ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU

Dearly Beloved,

ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV).

The principle of asking and receiving was demonstrated recently in my home. My children and I were having our breakfast. The bottle of sugar was by my side of the dining table. My daughter wanted to add more sugar to her meal. She knew that I might hinder her from taking more sugar. Initially, she was looking at the bottle and me. I knew her intention, but I wanted her to express it. After some time, she summoned the courage to ask for it, and I willingly gave her some of the sugar.

Many times, we are reluctant to make known our requests to God. It is a fact that as the omniscient God, He knows what we need before we ask Him (see Psalm 38:9; Matthew 6:8, 32; Luke 12:30), but He wants us to ask Him. In fact, Jesus Christ categorically told His disciples, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24 NIV). However, many people keep silent, or continue to complain or suffer instead of freely asking from their heavenly Father.

God is ready to do anything we ask according to His will, provided we ask Him. Joseph M. Scriven in that popular hymn, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” said, “What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

This principle of asking and receiving is even applicable to human beings. Many people will not give until one asks from them. Therefore, do not be afraid of asking. You will directly or indirectly get any of these answers: “Yes, have it,” “No, you cannot have it,” or, “Wait for some time.” You lose nothing in asking, rather, you lose many things in not asking.

Ask and it will be given to you!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
Some of you have known about my intention to soon publish a book on ministering through the Internet. My vision about the ten-chapter book is to give it FREELY to as many pastors and other committed Christians that have passion for Internet ministry. Let me use this opportunity to (re)ask for your financial assistance towards the project. Write me privately at for details. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 29May2009

Who is your mentor? Is he climbing or coming down the ladder? It is important to know! Moreover, it is important to have one as you climb. When you are connected or linked with one that carries grace of God your disgrace will die and you will become great. Never be too big to have a mentor but choose wisely. - Baba Isiaka

Quote for the Day 28May2009

If human beings are perceived as potentials rather than problems, as possessing strengths instead of weaknesses, as unlimited rather that dull and unresponsive, then they thrive and grow to their capabilities. - Barbara Bush

Quote for the Day 27May2009

No man or woman ever had a nobler challenge or a higher privilege than to bring up a child for God, and whenever we slight that privilege or neglect that ministry for anything else, we live to mourn it in heartache and grief. - Vance Havner

Quote for the Day 26May2009

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord,
let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord,
let the people rejoice!
O, Come to the Father thro' Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory-great things He hath done!
- Fanny J. Crosby

Quote for the Day 25May2009

If you have been bitter about something or someone, it is time to let it go! Your health, joy and life are more important. If you are already sick and you know that bitterness has something to do with it, let it go! - Joseph Prince

LET GOD DEAL WITH HIM

Dearly Beloved,

LET GOD DEAL WITH HIM

“Abishai said to David, ‘Today God has given your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice.’ But David said to Abishai, ‘Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives,’ he said, ‘the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish’” (1 Samuel 26:8-10 NIV).

How would you treat your perceived enemy if you have the opportunity of dealing with him? Would you treat him as he has been treating you? Alternatively, would you let him go scot-free and allow God to deal with him in God’s own way and time?

King Saul was a sworn enemy of David. He spent most of his time looking for a way to kill David. However, twice, David had opportunities of killing Saul, but he did not do so (see 1 Samuel 24, 26). David’s followers could not understand why he would not take the golden opportunities to exterminate his arch enemy and become the king of Israel. David preferred to let God deal with Saul rather than avenging for himself. God did deal with Saul in His own time and His own way, and David eventually became the king of Israel in place of Saul.

Many people would not do such a thing - to let a perceived enemy continue to have his way, especially when they have the opportunity of getting even with such enemy. It is natural to get rid of one’s perceived enemy, but, it is contrary to the New Testament teachings. Consider this: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21 NIV. See also Matthew 5:44; Luke 27-28; 23:34; Romans 12:14; 1 Corinthians 4:12-13; 1 Peter 3:9). It takes spiritual maturity to follow such teachings and really allow God to deal with one’s perceived enemies in God’s way and God’s time.

Do not have it in mind to get even with your perceived enemy. Let God deal with him. God will do so in His own way and in His own time. He will indeed vindicate you. Like David, you will laugh last and testify to the goodness of God over your life.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 23May2009

Men determine how far they want to go in life. What you do not see in the spirit cannot be possessed physically. If you see defeat god will not give u victory and if you see success, failure will not be mentioned around you. take care of what you see. - Bayo Oladeji

Quote for the Day 22May2009

If everyone turned gossip into prayer, there would be no more reason for gossip. - Clemon

Quote for the Day 21May2009

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Physical crutches will fail you - have the faith of God. - Baba Isiaka

Quote for the Day 20May2009

Be ye strong in the Lord and the power of His might!
Firmly standing for the truth of His Word;
He shall lead you safely through the thickest of the fight,
You shall conquer in the Name of the Lord!
- El Nathan

Quote for the Day 19May2009

It does not matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions. - Jim Rohn

Quote for the Day 18May2009

Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there. - John Wooden

IT IS NOT OVER!

Dearly Beloved,
IT IS NOT OVER!
“So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, ‘Can this be Naomi?’ ‘Don't call me Naomi,’ she told them. ‘Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.’” (Ruth 1:19-21 NIV).
Recently my family was bereaved. One of my brothers-in-law died. It was a double tragedy as his youngest son, the only child of his new wife, died some hours after his death. We were so sad. We, especially the widow, were so hopeless. It was a very bitter experience. However, as we were coming from the burial of the man, still so sad, the Lord led me to the lives of Naomi and Ruth. I later used the story to console the widow and the rest of us.
Naomi, Elimelech (her husband) and their two sons went to the land of Moab for greener pasture. The two sons married when they were in the foreign land. Unfortunately, Elimelech and the two sons died in that foreign land leaving Naomi and the two young women hopeless. Later, Naomi decided to go back home. Ruth, one of the young widows decided to go with her. Naomi thought it was over for her and expressed it as people were welcoming her back. According to her, the Lord had afflicted her, and there was no hope again. The young Ruth was also hopeless as she followed her mother-in-law back to her homeland. However, God turned their bitter story to a sweet one when He re-established Ruth and gave her a son in her new home. People came to rejoice with both Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 4:13-17). It was indeed not over for both of them!
Are you in such hopeless situation? Are you thinking it is over for you? Are you changing your name from “pleasant” to “bitterness” (as Naomi did) because of your situation? It is not over! There is still hope for you. The Lord will turn your story from bitter one to a sweet one. People will indeed come to rejoice with you.
Let me quote the whole Psalm 126: “When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him” (NIV).
It is not over!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Request:
Join me in prayers for the widow of my brother-in-law, my aged mother-in-law, and the rest of us that the Lord will grant us the fortitude to bear this loss, and that people will soon come to rejoice with each one of us and all that are in great sorrow now, especially that young woman who lost her husband and only child the same day.

Quote for the Day 16May2009

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
- Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 15May2009

A life spent in making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. - George Bernard Shaw

Quote for the Day 14May2009

Treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. Remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift... That's why it's called the present. - Debra C.

Quote for the Day 13May2009

"Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (Philippians 2:12-13 NLT).

Quote for the Day 12May2009

Life can be hard, but one day when we see Christ it will truly get better! - Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 11May2009

Mothers deserve to be honored—not just on one special day a year but every day. And that recognition should involve more than words; it ought to be shown in respect, thoughtfulness, and loving deeds. - Richard De Haan

THE SELF-SACRIFICE OF MOTHERHOOD

Dearly Beloved,

THE SELF-SACRIFICE OF MOTHERHOOD

"How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! ... Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone" (Proverbs 31:10, 31, TEV).

I am not a mother, but since my childhood, I have seen the self-sacrifice of motherhood as demonstrated by my mother and many other women. My dear wife has been demonstrating this self-sacrifice for over ten years that we have married, even before the birth of our first child. I always wonder and even feel jealous of the inborn trait that makes almost every woman to have this self-sacrifice of motherhood. As a matter of fact, I really appreciate it!

In a graphic way, the writer of Proverbs 31:10-31 described some of the traits of self-sacrifice of motherhood as demonstrated by a noble and virtuous wife, and by inference a noble and virtuous mother. Out of her motherhood self-sacrifice, she is someone who her husband can trust. She is a source of encouragement to him. She is diligent in her work. She is creative. She is generous. She is gentle and wise. Above all, she is caring. No wonder the writer of the passage ended his description with a call to give such woman respect.

By nature, women generally have the self-sacrifice of motherhood. However, some of them are extraordinary with the quality. Such women really sacrifice themselves for their husbands and children and any other person or thing around them. Nevertheless, there are women who are not ready to sacrifice anything for their children not to talk of their husbands. Such women are worthless women!

As a mother, are you demonstrating the trait of the self-sacrifice of motherhood? Can your husband and children praise you for being so self-sacrificial to them? Be ready to sacrifice more for your children and your husband. The Lord will reward you greatly for it in Jesus’ name. Amen. Men should always appreciate the self-sacrifice of motherhood as demonstrated by their wives, mothers and other women around them.

Happy Mothers’ Day!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Request:
While I dedicate this message to women worldwide who are really demonstrating the trait of self-sacrifice of motherhood, I pray that as God remembered Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth in the Bible, He will remember the waiting mothers who long to fully express the self-sacrifice of motherhood to their own children also.

Quote for the Day 09May2009

What can seem impossible is often possible with courage. So whatever difficulties you're facing today, draw on God's grace and keep trying. Mountains only seem so high from the valley. The road to success runs uphill; don't expect to break any speed records. The thing to try when all else fails is begin again! - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 08May2009

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 07May2009

Depend on it, God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply. - Hudson Taylor

Quote for the Day 06May2009

The Lord knows what time is best for us as well. If you’re waiting for answered prayer or the fulfillment of one of His promises, don’t give up. If you think He has forgotten you, think again. When the fullness of time is right for you, He’ll show up—and you’ll be amazed by His brilliant timing! — Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 05May2009

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;

Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts I pray;

See if there be some wicked way in me;

Cleanse me from every sin and set me free!

- J. Edwin Orr

Quote for the Day 04May2009

The first step toward change is acceptance. Once you accept yourself, you open the door to change. That is all you have to do. Change is not something you do, it is something you allow. - Will Garcia

TIME TO KEEP SILENT

Dearly Beloved,
TIME TO KEEP SILENT
"There is a time for everything. a time to be silent and a time to speak." (Eccl 3:1, 7, NIV).
"Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. But some troublemakers said, "How can this fellow save us?" They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent" (1 Sam 10:26-27, NIV).
Samuel has just publicly anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. The people were happy that they had had what they wanted. Some even immediately enlisted themselves into his service. However, some worthless fellows looked down on him. They even voiced out their displeasure to the kingship of Saul: "How can this one deliver us?" (1 Sam 10:27, NASU).
They scorned him and did not give him the honor due to him. Saul nonetheless did something that is noteworthy. The Bible says he kept silent.
There are times that we also have to keep silent to some criticisms and disapproval. We should know that all people cannot love us and approve what we are doing.
Saul kept silent and waited till when God would vindicate him. The time did come. The man that was despised now turned a deliverer when the Ammonites came to disgrace the people of Israel (see 1 Sam 11).
Remember the psalmist's prayer: Meanwhile my enemies are trying to kill me. They plot my ruin and spend all their waking hours planning treachery. But I am deaf to all their threats; I am silent before them as a man who cannot speak. I have nothing to say. For I am waiting for you, O Lord my God. Come and protect me (Ps 38:12-15, TLB).
No matter the accusation of people, if you are right, let God vindicate you. Silence, they say, sometimes, is the best answer to a fool.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 02May2009

What an encouragement to live for Him! Our strength for the present and hope for the future are not based on the stability of our own perseverance but on the fidelity of God. No matter what our need, we can count on the Father’s faithfulness. - Paul Van Gorder