What we need is faith and vision - the ability to see that God wants us to be His instruments, and that He will supply what we need. - Randy Kilgore
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Quote for the Day 30Aug2011
When we simply cannot understand why God allows circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us, it is good to remember that He has our good and His glory in mind. — David McCasland
Monday, August 29, 2011
Quote for the Day 29Aug2011
Be thankful to God for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvements. - Author Unknown
Saturday, August 27, 2011
WILL YOU NOT PRAISE HIM?
Dearly Beloved,
WILL YOU NOT PRAISE HIM?
“I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” (Psalm 146:2 NIV).
Recently I was invited to be a facilitator of an aspect of the annual leadership training session a deaf organization. That would be my first interaction with people that were mainly deaf and dumb. I could see the enthusiasm of serving God and the humanity in these special people. What fascinated me most was the way they were “singing” with their sign language and dancing to demonstrate the goodness of God in their lives. I did not understand the sign language, but the person assigned to me for interpretation did a good job as she interpreted every lyric of their songs to me. I had to join them in praising God.
That experience is still making me to think of how appreciative I am to God. I can speak and I can hear people when they speak. I have no physical disability. Here are people with some physical disability, yet they are praising and serving God enthusiastically. Why will I not do more?
Most of the people that are reading this message have no physical disability, yet, they find it difficult to wholeheartedly praise the Lord. They would not think of what they have. They would rather be thinking of what they do not have. They would not think of what God has done for them. They would rather be thinking of what God has not done for them. It is a pity that some people do not even acknowledge the existence of God because of their so-called self sufficiency!
If the deaf can be praising God wholeheartedly regardless of their predicament, will you not praise Him? Forget what you do not have or what God has not done for you. Praise Him for who is and for what He has done for you. At least, you are still alive.
The psalmist declared, “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1-2 NIV), and “The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death. But we will praise the Lord now and forevermore. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 115:17-18 NETB).
Will you not praise Him?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
WILL YOU NOT PRAISE HIM?
“I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” (Psalm 146:2 NIV).
Recently I was invited to be a facilitator of an aspect of the annual leadership training session a deaf organization. That would be my first interaction with people that were mainly deaf and dumb. I could see the enthusiasm of serving God and the humanity in these special people. What fascinated me most was the way they were “singing” with their sign language and dancing to demonstrate the goodness of God in their lives. I did not understand the sign language, but the person assigned to me for interpretation did a good job as she interpreted every lyric of their songs to me. I had to join them in praising God.
That experience is still making me to think of how appreciative I am to God. I can speak and I can hear people when they speak. I have no physical disability. Here are people with some physical disability, yet they are praising and serving God enthusiastically. Why will I not do more?
Most of the people that are reading this message have no physical disability, yet, they find it difficult to wholeheartedly praise the Lord. They would not think of what they have. They would rather be thinking of what they do not have. They would not think of what God has done for them. They would rather be thinking of what God has not done for them. It is a pity that some people do not even acknowledge the existence of God because of their so-called self sufficiency!
If the deaf can be praising God wholeheartedly regardless of their predicament, will you not praise Him? Forget what you do not have or what God has not done for you. Praise Him for who is and for what He has done for you. At least, you are still alive.
The psalmist declared, “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1-2 NIV), and “The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death. But we will praise the Lord now and forevermore. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 115:17-18 NETB).
Will you not praise Him?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Quote for the Day 27Aug2011
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Quote for the Day 26Aug2011
Let us not think of ourselves as totally independent - because we are not. The Lord sustains us day by day. In many ways, we are as needy as a newborn baby. - Anne Cetas
Quote for the Day 25Aug2011
The motivation for showing kindness to others should not be what we might get in return. Instead, the kindness we receive from the Lord compels us to be kind to others. - Michael Youssef
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Quote for the Day 24Aug2011
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. - Mark Twain
Quote for the Day 23Aug2011
No man can exalt us to a place God has not designed for us; nor can anyone bring us down from where God has placed us. - from StanleyOnBible.com
Monday, August 22, 2011
Quote for the Day 22Aug2011
When God guides us, He works in ways we cannot predict. He can use even our inconveniences to bring honour to His name. - Dave Branon
Saturday, August 20, 2011
GOOD, BETTER, BEST
Dear Beloved,
GOOD, BETTER, BEST
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14 NIV).
One of the songs I liked when I was in the primary school is: “Good, Better, Best/ I shall never rest,/ Until my good is better,/ And my better’s best.” The song was meaningless to me then until I became grown-up. It is what inspires me to strive higher. Yes, what I am doing may be good, but until it becomes better, and the better becomes best, I will not stop.
Paul knew this secret. I am not surprised that he wrote the above passage to the Philippians towards the end of his ministry. Although he became an acclaimed preacher of the gospel because he worked harder than the rest of the apostles (1 Corithians 15:10; 2 Corintians 11:23-30). He improved on his achievements every day. He did not allow his “better” – the past successes – to deter him from getting the best, even when he was in prison.
Why should I be contented with my “good”? Why should I not be satisfied with my achievements? Should one not be contented with what one has? Nevertheless, contentment is different from aspiration. Aspiration learns from the past in order to become the best, but contentment gladly accepts whatever happens as designed by God to achieve His good purpose for us. Therefore you can aspire for greatness, but be contented with what God gives you.
Have you been doing something good? Make it better. If yours is better than others, do not rest on your oars, until your good becomes better, and your better is best!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on August 18, 2003.
GOOD, BETTER, BEST
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14 NIV).
One of the songs I liked when I was in the primary school is: “Good, Better, Best/ I shall never rest,/ Until my good is better,/ And my better’s best.” The song was meaningless to me then until I became grown-up. It is what inspires me to strive higher. Yes, what I am doing may be good, but until it becomes better, and the better becomes best, I will not stop.
Paul knew this secret. I am not surprised that he wrote the above passage to the Philippians towards the end of his ministry. Although he became an acclaimed preacher of the gospel because he worked harder than the rest of the apostles (1 Corithians 15:10; 2 Corintians 11:23-30). He improved on his achievements every day. He did not allow his “better” – the past successes – to deter him from getting the best, even when he was in prison.
Why should I be contented with my “good”? Why should I not be satisfied with my achievements? Should one not be contented with what one has? Nevertheless, contentment is different from aspiration. Aspiration learns from the past in order to become the best, but contentment gladly accepts whatever happens as designed by God to achieve His good purpose for us. Therefore you can aspire for greatness, but be contented with what God gives you.
Have you been doing something good? Make it better. If yours is better than others, do not rest on your oars, until your good becomes better, and your better is best!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on August 18, 2003.
Quote for the Day 20Aug2011
Competition has been shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation, which is the thing we must strive for today, begins where competition leaves off. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Friday, August 19, 2011
Quote for the Day 19Aug2011
When defeat or delay overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to quit. But when you refuse to give up, victory is certain at last. - Chris E. Kwakpovwe
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Quote for the Day 18Aug2011
Your fears are not walls, but hurdles. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the conquering of it. - Dan Millman
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Quote for the Day 17Aug2011
When we face a seeming nuisance in our day, perhaps we should look not just for what we think we want but also for what God has for us that day. - Dave Branon
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Quote for the Day 16Aug2011
If you struggle in giving your best offerings to God, pause and reflect on what God sacrificed for you. Trust Him and give Him the best that you have because you love Him with all your heart. - Henry Blackaby
Monday, August 15, 2011
Quote for the Day 15Aug2011
Your tomorrow is ok. Please do not allow your environment or what you are passing through determine your future. Your destiny is in the Lord’s hand. - EA Adeboye
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Dearly Beloved,
WHERE IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE?
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalms 91:1 NIV).
Psalm 91 is one of the most popular psalms. It is popular especially because it is a psalm of assurance of the protection and security of God. However, there is a striking truth in the opening verse of the psalm: the divine protection and security are only for those who live a life of communion with God. People that can apply this psalm to themselves are the people that totally trust in God. They are the people that are living by His standards because only such people can abide in the presence of the holy God without any fear of His holy wrath. “The secret place of the Most High” in verse one (KJV) was probably in reference to the Holy of holies. Under the Old Testament law, only the high priest who entered legitimately there would be covered with the cloud of God’s glory (the protection of the all-sufficient God), but under the new covenant, all believers in Christ have boldness to enter into the invisible holiest place by the blood of Jesus and those who thus enter are safe from every evil. No wonder, the writer of the Proverbs said, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (18:10 NIV).
The writer of this psalm enumerated how the people that “dwell in the secret place of the Most High” would be protected: (a) by being delivered from dangerous attempts against their lives (verse 3a; cf. Psalm 124:7); (b) by being under divine safety and comfort (verse 4a; cf. Psalm 17:8; 36:7); and (c) by enjoying divine faithful protection with the “covering of His feathers and wings” (verse 4b; cf. Psalm 57:1; 61:4; 63:7). These will result in the absence of fear in spite of prevailing danger (verses 5-8; cf. Psalm 3:6; 27:1-3; 46:2; 112:7; Proverbs 28:1). Because of the fact that these people have made God their “dwelling place,” angels will be their invisible bodyguards that will be taking care of them (verses 9-13; cf. Psalm 34:7). Interestingly, the devil misapplied this when he was tempting Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:6).
In verses 14-16, the psalmist wrote as if God Himself was confirming the psalmist’s faith. The Lord promises anyone that is abiding in Him: (a) deliverance from danger, (b) protection from harm, (c) divine presence in trouble, (d) honour, and (e) long life.
“If you make the Most High your dwelling -- even the Lord, who is my refuge” (verse 9), all kinds of danger mentioned in this psalm are ineffective against you. In fact, you will be confident of the divine security. There is no confidence or rest in any other place. Where is your dwelling place?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
WHERE IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE?
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalms 91:1 NIV).
Psalm 91 is one of the most popular psalms. It is popular especially because it is a psalm of assurance of the protection and security of God. However, there is a striking truth in the opening verse of the psalm: the divine protection and security are only for those who live a life of communion with God. People that can apply this psalm to themselves are the people that totally trust in God. They are the people that are living by His standards because only such people can abide in the presence of the holy God without any fear of His holy wrath. “The secret place of the Most High” in verse one (KJV) was probably in reference to the Holy of holies. Under the Old Testament law, only the high priest who entered legitimately there would be covered with the cloud of God’s glory (the protection of the all-sufficient God), but under the new covenant, all believers in Christ have boldness to enter into the invisible holiest place by the blood of Jesus and those who thus enter are safe from every evil. No wonder, the writer of the Proverbs said, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (18:10 NIV).
The writer of this psalm enumerated how the people that “dwell in the secret place of the Most High” would be protected: (a) by being delivered from dangerous attempts against their lives (verse 3a; cf. Psalm 124:7); (b) by being under divine safety and comfort (verse 4a; cf. Psalm 17:8; 36:7); and (c) by enjoying divine faithful protection with the “covering of His feathers and wings” (verse 4b; cf. Psalm 57:1; 61:4; 63:7). These will result in the absence of fear in spite of prevailing danger (verses 5-8; cf. Psalm 3:6; 27:1-3; 46:2; 112:7; Proverbs 28:1). Because of the fact that these people have made God their “dwelling place,” angels will be their invisible bodyguards that will be taking care of them (verses 9-13; cf. Psalm 34:7). Interestingly, the devil misapplied this when he was tempting Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:6).
In verses 14-16, the psalmist wrote as if God Himself was confirming the psalmist’s faith. The Lord promises anyone that is abiding in Him: (a) deliverance from danger, (b) protection from harm, (c) divine presence in trouble, (d) honour, and (e) long life.
“If you make the Most High your dwelling -- even the Lord, who is my refuge” (verse 9), all kinds of danger mentioned in this psalm are ineffective against you. In fact, you will be confident of the divine security. There is no confidence or rest in any other place. Where is your dwelling place?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Quote for the Day 13Aug2011
We all have our past, whether positive or negative, whether pleasant or unpleasant. But one thing I do is to forget what is behind and look forward to Christ the Author and the Finisher of our faith. - Akintoye Akintunde
Friday, August 12, 2011
Quote for the Day 12Aug2011
Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It is about learning how to dance in the rain. - Vivian Greene
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Quote for the Day 11Aug2011
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. - Thomas A. Edison
Quote for the Day 10Aug2011
Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head. - Ann Landers
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Quote for the Day 09Aug2011
Are you in a crisis? Hold to the promises of your Lord! He will not forget His promises to you. - Henry Blackaby
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Quote for the Day 08Aug2011
To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there. - Kofi Annan
Saturday, August 6, 2011
YOUR REAR MIRROR
Dearly Beloved,
YOUR REAR MIRROR
“Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old” (Isaiah 43:18 AMP).
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14 NIV).
Recently while I was driving to my office, I was trying to go through a by-pass to beat the notorious traffic jam from my home to my office. From my vehicle rear mirror, I discovered that some other vehicles were also avoiding the traffic jam. I was losing focus on my driving as I concentrated on the rear mirror, then it dawned on me that the rear mirror was not designed for long concentration. Indeed, anyone who concentrates on the rear mirror of his/her vehicle while driving is heading for an accident.
Many people are also concentrating on the “rear mirror” of their life: their past experiences. It does not matter whether these experiences were good or bad. Such people allow those experiences to deprive them of the enjoyment of the present and the prospect of the future. Such people would find it difficult to face the challenges that accompany the enjoyment of the present and the prospect of the future.
God, through Prophet Isaiah, told His people not to remember the former things nor consider the things of old, their “rear mirror” (see Isaiah 43:18). The reason was that God was preparing to do a new thing in their lives so great and wonderful that it shall surpass the former things that God had done in their lives. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul said categorically that he would forget the former things and press on toward the greater thing he was aiming at. He knew that concentrating on the former things could be disastrous.
What is your own “rear mirror”? What is the former thing that is catching your attention? Are you still concentrating on it? No matter how good or bad the thing may be, do not concentrate your attention on it. Forget it and aim for a better thing. The Lord will do new thing in your life, but do not let the old thing deprive you of enjoying the new thing. Stop concentrating on your “rear mirror”!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
YOUR REAR MIRROR
“Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old” (Isaiah 43:18 AMP).
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14 NIV).
Recently while I was driving to my office, I was trying to go through a by-pass to beat the notorious traffic jam from my home to my office. From my vehicle rear mirror, I discovered that some other vehicles were also avoiding the traffic jam. I was losing focus on my driving as I concentrated on the rear mirror, then it dawned on me that the rear mirror was not designed for long concentration. Indeed, anyone who concentrates on the rear mirror of his/her vehicle while driving is heading for an accident.
Many people are also concentrating on the “rear mirror” of their life: their past experiences. It does not matter whether these experiences were good or bad. Such people allow those experiences to deprive them of the enjoyment of the present and the prospect of the future. Such people would find it difficult to face the challenges that accompany the enjoyment of the present and the prospect of the future.
God, through Prophet Isaiah, told His people not to remember the former things nor consider the things of old, their “rear mirror” (see Isaiah 43:18). The reason was that God was preparing to do a new thing in their lives so great and wonderful that it shall surpass the former things that God had done in their lives. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul said categorically that he would forget the former things and press on toward the greater thing he was aiming at. He knew that concentrating on the former things could be disastrous.
What is your own “rear mirror”? What is the former thing that is catching your attention? Are you still concentrating on it? No matter how good or bad the thing may be, do not concentrate your attention on it. Forget it and aim for a better thing. The Lord will do new thing in your life, but do not let the old thing deprive you of enjoying the new thing. Stop concentrating on your “rear mirror”!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Friday, August 5, 2011
Quote for the Day 06Aug2011
Instead of using whispers and gossip that can cause hurt and pain while serving no good purpose, we would do better to restrain ourselves and practice silence. - Bill Crowder
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Quote for the Day 05Aug2011
Think not your work of no account
Although it may be small;
The Lord marks well your faithfulness
When you give Him your all.
- D. De Haan
Although it may be small;
The Lord marks well your faithfulness
When you give Him your all.
- D. De Haan
Quote for the Day 04Aug2011
When your heart is thankful toward God, you position yourself for even greater blessings! - Joseph Prince
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Quote for the Day 03Aug2011
For every hectic work day there is a quiet rest...
For every painful experience there is a healing touch...
For every negative feeling there is an abiding joy...
For every disappointment there is a certain hope...
For every turbulent storm there is a sure foundation...
For every doubting thought there is a calm assurance...
For every hurtful action there is a forgiving love.
- Roy Lessin
For every painful experience there is a healing touch...
For every negative feeling there is an abiding joy...
For every disappointment there is a certain hope...
For every turbulent storm there is a sure foundation...
For every doubting thought there is a calm assurance...
For every hurtful action there is a forgiving love.
- Roy Lessin
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Quote for the Day 02Aug2011
Have you experienced extreme sorrow? There is the promise of future joy amid your tears as you lean upon our loving Lord. - Dennis Fisher
Monday, August 1, 2011
Quote for the Day 01Aug2011
This new month, the Lord will touch your life with His wonderful hands of Blessing, Breakthrough, Divine Intervention, Favour, Goodness, Mercy, Peace, Progress, Promotion, Prosperity, Success, and Victory in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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