He has made it known

Friends,

One of the marvelous characteristics of God is that He makes it possible for us to know Him. While there are things that are yet left a mystery, the Lord reveals much to His people.

The LORD has made known His salvation;
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
Psalm 98:2 [NKJV]

For those whom God has given eyes to see, we recognize the Lord's righteousness as Christ Jesus. We revealed Christ to be His Son and our Redeemer. He told of Jesus' coming in the words of prophet after prophet. He explained His mission in psalms and in epistles. There was very little hidden from view ... Christ walked in plain sight.

The great mercy and gift this represents is difficult to comprehend. So often, our greatest fears stem from trying to decipher the true path. And here the Lord has revealed it for all to see.

We need only follow Him.

Be encouraged, Jose

Valuable help

Friends,

The funny thing about self-help books is that they are based on a false premise. Somehow, those authors would have you and me believe that we can solve all of our own problems ... we just need to dig a little deeper, try a little harder, and pay just a little more. All of them have made an idol out of the one thing that we so easily fall into serving and worshiping: ourselves.

Psalm 60:11-12
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. [NKJV]

The Bible is often mistaken for a self-help or a self-improvement guide. While following the Lord's precepts will certainly make us better human beings, it is most definitely not a self-help book. If we pay obey the words in the plain and clear text, we will stop focusing on ourselves and we will only focus on the Lord. We will recognize that the help of man is truly useless ... even if the man is one we see in the mirror. We will acknowledge that Christ Jesus is our Helper, our Strength and the only One worthy of our worship and attention.

Be encouraged, Jose

Sufficient for resistance

Friends,

How many of our leaders have been exposed as corrupt? The past few years have seen elected officials of every political stripe toppled from power for bribery, lascivious behavior, theft, and the persistent abuse of their power. They vehemently proclaim their innocence (I don't know how that money got in my freezer!), but you and I know better.

Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house,
That he may set his nest on high,
That he may be delivered from the power of disaster!
You give shameful counsel to your house,
Cutting off many peoples,
And sin against your soul.
Habakkuk 2:9-10 [NKJV]

Of course, this behavior isn't new, nor is it unique to any nation or system of government. And, in any case, the point is not about politics or power.

You and I are leaders in our households and in our communities ... however those are defined. You and I are to exercise dominion and control over our personal house, as well ... our thoughts, words and actions. Do we seek to gain that which is evil? Do we look for ways to avoid disaster (financial or otherwise) through any means that fall short of God's holy standards?

These are dangerous temptations. And the truth is that no one is immune to them. The fear of losing a job or home could easily weaken our resolve against compromise.

But the grace of Jesus is sufficient to resist those temptations.

Be encouraged, Jose

A better day

Friends,

Check your heart today. Are you holding anger inside towards another? Have you neglected to forgive in a meaningful and purposeful manner?

Numbers 35:33-34
So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel. [NKJV]

Matthew 5:21-22a
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. [NKJV]

Anger and bitterness and unforgiveness wield remarkable power in our daily lives. Some effects are obvious ... depression, lashing out, ulcers. Some are not as obvious, but they are real nonetheless.

Brothers and sisters, let today be the day you release any anger. Today, make it your business to explicitly forgive those who have sinned against you. You'll be amazed at how much better today becomes!

Be encouraged, Jose

The message in the storm

Friends,

None of us are immune from carrying a secret sin around with us in our daily lives. It could be deep inside, quiet, staying hidden from obvious view, while all around life is spinning out of control.

Jonah 1:15-16 [NKJV]
So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.

Like the other men on the boat, we will have tried everything we know to do in order to calm the chaos that we cannot explain. And then, at some point, we will find the "Jonah" in our hearts and -- finally -- get rid of it.

You see, for you and me, Jonah is not a person ... Jonah is a condition of the heart. Jonah heard from God and decided that he knew better. Jonah had become his own god. And when the idolatry was expelled from their lives, the men on the ship saw that the seas ceased from their raging. They turned to the LORD and found peace and safety.

Turn to the LORD today and find that same peace that eludes you.

Be encouraged, Jose

Never out of His reach

Friends,

Did you know that the LORD is patient beyond our imagination?

Hosea 3:5
Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days. [NKJV]

In the days of the prophet Hosea, the LORD promised the children of Israel that, after they had lived in their sin for generations, they would return to Him. It was not that they had committed to return, but rather it is that the LORD will make absolutely sure to bring His people back to Himself.

Things have not changed.
The people of God still live in only partial obedience to the LORD.
And the LORD is still completely and totally committed to ensuring that His people will be brought back to Him.

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

Trying to add to God's work

Friends,

Ecclesiastes 3:14 [NKJV]

I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.

Have you ever noticed that whenever a particular event is highly impactful, the first thing everyone wants to do is to replicate it? The conversation often goes something like this ... That was great! Let's do this every year!

Then, somewhere along the line, it becomes an obligation ... and a burden. And this is what happens whenever man tries to add to what God has ordained.

At Calvary, Christ fulfilled all of the annual feasts that the Lord describes in the books Exodus and Leviticus. In doing so, He obliterated the need to slaughter lambs, chickens or any other creature as a sacrifice. The symbolism of the Passover meal is made real in Jesus' life and death and resurrection. By repeating it every Spring, man is trying to add to what Christ Jesus declared (in John 19:30) to be finished.

Sisters and brothers, it is time to take a close look at our traditions, rites and rituals. How many of them claim to lead us to Christ, but instead lead us into stress and into submission to the world's expectations? There is no reason for the true follower of Christ to be distracted away from His voice by these or any man-made traditions. To follow His voice is follow the path to peace and blessing.

Be encouraged, Jose

An expansive view of all

Friends,

If you're like me, then the following verse brings you great comfort whenever difficult circumstances come to the forefront:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 [NKJV]

During Bible study this past week, our teacher reminded us that, although we most often use this familiar verse on its own, it exists within the context of an amazing set of verses. For instance, it is directly connected to the anguish and mental gymnastics of the end of Romans 7:

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Romans 7:18 [NIV]

It is also linked to our election and adoption into the Royal and Heavenly Family that Paul describes in the early verses of Chapter 8:

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
Romans 8:15 [NKJV]

Take some time this weekend to review these two chapters, keeping in mind that "all things" encompasses the entirety of what our brother Paul describes in them. It will change how you praise the Father. It will intensify your gratitude for Christ's work at Calvary. And you will find even greater courage and comfort in the sovereignty of the LORD.

Praise God and Be encouraged!
Jose

Be unafraid to follow Christ

Friends,

Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." -- John 11:16 (NKJV)

Thomas utters these words as Christ was planning to return to Judea in order to raise Lazarus from the dead. It comes at the end of an exchange between Jesus and His disciples in which they express concern over the Judeans' plans to kill the Savior. But Christ had something He had to do in Judea, and He would let nothing stop Him from obeying what the Father had called Him to accomplish.

Thomas' response presents us with an example to follow. For even today, the Lord is accomplishing great deeds. There will come a time when you and I are called to follow Him that we might participate in those deeds. It may come with a heavy price, and Jesus commands us to "count the cost."

Today, sisters and brothers, let us consider the price that we may be called on to pay. Let us then compare that price with the price that Jesus paid to make us His people. And let us prepare to follow Christ with courage.

Be encouraged, Jose

Remember to believe

Friends,

It seems as though the news is getting worse by the day. As for me, personally, I'm finding it easy to get discouraged... far too easy.

For what if some did not believe?
Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?
Romans 3:3 [NKJV]

This is my reminder. God is faithful and therefore deserves my trust and belief. My feelings of discouragement cannot rule over me, because God alone is faithful. He fulfills every promise and provides for every need.

It matters not what anyone else says or thinks... because no man is God's master. The Lord has proven that He -- and He alone -- is sovereign over every event, large and small. He has proven that He is good, and no evil is present in Him. And He is faithful to assert His good and perfect will over every man.

Be encouraged, Jose

A truly merry heart

Friends,

When a friend is down in the dumps, our natural instinct is find something that might cheer them up. That something might be reminding them of an encouraging memory. Or maybe it's a nice meal and quiet conversation. Maybe you tell them a joke, or you remind them that they are in your prayers.

Or sometimes, unfortunately, we sugarcoat the truth, water it down, or encourage them to ignore the reality of their situation altogether. These are dangerous options, for they undoubted leave the friend worse off than before.

Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Provers 25:20 [NKJV]

A heavy heart does not need lies or entertainment or distractions. No matter the current emotional state, every heart needs ... and deserves ... to hear the truth. A wounded heart needs the truth, spoken in love, more desperately than we can imagine. Sometimes that truth is difficult to hear... and to say. Yet it is a healing balm. Yes, it may sting at first. But it provides a hope and an encouragement supported by a solid foundation.

Each of us, brothers and sisters, needs to understand the truth of our situation. We are all undeserving of a place in Christ's Kingdom. And yet He has nonetheless graced with adoption into His very family. And because that transformation is permanent and unchangeable, it is surest, fastest way out of the blues that inevitably creep into every man's life.

And when you get that truth into your spirit, the song you sing will echo throughout the heavens!

Be encouraged, Jose

Embrace the mystery

Friends,

Almighty God desires to reveal Himself to us. He does so through prayer, through His people and through His word. It is amazing that He chooses to do so. And although some things will not be revealed until we see Him face to face in glory, He has given us a knowledge that is unavailable to any non-believer:

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
-- 1 Timothy 3:16 [NKJV]

Unless God reveal this mystery to a man, the man cannot see it, understand it or believe it. Before the Lord gives us eyes to see and ears to hear, we are completely unable to grasp the truth of Christ. Of course this leads to persecution, because the person who does not believe will ridicule and belittle the one who can... it is just human nature.

Nevertheless, we know these things to be true... that Christ is God in the flesh; that He lived a perfect life and yet paid the full penalty for our great imperfection; that in doing so He can grant to us His righteousness; and that with His righteousness we can enter into the favor and presence of Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose

This has happened before

Friends,

In the US, we are starting to experience, in a very mild form, the persecution that our sisters and brothers live with around the world. This is exactly what Jesus told us would happen.

John 15:18-19
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Hundreds of years before that, a psalm was written that tells us that this was happening even then.

Psalm 123:3-4
Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us!
For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Our soul is exceedingly filled
With the scorn of those who are at ease,
With the contempt of the proud.

The proud have looked upon believers with scorn for thousands of years... and they still do today. And we can be confident that it will continue, and likely get even worse. When it does, we can rejoice.

Rejoice?
For an increase in persecution?

It certainly isn't easy. Yet, we know that in experiencing that affliction, we are being molded into Christ's image... for we are sharing in what He experienced. And as the affliction increases, we know that the day of His returns grows closer.

Be encouraged, Jose

Affliction Defense

Friends,

In this lifetime, we will find ourselves pushing up against the limits of lawful behavior. For some, this might mean reducing to mere nanoseconds the amount of time we are actually stopped at a stop sign before hitting the accelerator. For others, it could take the form of seeing how far we can push tax avoidance before it becomes tax evasion. In both cases, man's law keeps us from doing what we want, whether it is to get to our destination faster or to keep more of the money we have earned.

The other perspective on law is that it exists to protect the lawful. We are generally confident that we will not be gunned down at our desks because the law prohibits the boss from doing so. We expect the other driver will grant us the right-of-way because they have a stop sign -- and they had better stop, right?

The most mature view of the law is that enables us to fulfill our dreams and destiny. It not only protects us from the outlaws, but it even protects us from our own foolish tendencies. For example, in the US, the law requires that an employer withhold an appropriate amount from the employee's gross wages in order to pre-pay income taxes and other payroll taxes. This protects the worker from spending tax money that she is obligated to pay. She understands her true income and can behave accordingly.

This is the proper perspective for understanding God's law. He has written His law on our hearts in order that we would be free to obey Him.

Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
-- Psalm 119:92 [NKJV]

Here the psalmist, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, understands and fully acknowledges that he depends on the law to protect him from affliction. But notice that he is not referring to affliction that comes from without... from his neighbors, the government, the boss or even the mother-in-law. Rather, he points to his own affliction. In other words, when he delights in God's law, he is protected from being distressed by his own sinful acts.

Here is the lesson for you and me, brothers and sisters.

Delight in the law of the Most High and Holy God
Your troubles will weaken

Be encouraged, Jose

Squeaking wheels

Friends,

It is often said that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. And truly, when we here a strange noise in our automobile, we focus our maintenance efforts on that part. This kind of thing is really obvious in our governing style. The brash, noisy problems get the attention, while the fundamental problems of our culture expand unabated.

In his timeless address on the worthlessness of a life lived without Christ, King Solomon gives us wise counsel on this very habit.

Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard
Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.
Ecclesiastes 9:17 (NKJV)

How many times will we, as a people, ignore these words?
How many times does their truthfulness need to be proven until they are heeded?

Our Lord does not often blast His voice. Rather, He speaks in the quiet of our conscience and in the everlasting words of Scripture. Knowing this gives us an advantage, because it prompts us to ignore the tumult and chaos around us. Instead, let us focus on Christ, our Lord and Savior. We will then hear the words of the wise, leading us to peace in His presence.

Be encouraged, Jose

Know that He saves

Friends,

Difficult days easily turn into difficult weeks. Sometimes those weeks turn into months or even years. It is easy and natural to focus on challenges and hardships, especially when we are in the midst of them.

You have made us a strife to our neighbors,
And our enemies laugh among themselves. -- Psalm 80:6

Sometimes, we fall into the lie that the hard times are forever. But we can look to our fellow believers and know that our Lord is the only One that is forever. We can be encouraged by their experience that He brings us through the hard times, never letting go.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
Cause Your face to shine,
And we shall be saved! -- Psalm 80:7
NKJV

The ancient people of God knew hardship and affliction. And they sang with confidence that it only takes a single look from the Lord to bring about salvation and restoration. Let us sing to Him with that same confidence.

Be encouraged, Jose

As clouds gather

Friends,

As I write this, residents of the coastal towns in Louisiana have fled their homes. Hurricane Gustav is already battering the shores with storm surges, heavy rain and fierce winds... and the worst is yet to come. No one knows what kind of damage will result, but few are taking any chances this time around.

It is times like this that remind me that we are far from the invincible masters of the universe that we pretend to be. We make cities and towns as though nothing can tear down what we build, as if the days will always be sunny. Why do we ignore the words of Christ?

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-25 [NKJV]

Every life will experience hardships, great and small. But it is the one whose life is founded in Christ that can withstand those blows. A heart that is in Jesus will feel the highs and lows of life, but will always be comforted and strengthened by the presence of His Spirit.

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

Expecting

Friends,

How often do we look to the heavens in despair or exasperation?
How many times do we look up and cry out, "Why?" As if to accuse our LORD of not having a perfect reason for the things He does.

Psalm 123:2 [NKJV]
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the LORD our God,
Until He has mercy on us.

The writer of this Psalm, King David, has seen his fair share of life's curve balls. He has done some supremely stupid things. He has done some horrifyingly evil things. And he has endured the consequences of these actions, as well as the horrendous actions of others. And here he sings of looking to the LORD with great expectations... waiting for the loving touch of a gentle mistress, knowing that lovingkindness and mercy are on the way.

Brothers and sisters, let us look to the heavens with this same trust. It is more than just hope. It is a deep, quiet confidence that brings peace and rest, no matter what is going on around us.

Be encouraged,
Jose