Let us each do a work

Friends,

Is predictability the hallmark of your gatherings? Do the same people contribute in all of the important ways?

1 Corinthians 14:26 [NKJV]
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

The Lord has gifted His people in many ways. And all are called ... even commanded ... to use and develop those gifts. So, when the Spirit calls you to bring forth a word, bring it forth. When you are lead to praise Him, then praise Him. Do not leave the whole burden of the work of the Kingdom to a weary few.

Be encouraged, Jose

Authentic worship

Friends,

There is a reason that the many religions which man has developed over the centuries are attractive. Their rituals are emotionally stirring. Their beliefs are soothing and self-reinforcing. They bolster our self-esteem and self-reliance. They give us the illusion of being in control.

But they have all been ended by the ultimate sacrifice performed by the Eternal High Priest. No man-made religion can claim to fully atone for every sin. And even those Christians who are determined to revive the old Judaism must acknowledge the truth of the Scriptures:

Hebrews 7:11
Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? [NKJV]

The Levitical priesthood was a critical reminder for God's people of what He had done - and is doing - for them throughout history. But there is no longer a need for that reminder, for Christ is the ultimate work of Almighty God. He is the fulfillment of what the Father promised (expressed through the workings of the Levitical priesthood).

We can apply this to every religion, including those that have no historical relationship with Judaism. They are all attempts to achieve the perfection that Almighty God demands. And every religion has conjured up a way to make up for the inevitable shortfall in that quest for perfection. But again, only Christ is effective in doing so.

Let us not denigrate the work of Jesus by reverting to rituals and ceremonial rites. Worship Him in spirit and truth.

Be encouraged, Jose

The source of our name

Friends,

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Do you see a son of the Living and Almighty God? If He has called you into His family then that is what you are.

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named
Ephesians 3:14-15 [NKJV]

Paul sets the example for us. We are to bow in worship and gratitude that the Lord of heaven and earth has seen fit to name us as His children. We are no longer sons of the enemy. Christ has reconciled us to the Father.

Let us, too, bow in worship and sing His praises!

Be encouraged, Jose

Listen to Me

Friends,

Almighty God has something to say to you and to me right now. Are you ready to listen?

Psalm 81:8-10 [NKJV]
Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you!
O Israel, if you will listen to Me!
There shall be no foreign god among you;
Nor shall you worship any foreign god.
I am the LORD your God,
Who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Too often, we allow ourselves to worship things besides the One True God. But those gods are not who delivered us from bondage, nor did they rescue us from the grip of satan.

Choose today whom you shall worship. Choose wisely. Choose Jesus.

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?

That which survives

Friends,

Our world has a strange habit of celebrating, idolizing and worshiping things that are marked for destruction. Celebrities. Championships. Big Money Contracts. Annual Awards. The world does this in spite of what is already declared: these things will be destroyed:

The burden against Egypt.
Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud,
And will come into Egypt;
The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence,
And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.
Isaiah 19:1 [NKJV]

Throughout scripture, Egypt symbolizes the carnal world from which Almighty God rescues and removes His people. When the LORD returns - and He will return - everything that the world values will be turned to dust. It will not simply pass away ... it will be actively and purposefully destroyed.

Let us repent of joining the world in the worship of these idols. Pay no attention to these things that will not survive the presence of God. Worship only the LORD, in spirit and in truth.

Be encouraged, Jose

Wrong mission

Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
Mathew 24:12-14 (NKJV)

He was kind, merciful and generous. Forgiving and giving everyone a chance even when they messed up. His level of tolerance was beyond human comprehension. He had the incredible ability of connecting with any mortal being irrespective of their status, intellect, social class, orientation and just any one. He never spoke harshly but on this one occassion, He kicked some behind!!!! He tossed over the kiosks and tables of them that turned the Church into a casino and investment place. Those that turn the pulpit into an auctioneer podium... He upstaged and exposed the leadership of the church who have lost their mission and mandate.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:31 (NKJV)

The house of the Lord will be a house of prayer, a house of worship, a mountain where spirit, soul and body connect with their Maker. Anything short of these will incur the wrath of the Lord. When men get on the wrong side of a merciful King, who will spare or show mercy? In the body of believers and our world, we must never forget our mission and who we are working for.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Losing religion

Friends,

Are you caught up in the routine and ritual of a religious life? Do you seek the comfort of fancy robes, fancy clothes, and predictable format for worship? Are the traditions of some institution never challenged? Do titles and credentials of certain men impress you?

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
Hebrews 9:11, NKJV

Sisters and brothers, Christ's actions at Calvary ended all of the sacrifices and rituals described in the Torah. They were meant as reminders for God's people that they had not been perfectly holy - as God is holy; that the wages of sin is death - and those wages must be paid; and that God always provides for His people - as He has from the days of Abraham through the present day.

But we no longer need the reminder. We have no requirement for something that represents what God will do. For the LORD has actually done it. So those traditions should have passed away ... along with the fancy "tabernacles," the fancy robes, the fancy clothes and formulaic and mechanical worship.

We should not demand those things from ourselves. Pastors and other leaders should absolutely not demand them from the congregations.

The perfect time, place and way of worship is simple.

It is now.
It is where you are.
It is in spirit and truth.

Be encouraged, Jose

Who He is

Friends,

Lots of people believe in Jesus. Lots of people believe lots of different things about Jesus. If you've been a regular church goer over the past 10 years or so, you've no doubt seen regular folks say outlandish things about who they believe this Jesus is.

Of course, the born-again believer knows more deeply, and with complete certainty, who Christ Jesus is.

Romans 1:3-4
... concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. [NKJV - emphasis added]

He is our redeemer ... the only One qualified to forgive sins and impute holiness.
He is the only One to accurately and completely fulfill every prophecy concerning the Messiah.

He is worthy of praise. And He is worthy of the respect due the Son of the Living God!

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

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

Is it time to exit?

And I heard another voice from heaven saying,
"Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues."
Revelation 18:4 [NKJV]

Friends,

Take a good look around you. What is your situation? With what are you surrounded? Pay special attention to your worship practices.

• Is the Word of God preached, or is it about self-improvement?
• Are the musicians leading you into the presence of God, or are they just performing Christian songs well?
• Do you experience conviction and and the call to repent, or do you come away believing that you're doing okay?

Be aware, brothers and sisters. The Lord is calling His own to come out of churches that are stuck in old rituals, and have thus forgotten Christ's message. Remember, the Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus is coming, and sooner today than yesterday.

True strength and courage is found in genuine repentance.

Be encouraged, Jose

Use your words wisely

Friends,

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him. -- NKJV

We sing songs for a multitude of reasons. To make our beloved feel special. To lament a tragedy. To issue a call for change or justice. To celebrate and memorialize a great victory. To mourn the passing of good truck.

But here, in Psalm 28, King David bestows the greatest of all purposes to his song. He declares that it shall be to praise the LORD -- his strength and shield.

What are you singing for today? What are you using your words to do? To complain? To belittle? To criticize? Or are you using them to edify, to bless and the lift high the Holy Name of Christ Jesus!

Be encouraged, Jose

God's view of man's rituals

Friends,

Many people have made the mistake of accepting as fact that, as long we truly believe that we're worshiping God, then it really doesn't matter how we worship. Thank back to the many rites and rituals that congregations have incorporated into worship services. You may have seen them as recently this past weekend. And with that in mind, consider this passage.

He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood;
He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.
Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,
So will I choose their delusions,
And bring their fears on them;
Because, when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight.
Isaiah 66:3-4 [NKJV]

The LORD expects true worship, in spirit and in truth. It is not about dramas, good music, loud preaching, fancy robes, or expensive suits.

It is about coming before the God of Heaven and Earth with reverence, boldness, awe and praise. It is about hearing U>His voice, seeking U>His righteousness, and being transformed into His image. The LORD delights in this.

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

Grace and Fear and Reverence

Friends,

Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. [NKJV]

Grace and the Kingdom of God go hand in hand. They are inseparable. As they are linked, so is the acceptable service to the Lord God Almighty. By grace, we can possess and demonstrate the reverence and godly fear that is the Lord's expectation and right.

Brothers and sisters, we do not have the right to worship God any way we please. We must honor Him according to His law and commandments. When we ignore this crucial fact, we arrogantly declare that we will do as we please, and God had simply better accept it. Is that any way to approach a consuming fire?

But when we submit to the Lord's command to worship Him in spirit and in truth, in accordance with all of Scripture, and with a humble and contrite heart... Well, He promises to accept our worship and our praise, to incline His ear to our prayers, and to bless His people beyond imagination.

Be encouraged, Jose

Fear cannot stop us

Friends,

Among the many facets of the battles we encounter throughout our lives is one focused on the area of worship. It is a battle principally because the devil wants nothing more than to interrupt and disrupt our relationship with the Almighty. And of course, Satan will use all of his weapons to do so. Our response is to recognize his tactics and be resolved to worship the LORD no matter what.

Ezra 2:3
Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening burnt offerings. [NKJV]

Our forebears knew that a genuine worship of God would aggravate and irritate their neighbors. And those neighbors were already hostile, and were most certainly armed. Hence their fear was not irrational.

But fear did not stop them.

And fear must not stop you and me. The world will never give us permission to worship our LORD, and to wait for it is senseless. There will be consequences for obeying God, and it is understandable to be concerned about them. But we must not succumb to our fear of those consequences.

Remain steadfast in our worship of God. He is our strength and courage. And He is our victory.

Be encouraged, Jose