ARE YOU GROWING SPIRITUALLY? (Part 3)

Dearly Beloved, ARE YOU GROWING SPIRITUALLY? (Part 3) “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). Spiritual growth entails knowing the Lord Jesus Christ progressively better. This process starts after accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. Spiritual growth is therefore expected from every believer because no believer reaches a point of no growth while living in this world. There are many things that a believer can do to enhance his or her spiritual growth. Some of these things are: one, being born again: be sure of being a new creation through accepting the Lord Jesus Christ. To identify with spiritual growth you must first be born again because it is not possible for a non-believer to grow spiritually. The moment you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you become a new creation and gain entry into spiritual person (2 Corinthians 5:17). Two, abstaining from all sins: it is not possible to grow spiritually if you still engage in some ungodly practices (Romans 6:1-2). Three, communicating with Jesus Christ through prayer: a believer should have a special prayer time (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Four, reading the Holy Bible at all times: the more you read your Holy Bible, the more you change. The Holy Bible is a mirror on which your life should reflect. Let the Holy Bible talk to you. Five, telling others about Jesus Christ: spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ helps you grow. Six, fellowshipping with other believers: belong to and be active in a local church (Hebrews 10:25). This makes you have a spiritual home and the pastor your spiritual leader. These are what spiritual growth is all about. Spiritual growth is critical. It is a way of: pursuing righteousness (1 Timothy 6:11); being transformed (Romans 12:2); perfecting holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1); pressing toward the goal (Philippians 3:14); or being built up in the faith (Colossians 2:7). The goal is the same for every Christian: to be transformed into the Lord’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18). Spiritual growth is not an option for any serious Christian. Are you growing spiritually? In what area are you lacking in your spiritual growth? There is nothing you can do to substitute your spiritual growth. It is a necessity. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me to be growing spiritually in all ramifications.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Spiritual growth is not an option for any serious Christian. There is nothing you can do to substitute your spiritual growth. It is a necessity. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be growing spiritually in all ramifications.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The Lord is shaping us. Let us be patient and allow His chastening to do its work in our lives so we will be able to praise Him. - M. R. De Haan ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be patient with You as You shape my life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Be strong [constantly strengthened] and empowered in the grace that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1 AMP). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY In spite of any location or situation, we are to draw strength from the incredible grace of Christ, our Lord, which brings life strengthening joy. - Simon Wale Olatunji ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Jesus Christ, please strengthen me by the might of Your Spirit.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "If you have love for those who have love for you, what credit is it to you? for even sinners have love for those who have love for them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is it to you? for even sinners do the same. And if you let those have the use of your money, from whom you are hoping to get it back, what credit is it to you? even sinners do so to sinners, hoping to get back as much as they gave" (Luke 6:32-34 BBE). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY To distinguish ourselves as Jesus’ people, we need to show kindness even to those who wish us harm. Only then will we reflect the heart of the One who, while we were still His enemies, paid the ultimate price to come to our rescue. - Mart De Haan ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to be able to distinguish yourself as a child of God by showing kindness even to those who wish you harm.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY You cannot change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future. - Anonymous ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not let any worry ruin your present and the future.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9-10 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the quiet confidence that God is in control without the need to understand why He does what He does. - Charles R. Swindoll ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to always know that You are in control of every situation I find myself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Many Christians no longer want to grow in God; they rather want to work for God and expect God in turn to bless them materially. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me not to equate my spiritual growth with anything no matter how good the thing may be.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "We live by what we believe, not by what we can see" (2 Corinthians 5:7 NCV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY See beyond the ordinary by believing in the Lord that He will help you, and He will be glorified in your life. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to always look beyond the ordinary as I believe in You for the extraordinary.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NIV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When God’s Word is hidden in our heart, His ways will become our ways. - Lawrence Darmani ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to hide Your word in my heart so as to always walk in Your ways.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name" (John 1:12 AMP). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Not only will Jesus Christ forgive you, He also promises the hope of Heaven to all who receive Him. - Billy Graham ************ ACTION FOR THE DAY Receive Jesus Christ into your life today in order to have the hope of Heaven (if you have not done so).

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened. Remember, the finest steel gets sent through the hottest furnace. A real winner is not one who never fails, but one who never quits! - Steve Blair ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to endure trials so as as to be strengthened spiritually and be a winner at the end.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.... let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:16, 18 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The Valentine season should remind us of a sacrificial love that we can give not only to our loved ones, but to everyone that we encounter. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to demonstrate sacrificial love to your loved ones, and even "unloved" ones, during this Valentine season.

WHAT MANNER OF LOVE!

Dearly Beloved, WHAT MANNER OF LOVE! "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1 NKJV). For some time now, many people have been talking about love, and they will celebrate "love" on February 14, a day popularly known as "the Valentine's Day." However, the kind of love that people are presently talking about and that is been celebrated on February 14 is erroneous. It is indeed "lust" not love! Even if one claims that "the Valentine's Day" has to do with a love between a man and a woman in love (whether married or not), the original intention of the celebration is to demonstrate sacrificial love of one person to another. This manner of sacrificial love was demonstrated by God. Hear Paul: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NKJV). Apostle John explained this in other words: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 NKJV). This sacrificial love made everyone who accepts it to be a child of God! It made the person to be a heir in the kingdom of God. Such a person like a true son, not a servant or slave, can now come boldly to the throne of God with confidence and freedom (see Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-23). It is a pity that the world does not know this kind of love, hence, the wrong celebration of the Valentine's Day. The manner of love that God had, and is still having, for the world - the sacrificial love - the manner of love that will give out something tangible and indelible to the recipient should be the focus of anyone this Valentine season and all the time. The Valentine season should remind us of a sacrificial love that we can give not only to our loved ones, but to everyone that we encounter. It should never be a time of satisfying one's lustful desires. What manner of love do you want to demonstrate this Valentine season? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to demonstrate sacrificial love to your loved ones, and even "unloved" ones, during this Valentine season.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The manner of love that God had, and is still having, for the world - the sacrificial love - the manner of love that will give out something tangible and indelible to the recipient should be the focus of anyone this Valentine season and all the time. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to demonstrate sacrificial love to your loved ones, and even "unloved" ones, during this Valentine season.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “So give yourselves to God.... Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:7a, 8a ERV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Turn to the Lord today and commit your time, gifts, affections, and investments to Him. Think of your life as a timeless trophy of His goodness to future generations. - Charles R. Swindoll ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Enable me, O God, to give my whole life to You.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me” (Micah 7:8 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No matter who you are or what your life has been like so far, the rest of your life’s journey can be different. With God’s help you can begin again. - Billy Graham ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not give up, but continue to trust in God’s help.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Life with God is the very best partnership, and it is one big, amazing lesson in collaborating, considering and giving up control. This is what leads to real rest. - Emily Lex ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, let me be able to partner with You by giving You full control of my life in order to have real rest.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5-6 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If you find yourself in a difficult place today, see where you can sow some seed. Soon you will be reaping songs of joy. - Os Hillman ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, let me reap with joy as I am sowing in Your kingdom.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Even when no one else cares or knows or understands, even when we cannot understand anything around us, even when the present is bleak and the future a dark mystery, the Son in heaven and the Holy Spirit on earth are interceding for us. - Ray Pritchard ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit for you presently.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Growth is very essential to any living being or organization. God’s design is that we be seasoned to maturity through a continual process of growth. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me Lord to be growing in Your grace and knowledge.

ARE YOU GROWING SPIRITUALLY?

Dearly Beloved, ARE YOU GROWING SPIRITUALLY? “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). Growth is very essential to any living being or organization. Nobody would want to remain stagnant where he/she was last year. Also, no one would want his/her child to refuse to grow. We all want to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, materially and in other ramifications. This should be applicable also to our spiritual life. However, only believers grow spiritually. Just like any other growth or development, spiritual growth is not attained instantaneously. It is not dramatic experiences, climactic turning points, or instant solutions to spiritual problems that many people are looking for today. God’s design is that we be seasoned to maturity through a continual process of growth. This made Peter to tell his readers in 2 Peter 3:18 to grow spiritually. Peter admonished believers to grow, not any other person. This is rather a command, not an advice, so you have to desire and determine to grow spiritually. The determination to grow must be consistent without any distraction (compare Hebrews 12:2). If you are to be prepared for spiritual growth, your focus must be right. The focus must not be on what you must do, but on who you must be! Peter instructed us to grow spiritually in two things: grace and knowledge. Grace is important because it is the foundation of the spiritual life (compare Ephesians 2:8). The spiritual life is impossible without grace. You cannot know God apart from grace. You cannot grow apart from grace. You cannot deal with failure apart from grace. Moses knew this, and he asked for it (see Exodus 33:13). Grace also sustains you when you fail or when things are not going the way you want (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). To grow in one’s knowledge of Jesus Christ is not factual knowledge, but the experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 3:10). The order of these items is important. Grace must precede knowledge. Therefore, keep things in order. Grace comes before knowledge. Without Jesus there is no understanding of grace. You cannot have knowledge without Jesus. Jesus is the embodiment of grace and spiritual truth. The last thing to note in this verse is the purpose of the growth: God’s glory. Everything we do or whoever we are must be to God’s glory (John 2:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 5:10-11; Jude 25; Revelation 1:6; 5:9-14). The second part of this message next week will briefly discuss what spiritual growth is not. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Help me Lord to be growing in Your grace and knowledge. 

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But when [Jesus Christ] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We ought to move toward and respond to people in need with tenderness and mercy, not judgment and annoyance. - Charles R. Swindoll ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace not to have judgmental attitude to the less privilege, but to always have compassion on them and help them.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him” (Ecclesiastes 3:14 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We serve a God who gives us good things to enjoy. As we acknowledge Him and follow His loving commands, He infuses our lives with purpose, meaning, and joy. - Tim Gustafson ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to appreciate the life and other things that God has given you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Some of God’s best blessings may be long in coming. Though they linger, keep looking to Him! He prepares every blessing with perfect wisdom and care—and He’s always worth waiting for. - James Banks ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to always wait for the timing of God's blessing for your life though it may linger.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine’” (1 Samuel 17:34-37 NIV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY 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 ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to trust in God’s faithfulness no matter what.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Feb2021

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies" (Psalm 18:2-3 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not stand out in life’s storms alone. Seek God’s shelter. Ask Him to protect you. Make sure you have received His forgiveness. Get close to the Rock of Ages. It’s life’s safest spot. — Dave Branon ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to always rely on You, the Rock of Ages.