Quote for the Day 31Mar2009

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

Quote for the Day 30Mar2009

Before you begin a thing, remind yourself that difficulties and delays quite impossible to foresee are ahead. You can only see one thing clearly, and that is your goal. Form a mental vision of that and cling to it through thick and thin. - Kathleen Norris

WOULD YOU REJECT THE OFFER?

Dearly Beloved,

WOULD YOU REJECT THE OFFER?

“He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12 NASU).

The story was told of a presiding judge who was hearing the case of his own son. The son was convicted of the crime he was accused of. According to the law, the son had to be sentenced to five years of imprisonment with hard labour or pay a fine of certain amount. The father, the judge, pronounced the judgement, but he did not want his son to go to the prison. Therefore, he offered to pay the fine. However, surprisingly, the son rejected the offer!

One would blame this seditious son for rejecting the offer of payment of the fine by his father and for deciding to go to the prison instead. On the other hand, the father had acted justly in sentencing him to prison though he, the father, did not want the son to go to prison. Likewise, our heavenly Father is just for sentencing anyone who does not accept His offer of salvation to eternal damnation. Apostle Paul explained, “For God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all God's anger against us. He used Christ's blood and our faith as the means of saving us from his wrath. In this way he was being entirely fair, even though he did not punish those who sinned in former times. For he was looking forward to the time when Christ would come and take away those sins. And now in these days also he can receive sinners in this same way because Jesus took away their sins. But isn't this unfair for God to let criminals go free, and say that they are innocent? No, for he does it on the basis of their trust in Jesus who took away their sins” (Romans 3:25-26 TLB).

Have you accepted this offer of salvation? Alternatively, would you reject the offer? The writer of the book of the Hebrews warned, “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him” (Hebrews 2:1-3 NIV). Accept Jesus Christ today as your personal Saviour and Lord. Would you be like that rebellious son? Would you reject the offer?

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
The website of this internet ministry - http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/ - has become more dynamic. As the Lord is giving me the opportunity, I am now posting insiping quotes daily on the homepage of the website. Bookmark the homepage or even make it the homepage of your browser and visit the website daily. These daily quotes will really be your daily spiritual digest and a blessings. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 28Mar2009

Ambition is different from vision. While ambition is man made, vision is from God. The beauty is that when God gives the vision He will make the provision for its fulfilment. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 27Mar2009

When our commitments are tested in the fires of life, no matter what difficulties we face, may God grant us a greater experience of His enduring love and the grace to demonstrate it each day. - David C. McCasland

Quote for the Day 26Mar2009

God is on top of the situation. Be at peace; He will do whatever it takes to reach and rescue you. Your problem is just a platform to display His power to act on your behalf! - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 25Mar2009

Continuous effort -- not strength or intelligence -- is the key to unlocking our potential. - Liane Cardes

Quote for the Day 24Mar2009

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song;
Praising my Saviour all the day long!
- Fanny Crosby

Quote for the Day 23Mar2009

Your thoughts have power. To win over them, you must submit to Christ and control what you allow your mind to dwell on. - Bob Gass

ARE YOU QUALIFIED TO BE A FELLOW-WORKER WITH GOD?

Dearly Beloved,

ARE YOU QUALIFIED TO BE A FELLOW-WORKER WITH GOD?

“For we are God's fellow-workers; you are God's field, God's building” (1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV).

First Corinthians 3:9 has been the popular key verse of the Baptist Women Missionary Union of Nigeria. It is evident that the verse is not only applicable to the Baptist women that have made it their slogan. It is applicable to every true believer in Jesus Christ. However, who is qualified to be a fellow-worker with God? Can you really say you are a fellow-worker with God?

Being a cosmopolitan church in a city full of immorality, paganism, and Greek philosophy, the early church in the town of Corinth was a crisis-ridden church. Apostle Paul had to write to address these crises. One of the crises, division in the church, led to the popular verse. A closer look at the verse will help us understand what Paul really meant in the verse and thereby deduce the qualifications of a fellow-worker with God from the rest of the chapter. There are two pronouns in the verse from the popular English versions of the Holy Bible. Who were the “we” and who were the “you”? Undoubtedly, the Corinthian Christians were the “you”. Paul and Apollos were the “we.”

This simple interpretation will help bring out the qualifications of a fellow-worker with God from the whole chapter. One, a fellow-worker with God must be spiritually mature not like the Corinthian Christians that were mere infants in the faith because of rancour and jealousy (verses 1-3). Two, a fellow-worker with God must be Christ-centred, not people-centred (verse 4, cf. Hebrews 12:1-2). Three, a fellow-worker with God must be an instrument in the hands of God (verses 5-6) who will be “…useful to the Master and [be] prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21 NIV). Four, a fellow-worker with God must be purposeful (verse 8). Five, a fellow-worker with God must be a careful builder (verse 10). Six, a fellow-worker with God must be God’s temple (verse 17) that will daily “…present [his or her body as] a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1 NKJV). Lastly, a fellow-worker with God must be ready to a “fool” (verses 18-20, cf. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

God desires people to be His fellow-workers in His vineyard. Are you ready to be one? Are you qualified based on the qualifications above to be a fellow-worker with God? You cannot work for God or serve Him if you do not have these qualifications. God bless you!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
This is an abridged version of an article delivered during the annual leadership retreat of a church. If you want the full text of the article, write me. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 21Mar2009

You must begin to trust yourself. If you do not then you will forever be looking to others to prove your own merit to you and you will never be satisfied. You will always be asking others what to do, and at the same time resenting those from whom you seek such aid. - Debra C.

Quote for the Day 20Mar2009

Do not fear the darkness that is gathering all around,
For the Lord is with you, and in Him true peace is found;
When you're facing trouble, or when tragedy seems near,
Jesus is the only one to drive away your fear. —Hess

Quote for the Day 19Mar2009

God is waiting for us to make requests of Him in prayer. He never gets tired of us coming to Him! He is able, willing, and ready to act on our behalf, but only if we pray. – Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 18Mar2009

In life’s battles, let’s hold on to the fact that good will triumph over evil in the end, that one day we will see our Master and Leader face-to-face, and we will reign with Him forever. You can be part of this great story, knowing that if you have trusted Jesus for salvation you are guaranteed a victorious ending! - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 17Mar2009

There can be times when our minds are in doubt,
Times when we ask what our faith is about;
But we can believe Him, we know that He cares—
Our God is real, as the Bible declares. —Fitzhugh

Quote for the Day 16Mar2009

We may treat ourselves and others as having no worth. But remember, God doesn’t make nobodies. Like Moses, if we surrender to God, we can do anything God wants us to do—in His strength. — Mart De Haan

WHEN IT SEEMS THERE IS NO MORE HOPE

Dearly Beloved,
WHEN IT SEEMS THERE IS NO MORE HOPE
"While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ they said. ‘Why bother the teacher any more?’ Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, ‘Don't be afraid; just believe’" (Mark 5:35-36 NIV).
The daughter of a synagogue ruler was dying. The man came to Jesus Christ and pleaded that Jesus should come and heal her. Jesus responded immediately to the distressed call and followed the man to his home. However, there was an interruption on the way: another woman tapped a healing from Jesus Christ by mere touching His clothes. As Jesus was apparently pointing out the miracle to people that were following Him, some men came from the synagogue ruler’s house to tell him the sad news: his daughter was dead, and there was no need of bothering Jesus to come and heal her. To those men, there was no more hope for the daughter and her father. Nevertheless, Jesus encouraged the ruler, and went with him to his house to do the unexpected: raising the daughter from the dead!
At times, many people have found themselves in similar situations. They might have been praying to God for a particular thing. It seemed that He was about to answer their prayers, and alas, the unexpected happened. It seemed that there was no more hope. In fact, such people might have lost hope in the situation. Such situation might have led such people to be angry with God or even deny His existence. Why would He allow the situation to become hopeless? Why could He not act fast and demonstrate His power to save the situation?
Well, as Jesus did not focus on the seemingly hopeless situation of the synagogue ruler, but rather encouraged him not to be afraid but to believe in God, such people ought not to focus on their seemingly hopeless situation, but on God who is able to do all things. Jesus told Martha (another woman in a similar situation), "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 NIV).
Are you in similar situation? Does it seem that there is no more hope for you? Have people around you written you off? Jesus is telling you today, "Don’t be afraid; just believe." He can turn that seemingly hopeless situation to a testimony. When it seems there is no more hope, just believe in Him and you will see the glory of God. You will indeed testify to His goodness over that situation in Jesus’ name. Amen.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 14Mar2009

Help me, Lord, to show respect and love to others, always mindful of the fact that each of us is created in Your image. May Your love shine through my life and bring praise and honor to You. Amen. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 13Mar2009

If you are walking down the right path and you are willing to keep walking, eventually you will make progress. - Barack Obama

Quote for the Day 12Mar2009

People spend too much time finding other people to blame, too much energy finding excuses for not being what they are capable of being, and not enough energy putting themselves on the line, growing out of the past, and getting on with their lives. - J. Michael Straczynski

Quote for the Day 11Mar2009

Are you discouraged today? Do you feel insignificant? Do you feel forgotten after trying to serve God? Be assured that God will not forget anything you have done in your service to Him or others. - Mart De Haan

Quote for the Day 10Mar2009

Past is Experience! Present is Experiment! Future is Expectation! Use your Experience in your Experiment to achieve your Expectations! - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 09Mar2009

The size of your destiny determines the level of your confrontation. The devil does not border himself, if you are a nonentity. - Simeon Idachaba

BE READY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP

Dearly Beloved,

BE READY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17 NIV).

Jesus Christ gave a formula of reconciliation with an erring brother and, by inference, any other person who sins against us. The first step in the formula is that the one who is erred against should go to the erring person privately and show him his fault. If the erring person accepts his fault, good. If he does not, then, the second step will follow: involving a third party. The third will happen if the second step fails. In this step, the church should be involved. If the third step does not work out, then the last step: regarding the erring person as an unbeliever! In a normal situation, at most, the matter should not go beyond the second step before it is resolved.

Nevertheless, one important aspect of the whole process is that the person that is erred against should be the one that will initiate the whole process. There are many reasons for this. One, the erring person may not know that he has done something wrong. Even if he knows, he may find it difficult to initiate the reconciling process. Two, the person that is erred against will have a grudge against the erring person. This is a sin against God (see Leviticus 19:18). Three, the resentment will be a hindrance to the prayers of the person that is erred against (see Matthew 5:23, 24; 6:14, 15; Mark 11:25). Four, the person that is erred against will not have rest of mind because of the grudge he is having against the erring person, and this may lead to health problems.

An experience I had recently confirmed the fourth reason. An elderly man misunderstood me and accused me of disrespecting him. I was offended with the misunderstanding. I initially decided not to reconcile with him because he was the one that misunderstood me. However, I developed that unrest within me. I summoned the courage and approached the man. After initial argument, he reasoned with me and the matter was resolved. Now, both of us do not have any grudge against each other.

Has anyone erred against you? Though you are right, be ready to take the first step to reconcile with the person. If he does not accept his fault, involve somebody that you know he can listen to. Even if you take all the steps in the formula of Jesus Christ described above, still forgive him in your heart. Apostle Paul told the Colossians, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (3:13 NIV).

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 07Mar2009

You have access by faith into the secret place of the Most High where no evil can touch you. There is no need to fear living in the end times because the Lord is your refuge and fortress. His Word says so. And those who trust His Word completely find His Word completely true! - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 06Mar2009

Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. - George Washington

Quote for the Day 05Mar2009

To try is to risk failure. But risk must be taken because the greatest hazard of life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, live, and love. - Leo Buscaglia

Quote for the Day 04Mar2009

How many lives shall I touch today?
How many neighbors will pass my way?
I can bless so many and help so much
If I meet each one with a Christlike touch. - Jones

Quote for the Day 03Mar2009

The power to live according to God’s standards comes only when we plug into His inexhaustible power. How do we do that? By daily seeking His face and asking Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit. — C. P. Hia

Quote for the Day 02Mar2009

When God pushes you out of your comfort zone en route to your destiny, expect to go through some unfamiliar, anxiety-producing territory. It is the only way to go from surviving - to thriving. - Bob Gass

WHATEVER HAPPENS

Dearly Beloved,

I received a text message some days ago that was similar to the one I based the message below on about four years ago. Let me resend that message to you:

WHATEVER HAPPENS

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, NIV).

The writer of the book of the Acts of the Apostles recorded many events that happened in the history of the early church. Most of these events were to the advancement of the gospel, and they brought glory to the name of God. Some of them are what we can regard to as tragedy, while some ended on joyous note.

I received a text message in my mobile phone early one morning. The message reads thus: "Whatever you are doing, please pray for Pastor Ferdie Flores, [a] missionary in East Timor. He is going to be executed today by beating. Please forward to all Christians." As I read the message, the story of Stephen in Acts chapters 6 and 7 came to my mind. I immediately based my prayer on that story that even if that missionary is been executed that day, God should use it, as He did that of Stephen, to advance the gospel in the area. However, when my wife was leading us some minutes later in our family morning devotion, she used another story in the same book of Acts to pray for the missionary. In her own case, she prayed that God should rescue the missionary as He rescued Peter from the prison in Acts 12.

Many other people sent the same text message to me that day, which meant that many Christians received the message and prayed for the missionary, but I do not know what eventually happened to him that day.

However, whatever happened, I know that God would be glorified in the event. I can say like Paul that, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, NIV). Just as God was glorified in the death of Stephen and made the gospel to spread to other places, so also, He will be glorified in the seeming death of this missionary and make the gospel to spread in East Timor and other places in Asia. Likewise, just as God glorified Himself in rescuing Peter from prison on the eve of his anticipated execution, and made the Christians to be stronger in their witnessing of the gospel, God will glorify Himself in rescuing His own from troubles
and persecutions and make them stronger in their Christian faith.

So, whatever happens, let your aspiration be like that of Paul, "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted
in my body, whether by life or by death" (Philippians 1:20, NIV).

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Requests:
1. Pray that God will be glorified in whatever happens in your life.
2. Pray for all those that are facing persecutions because of the
gospel especially in East Timor and other Asian countries.

NB
I have a study on this message based on Philippians 1:17-30. If you have interest in having a copy of the study, write me directly at . God bless you!