Put them away

Friends,

When the LORD returns in glory, all of the unbelievers will work diligently to correct their mistakes. They will scramble for cover. It is the same impulse that drives a teenage boy to hide his computer screen when his mother walks into the room. It is the same impulse that causes a wayward spouse to plead for forgiveness ... after they've been caught in the act.

Isaiah 2:20-21 [NKJV]
In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver
And his idols of gold,
Which they made, each for himself to worship,
To the moles and bats,
To go into the clefts of the rocks,
And into the crags of the rugged rocks,
From the terror of the Lord
And the glory of His majesty,
When He arises to shake the earth mightily.

In the day of Christ's return, every man will see that he is a sinner - unworthy of being in the presence of pure holiness. But those that have truly recognized this fact will have already repented of this idolatry. They will not have waited until their faith has become sight. For that day will be too late for faith.

Brothers and sisters, if you are still harboring idols in your heart - the idols of work, accomplishment, political success, the perfect family - then put them away today. Do not wait. Do not delay. We are in the last days. The day of repentance is at hand!

Be encouraged, Jose

Never stop learning

Friends,

We know that no man, but for Jesus, is perfect. We know that all of us make mistakes, falling short of the glorious and perfect standard set forth for us by a Wise and Omniscient God. These are the facts of the fall. But they are no excuse. We are commanded to learn and grow in the knowledge of the LORD.

Proverbs 1:5
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel [NKJV]

In our world, it seems that the arrogant and conceited are gaining power and authority. But in their arrogance, the intellectual elites have decided that they have all the answers. That they no longer need to humble themselves before the LORD.

We who obey, and who continually seek a deeper intimacy with Christ, will ultimately prevail. We rely on Almighty God for our victory. And when He returns, we who have been humble shall be exalted. And we will throw our crowns at His feet in joyful adoration!

Be encouraged, Jose

Governing all nations

Friends,

We look forward to the day when the worldly, flawed governments of the world fall. In their place will rise a perfect and perfectly good King.

Psalm 67:4
Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
For You shall judge the people righteously,
And govern the nations on earth. Selah [NKJV]

When the LORD judges the people, He will do so according to His law and will. There will be no injustice. There will be no corruption. There will be no tyranny.

We cannot bring this about through our own efforts. Our part is to submit to lawful authority and to pray for the coming of the Lord. In that day, there will be great rejoicing! For the LORD will judge us righteously!

Be encouraged, Jose

Your readiness check

Friends,

With each successive sunrise, the day of Christ's return draws closer. We come upon the beginning of the Sabbath, and it is appropriate for us to reflect upon what has transpired during the week and examine it. As His return approaches, have we taken any steps to prepare? Are we more ready to face the Lord than we were a week ago?

Jeremiah 1:12 [NKJV]
Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.”

Almighty God is fulfilling His promises and His prophecies on a daily basis. And certainly, we wait eagerly for the ultimate fulfillment of what He describes as the end of days. There are those that claim to have pinpointed the date, as if that should change our ways.

It is clearly more important that we be ready today. Whether Christ returns tomorrow morning, later this month, next year, in the next decade, or in the next millennium, be ready for Him now.

Be encouraged, Jose

A guarantee

Friends,

We certainly live in gravely uncertain times. No one expects their world to turned upside-down by earthquakes, tsunamis, economic upheaval, or political unrest and rebellion. Yet, we have seen all of these happen again and again just in the past months. And in the short period of the last 30 or 40 years, the world has changed in more ways than you and I can count.

For sure, it would be nice to be able to rely on something, right? Wouldn't it be a relief to really know that we can be confident in at least one aspect of our lives?

Ephesians 1:13-14 [NKJV]
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (emphasis added)

Christ did something remarkable when He bestowed His spirit upon us. He gave us the opportunity to experience a portion of what we can expect when we are reunited with Him in glory. That small amount is more than just a preview ... It is a down-payment on the full inheritance which He has promised.

We cannot experience that full inheritance in this current, fallen world. But in the same way that "earnest money" is an assurance to contract parties that the terms of the agreement will be fulfilled, Christ's gift of His spirit assures us that we will enjoy the complete and abundant reward of being in His presence for all eternity.

Be encouraged, Jose

A glimpse of eternity

Friends,

We know what unrighteousness looks like. We can see it every night on the news. We see it everyday in the tabloids. We see examples large and small, dramatic and mundane.

But what will righteousness look like? How will we know it?

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation 19:8 [NKJV]

We might only catch glimpses of it here in this life. And even then, we must remember that in a fallen world, nothing can be truly and completely righteous.

Yet in the glorious return of Christ, when time loses its meaning and its grip, we will behold what He has done through His people. And it will be more beautiful than we can imagine.

Be encouraged, Jose

Starting the New Year off right

Friends,

On New Year's Day, our Bible study group gathers for fellowship and to hear what God has to say about the coming year. The focus of the session was Jesus' teaching on the last days on His return. It is an important lesson, and you can listen to it in its entirety at Bible Study Audio.

Be prepared for what is to come.

Be encouraged, Jose

How will you be found?

Friends,

Of all the opportunities a man has to fall away from the Christian walk, I believe that the most dangerous is the one of benign neglect. The person might not purposefully rebel against the Lord, but no longer does he purposefully seek to obey Him. He grows complacent and perhaps even comfortable in his state, never once realizing that he has stopped listening for his Master's voice.

Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming - in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning - lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!
... Jesus, from Mark 13:35-37 [NKJV]

We look forward with great anticipation to the Lord's return. There is nothing wrong in that. Yet, He is the One Who Sees ... at all times and in all places. And so, why are waiting until later to pursue Him with energy and purpose?

Today is the day! The Lord has made this day for the great purpose of bringing us into closer and deeper intimacy with Him. It is not a day for sleeping!

Be encouraged, Jose

A study of Haggai

Friends,

As you know, most of the content on Bible Study Audio is in the form of Bible studies that you can listen to. In order to make the content a bit more accessible, a written study has been added: the book of Haggai. This prophetic message to God's people is one of admonishment and great hope. In it, the Lord reminds you and I to resist the evil of this world, to beware of rationalizing worldly actions, and to look forward with genuine anticipation to the return of our Lord.

Remember that there is no physical building that can possibly compare to the splendor and majesty of the true temple of God ... the living, breathing body of Christ.

Be encouraged, Jose

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

That which survives

Friends,

Our world has a strange habit of celebrating, idolizing and worshiping things that are marked for destruction. Celebrities. Championships. Big Money Contracts. Annual Awards. The world does this in spite of what is already declared: these things will be destroyed:

The burden against Egypt.
Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud,
And will come into Egypt;
The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence,
And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.
Isaiah 19:1 [NKJV]

Throughout scripture, Egypt symbolizes the carnal world from which Almighty God rescues and removes His people. When the LORD returns - and He will return - everything that the world values will be turned to dust. It will not simply pass away ... it will be actively and purposefully destroyed.

Let us repent of joining the world in the worship of these idols. Pay no attention to these things that will not survive the presence of God. Worship only the LORD, in spirit and in truth.

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

Prepare today

Friends,

How are you preparing for Christ's return? Does it even cross your mind to get yourself ready?

2 Peter 3:14
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; [NKJV]

Certainly no one knows whether our Savior will make His return this afternoon or one hundred years from now. But we have a choice today. I pray we choose to live as though He might reappear at any moment. So that no matter what, we are found living a holy life... and not a carnal one. That we are found in pursuit of His Kingdom and His righteousness... and not our own.

He is returning, brothers and sisters. Are you ready?

Be encouraged, Jose

Never out of His reach

Friends,

Did you know that the LORD is patient beyond our imagination?

Hosea 3:5
Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days. [NKJV]

In the days of the prophet Hosea, the LORD promised the children of Israel that, after they had lived in their sin for generations, they would return to Him. It was not that they had committed to return, but rather it is that the LORD will make absolutely sure to bring His people back to Himself.

Things have not changed.
The people of God still live in only partial obedience to the LORD.
And the LORD is still completely and totally committed to ensuring that His people will be brought back to Him.

Be encouraged, Jose

Darkness has met its match

Friends,

The days are quite short during this time of year, with less than 8½ hours of daylight today. It can seem as though everything is happening in the dark. We wake up and it is dark. We drive to work, and it is dark. We drive home again in the dark. We look outside during supper and it is dark.

But we know that in just a few weeks, the sun will begin to rise a little earlier each morning, and set just a few minutes later each evening. And gradually, more and more life takes place in the sunshine. For me, it is a hopeful prospect.

But this world continues to be dark, despite the best efforts of the sun. Sickness, deceit, murder, hatred, adultery, thievery, and strife run rampant across every nation. And, just as the sun shines just a little less each day, the world seems to get worse with every passing night.

And we have the same expectation. Yes, these days are dark and getting darker. But one day, that darkness will be defeated by the Light.

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. -- Revelation 22:5 [NKJV]

Be encouraged, Jose

Live like a grasshopper

Friends,

The people of Israel spent 40 years in the desert, in part because they thought that being a grasshopper was a bad thing.

There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.
Numbers 13:33 [NKJV]

They saw the "giants" and got scared, figuring they'd get stomped on like bugs. But they had forgotten that the Lord had sent swarms of grasshoppers into Egypt as part of His terrible judgment upon that land. And they had failed to connect to God's promise -- that they would be His instrument for wrath upon the current occupants of Canaan.

In other words, they were like grasshoppers ... and that is an awesome thing.

Sisters and brothers, we may be looking around, feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges set against us in this fallen world. In those moments, remember the grasshopper. We are an army. We are on the Lord's side. When Christ returns, we will be a swarm that overwhelms that which overwhelms us today.

Be encouraged, Jose

Eyes on the prize

Friends,

Each day takes us deeper into these last days. Make no mistake, as difficult as circumstances appear now, they can - and likely will - get much worse. But throughout history, the LORD has been telling His people that there is day coming that will surpass the greatest of all days ...

Joel 3:16
The LORD also will roar from Zion,
And utter His voice from Jerusalem;
The heavens and earth will shake;
But the LORD will be a shelter for His people,
And the strength of the children of Israel. [NKJV]

For God's people, the shaking of heaven and earth will not be a time of dread. It will be a time of joy and anticipation. It will signal the return of our King. We will take refuge in Him.

Keep looking ahead, sisters and brothers. Live through these present circumstances, but do not dwell upon them. They are not the end of the story. Our Savior's return is closer now than ever.

Be encouraged, Jose

Their jokes cannot defeat us

Friends,

For centuries, Christians have been the butt of many jokes. I don't know if it's worse now than it was a thousand years ago, but the jokes seem more hostile and vulgar now than they did when I was younger. While I admit to being offended by the rudeness, I can't really say I am surprised.

knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:3-4 [NKJV] (emphasis added)

There are certainly scoffers all around us today. And their cynicism seems to fuel their willingness to walk according to whatever desire fills their heart at that time. Plus, the evils of this world continue unabated; as they have since the fall.

But remember these two things, brothers and sisters...
We walk by faith not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
The Lord has never failed to keep His promises. Acts 1:4

No matter what the cynics, comedians or commentators say, we can remain strong in our faith. Christ's glorious return is promised. And our victory is assured.

Be encouraged, Jose

Friends,

Life is full of challenges and obstacles and setbacks. Now -- more than ever -- we see the tragic evidence of man's fallen nature. Sin is celebrated everywhere. Persecution of the saints is a punchline. Moral equivalence has completely overtaken sound judgment and discernment.

How has your confidence in Christ held up under these circumstances?
Is your faith in God as strong today as it was a year ago?

Consider the following verses:

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God

These are certainly powerful words. They resonate with confident expectation that looks past the present day, into a future dominated by Christ's reign. This is more than a whimsical hope. This is evidence that the writer's hope is unshakable.

Who is this writer?
The answer may surprise you:

Job

Yes, Job (Job 19:25-26 - NKJV). The man whose children were murdered by Satan. The man whose house and livelihood were utterly destroyed. The man whose friends tormented him day after day. He had no doubt that His Redeemer lives and that he would stand before God and behold His glory.

Job had no fear of the destruction of his flesh. And neither should we. The mighty God that provided Job with the strength to stand firm in faith is the same One who strengthens us to do the same. We can withstand anything that this world throws at us because we know...

Our Redeemer lives!
He is coming back!

Be encouraged, Jose

A day to leave the doors unlocked

Friends,

That glorious day that Christ makes His return is closer than ever before. It might be tomorrow, or next week, or during the lifetime of our great-grandchildren. No man knows - and those that claim to should be viewed with great skepticism - but it is coming. And when that day comes, we will no longer require the protection of alarm systems, deadbolts and barking dogs.

Therefore your gates shall be open continually;
They shall not be shut day or night,
That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles,
And their kings in procession.
Isaiah 60:11 [NKJV]

The gates of a city were its security. When they were open, it meant that the city was open; men could come and go... it was a state of peace and confidence. At night, the gates were locked. That's when troublemakers came out to make their trouble, and locking the city gates helped to keep that trouble away from law-abiding citizens. When the gates were locked, men found protection inside the city walls. On the outside, well you were taking your chances.

But in the day of the Lord, all evil shall be swept away. God's people will no longer need to be protected from thieves and murderers. Instead, we will be free ... FREE ... to live in a constant state of peace, joy and gladness.

Be encouraged,
Jose