Hallmarks of a blessed life

Friends,

We still cling to a odd, temporal notion of what it means to be blessed. We see a big house, a nice car, a healthy family, or success in business and call that man blessed. We see a struggling family, or a disruptive illness, and choose not to see in any blessing in that.

But contrast that view with what God says about blessings:

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.
Psalm 84:5-7 [NKJV]

The whole basis of whether a man is "blessed" or not has nothing to do with present-day circumstances. Rather it has everything to do with the eternal condition of the heart.
Does the heart draw its strength from the LORD?
Is the desire focused on moving through this world and to the LORD?
Are the eyes set on things above?

These, brothers and sisters, are the hallmarks of a blessed man. It is worth examining our hearts today for evidence of their presence.

Be encouraged, Jose

We do well to heed

Friends,

With so much competing for attention, it is imperative that we be reminded that the Lord is speaking to us. And we He does, it is critical that we listen, hear and obey.

2 Peter 1:19
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; [NKJV]

It's far too easy to be distracted, to allow the voice of God to be drowned out. No one is immune from this. So be purposeful and intentional about hearing the Lord's word, seeking out His wisdom, and demonstrating your devotion to the Savior.

Be encouraged, Jose

Attention & Focus

9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”
Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more...
2 Kings 2:9-12 (NKJV)

It was the penultimate moment. There was going to be a separation between these two brothers that have walked with each other closely. Elijah was to be taken away while leaving Elisha behind. Elijah asked to be excused, he asked for some privacy and some personal moments. Elisha wouldn't have any of that. He understood the urgency and criticality of the time at hand. The present for him held so much stake for tomorrow, hence he refused to slumber and sleep on the moment.

Our daily encounter ought to remind us of the swift transition, hence the need to seize the moment at all times. A short attention span to the things of the Kingdom can be perilous, lets keep the focus on Him at all times.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

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

More of Him

25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:25-30 (NKJV)

John played his role according to the divine script of heaven. He introduced the Savior to the world as he declared it to his disciples and all. He stressed that the focus and Star of all times is Jesus Christ the King of kings and Son of God. He must be the focus of our attention and pivot of our life. Any attempt to make Him (Jesus Christ) the side attraction and not the 'Main attraction' must be resisted and discouraged. His Kingdom cause must grow, flourish and blossom unhindered. .

We cannot share the stage with the Maker. It will be silly and dumb to do that. More of Him, less of us.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The right focus

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)

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. 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. If Heaven doesn't have your undivided attention, then someone probably isn't right.

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

How to do the impossible

Friends,

In our mortal, un-glorified state, it is quite impossible for us to maintain a perfectly holy walk. Nonetheless, we are commanded to strive for that goal. We cannot do it using our own abilities - it can only be done by the power of Christ Jesus.

But how does one access that power?

Galatians 5:16 [NKJV]
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Fulfilling the desires of the flesh is the greatest obstacle to our ability to being holy, as Jesus is holy. But the key to a holy walk is somewhat counter-intuitive. Our focus should not be on flesh avoidance ... because then our focus is on the flesh. Rather, the focus should be on living, thinking, speaking, and acting according to the spirit of God.

We listen for guidance from Jesus, and we'll be unable to hear the voice of the flesh.
We focus all of our energy on doing the will of the Father, and there will be no energy left to doing the will of the world.

There will be only one result: we will be obedient.

Be encouraged, Jose

Leaving time behind

Friends,

It's pretty common to have a special awareness of the passage of time around annual milestones. Birthdays, anniversaries, and the turning of the calendar. They all remind us that time marches on relentlessly. And quickly.

Now my days are swifter than a runner;
They flee away, they see no good.
They pass by like swift ships,
Like an eagle swooping on its prey.
Job 9:25-26 (NKJV)

The LORD recognizes that coming to grips with the passage of time and our corresponding mortality is no easy thing. The answer is to focus on Him ... the timeless One.

Almighty God is not subject to the limitations of time. He is not restricted to act only in our present time, for acts upon all time at all times. By the way, every time I attempt to understand this, I end up with a headache. But that is because I'm attempting to understand the wrong thing.

The more you and I focus on the Lord, and pursue intimacy and connectedness with Him, the less effect the passage of time has on us. Yes, our physical bodies will deteriorate, and we'll still sometimes forget why we walked into a room.

But our spiritual capacity will grow and strengthen. And we will be far better prepared to live in His eternal presence.

Be encouraged, Jose

Forgetting is hazardous

Friends,

The past week has been full of reminders to be thankful for the blessings we enjoy. This is good thing for anyone to do. Yet, we must be mindful of the danger that comes with focusing on the blessings. We can too easily fall into the trap of neglecting to focus on the One who blesses.

Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation,
And have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold,
Therefore you will plant pleasant plants
And set out foreign seedlings;
In the day you will make your plant to grow,
And in the morning you will make your seed to flourish;
But the harvest will be a heap of ruins
In the day of grief and desperate sorrow.
Isaiah 17:10-11 [NKJV]

God is warning you and I that all of our hard work is a vanity when we cease being mindful of our Lord and Master. Consider this truth, brothers and sisters.

Be encouraged, Jose

Valuable help

Friends,

The funny thing about self-help books is that they are based on a false premise. Somehow, those authors would have you and me believe that we can solve all of our own problems ... we just need to dig a little deeper, try a little harder, and pay just a little more. All of them have made an idol out of the one thing that we so easily fall into serving and worshiping: ourselves.

Psalm 60:11-12
Give us help from trouble,
For the help of man is useless.
Through God we will do valiantly,
For it is He who shall tread down our enemies. [NKJV]

The Bible is often mistaken for a self-help or a self-improvement guide. While following the Lord's precepts will certainly make us better human beings, it is most definitely not a self-help book. If we pay obey the words in the plain and clear text, we will stop focusing on ourselves and we will only focus on the Lord. We will recognize that the help of man is truly useless ... even if the man is one we see in the mirror. We will acknowledge that Christ Jesus is our Helper, our Strength and the only One worthy of our worship and attention.

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

No much time

5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:5 (NKJV)

They all started well in their journey to make it to the bridegroom. Some how they lost focus, threw away caution, went with the flow, became more obsessed with being politically correct, disregarded time and thought they had all and went about life's business as usual with upside down priorities, until suddenly the groom showed up and they were deep into the world which led to their missing out big time.

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour[b] in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 25:13 (NKJV)

Do you think you have all the time in the world to get this salvation issue right? Time is what we lack, the time is now and tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Come into the open

Friends,

In our study of Mark, we have been learning how the Pharisees had placed unconscionable burdens on their followers. We are seeing how they broke their own Sabbath rules in order plot evil in their hearts. Time and again, our Lord hears not only what they say with their lips, but discerns the hatred and murderous intent of their hearts. These religious leaders, who were revered in the community as pillars of piety and morality, held a dark secret ...

Jeremiah 23:24
“Can anyone hide himself in secret places,
So I shall not see him?” says the LORD;
“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.

Psalm 10:8
He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
In the secret places he murders the innocent;
His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.
- NKJV

Both of these verses contain the phrase “secret places”. It is translated from the Hebrew word mictar (pronounced mis·tär’, and we should understand it to mean a place where someone lies in wait, preparing to perpetrate a crime. Does that not perfectly describe what Christ is seeing in the religious elite of that era? On the outside, the Pharisees were holy and wholesome, demonstrating great indignation when someone challenged their teachings and fully believing that they were right. Inside their hearts, though, they waited secretly to accuse Christ and put Him to death.

We know, of course, how those events unfolded. Jesus went to the cross at the hour appointed by the Father (not the Pharisees). The Pharisees, along with many others, were used as God's instrument in that drama. And therefore their hearts were revealed as evil.

Today would be a good day for each of us to examine our own hearts.
As believers, perhaps we are outwardly moral and upright, but inwardly we may be harboring unforgiveness, bitterness or malice towards another. It can happen with surprising ease. It only takes a momentary lapse of concentration and vigilance for the enemy to establish that foothold. Fortunately, we have the perfect remedy. We cry out to Jesus and plead for His mercy. We rely on Him to bring us to repentance. And the love of Christ will fill us anew.

Be encouraged, Jose

p.s. You can listen to the study of Mark any time - day or night - at Bible Study Audio.

Looking for ...

Friends,

Have you ever been walking down a street when the aroma of busy kitchen came across you? It smells so good! You look in every direction, excitedly searching for the source of that appetizing scent. You may have just eaten, but you suddenly seem hungry. And even the most stoic of men cannot hide that look of longing and anticipation in their eyes.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the LORD our God,
Until He has mercy on us.
Psalm 123:2 [NKJV]

Now we can look and look and look, but normally the chef will not feed us just because we are looking and looking and looking!

But the LORD is different. Indeed, He is unique among all things! When we look for Him, He gives us everything. He gives us all of Himself. He holds nothing back.

Seek the LORD today. You will find His mercy. You will find His love. You will find His patience. You fill find ... Him!

Be encouraged, Jose

The Commandments shall overcome

Friends,

We are blessed that the Body of Christ is bound by the love of our Lord Christ Jesus. The non-believers have a great emptiness where this blessing might reside. And even though were are surrounded by a multitude of brothers and sisters in the Lord, there are enemies lurking. And those enemies want to shame you and me, make us feel foolish for following a God who would humble Himself to live among us and endure a death on a cross.

But we are wiser than those enemies ...

Psalm 119:98
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me. [NKJV]

Our enemies are always with us. They live in our neighborhoods. Their children sit beside our children at school. Our Lord makes the rain to fall upon them just as He provides it for you and me.

But we have something more.

We have His word. And His spirit abides in us to reveal His mysteries to us. And in that privilege is held more wisdom than all of the scholars, and all of the doubters, and all of the cynics, and all of the well-intentioned.

Seek His wisdom in His word.

Be encouraged, Jose

What's your Strategy?

And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:33-37 (NKJV)

The whole nation of Israel was cornered and intimidated by the giant of Philistine. So huge and gargantuan was the frame of this one man that he sent shivers down the spine of the entire army of Israel. Yet this shepherd boy saw this challenge before his nation as surmountable. He crafted a strategy, a strategy embedded with focus, swiftness, seizing of opportunity, love for country. On top of his strategy was his unwavering faith in the living God that even as huge as this problem confronting him and his nation was, that he (with the power of God in him) was able to overcome the challenge. He was prepared, he recalled previous encounters with the bear and lions in his life. He was not driven or motivated for personal gain, but for the love of his nation and brethren. This Goliath to him will also not be an exception. The strategy is to put the King of kings before your plans, be focused, be swift and be ready to seize on opportunities (because destiny-bound opportunities don't come frequently).

In your approach to life, what's your strategy? Do you have one? Are you only motivated for personal gain? God's will for us is to succeed, but we must play our role as well.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

All to God

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:7-11 (NKJV)

The time for serious focus and vigil is now for all members of the body of Christ to be about our individual and collective calling rather than the chasing of shadows, the treasures of the world, fame and religiousity. The tasks at hand, the work of sowing, the rigors and joy of harvest for His Kingdom must be our sole goal and driving factors. To a puzzled and confused world, a calm and focused army (not a distracted one) will break down every wall and barrier to the reign of God's kingdom here on earth. We must not be aligned or manipulated by the noise of the gallery neither should we put our trust in anything else but on Him that has supplied us with abilities.

The light and salt of the world must influence the world and not the other way around and our abilities are to ultimately bring forth His glory through us and all our works. In all our all, All must be to God.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Focus

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:33-34 [KJV]

In this time of distractions, focus is the key. Satan has many things that he will throw at us to keep us from our true mission. We need to take heed the instructions in Matthew 6. Long story short is that life is always about God and we benefit the most when we focus on Him. He is able to ensure that we get what we need, when we need it most.

Satan would have us believe that when we make a mistake, we are not worthy of God's blessing. He would do anything to distract us. We must be able to see through the all the distractions that are around us, including the economy, the jobs, the family, the medical conditions, the mental issues, the relationships, etc. God has the map, the way, the plan and they will work. He is true to His Promise even when we miss. When we do what He ask, life becomes easier. Our ability to focus on the right items becomes easier. Just remember that Satan is a liar.

Be Encouraged,

Martin

Stay Focused

Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.
Psalm 119:33-35 (NKJV)

In a situation and season of uncertainty and dread, keeping one's eye on the ball, keeping the cool and staying on course (if one has a goal and destination) can be a daunting task. Our human DNA may find the act of successfully juggling and keeping these numerous tasks and complexities in perfect sync, but a higher power teaches, empowers, helps perfect and gives divine direction (where we work and act smart and being proactive rather than reactive) ... the Holy Spirit helps us navigate these complexities and enables us perform exploits with excellence in the face of chaos, disorder, and hopelessness. How can one pull this through? King David sought the same...

Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.
Psalm 119:36-37 (NKJV)

It takes inner strength powered by the Holy Spirit inside of us to easily cut off the distractions and attractions that lead to no where but destruction. Then we can renew our strength on the go, never getting weary even in the fiercest of races and can remain strong in our steady walk of faith. The secret to staying focus is to ask for help from God and acknowledge our vulnerable and fragile nature.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi