Grace to Serve

Friends,

And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:4 [NKJV]

Given the way he lived his life, few would have expected Aaron to be anointed as the first high priest. It would be surprising if Aaron himself believed that he was qualified for such a role. After all, it was he who presided over the golden calf incident, knowing that what he did was evil in the sight of God. Nevertheless, the LORD names Aaron as the chief high priest, anointing him in front of all the people for the critical work of temple duty.

Do you consider yourself unqualified for Kingdom service? If you are truly saved, then nothing could be further from the truth. Of course, we know that blatant, unrepentant sinfulness can be present & welcome in our lives if we expect to be used by God. But the LORD calls us to repentance. And when we truly repent, the grace of Christ Jesus is sufficient to enable us to serve as He commands.

Be encouraged, Jose

Check the fruit

Friends,

Almighty God does not want anyone to be surprised by what happens when they meet Him face to face. The way to know -- and be absolutely sure -- is to examine the fruit that we bear in our lives.

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
-- Matthew 7:18-21 [NKJV]

The connection between these verses could not be more clear. Saying "Lord, Lord" is not fruit. Obedience is fruit. Waiting upon the Lord, listening for His voice, and doing as He commands is fruit. Generosity, Longsuffering, Love, and Kindness ... these are fruits.

Examine your life today so that you are not surprised tomorrow.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Presence of God

Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
Exodus 33:15 (NKJV)

Joshua took a stand before the children of Israel and declared that if the Lord's presence will not go with them, they are better where they are instead. Joshua knew the vulnerable nature of the human mind and the strong preference of our human instincts to stray and stay out of the presence of the Lord particularly in our minds to pursue our self destructive transient desires. The presence of the Lord is what we must continually seek. The Lord also demands our attention and He will not share our mind with any other thing, issue or creature. To be God-minded is life and to do otherwise is to tow the path of destruction.

The presence of the Lord brings peace and perfect calm even in the midst of chaos. There is reassurance, uncommon confidence, guidance, fullness of joy and an instant self-correcting feature that keeps us from straying and doing dumb and destructive things. In the presence of the Lord, no worries can be a match for the assurance and peace that goes beyond human comprehension.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Way of life

He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.
Psalm 10:17 (NKJV)

In the journey of life, we often find ourselves in the avenue called hope by the intersection of Faith avenue. In these avenues or roads for ease of analysis, we are powerless (physically) in these areas and have little in predetermining our desired outcomes. Having faith and hope are all the intangible tools that we have... A very fragile but yet life changing resource that competes with the loud, ubiquitous, frightful and rampant 'human self will' that we must contend with during these seasons.

To work and walk with a plan at these places and moment spares us of waste, avoidable anguish and restlessness. Receiving and utilizing valuable instruction keeps us in the know, but to reject Godly ways and instruction is to stray and miss out of life. Receive instruction and stay in the way of life to fulfill His purpose in you.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

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

Where are all the old men?

Friends,

I've been listening to an absolutely remarkable series of podcasts over the last month or so. John Eldredge has recorded these in support of a book his ministry is releasing this spring entitled Fathered by God. His premise is that every man must pass through six stages in his life: Beloved Son, Cowboy, Warrior, Lover, King and Sage. The last stage, that of Sage struck a deep chord for me because I've come to realize that there are no old men of God in my life.

Certainly, I have several male friends in their sixties, but only two who profess to be Christian. And unfortunately, even both have confessed Christ for many years, neither has really grown to be an elder in the Body of Christ.

The role of the Sage is critical to those of us that are "coming up through the ranks," so to speak. It is so necessary to the discipleship of men that the LORD has, throughout history, specifically assigned Godly elders to various figures in Scripture:

And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me."
Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. -- 1 Samuel 3:8-9 [NKJV]

Samuel went on to anoint Saul and David as kings of Israel, counseling, rebuking, mentoring and teaching them for the rest of his days. His preparation for that role came at the feet of Eli, an old priest whose eyes were "growing dim."

The temptation is surely strong for a man, having worked for several decades, to retire to the sunshine and fairways of Florida or Arizona. But we who are in the thick of battle need you. We need you to be grown up in the LORD. We need to you be a conduit for God's word. We need someone to follow.

Wherever you are... come back. We stand ready to listen.

Be encouraged, Jose

Ransomed Heart Ministries Podcasts, click here ... Going Deeper, Podcasts

Blessing to blessing

Friends, consider this song found in the Book of Psalms ...

A Song of Ascents.
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 LORDwho made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!

Psalm 134

The writer of this psalms implores the people to "bless the LORD". And in turn, the LORD declares that He blesses His people from His holy place. It is a beautiful exchange, just as children loves their parents, and as parents lavish love and blessings on their children.

If you are seeking that incomprehensible peace and joy, then begin today by giving unrestrained praise and glory to Almighty God. Do this no matter what your present circumstances may appear to be. And without fail, He will shower blessings upon you.

Be encouraged, Jose