The trumpet sounds

Friends,

In the book of Proverbs, we see the many characteristics of Christ Jesus. And as we are to imitate Him ... to be holy as He is holy ... we see the admonitions that our good and perfect Father has for us.

Proverbs 31:8-9 [NKJV]
Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

This is a command, brothers and sisters. We are to pray for those who cannot - and will not - pray. We are to intercede. We are to truthfully discern what is contrary to God's will, and describe it accurately as sin.

This is not for the faint of heart. It is a battle, meant only for the courageous.

Be encouraged, Jose

Be grounded in love

Friends,

The prayers of the brethren are timeless. The stretch into the future, and echo through the past.

Ephesians 3:17 [NKJV]
... that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

In his letter to the church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul - our brother in Christ - declares his prayer that our lives, our walk and our every act grow out of the love of Christ. He prayed for the church nearly 2,000 years ago. And his prayer is being answered still today.

Be encouraged, Jose

How you know

Friends,

Dramatic and spectacular events happen the world over, and in our time - more than ever - we can see them unfold before our very eyes. Some are thrilling, others terrifying. But often, their impact is far removed from our daily lives.

Even though they seem more mundane, the daily occurrences that shape our lives are no less compelling and impactful. We must discern the source of these events if we are to know how to respond.

Matthew 7:16 [NKJV]
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

What is the fruit of a traffic jam? Is it frustration, anger and hatred? Then the proper response is pray against those spirits, and to release patience and contemplation.
What is the fruit of an overcooked meal? Is it disappointment and resentment? We know that our Lord neither disappoints nor harbors resentment ... so we know that it is part of an attack. So we pray against disappointment and resentment; and we pray for contentment, forgiveness and grace.

The examples are endless. And surely you can see this applied in your life. Do this today, and witness the healing and strengthening of the Holy Spirit.

Be encouraged, Jose

Heed the call from the Lord of hosts

Friends,

Everyday we are called to battle. And, unfortunately, too many ignore this call. Perhaps they believe that the LORD does not notice. But He does.

Ezekiel 7:14
They have blown the trumpet and made everyone ready,
But no one goes to battle;
For My wrath is on all their multitude. [NKJV]

When you and I take it upon ourselves to "pick our battles", we are in fact usurping the authority of Almighty God. Why would we think that's a good idea?

Today, brothers and sisters, we are engaged in a spiritual war ... not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers. Our great weapons are the very Word of God and the fervent, constant prayers of the faithful.

Christians the world over are counting on you to pray against the advance of the enemy. Answer the call.

Be encouraged, Jose

Gaining Wisdom

Friends,

There is a source of wisdom that drives away confusion and timidity. But are you too proud to go on record as seeking that source?

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. [NKJV]

God is offering all wisdom ... without reservation or shame. He knows that we our wisdom is flawed and finite. He does not answer such a request begrudgingly or with impatience. He answers it joyfully! He so wants to share Himself with His children.

We need only to ask.

Be encouraged, Jose

Don't hold back

Friends,

Look around you.

Your brother needs your prayers.
Your sister needs you to listen.
Another one needs to hear that you care.
Yet another needs help with a bill.
This sister needs someone with a truck.
That brother to know that he isn't battling alone.

Look around you.

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. - 1 Peter 4:10 [NKJV]

What has God given you? How freely do you share it? If you are holding yourself in reserve, then you are disobeying the Lord's direct command.

Look around you. There is great need for you.

Be encouraged, Jose

Why praise is important

Friends,

When you pray, do you regularly praise the LORD for who He is? No doubt you thank Him for all He has done and is doing in your life. And of course you bring intercession for yourself and others before Him. All of this appropriate... even critical.

But, my dear brothers and sisters, consider the following:

Psalm 22:3 [NKJV]
But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

Almighty God makes His throne - where He chooses to exercise His authority and judgments - within the praises of His people. In a sense, then, if we want to witness the power and majesty of the LORD, then we are well-advised to bring forth praise.

Praise Him in the morning and in the evening.
Praise Him no matter the circumstances.
Praise Him for His goodness and wonder.

Be encouraged, Jose

A Solitary Example

Friends,

At the hour of our Lord's greatest need, He left His friends behind and went to be in the presence of the Father.

Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. Mark 14:39 [NKJV]

In the hour of our greatest need, where do we go? Is it the familiar routines of work and busy-ness? Do we seek comfort in the sinful patterns of our youth? Do we wallow in despair? Do we seek the company of friends and loved ones?

Or do we follow the example of Christ?

He did not abandon His friends and followers. He went away, though, to seek the comfort of the One True Source of all comfort and strength. And then, when He returned to His disciples, He brought with Him all of the strength and power that the Father bestowed on Him.

You see, Jesus' purpose in these solitary times was not to disconnect from His people, but to more deeply connect with the Father. The renewal that we all receive when we reconnect with Almighty God is what He brought back to the disciples, and to us. In our greatest need, we must return to the Father.

Be encouraged, Jose

Updated Bible Studies

Friends,

I trust you are blessed by genuine rest this Sabbath day. Please check out the Bible Study Audio website. Recent Bible studies of Paul's letter to the church in Rome and of the Gospel of Mark are now published.

I also added a Daily Prayer that I hope you'll find to be useful, helpful and edifying.

Be blessed and be encouraged, Jose

Closer than ever before

Friends,

This past weekend, my wife and I were talking about how we have both been somewhat lax in our prayer life. It is not that we have neglected to go to the the Lord in all matters. But rather, we have been busily talking to God, but not diligent and purposeful in listening to Him.

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
1 Peter 4:7 [NKJV]

Brothers and sisters, the LORD has promised that He will bring an end to all things, and that He will bring all men before Him to give an account. The time is now; we haven't a moment to lose! Stop and be purposeful to find the time ... each day ... to listen for what the LORD is saying to you.

Be encouraged, Jose

Where are you sowing?

Friends,

With each day, each hour and each and every breath, we are sowing. Seed is being distributed whether we realize it or not. But what does that ground look like? Is the ground fertile and ready to bear fruit for the Kingdom? Or is it ground that will bring forth thorns and thistles? God is telling you and me to stop taking this question lightly:

3 For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem:
"Break up your fallow ground,
And do not sow among thorns."
Jeremiah 4:3 [NKJV]

But the typical believer might ask ...

How am I sowing seed to thorns?
I tithe!

Don't you realize, dear brothers and sisters, that we are sowing seed to thorny ground when we devote excess time and energy to things of the flesh. We are sowing seed to thorny ground when we fret and worry over our jobs and finances. We are sowing seed to thorny ground when we pray fervently for self-centered gain.

Stop that.

Our Father in Heaven knows full well that we need food, shelter and clothing. He will provide all of these things according to His bounty and wisdom. We need not worry over them nor should we devote excessive time and energy to acquiring them.

Instead, devote time and energy and focus and attention to learning the character of Christ, that we might be transformed into His image. In that way, we will finally begin to truly seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Shield of Faith

Friends,

The Word of God is the most potent defense against the attacks of the enemy. Even when those attacks seem more like a barrage, relentless and spiteful, we can find protection in the words the Lord has given us.

Psalm 6:8-9
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
The LORD has heard my supplication;
The LORD will receive my prayer. [NKJV]

Implicit in these words is the fact that affliction will be directed towards the believer.

But more importantly, we see the explicit promise given by Almighty God: The LORD hears us. He heard David thousands of years ago. And He hears you and me today.

Be encouraged, Jose

Higher than your mountain

Friends,

Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:1-2 [NKJV]

This is a remarkable prayer. It is not a plea to remove troubles from us. It does not give voice to a desire to escape the troubles of the present day.

It is a solemn and humble recognition that there is a place that is higher than any issue, than any obstacle, than any concern of this world. The psalmist asks Almighty God to bring him to the rock. You and I might even go so far as to capitalize the "Rock" in these verses. For it is entirely appropriate that, when our heart is overwhelmed and our vision is consumed by the mountain before us, we call upon the Lord to bring us to Himself.

The troubles may still be all around us. But we will stand upon the Rock ... and be strengthened.

Be encouraged, Jose

With Understanding

Friends,

There are so many activities we undertake somewhat mindlessly. We don't usually think about breathing, or walking, or chewing. We just breathe, walk and chew. Sometimes we don't even think about our driving. When we're off to work, we get there on some sort of auto-pilot, perhaps not even remembering any details of our commute. This kind of automatic activity is quite useful in many ways. But not in all ways ...

For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.
Psalm 47:7 [NKJV]

In this verse, the word "understanding" comes from the Hebrew word sakal. It means, according to Strong's Concordance, to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper. So then, to praise God with understanding is to be purposeful in our praises, to be fully aware of our words and thoughts. It means that we are most certainly not to recite words and sing songs mindlessly.

This weekend, brothers and sisters, you may have an opportunity to join others in corporate prayer and worship and praise of Almighty God. When you do so, be fully present and aware of what you are doing. You are preparing a place for God to abide, for He abides in the praises of His people. Do so with sincerity and great joy. Do so with great reverence and joy. Do so ... with understanding.

Be encouraged, Jose

A Response for Trouble

Friends,

As believers, we know that we don't have to go looking for trouble... for trouble is looking for us. And when we are deep in the fight of battle, sometimes we forget that the Lord has given us a variety of responses. One response, of course, is to fight; to take up the sword of the Word of God and wield it in truth. Another response is to take authority over the trouble-makers, just as Jesus did, and command them to cease and desist. These are normal responses that may fit very comfortably with a naturally aggressive personality. But there is another response, expressed by a valiant warrior ...

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
Psalm 6:2 [NKJV]

When the LORD sends trouble to test and refine us, it is entirely appropriate to seek His guidance and His wisdom in our response. And King David, who penned these words, obeyed God and therefore cried out to Him for mercy.

Every situation is different, and therefore we must listen to what the LORD instructs us to do. When He tells us to fight, we must fight. And when He tells us to fall upon His mercy, let neither our pride nor old habits stop us from obeying His voice.

Cry out to Jesus. His mercies endure forever.

Be encouraged, Jose

Effectual Fervent Prayer

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16[KJV]

Praying can be hard, time consuming and slow..........when we look at it from the human side or we know that God's answer is different from what our personal desires are. If we are on the same side as God, then praying is a wonderful time of affirmation and sharing and being in God's presence. As I read the verse and thought about effectual, I remember from many classes in school and bible study that the word means making a difference on the outcomes. When something is effective, a change in direction happens.

Fervent is intensity. We know what that means in sports or business, how about in spiritual life with Christ. Can we pray so that the intensity of an exciting sporting event is coupled with the belief that our prayer and God's power can come together and change the course of the world. Of course, but we have to belief that God will do His Part and we can do our part.

Now, as we re ready to pray this way, we need to clear the sin away. We need confession and forgiveness. We can get those right with God and make sure that when we are ready to make some changes for Christ in our lives and the lives of others. We must believe that God can and will do what we ask and we must have the intensity to know that our prayers will make the difference because we believe.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Up all night

Friends,

There are many occasions when I find myself wide awake in the middle of the night. It is frustrating and, of course, the more I want to fall back to sleep, the harder it is to find that peaceful place that will lead to rest and slumber. Of course, instead of fighting so hard to get some rest, I believe that I should be in prayer, interceding for the Body and lifting up the Name of the LORD.

By doing so, I would putting these words of Psalm 134 into action.

Behold, bless the LORD,
All you servants of the LORD,
Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
Psalm 134:1 [NKJV]

Sisters and brothers, when we are awakened in the dead of night, let us take that special opportunity to go before the Lord. It is the Kingdom way to be at rest.

Be encouraged, Jose

Turn away from the idols

Friends,

Ezekiel 14:6 [NKJV]
"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.' "

The news of the past seven days has been filled ... overwhelmed is probably a better word ... with talk of the death of several celebrities. The question I pose today to believers is this ...

Why do you care?

The death of a famous singer, actress, or other celebrity is, in reality, no more or less important or tragic than the death of your neighbor. No matter what a person accomplishes in this world, unless they have repented and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, then the only real tragedy is that yet another soul is lost to the enemy. Beyond that, our attention to the death of someone with whom we have no relationship is a blatant form of idolatry.

Today, ask yourself this: Do you interrupt your relationship with Christ Jesus because of the actions of a famous person? Do the events surrounding the unsaved celebrities of our world distract you from prayer and fellowship with the Lord?

It's far too easy to be bewitched by the glitz and the glamour that surrounds entertainers. But such things do not compare to the glory revealed in Christ. Search for that true, enduring glory today and for always.

Be encouraged, Jose

That was fast

Friends,

Saturday's devotional was focused on the need for elders to come forth. What happened Sunday was unexpected, but it shouldn't have been surprising ...

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14 [NKJV]

We had a fellowship out our home to celebrate some of the birthdays taking place this month within our group of believing friends. Included in those whose presence graced our home was the husband of two of the "birthday girls'" close friends. He is an older man ... quiet, unassuming, and an unapologetic follower of Christ.

We talked and laughed for a few hours. Through it all, I was struck by God's amazing and gracious answer to my prayer. Here was an elder ... a real man who has lived as God has called him to live, who has obeyed God's call to work, to love, and to make time to study His word, and who seemed to take a genuine interest a guy 30 years his junior. It may be Lord's will that we have more opportunities to spend time together; or it may not. Either way, I am grateful for God's divine provision.

Be encouraged, Jose

Night Watchmen

Friends,

Do you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and then struggle to fall back to sleep? Have you ever wondered why? Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps you have been summoned for a special assignment?

Consider these words ...

Psalm 134
Behold, bless the LORD,
   All you servants of the LORD,
   Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
   And bless the LORD.

The LORD who made heaven and earth
   Bless you from Zion!

Prayer and praise and thanksgiving are to be lifted to the LORD at all times - even in the middle of the night. So the next time you find yourself staring through the darkness, fix your mind to offer worship to the One who never slumbers nor sleeps.

Be encouraged, Jose