Let us each do a work

Friends,

Is predictability the hallmark of your gatherings? Do the same people contribute in all of the important ways?

1 Corinthians 14:26 [NKJV]
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

The Lord has gifted His people in many ways. And all are called ... even commanded ... to use and develop those gifts. So, when the Spirit calls you to bring forth a word, bring it forth. When you are lead to praise Him, then praise Him. Do not leave the whole burden of the work of the Kingdom to a weary few.

Be encouraged, Jose

Stay Awake

...but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
Matthew 13:25 (NKJV)

The common adversary isn't dumb and naive about his ultimate agenda of stealing, killing and destroying. He chooses our most vulnerable moments, when our strength is at an all time low, when we are at our weakest. The adversary strategy is relentless, gradual and consistent. Hence we must never grow weary or go it alone because human strength is no match for this adversary but the power of the Holy Spirit that is in us.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

Let us be circumspect, cautious and be vigilant and never give away to sleep like others do. Our environment must not define us, but rather we must define our world according to Kingdom principles. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Search for wisdom, find wisdom, and don't ignore it

Friends,

The Lord seeks to reveal Himself to us everyday. This is one of the amazing gifts of salvation, for the Almighty God of all creation has no obligation to teach a mere mortal about Himself. But it is His desire that we know Him. Of course, there are those for whom this gift is meaningless. There are those who mock the very Word of God. We see them, and some even celebrate them. It is remarkable is that those who mock God's word claim to be the most sophisticated of men, for they have sought education and rationality...

Proverbs 14:6 [NKJV]
A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But knowledge is easy to him who understands.

Christ promised us His spirit of wisdom and discernment. And that is why faith and belief come easily. That is why when life's circumstances challenge our faith and belief, we cry out and He answers. We do not mock the wisdom that the LORD has revealed to us, for we know that it is the truth. We accept it and the joy that it brings.

Be encouraged, Jose

The most powerful legacy

Friends,

Sin has devastated the world. What was once glorious, peaceful and filled with integrity, is now ripped apart by war, strife, deceit and death. Each of us bears the scars of the result of Adam's disobedience. And each of us bears the scars of our own sin and suffering. Fortunately, the Lord God did not leave His creation in that state.

Romans 5:5 [NKJV]
But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.

Because we come from the line of Adam, every man has followed in his flawed footsteps. That is quite a powerful legacy.

But the legacy of Christ is greater than all of the legacies of all the men that have come before us. His work has justified His followers, and we bear the weight and wages of sin no more.

Be encouraged, Jose

Life-Giving Spirit

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.”The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:42-45 (NKJV)

Many grapple and are puzzled with the resurrection idea. It is simple. When a grain is sown/buried in the ground, it is forgotten, but soon a new plant emerges, a tree comes forth and multiple fruits with seed of its kind comes forth too. That the Lord Jesus Christ died and rose again is the greatest, best, and incomparable hope package in this life and the life to come. It confirms that death isn't the end of the story, neither is it the end of discussion. As many as may be experiencing dormancy, death even in the living physical body, potentials, careers, emotions, health, etc, the Life-giving spirit that's embedded inside of every child of God remains available.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

Access to the embedded Life-giving spirit and willingness to access it remains the critical issue for all mortal beings. Experience His resurrection power that is made available by the price paid for in FULL by Jesus Christ.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Bible studies - Proverbs

Friends,

There is a treasure of wonderful Bible studies posted at Bible Study Audio. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you can stay current with our in-depth learning of the book of Proverbs.

Be encouraged, Jose

Obedience is the only response

Friends,

The commandments of God are clear and unambiguous. Man is forever seeking a way to negotiate them, interpret them, and weaken them. But they are the word of God, and they shall stand forever. When faced with this unrelenting fact, the only logical response to obey:

Exodus 19:7-8
So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. [NKJV]

The Israelite people were no different than you and I. They were rebellious, argumentative and inconsistent. And yet, when confronted with the obvious truth of God's power and authority, they humbled themselves and declared their intent to obey.

Everyday, brothers and sisters, we are faced with the truth of Almighty God's power and just authority. Rebellion does not change that. Arguments, negotiations and interpretations do not change that. There is but one response.

Let us humble ourselves and obey the LORD.

Be encouraged, Jose

A full reward: Peace

Friends,

There can be no doubt. We are under attack. The world mocks Christianity. Our flesh resists the ways of Jesus. And the enemy seeks to kill, steal and destroy every blessing that comes from the hand of God.

The only place of true refuge and peace is in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ruth 2:12
The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.

Jehovah has made a covenant with His people - us. He will fulfill that covenant, for He is faithful like no other. When we go to Him and take refuge under His wings, we will be satisfied.

Be encouraged, Jose