OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2009

Dearly Beloved,
OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2009
To God be the glory for the grace to see another year—year 2009!
As usual, Opeyemi my wife, and Boluwatife and IfeOluwa our children are joining me to welcome you into the New Year with these prayers adapted from Isaiah 40:4-5 (AMP):
- Every valley in your life shall be lifted and filled up;
- Every mountain and hill shall be made low;
- The crooked and uneven shall be made straight and level, and the rough places a plain;
- The glory (majesty and splendor) of the Lord shall be revealed in your life; and
- All flesh shall see it together and glorify God with you.
Because the mouth of the Lord has spoken them, they will come to pass in your life this new year in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Happy and prosperous New Year!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor),
Baptist Building, Oke Bola,
PMB 5113, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria.
+234 805 515 9591
http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/
http://thewordthruthenet.blogspot.com/

NB
Send your reply directly to or copy me at spiritualdigest@yahoo.com or spiritualdigest@gmail.com. God bless you!!!

Quote for the Day 31Dec2008

O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come; Be Thou our guide while life shall last, And our eternal home. — Isaac Watts

Quote for the Day 30Dec2008

I will waste not even a precious second today in anger or hate or jealousy or selfishness. I know that the seeds I sow I will harvest, because every action, good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction. I will plant only good seeds this day. – Og Mandino

Quote for the Day 29Dec2008

If we are nice to others, others respond to us in the same way, and we can give our best for each other. – Ben Carson

CAN GOD USE YOU?

Dearly Beloved,

CAN GOD USE YOU?

“...God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’” (Luke 1:26-28, NIV).

The Christmas season for the year has come and gone. Regardless of the debate of some people that Christmas is not “Christian,” let me draw out a lesson from one of the personalities of the biblical stories related to the season. The Virgin Mary was the second most important personality in the Nativity stories. God specially used her to be the vessel of the delivery of the Baby Jesus.

The virgin birth of the Messiah had been prophesied hundreds of years before it actually happened (see Isaiah 7:14). There were many virgins in Israel during the time of Mary. She was highly favoured to be the mother of the Savior. However, some qualities in her distinguished her from all virgins and women of her time. She was pious. She was virtuous. She was humble. She was faithful. She was not doubtful. She was ready to be an instrument in the hands of God, even when it seemed that such readiness would bring possible rejection from her fiancé and disgrace from the society. No wonder, she was highly favored and blessed (see Luke 1:28, 48).

God is still looking for people that He will use for His plans and purposes today. Can He find you useful for His service? Are you pious? Are you humble? Are you faithful? Are you not doubtful? Are you ready to be an instrument in His hands regardless of the seeming bad consequences this may bring you in the world?

God is ready to highly favored and blessed you. Be ready to be of good use to Him as we are about to enter another year. Make yourself available to Him. You will not regret doing so.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
“SPECIAL DAYS MINISTRY”
Part of my determination to be of good use by God through the Internet by ministering to people throughout the world has made me to be identifying with people in my online ministry by rejoicing with them praying for them and sending them prayer wishes through email/e-card and SMS. I tag this aspect of the ministry “Special Days Ministry.” You also can be part of this. Just let me know your special days—birthday, wedding anniversary, the day you become born again, and other eventful days in your life that you will like me to remember you. Send your full names, email address and mobile phone numbers (include country code if not Nigeria) to me. Happy New Year (2009) in advance!

Quote for the Day 27Dec2008

What we call 'little things', grow into sinful habits and lifelong patterns. So when God reveals our sin we need to repent and stop what we are doing. We need to take Him seriously - immediately! This means doing everything within our power to make sure our relationship with Him is unobstructed. That way our prayers will be heard and answered. – Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 26Dec2008

Sometimes life can seem like an arid desert. But God can quench our spiritual thirst in the most unlikely circumstances. When by faith we believe the promises of God’s Word, we can experience rivers of living water and grace for our daily needs. — Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 25Dec2008

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:6-7, NIV).

Quote for the Day 24Dec2008

It is the personal thoughtfulness, the warm human awareness, the reaching out of the self to one's fellow man that makes giving worthy of the Christmas spirit. – Isabel Currier

Quote for the Day 23Dec2008

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, because loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself. – Norman Wesley Brooks

Quote for the Day 22Dec2008

Anything you love more than God is an idol that can destroy your relationship with your God. What or who is your object of devotion or worship? – Baba Isiaka

FOR BETTER FOR WORSE

Dearly Beloved,

FOR BETTER FOR WORSE

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24-25, KJV).

Marriage is one of the oldest institutions created by God. God has many reasons for instituting it. Likewise, there are many guidelines for an ideal marriage. These reasons and guidelines have to be known and followed to the letter if one wants to maintain the ideal marriage as it was originally in the mind of God. It is unfortunate, however, that people now create different reasons and guidelines for marriage. No wonder, many marriages are in shambles, and cases of divorce and remarriage are common, especially in the western world, even among Christians!

This write-up is not a comprehensive treatise on an ideal marriage, nevertheless, it aims at pointing out a pivotal issue that most people do not take note of, and this is ruining many marriages today. This has to do with “leaving and cleaving” in marriage. The Bible says that a man will leave his parents (and by inference all other relations) and cleave to (or preferably unite with) his wife. He puts aside his former relationships and way of living and thinking, and starts a new relationship, and a new way of living and thinking with his wife who is now one with him. It has to be emphasized here that to cleave in this context means to be glued together for life. That is, the man and his wife are together “for better for worse” for life! Most people nowadays do not want to hear that expression. However, the more we are ready to understand this and accept it, the better our marriages in particular and the society in general will be. The man and his wife cleave together, they become one, and they are not ashamed in spite of their “nakedness.” Have you ever wondered about the nature of this “nakedness”?

My first and only marriage with my darling wife was ten years old some days ago! This is not a big deal to many people in this part of the world where the institution of marriage is still held in high esteem. However, it is a great feat or rather something unimaginable to many people in the western world. I have been cleaved to my wife for the past ten years, and both of us were, and still are, not ashamed of each other because we have determined to live for life for better for worse. Ours is not a perfect marriage. There is never one! We have determined to enjoy life together, and to endure it together.

Are you married? Let there be no shame in your marriage. Be determined to cleave to your spouse for life. Are you still single? Pray that the Lord will help you to be able to have an ideal marriage as He originally planned it. Is your marriage in crisis? Go back to the original plan of God for marriage. Ask Him for help. He will help you if you allow Him.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
1. This message is dedicated to my dearest wife, Opeyemi, for sharing her life “for better for worse” with me for these past ten years.
2. I know that this message will generate many reactions. Send (or copy) your reaction to me at . God bless you!

Quote for the Day 20Dec2008

Do all good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can. – Anonymous

Quote for the Day 19Dec2008

When a man breaks world records, the world applauds him. When you break Heaven's records, the cloud of witnesses applaud you and your name enters Heaven's Hall of fame. Yet there will be a physical reward for the earth to see. – EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 18Dec2008

A life lived with integrity – even if it lacks the trappings of fame and fortune is a shinning star in whose light others may follow in the years to come. – Denis Waitley

Quote for the Day 17Dec2008

Tribulation, grief, and sorrow
Are but heaven’s steppingstones
To a bright and glad tomorrow
Where no heartache can be known. —Glass

Quote for the Day 16Dec2008

Happiness keeps you Sweet, Trials keep you Strong, Sorrow keeps you Human, Failure keeps you humble and Success keeps you glowing, but only Faith & Attitude Keeps you going. – Benedict Olaleye

Quote for the Day 15Dec2008

True thankfulness is more than being grateful for what we possess. It’s an attitude that permeates our relationship with the Lord so that we may serve Him with gladness and joy. — David C. McCasland

START NOW!

Dearly Beloved,

START NOW!

“I will always thank the LORD; I will never stop praising him” (Psalm 34:1, TEV).

“...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20, NIV).

I have been composing and sending text messages to people, and people have been sending text messages to me. However, I received a text message from an online friend early this month that really touched me. Here is its content: “You can spend the remaining days of this year asking God for what He has not done. But you can choose a better option thanking Him for all He has done for you this year. You do not have to wait until December 31 before you thank Him for the year. Have a THANKFUL month.”

Truly, people (including me) tend to still be looking unto God for one thing or the other that He has not done for them this year without considering those things He has done and praise Him for them. We may even be thinking that the time to appreciate Him for His goodness should be the end of the year. However, the message of that text message is pertinent to us. We have to start thanking God for the year now even without knowing what the remaining days have in stock for us. The Lord that has helped thus far will make us see the end of the year and even do more than what we are expecting from Him.

Start now to thank God for the year. Look back and be grateful for what He has done in your life. Even, if He has not done what you want from Him this year, the remaining days of the year are more than enough for Him to surprise you. Praise Him for who He is in your life. Thank Him for what He has done, is doing, and will do. He will perfect His plans and purpose in your life. Do not wait until the end of the year. Start now!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 13Dec2008

There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. – Denis Waitley

Quote for the Day 12Dec2008

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

—Oren Arnold

Quote for the Day 11Dec2008

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Orr

Quote for the Day 10Dec2008

Sing on, ye joyful pilgrims, while here on earth we stay;
Let songs of Home and Jesus beguile each fleeting day;
Sing on the grand old story of His redeeming love-
The everlasting chorus that fills the realms above!
– Carrie M. Wilson

Quote for the Day 09Dec2008

God is looking for people who are willing to break with tradition. When He finds them, He uses them to open doors and new dimensions of His power, so that others might be blessed and made whole. – Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 08Dec2008

O Lord, help me to come to You
When I would rather hide my sin;
Give me the courage to confess
So I can be made clean within. —Sper

THE LORD WILL PROTECT YOU

Dearly Beloved,

THE LORD WILL PROTECT YOU

“The LORD will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe. He will protect you as you come and go now and forever” (Psalm 121:7-8, TEV).

The LORD has promised in many places in the Bible to protect His people from all danger (see Job 5:19-27; Psalms 41:2; 91:9-16; 97:10; 145:20; 121:3-8; Proverbs 2:8; 3:23-26; 2 Timothy 4:18). These promises were literally fulfilled in the lives of some people including me recently. The men of the underworld invaded the city where I reside some days ago and unleashed terror on the residents, killing many police officers and civilians as they freely robbed some banks in the city. I was in one of the downtown churches with a pastor-colleague when the operation started. The Lord protected me and I got back home safely that day. However, my testimony was not as spectacular as those of another pastor-colleague and a member of his church. The pastor was caught up in one of the hot spots of the operation while the member was caught up in another spot. The daredevil armed robbers killed two police officers in the presence of the pastor. The church member was in his vehicle for over an hour lying down inside the vehicle as the robbers were shooting sporadically everywhere. Bullets shattered the windscreen of the vehicle while there was another bullet mark on the door of the vehicle. It was a real protection of God!

These testimonies are just a vivid example of the protection of God. He has been protecting people even in every normal situation. If He opens our eyes to see the dangers from which He is protecting us everyday, we would be more grateful for His unending protection.

As this year is running to an end and throughout the days of your life, the Lord will continue to protect you. He will save you from all evils. He will guide and guard you in all your ways. He will preserve your life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 06Dec2008

One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Quote for the Day 05Dec2008

Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting. – Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 04Dec2008

Prayer is the link between the physical and the Spiritual world – and since the Spiritual world controls the physical, getting connected to the world above affects our functioning in the world below. And because prayer is relational, the Holy Spirit will communicate God's heart back to us by connecting with our human spirit so that we'll hear God talk to us in the deepest part of our being. That's why prayer cannot be rushed. It's also why taking time to meditate and be still before God is so important. It allows the Holy Spirit to share God's thoughts with us, so that we begin thinking His way. How valuable is that? – Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 03Dec2008

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand. —Stanphill
© Renewal 1978, Singspiration.

Quote for the Day 02Dec2008

For now, those of us who weep can dwell on hope instead of hopelessness and anticipation instead of sorrow. It may be nighttime in our hearts, but just ahead lies the dawn of eternity. And with it, God promises the endless joy of heavenly morning. — Dave Branon