Bible Studies Posted

Several of February's Bible study gatherings were canceled due for a variety of reasons, including the blizzard we had during the month. But this past week, we once again got together to resume our studies of Hosea and of Numbers. Those recordings were posted today at the Bible Study Audio website. As always, I pray you are blessed by them.

Be encouraged, Jose

Remember what Christ has done

Friends,

Hundreds of years before Christ came to live among men, the history and meaning of His life and death were sung of in the temples of Israel. King David saw that the LORD had promised a Deliverer, and that He would keep that promise. And he saw that the Deliverer, a Messiah, would be be rejected by those whom He came to save.

Psalm 23:16
For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet;

Why did Christ Jesus endure such torment at the hands of mere men? Because He saw that the prize, the reward, was worth even the most unfathomable price. Our Savior knew that the price He would pay would bring forth the great miracle of salvation, reconciling man to God ...

Psalm 23:27-28
All the ends of the world
Shall remember and turn to the LORD,
And all the families of the nations
Shall worship before You.

For the kingdom is the LORD’s,
And He rules over the nations. [NKJV]

This is what Jesus has won for those that believe on Him, follow Him and obey Him. If there is one thing you should remember today, remember this.

Be encouraged, Jose

Sleeping on the mission

All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
Jonah 1:5 (NKJV)

When we take a back seat and go on vacation on Kingdom work, we not only do ourselves a great disservice, but we also put folks around us in jeopardy,unnecessary hardship and confusion. The called cannot and must not act like the 'uncalled'. The mission for everyone is different likewise we must come head-on with our purpose mission for every call in life has a timing dimension to it.

Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonian 5:6 (NKJV)

Let us awake from scheduling kingdom work and mission according to our timing. We will spare innocent souls around us pain and anguish if we get about our mission in Him. Our life is a life redeemed for dedication to God’s work and glory; let’s pray for strength to fulfill our calling and mission. Sleeping on the mission is dangerous, the stakes for our lives are high, let’s awake to His righteousness and be about kingdom business.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Relentless pursuit of Him

I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:7-11 (NKJV)

My soul blesses the Lord for strength and divine direction. If all men knew their charts and course of life.... How full will the joy of living be. But not even knowing it should be reason to live life more according to God's divine direction for us. Living by His instructions brings too many benefits to be easily passed up.

The Lord is a rewarder of them that 'diligently' seek Him, not just to quench the thirst, hunger or need for a season, but for a more intimate relationship. In His words are assurances that are invaluable and priceless. When we seek Him continuously and relentlessly, He's able to show us the path of life where true pleasures abound forever more. Relentless pursuit of Him is simply living smart.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The righteous pursuit

Friends,

In the course of daily life, each one of us has to fight the urge to spend our time and energy on the things of this world. In that battle, we would do well to remember what happens to all worldly items ...
Prestige fades away.
Possessions rot and rust.
Power is a fallacy.

And even more, Almighty God sets His hand against those who pursue these things:

Arise, O LORD,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
With Your hand from men, O LORD,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.
Psalm 17:13-14 [NKJV]

The Spirit of God inspired David to write these words in a prayer, knowing that the LORD will rise up against every man who make their portion in this life, at the expense of eternal life. God sees that as idolatry, worshiping the created things instead of the Creator.

Only the LORD is truly worthy of worship and praise. And only His presence is worth the energy of pursuit. Seek Him, brothers and sisters, and He will show Himself mighty to you.

Be encouraged, Jose

Towards perfection

Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) and He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:9-16 (NKJV)

Your stand must not be a wishy washy one, neither must you be sorry for what you believe in. The plans of men are dubiously cunning. They will shade the truth and embellish lies and deceit, and re-package it as the truth. The purposes and mission of God are clear and simple. To grow, strengthen and empower the body of believers and their influence while here. But the Lord is also quick to give us a heads up about the schemes and trickery of men. Hence in a continuously hostile world, he that stands must stand firm lest he be tossed around like chaff by the influences of the world.

Abilities and talents for the work of ministry, edifying the body of Christ, coming to the fullness of knowledge of Him and that level of perfection must be our driving motivation. When we are driven by these, we are anchored to God's purpose and will never be a victim of the adversary's schemes and device to steal, kill and destroy us and our treasures.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

By Purpose

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Truly, the promises of God are certain and gets fulfilled for His purpose. We may live our lives by accident, default or driven by a plan and purpose. At the end, all things we are told work together for the good of those whose heart is after God and aligned with His purpose. To do otherwise and expect things to work together for our good is like playing lottery and gambling precious moments and life away..

God is a God of integrity, one who follows through with His purpose. Likewise we that have been created in His image must live a life of purpose and not live just for the moment and in the flow of the world. The life we live must be meaningful and purposeful and not just a wandering generality, but one that will be a showcase for Jehovah God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The yoke of our Lord

Friends,

The path to true rest and peace is Christ Jesus. When burdens are heavy and the circumstances of life become overwhelming, we know that we can rest in Jesus. We know that we do not walk alone.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. [NKJV]

We quote these famous verses so easily, but have we stopped to examine what our Lord is really saying? What is this yoke that He calls us to take?

Luke 9:23
Then He said to them all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. [NKJV]

The only way to find the relief that we so desperately seek is to take up Christ's yoke ... the cross. Deny the self and live only for the Lord. Obey His voice, and not the voice of the world. The Law that Jesus has fulfilled is not a heavy burden for those who walk according to the Spirit.

Be encouraged, Jose

Hope of glory

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV)

Hope as it is described here in the scriptures is not a get rich scheme or a believe now or receive today and your cares and worries will just disappear into thin air tomorrow like some preachers do to con unsuspecting believers and non-believers. Our faith gives us access to peace which defies the common thinking of men even when things don't look normal to the outside world, yet when we experience peace, they just don't get it and it makes no sense to the world because through our faith we have access to divine grace, which keeps and propel us to that hope of glory.

The process is deep and not a superficial one. Daily challenges exerts perseverance in us which through grace we are able to overcome all odds with an outcome of a character that enables us sail through the tortuous moments of life without drowning and losing out on the battles and rigors of life. Our hope is not predicated on the material but on the divine promise and covenant of glory.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Never lacking

Friends,

Each one of us has experienced these economically hard times in unique ways. Some have lost a little, others have lost much. And, unfortunately, some have decided to use God's word to promise material wealth as if it were an entitlement. They will use a verse like this one ...

Psalm 37:25 [NKJV]
I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.

Indeed, the word of God is true and can be depended upon. You will never hear me say otherwise. And yet, does this verse promise you or me a new car? a new wardrobe? or a new anything?

The LORD promises that we, His beloved children, will have what we need. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will always make Himself available to us ... holding nothing back. This, dear brothers and sisters, is true prosperity. We have been granted heavenly riches that can neither be stolen nor destroyed. Stop focusing on that which you cannot keep. Start focusing on that which can never be taken away.

Be encouraged, Jose

A great calm

Friends,

Unless you are a commercial fisherman, it is difficult to imagine the kind of storm that Jesus and His disciples encountered on the way to the Gadarene country. They were in a small boat, crossing a deep and open sea. When the wind picks up, there is nothing slow it down. And the seas crash together with a ferocity that will shake even the most hardy of men. The wind whips the rain into your face so hard that it stings; it blows so hard you can't even hear your own voice.

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,
Peace, be still!
And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:29 [NKJV]

And there was a great calm.

Ponder that for a moment.
In one moment there was Terror. Fear. Opposition. Chaos. Pain. Uncertainty.
In the next moment... there was a great calm.

That is the power of Christ's voice. His power has not diminished since that day 2,000 years ago. And no matter how violent and terrifying the storms are in your life today, a single word from our Lord will have the same effect.

There will be a great calm.

Be encouraged, Jose

Listen up

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)

Everyday we face daily challenges and struggles and we seek the way forward on these. To the informed and believer, we just let go and let God. However, our capabilities and exigencies and realities of the moment may prompt us to thinking self can handle all. How wrong!!! Coupled with that, the influences of global media and culture can come across as intense noise and distraction to our soul, most times drowning that knock on the door of our heart, that beckon and call for continuous eternal partnership. Unless we listen up and respond by letting the King of Glory to come in, there can't be any lifting up, nor can there be the opening of doors.

In your heart, He knocks everyday, open up to the King of glory as He's able to navigate the course of your life for good. With Him, you are always in good hands.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Fear of disapproval

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mathew 3:7 (NKJV)

Both the Lord Jesus Christ and His fore runner John the baptist loved with a big heart and they never withdrew His rod of chastisement. They never shrunk from the truth even when it was inconvenient and unpopular. In our relationships with our world, do we play hypocrisy or just love our folks in truth? loving and chastising as appropriate?

When you arrest and bind the phobia for disapproval, love can flow naturally and inhibited. The God we serve is this love.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Search and destroy

Friends,

What is the easy way for sin to entrap any one of us? By tempting the believer with what he might desire but is forbidden to pursue.

2 Peter 2:3
By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. [NKJV]

Brothers and sisters, examine your heart today. Understand that we are most vulnerable to temptation when we are offered that which we might covet.

What, then, is the answer?

Search and destroy.
Find any root or residue of covetousness in your heart and eliminate it. By doing so, you will following the word of the lord and enjoying the blessings of obedience.

Be encouraged, Jose