Not for nothing

Friends,

Jesus came with a purpose and a mission. He was sent to do a perfect work, perfectly. He was sent to do a complete work, completely:

Luke 4:18 [NKJV]
The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

This is Jesus, the Lamb of God, the King of all kings ... Announcing for all to hear why He stepped off of His throne to walk this earth. It was not to live for Himself or to bask in the comfort of His deity. It was to take action and to live out His mission with zeal and passion.

If we are being formed into His image, then our mission and purpose is the same. We are not saved to live for ourselves or to simply do what is right in our own eyes. We are not saved to smugly continue a life of sin.

No.

We are saved to minister with energy and enthusiasm in whatever calling God has for us each day.

Be encouraged, Jose

Shame is removed and replaced

Friends,

The wounds of our lives can leave a deep and persistent scar. But we have been given a new life ... the old man is crucified with Christ ... and in that life we are privileged and graced with great love and healing.

Isaiah 61:7
Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs. [NKJV]

Honor and affirmation are bestowed upon the children of God by our Father. No lies of Satan, nor any attacks from his foul host, can take those away. He will attempt to steal it, but Christ will not allow the enemy to possess what has rightfully and legally been give to the Christian.

Honor is yours, brothers and sisters.
Joy is yours!

Remember.

Be encouraged, Jose

Your prayers, Your weapon

21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
Ezra 8:21-23 (NKJV)

Ezra had boldly proclaimed to the king that he had a reliable and responsive God, One who answers prayers. Ezra acknowledged that they lived in perilous times surrounded by vicious and hostile adversaries on all sides. As he embarked on his trip with the heads of families and servants of the temple, he didn't rely or trust in the king's chariots and horses, but trusted in the protection and direction Heaven provided and offered. He called for a fast and prayer. They did and God answered their prayer.

What is it you are trusting God for? Call a fast and prayer gathering with the body of believers. The Lord still answers prayers.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Gaining Wisdom

Friends,

There is a source of wisdom that drives away confusion and timidity. But are you too proud to go on record as seeking that source?

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. [NKJV]

God is offering all wisdom ... without reservation or shame. He knows that we our wisdom is flawed and finite. He does not answer such a request begrudgingly or with impatience. He answers it joyfully! He so wants to share Himself with His children.

We need only to ask.

Be encouraged, Jose

More Bible studies from Isaiah and Judges

Friends,

New lessons from our studies of Isaiah and of the book of Judges have been published. Please visit Bible Study Audio to hear what God has to say to us, His people, through these important messages.

Be encouraged, Jose

Break forth!

Friends,

We have every reason to praise Almighty God. Simply for who He is. There is none like the Lord.

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Psalm 98:4 [NKJV]

The circumstances of life are not the reasons why we do or do not rejoice in the unending love and generosity of our Father.

Be encouraged, Jose

Look up

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills, From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV)

When the demands of life require a response and we come short of ideas, we seek a solution, or someone that is able to resolve our issue(s). Because He is the one with the blueprint of the space we inhabit, He is the perfect person we ought to consult and run to in time of need and help. King David knew where to look without dissipating his limited energies for real and lasting solutions.

Look up to the place where real help can come from, not any other media.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Stife and Worry

Throughout life, there are events and occurrences that will cause worry or strife. As believers in Christ, we have to decide how we are going to react to those events. We could be so overcome that we completely retreat to inaction, or we could pretend that nothing bothers us at all no matter how grievous. Most of us land somewhere between those two places. We know or at least we should that we have an advocate in Christ that will ensure that no matter what happens in our life, we can survive and even thrive. He looks at our overall circumstances instead of just the immediate situation to establish our next steps.

We must begin to rely on Christ and His Directions during all times in our lives. Not just the bad, but the good and the choices that we must make. If we cast our cares on Him, He will care for us. Here is the rest of that thought.

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: I Peter 5:8-9 [KJV]

Be Encouraged

Martin

On things that matter

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Colossians 3:2-3 (NKJV)

As we have heard recently, the avalanche of issues and diverging kingdom ideas aggressively promoted my most of world media can shape the focus of the undiscerning where we pay attention and expend energies on issues and activities with no eternal benefit. It will only sap you of your energies, waste the precious fellowship time of the day, blur your focus of the possibilities of the moment. What events drive you, what energizes you? What brings out the best in you?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 (NKJV)

Re-locate your treasures to the things of the Kingdom where our focus can be vertical to the Creator.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The source of our name

Friends,

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Do you see a son of the Living and Almighty God? If He has called you into His family then that is what you are.

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named
Ephesians 3:14-15 [NKJV]

Paul sets the example for us. We are to bow in worship and gratitude that the Lord of heaven and earth has seen fit to name us as His children. We are no longer sons of the enemy. Christ has reconciled us to the Father.

Let us, too, bow in worship and sing His praises!

Be encouraged, Jose

Bringing it to the Father

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Mathew 5:13-18 (NKJV)

The word is clear, the performer controls the mood, suspense, expectation and reaction of the audience and not vice versa. The world must look to the believer for clues, lifestyle, what works and what doesn't, perspective to uncommon situations and circumstances and life in general. It is unfortunate for a believer to now voluntarily relinquish his/her role as the seasoner to a clueless world. We are the light of the world carrying heavens wattage and power within that is meant to ignite and light the world. Is our life lighting the world? Is it bringing illumination to the dark issues of the world?

We have a unique opportunity to showcase the God in us, for the power to bring forth clarity, illumination, and shine to the world is within. We must perfect this so our Father in heaven may be glorified.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Who deserves the credit?

Friends,

We are always tempted to believe that our place in God's Kingdom is somehow the result of our own action. People insist on clinging to the notion that adoption in the Lord's family is subject to man's free will. Even as evidence presented by God's infallible word proves otherwise ...

Psalm 71:6
By You I have been upheld from birth;
You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.
My praise shall be continually of You. [NKJV]

If something was done before your birth, how can it be the result of your actions? If we believe these scriptures, then we must set aside any belief that our salvation is due to any work on our part.

Grace is bestowed on us. We receive it because we - like all creation - are subject to God's sovereign will.

Be encouraged, Jose

Don't hold back

Friends,

Look around you.

Your brother needs your prayers.
Your sister needs you to listen.
Another one needs to hear that you care.
Yet another needs help with a bill.
This sister needs someone with a truck.
That brother to know that he isn't battling alone.

Look around you.

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. - 1 Peter 4:10 [NKJV]

What has God given you? How freely do you share it? If you are holding yourself in reserve, then you are disobeying the Lord's direct command.

Look around you. There is great need for you.

Be encouraged, Jose

Opportunities

9 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)

The hostility and rejection of the gospel isn't abating together with the modern media's obsession to dilute the message as it has attempted for centuries. The message though deployed, transmitted and delivered via different means, media and messengers still remains the same, potent, life-altering, generational-changing tool and embodiment which is God in word form. The tide against the message may be strong, discouraging and demoralizing. Instead we must see the harvest for the Kingdom as plentiful begging for harvesting and reaping.

We must therefore not grow tired, discouraged, weary and overwhelmed by the odds, but rejoice in the possibilities and potential of increasing the Kingdom, for this is His will for us in Christ Jesus.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

In our heart

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (NKJV)

We encounter daily shifts in the world system. It is become increasingly popular for ungodly ways to take the center stage in day to day living and become acceptable as the norm. Standing up for one's belief makes you politically incorrect and attract all sorts of hostility from a world whose mission is to minimize and obliterate Kingdom standards. That should not come to the believer as a surprise, it is to be expected and we must overcome this onslaught with love, patience and understanding. Such a feat isn't conceivable and possible with flesh and blood but only the Spirit can empower the mortal man to carry this out.

What ever policies, laws, orders, edicts, rules, etc is enacted by the world and its bodies, the timeless truths etched in our heart must remain unchanged. In our heart, the truth that sets free will and must forever reign. The truth is the power of God that perfects all things.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Two New Bible studies from Isaiah

Friends,

Our study of the book of Isaiah has brought us to chapters 27, 28 and 29. You'll find the latest lessons at Bible Study Audio.

I pray you are blessed and edified by these studies.

Be encouraged, Jose

He has set his own apart

Friends,

The LORD promises something remarkable to those who are godly. He promises that we will be treated as a distinct and unique group of people. We will not experience the same things as those who are not godly.

But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Psalm 4:3 [NKJV]

Sometimes, this means that we will be subject to higher standard, and therefore to more severe consequences for our disobedience.

At most times, though, this means that will experience great blessings while the world explodes around us. We will hear the blasts, and feel the percussion. But while the ungodly see only destruction, we will be at peace, seeing eternity.

We are truly set apart. He listens specifically for the voice of His people, just as those who are truly His know the voice of Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Spreading Joy

Friends,

A truly joyful person brings joy to those around them. Regardless of whether that individual is happy, sad, tired, energetic, quiet and thoughtful, or boisterous and talkative. Joy is more than a fleeting emotion. It fills a person ... and overflows.

Genesis 21:6
And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.”

Among the many benefits of walking in the Spirit of God is the fruit of Joy. It cannot help but be shared.

So walk after the Spirit this day and be filled with joy. And fill those around you with the Joy of the Lord!

Be encouraged, Jose