Give

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:17 (NKJV)

Many are blessed and endowed beyond measure. Sometimes to the point of going blank with regards to what to do with the blessings, gifts, and talents. God displayed His love by giving the world His only begotten son as an example for us to follow. To shut off our heart from the need of others that we know we have the ability to make a difference is to deny and constrain the Spirit of God in us. Give of your endowment, blessings, talents, abilities, skills, and provisions to lift your world up. There is greater blessings in giving than just receiving.

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38 (NKJV)

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The secret to perfect peace

Friends,

A colleague of mine does some work on the side giving presentations that promise to teach participants how to live stress-free for the rest of their lives. I heard about this during a phone call, and I had to move the phone away from my mouth so he wouldn't hear me laughing... as if I could ever trust in a man's method for eliminating stress!

Sisters and brothers, there is no doubt that our fallen world will send obstacles and hindrances into our path. They will come on a daily basis; sometimes every hour on the hour. Whenever they appear, we always have a choice to focus on the event or to focus on the One who is sovereign over that event. This is an old lesson, taught by the Holy Spirit through the hand of a prophet:

Isaiah 26:3 [NKJV]
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

The word "stayed" used in this passage is translated from the Hebrew word camak. According to Strong's concordance, this word comes to mean "to lean, lay, rest, support, put, uphold, lean upon." The image that I get when I contemplate this meaning is one of groping around in a dark fog, not knowing where I am or where I'm going. I'm unable to move for fear of stumbling or falling. Pretty stressful, huh? I reach out and feel the presence of my Father... strong, steady, and wise. He knows where we are. He can see where I cannot. With that, all the stress is lifted. Confidence and blessed assurance replaces fear. I step towards Him, knowing that wherever He is, I am safe.

So there is the choice, brethren. We can lean on our own understanding; which is infinitely clouded by our finite understanding. Or we can lean on the LORD and find perfect peace. Choose this day, and ...

Be encouraged,
Jose

Appeal to all

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
1 Peter 5:1-4 (NKJV)

The one above is Creator and Father of all, but every child of God plays a crucial role as a shepherd either directly or indirectly. Serving the body not for dishonest gain is stressed and specified clearly here. Our actions and words to the world must penetrate the hearts of men and women and bring them to the knowledge of the one in us. The motive for service to the body must be for nothing more but for the advancement of God's kingdom and all righteousness. Any other interest runs contrary to God's desire for us. In our families, in our relationships, in our domains, in our world, we must resist the role of playing god over those we have direct or indirect influence over, but we must be the salt and light of the world showing Godly examples, providing inspiration and bringing encouragement to all in our spheres of influence.

Like a faithful and diligent servant, the Lord will surely reward every step of obedience to His word when the Chief Shepherd appears.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Why ask the dead?

Friends,

All of us have questions. And not one of us has every answer. It is normal for us to wonder about what tomorrow might bring, and curiosity will surely draw us towards those who offer insight about events yet to unfold. But there is grave danger in seeking such knowledge from just anybody.

Isaiah 8:19 [NKJV]
And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?

Reading this verse reminds me of how we seek the opinions and perspectives of celebrities and news-makers. Why do we value their words so much?
Do they exhibit any special anointing from the Lord?

It seems to me that we have traded in the obvious evil of the Psychic Hotline with the more subtle and invidious evil of hanging on the words of retired generals, former politicos, mega-church pastors and cultural icons.

Brothers and sisters, everyday we are confronted with decisions and choices of great importance. Instead of letting the TV personalities tell us what to think, let us turn in prayer to the LORD. He will guide us perfectly. And even if we do not hear the Holy Spirit perfectly, He will bless our heart's desire to obey Him. Listen with your heart to hear God's voice. Hear Him well.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Swift Forgiveness

Friends,

The other day, I told you about the theft of a substantial amount of money. The money was to be used to minister to orphans and the perpetrator has apparently been apprehended and executed. As we learned of this event, our emotions seemingly spanned the entire spectrum ... sadness, anger, pity, relief (that none of the victims were physically harmed), helplessness, indignation, and the list goes on. In the midst of all this, that unmistakable voice cut through the noise and racing thoughts:

Luke 6:37 [NKJV]
Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

It is not my place to render a verdict and sentence anyone, even when the transgression is obvious.
It is not my place to determine anyone's fate, even when I'd like nothing more than to see someone like this thief burn in hell.

It is my place to extend to that man the same forgiveness that my Lord and Savior has extended to me! Yes, the perpetrator suffered the natural consequences of his actions. But for our sakes, Christ reminds us over and over to forgive as we have been forgiven.

Sisters and brothers, what is your story? Who in your life needs your forgiveness? Remember, that doing so does not let them off the hook... for God is not mocked... all shall reap what we sow. But it opens the door to healing for us.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Take root

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Mathew 13:3-7 (NKJV)

When the multitude gathered, He spoke to them in parables urging them to take root firmly in the living word lest the persecutions, challenges, cares and legitimate concerns, material lure and quest to get rich quick derail, choke and blow them away from the real deal. The same applies to the present generation and particularly at this new beginning. We must be ready in season and out of season and firmly rooted in the one who is forever faithful. When the tide, surge, turmoil and tempest seasons come raging, they that trust in the LORD and take root in His word shall be like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

A New Beginning

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NKJV)

To God be all glory again as we are privileged and endowed with His grace and mercy to witness the beginning of another year, 2008. Like, Apostle Peter in the above scripture, we bless the Lord whose mercies have bequeath to us a living hope through our risen King and an inheritance that is incorruptible, and tamper-free from the elements and value system of this world. We have great hope in 2008 that the Lord will perfect that which concerns us and as such it is important that we do not cast away our confidence which has great reward.

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1 Peter 1:13 (NKJV)

The promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. So as we come boldly to the throne of grace and mercy, I pray that every walk, talk and action of ours in the new year will edify the body and bring glory to God's name in all nations. Let the pursuit of God's Kingdom and all righteousness drive our path through this year. For this new beginning, this is great wisdom to work with.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi