Depend wisely

Friends,

When we depend on anything or anyone besides God, it will invariably fail us. We will seek help from those gods, but they cannot do anything for us.

Lamentations 1:19 (NKJV)

I called for my lovers,
But they deceived me;
My priests and my elders
Breathed their last in the city,
While they sought food
To restore their life.

The Lord will remove these from us, so that we will ... finally ... turn back to Him.

Be encouraged,

Jose

 

Seek His Hand, not hand-outs

18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem;You shall weep no more.
He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
When He hears it, He will answer you.
Isaiah 30:18-19 (NKJV)


The Lord covets and desires our relationship. When we come to Him, we must not come just because of the hands-outs, but we must seek His hand in fellowship. Nothing angers the Lord more than when we cast Him aside to seek help from other gods.

1 “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD,
“Who take counsel, but not of Me,
And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,
That they may add sin to sin;
2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice,
To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh,
And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh
Shall be your shame, And trust in the shadow of Egypt
Shall be your humiliation.
Isaiah 30:1-3 (NKJV)

Our hope and trust must be on Him, who never shame, humiliate nor confuse those that trust and believe in Him. We ought to wait on the Lord for blessed are all those who wait for Him.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Rational hope

Friends,

We can begin the day with hope and expectation because of only one truth. It is not that the government will come to our aid, or that the job will provide for us. It is not that our intellectual capabilities will prevail, or that we are physically prepared for what lies ahead.

Our hope, expectation and confidence stem from a belief in the power and consistency of the LORD.

Psalm 9:9-10 [NKJV]
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Remember that we who have put our faith in Almighty God trust the only One who will keep all His promises, fulfill every expectation, and who will be victorious over every enemy.

Be encouraged, Jose

Evidence of righteousness

Friends,

Let your heart be governed by a simple instruction:

Psalm 4:5
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the LORD. [NKJV]

Do not over-complicate this with burdensome rules, emotion-filled rituals, or distracting traditions. Seek righteousness and demonstrate it with every word, thought and action. Such a sacrifice will be opposed by the enemy. It is evidence of a heart that trusts in the LORD. And it will shout the good news of salvation and victory!

Be encouraged, Jose

It depends on who's looking

Friends,

Here in the United States, Christians are increasingly the targets of scorn and ridicule. While we are as yet spared from the suffering and martyrdom that we see occurring in other countries, our beliefs and moral codes are frequently attacked as bigotry. And yet, this is to be expected. Our Lord reminds us of this ...

Psalm 22:6-8 [NKJV]
But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
All those who see Me ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
“He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

When the world looks at you and me, they see Jesus. And when the world sees Jesus in us, they will hate us. Christ told us to expect this. And He gave us His example of how we are to respond:

Psalm 22:9
But You are He who took Me out of the womb;
You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.

Jesus responded by recognizing that, while the world looks at Him as a merely a worm, their point-of-view is irrelevant. The only perspective that matters is the One held by the Father. When He counts us as righteous, then all is good... no matter what happens around us.

Be encouraged, Jose

Who do you love?

Friends,

Even the atheists have an object of worship. The proof goes far beyond the cavalier.* The one who decides that there is no moral difference between the uniformed soldier fighting in the open and the man shooting his gun from inside a schoolhouse has come to that conclusion from some moral starting point, some code. Where did that code come from? A romantic might say that looked deep within himself. And that is the problem.

Psalm 18:1-2
I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

There is a massive difference between loving the LORD, between worshiping, trusting and obeying Him and loving, worshiping and trusting only ourselves. God is the same. His Word does not change. His commands never lose their power or their relevance. The same cannot be said for you or me.

Like it or not, we all have a code we live by.
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...
The God of King David and King Solomon...
The One who stepped off the throne in order to redeem His people ...

Jesus calls us to live by His code.

Be encouraged, Jose

* When an atheist flippantly exclaims, "Thank God!" ... just who are they talking to?

Real Peace.... Go figure!

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. 7 You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. 8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:6-8 (NKJV)

It is easy and convenient to be swayed by public opinion, by what the pundits say, what the commentators report and what the analysts analyze. But those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. The peace from trusting the Lord is unexplainable. The assurance and confidence earned from this trust will confound and confuse them that know Him not.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

The place of real peace simply is in a steady relationship with the Creator God upon which our faith, trust, and believe rests.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Is your faith in man?

Friends,

As politicians and pundits ponder various paths out of these persistent economic doldrums, any man would be tempted to look to his boss, his employer, his governor, his senator or his president for results. It is natural to want to rely on these persons of authority. It is natural for the people to place their confidence in their leaders.

But beware ...

Proverbs 25:19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. [NKJV]

Humans are unreliable and flawed and limited. We cannot provide any genuine assurance that this option or that one option will solve our problems. None of us can set a standard for thought, word or action that will stand up to every circumstance. And when those we rely upon inevitably fail, we find that we can no longer walk or run with strength and purpose. All we can do is limp back to a place of safety.

This pattern repeats itself year after year. At some point, perhaps we will learn to place our confidence not in man or institutions, but in the Eternal and Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Trusting

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright.
Psalm 20:7-8 (NKJV)

It is vain to trust and depend solely on our strength, the arm of men and other instruments of strength, wealth and influence. These chariots and horses that seem huge in the face of man can crumble and fade away within the twinkle of an eye, but they that trust in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion that cannot be moved. Yes the shall not fall, deceived, influenced, humiliated or defeated in their daily walk of life.

They shall uphold righteousness and triumph at the end of the day. They shall come out on top and stand upright at the end, never basking or indulging in little victories, transient, passing pleasures and conveniences of our day. Where is your trust today?

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

A better option

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright.
Psalm 20:7-8 (NKJV)

It is convenient to easily trust in what you see and have, i.e. Our physical and natural abilities, our properties, our various tools and other objects of power, influence and strength. Some can trust in their colleagues, friends, social circles, groups, etc. At the end these things don't stand the test of time and life's pressure. They crumble and fade away and become inadequate to our various challenges and issues of life. What other option is available to us? King David understood this best and described it clearly as thus:

It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
Psalm 118:8-9 (NKJV)

Revoke your confidence from man, princes, chariots and horses, but put your trust in the Lord God your Creator. When the chips fall and settle, you will be risen and standing upright and not fallen and crumbled.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Trust wisely

Friends,

There are many seemingly powerful men and women walking this earth today. In our individual careers, we have bosses and customers who may appear to have significant influence over the success of our efforts. Politicians and celebrities will claim the authority to tell us what is best for us, and even seek to impose those views on our decisions. The temptation is to seek the approval of those men and women. The temptation is also to place our trust in their "good intentions," believing that they have our best interests at heart. And of course, such trust inevitably leads to disappointment.

Psalm 118:8-9 [NKJV]
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes.

It seems quite simplistic to say ... Trust in the LORD, not in man.
Yet, it is advice that we all too frequently ignore. We allow ourselves to be caught up in the schemes and workings of people, forgetting that we serve an infinitely powerful and faithful God.

It is the LORD that keeps us.
It is the LORD who is worthy of our trust.
It is the LORD that truly has the best in store for us.

Trust in Him and Him alone. And you will never be disappointed again.

Be encouraged, Jose

What confidence?

Then the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: “What confidence is this in which you trust? You speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. And in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me? Now look! You are trusting in the staff of this broken reed, Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it.
2 Kings 18:19-21 (NKJV)

Now the nation of Israel had been waylaid and boxed to a corner. The King of Assyria held them hostage and requested a ransom from the nation. King Hezekiah paid this stripping himself and the nation of valuable treasures even from the Lord's temple (2 Kings 18:14-16) in the process. But the adversary comes to steal, kill and destroy. As if that wasn't enough, the Assyrian king intended to run over and take Jerusalem captive. Like in modern warfare, he embarked on a comprehensive propaganda campaign to frighten and terrify King Hezekiah and its territory to submission.

Has any of the gods of the nations at all delivered its land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim and Hena and Ivah? Indeed, have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?
2 Kings 18:33-35 (NKJV)

Even when the odds and numbers may not line up in your favor. The stats and polls may be at their lowest numbers, but they that trust in the Lord shall be like mount Zion that cannot be moved. When you know and are conscious of the One in whom you trust, then you can have peace and confidence that makes no sense to most.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Peace in His plan

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD , plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

A building is built according to its architectural plan, for the plan itemizes every step of the builder’s intent and activity. We as God's children are His work in progress too. While the work on us continues, seasons will come that we may find it difficult understanding certain events and happenings in our lives. Our moments of vulnerability and weakness should not be times for anxiety, panic or distress; they should be moments of peace anchored on our trust in Him and His divine plan for us.

When you understand the Master's plan for you, engaging Him in praise and worship at all times with a peace that defies human understanding is what you will always do because.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

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

Who we are

Friends,

Every man and woman experiences a time in their life when they feel just a little bit lost. This is true for the believer and the non-believer, and it is a consequence of the limitations of this world. We have far fewer answers than we have questions.

And some of those questions run deep:

Who am I?

For we are the circumcision,
who worship God in the Spirit,
rejoice in Christ Jesus, and
have no confidence in the flesh
Philippians 3:3 [NKJV]

I have taken the liberty to break up that verse into four distinct parts. Each is a statement that gives the believer and identity. Each can be used to answer the question, "Who am I?"

Who am I? I am a man whose total confidence is in Christ and Christ alone. Not in my flesh or in anything that proceeds from the flesh.

Can you see how liberating and clarifying this one simple verse can be? Do you recognize, dear brothers and sisters, the authority and power of these words?

Who are we? We are the circumcision, sanctified and set apart for God's perfect will. We are the ones who worship God in the Spirit according to His law. We rejoice always in Jesus, the author and finisher of our salvation! We trust Jesus, the only One who is truly trustworthy!

That is who we are.

Be encouraged, Jose

God of Integrity

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)

I have seen men and women of various caliber and status fall short on promises, covenants, contracts and various obligations. It just so happens naturally and while this creates a trust and dependency crises, it creates a thick cloud of suspicion which in turn leads to many things... resentment, anger, envy, killing, war, and the list goes on. The enemy knows this critical component of relationships, both between men and God and between man to man/woman and all relationships combined and he goes about sowing the seed of discord and mistrust. Having seen men fall short many times, in our government, national and local stages and even in our families, its not impossible to have this unconscious natural condition to respond to God with suspicion borne out of our human encounters and experiences. Will God lie?

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Numbers 23:19 (NKJV)

Every word God spoke reflected His character.... step out, cast your nets, pursue, overtake, sow a seed, start it, build, etc. Everyone that have taken that first step of responding in the affirmative to God soon discovers the faithfulness, trustworthiness and dependability of God. He is a God of integrity. When you come to Him, erase any reference(s) to built up suspicion caused by our past encounters and experiences with men. God is not man, He is trustworthy and forever faithful.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The place of obedience

[Blessings on Obedience ] “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
Deuteronomy 28:1 (NKJV)

The cares and issues of life often puts us on the spot. The adversary comes subtly to us with this known vulnerability of ours - 'the fear factor'. Our response to stimuli and situations are informed by self. Yet the Lord continually whispers and converse with us at all times with "Do not fear". Do not fear to take action by finding the place of obedience. Fear attacks our obedience, it decimates our ability to trust and ultimately derails us from the place of obedience. But the place of obedience we must all find. We must diligently seek it out and get to this place where things connect and happen to the glory of God.

At the place of obedience....
Miracles happen, Deliverance and victory collides.
Faith grows from the place of obedience.
Favor flows effortlessly from the place of obedience,

The nation of Israel and Moses obtained deliverance at the place of obedience (Red Sea)
The widow of Zarephath gained at the place of obedience (1 Kings 17)
The Master Fisherman's productivity exploded at the place of obedience after days of toil and frustration with human know-how (Peter at the letting down of the nets)
Daniel overcame his travails at the place of obedience.
Joshua and Israel recovered at the place of obedience after the humiliation of Ai.

Are you at the place of obedience? Seek it out, find it and remain there for the next move of your life and destiny. Get to the place of obedience and the One with the best direction will mount the wheels of your life and direct from there.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Trust God not man

Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (NKJV)

The words according to prophet Jeremiah hit the core of our mistakes and narrow human perceptions. Our mind is very good at using visible and physical situations to make humanly logical conclusions. This is so true of our present & materialistic driven world. We can easily tell from what we see - which person, organization, nation, etc will or can produce help or assistance. How wrong!!!!!

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV)

When we take our mind and focus away from the source and giver of all good things, we miss ‘good’ when it shows up because our mind and eyes most times only look at the external. But trusting God brings assurance, peace of mind, strange boldness & confidence (to the unbelieving world). When the drought comes, you only get to hear about it because the provider have already met your needs . It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

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

We Don't Have to See the End

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians 3:11 [KJV]

We all want to see the outcome before we make a decision. We want to know that everything will work out for us. We have a desire to look at the overall plan to see where the decisions we make or will make will take us. Sometimes God will provide a vision for us to follow, but many times He is saying "Trust Me".

When the Heavenly Father says "Trust Me", we continue to question Him. However, we will blindly trust many on this realm because they have an honest face, a nice voice, a good story to tell. Why is it with God, that we want to see the end result? God should be the first place that we put all our trust. We know that He is always looking out for us and we should get past our questions.

Remember Thomas the disciple? He wanted to touch and feel the risen Christ to confirm in his own mind the stories of others. Christ told him that you believe because you see and touch, but many will be blessed because they believed from hearing the account of the life of Christ. Let's commit to trusting what God is doing today. His Spirit will be the true guide for us as long as we listen to the instructions.

Be Encouraged,

Martin