Author: Jojo Agot

Pastor at Victory. Faculty and adviser at Every Nation Leadership Institute (ENLI). MA in Theology and Mission at Every Nation Seminary.

Impossible

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing…

Do not doubt the power of God to do something miraculous even in the lives of those who do not believe. King Cyrus of Persia was a heathen king but that did not stop God from stirring him up to issue an edict that eventually favored the small nation of Israel.

Cyrus was the king of the most powerful nation on earth at that time. In comparison, Israel was just a little piece of land in the little known corner of the vast Persian empire. In the world of ancient international politics, Israel was expendable.

But God doesn’t forget. He remembers the old promises that He spoke to the ancestors of the small Jewish nation. He could influence a heathen king and cause him to make a political move to favor His chosen people. He can wriggle through international politics just so He could fulfill an old promise.

Are you stuck in a seemingly impossible situation today? Do not despair. The God that we serve is also the God of the universe and His rule extends over the hearts of unbelieving people. He can cause other people to look upon you with favor and grace. As Don Moen’s old song says, He can “make a way where there seems to be no way.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for the impossible. Our God is never daunted nor shocked with our difficulties. Ask and it shall be given to you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened unto you [Matt. 7.7]. Such promise. Such wonderful, wonderful promise.

Regurgitate

The early church didn’t have the modern technologies we have today. There were no billboards or direct mail campaigns to announce Jesus was coming. The disciples didn’t tweet or blog the Sermon on the Mount or other messages Jesus gave during his ministry. The one thing the early church did have, however, was captivating stories worth telling. People couldn’t help but tell their friends and family all that they had seen and heard, and proclaim the redemptive work of Christ and the hope of the gospel.”

Tim Schraeder, OUTSPOKEN: Conversations on Church Communication

New Testament people had compelling stories to tell and the world was turned upside down with the stories they proclaimed. This is totally opposite of what people do today. Today, people can talk for hours and write thick books without any compelling, life-changing substance.

Years ago, when you read something that really strikes a chord in your heart, you go for introspection. You toss the idea at the back of your head a hundred times over and ponder on how it can change your life.

Today, when an idea strikes you nicely, you tweet and update your Facebook status. No more rumination, no more thinking things over. We simply regurgitate what came into our systems.

Reasons Why People Do Not Like Sports

[From Francis J. Kong’s PhilStar Column, September 24, 2011]

I was working out in a gym one time, and standing beside me was a tall guy who was smiling at me. Apparently he recognized me. I smiled back and said, “You’re so tall you must be a basketball player.” He replied, “Oh yes. I do play once in a while.”

The gym attendant looked at me with amazement. He couldn’t understand what had just happened. When the tall guy walked away, the attendant asked me, “Sir, you don’t follow basketball do you?”

“Unfortunately not,” I said, “Why?”

And the attendant replied, “That gentleman is a professional basketball player in the country! He’s a superstar – and you don’t know him?! Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

The funny thing is, I used to play basketball for my high school varsity team, until one day I realized that basketball is not for midgets like me. I’m 5’7” and a half.

I remember somebody saying that he doesn’t like sports. “I’ve had it! I quit that business once and for all,” he ranted. “You won’t be able to get me near one of those places ever again!” Here are some reasons why people won’t go to sports games:

  • Every time I watch a game, people ask me for money!
  • The people with whom I had to sit didn’t seem very friendly!
  • The seats are too hard and not at all comfortable!
  • I went to many games, but the coach never came to call on me!
  • The referee made a decision I didn’t agree with!
  • Some games go into overtime, and I get late going home!
  • The band played some numbers that I’ve never heard before!
  • It seems that games are scheduled when I want to do other things.
  • I was taken to too many games by my parents when I was growing up.
  • I don’t want to take my children to any games because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.
  • I suspected that I was sitting with some hypocrites – they really came to see their friends and what they’re wearing rather than to see the game.

You can read the whole thing HERE.