For good works

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:4-10 (NKJV)

His available grace has been bestowed on all that all may come to the knowledge of His love and nature. His acts teach us unconditional love, love not driven for self gain and gratification but with a sacrificial intent not demanding a kickback or favor.

As specially crafted people destined and designed for good works in Christ Jesus, let us walk and work in this path and role with our all so as to fulfill our purpose in Him that has called us.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

If not for God

2 “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us, 3 Then they would have swallowed us alive...
Psalm 124:2-3 (NKJV)

The Psalmist boldly and confidently declared a real testimony. It was a story of triumph and victory over the schemes and overtures of men. So lethal and deadly were the intent of men, but the grace of God remained sufficient.

6 Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:6-8 (NKJV)

We must never lose sight of this uncommon grace and mercies from our Savior, neither must we take it for granted. If not for God!!! what would have been the lot of man? To God be all glory forever more.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

His Mercies

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51:1,11 (NKJV)

It is so glaring when man loses the Holy Spirit connection. He acts insanely and with reckless abandon and ultimately self-destruct. All of a sudden the 'programmed' now thinks he's more all-knowing, all-able more than the 'Programmer'. Only time will separate the two, but the wise knows that safe the grace of the Almighty God, man is nothing; but with a steady connection to the Creator, he is more than able to rise above self and his numerous life challenges. King David knew the secret of this and sought the mercies of God continually and longed to be in His presence at all times. Moses requested a halt to the journey of the nation of Israel unless the presence of the Lord went with them.

We never want to stray away for the Lord's presence. Cast me not away from your presence lest I misbehave and self-destruct. Your Holy Spirit is my GPS, Teacher, Mentor, Comforter, Friend, etc. His Leadership in our lives we need and in His presence we must always be.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

He shows us favor

Friends,

LORD, You have been favorable to Your land;
You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.
You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people;
You have covered all their sin. Selah
Psalm 85:1-2 [NKJV]

Our Lord has taken up residence in the hearts of believers. His "land" (from verse 1 of this passage) is, therefore the heart that beats inside of you and me.

Look back upon the history of your walk with Jesus...

Has He not been favorable to you?
Has He not freed you from the captivity and bondage of sin?
Has He not forgiven our iniquity and covered all of our sin?

Gratitude is not a one-day affair. For what our Lord and Savior has done -- and is doing -- for you and me, our words and songs should be full of praise and thanksgiving every moment of everyday.

Be encouraged, Jose

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

God's limits

Friends,

How often have we deceived ourselves into believing that God's mercy precludes Him from exercising perfect justice? How many times have we accused our Lord of cruelty when He does exercise perfect justice?

The fierce anger of the LORD will not return until He has done it,
And until He has performed the intents of His heart.
In the latter days you will consider it.
"At the same time," says the LORD, "I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people."
Jeremiah 30:24-31:1 [NKJV]

Even though translators have these verses in separate chapters, we can see that they truly flow as a continuous thought. And in this single, unified word, we see the goodness and the severity of our LORD.

Indeed, He is kind and merciful and longsuffering and patient. And truly, the LORD is fiercely just, and exercises perfect judgments over all mankind, including His precious children.

Be encouraged, Jose

A Response for Trouble

Friends,

As believers, we know that we don't have to go looking for trouble... for trouble is looking for us. And when we are deep in the fight of battle, sometimes we forget that the Lord has given us a variety of responses. One response, of course, is to fight; to take up the sword of the Word of God and wield it in truth. Another response is to take authority over the trouble-makers, just as Jesus did, and command them to cease and desist. These are normal responses that may fit very comfortably with a naturally aggressive personality. But there is another response, expressed by a valiant warrior ...

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
Psalm 6:2 [NKJV]

When the LORD sends trouble to test and refine us, it is entirely appropriate to seek His guidance and His wisdom in our response. And King David, who penned these words, obeyed God and therefore cried out to Him for mercy.

Every situation is different, and therefore we must listen to what the LORD instructs us to do. When He tells us to fight, we must fight. And when He tells us to fall upon His mercy, let neither our pride nor old habits stop us from obeying His voice.

Cry out to Jesus. His mercies endure forever.

Be encouraged, Jose

Will you give thanks too?

Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:11-17 (NKJV)

Because He is God, He can call things in our lives into existence instantly. Like many, these sick and challenged men tapped into the power of oneness. On sighting Him, they raised their voices in unison to the one who is ABLE. Like any leprous issue and challenge in our lives, we wish and pray it away but it still persists. It only takes a divine pronouncement to make a turn around in our lives. That situation is meant for a showcase of God's glory in you. So after the mountain and valley are levelled, will God get the attention and glory He truly deserves?

One one of the lepers came back giving thanks, he was even a stranger/Samaritan with little knowledge of the faith. He never took this move and hand of God in his life for granted, he came back and gave thanks to God for His mercies. In what ever situation you may be in, will you give thanks too?

Be encouraged,

Afolabi