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