No place for fear

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7-9 (NKJV)

The nation of Israel had just lost a leader they have grown to know throughout that generation. A huge vacuum has been left, but the old must pass for the young to emerge and flourish. The responsibility and pressure on Joshua was immense and expectations on him seemed huge and challenging. The human mind will always crumble at the face of daunting and gigantic challenges. The All-knowing God knew he would buckle and shrink at the realities and pressures of his time; hence He gave him the roadmap plan and strategy to succeed.

The LORD is on my side;I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6 (NKJV)

Every now and then, fear must be confronted and overcome by every child of God. We must be bold, strong and courageous, lest the spirit of fear rob us of our God-given abilities and set destiny. What ever the Joshua challenges of our day, we only need to be strong and of good courage; we must never yield to fright or concerns, neither should we be anxious for nothing. For if the Lord is with us, we have no excuse to entertain fear or be afraid.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

One Hand Washes The Other

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:22-24 [KJV]

Have you ever tried to wash one hand while keeping the other one dry and out of the way? How successful were you? I know that in all the times that I have tried that, the hand never comes out as clean as I would like. The same is true with faith and no doubt. We have to have both when we go to God. Faith is believing God is who He says He is and no doubt is knowing that God will always keep His Word. I love the verse Numbers 23:19. To me, that speaks to the very essence of God and how He is completely different than man. God gives us access to His Power by asking us to "have faith and no doubt". Can we do that today and each day going forward?


God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19 [KJV]

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Unashamed

Friends,
Sometimes we fall into the trap of apologizing for God. Somehow, we get stuck on a notion that if God is good -- and He is good -- then He cannot possibly be behind events that displease us. We say, God "allowed" this one to get sick or that one lose a job. When those unpleasant circumstances arise, are we embarassed by the Lord? Be honest, brothers and sisters, for He knows the heart. Besides, my teenage kids are frequently embarassed by the things. I don't love them any less, nor am I ashamed of the things I've done to spark their emotional response. Our Heavenly Father is the perfect standard for this...

Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: Romans 11:22a (NKJV)

God never apologizes for anything He does. And God is completely sovereign over every single thing that happens. He is worthy to be praised -- and thanked -- for every event (no matter how we feel about them).

To do this is to remember and celebrate that He is good, and that all He is does is good.

Be encouraged,
José

Put fear in its place

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
Judges 6:12 (NKJV)

A prolonged condition has the ability to shape the mindset of a person. We come to accept an identity, condition or image that is totally contrary to who we are. The case of Gideon comes to mind who together with his folks had become a slave to fear and their oppressors. Because history corroborates the situation or our long-gone folks confirm it doesn't mean that we have to accept the status quo. The Lord's report to all His children is "I am with you" and His love for us is perfect and one in which there's absence of fear. The peace we get from His love and word swallows all of our concerns and worries combined. Fear must be seen for what it is and put in its right place.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Seize the opportunity

But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him. It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. 2 Samuel 10-13 (NKJV)

King David had just been forced out of his throne by his own son Absalom. He had suddenly become a fugitive in his own domain. His erstwhile subjects even switched allegiance in the blinking of an eye. His critics jeered and made fun of him, some even went as far as cursing him out. Shimei of the house of Saul cursed him out big time and made a vocation at that. David's response was amazing. Contrary to the advise of some of his loyal guards and followers, he opted to letting the man curse and using him and his curse as a point of reference to make his case before His Creator God.

When setbacks, tragedy, failure come by, we can use the opportunity to seek the Lord's grace and mercy. Even when it all looks like the tide on every side is against you, look at it with a different view, an eye to reflect on areas we may have missed it, an opportunity for a new beginning and a chance to seek His face and mercy. In all things, there is always an opportunity.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Unity Brings Strength

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? Matthew 12:25-26 [KJV]

We all know that working together, we can get more accomplished. However, in the time of me, myself and I, we all seem to have little tolerance for differences. Whether that is of people, opinions, viewpoints, etc., if there ideas are not how we would like them, then we dismiss them completely.

Timex, the watch company got their big break that way and so did a small company called Microsoft. The older, more established organizations that dismissed the ideas on which these two companies now base their businesses on, are in fierce competition with Timex and Microsoft. Can we work together so that our House, the Kingdom of God is not brought down? We must overcome our differences for the sake of Christ.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Self-importance

Friends,

It is so easy to convince ourselves of our own significance and honor. The fall of man begins with a vain attempt to take God's place of authority. Our own attempts are equally futile, and are foretold in Scripture:

For he sees wise men die;
Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish,
And leave their wealth to others.
Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever,
Their dwelling places to all generations;
They call their lands after their own names.
Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain;
He is like the beasts that perish.
Psalm 49:10-12 (NKJV)

We can and should be confident that no other creature is made in God's image, and surely we occupy a special place in our Father's heart. But let's not get too wrapped up in gaining prestige during this short time on earth. Nothing of this world will last, even if they name a building after us. But fellowship with Christ is a treasure to be desired, nurtured and chased after... for it endures forever.

Be encouraged,
José