Swift Justice

Friends,

Recently, a substantial donation was sent to an orphanage overseas so that the administrator could purchase bunk beds for new arrivals. Unfortunately, that money was stolen almost as soon as it arrived. As the events were described, it was revealed that the thief, who was responsible for several other robberies that day, had been apprehended and summarily executed.

This was an upsetting and startling situation. Yet, the Lord wanted to make sure that we see that His hand is never far from His body.

Exodus 22:22-24 [NKJV]
You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

God specifically mentions orphans and widows several times throughout scripture... as if there is a special place in His heart just for them. They receive His protection and His mercy. God's people are told to minister to the widow and the fatherless above all others. We know that this is because, without our Savior, we too are fatherless and husband-less.

In the circumstance of this recent robbery and subsequent execution, we see this scripture played out for us in vivid and shocking detail. We can see that our Father truly takes very, very seriously any action that the evil one takes against us. Sometimes, justice is swift and obvious... as this particular thief can now attest. Other times, we must operate on faith rather than sight.

I will have more to say about this in future postings. But for now, brothers and sisters, put aside any doubt that the LORD sees what happens to every member of His body... no matter how insignificant or dramatic the action. His hand will administer justice in His time; and it will be perfect and good.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Worldly cares and influence

Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “ It is because we have no bread.” But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.”
Mark 8:14-20 (NKJV)

The disciples saw first hand the God's divine supernatural provision to the multitude. Turning what was seemingly lacking and inadequate into more than enough and running over. Yet within a short period of time, the disciples were confronted with a period of inadequacy and responded like a normal and rational man will - worry!!!! The influence and legitimate concerns of the world , the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod can shrink any faith we have if we succumb to its intimidating influence.

Can someone at the source and surrounded by resources worry at the possibility of running out of provision? After all He has done, the Lord is asking again like he did to the disciples....

So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”
Mark 8:21 (NKJV)

Brothers and Sisters, take heed of the leaven of the world, we have an All-Sufficient God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Forgive now

Friends,

Among the most difficult actions for man to take is the act of forgiveness. Insults, injuries and injustices are often remembered and built upon for a long, long time. Why do we do this? What purpose is served by storing the memory of an offense from last week or even last month? What do we gain by holding tightly to the harm done to us in the 1990's?

Luke 17:3-4 [NKJV]
Jesus says... Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, "I repent," you shall forgive him.

Well before the benefits of forgiveness were chronicled and documented is this clear mandate from our Lord. And yet, we resist obedience. I could go on and on with examples, but if you search your own heart, you will find unforgiveness just as I did in mine... probably without looking for very long.

Don't let another day go by without letting go of that old hurt. Forgive the one that wronged you. Do it today so that Christ can begin healing that injury. It is never too late to experience the freedom that comes from obeying Jesus.

Be encouraged,
Jose

Right Spirit!?!?!

After Christmas, we all look back at the holiday with some angst. We think we gave too much, or not enough, we were too tight or too liberal without giving, we all promise not to do the same thing again next year. There are a few simple questions about how we carried out the Christmas Day celebrations that can help us out?

1. Did we recognize that God gave the ultimate gift of His Only Son?
2. Did we respect the work that Christ did in our lives to give us life more abundantly?
3. Did we give presents with the earnest hope that it met a need in someone's life?
4. Did we receive our gifts with thanksgiving and realize that our friends and family were trying to meet a need in our life?
5. Have we taken into account the effort (not the money) it takes to give a good gift that meets a need?
6. Do we realize that God is our all-in-all and without Him, no present will satisfy the hole in our lives?
7. Do we know that God has blessed us tremendously over the past year, quarter, month, week, day and hour and have we been thankful to Him?

Merry Christmas to all and I know that I am more thankful for who God is because He put people in my life that care about me.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Merry Christmas

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)

As we celebrate the birth of our risen Savior – Our Lord Jesus Christ - today , we are reminded of the price paid in full for us and the liberty given us and most importantly the unique and wonderful opportunity given to all for eternal life. As we remember His birth, our focus must be the salvation brought for us by the eternal King. This season must bring to focus the basis of the 'exemplary giving' that gave us all 'hope and an eternal life' to look up to instead of condemnation.

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)

As we celebrate the remembrance of the birth of our Lord, we must celebrate not only His birth, but most importantly the liberty and hope of salvation that we have through Him. Rejoice! our King lives forevermore.

Merry Christmas.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Gratitude's Reminder

Friends,

Look at your life and its circumstances today. Remember that you owe everything to the Lord. You may think it's good or think that it's not so good. But God's plan is perfect and good. Which brings me to one of my favorite verses of all of Scripture:

Jeremiah 29:11-12 [NKJV]
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

So let us take a moment to rejoice... not just in spite of our present circumstances, but because of our present circumstances. It will force us to remember that God is good, all the time!

Be encouraged,
Jose

With God

For with God nothing will be impossible.
Luke 1:37 (NKJV)

Attempting to go to the next level or a defined goal usually seem difficult. Even more puzzling to the carnal mind are the pronouncements and declaration of the Holy Spirit over our lives. These - in every human calculation never add up. There are so many hurdles, obstacles, and barriers to contend with. The word impossible sounds logical in all things. It is so because all flesh operate in a limited space. However the Spirit of God in us is not bounded by the constraints of the flesh. When the Spirit of God told Mary that she would give birth to the Savior, she wondered, how could I? A virgin!

There is life in every child of God. This new life will come forth and we shall live for ever more. To men it may be impossible, but with God it is all possible.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi