God made the first move

Friends,

We are in a covenant with Almighty God. It is a new covenant, because we cannot keep the old covenant of works. Because of Adam's disobedience, we are unable even to desire to keep the original covenant. But the LORD decided to extend His grace to us:

Jeremiah 31:33
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [NKJV]

It is important to notice something very subtle in this passage. It is that God is speaking in the first person, and is declaring what He is going to do. You and I were incapable of initiating this new covenant. Because of original sin, we had no desire for peace or reconciliation with God.

Rather, God Himself sent His Only Begotten Son ... an amazing invasion of this fallen world ... to fulfill all of the conditions required of being in the eternal presence of the Father. And by doing so, He formed the relationship that we - as His followers and His children - so desperately need.

Be encouraged, Jose

Who He is

Friends,

Lots of people believe in Jesus. Lots of people believe lots of different things about Jesus. If you've been a regular church goer over the past 10 years or so, you've no doubt seen regular folks say outlandish things about who they believe this Jesus is.

Of course, the born-again believer knows more deeply, and with complete certainty, who Christ Jesus is.

Romans 1:3-4
... concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. [NKJV - emphasis added]

He is our redeemer ... the only One qualified to forgive sins and impute holiness.
He is the only One to accurately and completely fulfill every prophecy concerning the Messiah.

He is worthy of praise. And He is worthy of the respect due the Son of the Living God!

Be encouraged, Jose

They said Shut-up!!!

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart
Luke 18:1 (NKJV)

These were the words of the Lord Himself, that all men ought to pray and never lose hope or resign to any situation as helpless. Yes we will go through seasons of vulnerability, times we know we won't make it unless God intervenes. Yes during these times, even in our weakness we ought not cease in our prayers and supplications. The blind man on the road to Jericho was told to shut up. Contrary to the obstacles and human roadblocks before him, this brother was relentless. Relentless in his spirit, prayers, fasting, and seeking of the Lord to the point the Lord stood still and responded to him.

Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him.
Luke 18:35-40 (NKJV)

The prayer-less option is not option us, and when the world in all its scheme becomes a constraint or obstacle, we must not relent, we can't be shutdown. The one fight we can't give up on is this. On our knees we will do battle until Heaven stands still on our behalf.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi