Wait For It!!!!!

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 [KJV]

The verse rings true to all of us. If we had not seen the goodness of God, we would have quit the race long ago. God's sustaining power allows us to be more patient and more hopeful. Because what is faith without hope. We know that God can, but we must believe that God will. He is able to strengthen us and keep us. There is an old hymn, that states that "He will carry you through". When I was younger, I liked the melody and the tune, now that I have had more life experiences, I like the words and what they really speak to my soul.

As we all live and know that God is truly able, sometimes, we have to "wait for it". The waiting time may not be as fun as we like, but the victory at the end is absolutely worth the wait. Let's not rush the time, but enjoy the process. As we do, we will understand that God absolutely is worth the wait.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

The place of obedience

[Blessings on Obedience ] “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
Deuteronomy 28:1 (NKJV)

The cares and issues of life often puts us on the spot. The adversary comes subtly to us with this known vulnerability of ours - 'the fear factor'. Our response to stimuli and situations are informed by self. Yet the Lord continually whispers and converse with us at all times with "Do not fear". Do not fear to take action by finding the place of obedience. Fear attacks our obedience, it decimates our ability to trust and ultimately derails us from the place of obedience. But the place of obedience we must all find. We must diligently seek it out and get to this place where things connect and happen to the glory of God.

At the place of obedience....
Miracles happen, Deliverance and victory collides.
Faith grows from the place of obedience.
Favor flows effortlessly from the place of obedience,

The nation of Israel and Moses obtained deliverance at the place of obedience (Red Sea)
The widow of Zarephath gained at the place of obedience (1 Kings 17)
The Master Fisherman's productivity exploded at the place of obedience after days of toil and frustration with human know-how (Peter at the letting down of the nets)
Daniel overcame his travails at the place of obedience.
Joshua and Israel recovered at the place of obedience after the humiliation of Ai.

Are you at the place of obedience? Seek it out, find it and remain there for the next move of your life and destiny. Get to the place of obedience and the One with the best direction will mount the wheels of your life and direct from there.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

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

Are you forgiven?

Friends,

Believers have reason to be joyful every moment of every day. It doesn't matter what transpires in the political, economic, military, or even social realms. Those events are hear and gone like a wisp of smoke. Therefore, we who follow Christ do not depend on them for happiness or comfort.

Our greatest joy comes from these words ...

Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.
Matthew 9:2 [NKJV]

The Christan's sins ... all of his sins ... have been forgiven. If you do not have this assurance, then know that, today, the Lord stands with arms open wide, ready to forgive you. By His grace, you will learn to obey Him, to hear Him, and to pray to Him. And by that same grace, which is sufficient for all things, you will receive comfort, joy and a peace that is beyond all understanding.

Be encouraged, Jose

Teach by Showing

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:7 [KJV]

When you teach your children about God, teachable moments happen all the time and everywhere. Let us realize what Moses told the people is still effective today. We must teach our children everywhere we go and everywhere we are. God is with us all the time and guides our lives. My wife always says that we should pick our battles so that our teaching will be well taken and more effective. Can we recognize what we should and should not do? Of course, we need to truly lean on the spirit of God to get the guidance needed to navigate this life and leave our children with the ability to live for God in a world that is not focused on God, who He is or what role He has in our lives. Let's start classes now.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

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

Higher than your mountain

Friends,

Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:1-2 [NKJV]

This is a remarkable prayer. It is not a plea to remove troubles from us. It does not give voice to a desire to escape the troubles of the present day.

It is a solemn and humble recognition that there is a place that is higher than any issue, than any obstacle, than any concern of this world. The psalmist asks Almighty God to bring him to the rock. You and I might even go so far as to capitalize the "Rock" in these verses. For it is entirely appropriate that, when our heart is overwhelmed and our vision is consumed by the mountain before us, we call upon the Lord to bring us to Himself.

The troubles may still be all around us. But we will stand upon the Rock ... and be strengthened.

Be encouraged, Jose