When we hear grace, what do we think of….? divine ability, unmerited favor…,

I think unmerited favor is possibly the most common. I think we should dive into that.

Sometimes when people say unmerited favor, it doesn’t really sink in.

So if we say grace is unmerited favor, it simply means this is favor that you did not deserve, God did a favor for you that you didn’t deserve, which leads us to ask the next question, WHAT IS FAVOR?

Favor can be described as any kind, helpful, benevolent, merciful action that you do for another person and when we say GRACE therefore is unmerited favor or undeserved favor, it means I show kindness to you that you never deserved, that is I did something for you that you didn’t deserve.

We can also use the word “GRACE” to describe somebody’s disposition towards you. If you say someone is gracious to another person, you know what you are saying? it means you are favorably disposed towards that person, it will means you have an inclination and a desire to bless that person, to be kind and helpful especially when that person doesn’t deserve it. If I did good to you and you do good back to me, you have simply repaid me for the good I did to you, you are not gracious to me. If you are gracious to me, it means I haven’t done anything for you but you just have this love for me that makes you always want to help me.  Grace is not something you get because you have worked for it.

I think parents can relate with this. No matter the gaffes of their child, there is a natural disposition to help that child when the child needs help. No matter how bad your child is, will parents tend to be gracious towards their children? So we can say your disposition towards your child is alway to help that child.

How do you know I am favorably disposed towards you if I never act towards you? Which means the only way I can perceive grace is by what is done.

Grace like love is a verb, it has no substance until is is acted upon. Grace is a verb, not a noun

I can say you are favorably disposed towards me when I always get help whenever I come to you

The Bible abounds with examples of how God has been gracious to us. John 3:16-17 says :For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

I like the book of Romans rendering of GRACE

Romans 5:6-8

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Sin always produces death. We were deserving of death but God extended His grace towards by the death of Christ on the cross

Grace is God’s kindness towards us which is often released in divine ability.

Does God’s help stop after we become born again? The truth is “No”

Bible scholars have actually discovered five expressions of grace. They found out that there are five ways that God’s Grace is expressed in our lives

1. SAVING GRACE: is the one that gets us born again. It is God’s life and power released towards an individual and working in that individual, justifying and making the person a new creature
2. STANDING GRACE: it imparts God’s strength into us, helping us to walk in victory over the challenges of life, which means Standing Grace give us the energy and the strength to walk in victory.  Hebrews 4:15-16: For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. There is strength available, it is available but not automatic, you have to ask for it, you have to receive. If you don’t come, you don’t receive it. Standing Grace has been given to enable us to reign as kings in this life.  Romans 5:17 says For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Now consider the fact that GRACE is the release of God’s power in and through you to help you live the life that God has called your to live, which means there is an energy available in Christ. You are not meant to live the Christian life in your strength. If that was the case, then we were okay with the law but because the law didn’t provide that energy, there was no life to obey it, God had to bring in a different covenant and in this covenant, there is grace available. Not only have you been made right, the power has been given to you to overcome your mind and your flesh and to bring them into conformity to the will of God. All those times that you feel depressed, all those times when you feel harassed, all those times when you are fearful, there is grace. We need Standing Grace to overcome the wiles of the devil. The word wiles means a strategy or a trick that is designed to entrap you. Satan plays mind games, sometimes you feel like you are a failure and the next day you are feeling like a success, are you schizophrenic? Today you are up, tomorrow you are down, what is going on? Satan is playing mind game with you. If he can keep you locked into that mindset, he has entrapped you. We need Standing Grace In Ephesians 6:10, it says: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord (or be strong in the grace that Christ offers) and in the power of his might.  2 Timothy 2:1 day :Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. There is strength in Christ Jesus and the Bible says we should take as much as we can take so that we can be strong.
3. SANCTIFYING GRACE: Sanctifying grace cleanses us and enables us to walk in holiness. It keeps us from being contaminated from the corruption that is in this world. You know you can feel the corruption. In some environment, it’s stronger than the other.  Titus 2:11-14: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. God’s Grace instructs and empowers us to live a Godly life. This grace life is so simple that it is easy to miss. How do you get help from anybody? So we know Grace is getting God’s help by asking for it. The Bible says  in Matthew 7:11:If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?? A good father offers help to his child, that is the grace we are talking about. Some people think the Christianity we practice is not applicable in business, that is there is no help for the business man. The world says doing business is like swimming with the sharks. Does that agree with your bible? Did the Bible say “my grace is insufficient for you? It means in the areas where you lack strength, God’s power comes to your help. Grace doesn’t mean inactivity but Grace will not need your effort to save you. Grace produces it actions through you, for God is working within you, giving you the desire and the ability to perform. Grace produces action
4. SHARING GRACE:   2 Corinthians 8:1-7: Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;2. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.3. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;4. Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.5. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.6. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.7. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. Sharing Grace is the enablement to be concerned about the welfare of the other person and to give to meet the need of that person
5. SERVING GRACE: It’s God’s ability imparted to us to be productive and  fruitful in our service to God. We have been called to do something. You were not born to eat, drink, go to work and die. There is a purpose for your life and there is grace available to fulfill that purpose. This grace doesn’t happen automatically.

One of the ways to activate the grace of God is to cooperate by accepting the offer of grace.

God’s word is anointed and it is called the “Word of His Grace”.

The best way to multiply the grace of God in our lives is by increasing in our knowledge of God.  2 Peter 1:2: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

Author: Pastor Sola Mabogunje

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Life After the Encounter 

Romans 8:1-17

John 14:16-17

Galatians 5:16-25

2 Corinthians 3:17

I don’t believe this woman’s journey ended at the well. That was just the beginning. Did that mean she was going to be perfect from that moment on? I don’t believe so. If you want to live wholeheartedly for the Lord, you need the Holy Spirit. 

• The Spirit enables you to live for God. 

• The Spirit affirms you of your identity as a child of God. 

• The Spirit opens your heart to the Father and His great love towards you. 

• The Spirit helps you to pray. 

• The Spirit frees you from bondages like shame, fear and everything else. 

• The Spirit leads you and makes you aware of God’s intentions for your life. 

However, you have a choice to be attentive to the Holy Spirit or to walk in your own way. When you received Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour, you were given the gift of the Holy Spirit to help you live for God.

The question is, how attentive are you to the Holy Spirit’s leading? Is your life truly influenced by the Holy Spirit? 

See, the Holy Spirit impacts the way that you live, why you live and how you live. When your life is not led by the Holy Spirit, your flesh is leading you and governing all that you do. You are unable to talk and act like Christ. But it is evident when an individual’s life is influenced by the Holy Spirit, because their character and all that they do exudes Christ. 

Ask yourself honestly, am I bearing the fruit of the Spirit or of the flesh?

Having the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean that you are going to be perfect, but it does mean that day by day you will become more like Christ. God is not looking for perfection. He is looking for progression. And each day when you say yes to the Holy Spirit’s leading and help, you are making efforts to become like Christ so that you can be a testament to those around you who do not know Him. 

Each day when you wake up, invite the Holy Spirit to lead your day. Let Him know that you need Him. Keep yourself in the word of God. Do not neglect prayer, and be around people who are like-minded, who are after God like crazy, and you will begin to see the transformation in your life, inwardly and outwardly. 

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Your Life 

John 4:27-28

John 4:39-42

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

This woman’s encounter led to many in her city coming to know Jesus. This reject, this outcast, this divorcee, was the same woman that God used to spread the good news throughout Samaria that the messiah was present. Isn’t that incredible?  

Your struggle and issues are not your identity; stop identifying yourself with your past. You are not forsaken, you are not a loner, you are not a reject, you are not an outcast, you are not a worrier, you are not timid, you are not used, you are not worthless and whatever else you have been told that you are.  

You’re a child of God, loved, cherished, bold, healed, accepted, never forsaken, a treasure and worth more than rubies. When Jesus went on the cross and rose again, He enabled you to live in these truths so that you can be free. 

No matter what your history is, your mistakes, or what you’ve been through, you are qualified to tell the good news of the goodness and grace of God! 

When you truly encounter God each day, there is a transformation that becomes evident to those around you. When you choose to overcome the struggles, trials and issues in your life, it is a form of hope to someone else. 

God can use you to do so many great things. He can use you to change many lives and He can use you to make a difference wherever you are situated. You are a beacon of light in the midst of darkness when you choose to follow Jesus each day. 

Prayer: 

Lord, show me your intention for my life. Use me for your will and for your glory alone. Amen

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1. The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” Isaiah 29:13
   Jesus wasn’t talking about the acts of worship. It was all about the posture of the heart. This woman knew the religious traditions. However, what she had been taught couldn’t change her inside. It didn’t change how she lived.
   Worship goes beyond a song. It goes beyond the four walls of a building. It is your whole heart in the hands of God. True worship flows from a place of complete surrender, a heart that says, “Here I am, have all of me.”
   True worship is supposed to change the heart of a person. True worship, true surrender to God impacts who we are, how we are and how we live our lives each day. When we truly surrender our hearts to God, we become empty and it gives the Lord an opportunity to pour back into us: His truth, His ways and intentions, all through His Spirit.
   God doesn’t want an act anymore; God wants your whole heart. It’s time to get honest with God; it’s time to be vulnerable. He sees the heart of who you are. He sees what nobody else can see.
   Change requires complete surrender, all of you in all of your rawness, willing to be touched and led by the precious and merciful hand of God. Whatever you need can be found when you posture your heart to say, “Here I am.” Out of that place of worship, you can truly experience the Lord in all of His truth and power.
   Will you give Him your heart?

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It’s amazing the number of things He does for each one of us on a daily basis without a single thank you from us. Yet He continues to protect us, provide for us, clothe us, provide a roof over our heads and on and on.

The only time we remember Him is when we have an emergency, or when we have a need or find ourselves in a situation way over our heads.

We insist on doing things our way and choosing a path that excludes God.

So we continue to live far below our potential, feeling increasingly dissatisfied with our lives and the emptiness we sometimes experience.

Here is the truth you were created for relationship. First with God and then with other human beings. This is how you were wired, this is what you were created for.

We were designed to achieve our fullest potential and deepest fulfilment only and only in relationship with God and not independent of Him.

Entrust your life to Him today. Acknowledge Him in everything you do, ask for His guidance and depend on Him and He will direct your steps.

Open yourself to a life of endless possibilities.

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Having received God’s underserved kindness, there is an attitude He wants us to have, the attitude of humility

Whatever elevation or blessing we experience as a result of God’s grace, we can’t boast, because we didn’t earn it.

If God doesn’t bestow His blessing on you, work as hard as you want to work, you will not reap the harvest.

Grace sometimes works so subtly that you may attribute your success to your intelligence.

“For what makes a distinction between you and someone else? And what do you have that grace has not given you? And if you received it as a gift, why do you boast as though there is something special about you?”

1 Corinthians‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

There are two categories of tests that God does:

1. The test of your faithfulness to Him when you have nothing and

2. The test He runs on you when you have abundance, to see how you”ll handle it.

When your wealth begins to take you away from God, He may  allow it for a while, hoping you”ll come to your senses but when you refuse to return to Him, you will be deprived of that blessing.

Everybody wants to feel important and you are important to God. Christ  submitted himself to humiliation just because of you, so you are important to Him, it’s just that you are not more important to Him than every other person. Be humble.

“Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)–[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)–[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble. [Prov. 3:34.] Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,”

1 Peter‬ ‭5:5-6‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

One attitude you must avoid like plague is pride. Pride will hinder the operation of God’s grace in your life. The danger about pride is that the proud person doesn’t know that he is proud.

Every time you think you are better than somebody else, you are proud!

We need to CULTIVATE humility!

Humility is the opposite of pride, the quality or state of heart that values other human beings and respects them.

The first thing we know about humility from the Bible is that God gives more grace and help to the humble and sets Himself against the proud.

The second thing we know about humility is that it always come before honor.

Nobody will promote a proud person.

No matter your level of blessing, condescend to a man of low estate.

If you pass the test of humility, God will take you higher.

As your shoulder is growing in pride, you are losing respect.

“A man’s heart is the proudest when his downfall is nearest, for he won’t see glory until the Lord sees humility.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

The third thing about humility is that God wants us to treat all men with humility.

“Tell them not to speak evil of anyone but to live in peace with others. They should be gentle and polite to everyone.”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:2‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Pride makes you talk down at people because if you value people, even if they are annoying, you won’t react rudely.

Practical ways to walk in humility towards others

1. Listen more than you talk. Don’t be too absorbed with yourself. When you listen to people, you make them feel important
2. Learn to give other people credit where it is due because nobody succeeds 100% on their own
3. Give credit to God whenever you succeed
4. Learn to admit you are wrong. Humility is recognizing you can’t always be right, that you make mistakes.
5. Learn to put other people first. A humble person recognizes that his time is not more important than the other person
6. Never jump a queue, when you do that, you grieve the Holy Ghost because it demonstrates a lack of regard for others
7. Learn to ask for advice.
8. Learn to praise people, don’t flatter them

Proverbs 3:5. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Let us walk in humility as we experience all that God has for us, we should never waste God’s grace.

Author: Pastor Sola Mabogunje

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