Seek His Hand, not hand-outs

18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem;You shall weep no more.
He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
When He hears it, He will answer you.
Isaiah 30:18-19 (NKJV)


The Lord covets and desires our relationship. When we come to Him, we must not come just because of the hands-outs, but we must seek His hand in fellowship. Nothing angers the Lord more than when we cast Him aside to seek help from other gods.

1 “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD,
“Who take counsel, but not of Me,
And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,
That they may add sin to sin;
2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice,
To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh,
And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh
Shall be your shame, And trust in the shadow of Egypt
Shall be your humiliation.
Isaiah 30:1-3 (NKJV)

Our hope and trust must be on Him, who never shame, humiliate nor confuse those that trust and believe in Him. We ought to wait on the Lord for blessed are all those who wait for Him.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Rational hope

Friends,

We can begin the day with hope and expectation because of only one truth. It is not that the government will come to our aid, or that the job will provide for us. It is not that our intellectual capabilities will prevail, or that we are physically prepared for what lies ahead.

Our hope, expectation and confidence stem from a belief in the power and consistency of the LORD.

Psalm 9:9-10 [NKJV]
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Remember that we who have put our faith in Almighty God trust the only One who will keep all His promises, fulfill every expectation, and who will be victorious over every enemy.

Be encouraged, Jose

Not in vain

15 My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; 16 Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things. Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; 18 For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:15-18 (NKJV)

God is interested in our fellowship. When we set our hearts to wisdom, we excite heaven. When we exude righteousness, Our Lord rejoices at our Kingdom stance. Though doing this may be unpopular, politically incorrect and not savvy in the eyes and minds of the present age, but our choice of love, righteousness and godliness will not go unnoticed. Even when the freethinkers, sinners and 'anything goes' folks flourish, it must not rock our resolve for righteous living, but our daily walk must remain in the path and fear of the Lord.

Keep up the faith, 'For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off'.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Get going

4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Ecclesiastes 9:4,10 (NKJV)

The preacher clearly stated the benefit accruable to the living. To have hope is better than to be hopeless, a life with a goal and direction is better than an aimless wandering generality. For we have all been called to a purpose under the sun. We must find this out and pursue it diligently to the end.

Our lifetime here on planet earth is not infinite. There is a time dimension to it, we must apply ourselves, our talents, our gifts, our resources, our time, our lives to that which has eternal benefits and returns. When the breadth of life temporarily ceases, there won't be any work to do any further here. So get going, do something positive for the Kingdom.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The answer to doubters

Friends,

As believers, we walk in a way that makes no sense to the world. They cannot and will not understand what motivates us, what drives us, and what fulfills us. The world looks to itself for power and strength. The world schemes and plans and designs. They scoff at us for relying on the LORD.

Do you think this is new?
Do you think this is simply a by-product of our modern age?

Psalm 3:2-3 [NKJV]
Many are they who say of me,
"There is no help for him in God." Selah
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

No matter what the so-called intellectuals might say, we know the truth. That is because we have been redeemed by the One who is the Truth. We need not be limited by the finite powers of ourselves, of other men, or of this world. We have our strength in the unlimited sovereign power of God!

Be encouraged, Jose

Hope

No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy
Psalm 33:16-18 (NKJV)


It is amazing how mere mortal men slack on historical lessons of life. The affluent, rich, connected, powerful soon forget how transient and finite their strength and resources are. Nations and the mighty will be in for a rude shock if they total reliance is on their resources, armies and weapons of warfare. History have shown repeatedly how vain it is to rely on our tangible and intangible resources for strength, security and future assurance. How wrong and disappointed will one be with this!

Unless we surrender our all to Him and quit the "I am in charge" mentality, our pursuits and rigors will continually be punctured and confounded by the foolish things of the world. We must fear and revere Him and our total hope must be in Him at all times. Then will we experience peace, security, and assurance that's without limits.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Wait on the Lord

Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,“ Therefore I hope in Him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJV)

The vicissitudes of life can be overwhelming. In a constantly changing and challenging world, believers must contend with realities and legitimate concerns of life yet with the mandate to uphold the presence of Him in us. A hostile world wants a blended world and will throw anything at God's children to make them blend. The unrelenting and uncompromising souls are attacked, frustrated and marked for destruction. In these does God's mercies manifest wholly in us, else we would have been swallowed up by the schemes of the adversary. At work, home, society and just everywhere we confront a relentless foe with a willing ally in our flesh, but we must continually arrest the arrester in our vessels and keep it where it belongs. The idea of free speech and rights of the flesh in the tripartite is invalid. Give the flesh free speech and a right and it will soon consume the entire body. Hence we must learn to contain our flesh while we wait patiently and quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:25-26 (NKJV)

Waiting on the Lord gives us clearer insight, vision, direction and perspective. There are no misses, strays, wastes, or near-misses. With the Lord, you are always on time and on target.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Hope of glory

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV)

Hope as it is described here in the scriptures is not a get rich scheme or a believe now or receive today and your cares and worries will just disappear into thin air tomorrow like some preachers do to con unsuspecting believers and non-believers. Our faith gives us access to peace which defies the common thinking of men even when things don't look normal to the outside world, yet when we experience peace, they just don't get it and it makes no sense to the world because through our faith we have access to divine grace, which keeps and propel us to that hope of glory.

The process is deep and not a superficial one. Daily challenges exerts perseverance in us which through grace we are able to overcome all odds with an outcome of a character that enables us sail through the tortuous moments of life without drowning and losing out on the battles and rigors of life. Our hope is not predicated on the material but on the divine promise and covenant of glory.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

The goal of faith

Friends,

What is the goal of your faith?

Is it to live a better, more moral life?
Is it ease your conscience?
Is it part of your search for peace and tranquility?
Is it your antidote to despair and hopelessness?

In and of themselves, these are wonderful outcomes of genuine and authentic faith in Christ Jesus. But they are not the ultimate aim of His quickening.

receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:9 [NKJV]

Salvation.

This is the high-note of the Gospel. It is the only goal worth pursuing. With salvation, everything has meaning; every day has hope; every word can edify and transform. With salvation, we have confidence in eternal life. Without salvation, though, everything is dead, worthless and subject to the inevitability of time and death.

On this day, pray that the Lord make this your compelling vision. Pursue the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. For these are the greatest gifts.

Be encouraged, Jose

Finishing power

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:11-12 (NKJV)

Abraham became the father of nations, Joshua led the nation of Israel into the promise land, Sarah bore a son at an unimaginable age and time of her life, Hannah's tears and sorrow was turned to joy, the three Hebrew boys got the last laugh, the widow of Zarepath endured through her season, the list goes on and on. One thing common to these men and women was that they were never sluggish at the Lord's promises in their lives, they never lost hope nor slumber off of their waiting season. They held on to the end. They through faith and patience finished their course and inherited their promises.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. The strength to make it to the morning is the finishing power. A power that the spirit of God in us can give. May you never lack the finishing power in your life, Amen.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

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

Trust God not man

Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (NKJV)

The words according to prophet Jeremiah hit the core of our mistakes and narrow human perceptions. Our mind is very good at using visible and physical situations to make humanly logical conclusions. This is so true of our present & materialistic driven world. We can easily tell from what we see - which person, organization, nation, etc will or can produce help or assistance. How wrong!!!!!

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV)

When we take our mind and focus away from the source and giver of all good things, we miss ‘good’ when it shows up because our mind and eyes most times only look at the external. But trusting God brings assurance, peace of mind, strange boldness & confidence (to the unbelieving world). When the drought comes, you only get to hear about it because the provider have already met your needs . It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi

Peace assurance

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

When the Creator declares His plans for His creature, He has total control over the process and outcomes of the creature. Have the Father declared peace and not evil? To give a future and one of hope? Then how come we often panic or worry like the one with no hope or peace assurance. Will the Maker lie to His children? Never!!! It is not in the character of our Maker to talk loosely.

If He says it, He will surely do it. No matter the circumstance, you can always count on God, you can depend on Him, Anytime and Every time.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

In the morning

Friends,

There are times when the sky is dark and threatening; when we are pressed by the enemy's attacks. Be not ashamed of crying out to God. He hears you when you are afflicted and burdened...

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
-- Psalm 143:8 [NKJV]

Notice that David does not ask God to fast-forward through the night. Rather, the psalmist expects the morning to come; he trusts in the faithfulness of the Lord. And in that morning, brothers and sisters -- indeed on this very morning -- we shall see the great mercy, patience and lovingkindness of our Father, who sent His only begotten Son to redeem us.

Be encouraged, Jose

Once and for all

Friends,

Modern Jews are observing Yom Kippur today, marking their remembrance of the day of atonement. In the desert, the LORD told His people that, when they crossed into their land, they would follow this ritual to remind them that only God is capable of fulfilling all of the precepts of the Law.

And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.
Exodus 30:10 [NKJV]

The death of this animal foreshadows the death of the Messiah. Christ's death made atonement for our sins.

There is a difference, however. Christ died once and conquered death for all time. Since He conquered it, death can never again be used against Him. This turns His death into a triumphant event. For by it, the sins of His people are atoned for ... once and for all time.

Be encouraged, Jose

Blessing to blessing

Friends, consider this song found in the Book of Psalms ...

A Song of Ascents.
Behold, bless the LORD,
All you servants of the LORD,
Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the LORD.
The LORDwho made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!

Psalm 134

The writer of this psalms implores the people to "bless the LORD". And in turn, the LORD declares that He blesses His people from His holy place. It is a beautiful exchange, just as children loves their parents, and as parents lavish love and blessings on their children.

If you are seeking that incomprehensible peace and joy, then begin today by giving unrestrained praise and glory to Almighty God. Do this no matter what your present circumstances may appear to be. And without fail, He will shower blessings upon you.

Be encouraged, Jose

Finding Me

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NKJV)

The Lord's assurance to captives through Jeremiah was gentle, firm yet assuring. For a generation that have lived in captivity for a long time, the news of hope and deliverance is usually taken with a grain of salt. But to a hopeful generation, the living word is a reminder of the Lord's faithfulness and mercies. One which though and sometimes may tarry but never fails.

In this letter to them in captivity, the process was stated out clearly... You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with 'all your heart'. This means our search must be diligent, sustained and be genuine. We must not seek Him solely for the toys, and not what just we want, but we must offer ourselves as living sacrifices holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Anything short of this will be hypocrisy and deceitful which is not acceptable to our Creator.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi