Closer than ever before

Friends,

This past weekend, my wife and I were talking about how we have both been somewhat lax in our prayer life. It is not that we have neglected to go to the the Lord in all matters. But rather, we have been busily talking to God, but not diligent and purposeful in listening to Him.

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
1 Peter 4:7 [NKJV]

Brothers and sisters, the LORD has promised that He will bring an end to all things, and that He will bring all men before Him to give an account. The time is now; we haven't a moment to lose! Stop and be purposeful to find the time ... each day ... to listen for what the LORD is saying to you.

Be encouraged, Jose

Kingdom-driven

In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
John 4:31-34 (NKJV)

He mingled with the lost, the outcast and rejected ones in the society. He connected with His calling, mission and purpose. He went on for long periods without food. He became self-sustaining through the energy exuded and passion from fulfilling these. Even His disciplines were confounded at His strange strength and stamina He exhibited and His showing of no signs of weariness or tiredness. The Lord was about the Father's business. Raising armies and witnesses and increasing the cause of God's kingdom among all.

What keeps you going? What do you live for? Living and struggling for things with no 'eternal value' will be most unfortunate. The Lord was only pre-occupied with sharing and spreading the good news, healing the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to the captives, and setting those that were bound free. Does any of these ignite a passion in you?

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Let's Get Healthy

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10 [KJV]

Christ came to heal the sick, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and to lead the lost back to God. As we read the story of Zacchaeus, we realize that the speed of his recovery was to recognize that he was not healthy in the first place. For us, that could be the trouble sometimes, we cannot come to terms with the fact that we are sick and need some help. We will continue to go through life with our struggles leading us around instead of turning to Christ and getting healthy. So, let's turn to Christ and get healthy for the new year.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Still complaining?

I sat down in the course of the week to watch some of the News networks confounded and lost with the amount of devastation that rocked the country of Haiti after the recent incidents of the earthquake and Aftershock effects. Then the coverage of a band of brothers and sisters and remnants of a family taking resident on one of the roads were shown doing something. They had lost loved ones, family members, their life's possessions, their homes, dignity and even most of their country. Yet they were not on the road sulking, whining or asking why, they were making music with scraps, mangled iron and plastic from the disaster, singing and praising God that some of them were still alive.

For in death there is no remembrance of You;In the grave who will give You thanks?
Psalm 6:5 (NKJV)

Friends, this was indeed another dimension of life and its futility. As rain fell on the rich and poor, so the quake shook and crumbled the castles and the shanties, the best of man couldn't stand against the momentary shaking of nature. Father, we will rather serve and thank you than take anything for granted.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

From affliction into seeking

Friends,

I will return again to My place
Till they acknowledge their offense.
Then they will seek My face;
In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.
Hosea 5:15 [NKJV]

Are you afflicted today?
Will you then seek the LORD?

Perhaps you have been fervently following a seemingly holy doctrine, but it is not of God.
Perhaps you have been cultivating a secret, comforting sin that remains yet unconfessed.

The LORD will use any and every means to bring His children back to Himself. Remain stubborn no longer and, instead, listen and obey the voice of the Great Shepherd. In that obedience, you shall find deliverance.

Be encouraged, Jose

Bible studies published: Hosea

Friends,

There are new Bible studies posted on our web site ... Bible Study Audio. The latest additions are the last two sessions from our study of Hosea.

I pray you are blessed by them.

Be encouraged, Jose

He will Restore

Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
1 Samuel 30:4-6,8 (NKJV)

When the strong man in us is distracted, subdued or disengaged, the adversary takes advantage of this window of opportunity to debilitate, wreck havoc and take us and our treasures hostage. This was exactly what King David experienced in the hands of the Amelikites. A brief moment of grief and sober reflection may be in order, but to move on, David had to strengthen himself in the Lord after which he received power and stamina with a new strategy. David did the right thing; He went to Him who had the answer and blueprint of tomorrow and his future…

So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. 19 And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.
1 Samuel 30:18-19 (NKJV)

Have you suffered or experienced loss lately, have the grain and wine of your field been decimated lately? Turn to your Creator and seek His strength and play your part in obedience, He's able to recover and restore all that may have been carted away, but our obedience and trust in Him must be total.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi Oghafua

Vision

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18 [KJV]

The vision is the important part of moving forward in life. Vision provides the destination and direction. Vision is a integral part of the Christian walk. We need to have a vision or we will perish.

Our vision should be inspired by God and what He wants for us. He has a goal for each of us. We have our own goals and when our goals match God's goals, we can see the vision that God has for us come true. When our goals and God's goals don't match well, issues are sure to arise. Let God direct us toward our vision. He will be able to provide just what we need, when we need it!

Be Encouraged

Martin

By Faith

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith
Romans 1:16-17 NKJV

Apostle Paul in his days was accosted by many, some came to hear him speak, some with a different intent, but the power of the word of God goes to work in any heart that is open to it and is able to receive it. Being unashamed to speak the word and act the word in a hostile world is an hallmark of a believer in the 21st century. You may or will be detested and scorned for your hard-line postures most times, but because your agenda is not to prove self but to love and woo all to salvation and love of Christ. To as many that are able to receive and believe the truth of the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed in them giving them the secret of successful living.... The just shall live by faith, not by what we are able to amass or our strength, or what we have. Everything, including life is a passing vapor which is visible one time and invisible the next moment.

Live your life on faith. In it is power and revelation to full life. Faith in the Creator who is able and true forever more.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Return now

Friends,

For too long, God's people have wandered about listlessly. We have ignored the clear and consistent voice of our God and King.

Come, and let us return to the LORD;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
Hosea 6:1 [NKJV]

Are His chastisements in vain?
Must His rebukes continue to fall on deaf ears?

Sisters and brothers, the Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy. He is also holy and completely righteous. If we are who we claim to be, then we must obey His call that we repent from worldliness.

Let today be the day that we walk according to the Spirit of God.

Be encouraged, Jose

New Years Day study published

Our Bible study group gathered this year to celebrate the start of new year. An integral part of that fellowship and celebration is the bringing forth of God's word. This year, we recorded it and have published it on the Bible Study website.

Take some time soon to listen to this powerful revelation from the scriptures.

Be encouraged, Jose

New Bible Studies posted

Friends,

Please be sure to check the Bible Study Audio website for new studies. I published Hosea, Parts 4 and 5, over the weekend. And Numbers, parts 21 & 22 were posted last night.

Be encouraged, Jose

Never out of His reach

Friends,

Did you know that the LORD is patient beyond our imagination?

Hosea 3:5
Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days. [NKJV]

In the days of the prophet Hosea, the LORD promised the children of Israel that, after they had lived in their sin for generations, they would return to Him. It was not that they had committed to return, but rather it is that the LORD will make absolutely sure to bring His people back to Himself.

Things have not changed.
The people of God still live in only partial obedience to the LORD.
And the LORD is still completely and totally committed to ensuring that His people will be brought back to Him.

Be encouraged, Jose

Make it about Him, not you

“Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, “Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered? Have the gods of the nations delivered those whom my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?’”
2 Kings 19:10-13 (NKJV)

Sounds familiar, hun? You've watched all the cable news and networks and the airwaves. Its the news of the terror in the air, the pervading recession, the lost jobs, punctured destinies, shattered nest eggs, market implosions, a comatose but slowly recovering world economy, daily threats of losing the remnants of your treasures. And as if the rain of dread and the deficiency of 'good news' isn't enough, then you receive the letter like Hezekiah below....

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: “O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone.”
2 Kings 19:14-19 (NKJV)

For every turn in our life there is an action needed for breakthrough. You can only smile in front of a closed door when you have the key. Halleluyah!!!!! Hezekiah upon receiving the letter did not reach out to anyone like he did previously (read 2 Kings 19), he took the world's letter to the Living God and stated his case. Hezekiah made it about God not himself or his nation. With a steady relationship with your Creator, make this your core strategy to deal with all issues of your time.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Firm Foundation

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:24-27 [KJV]

Building a firm foundation is very important in all that we do. That firm foundation gives us a place of security during those times that events are not going our way. We know that the events are temporary and do not change our place with Christ. We must be sure that we place our faith in a solid and steady force and leave that belief to chance.

We are challenged everyday with items designed to chip away at our foundation, but we must hold on to the notion that as we rest in Christ, our foundation is secure. Let us know that God has an ultimate plan that includes our path and destination. We must believe that He also has the ability to bring us through any adversity. Now, our belief is our issue, because God can do anything He chooses. He can deliver with our belief or not, but our belief helps our outlook on the future. Pray for the events that are occurring around the world today that God will show His Love and Compassion to all.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

What confidence?

Then the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: “What confidence is this in which you trust? You speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. And in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me? Now look! You are trusting in the staff of this broken reed, Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it.
2 Kings 18:19-21 (NKJV)

Now the nation of Israel had been waylaid and boxed to a corner. The King of Assyria held them hostage and requested a ransom from the nation. King Hezekiah paid this stripping himself and the nation of valuable treasures even from the Lord's temple (2 Kings 18:14-16) in the process. But the adversary comes to steal, kill and destroy. As if that wasn't enough, the Assyrian king intended to run over and take Jerusalem captive. Like in modern warfare, he embarked on a comprehensive propaganda campaign to frighten and terrify King Hezekiah and its territory to submission.

Has any of the gods of the nations at all delivered its land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim and Hena and Ivah? Indeed, have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?
2 Kings 18:33-35 (NKJV)

Even when the odds and numbers may not line up in your favor. The stats and polls may be at their lowest numbers, but they that trust in the Lord shall be like mount Zion that cannot be moved. When you know and are conscious of the One in whom you trust, then you can have peace and confidence that makes no sense to most.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

How close?

Friends,

Three of our five senses can be used at a distance. Each of us can smell, hear and see things from a distance. The sense of touch requires closeness, but we can touch something without letting it inside of us.

Taste is different.
Nothing can be tasted from a distance. In order to taste something, we must allow it to enter inside of us. It is the most intimate of experiences.

1 Peter 2:3
if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. [NKJV]

Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! [NKJV]

How close do you want to be the Lord? Close enough to taste Him?

Be encouraged, Jose

The goal during affliction

Friends,

In this world, we are sure to encounter great affliction. We will be persecuted for our faith. We will endure suffering because we will not accept the "shortcuts" of this world. We will be targeted for attack because we will tolerate sin.

1 Peter 2:20b-21
But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. [NKJV]

We can read about what Christ endured in obedience to the Father. There may even come a time when we will experience a tiny bit of that same suffering.

But remember, sisters and brothers, that when we do, we are finally fulfilling what we are meant to be ... the very image and likeness of Christ our King.

Be encouraged, Jose

Humble yourself

So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts 12:21-24 (NKJV)

The Lord will not share His glory with no one, not even a mere mortal being. All glory must and will always belong to Jehovah God. As custodians of Heaven's resources, we must never take ownership and forget who the real source of the resources are. King Herod crossed the line, he missed it to his own peril. When men even make mini god out of you and your resources, it is a fast forward route to damnation and destruction.

I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.
Isaiah 42:8 (NKJV)

The proud and haughty will not stand before the living God. Every person, people and nation that will not honor God must be ready to face the portion of the proud. Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Don't die in sin

Friends,

There is no reason for a man to die in his sin. The Lord has declared the Way, and it is in Christ. If there is the one and only way to escape the wrath of God and to enter into His Kingdom, why would anyone refuse to take it?

Ezekiel 18:31: Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed,
and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
For why should you die,
O house of Israel? [NKJV]

Christ, by His work at Calvary, has done the hard work of casting away all of our transgressions. Only a stubborn man would seek to hold onto them! And in that stubbornness, that man refuses to enter into a peace with His Creator. And all who refuse peace remain at war ... a war which they are certain to lose.

But we who have accepted Christ, who have seen our transgressions flung to the farthest edge of the universe, are at peace. We shall not die in our sin. We shall die in the righteousness of Christ.

Be encouraged, Jose

New Year - New Start - Same God

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Hebrews 13:8-9 [KJV]

With the start of the new year, we all look to start fresh, make resolutions about things that we decided that we need to do differently. However, I am pleased to report that Jesus Christ is the same. He is unchanging and unwavering.

With the changes, we hope to make in the new year, we know that the one constant is Christ. So as we begin a new year and ready to start new habits and break old habits. Remember that to start something new as a habit, we have to do it 40 times in a row. Also, if we are breaking a habit, we need to replace it with something else or we will be in a worse state. Remember the message from Christ concerning this:

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Matthew 12:43-45 [KJV]

So add something new to replace the habits, like praying, reading the Bible, writing a devotion, recording thoughts in a journal. Fill that space with something that will reflect your devotion to God.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

They said Shut-up!!!

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart
Luke 18:1 (NKJV)

These were the words of the Lord Himself, that all men ought to pray and never lose hope or resign to any situation as helpless. Yes we will go through seasons of vulnerability, times we know we won't make it unless God intervenes. Yes during these times, even in our weakness we ought not cease in our prayers and supplications. The blind man on the road to Jericho was told to shut up. Contrary to the obstacles and human roadblocks before him, this brother was relentless. Relentless in his spirit, prayers, fasting, and seeking of the Lord to the point the Lord stood still and responded to him.

Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him.
Luke 18:35-40 (NKJV)

The prayer-less option is not option us, and when the world in all its scheme becomes a constraint or obstacle, we must not relent, we can't be shutdown. The one fight we can't give up on is this. On our knees we will do battle until Heaven stands still on our behalf.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Where are you sowing?

Friends,

With each day, each hour and each and every breath, we are sowing. Seed is being distributed whether we realize it or not. But what does that ground look like? Is the ground fertile and ready to bear fruit for the Kingdom? Or is it ground that will bring forth thorns and thistles? God is telling you and me to stop taking this question lightly:

3 For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem:
"Break up your fallow ground,
And do not sow among thorns."
Jeremiah 4:3 [NKJV]

But the typical believer might ask ...

How am I sowing seed to thorns?
I tithe!

Don't you realize, dear brothers and sisters, that we are sowing seed to thorny ground when we devote excess time and energy to things of the flesh. We are sowing seed to thorny ground when we fret and worry over our jobs and finances. We are sowing seed to thorny ground when we pray fervently for self-centered gain.

Stop that.

Our Father in Heaven knows full well that we need food, shelter and clothing. He will provide all of these things according to His bounty and wisdom. We need not worry over them nor should we devote excessive time and energy to acquiring them.

Instead, devote time and energy and focus and attention to learning the character of Christ, that we might be transformed into His image. In that way, we will finally begin to truly seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Be encouraged, Jose

The goal of faith

Friends,

What is the goal of your faith?

Is it to live a better, more moral life?
Is it ease your conscience?
Is it part of your search for peace and tranquility?
Is it your antidote to despair and hopelessness?

In and of themselves, these are wonderful outcomes of genuine and authentic faith in Christ Jesus. But they are not the ultimate aim of His quickening.

receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:9 [NKJV]

Salvation.

This is the high-note of the Gospel. It is the only goal worth pursuing. With salvation, everything has meaning; every day has hope; every word can edify and transform. With salvation, we have confidence in eternal life. Without salvation, though, everything is dead, worthless and subject to the inevitability of time and death.

On this day, pray that the Lord make this your compelling vision. Pursue the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. For these are the greatest gifts.

Be encouraged, Jose