Quote for the Day 01May2010

May this new month of May not be a waste in your life. May it be a time of restoration and fulfilment to achieve greater things and to do exploit in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! - Bayo Afolaranmi

Quote for the Day 30Apr2010

When we live with integrity,

We please our God above

And influence society

With truthfulness and love.

- Sper

Quote for the Day 29Apr2010

The Christian who is careless in Bible reading is careless in Christian living. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 28Apr2010

You never will be the person you can be if pressure, tension and discipline are taken out of your life. - James G. Bilkey

Quote for the Day 27Apr2010

A man who professes to be honest before God but is dishonest with men is undoubtedly a hypocrite! - Author Unknown

DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED

Dear Beloved,

DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me…. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:1, 27b NIV).

There are a lot of problems and hardships today that make the world unbearable for living. No one is immune from these things that are confronting human beings every day. Many have given up all hopes and are expecting the worst to happen. Some have even resorted to taking their lives. However, in all these, Jesus Christ says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled."

Jesus Christ was with His disciples in the upper room giving them His farewell speech when He made this statement. His disciples were disturbed because of some events that He predicted. These events included: He was going away (John 7:34; 8:21; 12:8, 35; 13:33); He would die (John 12:32-33); one of them was a betrayer (John 13:21); Satan was at work against all of them (Luke 22:31-32); they would not be able to follow Him to where He was going (John 13:36); Peter would deny Him thrice (John 13:38); and all of them would fall away (Matthew 26:31). Nevertheless, Jesus counseled them to believe in God and also in Him (John 14:1). He was saying in essence that they should believe in, adhere to, trust in and rely on Him. Trust is the great antidote for a troubled heart. Seeing God above our problems will make our hearts not to be troubled.

Jesus Christ did not ask His disciples to only trust in Him as an antidote for their troubled hearts, He also gave some other reasons for His admonition. He affirmed the reality of heaven where He was going to prepare a place for the disciples (as well as other believers), and come back to take them (John 14:2-3). The reward of Christian service in the hereafter is an encouragement to the disciples and even believers today to persevere in trials of faith.

Jesus would not leave the disciples alone in the world. He promised that the Father would send another Comforter to them, Someone who would abide with them forever (John 14:15-17, 26). This would be the Holy Spirit.

Despite the fact that Jesus Christ would leave His disciples, He would give them His peace (John 14:27). This peace would be different from the worldly peace or any other peace that they could think of. But this peace, as Paul put it, "…transcends all understanding, [and it] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV). This would not be for them, just as part of their lives in eternity, but as a vital aspect of their lives on earth. The peace is also for all that put their total trust in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ briefly mentioned it as He was rounding off His farewell speech that He has overcome Satan, the prince of this world (John 14:30). Satan might have come to this world, yet he would not overcome the disciples. Jesus Christ reaffirmed it also in John 16:33 that He has overcome the world.

What are you passing through that is making your heart to be troubled? Remember Jesus' admonition, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." He has gone to prepare our eternal home for us. He will come back to take us to Himself. Come to God through Him, the only true living Way. Allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in your life. You will experience His peace. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV).

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

NB

This message was first posted on October 17, 2004. It is an abridged version of a study of John 14. If you want the full version, write me at directly spiritualdigest@yahoo.com. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 24Apr2010

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 23Apr2010

We should never expect to gain from others what only Jesus can give. To do so is to be utterly unrealistic. Our task is simply to give and leave the results to our Master. - David H. Roper

Quote for the Day 22Apr2010

True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice. - Samuel Johnson

Quote for the Day 21Apr2010

Do not let Satan trick you by giving you false hope that your good works will save you. It is only through Jesus’ work on the cross that you can have real freedom. - Cindy Hess Kasper

Quote for the Day 20Apr2010

When you give God your heart, you will have no trouble giving Him anything else. - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 19Apr2010

It is not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, "What are we busy about?" - Henry David Thoreau

FOR WHAT WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?

Dearly Beloved,

FOR WHAT WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?

“The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot” (Proverbs 10:7 NIV).

“Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever” (Psalm 112:6 NIV).

As I become more active on the Facebook (a popular online social network service), I scanned some of my memorable pictures and placed them on my Facebook. One of the pictures is that of my late mentor, brother, friend, and pastor – late Reverend Goke Adeleke – who died over five years ago in an auto accident at the prime age of 37. Out of all the pictures I placed on my Facebook in a single day, the picture of this revered man of God received most attention and comments from my online Facebook friends and other people that could view it. There were over forty comments within twenty-four hours about the virtues of this man. I could not keep these to myself as I shared them with a pastor-colleague in my office. After pondering for some minutes, the pastor-colleague made a remark that is thought-provoking. He said, “If any of us dies today, for what will we be remembered? What will people say about us?” Interestingly, another one or two commentators on the Facebook later gave similar remarks after their comments about the unforgettable man of God.

Today, many people are still living, but people have forgotten about them because they do not have any good virtue to be remembered for. Remembrance of many people is about the evil they have done, and are still doing. However, many people are evergreen in the memory of people because of their virtues. A Yoruba adage says, “Arise ni arika, arika ni baba iregun. Ohun ti a ba se ni oni, oro itan ni bi o di ola.” (Literally, what you have done is what people will recollect about you.)

For what will you be remembered even before you die? If people have the opportunity to sincerely comment about you, what will they say about you? Will they say good things about you? Indeed, blessed is the remembrance of good people, and they will never be forgotten forever. For what will you be remembered by people who know you today?

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB

This message is dedicated to the unforgettable late Reverend Josiah Adegoke Adeleke (February 3, 1967-January 11, 2005). You can read the comments about him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3683041&l=373c908e9a&id=504257534 and possibly join his fans on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Late-Reverend-Goke-Adeleke/113953761949906?v=wall. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 17Apr2010

God often uses the most unlikely people in the most unlikely places to teach us some of life’s most difficult lessons. - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 16Apr2010

The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. You can accomplish anything if you are willing to pay the price. - Vince Lombardi

Quote for the Day 15Apr2010

The service that we do for God

May go unpraised by men;

But when we stand before the Lord,

He will reward us then.

- Sper

Quote for the Day 14Apr2010

When you think that you are weak and small compared to others in the world, that is when God can use you to do great and wonderful things for Him! - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 13Apr2010

If someone has repeatedly been hurtful to us, it is easy to give in to vindictive pleasure when they experience misfortune. However, we are to maintain an attitude of compassion and forgiveness, and trust God to bring justice in His time. - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 12Apr2010

Love for God can be measured by the love we show for our worst enemy. - Our Daily Bread

YOUR ENEMIES WILL NOT DIE (A Rejoinder)

Dearly Beloved,

YOUR ENEMIES WILL NOT DIE (A Rejoinder)

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles" (Proverbs 24:17 NASU).

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-45 NIV).

I rarely write a rejoinder on my previous messages or make the reactions of people to such messages and my responses known to other people. However, let me write a rejoinder on a message I posted recently based on some of the reactions of people to it. The message has to do with not praying against one’s enemies or wishing them bad luck. Here are two of the reactions I received and my responses:

Reaction One: “In spiritual warfare, the prayers are in most cases directed at the spirits behind the enemy. What we do not see are more than those we see. The fact that some churches pray some strange prayers like “fall down and die” does not mean such prayers are targeted at human beings but the wicked spirits behind the activities of the enemy.”

My Response: “It is interesting to note that spirits or demons do not die! Praying for their death is wasting of one’s precious time. Instead of focusing on the enemy or the spirit behind him, it is better to focus on God and what He will do for us, not the enemy or his evil spirit. God knows how He will handle the enemy and the spirit behind him.”

Reaction Two: “The enemy must die. We will not suffer a witch to live.”

My Response: “That shows that you are not Christ-mindedness! You still live in the Old Testament dispensation. That is a reference to the Mosaic Law (see Exodus 22:18 KJV; Leviticus 20:27). Jesus Christ taught in many places that we should pray FOR and bless our enemies (see Matthew 43-48; Luke 6:27-35). He demonstrated it on the cross (see Luke 23:34; 1 Peter 2:23). Stephen followed the example (Acts 7:60). Paul and Peter also taught that we should not curse our enemies (see Romans 12:14-21; 1 Peter 3:9). Where then, if not in the Old Testament, do you have your teaching of cursing enemies?”

It is a fact that there are some sworn enemies that one may know who are actually working against one’s progress. Many things are happening, especially in this part of the world. Someone even shared with me what his father did to him. Nevertheless, are we basing our faith on circumstance or the word of God? The Bible says, “Pray FOR and bless your enemies,” but circumstances and human nature say, “Curse and even kill your enemies, if possible.” No matter the circumstance, I will follow the word of God and leave everything to God. Let Him do what pleases Him. If He allows the enemies to have their ways, it is for His better purpose for me. I will rather wait for God’s better plan through enemies’ deeds than having my good plan by putting the enemies away in my own way. My enemies will not die!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB

Send your reactions to me directly at spiritualdigest@yahoo.com. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 10Apr2010

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. - Eric Hoffer

Quote for the Day 09Apr2010

Do not focus on outward appearances and physical strength, for these deteriorate. Rather, allow the Holy Spirit to convince you of the infinite treasure that is within you because of God’s presence. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 08Apr2010

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

Quote for the Day 07Apr2010

When you give all the glory to God, your accomplishments bring joy, but when you try to take the credit for yourself your trophies tarnish, fade and become a burden. - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 06Apr2010

If every circumstance finds us abiding in Christ, we will find Christ abiding with us in every circumstance. - Our Daily Bread

Quote for the Day 05Apr2010

Have you experienced the work of salvation that Jesus Christ perfected in His resurrection? Commemorating this historic event should not be on a special day each year alone, or even on every first day of the week only, but on every day of our lives. - Bayo Afolaranmi

Quote for the Day 04Apr2010

The greatest news that mortal ear has ever heard is the news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead as He promised! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the chief proof of the Christian faith. It is the truth that lies at the very foundation of the Gospel. - Billy Graham

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE EMPTY TOMB

Dearly Beloved,

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE EMPTY TOMB

“Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen” (John 20:6-7 NIV).

After the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ, His disciples did not have any hope that He would be raised from the dead on the third day. No wonder, the women that had been ministering to the needs of Jesus Christ and His disciples when they were in Galilee came to the tomb where Jesus was placed after His crucifixion to anoint His dead body. Apparently, this was their last honour to the crucified Christ. Nevertheless, they were surprised to learn from the angels they met in the tomb that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead. Even, the apostles found it difficult to believe (see Luke Luke 24:1-12). He is now alive! However, what are the implications of this empty tomb? Does it have any difference today if Jesus Christ is dead or alive? After all, all the famous world religious founders are dead. What if Jesus Christ has not been raised from the dead?

In 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Apostle Paul gave some implications. The basis of Christian message and life is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Christian message would be useless if Christ has not been raised. The Christian faith rests on the crucified and resurrected Jesus Christ. Such faith in Christ would have been useless - empty, without cause, without success if Christ has not been raised.

Furthermore, preachers of the gospel are notorious liars (false witnesses) if Christ has not been raised. The Scriptures would also be one of those misleading literatures in the world. If Jesus Christ has not been raised from the dead, His death would be useless, and we would still be in our sins and still carry the guilt and condemnation of sin. The reason is that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the proof that His death actually atoned for our sin. There are many promises about resurrection in the Bible. If Jesus Christ has not been raised from the dead, then such promises are vain promises and the departed and even the living Christians would find themselves in hell. Eternity would have been an illusion. If is so, then Christians should be pitied most because all reasons and purposes for life itself are destroyed. If Christians have hope only for this life, unbelievers are better off than then. It would have been most disastrous for them.

Praise the Lord! The tomb of Jesus Christ is empty on the third day! He is alive! He has defeated sin, death, and the devil!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB

This is an adaptation of the message “IF JESUS CHRIST HAS NOT BEEN RAISED.” I will send the full text of this sermon to you upon request. Send your request directly to me at . God bless you!

Quote for the Day 03Apr2010

Jesus redeemed us and died in our stead;
In Him we died and rose from the dead.
No longer is death a thing that we dread;
The old is behind us, the new is ahead. —D. De Haan

Quote for the Day 02Apr2010

“Surely [Jesus Christ] has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5 NKJV).

Quote for the Day 01Apr2010

This month of April, the Lord will remove every stumbling block out of your way, and prepare you for your breakthroughs in Jesus’ name. Amen. Welcome to the second quarter of the year. - Bayo Afolaranmi