Why worry?

And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
Luke 12:25 (NKJV)

As God's children it will be a waste of our emotional and physical resources to worry about our present challenges. Worrying over them never improves them but instead leaves us bruised, defaced and weakened in the process.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:25 (NKJV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)

Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

Brothers and Sisters, When the waves of life seem to rise above us and we are against the tide, rather that worry, let's worship the Lord, trusting Him and getting real Peace in exchange for what ever our human nature gives in return.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Do away with rebellion

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,”lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Hebrews 3:12-15 (NKJV)

The winds of adversity and the transient challenges of life can be so overwhelming that our faith can be tested to see if we will hold on firmly or compromise on our faith principles and belief. Succumbing to an evil heart of unbelief under any condition must be discouraged fervently. A race is ran from the beginning with a goal of taking it to the end with steadfastness. We must therefore remain alert, vigilant and conscious of rebellious influences of our times, cultures of compromise, conforming and blending with the world - one which we are supposed to engage, influence and impact.

With our eyes on the goal set for us, we must resist any attempt to allow the issues of life to create hardened hearts in us which can lead to a rebellious regime in our lives. Let us hold our confidence steadfast to the end, for our God is for ever faithful.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

What are they selling?

Friends,

Are you disturbed by promises of benefits and blessings currently seen on TV, in your mailbox, or heard on TV? I get a little sick to my stomach every time I hear the phrase, "And for your love gift of $20, you'll receive ..." Invariably it is some trinket or another that is meant to somehow improve your spiritual life. I wonder if those that are participating in this practice have ever read the following:

When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. John 2:15 [NKJV]

Scripture is silent on what happened with the patrons of the money changers, but it's not hard to imagine the shame and embarrassment they may have felt. If their motive was to satisfy some religious obligation with the least possible effort, then their hearts most likely burned within them as the Spirit convicted them.

At that, brothers and sisters, brings us to the most important facet of all of this. What is the condition of the heart? Is it set on pleasing the Lord no matter what the cost? To be in that condition is to be aligned with the will of God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Are you excited?

Friends,

Over the past two weeks, my youngest daughter has been counting down the days to the start of a new chapter in her life: the start of high school. She hasn't been this excited about the first day of school since she was headed to first grade. Clearly, it's a big event in her life (and ours for that matter). I get the same feeling whenever I am getting ready to start work for a new client, or when I get the opportunity to play golf. And don't we all look forward to the start of a time of relaxation?

Unfortunately, we don't often get that same excitement when heading out to Bible study. Too often, these times of fellowship and feasting on God's word are seen as obligations to be fulfilled. But the Lord loves a cheerful giver... and that includes when we let go of our plans for time and follow His.

Psalm 122:1 [NKJV]
I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go into the house of the LORD."

I am grateful that God has placed a joy and anticipation in my heart for going to learn of Him through His word. I certainly can take no credit whatsoever for having those feelings. And I also know that every believer is capable of experiencing that joy. How do I know this? Because that joy flows from the Spirit of God dwelling inside. He wants to fellowship with us... to be lifted up, heard, understood and cherished. So let us pray that the Holy Spirit quickens our heart's desire to long for His word, to be drawn to it with eagerness and gladness and celebration.

Be encouraged, Jose

Firmly rooted

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7 (NKJV)

In one of his letters to the brethren, Apostle Paul reiterated the importance to remain anchored and firmly rooted in the Lord. For it is a fact that in the modern times, Wolves will come in Sheepskin, preaching the word like the real thing but denying the power thereof and gradually diluting the word to suit and justify all sort of compromised lifestyles. We must remain established in the faith both in good and bad seasons with thanksgiving to the one good God who is forever faithful.

When we are rooted in Him and nourished daily by His living world, the philosophies, traditions of men, modern vogue, cultures and all man made physical and/or logical elements will be no threat to our foundation in Him.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Don't Get Caught Up

When we look around at the world, we are caught by surprise. We see many events that are not explainable and we don't understand how some folks are successful while others struggle. Many of the successful people write books about how they became successful and famous and we try to apply those principles to our lives. When they do not work, we wonder what we are doing wrong. Well, the wrong is trying to live our lives like someone else.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 [KJV]

We need to take God's counsel and advise for our lives. We can't worry about Jack Welsh, Bill Gates, the King of Dubai and any Greek shipping tycoon. They have a place on earth that God has directed and so do we. We must hold true to the calling that God has given to us so that we can be successful in His Eyes. He will make the money work out, the fame work out and the success work out. He promised that the righteous would never be forsaken nor their seed beg for bread, so we should follow Him and hold God to His Word. That has always been His Challenge for us. Let's start proving God today.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

The Real Source

Who will bring me to the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom? Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.
Psalm 60:9-12 (NKJV)

King David knew his source of strength and victory. His accomplishments and achievements at the battle front and field were numerous, but at the center of his soul, he knew quite well that it was the one who resides in him, the one whose presence goes with him and his armies that made the difference to him, whether in victory or defeat. This was his real source of strength and power. Without this "One", he could never do battle let alone claim victory over his challenges and adversaries.

Who do you look up to for renewal, refreshment and empowerment. According to King David the help of man is useless, but through God we can do exploits and perform valiantly. This is the one source worthy of our pursuit and seeking.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Stay connected

Friends,

All the people I've ever met who have enjoyed some sort of success in life share a common trait. Each has worked very, very hard. The football players have dedicated years to keeping their bodies in shape. The businessmen and women have made the extra effort to satisfy their customer and their boss. It's natural for them to take credit for those accomplishments. And therein lies the danger.

Psalm 16:2 [NKJV]
O my soul,you have said to the LORD,
"You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You."

Take heed, brothers and sisters, whenever you hear yourself say, "It's only natural." For to be natural is not to be godly. To be godly is to be constantly aware that not only does all goodness come from the Father, but all goodness is contained in the Father. Anything "good" that we accomplish apart from Him will not last beyond our final breath. But everything good that He has done in us and through us will endure beyond even the stretches of time.

Be encouraged, Jose

Ready, Set, Go

Friends,

Timing is an important -- perhaps even a critical -- part of discernment. When God says to move, He means move. And when the Lord says to go now, He really does mean now!

Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.
Mark 1:12 - NKJV

There are many deep spiritual levels to this short verse. But today, let's focus on the word "Immediately." And let's not get too complicated about it.

Christ Jesus is, of course, perfectly obedient to the Father. He is perfectly tuned to the movings of His Spirit. He never allows doubt to slow His response to the Father's directives.

As you seek to be conformed to the image of Christ, pray that Spirit fill you with the confidence to immediately obey God's commands. Let us listen intently to how the Lord directs us, so that we can respond in His time.

Be encouraged, Jose

Yes you can

But Moses pleaded with the LORD, "O Lord, I'm just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I'm not now, even after you have spoken to me. I'm clumsy with words."
"Who makes mouths?" the LORD asked him. "Who makes people so they can speak or not speak, hear or not hear, see or not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go, and do as I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say."
Exodus 4:10-12 (NKJV)

When the Lord created man, He purposed us for specifics and a peculiar goal. Our birth and growth in life are steps orchestrated towards what He ultimately wants us to be. As members of the same body, we are purposed and set aside for His glory. Like Moses, let's pull out from the zone of excuses today and move boldly into our purpose in Christ Jesus. We must not yield to complacency and procrastination, but must continually strive to reach our full potential in Him.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Please Speak well

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
Genesis 1:3 (NKJV)

The world was void, empty and shapeless and He spoke and it came to pass. A life that is void, empty and shapeless only needs to be spoken to. Our speech carry more than the mere sound that we make. Our speech and words must be seasoned and active. They must be creative, positive, vibrant and effective.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)

How are you speaking? What are the contents of your words? Are they creative or destructive? Take note, take heed and start speaking positive and creative things to existence.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Friends,

The world is full of lies. It will lie about what is beautiful. It will lie about what is important. It will lie about the definition of success. And it will lie about the source of truth and power.

The world tries to convince us that we must look deep inside for the strength to succeed. The world tries to sell us on the notion that it's all up to us, that we cannot depend on anything outside of ourselves... that we control our own destiny.

Hopefully, you know, dear brothers and sisters, the truth that blows these fallacies away.

1 John 2:24 [NKJV]
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

What have we heard from the beginning?

• That our Father is the beginning and the end.
• That He is the power, and that He is worthy of all glory and honor.
• That He is the only dependable one.
• That He is the one who hold the future.

Believe it, Christian.

Be encouraged, Jose

Certainties, Possibilities

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Mathew 19:23-26 (NKJV)

The disciples experienced the awful reception with which the rich young ruler received the pronouncement of the Lord for making eternal life. Using that as a metric, they instantly concluded no one could make the requirement, but the Lord was quick to inform them that with men this was an arduous and impossible task, but with God this was very possible because He gives us grace, wisdom and knowledge to accomplish that which is humanly impossible.

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.
Ephesian 2:8-9 (NKJV)

Ever felt like the disciples on your life's goals? The right mindset will enable you do the impossible even in the most vulnerable and/or difficult circumstances. When we let go and let God in our lives, there will always be certainties and possibilities.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

When We Make a Change

When I was young, I had a friend that turned his life over to Christ. He had always been mischievous and fun to be around and with the change, I was worried that he would be a stick in the mud. I was always looking for a chink in the armour so that I could know that my friend was still the same. But he was not the same, however and let me say that I am glad of that. Not like the Ammonites and the Ashdodites in the scripture below. They did not want change to come. They liked things just as they were because there were comfortable with the conditions.

But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder . Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. Nehemiah 4:7-9 [KJV]

But my friend showed that despite being saved, he was still fun to be around and he still played basketball with me. He made jokes and showed me a great example. He was able to be a Christian and friend and fun without compromising his commitment. Once I became a follower of Christ, I made the same commitment to ensure that I would be accessible for others to see an example of Christ here on earth. Now, that does not make me perfect, but when we realize that we are the only Bible someone will read before they turn their life over to Christ, then we must be careful how we present the mystery of the gospel in everyday life.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Why worry?

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
Luke 12:22-23 (NKJV)

We set about our daily pursuits of our goals and objectives in life, and we channel our energies to getting the desired results with some successful and others challenging and frustrating. Most times we find out about our inadequacies the hard way. We simply cannot control all of our conditions and circumstances at the same time. This often lead to anxiety, frustration, pain and feelings of insecurity. The numerous legitimate demands and concerns of life can put a strain on us and our attention to the point that we continually channel our energies wrongly which ultimately results in failure, feelings of emptiness, non-fulfillment and the like.

“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Luke 12:29-31 (NKJV)

The Lord however offers us the simple panacea to these and it is the passionate pursuit and seeking of God's kingdom - its righteousness, peace, joy, & love in the Holy ghost. Rather than continue to dissipate our energies on things that we have no control over, we can put the energies to seeking Him and longing for a place of peace that defies the reasoning of men. If lesser creatures can flourish and abound in their own world, how much more we that are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. It is thus futile, counter-productive, and unnecessary to worry when we can simply put our trust and keep our faith in God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The uniform

Friends,

In a ballgame, how do you know who is on your team?
In a battle, how do you distinguish between friend and foe?
When school children are all dressed alike, what does that tell you?

The uniform identifies us as belonging to a group. In some ways, a uniform helps even to define us to ourselves and to others. Think back to when you were a child and "dressed up." Putting on a tiara didn't change you from a little girl into a queen, but in the mirror you saw royalty. Tying a cape around your shoulders couldn't make you fly, but that didn't stop you from believing you were now a superhero, ready to vanquish evil wherever it raised its ugly head.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 [NKJV]

We may look around and see nothing different about our fellow believer and question whether they are even part of the Kingdom. And there may come a time when we won't believe that even we have been adopted into His family.

But, the LORD sees the robes of righteousness and knows that we belong to Him. He has placed those robes upon us and marked us as His sons and daughters. It is for us to believe in Jesus' work of grace, and to trust that He will completely form us into His image of righteousness.

Be encouraged, Jose

Peace flows from obedience

Friends,

how often have we cried out for peace in our lives? Sometimes, those cries take the form of explicit and specific prayers to our Lord. Other times, it just that sense that things could be, or should be, better than they currently are. But the really tough one comes when we look in the mirror and know that we could be... that we should be.... better than we are.

Psalm 119:5-6
Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
- - - NKJV

We are seeing in this verse an implicit promise. We look into the commandments and, like a mirror, they reflect back to us our performance in obeying our God. When we heed the words of our Savior, we will be at peace. When we do not, we shall find ourselves in the grip of shame's turmoil.

Brothers and sisters, are you at peace today? Are you resting in the safety of true repentance and obedience? Seek the voice of Christ and heed His commands. You will lay up treasure for yourself in Heaven, and your visit through this world will be peaceful.

Be encouraged, Jose