Quote for the Day 29Feb2012

When believers pray, it paves way for success, progress and growth. The more the people of God pray in faith, the more the devil is confused, disorganized, threatened, rendered powerless and put out of control. - Johnson Adeleke

Quote for the Day 28Feb2012

No matter how hot the conflict, the Lord is ready to intervene at the right moment. He is always standing by to provide a way to escape. - Paul Van Gorder

Quote for the Day 27Feb2012

We may make excuses for not obeying God, but He still calls it disobedience. - Author Unknown

BENEFITS OF BEING RIGHTEOUS

Dearly Beloved,
BENEFITS OF BEING RIGHTEOUS
"Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord" (Psalm 112:6-7 NIV).
More and more people are becoming religious especially in this part of the world. However, it is becoming more difficult to find righteous people who really fear God in his day-to-day activities. In spite of this fact, the writer of Psalm 112 enumerated some of the benefits that a righteous man would enjoy.
Who is a righteous man? Firstly, a righteous man is a person that is uncompromising. He is principled and is known for what he stands for. He is indeed purpose-driven. Secondly, a righteous man is a person that is upright and just in his dealings. While he may not necessarily be blameless, he must be trustworthy and of good reputation. Thirdly, a righteous man is a person that is in right standing with God. He must be somebody into whom God has imputed His righteousness in Jesus Christ and he is living in a way that is pleasing to God.
Building on the end of the previous psalm, the writer of Psalm 112, in verse one, said that one who fears the LORD and delights in His Law is blessed. Five blessings or benefits that come to one who is righteous and fears God are enumerated: Firstly, the righteous is blessed with physical and material prosperity because God is righteous (verses 2-3). Secondly, light is given even in darkness for the righteous (verse 4). This could refer to success (in place of failure) or to discernment. Thirdly, the righteous receives goodness in return for being generous and just (verses 5 and 9). Fourthly, he will be firmly established in his faith, and unshakable with no fear of what man might do to him (verses 6-8). In fact, the righteous' memory will be eternal and blessed (cf. Proverbs 10:7). Fifthly, because the righteous gives generously and is just in his affairs (verses 5 and 9), he will be made strong and honourable by the LORD.
Undoubtedly, everyone would want to enjoy all of these benefits. However, how many people are ready to be righteous and genuinely fear God? How many people are uncompromising, upright and are in right standing with God? It may seem as if it does not pay to be righteous in this present-day society, but it really pays to be righteous and genuinely fear God.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 25Feb2012

It may be that a simple word offered in love, guided by the wisdom of God, and borne aloft on the wings of the Spirit will have eternal consequences in someone’s life. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 24Feb2012

Being human, we are imperfect. That's why we need each other.
To catch each other when we falter.
To encourage each other when we lose heart.
Some may lead; others may follow; but none of us can go it alone.
- Hilary Clinton

Quote for the Day 23Feb2012

One step won’t take you very far; you’ve got to keep on walking;
One word won’t tell folks who you are; you’ve got to keep on talking;
One inch won’t make you very tall; you’ve got to keep on growing;
One deed won’t do it all; you’ve got to keep on going.
- Arkansas Baptist

Quote for the Day 22Feb2012

To distinguish ourselves as Jesus’ people, we need to show kindness even to those who wish us harm. Only then will we reflect the heart of the One who, while we were still His enemies, paid the ultimate price to come to our rescue. - Mart De Haan

Quote for the Day 21Feb2012

Whatever is done in love for Christ
Will one day have heaven’s reward;
Today let’s do what we can for Him,
Our loving Savior and Lord.
- Hess

Quote for the Day 20Feb2012

More often than not, God is always at work while you consider it late. If you fail to be patient, you may miss great things in life. God is working and planning to bring out the best of the situations for you, so be patient. - Dapo O. Akinlotan

NINE YEARS OF MINISTERING THROUGH THE INTERNET!

Dearly Beloved,
NINE YEARS OF MINISTERING THROUGH THE INTERNET!
It is exactly nine years today that I have been ministering to people throughout the world through the Internet. An email ministry that started on February 18, 2003 has metamorphosed to an Internet ministry with almost ten aspects. Visit http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/abouttheministry.php to see the overview of these aspects. I give glory to the almighty God who has given me the opportunity to minister to thousands of people in this unique way.
If you are reading this mail, it means you have been part of at least the email aspect of this ministry for some time now. As I look forward to the tenth anniversary of the ministry next year, I want to write at least two books to mark its decade of existence.
The first book will be a compilation of some of the messages sent out in the email aspect of the ministry for past nine years. Let me give you, my recipients, the opportunity of selecting the messages you know that have been a blessing to you since the time you have been receiving the messages from me. Almost all the messages (at least since August 18, 2003) can be retrieved from http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/messages. The most selected messages will be compiled and published to mark the tenth anniversary of the ministry.
The second book will be the combination of my experience in and the compilation of your testimonies about the ministry. I have had many of such testimonies. Some are already on the website of the ministry: http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/reactions.php. However, I want you to intentionally send your testimonies to me to be included in the book. Your privacy will be respected.
These two books will be published electronically and manually. So, if you are led to contribute financially towards the publication of the books before February next year let me know. NOTE: the contents of the other aspects may be compiled and published separately if the opportunity arises.
Let me use this occasion to ask for your financial assistance to sustain this Internet ministry. To support the ministry, visit http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/support.php.
Since most of you are not among the 47 people that received my first message, as a way of celebrating the ministry every year, let me resend the message to you:
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
“We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them" (Numbers 13:33 NIV).
"The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good…. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." (Numbers 14:7, 9 NIV).
These were the views of two groups that went to explore the land of Canaan. Undoubtedly, the two groups were saying the absolute things about what they saw in the land. The former is the carnal sight that did not see beyond the ordinary, while the latter is the spiritual sight that saw the extraordinary.
What do see in your situation? Is it the ordinary or the extraordinary? If you see only your situation, you are seeing only the ordinary, but if you believe, you will see beyond the situation. Jesus told Martha, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 NIV). And Paul testified, “We know these things are true by believing, not by seeing [the ordinary]” (2 Corinthians 5:7 TLB).
See beyond the ordinary by believing in the Lord that He will help you, and He will be glorified in your life.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
As I requested on that first day of the ministry, "Pray that I will be able to continue to send messages like this, and forward them to your friends. May the Lord bless you as you do. Amen."

Quote for the Day 18Feb2012

When our confidence is in the sovereignty of God, we will not panic when we face tough circumstances. But when we try to control our lives and manipulate events and people to our advantage, we will become frustrated and joyless. - Michael Youssef

Quote for the Day 17Feb2012

Refuse to give the devil a place. If you give him an inch he will take a mile. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 16Feb2012

When you want to make sense out of God's sense, it may appear nonsense to you. - John Ojewole

Quote for the Day 15Feb2012

Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own. - Robert A. Heinlein

Quote for the Day 14Feb2012

The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your actions will be. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 13Feb2012

Only when we embrace God's unconditional love for us, and begin to see those 'other' people as equally loved by Him, can we build bridges over which we can walk to share God's love and enjoy His family. - Bob Gass

WHAT MANNER OF LOVE!

Dearly Beloved,
WHAT MANNER OF LOVE!
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1 NKJV).
For some time now, many people have been talking about love, and they will celebrate "love" on February 14, a day popularly known as "the Valentine's Day." However, the kind of love that people are presently talking about and that is been celebrated on February 14 is erroneous. It is indeed "lust" not love! Even if one claims that "the Valentine's Day" has to do with a love between a man and a woman in love (whether married or not), the original intention of the celebration is to demonstrate sacrificial love of one person to another.
This manner of sacrificial love was demonstrated by God. Hear Paul: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NKJV). Apostle John explained this in other words: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 NKJV). This sacrificial love made everyone who accepts it to be a child of God! It made the person to be a heir in the kingdom of God. Such a person like a true son, not a servant or slave, can now come boldly to the throne of God with confidence and freedom (see Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-23). It is a pity that the world does not know this kind of love, hence, the wrong celebration of the Valentine's Day.
The manner of love that God had, and is still having, for the world - the sacrificial love - the manner of love that will give out something tangible and indelible to the recipient should be the focus of anyone this Valentine season and all the time. The Valentine season should remind us of a sacrificial love that we can give not only to our loved ones, but to everyone that we encounter. It should never be a time of satisfying one's lustful desires.
What manner of love do you want to demonstrate this Valentine season?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

WHAT MANNER OF LOVE!

Dearly Beloved,
WHAT MANNER OF LOVE!
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1 NKJV).
For some time now, many people have been talking about love, and they will celebrate "love" on February 14, a day popularly known as "the Valentine's Day." However, the kind of love that people are presently talking about and that is been celebrated on February 14 is erroneous. It is indeed "lust" not love! Even if one claims that "the Valentine's Day" has to do with a love between a man and a woman in love (whether married or not), the original intention of the celebration is to demonstrate sacrificial love of one person to another.
This manner of sacrificial love was demonstrated by God. Hear Paul: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NKJV). Apostle John explained this in other words: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 NKJV). This sacrificial love made everyone who accepts it to be a child of God! It made the person to be a heir in the kingdom of God. Such a person like a true son, not a servant or slave, can now come boldly to the throne of God with confidence and freedom (see Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-23). It is a pity that the world does not know this kind of love, hence, the wrong celebration of the Valentine's Day.
The manner of love that God had, and is still having, for the world - the sacrificial love - the manner of love that will give out something tangible and indelible to the recipient should be the focus of anyone this Valentine season and all the time. The Valentine season should remind us of a sacrificial love that we can give not only to our loved ones, but to everyone that we encounter. It should never be a time of satisfying one's lustful desires.
What manner of love do you want to demonstrate this Valentine season?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 11Feb2012

When Christians are at peace with one another, the world can more clearly see the Prince of Peace. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 10Feb2012

You were put on earth to make a contribution. You were not created to consume resources. God designed you to make a difference with your life. - Rick Warren

Quote for the Day 09Feb2012

When you feel abandoned by God and continue to trust Him; you worship Him in the deepest way. - Sam Adeyemi

Quote for the Day 08Feb2012

Stand up! Stand up for Jesus! Ye soldiers of the Cross;
Lift high His royal banner; it must not suffer loss;
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed!
– George Duffield

Quote for the Day 07Feb2012

I believe God is managing my affairs and that He does not need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about? – Henry Ford

Quote for the Day 06Feb2012

Think not that you are limited
Because of what you cannot do,
But think instead of all you have—
The talents God has given you.
— D. De Haan

UNEXPECTED BLESSING

Dearly Beloved,
UNEXPECTED BLESSING
“David was afraid of God that day and asked, ‘How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?’ He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he had” (1 Chronicles 13:12-14 NIV).
The Lord had just established the kingdom of the whole Israel in the hand of David. David was returning the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem the new capital amidst jubilation with the Levites, the priests, and the whole people of Israel, but the Lord killed Uzzah because he was preventing the ark from falling. David was afraid to bring the ark to his city. He left it at the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
What was the intention of King David? Did he mean well for Obed-Edom? Only God knows. But apparently, he did not mean well for Obed-Edom having known that the ark was sacred. What would have been the reaction of Obed-Edom and his family when the “unquestionable” king took such “dangerous” decision?
Undoubtedly, they would have prepared for the worst. However, the “dangerous” sacred object became a channel of blessing to Obed-Edom and his family! (1 Chronicles 13:12-14; 26:4-5).
Two lessons can be deduced from this. Firstly, do not panic when people are been wicked to you. Who knows, God may turn their wickedness to blessings for you. When they were regretting their action of selling him to slavery, Joseph told his brothers, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children" (Genesis 50:19-21 NIV).
Secondly, be useful for the work of God. We do not know if Obed-Edom willingly accepted the Ark of the Covenant, but the Bible says the ark remained in his household for three months. As a Levite, he must have taken good care of the ark during that period. God blessed his household for keeping the ark. If we are also ready to be useful in the hands of God in all ways, God will bless us abundantly (Proverbs 3:9-10; 10:22; Malachi 3:10-11).
When people hate you, be good and continue serving the Lord. He will unexpectedly bless you!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on June 13, 2004.

Quote for the Day 04Feb2012

A person can only fall once if he or she never gets up. But getting up and trying again is how we humans gain experience and become stronger. Babies learn this when they are trying to walk. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 03Feb2012

Don’t stand out in life’s storms alone. Seek God’s shelter. Ask Him to protect you. Make sure you have received His forgiveness. Get close to the Rock of Ages. It’s life’s safest spot. — Dave Branon

Quote for the Day 02Feb2012

When you refuse to worry, but choose to rest in the finished work of Christ, you will see the manifestation of your blessing. You will see your miracle! - Joseph Prince