Author: Jojo Agot

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

God Have Mercy on this Generation

On May 9, 2012, the world took on a different turn. Barack Obama made the most audacious statement ever made by a sitting President of the United States: he declared his support for same-sex marriage. America, the entire twitterverse and the blogging world were all stirred up.

On my part of the globe, though, Jessica Sanchez’ performance in American Idol and the Santiago/Tulfo airport brawl continue to be the top news people kept talking about.

The world significantly turned two days ago. History literally happened right before our own eyes. The (purportedly) most powerful nation on earth pronounced its sharp deviation from Biblical Christianity upon which almost all our institutions are derived from. And yet a broad swath of Christians are looking the other way, to celebrity scandals and reality TV shows, when we should have been moved to intense prayers, to tears, to dust and ashes and wails of mercy.

God have mercy on this generation.

Warning for Pastors

That a man is a minister is no guarantee that he shall not be cast into hell-fire! The instances of apostasy within our own ranks stare at us, like the skeletons of lost travelers, among the sands of our desert-way. No temptation has befallen them but that which is common to man. The apparitions of clerical drunkards, and the like, should forewarn us. ‘Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall!’

James Alexander: The Cultivation of Personal Piety

Cultural Relevance in Preaching

Cultural relevance in preaching is good.  I don’t want to preach to yesterday.  God has made me responsible to the actual people around me.  I like that.  I want to get better at it.  But there is more.  Shouldn’t a message from the King above make people say, “Something altogether unearthly has come to town, something from beyond ourselves, a word from a distant shore.  That’s why it’s so helpful”?

Ray Ortlund

Calm Assurance

“Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.” Genesis 13:12

Lot moved his tent towards Sodom.
Abraham moved to Hebron and built an altar to the Lord.

From the very outset of their separation, it was clear what kind of future both men were gonna have. Lot pitched his tent toward sin city. He chose the land that was near the place infamous for sin and rebellion against God. It was well known to the people of that region that Sodom and Gomorrah were wicked. Lot intentionally lived there.

Abraham chose what providence gave him. He didn’t quarrel. He didn’t need to fight his way through his destiny. He believed that God was the one who calls the shots. He knew that wherever Lot chose to dwell, he would be living in the opposite direction. He was ready for any possibility. He knew wherever providence would lead him, it would be for the best.

Calm assurance. Faith that rests in the sovereignty of God. Healthy respect for the will of the God of heaven who knew better than his clumsy choices. Abraham knew where his true riches came from. He was willing to let God have His way. Whether he was to live near Sodom or far from it, he knew his security ultimately rests in the spiritual strength of the Almighty. Continue reading Calm Assurance