Training for the Real Race

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. I Corinthians 9:24 [KJV]

A friend of mine once asked, why do we expect that when we only go to the gym only once a month, to have the same shape, stamina and mindset of someone who goes daily to train and exercise. So, let's move that example to our spiritual life. We expect to get a better understanding by only going to church once a month, maybe and praying only over meals and never picking up the bible. My simple question to everyone including me is How?

In order to run this race, we must prepare to run. In preparing to run, we must train our spiritual bodies. We must study the Word, pray and commune with God, and fellowship with other saints for strengthening. For the fellowship, not just church, but other places where the social interaction of saints can truly edify (I like that word) the spirits of both. Think about how much better we feel when we have spent time with others who believe like we do and are able to share their experiences with us. To run the real race, we must do those things that will prepare us for the marathon and not the sprint.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Plenty, but not too much for God

Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
Luke 8:26-33 (NKJV)

This man had been possessed, tossed, manipulated, tormented and under a free-fall use by demons and the adversary. They even seized him and made him out of touch with life and made his place tombs in the wilderness. Some today continue to be hounded by unrelenting attacks of the adversary causing them to unconsciously give in under the constant pressure, stress and numbers of their attackers and challenges. The Lord saw this man of Gadarenes and asked what his name was, instead the tormentors and demons responded... Legion (plenty).

As soon as they hear of me they obey me; The foreigners submit to me. The foreigners fade away, and come frightened from their hideouts.
Psalm 18:44-46 (NKJV)

Their numbers couldn't stand before the King of kings. They quivered, trembled and came out of their hiding places and strongholds from which they tormented and dominated. They faded away at the presence of the son of God. As long as we continue to operate in the Lord's presence, strangers, cultures, influences, etc with any evil agenda will not have a way around us. They may be many, but one with God will always be in the majority and overcome.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Once and for all

Friends,

Modern Jews are observing Yom Kippur today, marking their remembrance of the day of atonement. In the desert, the LORD told His people that, when they crossed into their land, they would follow this ritual to remind them that only God is capable of fulfilling all of the precepts of the Law.

And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.
Exodus 30:10 [NKJV]

The death of this animal foreshadows the death of the Messiah. Christ's death made atonement for our sins.

There is a difference, however. Christ died once and conquered death for all time. Since He conquered it, death can never again be used against Him. This turns His death into a triumphant event. For by it, the sins of His people are atoned for ... once and for all time.

Be encouraged, Jose

To those who follow

Friends,

As born-again Christians, we have a remarkable story to tell. We should consider what our Lord has done. We are commanded to do so by God's word. He exhorts you and me to truly understand His provision and protection so that we can teach those who come after us that He is the One who can be trusted:

Psalm 48:12-14 [NKJV]

Walk about Zion,
   And go all around her.
   Count her towers;
Mark well her bulwarks;
    Consider her palaces;
    That you may tell it to the generation following.
For this is God,
    Our God forever and ever;
    He will be our guide
    Even to death.

These verses require us to live in the city; which is to say... among His people. And as we live out our lives in fellowship with true believers, we will clearly see that we are in a refuge, a place of peace and safety. Our brothers and sisters are our towers, our bulwarks, our walls and our watchmen.

Be encouraged, Jose

What are you looking at?

Friends,

Each and every day, the Lord calls us to step out in faith and bring forth the Kingdom of God. Jesus told us that the Kingdom is at hand! Why then, do we behave as frightened as the Hebrew spies of old when faced with enemies that Almighty God has already vanquished:

Then they told him, and said: "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there."
Numbers 13:27-28 [NKJV]

The Lord had already told Israel that there were enemies in the land, and that He would drive them out before His people. He even sent them through Hebron, a city that Abraham had purchased and that was home to Abraham's final resting place (and from which we get the designation "Hebrews"). But instead of seeing the future that God had promised, and instead of recognizing their legitimate claim to the land, these 10 men only saw large people, large cities, and large walls.

Are we falling into the same trap?

The Lord has promised us great blessings, as well as great trials and tribulation. Are we focused only on the trials and tribulations, giving them power to stop our advance into the promises of God? Or will we instead follow in the footsteps of Caleb and Joshua, who declared in faith:

Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.
Numbers 13:30b [NKJV]

Brothers and sisters, the enemy is determined to frighten us into paralysis. He wants us to believe that he has the power to defeat the faithfulness of Almighty God. If we are to believe that God is indeed Almighty, then we must stand firm and step forward, knowing that no force of hell can stop us.

Be encouraged, Jose

Important Things

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:41-42 [KJV]

With the summer ending and the fall beginning, we have become busy like the squirrels. Many tasks to complete before the winter comes and we are all focused on preparing. In all of our focus, are we forgetting to keep in touch with God. He is always standing by waiting for us to remember that He is why we are doing as well as we are despite our ability to forget that He is still God and our personal God.

He looks after each one of us as we are His Own Children, which we are. We treat Him like pre-teens treat their parents. We love Him when we need Him or want Him to intervene on our behalf, but otherwise, if He would just let us do what we wanted everything would be OK. We know that if He did really let us go, we would be far, far, far from OK, but we still think that way. Only after a time of drifting aimlessly do we remember how our ships got direction and purpose. We listened to what Christ told Martha. We know that there is work to be done and if we focus on the good part, then we can accomplish a lot more than we ever would alone. Focus on the good part this week and next and let Christ lead through the Holy Spirit.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Why are you dirty?

Friends,

Although we have been cleansed of our sin by the blood of Christ, our journey through this world gets us dirty. And the enemy will be close by to remind us -- and God -- of our stumbles.

Zechariah 3:1-3 [NKJV]
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

The "brand plucked from the fire" refers specifically to a tool that is used to stoke and stir up a fire. As you use the tool, it gets charred and blackened by the burning wood. The Father sees this and rebukes Satan for using it to slander the saints.

But I found myself convicted by this verse. Does the mud and muck that soils my heavenly garments come as a result of serving the Kingdom or from serving me? And can't we all ask ourselves the same question?

Brothers and sisters, let us resolve to serve the Kingdom and not ourselves. Let the dirt and filth be the result of striving to serve the Lord Almighty.

Be encouraged, Jose