Author: Jojo Agot

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

They Only Pretended to Wait

[Meditations on Matthew 2:1-12, the visit of the Magi from the East.]

It’s curious that the first to announce the coming of the Messiah (aside from the choir of angels) were people from outside the Jewish faith. They labored to travel from a far off place to see the King of the Jews. According to some scholars, talks about The Sovereign of the World coming out of Judah was prevalent in the Middle East in those days.

Two points worth considering: First, those who came from a far place were more excited to hear the good news than those who were within the vicinity. How typical of us humans. Sometimes, those who have to take three rides are the first to come to church compared to those who live next to the church building. Continue reading They Only Pretended to Wait

We Mourn With Hope

Today I grieve at the passing away of a dear friend and sister in the Lord, Naomie Montes. She’s young, barely out of college, beautiful and smart. I’ve known her since she was in grade school. She was practically a family to me because her father, Pastor Danny Montes, allowed me to stay in their home when I was in college.

She’s gone. I received the text message early today. I cried. I called her parents, I called her aunt Ms Ruth Ramirez, I called our common friends. It’s confirmed. Continue reading We Mourn With Hope

But I’m Not Hurting Anyone!

The message of Romans 14: 23 is clear: Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

This is an indictment to all natural virtues that do not flow from a heart humbly relying on the grace of God. This also refutes the idea that a person is righteous because he is not hurting anyone. In the outside, a person could look fine but since his depravity is internal, it is possible for people around him not to know how he has sunk deeper into sin.

Why Should I Praise You, God?

CS Lewis, in his book Reflections on the Psalms, wrote about praise:

The world rings with praise—lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game—praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars.

I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds praised most, while the cranks, misfits and mal-contents praised least. Continue reading Why Should I Praise You, God?