someone else to do our part. So all people working together accomplishes the goal of spreading the Gospel further and more efficiently than just the one with everyone else watching.

Be Encouraged,


Martin