Quote for the Day 01Jul2010

Welcome to the second half of the year. Whatever happens in the first half of the year, the second half will be full of testimonies of Gods goodness in your life in Jesus’ name. Amen. - Bayo Afolaranmi

Quote for the Day 30Jun2010

A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities. - William A. Ward

Quote for the Day 29Jun2010

Reproduce yourself. Raise someone. There is no success without a successor and we do not really know how successful you are as a leader until you are not around. - Sam Adeyemi

Quote for the Day 28Jun2010

Spend time with God and listen to His Word. And when you do these things, you are seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, and all the things that you need will be added to you! - Joseph Prince

FORGIVE GOD!

Dearly Beloved,
Apart from the daily quotes aspect of my Internet ministry where I freely use other people’s direct quotes, for the first time in the seven-year-old ministry, I am adapting another person’s message for my weekly devotional messages. I recently read a book titled “Forgive God!” written by Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe. I was greatly touched by the book, and by the kind permission of the author, I decided to adapt the message of the book in serialized messages. (All the direct quotations are from the book.) Here is the first part of the adapted message:
FORGIVE GOD!
“‘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 1:20-21 NIV).
The title of this message sounds somehow blasphemous. How can one forgive God? The normal thing is to ask for God’s forgiveness. However, God needs many people’s forgiveness because life experiences, even from the experiences of people in the Bible, confirm that suffering is inevitable. When suffering happens, one may blame oneself if one sees clearly the link between cause and effect of one’s action and its consequences; one may blame other people, influences, or the devil; and one may hold God responsible for one’s suffering since it is believed that God is able to do all things and can stop any evil from coming upon people. If this third possibility occurs, then one can be angry with God, and one has to forgive God because “Harbouring anger and resentment against anybody, let alone God, has spiritual, emotional, physical and social consequences.”
The problem of evil and suffering has made many people to bluntly deny the existence of God. Those that still believe that He exists find it difficult to believe that an all-powerful, loving, and kind God will allow evil or suffering to happen to His children. Why did He not stop the evil? Why does He still allow the devil, man’s archenemy, to have his evil way? This makes many people to be angry with God. They need to forgive God because “God does not always do what people want Him to do nor does He do it when they want Him to do it, let alone do it how they want Him to do it.”
To be angry, even with God, is not a sin. However, one must not let one’s anger lead to sin. Apostle Paul admonished, “If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. Don't give the Devil a chance” (Ephesians 4:26-27 TEV). Many people were angry with God in the Bible. Moses was angry with God when his initial request to Pharaoh about the Israelites backfired (see Exodus 5:20-23). The people of Israel were angry with God on many occasions though they allowed their anger to lead them to sin (see Numbers 21:5). Naomi’s anger was classic (Ruth 1:19-21). Imagine how Mary and Martha would be feeling as they watched their beloved brother, Lazarus, agonized till death even after they have sent for Jesus to come and heal him (John 11). Both of them nearly said the same thing when Jesus Christ finally came after Lazarus was buried for four days (cf. John 11:21, 32).
Well, we know the end of each of the instances mentioned above. In what way have you also been angry with God? This will be the thrust of the second part of this adapted message next week.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
You can send your comments/reactions directly to Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe through his email: fdeegbe@gmail.com. Dr. Deegbe is a trained counsellor and ordained pastor of Ghana Baptist Convention. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 26Jun2010

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. - Les Brown

Quote for the Day 23Jun2010

Life is like the game of Football. It requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority. - Vince Lombardi

Quote for the Day 21Jun2010

There are times when silence is more powerful than words. Silence is not because we don't know what to say but it is unspoken confidence and assurance. - Author Unknown

"MY DADDY WILL NOT LEAVE ME!"

Dear Beloved,

"MY DADDY WILL NOT LEAVE ME!"

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged"(Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV).

"…because God has said, `Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5, NIV).

My two-year-old daughter said a statement that was a challenge to me the other day. We were having our breakfast that Sunday morning in preparation for the worship service. When my wife discovered that our daughter was slow in eating her food, she said jokingly that we will leave her at home if she does not eat fast. She just said confidently and emphatically, "My daddy will not leave me!"

We laughed over the matter, but her confidence in me was a thought-provoking issue for me throughout the day. Do I have such a confidence in my heavenly Father? Can I say with assurance that He will not leave me even when it seems that everyone and everything is against me?

The psalmist in Psalm 77 faced difficult situation that made him think that God had forsaken him. He asked six questions to ascertain the presence of God with him (verses 7-9). He concluded in his thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples"(Psalm 77:10-14, NIV). The psalmist knew that the Lord is there for him all the time and that he just has to remember the goodness of God and trust in Him. No wonder he said somewhere else, "For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance" (Psalm 94:14, NIV).

The Lord will not leave you even when all others forsake you and you are passing through the most turbulent time. Yes I will say confidently, "My heavenly Daddy will not leave me!"

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
As we celebrate the Fathers' Day, I dedicate this message to all good, loving, caring and exemplary fathers throughout the world.

This message was first posted on June 19, 2005.

Quote for the Day 19Jun2010

God does not always do what people want Him to do nor does He do it when they want Him to do it, let alone do it how they want Him to do it. - Fred Deegbe

Quote for the Day 18Jun2010

Do you want to be a key player in the spiritual realm? Stop fielding excuses for non-performance. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 16Jun2010

When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another. - Helen Keller

Quote for the Day 15Jun2010

God does not bring in lazy people to do exploits with Him but seek out those who are busy doing something. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 11Jun2010

If you want to know your past - look into your present conditions. If you want to know your future - look into your present actions. - A Chinese Proverb

Quote for the Day 10Jun2010

No leader is beyond God’s grace
When righteous people pray;
For when God’s children intercede,
The Lord will have His way.
- D. De Haan

Quote for the Day 09Jun2010

There is nobody who will succeed without paying a price. Anything that is of value in this world has a price tag on it. Success in life is a prize that has a price. - Sam Adeyemi

Quote for the Day 08Jun2010

If you think God could not use you, remember that He does not ask you to be successful; He asks you to be willing to serve Him and to be faithful in the task He gives you. - Elmer L. Towns

Quote for the Day 07Jun2010

Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they're always there. - Norman Vincent Peale

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Dear Beloved,

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

"I hear many whispering, 'Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!' All my friends are waiting for me to slip… But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior…" (Jeremiah 20:10-11a NIV).

Although Jeremiah was called by God, yet his own relatives, friends and other prophets did not like him. In fact, no-one wanted to listen to his message. They hated him because of their disobedience and idolatry (Jeremiah 11:18-23; 20:1f; 26:7f; 33:1; 37: 16-21). That was why he was initially reluctant to be a prophet to his own people. However, God told him not to be afraid of the people and disrespect Him, the Sender. He accepted the call and spoke the words of God without fear or favour even at the point of death (Jeremiah 7:1f; 20:3f; 26:1f; 29:1f). The Lord was faithful to His promises. He made him victorious over all these oppositions, though he was alone (Jeremiah 1: 19; 26:24; 33:1-3; 36:26).

Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt by his own brothers. He was sent to prison because of his faithfulness. He was forgotten in the prison by those who should rescue him. However, God did not forget him. He did not leave him alone in the land of Egypt (see Genesis 37-50).

It was as if Jesus Christ was alone on the cross and in the grave, but "What David said are really the words of Jesus, 'I always see the Lord near me, and I will not be afraid with him at my right side. Because of this, my heart will be glad, my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope. The Lord won't leave me in the grave. I am his holy one, and he won't let my body decay. He has shown me the path to life, and he makes me glad by being near me'" (Act 2:25-28 CEV).

Are you also alone? Is everyone against you? Do not be afraid. You are not alone if you are with God. One with God is a majority. Be faithful. Remember, "The [Lord] who calls you is faithful and He will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV). "…He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV).

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
This message was first sent out on September 7, 2003.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Dear Beloved,

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

"I hear many whispering, 'Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!' All my friends are waiting for me to slip… But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior…" (Jeremiah 20:10-11a NIV).

Although Jeremiah was called by God, yet his own relatives, friends and other prophets did not like him. In fact, no-one wanted to listen to his message. They hated him because of their disobedience and idolatry (Jeremiah 11:18-23; 20:1f; 26:7f; 33:1; 37: 16-21). That was why he was initially reluctant to be a prophet to his own people. However, God told him not to be afraid of the people and disrespect Him, the Sender. He accepted the call and spoke the words of God without fear or favour even at the point of death (Jeremiah 7:1f; 20:3f; 26:1f; 29:1f). The Lord was faithful to His promises. He made him victorious over all these oppositions, though he was alone (Jeremiah 1: 19; 26:24; 33:1-3; 36:26).

Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt by his own brothers. He was sent to prison because of his faithfulness. He was forgotten in the prison by those who should rescue him. However, God did not forget him. He did not leave him alone in the land of Egypt (see Genesis 37-50).

It was as if Jesus Christ was alone on the cross and in the grave, but "What David said are really the words of Jesus, 'I always see the Lord near me, and I will not be afraid with him at my right side. Because of this, my heart will be glad, my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope. The Lord won't leave me in the grave. I am his holy one, and he won't let my body decay. He has shown me the path to life, and he makes me glad by being near me'" (Act 2:25-28 CEV).

Are you also alone? Is everyone against you? Do not be afraid. You are not alone if you are with God. One with God is a majority. Be faithful. Remember, "The [Lord] who calls you is faithful and He will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV). "…He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV).

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
This message was first sent out on September 7, 2003.

Quote for the Day 02Jun2010

Though the ills of earth may wound me,
And the storms of life confound me-
With His loving arms around me,
I'll go with Him all the way!
- Fanny J. Crosby

Quote for the Day 01Jun2010

The Lord will be your light and salvation this month of June. You will fear no evil. Because God is your strength, do not be afraid of any circumstance. You are more than conqueror. - Bayo Afolaranmi