Quote for the Day 01Sep2012

To hoard wealth is foolish, for it is genuine faith, not gold, that will sustain us through trials and result in praise, honor, and glory to God. — Julie Ackerman Link

Quote for the Day 31Aug2012

Children are not the same. Each child is a unique creature of God and God's design in each child cannot be questioned. - Comfort Ayanrinola

Quote for the Day 30Aug2012

You can count on it — God knows the impending dangers and will tirelessly direct the traffic of your life for your good and His glory. — Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 29Aug2012

O they tell me of a home far beyond the skies,
O they tell me of a home far away;
O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,
O they tell me of an unclouded day.
- Josiah K. Alwood

Quote for the Day 28Aug2012

Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
- Robert Lowry

Quote for the Day 27Aug2012

After pain and anguish, after toil and care,
We shall see the King some day;
Through the endless ages joy and blessing share,
We shall see the King some day.
- Lewis E. Jones

BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR

Dearly Beloved,
BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR
"Then the LORD said, 'I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son'" (Genesis 18:10 NIV).
Wonders never end. Sarah and Abraham seemed to say when God told them that they would have their own child "about this time next year" (Genesis 17:15-16, 19-21; 18:10, 13-14). How would a man of hundred years impregnate a woman of ninety years? Naturally, it is impossible! Sarah laughed it off, while Abraham gave God another option to fulfil His promises for his (i.e. Abraham's) life (see Genesis 17:18; 18:12). However, God insisted that His promise of making Abraham the father of many nations would be fulfilled through the son that Sarah would bear to him, "for nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37 NIV. See also Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27).
God did fulfil His promise! In Genesis 21:1-2, the Bible says, "Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him" (NIV). I want to emphasize two things in this passage:
a. God was gracious to Sarah: it was by the grace (the unmerited favour) of God that made God to remember her and fulfil the promise; and
b. At the very time: God fulfilled His promise for Abraham and Sarah at the very appointed time, not earlier, not later, but at the very time.
What are you also trusting God to do for you? Have you lost hope on it? Are you thinking of another means that God would do it for you? By this time next year, God would have done that thing for you in His own way, and at His very appointed time. God will be gracious to you and remember you for good. It may not even be up to a year. It may be less than a year, a month, a week, or even a day. Remember, the Lord spoke through prophet Elisha, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria" (2 Kings 7:1 NIV). The prophecy did happen less than a day. The officer who did not believe only saw it but never enjoyed it.
By this time next year, you also will have one or more things to testify about God's goodness in your life. Do you believe it?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on January 23, 2005.

Quote for the Day 25Aug2012

God is not pleased if you praise Him at church but not at your workplace. It is not acceptable for you to revere God when you are with other Christians but not in your school or neighborhood. He expects you to honor Him completely, with your words, with your actions, with your life. If you honor Him, He will honor you. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 24Aug2012

When your perspective is founded on the Rock of Ages, the only one who defeats giants, whether real or imaginary, then you, too, will be able to defeat the giants in your life. - Michael Youssef

Quote for the Day 23Aug2012

Management of self is a difficult enterprise that must be learnt and mastered if one would emerge as a champion in the battle of life. - Collins Olatunji

Quote for the Day 22Aug2012

When we are going through any difficult situation, we should not give room to fear or allow the situation to make us hate God. Rather, we should rejoice in the Lord for He will soon intervene in our situation. - Elizabeth Iyabo Aderounmu

Quote for the Day 21Aug2012

When God asures you of His presence and support on anything, do not ask questions. Start from where you are till He takes you to where you should be. - Emmanuel Oloruntoba Arotile

Quote for the Day 20Aug2012

God will enable you to succeed when you use the time He has given you wisely for purposeful living. Life of purpose is a life well-directed, planned and will eventually be fruitful. - Esther Ayandokun

TRUST IN THAT ROCK!

Dearly Beloved,
TRUST IN THAT ROCK!
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2 NIV).
"There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God" (1 Samuel 2:2 NIV).
Some time ago, I was relaxing on a rock when I saw a man coming towards me with a knife. Since everyone was minding his own affair, I did not care much about him. However, I discovered that he had tried to find a way to come up to the place where I sat. He went round that rock many times, but he could not find the way. So he stopped before me by the base of the rock with a fury. He swung his dagger at me several times and uttered some inaudible words. In spite of the shinning of the dagger by which he meant to hurt me, and his apparent rage against me, I was quietly sitting where I am. He was furious and tried to roll away the rock on which I sat. He tried again and again till he was tired, still I was not moved or afraid. In fact, I was enjoying myself above. Because of his inability to do any damage to me, he went out more furiously than before.
Problems and challenges of life come in many forms trying to disturb man's peaceful existence. Man's source of trust when problems occur and his reaction to it will determine how he will overcome the problems and the challenges. Jesus Christ is the formidable Rock against any problem or challenge of life (Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Samuel 22:32, 47; Psalm 31:2-3; 89:26; 94:22; Isaiah 26:4; 1 Corinthians 10:4). Neglecting Him is like neglecting one's source of life (Deuteronomy 32:15; Isaiah 17:10).
Are you facing a problem or a challenge of life now. This problem may interrupt your joy. It may seem that all is against you. Here is a solution for you! Are you are on that eternal Rock, Jesus Christ? Do you trust Him to help you in your problem? Are you adding further to this problem by being anxious about it? Do not let this problem overcome you. Trust in Jesus Christ. Stand on that immovable Rock and you will overcome your problems.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on June 3, 2003.

Quote for the Day 18Aug2012

When our goal is to honor the Lord, He guides and guards us each step of the way. Whatever our hopes and dreams may be, when we place them in God’s hands we know that everything, including setback or success, is under His control. — David McCasland

Quote for the Day 17Aug2012

When God is dealing with you, He does not run into action. He may let people make their conclusion about you when He works out His plan for your life. He watches as people ridicule you while He gets your miracle ready for you. - Rotimi Oluwaseyitan

Quote for the Day 16Aug2012

God desires that we show respect to all people, because everyone bears His image. - Helen Keller

Quote for the Day 15Aug2012

Even those that encourage others need to be encouraged. The next time someone encourages you, don’t forget to encourage the person too. You never know what the person may be going through. - Martha Tatum Salone

Quote for the Day 14Aug2012

Do not join this corrupt world and its system to walk perversely, but make up your mind to put on the righteousness of God each day so that you might have the power to withstand the assaults of the devil. - Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 13Aug2012

Observe, God starts your day with a nighttime experience. In order for your faith to blossom, it must first be incubated in the dark. Real faith only germinates in adversity, so if you try to escape you lose the opportunity to move into higher realms of faith. – Bob Gass

AMAZING GRACE

Dearly Beloved,
AMAZING GRACE
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
One of the most popular hymns of all time is John Newton (1725-1807)'s "Amazing Grace." Newton composed the hymn to express who he was before he was saved and who he was after his salvation experience. Newton was a wretch, moral pariah whose business was slave trade before he became a preacher of the gospel of the great Saviour, Jesus Christ who saved him by grace during a near shipwreck. In his words in his late years, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour."
Beyond the personality of John Newton, his hymn - "Amazing Grace" - reveals a profound truth about the grace of Jesus Christ to anyone who invites Him into his life as his personal Saviour and Lord. It is a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God. It is indeed sweet to hear that a wretched person who is lost and blind spiritually can be found and see spiritually. The grace would teach the heart of anyone who believes to fear God and be relieved of all other fears. The grace is indeed precious not only initially but all the time. It is grace that has brought the believer safe thus far through many dangers, toils, and snares and it will eventually lead him to eternal home.
The hymn further reveals some benefits that a believer in Christ who has experienced the grace would enjoy. He would enjoy the promised goodness of God; his hope would be secured in God's word; as long he lives, his shield and portion will be God; even when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, such a believer will possess a life of joy and peace; and in heaven, he will eternally sing God's praise. It is indeed amazing grace!
Have you experienced this grace? No matter how wretched or morally bankrupt you think you are. You can experience it. Remember, you cannot earn it with any kind of work. It is only through faith in the finished work of salvation of Jesus Christ. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ today, and you will experience the amazing grace and enjoy all its benefits (see Acts 16:31; Romans 3:24; 4:5, 16).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 11Aug2012

How do you see your life? Until you get the correct view of life, it will be difficult to live with etermity in perspective. - Gideon Akanbi

Quote for the Day 10Aug2012

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

Quote for the Day 09Aug2012

The Christian soldier must avoid two evils—he must not faint or yield in the time of fight, and after a victory, he must not wax insolent and secure. When he has overcome, he is so to behave himself as though he were presently again to be assaulted. For Satan's temptations, like the waves of the sea, do follow one in the neck of the other. - George Downame

Quote for the Day 08Aug2012

Gratitude is an attitude that hooks us up to our source of supply. And the more grateful you are, the closer you become to your Maker, to the Architect of the universe, to the spiritual core of your being. - Bob Proctor

Quote for the Day 07Aug2012

No evil deed can go unpunished. Any evil done by man to man will be redressed. If not now, then certainly later; if not by man, then certainly by God, for the victory of evil over good can only be temporary. - Dele Giwa

Quote for the Day 06Aug2012

Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro' the precious blood of Christ we've victory
If the Lord be for us we can never fail,
Nothing 'gainst His mighty power can e'er prevail.
- C. H. Morris

MAN PROPOSES GOD DISPOSES

Dearly Beloved,
MAN PROPOSES GOD DISPOSES
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Proverbs 19:21 NIV).
Human beings have many plans both short-term and long-term that they intend to accomplish. Most of these plans even have definite times that human beings want to carry them out. The fact that human beings could carry out these plans as planned makes them take most of these plans for granted. It is only when such plans cannot be carried out as planned that human beings resort to fate or chance. Most of the time, many people do not remember that it is God that disposes what man proposes. Many people indeed have forgotten the words of the writer of the book of Proverbs: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (16:9 NIV).
This fact was evident in my affairs recently. I could not meet my target in the office that day, so I planned that I will do extra work in the office the following day. However, as I was preparing to set out for the office on the following day, I received a phone call from one of my cousins that he had an auto accident the previous night, that he was in a hospital receiving treatment from injuries he sustained from the accident, and that I should come to his aid there immediately. I was destabilized by the news because that would mean I will not be able to go to my office that day to carry out my daily duties and even do extra work as I planned the previous day. Though, the relation was discharged that day from the hospital, I spent the whole day attending to that his needs and could not do anything that I planned beforehand for the day. Man proposes, God disposes!
Only if human beings will realize this and always involve God in their planning. James in his epistle said, "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:13-15 NIV).
What are your plans for the next minute, hour, day, week, month, or year? Do you involve God in these plans? Can you specifically say what will happen in the next minute not to talk of next year? The bottom-line is that only God determines what will happen next minute, hour, day, week, month, or year. However, this does not mean that one must not have a plan or purpose for his future activities either short-time or long-time. Only acknowledge God in everything you are planning to do, and He will keep you on the right track (see Proverbs 3:6).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 04Aug2012

Worry gets us nowhere, but prayer gets us in touch with the One who can handle all of our concerns. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Quote for the Day 03Aug2012

If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. - Michael Jordan

Quote for the Day 02Aug2012

Blessed is the person who sees the need, recognizes the responsibility, and actively becomes the answer. - William Arthur Ward

Quote for the Day 01Aug2012

Do not settle for an average life. God wants to launch you past the middle to the top. – John L. Mason