Beware the world's embrace

Friends,

When world leaders embrace the men who claim to evangelists, prophets and apostles, we should immediately scrutinize those men closely. At no point in the life of Christ was he truly accepted by the worldly leaders of that time. In fact, it was just the opposite:

John 7:25-26 [NKJV]
Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is this not He whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?"

Likewise, we should not seek to be accepted into the ruling class of our time. Inevitably, we will have to go against what Christ demands of us in order to gain that acceptance. On the other hand, if we are truly seeking to follow Christ, we should expect to be marginalized as radicals and fools, especially by the ones who are in charge.

Are you a radical follower of Jesus?
Would anyone be able to tell?

As we grow and are transformed into the image of Jesus, we will be confronted and challenged by the world's systems. And we will be storing up eternal treasures. It will not be easy, and will get harder and harder as Christ's return approaches. But the rewards are eternal and without limit.

Be encouraged, Jose

Time dimension

22 “While the earth remains,

Seedtime and harvest,

Cold and heat,

Winter and summer,

And day and night

Shall not cease.”

Genesis 8:22 (NKJV)

After the destruction of the first flood, and Noah's offering, Jehovah declared that man and living things will not be destroyed again but held steady the above natural laws that remains till today.

The time dimension is sacred and remains firm irrespective of what we believe or not. Even the Creator by His word is bound by this. Our lives must respect these laws and our pursuit must take them into consideration to fulfill our purpose and destiny.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

He is Risen Indeed

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:5-6 [KJV]

Last weekend, we celebrated that Christ had risen from the dead and gave us all access to God directly. As we move forward, I want to look back to make sure that we are all seeking a risen saviour and not one still on the cross or in the tomb. The women went to see the body because they forgot or did not realize that Christ would truly rise again. Let us in our daily lives remember that Christ is alive and available for us. He is not still on the cross or in the tomb, but risen from the dead and on the right hand of the Father as our intercessor. Our Saviour is alive and waiting for us to recognize Him and what He is doing for us.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Having a good night's sleep

Friends,

I know of no one whose life is completely stress-free. The enemy is hell-bent on denying us the peace that Christ has given us. Every possible means is employed ... work, family, finances, government. There is a purpose and a plan behind these attacks, and it is to cause you and me to focus on the problems of this life instead of on the LORD.

The solution and unassailable defense is to remember - at all times - the promises of God:

Psalm 3:5-6 [NKJV]
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.

If we believe that our sustenance is derived from our own efforts, strength, cunning, wisdom and capabilities, then when those things inevitably falter, we will fear the defeat that seems so imminent. But when we finally realize that it is God - who is Almighty and All-powerful - that sustains us, we can lay down and sleep without fear of any weapon formed against us.

Be encouraged, Jose

More from the book of Judges

Friends,

The most recent lesson from the book of Judges is now available for you to listen to. You'll find it, along with lessons from many other books of the Bible at Bible Study Audio.

Be encouraged, Jose

The real followers

Friends,

For many reasons, Jesus enjoyed great popularity at various times of earthly ministry. Those reasons are similar to what we see today. People are predictably attracted to sensational events, like healings and feedings and powerful speeches. But, unlike today's "leaders" ... and I use that term very loosely ... Christ was not interested in large crowds and adoring throngs:

Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:25-26 [NKJV]

Great multitudes followed Him. No doubt they had heard of the miracles the Lord had performed. But the act of following Jesus does not make one a Follower of Jesus.

It is time to examine your life. We must do so daily. We must daily find those elements in our heart that rebel against God and execute them. (This is what Jesus means by hating one's "own life".) For if we preserve them, then we are willfully disobeying Jesus. And to follow Jesus, we must obey Jesus.

Are you a follower of Jesus?
Look at your life, today. Be sure that your thoughts, your words and your actions are in obedience to Jesus. Let there be no doubt.

Be encouraged, Jose

Willed to victory

Friends,

When we responded to Christ's call, did we recognize that it was not of our doing? Or have we somehow come up short when it comes to acknowledging that our salvation is part of His sovereign will?

James 1:18
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (NKJV, emphasis added)

We who are rightly called Christians are given that title because the Lord chose us to be part of His Kingdom. A close reading of scripture proves that we considered God to be our enemy, and He declared that the war was over. And there are only two ways to end a war, and only two sides that one can be on when it is ended. By God's sovereign choice and will, His people are on His side, victorious over sin and death.

Make no mistake, brothers and sisters. We are victorious. And it is because the Lord of Hosts has done it!

Let us rejoice and be glad!

Be encouraged, Jose

Sufficient Grace

The world had gone to the extreme, pressing further in evil and provoking a kind-hearted God to the point of regret and destruction.

7 So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6:7-8 (NKJV)

Thank God for the shed blood and price of calvary, an all sufficient grace for an undeserving world. He has paid the price for us all and as Noah was spared in the first judgment, we have a chance to get it right through His grace.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Fervently seeking Jesus

Friends,

There is much in this world that seeks to distract us from following Christ. The busy-ness of life. Idle time in front of the TV. THe dirty house. Soccer practice.

The list is endless, and the temptations they bring are powerful. The Lord's people have always had to fight this temptation. Even the most devoted of believers must be watchful. Consider how the writer of Psalm 119 cried out to God for help in staying focused and obedient ...

With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Psalm 119:10, NKJV

The psalmist declares that he desires to seek the LORD. And yet, he knows that our enemy is always trying to entice him away from that beautiful pursuit.

And you and I are no different. If we seek to follow Christ fervently, the enemy will fervently seek to draw our attention away from Christ. We cannot succeed in our quest in our strength and willpower. We must rely on Jesus.

He will not fail us.
He will answer this prayer.

Be encouraged, Jose

More from Isaiah and Judges

Friends,

Be sure to visit Bible Study Audio for the latest lessons from our Bible study group. We are continuing our study of Isaiah's prophecy, along with an in-depth study of the book of Judges.

I pray these lessons strengthen you for your walk with Christ.

Be encouraged, Jose

Things worth keeping

Friends,

We sure have a lot of stuff. Just two generations ago, it was uncommon for an American family to have more than one car. now it seems that just opposite is now true. And it isn't surprising to find that people hang on to the stuff they no longer use for some reason or another.

But what should we be keeping? What should we be throwing away?

Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 7:2 [NKJV]

Our Lord, the source of all wisdom and knowledge, tells us to keep His commands. He desires that we have a passion and an affection for His laws and perfect truths.

Brothers and sisters, nothing else is worth keeping. For these are the only things that have lasting, enduring, even eternal value.

Be encouraged, Jose

New Bible studies!

Friends,

Over the past few days, there have been a few minor updates to the Bible Study web site. More important than those little (you probably won't even notice them!) updates, some of the latest lessons have been been published, including the latest from the book of Isaiah and the book of Judges.

Please take time to visit Bible Study Audio and listen. Do more than just hear God's word ... truly listen and take action on what the LORD is calling you to do today.

Be blessed.

Be encouraged, Jose

We need each other

Friends,

Jesus could have gone to be with His Father much earlier than Calvary. He could have avoided the cross. The Father declared Him to be His Beloved Son, in whom He was well pleased. He judged Jesus to have fulfilled the covenant and earned eternal life.

But Jesus does not want to be alone. He went to the cross to gain an inheritance: us.

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1:22-23 [NKJV]

Christ Jesus is our head. But what is a head with no body?

We are His body. But what is a body with no head?

Without a bride, there is no bridegroom. And Christ knows this. He desires that we be His bride, that we be His body.

Sisters and brothers, walk in a manner that brings honor to our bridegroom. Do not rebel against the head ... follow where He leads.

Be encouraged, Jose

God provides

Friends,

The world tells us that we can all get to heaven, if we just try hard enough. Religions tell us that we can follow their rules and rituals and practices, and they will lead us to heaven.

But the truth is that there is only way to achieve eternal life in the presence of God. And that way has nothing to do with our human effort.

Genesis 22:14 [NKJV]
And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob provided the atonement for our sins. He did it in Himself. It is a gift ... unearned by human effort. It is grace.

Be encouraged, Jose

The fearless mindset

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

It has been known over generations how destinies are frustrated, thwarted and punctured through the instrument of fear. Great things in life never look simple and possible to the ordinary. A victorious mindset is a fearless mindset, powered by the inner workings of the Holy Spirit. Gentle, calm yet fearless and ruthless to all destiny killers. The Scripture above confirms the spirit that has been bequeathed unto us. A sound mind and of power.

19 “Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder?[b]

20 Can you frighten him like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror.

21 He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength; He gallops into the clash of arms.

22 He mocks at fear, and is not frightened; Nor does he turn back from the sword.

23 The quiver rattles against him, The glittering spear and javelin.

24 He devours the distance with fierceness and rage; Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded.

Job 39:19-24 (NKJV)

The earth is ours to subdue and fill. The horse never shirks from fear, instead he mocks it and confront it. Never sucuumb to fear or intimidation. There is power within us by divine design.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The next lesson from Isaiah

Friends,

Please visit Bible Study Audio for the next lesson from the book of Isaiah.

Be encouraged, Jose

Home Stretch

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. I Timothy 2:5-6 [KJV]

Christ gave His Life for us all. We did not deserve the sacrifice, but we needed the bridge to God. As the celebration for Resurrection draws close, remember that the sacrifice was personal because Christ died for each of us. Let's dedicate our lives to living up to the Reason for the Season.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Why praise is important

Friends,

When you pray, do you regularly praise the LORD for who He is? No doubt you thank Him for all He has done and is doing in your life. And of course you bring intercession for yourself and others before Him. All of this appropriate... even critical.

But, my dear brothers and sisters, consider the following:

Psalm 22:3 [NKJV]
But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

Almighty God makes His throne - where He chooses to exercise His authority and judgments - within the praises of His people. In a sense, then, if we want to witness the power and majesty of the LORD, then we are well-advised to bring forth praise.

Praise Him in the morning and in the evening.
Praise Him no matter the circumstances.
Praise Him for His goodness and wonder.

Be encouraged, Jose

When it's hard to listen

Friends,

Even those who are seemingly deeply devoted to Christ Jesus will find it difficult to hear a rebuke. No one likes to be told that they are doing something wrong. Few enjoy being corrected. And it is the rare man who seeks out criticism ... constructive or otherwise.

For this reason, it is easy to tune out the one comes as a prophet. It is so tempting to dismiss them when they do not have a credential or a title. It is a simple exercise to ignore the fact that the LORD uses whom He will, regardless of what the world calls them.

Micah 2:7
You who are named the house of Jacob:
Is the Spirit of the LORD restricted?
Are these His doings?
Do not My words do good
To him who walks uprightly?

The prophet is not speaking to non-believers. He is not rebuking the world or Satan. Nor is he addressing his words to false professors and hypocrites.

These words are given to those who are named the house of Jacob ... those whom the LORD has adopted into His family and kingdom. We are the ones who, by Christ's grace, walk uprightly.

The Spirit of the LORD is completely unencumbered. He can speak to and through whom He pleases. And when He does, the words do good. Therefore, we must not ignore those words. We must listen. We must heed them. And only then will be in a position to experience the blessings of Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose