Quote for the Day 28May2010

The best way to raise positive children in a negative world is to have positive parents who love them unconditionally and serve as excellent role models. - Zig Ziglar

Quote for the Day 27May2010

Is someone else reaping the benefit of your hard work? Be encouraged. God rewards those who work “invisibly” to make Christ visible to the world. - Julie Ackerman Link

Quote for the Day 26May2010

Christianity is not a set of teachings to understand. It is a Person to follow.- Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 25May2010

Experience is a tough teacher; it gives you the test first and the lesson later. - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 24May2010

Do not grab the newspaper or call your friend first thing in the morning to talk about the latest bad news. Instead, grab your Bible and read all the good news God has for you for the day. And as you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all the things that the world is running after will be added to you! - Joseph Prince

HELP FROM THE MOUNTAINS?

Dearly Beloved,
HELP FROM THE MOUNTAINS?
“I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help will come from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2 TEV).
Poets and writers usually use the events around them, their environments and even sometimes their circumstances to compose their messages. The exact background of Psalm 121 is not known. There is the argument that it was written by David probably when his life was in danger in the high places of the field, and as a result trusted God to cover his head in the day of trouble. Some other Bible scholars see this psalm as the traveller's psalm because there is nothing in it of military dangers and think that David penned it when he was going abroad, and designed it for the journey. Apparently, the writer of the psalm was on a mountain or surrounded by mountains when he was composing the psalm. Ordinarily, mountains are places of refuge (see Genesis 14:10; Judges 6:2; Psalms 125:2; Matthew 24:16; Hebrews 11:38).
It is noteworthy that people have given this popular psalm both literal and figurative meanings. Many people believe that their prayers cannot be answered unless they go to a mountain to pray. This has led to the emergence of numerous prayer mountains in many parts of the world. Many so-called modern-day prophets have set apart places mostly on mountains and ask people to come there for prayer sessions. There is nothing wrong in going to mountains to pray, if such places will create an avenue for privacy in prayer. Jesus Christ also used many mountains as His prayer arenas (see Matthew 17:1; 28:16; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12; 9:28). However, to think or believe that prayers can only or mostly be answered on mountains is erroneous. Jesus Christ even corrected a similar error when a Samaritan woman was trying to argue that one should worship God on a particular mountain. Hear Him: “... a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.... a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21-24 NIV).
Many people on the other hand give the psalm figurative meanings. They put their trust in men, riches, experience, and the likes. However, the psalmist quickly added that his help would not come from any place, person or thing, but that his help would come from the God who made heavens and the earth. He knew that only “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NKJV).
What mountain are you looking up to for help? Is it a specific mountain? Have you made people, riches, experience, and the likes your mountains that you are looking up to in time of distress? Only God can help you. Look unto Him. He will indeed help!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 22May2010

You have got to stand for something or you will fall for anything. - Aaron Tippin

Quote for the Day 21May2010

He who flirts with his temptations will be consumed by them. He who by God’s power checks them will go from grace to grace. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 20May2010

To admit you were wrong is to declare you are wiser now than before. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 19May2010

Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you. - Denis Waitley

Quote for the Day 18May2010

As our mind remains on Jesus Christ, He keeps us in perfect peace. This has been the experience of countless believers, and you can experience it too. - Joanie Yoder

Quote for the Day 17May2010

God made you who you are; when you try to be somebody else the best you can ever be is number two. So be yourself. - Bob Gass

YOU WILL SOON BOUNCE BACK!

Dearly Beloved,

YOU WILL SOON BOUNCE BACK!

“At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant” (Job 14:7-9 NIV).

The Yorubas have many thought-provoking adages. One of such sayings came to my mind recently. Here is it: “Ti eni ti o be igi ni o ju, igi yo ruwe.” [Literally, shame on the one who cut down a tree because the tree will soon sprout again.] The above Bible reference corroborates the Yoruba adage. This adage came to my mind as I was counseling somebody recently. However, it dawned on me that the proverbial tree will have to undergo a certain period. This transitional period is generally not a pleasant one as the tree will be trying to adjust to its present situation. However, in a matter of time, it will regain its full strength and beauty and even bear fruits.

Many people also have been “cut down” by other people in one way or the other. It may be through deceit, fraud, cheating, robbery, sack in the place of work, denial of right, and the likes. Undoubtedly, the person that is “cut down” will undergo some kind of emotional trauma. He may blame the person that “cut him down.” He may blame himself for his ordeal. He may even blame God for allowing the misfortune. Such person may allow the ordeal to blindfold him from seeing other ways of moving forward in life. However, such person will indeed bounce back in a matter of time. At the scent of water he will bud and put forth shoots like a plant and bear fruits again.

Has your “tree been cut down”? What trauma are you passing through now? How are you reacting to the ordeal? Are you blaming yourself or the person that “cut the tree down”? Are you even blaming God? Do not blame anyone! Focus on God. Rely on Him. Open your eyes for other prospects. Your “tree will soon sprout” again and bear fruits! You will soon bounce back. Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 TEV). You will indeed soon bounce back!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 15May2010

True success is not necessarily about being the best at all cost. It's about DOING your best at all times. If you do that long enough, who knows, you might just end up being the best. - Tope Popoola

Quote for the Day 14May2010

It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.
- Anonymous

Quote for the Day 13May2010

When man says that it is impossible, Jesus says that it is possible. The Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, has the final word in your situation!
- Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 12May2010

Do not have negative thoughts on things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 11May2010

The best inheritance you can leave your kids is an example of how to live a full and meaningful life. - Dan Zadra

Quote for the Day 10May2010

Thank You, Lord, for motherhood
With all its vale of tears,
For happy moments never dimmed
Through all the many years.
- Strecker

TAKE CARE OF YOUR PARENTS

Dearly Beloved,
TAKE CARE OF YOUR PARENTS
"When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, `Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, `Here is your mother'" (John 19: 26-27 NIV).
When Jesus Christ was crucified, many people came to witness the incident. The women that had been with Jesus Christ since the time He was in Galilee also were there. They stood by the cross. Among them was His mother. When He saw her and the disciple He had loved, He made this declaration, "Dear woman, here is your son …Here is your mother." The declaration is an expression of concern for the care of Jesus' parent, even on the cross. The fact that Jesus referred to his mother as "woman" and not "mother" has made some of His critics to accuse Him of disrespecting His mother. However, the expression was common in His time and it was never regarded as a sign of disrespect. His regard for His mother made Him to hand her over to one of His trusted disciples for proper caring. He wanted her to see the disciple as her son and the disciple to see her as his mother, and thereby take good care of her. The disciple understood Him and immediately took her to his own home.
The implication of this declaration is that children should take good care of their parents, even when it is difficult for them to do so. Jesus Christ had earlier condemned the act of neglecting one's parents in the course of serving God (see Matthew 15:4-6; Mark 7:10-13). The fifth commandment had enjoined commitment to parents as a religious duty (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). For a child not to take good care of his/her parents especially when they are old is a sin.
Jesus Christ took care of His parent in His dying moment. Are you taking good care of your parents? Will they be able to pray for and bless you at the point of their death because of your care?
As some parts of the world celebrate the Mother’s Day this weekend, make it a point of duty to take care of, not only your mother, but your both parents. If they are no more, look for people that you can care for in honor of your departed parents. Happy Mother’s Day!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, help me so that I will be able to take good care of my parents in their old age.
2. Help my children to be able to take good care of me in my old age.
Note:
This message is a partial adaptation of one the parts of the study on THE WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS first sent on March 19, 2006. You can request for the concise version of the whole study. Write a personal email to me at spiritualdigest@yahoo.com. God bless you!!!

Quote for the Day 08May2010

A mother experiences great joys and intense sorrows. But if she submits her life to God, every season of her motherhood serves His eternal purposes.
- Herbert Vander Lugt

Quote for the Day 06May2010

Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God.

Hebrews 9:27 TEV

Quote for the Day 05May2010

If something is missing in your life, remember that God is the only One who can fully and abundantly satisfy you. Let Him complete the picture of your life. - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 04May2010

When you walk with God, the promise before you is greater than the pain behind you. - Johnson Ajuwon

Quote for the Day 03May2010

There is nothing good the Lord allows the devil to take away that He does not replace with something better. - Author Unknown

WHAT IS YOUR FOCUS?

Dearly Beloved,

WHAT IS YOUR FOCUS?

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ [Jesus Christ] replied, ‘... do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven’” (Luke 10:17-20 NIV).

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2 NIV).

Jesus Christ sent out seventy-two out of His disciples “two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go” (Luke 10:1 NIV). The mission outreach was a huge success as the disciples came back with many testimonies. The disciples shared these testimonies with Jesus Christ with great joy. Undoubtedly, their focus was on the success. However, having reaffirmed the victory of the disciples over the Satan and his cohorts, Jesus Christ redirected their focus on a better thing and place: heaven.

Many Christians nowadays are focusing on their successes in their academic, career, marital, financial, and/or even spiritual pursuits. Most especially, many ministers of God are making the euphoria of ministerial successes to overshadow the ultimate goal of making heaven and getting rewards in heaven. They are overwhelmed and apparently satisfied with their successful ministries. No wonder, many of such ministers of God do not care how they get that success. Success in any endeavor is good, but that should not be the focus of any right-minded Christian. The focus should be heaven and the rewards that one will get there.

What is your focus on earth? Is it earthly success? As a minister of the gospel, what makes you rejoice as you are doing the ministry? Is it the success you are recording in the ministry? Let your focus be the fact that you are working with God and that He will reward you accordingly in His heavenly kingdom. What is your focus?

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).