Quote for the Day 01Feb2010

The Lord that started this year with you will bring you to its end with many divine blessings, favour, progress and successes in Jesus’ name. Amen. Welcome to the second month of the year! - Bayo Afolaranmi

BE ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (Part 4)

Dearly Beloved,

BE ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (Part 4)

“‘This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the LORD” (Isaiah 54:17b NIV).

“And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith” (Philippians 3:9 AMP).

This is the last part of this message. Since the beginning of the year, a closer look has been taken on the prophecy found in Isaiah 54:14-17 that has become one of the most popular quoted positive promises of God in the Holy Bible. The prophecy ends with the affirmation that it is the heritage of the servants of the LORD. Who are these people? The “servant of the LORD” is a theological concept in the Book of Isaiah that points forward to Jesus Christ. (Passages in the book that express this idea are Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; and 52:13-53:12.) However, even before Isaiah’s time, the concept of God’s servant was deeply rooted in the history of the nation of Israel. The term servant was frequently applied to those who performed some service, task, or mission for the Lord. For instance, the term servant was applied to Abraham (Genesis 26:24), Isaac (Genesis 24:14), Jacob (Ezekiel 28:25), Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5), Joshua (Joshua 24:29), and many of the prophets of the Old Testament. The term is related to the term saint: a person eminent for piety or virtue or simply a consecrated or sanctified person.

The servants of the Lord that this comforting prophecy applies to are the people that have dedicated their lives for God to be used by Him as instruments of honor in His vineyard (see 2 Timothy 2:21). These are people that are living consecrated or sanctified lives to the glory of God. It has to be noted that they are not people that are living self-achieved righteous lives, but people that have been sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ and have the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ through faith in Him (see Romans 1:17; 3:21-22; 5:17; 10:4; Philippians 3:9).

The promises in Isaiah 54:14-17 and many other comforting promises of God in the Bible are not for all and sundry. They are for people that are ready to dedicate their lives to God and allow Him to sanctify them and make them His instruments for noble purposes. Are you one of those people?

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB

If you missed any part of this message, or you want a compressed version of the whole message, write me directly at . God bless you!

Quote for the Day 30Jan2010

Dare to be a Daniel! Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known!
Hold the Gospel banner high! On to vict'ry grand!
Satan and his host defy, and shout for Daniel's Band!
- Philip P. Bliss

Quote for the Day 29Jan2010

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reasons for remaining ashore. - Vincent Van Gogh

Quote for the Day 28Jan2010

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, to shine for Him each day;

In every way try to please Him-at home, at school, at play.

I will ask Jesus to help me, to keep my heart from sin;

Ever reflecting His goodness, and always shine for Him!

- Nellie Talbot

Quote for the Day 27Jan2010

Even a mistake may turn out to be the one thing necessary to a worthwhile achievement. - Henry Ford

Quote for the Day 26Jan2010

Your responsibility is not to know the future; it is to trust in God who holds the future, and be confident that you are safe in His hands. - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 25Jan2010

Lord, help me see the heartfelt needs

Of those within my care,

And grant that through my words and deeds

Your love with them I will share.

- D. De Haan

BE ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (Part 3)

Dearly Beloved,

BE ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (Part 3)

“See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you” (Isaiah 54:16-17a NIV).

“Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (Psalm 91:9-10 NKJV).

The sovereignty of God is the thrust of this part. God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and everything in them. The creation story in Genesis 1 confirms this, and the Psalmist asserted, “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters” (24:1-2 NIV). He was the one that created everyone on earth. Initially, everything that He created including man was good (Genesis 1:31). However, the fall of man recorded in Genesis 3 distorted the good creation of God, and “the LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5 NIV). In spite of this, God never disowns His creation. The fact still remains that He was, and still is, the Creator. This is what He was reminding His people in Isaiah 54:16. He does have the power to restrain the evils.

People that God created are using other created things for bad purposes. They are using these created things and their thoughts and ability to do evil most of the time. This has made some people to wonder if God really exists, or blame Him if He does exist for these evils. The focus of this message is not to discuss the problem of evil. Rather, this message is about the sovereignty of God over all these evils and the fact that such evils will not prevail over His people. No matter what man does to harm God’s people, it shall not overcome them. In fact, God’s people will triumph over such evil at the end of the day.

The world is full of evils perpetrated by evil men that God originally created to be good. In spite of this, if you are established in righteousness, no evil will befall you (cf Psalm 91:9-10). Even if any evil befalls you, it shall not prevail over you. You will triumph over every evil and evil one in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 23Jan2010

It is easy to be thankful to God for the good things. A life of rich fulfilment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 22Jan2010

God is willing and just as capable of giving you victory in your current challenge as He was with those in times past. Take comfort in God’s promise that He watches over you and He wants to give you victory. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 21Jan2010

You do not have to take life the way it comes to you. You can design your life to come to you the way you want it. - Dan Zadra

Quote for the Day 20Jan2010

Life’s challenges sometimes seem impossible. Do you feel you are too weak to fight the battle? Do not give up! Keep your heart loyal to God, for He constantly watches over you, and He desires to demonstrate His strength in your life. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 19Jan2010

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenges and controversies. - Martin Luther King Jnr.

Quote for the Day 18Jan2010

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. - Author Unknown

BE ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (Part 2)

Dearly Beloved,

BE ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (Part 2)

“If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you” (Isaiah 54:15 NIV).

“In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33 AMP).

The first part of this message ended with an admonition to allow God to establish us in righteousness. In addition, it was established that tyranny and terror will be far from anyone that allows God to establish him/her in righteousness. However, this part will balance the truth. Being established in righteousness does not mean that there will be no hitch. In God’s promise in Isaiah 54:14-17, God made it clear that His people will be attacked, but, such attack will not be His doing, and He will definitely give His people victory over the attackers. Jesus Christ gave the same assertion as He was about to leave His disciples in John 16:33 quoted above.

Three truths can be deduced from this assertion. One, the fact that God has established a person in righteousness does not mean such person will not be attacked. A child of God who is doing the will of God is not free from the attack of the enemy. This attack may come in any form. Two, such attack is not from God. In the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus said of the enemy, the Devil, who came while everyone was sleeping and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away (see Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). Christians are facing many attacks today that are not God’s doing, but the handiwork of the Devil and his cohorts. Three, no matter the attack, victory is sure for those that have been established in righteousness. The Lord will enable His loved ones to overcome any trouble that may come their way. No wonder, the Psalmist could boldly say, “weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NIV. See also John 16:20-22).

In spite of the fact that many troubles will come this year, know that they are not God’s doing. If you are established in righteousness, your attackers will surrender to you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 16Jan2010

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. - Winston Churchill

Quote for the Day 15Jan2010

Do not let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was. - Richard Evans

Quote for the Day 14Jan2010

When God closes a door, do not go in through the window. He has something better for you, and He knows the best and the right time for you. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 13Jan2010

Be careful who influences you, and be careful how you influence others. - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 12Jan2010

Failure does not mean you will never make it, it means it will take a little longer. - Debra C.

Quote for the Day 11Jan2010

The wonderful thing about the game of life is that winning and losing are only temporary...unless you quit. - Fred Mills

BE ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

Dearly Beloved,

BE ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

“In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you” (Isaiah 54:14 NIV).

I was led to use Isaiah 54:14-17 as my family prayer wishes for the New Year for people in my Internet ministry. I pray once again that these prayer wishes will come to pass in the life of each one of you in Jesus’ name. Amen. However, for the next few weeks, I will base my weekly devotional messages on these verses.

The basis for the prophecy in these verses that was turned to prayer wishes is righteousness. God promised that He would establish His people in righteousness. Many Bible scholars have interpreted this prophecy to different sets of people. Some of them apply it to the Jews that were returning from the Exile. Some are of the opinion that it is applicable to the Jewish Christians, while some extend the application to every Christian of all generations and nations. Some even apply it to the future Kingdom that God will set up in the last days and the people in that kingdom. Whichever the correct interpretation, the important thing is that the people that were (or will be) established were (or will be) established in RIGHTEOUSNESS. If anyone would like to apply the prophecy to himself, he must be ready to be righteous.

To be righteous is to be virtuous, blameless, morally upright, and be in right standing with God. A synonym of the word “righteousness” is justice: to be just, fair, impartial and honest. A person that wants tyranny and terror of the evil ones to be far from him will be righteous. He must have allowed God to really establish him in act of righteousness and he must remain in it.

Allow God to establish you in righteousness by moving closer to Him in prayer and meditation of His words this year. Be just and fair with people around you. Be in right standing with your God. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV). Then, tyranny and terror of the evil ones will indeed be far from you.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 09Jan2010

Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. - Lou Holtz

Quote for the Day 08Jan2010

Do not compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about. - Anonymous

Quote for the Day 07Jan2010

Everyone has his or her season of favor. If you do not rejoice when your neighbor’s time comes, your season may never come. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 06Jan2010

Time is more value than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time. - Jim Rohn

Quote for the Day 05Jan2010

I do not measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom. - George S. Patton

Quote for the Day 04Jan2010

I’ve anchored in Jesus, the storms of life I’ll brave;

I’ve anchored in Jesus, I’ll fear no wind or wave.

I’ve anchored in Jesus, for He hath power to save;

I’ve anchored to the Rock of Ages!

- Lewis Edgar Jones

Quote for the Day 03Jan2010

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

- Abraham Lincoln

Quote for the Day 02Jan2010

What a comfort to know that God is always with us - we do not need to go through life alone! - Cindy Hess Kasper