Quote for the Day 30Sep2012

O troubled heart, there is a home, Beyond the reach of toil and care; A home where changes never come; Who would not fain be resting there? Wait, meekly wait, and murmur not. - W.H. Bellamy

WAIT, AND MURMUR NOT

Dearly Beloved, WAIT, AND MURMUR NOT "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14 NIV). Little is known historically about the hymn "WAIT, AND MURMUR NOT" and its writer, W.H. Bellamy. However, the hymn is one of the comforting hymns for anyone who is passing through a difficult time. The writer referred to such a person as the "troubled heart" and reminded him that there is a home beyond the reach of toil and care where changes never come. Apostle Paul explained further about this home as "a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" which is devoid of any groan (2 Corinthians 5:1ff NIV). The home is an "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4 NIV). Who would not want to go and rest there? Therefore, the trouble heart should wait and murmur not! Even though God may allow one to be bowed down beneath the earthly load, because "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV). Therefore, one should still look up to the blessings above and meekly wait and murmur not. One may have some worldly thorns in one's path like Paul who had an undisclosed "thorn in his flesh" (see 2 Corinthians 12:7). This should remind one of Jesus Christ who bore thorns on His brow. Even if your heart is full of grief, Remember that Jesus Christ was described as "a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering" (Isaiah 53:3 NIV), and He did suffer when He was on earth, but He triumphed over His grief and suffering (see Revelation 5:5). Are you a "troubled heart"? What are you passing through that is making you to lose hope? I join W.H. Bellamy as he concluded his hymn by encouraging you that you should toil on without thinking that your sigh is unheard or your prayers are forgotten, because the day of rest will dawn for us. The psalmist declared, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:13 NIV). So, "Wait, meekly wait, and murmur not." In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 29Sep2012

The next time we are tempted to take credit for the blessings we enjoy, let’s pause and remember that it is the Lord who brings blessing. — Albert Lee

Quote for the Day 28Sep2012

Our satisfaction and peace should be hinged on our precious relationship and walk with God; never on mundane, fleeting things of this world. - Olufunso Joseph Omidiran

Quote for the Day 27Sep2012

He who is not happy without money will never be happy with money. He would like to have more and more till he is mourned. - Bayo Oladeji

Quote for the Day 26Sep2012

Never allow life's hardships to weigh you down. No one can avoid problems. Not even saints or sages. We get better with hardships. - Oyesoji Aremu

Quote for the Day 25Sep2012

Your life is a story. Each day you get to write a new page. So fill those pages with responsibility to God, to others, and to yourself. If you do, in the end you will not be disappointed. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 24Sep2012

Our obedience to the Lord may seem insignificant in the big picture, but it breathes freshness and life into the spiritual atmosphere of every believer. - David C. McCasland

THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Dearly Beloved, THE PRESENCE OF GOD "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" (Psalm 139:7 NIV). The omnipresent nature of God is affirmed throughout the Bible. Psalm 139 is especially written for this purpose. God is everywhere. There is no hiding place from Him. He is the unseen companion of man wherever man finds himself. This fact of the presence of God is both an encouraging and warning fact. It is encouraging to know that the God of the whole universe is with you when you are passing through the darkest path of life. The psalmist says, "...Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..." (Psalm 23:4 NIV. See also Psalm 46:11; Isaiah 43:1-2). Jesus Christ also promises, "...surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20 NIV). Paul sums this encouraging fact in this affirmation, "...If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31 NIV). Nevertheless, the presence of God is also a warning to us in everything we are doing. Here is a story of a man who took his son to another man's farm. When they got there, he placed his son in a vantage place and told him to call out when the son sees anyone coming as he (the father) will be stealing the farm products of the other man. The man was about to start his theft when the son called out. The man could not see anybody coming and he queried the son for his action. The son pointed to heaven and said, "God is there looking at you!" The man was dumbfounded and thanked his son for his wisdom. He left the farm immediately without taking anything. The boy seemed to be referring to Proverbs 5:21, "For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths" (NIV). If everyone is like that son who was conscious of the presence of God, everyone would be cautious in doing, or even thinking to do, any bad thing. No wonder the psalmist concludes his writing about the omnipresence of God by saying, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB This message was first sent out on June 5, 2005.

Quote for the Day 22Sep2012

Hope is a seed God plants in our hearts to remind us there are better things ahead. - Holley Gerth

Quote for the Day 21Sep2012

Our hope is not mere speculation in what God might do. God has given His word on many areas of life regarding things He will do. We can have confident hope in everything that He has promised. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 20Sep2012

If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy. - Anonymous

Quote for the Day 19Sep2012

Need compassion? Need comfort? Go to God. He has an endless supply and is ready to pour it out on you in abundance. He is what we need in times of trouble! — Dave Branon

Quote for the Day 18Sep2012

There is the need to engage self in a constant evaluation to be in tune with our advancements or otherwise. An understanding of our current engagements would help us know if we are on track to destiny land or not. - Emmanuel Oloruntoba Arotile

Quote for the Day 17Sep2012

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see his banners go! - Sabine Baring-Gould

LET GOD CONTEND!

Dearly Beloved,
LET GOD CONTEND!
The violent protests in Egypt and Libya over a US-produced film that demonstrators believe insults the Prophet Muhammad that led to the killing of the US ambassador in Libya and three other Americans and the rumoured proposed demonstrations in other Muslim-dominated areas especially in Nigeria made me changed the message that I intended to send out this week and delved into my archive to adapt this message titled "JERUB-GOD" initially sent out on May 9, 2004:
"But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, 'Are you going to plead Baal's cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.' So that day they called Gideon 'Jerub-Baal,' saying, 'Let Baal contend with him,' because he broke down Baal's altar" (Judges 6:31-32 NIV).
The people of Orphrah found their Baal altar desecrated. They discovered that Gideon, the son of Joash wreaked the havoc. They must take vengeance! They must kill Gideon. However, his father gave a classic advice: let Baal fight for himself if it is really god.
Today, many people are like the people of Orphran. They are violent against other people due to religion. They think that they can help God fight His battles. They are ready to take the lives of their fellow human beings because of religion! The Libyan incident is just one out of many instances where such people are killing and/or maiming other people and destroying their properties because they are trying to defend their religion or help their so-called God.
Can one fight for the Almighty God? Can one defend Him? Should one play God? Should we lose sight of the judgment of God? He is indeed God! No one can help Him. He fights for Himself. Read this: "When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God" (2 Samuel 6:6-7 NIV). Many Bible scholars disagree as to how "irreverent" his act was. Was he not trying to help God? Well, he paid dearly for it.
Certainly, our God is not weak. He does not need anyone to defend Him or fight for Him. He defends Himself - in His own way. Isaiah declared, "[God] put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle. According to their deeds, so He will repay, Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; to the coastlands He will make recompense. So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream which the wind of the LORD drives" (59:17-19, NASB. See also Nahum 1:2; Romans 12:19).
Are you trying to defend God or fight for Him? He does not need that! Allow Him to do the fighting in His own way and in His own time. Only a powerless god will need his adherents to defend him or fight for him. Let God contend. Jerub-God!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message is dedicated to the slain US ambassador, J Christopher Stevens, the other three Americans and all others that were killed or maimed throughout the world by Muslims because of religion.

Quote for the Day 15Sep2012

Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work. - Mother Teresa

Quote for the Day 14Sep2012

We must be wise and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that our relationship will not drag us away from Christ and the focus of our ministry. - Israel Adelani Akanji

Quote for the Day 13Sep2012

One of the salient reasons why Christianity is considered unique is the quality of relationships it empowers believers to have for God and build among themselves. - Julius Adeniji

Quote for the Day 12Sep2012

Relating with others can sometimes be a tough experience but it is unavoidable, beneficial and indeed the true test of our Christian discipleship. - John O. Enyinnaya

Quote for the Day 11Sep2012

If we will succeed and fulfil our calling, then we must make concerted efforts to resolve the imbalances in our relationships. - Deji Isaac Ayegboyin

Quote for the Day 10Sep2012

The King of kings may allow disappointments, pains, agonies, shame, defeats and other difficulties in your life to serve His purpose. No matter how bad that situation may be, God is at work in it. Look out for Him and He will see you through! - EA Adeboye

CAN YOU KILL?

Dearly Beloved,
CAN YOU KILL?
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…" (Matthew 5:21-22a KJV).
"Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him" (1 John 3:15 NIV).
We were having our supper that evening when my four-year-old son asked his mother: "Mummy, can you kill?" His mother quickly answered, "No, I cannot kill, but I can bless people." I tried to help my son by modifying the question, "Killing what?" My son clarified himself by saying that he meant killing animals. My dear wife still corroborated her earlier answer that she cannot kill even a small rat!
As I was reflecting on the dialogue, I realized that many people might not be able to kill even a small rat like my wife. However, such people have killed, and are still killing, many people by their hatred thoughts and actions.
The Bible says, "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer…" (1 John 3:15a NIV. See also Leviticus 19:16-18; Proverbs 26:24-26). There are many examples of people in the Bible that confirm this: Cain (Genesis 4:5-8); Esau (Genesis 27:41); Absalom (2 Samuel 13:22-28); Herodias (Mark 6:19); some Jews (Acts 23:12-14), etc. While some of these people actually killed the persons they hated, some conspired to kill before God intervened. However, they had one thing in common: HATRED. It always leads to murder.
You might not be able to kill other people by gun, sword, knife, bomb, poison, or any other harmful thing, but do you hate anyone? Are you having any grudge against anyone? To God, you are a murderer. The antidote of hatred and grudge is love. "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs" (Proverbs 10:12, NIV).
Can you kill? Beware!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on December 5, 2004.

Quote for the Day 08Sep2012

Think of your struggles. Do you need a place to hide? Do you need Someone to shelter you from life’s assaults? Do you need the assurance that you’ve been forgiven? You can find shelter and assurance in God. - Dave Branon

Quote for the Day 07Sep2012

We need the Lord's strenght to fulfil our purpose in life and to overcome every life battle. - Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 06Sep2012

From over hill and plain there comes the signal strain,
’Tis loyalty, loyalty, loyalty to Christ;
Its music rolls along, the hills take up the song,
Of loyalty, loyalty, yes, loyalty to Christ.
- E. Taylor Cassel

Quote for the Day 05Sep2012

Although money is not evil, it can prevent us from inheriting true riches if accumulating it is the goal of our lives. — Julie Ackerman Link

Quote for the Day 04Sep2012

No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me-
O how much He cared for me!
- Charles F. Weigle

Quote for the Day 03Sep2012

Do not remain "you" but build up yourself. Learn to add value to your life at all times. Allow God to turn your challenges to channels of blessings; and stumbling blocks to stepping stones for you. - Joshua Sunday IbukunOluwa

ARE YOU CONSCIOUS OF IT?

Dearly Beloved,
ARE YOU CONSCIOUS OF IT?
"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV).
Recently, I sent out a message in my Internet ministry that has to do with what God would do "by this time next year." I even made it a prayer wish and sent it to people by SMS, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), WhatsApp Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, and Facebook chats and wall posts. Undoubtedly, thousands of people received the message and the prayer wish. Out of the people that responded to the message and the prayer wish through these various means, one respondent made a remark that caught my attention: "If Christ tarries. Amen." While other people and even I may be preoccupied by something good that God would do next year or even next moment, we may not be conscious of the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ!
It is a fact that Jesus Christ will come one day to take His own and bring others into final judgement. Nevertheless, no one knows when the trumpet would sound to signal the beginning of this final event. Jesus Christ emphasized this to His disciples (see Matthew 16:27; 24:36-44; 25:13; Acts 1:7, 11). The fact that no one knows when this important event will take place makes it very expedient to be vigilant and expect it any time. However, because it is over two thousand years now that the promise was made and yet it has not been fulfilled, many people have either ignored it or even refuted it. However, it will surely happen unexpectedly one day. The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:8-10, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (NIV. See also Isaiah 46:13; Habakkuk 2:3; Luke 18:7-8; Hebrews 10:37).
It is good to have plans for the future and wish that God would do some earthly good things in the near future. However, are you conscious of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you remember that He may come any time? Are you preparing for Him? Do not let Him meet you unprepared!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).