Sow your seed

“Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 13:3-8 (NKJV)

The sower is out in the world to sow seed in the hearts of men and women. Many will reject and be hostile to the sown seed, while many will take it for face value, describing it as desirable but lacking any commitment to it. Others will stunt the growth of the seed with legitimate concerns of life, while the reception of others to the seed will nurture the seed to fullness resulting in abundance to all sufficiency.

Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12 (NKJV)

Are you good ground for the sown seed? To yield to abundance and all sufficiency, the ground must be good for nurturing and conducive for the seed to thrive to full potential.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

No Condemnation

Friends,

With each step that we take in this fallen world, we risk slipping, knowingly or not, into sin. With each sin we commit, we risk falling into the trap of self-recrimination and self-condemnation. This is because, when we realize that we have sinned, those who truly love the Lord will recall the price that Christ paid for that sin. We are reminded of how our Father is wounded by our disobedience.

But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
1 Corinthians 11:21 [NKJV]

God calls us to remember our thoughts, words and deeds for a specific purpose. He wants - like any good father - to chasten us, correct us, to grow us up. He has no desire that His children fall under His judgment. Therefore, when He brings to mind our shortcomings, it is specifically to prevent us from condemnation.

Examine your conscience and remember your sins, brothers and sisters. Remember them so that you would repent of them and thank God for His mercy and kindness in spite of them. Remember them ... that you would be reminded of Christ!

Be encouraged, Jose

Free from death

Friends,

Christ has defeated death, and we who are in Christ are the beneficiaries of that victory.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
Numbers 21:8-9 [NKJV]

Those who have studied scripture will see that the bronze serpent is a representation of Christ enduring the judgment on our behalf. It is lifted high, as Christ was at Calvary, and all who look upon it are protected from death. Notice, however, that they still get bitten.

Sisters and brothers, we live in a fallen world (in case you had forgotten!). The enemy seeks every day to attack the sons of God through any and all means available. At times, we will feel the sting of injury because of our own stumbling. At other times it will be the result of the ever-present spiritual warfare that is raging around us. Either way, it hurts. Either way, it is quite unpleasant.

Either way, we look to Christ for our survival, our revival our confidence and our salvation.

Be encouraged, Jose

Peace in Him

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NKJV)

The pursuit of life, happiness and our dreams on our own can be a draining and sapping exercise. A constant confrontation of challenges of all sorts. But to them that be in Christ, they are able to experience peace and a life with the ability to null and void all the noisome pestilence of life. Trying and challenging seasons will come, but because Christ is the anchor and centerpiece of our journey, we can relax and remain confident that all things, no matter how rough they may look presently, will work together for our good for as long as we continue to operate in His purpose.

Overcoming is guaranteed, true and lasting peace is certain, we only need to know and acknowledge upon which Rock we stand.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Temporarily

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV)

To be a recipient of God’s blessings in life and for eternity, we may often encounter pain, persecution, discomfort, inconvenience, sufferings, rejection and tough/hard times. Tough and difficult enough to make us want to quit. But our Lord Jesus Christ gave us a divine example to emulate in His ultimate sacrifice for us at the Cross of Calvary. The eternal prize is bigger than the passing challenges of the present all put together.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

It is my fervent prayer that may we find the strength to always overcome the heat of the moment, while not missing the lessons and insights from every situation.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The gathering reason

Friends,

What is your purpose for joining together in fellowship? Is it because you can't wait to tell your friends of the latest events in your life? Is it because you are excited to give some gift ... and receive the praise and approval from your friends?

Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
Do not be rash with your mouth,
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 [NKJV]

The house of God is where the LORD makes His dwelling place. It is not a physical building, but it is in the hearts and praise of His people. And so, when you gather with His people, the LORD admonishes you and me to be sober-minded and ready to hear from God ... to be prepared to be still and quiet before Him.

To listen rather than to speak. This is the way of the wise, and the true reason to come before God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Updated Bible studies

Friends,

The lessons from this past week have been posted on Bible Study Audio. As always, it is our hope and prayer that you are edified and strengthened by these lessons.

Be encouraged, Jose

Time is Precious

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
John 9:4 (NKJV)

They passed by seeing folks with different challenges, issues and problems. One of the confronted problems was that of a man blind from birth. The Disciples pondered what the cause of the problem was, asking who was responsible for the man's blind sight. Who? The parents, the guy or....? The Lord took their attention away from the unimportant to the real deal... That the works of God may be revealed to a clueless generation. Many opportunities abound in our day to showcase the works of God to our world.

Time is precious, we won't be here forever. Like the Savior stated, we must work the works of Him who sent us while it is day, for the night is coming when all works will cease. Quit acting like this is going to be forever, night is coming, let's get active and busy with Kingdom work.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Faith Exercise & Seasoning

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Mark 9:23 (NKJV)

It is generally known that a skill, talent, ability and gift that is not exercised, practiced and perfected will soon become rusty and mediocre. The same goes with our faith. How do we perfect our faith, how do we exercise our faith, do we exercise it only in good, peaceful, plentiful and tranquility times? Our best is not brought forth in just the good times.

“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
Mark 9:49-50 (NKJV)

The salt in us and our treasures are exposed when we are seasoned with fire, then will our testimony be seasoned, sure and sharable. Then our testimony can be a healing balm, comforting, touching and lifting up of the body of Christ. When your fire season arrives, do not despise, but work through your faith exercise diligently and patiently. At the end you will be better, more seasoned and be a blessing to the world and the body of Christ.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The setup

Friends,

When I was a boy, my mother used to remind me that the best way to keep something from falling was to place it on the ground. It is the same principle that protects toddlers from injury when they stumble and fall. They simply don't have that far to go.

We know that the opposite is true, as well. Old adages like, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall," come to mind. And of course, all of this wisdom has its source in the Words of the One True Wise God ...

Proverbs 16:18 [NKJV]
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride is what puffs us up, seeking to make us bigger than we are. Humility keeps us grounded in the truth.

When the truth reveals the emptiness of pride, the aftermath can be devastating. For evidence, look no further than humiliation suffered by the wives and children of adulterous celebrities. On the other hand, humility has nothing to fear from the truth.

Pride takes many subtle and not-so-subtle forms. It is certainly bravado and arrogance. And it is demanding and stubborn. But pride also keeps score. Pride is envious.

The true believer has no time for pride. Seek the LORD and beseech Him to reveal every instance of pride in your life. A life of humility is a life of peace and contentment. Seek it, by seeking Christ.

Be encouraged, Jose

Hosea Bible studies posted

The studies from the last two sessions of Hosea have been posted at Bible Study Audio. I pray you are blessed by them.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Good Purpose

Friends,

Almighty God is calling you and me to serve Him. He does not call us to serve a religion, a profession, a cause or even a country. He calls us to be available and obedient to His voice. When we hear it, we may wonder how it could be possible that we could fulfill what He has called us to do. But take comfort knowing that you and I are not the first to have such a question.

Exodus 3:11-12 [NKJV]
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Of course, the LORD used Moses, flawed as he was, in many a mighty way. He can do the same for you and for me. It may not be as dramatic as parting a sea or defeating armies of giants. But He will use us for no less glorious a purpose ...
Advancing the Kingdom of God.

Be encouraged, Jose

You know its God

1 Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
7 So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
2 Samuel 9:1,7 (NKJV)

Mephiboseth, Jonathan's son and grandson of Saul was lame at his feet, meaning he was immobile and was restrained by way of his disability, yet his life changed within 24 hours. From Lodebar to the Palace, the mind of the King was stirred and was restless until he showed kindness to anyone that fit the divine requirement in his heart... any son or daughter of the house of Saul. Such is the case when Heaven nudges someone out there to be a blessing to you and I, not because of what we did , but because someone came before us and paid our price that we may find favor and mercy in the sight of God.

May His goodness and mercy continue to follow us in all the days of our lives so we may act, dwell and flourish in His presence here on earth and up till eternity forever more, Amen.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Never go it alone

Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
Jeremiah 51:20 (KJV)

Jeremiah found strength in the God of his salvation. The words he spoke kept him going, he never slacked nor wavered. He simply operated with the Lord in the forefront of his strategies and plans. When God takes center stage in our lives, nations become vulnerable and kingdoms are reduced to objects that can be broken into pieces and destroyed. To achieve this, we must operate with the right tool, plan and strategy.

What's your plan? Who's in your strategy? How do you hold up to the kingdoms that surround and try to drown you out daily? Return to the Lord of your salvation, get strength from fellowship, relationship and connection with Him on a daily basis. Without these no one that ever went it alone came back in one piece save those with the special grace of God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Trust wisely

Friends,

There are many seemingly powerful men and women walking this earth today. In our individual careers, we have bosses and customers who may appear to have significant influence over the success of our efforts. Politicians and celebrities will claim the authority to tell us what is best for us, and even seek to impose those views on our decisions. The temptation is to seek the approval of those men and women. The temptation is also to place our trust in their "good intentions," believing that they have our best interests at heart. And of course, such trust inevitably leads to disappointment.

Psalm 118:8-9 [NKJV]
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes.

It seems quite simplistic to say ... Trust in the LORD, not in man.
Yet, it is advice that we all too frequently ignore. We allow ourselves to be caught up in the schemes and workings of people, forgetting that we serve an infinitely powerful and faithful God.

It is the LORD that keeps us.
It is the LORD who is worthy of our trust.
It is the LORD that truly has the best in store for us.

Trust in Him and Him alone. And you will never be disappointed again.

Be encouraged, Jose

What is rightfully theirs

Friends,

We live in a world that uses envy to manipulate our desires. Politicians stoke the fires of class envy to breed resentment and anger. Advertisers incite jealousy to push products that we don't really need. And the fall of man was a direct result of one man's uncontrolled desire to usurp God's authority to himself.

Exodus 20:17 [NKJV]
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.

Our Lord is a kind and generous Father. He never begrudges His children anything that is good for us. He loves to give and give and give. So much so that He sent Christ to satisfy His justice, so that He could give eternal life to you and to me.

There are things, however, that are not ours to have. When we pursue those kinds of things, we are making a conscious choice to become our own god, to determine for ourselves what is good for us. When we see it in those terms, it seems so obvious that this is really, really bad idea.

The challenge today, then, is to see covetousness in its truthful light. To see it as the horrible sin that it truly is. To turn away from that sin and to accept and be content with what our loving God and Father provides for us.

Be encouraged, Jose

Searching for the Donkeys

Now the donkeys of Kish , Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, Please take one of the servants with you, and arise go and look for the donkeys.
1 Samuel 9:3 (NKJV)

The struggles and rigors of life often get us to the point of receding in our march towards our life’s goals and objectives. We wonder if going on will make any difference at all. Kish told Saul to search for his lost donkeys. In obedience, Saul embarked on a search that took him through Mount Ephraim to the land of Shalisha and Shalim with no success in sight. (Some move from nation to nation, career to career, business to business, etc with no success in sight).

When they had come to the land of Zuph , Saul said to his servant who was with him, Come, let us return, lest my father cease caring about the donkeys and become worried about us.
1 Samuel 9:5 (NKJV)

Saul thought of giving up, but instead he persevered and traveled to Ramah, and encountered his destiny. There Samuel anointed him to be Captain over Israel . A ‘donkey search’ turned into a ‘Captain’s Anointment’. Are you searching for donkeys? Have year’s of efforts produced little or no results? Are you contemplating giving up? Saul almost did, but he went the extra mile and collided with his destiny. That’s why you must not give up.

Obedience to the Lord Almighty is crucial to reaching our God-ordained destiny in life. Holding fast to hope puts faith in action and brings about the manifestation of His work in us.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The message in the storm

Friends,

None of us are immune from carrying a secret sin around with us in our daily lives. It could be deep inside, quiet, staying hidden from obvious view, while all around life is spinning out of control.

Jonah 1:15-16 [NKJV]
So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.

Like the other men on the boat, we will have tried everything we know to do in order to calm the chaos that we cannot explain. And then, at some point, we will find the "Jonah" in our hearts and -- finally -- get rid of it.

You see, for you and me, Jonah is not a person ... Jonah is a condition of the heart. Jonah heard from God and decided that he knew better. Jonah had become his own god. And when the idolatry was expelled from their lives, the men on the ship saw that the seas ceased from their raging. They turned to the LORD and found peace and safety.

Turn to the LORD today and find that same peace that eludes you.

Be encouraged, Jose