PROPHETIC BLESSINGS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2011

Dearly Beloved,
PROPHETIC BLESSINGS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2011
To God be the glory for the grace to see another year!
As usual, Opeyemi my wife and our children (Boluwatife, IfeOluwa, Michael and Abraham) are joining me to welcome you into the New Year with these prophetic blessings adapted from God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 (AMP):
- This New Year, the Lord will make of you a great personality and make your name famous and distinguished.
- He will bless you with abundant increase of favours.
- You will be a blessing to others; people around you and those you come in contact with this year will be blessed through you.
- The Lord will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse or use insolent language toward you in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Happy and prosperous New Year!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor),
Baptist Building, Oke Bola,
PMB 5113, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria.
+234 805 515 9591
+234 816 304 5450
http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/
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http://inspirationaldailyquotes.blogspot.com/
http://smspastorbayo.blogspot.com/

NB
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Quote for the Day 31Dec2010

It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is [His] stability and faithfulness. - Prophet Jeremiah (in Lamentations 3:22-23 AMP)

Quote for the Day 30Dec2010

Never change your originality for the sake of others. No one can play your role better than you. So be yourself, because whatever you are, YOU are the Original and YOU are the best! - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 29Dec2010

The limit of your present understanding is not the limit of your possibilities. - Guy Finley

Quote for the Day 28Dec2010

When we look back and contemplate what we have been through this year; we will praise You, Lord, for all You have done. Your faithfulness is clear. - Sper

Quote for the Day 27Dec2010

By Gods grace, you will make it to the Promise Land. You will not die in the wilderness. The Lord will make a way for you so that you can see and taste the goodness of the land in Jesus’ name. Amen. - Bayo Afolaranmi

"O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST"

Dearly Beloved,
"O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST"
“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:1-2 NKJV).
This popular hymn "O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST" was written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). It is sung mostly at the end of a year and at the beginning of a new year. In the hymn, the composer, based on Psalm 90, highlighted many things about God: God is powerful because He has used His power to help His people throughout the past (Psalm 33:20). He will use His power to give His people hope for the future (Psalm 146:5). Thus, His people can look to His power to provide shelter from the stormy blast (Psalm 61:3). God protects because His saints dwell secure under the shadow of His throne (Psalm 4:8; 44:3; 47:8). God is eternal because years and ages are nothing in His sight (Psalm 102:24-27). He is an everlasting God (Psalm 93:2). God is caring. He has been caring for His people, and He will continue to care for them (Psalm 46:1). God is identified as the God of both the past and the future because of His everlasting nature (Psalm 41:13).
Isaac Watts was right! God is indeed our help in the ages past. God has demonstrated His power over us by protecting us and by taking good care of us in this passing year. He has been our dwelling place. Even if He has not done what some of us are requesting from Him, He is still a powerful, caring God. He has a purpose for denying us our request. He has His “best” for you instead of the “good” you are requesting from Him.
As we enter a new year in couple of days, will you depend on Him? Will you make Him your dwelling place? He is indeed our present and future help. Let us join Isaac Watts to sing: “O God, our Help in ages past, Our Hope for years to come, Be Thou our Guard while life shall last, And our eternal Home.”
Wishing you Happy New Year (2011) in advance!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 25Dec2010

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6 NKJV) Merry Christmas!

Quote for the Day 24Dec2010

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.
- Ada V. Hendricks

Quote for the Day 23Dec2010

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Quote for the Day 22Dec2010

Only when you have been in the deepest valley can you know how magnificent it is to be atop the highest mountain. - Richard Nixon

Quote for the Day 21Dec2010

Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them. - Orison Swett Marden

Quote for the Day 20Dec2010

May the Christmas season
Fill your home with joy
Your heart with love
And your life with laughter.
- Tim Atunnise

THE BIGGEST NEWS OF CHRISTMAS

Dearly Beloved,
THE BIGGEST NEWS OF CHRISTMAS
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NIV).
As usual, the Christmas celebration for this year as started about a month ago with many fanfares and will end on December 25 in grand services in most of our churches. However, many people have lost or forgotten the biggest news of Christmas. This news is summed up in the most popular Bible verse: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV).
The news started with God, the Creator of the universe. The Holy Bible does not try to prove the existence God. It just started by saying, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1 NIV). It is interesting to see some people today claiming that there is no God. The Christmas news cannot be appreciated without acknowledging the existence of God that initiated the basis of Christmas.
This God is the God of love that so loved the people of the world in spite of their unworthiness. He demonstrated His unconditional love to mankind and did what an ordinary man would find difficult to do - giving the most precious thing to an undeserving person.
This act of giving should be paramount in us as we celebrate Christmas. This is not a kind of giving where you will be expecting the recipient to give you something else back in reciprocal. It is not the kind of giving associated with Father Christmas where you have to pay some amount of money before receiving the gift. It is a sacrificial giving.
The object of this giving is the most precious Gift of all time - Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God! Many people find it difficult to believe that the Creator of the universe could have a Son. To them, it belittles Him of His majesty. However, that is part of the reasons Paul exclaimed, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! `Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?' `Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen" (Romans 11:33-36 NIV).
What God requires from us for His giving is faith in Jesus Christ so that we will not perish (having eternal separation from Him), but have eternal life - an infinitely high quality of life in living fellowship with God, both now and forever given graciously by Jesus Christ to everyone who believes in Him (see John 1:4; 10:10, 28). Do you have this life?
This is the biggest news! No matter how you celebrated the Christmas or if you are indifferent to it, let the news has positive impact in your life.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
This message was first sent out on December 24, 2005.

Quote for the Day 18Dec2010

Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent. - Marilyn vos Savant

Quote for the Day 17Dec2010

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals. - Henry Ford

Quote for the Day 16Dec2010

Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives. - William Parks

Quote for the Day 15Dec2010

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. - Judy Garland

Quote for the Day 14Dec2010

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. - Debra Cummings

Quote for the Day 13Dec2010

Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you are scared. - Eddie Rickenbacker

ENRICHED WITH HONOUR

Dearly Beloved,
ENRICHED WITH HONOUR
“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.’ ...And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed...’” (Luke 1:30, 46-48 NIV).
The reality of the real meanings of my names (Adebayo Olayinka Afolaranmi) manifested as I celebrated my fortieth birthday anniversary last week (December 8). In Yoruba language, “Adebayo” means “One who has come to meet joy,” “Olayinka” means “I am surrounded by honour,” while “Afolaranmi” (my father’s name) means “I am enriched with honour.” Actually, the month of December has been a special month in my life: I was born on December 8, 1970; I got married on December 19, 1998; my daughter was born on December 7, 2002; my family moved to our personal house on December 23, 2005; my elder sister gave birth to her new baby on December 6, 2010 in a miraculous way; my wife got a new employment on December 6, 2010 after she was without a job for almost a year; twice God saved me from danger on December 8, 1992 and 2010; December 25 has been set apart to commemorate the birth of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. These incidents were never coincidental. Indeed, I have come to meet the joy and goodness of God; God has surrounded me and enriched me with His honour. I never thought of these things till December 8, 2010 when people were rejoicing with me and I looked back and reflected on the goodness of God to me. Glory be to His holy name!
As I was reflecting on this, I remembered Mary the mother of Jesus. She was so favoured and honoured by God that she was used as the instrument of bringing the Saviour of the world to this world. The Roman Catholics still venerate her till today, though to an extreme. There were many virgins in Israel when God chose her. Likewise, there are many people on earth when God chose me to be favoured and honoured the way He did, and is still doing it. Once again, glory be to His holy name!
Have you reflected on how God has favoured and honoured you also? Do you appreciate Him for this? Do not say He has not done so. Indeed, “He has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world” (Ephesians 1:3 TEV). You might have not got what you want from Him, but I know that He has enriched you also with His favour and honour. I pray that as this year is running to an end, He will enrich you more with His honour and favour in Jesus’ name. Amen.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Points:
1. Thank God for how He has enriched you with His honour, favour and goodness.
2. Pray that you will always appreciate God for His favour and goodness in your life.
3. As this year is running to an end, pray that God will enrich you more with His honour and favour.
NB
I am so grateful to people that sent comments and prayers to me on the occasion of my 40th birthday last week through e-greetings, SMS, phone calls, messages and comments by email, Facebook, etc. Some even sent birthday gifts to me! I am honoured. God will honour you also in your entire endeavour. Amen.

Quote for the Day 11Dec2010

We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how to respond to them. - Epictetus

Quote for the Day 10Dec2010

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. - Mother Teresa

Quote for the Day 09Dec2010

These are the times when you must trust God’s perfect timing. God may plan for you to attain a certain position or take a new direction, but the timing may not be right. Watch over your heart. Don’t allow others to persuade you to compromise your integrity as you follow God’s will. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 08Dec2010

As I celebrate MY 40th birthday today, I pray that God will shape my life and your life according to His plan like clay in potter’s hand. He will make you and me be what He want you and me to be in life in Jesus’ name. Amen. - Bayo Afolaranmi

Quote for the Day 07Dec2010

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours.
- Irish Blessing

Quote for the Day 06Dec2010

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. - Rick Warren

YOU WILL BE CELEBRATED!

Dearly Beloved,
YOU WILL BE CELEBRATED!
“When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:3 NIV).
I seldom base my weekly devotional messages on the Nigerian political atmosphere. However, I was inspired by the content of one of the numerous text messages (SMS) that I received from my friends recently. Here is the content of the text message: “As God remembered Governor Aregbesola in Osun State [of Nigeria], people will rejoice with you. It is last hurdle of the year. Compliment of the season, merry Christmas and Happy New year 2011 in advance.” The person was undoubtedly referring to the new governor that was just sworn in after almost-four-year judicial struggle to regain his stolen mandate. The celebration that greeted his victory at the court of appeal and his swearing in as governor was a reminiscence of celebrations that greeted similar victories of other politicians that regained their mandates through the law court after many years of legal struggles, especially that of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State, who had to go through election re-run and series of appeals before he also was sworn in as the rightful governor of his state. The case of each of these people looked hopeless, especially if one considers the fact that they were battling with people that had the so-called “federal might” and the not-too-trusted judicial system of the country. These people risked their lives for daring to fight for their stolen mandates. However, God fought for each of them and today, they are in their rightful positions.
David had a similar experience. After God rejected Saul as the king of Israel (1 Samuel 13:13-14; 15:26-29), He sent Samuel to anoint David as the next king (1 Samuel 16:1-13). David had to wait for many years. He became a fugitive in foreign lands and even had to relocate his parents to another foreign land (1 Samuel 21:10-14; 22:3-4; 27:1-12). Even, after the death of Saul, another person was installed as the next king in Israel (2 Samuel 2:8-9). Nevertheless, at God’s appointed time, He remembered David, and David became the king of Israel. He was celebrated and became a rally point for the whole nation (2 Samuel 5).
Are you also feeling cheated in one way or another? Is somebody depriving you of something that is rightly belonging to you? Has God not fulfilled His promise for you this year? Before the end of this year, God will remember you. The reason is that, “The LORD will fulfil His purpose for [you]...” (Psalm 138:8a NIV). You will indeed be celebrated!
Let me also say to everyone: “Compliment of the season, merry Christmas and Happy New Year (2011) in advance in Jesus’ name.”
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 04Dec2010

Apostle Paul liberated the Gospel from the Jewish clothing and Martin Luther from the Latin clothing. Now it is our responsibility to liberate it from the Western clothing! Use Christmas time advantageously to share with non-Christian families the love of God revealed through Christ. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 03Dec2010

The secret of making dreams come true can be summarized in four C's. They are Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Constancy; and the greatest of these is Confidence. - Walt Disney

Quote for the Day 02Dec2010

We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery. - H. G. Wells

Quote for the Day 02Dec2010

We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery. - H. G. Wells