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

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

Courage in the face of the enemy

Friends,

As believers, we are under constant attack from the enemies of God. Satan and his host of fallen angels seeks to destroy His followers at every turn. The flesh is ever-ready to succumb to temptation. And the world daily expresses its hatred of Christ and His people.

We are truly faced with a ruthless and persistent enemy. And yet we can be brave.

Psalm 3:5-6
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.
NKJV

We can sleep peacefully, knowing that the LORD sustains us with the same vigor and endurance that He sustained David, the writer of these verses. No matter who was aligned themselves against God's Kingdom, we can face them. The Lord shall be victorious. And so shall we!

Be encouraged, Jose

How to be a target

Friends,

The strategies of the enemy are fairly predictable. He attacks when we are tired and weak. He distracts with busy-ness. He whispers (and shouts) lie after lie. But most insidiously, he separates believers from one another.

Proverbs 18:1
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment. [NKJV]

It is the same tactic used by predators on the hunt for their meal. Separate one from the herd and it cannot defend itself.

The enemy separates us from our fellowship, so that we are less accountable.
The enemy separates us from the Word, so that we struggle to know our Master's voice.

It is why we are commanded not forsake the fellowship of believers. It is not a suggestion. It is not a helpful hint. It is declared forcefully in God's word.

If you are under attack by the world, the flesh or the devil ... then examine your life. Are you in fellowship? Are you in corporate prayer? Are you seeking out the company of believers?

Be encouraged, Jose

No surprise ... How the world sees us

Friends,

Christians around the world continue to endure persecution. Here in the United States, what we are subjected to is barely a nuisance compared to the physical torment that our brethren experience in other countries. Nonetheless, being the butt of jokes, being ridiculed and shouted down, and being scrutinized for every slip-up is all part of the suffering which comes being part of the Body of Christ.

1 John 3:13 [NKJV]
Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

We are admonished to expect this treatment. It is evidence that the world is at war with Christ, just as our Lord told us it would be. We can look forward to His victory and ours.

Be encouraged, Jose

Faithful in what has been given

Friends,

Have you been given a ministry? Are you diligent to fulfill that ministry, no matter how small or unnoticeable? Do you find yourself frustrated because your small work seems to have no impact?

Consider the legacy of Shamgar:

Judges 3:31
After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel. [NKJV]

This man is not prominent in Israel. It seems he is a simple farmer, tending to the small piece of ground under his stewardship. He is armed with nothing but an ox goad ... what, in our day, might be called a cattle prod.

You may be interested to understand that this tool is actually a 2-edged, sword-like implement. And with this 2-edged sword, Shamgar killed 600 enemy soldiers. In so doing, he delivered the people of God.

What small piece of earth has the LORD given you to tend?
Do you allow the enemy to pass through unmolested?
Do you realize that you have the same armament in your possession as this hero of the Bible?

And now, what are you going to do with it?

Be encouraged, Jose

Stay focused

4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
2 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV)

The legitimate concerns of everyday living are numerous and they do compete for our attention and energies, however the bigger picture must always be our main perspective. We must never lose sight of this for our mission must be Kingdom driven and we must remain conscious and focused as the plan to strip us of our focus and energies is intense and fierce. We must not slack concerning our calling neither must we shrink in our responsibilities in the front-lines in our daily battle with the adversary that use all sort of subtle, direct and indirect means to sway the brethren and dissuade believers from simple truths.

As we engage our world, we must ensure that our actions, thoughts, intentions, moves and all we do are geared towards pleasing Him that have enlisted us and accorded us this unique opportunity and undeserved grace to be part of His Army and witnesses.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi