Misplaced focus

Friends,

Over the years, my wife and I have watched the news on television with decreasing regularity. She is down to maybe once per week, and I watch sometimes once per month. Negativity, violence and controversy dominate their words, their headlines and their imagery. We simply don't need that.

But at a deeper level, none of us needs to be reminded of what the world is going through. Economic times are tough, and will likely get tougher. Wars are raging, and our leaders attempt to appease those who wage them, which only incites and encourages greater bloodshed. Politicians exploit the jealousy and covetousness of man to stoke envy and strife among our citizens.

All this happens in the midst of our Lord's amazing provision ...

Isaiah 5:2
He dug it up and cleared out its stones,
And planted it with the choicest vine.
He built a tower in its midst,
And also made a winepress in it;
So He expected it to bring forth good grapes,
But it brought forth wild grapes.
NKJV

Let's face it. The LORD has shown Himself to be phenomenally generous and patient. He has given ... and He persists in giving. Not only has He given us all we truly need for physical life on this planet, He has provided us with eternal abundance! And yet, His people choose to focus on what the world has. And His people then begin to look like the world, instead of the Father. Pastors with fancy cars and reserved parking spaces. Evangelists traveling the globe like celebrities with private jets and entourages. Ministers selling books and trinkets.

Sisters and brothers, these are not good grapes. They are not evidence of bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God. They are wild grapes, which He would be fully justified in vomiting out of His mouth.

It is time ... now ... to shake off the covetousness and jealousy that the world is propagating. Turn away from envy and the strife it begets. We have everything we need to live lives of obedience, compassion and courage. Let us not wait another moment to do so.

Be encouraged, Jose

Retain the reward

Friends,

There is an old proverb ... "Don't believe everything you hear."

In every country, culture and society, we can find men and women of high moral standards. They demonstrate great integrity. They attend church faithfully. They earn the respect of their neighbors everyday. And when they speak, those around them stop and listen.

2 John 1:7-8
For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
NKJV

It is far too easy for us, as believers, to fall prey to the logic and smooth words of people that the world holds in esteem. After all, they are respected in the community. Remember, friends, that the world hates Christ Jesus. If worldly men and women are falling over themselves to show honor and respect to someone, then chances are pretty good that they are not speaking the whole truth.

Be aware of these deceivers. You and I have every right to desire to keep the reward of salvation that Christ has earned for us. To do so, we must be watchful over the words we accept as "truth." The Lord Jesus Christ was not just another great man in our history. He is the Son of the Living God. He conquered death. He is seated at the Father's right hand. And He will return in victory to judge the living and the dead. Remember these truths and hold fast to them.

Be encouraged, Jose

Fulfill your calling

Friends,

The life and decisions of a Christian are truly simple. They may be very hard to carry out, but obedience makes the decision-making relatively easy. We know that obedience reveals our love and allegiance to the LORD. Christ tells that we demonstrate our love for Him when we listen and heed His commands.

Psalm 32:8-9
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.
NKJV

When we train a dog to come when called, we are pleased when he does so. But we are not all that surprised when a squirrel distracts him from obeying our command. A cat does not come when called either, but that never surprises me.

When our children disobey, our disappointment is much greater. We remind that that, "they know better." We ask them "how many times do I have to tell you!" And we really don't want them to answer that, do we?.

On the other hand, we take great satisfaction when we see them behave as we have taught them to, especially when it leads to some achievement, great or small. It is the same between us and our Father in Heaven.

In obedience, we actually find our highest calling. When we obey the Father, we fulfill our greatest potential as a human being. We fulfill His great expectations for us, who are made in His image and bear His Name.

Be encouraged, Jose

Come into the open

Friends,

In our study of Mark, we have been learning how the Pharisees had placed unconscionable burdens on their followers. We are seeing how they broke their own Sabbath rules in order plot evil in their hearts. Time and again, our Lord hears not only what they say with their lips, but discerns the hatred and murderous intent of their hearts. These religious leaders, who were revered in the community as pillars of piety and morality, held a dark secret ...

Jeremiah 23:24
“Can anyone hide himself in secret places,
So I shall not see him?” says the LORD;
“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.

Psalm 10:8
He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
In the secret places he murders the innocent;
His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.
- NKJV

Both of these verses contain the phrase “secret places”. It is translated from the Hebrew word mictar (pronounced mis·tär’, and we should understand it to mean a place where someone lies in wait, preparing to perpetrate a crime. Does that not perfectly describe what Christ is seeing in the religious elite of that era? On the outside, the Pharisees were holy and wholesome, demonstrating great indignation when someone challenged their teachings and fully believing that they were right. Inside their hearts, though, they waited secretly to accuse Christ and put Him to death.

We know, of course, how those events unfolded. Jesus went to the cross at the hour appointed by the Father (not the Pharisees). The Pharisees, along with many others, were used as God's instrument in that drama. And therefore their hearts were revealed as evil.

Today would be a good day for each of us to examine our own hearts.
As believers, perhaps we are outwardly moral and upright, but inwardly we may be harboring unforgiveness, bitterness or malice towards another. It can happen with surprising ease. It only takes a momentary lapse of concentration and vigilance for the enemy to establish that foothold. Fortunately, we have the perfect remedy. We cry out to Jesus and plead for His mercy. We rely on Him to bring us to repentance. And the love of Christ will fill us anew.

Be encouraged, Jose

p.s. You can listen to the study of Mark any time - day or night - at Bible Study Audio.

Family Ties

Friends,

There are few people on earth that can cause as much hurt and sorrow as our family. The wounds of a father or mother can take a lifetime to heal. Hurtful words from a son or daughter can devastate a parent. And brothers and sisters seem to know just the thing to say to inflict the most damage in the least amount of time. The natural bonds that exist between family members cannot be denied. They are as real as the sunrise.

But while cannot - nor should not - wish them away, we must put them and keep them in their proper perspective.

Mark 3:35
For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.
[NKJV]

At this point in the Gospel, Jesus is speaking to a multitude of followers, and specifically to His twelve true disciples. And He is speaking to you and me. When He redeemed us, He made us new creations. He not only translated us into the Kingdom of God, He adopted us into His family. We are now sons and daughters of the Most High God. Our obligation to give honor and respect to our parents, children and siblings is never diminished. However our affection and devotion are now directed towards this new, eternal family: to our Father, who reigns from Heaven; to our Savior, who calls Himself our brother and friend; to one another, who are among the least of these.

Sisters and brothers, use this reality to bring healing to your heart. Your everlasting family is here.

Be encouraged, Jose

Effective work

Friends,

In the study of physics, "work" has a very specific definition. And by definition, work can only have occurred if there has been some change in the subject's physical state. So if a man pushes against a brick wall for an hour, but the wall does not move, there has been no work (as related to the wall).

2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
[NKJV] emphasis added

We can work very hard trying to live a good, moral and upright life. We can give up drinking, swearing and philandering. We will certainly have a better life if we do so. But all of that effort will have changed nothing, as related to our salvation. Nothing eternal is affected by our efforts. No work will have been done.

It is Jesus who has done the work.

The work Christ at Calvary has made a difference. Our state has been changed.

Be encouraged, Jose

New Bible Studies

It's been a few weeks, but new Bible studies have been published. Check out Bible Study Audio for the most recent lessons from Mark, as well as a lesson from Romans.

As always, I pray you are blessed by these teachings.

Be encouraged, Jose

Celebration Time

Friends,

For too long, far too many of God's people have lived in a state of sadness. They do not find joy in their lives ... in their family, in their work, even in their relationship with the Lord. They have allowed the opinions and the pressures of the world steal that joy. At those times, a person likely feels as though the Lord is far away. But He isn't.

And Jesus said to them,
Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
Mark 2:19 [NKJV]

In scripture, fasting is often associated with mourning, sadness and grief. If Jesus was indeed absent from his life, then a man would certainly have very good reason to be sad and grief-stricken.

But the believer is never without Christ. He arose from the dead. He lives inside each one of us. He makes His home in our hearts and in our praises. He will never leave us. He is not only the of life, He is our breath of life.

As long as we have Jesus with us, we have reason to live a life of celebration and joy.

Be encouraged, Jose

Righteousness Pays

Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.
Psalm 112:1-2 (NKJV)

The path of the righteous isn't always a glamorous one. In today's world, it is undesirable, not fascinating and defies the norms and rudiments of today's modern culture. As dull and uninteresting as the world may portray righteous living, it is the best way of life. One that not only keeps the righteous in the present but also preserves his legacy and sustains his future generations.

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

The requirements may be stringent, the pressure of compromise may be intense, the way of the righteous may be seasonally lonely, but it is the best way of life, both for now and for eternity. So brothers and sisters, let us pursue righteousness with all our might and heart. We will never go wrong on the side of righteousness.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The outcome

Friends,

We hear so many messages each day. Most are fueled by the desire to influence our behavior. Before we heed the advice of our friends, no matter how well-intentioned it may be, it is imperative that we understand the consequences of that suggested course of action.

You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Matthew 7:16-18 [NKJV]

Our friends and family probably do not wish to guide us towards harm. But their words might do just that. Only the voice of Christ can be relied upon to lead. His words will always lead to life, to joy, to peace. Listen for it.

Be encouraged, Jose

A commandment to save

Friends,

Everyone has their own point of view of God's law. While the only one that matters is, of course, God's ... in our frail human imagination, we come up with all kinds of responses to His commandments. Emotional responses. Intellectual responses. Pious responses. Cynical responses. Reverent responses. Angry responses.

But when we see what God says about His commandments, perhaps the response will be one of gratitude ...

Psalm 71:3
Be my strong refuge,
To which I may resort continually;
You have given the commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress. - [NKJV]

The LORD has given "the commandment to save" you and me. Not just any commandment ... but THE commandment. And its purpose is clear and concise: to save.

The Law is not burdensome or troublesome. It is not there to trip us up or to bring on condemnation. It is there to save us.

Study His Law and you will find this to be the truth.

Be encouraged, Jose

He is Merciful

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:7(NKJV)

You may have a field day perpetrating evil and unrighteousness, causing grief to your generation and getting away with it albeit temporarily. The Lord doesn't deal with us like mortal men but His mercies to us are from everlasting to everlasting. The heart willing to make a turn and switch from evil and all unrighteousness to God will certainly receive mercy from God Almighty.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)

No matter how far and deep you may have gone, the singular act of making a genuine u-turn to God will benefit God's inexplicable mercies.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The imperative of listening

Friends,

The world believes that God is distant and disengaged. They believe that He has spoken, but that He is done talking. That the Lord has nothing more to say. Nothing could be further from the truth.

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Hebrews 1:1-2 [NKJV]

Notice that these words are translated from the Greek into the present perfect tense. This indicates not only an activity that began in the past, but one that continues into the present and beyond.

And what is that activity? It is the Lord's determination to make Himself heard in every age, including the present one.

The world will mock anyone who claims to have heard from God. They will accuse us of mental illness, or of simply making things up. But we can ignore their ignorance. We know that our Redeemer lives. We know that He speaks still.

Be encouraged, Jose

Give your heart

I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.
Psalm 50:9-14 (NKKJV)

How else can one impress the giver of all gifts and things... life, health, riches, family, world, etc. The life and breath we breath He gave, the resources we own and produce with, He gave, the Shine, provision, health, peace, joy, talents, and just anything we can think of or imagine, He freely gave. Like King David said here, will we feel cool by just bringing 'a fraction' of one of our bountiful blessings thinking we have done Him a favor? Certainly not.

For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 51:16-17 (NKJV)

Nothing we bring to Him will touch God but giving our hearts to Him. Our whole heart is what He desires not a fraction of our gifts, talents, toys, resources and sacrifices.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

A better day

Friends,

Check your heart today. Are you holding anger inside towards another? Have you neglected to forgive in a meaningful and purposeful manner?

Numbers 35:33-34
So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel. [NKJV]

Matthew 5:21-22a
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. [NKJV]

Anger and bitterness and unforgiveness wield remarkable power in our daily lives. Some effects are obvious ... depression, lashing out, ulcers. Some are not as obvious, but they are real nonetheless.

Brothers and sisters, let today be the day you release any anger. Today, make it your business to explicitly forgive those who have sinned against you. You'll be amazed at how much better today becomes!

Be encouraged, Jose