One Act

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV)

No sooner have we left our transient challenging season behind, we forget easily how life can deal us with another side of the coin, exposing our vulnerabilities and frailties. The strong is seen as weak and powerless, the wise is made to look like the ignorant. In all these things, the Lord keeps His grace over all. As many continue to confront and face their issues and challenges, it is our duty as members of the same body to continue to lift each other up in any way we can.

Let us continue to exhort, encourage, and consider each other in love and good works. The body is stronger and more effective when we act as one.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

New Beginnings

And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go. Jeremiah 40:4 [KJV]





Sometimes in our new beginnings, we are left to make a choice. God has cleared us from all past grievances and sins and given us a clean slate. Where we go from there is our choice. Like the children of Israel standing at the crossroads, they had a choice to make. Before they made the choice, the consequences of both choices were explained.





God does that for us as well. He gives us the choice and the consequences of our free will. What we do with that information is up to us. We can allow many outside influences to change our minds and influence our direction. We can also change our minds about what we are going to do. We can resist the influence of others and follow the influence of God to make sure that we reap the benefits of making the right choice on our new path. God is always at the ready for us to repent and turn to Him. His Ways are not our ways but His Beginnings can be our new beginnings.





Be Encouraged,





Martin

Got a Shepherd?

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:2-3 (NKJV)

When I gave it all, I gave it all and His hand came over me. Even though this hand may be unseen to many, the omnipresent, caring, guiding, securing and compassionate Hand keeps me in all things. Through it I find uncommon rest for my soul, He loads me with daily benefits, enough for the tasks and needs of the day. While I wait and rest, He gives me restoration, a new perspective, a new idea and a strategy as well.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:29-30 (NKJV)

When you have a Good Shepherd, He makes your burden light and yoke easy, but you have to give it all to Him and not hold back to experience this. He is faithful.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Declare God's Works

Friends,

These hard times have left no one untouched. All of us are feeling it, and know others who are affected by them, as well. For the believer, however, we know that there is nothing done in vain. The LORD has a perfect and holy purpose for everything.

Psalm 118:17-18 [NKJV] 
 I shall not die, but live, 
 	 And declare the works of the LORD. 
 The LORD has chastened me severely, 
 	 But He has not given me over to death. 

We don't often know why we experience what we experience. However, we can be confident that it serves God's purpose, even when we do not fully understand His plans. And because we know that these things serve His perfect will, we can trust that they are good.

We know that all of the works of God work together for our good ... for life. We know this because He said so. And therefore, once we have endured these current hardships, and when we come out on the other side (wherever and whenever that is) we can declare the great and wondrous works of our LORD!

Be encouraged, Jose

Trying to add to God's work

Friends,

Ecclesiastes 3:14 [NKJV]

I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.

Have you ever noticed that whenever a particular event is highly impactful, the first thing everyone wants to do is to replicate it? The conversation often goes something like this ... That was great! Let's do this every year!

Then, somewhere along the line, it becomes an obligation ... and a burden. And this is what happens whenever man tries to add to what God has ordained.

At Calvary, Christ fulfilled all of the annual feasts that the Lord describes in the books Exodus and Leviticus. In doing so, He obliterated the need to slaughter lambs, chickens or any other creature as a sacrifice. The symbolism of the Passover meal is made real in Jesus' life and death and resurrection. By repeating it every Spring, man is trying to add to what Christ Jesus declared (in John 19:30) to be finished.

Sisters and brothers, it is time to take a close look at our traditions, rites and rituals. How many of them claim to lead us to Christ, but instead lead us into stress and into submission to the world's expectations? There is no reason for the true follower of Christ to be distracted away from His voice by these or any man-made traditions. To follow His voice is follow the path to peace and blessing.

Be encouraged, Jose

Produce fruits

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
John 15:5-7 (NKJV)

Except we abide in Him, we can do nothing. How true this is! Ever tried to figure out life on your own terms? The complexity of life usually overwhelms us so much that our fragile and delicate nature is soon exposed. Hence no matter how smart and knowledgeable we get, we must not forget the source. Our eternal attachment to that source is key and critical. Only by ‘being and remaining’ attached to Him can we be able to produce fruit.

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:8 (NKJV)

In our fruit production (Galatians 5:22-23) is the Father glorified. Hence we must get busy and productive with Kingdom business. When we do, we produce what elates and glorify our Maker. Get busy, get productive and

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Prayer Request

 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Psalm 66:18-20 [KJV]

As these times are continually changing, we are always hearing prayer request or asking for our own  prayer request.  How do we react?  Do we pray immediately?  Do we file it away for later?  How would we want them to pray for us?  

I know that when I am in need, I want my help to come soon.  Because I feel that power of prayer when someone lifts my name before the Lord, I want to be able to answer the prayer request quickly.  I also know that it is good to have someone wait for a special prayer time and lift your name before the Lord as well.  

One wrong way to answer a prayer request is not to talk to the Lord at all about the issue.  The other is not to believe that God can intervene.  When we believe that God will, God can. When we believe that God can, God will.  Let us make sure that we take action when we hear prayer requests.  Let us make sure that we believe that God will take action on our request.  Let us make sure that we do not forget to talk to God about everything.  Nothing is too large or too small to seek God's help. As we pray, remember that God will watch over and care for us.  Prayer requests will always make sense when we believe.

Be Encouraged,

Martin