PENCILS IN THE HANDS OF GOD

Dearly Beloved,

PENCILS IN THE HANDS OF GOD

“‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?’ declares the LORD. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel’” (Jeremiah 18:6 NIV).

Recently, I received an SMS from an online friend that is very inspiring. The SMS was titled “Five Pencil Tips.” These tips are:

1. In everything you do, always leave a mark.

2.You can always correct your mistakes.

3. What is important is what is inside you.

4. In life, you will undergo some painful sharpening that will make you a better pencil.

5. To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.

The SMS ends with these words: Remember! We are nothing but pencils in the hands of our Creator. (Interestingly, this statement is the slogan of the producer of a popular national television drama series here in Nigeria.)  

The message of the SMS is self-explanatory. Each of us is indeed like a pencil in the hand of God. God Himself used another analogy to establish this to the people of Israel. The Lord sent Prophet Jeremiah to a potter’s house in order to see the potter as he worked at the wheel. When Jeremiah got to the place, he saw the potter shaping and reshaping the clay till he got a desired result. Then God equated the people of Israel, as well as any other human being, to the clay in the hands of the potter.  

God is ready to make good use of you if you can surrender yourself unto Him. No matter the seemingly difficult experience, He is working to bring something good out of you (Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:15-17; 1 Peter 1:7-8). Indeed, we are pencils in His hand.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 26Oct2009

The Bible is God's Word to us, Still fresh through all the ages; And if we read it we will find God's wisdom on its pages. —Sper

DO YOU HAVE SHOCK ABSORBERS?

Dearly Beloved,

DO YOU HAVE SHOCK ABSORBERS?

"Just be determined, be confident; and make sure that you obey the whole Law that my servant Moses gave you. Do not neglect any part of it and you will succeed wherever you go. Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful" (Joshua 1:7-8 TEV).

The designers of various kinds of motor-vehicles, aircrafts, and so on design hidden devices that are fitted to the tyres or springs of vehicles to absorb vibration caused by the unevenness of the road surface. These devices are called shock absorbers. No one would enjoy riding in any vehicle with no or bad shock absorbers. Even in smooth and good roads, these devices are still very relevant parts of a vehicle.

The world is full of unevenness and rough roads. Only "good shock absorbers" can absorb the "vibrations" caused by the unevenness and rough roads of life. These shock absorbers are proper understanding and application of the words of God while the vibrations of life are life experiences including the good ones like success, affluence, position of authority, and the bad ones like trials, suffering, persecution, and the like.

Unfortunately, many people are indifferent to these shock absorbers and this has been to their detriment. A good example of such people was King Solomon. Because of his affluence, he did not yield to the words of God written in the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 17:16-20) and even the ones that he heard directly from God twice (1 Kings 3:14; 9:3-9). This made him to sin against God, and the Lord was angry with him and tore the kingdom of Israel from him and gave it to one of his subordinates (see 1 Kings 11). Jesus Christ was different. He could counter the temptations of the devil by the words of God (see Matthew 4:1-11).

Do you have the shock absorbers to absorb the vibration of life? How good are they? How knowledgeable are you in the words of God? Are you meditating in them frequently? Do you have proper understanding of them? Are you applying them to your daily living? The Psalmist said, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (119:11 NIV).

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 24Oct2009

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. - Hugh Downs

Quote for the Day 23Oct2009

As long as we are persistence in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time. - Denis Waitley

Quote for the Day 22Oct2009

Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light somewhere nearby. - Ruth E. Renkee

Quote for the Day 21Oct2009

Whatever you are today thank God but the best is yet to come, as long as you remain faithful to the Lord your tomorrow will be better than today, because it is His nature to reserve the best till last. - Helen Murray

Quote for the Day 20Oct2009

God has the record of your requests. He does not forget. Remain in His location and will. Your answers will reach you. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 19Oct2009

At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant (Job 14:7-9 NIV).

THERE IS STILL HOPE!

Dearly Beloved,
THERE IS STILL HOPE!
"Anyone who is among the living has hope-even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!" (Ecclesiastes 9:4 NIV).
The counselor sat down calmly as the man poured out his mind. It was obvious that the man has lost all hope. He did not know what to do again. The man concluded, "Nothing is working well with me. I am fed up with life. It is better if I am dead than being alive with no hope."
Many people are in similar situations like that disillusioned man. They prefer to die rather than to live because they have lost all hope. However, no matter the situation, there is still hope. Inasmuch as there is still life, there is hope. Even, if one is totally down, a little opportunity can turn one’s story to glory. Job, in his anguish, put it this way: "At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant" (Job 14:7-9 NIV).
What is your present situation? Have you lost hope in such situation? Are you wishing that it is better that you are dead rather than living? The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes said, "Anyone who is among the living has hope-even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!" (9:4 NIV). Yes, a live dog is better off than a dead lion! A living wretched man is better that a dead wealthy man. The reason is that the life of the former can be improved; there is no hope for the latter even in his expensive grave.
No matter your situation, when there is life, there is hope. Even, in an obviously hopeless situation, Jesus Christ reminded Martha, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 NKJV). She did see that glory. In your seemingly hopeless situation, indeed, there is still hope!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 17Oct2009

Courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it. So let's resist our fear and meet it with faith in our Lord. - David H. Roper

Quote for the Day 16Oct2009

Good manners will often take people where neither money nor education will take them. - Fanny Jackson Coppin

Quote for the Day 15Oct2009

Nothing just happens. Whatever happens to a man especially the son or daughter of the Almighty God is for good either now or later. - Bayo Oladeji

Quote for the Day 14Oct2009

When you do not set your heart to seek the Lord, calamity is the inevitable result. The surest way to prosper in your endeavors is to diligently pursue the will of God. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 13Oct2009

Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us. - Stephen R. Covey

Quote for the Day 12Oct2009

Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it, it's only good for wallowing in. - Katherine Mansfield

HE DOES NOT NEED ANY DEFENSE

Dearly Beloved,
HE DOES NOT NEED ANY DEFENSE
"‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’" (Matthew 26:52-54 NIV).
Recently I received a forwarded chain mail asking me to participate in a cause to protest to a popular online social network service to remove a website that is offensive to the personality of Jesus Christ from the social network’s online service. Hundreds of people had added their names to the mail as it was been forwarded to other people before it got to me. I wanted to add my name, but I remembered that there is no need to start the cause in the first instance because Jesus Christ does not need any kind of defense from anybody.
Adherents of many world religions, denominations, and causes are ready to defend the founders of such religions, denominations, or causes with the last drop of their blood. However, Jesus Christ or the God that the Christians serve does not need such defense. He is self-sufficient, unchangeable and unmovable. Nothing can subtract anything from His Being no matter the derogatory language used for Him. Attempts to defend Him may even be working against His wills!
When Jesus Christ was about to be arrested, one of His disciples tried to defend Him, but He cautioned him and made him realize that He is up to the task. At that particular time, it was part of the arrangement to fulfill the divine purpose of His coming to the world. In spite of the arrest, molestation, trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, He resurrected the third day. He was exalted to the highest place and given "the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11 NIV). No amount of derogatory language can reduce His sovereignty. People that are using foul languages against Him are just wasting their time.
Jesus Christ does not need any kind of defense. In spite of this, who He to you? How do you refer Him? He has come as the Savior of the world. He is presently defending those that believe in Him. He is coming back soon as the Judge of the whole world. Are you ready to face Him?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 10Oct2009

If your heart is filled with sadness,
Or you struggle with despair,
Turn to God, who’ll bring you gladness
When you sense His love and care.
- Sper

Quote for the Day 09Oct2009

Allow yourself to smile often. It will brighten your day and lighten your heart! - Charlene Spriggs

Quote for the Day 08Oct2009

God deals with us in very unique ways. You are special to Him and He may want to relate with you as He has never related with anyone, if only you give Him the opportunity. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 07Oct2009

Wait in prayer, call on God and spread your case before him. Express your unstaggering confidence in Him. Wait in faith, for unfaithful and untrusting waiting is but an insult to the Lord. - Charles Spurgeon

Quote for the Day 06Oct2009

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach the Majesty on High!
- James Montgomery

Quote for the Day 05Oct2009

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. – Jesus Christ (from Luke 11:9-10 NIV)

WAKE HIM UP!

Dear Beloved,
WAKE HIM UP!
"Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?'" (Mark 4:38, NIV).
Jesus Christ and His disciples were sailing on the turbulent Sea of Galilee when a furious storm started. It was an impending danger to their lives and properties. I believe that as veteran fishermen, some of them would have tried all the tactics to bring the situation under control. What surprises one is that Jesus Christ was somewhere in the boat sleeping. How could He sleep in such a situation? However, the disciples knew the right thing to do: they went to wake Him up. When He woke up, He just spoke to the storm, and there was serenity!
Christian life is not an escape from danger, but an assurance of His presence all the time. What is the storm of your life? What is threatening your life? Are you trying to help yourself out of it? Despite the fact that Jesus Christ "who watches over [His people] will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4, NIV), yet, you have to call Him into your situation. He is there by you seemingly sleeping. Wake Him up!
These are some of the promises of God for you:
"And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me" (Psalm 50:15, NIV).
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV).
"So I say 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" (Luke 11:9-10, NIV).
"Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24, NIV).
"The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth" (Psalm 145:18, NIV).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
　
NB
This message was first sent out on March 14, 2004.

Quote for the Day 03Oct2009

If you really do put a small value upon yourself, be rest assured that the world would not raise your price. - Anonymous

Quote for the Day 02Oct2009

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning;
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray;
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning;
Keep me burning till the break of day!
- Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 01Oct2009

When all around you is going under, as God kept Noah and his loved ones safe and sound, and his possessions intact, He will keep you afloat this new month in Jesus name. Amen. Welcome to the month of October! - Bayo Afolaranmi