New Bible study

Friends,

There is a new Bible study published at Bible Study Audio. Be blessed by this teaching from the Gospel of Mark, where we see Jesus entering into Jerusalem ... coming in peace and reading Himself to be the perfect Lamb of God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Fulfill your calling

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5 (NKJV)

You have declared for the Kingdom of Heaven and have purposed to perform your dues here on planet earth. The road may not always be smooth, there will be ups and downs, seasons of feelings of neglect, inertia, despair and even afflictions.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)

He that has invested so much in you is awaiting the Return on His investment, while the world is waiting on your manifestation. Therefore, arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Where ambition leads

Friends,

We see them everyday. We work with some. We marvel at their accomplishments and at the energy they devote to achieving their goals. They throw everything they have into everything they do. Why? Because they are driven to be at the top.

We don't often consider the price that the world's top performers, athletes, and politicians have paid to get to and stay where they are. We hear stories of how they devoted hours every afternoon to perfecting that jump shot, but we don't equate that to a lost childhood. We see politicians working hard, day and night, to get elected; but we don't connect that with the strains on their family or with the lost relationships that once meant so much. And then, when they have seemingly reached that pinnacle, they find that every mistake is magnified and every stumble is put on display for all the world to see and mock.

And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
Mark 10:44, NKJV

This is - admittedly - taken out of context. But bear with me a moment, for we would be wise to consider the true consequences of our ambitions. Our obsession with the accumulation of stuff - aided and abetted by the horrendous "Prosperity" them voiced by too many preachers - only leads to our enslavement. We no longer own our stuff ... it owns us. The same is true for positions of power and prestige.

To lay them aside is to experience true freedom. And by unburdening ourselves of these entrapments, we can fully enter in to a place of great intimacy in Christ Jesus.

Be encouraged, Jose

He is God

10 He does great things past finding out, Yes, wonders without number. 11 If He goes by me, I do not see Him; If He moves past, I do not perceive Him; 12 If He takes away, who can hinder Him? Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’
Job 9:10-12 (NKJV)

He works in mysterious ways, using simple and foolish things to embarrass and confound the wise that will not acknowledge His greatness and Lordship. The greatness of our God is immeasurable, boundless and limitless. He chooses and executes on His own terms and no one can question His authority.

We serve a God that is powerful, living and just. We must live our days in awe of Him, He is God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

No barriers

Friends,

What are the kinds of things that come between and your beloved, especially when there is an opportunity for intimacy? What is distracting you when they want to be the focus of your attention? Is it the list of chores? Is it the stress of work? Is it the pursuit of your ambitions and goals?

Don't you know that these same things that get in the way of being truly intimate with Christ.

Mark 10:23
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” - NKJV

Entering the Kingdom is an act of deep and lasting intimacy. We enter into the Kingdom in order to enter into His presence. And in His presence, nothing else can exist. Nothing of this world is worthy of the holiness that He deserves. Not our achievements, our credentials, our possessions, our sadness, our lack of forgiveness, nor our altruistic works.

Be prepared to leave all of that behind. It's worthless in eternity anyway. Why cling to it? Let it go, and instead take hold of the gift of simply being in the presence of the One True God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Bible studies from this week

Friends,

This week's Bible studies have been posted for you to enjoy and learn from. At Bible Study Audio, you'll find the continuation of the study of Mark, chapter 10, along with more from the 15th chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. I pray you are blessed by these studies and that you recommend them to others.

Be encouraged, Jose

Leaving it behind

Friends,

Over the past several years, people have been forced to reconsider the emphasis they place on material comforts and possessions. They see friends and countrymen survive the loss of jobs and homes. They may have lied awake at night, contemplating how they would deal with such circumstances, should they arise.

It is at times such as those that a man is forced to come to terms with his dependence on the stuff he has accumulated. Has he formed a bond with those things? Has he placed his trust on his job, his title, his accomplishments, his prestige, or his credentials? Has he become so reliant upon them that he might be unwilling to give them up should the Lord call upon him to do so?

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
Mark 10:23, NKJV

The word riches can be interpreted to mean many things. Of course, we recognize that it means wealth and possessions. But it can also mean the gifts that the Lord has lent us for this time on earth.

Would you give up a ministry if God called you to lay it down? Will you leave the church band to focus on your preaching, even though you are a fine musician? Will you forgo the mission fields of a far-off land so that He can speak through you at a local shelter? Will you stop leading a Bible study, even if you don't have any idea why He commands it?

These, too, are riches, dear brothers and sisters. And we must be willing to lay them down ... along with everything else ... to walk the narrow way that leads to deeper intimacy with Christ.

Be encouraged, Jose

In your Diet?

But He answered and said, "It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."
Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)

With this singular response, the Savior revealed the formula to victorious and peaceful living. Living and depending on the word sets one up to succeed in life and be victorious over our common adversary. We must not just be bread-driven (food) but word-driven, i.e. the LIVING WORD of God. Joshua 's successful reign and leadership on the nation of Israel was predicated upon it.

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)

It is the Spirit Food that strengthens, sustains and never fails. Let it be part of your daily diet. It is the secret to healthy, peaceful and glorious living.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi 

Find new Bible studies at Bible Study Audio

Friends,

New Bible studies have been posted as our groups continue the study of Mark's Gospel, along with Paul's letter to the Romans. Be sure to check out Bible Study Audio and to pass along the word.

Be encouraged, Jose

The good Shepherd

1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
John 10:1-6 (NKJV)

The doors to our heart are being assaulted today on every fronts. We have various forms and diluted versions of the gospel directed at us at every forum, media, and format. All with a goal to persuade, sway and convince the gullible, unsuspecting and weak at heart to believing or receiving a lie as the truth. The shepherd shows and demonstrates agape love to His sheep, and the sheep experience and live this love while the same true Shepherd abhors sin and evil ways and never condones nor permit evil because its convenient and politically correct. The other rogue shepherd sets the sheep loose without giving them direction, he speaks with many voices and skillful at confusing the sheep. He also says its OK to be sinful and remain in that state forever. The sheep know the true Shepherd, who never gives up on His own, but continually reaches out to them in truth, love and mercy.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
John 10:11 NKJV

The Lord is the true and good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep and never exploits them for anything.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

A Solitary Example

Friends,

At the hour of our Lord's greatest need, He left His friends behind and went to be in the presence of the Father.

Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. Mark 14:39 [NKJV]

In the hour of our greatest need, where do we go? Is it the familiar routines of work and busy-ness? Do we seek comfort in the sinful patterns of our youth? Do we wallow in despair? Do we seek the company of friends and loved ones?

Or do we follow the example of Christ?

He did not abandon His friends and followers. He went away, though, to seek the comfort of the One True Source of all comfort and strength. And then, when He returned to His disciples, He brought with Him all of the strength and power that the Father bestowed on Him.

You see, Jesus' purpose in these solitary times was not to disconnect from His people, but to more deeply connect with the Father. The renewal that we all receive when we reconnect with Almighty God is what He brought back to the disciples, and to us. In our greatest need, we must return to the Father.

Be encouraged, Jose

Agreement

18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Mathew 18:18-20 (NKJV)

The power in unity is unstoppable, able to do the impossible, and alter difficult challenges, But the goal of the adversary is to undermine this unity. Should we always play to this script even when we know it is to our peril?

We limit our abilities and the power of what Love can do through our unity. When we agree, we do great exploits to the glory of God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

What will they hear?

Friends,

How much energy have you expended in the fight to keep your secrets, secret? How hard do you try to obscure the simple truth of less-than-holy motivations and less-than-noble intent? We do these things even with the plain truth spoken to us by our Sovereign Lord:

Luke 12:3
Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. [NKJV]

There is no escaping the facts, brothers and sisters. They are already to known to eternity, and in due time will be brought forth for all to see and understand. It is not a threat meant to intimidate us into proper behavior, nor is it an appeal to our vanity and pride.

This is simply the truth.

And it is a real reminder to pursue consistent and persistent holiness in every aspect of our lives. It is encouragement to die to ourselves daily, and to live for Christ in every moment, every thought, every action and every word. So that, when our words and deeds and thoughts are proclaimed from the rooftops, the only thing that will be heard is that which glorifies Jesus!

Be encouraged, Jose

The latest Bible studies

Friends,

The most recent lessons from the Gospel of Mark and from Paul's letter to the Romans have been published. You'll find them at Bible Study Audio and, of course, it is our fervent prayer that you are richly blessed by them.

Be encouraged, Jose

Sufficient for resistance

Friends,

How many of our leaders have been exposed as corrupt? The past few years have seen elected officials of every political stripe toppled from power for bribery, lascivious behavior, theft, and the persistent abuse of their power. They vehemently proclaim their innocence (I don't know how that money got in my freezer!), but you and I know better.

Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house,
That he may set his nest on high,
That he may be delivered from the power of disaster!
You give shameful counsel to your house,
Cutting off many peoples,
And sin against your soul.
Habakkuk 2:9-10 [NKJV]

Of course, this behavior isn't new, nor is it unique to any nation or system of government. And, in any case, the point is not about politics or power.

You and I are leaders in our households and in our communities ... however those are defined. You and I are to exercise dominion and control over our personal house, as well ... our thoughts, words and actions. Do we seek to gain that which is evil? Do we look for ways to avoid disaster (financial or otherwise) through any means that fall short of God's holy standards?

These are dangerous temptations. And the truth is that no one is immune to them. The fear of losing a job or home could easily weaken our resolve against compromise.

But the grace of Jesus is sufficient to resist those temptations.

Be encouraged, Jose

Fragmented Focus

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

One of the subtle and effective tools that the enemy launches against us is to inundate us with a series of trivial, yet legitimate issues so much so that these things obscure every other item, issues in our lives. When our attention and focus is taken away from the Source and Giver of life and dissipated on the cares and demands of the world, we gradually render our connection and fellowship with the Giver of all good things weak and ineffective.

A fragmented focus will trigger a series of things in our life - a fragmented prayer life, worship and witness - which will usher in disobedience, defiance, rebellion and compromise with the world. A fragmented focus will weaken us, derail us, and ultimately enhance the enemy's destruction plan. In all that life brings our way, let us keep the focus on our Lord Jesus Christ, who in pain, agony, joy, and suffering took not his focus away from the crown of glory but endured the heat of the moment for our sake.

Let us reject a fragmented focus lifestyle and embrace a Christ focused life. It will help us put every moment of our days in proper perspective.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The source of joy

Friends,

You know how some people so enjoy their jobs that it doesn't seem like work to them? Well, that's not me. I like what I do, and I consider my work to be of value to my clients and their businesses. But it's work. It is not the source of my fulfillment and great joy.

Here is where I find my joy ...

1 Thessalonians 4:17b-18
And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. [NKJV]

The day will come that we enter in our Lord's presence. And that knowledge is the source of my strength, my endurance and my joy.

Be encouraged, Jose

Like one alive!

Friends,

We who have been born again in Christ Jesus have a special privilege ... the privilege of the dead.

If you were dead, no one would expect you to pour your heart and soul into your career. Nor would anyone expect you to give up your Sabbath rest for a work function. And there would be no demand that you forsake the body of believers for a family reunion (where we get to relive the dysfunctions of our childhood).

The dead do not praise the LORD,
Nor any who go down into silence.
But we will bless the LORD
From this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 115:17-18, NKJV

Our new life in Christ means that we are dead to this world. Our life as mere mortals has ended, and with it the need to appease the world with our silence.

Brothers and sisters, we are alive in Christ. So let's end the silence of the dead, and walk and talk like one who has breathe. Let us use our voice to bring forth the praise and good news of Jesus!

Be encouraged, Jose

Do not be weary

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

It is not impossible for weariness to take a toll on us in a world that disregards and discounts any form of godliness and righteous living. The seasons may not always be as pleasant as we want, but that must not be an excuse for us to faint or grow weary. Due season isn't far away.

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NKJV)

We must resist the lure of doing things in our own strength. Reliance solely on our abilities will sometimes fail us and trigger frustration, which in turn can lead to weariness. Arrest the lure of pride, uproot the root of weariness, rest and operate in the power of His might and He will never fail nor forsake you.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi