Quote for the Day 31May2012

Knowing that heaven is our real home makes it easier to pass through the tough times here on earth. - Charles Spurgeon

Quote for the Day 30May2012

Think carefully about the words that come from your mouth. Christians should speak only words that uplift and bring grace to others. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 29May2012

Trust on, trust on, believer! Though long the conflict be,
Thou yet shalt prove victorious; Thy God shall fight for thee.
Trust on! Trust on! Though dark the night and drear;
Trust on! Trust on! The morning dawn is near!
- Eliza A. Walker

Quote for the Day 28May2012

Our children are the heritage of the Lord. Do not destroy the future of God’s heritage in your care. Our children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be their peace.
– Emmanuel Baba Isiaka

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Dearly Beloved,
AGAINST ALL ODDS
"After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do'" (Acts 13:22 NIV).
I am not an ardent football fan neither do I have any particular football club as my favourite. Even the national football teams of my country are not my favourite teams. However, I follow the trend in football with interest. The feat of Chelsea Football Club of England to become the European champions against all odds recently is noteworthy. The club used to change coaches like changing clothes. The coach that led the club to the continental glory was an unknown sacked and rejected coach who acted because the club had no substantive coach. The players in the club are not world class compared to those in other clubs. The club was inconsistent in winning games. In fact, it wobbled to be where it was at the end of the final Barclays Premier League Table this season. Nobody ever thought the club would reach the quarter final of the European most glamorous football club competition, the UEFA Champions League. Against all odds, the club at home beat the defending champion and the favoured club (FC Barcelona) to win the competition. Even that favoured club could not beat Chelsea FC at its own backyard. Against all odds, Chelsea FC beat its opponent (FC Bayern München) in front of its teaming supporters at home (in the Fußball Arena München) to become the European champion after a century of its existence. Against all odds, Chelsea FC became toast of many people in a twinkling of an eye. Against all odds, the club became the proverbial Yoruba man that was supposed to be sold for a lamp who became one that people now find light to behold.
Against all odds, David son of Jesse became the king of Israel. He was the youngest in his father's family. Nobody thought of him even when God sent Samuel to go and anoint one of the sons of Jesse as the next king of Israel. He was forgotten in the field where he was taking care of the sheep (see 1 Samuel 16). Against all odds, he at long last became the king of Israel (see 2 Samuel 5) and did everything God wanted him to do (see Acts 13:22) and "served God's purpose in his own generation" (Acts 13:36 NIV). Against all odds, he became a reference point in the history of Israel (compare 1 Kings 3:14; 9:4; 15:5; 2 Chronicles 17:3; 29:2; 34:2).
What is your background? What are you passing through presently? How long have you been pursuing a goal? Against all odds, you also can be victorious and be celebrated. Against all odds, you also can become a reference point. Because the love of the Lord endures forever, He will support you in every area of your life. Against all odds, He will perfect everything that concerns you and you will have a fulfilled destiny in Jesus' name. Amen.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 26May2012

Crisis breeds opportunity. Look for something positive, take your broken wings and learn to fly again. - Orrin Checkmate Hudson

Quote for the Day 25May2012

We may assume that our expressions of devotion to God are small and insignificant, but in God’s eyes they may hold much meaning. Our love and dedication to Christ may even create memorials to God for future generations. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 24May2012

True religion is not a garment to be taken on and off. It is a lofty challenge about how we live before a holy God and others. — Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 23May2012

Never lose hope, no matter the size of the mountain confronting you. Your mountain will move as long as you retain your hope in God, because He knows the foundation of every mountain, and can easily uproot them. That mountain in your life will move in Jesus' name. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 22May2012

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see;
More of His love-who died for me!
- Eliza E. Hewitt

Quote for the Day 21May2012

Watch out for your spiritual predator. What kind of lies is he whispering? How is he tempting you? Resist him, and he will flee. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt

WHAT IS YOUR PRIORITY?

Dearly Beloved,
WHAT IS YOUR PRIORITY?
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:20-21 NIV).
April 1, 2012 was a unique day. It was the first day of the month of April. It was the first day of the second quarter of the year. It was the day set apart to commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem popularly known as the Palm Sunday. It was also a day known as "All Fools' Day" or "April Fool Day" - a day set apart to deliberately deceive people. How people reacted to the day, especially the kind of messages they sent to people that day, to some extent, demonstrated the priorities of such people in life. While some people used the occasion of the day being the first day of the month and a new quarter to wish their contacts well, some people used the event of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem to pray for their loved ones. While some people in the spirit of "April Fool Day" did deceive (and make fool of) their contacts, some other people creatively played on the word "fool" to bless their contacts. Interestingly, some other people were indifferent to the uniqueness of the day and did not care to say anything to anyone.
The way one makes use of a given opportunity will determine a lot about one's priority in life. Apostle Paul was in a prison when he made the above statement. While other people were misusing the opportunity they had to preach the gospel, he determined to use his circumstance to glorify God whether he is alive or dead. In fact, he wrote many of his epistles in prison and many people came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through him while he was in prison.
What is your priority in life? Like Paul, my priority in life is to be channel of God's blessing to as many people as possible throughout the world. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21 NIV). What of you!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Note:
Apart from my Internet ministry (see http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/abouttheministry.php for details), you can be connected with me through other technological means like:
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM): My BBPIN is 27C6552C.
WhatsApp Messenger: For now, I use the mobile number: +2348138325934 (not for call or SMS please!) (WhatsApp Messenger is available for BlackBerry, iPhone, Android and Nokia and there is no PIN or username to remember - it works just like SMS and uses your internet data plan. You can get it now from http://www.whatsapp.com/download/.)
Viber: For now, I also use the mobile number: +2348138325934 (Viber lets everyone in the world connect freely. Viber’s millions of users can communicate anytime, anywhere, from iPhone®, Android™ and now also from BlackBerry® and WP7 smartphones! Viber is simple to use - it integrates seamlessly with your existing contacts list and uses your cell phone number as your Viber ID.)
My Constant Mobile Numbers are:
+234 805 515 9591
+234 816 304 5450
Skype: spiritualdigest
Twitter: @spiritualdigest
You may suggest other possible means of being a channel of God's blessings to other people.

Quote for the Day 19May2012

You cannot tell, your testimony may be what somebody somewhere is waiting to hear in order to receive faith to birth his or hers. Share your testimonies! As long as you keep it to yourself, you deny many people of their blessings and you will be held responsible someday. One reason God did what He did in your life is so that your testimony can trigger that of others. How are you utilizing this powerful tool? – EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 18May2012

With gratitude, all life appears as a blessing - without gratitude, all of life is perceived as a burden. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Quote for the Day 17May2012

In our time of need — whether spiritual, emotional, or physical — we can depend on the faithful care and concern of the Father. — Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 16May2012

We cannot sow thistles and reap clover. Nature simply does not run things that way. She goes by cause and effect. - Napoleon Hill

Quote for the Day 15May2012

Which of all our friends, to save us,
Could or would have shed their blood?
But our Jesus died to have us
Reconciled in Him to God.
- Newton

Quote for the Day 14May2012

Whenever life’s burdens oppress you
And trials are too much to face,
Remember God’s strength in your weakness;
He will give you His power and grace.
- Sper

HOW OPEN-MINDED ARE YOU?

Dearly Beloved,
HOW OPEN-MINDED ARE YOU?
"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another" (Romans 1:22-24 NIV).
I get in contact with different kinds of people on the Internet almost every day. Some of these people willingly extend hands of friendship to me, something that I also willingly accept. One of such people is a fifty-year-old woman whose interest is to be chatting with people online. From one of our chats, she professed to be a Christian from childhood and a member of one of the leading denominations of the Christian faith. One day as we were chatting, she suggested that we share pictures and comment on such pictures. Naively, I accepted her suggestion and she started sending pictures to me. The first one was that of her friend. I appreciated the beauty of her friend. Then she sent another one that she claimed was her own. I immediately rejected this second one because she was half-naked in the picture. She was surprised that I rejected it, and she took offence at me that I did not appreciate her. I told her that I appreciate her, but not her nude body. She then went ahead to be saying some immoral things to me. When I told her about my Christian morality, she sent another picture that is purely pornographic to me. I then asked her whether she has children. She told me that she has a son, 25, and a daughter, 22. When I asked her if she could recommend such picture and the immoral language to her children, she answered in the affirmative and claimed that they are open-minded as she is.
I was baffled with her so-called open-mindedness. How can a woman of her age be involved in such immoral things and feel proud to encourage her children in them also? Can a professed Christian be so open-minded that he/she will be proud of acts of immorality? No matter the part of the world one may find oneself, should open-mindedness become a licence to sin? The Bible says, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18 NIV. See also verse 13; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7).
Let me ask you also: how open-minded are you? Are so open-minded that you cannot differentiate from sinful acts and godly acts? Are you so open-minded that you have rationalized most of the sinful acts? Are you so open-minded that you cannot check your children and the younger generation when they are doing something bad? How open-minded are you?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
1. Please send your reaction to me directly or copy me at .
2. This message was first sent out on September 24, 2006, and I am sending it out in commemoration of this year's Mother's Day. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Quote for the Day 12May2012

If we want our worship to be acceptable to God, we must be sure to come into His presence with hearts cleansed of all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and all malice. - Victor Akerele

Quote for the Day 11May2012

Forgiving others is a gift to yourself, given not because the other deserves pardon, but because you deserve the serenity and joy that comes from releasing resentment and anger, and from embracing universal forgiveness. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Quote for the Day 10May2012

The sun raises every day, and every night the star shine. If today was a disappointment, remember that the cycle of life goes on. Tomorrow will be a new start. Do not give up. You were not created to be a sluggard nor a failure. - Emmanuel Baba Isiaka

Quote for the Day 09May2012

Praying from the right position, the right perspertive and with confident assurance that your prayers and petitions are being heard will give you the faith that answers are on the way. - Toyin Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 08May2012

Much of our worldly pursuits in life will bring us nothing but emptiness, misery, and disappointment. A life without God's leading is a life without purpose and meaning. - Michael Youssef

Quote for the Day 07May2012

Our circumstances are not an accurate reflection of God's goodness. Whether life is good or bad, God's goodness, rooted in His character, is the same. - Helen Grace Lescheid

WHAT IS YOUR BRONZE SNAKE?

Dearly Beloved,
WHAT IS YOUR BRONZE SNAKE?
"Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth" (Exodus 20:4 TEV).
"[Hezekiah] destroyed the pagan places of worship, broke the stone pillars, and cut down the images of the goddess Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze snake that Moses had made, which was called Nehushtan. Up to that time the people of Israel had burned incense in its honor" (2 Kings 18:4 TEV).
On their way to the Promised Land in the wilderness, the Israelites grew impatient and spoke against God and their leader, Moses. So, the Lord sent venomous snakes that bit them, and many of them died. After the people repented, God directed Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up, that anyone who looks at it will live. Moses did as God directed and as many as the people of Israel that looked at the image survived the poison of the deadly snakes (see Numbers 21:4-9). It is interesting to note that the people of Israel kept this bronze snake for centuries burning incense to it. In other words, what God used as a type to save the Israelites from a calamity was turned by them to a god (named Nehushtan) that they were worshiping! It took hundreds of years before a king in person King Hezekiah destroyed this image.
Nowadays, people have many seemingly bronze snakes that they are worshipping knowingly or unknowingly. Even some Christians denominations and churches are not left out in this error. They have turned many things that God used one time or the other to accomplish His purposes in their lives to norms and practices. Such things have become traditions that are competing with (or even taking the place of) the word of God! No matter how good such traditions may be, they have to be discarded.
What are your seemingly "bronze snakes"? They may not necessarily be physical images. In what honour are you still "burning incense"? Check your life, beliefs and practices. Anything that does not conform to the sound teachings of the word of God should be discarded no matter how popular it may be.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 05May2012

Fulfillment is found only in fitting into the slot where you belong. And though it may not be financially rewarding at the initial stage, the financial gains would certainly come the more you grow and develop in that niche. You only need to be patient and look at the big picture. - Babatunde Oladele

Quote for the Day 04May2012

There is no trial, difficulty, challenge or temptation that you face that Jesus cannot identify with. The moment you go through it, right there and then, He feels it too. That is the kind of representative you have in Jesus! That is the love of God so that you will draw near to His throne of grace to find mercy and grace in time of need! - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 03May2012

The root of all virtue and grace, of all faith and acceptable worship, is that we know that we have nothing but what we receive, and bow in deepest humility to wait upon God for it. - Andrew Murray

Quote for the Day 02May2012

The devil is cunning, deceptive, and sly;
He’s clever; he tricks us to swallow his lie.
But his crafty methods we’re sure to discern
If we make God’s warnings our daily concern.
- D. De Haan