GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!

Dearly Beloved,
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).
Pastor Walter Stillman Martin (1862-1935) had been invited to preach at a Sunday morning service of a church that was some kilometers away from his home. However, his wife became ill that Sunday morning, and he was about to cancel his speaking engagement. Then his young son spoke up. “Father, don’t you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you are away?” Martin made the trip, and when he returned home later that day he found that his wife (Civilla Durfee Martin [1866–1948]) had written a hymn in his absence. The title of the hymn is “God Will Take Care of You.” That evening, he composed the music. Here are the lyrics of the first stanza of the hymn and its refrain:

GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

Possibly as Mrs Civilla Martin was writing the words to this hymn, she was thinking of Paul’s words to the Philippians that they should not be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6), or the counsel of Peter that ” we should cast all our anxiety on God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). However, it could be any number of Scripture passages, because the theme “God will take care of you” is a recurring one throughout the Scriptures (see Psalms 34:15; 37:5; 55:22; Matthew 6:26-34; 11:28-30; Luke 12:24; Philippians 4:19).
What are you also passing through at the moment? Whatever your situation, “no matter what may be the test,” be not dismayed! God will take care of you. Call on Him, and rely totally on Him. He will indeed take care of you!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
Here are the lyrics of the other three stanzas of the hymn:

Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.

Quote for the Day 31Oct2010

What are you passing through at the moment? Whatever your situation, “no matter what may be the test,” be not dismayed! God will take care of you. Call on Him, and rely totally on Him. He will indeed take care of you! - Bayo Afolaranmi

Quote for the Day 29Oct2010

The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without, the more significant and the higher in inspiration his life will be. - Horace Bushnell

Quote for the Day 28Oct2010

Examine your life and list out areas that comfort, success and prosperity are fast eroding God's graces on you and take immediate steps to contain them. Devise a practical plan that can restore you to the place you fell from. You do not have to be a victim of comfort. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 28Oct2010

Examine your life and list out areas that comfort, success and prosperity are fast eroding God's graces on you and take immediate steps to contain them. Devise a practical plan that can restore you to the place you fell from. You do not have to be a victim of comfort. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 28Oct2010

Examine your life and list out areas that comfort, success and prosperity are fast eroding God's graces on you and take immediate steps to contain them. Devise a practical plan that can restore you to the place you fell from. You do not have to be a victim of comfort. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 27Oct2010

Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you. - Jim Rohn

Quote for the Day 26Oct2010

Do not judge too quickly what you see;
Treat lightly first impression;
Misunderstandings multiply
Without right information.
- Sper

Quote for the Day 25Oct2010

Because God has declared your future good, know that you stand on favor ground today. Expect good things to happen to you. Expect to see the favor of God on you and your family. Expect the blessings and increase of the Lord. Expect many good days to show up in your life! - Joseph Prince

HELPING GOD?

Dear Beloved,

HELPING GOD?

"Then [Ahijah the prophet] said to Jeroboam, 'Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand and give you ten tribes…. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you'" (1 Kings 11:31-38, NIV).

"Jeroboam thought to himself, 'The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David...' After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt'" (1 Kings 12:26-28, NIV).

A popular English proverb states, "Heavens [i.e. God] help those who help themselves." However, for the people that want to be in God's will, this proverb is a contradiction. Many instances in the Bible prove this.

The story of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, the first king of the break-away northern kingdom of Israel was one of such instances. When King Solomon did not do according to the will of God by worshipping the gods of his foreign wives, God promised to establish the house of Jeroboam as kings in Israel, but would retain a tribe for the house of David. God established Jeroboam as the king of Israel. Nevertheless, Jeroboam was crafty. He tried to help God. Why? He was afraid that the people would kill him and return to the house of David. So he made two idols and set them in two border towns as gods "who brought [the Israelites] up out of Egypt." It was to keep them from worshipping God in Jerusalem and consolidate his power.

By this singular action, the chronicle of the people of Israel was tainted with this reference, "the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit" (1 Kings 14:16, NIV. See also 1 Kings 13:34; 15:30, 34; 2 Kings 10:31; 13:2, 6; 15:9, 18, 24, 28; 17:21).

Also, Sarah and Rebecca schemed when the promises of God seemed delayed. The former advised her husband (Abraham) to have offspring through her maid, Hagar (Genesis 16). The latter nearly destabilized her family when she tried all her possible best to fulfill the promise of God for Jacob her favorite son (Genesis 25:21-23; 27:1-17).

Are you fond of manipulating God's plans and promises for your life? Your action should be according to the will of God. Remember, "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV. See also Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 14:24). He who does not run ahead of God is truly happy.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
This message was first sent out on May 23, 2004.

Quote for the Day 22Oct2010

It is not work that kills men, it is worry. Work is healthy; you can hardly put more on a man than he can bear. But worry is rust upon the blade. It is not movement that destroys the machinery, but friction. - Henry Ward Beecher

Quote for the Day 21Oct2010

Stop focusing on yourself and your efforts. Look away from these things and begin to behold the glory of Jesus who is in you right now, and you will begin to behold the miracles that you need! - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 20Oct2010

Nothing can happen to you today, or any other day, that God is not aware of, in control of, and able to bring you through. - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 19Oct2010

Do not cut corners to get to the top, allow a step-by-step divine process to reach a stable top. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 18Oct2010

There are many who are struggling or have fallen on hard times and need our assistance. Who in your life needs a helping hand? - Dennis Fisher

LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE

Dearly Beloved,
LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also” (Hebrews 13:1-3 NKJV).
The book of Hebrews was mainly about the superiority of Jesus Christ over the Old Testament prophets and religious systems. In concluding his message, the writer of the book admonished his audience to let brotherly love continue. The Greek word (filadelfia) translated “brotherly love” in most English translations of the Bible can mean mutual love of brothers (and sisters) or “love for one's fellow believer, affection for a fellow believer.” It is in contrast with another Greek word (agapee) also translated “love” which is the unconditional and unparallel love that God has for the mankind. The implication of the admonition was that brotherly love already existed among the Hebrews that the book was addressed to. So, it must continue and the continuation should have no end. The writer of the book went ahead to give two explanations on how to demonstrate brotherly love (Hebrews 13:2-3). One, by entertaining strangers: he inferred to Abraham who unknowingly entertained angels (see Genesis 19). Two, by caring for the less privileged: Jesus Christ alluded to this in one of His parables (see Matthew 25:34-46). There are other ways of making brotherly love continue among us.
It is evident from these two ways of demonstrating brotherly love that the “brother” that one is to love may not necessarily be a sibling or a fellow believer (as a commentator put it) or somebody of common interest, but anyone that one can help at a given time. The Samaritan in the popular parable of the Good Samaritan has been a classic example of demonstration of brotherly love (see Luke 10:25-37).
Many people would say that they love God, and they are ready to do anything for Him. However, do they love their fellow “brother”? Such people are hypocrites! Apostle John said, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20 NIV).
A very important reason why one should let brotherly love continue is that one may on one occasion or the other be at the receiving end of such love. The “strange” stranger who leads the love or care may be YOU!
Do you have brotherly love? Be ready to demonstrate it to anyone that comes your way. Let brotherly love continue!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
I have just created a weblog for updated daily inspiring quotes from the Holy Bible and other notable Christians. The link is http://inspirationaldailyquotes.blogspot.com/. Visit it every day inspiring quotes. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 14Oct2010

God is absolutely just. He loves, and He forgives, but He does not compromise His righteousness. God deals with us uniquely. He draws upon our experiences to teach us about Himself. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 12Oct2010

When you defend yourself, you have only your two hands and your own human resources. But when you let Jesus take up your defense, He defends you with His nail-pierced hands and His legions of angels! The results will be amazing. - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 11Oct2010

The best way to keep sin at a distance is to make sure Jesus stands between you and temptation. - Our Daily Bread

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?

Dearly Beloved,
WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:13-16 NIV).
I came in contact of a newspaper article with the title, “Do you know Jesus Christ?” The article was the compilation of interviews conducted with some children of ages ranging from four to six to know whether they know Jesus Christ or not. The responses of these little children were quite revealing. Some of them identified Jesus as a man that their pastors have been talking about in their churches; some of them recognized Him as the Son of God, or simply God; some were even frank to declare that they do not know Him. When asked further, some of the children believed that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world and that He is presently in heaven.
After being with His disciples for some time, Jesus Christ also wanted to know whether the disciples knew who He was or not. He firstly asked them who the people around them thought He was. They gave many answers. When it was their turn to tell who Jesus Christ was, none of them could answer except Simon Peter who answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:16 NIV).
If you are asked the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” what would be your response? Do you really know Him? Some people believe that He is just one of the prophets. Some believe that He is just the Saviour, and NOT the Lord of their lives. Who is Jesus Christ to you? Apostle Paul said, “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]” (Philippians 3:10 AMP).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 07Oct2010

When crisis hits, we do not have to stand alone. We have the right help. We can depend on God to be the greatest ally we could ever know. Lean on Him. - Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 06Oct2010

Whatever your troubling circumstances are, God knows and cares. You may be deeply depressed, or perhaps you are plagued by loneliness and discouragement. But you can be confident that you are under God's watchful eye. - Richard De Haan

Quote for the Day 05Oct2010

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
- Author Unknown

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION

Dearly Beloved,
RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV).
I have to change the message to be sent out this week again because of an ugly incident that happened last Friday as Nigeria was celebrating the golden jubilee of her independence as a sovereign nation. As many as fifteen people died in twin car-bomb blasts a few metres away from the Eagle Square, Abuja, the main centre of the celebration. Interestingly, a group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), had warned the Nigerian federal government that it would disrupt the celebration by planting bombs around the Eagle Square, and warned people not to be in the area at a specific time that they had set for the explosions of the bombs. The group based its warning on the fact that there was nothing to celebrate in Nigeria’s fifty years of independence, and the fact that the Niger Delta has been unfairly treated in spite of the crude oil that is being produced in the oil-rich area.
That incident and the claims of the group are thought provoking. The people of Nigeria in general have suffered enough in the hands of their political leaders since 1960 that the country gained her independence. There are no good social amenities like road, electricity, drinkable water, and the likes. Private schools and hospitals are thriving because government-owned schools and hospitals are not well catered for or accessible. Most of the youth are unemployed, even those that are employed are not well remunerated. The best brains of the country have gone abroad for greener pastures. An average Nigerian cannot boast of three square meals a day. In fact, Nigeria is a rich nation, but most of her citizens are living in abject poverty. Corruption has been institutionalized. Religious and ethnic disturbances are rampant in the north while hostage taking and kidnapping have made people insecure in the south. The political leaders and their cronies are freely looting the resources of the nation. They pretend as if they do not know the plight of the common man. They are recycling themselves in the corridor of power. There is no guarantee for free and fair election to put right people in position of leadership in the country. All these and many other reasons made some people to argue that there is nothing to celebrate after fifty years of Nigeria’s independence.
However, violence does not resolve a problem. In fact, it worsens the problem! Those that were behind the bomb blasts may have good intention, but killing innocent people and destruction of properties are not the right ways to make known one’s grievances. Two wrongs can never make a right. We have to be more cautious in agitating for a better Nigeria. Those that are in positions of authority should know that God allows them to be there for a purpose (see Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:21; 4:32; John 19:11). They should know that they are there to serve the people they are leading. Both the government and the citizenry should make righteousness their watchword. Righteousness, indeed, exalts a nation!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
I dedicate this message to all that were affected in the Friday October 1, 2010 bomb blasts in Abuja, Nigeria.

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION

Dearly Beloved,
RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV).
I have to change the message to be sent out this week again because of an ugly incident that happened last Friday as Nigeria was celebrating the golden jubilee of her independence as a sovereign nation. As many as fifteen people died in twin car-bomb blasts a few metres away from the Eagle Square, Abuja, the main centre of the celebration. Interestingly, a group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), had warned the Nigerian federal government that it would disrupt the celebration by planting bombs around the Eagle Square, and warned people not to be in the area at a specific time that they had set for the explosions of the bombs. The group based its warning on the fact that there was nothing to celebrate in Nigeria’s fifty years of independence, and the fact that the Niger Delta has been unfairly treated in spite of the crude oil that is being produced in the oil-rich area.
That incident and the claims of the group are thought provoking. The people of Nigeria in general have suffered enough in the hands of their political leaders since 1960 that the country gained her independence. There are no good social amenities like road, electricity, drinkable water, and the likes. Private schools and hospitals are thriving because government-owned schools and hospitals are not well catered for or accessible. Most of the youth are unemployed, even those that are employed are not well remunerated. The best brains of the country have gone abroad for greener pastures. An average Nigerian cannot boast of three square meals a day. In fact, Nigeria is a rich nation, but most of her citizens are living in abject poverty. Corruption has been institutionalized. Religious and ethnic disturbances are rampant in the north while hostage taking and kidnapping have made people insecure in the south. The political leaders and their cronies are freely looting the resources of the nation. They pretend as if they do not know the plight of the common man. They are recycling themselves in the corridor of power. There is no guarantee for free and fair election to put right people in position of leadership in the country. All these and many other reasons made some people to argue that there is nothing to celebrate after fifty years of Nigeria’s independence.
However, violence does not resolve a problem. In fact, it worsens the problem! Those that were behind the bomb blasts may have good intention, but killing innocent people and destruction of properties are not the right ways to make known one’s grievances. Two wrongs can never make a right. We have to be more cautious in agitating for a better Nigeria. Those that are in positions of authority should know that God allows them to be there for a purpose (see Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:21; 4:32; John 19:11). They should know that they are there to serve the people they are leading. Both the government and the citizenry should make righteousness their watchword. Righteousness, indeed, exalts a nation!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
I dedicate this message to all that were affected in the Friday October 1, 2010 bomb blasts in Abuja, Nigeria.

Quote for the Day 01Oct2010

Jubilee signifies freedom and celebration. As Nigeria celebrates its golden jubilee today, you will have many causes to celebrate your own freedom in Jesus’ name. Amen. Welcome to the month of October. - Bayo Afolaranmi