Is this any way to choose a leader?

Friends,

Whether we like it or not, our leaders are a reflection of ourselves. If we choose to ignore the laws of God, then our leaders will defy them as well. If our desires are for material wealth and power, then we will follow those men whose ambitions are for material wealth and power.

Isaiah 3:6 [NKJV]
When a man takes hold of his brother
In the house of his father, saying,
"You have clothing;
You be our ruler,
And let these ruins be under your power,"

Brothers and sisters, let us follow only those who follow Christ. Let us pursue righteousness, so that we will seek out the men who seek righteousness to be our leaders.

Be encouraged, Jose

Governing all nations

Friends,

We look forward to the day when the worldly, flawed governments of the world fall. In their place will rise a perfect and perfectly good King.

Psalm 67:4
Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
For You shall judge the people righteously,
And govern the nations on earth. Selah [NKJV]

When the LORD judges the people, He will do so according to His law and will. There will be no injustice. There will be no corruption. There will be no tyranny.

We cannot bring this about through our own efforts. Our part is to submit to lawful authority and to pray for the coming of the Lord. In that day, there will be great rejoicing! For the LORD will judge us righteously!

Be encouraged, Jose

The Walk of Authority

Friends,

When salvation is manifested in a person's heart, they are transformed in an incomprehensible number of ways. That man is no longer a slave to sin, but he is free to belong to Christ. That woman is no longer dead, but is alive. It is Christ in us that does these things. And it is Christ in us that has been called to exercise complete authority over heaven and earth ...

Psalm 8:6 [NKJV]
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,

It is a stunning act of generosity and trust by Almighty God.

It is absolutely imperative that we walk in this authority ... and in complete submission to the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

On whose authority

Friends,

When a leader speaks, the weight and authority of his role support his words. Too often, we confuse leadership and celebrity, giving undue influence to those who are famous because of being famous. To often we dismiss the true authority of God's word in favor of the deception and bondage of the world's word.

John 7:16 [NKJV]
Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

Our Lord recognized that His authority came from the Father, the One who sent Him. We would do well to acknowledge that authority in our own lives. And to bring our own actions into submission.

Bible studies posted

Friends,

A new study has been posted from the Gospel of Mark. In this session, we examine the latter parts of chapter 11 and the beginning verses in chapter 12. The religious elite take turns challenging Jesus' authority and claims in their attempts to ensnare Him in an act for which they can legitimately execute Him. Visit Bible Study Audio to learn the important lessons for you and I - in our present day - from this passage.

Be encouraged, Jose

How to deal with the scoffer

Friends,

In every congregation - whether large or small - there will be found at least one person who finds a way to sow dissension and confusion. In an effort to be polite, we give them time and attention. But perhaps that isn't the best response.

Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave;
Yes, strife and reproach will cease.
Proverbs 22:10 [NKJV]

In this verse, "scoffer" is translated from the Hebrew word luwts, which can be understood to mean one who boasts, shows scorn, mocks, or derides. Those kinds of words and attitudes are almost always directed towards those in authority. They surely undermine the authority of leaders and confuse the thoughts of followers. Nothing good comes from them.

When we encounter the scoffers and scorners, the boasters and the mockers, we would do well to remove their influence from our lives. When we do, the peace that Christ promises will be freed from the contention, the strife and the reproach that those people bring. We will be free to enjoy the great calm and contentment that flows from being deeply connected to Jesus.

Be encouraged, Jose

Answers to big questions

Friends,

Sometimes, when we can rise above the course of daily events, men and women have important and far-reaching questions. These kinds of questions take time and meditation to answer adequately. They require imagination, creativity, and an open heart.

Does our God truly have the capacity to redeem this fallen soul?
Is the LORD able to overcome the massive evil that is our sin?

Big questions like these are nothing new.

Isaiah 50:2a
Why, when I came, was there no man?
Why, when I called, was there none to answer?
Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?
Or have I no power to deliver?

Of course, we do not need to search far for the answers to these questions ...

Isaiah 50:2b
Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea,
I make the rivers a wilderness;
Their fish stink because there is no water,
And die of thirst. [NKJV]

Almighty God truly does have the full and limitless power to dry up the seas. He can do this with one word. He can darken the sun, calm the seas, raise the dead, give sight to the blind.

He does all these things ... and nothing can stop Him from redeeming His elect people.

Be encouraged, Jose

Being a ruler

Friends,

Being a ruler carries great responsibility and privilege. When we carry out God-given authority according to His will, the results can be amazing, even awe-inspiring.

Psalm 132:11-12 NKJV
The LORD has sworn in truth to David;
He will not turn from it:
“I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body.
If your sons will keep My covenant
And My testimony which I shall teach them,
Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forevermore.”

The condition we must meet in order to experience this authority is the keeping of God's covenant. But you and I know that we cannot do so. Within minutes of waking each morning, we have broken His law. We may have grumbled at the kids. We might have yelled at the slow driver in front. Or perhaps we have given less than our very best to whatever work God has called us to perform.

Christ, though, has fulfilled every aspect of the covenant. He has broken no law. He has lived - and continues to live - a perfect life. If we have died to ourselves and now live in Him, then we are restored to the place of rulership that Adam abdicated. We are placed on the throne, at God's right hand.

Today, turn away from the imperative of pleasing yourself. Die to yourself and live in Christ.

Be encouraged, Jose

Full authority

Friends,

Every family experiences those moments of confusion as to who is really in charge. Because we are not perfect, we don't always get this right. Maybe Dad undermines Mom's rightful authority in some area... or perhaps Mom takes charge when Dad actually has the situation well in hand. Thankfully, in the family of Christ, we have can know who is our authority in every situation:

Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Throughout scriptures, the Lord's authority and sovereignty is declared, celebrated and verified. We can disagree, but that does not change the fact that God is in complete control of every event and happening and person and creature. He truly has full authority over all things, seen and unseen.

For us in our day-to-day lives, then, we are afforded a wonderful gift. The believer can truly be at peace, resting in the knowledge and confidence that the Good and Great King of kings is sovereign.

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

More than Words

Friends,

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
-- 1 Corinthians 4:20

Too many Christians talk a good game, but fail to back up their words with powerful action. Christianity is more than just kind words. The life in God is full of power and authority. Authority over principalities and afflictions. Power to overcome every obstacle and evil.

Is your life a demonstration of God's might and power and sovereignty? Or do you insist that the Lord must "make sense?" That His will for your life align with the limits of your imagination and intellect.

It is time, sisters and brothers, that we demonstrate real faith, that we take the risk of truly believing everything that God says in His word. Only then will we fulfill the promise to do "all these things and more."

Be encouraged, Jose

You need a higher authority

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it. You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Have you murdered and also taken possession?”’ And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.
1 Kings 21:17-19 (NKJV)

Naboth was just a regular guy in Israel who happened to have an inherited and choice real estate landed property that was close to the king's palace. Suddenly and as it still happens today, the powerful, the connected and the one in authority covets what you own and they bully their way to acquiring your inheritance. Naboth was murdered and killed by an overbearing ruler because he refused to let go his inheritance. What do you do when you are confronted with someone who is bigger (physically), powerful (more authority) wealthier and materially buoyant than you? You need a higher authority. A higher power who is the Creator of heaven and earth, the One who directs the hearts of kings and rulers.

The ruler's act eventually caught up with him and he paid dearly for his actions together with his household and generations. Our actions either ways have consequences. We must operate in the fear of the Lord and never take His will for our lives for granted. To be under the protection and domain of His kingdom has innumerable benefits. To make it through our earth realm, you need to have a higher authority and power over your life.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

True Authority

Friends,

The world has a warped vision of authority. To many, it is reduced to the ability to command and control others on behalf of the authority. We see this in business, politics, law enforcement, and education. We see it in dysfunctional families. But most concerning is that we see it in the church. We hear it from preachers to justify their own behavior and to encourage arrogance on the part of their congregation. And they use this scripture to back up their words ...

And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.
Deuteronomy 28:13 [NKJV]

Those who abuse others under the authority of this verse have ignored the second half. The LORD demands obedience to His word ... and His word requires humility. He declares that the last shall be first!

When we demonstrate humility, being willing to die to ourselves for the sake of our sisters and brothers, then -- and only then -- will the LORD grant us true and Godly authority.

Be encouraged, Jose